Oct. 17, 2009 - Quinoa

Thought it might be helpful to show what Quinoa looks like before and after. To make it easier to find in the store.

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Oct. 13, 2009 - Chicken Spagetti

Another favorite for our family is Chicken Spagetti Casserole. It is also created by Ree.
When your trying to eat healthier any recipe can be made better. I changed it to whole wheat noodles. I also sauted the onions and peppers. My children prefer it that way.  And 1 reduced the cheese from 3 cups to 2. Still delicious.

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Oct. 13, 2009 - Baba Ghanoush!

Recipe by Ree Rummond at Tasty Kitchen or Pioneer Woman.

If you don't like eggplant you will like this! It is sooooo gooood! So glad I can make it myself now because it is not available in this stick town.

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Oct. 8, 2009 - Found a new Quinoa recipe...

I wanted to try something different. So I went to Tasty Kitchen and did a search for Quinoa.

We had

Carmelized Onion and Portobella Quinoa

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Oct. 2, 2009 - Quinoa (Keen-Wa) Vegetable Delight

Quinoa is an ancient grain that is very much forgotten in our modern world. It is a grain that comes from the Andes  Mountains of South America. Quinoa's origins are truly ancient. It was one of  the three staple foods, along with corn and potatoes, of the Inca civilization. Quinoa was known then, and still is known, with respect, as the mother grain. We  call it the "Supergrain of the Future." It is delicious and actually a whole grain. I recommend you give this grain a try.

Quinoa Vegetable Delight
This is my own recipe
Serves 6 to 8

Cook 2 cups of quinoa according to package directions. ( 2 cups of quinoa to  4 cups boiling water, cook like rice until all water is absorbed, 10 to 20 minutes)
Add veggies galore.
I added avacado, fresh tomatoes, and cucumbers this time...
Add juice of 1 lemon. And a drizzle of Olive oil.

Place a bed of fresh spinach leaves on your plate. Then mound with Quinoa filling.

My children all like different seasoning so I leave it plain. My oldest boy usually adds italian dressing.
My oldest dd and I love it with my Greek Salad Dressing. 
Sometimes I just sprinkle it with Morton Nature's Seasons Seasoning Blend (no MSG).

On the side is sauted mushrooms seasoned with Morton Nature's Seasons Seasoning Blend.

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Oct. 2, 2009 - Bierocks

Bierocks
The Bread
2 cups water, warmed
2 packages yeast or 2 Tbsp SAF yeast
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1/4 cup butter
6 cups flour, up to 6 1/2 cups

(I am assuming you know how to make homemade dough.)
CHILL DOUGH (I never do, but the instructions say it!)


Meat Mixture
brown and drain
1 1/2 lbs beef
1/2 onion

Add:
3 cups or more cabbage, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
dash Tabasco sauce

Cover skillet and continue over low heat. Stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender. Do not add liquid. Cool slightly. Roll out dough into thin sheets. Cut in 5" squares. Place meat mixture on each square, pinch edges together, and place pinched side down on greased cookie sheet. Let rise 15 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Or until golden brown.

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Oct. 2, 2009 - Bulger-Filled Eggplant

Bulgur-Filled Eggplants
Recipe from What's Cooking Vegetarian
Serves 4 to 8
4 medium eggplants
salt
3/4 cup bulger wheat
1 1/4 cups boiling water
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 Tbsp pinenuts
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp chili powder
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
1 carrot, grated
3/4 cup chopped button mushrooms
2 tbsp. raisins
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro (chopped) (I hate cilantro so for me this is optional)
salad greens, to serve

1. Cut the eggplants in 1/2 lengthwise and scoop out the flesh with a spoon without piercing the shells. Chop the flesh and set aside. Rub the insides of the eggplants with a little salt and set aside, upside down, for about 20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, put the bulgur wheat in a mixing bowl and pour the boiling water over the top. Let stand for 20 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed.

3. Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the garlic, pine nuts, turmeric, chili powder, celery, scallions, carrot, mushrooms, and raisins and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

4. Stir in the reserved eggplant flesh and cook for a further 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cilantro, mixing well.

5. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the bulgur wheat. Rinse the eggplant shells under cold water and pat dry with the paper towels.

6. Spoon the bulgur filling into the eggplants and place in a roasting pan. Pour in a little boiling water and coook in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. (Took longer than this for me)

7. Serve hot with salad greens.

NOTE: My children did not care for the shells. So next time I will peel the eggplants and dice all the flesh and then cook it in a casserole dish.

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Oct. 2, 2009 - Brocolli Chicken Alfredo

This is not a light meal. While it is all whole foods many are high calories. So we enjoy this meal only occasionally!

