No More Chinese Take Out

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I don't know about you, but we used to LOVE chinese take out.  Until I started cooking some healthier, homemade Asian dishes.  I will never go back.  Nothing is as good as homemade, and its so much better for you!

Southeast Asian Fried Rice (Thai-style)

Since I was such a simple eater in my past my favorite take out meal was Chicken Fried rice.  After finding this recipe, nothing tastes as good.  With brown rice, less fish sauce/soy sauce,  broccoli, and red pepper this version is tasty and healthy. (well atleest healthier than take out ;))

One ingredient that I changed was the chicken.  I just used all boneless chicken breast, no thighs.  So hopefully that cut out a little bit more fat.

here is the link to the full recipe from Cooking light.....

http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/recipe-makeovers/healthy-fried-rice-recipes-00400000063076/

TIP:

Chop and prep all vegatables before attempting to start cooking.  Cut up chicken after the vegetables.  Then prep the two seperate sauces.  I also started cooking the rice about an hour before wanting to start dinner. 

Having everything prepped before starting will give you a more smooth and faster cooking experience.

HAPPY DINNER TIME:)

* due to having to take a long hard look at my priorities and what I need to put first in my life, I have come to the conclusion that I will have to stop the blog.  I know I just started this but I am glad that I came to this realization sooner than later.  Even though cooking/baking is a passion of mine and I absolutely love sharing with you, it takes time.  Time away from some of my first priorities, my children, home, and family.  Maybe once some time opens up I will start one up again.  I thank my 2 followers and the support and the lovely comments that I have recieved.  Muah!

Vegetarian Dish

Quick White Bean, Asparagus, and Mushroom Cassoulet

Got this delicious recipe from Cooking Light! 

Every once in a while I try to sneak in a meatless dish but could not get this one past the hubby.  He is a meat eater, so we had to have meat:)  I used Italian Sausage but you could use chicken too.  Or do can do the recipe as is.  

 I also used bella mushrooms and oregano in my dish.  And then skipped step one as well, I just added Asparagus to step 2. and simmered it with the rest of ingredients. 

here is the link to full recipe.....

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/quick-white-bean-asparagus-50400000111138/

My biggest critic (my husband), said this is one of his new favorites!  And my son ate all of his!!

HAPPY DINNER TIME:)


* due to having to take a long hard look at my priorities and what I need to put first in my life, I have come to the conclusion that I will have to stop the blog.  I know I just started this but I am glad that I came to this realization sooner than later.  Even though cooking/baking is a passion of mine and I absolutely love sharing with you, it takes time.  Time away from some of my first priorities, my children, home, and family.  Maybe once some time opens up I will start one up again.  I thank my 2 followers and the support and the lovely comments that I have recieved.  Muah!

Due Delizioso Italian Style Dinners

Pasta is a favorite in our home.  These two dishes are a couple of my new found favorites.  I found both of them on Pinterest.  Pinterest Love! 

Stuffed Shells with Sausage and Spinach

This is a simple and minimal ingredient dish.  A couple differences that I did.  For one this recipe says 16-18 jumbo shells but I was able to fill almost 24!!  So I used a 12x9 baking dish.   I used your basic italian sausage but you could use turkey italian sausage or even chicken italian sausage. (which i will attempt next time.)  And since my hubby is a sauce/gravy freak, I poured Organic tomato sauce (from a jar) on top of the stuffed shells before putting the cheese on. 

Here is the link to full recipe.....

http://www.inspiredtaste.net/8712/stuffed-shells-with-sausage-and-spinach-recipe/

We love this dish.  Can't get enough since discovering it, I probably make it every 2 weeks!

Balsamic Bruchetta Chicken

With whole wheat spaghetti

So I am a little obssessed with Balsamic vinegar.  Ever since my first recipe where I used it, I can't stop finding recipe's with it in it.  Adds so much flavor and depth!  So this recipe combine's two of my favorite things, Blasamic vinegar and Chicken:)  I paired it with some pasta on the side with a little of organic sauce.  (You really don't need a side though.)

um ya, totally forgot to top with basil and parsley this time:/ 

Here is the link to the full recipe.....

http://www.icancookthat.org/2011/09/balsamic-bruchetta-chicken.html#more

I hope you find these recipe's as DELIZIOSO as my family did! 

HAPPY DINNER TIME:)

Grillin time in full swing

                                               
  

Well if your like me then you might have a husband (or boyfriend) who has an urge to grill EVERYTHING as soon as the nice weather starts.  Finally we had some beautiful spring weather AND he had the weekend off.  So the challenge was what oh what to grill for dinner?  This is one of his favs, so this it was;)

Grilled Balsamic Skirt Steak

with Sauteed Baby Spinach and Tomato-Vidalia-Blue Cheese Salad

Where did I get this recipe?  You guessed it, Cooking Light!  See I told you I loved them ;)  This was actually the first time I made it with the spinach.  Actually its probably my first time as an adult eating spinach:/ Ya, I used to be a very picky and simple eater.  I also replaced the Blue Cheese for Feta Cheese.(still tastes delicious)

Super yummy, healthy, and it filled me up! I was stuffed :O

here is the link to the recipe....
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-balsamic-skirt-steak-10000001981731/


HAPPY SPRING GRILLIN TIME!

Catching up Part Deux!

Ok here we go again! This round I will provide 3 meals:  Chicken Rollitini, Baked Cheesy Chicken Penne, and a Southwest Black Bean Casserole.  I will keep it short and provide pics of finished dish and link to recipe's.

Chicken Rollitini

MMM chicken! My favorite:)  This recipe is from Skinnytaste but I did do a couple things differently.  Really you can do alot of different combinations with this dish.  For one I used Broccoli not Zucchini.  I also just took two, pretty good sized, chicken breast and pounded them to a 1/4 inch thick.  It helps for a wider area to spread filling and easier to roll.

I paired it with rice and some corn (which my son picked out:))

here is the link to the recipe.....
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/08/chicken-rollatini-stuffed-with-zucchini.html

Baked Cheesy Chicken Penne

 Love love love this meal for a many reasons:)  First I love this recipe because with it you get two dinners.  And it's freezable! 

I love participating in Take the Meal through my church.  It is a program that offers dinners to family's of sickness, new moms, disability, or maybe just someone in need of some help.  I have done it a couple times now and I secretly love to use this recipe;)  Everyone has loved it so far!

You can do it too! You don't need to be a part of a church....but do you have a friend or neighbor that could use some help?  Did they just have a baby?  Are they sick and still taking care of their 3 kids?  Maybe you know someone who just needs a hand reached out to them and you don't know what you can do!  I challenge you to do what I did.  Provide a family with a meal:)  And you still have one for yours!  I am positive they will love and appreciate it.

here is the link to the recipe......

http://realmomkitchen.com/1505/baked-cheesy-chicken-penne/

Another couple swicthes I made.  I used whole wheat pasta, organic sundried tomatoes, bella mushrooms, and low fat milk. (still taste great!)

Southwest Black Bean Casserole

Ha! Just noticed the site on which I got this recipe, they adapted from Cooking Light! No wonder I love this dish.  This dish is so yummy you really don't even need toppings on it! Of course though, they do give you options;)

fyi: I did not have green onion to top:(

here is the link to the recipe.....

http://pinchofyum.com/southwest-black-bean-casserole

We topped it with some sour cream but super delicous without.

ENJOY!

Catching up Part Un!

Oh my! oh my!  I have just been busy busy.  Lots of things ending and new things beginning, making the transition into spring:)  I do apologize for not posting anything for a week!  Which actually means I have about 5 recipes to share with you : /  I am going to break them up into to two groups: Part Un will be the beafy meals and Part Deux with be chicken/turkey meals. 

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Once again I turn to my Cooking Light stash of recipes....This is one of my favorite beef dinners.  Plus I had Grandma(mom) over the weekend and wanted to cook some yummy dishes for her:)

It only has 192 calories and about 8 g of fat for 1 steak and 1/4 cup of the gravy! 

It also only takes 30 Minutes to make:)

Here is the link to the recipe......
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/salisbury-steak-with-gravy-50400000108352/

Easy, fast, and healthier version...can't beat that!

