Cooking
Clean Eating Made Easy
Have you joined us in the April Clean Eating challenge? I’m already having so much fun and making great changes–DELICIOUS changes to my meals and attitudes about healthy food. Healthy food can taste SO good.
I want to help you make it easy but sharing this new app I discovered called Mealime.
It is simple to use and really convenient. You set up a meal profile based on dietary needs, foods you don’t like, how many people you are feeding, and how many meals you want. I started with 4 meals. It generates 4 meals for you and you can easily swipe and switch a meal you don’t like.
The app provides a complete grocery list for your meals then breaks down cookware needed, ingredients needed, and instructions for each meal.
The pictures are great, the prep was simple, and the meals have been tasty. I really don’t like to try new things and I tried 4, yes 4 new meals just this week. I even made 2 dressings from scratch AND made my own tortilla chips. How’s that for clean eating?!!
The best part? The app is free! I’m so excited for you to try it out. Let me know what you think!
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Homemade Applesauce-Clean Eating Style
A great dessert or snack or breakfast treat. When you have a daughter that lives near Apple Hill and she calls to say a 40 pound box of apples is $14 you jump at the opportunity to share a box. Even though it took me a few weeks to pick up my apples, and they did not look as fresh as they had, I knew I was going to make applesauce so the appearance of the apples was not a deterrent. I set aside a morning to have fun in the kitchen making the applesauce and it went so fast, I was done in under 2 hours.
Ingredients
20 apples (about 8 pounds of apples-I used golden delicious and granny smith)
2 whole cinnamon sticks
1 lemon peel grated off
4 tablespoons lemon juice (2 lemons juiced)
⅓ cup honey (original recipe calls for ¼ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup white sugar)
1 cup water
¼ teaspoon salt
If you have a vintage cone shaped food mill you can make your applesauce without peeling your apples. To purchase one click here. Otherwise, peel, core and chop the apples. Place into a big pot with all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes until the apples are soft. If you have a food mill put 2 cups of apples at a time into collander and press applesauce through the strainer with the pestle. Place applesauce into 1 quart Ball jars and seal according to canning directions or place in refrigerator and use up within 2 weeks. My recipe made 3 quarts.
I love homemade applesauce with plain yogurt as a wonderful snack or dessert. YUMMY!
What is one of your favorite healthy desserts?
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Clean Eating Mediterranean Style
A perfect start to our Clean Eating challenge is a recipe for Tabooleh. It is delicious and extremely nutritious and it’s my husband’s favorite Mediterranean side salad. Last night we paired it with a big Greek salad and a small portion of garlic sautéed Greek seasoned chicken for a fabulous dinner salad. Since we set our intentions this weekend to join the Clean Eating challenge together, we were both excited to have our first meal. As the base to our Tabooleh, I made a big greek salad with romaine lettuce and heirloom cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and a tiny bit of feta cheese. I used a light homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. We piled the Tabooleh on top of the salad, spread the sautéed chicken around the edge and enjoyed some steamed cauliflower, hummus and carrots to dip on the side. A very satisfying meal.
Tabooleh Ingredients
2 cups bulgur wheat (medium grind #2)
3 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped green onions (about 4-5)
1/4 cup chopped mint (fresh is best, but if only dry is available use 2 Tablespoons)
2-3 large tomatoes chopped into small 1/4 inch pieces
1 large cucumber chopped
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1-2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 head romaine lettuce
Pour the boiling water over the bulgur wheat and let it sit until the wheat kernels are soft and cooled completely. Add all chopped vegetables except romaine lettuce and stir. Mix the oil, lemon juice and spices and pour over wheat vegetable mixture and stir until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Greek sautéed Chicken
1 large chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces (serves 2)
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic smashed
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon fine …
American Sukiyaki
Asian food is wonderfully healthy. An authentic Japanese diet is composed of fresh vegetables, lean meats, fish and tofu and rice. When I was growing up, my mom loved to serve international dinners for our family. She created this easy sukiyaki recipe that became a favorite at our home. We named the recipe American Sukiyaki (probably politically incorrect in this day and age) because it had a similarity to the Japanese dish with an American flair. It is so easy to make and really yummy. When you need a quick dinner that gives you an extra dose of iron and beef protein, this is the recipe to try.
Ingredients
1 lb lean top round steak thinly sliced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 medium onions thinly sliced
1 garlic clove smashed
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
½ teaspoon sugar or honey
1 (16-20 oz) package of frozen FRENCH CUT STYLE green beans
2 (15 oz) cans stewed tomatoes
1 cup rice cooked according to package (we use Hinode short grain rice for authentic sticky rice)
Brown thinly sliced beef in olive oil on high in a large skillet (I use an electric fry pan on 400 degrees). When browned but not cooked all the way through, add the onions, garlic, soy sauce and sweetener.
Stir until onions start to soften about 2 minutes. Turn to medium (325 degrees for fry pan) and add bag of frozen green beans and stewed tomatoes. Stir once or twice, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve over rice.
- 1 lb
Valentine’s Day Chex Mix
Valentine’s Day is such a fun holiday for crafts and recipes! I have definitely been in a baking/want to be creative in the kitchen mood (I think I am officially nesting) so this was really fun to create! This mix would be so cute bagged up for a little gift and is a fun way to give a sweet treat that is different than candy!
Valentine’s Day Chex Mix Ingredients:
2 Cups Cheerios
2 Cups Rice Chex
3 Cups Pretzel Thins (break into pieces)
One Package (Approx 9) Honey Graham Crackers (break into pieces)
1 Cup Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips
1 Cup Valentine’s M&M’s
Red & Pink Sprinkles
Directions:
- Place the Cheerios, Chex, Pretzels, and Graham Crackers in a large bowl. You want the bowl to be large enough to mix.
