Friday Favorites 11/6/14

It's been a few weeks since my last Friday Favorites, skipping one week for a special guest post on The Lean Green Bean, and then last week for my quick blogging break while in France. In the meantime, I've come across so many yummy recipes and interesting articles that it was difficult to narrow it down! For more articles and recipes throughout the week, make sure to follow me on twitter, pinterest and facebook.

Tempeh Pecan Pate (Delicious Knowledge) --> After a pate overload in France, I can totally get down with this vegan tempeh version. I'm 99% sure you'll see this as part of our Thanksgiving appetizer spread!

Photo Credit: Alex of Delicious Knowledge

Meatloaf Veggie Burger with Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom Gravy (Edible Perspective) --> This meatloaf inspired lentil burger, smothered with mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes and a ketchup glaze, is basically the veggie burger of my dreams.

Hazelnut, Chocolate, Apple Buns (Green Kitchen Stories) --> If you thought I was over the whole bread with chocolate thing after a week in France, then you clearly don't know me very well.

Photo Credit: David and Louise from Green Kitchen Stories

Fall Vegetable and Lentil Bowl with Goji Ginger Cream (The First Mess) --> Roast veggies and lentils and creamy tahini. Big hearty salads with bright pretty colors. These are a few of my favorite things.

Curried Brussels Sprout Salad (The Hummusapien) --> I can't lie, I love a good mayo-laden curried salad. I'm thinking this version, with a curry dressing made with soaked almonds, would be a perfect sandwich filling instead of the typical chicken or egg salad.

Photo Credit: Alexis of The Hummusapien 

Leek and Pumpkin Fettucine (Healthy Aperture) --> My favorite way to eat pumpkin is as a pasta sauce. How creamy and dreamy does this version look?

Photo Credit: Danielle of Healthy Aperture

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mint, Cilantro and Vietnamese Dressing (Jeanette's Healthy Living) --> I always said I would never be one of those dietitians who forces brussels sprouts down your throat, but I guess I kind of am with this post. You wouldn't think it, but brussies pair so perfectly with Asian flavors, I just couldn't help myself!

Photo Credit: Jeanette of Jeanette's Healthy Living

30 Second Distractions From Food Cravings (Science Daily) --> I always tell my clients who deal with food cravings to do something that distracts them for 15 minutes. As it turns out, just 30 seconds can be enough to reduce cravings. These three techniques are so simple, you can do them at your desk (and no one will think you're crazy).

How Water Affects Mood (The Lean Green Bean) --> I found this totally fascinating. With all the research and work I've done examining the relationship between food and mood, I never thought about hydration. I'm definitely pouring myself and extra glass after reading this!

8 Positive Outcomes of the Paleo Trend (Yahoo Health) --> Like the author of this article, I'm not a proponent of the paleo diet. Still, I think there are some positive outcomes from the trend, and that's a lot more than the low fat or cabbage soup fads can say!

Controversial Chemical May Leach Into Skin From Cash Receipts (Medline Plus) --> I had no idea BPA was used in receipts and airline tickets. This kind of freaks me out, especially as a business owner who has to keep meticulous records of receipts. And here I thought I was doing a good thing by putting my receipts in the recycling bin.

Food Scores, New Web Service, Rates Grocery Items on Nutrition and Ingredients (The New York Times) --> The Environmental Working Group released a new database to simplify grocery shopping by ranking food based on not only nutrition facts, but ingredients and degree of processing. I played around with it for a bit and was really impressed by the results and ease of use. Check it out here.

What Actually Reading That Slow vs. Fast Weight Loss Study Taught Me (Weighty Matters) --> Do you remember the study from a few weeks back that flew in the face of conventional wisdom by showing fast weight loss was more effective than slow weight loss? Turns out, the headlines didn't exactly reflect the real results. Shocking, I know. If you read the study versus the media articles, you'll find the study really just demonstrates that short-term diets don't work, nor do Australia's national dietary guidelines. If you're trying to lose weight, make behavior changes you can sustain for life. This probably means you'll loose weight a little more slowly, but it'll stay off.

On Avocado this week:
Gluten Free Sweet Potato Gnocchi Salad with Chicken Sausage --> I finally perfected not just gnocchi, but gluten free sweet potato gnocchi!
A Week In Southwestern France --> Get ready for some wanderlust.
Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms With Herbed Breadcrumbs --> A healthier, and much tastier, take on green bean casserole.
5 Simple Weeknight Meal Prep Tips (Pure Barre) --> Just getting into the habit of cooking? I encourage you to start with weekend meal prep. If you can make just 2-3 of the items I listed in this article, I promise, it'll save you a headache during the week.
Cheesy Vegan Cauliflower Mash Bowls (The Lean Green Bean) --> I would take this over Thanksgiving turkey, hands down.