Game 13 Healthier Pizza(II) Seahawks @ Packers

Game 13

Seahawks @ Packers

Healthier Pizza Part II

Pregame

The dreaded Seahawks come into Lambeau today.  The Packers are 1-3 against them recently with 2 of those losses among the worst in franchise history:  The Fail Mary and the NFC Championship Game overtime loss in 2014.  This weather will be almost identical to last week except the majority of the snow should fall before game time.  

On paper Seattle is definitely the better team but the Packers are at home, won 2 in a row, played in the snow last week, and have to win to make the playoffs. If they can't win this game, they probably aren't a playoff team.  

Seattle's defense is still one of the best even though they will be without one of their best defensive players, safety Earl Thomas.  Christine Michael, the running back picked up from Seattle, may give the Packers a little inside info to help them and he may be amped up to show off against his former team.  The Pack will be without Nick Perry with a broken hand but TJ Lang wil be back to help protect QB12 against the Seattle defensive front.

Recipe

Healthier Pizza Part II

This week we are making pizza even healthier.  Last week we had a whole wheat crust, organic pizza sauce, fresh veggies, and Daiya vegan cheese.  This time we replace the pizza sauce and Daiya cheese.

Sauce

This sauce is not terrible but it does contain oil and added sugar.  Instead, whip up your own sauce without these ingredients in just a few minutes.

Pizza Sauce

1 15oz can Organic Low Salt Tomato Sauce(no added sugar or oil)

1 tbl Oregano

1 tbl Basil

1 tbl Garlic Powder

1 tbl Chopped Onion

or 

2 tsp Onion Powder

Note:  I like heavy sauce, so I use this amount on 2 pizzas.  If you like less sauce, this will make 4 pizzas.  Adjust the spices to your taste.

Cheese Topping

The Daiya cheese is a much better choice than cow's milk cheese but it is still a heavily processed food.  You can simply replace the Daiya with nutrional yeast and finely ground cashews.

Nutritional yeast tastes kind of cheesy.  It's high in protein and one the few foods that has vitamin B-12 in it.  Sprinkle as little or as much as you like once you have added your veggies.

Ground cashews make up the second part of the topping.  Take raw, organic(if possible) cashews and grind them in food processor or high speed blender into a powder.  Use the pulse function several times otherwise you make cashew butter.  Raw cashews are preferred because most cashews you find are roasted in oil and have salt added.  Sprinkle on top just like with the nutritional yeast.

Here is my pizza today with some of my favorite veggies: lactino(dinosaur) kale from the garden massaged in lemon juice, green peppers, red onion, and baby bella mushrooms. I also like to finish off mine with a bunch of red pepper flakes to give it a little bit of heat.  Enjoy!

Game Recap

Packers win 38-10!!

Great effort by the Packers!  The Packers started off with a touchdown but then allowed a FG to Seattle.  The Pack's next series resulted in a missed 51 yd FG but then held Seattle to a 3 and out and never relinquished control after that.

Big plays by the offense and defense won the day.  The D forced 6 turnovers, 5 INT's and a fumble, along with 3 sacks and many hard hits on former Badger Russell Wilson.  Aaron Rodgers played great with a QB rating of 150.8 even though he was hobbled most of game and was smartly pulled early in the 4th qtr when the game was out of reach for Seattle.  Jared Cook left the game with a chest injury which I wouldn't be surprised to find out it's a broken rib.

The Packers really needed this to solidify their playoff chances but will need the teams in front of them to start losing some games.  The last 3 games are against the division with next week being at Chicago and then home against the Vikings and Lions.  

Be well,

David

Game 12 Healthier than Delivery Pizza Texans @ Packers

Game 12

Healthier than Delivery Pizza

Texans @ Packers

Pregame

Game forecast:  Green Bay kind of weather, 35 and snowy!

If field conditions are poor look for a low scoring game with a lot of running and short passes.  We hope QB 12 can keep his play at a high level with a questionable hamstring suffered last week.  Clay Matthews should play even though his shoulder is not 100% and expect Jake Ryan to be back after a few games out. 

The Texans have a decent defense even with JJ Watt(from Peawaukee, WI) out for the season.  Their offense has only scored 2 offensive touchdowns in 1 game and the have the highest paid most underperforming quarterback in the league, Brock Osweiller.  If the Packers control the clock and the turnovers, they should be able to corral the Texans easily. 

Recipe/Health Tip

Healthier than Delivery Pizza

Pizza is a staple for NFL gameday.  However, the pizza most people are eating is one of the worst foods as far as your health is concerned.  Pizza Hut, Domino's or Papa John's, not much difference as to how bad they are for you.  Loaded with cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium from butter, cheese, oil, and meat. 