Chicken Brocolli Alfredo
Recipe from MOMYS Cookbook, submitter Angie Reber (WI)
4 cups Heavy Cream
2 cups Parmesan Cheese, Grated
1 onion, chopped
1 whole head garlic, minced (I don't use that much, last time I believe I used 6 to 8 cloves)
1/2 cup butter
Seasoning salt to taste
Italian seasoning to taste
Chicken Breasts (cooked)
Brocolli (steamed)
Whole Wheat Fettuccine noodles

Dice or cut chicken into strips. You can add the seasoning to the chicken as you cook or you can add it to the sauce as you make it. Fry in 1/4 cup butter. (yikes, never do that much)
Remove chicken from pan and cook the garlic and onions. Saute until clear. Add cream and bring to a gentle boil. Add parmesan. Stir until melted than add chicken and brocolli. Serve over pasta. Sauce can make a garlic/chicken pizza also. Top your pizza with the sauce and add your desired pizza toppings and bake.

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Oct. 2, 2009 - Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

GOLDEN SPOON AWARD CREAM OF WILD RICE AND CHICKEN SOUP
Recipe I received on T2 boards from Penny.

1 lg. onion, chopped
1 lg. carrot, grated
1 med. celery stalk, chopped
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 c. flour (all-purpose)
8 c. fat free chicken broth
3 c. cooked wild rice
6 oz. cooked boneless chicken breast, cubed
1/4 tsp. ea. salt and pepper
1 c. fat free evaporated milk (I use whole raw milk)

In a large suacepan, saute' onion, carrots and celery in butter
until tender. Spoon in flour and stir until blended. Gradually add
broth. Stir in rice, chicken, salt and pepper. Bring to boil over a
med. heat; Cook and stir for 2 mins. or until thickened. Stir in
milk, cook for 3-5 mins. more, until heated through. At this point
it can be put into a crockpot, on low setting, until ready to serve.

10--1 1/4 c. servings.

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Sep. 8, 2009 - Hmmm...

There is something a little disturbing. When your making food and it frowns at you.



But after they were stacked on the plate...
They soon disappeared!

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Aug. 31, 2009 - Mom's Pasta Dish/You Capture Food

This recipe was created by my Mom. Thus the name. :)

It's one of those fast and easy recipes!
(portions depend on the size of your family!)

1 to 2  box(es) of wacky noodles or favorite whole wheat shaped noodle. (Wacky noodles are tri-colored and colored with spinach and tomatoes)
1 lb. Hamburger, cooked and drained
2 to 3 kidney beans drained
2 to 3 cans diced Italian style tomatoes
1 to 2 packages of stevia or 2 to 4 Tbsp. of Sugar (to sweeten sauce slightly)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese

Boil noodles according to package instructions.
While that is boiling  cook hamburger and drain. (I do this on shopping day and freeze cooked)
Add kidney beans, tomatoes, and sweetener.

Drain noodles and add above ingredients.
Sprinkle each serving with cheese.
Watch how fast it disappears! This is great for carry ins (potlucks) and taking a meal to a family in need.

More Food Captures Here.

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Aug. 31, 2009 - Dark Chocolate Bar Cake (Stevia)

Since today was nice and cool I decided to give it another try on a stevia sweetened dessert.

The texture and form are spot on. But it was a little too sweet. I hope to try again soon and will share the recipe when I get it spot on!

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Italian Garden Pasta

So simple! Enough whole grain pasta for your family cooked according to box instructions. (for my family it's 2 boxes)
Summer veggies you have on hand. I used sugar snap peas diced and yellow summer squash diced. Add the veggies the last 5 minutes of the boil.
Italian Dressing to taste. (for me 1/2 bottle)
This would be great cold but we wanted to eat now. LOL Enjoy!

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Cool Summer Refreshment

I have talked in the past about how healthy fresh lemon water is and just wanted to remind you again with these images.


Only 4 ingredients
Lemon or lime, 1 packet of stevia ,water and ice!
Squeeze lemon juice into large cup. Put in 1 packet of stevia. Fill with ice then water. Sip and Enjoy.
(PS remember too much fresh lemon can be hard on your tooth enamel so sip through a straw)

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Jul. 6, 2009 - Product Review

(Scroll mouse over review their are tons of links to more information.)
Finally Companies are allowed to use Stevia  in their products. The ban has finally been lifted by FDA.


