(If you're not interested in my complaints, scroll to the bottom of this post for today's Reader Challenge! Reading between the whines, you might call it. )
(Oh heavens, I am my parents' daughter.)
Unfortunately, I need a short blogging break. Actually, I need a short break from a lot of things, but blogging is the easiest to let go of. Between sick kids, increased hours for Matt at work, increased hours for me at work...for which I'm NOT getting paid...yet (I say "yet" because the possibility of near-future payment is really the one thing that's keeping me hanging on here...barely...as much as I love the work), church callings, and welcome-to-summer! humidity, I have been letting go of many things that matter.
When I feel overwhelmed, my first stage is Denial. I find myself eating Frosties for lunch, leaving my scriptures completely untouched, starring every e-mail instead of responding, buying and selling strollers, staying up late watching movies, letting the garbage pile up until Matt finally takes it out himself because he can smell it when he walks in the house, and spending my nap times reading "tragic blogs" (as Matt calls them) instead of normal things I could do, like: taking a nap myself, or eating a normal lunch, or cleaning up this dump.
If you're worried about me, don't be. This post will show up on Tuesday but it's actually Monday and I'm writing this after taking Ida's temperature and, you got it, eating a Frosty for lunch. Things always look worse when people have fevers and my stomach is full of sugar. I have lots of pictures to post and stories to tell, so I'll be back on June 1. If you're bored until then, I won't recommend any tragic blogs for you, but instead I suggest eating a good meal for me. Then--
here's the important part of this post!--
leave a comment with your favorite healthy, yummy recipe. It can be a meal or a snack. Nutritious is good, fast is good, filling is good; please bless that your contribution has these three things. (Or at least one out of three.) I need menu-planning help and I need it now. I'll be checking back daily so you'd better have something tasty for me!
Oh and feel free to post as many recipes as you want! What should my comment goal be? Is 20 recipes too much to shoot for? What about 50? (probably kinda high.) Help me get there with just one recipe from your arsenal! I believe in you!
See you next week!
31 comments:
WSR made a cookbook that has (mostly) healthy recipes that are (mostly) tasty. You'll recognize that most unhealthy ones were submitted by me (pork chops and GM soup, pumpkin bread, etc.) but there are some good ones in there.
http://wsr.byu.edu/images/stories/wsr/files/Cook_book.pdf
Also, as far as snacks go, I love almonds dipped in honey. I think you knew that though.
Oh. And. Again, I told you about this. But homemade hummus! So yalm. Cook's Illustrated has a great recipe. You can search for it on their site but you have to be a member. Or you can have a 14 day trial period and look at it. Or find another recipe online. Or wait till I get back to the states and I will show thee.
Spinach Dip of Joy
1 package frozen spinach (the square box)
1 package cream cheese (don't skimp - get REAL cream cheese)
1lb Monterey Jack Cheese
1 package Knorr Vegetable RECIPE Mix (not the soup or dip mix)
Defrost the spinach & soften the cream cheese. Dump everything into a mixer or some kind and mix until blended. Grab your favorite cracker and dip. It makes quite a bit of dip, so it's great for an afternoon snack all week! Of course I'm someone who does not believe cheese of any kind is unhealthy as long as you use it in it's most natural form.
Another great, EASY recipe:
Sticky Chicken Drumsticks
* 2 tsp. salt
* 1 Tbsp. paprika
* 2 tsp. chili powder
* 1 tsp. onion powder
* 1 tsp. thyme leaves
* 1 tsp. white pepper
* 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
* 1/2 tsp. black pepper
* 4 lbs. chicken drumsticks (we use thighs sometimes - just make sure the chicken has bone in it)
* 1 chopped onion
Mix all the spices together. Smear them over the drumsticks liberally. Slice onion and place it on the bottom of the crock pot. Plop the chicken on top of the onions. Put the lid on and cook on low for 8-12 hours or on high for about 6. This is a great 'no-worry' meal! Sometimes I even put the chicken and spices in a bag in the fridge overnight then just put them in the crockpot in the morning. I don't have to think about dinner most of the day! We usually do a salad and some fresh veggies with this.
I've got quite a few more recipes, but I'll leave you with those for now. Good luck getting things in order and I hope your family is all healthy very soon!
