Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Turkey Patties

Deliciously healthy! These are great hot or cold and go with just about anything! Perfect snack or addition to a meal.  (Pic coming shortly...)

Ingredients:
~ 1/2 onion
~ 2 cloves of garlic or garlic powder
~ 1 egg
~ shredded cheese of choice (I use cheddar or mexican blend)
~ 1 lb ground turkey
~ parsley
~ salt

Directions:
In a food processor, place onion, garlic, egg and cheese; process until all is chopped and blended. Transfer to a large bowl and add turkey, parsley and salt. Mix well. Take about 1/4 cup, roll into a ball and smush into a patty. These can be cooked on a skillet on low-med heat, or better yet in a George Forman grill (worth the investment!)

Recipe from: sister, Cammie

Taco Soup Chili

This is a fav of everyone who's tried it so far! Compliments all the way around to my lil sis who created this recipe by combining part if a taco soup recipe and part of a chili recipe. A 10 year old told me it's the best chili he's ever had. That says a lot considering its chuck full of veggies! :) pic coming shortly...

Ingredients:
~ 1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
~ chili powder (as much as you like, I use about 2T)
~ 1 onion, chopped
~ 2 cloves chopped garlic or garlic powder
~ 2-3 small chopped sweet peppers (or as much as you like. I always add extra)
~ 1/2 to 1 package low sodium taco seasoning
~ 1 can undrained corn
~ 1 can black or pinto beans
~ 1 can chopped tomatoes with green chillies

Optional toppings:
~ shredded cheese
~ sour cream
~ tortilla chips

Directions:
Season ground turkey with chili powder and brown in large pot. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 30 min. Serve with addt'l toppings if desired.

My sister makes this exclusively in a crock pot. Cook for 4 hrs on high and add 1 1/2 cups of water if cooking in crock pot.

Recipe created by: my sister, Cammie Christian

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Amazing (2 ingredient!) Italian Grilled Chicken

I know this sounds too simple to be delicious, but the chicken turns out amazing every time! You can bake in the oven or, our fav, BBQ on the grill! You can skewer the chicken, cube it, cook it in strips, or as whole chicken breasts. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
~ Chicken Breasts or Tenderloins, we like them cubed and then skewered. As a rule, I don't love whole breasts, I'd rather have strips or cubes because there's more seasoning per bite!
~ Italian salad dressing mix (in the packets)

Directions:
If baking in the oven, melt a little butter (about 2T for a 13x9) in a shallow dish in the oven, remove pan from oven with melted butter and tilt pan so the butter spreads as evenly as possible. Place chicken in the pan in a single layer and sprinkle well with Italian dressing mix. Bake for 15 min. Turn chicken and sprinkle top side. Bake an additional 10 minutes or so (depending on how you cut your chicken, smaller pieces will cook quicker) until internal temp is 165 degrees. (Don't overcook or it will be dry!)

If grilling (THE BEST!!!), place chicken (however you've cut it) on a platter and season both sides well with Italian dressing mix. Place on the grill and grill on both sides until internal temp reaches 165. (Don't overcook or it will be dry!) ENJOY!!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Comfort Chicken Soup with Rice and Spinach

Nourishing and nurturing, this is a delicious soup for lunch or dinner.


Ingredients:
~ 2 tsp. olive oil
~ 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless white-meat chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
~ salt and pepper
~ 1 med. sized onion, finely chopped
~ 1/2 cup short-grain white rice
~ 5 cups chicken broth
~ 1/2 lb. fresh spinach leaves, tough stems removed, rinsed well, drained and roughly chopped to yield about 5 cups
~ 1/2 tsp ground cumin
~ 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions:
Heat the oil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan over med-high heat. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring until the chicken pieces have turned white and are just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Add the onion to the saucepan and cook, stirring, over med-high heat until it begins to soften, 2-3 minutes. Return the chicken to the saucepan, add the rice and broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to med-low, partially cover the saucepan, and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 min. Stir in the spinach and continue cooking 5 min. longer. Add the cumin and nutmeg and stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

NOTE: As this soup stands and cools, it thickens; add some broth or water (1/2 cup at a time) before reheating. Makes 6 servings. 151 calories, 2.4 grams of fat. A "Saved by Soup" recipe.

