La menu Chic

"OZ Chicken" and Quinoa

2011-03-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

"OZ Chicken" and Quinoa

One of my favorite meals to make is what I call a "Chinese Make-In" dinner. It usually consists of an oven-baked chicken, sweet and sour sauce, and rice. I tried a new recipe for the chicken, which is even tastier (and healthier) than before; as well as a new sweet and sour sauce. I've renamed the sauce "OZ sauce". Fresh oranges make up the base of this sauce, and while it is unlike any other sweet and sour sauce I've made before, the zest of the orange and the sweetness of the agave nectar create a spectacular blend. Also, I typically use a brown rice in place of the traditional "sticky rice" that is used in Chinese cuisine, but this time I used quinoa, a wonderful grain that provides all of the essential amino-acids in a single serving. It is super fun to make and super yummy to eat. Here's what you'll need to make it:

For the chicken:

2-3 all-natural boneless/skinless chicken breasts (adjust according to the size of your dinner crowd)
2 c Kashi Honey Toasted cereal, crushed
Black pepper, to taste

For the sauce:

1 tsp of fresh orange zest
the juice of 1 large orange (about 1/4 c juice)
3 Tbl agave nectar
1 Tbl lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
1 tsp cornstarch plus 1 tsp lemon juice, combined

For the quinoa:

1 c quinoa
2 c water
Pinch of sea salt and black pepper, optional

For the chicken, simply dice the chicken into bite size pieces. Then, combine the cereal and pepper together in a food processor. Finally, place the crushed cereal and chicken bites in a large ziploc bag. Shake well to coat each piece evenly. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
For the sauce, bring the first 6 ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil. Whisk in the cornstarch and lemon juice and continue to boil for another minute or to until the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve warm or cold.
For the quinoa, bring both ingredients to a boil, cover, and simmer for approximately 15 minutes or until all of the water has absorbed.

Drizzle a small amount of the "OZ" sauce over your quinoa and top it off with a sprinkle of cayenne. Serve the chicken bites and "OZ" sauce on the side, or coat the bites in the sauce and warm in the oven before serving. No matter how you choose to eat it, this is an awesome twist to the traditional Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Keep On Cooking...

2011-03-17T06:54:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know I am experiencing some "technical difficulties" with my camera, but have some great recipes to share just as soon as I get it working again! :)

In honor of St. Patty's Day, check out this awesome Irish Soda Bread recipe!

Le Gra!
(Irish for "With love)

A Very Veggie Sandwich

2011-03-08T11:34:00.000-08:00

If you're in the mood for a healthy lunch that is packed with fresh veggies, try this
Very Veggie Sandwich!

All you need is:

Olive Oil Dressing:

6 Tbl Olive oil
3 Tbl lemon juice (or to taste)
Dried Rosemary, to taste
Dried Oregano, to taste
Dried Basil, to taste
Parsley, to taste
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Cayenne pepper (a very small amount)
Mrs. Dash Garlic and Herb seasoning, to taste
Small jar with a lid

Fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped
Pumpkin seeds
1/8- 1/4 c Feta cheese
Olive oil for brushing
Two slices of 100% whole wheat bread
Regular mustard
3-5 thin slices of tomato
1/4 Mozzarella cheese

Combine the ingredients for the Olive Oil Dressing in the small jar. Secure the lid and shake until blended.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Combine the spinach, seeds, Feta, and no more than 1 Tbl of the dressing. Toss to coat.
Lightly brush both slices of bread, and spread a small amount of mustard on each side.
Lay down 1-2 tomato slices on each slice of bread, then a layer of the spinach mixture, and top it off with the mozzarella cheese.
Bake both slices, open faced, at 450 degrees, or broil if you are in a hurry and can stay by the oven. You simply want the cheese to melt and to lightly toast the bread.
Combine both slices of bread to create a sandwich, and cut at a diagonal to serve. You can serve this sandwich with a fresh side salad, home-made fries, or an all-natural baked chip.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

"Nacho Taco"

2010-07-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

"Nacho Veggie Taco"

2 soft tortillas (corn or 100% whole wheat)
Olive oil, used sparingly
Black Beans and Salsa OR Lean Beef left over from Tacos
Up to 1/4 2% shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Salsa, lettuce, tomato, etc. for garnishing

Heat the tortillas over med-high with with a small amount of oil, flipping occasionally, until they are golden and crisp.
Using a pizza cutter, quarter the tortillas.
Place 4 of the quartered tortillas in a lightly coated baking dish and top with lean meat, or black beans and salsa, and cheese.
Place the oven on broil and allow the cheese to melt.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the remaining 4 tortillas by layering them on top of the others.
Garnish with additional toppings such as salsa, lettuce, etc. and serve.

"Nacho Beef Taco"

This is a great way to save money and avoid throwing out leftovers!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Fiesta Night

2010-07-11T18:19:00.000-07:00

Tacos

1 lb lean ground beef
Sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Paprika, to taste
1 small jar taco sauce (or one small can tomato paste)
1 packet taco seasoning
Tortillas (preferably 100% whole wheat)
Up to 1/4 c 2% shredded cheddar cheese (per taco)

Place your lean meat in a large boiler (Dutch oven if you have one) and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer until the meat has browned.
Drain and rinse the meat. Transfer it to a Crock-Pot set to "Keep Warm" and add in the salt, pepper, paprika, sauce, and seasoning.
Let the meat simmer for at least 3-4 hours in the Crock-Pot, or until you are ready to serve.
Heat your tortillas in the oven or on the stove until they are soft and warm.
Add your meat, 2% cheese, and any other desired toppings (such as Greek yogurt, lettuce, or tomatoes). Roll your tortilla up and enjoy!

This is a great meal for a crowd. It is easy, fun, and a definite crowd pleaser. You can also make a wonderful Vegetarian version of this meal by following the recipe below:

Black Bean and Quinoa Tacos

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 can natural salsa
Vegetable seasoning (or ground cumin)
Up to 1/4 c 2% shredded cheddar cheese (per taco)
Up to 1/4 c cooked quinoa (per taco)
100% whole wheat tortillas

Place your black beans in a medium bowler. Fill half of the black bean can with an all-natural salsa, and add to the black beans. Add in the vegetable seasoning and let simmer. As with the beef tacos, the longer you let the black beans and salsa simmer the better the flavor will be.
Cook your quinoa (1 1/4 c water to 1 c quinoa).
Heat your tortillas in the oven or on the stove. Add your black beans, quinoa, 2% cheddar cheese, and any other desired toppings (such as greek yogurt, lettuce, or tomato). Roll up your tortilla and enjoy!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Mixed Vegetables with Quinoa

2010-07-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

Mixed Vegetables with Quinoa

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 1/4 c water
1 c quinoa
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Granulated garlic, to taste
Mustard, to taste

Place the frozen vegetables in a small boiler and cover them with water. Bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer.
Bring 1 1 /4 c water to boil in a separate boiler. Add in 1 c of quinoa. Cover and let simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
Once the quinoa has thickened, add in the red pepper, garlic, and mustard. Blend well.
Combine the vegetables with 1/4 c cooked quinoa and serve.

This is a wonderful vegetarian comfort food. If you desire a cooler dish, serve the vegetables and quinoa cold with mixed lettuce and a dab of all-natural honey mustard dressing.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Chicken and Dumplings

2010-07-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

Chicken and Dumplings

1 package frozen dumplings
2 cans low-sodium chicken broth
4 chicken tenders
Sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Salt and pepper the chicken tenders and bake for 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
Bring the chicken broth to a boil and add the dumplings one at the time, breaking them in half if desired.
Reduce the heat and let the dumplings cook until soft, stirring frequently.
Dice the chicken and add to the dumplings, or serve on the side.

This is one of my man's favorite dishes that his grandmother made for him when he was a young boy. This meal is easy to prepare, and one of the ultimate comfort foods after a long day at work or school.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Great Northern Bean Salad

2010-07-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

Great Northern Bean Salad

1 can Great Northern beans
Vegetable seasoning
Mustard
1 bag of mixed lettuce
Mrs. Dash tomato, basil, and garlic seasoning

Cook the beans with the vegetable seasoning and mustard.
Drain, let cool, and add 1-2 spoonfuls to a bed of mixed lettuce.
Top off with a dash of Mrs. Dash and your favorite all-natural dressing.

Great for a warm sunny day or a summer night's supper. You can use the bean, or grain, of your choice to mix with your lettuce.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Our First Dinner at Home

2010-07-03T05:49:00.000-07:00

Simple Pasta

Ziti pasta noodles
Ragu original sauce
Italian seasonings
Parmesan cheese

Cook and drain the noodles.
Spoon out equal amounts of noodles in a bowl and top with sauce and Parmesan.

