Happy New Year

Happy New Year from me and my family!

I feel like we just celebrated Y2K, how is it 2014 already?  We had a low key holiday; I baked, but not on the large scale that I have done in the past.  I made some home made gifts like hot chocolate, homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, granola and a few candies. 

With the new year always comes the time to make changes.  Setting goals and resolutions is what we do at the start of a new year and so I thought I would write this quick post to not only say Happy New Year, but include a few things that you may find helpful.  Maybe you are going to eat healthier, or plan your meals and get more organized in the kitchen.  Maybe you just need to get some new recipes to start off the year.  I'm here for you!

I have my Healthy Meals List which has a lot of my favorites and go-to suggestions for people when they are looking for new recipes.  It links to my Healthy Eats Pinterest board, which has not only dinners, but recipes for smoothies, snacks and treats.  You may also want to get ahead of the game and do some cooking for future busy nights.  I have a great list of Freezer Friendly Meals.

As I mentioned in my last post, I intend to have a plan for changes to this blog, with regular posts.  I will also be blogging over at Mama Bootcamp where I help out with food coaching and cooking classes.  I'll have regular posts over there each week with a recipe or healthy cooking tip.

So here's to a fantastic 2014!

Winter Cooking

Butternut squash soup that I recently made for a client and for myself!

Well Hello.  I know, it's been ages.  Why do I always do this?  Always meaning to write, say that I'll write, but yet don't.  Here it is December and the last post I wrote was in May!  And then I think to myself, "why can't I get my blog more page views?"  Actually, I don't really think about that because I know that I don't put the effort in and so therefore this blog doesn't get seen.  So I'm going to try and set some realistic goals and plan out some topics so that come January, I will have A Plan.

But right now, let's talk about winter.  We are in the middle of a cold snap here; for this part of California that means it's under 40 degrees which feels freaking freezing to me and farther north it's below 20 degrees and there's snow.  I'm all about cooking foods that are appropriate for the weather.  I've made soup twice last week.  I also baked bread, which as you know if you read my recipe blog, I do regularly but I actually had not done as much lately because we had a rather warm fall, so I wasn't turning on the oven so much.

So I'm using this post to link up some previous posts that may be useful for you at this time of year and I've also got a short list of recipes that are easy, great for the cold weather and also budget friendly so you can spend less money on food and more on your holiday celebrations.

I created a December 9th Recipes Board on my Pinterest, so you can view that and pin to your hearts content.

Last year I posted some Holiday Food Gift Ideas.  It has a good variety of types of gifts; sweet, savory, healthy, and one body scrub not meant to be eaten.  Check that out if you need some ideas for inexpensive but thoughtful gifts.



Meals for December 9, 2013

Taco Cupcakes- Kids love these, they re-heat well and you can serve with a salad for a quick dinner. You can also easily make these with spaghetti sauce and cheese for mini lasagna cupcakes.

Crock Pot Chili- I love my friend Kate's recipe for chili in the crock pot, I have listed it here in my blog many times.

Spinach, Artichoke and Chicken Pasta- If you love spinach and artichoke dip, this pasta is similar, cheesy, but not overly cheesy, so it's healthy.

Thai Turkey Zucchini Meatballs- These are gluten free, Paleo friendly, easy to make ahead and re-heat and is a nice change from the usual marinara and meatballs.

Cheeseburger Macaroni-No processed box mix here! Simple, clean eating, easy to make and kid-friendly.

Quinoa Salad with Pears and Baby Greens- this can certainly be a side dish but it's protein packed with quinoa and since it also has veggies, it's an easy one-dish meal.

Budget Beef and Broccoli- This is my own recipe for an easy and cheap version of beef and broccoli using lean ground beef. I sometimes make this with the frozen French style green beans from Trader Joes that I also have in my freezer.

Cock Pot Thai Chicken Soup- Delicious coconut Thai curry soup made with little effort in the crock pot.

Meals for the Week of April 8, 2013

Well I finally dusted off this blog and have written something after 4 months.  And looking back, even though I'd written several theme related posts I noticed that the last time I'd written a weekly meal plan post was in August!  So, my apologies for being so absent.  I've certainly been cooking a lot, I've been working with Mama Bootcamp, helping clients with finding new healthy recipes and making meal plans, facilitating cooking sessions for freezer meals and cooking for clients and my own family.  But I really don't want to neglect my blog and I've probably written that statement here before and yet I still neglect it.  So here it is, Spring as arrived, and so I should re-commit myself to making more of an effort.  I have been trying new recipes and I have ideas for things to write about so it's time to actually put them on the blog.

 

 

 

Some of my recent Instagram photos- home made bread, beef and broccoli for a client, homemade salsa, roasted veggies for soup, fruit and peanut butter dip, kale salad

So I have a great set of recipes for you to try.  My intention with these was how busy spring time can be for families.  Baseball or softball practices and weeknight games, swim team, and dance rehearsals.  Lots of evenings where you get home late or need to get dinner on the table quickly.  There's several crock pot recipes that will yield leftovers, some quick cooking meals and meals you can make ahead of time and re-heat.  I also tried to have some things that would use some of the same ingredients to help your grocery shopping budget.  Give them a try and let me know how they are!

Need to see them?  Here's the Pinterest Board- April 8 Recipes

Meals for the Week of April 8, 2013

Grilled Salmon Salad with Fresh Strawberries- This main dish salad is perfect for Spring.  It’s light but with a good source of protein. 

