Healthy Tip

MOVE!

If you want to feel more healthy. MOVE. Really in any way you can. Get off the computer. Turn off the tv. Run around with your kids or go "RUN" some errands. Do something standing if you watch tv or do some crunches. Keep moving as much as you can and set aside some time to REALLY exercise!

Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti

I LOVE this one. I am not a huge fan of Spaghetti but my son is and he LOVES it too!!

Cooking the Squash:
1 Spaghetti Squash

Slice squash lengthwise (clean out seeds) and place cut sides down on cookie sheet (sprayed with cooking spray). Bake at 350 for 30-45 min.

When squash is done use a fork to clean out the insides and throw away the skin. Put in a bowl and add salt and pepper. Then mix everything together including cheese.


Making the Sauce:
1/3 lb lean ground beef or turkey (optional)
1/2 t. onion powder or 2 t. onion flakes
1 clove garlic
2 t Italian seasoning
6 oz tomato paste
8 oz tomato sauce
3/4 cup water

Brown meat and combine the rest of the ingredient in a sauce pan. heat until warm and then combine with squash.

Children: I cut strands of squash into smaller pieces. Just as I would with the noodles.

Babies: Give 'em the squash to eat up. Again, cut it into smaller pieces.

The salad was a delicious choice with this!

Healthy Tip

Are you eating healthy but don't feel like you are losing weight?

In "Resources for Foundations in Nutrition: Power Tools" they talk about eating a high fiber diet. They say that if you don't drink enough water you can be bloated, have gas, and more.

Also, Dr. Oz :) says that to get a correct weight on the scale you should drink plenty of water the day before.

I have noticed a HUGE difference when I drink water...not only in how I look but how I feel. Try it!

Shephard's Pie

Sorry this pic looks kinda nasty. I forgot to take a picture until I went back for SECONDS! Mmmmmm!
1 lb lean ground beef

1 cup diced onion

1 ½ cloves garlic

½ cup chopped Carrot

1 c Chicken broth

1 c diced tomato

1 c peas

1 T flour

1/2tsp Oregano

½ t basil

pinch of salt and pepper

½ lb sweet potato

½ c Green pepper

5 c mashed potato (I use instant)

Saute green pepper, carrots, sweet potato, seasonings, onion and garlic until onion runs clear. Add Browned beef, chicken broth, tomato, peas and flour. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Put meat and veggie mix in bottom of pan. Top with mashed potato and cook at 400 for 30 minutes.

Children: No change

Babies: Just leave out the veggies you want them to eat. You could even steam the ones that are too crunchy.

Healthy Tip

We are all gonna need to make treats at some point. If I make cookies I usually cook as many as I need and freeze the rest. That way when I want a treat I can take them out of the freezer. They are already in rolls so I just cut off ONE and cook it. Then I put the roll back in the freezer. If I bake a whole thing of treats I EAT THEM ALL! I do the same with brownies except: you bake the brownies. Cut them into small squares and put them in freezer bags in the freezer. Then you can take them out one by one and warm them in the microwave. They are still as good as ever.

Yogurt Fruit Salad

I think this is my all time FAVE!! I got this recipe here 30 Day Gourmet.com I have been making LOTS of meals to stick in my freezer for convenience. This one is SO good and SO easy. They are only 61 Calories and only 2.2% is from fat! That is unbelievable. You can find the rest of the nutritional info on the website.

Ingredients:
3 Bananas
24 oz Nonfat Strawberry Yogurt
16 oz Frozen Sliced Strawberries slightly thawed and undrained
8 oz can Crushed Pineapple in juice and undrained

Slice banana's and place in large mixing bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Spoon into paper lined muffin tins. (Not just the liners but the actual pan with the liners so they hold their shape...I didn't do that....and I regret it....Oops!)

Freeze until firm 3 hrs OR you can serve soft. Remove frozen cups from freezer and put in a freezer bag.

To eat:
Remove from freezer and let stand for 10 minutes. You want these slushy and not completely thawed. (you can even microwave for 15 seconds to soften)

These are awesome for snacks for you or the kiddos they are SO delicious!

Healthy Tip

We eat a LOT of beans. Why?

#1. They are cheap.
#2. They are SO healthy.

I go as cheap as possible and buy them dry. I make massive amounts of beans and then freeze them so I always have them on hand. We generally only eat kidney and black beans. Maybe one day we will go out of the box and try some new ones.

Here is what I do.

#1 Get 2 lbs of beans.
#2 Soak them over night (follow directions on back of bag)
#3 Boil them for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
#4 Put them in 2 cup Ziploc freezer containers.

#5 Let them cool.

#6 Put them in the freezer for whenever you need them.

Super Grilled Chicken Salad Surprise

I call it a "Surprise" because we put something different on it every time. We just use whatever fruits, veggies and beans we have. EWE! Those pears are brown but they were SURE good! ( I just let them sit (cut) for too long).
In this particular salad:
Mustard greens (Texas green leaf)
Spring Salad mix
Shredded Montery Jack cheese
Black beans
Shredded Carrot
Frozen peas
Frozen corn
Sliced green onion
Cut up avocado
Grilled Chicken
Cut up pear
Use whatever salad dressing that tickles your fancy!

Children: We just slice everything smaller. Cut the lettuce so it is almost in "shreds".
Baby: Skip the lettuce and cut the rest up in to bits size pieces.