Shrimp & Crab Pasta

• I sauteed a bag of peel-and-eat shrimp with cooking spray and garlic. Then I took my portion out and placed in another pan. I added butter, a little more garlic, spinach, and crab meat to the pot and sauteed a bit longer. Mine was the same, but still with no butter!
• At the same time I had a pot of spaghetti noodles going.
• When it was all finished, I plated the pasta and covered it with the shrimp & crab, garlic-butter mixture for the fam. Mine was paired with 1/2 a cucumber and a 1/2 cup baked asparagus.
• Lastly, I sprinkled everything with a bit of feta cheese.

SIMPLE - SCRUMPTIOUS - SATISFYING!!!!! :)

Breakfast Pods (for dinner)

We like to have "breakfast for dinner" every once in awhile, but this could be a big breakfast hit too! It's an idea I got from the pinterest website and mine don't look as perfect as the ones I saw pictured...maybe the next time they will since I know what to do now.

1. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cut pieces of bread to fit inside. The original directions said to cut with a circular cookie cutter. I didn't have one so I cut the crusts off into a square. Cut into two triangles and push them into the muffin pan slots.
3. Now you can either add the bacon and egg OR...add some other ingredients. In two of mine I add two slices of Roma tomatoes and some spinach. You have to push them all the way down so the egg fits in. After you add your veggies, place the bacon in the bread cup.
4. Now add the egg to the top. The ones I originally saw were all perfect white and yolk sitting happily at the top. My kids DO NOT eat eggs that way so I scrambled two for theirs.
5. Bake @ 375 for about 20 minutes.

• The one pictured in the middle...you know, the one that looks gigantic compared to the rest, that one is actually made with quinoa flakes instead of bread. Yep, that ones mine since I can't eat bread. I found quinoa flakes at a farmers market. Mixed with about 1 tbls spoon almond milk and pushed that into the muffin cup instead of bread. It worked! It was delicious!
• Other things you may want to add into your cup: feta cheese, shredded cheese, mushrooms, jalapenos, onions...or anything else that sounds good to you!
• This was super easy! Super fun for my 7 year old! And delicious!
• I recommend you try it with the quinoa flakes - great source of protein!

Fiesta Grouper

Tonight's dish had the hubs asking for more and then saying, "That's a definite do-over!" (meaning, PLEASE make that one again)! Also, another super quick meal.

Grouper:

• Place grouper fillets in a baking dish.
• Brush with butter and lemon juice mixture.
• Sprinkle with garlic, chili powder, parsley, and salt.
• Slice a jalapeno pepper and place on the top of each fillet.
• Bake or broil @ 350 for about 10 - 15 minutes.
• Heat black beans in a separate pan.
• Make a boil-in-a-bag rice pouch.

I mixed mild, fresh salsa in with the black beans for a fiesta flavor. Take away the rice for less carbs. ENJOY!

Rosemary Chicken

*EASY*QUICK*

• chicken breasts
• fresh rosemary
• thyme

Place chicken in a baking dish. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary and thyme. Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes.

I paired this with a fresh salad, Italian asiago & garlic dressing, and artisan jalapeno flat bread.

Everyone else had salad and cheesy chive mashed potatoes.

This one is perfect for a VERY BUSY night!

cheesy stuffed sweet mini peppers

Are you looking for the perfect appetizer to take along to all those upcoming holiday parties? This one is healthy, quick, and sure to be a hit!

ingredients:

• low fat cream cheese
• 1 - 2 tbls fresh chives (I like chives so I probably added more than needed)
• 1 tbls fat free milk
• 1 low fat mozzarella cheese stick (or mozzarella cheese - I just had the sticks handy)
• about 20 sweet mini peppers

1. Cut the tops off the peppers. Set aside.
2. In a food processor combine cream cheese, chives, milk, cheese stick.
3. Fill a Ziploc baggie with the cheese mixture.
4. Cut the corner off of the baggie and squeeze mixture into each pepper.
5. Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes.
6. Serve immediately.

I tried these 3 different ways and liked all 3. So, if taking them to a party, here are different ways you can try.