*hugs*
Hmmmm..... I'll have to think about this and email you some recipes as I find them. For now, here are some links to some Better Homes and Gardens recipes that get sent to me every week. Sometimes I am able to find a few recipes that I like and sometimes I get better ideas from looking at their recipes and I make up my own. Good luck!!
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/entertaining/our-best-one-dish-spring-dinner-recipes/?page=1
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/quick-easy/dinners-30-minutes-less/quick-and-easy-spring-dinners/?sssdmh=dm17.380944&esrc=nwwr48_09t&email=1787454857
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/salads/chicken/chicken-salad-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.380944&esrc=nwwr48_09t&email=1787454857
This is the best pasta salad ever! I just made it for the first time and I already want to make it again!
* COOKED WHEAT PASTA(1PACKET)
* AVOCADO(1)
* CHOPPED TOMATOES(1)
* CHOPPED CILANTRO
* THINLY SLICED RED ONIONS
* THINLY SLICED BELL PEPPERS
* CHOPPED CANNED OLIVES
* SUNDRIED TOMATOES(5-6 SPOONS)
* MARINATED ARTICHOKE HEARTS(5-6 OF THEM)
* PESTO SAUCE(3-4 SPOONS)
* OLIVE OIL (OPTIONAL)
* COOKED CHICKEN STRIPS
* SALT AND PEPPER
Steps
1. Take a large bowl and add cooked pasta,tomatoes,red onions,bell peppers,sliced avocados and finely chopped cilantro.
2. Now add cooked chicken,oliveoil,pestosauce,undried tomatoes,marinated artichokes and olives to the pasta salad.
3. Add salt and pepper accordingly to your taste.
Good luck!
mmmmm that pasta salad looks so good!!
When the kids are sick, it is the worst. Katie always had either an ear infection or tonsillitis. I remember looking at her one day and thinking, I can't take one more day of fevers. I got over it though. My favorite meal (and easiest) is scrambled eggs with shredded cheddar cheese. It's easy and even your kids will eat it. Hope things get better for you.
Just for that, I hope you get 100 comments. I'm sorry about your children. What's that treat you like with strawberries and brown sugar? EAT THAT.
veg burritos! Staple, and so easy and quick.
1 yellow or white onion
1 green pepper
1 large can black beans
some cayenne or chili powder
some salt and pepper
some cinnamon (sounds weird, but just a dash is my secret ingredient)
cilantro
lime
1 pkg tortillas
sour cream, salsa (or chop up tomatoes and onions and cilantro for fresh pico de gallo), cheese, olives, guac, etc.
Saute veggies, spice and cilantro to taste, and toss in the black beans when veggies are almost done. Saute everything a little more, until most of the moisture is out of the beans and they've begun to break down (they're leaving streaks on the sides of the pan.) Squirt some lime on the whole thing. Heat tortillas (over the fire if you've got a gas range or in a toaster oven or micro if not.) Add sour cream/salsa/cheese/whatever. Presto, quick, easy, healthy dinner.
I fully agree with taking a break from blogging. I do it all the time. In fact I think I break more than I blog. :)
As for recipes - I'll get back to you - so as to guarantee 50 comments. :)
Hope everyone gets better soon. And hooray for Matt to save the day and take out the trash.
Mock Tuna Salad
1 can garbanzo beans
three or four limes
red pepper
tomato
cucumber
paprika
cilantro
pickle
green onions
salt and pepper
anything else you might like in your tuna salad.
I give the garbanzo beans a whirl in the food processor to chop them quickly and break up the shell. THen chop up everything else and mix it all in, pour in the juice of two or three or four limes, depending on how juicy you like it. You can add mayo if you like, that does help it hold together a little better. It's good on bread, tortillas, in pita pockets, with some spinach leaves and tomato slices. My kids even like it.
Also,I hope everyone feels better soon.
Oatmeal anything is always a healthful snack - cookies, bars, Stake Visitor's Cake - ha, ha!!
Seriously, I add oatmeal to lots of dessert type snacks - and maybe leave out the chocolate chips or something.
I always feel healthy eating them!!
