This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Happy Cards. The opinions and text are all mine. The Happy Cards gift card mentioned in this post was sent to me as a gift to use in this post, thank you so much!
Today I bring you a different post all about heading into the New Year and focusing a little bit more on self-care. Hitting that reset button always seems to be something we crave right about now each year as we are in sugar overload from all the holiday sweets. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some dessert, but I also love getting back on track and packing in those green veggies, mindful intentions, and a little more self-care, whatever form it comes in. I decided to start 2019 with more of a self-care attitude. As I am 7 months pregnant and headed into the third trimester, I’ve been trying to take a little extra time for me. That includes making sure my diet is balanced, it means taking longer showers for some “me” time, and indulging in a massage or two because my back has been hurting a lot more this pregnancy. And I think with being a working mommy to a wild two-year old, I deserve a little pampering 🙂
Happy Cards to the rescue! If you’re not familiar with Happy Cards, they are awesome because you can get more choice and flexibility with multi-store gift cards for all of your “Happy” occasions! As a dedicated mommy and wife, I often put myself last, which can mean by the end of the day there is little room left for me, and I am just exhausted. With my New Year resolution of spending just a little bit more time on self-care, I decided to select the Happy Bride gift card from Happy Cards! Now, I know I am not a bride, but the store choices on this particular card were awfully appealing to me. I can use this gift card at:
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- David’s Bridal
- Ulta Beauty
- JCPenney
- Spafinder
So basically lots of pampering in my near future depending on what I’m feeling like. Maybe I want an impromptu massage (Spafinder), or maybe I want to buy myself some new makeup/skin care (Ulta Beauty), maybe I want to update my space at home with something that makes me happy or a new kitchen appliance, because I need yet another one lol (Bed Bath & Beyond), or buy myself a new outfit (JCPenny). I don’t even know the last time I went shopping for myself was! I haven’t quite decided, but that’s the amazing thing about Happy Cards, is that you don’t have to right away. That’s also why they make the perfect gift for anyone, so you don’t have to spend forever staring at the gift card carousel at your local grocer stressing about which one to get. Happy Cards has lots of different options, the one I chose was just one of eleven choices! Check your local grocer to buy the perfect Happy Card. Head over to their website to find Happy Cards in a store near you!
Now, of course for me, self-care also includes eating right and feeling my best from the inside-out. These Green Goddess Pesto Bowls are the perfect recipe for that. It’s packed with nutrients, is made in just 30-minutes, and is so tasty you’ll forget it’s actually good for you! You can certainly modify it to include whatever veggies you’d like too. In this version I chose to include:
☆ potatoes
☆ kale
☆ brussels sprouts
☆ my favorite pea pesto from Minimalist Baker
☆ crispy chickpeas
☆ toasted pumpkin seeds
I would love to see your versions of this bowl, so be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook. So here’s to a Happy 2019 ahead!
Green Goddess Pesto Bowls
Ingredients
- 16 oz brussels sprouts, halved
- 2 large handfuls chopped kale
- 24 oz petite yukon gold potatoes, halved
- crispy tandoori chickpeas (below)
- olive oil
- salt + pepper
- pea pesto (below)
- toasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
Crispy Tandoori Chickpeas
- 15 oz chickpeas
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp tandoori spice
- salt to taste
Pea Pesto
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups packed basil
- 1/2 cup parsley
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup pine nuts/raw walnuts
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- pinch salt
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
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Slice your potatoes in half and place in a medium bowl, drizzle with olive oil (about 1-2 tbsp), sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat the potatoes well. Place on a baking sheet and place in the oven (flipping halfway into roasting)
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In the meantime, drain and rinse your chickpeas, place in the same bowl, drizzle with about 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp of tandoori spice. Sprinkle with salt and toss. Pour out onto a parchment lined baking sheet and place in the oven
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Repeat with your brussels sprouts and roast
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While your veggies are roasting, make your pesto by blending all ingredients together until smooth
**NOTE: if making your own vegan parmesan cheese, make that first by blending until a fine meal is achieved:
3/4 cup raw cashews
3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
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Lastly, drizzle olive oil over the kale and add the kale to the oven for the last few minutes of roasting (you can add it to another baking sheet in the oven, just push your other veggies to one side)
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Place each veggie in your bowls, top with a generous portion of the pea pesto and garnish with hemp seeds, and toasted pumpkin seeds (if desired)
Recipe Notes
** pea pesto slightly adapted from Minimalist Baker
** vegan parmesan cheese from Minimalist Baker