1. Fill with cheese and serve without cooking.
2. Serve immediately after cooking or heat up in microwave just before serving.
3. Cook. Let cool. Take to party and serve after cooled.

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Tonight is a winner for ME!!! No one in my household likes stuffed peppers so I don't usually make them. However, I went to this AWESOME farmer's market last weekend and the veggies were so cheap. I purchased several large sweet peppers - red, yellow, & orange. I wasn't sure what I wanted to stuff them with so I started scouring over many stuffed pepper recipes on the Internet. Each recipe had either something I'm not allowed to eat, or something I didn't like, or something I didn't have in the kitchen (and I didn't want to make a trip to the store). So I began to search the kitchen and create my own stuffed peppers. Here's what I did...

• Pre heat oven to 350
• Sauteed 1 medium red onion & 4 cups chopped fresh spinach
• added in 1 cup quinoa & 1 1/2 cups water until it boiled
• covered and simmered for 20 minutes
• added 1 can white chicken breast and mixed it all up
• cut & gutted 6 sweet peppers
• filled the peppers with the quinoa/chicken mixture
• Put tops of peppers back on top of each pepper. Then put peppers in a baking dish.
• Cooked them for about 45 minutes
• I sprinkled the top of each with fiesta cheese just because every recipe I looked at added a LOT of cheese to the quinoa mixture, but I didn't want to add the calories. The cheese didn't even make a difference. I wouldn't add it again. But if you love cheese, throw a cup in the mix!

The peppers not only tasted tremendous, they were gorgeous!!!! I will definitely have to make them again. (maybe when guests are here so I'm not eating them by myself) :)

How to Cook Quinoa

By now you have probably noticed that I eat a LOT of quinoa or shiritake noodles. Well, this is because I have a "disease" known as Candida. Therefore, I can't eat the normal carbs that everyone else does without getting sick, tired, achy, or gaining a million pounds from one meal. I can't even eat the healthy carbs in multi-grain foods! I will admit that I have some here and there, but I know which ones will trigger sickness and which one I can have a little bit of - once in a while! So....since I get sick I need some kind of carbs or I would be hungry all of the time. Quinoa is one grain that is very healthy for me (and everyone else)! Here's why:

• Most commonly considered a grain, quinoa is actually a relative of leafy
  green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard. It is a recently rediscovered
  ancient "grain" once considered "the gold of the Incas."
• Not only is quinoa high in protein, but the protein it supplies is complete
  protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids.

1. In a pan combine 1 cup quinoa and 1 1/2 cups water.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Place tight fitting lid on pan.
4. Simmer for about 15 - 20 min.

Another GREAT thing about quinoa --- You can add anything to it to change it's flavor. Here are some ideas.

• Throw a beef bouillon cube in while it's cooking.
• saute onions - then add the water and grains.
• add tomatoes and peppers or jalapenos
• cook plain - add unsweetened almond milk, berries, & (if needed) a packet of splenda

Twisted Stew

So, here is a twist on the traditional stew. A bit healthier - A bit lighter - and A bit more filling!

I made a batch of quinoa and baked chicken breasts in the oven. While baking I heated black beans on the stove and made a quick batch of salsa in the food processor. When the chicken was done I shred it apart and then combined all ingredients. MMMMMmmmmmm...it was so good! I guess you could also throw everything in the crock pot and slow cook it all day -- maybe I'll have to try that next time!

Fill Warning -- Don't go back for your second helping until you sit for a few minutes. You will be very surprised how filling this dish is!!! :)

Enjoy!

Grilled steak & veggies

During the summer we often like to hang out on the pool deck in the evenings. We try to bring all the food outside & grill everything! Tonight we grilled steak, sliced zucchini, peppers & onions, jalapenos, and potatoes. We topped the potatoes with some feta & cheddar. Again--super easy, super quick, & super delicious!!!

Crusted Grouper

SUPER EASY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, I put panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, and parm cheese in a bowl and mixed. Next, I brushed EVOO on each piece of grouper. Then I dipped the grouper into my mixture bowl to coat. Place in a baking pan and cooked. While cooking I put together a salad and boiled some tri-colored pasta noodles.

We LOVE grouper...although, I've been told recently that we have fish way too often! :)

Stuffed Flounder

Ok - I used a real reciped for this one - and....it actually turned out!!!! The family even liked it. I was afraid they wouldn't like the quinoa, but I told them it was stuffing so they would put it in their mouths. They knew first bite that it wasn't stuffing, but they liked it. They didn't believe me that it was quinoa though because they had both tasted that before and didn't like. That's because quinoa will take on the flavor of what you cook it with! Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup quinoa
2. 1/2 cup water
3. 1 tbls fresh parsley
4. 1 tbls fresh basil
5. 1 tsp lemon zest
6. 4 flounder fillets
7. 2 tbls Parmesan cheese
8. 4 lemon slices
9. 2 tbls red wine vinegar
10. ground black pepper
11. 1/2 cup water

Directions:

• Stir together the quinoa, 1/2 cup water, parsley, basil, and lemon zest in a small sauce pan over high heat. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to med-low, cover and simmer until the quinoa is tender (about 20 minutes - or something to do the night before you make the entire recipe)
• Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• Lightly grease a small baking dish.
• Spoon a quarter of the quinoa mixture onto each flounder fillet. Fold the other side of the flounder over mixture, sprinkle with pepper, and top with a lemon slice. (I had to insert a toothpick to hold them together while cooking).
• Put stuffed fillets in the baking dish. Add vinegar and remaining water.
• Broil in the preheated oven until the flounder flakes easily with a fork, and the flesh is opaque -- about 3 - 4 minutes.

Paired this with some homemade coleslaw and sauteed asparagus.

Forgot the Pics - Turkey Chili

Turkey Chili

This is my version of Rachel Ray's turkey chili...it turned out fabulous. I thought was going to have enough left over to freeze and keep for another meal, but when I went back to the pot, it was almost empty!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound turkey
• 1 can white beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• a couple poblano peppers
• 1 large onion
• 2 cups mushrooms
• fresh dill
• cumin
• 2 cups chicken stock (low sodium)

Saute onion, mushrooms, peppers in the pot. Add turkey and brown. Add chicken stock, beans, fresh dill, cumin and cook. This can cook for 15 - 20 minutes on stove top or you could choose to put it in the crock pot and simmer for the day. I made some corn muffins to go with it. We added a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese.

Meal on the Run :)

This is a pack-n-go meal...I did this for a night that we all had to be somewhere early (in different places, of course). Dylan had open house 1/2 an hour after football practice ended so I needed something I could send with John so they could have a "picnic" before open house.

I mixed one large can of white breast chunk chicken, two tablespoons fat free mayo, and one tablespoon dijon mustard horseradish. Spooned it into buns. Bagged some pretzel sticks and grapes.

Each person's sandwich was made to order - one w/pickles, one w/american cheese, one w/swiss and pickles, and one with no bun! :)

Voila! Meal-on-the-run...quick & kept it healthy!

Beer Can Seasoned Chicken

This meal is sooooooo YUMMY! And it was something I just really threw together for something different. I needed it to be a quick meal, but flavorful as well. So...I threw four chicken breasts in a baking dish and sprinkled them with Weber's Beer Can Seasoning. Then I sliced a red pepper and jalapenos to throw in the baking pan and roast with the chicken. While that was baking I defrosted a box of frozen spinach, squeezed out the excess water with a cheese cloth, and sauteed it with a little EVOO, garlic, & mushrooms. In a separate pan I stirred together a box of Betty Crocker scalloped potatoes.

When plated, I put the chicken breast on top of a bed of spinach/mushrooms then sprinkled everything with some feta cheese!

Tilapia with mango salsa

Another super easy, super quick, super tasty meal!

Sprinkle tilapia with salt, pepper, EVOO or butter and bake. While baking, chop a mango, red onion, cucumber, cilantro & jalapeno and mix together. When tilapia is done, spoon mango salsa over top of fish.

Some people think mango salsa doesn't sound very appetizing. Do not think it until you try it! It took me a long time to try....AMAZING flavor!!!