Asian Pulled Pork Sliders- You may already make pulled pork using your crock pot, this recipe is change in the flavors and although in this blog post she made them for a party (which would be great!) it’s an easy weeknight dinner for you and plenty of leftovers for lunches or another dinner.

 
Chili Taco Casserole- This is my recipe that I adapted to make it a little healthier and made from scratch.  The original recipe used canned chili, but if you already make your own chili, then you can either make it using leftover chili or just follow the recipe because it is still very easy.  This is a good meal to make in advance and re-heat or double it so you can have it again another night.  

Shredded Beef Tacos- Another crock pot meal for you that will most likely provide two dinners.  Simple shredded beef that you can use for tacos, which I love instead of ground beef now and then.  But you could also make burritos, or make enchiladas, eat it over a salad, there are lots of options. 

Easy Marinara Sauce- This is my recipe for marinara sauce.  I’ve started make a large batch (this recipe is easy to double) at the start of the month and then having spaghetti twice and plus using some sauce for something else like a lasagna or Chicken Parmesan.

 
Honey Chipotle Turkey Meatballs- This is a very simple recipe, you could make the meatballs in advance and freeze them, then use them either with the honey chipotle sauce or some other sauce you might want.

 

Cilantro Lime Chicken-  This is a crock pot meal that you can prep the entire thing in advance in a bag and then just put it in the crock pot in the morning.  Then you can serve it with tortillas or over rice for a burrito bowl.  Easy! 

Orange Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry- No need for take out!  This is delicious and I really like the suggestion that you cook some of the vegetables in advance by steaming or boiling them making them crisp tender for the stir fry.  She also has suggestions for making it sweeter or spicier if you like it that way.  

Cheeseburger Macaroni- This is like one of those boxed meal helpers, except from scratch and it’s not processed.  It’s uses taco seasoning, but you could also make it with just seasoning the meat with garlic and onions and using plain diced tomatoes if you don’t want the taco flavor, or skip using a taco seasoning mix and just season with chili powder, cumin, garlic and onion.

Lime and Coconut Chicken- This is a lime and coconut milk curry that is very easy to make and very tasty.  The longer you can marinate it, the better.  And then you take the marinade and boil it to be a sauce you pour over the chicken.   I suggest grilling the chicken if you can.  I then chop it up and put over rice, then pour over the sauce. 

Cheeseburger Casserole- A very kid-friendly meal that could be made ahead if you want to.  This is a light version that’s 261 calories in a 1 cup serving.  

Broccoli and Cheese Twice Baked Potatoes- This can certainly be a meatless meal or a side dish with some grilled chicken.  It’s a lower calorie recipe and a great meal with some good vitamins and minerals.  And you actually mix cooked cauliflower into the potato mixture that you then put back into the baked potatoes.  So it’s more veggies than just the broccoli on top!

Fall Flavors

I love fall!

I intend to post a collection of Thanksgiving recipes, but before I do that, I had this post of recipes the reflect fall with the use of seasonal ingredients or just food that makes me thing of cooler days and nights.  I also intended to do some reading on nutrition related to some fall ingredients, but that didn't happen.  Sorry.  Just trust me, especially since I've probably written or shared articles about leafy greens like kale and winter squash like butternut and pumpkin before.  They are nutrient dense and therefore good for you.
I've been busy doing a lot of work with Mama Bootcamp and it's been very rewarding.  I've facilitated Make Ahead Meal Nights, which has been a lot of fun.  I also got to come along for the fun and appear on TV.  The clip of the segment can be found here preserved for eternity.  We demonstrated making this great spaghetti squash lasagna, which is a fantastic low carb and low calorie meal.  It freezes well and makes quite a bit.  I also made my own Marinara Sauce to use in the lasagna and have taught quite a few of the Mama Bootcampers to make too.
OK, enough of that business, let's get to the Flavors of Fall.

Here's the Pinterest Board- Fall Flavors

Butternut Squash (or pumpkin) Chili- Packed with veggies, this chili is perfect for a cool fall evening.  You can make this on the stove or use your slow cooker.

Turkey Pumpkin Chili- A really unique twist on chili, but pumpkin pairs well with chili spices to create a sweet and smoky chili. 

Baked Rigatoni with Sausage, Butternut Squash and Kale- Make it healthier by looking for a nitrite-free sausage, but this is a complete meal with vitamin rich squash and kale.

Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna- The combination of sage and butternut squash are so good!  Definitely use fresh or cooked store-bought noodles, don’t use the no-boil noodles.  Cut your prep time with using pre-cut squash.

Chicken Pot Pie- This is a rich and delicious comfort food recipe.  Not low calorie.  But very yummy. 

Turkey Meatball and Tortellini Soup-  I came up with this soup  just staring into my freezer.  I had ground turkey and a package of tortellini, some Trader Joe’s frozen green beans, a few other veggies and canned diced tomatoes.    My family loved it because it was actually a soup that was filling as a meal all on its own.  And every time I’ve made it, it’s been a little different just based on what vegetables I have.
 
Crock Pot Turkey, White Bean and Pumpkin Chili- Perfect for fall and so easy to make in the slow cooker.  It’s made with green chilies which goes so well with the pumpkin and turkey. This version has a different set of flavors than the other chili above.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchilada- Regular readers to this blog have seen me list this recipe more than once before.  Sweet potatoes and yams are plentiful and this recipe is such a great combination of flavors.  And the green sauce recipe included with this recipe really is easy to make.  But you can easily use a canned green sauce too.
 
Broccoli Crunch- Instead of a mayonnaise based dressing for the usual broccoli salad this one uses almond butter and the addition of apples and candied nuts make it the perfect fall weather salad.

