If you need some ideas for after school snacks or even just snacks for packing in lunches or when you’re out and about, pick up the September issue of Food Network Magazine. It features a handy tear-out booklet of 50 after-school snacks.
A couple that caught my attention-
- Yogurtwiches- a scoop of frozen yogurt placed between graham cracker squares, rolled in chocolate chips and then frozen until firm.
- Pita Nachos- whole wheat pita sliced into wedges, broiled until golden, then sprinkled with cheese and salsa and briefly broiled again to melt the cheese.
- Apple Quesadillas- Thinly sliced apple with grated cheddar cheese placed on one half of a tortilla, fold the other half over it and cook in a skillet until golden on both sides.
Someone recently told me they read that pureed watermelon was not only refreshing but a healthy energy drink. Did you know that watermelon is a great source of vitamins A, C and B6? It also has a higher concentration of lycopene than tomatoes. For me, I think I’ve undervalued watermelon mostly based on the name. Not that water isn’t healthy, but I just considered it a refreshing, but messy to eat fruit and because it was so juicy I didn't even think about how much good stuff is packed in that juice. Always in search of healthier alternatives to sports drinks for my athletic daughter, I did a little research and found several articles. I’m sharing this one because it’s a quick read and includes a great recipe.
The Surprising Health Benefits of Watermelon
Meals for the Week of August 30, 2010
A new month is almost upon us. How is that possible? I thought it was the 4th of July just last week? In any case, I consider the start of the month a time to take stock of my cupboards, fridge and freezer and then form a shopping list to re-stock any of the things I like to keep on hand. Then throughout the month I plan my meals based on what I have and make just a few additional shopping trips later in the month for more dairy or produce as I run out.
Roasted Vegetable Pasta- Meatless but filling, using whole grain pasta, a little cheese and roasted veggies. This can be just as good with grilled vegetables.
Thai Style Chicken Legs- Great recipe for grilled chicken. Use a food processor or a chopper to blend up the marinade; it might be easier than pulling out your blender.
Corn and Tomato Pie- Different from the previous tomato pie I shared last week, this has both a bottom and a top crust and the addition of sweet corn. You might be back to school, but hold onto the flavor of summer and make this pie!
Chicken and Summer Vegetable Tostadas- What we like about this recipe, is there no frying of tortillas. Just bake them to get crisp and then they crisp up some more when you broil it with the toppings. This method can really just be a jumping off point for your own tostada combinations. And use whatever kind of tortilla you prefer.
Beef, Cheese and Noodle Bake- Here’s a kid-friendly casserole that doesn’t contain any cans of high sodium, processed soups. You create your own cheese sauce to combine with lean ground beef and noodles. Try ground turkey if you prefer.
Grilled Steak with Tomato and Scallions- The recipe calls for using flat iron steaks which are less expensive than other cuts and fairly lean as well. The grilled vegetable topping is great.
Zucchini Strand Spaghetti- This dish is so perfect for summer and don’t be afraid to adapt it to suit what you like. The basil oil in the recipe is wonderful, but you can always just toss it with regular olive oil with some sun dried tomatoes and grated parmesan.
Easy Ravioli Bake- *COOK’S NIGHT OFF* Use this recipe as a guideline for your own baked ravioli creation. You may need a larger casserole dish depending on the size of ravioli you choose.
Pork Chops with Dijon Sauce- I love how well Dijon pairs with pork chops and this creamy Dijon sauce is really good!
Quinoa Stir Fry with Vegetables and Chicken- Quinoa is a fantastic high protein whole grain that is similar in texture to cous cous, but a tiny bit larger. This is a great, one dish meal that you can really customize to your own tastes.
Simple Grilled Tilapia- This recipe is really a no-brainer. But if you’ve seen tilapia in the store and wondered how to prepare it, give this a try, it’s really a great tasting, but mild fish that doesn’t need much fuss preparing it. Plus, it’s very inexpensive!
Breakfast/Side Dishes
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins- A lighter muffin, with added fiber and whole wheat flour, but a little bit of chocolate that will appeal to kids.
Chilled Cucumber Soup- Super easy soup! Very refreshing and with the non-fat Greek yogurt you get healthy protein as well as important probiotics for digestion.
I tried quinoa for the first time last week and loved it. Can't wait to try the quinoa stir fry with vegetables and chicken.
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