Give your heart and arteries a break by making this much healthier version of pizza.  Most people say time is the biggest reason they can't eat healthy. Buying this pizza kit will save you time, money, and your health.  We find this one at Costco for $9.99.(They recently switched to this brand but we liked the brand they had previous a little more)  It comes with 4 premade crusts and sauces.  

As far as healthy crusts and sauces go it is fairly good.  They use organic ingredients but the negatives include high salt, added oil, and sweeteners in the form of honey and sugar.  That said it is still a much healthier place to start than your local pizza chain.

Now that you have a good base to start with, all you have to do is pile on your favorite healthy veggie toppings and the combinations are endless.  Finish it off with some vegan cheese such as Daiya or Follow Your Heart mozzarella cheese, pop it in the oven for 10-12 minutes and you have quick, easy, healthier gameday pizza!

Game Recap

Packers win again 21-13!

This was a classic winter Green Bay game in the low 30's and snow throughout. With a slippery field, the footing wasn't great so it wasn't clean and precise. Just the opposite: dirty, sloppy, snowy, and cold.  Just what December NFL football should be!

The Packers offense played the best at the beginning and the end with a little bit of a lull in the middle.  Jordy Nelson had the best day but it seemed like every offensive weapon had at least one really big play to solidify the win.  The biggest thing was it looked like they were having fun and playing like a team.  It was great to watch, one of the most fun games of the year!

Next week is going to be a real tough game going to Seattle.  They need to keep the momentum rolling.

Be well, 

David

Game 11 Baked Fries & Homemade Ketchup Packers @ Eagles

Game 11

Baked Fries & Homemade Ketchup

Packers @ Eagles

Pregame

Monday night football in Philly should be a good game.  Can the Packers win? Now their backs are to the wall and probably have to win the remaining 6 games to make the playoffs.  They'll have to do without their two starting linebackers but they will get back Damarius Randall.  Look for Clay Matthews to probably get some snaps inside.  Philly is a tough place to play and Carson Wentz has played great most of his rookie seasons far.  

Recipe

Baked Fries & Homemade Ketchup

Recipe by High Carb Hannah

Ingredients:

4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into strips

1 tsp each:  onion powder, garlic powder, paprika

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Place fries in a large bowl and toss with spices.  Arrange fries on a pan prepared with parchment paper.  Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through.  Top with nutritional yeast for extra flavor if you like.

Homemade Ketchup

1/2 cup water

1 (6oz) can tomato paste

4 Medjool dates, soaked in water for 1 hour

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp dried oregano

Blend all of the ingredients on high until smooth.  Refrigerate for up to one week in an airtight container.

Health Tip

This recipe was from High Carb Hannah.  You can visit her website Raw Till Whenever to find out her full story.  She has lost 70+ pounds in 2 years by first following Dr. John McDougall's book The Starch Solution eating a lot of potatoes. Along her journey she has developed her own recipes and system that has helped many lose weight.  

She has a new ebook out called Lean and Clean that you can purchase and save 10% by using the code "mrsplant".  Check out Mrs. Plant's blog if you want to see great examples of some of the recipes in the book.

Game Recap

Packers win 27-13!!

The skid has finally halted.  The Pack came to play and maintained their intensity for the full 60 minutes.  They had long time consuming drives that put them up by 11 minutes in time of possession.  Aaron Rodgers was terrific, they ran the ball when they had too but the receivers were the stars of the game, making great catches with only a few drops.  The defense did get an interception but just played average.  But average is all they need to play when the offense is clicking.

Hopefully they can recreate this model for the last 5 games and sneak into the playoffs where anything can happen.  Back home this coming weekend against the Texans and it is already predicted to be about 34 degrees at game time.

Until next week, be well

David

Game 8 Cheezy Fries Colts @ Packers

Game 8

Cheezy Fries

Colts @ Packers

Pregame

The Pack is back at home for 1 game before heading out on the road for 3 games.  It's important to win this one since they won't get back to Lambeau till December and the Colts and playing pretty awful right now.  Andrew has a horrific offensive line right now that has given up 31 sacks in the just the 1st half of the season.  They can score points but the defense is not very good.  If the Pack play like they did in Atlanta, they should win by 2 touchdowns.

The Pack will get back Quinten Rollins, Randall Cobb, and Ty Montgomery which should help.  Corey Linsley will also be back starting at center but replacing JC Tretter due to injury who had done a great job up to this point.  Having two great starting centers on the roster is a great problem to have.