1 bag salad mix
1/2 pound cooked, crumbled bacon
1/2 red onion, sliced thinly
1 cup shredded or cubed mozzarella cheese
1 handful (or more) Craisins
Brianna's Poppyseed dressing.
It has to be Brianna's. It's the best.
Toss together, and yummy!
I am a horrible snacker (meaning that I don't eat nutritious snacks. My snack of choice is dark chocolate). Anyway when I am very pressed for time (like when sleep is more important than food) I grab a Slimfast. They're good when they're very cold and they do contain lots of vitamins. And of course get chocolate. Good luck!
Laughing cow cheese on a celery stick-seriously, it's good (and good for you).
I'll email you some other good recipes.
We just made this for dinner last night and Matthew just devoured the chicken sausage. He couldn't get enough and he is not a big meat eater. It is from my favorite website for recipes. www.picky-palate.com.
Chicken Sausage, Broccoli and Parmesan Brown Rice Dinner
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb cheese filled chicken sausages, thinly sliced
4 Cups broccoli florets, steamed until fork tender
4 Cups cooked brown rice (I get mine at Trader Joes, microwave for 3 minutes and done!)
1/4 Cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1. Heat olive oil into a large skillet over medium heat. Saute bell pepper for 5 minutes or until softened. Stir in garlic; cook for 1 minutes then add chicken slices. Cook for 5 minutes or until chicken is browned on both sides. Add broccoli, rice and parmesan cheese. Cook for 2 minutes or so, then season with salt and pepper to your liking. Serve and enjoy!
6 servings
Dad brought home a freebie snack from the LA Marathon - and I wonder if anyone knows how you could do it at home. They were called Cocoa Roasted Almonds - and they were lightly coated with dark chocolate powdered cocoa - and they were delish!!
Just putting it out there in Blogdom!!
Good luck with your kids. We dealt with that a week ago and we are finally getting past it. I think I took most of May off, so don't feel bad.
I'll post some recipes tomorrow. I'm too tired to think.
My kids love toast with a little cinnamon-sugar sprinkled on top. I use whole grain bread, so it's healthy, right? Right.
My personal favorite is a combo of a BLT and a caprice (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) salad:
Toasted bread (I like multi-grain)
Thin layer of mayo
Slices of tomato sprinkled with a little Kosher salt
Slice of good mozzarella cheese
A little pork product (optional. I've used bacon (not so healthy), or proscuitto).
A couple of fresh basil leaves. (Please don't buy any--come and pick some from my garden.)
Hope everyone feels better soon. Good luck!
Eliza, Hello by the way. Here are a few of my staples. Healthy??? But tasty and quick!
Gladys Chicken
Salt and pepper 4 chicken breasts. Place in 9x13 pan. Top with following mix:
1 can cream of mushroom
1/2 c grated cheddar
1/2 pkg dry onion soup
1 tsp sage
Spoon over top of chicken and bake at 400 for 55 min.
Coke Chicken
(yummy for BBQ sandwiches)
20 oz coke
1 c BBQ sauce
1/2 c ketchup
3-5 boneless chicken breasts
Add all ingredients to crock pot and cook on high for 3-5 hours. Shred chicken and keep on warm for one hour before serving.
Tex Mex Egg Rolls
(this one is healthy)
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1/4 pkg frozen spinach
1 can black beans, drained
1 can Rotel, do not drain
1 c frozen corn
3/4 tsp chili powder
cilantro
cheese
tortillas
Mix all ingredients, except tortillas. Put a bunch in a tortilla and roll it up. Cook in a 9x13 pan for 20 min.
Homemade Mac and Cheese
1 can cream of mushroom
1/2 c milk
1/2 tsp mustard
generous dash pepper]
3 c elbow macaroni, cooked
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
Blend soup, milk, mustard, pepper. Stir in pasta and 1 1/2 c cheese. Bake in 9x13 at 400 for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, stir, top with remaining cheese. Return to oven and bake for five minutes more.
Breakfast Casserole
8 slices bread, cubed
4 beaten eggs
1/2 tsp dried mustard
2 c grated cheese
1 lb sausage
2 1/4 c milk
Place bread in bottom of 9x13 greased pan. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over bread. Let stand in fridge 8 hours or overnight. Bake at 325 for one hour.