Tonight I paired the tilapia/mango salsa with a salad, sun-dried tomato dressing, and uncle ben's 90 sec. rice.

Grouper Sandwiches with special tartar sauce

I baked grouper with a drizzle of EVOO and a sprinkle of basil, oregano, garlic, & a squeeze of lime. While that was baking, I mixed fat free mayo with relish, Dijon horseradish mustard, & pepper for a tangy tartar sauce. I toasted the buns in the oven.

Grouper sandwiches, salad with light Cesar dressing, and baked pineapples!

YUMMY!

Grandma Jones's BBQ Chicken

This is not your ordinary bbq sauce & as you can see from the picture, it doesn't even look like there is bbq sauce on the chicken. However, this bbq recipe is delicious! Let me also add...the recipe is actually for all kinds of chicken pieces with skin - legs, breasts, thighs, etc. However, I only use white meat breast without skin. Therefore, I stab each piece with a fork several times and put the chicken in a container with the sauce over night to marinate.

• Recipe:
• Heat 1 quart of vinegar & add 1/4 cup salt. Let cool.
• After cooled, add 2 well-beaten eggs, 2 cups oil (grandma used wesson, I used EVOO), 1 tsp. pepper, 1 tbls worchestershire sauce.
• mix

This recipe is for several half or pieces of chicken. I just cut the recipe in half for my marinade.

Place chicken in marinade over night. Grill and brush marinade on each piece while grilling.

I also put broccoli in foil with a bit of bbq sauce dumped on and grilled as well. Then used fat free mayo to make a slaw. DELICIOUS!!!!

Fancy Flounder

This dish is quick, easy, tasty, and smells great cooking!

1. Spray a baking dish with non-fat cooking spray.
2. In the bottom of pan sprinkle in 2/3 cup onion and 1/2 cup mushrooms (you can put more mushrooms if you like them).
3. Lay flounder fillets over onion/mushroom mixture.
4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of Fiesta/Mexican cheese on top.
6. Sprinkle 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs on top of cheese.
7. Bake for 15 minutes @ 400 degrees.

I also baked a pan of asparagus sprinkled with EVOO, salt, pepper, rosemary. Then paired the dish with 1/4 cup of shiritaki noodles. This is perfect for a busy night. You could even prepare the pan the night before and stick it in the oven when you are ready!

Camp Fire Tilapia

Growing up, my Mom would make camp-fire dinners, but with ground beef, carrots, & potatoes. This is my healthier version...

1. Lay out enough pieces of foil for each family member.
2. In the middle of the foil put 1 tilapia fillet, some tomato, onion, mushrooms, salt, pepper, and a little EVOO.
3. Roll the foil up so you have a little pouch. Poke one hole in the pouch.
4. Either bake in over or on the grill.
5. That's it!

I also microwaved a 90 second bag of Uncle Ben's Yellow rice.

Taco Salad

Hungry for tacos? Try my healthy version of taco salad or just stuff the shell and have tacos. I used the Ortega taco kit meal box. Cook 1 pound of lean ground turkey and mix in the taco seasoning packet while baking the shells in the oven. Cut up lettuce, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, & black olives. I also use Great Value shredded taco fiesta cheese and the salsa sauce from the Ortega kit. I set everything out for a taco bar. Everyone can make their tacos or taco salad to their own liking.

Stuffed Pork Chops

This one is a bit longer to cook than the others, so I save it for a night we don't have to go anywhere. Prep time is still relatively short though.

In a food processor mix about 1/4 cup onion (less if you don't love the taste and just want a little flavor), 2 apples, 1/4 cup celery, 2 tbls parsley, 1/2 tsp salt. Pour into bowl and mix in 2 cups bread crumbs. I always use panko, but use any kind you desire.

Recipes always say to cut a pocket into pork chops for stuffing, but I find it much easier to hammer the chops, put the stuffing in the middle, fold over, and hold together with a toothpick! Bake for about 20 minutes with foil covering the baking pan @ 350. Remove foil and bake for another 20 - 30 minutes.

I paired this with some 5 minute boil-in-a-bag rice and a can of french style green beans. Even heard one kid bragging to some people over the XBOX intercom that he was eating some really good pork chops and stuffing! :)

Pasta & Sauce

Tonight was a good ol' night of easy comfort food. Angel hair pasta, frozen meat balls from your grocer's freezer section, a can of Hunt's spaghetti sauce (which I always add a bit of oregano, basil, & garlic to). I heated a 1/2 loaf of Italian style bread with butter and garlic. Also, made side salad's with sun-dried tomato salad dressing.

And of course, for me, a substitution of tofu noodles instead of pasta since I can't eat pasta anymore. Anyone looking for a healthy alternative to pasta should try the tofu shirataki noodles. Many people say it tastes just like pasta. I don't agree, but it's a good substitution!

EASY! EASY! EASY!

Caribbean Jerk Grilled Chicken

Here's another really quick and easy one!

I marinated 4 chicken breasts in about 1/2 cup of KC's Masterpiece Caribbean Jerk Marinade. Then I threw them on the grill. I also grilled a can of pineapples, 1 green pepper, 2 jalapeno peppers, and 1 onion (all drizzled with oil & sprinkled with salt/pepper).

While everything was grilling, I cooked baked potatoes in the microwave. I also went to the grill periodically, turned the chicken over, and brushed additional coats of the marinade on.

Again, if you don't like the veggies we grill, throw on your favorites!!!!

Grouper Sandwiches with slaw

Tonight was a HUGE hit and I didn't even have a plan. I remembered reading an easy recipe for grouper and tried to remember some of the ingredients in the dish. (That's just the way I work in the kitchen...never follow a recipe).

First, I sprayed a baking dish with cooking spray and place grouper fillets in the dish. Then I sprinkled with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a squeeze of lemon. I'm sure the recipe called for butter, but I skipped that step--I don't need the added calories and no one in my family knows! :)

Then I covered the grouper with 1/4 cup lime juice and 1/4 cup orange juice - freshly squeezed. Sliced another lime and orange and covered the grouper with the slices.

Baked in the oven @ 350 for about 20 minutes.

While it was baking I pureed some tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, salt, pepper for a saucy salsa. I combined mayo, horseradish, and relish for a tartar sauce. And I added 1/2 cup of fat free mayo to a 1/2 bag of slaw.

Final product - horsey tarter on toasted bread with citrus grouper sandwich, light cole slaw, fresh broccoli, and corn chips with fresh saucy salsa. Of course, I skipped the chips and used the saucy salsa on my broccoli. MMMMMMmmmm Good!!!

One thing I did remember about the recipe is that it was delicious paired with a glass of Cabernet. SURE WAS!!!

Chicken Ceasar Salad

For tonight's meal I brushed 4 chicken breasts with ceasear salad dressing and baked. Then, I opened a bag of Dole's Ultimate Light Ceasar Salad Kit, mixed together, cut chicken and threw it on top!

SUPER QUICK! SUPER EASY! SUPER DELICIOUS!

Chicken w/roasted red pepper & Feta Sauce

Another quick & easy night!

First I made slits all over 4 chicken breasts. Then I stuffed the slits with roasted red peppers. I brushed and egg over the chicken and then placed the breasts in a ziplock baggie filled with panko bread crumbs, red pepper flakes, garlic, and Webber chicken seasoning and shook the bag until the breasts were lightly breaded.

Then I did something I NEVER do! I fried the chicken in a skillet with 2 tbls EVOO and sauteed garlic.

While the breasts were cooking, I put roasted red peppers, feta cheese, and a dash of unsweetened almond milk (you can use any kind of milk you prefer), in a small food processor. Once the mixture was processed, I simmered it on the stove until dinner was ready.

I also made my spinach cakes that were mentioned in a previous post. When everything was plated I poured the red pepper and feta sauce over the chicken and spinach cakes.

For a side we has Uncle Ben's roasted chicken flavored rice - in - a - bag! (90 sec. in the microwave) :)

The fam said the dinner LOOKED like someone threw up on their plates. But when asked if I should make it again or not, everyone said, "Make it again next week!"

Lemon/Garlic/Pepper Tilapia

EASY! EASY!

Tonight we had tilapia - a house favorite! I sprinkled the tilapia pieces with garlic powder and pepper. Then I squeezed the juice of one lemon over the tilapia and baked for 20 minutes!!!

I cooked a bag of frozen broccoli in the microwave and made a dijon mustard and soy sauce mixture to drizzle over top.

Pasta with soy sauce on the side. But, of course, I had shiritake noodles (with soy sauce)!

Easy - Fast - Healthy - MMmmmm Good!

Strawberry Lemonade w/strawberry infused vodka

The vodka infusions worked and they taste yummy! The difference, I think, between what you can buy in the store already infused or flavored and what I did myself is that there seems to be more of a fruit flavor to the self infused vodkas.

Today I tried this with the strawberry vodka:

I made a pitcher of flavored water. The flavoring I used was Crystal Light wild strawberry and Crystal Light lemonade. I squeezed one whole lemon into the pitcher. Rimmed a martini glass with splenda. Poured the flavored water into the glass. Added two shots of strawberry infused vodka.

VOILA! A nice refreshing drink for a hot summer day by the pool!

Kid Lunch!

This is not a dinner for busy Mom's, but a quick, fun lunch for a busy Mom with kids plus kid's friends!

I made jelly sandwiches with sugar free jelly. Dug out a heart and star cookie cutter and cut the sandwhiches. Sliced low-fat cheese to look like octopi. Used colorful fruit to make fruit kabobs. Then filled four dixie cups with pretzel sticks.

This fun lunch only took 30 minutes to prepare and the kids LOVED it!

Crock Pot London Broil

This one is super easy and one probably most of you already know how to do. Thought I would share anyway...

In the morning I fill the crock pot 1/2 way with water and add two low sodium beef boulion cubes. Turn crock pot on high while I get everything else ready. Throw in the london broil. Throw in the peeled potatos. Throw in a chopped onion. And of course any other veggies you want. I usually do carrots also, but we didn't have any today.

Let cook all day!

Since I rarely eat potatoes, I paired mine with the batch of quinoa that I made a few days ago. However, everyone else ate potatoes from the pot. Then we all had a fresh salad to fill the rest of our plates.

DELICIOUS!!!

Baked Cod with roasted red pepper and horseradish sauce

Tonights dinner prep took exactly 15 minutes! AWESOME!!!

I made a roasted red pepper and horseradish sause:

• 1 6oz jar roasted red peppers
• 1 cup horseradish
• 6 shakes of soy sauce or worchestershire (your choice)
• put all ingredients in food processor
• spread 1/3 of sauce on the bottom of your baking pan
• place 4 pieces of cod on top of sauce
• sprinkle cod pieces with pepper and garlic
• use the rest of sauce to cover cod
• bake at 375 for 25 minutes

When I first found this recipe, it called for a crunchy, cajun topping but that recipe was missing. I didn't want to add any calories so I sprinkled Old Bay Seasoning on the top and it turned out just fine.

For sides, we had a spinach/romaine salad and shiritake noodles w/soy sauce.

Since this was the first time making this roasted red pepper and horseradish sauce I was afraid no one would like it, but I was asked to make it again! :)

Grilled Steak, asparagus, & oriental style vermacelli rice

Steak on the grill - self explanatory!!! (season to your own taste)

Grilled steak on a bed of oriental style vermacelli rice. The rice is Great Value brand found at Walmart - right in the box. Yes, I try to cook really healthily, but we all know Mom's on the Run need to cook from boxes too!

A side of grilled asparagus drizzled with EVOO and sprinkled with salt, & pepper. And a side of grilled tomatoes and jalepeno peppers drizzled with EVVO and sprinkled with salt & pepper.

Bloody Mary with tomato and jalepeno infused Vodka

It's already done!!!!! 24 hours and that was it! I definitely would not recommend infusing longer than 24 hours with jalepenos. My husband and I love things to be hot and spicy and we both agreed this was plenty hot enough without infusing any longer.

The infused vodka has given the entire drink a bit of a different taste than usual. It is absolutely delicious!

tomato & jalepeno infused vodka

bloody mary mix

pepper

garnished with a tomato slice and celery stalk

ENJOY!!!!!