Recipe

Cheezy Fries

by Debra Byczek

Ingredients:

Russet potatoes

Tomatoes

Red onion

Green onion 

"Bacon" Bits(see Mrs. Plant's link for recipe)

Quick Cashew Queso (see Mrs. Plant's link for recipe)

Steps:

Slice the Russet potatoes lengthwise and place them on a baking sheet that has been covered with a silicone slip mat or a piece of parchment paper.  Sprinkle with black pepper and garlic powder.  Bake in the oven at 450 degrees for about 20-30 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes.

Once the potatoes are done arrange them on your plate and generously top with the Quick Cashew Queso.  Sprinkle your favorite toppings on.  We used "Bacon" bits, tomatoes, red onion, and green onion tops.  You can garnish them with your favorite toppings.

"Bacon" Bits

(TVP, Liquid Smoke, Salt, Water)

Russet Potatoes sprinkled with black pepper and garlic powder

Quick Cashew Queso Ingredients

(Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Cashews, Nutritional Yeast, Miso, Lemon Juice, Black Pepper, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Almond Milk)

Yummo!!

Health Tip

Want more great delicious plant-based recipes?  Check out our friend Amy Johnson's site Mrs. Plant in Texas.  On her site you can find hundreds of oil free, low fat, whole food plant based recipes.  

Amy was sedentary and overweight with Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, etc. After watching the movie Forks Over Knives in 2012, her family went plant based overnight.  After 3 months, she was off the medications she was taking 3 times a day, reversed her diabetes, lowered her cholesterol, and started to lose weight.  Now she has lost over 50 lbs and even ran her first 5K at 51! (more about Mrs. Plant)

Amy also has an Education tab on her website that is full of blogs, videos, and audio with cooking, health, and lifestyle tips.

Game Result

Packers lose 31-26!

Well, there's not much to say about this one other than they totally blew it!  For all the good plays they made, they gave up more bad ones. 

Especially memorable bad play included:

• Giving up a 99 yd touchdown on the opening kickoff
• Only scoring 3 points on the 1st 2 drives
• After finally getting an interception they missed a FG
• Scoring only 3 points in the 2nd & 3rd qtr
• Inability if the defense to make a stop on 3rd down on the Colt's last drive

They looked like they actually were going to make a comeback but the defense couldn't make a stand when they needed to.  The defense also should have been able to sack Luck way more than 2 times.

Off to Tennessee next week for the start of their 3 game road trip.

Be well,

David

Game 5: Cowboys @ Packers Tex-Mex Pizza Bites

Game 5

Cowboys @ Packers

Tex-Mex Pizza Bites

Pregame

Living in the heart of Cowboy's country, there is no opponent I love to the Packers to beat more.  After suffering through the terrible losses in the 90's, the Pack has reversed their fortune against them.  They've beat the Cowboys 5 straight games, with the last 2 losses especially humiliating!  These were the playoff loss in Green Bay with the Dez Bryant non-catch and the Pack defeating them in Dallas, with Matt Flynn at the helm, in the biggest comeback loss in Cowboys history.  

We were at the game in Dallas and it definitely made up for all those losses in the 90's!

This game will mostly be about the Packer's #1 run stopping defense vs the Cowboy's # 1 run offense.  The Packer's will have Eddie Lacy as the only running back an will be thin again at cornerback with Quinten Rollins out.  Dez Bryant is still out for the Cowboys.  The Packers will need to find a way to make Dak Prescott to make some mistakes.

Recipe

Tex-Mex Pizza Bites

Living in Texas Tex-Mex food is king.  This week I've come up with a great healthy snack that will tempt the taste buds of all Tex-Mex lovers!

Ingredients:
2 Pizza Crusts
1 can Refried Beans
1 can Red Enchilada Sauce
1 package Beyond Beef Crumbles
1 package Taco Seasoning
Pizza Toppings such as:
Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, black olives, avocados, jalapenos,taco sauce

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  In a skillet warm up the package of Beyond Beef Crumbles.  When warmed up add in the taco seasoning and water and cook until the sauce thickens.  Next, spread a layer of the refried beans onto the pizza crusts.  Then spread a thin layer of the enchilada sauce over the beans and then sprinkle on the Beyond Beef crumbles. Place the pizzas in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes.  When the pizzas come out of the oven garnish them with whatever toppings your family enjoys or let everyone make their own.  Then cut up the pizza into small squares, drizzle with taco sauce and voila, you're a Tex-Mex super hero!

Game Recap

Packers lose 30-16!!