Friday, February 12, 2010

1 hour Soft and Delicious Brown Rice

When I make this my mom always asks how I got my rice to taste so good. This is softer and deliciously flavored compared with cooking brown rice by ordinary package directions.


Ingredients:
~ Brown Rice
~ 1/2 c. more water than required
~ Chicken base, chicken bullion, chicken stock or chicken broth

Directions:
Add water to pan according to package directions, adding an additional 1/2 cup for first 1 1/2 cups water, 3/4 cup total if doubling. Add chicken base or bullion with recommended amount of rice when water boils. If using chicken stock or broth, swap all water with this. If using chicken base or bullion, add 1tsp per cup of water. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for about an hour. Then, tilt pan with lid on and see if there is any water that dribbles from the side of the rice (you'll need a glass lid to see this). If so, cook a little longer. When all water is absorbed, remove from heat and let set 10 min. Wa Lah!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Steamed New Potatoes with Chicken 'n' Asparagus

This is delicious for lunch or dinner and is great as leftovers. Also, it is super quick and easy if you make the "Simple Steamed Potatoes" ahead of time!


Ingredients:
~ Simple Steamed New Potatoes (see recipe posted under "side dishes" label...easy!)
~ Grilled Chicken/Turkey Breasts or Pork, cooked and cubed
~ EVOO
~ Asparagus, chopped into bite-sized pieces
~ Onions, sliced (optional)
~ Salt & Pepper

Directions:
Cut steamed potatoes into bite-sized pieces and place in a serving bowl. Add meat. Fry asparagus for 2 minutes in EVOO, then add onions and fry until tender and caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Add to potatoes and meat and toss. Serve hot.

Simple Steamed New Potatoes

These are deliciously healthy and can be used as a side dish or made up as a meal mixed with chicken and veggies. I serve them to my munchkins smothered in cheese and they love it...they even eat the skins!!


Ingredients:
~ New Potatoes (as many as you'd like) cut into about 2" pieces
~ EVOO
~ Salt & Pepper
~ Thyme (optional)
~ Parsley (optional)

Direction:
Wash potatoes, cube, and place in a steamer. Steam until tender. Remove from steamer, drizzle with olive oil (enough to coat), sprinkle with salt, pepper, thyme & parsley to taste and toss. Enjoy!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Quick Maple-Glazed Pork Chops (10 minutes)

This is a 5 star Paula Dean Food Network recipe. I've never liked pork chops...until this! They are really good and my babes loved them too.


Ingredients:
~ 4 tsp chili powder
~ 1 tsp salt
~ 6 (10 oz) pork chops, bone-in (I use boneless and it's great), about 1" thick
~ 1 T olive oil
~ 3 T balsamic vinegar
~ 1/2 cup butter maple syrup (I use original maple syrup flavor)
~ 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
Pecans, toasted and chopped, optional garnish

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine the chili powder and salt and sprinkle evenly over both sides of the pork chops. Heat olive oil over med-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook until browned, about 2 min. per side. Reduce heat to med., and cook until desired doneness, about 4-6 minutes.

In a small skillet, over med-high heat, add balsamic vinegar & cook untill reduced by half. Stir in maple syrup and chicken stock. Cook over medium heat until thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes.

Transfer to a platter and serve with the maple syrup. Garnish with toasted pecans.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Simple Whole Wheat Bread

This is a five star recipe from allrecipes.com with 544 reviews so I knew it was gonna be good and it turned out fantastic!! Enjoy! It's the only bread I make anymore...and I make bread on a weekly basis.