My man and I just moved to the beach. It's been a long week of packing and moving in the rain! Last night was the first in our new apartment. It is nothing special, but we made a nice, cozy bowl of pasta to relax with on our screened in deck. :)

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Cheesy Bread Sticks with Marinara

2010-06-30T16:13:00.000-07:00

Moving Special

2 slices whole wheat bread
No more than 1/4 c 2% shredded cheese (I mixed mozzarella and cheddar)
Marinara sauce

1. Preheat oven to 500.
2. Sprinkle cheese on both slices of bread.
3. Bake in the oven until the bread has toasted and the cheese has melted.
4. Place marinara sauce in a condiment bowl for dipping.

This is what I call the "Moving Special" because my man and I are moving to the beach and have no food left in the house. I have been eating peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and could take no more! LOL So, I was left with two slices of bread, cheese, and a little Ragu to work with. It was actually quite yummy! A great snack or appetizer :)

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Open-Face Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

2010-06-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

Open-Face Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

1 slice 100% whole wheat bread
Mustard
2-3 tomato rounds, thinly sliced
1 small handful of fresh spinach leaves
A pinch of diced onion
1/4 c 2% shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 450.
Spread the mustard on the bread and begin layering the vegetables on top.
Bake until the bread is toasted and the cheese has melted.

This is a wonderful summer lunch. If you desire a cold-cut sandwich, simply use 2% cheese slices and raw veggies.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Personalized Bruschetta

2010-06-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

Personalized Bruschetta

1 small onion, finely diced
1 small tomato, finely diced
1 handful fresh spinach leaves, finely chopped
1 Tbl almond oil (or olive oil)
Fresh oregano leaves, minced and to taste
1 square, all natural Ciabatta roll
1 15 oz can tomato sauce, seasoned with Italian seasonings

Prepare all of your fresh ingredients and combine them in a small mixing bowl. Toss them with the almond oil until well coated.
Divide the Ciabatta bread in half. Paint on a very small amount of almond oil on each slice and place in the oven at 400 degrees until warm and crisp.
Spoon a small amount of the tomato sauce across the surface of both Ciabatta slices (save the rest for dipping or other recipes) and top with the fresh vegetable mix.

This recipe makes a great vegan personal-size pizza. It is also a wonderfully romantic dinner to enjoy with the one you love by candlelight.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Chicken Parmesan...With A Twist!

2010-06-03T20:00:00.000-07:00

Chicken Parmesan with a Twist

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
Italian seasoning
4 BL/SL chicken tenders or chicken breasts
Up to 1/4 c 2% shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese, for garnishing
Fresh oregano
Penne pasta noodles, whole wheat or enriched with fiber
Up to 1 Tbl olive oil

Utensils needed: A meat mallet or small skillet Parchment paper

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Combine the tomato sauce and Italian seasonings in a small boiler and let simmer.
Meanwhile, lay the chicken out in between two sheets of parchment paper. Using the flat side of the meat mallet, or a small skillet if you do not have a mallet, pound the chicken out until it is fairly thin.
Layer a small spoonful of sauce, a sprinkle of cheese, and a small amount of fresh oregano down the middle of each piece of chicken.
Carefully roll the chicken like a jelly-roll, started at the smallest end. Secure with toothpicks, if desired.
Place in a round baking dish that has been lightly coated with olive oil.
Drizzle an additional amount of sauce on top of the chicken rolls and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and sprinkle a small amount of Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for an additional 5 minutes.
While the chicken is baking, cook your penne pasta.
Drain the pasta and add olive oil and Italian seasoning.
Serve and enjoy!

This meal was a blast to make and its presentation on the plate will have everyone talking! This meal makes a great romantic dinner for two, or a nice dinner for the whole family.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Chicken with Polenta

2010-06-02T21:25:00.001-07:00

Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Chicken with a side of Polenta

For the Chicken

2 BL/SL chicken tenders
Mrs. Dash tomato, basil, and garlic seasoning
Olive oil

For the Polenta

1/2 c polenta
1 c water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place the chicken tenders in a small baking dish that is coated with a small amount of olive oil. Sprinkle Mrs. Dash on the chicken and bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
During the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, place the polenta and water in a small boiler. Bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer.

This is a super quick and super easy meal. Even if the chicken is not completely thawed, baking it in the oven at 400 degrees still gives you a nice, tender chicken. Polenta is a great alternative to fresh or creamed corn.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

A King's Breakfast

2010-06-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

A King's Breakfast

2 medium eggs
up to 1/4 c shredded cheddar cheese
a dash of skim milk
3-5 sliced of shaved turkey sandwich meat
Mrs. Dash original seasoning
1 slice 100% whole grain honey wheat bread

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a bowl; whisk together with a fork in order to beat the eggs.
Cook over med-high heat in a coated skillet. Be sure to continually move with a spatula in order to make the eggs fluffy.
Heat the turkey over med-high heat in a small skillet or on a flat griddle. Season with Mrs. Dash and cook until warmed through, 1-2 minutes.
Place the toast in a toaster or oven that has been set to broil. Be cautious not to burn the toast.

I made this breakfast for my guy the other morning on his birthday. I served the breakfast, along with a small glace of pure orange juice, to him in bed on a small tray. This is the perfect way to treat that someone special in your life.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Pita Pizza

2010-05-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

Pita Pizza

1 small can of all natural tomato sauce
onion, chopped
vegetable seasoning or Italian seasoning
fresh basil, optional
fresh oregano, optional
1 whole wheat pita pocket, whole
up to 1/4 c 2% shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Combine the tomato sauce, onion, and seasoning in a medium size boiler and let simmer.
Turn the oven on a high broil. Place the pitas in for 1-2 minutes to brown slightly.
Remove the pitas from the oven, spread 1-2 spoonfuls of sauce, and no more than 1/4 c of cheese on top.
Return to the oven for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Cut the pita into fourths and serve.

This is a healthy alternative to ordering pizza or popping a frozen pizza in the oven. It is quick and cheap to make. Give it a try on your next movie night at home!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Chicken and Rice

2010-05-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Chicken and Rice

2 BL/SL chicken tenders
Mrs. Dash original seasoning
1 package of sweet cornbread mix (I used a brand that only needed egg and milk)
1/2 c quick cooking brown rice
1 c water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the chicken tenders in a coated baking dish. Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash and bake approximately 30 minutes or until cooked through.
Combine the ingredients for cornbread and bake along side of the chicken during the last 15 minutes.
During the last 10 minutes of cooking, bring the rice to a boil, cover, and let simmer until all of the water has been absorbed.
Combine the chicken and rice into one large pot, or serve separate.

This is a healthy twist on a classic dish. For a vegetarian version, simply combine your favorite fresh veggies, steamed or raw, to brown rice. Follow this recipe or create your own:

Veggies and Rice

1/2 c quick cooking brown rice
1 c water
fresh spinach leaves
onion
green bell pepper, grated
carrots, grated
all natural honey mustard or desired all natural sauce or dressing, optional

Bring the rice to a boil, cover, and let simmer until all of the water has absorbed, about 10 minutes.
While the rice is cooking chop, and steam if desired, your fresh veggies. Mix the veggies with your preferred dressing or sauce for added flavor.
Combine veggies and rice into one pot or serve separate. Top with a small amount of dressing or sauce, if desired.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Hobo Sandwich

2010-05-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

Hobo Sandwich

2 BL/SL chicken tenders
1-2 carrots, sliced into thin rounds
1 baking potato, quartered
Mrs. Dash tomato, basil, and garlic seasoning

Place your potato in boiling water and cook until tender.
Meanwhile, wash, peel, and slice your carrots. Place them in a large boiler with a steamer basket and a small amount of water (add in a vegetable seasoning if desired). Cook until tender. Also, sear your chicken tenders until lightly browned on each side.
Once the potato has cooled cut it in half and cut the halves into quarters.
Place the tenders on a square sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper. Sprinkle with the Mrs. Dash seasoning and top with the carrots and potatoes. Fold the square sheet into a packet and place on a small baking sheet.
Cook for approximately 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

This is a great quick-fix meal that is easy to clean up. You can substitute lean beef or even a veggie burger for the chicken and add in any other desired steamed veggies.

