Homemade Ketchup and BBQ -- FAIL!

For a long time, I’ve been meaning to make some homemade ketchup and BBQ sauce, to save money and make something without high fructose corn syrup or preservatives in it.  I hadn’t done it simply from lack of time.  However, over my Christmas vacation I had a couple of days of free time, so I finally took the opportunity to make both.  And let me tell you…….. it was a complete FAIL!  I followed the directions exactly as they had it listed, and they both taste HORRIBLE.  Blech!!  I tried adding some extra agave to try to sweeten it up, hoping that would cut out on the bitter/vinegar taste, but it didn’t work.  Maybe letting it sit for longer will help it meld together better?  I just don’t know.  

Does anyone have any suggestions, secrets or other recipes that have been tasty??

Below are the recipes I got from Pinterest to make them.....

Ketchup                                                     BBQ

KETCHUP

Ingredients:

6 oz tomato paste

2/3 c apple cider vinegar

1/3 c water

2 tbsp preferred sugar substitute - optional (I used agave)

2 tbsp onions

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp ground allspice

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/8 tsp pepper

Directions:

Combine ingredients in food processor and blend until the onion disappears.  Spoon mixture into airtight container and store in fridge.

Source: Marks Daily Apple

GLUTEN FREE, CLEAN EATING BBQ

Ingredients:

15 oz can tomato sauce

6 oz can tomato paste

1 tsp. tamari soy sauce

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

4 tbsp unsulfured molasses

3 tbsp honey

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Directions:

Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl and mix well using a whisk, or toss eveyrthing in a blender/Vitamix and blend that way.  Store in an airtight container and store in fridge. 

Source: The Gracious Pantry 

Healthy "Homemade" Pizza

Tonight my husband decided he wanted pizza for dinner since it's been so long since we've had it... especially him because he eats gluten free.

So this lead to him making his own GF pizza with one of those pre-made crusts, and I made a pizza out of a flat bread crust.  Now, it's not a typical crust for a pizza, but it worked out really well, in my opinion, and I was able to eat a whole 8 inch crust for only 140 calories.  Who was stoked about that?!  THIS GIRL!

I was in the mood for some broccoli tonight, so I decided to toss a bit of it on the pizza, which I've never done.. but it sure was TASTY.

This is the brand of flat bread I got

Here's what I used to make my pizza:
-pre-made flat bread crust
-roma tomato diced
-fresh mushrooms sliced
-fresh broccoli chopped
-1 oz fresh mozzarella crumbled on top

I tossed all the ingredients on the pizza and cooked for 20 minutes ish.  So good, and only about 250 calories for the WHOLE THING!  I definitely will be eating this again and totally recommend trying it to anyone who asks.

Only 250 calories!!!

Has anyone else tried a flatbread pizza, or tried weird veggies on a pizza before?  I'd love to hear about other things to try.

Happy 2014!!!!

*~*~*~ Happy New Year!! ~*~*~* 

Did you have a good celebration and first day of the year? My husband and I had a very low key New Year's Eve by spending it at home watching a couple of movies, then watched the downtown fireworks from our bedroom window at midnight.  We sure know how to party hardy.  So much fun! :)

Last picture of 2013.

Now that it's a new year, I figured I'd set some new goals for myself.  I'm big on goal setting, as I feel like it gives purpose and perspective to have goals.

My BIG, generic goals are to live life, have fun, and take more chances.

With that being said, my actual goals would be.....

Continue to eat as healthy as possible, including little/no processed food.  

Workout a minimum of 4 days a week.

Meet new friends in Nashville!!

Have date nights with the hubby at least once a month. 

Set specific monthly goals for household projects so we'll continue to make progress with the house.  

Remove negative from my life i.e. pessimistic friends, activities etc.

Spend as much time with my family as possible, including our dog Jake.

I saw this list of date ideas from Pinterest which I think is a really neat idea.  I'm not saying I'd do all the ideas that they say, but it's a good jumping point, I think.

Source

I also really like this list I saw on Chris Powell's Facebook (the trainer on Extreme Weight Loss).  I'm going to come up with exact SMART goals for myself, just like below:

What are your New Year's goals?  Are you using the SMART method of goal setting, too?