BBQ Meatballs (freezer-friendly!)

I made a few changes to this recipe- it's very versatile! So add in what you and your family like and don't like.

Here are my changes:

Ground turkey instead of beef
Only made half the amount listed- cut everything by 1/2
Omitted onion
Added about 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

BBQ Sauce--
You don't need that much brown sugar- I only used around 1/2 cup.

I pre-cooked the outside of the meatballs in a pan before roasting in the oven. I found that the first time I made them, I put them straight into the oven and the drippings were kinda gross. So I avoided that by pre-cooking the next batch in a pan. Then, transferred them to the oven for about 15 minutes and then adding the sauce for the last 5 minutes.

Hope you give these a try!!

http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/4-weeks-to-fill-your-freezer-barbecued-meatballs-day-11.html#_a5y_p=947585

Turkey Lettuce Wraps

These were really yummy and filling! I used the recipe below as my guideline and just used what I had on hand.

My changes:
Used ground turkey instead of ground chicken
Omitted green onions and water chestnuts

Added chopped zucchini at the same time as the mushrooms to the sauce.

YUMMY!!! :)

http://www.self.com/blogs/flash/2012/10/recipe-asian-chicken-lettuce-wraps.html

Skinny Coconut Chicken

I'm bound and determined to get back on track with my First Place 4 Health weight loss goals!! I made this delicious chicken recipe tonight and Chris and I both agreed it was "food blog worthy" :)

I served it with a honey mustard sauce on the side with just an equal mix of raw honey and dijon mustard. So good and I will be making this again!! Give it a try!



http://www.skinnymom.com/2011/08/11/skinny-coconut-chicken/#.Uss7AhwwlM6

Easy Crustless Quiche

I saw a version of this on Pinterest and decided to make it tonight. It was so easy, quick and delicious. And I didn't have to feel guilty about eating it since it was mostly protein and veggies :) 

Ingredients: 

6 eggs, scrambled

1/2 cup frozen, chopped spinach- defrosted and squeezed dry

1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese, grated

salt and pepper to taste

Spray a pie pan with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients except cheese and pour them into the pan. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. 

Sweet Potato Sloppy Joes

Found this idea through "Just Eat Real Food" on Facebook and it looked and sounded delicious- and it was! I love that sweet potatoes are vegetables and starches so they do double duty! :) 

Here is the link to the original recipe: 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=387038961423544&set=p.387038961423544

Here are my variations: 

Used very lean ground beef, but next time would use ground turkey. 

Omitted the onion and jalepeno

Added 2 T. Worchestershire sauce

Added 1 T. real maple syrup

Ran out of parmesan so I substituted shredded cheddar. 

So simple and good! 

Throw Together Meal!

I have done a couple variations with this recently. Sometimes you just need to get something healthy on the table, you know? So here is what I did a few nights ago:

Ingredients: 

One boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 clove garlic, minced

Dried basil, oregano

Salt and pepper

12 oz. store bought marinara sauce

12 oz. whole grain pasta (any variety)

1/2 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and chopped

1/2 bunch fresh spinach, washed

Boil pasta and drain.

Heat one tablespoon olive oil on the stove and cook chicken breast with garlic, spices and herbs until done. Take off stove and chop into bite sized pieces. Add back into the pan with marinara sauce, asparagus and spinach. Toss with pasta and cook through for about 3-5 minutes until spinach wilts and asparagus is tender. 

I served this with a couple of slices of fresh mozzarella on the side. 

SECOND VARIATION:

Instead of asparagus and spinach (since I ran out), I added a small bag of frozen shitake mushrooms to the sauce. 

Cheesecake Fake-Out

When I get a sweet craving, here is one thing I like to do that won't completely blow my calorie budget and is super easy!

Stir together in a bowl:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt (I use Chobani and it is only 100 calories)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

Top with strawberries and/or blueberries and enjoy! :)

Italian Crockpot Chicken Soup

I made this today since I am feeling under the weather and it was so easy and really hit the spot.

Here is the original recipe: 

http://yourworldnatural.blogspot.com/2013/01/whole30-challenge-day-10-and-delicious.html

Here are my additions to the original recipe: 

3 carrots, chopped
1 large zucchini, chopped
1/2 large bunch of fresh spinach (added at the last minute)
(I used the lite version of coconut milk to save fat and calories)

This is great for anyone that is lactose intolerant or lactose sensitive since it uses coconut milk. It doesn't have a coconut taste at all.

"Better Than Takeout" Chicken Fried Rice

I found this... (where else?) but PINTEREST!

The link below really gives you a step by step easy way to see how this is prepared. Very simple, fast and yummy! At the bottom of the link, there is another link for more details instructions, though.

I added:
Pre-cooked and shredded chicken breasts to this to make it more of a meal.
.
I used brown rice and low-sodium soy sauce to make it a little healthier.

http://www.joysama.com/2013/07/better-than-takeout-chicken-fried-rice.html

Asian Peanut Chicken

I stumbled upon this recipe on where else but Pinterest?? :) It was super simple and delicious. Here is the original recipe:

http://www.marthastewart.com/921828/spicy-peanut-chicken?czone=food/comfort-foods-center/comfort-foods-dishes&center=854190&gallery=275672&slide=921828

Here are my changes:

Omitted:
Broccolini (didn't have it)
Sambal oelek (didn't have it or know what it was)

Added:
2 teaspoons of honey

I added all the ingredients to a Ziplock and marinated for about 1 hour before baking. I baked the chicken at 400 instead of 500 for about 20 minutes and it was perfect.

As a side dish, I made this and it was really yummy! First time that I have made swiss chard! It was in my bountiful basket this week-- Check out bountifulbaskets.org if you don't know about it and see if there is a pickup site near you! A great money saver! :)

I made the recipe named "parmesan baked swiss chard" stems at this link--

http://www.musingsofahousewife.com/2012/11/how-to-cook-swiss-chard.html

Blessings!!
Alli