Butternut Squash and Macaroni Casserole- Delicious meatless fall casserole that uses coconut milk instead of any heavy cream or cheese.

Quinoa Salad with Pears, Baby Spinach and Chick Peas with Maple Vinaigrette- A protein rich salad for the fall. 

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffin- The flavors of fall in a muffin.  YUM. 

Pumpkin Bread- This is the recipe I have used for years.  It’s very cake-like, but it’s a simple, moist pumpkin bread.  It makes A LOT.  I have the Pampered Chef stoneware loaf pan which is pretty big and then the rest of the batter goes into muffins.  You can split the sugar to be half white sugar, half brown sugar.  You can also reduce the oil to use applesauce if you want.  It’s also very easy to make for gifts using mini foil loaf pans. 

Crock Pot Apple Butter- I made this when I got a big box of Fuji apples.  It's delicious and so much easier than making it on the stove.
 
Kid Tested Pumpkin Muffins- These are vegan and healthy for you, but taste great!   They are packed with protein as well as iron.  Give them a try.  Easy to make on the weekend and then eat them all week for a quick but healthy breakfast. 

Pumpkin Pancakes- This recipe is perfect for if you purchased the large can of pumpkin and didn’t use it all as it only requires 6 tablespoons of pumpkin.  Or, just purchase a smaller 15oz can and then keep the extra in the fridge or freezer to make more another day.  Keep in mind with the pumpkin that if frozen or refrigerated a lot of moisture comes out and that’s ok, you should just squeeze the water out of it. 

Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt- If  you have an ice cream maker, this is so easy, just a couple of ingredients and low calorie; made with fat free Greek yogurt! 

Pumpkin Pie Wontons- Fun to make with kids, except for the frying part, you do that part, but let them assemble them. 

Vegetarian Meals

So I've been on a theme-posting kick lately.  This week I wanted to bring you two articles I have on cooking vegetarian/vegan and why you might consider eating vegetarian or vegan.  I also wanted to provide a list of meatless meals so if you are vegetarian and looking for some recipes or looking to reduce your consumption of meat/animal products and want some ideas, this list of recipes and links to resources is for you.  October 1st was World Vegetarian Day, which also kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month, I'm glad I thought to do this post in October.  :)

Why Vegetarian?
Basics of Vegetarian Cooking

Banana Muffins- A vegan muffin that is moist and delicious.  Sometimes when I make these I use brown sugar instead of regular white sugar.

Tortellini, Tomato and Spinach Soup- A hearty meatless soup that you can pack with nutrient rich veggies.  Try using whole wheat pasta that has more protein as well as other green veggies like broccoli and kale.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas - This is a great recipe, you can make your own green sauce as written in the recipe or look for a green sauce made without chicken broth and added preservatives.  I also suggest doubling this recipe as it only makes 8 as written.

Vegan Crockpot Lasagna- A rich and hearty lasagna you can easily have on a busy weeknight because you made it in the crockpot.

Healthy Bean Soup with Kale- Good fiber, good green kale and protein in this hearty soup.

10 Minute Tasty Asparagus and Brown Rice- This is an excellent side dish, but it can also be a filling main dish served with a salad or a saute of veggies.

Brown Rice Salad with Spinach and Tomatoes- Another great side dish, but also a good option if you need some meatless options for a dinner or potluck.

Three Bean Salad with Quinoa-A great dish packed with protein and fiber.

Ravioli and Vegetable Soup- A good hearty soup.  Try to use a whole wheat pasta to add more protein.

Summer Squash and White Bean Sauté- This summer dish can be tossed w/ pasta or served over rice or quinoa.

Bulgar Taco Salad with Cilantro and Lime- Bulgar makes this a hearty meatless salad that is a great complete meal with good sources of protein plus fiber and iron.  

Veggie Tacos- This recipe is so adaptable.  Use whatever fresh vegetables you like then just follow the instructions for seasoning and preparing the tortillas.

Roasted Fall Vegetable and Ricotta Pizza- A hearty meatless pizza with great roasted vegetables like butternut squash, potatoes, carrots and plenty of garlic.

Butternut Squash and Macaroni Casserole- Delicious meatless fall casserole that uses coconut milk instead of any heavy cream or cheese. 

Butternut Squash and Sage Lasagna- The combination of sage and butternut squash are so good!  Definitely use fresh or cooked store-bought noodles, don’t use the no-boil noodles with this recipe.  Cut your prep time with using pre-cut squash. 

A few websites with good vegetarian recipes
101 Cookbooks
Oh She Glows
Fat Free Vegan
Skinny Taste

Budget Cooking and a Tour of Whole Foods Market

Awesome insulated bag I received at the tour full of great information!

The title of this post may be confusing to some.  How can budget cooking and Whole (aka Whole Paycheck) Foods Market  be together?  Well my friends, I recently learned some tips to make that possible.

This post has been a long time in the making.  OK, technically what I have wanted to write/do has been bouncing around in my brain for weeks and the actual writing and doing has taken place over the last few days, but I wanted to write a post focused on budget cooking for awhile so let’s pretend it’s been a long arduous process, K?  There are a lot of blogs out there devote to being frugal, using coupons and shopping for deals.  A LOT.  But it was perfect timing that a couple weeks ago my local Whole Foods posted on Facebook that they were offering a tour on how to value shop in their store.  I immediately responded and made a reservation to attend.  It was going to conflict with the soccer (such is how it goes in my life), but I was determined to go see what they had to say because in an effort to do my grocery shopping on a tighter budget, I had not been to Whole Foods for any shopping in a couple of months.  I took notes on my phone notepad hoping the team members giving the tour didn’t think I was texting someone the entire time.  The notes really helped me to remember important tips so I can plan future shopping trips and I wanted to share with you my notes.