Also, if you do not want your potatoes in the hobo packet, you could make a Cheesy Potato side dish by using the following recipe:

Cheesy Potatoes

1 baking potato
skim milk
up to 1/4 c 2% cheese

Boil the potato until it is soft. Once the potato has cooled, remove the peel and mash in a small mixing boil.
Add in a small amount of of milk to help cream the potatoes.
Place in a small oven-safe ramekin and sprinkle the cheese on top.
Bake in the oven for approximately 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Stuffed Shells

2010-05-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

Stuffed Shells

6 manicotti shells
1 c ricotta cheese
1 c 2% mozzarella cheese
Italian seasoning, to taste
Homemade marinara sauce (tomato sauce with Italian herbs and a dash of garlic) for drizzling
Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 350.
Cook the manicotti until it is just tender.
While it is cooking, combine the cheeses and Italian seasoning in a small mixing bowl, and simmer your marinara sauce.
Remove the manicotti from the heat and place in a round baking dish.
Stuff each shell with the cheese mixture, drizzle with the marinara sauce, and top with Parmesan cheese.
Bake at 350 for approximately 10 minutes, until the cheese mixture is warmed through.

This dish makes a great romantic dinner in when paired with a nice crisp salad.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Veggies and Dip

2010-05-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Veggies and Dip

2-3 whole carrots, washed and peeled, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
1 c nonfat Greeks yogurt
Mrs. Dash Tomato, Basil and Garlic seasoning, to taste
Organic vegetable seasoning (includes cumin, onion, garlic, coriander, oregano, etc), to taste

Wash and slice your veggies (any veggies of your choice, I prefer carrots and peppers). Store in resealable container.
Combine the seasonings with the yogurt until a desired taste is acquired. Do note that the longer the dip sits, the stronger the flavor, so be sure to not season it too much in the beginning.

This dip is also great as a mayonnaise substitute on sandwiches or whole wheat wraps.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Special Sauce Chicken with Baked Potato Wedges

2010-05-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Special Sauce Chicken with Baked Potato Wedges

For the Potatoes

1 Large Russet Baking Potato
Almond Oil or Olive Oil
Italian Seasoning
Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning

Wash and peel the potato.
Quarter the potato and dice into small wedges.
In a large bowl, combine the potato wedges, a dash of oil, and the seasonings.
Lightly toss with your fingers to evenly coat the potatoes.
Place on a small baking sheet and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

For the Chicken

2 All Natural BL/SL Chicken Tenders, thawed.
Grilling or BBQ Marinade of your choice (I recommend one of the Mrs. Dash blends)

In order to get the most flavor from your chicken dish, marinate the chicken in the sauce all day, covered on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator.
Place the chicken in the oven at 350 and cook for 30-40 minutes, until it has cooked through.

As long as you prepare ahead of time, this is a quick, simple, and flavorful meal to make. Even if you do not have time to prepare ahead of time, just be sure to poke holes in the chicken with a fork; this will help to absorb the marinade more.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Italian Spiced Rice

2010-05-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

Italian Spiced Rice
(Adaptation of Paella)

2 All Natural BL/SL Chicken Tenders
1 Small Turkey Sausage Patty, cooked as instructed on packaging
1/2 c Tomato Sauce, divided
Italian Seasoning, to taste
Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning, to taste
1/2 c Whole Grain Rice
1 c Water
Olive Oil, used sparingly to coat skillet

Place a small amount of oil in a medium skillet over med- high heat. Once the oil has heated, swirl it around to coat the entire pan, and add the chicken tenders. Cook covered for 3-5 minutes on each side until both pieces are cooked through. Cut into small pieces (carefully while in the pan or remove and return to the pan).
Reduce your heat to medium, or even low-medium. Cook the turkey sausage as directed on the package. Dice and add to the chicken along with 1/4 c tomato sauce, Italian spices, and Mrs. Dash to taste.
Cover the chicken and turkey sausage mix and let simmer on low.
Combine the whole grain rice and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until the water has absorbed.
Mix the rice in with your chicken and turkey sausage, along with an additional 1/4 c tomato sauce, seasonings and enjoy!

You could serve this festive dish alone, or accompanied by a whole wheat garlic bread.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

All Natural Peanut Butter Crackers

2009-10-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

If you're from the South, you'll probably agree that one of the greatest snacks of all time is Peanut Butter Crackers and a Coke. If you think life doesn't get any better than that, then you've got to give this all natural snack cracker a go!

PBC:

Almond Crisps by True North (Nut Aisle in Walmart)
All Natural Peanut Butter

Simply spread just a little bit of the all natural peanut butter between 2 of the Almond Crisps. That's simply all there is to it.
Make ahead of time and store in an air tight container for an on-the-go-snack.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Chili For the Soul

2009-10-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

Chicken Chili for the Soul

Hey guys! Nothing says fall like a nice bowl of Chili! For me, I'm just not a huge fan of red meat, but Dusty is a fan of it. We like both chili with extra lean ground beef and with chicken. Unfortunately for Dusty, extra lean ground beef is impossible in the Troy area now, so if we are both eating chili it is going to be made with all natural chicken tenders. If I am just making it for him, I make sure to examine the labels and make sure I get the healthiest ground beef I can find.

Chili is a great meal. It is super easy to fix, and is always a fan favorite. So, the next time you treat your guests to chili- make sure you treat them right and give them a healthy version of Chili like the recipe that follows:

Chili for the Soul

The most important ingredient in chili is the meat. Make sure you get an extra lean or lean cut of ground beef. Also, try using all natural chicken tenders instead of beef. Simply brown your ground beef or sear your chicken.
The downfall to chili is that it can be fairly sodium heavy. To reduce some of the sodium try using an all natural Tomato Sauce, Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning, and chili powder. It may take a while, but gradually try to use more of the Mrs. Dash than you do the chili powder.
Simply mix your chili sauce in a Crock Pot and add the browned ground beef, or dice your seared chicken, in with it.
For the best flavors, cook on low all day. For a quick fix version, simply make sure your meat is cooked through before adding to the chili sauce.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Comfort Foods

2009-10-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

Pork Tenderloin with Carrots and Whole Potatoes

We all love easy comfort foods, especially now that the weather is getting cool. A great healthy alternative to a warm and hearty Crock Pot dinner is Pork Tenderloin.

Simply sear your meat with just a dab (no more than 1 tsp) of oil, then simply place in your Crock Pot with carrots and whole potatoes.

Let it cook all day, then relax and enjoy with the ones you love.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Game Day BBQ

2009-09-18T20:30:00.001-07:00

Today is the day...the first home game of the season for the Troy Trojans! And let's face it, it is not really the football we look forward to...it's the good eats!

What better way to kick off the season than with BBQ! In my hometown of Dothan, AL my mom and dad (Ma and Pa) are known for their awesome BBQ and friendly service at The Blues Kitchen. So, I thought I would give it a go and try to make BBQ myself. I read about some great all natural BBQ Sauces in Clean Eating Magazine today! Try Denny Mike's BBQ Sauce for your next BBQ!

I really only made one adjustment to your typical BBQ recipe, and that was using Pork Tenderloin as my meat. It is the leanest cut of pork; yet, it is just as juicy, tender, and flavorful as any other cut.

I am hoping to develop a natural and healthy version of the BBQ sauce as well! But that is still in the research process! LOL

Give Pork Tenderloin a chance the next time you make BBQ for the big game and try to find a healthier BBQ sauce to go along with it. It will be a crowd pleaser and a tummy pleaser!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

A New Twist On A Chinese Classic

2009-09-17T21:37:00.001-07:00

A New Twist On A Chinese Classic

So, we had a repeat of Chinese "Make-In" the other night. Dusty had sweet and sour chicken with steamed rice. I had picked up a cabbage to make Chinese veggies with, but completely forgot to prepare it.

So, I took down some of the frozen veggies I had left in the freezer and made a medley with them. I have to say, they were fabulous! Tangy, thanks to the Teriyaki sauce, sauteed with a tad bit of almond oil, and topped off with a little sweet and sour sauce when it was time to eat!

Give this Southern-style mix of veggies a try with your next Chinese "Make-In" dinner one night soon:

A Twist on Chinese Veggies

Combine 1/2 c of frozen green beans and black eyed peas, 1/4 c of frozen peppers and onions, a good handful or two of shredded carrots, and bring to a boil. You want to make sure you boil them long enough to help them soften up.
Heat a small saute pan over high heat with 1/4 tsp almond oil in it. Once the oil has heated, move the pan around a little so that it coats the entire pan. Reduce the heat to low or med-low.
Strain your vegetables and transfer to the saute pan.
Cover with a cap full of Teriyaki sauce (again, a little bit goes a long way because this is loaded with sodium).
Saute for 5-10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and have had time to simmer with Teriyaki sauce.
Add a small spoonful of your Sweet and Sour Sauce just before you take your first bite for added flavor.