- Put the 1 cup of chocolate chips into a glass bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Microwave for 15 seconds and stir. Microwave another 15 seconds and stir. You want the chocolate completely melted, but you need to be careful not to burn the white chocolate.
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the chex mix and begin stirring right away. While the chocolate is still hot, pour the sprinkles and M&M’s into the bowl and continuing mixing.
- Spread the coated chex mix onto a lined baking sheet and allow to cool. Place the chex mix into cute Valentine’s bags to gift or in a Ziploc to keep fresh.
- 2 Cups Cheerios
- 2 Cups Rice Chex
- 3 Cups Pretzel Thins (break into pieces)
- One Package (Approx 9) Honey Graham Crackers (break into pieces)
- 1 Cup Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips
- 1 Cup Valentine's M&M's
- Red & Pink Sprinkles
- Place
Simple, Delicious Homemade Guacamole
This weekend is Super Bowl Sunday which means lots of yummy food! Chips, salsa, and guacamole are staple football game foods – so this year, WOW your friends with this delicious homemade guacamole that is sure to impress! And, you don’t even have to skimp on your New Year health goals with this recipe! Avocados have so many health benefits – check out a few here from Best Health. If you are devoted to stay committed to your health goals, try this recipe with your favorite veggies instead of chips!
Now, I have to give credit where credit is due – I always have my husband make this recipe because it is so delicious when he does! However, tonight was the first time we actually measured out the ingredients together (I’m a recipe follower and he’s more of a wing-it kinda guy in the kitchen), and it was the best guacamole we have ever had! He likes adding more kick to his (see the optional ingredient below) but he knows I like it better without so he usually won’t add it if he knows I want some.
If you are making this recipe for a larger group, I would definitely double (or triple) it, as I’m guessing it will go fast 🙂
Ingredients:
4 Large Avocados
1/4 Cup Pace Salsa
1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
One Lemon
(Optional) Tapatio Sauce (Add to taste)
Directions:
- Cut open avocados, remove pit, and add insides to a large bowl. Mash up.
- Add all other ingredients to the mashed avocados, except for the lemon, and mix together.
- Cut the lemon in quarters and squeeze one quarters worth of juice into the bowl (Make sure no seeds fall into the guac). Mix and add more to taste but do not add
Chili Cornbread Bake
When two favorite foods are combined into a one dish meal, the results are spectacular. This healthy version of chili made with ground turkey meat and black beans is a delicious high protein base for the savory cornbread biscuit that bakes on top. Sprinkle some shredded cheddar cheese on top of the cornbread and broil for 1-2 minutes and you have a fantastic Southwestern style one pot meal.
Ingredients
Chili
1½ pounds ground turkey meat
1 large yellow onion, chopped fine
3-4 stalks celery, chopped fine
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 Tablespoons tomato paste
3 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 (15 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes
1 small bag frozen corn, thawed
1 cup low sodium chicken broth (or water)
1 teaspoon each sea salt and pepper
Cornbread
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 cup ground cornmeal (not stoneground)
½ teasppon salt
1 Tablespoon baking powder
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons olive oil (or canola)
2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a large and deep ovenproof skillet and sauté ground turkey, onions, celery and garlic on medium heat for 6-8 minutes. Add tomato paste, chili powder, cumin and oregano and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, corn, broth and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally. While chili is simmering mix together cornbread. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, beat eggs and add buttermilk and oil. Wisk together, pour into dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. Spoon mixture evenly over chili in 8 big dollops. Bake for …
Read MoreGraham Cracker Christmas Crunch and Christmas Reflections
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care………the tree is up and the lights are twinkling on the tree and Christmas cookies and sweet breads are baked and wrapped for taking to the neighbors and our Christmas cards have been mailed. Only a few days until all the fun begins. This is technically an “off year” Christmas for our family. All the girls decided together that they would prefer coming home for Christmas all at the same time so every other year we ALL gather here in Alamo and on the “off years” the girls spend Christmas day with their in-laws. We are very fortunate this year that Bethany and Mike are able join us, so we are counting down the days until they arrive!!!!
Bekah was here two weeks ago to help me with the holiday preparations and my sweet hubby has been right by my side helping with cards and food prep for the big day. Spending time with family and friends and gift making and gift giving make Christmas so special. It is one of my favorite times of year.
The greatest gift of all is that Jesus came into this world to show man the way to connect intimately with God. Jesus is the promised Messiah spoken of by the prophets in the Old Testament. Jesus is our hope, He is our savior. the book of Hebrews talks about Jesus….”So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced the same testing we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and …
Read MoreOreo Peppermint Bark
The month of December is like someone handing you a box of chocolates and telling you to eat the whole box at once. I love December and I love Christmas with all the decorating, cookie baking and celebrating. The difficulty comes when all the holiday preparations and traditions take time away from the friends and family you want to spend time with. So how do we balance the “to do” list with all the fun opportunities throughout the holiday season. My typical modus operandi is to sacrifice sleep in order to accomplish all I need to do to be prepared for the holidays and not have to miss out on any holiday gatherings. The problem with that is I usually get run down. I do not say “no” very well and tend to over-commit in December. What I am learning is how to ask for help. It is fun to do all things Christmas with a buddy. Even errands are more fun with a friend!!! Thrown into the mix this holiday season has been a few baby showers and a couple of extra trips to So Cal for kindergarten Christmas programs and Christmas dance recitals. But at the end of the day…I would not change a thing!!!!! I LOVE EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Skinny Vegetable Minestrone Soup
Skinny Vegetable Minestrone Soup (adapted from http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/minestrone-soup/)
Picture will be added soon!
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