Meals for the Week of August 13, 2012

I'm keeping it short and sweet this week.  It's back to school.  I think parents mostly rejoice in having kids back to the routine, busy for most of the day and the end of what can sometimes be a costly time of year with summer camps and trips all leading up to the frenzy of back to school shopping.  I know I do.  I've spent some time over the past week building a new board on my Pinterest with ideas for packing lunch for school.  I also mentioned in my last post that I had cooked some meals to help with busy school nights and some food like calzones (aka pizza pockets) that can be packed in lunches or for after school snack.  I'm making more of those this week since everyone in my house felt they should eat what I made now and not wait for school.  :)
I also made this Buttermilk Banana Bread this week.  It's really good.  I actually followed the advice of one of the comments on the recipe and made a glaze that I poured all over it when it was still warm.  I've had a different banana bread recipe that I've used for years and a different and healthier banana muffin that I most often make.  But this one might be my new go-to for banana bread.  Just like chocolate chip cookies, banana bread recipes are very personal and highly subjective, you may have one you like and won't be trying another.  But if you want to try or haven't tried before, this one is very easy.  My 6 year old helped me.

Bad iPhone photo, I know.  But cute!

The list of dinner meals is short- just a few ideas to try this week since I was spending time looking at lunch ideas.

Pinterest- Packing Lunch

Meals for the Week of August 13, 2012

Pinterest Board- August 13 Recipes

Grilled Chicken with Balsamic Glaze and Stir Fried Vegetables- Very easy, low fat grilled chicken getting it's flavor from the grill and a sweet reduction of balsamic vinegar.  You can also easy stir fry some veggies with the glaze in a pan on your grill.

Chili Taco Casserole- My kids love this and it's easy to assemble ahead of time and freeze to bake when you want to serve it. 

Classic Baked Ziti- Another recipe you could assemble and freeze to bake later.  Simple and easy.  This recipe includes making the tomato sauce portion, which if you like to use a jarred marinara sauce and want to skip that part of the cooking, feel free to do that.

Grilled Zucchini Pizza Slices- Need zucchini ideas?  Here you go.  Maybe this will get your kids to eat zucchini if they don't already.

Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts- We eat dark meat in my house.  Actually, I tend to keep both boneless breasts and thighs in my freezer.  Thighs are cheaper, they are tasty but I do feel like I buy them more frequently because they are smaller and therefore when I cook some, I'm having to make a lot since everyone tends to eat more than one.  Anyway...this is a great combination of chicken and artichoke hearts with feta cheese.

Easy Green Chili Enchiladas- Open faced enchiladas.  Leave it to The Pioneer Woman to share an easy and no-fuss way to enjoy enchiladas.

Meals for the Week of August 6, 2012

Why does summer have to fly by so quickly?  Didn't I just write a post about making summer-time snacks/lunches for when the kids are home?  Oh yes, I did, it's one of the last times I actually posted something here.  :/  What happens every summer is the my dear hubby works in education and is off during the month of July, so then everyone  in our house is home and my ability to just sit for hours at the computer researching and writing is limited.  I do cook, and this summer I've spent plenty of time on Pinterest courtesy of my iPhone app.  But the other day, I treated my family like a client and spent about 5 hours prepping and cooking some breakfast, snacks and meals because they are heading back to work and school and I wanted to get ahead of the game.  I made some granola, breakfast burritos,  more calzones like I mentioned in a previous post, white chicken enchiladas (on the list this week), a big batch of spaghetti sauce, and I prepped some thin carne asada style steak (except I marinated Filipino style) and put a pork tenderloin in a honey Dijon mustard marinade.  In two short weeks my life returns to controlled chaos of driving to school, Daisy Scouts and soccer practice, plus regular Personal Chef sessions.  Not to mention I must take time to get myself back to attending regular Mama Bootcamp sessions to keep myself healthy and sane.  The added layer to this is my oldest starts high school, so I'm no longer just rushing to get to one school, but two kids to two different schools.  And they are not close to each other.  So I have to get my act together and not just take care of clients, but take some time to plan and cook ahead for us.

I figured I should share some of the kitchen fun I have had this summer.  You can follow me on Instagram, elh1015, to see not just kitchen fun. 

My husband's birthday cake, inspired by Pinterest- chocolate cake, peanut butter buttercream frosting, chopped Reese's peanut butter cups.

Home made cinnamon raisin bread, recipe from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

Homemade Tortillas that my oldest and I made.  I'm going to use this recipe in my kid's cooking class this year.

This week I came up with some recipes that are seasonal using veggies that you may find on sale or be enjoying in large quantities from your (or your friend's) garden.  I also have some crock pot recipes that can keep you out of the kitchen as well as keep the house cool.

Meals for the Week of August 6, 2012

Pinterest Board for this week- August 6

Cold Sesame Noodles with Shredded Chicken- We all liked this in my house and I liked that it was quick to fix and didn't heat up the kitchen too much. 

Healthy baked Chicken Nuggets- I make these for a client on a regular basis; the adults and kids like them.  I always just make a much larger amount than the recipe calls for, after they bake and cool I place them on a plate or sheet pan in the freezer, then after they are frozen, transfer them to a zipper storage bag.  You can just re-heat as needed.  