This is a great way to enjoy Chinese style veggies without added fats or sodium. By using 1/4 tsp almond oil you save added fats, and by using the cap of the Teriyaki bottle to add it in, you reduce the amount of sodium.

Feel free to use this cooking method with the typical vegetables found in Chinese restaurants such as cabbage, carrots, broccoli, water chestnuts, and more.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Vegetable Chili

2009-09-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I had chili on the menu for the other night, but I really wasn't in the mood for meat, especially beef (not a big beef fan). So, I decided to throw a few different frozen vegetables- green beans, black eyed peas, and a seasoning blend of peppers and onions- in a Crock Pot with some tomato puree, spices like chili powder, an organic vegetable seasoning, granulated garlic, and a bit of Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle seasoning, and a chopped up chestnut (I gotta throw them in where I can!).

Use a good bit of tomato puree, sauce, or a combination of both. Also, be sure to par-boil your frozen veggies before placing them in the Crock Pot (bring them to a boil and then change your water- just drain them for this). I am not ashamed to say I did not do this, and they were tough.

Overall, it was a good recipe; however, the tough frozen veggies made it hard to eat! LOL

But give it a go for yourself using the tips above and you will have a warm, healthy, and easy meal to enjoy on a nice fall night.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Chestnuts...Not Just for Christmas

2009-09-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Chestnuts

Hey guys! So, today I went home to Dothan. Dad and I spent a good amount of time in the backyard picking up chestnuts that had fallen from the tree in our backyard!

We washed them up, scored them, and roasted them at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes. It is important to say that scoring the chestnuts is a must, because they will pop in the oven and scare the mess out of you if you don't! LOL We learned this first hand today!

I don't have much information on chestnuts right now, I'm still in the researching process. They are nutritious, beneficial to your health, and a low fat nut!

Here are some pictures to help guide you along the way or Roasting Chestnuts. They are really good, a tad dry when by themselves; but, they will be fabulous in dishes and when seasoned!

Check back soon, more info and recipes on chestnuts to come!!!

This is a pic of the chestnuts roasting in the oven...

This is what happens when a chestnut explodes in the oven! It's hard to tell, but it looks like flour has exploded on the side wall...

The Final Product...A nice roasted chestnut!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Chicken Tacos

2009-09-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

Chicken Tacos

Everyone loves to go Mexican every once in a while, but I learned the hard way that going to a Mexican restaurant does nothing but kill the food. It is so heavy-laden with grease that you can't enjoy the ingredients.

So, tonight Dusty and I had tacos. Healthy and delicious tacos! They were made with chicken (high in protein and low in fat) and wraps (Flat Out in Whole Wheat) that are low in fat and high in fiber (9 g, 36% of your DV!).

All I did was cook the chicken, add in a taco seasoning, and warm up the fiber wraps. For extra toppings use an all-natural salsa, veggies, or a 2% cheese.

These tacos were satisfying; and best of all, no grease stains were left on our clothes!

The next time you crave Mexican, don't go out to eat, go out to your local market and get your own ingredients. You and your body will be glad you did!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

A Veggie Lover's Tailgate Dream

2009-09-12T12:37:00.001-07:00

Veggie Shish Kabobs

Want to join in on the tailgating fun and keep up your healthy lifestyle at the same time?

There is a simple solution- Shish Kabob it! Alternate onion and pepper slices on a skewer and grill over a low to med-low heat on your grill.

Marinate with Jalapeno juice and a vegetable seasoning before grilling for added flavor.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Homemade Tomato Soup

2009-09-12T08:27:00.000-07:00

Homemade Tomato Soup

Tell me, why would you buy something at the grocery store and not look at the ingredients first? Now, I'll be the first to admit I don't always do this. But, that is exactly why I am writing this blog.

Tomato soup. Pretty simple right? That's what I thought, until I turned the can around to the back. Why in the world would you put corn syrup in a soup? And flour, now that I can almost understand better than the corn syrup, but still, why is that necessary?

So, I got some tomato puree and tried my own. It has a stronger flavor, and is more bright red. Which, in my opinion, goes to show you that those added ingredients do nothing but dilute the flavor.

As is my rule with most anything that involves herbs and spices (as long as they're not sodium heavy), season your soup to taste. I like to make mine a bit spicy, so I like cayenne and garlic; but, to keep it simple, just go with sea salt and pepper.

Give it a try the next time you want soup. Get a can of tomato puree or paste, and get creative!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Cooked Sandwich

2009-09-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

Cooked Sandwich

When my dad first opened up Pa's Place, he specialized in sandwiches. He opened my eyes to the world of the Sandwich Press and having a cooked sandwich. This basically means just cooking your meats and melting your cheese. For me personally, it meant a turkey sandwich with mustard, lettuce, pickle, and sometimes onion that was "smooshed" (the sandwich press would flatten the sandwich if lowered enough, and that is my favorite way to eat a sandwich now!). Pressing, or cooking, a sandwich enriches all of the wonderful flavors. There is nothing better than the first bite of a warm and flavorful sandwich. Here's what you do:

Cooked Sandwiches

Use an all natural meat, like Hormel Natural choice sandwich meats.
Over a medium-high heat, cook 1-3 slices of the sandwich meat.
Once the meat has had time to cook (it only takes a couple of minutes) place ½ to 1 slice of 2% Colby Jack cheese on top of the meat to melt.
If you have 3 slices, place your cheese in the middle and fold the outer edges of meat over it.
For 1 slice, place ½ slice of cheese to one side of the meat and fold the other half of meat over it.
Remove the meat and cheese from the pan and place on you bread. Add any condiments (like mustard, onion, pepper, etc.).
Place you sandwich over the med-high heat and brown each side.
Cut and serve.

Once you eat a cooked sandwich, you’ll never go back to a plain cold meat and cold bread sandwich again! If you have a Sandwich Press you can use it to make your cooked sandwiches; but, if not, a pan on top of the stove works just as great.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Zucchini Bites

2009-09-08T06:51:00.000-07:00

First Attempt Zucchini Bites

Now, tonight Dusty is going to have nachos, but I am trying to eat all natural again and get back into a great healthy lifestyle. So, I tried to come up with an alternative to using tortilla chips. Now, don't get me wrong, Baked Lays tortilla chips are a great healthy alternative, but I really wanted to use a vegetable. My first instinct was to use a summer squash, but my local market did not have any good looking ones. So, I decided to go with a nice zucchini! I know these are no where near "nachos", and they need a little added help, but they are still bite size, yummy, and they are much more nutritious! Now, they didn't turn out quite like I had hoped, but I also cooked them in a bit of a hurry. Here's what I did this time, please try it out and give any suggestions that you have. I'd like to continue working on this recipe and get it into tip-top condition! :)

1st Attempt Zucchini Bites

1 medium zucchini cut into 1/4" rounds (I used a mandolin, but you can just cut thick rounds with your Chef's knife).
Place the rounds on a greased baking sheet.
Cut small slices of 2% mozzarella cheese (sized to fit zucchini rounds) or sprinkle 2% mozzarella cheese over the rounds.
Top off with chopped onion and bell pepper.
Place in a 450 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them so that the cheese does not burn.
Place on a plate and sprinkle a small bit of parsley and granulated garlic on top.

As I stated above, this is a first attempt recipe that turned out rather bland. I want to continue to improve on it. A few things that I think will help are to mix the zucchini with 1 packet of Italian seasoning (and no more than 3/4 tsp almond oil if needed), using a 2% shredded mozzarella or sharp cheddar cheese (I used an all natural, fat free, gluten free monterey jack, and believe this contributed to the blandness of the dish) and putting them on the grill so that the oil drips down and the zucchini is not left sitting in the excess oil. Again, please leave any comments you may have on ways to improve this recipe without compromising the nutrition or flavor of the dish.

