HAPPY EASTER!

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

Liver Pudding & Gouda Cheese Wrap

A Southern Tradition

I was so happy to find one of my favorite southern foods that I had to give up for three years because it was not carried in all parts of North Carolina. Liver pudding  is 96% fat-free...(who knew)....topped with  a slice of Gouda cheese and placed in a wrap it is a quick and easy lunch alternative. Gouda cheese when ate in moderation, because of its high fat and calories content, is still a good food choice because of its nutrient content. Vitamin K2 is responsible for the vibrant health and high resistance to aging and degenerative diseases.

Ingredients

1-8 inch whole-wheat tortilla
1 teaspoon mustard
2 slices of liver pudding
1 slice of Gouda cheese

Place the flat tortilla in a microwave safe plate
Add mustard, liver pudding and cheese
Hit for 1 minute in microwave
Fold the sides over the filling and cut in half

Enjoy with some apple sauce and a piece of dark chocolate.
Your taste buds will thank you!

5-Ingredient No-Bake Oatmeal Squares

Recipe adapted from www.cookiesandcups.com
3- Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Squares

5-Ingredient No-Bake Oatmeal Squares

Note: These bars are so simple to make and are full of protein and fiber. I placed two in the freezer and was happy to see that the bars freeze as a more solid and crunchy snack. These will definitely become one of my snacks of choice as I travel. These bars hold up better refrigerated or frozen.

Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
3 cups rolled oats
 1 cup dried cranberries

Directions
Line a 9x9 pan with foil
Spray lightly with non-stick spray
In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the peanut butter and honey until smooth
Stir in the vanilla flavoring
Combine oats and cranberries
Combine mixture with oats
Press into prepared pan
Place in refrigerator until set
Cut into squares and keep refrigerated or place in freezer

Herbs

Herb Garden

       Living in an apartment or townhouse does not mean you have to give up gardening. A brick wall and  some different potting options will allow you to still garden and enjoy fresh herbs.   

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

  I used Rachael Cooks, Beef Stew Seasoning Mix (All-natural) to my own family recipe for beef stew.  Her recipe beats out a packet mix that is not very sodium-friendly. www.rachelcooks.com



Slow Cooker Beef Stew

  Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 pound beef stew meat
Rachel Cooks Stew Seasoning Recipe (Link listed above)
2 cups water
3 large potatoes (cut in chunks)
1 cup celery (diced)
1 cup baby carrots
1 cup sweet Vidalia onion (diced)
1 can mushrooms

Directions 

Place beef in the slow cooker
Coat the beef with the stew seasoning
Add the water and stir
Add potatoes, celery, carrots, and mushrooms
Cover and cook overnight on low heat for 10-12 hours

Couponing

 
www.grandparents.com
"Why You Should Be Using Coupons Now",
 This article informs us that by using coupons families are now averaging a saving of $416 per family per year.

"Why You Should Be Using Coupons Now"

During my Super Double Coupons trip to the grocery store yesterday, I saved $42.00 with coupons and another $25.00 using my E-Vic card. I also got some great buys on meat that the butcher had just reduced in price. These savings are very important to my family as we continue to modify our lifestyle changes to incorporate healthier eating habits. Right now our home is filled with the wonderful smell of Crock-Pot Beef Stew which I was able to fix because of all my savings yesterday. Look for this recipe on an upcoming post.

Stir-Fry Turkey

Trying to come up with recipes that are healthy while using some of the leftover turkey residing in your freezer?
This simple stir-fry recipe will do both. I added a twice-baked potato and this meal was complete and yummy!

Ingredients

2 cups of thawed turkey, cut into strips (Thaw in refrigerator)
1 cup frozen broccoli florets
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon parsley flakes

Directions

Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat
Add olive oil to pan
Add turkey and broccoli and stir-fry until golden
Remove from pan and sprinkle with parsley flakes

I added a spoonful of cranberry sauce because what is turkey without it!

No Beans Chili Dip

 There are so many versions of this dip online.
 I have been making it for so long that my recipe is ingrained in my brain for years to come.
The chips you use are as important as the dip. I used the regular tortilla chips and then keeping with my getting fitter lifestyle changes, I added multigrain  tortilla chips as well. Both styles of chips were a big hit!

Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
1 package chili seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
1 can  diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 can chili sauce, no beans
1 block Velveeta


Directions
Brown hamburger in large saucepan over medium heat
Add chili seasoning, water, and the tomatoes and green chilies, simmer for 5 minutes
Add the chili/no beans, and simmer for 5 more minutes
Cut Velveeta into chunks and melt in a microwave safe glass bowl
in the microwave 1 minute at a time while stirring
Once the cheese is fully melted, add the hamburger mixture and stir thoroughly

This dip is good hot or cold!

Crock Pot Black-Eyed Peas and Mini Cornbread Muffins

 

Black-Eyed Peas are a New Year's tradition at my house. 

Cracker Barrel Muffin Mix, makes a delicious cornbread addition to your meal.

Ingredients

1 pound dried black-eyed peas, sorted and rinsed

2 slices fat-back, chopped

5 cups water

1 tsp. grounded black pepper

1 tsp. sea salt.

Directions 

Pour water into crock pot

Combine peas, fat-back, pepper and salt

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours