Chicken and Quinoa Soup

 I'm experimenting with Quinoa.  It's tasty stuff and pretty simple to work with.  No more difficult than rice, you just have to make sure to rinse it for 2 min. before you cook it.  Easy enough. 

I thought this soup was really tasty.  It's packed with veggies and makes a nice snack in the middle of the day.  Quinoa doesn't really have a flavor.  It seems to take on the flavor of the soup.

I'm getting brave enough to use quinoa in other ways.  I think I might try a cheese sauce for a "quinoa mac and cheese."  I've even seen recipes for quinoa chocolate cake.  It may take me a while to get that brave.  :)



 I think you could easily throw in some squash or pumpkin or zucchini or even parsnips and peas.  I wonder if you could can this, for easy winter meals, using the veggies from your summer garden?  Something to think about.  A nice effortless soup dinner without the extra preservatives and chemicals used by commercial soup companies.  If I wasn't a brown thumb I think I would attempt it.  But honestly, if I ever manage to grow anything more than hopes and dreams in my vegetable garden, I may have to bronze the produce to prove I did it.  :0

Let me know what you are experimenting with.  I'd love to hear your adventures in cooking.  :)

 

Chicken and Quinoa Soup

• 1 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast,  
• 1 15oz can Canned Diced Tomatoes, (I used one with Green chilis on accident and it was great.)
• Green Beans, drained, .5 cup (I had some left over and threw them in.  Add the whole can and it will be great also,)
• Carrot - chopped, 1 cup (one large)
• Celery, raw, 1 stalk, large 
• 1/2 med yellow onion, 
• 1/2 large Yellow Bell Pepper, 
• 3-4 cups Water, (start with 3 and add more if needed)
• 1 cup cooked Quinoa 
• 1/2 cup Broccoli, fresh,, chopped or diced 
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp white garlic
• 1 tsp salt

Add the water, (3 cups), chicken and onions and bring to a boil.  While that is cooking chop all your veggies.  Feel free to add any extra veggies.  It will taste yummy.  Remove the chicken to a cutting board.  Add all ingredients to the water, except quinoa.  Dice the chicken and add back to the soup.  Bring to a boil and turn down heat to low.  Add quinoa. Allow to simmer for at least 30 min.  

According to this recipe calculator http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp the soup is only 76 calories per serving.  (It makes about 9).  That is a low cal meal people!  So go ahead and add a nice crusty loaf of bread.  This is a yummy, easy and low calorie soup!

Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew)

 My husband lived in Brazil for two years, while serving a mission for our church. He came home blond, tan (well more red, but a tan red), and devastatingly handsome.  I fell for him within moments of our first meeting.  But that is another story.  While he was in Brazil, he ate beans and rice nearly every day.  He never got tired of them.  Absolutely loves them.  I have been trying to recreate the most common type of beans since we got married. 

I'll never be able to completely recreate them.  In Brazil they use chicken feet and pigs ears and all sorts of meats that, I'm sorry, I can't ask the butcher to give me.  Even if I could, yeah, I wouldn't.  I can't get past the gross factor.  So I do not make Feijoada the exact way that you will have it if you go to Brazil and eat it.  However, I do make a very close facsimile.  Trust me, it's yummy.

I use a few beef short ribs, a nice ham hock and sometimes a chicken breast.  Or pork meat, or whatever I have on hand.  That's the point.  Just use up the meats that you have and enjoy.  I also like avocado on my feijoada- which I don't think you would find in Brazil.  The avocados that my husband ate in Brazil were sweet and usually served in a milkshake.  So if anyone tries this recipe who is Brazilian, or who has lived in Brazil recently, please comment and let us know how I did.  My husband?  He thinks this is the bomb!  :)

So Feijoada is pronounced [fay ge wah dah} The accent is on the first syllable I think. That's how I say it any way.  It is a very versatile stew.  I make it in my crock pot, but I think the Brazilians usually use a pressure cooker.  I don't think it matters which method you choose, but my instructions are for the crock pot.

Feijoada

1 lb. dry black beans
1 ham hock
2 beef short ribs
1 chicken breast (I left this out of this batch as the ham hock had a ton of meat.)
2 beef bouillon cubes
2-3 cups of water
1 can diced tomatoes (15 oz) -- [optional]
2-3 peeled and sliced carrots. (I use 3 because I want the extra veggies)
1 small or 1/2 large onion (white or yellow)
2 large celery stalks, washed and diced
3/4 tsp. white pepper
4-5 shakes of your favorite seasoning salt (I use Lawry's)
1 tsp. minced garlic, or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp coriander (optional but yummy)
1/2 tsp cumin

Rinse and soak your beans overnight. -- you must do this unless you are going to pressure cook them.  In the morning, drain and rinse your beans.  Add to the crock pot.  Add all other ingredients and turn it on for 8-10 hours.

Serve over brown rice. 

Can you imagine an easier recipe?  Just dump and go! 

A few Caveats--
1) I don't cook with a ton of salt. ham is salty, so I don't add a lot extra.  My husband added more when I served it.  You may need to adjust to your tastes.
2) Slow cookers are different.  Yours may take more or  less time.  The first time you make it, you will want to test it after 6 hours.  If the beans get too soft, you will be serving re-fried beans.  ;)
3) Like most of my recipes, this makes a LOT.  I think you could halve the recipe, but you will kick yourself if you do.  Left overs can be stuffed in enchiladas, (which I did last night and will post soon.) or quesadillas.  And really, the left overs are yummy with bread on day 2 and 3 and . . .     :) You get the idea.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas

It's January.  How many of you have already broken your New Year's Resolutions?  Yup- that sounds about right.  I didn't really make a firm resolution - I almost never do.  I make goals, when they strike me, but not resolutions.

For instance, back in October I saw a quick biography on a professional football player who said that he would complete 1000 Sit Ups, and 1000 push ups every night.  That seems insane.  But I thought about it and decided that I would do 1000 push ups, sit ups and squats.
It took me 4 weeks.  Not bad!  Now I do 50 push ups and 50 squats a night along with a couple minutes of plank.  I do it while I watch TV and I don't even think about it.  It's not a resolution, it's a goal that turned into a habit.  :)

Another goal I have is to eat more healthfully.  This is a reoccurring goal, because it is way to easy to get out of the habit.  But if you really want to change your habits, you have to keep trying.  I'm back to trying.  That is what inspired this latest creation.

I had a few sweet potatoes (actually yams, but around here they are all called sweet potatoes).  Anyway, I had some sweet potatoes that needed to be used.  My family doesn't love sweet taters.  I took a chance anyway.  I made these and served them with low fat sour cream, fresh salsa and fresh avocados.  They were a hit.  A shocking hit!  My kids even ate the left overs for breakfast.  Whoa!

So how did I make them?  Thanks for asking, I would love to tell you!  ;)


Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas

2 large or 4 small sweet potatoes (or yams) Fresh- not from the can.
4 oz. low fat cheddar cheese shredded
4 oz. low moisture, skim milk mozzarella cheese shredded
1 pkg deli turkey (I like the Hormel Naturals cracked pepper Deli Turkey) - No Preservatives
1 pkg whole grain tortillas
1 15 oz can black beans (I like S&W) rinsed and drained
garlic powder
onion powder
Salt
white pepper
paprika
Old Bay or another seasoning salt (I use Old Bay for everything!)


Start by peeling your sweet potatoes.  Then cut them in quarters and poke with a fork a few times.  Place in a glass, microwave safe bowl and add about 1/2 inch of water. Microwave on high for 8-10 minutes.  Then pull out and turn all the pieces over so the ends that were out of the water are now in the water.  There won't be tons of water left.  Don't stress, it's fine. Cook for 3-5 minutes more, or until you can easily slide a fork in and out of the potatoes.  Most of the water should be absorbed.

Once the potatoes are cooked, mash them really well.  Sprinkle with the spices listed.  I didn't give exact measurements, because you are just sprinkling it over the top.  Be liberal with the Old Bay, but go easy on the Paprika.

Take a large tablespoon full of the potato mixture and spread on a tortilla.  Add 1-2 spoonfuls of beans.  Lay a 1 or 2 slices of turkey down. Sprinkle a little of both kinds of cheese on top. Place another tortilla on the cheese.  Repeat until you run out of the mixture.

I sprayed a pancake griddle with cooking spray and cooked 2 at a time on 350.  I don't have an exact time for you, but when you see the bottom start to turn golden, flip and cook the other side.  When both sides are golden and the cheeses are melting, it's done.

Enjoy with your favorite salsa and some low fat sour cream. 


+Hormel Foods
+McCormick Colombia
+Anthony Chen 

BLTs - Bites Licks and Tastes, plus a quick weekly menu

 

I have noticed that what really gets me, are BLTs. Bites, licks, and tastes. A bite of my child's cookie, a taste of my husband's dinner and lick- okay a tablespoonful of ice cream, 3 cheetos, and 4 chips... after a while they start adding up. I think if I avoided all BLTs, I might not even need to diet. I think a lot of my calories are coming from that. My goal has been to track everything. My goal now is to track everything and avoid BLTs.

 I do really well with my exercise. I am even working super hard to cook healthy.  I have tried diligently to add more vegetables and I've come up with some delicious dinners.  But I really think that one of the biggest changes I need to make is a small change- the BLTs.  That's the goal.  Wish me luck. :)

  How about you.  What small changes could you make to get healthier?

So here is a quick list of the dinners that I made this week.  I'll get recipes up soon.  

Sunday -- Pork Sirloin Roast with mashed potatoes and salad.  I almost always serve salad. It's so filling and good for you.

Monday -- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas. (I made some with whole grain tortillas and some with white tortillas.  My kids loved the whole grain tortillas!) They were amazing. and Salad.

Tuesday -- Very Veggie Lasagna Casserole.  You can find the recipe Here. and of course, salad.  We also had whole wheat garlic bread

Wednesday -- Grilled Cheese (on whole wheat, of course) and Tomato Soup for the family.  I had a left-over quesadilla.

Thursday -- Lower Fat Stroganoff, fresh veggies with dip and green beans.

Friday -- Husband cooks-- will probably be burgers.  I will most likely eat mine bunless with yummy avocado added.

Saturday -- oh Saturdays are always a toss up.  so Free day.  :)

 Here is a list of Breakfasts that I made this week. Recipes soon.

Sunday -- I didn't eat breakfast.  :)

Monday -- Whole grain Breakfast Burrito

Tuesday -- Whole Grain Breakfast Burrito (what can I say- if I like it, I'll eat it 2 days in a row)

Wednesday -- 1 egg

Thursday -- 1 egg, 1 buttermilk, dollar sized pancake

Friday -- 1 egg, 1 pancake

 Okay so breakfast hasn't been exciting this week.  However, I will get the recipe for the breakfast burrito up soon.  It really is tasty, fast and low cal.  

Post Christmas Food Blues

Christmas was awesome.  The Christmas food was awesome.  But now I live with the consequences.  Meh, I only feel a little guilty.  Today I threw away all the sweets that were hanging around.  Left over pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheese cake, peppermint torte, chocolates, homemade sandies, and homemade candies, all in a nasty pile in the trash.  I suppose that's a win. I still have New Year's to navigate, however.

Eating like a diabetic, when you are not actually a diabetic is hard.  I don't have to avoid sugar. I don't have to count my carbs.  I don't have to check my sugars. But I sure feel better when I do.  I am sooo sugared out this holiday season.  I didn't make nearly the treats that I normally do, and I still managed to make something at least every other day.

The worst part is, I got sick.  From the neck up, I am miserable.  From the neck down, I want to go for a run so badly it hurts.  And I cannot believe how sluggish I feel from not exercising.  It's been 4 days now.  I'm so antsy.  There was a time that I wouldn't have noticed if I happened to exercise in a week.  Now I am counting the days and whining about it.  That is a huge change. 

I have a plan for the New Year's menu.  This is the plan, right now.  I'm checking with the other people who are coming to see what changes they want to make.  I am trying to make it so that people who want to be healthy, can be.  Those who don't want to be healthy, well, they should have some options also.

Swedish meatballs -- (home made with extra veggies added to the meat- no noodles)

Soft pretzels -- (again - homemade)

Apple / orange salad (basically apple and orange slices with a juice made from fresh lemon juice 

                                    and  fresh orange juice)

Buffalo dip

7 layer dip or nachos  (7 layer dip is healthier, but nachos are tasty)

Veggie platter

Fruit bowl

Lil’ smokies / pigs in blanket

Soda / lemonade

Birthday cake for my friend who was born on the 1st.

Jello salad / jello squares 

Coleslaw -- (homemade with about 1/4 the mayo normally used and double the veggies)

potato chips & dip (don't judge - diabetics can have this)

What do you think?  What would you add or subtract?  How would you make it healthified?  What are you having?

Creamy Cheesy Cauliflower Alfredo

Have you seen all of the recipes for cauliflower Alfredo sauce?  Have you thought it sounded gross?  Have you wondered if it was good?  Me too.

 This is the 2nd time I've made an Alfredo using cauliflower.  This is the 2nd time my kids have eaten it and thought it was the greatest pasta ever.  My kids HATE cauliflower!  So, yes, it is good.  Yes, it works. And yes, you should make it.  But I warn you, you will not like restaurant Alfredo any more.  You will look at the grease as it separates from the cheese and taste the blandness and you will be disappointed.  You will want the cauliflower Alfredo. 

This stuff reheats like a dream.  There is no separation.  This freezes and reheats.  It covers pasta, pizza crust, and can be used as a fondue of sorts for your favorite veggies.  It is creamy, and cheesy and really tastes better than it's 1100 calorie counterpart.  And the best part- it is easy! 

Creamy Cheesy Cauliflower Alfredo

1 head Cauliflower
2 cups water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 8oz package of  neufchatel cheese (you can use cream cheese but this has 1/3 the calories and the same flavor)
2 slices Swiss Cheese
1/4 c. Parmesan Cheese
1/4 Onion
1 Tsp. minced garlic
1-2 Tbl. Olive Oil
dash nutmeg
1 tsp. parsley
2 dashes Thyme
1/2 tsp white pepper (optional)

Clean and cut the cauliflower.  Then boil it in the water and bouillon cubes until soft. Carefully add to blender and starting on the lowest setting blend until smooth.  Set aside.  Saute onion and garlic in olive oil.  When just starting to turn translucent, add to blender and blend.  Return mixture to pan and heat on medium low.  Add the Swiss and Parmesan cheeses and stir until melted.  Add the nutmeg, parsley and thyme. (Pepper also if you are using it.)

Serve over whole wheat pasta.

How easy is that?  Let me know what you think of it.

Forming a Habit of Health in Children - Why our Example Matters

The grand sugar fest is over. How did you do? Do you still have buckets of candy staring you in the face?  Did you finish it all off in one night? Did you throw it all away?  I left out 1/3 of my kid's candy.  I hid 2/3.  They haven't figured it out yet.  I think it's possible that they don't realize that they have anymore.  That's fine with me.  I'll pull it out to decorate some gingerbread houses. 

I love that my kids don't seem concerned about the candy.  I like candy for a little while, but then tire of it.  I threw out the last of the Easter candy the day before Halloween.  Don't worry, chocolate doesn't last, but jelly beans and hard candy always sits and eventually hits the trash.  That's probably why my kids aren't having a fit.  They know it's here somewhere.  If they want it they'll ask.  It's theirs, I will give it to them.  However, out-of-sight-out-of-mind.  They should really want a piece.  It should be a conscious decision.  And they should have an apple first.  ;)

I was listening to one of my young ones as she played with a friend.  They were playing that they were going to the store.  Here is the conversation they had:

1) Let's go to the store.
2) Let's have some food first.
3) We'll get food at the store.
4) No, if we don't have food first, we'll get to the store and be like, "I'm hungry, I'm hungry. I want this and I want that."


Funny conversation.  Funny and instructional.  My child has learned from me to eat before going to the store, but I have never said it to her.  I have said to my children, "let's have a quick lunch. I don't want to go shopping hungry."  That is a good lesson.  --- The lesson is for me.  My children are watching me.  They will mimic my eating behaviors.  Whether I want them to or not.  I cannot say, "do as I say, not as I do." It won't work.


My husband and I both had mothers that fed us wheat bread, rather than white bread.  I thought Wonder Bread, was the best thing since, well, sliced bread.  But my mom wouldn't buy it.  :(  But actually, it was a great thing that she did for me.  Both my husband and I prefer whole wheat bread.  Given a choice, we both automatically reach for the wheat version of any dinner roll or bread.  It is habit.  A habit that was formed in our childhoods.  (Thank you mom!)

If my kids see me eat junk, they will eat junk.  It is that simple.  I have been eating a lot of apples lately.  (I bought some locally and I live next to some pretty groovy orchards, so they are fabulous.)  I've noticed that my son reaches for an apple every time he needs something quick.  I'm pretty sure it helps that I haven't bought chips or crackers or other junk in a while.  But like my mom, who refused to buy white Wonder bread, I am instilling better habits in my child. 

I suppose that when it's hard for me to stick to a healthy diet, it might be wise to remember that someone is watching.  It is not only my health that could suffer, it is my child's.  Wow!  That is some powerful motivation!