Italtian Sausage Stuffed Green Peppers

These are so yummy!  It is hard for me to go back to traditional stuffed peppers because they are just.that.good.   I was inspired from a couple different recipe's to make this final meal.

Ingredients

• 4 Large your choice color Bell Pepper (I used green this time but usually do 2 red and 2 yellow)
• 1 cup of brown rice, cooked
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 16 oz. of Italian Sausage or Turkey Italian Sausage
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. oreagano
• 1 Garlic Clove
• 1/2 cup Parmesean cheese
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce



Instructions

1. Cook rice according to package directions 
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
3. Take Bell Peppers, cut out the stem, remove the seeds and membranes then rinse.
4. Cook the Bell Peppers in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain.

5.  Take sausage out of casing.  Heat pan over med-high heat.  Put sausage and onion in pan and brown the meat.  Drain fat if needed.

6.  Stir in the cooked rice, salt, garlic, parmesan cheese, and tomato sauce.  Cook until hot.

7.  Stand Peppers in a 8x8(9x9) dish.  Stuff peppers with meat and rice mixture.

8.  cover with foil and bake 45 minutes.  Uncover sprinkle tops with cheese and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.

TADA!

Yes it does take a while to make these BUT they are so so so good :)

ENJOY!

Breakfast in my kitchen

Whats for breakfast? 

Banana Muffins made with greek yogurt and Whole Wheat Blueberry supreme pancakes....

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!  We sure are! Grandma from Chicago is visiting for a long weekend.  So of course I need to prepare only the yummiest things for breakfast, lunch, and dinner ;)

For one, I always make sure that I buy way to many bananas so that we lots left over. That way I can make delicious baked goods whether it be breads, muffins, or breakfast cookies. 

Banana Bread Muffins

As you should know, I just happened to have some very ripe bananas laying around.  I needed something quick to prepare before school so I took my basic banana bread recipe and made muffins with it.  Once again this recipe came from cooking light and it includes some flaxseed for some extra omega - 3's and greek yogurt in place of the oil.

here is the link to the recipe.....

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/basic-banana-bread-10000002012776/

I did not put the glaze on the muffins.  Before I put them in the oven I sprinkeled some extra cinnamon and organic sugar on top.  Then baked about 15 - 20 minutes for the muffins.

And we paired the muffins with some grapefruit and kiwi : ) 

YUM, YUM, and YUM!

Dinner Tonight

Quick & Easy Dinners

Welcome back!  Hope everyone enjoyed their spring break:)  Mine was filled with sickness, both kids getting ear infections, and my daughter getting bad hives due to the amoxicillin : /  So glad everyone and things are getting back to normal.  But sooo much to catch up on, so sorry for the delay on some posts. 

Even though it was a rough week I still managed to make some delicious homemade meals:)

Anyone know of Cooking Light?  I do! And I love their healthy recipes.  I have yet to have a bad meal from their recipes.  My favorite recipes last week both came from my Cooking Light cookbook (that my lovely hubby got for me;))

Pork Tenderloin with Red and Yellow Bell Peppers

One of my favorite Pork dishes here!  One thing I love about this recipe is that it uses minimal ingredients but has delicious flavor.  I also love dinners with bright colors :)  Ok maybe I love more than just ONE thing about this dish.... It is also very quick and easy!

Now in the recipe it calls for Anchovies, YUCK!  (no offense to those who like them)  So they give a substitute of minced olives and it tastes just fine with those;)  And of course I served mine with organic yukon gold mashed potatoes.

click here to find directions....http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pork-tenderloin-with-red-yellow-peppers-recipe-50400000109575/

p.s.  my son eats all of it too!  my secret?  I let him "help" cut the peppers and he actually will now eat them raw and cooked.  I have heard that kids are more likely to eat the food that they help prepare.

Delicious Treats

Woohoo it's Friday, not only that but it's Good Friday!

Today was our Easter celebration with my mama's group but my poor little 4 year old had such bad sinus pressure last night that he maybe got 2 hours of sleep total : /  After being awake about 10 minutes he asked to go back to bed...no fighting a toddler on that! 

 

So pre knowing that we would not be able to make the party I had planned a yummy snack to bring.  Of course I turned to Pinterest to help me out....

