Ava Grace's Closet: A Healthy New Year
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Thursday, January 23, 2014

A Healthy New Year

I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. 

I, like just about everyone I know, had a goal set to eat healthier in the New Year. 
Drink more water. Eat less chocolate.
The simplest way to do this and succeed? Still eat what you love, only modified. 
Use ingredients with less fat content, more fibre.
Utilize lean meats.
And of course there's portion control. I hate that part. 

I was recently challenged to shop at one of the Loblaw family of stores {I visited our local Fortino's, recently revonated and FABULOUS} and use President's Choice Blue Menu products as part of a healthy recipe. 
I decided to replace a few of the key ingredients in one of my very favourite recipes with Blue Menu alternatives. 
The hunt was on! 
Olive oil, canned tomatoes + dry pasta were on the shopping list.
I was happy to find Blue Menu products side by side in the aisles I normally shopped for these products.





 Spaghetti Bolognese
Ingredients:
650 grams of extra lean ground beef 
1 medium sized onion {diced}
1 carrot {diced}
1 stalk of celery {diced}
Blue Menu omega oil
2 large cans of Blue Menu diced tomatoes 
salt to taste
parmigiano reggiano
1 package of Blue Menu whole grain Spaghetti

In a medium sized saucepan, over medium heat, place 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil and gently sautee the diced onion, carrot and celery until golden.

Add the ground beef and gently cook until no longer pink, stirring often.
Prepare your diced tomatoes by blending until smooth. 
Add the tomatoes to the meat and vegetable mixture.
Salt to taste.
TIP: Cook over low heat for a MINIMUM of 1 and a half hours. The longer you cook this sauce, the better it will be. 
I kid you not.

Once ready, bring water to a boil and add your spaghetti.

Cook according to instructions and test your pasta to ensure it is perfectly al dente.
Cover with sauce and mix until well coated.
To plate: Portion spaghetti, add sauce on top and sprinkle generously with parmigiano reggiano.

I have been making this exact recipe for years and always use good quality, canned italian tomatoes and olive oil. 

Although I have been known to try whole wheat or spelt pasta, I typically always return to white.
Now, I realize that by substituting just a few ingredients, the taste stays remarkably similiar to the original but with half the calories and double the fibre.

Buon Appetito.

And cheers to a Healthy New Year!

26 comments :

  1. This looks delicious! I'm going to be making this at home for sure!! Thanks for posting this.

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  2. It's only morning and I want pasta!!! This looks tres delicious and sounds healthy .... I agree portion control in a key tip to being able to enjoy our fav foods. Whole grain pasta gotta love it .. hugs, C.

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  3. paaaasta!! I think ( I know) I am Italian in my past life. Spaghetti this weekend, I am babysitting

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  4. Ahhh you know the secret to adding carrots to your sauce! I live with an Italian so pasta is a crucial thing at my house! Looks delish!

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  5. Dearest Susan,
    For years now I only buy whole grain pasta and it is very tasty. Your pasta looks great and will for sure be a family pleaser!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  6. This dish looks yummy delicious!! I'm a pasta junkie and will sure give this recipe a try. Thanks.

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  7. This looks amazing! I love anything with pasta, so I could definitely see myself making this at some point. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Yummy! I dont eat ground beef, but I would like to try this with something like buffalo or venison. (Mouth watering*)

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  9. This look Delicious! Can't wait to try it!!!

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  10. wow adding carrots oh I would so love to do so my son will get veggies This is so wonderful looking and i really am going to try this

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  11. I love your tip of cooking 1 and a half hours.

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  12. Yum, that looks delicious! My sister has limited her carbs intake a lot but for me, I can't be without it. So this is a great healthy way of making it in a more healthy way (my fave)! I will have to try this out! thanks - jenn erin

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  13. I have been trying to cut down my chocolate! These look so delicious.

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  14. Yummy! This looks delicious and I can almost smell it! (sort of) lol I think we'll have this for dinner tomorrow! Thanks for the recipe!

    RAFFLECOPTER NAME is Anne Taylor

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  15. Looks sooo delicious! I would try it with angel hair pasta :)

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  16. Mmm, looks great and always love getting a new recipe!! Thanks
    xo ~kim

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  17. oh my goodness yum yum yum! pasta is my favorite and that looks so delicious

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  18. Wow this looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.

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  19. yum! i love pasta. it's simple and easy and healthy, too!

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  20. Looks delicious! Nothing like yummy pasta

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  21. Looks so tasty! A great way to make a favourite meal lighter. #client

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  22. YUM! I might have to make this really soon!!

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  23. This dish looks so delicious and very healthy. I have always made the decision to eat healthier and use more lean protein in dishes.

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  24. Yum! Cannot tell you how much I love pasta with cheese! I am trying to eat better in the new year as well and this will help.

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I love reading every last one. Thanks so much for stopping by our little blog. xo.