Ingredients:
~ 3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
~ 2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast OR 4 1/2 tsp.
~ 1/3 cup honey
~ 3 tablespoons butter, melted
~ 1/3 cup honey
~ 1 tablespoon salt
~ 2 tablespoons butter, melted (can be substituted completely for 6 T Ground Flax Seed!)
~ 3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
~ 5 cups white flour (I usually use as little as 3 cups white and the rest whole wheat!)

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 5 cups white bread flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes, or until big and bubbly.

Mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, and salt. Stir in 2 cups whole wheat flour. Flour a flat surface and knead with whole wheat flour until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 to 4 cups of whole wheat flour. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled.

Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, and allow to rise until dough has topped the pans by one inch.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes; do not over bake. Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Delicious Whole Wheat Chicken Noodle Soup

I was at my friend's home when she was making this. It looked and smelled delicious. It turned out to be the most delicious homemade chicken noodle soup I've ever had/made!! I made it today and it makes a huge pot full so you'll have plenty for neighbors :). It isn't a super quick meal, but totally worth the time. Healthy too.


Ingredients:
~ 1 whole chicken, thawed
~ salt & pepper
~ 3 eggs
~ whole wheat flour
~ whatever veggies you like...I use onions, carrots, peas, celery & potatoes

Directions:
Place entire chicken straight out of the packaging into a large pot, cover with water and season with plenty of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until meat is falling off of the bone.

Meanwhile, prepare veggies by rinsing and chopping into pieces (any size you like). Set aside.

In a small bowl, crack and beat eggs. Add flour until doughy. Separate dough into 3 balls and roll each out, very thin, on a floured surface, adding plenty of flour so they aren't sticky at all. (You want them very floury and dry). Cut into 1/4" strips.

When chicken is cooked, remove from pot and shred. (With a slotted spoon, remove any floating pieces of fat left in the broth in the pot). Place shredded chicken, veggies and homemade noodles in the broth. Add as much water as you like. Season VERY well with salt & pepper, sprinkle in a few Tbsp of whole wheat flour to thicken, and boil until veggies are tender and your home smells delicious!

Recipe from: Jessica Lambson

Monday, September 28, 2009

Taco Salad (healthy)



Ingredients & Directions:
~ Romaine Lettuce (or any other dark leafy greens)
Place lettuce on plate and top with:
~ ground turkey, cooked and seasoned with taco seasoning (can use ground beef or chicken too)
~ Sprinkle of cheddar or Mexican style cheese
~ olives, sliced
~ fresh tomatoes, chopped
~ Kidney or pinto beans, drained
~ a dallop of sour cream
~ generous serving of salsa
Mix slightly and enjoy your deliciously healthy meal without the calories of dressing, and you won't even miss it!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Whole Wheat Walnut Blueberry Banana Bread

This is very healthy if you make it with agave nectar instead of sugar. A Clean Eating recipe. I love the 3/4 cup flaxseed! You'd never guess it has flaxseed an all whole wheat by the moistness of it.


Ingredients:
~ Olive oil cooking spray
~ 1 ripe banana, mashed
~ 3/4 cup flaxseed meal
~ 2 egg whites
~ 1/3 cup agave nectar (or for a less healthy bread... 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar)
~ 1 cup buttermilk (make your own...1 cup milk, 1 T lemon juice, let sit 5 min.)
~ 1 tsp baking soda
~ 1/2 tsp. sea salt
~ 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
~ 3/4 cup spelt flour (or a total of 1 1/2 cups whole wheat)
~ 1 tsp orange rind, grated (optional)
~ 1 cup blueberries
~ 1/2 cup unsalted walnuts, chopped or crushed (I like a little more, closer to 3/4 or 1 cup and I crush them)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a nonstick loaf pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, stir together banana, flaxseed, egg whites, agave and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, mix baking soda, salt, flours and orange rind. Combine dry ingredients into banana mixture. Gently fold in blueberries and walnuts. Pour mixture into loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes. When mostly cooled I wrap in saran wrap and leave (what I don't chow down right away) out on the counter overnight. I refrigerate any leftovers the next day.

Nutrients per 4 x 1/2" slice: Calories: 200, total fat: 6g, sat. fat: .5g, carbs: 33g, fiber: 6g, sugars: 13g, protein: 8g, sodium: 260mg, cholesterol: 0mg

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Zucchini Pizzas

These are fast, easy, and SOO good!!! I'm always looking for something to do with ALL of my garden zucchini, especially the overgrown ones, and this is perfect!! You've gotta try. You'd never think that zucchini could make such a yummy meal.


Ingredients:
~ Thick slices of zucchini (about 1/2" thick circles) I use the overgrown ones, any will do
~ Spaghetti or pizza sauce (only about 1 Tbs for each)
~ Mozzarella cheese
~ Pepperoni (I use the mini ones)
~ Olives, sliced (optional)
You could probably add more toppings but, I've never tried anything else



Assembled and ready to bake





Directions:
Spray a cookie sheet with PAM. Place zucchini slices onto cookie sheet. Top each w/ about 1 Tbs sauce and spread. Sprinkle with cheese and spread pepperoni and olives on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until zucchini is as tender as you'd like. Let cool a few minutes and serve with forks.

Recipe from: Mrs. Wolfe, Katelyn's 1st grade teacher at Ridgecrest Elementary

Monday, August 24, 2009

Simple Taco Soup

This is a delicious, very quick, and healthy recipe our friends made for us. I don't love to spend hours slaving in the kitchen on Sunday, so this is a great quick meal to enjoy...just before naptime :). It makes a TON so you can eat all day and even share with friends.





Ingredients:
1 can of each of the following:
~ olives, sliced
~ chili (sometimes I use 2 cans :)
~ red beans (I also add 1 can black beans occasionally, if you do you will need to pour in the entire can of V8)
~ corn
~ tomatoes
plus:
~ V8 juice (2/3 of big container)
~ 1 lb ground turkey/beef OR chicken (we like chicken)
~ 1 med. onion
~ 1 packet taco seasoning


Directions:
In a large pot over medium heat, mix all of the cans plus V8 juice. Let that simmer. Meanwhile, brown meat with onion in a skillet. Season, according to package directions, with taco seasoning. Add meat to soup. Cook as long as you'd like and serve hot with the following...

Serve with:
~ Fritos
~ Sour Cream
~ Cheese (just about any type is great)

Recipe from: Friend, Sara Murray

Three Cheese Stuffed Shells

This is a yummy, healthy meal.


Ingredients:
~ 12 dried jumbo pasta shells
~ 1 beaten egg
~ 1 12oz low fat cottage cheese
~ 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella
~ 1/4 c. Parmesan
~ 2 T fresh parsley (I use dried)
~ 1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
~1 14oz can Italian style stewed tomatoes, cut up
~ 1 8oz can tomato sauce


Just out of the oven...



Directions:
Cook pasta 18 min., drain and cool of foil. Mix all other ingredients except stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Spoon into shells in baking dish. Mix stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce and pour over top. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until heated through.

Recipe from: Tiffany Eaton

No Fuss Potato Soup

This is a great quick and simple soup if you make it on the stove. It uses ingredients I always have on hand so I love it.




Ingredients:
~ 6 cups cubed peeled potatoes (I like pretty small cubed pieces)
~ 5 cups water
~ 2 cups chopped onion
~ 1/2 cup chopped celery
~ 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
~ 1/4 cup butter or margarine
~ 4 tsp chicken bouillon granules
~ 2 tsp salt
~ 1/4 tsp pepper

~ 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
~ 3 T chopped fresh parsley (or dried)
~ snipped chives, optional

Directions (45 min. cooking or slow cooker):
In a large slow cooker, combine first nine ingredients. Cover and cook on high 7-8 hours or until veggies are tender.
OR
In a large pot on the stove, combine first nine ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until veggies are tender (for about 45 min.).

Add milk and parsley, mix well. Cover and cook 30-60 minutes longer or until heated through. Garnish with chives, if desired.

Recipe from: my sister, Tricia

Delicious Salad

I had this salad at a friend's house and it was delicious! It's very quick to make too.

(Picture coming shortly)

~ 1/4 c. slivered almonds
~ 1 T sugar
In a small, shallow frying pan, caramelize almonds in sugar over medium heat. Cool on tin foil or wax paper. (caramelizing almonds is optional. You can just add slivered almonds for a quicker salad option!)

Dressing:
~ 1 tsp salt
~ 2 T vinegar
~ 2 T sugar
~ 1/4 c. veg. oil
~ 1 T parsley
Combine all ingredients. Drizzle over:
~ 1 head lettuce or spinach
~ 1 c. chopped celery
~ 1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
~ 3 green onions
Sprinkle with almonds and enjoy!

No Knead Whole Wheat Bread!

This recipe is unbelievably fast and easy for whole wheat bread. Must try!


Ingredients:
~ 3 c. whole wheat flour
~ 1 1/2 c. white flour
~ 1 T dough enhancer (optional - I never have it)
~ 1 T yeast
~ 1/2 OF 3/4 c. honey
~ 1/4 c. oil
~ 2 3/4 c. hot water
~ 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
Mix ingredients in a blender or with a hand mixer for 5 minutes, then add:

~ 1 T. salt
~ 2 1/3-3 c. more wheat flour.
Mix until combined and let sit 20 minutes.

Optional: (mix these in with last 2 ingredients)
~ 1 T sesame seeds
~ 1 T poppy seeds
~ 1 T flax seeds
~ 1/2 c. sunflower seeds

Separate into 2 or 3 greased bread pans. Warm oven at 350 degrees for 2 minutes and then turn off. Let rise in oven for 45 minutes or until doubles. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Immediately take out of pan and rub top with butter.

Recipe from: Becky Garrett

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Zucchini Pasta - Healthy and DELICIOUS!!

This is my new favorite recipe. It's a "Healthy Cooking" recipe. I made it two days in a row last week and I'm making it again today. YUM! You'd never know the noodles are whole wheat and the taste of this rich and creamy dish will have you convinced it's not lower in fat, but it is! Quick and easy to make too!


Ingredients:
~ 8 oz uncooked whole wheat linguine
~ 4 cups coarsely shredded zucchini (about 3 medium)
~ 4 tsp. olive oil
~ 2 garlic cloves, minced
~ 1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt
~ 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
~ 3/4 tsp salt
~ 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:
Cook linguine according to package directions. Pat zucchini dry and saute in oil for 2 minutes. Add garlic; saute 1-2 min. longer or until zucchini is tender. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the yogurt, cheese, salt and pepper. Drain linguine; add to zucchini mixture and toss to coat. Serve with a pinch of cheese on top.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Kids Crave! Twisted PBJ

This is a yummy, healthy twist on PBJ that kids (and adults) will crave! And it's perfectly healthy in every way...whole wheat, real nut butter and fresh fruit, eliminating the sugar and salt rich traditional PBJ.




Ingredients:
~ Whole Wheat Bread (check pkg label and don't let them trick you. The first ingredient needs to be Whole Wheat Flour, nothing bleached or non bleached!)
~ Almond Butter (Pure almonds, from Costco, this is our favorite) OR Healthy Peanut Butter...NOT Jiffy or brands filled with sugar and salt. Nuts should be the only ingredient. It's fantastic!!
~ Fresh fruit, sliced (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, bananas, plums, peaches...)

Directions:
Make like a PBJ, except instead of sugar filled jelly, top nut butter of your choice with sliced, fresh fruit!! YUM! Our fav is fresh strawberries. You can also drizzle a little pure honey over your fruit and toast your bread if preferred. This makes for a yummy breakfast too.

Recipe from: My sister, Tricia