I have just tried Zevia natural Cola. 
My mom picked it up for me. It is a little sweeter than I prefer. (I am a diet Pepsi addict ) But I think with time I will come to love it.  And this company offers a huge assortment of flavors. They have Root Beer, Twist, Cola, Orange, Black Cherry and Ginger Ale. Unfortunately it's not available in my area. Have to get it 1 hour away. (Which is where my mom is)  So I have printed off this paper  and am going to see if my local Target will carry it. They claim to be hip and with the times so we will see. Also it is a store I already shop every two weeks. If they won't then I will try my local health food store. But I'de love to see a big store like Target carry it for them. Plus just look at the ingredients.

Coca-Cola  is bringing out Sprite Green and Odwalla juice drinks, sweetened with Truvia.

PepsiCo said its first US PureVia sweetened products would SoBe Lifewater in three different flavors. (But it's not a cola it's a sweetened water like Kool-aid, only better) It's not my thing.

While I am glad the big companies are going to carry Stevia sweetend products I will probably stick with Zevia as long as I can find it, to help the little company survive.

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Jun. 30, 2009 - Pita Chicken Sandwich

Thought I would start sharing some of our families favorite summer meals.


This is from Taste of Home Low-Fat Country Cooking
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened (I never soften it I just use my kitchen aid)
3 Tbsp. skim milk
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 cups cooked cubed chicken
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
2 Tbsp. chopped green onions (I sometimes use chives from the garden)
1 tsp. ground mustard
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/8 tsp. pepper
3 Tbsp. chopped walnuts, optional
pita bread
alfalfa sprouts

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, milk and lemon juice until smooth. Stir in the chicken, green pepper, onions, spices; refigerate. Just before serving, stir in the walnuts if desired. Spoon about 1/2 cup filling onto each pita; top with alfalfa sprouts.
Yeilds about 6 sandwiches.
I just use more chicken and it serves more people.

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Jun. 9, 2009 - Fried Feta

This is the perfect compliment to Gyro's, Hummus or Greek Salad.

First you need Feta Cheese. As you can see I cut it into slices about 1/2 inch thick.
Lemons, Olive Oil and Flour. (I use fresh ground white wheat)


Squeeze lemon juice over the feta.

Dredge the feta in flour.

Then frie in EVOO  until golden brown and the cheese starts to get soft.

This is tasty alone but today I had it on top of my greek salad.

BTW when Feta is fried it gets a mellower taste. Delicious!

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Jun. 5, 2009 - Crockpot Gyros

This is one of my all time favorite recipes...

First you need to make your meat. I prefer the crockpot but you can also do it like meatloaf.
For every 1 lb of hamburger you add 2 to 3 tsp. of greek seasonings.
If doing crockpot just shape to fit in bottom without touching sides. Cook for 4 to 5 hours on low.
In the oven in a pan for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. 350 degrees.


Next You need to chop..... Tomatoes, lettuce, onions (preferably purple), feta cheese
Then you need to make some sauce...
Homemade Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
1 cup yogurt
1/2 cucumber finely shredded (the finer the better)
1 tsp. dill weed (dry) 1 Tbsp. dill weed fresh
2 tsp. Sugar
1 clove garlic pressed
1/3 tsp. salt

Mix all together and serve.



And last you need pita bread. Shown is fluffy greek style pita from Sam's club. But my favorite is Joseph's pita. 

I featured it a long time ago. I am happy to say it is again available at Walmart super centers. Here is there website.
It is soft and flexible and jam packed with nutrition.





Greek Lemon Potatoes coming soon!!!!!

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Feb. 24, 2009 - Frugal Exercises

Can't figure out how to insert the video. Will have to read up on that. In the meantime here is a link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHtohJo37N8

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Sep. 30, 2008 - Good News and Bad News for Pregnancy

First the bad news....


Don't take Tylenol while Pregnant...

Asthma Link
Fit Pregnancy, Nov/Dec 2008
Children whose moms took acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy are 70 percent more likely to exhibit wheezing, according to a study of U.S. Children in the inner city, a location that already puts them at risk for asthma. Taking the pain reliever in the third trimester seems riskiest. Acetaminophen may destroy an antioxidant that helps prevent lung damage.
~ Kim Schworm Acosta
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Meeting

Now for the Good News...


This was in Fit Pregnancy Oct/Nov 2008.

Pregnant Chocolate Lovers, Take Heart
Eating well during pregnancy needn't mean giving up your favorite candy. A Yale study found that expectant moms who ate chocolate for or more times a week had a lower risk of preeclampsia than those who ate it less than once a week. Dark chocolate, in particular, contains a substance thought to have cardiovascular benefits that help prevent pereclampsia.
~S.R. Epidemiology

As a side note I have had anemia issues this pregnancy and have found DARK chocolate is high in iron. There's even one at Aldi's that has 15% iron for the day. Just make sure you read the label. Some are as low as 6% and some as high as 15%.

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