Always remember you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

"No Labor" Grilled Dogs with Chips

2009-09-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

"No Labor" Grilled Dogs with Chips

Happy Labor Day Everyone! I hope you're having a great Labor Day! I am back in Troy now, and Dusty and I decided we would take a break from studying to enjoy a little bit of this holiday. And what else is there to do on Labor Day other than grill out?! We decided to do hot dogs and chips....the lazy man's healthy way. By this I mean, we at store bought chips, I didn't make them myself (LOL). Here's what we did:

No-Labor Grilled Dogs with Chips

Take a Kosher, All Natural, or Organic hot dog and grill it to perfection. We used Hebrew National low fat wieners and grilled them for about 5 minutes or so until they were cooked through and had grill marks.
The last minute (or less) on the grill we through our 100% Whole Wheat buns on the grill to toast.
Once they come off the grill, add your favorite condiments like mustard, onions, and relish (remember to go heavy on the light condiments and light, if at all, on the added fats like mayo or slaw made with a store bought dressing).
Pair your dogs with a Baked Lays product or make your own chips by slicing potatoes in thin rounds and baking them at 375 until crisp).

What a Labor Day treat! Easy grilling, great tasting hot dogs and Baked Lays for a no fuss holiday meal. The best part is that you get to have fun grilling out and chowing down on a hot dog meal that is healthy for you!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Food on the Run

2009-09-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

Nachos In A Cup

This is just a cute little dish I made that would be great for parties or for when you need a meal you can take on the road with you.
They're cute, easy to eat, and yummy! Give them a try for yourself:

Nachos In A Cup

Take a few Baked Lays Tortilla Scoops, add in a little seasoned extra lean ground beef, and top with 2% Cheddar (or Mexican if available) cheese.
Serve and let your guests enjoy, or place in a shallow storage container to take with you.

Simple, simple, simple. And so delicious. This dish is bound to be a hit at your next party or your new favorite meal-on-the-go.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Just a Quick Note

2009-09-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! Just wanted to say sorry for no posts this weekend, it's my sister's b'day, so I've been in Dothan celebrating all weekend! Not much cooking going on, I did pass up some great cookware yesterday. I'm saving that money for ingredients :)

Will be back up and in action starting Monday!

Thanks for sticking with my site!

Kelli

Turkey Wraps with Squash Medley

2009-09-04T12:09:00.002-07:00

Turkey Wraps with a Squash Medley

This little dish I put together is great for weekend entertaining. One weekend my mom came to stay with me I made them for our lunch and she absolutely loved them. Squash and zucchini are two of our all time favorites, so I decided to throw the medley in as our side dish! Try them together or separate, they're both great either way. Here's what I did:

Turkey Wraps

Take an all natural turkey sandwich meat, one that is not too thick or thin and is long enough to wrap up.
Lay down 4-5 leaves of fresh baby spinach across the turkey.
Add a few thinly sliced rings of onion on top of the spinach.
Top your wrap off with a light drizzle of fat-free zesty Italian dressing.
Carefully fold the turkey over, creating a wrap (you can hold it together with a toothpick if needed).
Bake for approximately 10 min in a 350 degree oven, or until the turkey is warm.
Serve warm.

Squash Medley

Take 1 medium squash and 1 medium zucchini. Use a mandolin to make a thin julienne or a chef's knife to make thin rounds.
Place in a large bowl and add about 3/4 tsp Almond Oil and 1 small packet of Italian seasoning.
Toss to coat all veggies.
Cook over a medium heat, until veggies are soft.

And there you have it. Both simple, yet flavorful dishes. You can serve the turkey wraps cold on a hot summer (and fall if you live in the South!) day for a refreshing treat. You can serve the squash with a sauteed or grilled chicken.
The possibilities are endless. Both include healthy, low fat and low calorie ingredients, so incorporate them into as many meals, in as many ways, as you can think of.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Kelli's "Sloppy Jane"

2009-09-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

Sloppy Jane Biscuit Bites

This is a recipe that I created while playing in the kitchen one day. I was toying around with the idea of making BBQ sauce, but came up with this instead. It's been a hit with everyone who has had it, so give it a try and let me know what you think. :) It's kind of like a shredded BBQ chicken, but with a twist.

I entered it into an online recipe contest. It didn't win, but was published on their site. Take a look:

Crock Pot Sloppy Jane

It's really amazing to me, how one little ingredient can, in fact, affect the entire recipe. I am making this dish tonight for dinner. As I went to put in mustard, I realized I was out! I really didn't expect it to make such a difference, but it really does. It does not even taste the same. Plus, I only had a little bit of chicken left after making oven-fried chicken last night, so it's a lot thinner than normal.

So, just remember, if you have a recipe that works well, stick to it! There is a reason why it works. :)

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

A Classic Sandwich with Sweet Fries

2009-09-02T17:12:00.000-07:00

Chicken Sandwich with Sweet Fries

So, growing up, my favorite food of all time had to have been chicken fingers! Wow, no wonder I was such a chubbykins!
Now that I am older, and can cook, I've discovered a way that I can still enjoy my all-time favorite food minus all the health catastrophes that come along with it!
Tonight, I made chicken sandwiches with french fries, only they are not fried, they're baked! A little crushed Corn Flakes or Fiber One for the chicken, and 1/4 to 1/2 tsp almond oil for the sweet potatoes. And that's all there is to it! And as you can see above, you can adapt this dinner to fit any eater, I had a sandwich and Dusty had chicken fingers.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Chop Spaghetti

2009-09-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Chops Spaghetti

So, on the menu for tonight is one of Dusty's childhood favorites. He is a pasta lover. When he was little his mom would use pork chops in spaghetti, rather than beef or chicken. This is a delicious, and simple recipe to make, give it a try on your next busy day!

Chops Spaghetti

Take 2 small cans of tomato sauce and add in oregano, basil, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste (see my Homemade Cheese Pizza for the sauce recipe). Place in the crock-pot on low.

You want to get a pork chop that is extra lean, boneless, and sliced thin (this is only about 4g fat and 100 calories!).

Sear it in a pan with 3/4 tsp of almond oil (or olive) over a med-high heat.

Place the seared chops in the crock-pot with the tomato sauce.

Cover in the sauce, and cook on high for about 30 minutes, and then set to low and let it cook all day.

Just before time to eat, cook your whole wheat spaghetti noodles, drain, and top off with the sauce and one chop.

If desired, place a tiny amount of 2% mozzarella cheese or parmesan, but remember, moderation is the key to a healthy dish.

So, there you have it. The next time your day is jam-packed and you have no idea how you're going to fit in a healthy meal, just stick your seared chops and tomato sauce in the crock-pot and come back when you're ready to eat!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Tis the Season...Football Season!

2009-08-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

Time to Tailgate

That's right, football season is back. And that means the smell of tailgate food is in the air!
I went for a long time without enjoying tailgating, because I was afraid to eat the foods most people had.

But, the truth is, you can tailgate and stay healthy at the same time. All you have to do is check out these two articles I wrote for Ezine, and check back tomorrow for my Final 5 picks.

Start football season off right with delicious and nutritious tailgate foods for you and your guests. My bet is that they will never know they're doing their body a favor by choosing your party!

Top 5 Picks: Tailgating Food Ideas - Top 5 Tailgating Foods You Will Love

5 More Picks: Tailgating Foods You Will Love - 5 Tailgating Food Ideas

Try these tailgating tricks and let me know how they go over at your next tailgate party!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Grilled Herb Chicken, Crunchy Mac N Cheese, and Coleslaw

2009-08-31T17:14:00.000-07:00

Grilled Herb Chicken, Crunchy Mac N Cheese, and Coleslaw

Ok, this is a bit of a blast from the past. Dusty had to go down to Dothan to help out his brother, so our dinner plans got messed up for tonight. But, this gives me time to catch up on some recipes I never got to post. So, tonight, I have for you grilled chicken seasoned with my special blend of herbs, macaroni and cheese with a bit of a crunch on the top, and a coleslaw mix that I put together myself. I'd really like feed back on this if you give it a go. Remember to be open to new ideas and flavors, and at least give them a try before you bash it. You may stumble upon something great! Here it is guys:

Grilled Herb Chicken

Ok, so first you want to belnd your herbs together. I have a wonderful mortar and pestle (and I highly recommend getting one if you don't have one) that I use to crush my herbs. However, a small food processor or a coffee grinder will be just fine. Just be sure you don't use the same coffee grinder you use for your coffee, otherwise you will get herb flavored coffee next time!
Take a fairly large bit of dried oregano & basil, a smaller bit of parsley & rosemary, and a few dashes of garlic & onion powder (again, when it comes to seasoning with herbs, I say season to taste). Crush in your mortar and pestle, or grinder of your choice, until the herbs become a powder like consistency.
Sprinkle onto 2-4 all natural boneless/skinless chicken tenders (which you could marinate in lemon juice for added flavor and as a tenderizer) using a spoon. Only season one side to begin with.
Now, place your chicken on the grill over a med-high to med-low heat, seasoned side up.
When it is time to flip your chicken, then season the other side. Be sure to be cautious of burning your seasoning, as it is easy to do.
Check your chicken with a meat thermometer or a small cut in the middle to check for any pink.