Well the Cowboys running attack definately beat the Packer's D.  The passing defense didn't hold up much better after cornerback Damarius Randall went down and left our #4 & 5 guys to start.  They did keep the Cowboys to only 3 of 11 on 3rd down and Burnett had a pick to prevent a score.

Offense for the Packers was a mixed bag.  Big kudos to Ty Montgomery for10 receptions and Eddie Lacey for gutting it out with a bad ankle.  That wasn't enough though.   Aaron Rodgers missed some easy throws, had a pick and a fumble.  He has to play better.   He is not hitting receivers so they have an opportunity to make plays or defend themselves.  As a result Davante Adams looks to have a possible concussion. 

I'll have to take grief from Cowboys fans until the next time they meet(maybe the playoffs).

Be well, 

David

Game 4: NY Giants @ Packers Street Vendor Pretzels

Game 4:  NY Giants @ Packers

Street Vendor Pretzels

    

Pregame

After the bye week, the Packers will be back to near full strength.  Sam Shields, Damarius Randall and Jared Cook will be out, but much improved over the decimation the previous game.  

The Packers need to on guard against The Giants.  Eli Manning has ruined their playoffs twice at Lambeau Field and has a QB rating of 105 in their last 4 games meetings.  Look out for OBJ(Odell Beckham Jr) to have a big game after poor outings and controversy over his play and attitude.

Recipe/Food

Street Vendor Pretzels

Ingredients:

1 bag of refrigerated whole wheat pizza dough (I used Trader Joe's)

Whole wheat flour

Water

Kosher salt (optional)

Earth Balance Vegan Spread (optional)

Condiments for dipping

(Pizza Sauce, Mustard, Ginger Chutney Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Vegan Queso, etc....)

Directions:

Dust a rolling surface with a small amount of whole wheat flour.  Roll the pizza dough into a large circle.  Cut into long strips and roll into desired thickness and then form into the shape of pretzels.  Spray lightly with water and sprinkle on kosher salt if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.  Once you remove them from the oven you can brush them with a little Earth Balance Vegan spread if you like. We did not do this on ours and they tasted great.

Grab your favorite condiments and begin dipping.  We used Trader Joe's pizza sauce and Mango Ginger Chutney as well as plain mustard.  

These are a great alternative to the highly processed pretzels you see street vendors selling in New York!  These are great to enjoy while you are watching the game.

Health Tip 

Whole Grains

When using whole grains, you want to choose ones that are the least processed and organic if possible. Whole grains use the entire kernel.  The grain needs to be listed as the first ingredient and referred to as:  whole, stone ground, or just the grain by itself especially when looking at wheat.

Examples of the most popular whole grains are:

1. Brown Rice
2. Wheat
3. Oats
4. Barley
5. Corn
6. Rye
7. Buckwheat
8. Quinoa(technically a seed)
9. Millet
10. Amaranth

Grains tend to get a bad reputation but they are anything but.  Processed  grains what you need to look out for.  These typically have the outer shell of the grain removed to either make it a more uniform color or shelf stable for several years.  The outer shell(germ) is where a lot of the nutrients are. 

Processed(refined) grains are sometimes referred to as enriched(synthetic vitamins and minerals are added back in that were taken away with the germ). Foods that people tend to refer to as high carb usually have these highly refined/processed and high glycemic grains.  The body sees these as near sugar-like and will spike blood sugar and are usually high in calories at the same time.  Also added to highly processed grains are a whole host of other unhealthy things like: sugar, oils, salt, artificial ingredients, and preservatives.

Whole grains are more nutrient dense and it takes the body much longer to digest which will help with weight management.  Think slow, long lasting vs. fast burn energy.

Game Recap

Packers win 23-16!

The game wasn't as close as the final score indicates with the Giants scoring a TD late and FG's for the rest of their scores.  The Packers dominated time of possession in the 1st Qtr 13:03 to 1:57 but ended with an Aaron Rodger's pick on a deflection.  The Packer's defense held up great despite their top two corners down.  They held the Giants to a paltry 43 yds rushing and Odell Beckham to 56 yds.  Job well done D! 
Rodgers had another pick in the 2nd qtr on a low pass but was overall very good.  James Starks had several dropped passes on screens and an almost costly fumble in the last minutes.  Eddie Lacey had a great night rushing before exiting with an ankle injury.  Randall Cobb was the star receiver with 9 grabs but Davante Adams had an impressive 5 grabs.  The offensive line was also great great keeping Rodgers mostly clean with only 3 hits.

Until next week when the Cowboys visit Green Bay,

Be well, 

David