Wildcard Playoff Thai Kale & Carrot Salad Giants @ Packers

Wildcard Playoff

Thai Kale & Carrot Salad

Giants @ Packers

Pregame

We made it!  The Packers ran the table and got a home playoff game in the process.  In the middle of the season, this day seemed very unlikely.  The Packers will only be without Quentin Rollins and Jayrone Elliott.

This game should be a tight one.  Eli Manning has won twice in Lambeau during the playoffs and eventually leading to two Super Bowls.  Right now the Packers offense is hot for the last 7 weeks but the Giants have an equally hot defense. Probably the key to the game will be whether the fairly poor Giants offense or equally inept Packers defense are going to step up and win the game.  The weather will be in the teen's but it shouldn't be much of a factor as both teams are used to playing in cold weather.  

Go Pack Go!!

Recipe

Thai Kale & Carrot Salad

by Debra Byczek

Salad:

1 bunch of Kale, torn and tossed with 1 tsp lime juice

1/2 head of purple cabbage, sliced thin or chopped

1/2 bag shredded carrots

Dressing:

1/2 cup dry roasted unsalted peanuts

2 T. low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup coconut sugar

4 cloves garlic

1/4 tsp red chili flakes

(Blend all of the ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth)

Maple Curry Nuts:

1 cup unsalted nuts (I used cashews, peanuts, and pecans)

1 T. maple syrup

1 t. curry powder

(Toss the nuts with the maple syrup and curry powder.  Baked on a parchment lined baking sheet at 350 degrees for 6-10 minutes)

This is a delicious crunchy salad that my friend Mrs. Plant taught me how to make at a cooking class.  

Tip:  Don't toss the salad with the dressing or nuts until ready to serve.  It will get too soft if you add the dressing ahead of time.

Check out Mrs. Plant's website for lots of great, healthy recipes.

www.mrsplantintexas.com

Dressing Ingredients

Enjoy!

Game Recap

Packers WIN!!!  They beat the Giants 38-13!  This game was not won till after halfway in the 4th qtr.  The Packers had an extremely slow start but the defense miraculously only allowed 6 points when the Giants were dominating.  Then the Pack scores a td halfway through the 2nd qtr and topped it off with a hail mary to Randall Cobb going into halftime.

Then the Packers had another slow start to the 2nd half and gave the Giants a chance to take over the game but they just couldn't do it.  Then the Pack took over the game towards the end of the 3rd qtr and never let up.  

I said in the pregame the difference maker would be either the Giants offense or the Packers defense and the Packer's D bent but never totally broke.  Clay Matthews didn't make a play all day until the 4th qtr when he hit Eli Manning, dislodging the ball, then running 10 yards downfield and recovering the ball. The Packers were still playing hard with seconds left and Demarius Randall returned an interception for 70 yards.

Now it's onto Dallas for next week's game.  The Packers lost to the Cowboys earlier in the year but then the Cowboys lost 2 of their 3 games to the Giants while the Packers have beat the Giants twice.  

Here's a prediction.

So the Cowboys can't beat the Giants.

The Packers can beat the Giants.

The Packers lost to the Cowboys at home.

The next logical progression in the pattern seems to be:

THE PACKERS BEAT THE COWBOYS AT HOME!

It will be an interesting week here in the Dallas/Ft Worth area of having to put up with all the Cowboys' fans ribbing but hopefully it will be worth it next Sunday.

GO PACK GO!!

Game 10 Cucumber Dill Dip Packers @ Redskins

Game 10

Cucumber Dill Dip

Packers @ Redskins

Pregame

It's been a rough week for the Pack after two terrible losses.  The coach and GM have been under fire and people are asking who are the leaders on this team and who is going to step up.

Injuries for the Packers are a wash this week.  They'll get Clay Matthews and Jared Cook back but it'll be offset by losing TJ Lang and Jake Ryan.  

The Packers need to figure things out tonight or things could get real ugly the rest of the season.  The best thing going for them is that they beat Washington at home in the playoffs last year, but Washington is a little better than last year and they probably are looking for some revenge.  

Recipe

Cucumber Dill Dip

Recipe inspired by PlantBased OKC

Ingredients:

1 box silken tofu (Mori Nu Organic Lite Firm)

1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped

1/2 small onion

2 large garlic cloves

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp dried parsley

1 1/2 Tbsp dried dill

Place all in the ingredients in the blender and blend at high speed for 1-2 minutes until smooth.  Makes about 1 quart and will last a week in the fridge.

Serve with fresh veggies and crackers.

Health Tip

This recipe was from the group Plant Based OKC.  This group in Oklahoma City is lead by Dr. Jimmy Conway and his wife Andrea.  Dr. Conway is a leading orthopedic surgeon specializing in the shoulder.  He went plant-based overnight after doing extensive research including reading Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease(which we have mentioned before) the day before he was scheduled for triple bypass heart surgery.   He cancelled the surgery and 6 months later was in great health.  Here's a 5 minute video about Dr. Jimmy Conway.