Easy Grilled Tri Tip- It’s been awhile I think since I shared this recipe, which is my own that was published on All Recipes.  The purpose of this recipe was a quick method for grilling tri tip since it’s sliced and marinated, then grilled.  You could use the marinade on any cut of steak you want. 

Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats-Need recipes for using your bounty of garden zucchini?  Here’s a great one.  Lean sausage and part skim mozzarella cheese, filling, but not too fat and heavy. 

Grilled Steak with Tomatoes and Scallions- Simple and easy steak recipe, grilling the tomatoes slightly just to warm and give them a little smoky flavor.

Heirloom Tomato Tart in Parmesan Crust- A lovely way to use the abundance of tomatoes ripening in your garden.  If you wanted this as a side dish to grilled chicken or fish, that would work nicely.  But it can be a main dish with a salad on the side.  You can cut some corners using a pre-made crust if you want and follow the recipe directions for baking it and sprinkling with parmesan cheese.  I highly recommend Trader Joe’s brand, it’s in their freezer section.  But the extra step in the recipe that has you remove some of the tomato juice really helps keep this from being soggy.

Crock Pot Thai Pork with Peanut Sauce- I love that she makes a case for why you should consider the crock pot more when cooking in the summer.  And it’s true, it certainly is easier than heating up the oven or stove or standing over a hot grill.  And this is a delicious shredded pork to serve over rice and with some steamed broccoli.  Perfect. 

Easy Skillet Topped Chili Macaroni- Much better than from a box, this is an easy from scratch recipe for a great kid-friendly meal.  You can use lean beef or ground turkey and whole grain pasta to make it a little lower in fat and higher in fiber. 

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken- This is not one of those crock pot recipes where you leave it all day while at work, but its the sort of thing you could do on a weekend; get it all prepped, set it to cook and come back to it a few hours later. 

White Chicken Enchiladas- Really easy to make, doesn’t use a canned cream of chicken soup and you can freeze either baked to reheat or put in the freezer unbaked and then defrost and bake when you want to eat it. 

Honey Balsamic Green Beans- And here's a side dish for you this week.  I’ve used this combination on other veggies and never thought to use it with green beans.  It’s great! 

Meals for the Week of June 25, 2012

Last year around this time, I chose to not focus my post on the July 4th holiday.  This year I decided that I will provide some recipes that I think would be great for the holiday, but mixed in with other everyday recipes you might like for this season.
So I'm keeping this post short and sweet and getting down to the business at hand with the list of recipes for this week.  You can view the Pinterest board for these recipes here.  Have a fun and safe July 4th!

Meals for the Week of June 25, 2012

Chicken and Sun Dried Tomato Orzo- Orzo is like rice in shape, but pasta that is very quick cooking so this is a good meal you can have ready in 30 minutes. 

Grilled Lime Shrimp- Simple and delicious.  Use them as a basis for tacos or in a salad.  Eat them with brown rice and grilled veggies. 

Southwest Flank Steak Pinwheels- This is something you can make ahead; assemble and then freeze until you are ready to cook it.  The recipe provides instructions for cooking in a crock pot.  I have also grilled stuffed flank steaks before if you wanted to try that.

Hawaiian Pork Burger- A yummy change of pace from a beef burger. Topped with a pineapple ring and a slice of ham; such a great flavor combination.

Spinach and Chicken Tortilla Bake- This is spicy; it has salsa verde in it, but you can use less than it calls for if you need to.  It’s a quick and easy meal for a weeknight and leftovers are good for packing in your lunch. 

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers- Very easy and adaptable recipe for stuffed peppers.  A good thing you can bake ahead and re-heat if you need to. 

Crunchy Coconut Chicken- I have another recipe for coconut chicken tenders that I almost chose instead of this one, as it’s delicious.  But it’s fried, not baked like this one and the coating has a lot more fat and sugar in it.  So, this version is far better for something you can make on a more regular basis and it requires less active work to prepare.

Grilled Veggie Tostadas- This is great if you are going to have a taco bar for the holiday.  Grill up some chicken and veggies and then set it all out for everyone to build their own tacos or tostadas.
 
Turkey Burgers with Zucchini- Healthy burgers with some added nutrition with finely grated zucchini mixed in. 

Honey Lime Chicken Skewers- These grilled chicken skewers are sweet and spicy and are great to prep and marinate ahead of time.  Then all you do is thread them on skewers and grill. 

Peanut Noodle Salad- You can use a whole grain or brown rice pasta if you want, you could also add julienne carrot and chopped broccoli to increase the veggies.  A great side dish with grilled chicken.  Bring this to a bbq. 

Pasta Salad with Grilled Summer Vegetables- Take this healthy option to a bbq party or make this for a weeknight dinner when you want to keep things cool.  You can grill the veggies ahead of time, or use leftovers from a previous meal. 

Red, White and Blueberry Trifle- This is a festive lower fat and lower sugar dessert for the July 4th holiday. 

Vanilla Raspberry Sundaes- Most of this recipe is for making the spoon-shaped cookies you can top the sundae with, so if you want to skip that, it’s simply a recipe to give you inspiration for making a patriotic sundae.  I love the combo of vanilla ice cream with the tangy raspberry sorbet. 

Meals for the Week of June 18, 2012

Another school year has come to an end.  For some reason I always think that it's easier when we're out of school to manage breakfast and lunches; in our house there's not the constant rush in the morning and having breakfast meals that is fast and portable and I don't have to pack lunches.  That means needing less food.  WRONG.  Finally, this summer, I feel like I've got a handle on stocking my kitchen for the summer.  It's early so I could still face some challenges, but I thought I would share what I've got started along with some ideas I found and hope to try.