:)

Infused Vodka

O.k. so all mom's on the run need a break once in awhile! A good friend of mine tried infusing vodka with strawberries and it turned out well, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I did 4 different kinds.

First you will need containers and tight-fitting lids. I used quart sized canning jars. Next, slice the food you are using and fill the container. After the container is filled to the top, pour in vodka...all the way to the top of the jar. Seal tightly. Put in a dark, cool place for three days.

Here's what I'm trying. One jar of strawberry. One jar of blueberry because I LOVE blueberry wine. One jar of raspberry because raspberries were on a HUGE sale and I love raspberry flavored drinks. And one jar of tomatos and jalepenos. The last one is to make bloody marys. I did hear that you have to be careful that the jalepenos don't make it undrinkable...I'm going to check this one after only one day and taste.

You will also notice in the picture that the blueberry jar is not filled all the way to the top. I wasn't sure if I would like this one so I only did a half jar.

Once these jars are finished I will make a few drinks and let you know how they turned out!

jalepeno, mushroom, bacon & cheddar burgers

YUMMMO!!!! Tonight's dinner was absolutely scrumptious! I used the grill for everything...

First, I mixed a small packet of burger seasoning into the ground beef. Then, I made a few burgers by flattening out the meat pretty thin. (I usually use turkey burger, but the boys have been begging me to have ground beef. So, I gave them a treat tonight - LOL!). Next, I put some cheddar cheese, mushrooms, and bacon pieces in the center of the burger. I made a few smaller burgers and placed them on top of the ingredients already prepared and closed both pieces of burger together so all of the ingredients are in the center of the burger.

On the grill...now it's time to put everything on the grill. Burgers went on first. Then, I had pinapple pieces on skewers and added them to the grill. I also put ciabatta multi-grain buns on the grill to lightly toast and a foil holder containing chopped jalepenos and mushrooms.

After everything was done I topped the burgers with a piece of cheddar cheese, more mushrooms and bacon pieces, and jalepeno peppers. Of course, the kids skipped out on the peppers! I also have a plate of lettuce, tomatos, and onions out so each family member could make their burger to their liking. The kids used ketchup and mustard. My husband and I spread a thin layer of horseradish on the bun.

This was a super quick meal and gave me time to empty the dishwasher while everything was cooking on the grill. Just don't forget to keep a close eye on the buns as they are toasting!

Spinach & Feta Stuffed Chicken w/simple soy sauce

This is a YUMMY dinner! I suggest enlisting the kids to help prepare part of it the night before while you're making dinner, packing lunches, or doing dishes.

First, I have the kids pound out the chicken by giving them a cutting board, a ziploc baggie w/a chicken breast in it, and a large can of fruit/veggies from the pantry. You are not going to open then can. The kids will use it to hammer out the chicken.

Simple Soy Sauce:

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup mayo ( I always use low fat or fat free)

4 teaspoons vinegar

1 clove garlic pressed

Combine and stir

Chicken (4 breasts):

- Cover each breast with fresh spinach leaves.

-Sprinkle low fat feta cheese over the spinach.

-Roll each hammered chicken breast and apply 2 - 3 toothpicks to hold together

-Place in baking dish.

-Pour 1/2 of your simple soy sauce mixture over the chicken.

-Place fresh or canned mushrooms on top of each chicken breast.

-Bake

When done and plated, pour the remainder of the simple soy sauce over each chicken breast.

For this meal I usually just boil or bake some potatos. Tonight I boiled, sliced, topped with butter & parsley. For myself, I substituted the potato for shirataki tofu noodles. I have an intolerance to barley and yeast, so I often substitute. Shirataki noodles are a very yummy and healthy substitute for carbs, pasta, rice, potatoes. They are purchased in a bag at your local health/nature store. Open, drain, heat!!! How's that for a healthy option for the Mom on the go?!? The noodles take on the taste of whatever you put on them. You can heat them with spices, sauces, etc. Tonight I stirred in a bit of the simple soy sauce and mushrooms.

Then for another side, I added a small spinach salad with tomato, olives, feta, and light Greek dressing.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!