Crunchy Mac and Cheese

Use 100 % whole wheat macaroni style pasta. Cook the pasta until tender. Strain.
Then, add in 1/4 to 1/2 c of a 2% sharp cheddar shredded cheese and a touch of milk (I prefer vanilla almond milk) to help the cheese melt.
Scoop out two 1/2 c servings of the macaroni and place in two 4 oz ramekins. Top with crushed Fiber One cereal or finely chopped toasted almonds, and a small sprinkle of the shredded cheese.
Let it bake in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes or so, until the cheese on top has melted.

Kelli's Coleslaw

Take a prepacked coleslaw mix and add in all natural, plain, non-fat yogurt and 1/2 to 1 whole packet of the ranch dip mix.
Mix well and enjoy.
*Now, I am not a fan of mayo, and the plain yogurt just didn't seem to give it enough flavor. I am a ranch addict, and thought it'd be cool to try. I was not too sure with the first bite, but the taste seemed to grow on me. You could easily just substitute the yogurt for mayo in your favorite coleslaw recipe.

There you have it. A good 'ole southern dinner, without the fat and calories most of our classics have.
Remember, what works for me may not work for you. Just always look for a healthier solution, like non-fat yogurt for mayonnaise. It's all about your health and doing what is best for your body. :)

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Homemade Cheese Pizza

2009-08-30T14:57:00.000-07:00

Homemade Cheese Pizza

What's better on a rainy night than a good pizza and a good movie?! Especially now that you can rent movies at Wal-Mart for $1.00. Well, that is exactly what Dusty and I are going to do tonight! Dinner and a movie at home in the rain!
But, rather than put nasty, greasy, processed, and refined delivery pizza in our bodies, I have made a Homemade Cheese Pizza! The sauce simmered all day for the maximum amount of flavor and I made the dough fresh, right before we ate it!
Now it's time to settle in, watch The Soloist, and enjoy this awesome dinner. But first, I want to share my pizza recipe with you, so you, your friends, and your loved ones can do the same!

Homemade Cheese Pizza

2 small cans of tomato sauce
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Basil
Oregano
Parsley

Ok, for the sauce it is much better if you eyeball the amounts rather than measure them out. I normally do this, but today I thought I would try measuring it out to share with you guys; but, it is not half as good. The sauce is way overpowering this way. Just season and taste until you find the perfect balance for your taste buds. Simmer on a low heat while you prepare your crust, or simmer all day for maximum flavor.

Crust

3 c whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbl almond oil* (or olive)
2 tbl sugar (preferably raw)
1 pkg yeast
1 c warm water

Combine your sugar, water, and yeast in a small bowl.
Combine your flour and salt in a large bowl and make a well (push the flour to the sides so there is a hole at the bottom of your bowl).
Pour your yeast and oil into the well.
Slowly combine to form a dough (my dough was a little dry, so just add in little bits of water to help make a smooth dough).
Knead your dough in to smooth ball.
Let rise in a greased bowl for about 1 hour or until doubled in size (I stick it in an oven safe bowl on the lowest setting for a quick rise).
Punch down and let rest for 10 minutes while you prepare you toppings.

Ingredients

Use between 1/4- 1/2 c of the sauce, depending on your personal preference.
Use 1/2 c of a 2% cheese (I used the Italian 3 Cheese Blend).
You could also pile on multiple veggies, or use a turkey or veggie pepperoni.

*I used almond oil, because I prefer it over olive, but either is fine. Also, I used 3 packets of Truvia in place of sugar.

There you have it, homemade pizza that is much better for you and just as good to you!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Picnics

2009-08-29T14:51:00.000-07:00

Picnic for Two

Today has been an active day for Dusty and I! We went to a local walking trail, walked 3 miles, stopped for a picnic lunch by the lake, and went back for 3 more miles.

Now we are getting dressed to go to the Dinner Theater, so needless to say I am not cooking dinner tonight.

I do want to share a tidbit on sandwiches however:

The Perfect Turkey Sandwich

It is really not necessary to have 2 slices of bread to make a sandwich.
Just try laying your all-natural sandwich meat or all-natural nut-butter on one slice and folding it over.
Also, use a 100% whole grain/whole wheat bread. It's much better for you and stays with you longer.

I know it's pretty basic, but that's really all there is to it. Slim down you sandwich and add in more grain and fiber, and you'll be set to go!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

A Quick and Beneficial Breakfast

2009-08-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

Apple Streusul Bar and Almonds

Have you ever had one of those mornings when you wake up late and/or you absolutely don't feel like fixing anything, even a bowl of cereal? There is a breakfast you can have that is delicious and nutritious, and requires very little effort!

Fiber One's Apple Streusel Bar and a few almonds are the perfect combination! The nuttiness of the almonds counteract the sweetness of the Fiber One bar perfectly.

Here's what you do:

Fiber One Streusul Bars with Almonds

It's really simple, open up the box of Fiber One Apple Streusul bars and take one out.
Get a small condiment bowl, and place 5-10 almonds in it.
Unwrap you bar, and enjoy alternating the sweet and nutty flavors.

The key to this breakfast is to really stop and savor the flavors. It is amazing how wonderful they are together.

This is a great breakfast for the morning of a light hiking or biking trip (like Dust and I are about to do). I stumbled upon it when I was chaperoning a church camping trip, and did not want to eat the disgusting camp food.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Delicate Chicken With Veggies

2009-08-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

Delicate Chicken with Veggies

It is so nice to know that fall is on its way! There is nothing more comforting than a big pot of stew, chili, or soup simmering on the stove!

This meal was not meant to be a stew, but time did not allow me make it the way I wanted to. I was going to make oven roasted chicken tenders with vegetables for dinner, but I ended up having to sear my chicken and add it to the crock pot along with my veggies to cook all day while I went to school and to work. And boy, was it delicious! The chicken simply fell apart on your fork when you tried to pick it up and the veggies were nice and soft.

Here's how I did it:

Delicate Chicken With Veggies

Veggies
The night before, I placed one can of carrots (drained), 1 peeled and quartered potato, and 1 peeled and quartered sweet potato, and 2 cloves of garlic in my large cast iron pot. I added 1 can of low-sodium chicken broth, a bit of water, and a good bit of Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning to the veggies. I brought it all to a boil, and then let it simmer over a med-low heat for about 20-30 minutes.

I placed the cooled cast iron pan in the refrigerator to sit overnight.

The Chicken
Today at lunch, I seared the chicken over a high heat with a very small (1/4-1/2 tsp) amount of almond oil.

Once the chicken was seared I placed it, along with my veggies from the night before, into the crock-pot on a low heat and let it cook all afternoon.

Now, I prepared my veggies the night before because I knew I simply would not have time to do it today. You could easily prepare both your veggies and your chicken on the same day. Place them in the crock-pot together to cook all day, or place them in a roasting pan and cook in the oven for dinner.

However you choose to make this meal, make sure to share it with someone you love.

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Coffee With the Girls

2009-08-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon Biscotti

So, today I stopped by my friend Elisabeth's house for a cup of coffee while Dusty was in class. It was so nice to just sit back and chit chat! Now, had I half thought about it, I would made biscotti for us to enjoy with our coffee. But, just because I forgot our biscotti does not mean you should not get to enjoy it! I found a great recipe online for a Double Chocolate Biscotti, tweaked it a little bit, and am going to share it with you now.

Double Chocolate Biscotti

Approximately 1 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c raw sugar
1/4 c dark cocoa powder
1/4 c dark chocolate chips
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 salt

Combine these ingredients in a medium bowl.

1/2 tsp vanilla
1 large organic egg (or an egg substitute equivalent to one large egg)
1 large organic egg white

Whisk these ingredients together in a large bowl, and add you flour mixture to it.

Make sure that your dough is not too wet, divide it in half, and place on a greased baking sheet. Form the dough into 2 separate flat loaves.
Bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes and then cut into slices.
Bake the slices for an additional 15 minutes to help them firm up.
And that's it, serve and enjoy!

Of course, if you make this Double Chocolate Biscotti, be sure to use a dark chocolate, it's healthier for you! WebMD states that it's a great antioxidant and can help lower your blood pressure. But, chocolate lovers, that does not mean you can indulge in dark chocolate and get away with it. Moderation is the key for all foods.