Blueberry Yogurt Cookies with lemon cream cheese frosting

made with no butter or oil

http://www.lafujimama.com/2012/09/blueberry-yogurt-cookies/

This mom is amazing thinking these up!  Except mine do not look all beautiful like hers:/  First of all I made mine way too big...  I also might dust the blueberries with some flour before mixing them in because the blueberries blead.(i had purple swirls:))  And I might do half of the recipe for the frosting because I had a ton left and ended up going down the sink:( what a waste.

BUT...

They were so yummy! I probably could have eaten at least five more after the one I HAD to try.  My husband, who is quite the skeptic with recipe's that have yogurt in them, loved them! He had to have 2:)

Thank you La Fuji Mama for this amazing recipe!

(hmmm random thought...I wonder if i could make muffins out of these??...I might have to try:))

Wednesday's baking fun and homemade dinner

Well I had all these plans for Wednesday but one by one they either got cancelled or moved.  So to make myself productive I figured I would BAKE:)

BREAKFAST COOKIES

These are all over Pinterest with a ton of different variations.  I just love the fact that my son eats them because he refuses to eat oatmeal, so any chance I get to integrate it in any recipe I take it!  He always feels so special when I packed them for his school snack, he thinks he is getting a super special treat and always brags about them to his teachers and friends.

Another thing I love about these cookies you can add what ever you want!  I am thinking maybe some honey or dried fruit instead of chocolate chips or even some flax seed.  Use your imagination!

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/3 all natural/organic peanut butter (i used creamy)
• 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (i used my own homemade cinnamon applesauce)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups quick oatmeal, uncooked
• 1/4 chopped peanuts
• 1/2 cup semi sweet mini chocolate chips (optional)

Preperations

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, beat with a mixer the banana and peanut butter until combined.  Then add in the applesauce and vanilla, beat with mixer until combined.

Add in the oatmeal and nuts to the banana mixture and combine.  Then fold in chocolate chips.

Let the dough rest 10 minutes

Drop cookie dough, with a spoon, onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and then flatten the cookies by lightly pressing down on the top of the dough.  make them about 1/3 inch thick.

Bake cookies approximately 30 minutes, or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and let rest on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then move to a cooling rack.

Store in an air tight container and ENJOY!

Tonight I had my ladies night out and the theme was Tea & Cookies.  I figured I would do cookies since I am not much of a Tea connoisseur.  So searching through my "The Taste of Home Baking Book" I found the perfect recipe. 

Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

I love the fact that these delicious cookies have minimal ingredients.  Here is the link to the recipe:)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Hazelnut-Shortbread

Instead of wax paper in their recipe I wrapped it in plastic wrap.  Now the picture on this site has different colored drizzle but I used semisweet chocolate chips.  I just melted about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, put it in a bag, cut a very small hole in the corner then drizzled the cookies.  (these specific directions were in my cookbook but seem to be somewhat different online.)

 

 

They were so super yummy delicious and a total hit!

The First Meeting

    Hello to the world of Blogging!  My first post here will just be a quick hello message.  I am still new to this whole blogging thing so please bear with me. 
     I was inspired by a friend to follow through with this idea.  I love to cook as well as do some crafty things around the house, and as a result I started to only put those as my facebook status': / eeeee! How annoying?  But lots of friends wanted the recipes!
Now, I must give credit to mostly Pinterest and Cooking light, for they have provided me with the recipes. 

      I am on a mission...to find the most yummiest healthy homemade dishes out there.  I try to cook from scratch as much as possible and eat as many fresh fruits and veggies that I can fit in.  It does get a little pricey cause I do try to buy organic. (we can go through a whole container of strawberries at lunchtime!)  So we sacrifice here and there but eat like Kings and Queens.

Wouldn't have it any other way! My family's health is a high priority.

       I am also passionate about making our home feel like "HOME SWEET HOME", on a budget of course.  Plus its an added bonus having something in our house that my family and I made with our own hands. Right?  

      So I also dabble into some crafty home decor items.  Not only that but I love to be able to make things for my kids.



I can't wait to start sharing my passions with all of you!  Hoping to help provide some healthy recipe's and add some happiness, fullness, excitement, love, and all things good into your lives.