Now Jimmy and Andrea, with the help of Randy Titony, are spreading the word about a plant-based diet throughout Oklahoma.  Every month they hold a free 2.5 hour Nutrition 101 class at the hospital Jimmy works in.  We attended this class in May as a family and it was just the help and guidance the rest of my family needed to go plant-based.  They also hold a Wellness Forum the 1st Monday of every month at a restaurant where you can get a great meal and talk about health.  

You can find out more about Plant Based OKC by going to their website.  They also have a great Facebook page, PlantBasedOkc, that shares great health information and recipes.  On Instagram, you can follow them @plantbasedokc.
Dr. Conway is also in the the new documentary Eating you Alive.

Game Recap

Packers lose again, 42-24.

The Packers played well enough to win but the defensive secondary could just not prevent big plays.  Throw in a slow start again by the offense and they were playing from behind most of the game.

Some bright spots included Jared Cook and Aaron Rodgers.  Despite a little slow start, Rodgers played like the we know he can.  Jared Cook showed exactly what the Packers hoped from him when they signed him as a free agent.

Next week we're still on the road, in Philly this time.  The Packers are now 2 games out of 1st place in the division and a loss next week and a win by the Vikings or Lions will pretty much seal their fate.

Have a great week with family and friends for Thanksgiving!

David

Game 9: BBQ Tempeh Tacos Packers @ Titans

Game 9

BBQ Tempeh Tacos

Packers @ Titans

Pregame

The Pack starts the 2nd half of the season with the 1st of 3 games on the road in Tennessee.  With a record of 4-4, the Packers still have an opportunity to make the playoffs and even be seeded high because the NFC doesn't have any standouts besides the Cowboys(it pains me to say this).  A loss today will make a run very difficult.

The running game should get a boost as James Starks will be active for the first time in a month.  Fill-in Don Jackson was deactivated to allow Starks to play. Clay Matthews will be out again after re-aggravating his hamstring injury in practice last week.

Recipe

BBQ Tempeh Tacos

by Debra Byczek

These BBQ tacos are a healthy alternative to traditional tacos.  This recipe is inspired by Rip Esselysten in My Beef With Meat.

Ingredients:

8 oz package of organic tempeh

1 Tablespoon Tamari

8 oz barbecue sauce (I used Stubbs Spicy sauce)

Toppings:  tomatoes, cabbage, cilantro, red onions, shredded carrots, and pineapple

Lettuce leaves

In a skillet on medium heat warm up the tempeh.  Then turn the heat to low and add the Tamari and BBQ sauce and make sure all of the tempeh is coated. Continue to cook on low for about 5 minutes.

While the tempeh is cooking dice up all your toppings.  Top the lettuce leaves with the tempeh and then garnish with toppings of your choice.  (You can also use corn tortillas in place of the lettuce leaves).  This is a quick, healthy recipe that everyone will enjoy.

BBQ sauce, Tamari, Organic Tempeh

Toppings:  tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, pineapple, shredded purple cabbage & carrots

Lettuce leaves

Health Tip

Tempeh

Tempeh is a minimally processed and fermented form of the soybean.  Isn't soy bad for you?  This is what most people think when they hear the word soy.  It's a myth.  Soy is not bad for you if you eat non-GMO soy, preferably organic.  The longest lived population on earth, the Okinawans, eat soy every day in various forms: edamame, tempeh, miso or tofu.

For all the great health benefits that soy has to offer, it is very high in protein and has more saturated fat than other beans.  It is a complete protein and has an aboundance of vitamins and minerals.  Enjoy it your meals in small amounts. 100 grams or about 3.5 ounces is a typical serving size.

This page gives a great summary of the health benefits.

TheScienceofEating-Tempeh

Game Recap

Packers lose 47-25!

This game was over after the 1st 2 minutes.  The Packers recover an onside kick to start the game and then go 3 and out.  Then the Titans get Mike Daniels called for offsides on their 1st play and then DeMarco Murray runs for a 75 yard touchdown.

  

Just like last week, they start down by 7 at the start of the game and they just couldn't stop the Titans at all.  21-0 after 1 qtr and 35-16 after the 2nd is impossible to overcome if you can't stop the other team from scoring.

Injuries cannot be the excuse for the poor play of this team two weeks in a row.

This team has some serious internal motivation issues.  Don't forget this team was the favorite to win the Super Bowl.  Look for some serious changes to be made if this continues for another game or two.

Be well,

David

Game 9: BBQ Tempeh Tacos Packers @ Titans

Game 9

BBQ Tempeh Tacos

Packers @ Titans

Pregame

The Pack starts the 2nd half of the season with the 1st of 3 games on the road in Tennessee.  With a record of 4-4, the Packers still have an opportunity to make the playoffs and even be seeded high because the NFC doesn't have any standouts besides the Cowboys(it pains me to say this).  A loss today will make a run very difficult.