Now, personally, I am not a fan of chocolate. As you can see in the picture above, I adapted this recipe and made a Cinnamon Biscotti.
I simply replaced the cocoa and chocolate chips with cinnamon. Also, I used an Agave Nectar in place of raw sugar (just measure to taste, but be sure that it does not make your dough too wet!).

Replace the chocolate in this recipe for your favorite ingredients like cinnamon, blueberries, almonds, etc. , and enjoy with your next cup of coffee!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

Fresh Cinnamon Toast

2009-08-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

Fresh Cinnamon Toast

My fiance, Dusty, absolutely adores cinnamon toast. So, when I was at home in Dothan the other day, I got some fresh cinnamon sticks from daddy (the famous chef, "Pa"). Last night, when Dust asked if I'd make him some cinnamon toast, I jumped at the opportunity to use the cinnamon sticks! Here's what I did:

Fresh Cinnamon Toast

Take out one piece of whole wheat bread.
Spread on a very thin layer of a light butter (I recommend Promise Fat Free Spread, because it is what Cardiologists recommended).
Take one cinnamon stick and grate a reasonable amount onto your bread. There are no specific measurements, it is simply to your liking (cinnamon is great for you, so don't feel bad for going a tad bit heavier on this spice).
Top your toast off with a hint of raw sugar (I use no more than 1/2 of a packet of Sugar in the Raw).
Place in the toaster or oven until the bread is slightly toasted and the butter has melted.

This is a great way to simply spice up your boring morning routine. Don't just sprinkle on the cinnamon, take a little bit of extra time to grate it on instead! Then chow down with a hot cup 'o joe!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, and stay healthy all at the same time! :)

"Chinese Make-In"

2009-08-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

Sweet and Sour Chicken

So, I have been wanting Chinese food sooo bad lately! But of course, we all know that Chinese Take-Out is sooo bad for us. Even the vegetables are drenched in oils, and not the good oils! So, I have created a Chinese Make-In Menu that you can make anytime. I prepared the foods this morning, and had my fiance pop them in the oven 30 minutes before I got home!

"Chinese Make-In"

Sweet and Sour Chicken:
Take a couple of cups of crushed Corn Flakes or Fiber One Cereal, along with a hint of Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning and place in a ziploc bag.
Add in bite size pieces of all-natural boneless/skinless chicken tenders and shake to coat all of the pieces.
Cook on a greased baking sheet at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

The Sauce
Combine apricot preserves with a fat-free catalina dressing and heat over a medium heat. There are no real specific measurements for this recipe. Just play with it and dip the tip of your finger in to test the flavor (use a clean finger each time, of course!).

The Chinese Rice:
Of course, when it comes to Chinese you always want to go with the Steamed Rice as opposed to the Fried Rice. If you feel it is tasteless, add a dab of Sweet and Sour to flavor it!
The joys of "Chinese Make-In" are that you can make your rice healthy! Simply replace white rice with brown rice.

2 cups boiling water
1 cup of brown rice

The Chinese Vegetables
In my opinion, the best part of the meal!
Take a mixture of your favorite veggies, steam them, and enjoy!
A few good veggies are cabbage, carrots, water chestnuts, and broccoli!

And there you have it. An easy, delicious, and healthy Chinese dinner! Once you make this meal a few times, you will be able to whip it up in no time!

Always remember, you can have fun, eat great, AND stay healthy all at the same time! :)

A Cool Lunch for a Hot Day

2009-07-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, sometimes when you get too hot in this summer heat, you don't even have an appetite. This recipe is quick and simple, cool, and very light. You can make this within five minutes, sit back, and cool off!

Summer Salad and Open-Face Cracker Sandwiches

Salad:

1 Handful of Organic Lettuce, washed and chopped

1 Slice of Natural Oven Roasted Chicken Sandwich Meat

Honey Mustard (Publix brand contains no high fructose corn syrup) for your dressing

Combine the first two ingredients. You want to lightly dress the salad with your Honey Mustard as a dressing.

Open-Face Cracker Sandwiches:

2 Multi Grain Crackers

1 Slice of Natural Oven Roated Chicken Sandwich meat, cut lengthwise into two slices

Honey Mustard

Drizzle a small amount of the Honey Mustard on both Multi Grain Crackers. Place the Natural Chicken meat on top of the Honey Mustard. This meat can be served cold, or warm by simply heating in a pan on top of the stove.

Top of your meal with a nice cold glass of purified water.

Summer Days

2009-06-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love summertime! After a nice day of being outside, grocery shopping, and swimming, what better to do than make Tacos!!! For Dust, I made Chicken Tacos, by sauteing two Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast by simply spraying a small pan with Butter Flavored Cooking Spray and cooking them for about 5 minutes on each side before taking them off and cutting them up into small chunks. I then placed them back in the pan and added a bit of Water and Taco Seasoning. I let them for a few minutes more, had him come over and assemble the taco the way he liked (he added 2% Mexican Cheese and Taco Sauce). Then I placed the assembled taco in a pan over a med-high hear and sprayed with the Cooking Spray until they were a nice golden color and the Cheese had melted.

For me, it was the same concept, only I made Veggie Tacos. I used the Morning Star Grillers Recipe Crumbles. I eyeballed it and put just enough for about two tacos into a small pan with the Butter Flavored Cooking Spray. I let it cook over a medium heat until heated and tender. I assembled mine similar to how Dusty assembled his; except, I used the 2% Mexican Cheese and All Natural Salsa. I placed them on the same pan over a med-high hear and sprayed with the Cooking Spray until they were a nice golden color and the Cheese had melted.

We sat outside on the porch and enjoyed our tacos as the sun went down on our nice summer day.

A Candlight Dinner and Dancing

2009-06-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Dusty pulled a fast one on me! He told me to get cute, that we were going to the store to pick out what we want for dinner, make it together, and have a candlight dinner for two! It was soooo fun and yummy! Dusty simply had Whole Wheat Pasta with a basic Tomato Sauce and I made a Squash and Zucchini pasta. My pasta wasn't that great, then again it was the first attempt. It needed a lot more flavor, so I will try it again and THEN give you all the wonderful ingredients that go into it. I tried to make a Garlic Sauce/Topping for it; but, it was not so hot.

The overall night was amazing though. The table was beautiful and the company was wonderful. Dusty and I listened to songs by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Michale Buble, the romantic and jazzy type of music. After dinner we danced, played cards, and just hung out. It has been very nice.

Our beautifully set table and meal.

Dusty's Whole Wheat Pasta and French Loaf

My "First Attempt" Summer Squash Pasta

My Latest and Greatest Toy....

2009-06-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

The Mortar and Pestle! This thing is FABULOUS! It will make crushing up almods for baking, corn flakes for fauz-frying, and anything else you can imgine easier and more fun! Sure, anyone can pop those things in the food processor, but only a true cook, a healthy cook, knows how to use her mortar and pestle!

My first game, crush the garlic! I made a garlic paste out of Garlic Cloves and Salt tonight for our Chicken Terriyaki! I just placed a dab of Almond Oil in a saute pan, added in the Chicken over a medium-high heat, and threw in a few swigs of Terriyaki Sauce to cook together while I minced and ground my Garlic Cloves in the mortar and pestle! So fun! I also let White Rice steam while the chicken was cooking as well; HOWEVER, you should definitely use a Whole Grain (brown rice) in place of the white rice. That way you get all the nutrients that are packed into the Whole Grain rice and delpeted from the White Rice. Unfortunately, I just served up empty carbs and calories and no nutrients tonight with the white rice!

If you're not a big rice fan, like me, this chicken is amazing over a bed of Shredded Lettuce with a touch of Catalina Dressing. I was so hungry and it was so yummy I didn't even stop to think about a picture until after it was all gone (LOL).

The dinner was good, not as exciting as that Pork Tenderloin turned out to be, but it was still fabulous! Dusty even helped me cook! I give him credit for keeping the chicken from burning while I played with my new toy! :) Again, I forgot to take a picutre before, so these shots are from AFTER everyone dug into the dinner (LOL).

Tonight's Dinner...

2009-06-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

Today I tried something new! Pork Tenderloin! It's only 3.5 g of fat for 4 oz., so it is a lean meat.

I had a roast down on Dusty's menu for tonight, but I couldn't find one that I could afford (LOL)! Dust had been eying the tenderloin for a few days anyway, so I gave it a go...and it was a HUGE success!

(Note: the pictures do not look appealing, this is what happens when you leave supper for two guys; they demolish it!!! lol)

Today was my day to work in Ft. Rucker, so I seared the tenderloin using the amazing new Almond Oil that daddy bought me the other day, placed it in the Croc-Pot with 2 cups of Low Sodium Beef Broth, about 1 cup of Water, a splash of Terriyaki Sauce, and a douse of Black Pepper. I let it cook on high for about one hour before adding in the Sliced Whole Potatoes and the hand-sliced Carrots. I let it continue to cook on high all afternoon until Dusty got home from work at 5:30 and was ready to eat.

I got a text around 6:00 that said, "Omg this dinner is so good!" I had two Pork Tenderloins in the Croc Pot to begin with, and this is what now remains:

2009-06-02T15:31:00.001-07:00

Ok, so, to go along with the post about the fabulous grill that my fabulous daddy got me, these are the pictures of my first few times at the grill:

Grilled Chicken

1 Large Ziploc Bag, sized accordingly to the size of your chicken breast
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray
1 Tyson 100% Natural Chicken Breast
Mrs. Dash Grilling Blends Seasoning in Mesquite or Chicken Flavors

Take your ziploc bag and add the chicken breast and butter spray. Shake around and squish with your fingers in order to coat the chicken breast with the butter spray (Note: you want just enough butter spray to coat the chicken and help the spices to stick. Do not overdo it.) Next, add in the Mrs. Dash Seasoning of your choice. (I suggest shaking the seasoning over one side of the chicken and them flipping the bag over to coat the other side as well. Then, press down on the chicken to help it stick).
Let you chicken marinate in the refrigerator all day if possible, but for at least 1-2 hours in order to let the seasonings really seep in.

When you are ready to cook, fire up your grill to high for about 5 minutes in order to get your grill nice and hot. Then, lower the heat to medium to med-high. Place the chicken on the grill and close the lid. Check periodically and try to flip the chicken after about 5 mintues. Cook until the juices run clear and the chicken has no pink in the middle.

Now that you have the chicken, you need a side!

How about a delicious summer squash and zucchini combo:

Grilled Squash and Zucchini

1 medium summer squash
1 medium zucchini
1 medium onion, optional

Slice the squash and zucchini into long, medium-thick slices, so that they do not fall through the grill racks (if you have a grilling wok or a grilling tray you may use it in order to keep the vegetables from falling through as well). If you own a mandolin, which I suggest you run out and buy if you don't already have one, you want to make your slices around 1/4 in. thick, maybe just a tad thinner.

Slice your onion into medium-thick rounds. Again, with your mandolin you will want to make the onions about the same thickness.

To make the combination extra fabulous, toss together with just a tad bit of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray and one packet of Italian Dressing Seasoning (found on the dressing isle beside the ranch dip/dressing mixes).
Heat up your grill to a high heat for about 5 minutes in order to get it nice and hot. Then, cut it back to a medium to med-high heat.

Grill your vegetables until you achieve the desired grill marks and/or tenderness of your vegetable medley.

Here's just a few more fun grilling pics!

The Simple Truth

2009-05-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

So here it is...I have gone from one extreme with eating to the other. Now I think I am ready to settle in the middle.

I started obsessing over food- fat grams- many, many years ago. Through that I became bulimic and borderline anorexic. Once my family helped me to realize what harm I was doing to my body, I started to eat again, and this time I was working out to balance it out. Well, once school started, the eating continued but the exercise wore off. In fact, I became addicted to fast food again (as ashamed as I am to admit that). I went to the Dr. in January weighing 108 and went back in May weighing in at 115. 7 pounds in 4 months. I know it is because I turned to fast food and unhealthy snacks and turned away from exercise.

Well, I have really struggled with this these past few weeks since my doctor's visit. I am not overweight, but I would like to just get back on a healthy diet. Now, THIS TIME it does not just mean to cut out fats as it did before. THIS TIME healthy is learning to overlook the 14 g of fat in Olive Oil and learn to use it in moderation with other HEALTHY and NUTRITIOUS substitutes.

I am still going to tweak every single recipe that I possibly can, but with nutrients and not fat-free ingredients, or as I now like to call them "chemical shit storms" thanks to the wonderfully fabulous and amazingly hilarious book my mom bought for me, Skinny Bitch.

So, I may be kinda slow at getting things up, but I want to share my HEALTHY recipes with all of you! I'll teach you my tricks and hopefully you'll share any you have with me as well.

I'm going to take over food FOR REAL this time!

I'm A Grillin Girl!

2009-03-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

Well, today is the day! I grilled chicken and burgers BY MYSELF on my very own grill!
My awesome Daddy got me a grill for my little deck! And I absolutely LOVE it!
Thank you Daddy!

An Anniversary Classic

2009-02-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

When I first moved to Troy one year ago Lacey made me the cutest basket filled with household goodies. In this goodie basket were two square pink plates with big black flowers, two matching square bowls, and two clear cups with matching pink flowers. There was also a box of Zataran's Jambalaya. For one anniversary I set up a candle-lit dinner that consisted of the Jambalaya with a frozen loaf of Italian bread and served it on the pink dinnerware.

Although the pink dinnerware is missing, and it is a frozen French loaf instead of Italian, I re-created this dinner last Saturday to celebrate Valentine's Day and our 2 year anniversary from the day before.

Straight from Granny's Cookbook

2009-02-17T19:40:00.000-08:00

The other day I went to visit with Granjackie and got through some of my great-grandmother's (Granny) cookbooks. I found this recipe in a binder that she had taken placed clippings from magazines and newspapers in. It reminds me of how I am doing my cookbook, only it is more of a scrapbook style. This recipe is basically like a Monkey Bread, only I have forgotten what the title in the clipping was. It is an easy and yummy breakfast, or would be fabulous in the afternoon with a cup of coffee!

Battle of the Pound Cakes

2009-02-17T19:30:00.000-08:00

I have been trying and trying to make a low-fat pound cake. And it FINALLY happened after multiple attempts. Now, don't get me wrong, it's still got lots of calories and has real sugar, but we'll take it one step at the time!

I made a pound cake recipe I got from Anita Givens which is absolety "real" and absolutely wonderful!

The following day I followed her recipe and made a few tweaks of my own to create my baby- a FAT FREE pound cake! It's form was beautiful-although it cracked slightly on the top, but it made a flower shape which was ultimately pretty. It was very light and fluffy, a lot different from the "real" pound cake. Over all the opinions of those who tasted it said that it was good for a low-fat cake. :) I'm a happy girl!

A Noble Attempt...

2008-12-15T23:02:00.000-08:00

Well, I was in the process of making home made Veggie Burgers from my new cookbook, until the cat decided to attempt to jump onto the table. He grabbed the place mat that my ingredients bowl just happened to be sitting on. There was nothing I could do, before I knew it it had hit the floor.

So, I made a toasted turkey sandwich with Mrs. Dash Original Blend seasoning on the meat and home made french fries cut on my new mandolin and seasoned with Soul Food.

It was good, but not a Veggie Burger like I had hoped.

The Salad of One's Own Garden...

2008-12-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

Tonight's dinner was light and refreshing. It was a simple salad.

A bed of shredded lettuce surrounded by baby carrots on the plate's edge, topped with a non-fat Catalina dressing.

Quick, simple, and made with just three little ingredients most everyone keeps.

The name came to me as I was waiting for the page to come up. How amazing would it be to grow your own vegetables? To just walk outside in your back yard and pick your ingredients fresh from the ground. What a refreshing idea, to know that you grew the foods you eat, and know that they are pure and natural.

No Home Made Cooking Tonight....

2008-12-12T19:46:00.000-08:00

Today was my day out.

My parents took me to the Bistro for breakfast. I had Crepes Crepes. They were filled with cherries and very delicious with a nice cup of hot coffee.

For lunch my boyfriend Dusty had Chinese and I had a Subway sandwich. Since we both got different things we had one of our famous picnics in the car.

For supper, left over Veggie Stir Fry.

So, today was my splurge day, which means tomorrow will be super healthy. :)

Veggie Stir Fry

2008-12-12T10:16:00.000-08:00

A creative and healthy approach to Chinese take-out.

A festive mix of zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and carrots. Sautéed using PAM no stick spray and seasoned with Mrs. Dash Original seasoning and Kikkoman Stir Frye Sauce.

Served on a bed of rice along side of a prepackaged Asian salad.

Relax and enjoy you home cooked and healthy Asian cuisine.

Light Cream of Potato Soup

2008-12-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

This was a wonderful rainy December night soup. It is easy to make, yet tastes magnificent.

Served with salad. You could also serve baked croutons or biscuits if desired.

Make a pot and snuggle up with a loved one for a warm winter's night in.