Holidays | Spoon of Life

It’s that time of the year again where the barbecues are out and the sunset smells like dinner!

I’m very much looking forward to the 4^th of July this year! It’s going to be my first one as an American citizen and I’m so very proud of that! Hopefully we’ll have a nice sunny day and we’ll be able to sit outside in our yard and enjoy the holiday. We might go to a park nearby as well because I’ve heard they have some very pretty fire works!

When it come to holidays, I love to cook something special, but as you all know I’m always looking for a healthier option and one that is stress-free to make.

You want to be able to make something yummy and also enjoy it!

I would like to share with you my recipe for the turkey burgers and the baked sweet potatoes fries I normally make! As usual I eye-ball my ingredients and feel free to do the same. This is not a recipe that requires exact measurements…and also it’s much more fun and less pressure!

The independent turkey burgers with the liberated sweet potatoes fries

Ingredients

Organic ground turkey

Organic whole wheat burgers buns

Organic turkey bacon

Organic smoked mozzarella

Organic dark leaf lettuce

Organic beef-steak tomatoes

Organic chopped mushrooms

Organic finely diced shallots

Organic minced rosemary

Organic mayo and ketchup

Organic sweet potatoes

Organic oil of olive

Salt & Pepper

Turn your oven on to 450 degrees F and fire up your grill!

Peel and slice the potatoes into long strips.

In a large bowl toss sweet potatoes with some oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.

Arrange the sweet potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet, being sure not to overcrowd.

Bake until sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning a few times for about 20 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

While your potatoes are ‘tanning’ in your oven, in a large bowl put: your ground turkey, some chopped mushrooms, some chopped shallots, some minced rosemary, a touch of oil, salt, pepper and start mixing everything together with your hands! Isn’t cooking so much fun? You can still get down and dirty like a little kid 😉

Prepare your patties, be sure the grill is nice and hot, brush it with a little bit of oil and put the burgers on. Be sure to cook them through! (4-6 minutes on each side).

Meanwhile in a pan, crisp the turkey bacon.

Warm your burger buns in the oven for just a few seconds and start the assembling line!

Put a little bit of mayo on one bun, some lettuce, your burger, top it with the cheese and a nice big slice of tomato, finish it with the turkey bacon, a little bit of ketchup on the other bun and there you have some serious 4^th of July burger!

Put your fries in a tall cup (much easier to handle them especially if you’re outside barbecuing) season them with salt and pepper if need it and enjoy your holiday!

Have a very Happy and Healthy 4^th of July everyone!

I personally think mothers should be truly celebrated every day, but it’s good to know that they have one extra special day on the calendar just for them!

So be sure to make this day memorable for your Mom!

Here are a few ideas on what to give her this Sunday:

1) A Massage: That’s the classic gift but I think it’s a great one; she will be able to use it when she needs it the most and she’ll have some “me” time, pampering herself. Massages are great because they de-stress you and they re-energize your body at the same time. You can check out SpaFinder to locate a great spa near your Mom (http://www.spafinder.com/)

2) A Cleaning Service: Looking around on the internet I found this organic cleaning service and I think it would make a wonderful gift! Not only will she be able to relax, but also enjoy an organic squeaky clean house. (http://www.heavenlyorganiccleaning.com/index.htm)

3) Classes: From Yoga to Pilates, to pottery, scrap booking, and cooking… a class is a great way to let her enjoy some time doing what she loves. She will be able to meet new friends and an activity is always great for your soul, mind and body.

4) Breakfast in bed, picnic lunch and dinner at her favorite restaurant: Surprise her with some homemade cooked food. Prepare her favorite breakfast and bring it to her in bed with a nice flower and her favorite magazine. Cook her a nice healthy picnic lunch and take her to her favorite park or just your yard. And at night treat her to her favorite restaurant! For some healthy recipes check out my previous blog posts.

5) A Letter: This is something you should do no matter what gift you give her. Take a moment to write to her from your heart; don’t let a ready-to-be-signed card talk for you. Spend time thanking her for everything she gives you, for everything she does for you. Appreciate every little thing she brings into your life. That is a gift she will keep with her forever.

I hope you’ll have a beautiful Mother’s Day full of love, health and happiness!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there!