The running game should get a boost as James Starks will be active for the first time in a month.  Fill-in Don Jackson was deactivated to allow Starks to play. Clay Matthews will be out again after re-aggravating his hamstring injury in practice last week.

Recipe

BBQ Tempeh Tacos

by Debra Byczek

These BBQ tacos are a healthy alternative to traditional tacos.  This recipe is inspired by Rip Esselysten in My Beef With Meat.

Ingredients:

8 oz package of organic tempeh

1 Tablespoon Tamari

8 oz barbecue sauce (I used Stubbs Spicy sauce)

Toppings:  tomatoes, cabbage, cilantro, red onions, shredded carrots, and pineapple

Lettuce leaves

In a skillet on medium heat warm up the tempeh.  Then turn the heat to low and add the Tamari and BBQ sauce and make sure all of the tempeh is coated. Continue to cook on low for about 5 minutes.

While the tempeh is cooking dice up all your toppings.  Top the lettuce leaves with the tempeh and then garnish with toppings of your choice.  (You can also use corn tortillas in place of the lettuce leaves).  This is a quick, healthy recipe that everyone will enjoy.

BBQ sauce, Tamari, Organic Tempeh

Toppings:  tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, pineapple, shredded purple cabbage & carrots

Lettuce leaves

Health Tip

Tempeh

Tempeh is a minimally processed and fermented form of the soybean.  Isn't soy bad for you?  This is what most people think when they hear the word soy.  It's a myth.  Soy is not bad for you if you eat non-GMO soy, preferably organic.  The longest lived population on earth, the Okinawans, eat soy every day in various forms: edamame, tempeh, miso or tofu.

For all the great health benefits that soy has to offer, it is very high in protein and has more saturated fat than other beans.  It is a complete protein and has an aboundance of vitamins and minerals.  Enjoy it your meals in small amounts. 100 grams or about 3.5 ounces is a typical serving size.

This page gives a great summary of the health benefits.

TheScienceofEating-Tempeh

Game Recap

Packers lose 47-25!

This game was over after the 1st 2 minutes.  The Packers recover an onside kick to start the game and then go 3 and out.  Then the Titans get Mike Daniels called for offsides on their 1st play and then DeMarco Murray runs for a 75 yard touchdown.

  

Just like last week, they start down by 7 at the start of the game and they just couldn't stop the Titans at all.  21-0 after 1 qtr and 35-16 after the 2nd is impossible to overcome if you can't stop the other team from scoring.

Injuries cannot be the excuse for the poor play of this team two weeks in a row.

This team has some serious internal motivation issues.  Don't forget this team was the favorite to win the Super Bowl.  Look for some serious changes to be made if this continues for another game or two.

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 7: Packers @ Falcons Creamy Apple Dip

Game 7

Packers @ Falcons

Creamy Apple Dip

Pregame

This will should be an exciting high scoring game with the Atlanta offense 2nd best and the Packer's offense putting it together lately.  Late scratches for the Packers include Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb, and Ty Montgomery.  This will really hamper their passing and running attack, but now it looks a good decision the GM kept so many receivers on the roster.

We have some our family that lives in the Atlanta area attending the game today to hopefully bring them good luck!  Pictured are my mom, sister, nephew, and Uncle John.  It's John's 60th birthday and the 1st time to see them in person.

Recipe

Creamy Apple Dip

From Dr. Michael Greger

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cashews(raw/unsalted/organic if possible)

1 cup of dates, remove the pits

3/4-1 cup of water

1 Tablespoon of cinnamon

1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Apple slices ( we used Granny Smith & Honeycrisp organic apples)

1.  In a high speed blender, combine the cashews, dates, water, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Blend until smooth.

2.  Wash and slice the apples.

3.  Enjoy!  Makes enough dip for 8 people.

Health Tip

Dr. Michael Greger is one the leading experts in the plant-based nutrition and wellness movement.  His website www.nutritionfacts.org is the go to resource for almost any health topic you could want to research.  Over 2,100 different health topics covered in mostly in 3-5 minute videos.  His site works by donation alone.  No money from outside influences just the facts!

His recent book was a New York Times best seller How Not To Die.  He also has an app that reminds you on a daily basis to consume his Daily Dozen, 12 things you should do every day for optimal health.

Game Recap

Packers lose 33-32!

Well it was an exciting high scoring game but the Pack didn't take advantage of several opportunities in the 2nd half that could've put them on top.  2 missed interceptions late in the 4th qtr, missing downing a punt near the goal line, not making key 3rd downs and missing a few big plays.  Overall you can't complain with the amount of guys hurt and some key guys stepping up like Geronimo Allison(is that a great name or what), Trevor Davis, Jeff Janis, Davante Adams, and The Ripper(Aaron Ripkowski).  

Next week is back at home against the Colts.  Hopefully we can get some guys healthy to make a strong push for the 2nd half.

Be well, 

David