How to Easily Seed A Pomegranate

Once the holiday season rolls around stores roll out a variety seasonal fruits and sweet treats. One of my favorite holiday fruits is the pomegranate. Pomegranates are sweet and delicious and they are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K. However, for those who enjoy the fruit you probably know what a pain it is to seed a pomegranate! Normally I end up wearing more pomegranate juice than I end up consuming, and it is almost impossible to get those stains out of clothes! 

Recently I came across a list of ways to seed a pomegranate and thought I'd try a few. Lo and behold one of the methods actually worked! I knew I had to share because it really does make seeding a pomegranate a LOT easier.

First fill a sink with freezing cold water and add a tray of ice cubes into the water. There should be enough water that the pomegranate is totally underwater. Allow the pomegranate to soak in the freezing cold water for 15-20 minutes. The cold water loosens up the membranes making it easier to seed, so the longer you soak it in cold water the easier it will be.

After letting the pomegranate soak cut it into fourths. Over a bowl, to catch the seeds, lightly tap the skin of the pomegranate, the side without seeds, with a wooden or a solid spoon (I've heard a spatula works as well but I have not personally tried it). The seeds should fall out into the bowl. Repeat with the remaining sections of pomegranate until all the seeds are removed from the skin. 

Whala! You have officially seeded a pomegranate without making a gigantic mess. I hope this makes seeding easier for you and allows you to enjoy delicious and nutritious pomegranates more often this holiday season!

Crockpot Cranberry Turkey Breast

Happy Crockpot Monday and as an added bonus it's finals week! An even better excuse to breakout the crockpot in my opinion. Frankly while I'm studying like a mad woman and attempting to remember every fact I learned over the semester, gotta love cumulative finals, I don't want to waste a ton of energy cooking. I combined two of my favorite foods, turkey and cranberry sauce, into a delicious and easy crockpot meal that is perfect Christmas season meal!

You will need:

• 12 ounces of my mom's famous homemade cranberry sauce- cut the recipe in half
• 12 ounces fresh, or frozen, cranberries
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup organic orange juice
• OPTIONAL: 1 Tablespoon zest of orange- I did not include this for this recipe
• *NOTE! I made the cranberry sauce the night before so it could cool of and thicken in the refrigerator 
• 1 Butter Ball Turkey Breast, I got the White Meat only one
• 1 Cup Organic Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• OPTIONAL: 1 small sweet onion diced, it is delicious with and without

First, pour chicken broth into crockpot, add onion if including.

Cut open the turkey breast packaging. Discard the netting and gravy packet. Place turkey breast in crockpot.

Once turkey breast is in crockpot spoon chilled cranberry sauce onto turkey breast. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Be sure to check the turkey is fully cooked with a meat thermometer, approx. 170°F internally, before removing from crockpot and serving.

Serve over white rice or mashed potatoes. Cooked green beans or assorted veggies make a delicious side!

Nutrition per serving (serves 5):
Calories: 199
Carbs: 21
Fat: 1 gram
Protein: 28 grams
Sodium: 84 mg
Sugars: 14 grams

Chocolate Fudge Protein Brownies

This is going to sound strange. You're going to think I'm crazy and you will raise your eyebrows. But, I promise before you get disgusted and think that you won't ever try these brownies hear me out.

The best part about making healthy recipes is getting to test out crazy ingredient substitutes all in the name of making healthy but still delicious versions of some classic favorite foods. I've learned to not tell anyone what they're eating is healthy so they won't question it and not try it. So, since you're going to read this before you try it be brave! I promise you won't even taste the healthy difference in these brownies. 

My mom saw me making these protein brownies and thought I had lost it. She did not think it was possible to make brownies from beans, let alone brownies that actually tasted like brownies. She was pleasantly surprised after trying a piece that she couldn't even tell the brownies were made from beans. 

You will need:

• 7 tablespoons chocolate protein powder, any kind works
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• dash of salt, approx. 1/4 teaspoon
• 2 tablespoons agave, or sugar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3.5 tablespoons safflower oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 15 ounces Black Beans, no added salt 
• approx. 1/3-1/2 cup chocolate chips- don't have to include this

Rinse and drain the black beans. I found that using a colander works very well for this. Dump beans into blender.

In a blender combine all ingredients except chocolate chips. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Make sure no chunks of beans remain.

Grease an 8x8 pan. Pour the batter in the blender into the pan and spread evenly throughout the pan. Toss in chocolate chips, if including, and spread the mixture as evenly as possible.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. The brownies should be slightly fluffy on top and look crisp around the edges when done. Promptly remove. Allow the pan to cool for 2 hours, or until fully cool, before cutting. I got 12 fairly large brownies. Keep brownies refrigerated for freshness.

Nutrition per serving (1 brownie):

Calories: 126

Carbs: 18

Fats: 5 grams

Protein: 7 grams

Sodium: 105 mg

Sugar: 11 grams