If you are now faced with children at home all day or more often, get organized with snacks and lunch food and make it fun for them.  

• If they are old enough, get sandwich thins bread or bagel thins and use those for making their own toaster oven pizzas.  
• Quesadillas are so quick and versatile.  Keep tortillas and cheese stocked in the fridge.  
• Grill or poach chicken that can be used for topping pizza or in quesadillas or just for eating with some fruit and cheese.   
• We also love to make nachos for lunch.  It’s the perfect use for leftovers from a taco dinner.  Layer the chips and shredded cheese, add leftover meat, beans and rice, more cheese and pop it in the microwave for a few minutes.  It’s nice to take a break from working to sit at the table with the kids sharing a big pile of nachos.
• Make or have older kids make No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls.  A protein packed snack that satisfies the sweet tooth but also provides energy, perfect for late afternoon or before sports.
• Make the Double Grape Slushies.  Or come up with your own slushies.
• Make popsicles- simply puree fruit and juice together.  Save your 8oz yogurt containers to use as popsicle molds.  Pour in the puree, cover with plastic wrap or foil, then poke popsicle sticks through and freeze.

Meals for the Week of June 11, 2012

Hello!  I know, long time since I posted.  It's amazing how the time flies, blah, blah.  Anyway, I'm here and posting and I have a couple things to share.

Awhile ago I shared that I planned to train with Mama Bootcamp to participate in a sprint distance triathlon.  This past weekend, I completed the triathlon.  I won't lie, it was really, really hard.  I'm proud to have gone through the training and to have finished the race and I'm alive to tell the tale.  I waver back and forth between thinking that I never want to do the swim portion ever again and wanting to enter another race and improve my time.  So I'm semi-crazy at this point. But there is something very satisfying to have completed a big goal like that.  In a life where I'm operating in organized chaos; children, dogs, constant driving all over the place, the stress of everyday life, I had something that was for me.  Training with a wonderful group of women, fantastic coaches, but also the quiet time of running or biking outdoors, somewhat alone with my thoughts has been so important to not only my physical but my mental health.  I've formed ideas for this blog, and for growing my business, as any busy mom knows, just the opportunity to have time for yourself is invaluable.  So I am VERY grateful to have the experience.

Now- onward and upward!  Finally a new set of recipes for you to use for planning your next meals.  The list is varied between some seasonal recipes perfect for summer grilling and easy meals to make ahead for the weeknight. 

Meals for the Week of June 11, 2012

*NEW* I decided I should utilize Pinterest to create a visual of the recipes each week.  So below is my usual list with my comments/tips and the link to the recipe, but then I have a board too so you can have a visual with the link and can easily re-pin for your own board or add to your Ziplist shopping list.  June 11 Board

Cheesy Skillet Chicken and Rice with Green Beans- This is a great one-pot meal.  It does instruct you to leave the chicken whole for serving, but I like slicing it up and mixing it back into the rice just before serving.  I think you stretch it to serve more people that way too. 

Cashew Chicken- Cheaper and faster than take out.  This is a great recipe that uses some very standard ingredients you don’t have to go to a special market for.  

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad- A copy cat recipe that is filling, but also fairly low calorie and low fat. 
 

Penne with Roasted Asparagus and Balsamic Butter- Enjoy asparagus while it’s in season!  This can be a great side dish with grilled or roasted chicken or a meatless meal.  

Crock Pot Sausage, Beans and Greens- I know this seems odd for the summer, but the crock pot keeps the kitchen cool.  There is some initial prep on the stove for this recipe, but then you can get it the crock pot and get on with you day!  

Halal Cart-Style Chicken and Rice- This recipe is a replica of what popular Halal food carts found in Manhattan serve.  It’s a delicious comfort food and something you can make ahead and re-heat. 

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps- If you have a food processor, it’s easy to take boneless chicken and grind it up. If you need to cut the prep time, use ground turkey.  As the recipe suggests, make this a more filling meal with rice and combine the chicken with rice in your wrap. 

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.

Cilantro Thai Grilled Chicken Breasts- Here is another option for a Thai-style chicken using lean breasts.  The marinade imparts a lot of flavor and moisture. 

Blood Orange Salad with Pecans, Gorgonzola and Baby Greens- This is actually a spring salad, but you can use naval oranges if you no longer have blood oranges in your market.  I love salads like these, and it includes a delicious dressing made with orange juice. 

Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Syrup- I just love asparagus and just like she mentions in this recipe, I love the tips the most.  I especially love when they are slightly grilled and have the sweet tang of balsamic vinegar.

Meals for Week of March 5, 2012

So I'm making this short and sweet.  This week's list has several crock pot recipes and I have 2 recipes for shrimp, both with coconut, but yet they're not really the same.  The recipes this week are healthy and either easy for a weeknight or something you can make ahead and re-heat leftovers.

We had this in my house and loved it!

Meals for Week of March 5, 2012

Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp- Using light coconut milk still provides that great flavor combination with red chili paste, but reduces the calories and fat. 

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken- This is recipe requires browning the chicken on the stove first, which really helps to sear in the flavor and keeps the chicken from cooking down into nothing.  It also is best cooked on high for 4 hours, so it’s not the sort of slow cooker recipe that you put out in the morning and leave all day.  But it is useful for a busy weekend where you can get it assembled and then leave it.  Or make it in advance and then just re-heat for another night. 

Skinny Coconut Shrimp- These are great as an appetizer with a dipping sauce or for a meal you can serve them with rice and a big vegetable stir fry.  I made one change to the recipe; I added the juice of one orange to the beaten egg.

Quick and Easy Zesty Sausage Pasta-  A fantastic sauce you can put over pasta, gnocchi, soft polenta or even over roasted vegetables for a low carb meal.  It’s quick to cook, but full of flavor.

Balsamic Roast Chicken- Delicious low fat method for roasting a chicken.  This recipe uses a whole chicken, but you could apply the same method to chicken parts.  Add sliced onions to the pan for caramelized onions to go with the chicken.

Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken Chili- A slightly different flavor than your usual chili.  Really good!  The recipe suggests controlling the heat by cutting back on the chili powder if you’re using a spicy enchilada sauce.

Vegetable Bean Soup- Here is a meatless but filling soup that has many options for you to change it to suit your tastes.

Crock Pot Pasta Fagioli Soup- This is a beef, vegetable and pasta soup that is filling and you can make a large amount to eat all week or to feed a crowd. 

Peanut Butter Granola Balls- Really easy, a great snack for kids or to pack in their lunch.

Meals for the Week of February 20, 2012

So my apologies for the lack of posts the last couple weeks.  Life is way out of balance.  Funny thing is, I sort or planned for that and cooked several meals ahead of time which made that element of life very easy when I was in the middle of a super busy week.  But other things kept me from being at my computer researching recipes and writing.  I hate that.  I do try to check in on the Facebook Page now and then with a quick post to share a link or a photo.
I have quite a few new recipes to share this week and I hope you like them.  It's a smattering of everything; crock pot, make ahead/freezable, kid-friendly, healthy, comfort food, and a few "ethnic" dishes too.  I also wanted to share a simple and healthy smoothie recipe and a kid-friendly snack.  Leave a comment when you try something and let me know how it went.

Meals for the Week of February 20, 2012

  
C-Splosion Smoothie- An all fruit and no dairy smoothie with tons of vitamin c and antioxidants.

Pizzadillas- This could certainly be a very kid-friendly dinner along with salad or raw veggies and dip, but it’s great for after school.

Shrimp and Grits- Simple, delicious Southern food. 

Baked Ziti- Perfect meal for a crowd if you need it for a potluck or it can last for more than one meal in a week. 

Crock Pot Italian Style Penne- This is a very low calorie, low fat dish with kidney beans instead of meat for good fiber and protein.  I love the suggestion that it’s the sort of dish you put in the crock pot 1 or 2 hours before dinner, so if you have a busy evening with practices/meetings/errands (like I always do), you throw it together before you leave and it’s ready when you get home.  If you wanted meat, I suggest cook some ground meat in a pan, then adding it in when you layer the ingredients. 

Slow Cooker Flank Steak Fajitas- Tender and juicy and uses no seasoning mixes, just clean eating spices and veggies.

Cheeseburger Pizza- Incredibly easy, kid-friendly mini-pizzas.  Use lean ground beef or ground turkey.  Just add a salad and dinner is ready!

Fish Tacos with Chipotle Cream- Very easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes.  Chipotle chilis in adobo sauce are spicy, so add a little at a time when making the sauce.  Leftover chilis can be stored in the fridge for quite awhile or frozen.

Butter Chicken- This Indian dish can be made with ingredients that you might already have on hand.  It’s easy and delicious.  Get coriander and cardamom where you can purchase bulk spices, this way you can just buy what you need unless you plan to always have it available.

Moroccan Spiced Grilled Chicken- Prepare the marinade the night before or in the morning and you will have tender, juicy chicken with wonderful spices.  You can grill it outdoors or use a stove top grill pan.

Spaghetti Pie- I like the description that it’s the flavors of lasagna without all the fuss.  Super easy to make ahead and leave unbaked or bake and r-heat. 

Meals for the Week of January 30, 2012

So we're coming into the "big game" weekend, Super Bowl Sunday, or for many people it's all about the food and the commercials, who cares about the football game.  I wanted to share a few recipes this week that you might be interested to make for the game whether you are hosting people or need to bring something over.  Some of my suggestions I have in a blog post over  on the Mama Bootcamp website.  Each week Mama Bootcamp has a challenge and week #5 is a challenge to keep it healthy when eating and watching the game.    So besides those recipes, here is one more that you might like-  Loaded Skinny Turkey Nachos- I suggest instead of using a low fat bean dip as listed in the recipe, just mix the turkey meat with beans.  I will also leave you with one dessert that would be fun to bring to a party- Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats. 

Meals for the Week of January 30, 2012

Pecan Crusted Trout- I don’t know that I have ever listed a trout recipe here.  I’m usually a shrimp, salmon or tilapia person, but I grew up eating trout.  The crunchy, nutty crust is great.  But you could use this on any fish for that matter. 

Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onions-  An easy pasta sauce.  No garlic, no seasonings.  The key is good tomatoes and the butter makes it rich.  Don’t be too worried about the butter, if you’re only eating a 1 cup or even a little less than one cup of sauce, it’s under 200 calories.  Have it over whole wheat pasta for good added fiber.
Pasta with Butternut Squash and Pecans- I like to take this up a notch with a little browned butter, because it tastes so good with the squash.  However, the olive oil is healthier. 

Low Fat Baked Ziti with Spinach- Comes together quickly on a weeknight or you can make it in advance. 

Slow Cooker Rosemary Pot Roast- This recipe includes something I really try to avoid; canned cream soup.  I’m not totally against them, I grew up with canned soup and various casseroles created from canned soup.  I do like that this one lists the low fat and low sodium kind, which is a good option. 

Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema- This is a recipe using baked, not fried fish and you can easily substitute shrimp if you prefer.  Serve it with a creamy and tangy cilantro sauce. 

Chicken Parmesan with Easy Marinara sauce-  This is a low carb chicken parmesan as it’s not breaded like the traditional recipe, it’s just coated with some grated parmesan cheese.   I also include a simple marinara sauce to use with it, but you can always use your favorite store bought sauce. 

BBQ Beef Casserole-  This is spicy and sweet with jalapenos and barbecue sauce, topped with a cornbread crust.  But it’s very simple to throw together and you can control the heat by using more or less jalapenos.  The recipe calls for a Jiffy brand cornbread mix, my suggestion is to use Marie Calendar’s low fat mix instead. 

Parmesan Rosemary Chicken- The method used in this recipe is one of my favorite ways to cook; diced up chicken, cooked hot and fast in a pan, then you deglaze the pan and make a sauce (in this case a gravy).  Very simple and delicious.  

Meals for the Week of January 23, 2012

Although many parts of the country have had typical January/winter weather, here in Northern California, we have had very cold nights, but beautiful, days of sunshine.  Until finally this week we have received the desperately needed rain and snow.  So this week I've got a lot of comfort food recipes for you.  Several are still low calorie and healthy and I have quite a few quick cooking or crock pot recipes.
Have a great week!!

Meals for the Week of January 23, 2012

Lemon and Herb Crock Pot Roasted Chicken- Super easy and very flavorful. 

 

Slow Cooker Spinach and Chicken- Just 4 ingredients dumped into a slow cooker and it’s done.  Sprinkle with some parmesan cheese when you serve it. 

Low Carb Italian Bake- This is sort of like lasagna without the noodles, adjust the ingredients to use what you like for the vegetables. 
 

Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole- This actually relies on a roux to create a thick and creamy sauce and not actual cream.  I make it using fat free milk instead of the whole milk called for in the recipes and it’s just fine. 
 

Chicken Enchilada Soup- This is basically all the flavors of enchiladas in the form or soup.  And it can be made in the crock pot which makes it super easy. 

White Cheddar Chicken Pasta- Make a nice little cheese sauce from scratch and toss with cooked chicken.  Yum! 

Penne with Cannellini Beans- A very quick to fix meatless meal, you can make changes to suit your taste, I suggest using Italian style tomatoes that come already seasoned.  

Buffalo Chicken Tacos- Looking for something different to have while watching football playoffs?  Try these tacos. 

Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese- This is pretty indulgent, but you can actually make it with fat free evaporated milk if you want.  I use this recipe in my cooking class at my kids’ school because I think it’s important for them to learn to make a dish they probably love from scratch instead of from a processed package. 

Salsa Chicken Soup- A change from your usual chicken soup- this one comes together in 30 minutes and you can make it spicier depending on the salsa you use. 

Meals for Week of January 16, 2012

I decided to go with the January healthy eating trend this week and provide you with a variety of low fat, low calorie and nutrient packed recipes.  I suppose I try to always do that, but this week I have more than a few that fall into that category.  I like that I'm finding more and more recipes like these that are naturally low calorie with not so much use of processed low fat or low calorie ingredients.
I also wanted to share this handy chart for making recipe substitutions that can help make something healthier.

Healthy Recipes:  A Guide to Ingredient Substitutions

This week I have several recipes that include cannellini beans as an ingredient.  They are basically a white kidney bean frequently used in Italian cooking. Like many beans they are low fat, high in fiber and protein. Contain minerals and B vitamins.  Give one of these recipes a try this week!

Meals for the Week of January 16, 2012  

Beef Stew with Noodles- The key to this recipe is the meat is cut into small pieces which allows it to cook quicker.  Stew meat you find in the store will be cut in larger cubes and would need more cooking time to get tender, so cut them into smaller pieces.

Quesadilla Pie- Great way to use leftovers, and actually perfect for leftovers from tacos.  Serve with salad for an easy meal.

Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia- Very easy and just lightly pan fried in a little oil, you could serve this with salsa and black beans as suggested in the recipe or with salad and roasted vegetables.  You could even make smaller pieces of fish and use it for fish tacos.

Paprika Shrimp Green Bean Saute- Shrimp are always so quick and easy to fix on a weeknight. 

Japanese Mums Chicken- Funny name, when you see the recipe, there is a story behind the name. This is a chicken that has a soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and garlic glaze.  It sort of reminds me of Filipino adobo.
 
Slow Cooked Sweet Barbacoa Pork- This is a two step process so it’s not exactly the kind of thing you can just cook in the crock pot while you’re not home, but you could do it on a weekend and then it’s ready for you to eat during the week. 

15 Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta- Meatless, super easy to whip up pasta with a creamy avocado sauce.  There’s actually no cream, it’s just the avocado that creates a creamy sauce. 

White Chicken Chili- A healthy and filling chili using white kidney beans (aka Cannellini beans) and chicken. 

Homemade Spinach Manicotti- This is something you can make on a weekend and re-heat leftovers.  It takes a little extra time to prepare each element, but it’s well worth it. 

Chicken with Green Curry Sauce- If you are interested in trying to make your own Indian food, this is a super easy recipe to start with.  You may already have some of the ingredients on hand, the garam masala is not too hard to find these days. 

Cannellini Beans with Wilted Greens- Good side dish with plenty of healthy greens and protein rich cannellini beans.  You can simplify the recipe with canned beans that don’t need the overnight soaking.  Spinach or any other green like kale or collard can be used too.