Hope you enjoy! I love your blog by the way.
Hi Eliza..missing you, we're sick now and I've been eating "snacks" for the past 4 months but let me link you to my mormons in hawaii who are fab cooks
http://kitchencorners.blogspot.com/
"My Mormons in Hawaii"...I am laughing out loud!
Thanks everyone!! I love them all, keep 'em coming!
my recent favorite healthy meal is a salad wrap.
I buy Costco's spring mix and Costco's uncooked roti flatbread. I make a salad with lots of different vegetables, cook the roti, spread hummus on the roti, fill the wrap with the salad and add no dressing. It's delicious.
A few quicky and easy kid-foods that I also eat:
1) microwaved egg. Crack an egg in a bowl, mix with fork, microwave about 1 min per egg. You can add cheese or whatever else.
2) Spinach-cheese Rice:
Cook rice the normal way. I add a boullion cube per cup of water. Throw in frozen spinach. (this does add water, so I usually use a tiny bit less water than I would usually use with regular rice). When done cooking, add cheese and stir. My kids eat this. Butter makes it even better.
3) Tuna Pasta with veggies and white beans:
Add a can of tuna (or can of salmon) mixed with mayo as if for a sandwich to cooked/drained pasta (i like it with angel hair, but have done it with all sorts of pasta). Add a drained can of white beans. Add a little olive oil. Add grilled or sauted onions and bell peppers and whatever other veggies you like. (You can get fancy and make a pan sauce out of the olive oil you cooked the veggies in by adding a touch of some cream or even whole milk). Put the whole thing in an oven dish, add some shredded cheese (mozz) and cook in the oven until melted. Lazy way (that I usually use): return everything to pasta pot and put back on the range. Stir until cheese is melted and everything is warm again.
Seriously, Eliza, I always look at you and your blog and a couple other peoples and get a little envious at how you seem to have everything together. It kind of makes me feel better that someone else lets things go and eats ice cream for lunch, just like me!
And I got a whole bunch of veggies from our co-op vegetable group, and I put a little bit of butter, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt on some tin foil with a cut up zucchini, green pepper, and some onion and baked it for 20 minutes at 350. Craig even ate it, and I can never get him to eat vegetables. Plus, it filled us up because of all the fiber, I think.
lately I've been buying dried fruit, like golden raisins, craisins, or the tropical fruit mix. I buy a big tub of mixed nuts from target when they're on sale. I make little baggies with some of the dried fruit and the nuts. Great for the sugar tooth and lots of yummy protein. It's my afternoon energy boost!
Also, I buy that canned chicken from Costco, mix it with a little mayo and put it in pita pockets with whatever else is in my fridge (tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, lettuce, etc). That's always fun.
AND, if you are in the mood for crazy, check out my good friend Zonya at www.zonya.com She's insane and Tom makes fun of her all the time, but her recipes are organized by TIME!!! I LOVE the 1 minute meals! And the 5 minute meals! SO GREAT! And they are sooooo healthy. I have her book if you'd like to borrow it.
My three fav's...Enjoy!
mothering.com "Peggys Kitchen"
101cookbooks.com
wholefoods.com
I just noticed Bonny's comment...the remark about Matt taking out the trash is a bit of an inside joke, but I'm not sure Matt even got it. We can't be the only couple who has silent fights about taking out the trash. Neither of us likes to do it...and especially not Matt. (as wonderful as he is in many other ways.)
And Susie, please know that although my blog isn't full of "the ugly side" (e.g., today my apartment is...such a disaster...words can't describe but there's no way I'm taking a picture), the ugly side is there...and ever since I had sweet Ida, although we have more happy and joyful moments than ever before, we also have more ugly moments, mostly in the forms of fatigue-induced impatience, Frosties for lunch, and piles of laundry. I can't imagine how dirty my house would get if I had twins. I'd probably go months without touching a can of Barkeeper's Friend.
HOW in the world people with multiple children under the age of three keep a consistently uncluttered home, are sweet and patient with their family, and eat only wholesome foods is a secret I have not yet uncovered.
And to everyone else: THANK YOU for all of your recipes and links! I love you, I love you, I love you!
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