COOK and They Will Come!

Use What You've Got: How to Save, Eat Well and Reduce Food Waste

2011-07-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Search and Ye Shall Find... and Eat!

My ever practical grandmother was a spoken word poet before we called them that. She had a large and impressive collection of poems that she would perform in church services and programs, and for her family. One of her favorite prose (and mine) was a very long poem called Use What You Got. The poem, in essence, cautions us to stop waiting to be rescued, delivered or even to get started. It said that we already have what we need. We must use what we've got!

On the issue of food waste at home, I am reminded of this poem.One of the biggest expenditures in our family budgets is food. As we recover from the recession, one of the best ways of controlling spending is keeping food costs down. And one of the best ways of keeping food costs down is utilizing food that you already have. This may seem like it’s stating the obvious. But many of us do not make the best use of food we’ve already purchased. We let leftovers go bad and we have stocked up items in the cupboard that we never use. According to a 2004 report on Discovery News :

A typical American family tosses away 14 percent of their groceries, helping to account for the $75 billion of food wasted annually in the United States.”

The eight –year study that disclosed these disturbing statistics suggest that families could considerably improve their finances if we learned to more wisely buy, store and use food.

I know this is true in my household. My efforts to prepare more wholesome foods is often thwarted because I do not utilize my purchases before they go bad. This is not helped by my family’s aversion to leftovers. In the Larry O’Hanion’s pre-recession article, Food Waste Epidemic in America, University of Arizona anthropologist Timothy Jones says: "If we wanted to stimulate the economy, all we'd have to do is cut food losses."

Jonathan Bloom also handles this subject in his book, American Wasteland. In it, Bloom estimates that we waste 50% of our food. FIFTY PERCENT! Bloom explores all the different places –from seed to plate- where food is wasted. It’s truly an eye opening read. Bloom’s focus is on waste in the food and restaurant industries, but I agree with TheTastyCheapskate, who in her review of Bloom’s book, says

… part of the problem with waste in America is a problem in the attitude of average Americans in their average kitchens. We have ceased to reverence our food (and apparently, some of our money as well).

So how do we begin to change the way we think about and address our food treatment at home?

Kelly Rossiter at PlanetGreen.com, shares in her post, Clean Out Your Refrigerator and Make Dinner, how to make dinner with what you find already in your frig. As practical and obvious as this sounds, many of us don’t think about doing this before going out to buy something else. Rossiter also talks about how to use leftovers in this article—Get Recession Ready—Use Your Leftovers--, where she shares how to reframe your thinking about leftovers. Often, once your meal leftovers are placed in an opaque container, and put into the frig, they become invisible and forgotten.

Fortunately there are lots of places online that share ways to better utilize your food. Here are five:

1. Love Food Hate Waste—Leftover Recipes-LOVE THIS SITE!

2. 50 Ways to Never Waste Food Again

3. 5 Ways to reduce Food Waste

4. Doggie Bag Dining: Using Up Leftovers

5. Left Over Chef

Now, go forth and start your own leftover REVOLUTION!

Summer Eating On The Go: A Healthy Round-Up!

2011-07-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

It’s summer and even though our schedule might let up a little bit, we find that we are eating on the go—while we travel and to and from summer activities. Eating well while on the go is tricky. It is so tempting to resort to fast foods because they are so accessible—so easy. But choosing ease over health is costly in every way. So here’s a round-up of helpful links that offer ways to eat well on the go…

Grab and Go Breakfast—at EatingWell.com

Eating Well On the Go- Easy snacks to plan and pack for travel (even includes ideas for folks with food allergies)—at BobsRedMill.com--

Healthy Eating On the Go For Busy People--from MomGoingOrganicSensibly.com -- Hints for grocery shopping for busy people on the go—

Grab and Go Healthy Snacks—from GeoParent.com-- A helpful list of easy things to grab from your own frig!

Fast Food Help—if you must eat at a fast food restaurant, check out this “Eat This, Not That” powerpoint presentation. Some of the comparisons will surprise you!

10 Ways to Combat Rising Food Prices: Save Money, Eat Better!

2011-03-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the decision to improve your family's diet is made more difficult by the escalating food prices of those foods that are better for you but more expensive to buy. Quality meats, foods without additives and low quality sweeteners all carry a higher price tag than less-beneficial alternatives. Produce, especially organic produce, is often not only expensive, but perishable, making it more challenging to get full value for it before it goes bad. In order to feel more comfortable about buying the pricier food items that offer better nutrition, a good plan is to save money elsewhere on your grocery shopping. This is especially challenging now that food prices are high and getting higher. With a little forethought and planning, you can cut your costs and feel a better about the higher quality of food choices you make for your family.

Consumer savings expert, Andrea Woroch, offers 10 ways to combat rising food prices. Andrea says:

1. Shop Warehouse Stores
Not all prices are better at membership stores, particularly if you tend to go overboard, but there are some really good deals to be had. Look for great buys on perishable items and shop towards the end of the day, when department managers want to unload extra inventory.

2. Use Coupons
Now's the time to get in on the extreme-couponing trend, particularly since there are so many ways to access them these days. You'll find coupons online in both Internet-code or downloadable (IP) form.. Mobile coupons are as close as your cell phone. CellFire is a great source for grocery savings.

Don't overlook the coupons that print out with your receipt at the register. Known as Catalinas, these coupons are targeted towards the purchases you've made that day. Some stores, like King Soopers, also allow you to stack manufacturer and store coupons for additional savings. Not all supermarkets allow you to stack, however, so check first.

3. Hit Dollar Stores
Whether you cruise the narrow aisles of Dollar General or hit one of the smaller chains, dollar stores offer "ka-ching" savings on boxed, bagged and canned goods. Make sure you check the expiration dates, however.

4. Use Grocery Store Rewards Cards These loyalty cards have become a necessity to access store sales, but they also have another benefit; You can download online coupons directly to your rewards card and the savings will be taken off at the register. Visit the rewards-card pages of such supermarket websites as Safeway and Food Lion [Kroger, HEB] to find these manufacturer coupons. Some rewards card also provide gas savings when you buy groceries.

5. Buy Generic
By and large, store-brand generics can be much cheaper than manufacturer products with the exact same quality. In fact, generics come off the same assembly line before being slapped with separate labels so skip the brand name items.

6. Use Discount Gift Cards
Shop websites like GiftCardGranny for discount gift cards from Kmart, Walmart and other major chains that sell food goods and produce. Paying just a portion of the card's face value gives you an instant savings on your grocery needs.

7. Make A List
Avoid impulse purchases by making a list before you leave home and sticking to it when you hit the store. Knowing specifically what you need also helps avoid duplications of products you already have at home.

8. Plan Your Meals
It's a lot easier to make a list when you have a plan. Creating a weekly menu also helps you avoid quick trips to the supermarket that end up costing you more in many ways. For last minute meals, create a gourmet dish at a deep discount by buying meats, produce and other food items that are on sale at your local grocery store.

9. One-Stop Shop
Save gas, time and money by shopping stores like Target that allow you to buy everything on your list within one visit.

10. Avoid Out-of-Season Produce To every vegetable and fruit there is a season...and a better price. Squash are cheaper in the fall while asparagus can be a bargain in the spring. Wait until prices are at their best and plan your menu around seasonal produce to save big.

Andrea Woroch is an established consumer savings expert passionate about helping individuals discover financial freedom. She has appeared on ABC News NOW, NBC's Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC and has been quoted by SmartMoney, Kiplinger Personal Finance and many more. See Andrea's recent interview on NBC Today Show.You can find more information about Andrea here!

The Perfect Turkey Courtesy of Allrecipes.com

2010-11-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

This Recipe Takes a Little Work. But It's Deliciously Worth It!

A good cook does not share her secrets. But this recipe is so good, everyone should at least know where to go for perfect turkey. Unlike most recipes that I use, this one is involved. But even for a simple-minded cook like me, it's worth it. This recipe is responsible for my being designated the official family turkey cook.... which in my everyone-is an-excellent-cook-but-me family, is a collosal honor.

If I can pull it off, so can you. Enjoy! Click HERE for the recipe!
The recipe calls for brining, which the recipe instructs you how. People are impressed when you say you brine your turkey! (But it's easy!)
Click HERE for a little info on why brining makes for a great turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Aletta Gives Three Reasons to Prioritize the Family Meal

2010-11-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

My favorite clinical psychologist and friend, Dr. Elvira Aletta, shares an excerpt of an interview where she discusses many important benefits of the family meal. On her blog, Explore What's Next, she recently offered the post, Three Reasons to Make Family Meals a Priority. In it, She shares the research about the benefits of eating as a family and she gives helpful suggestions for how to make it happen. Interestingly, Dr. Aletta has found the family meal to be so important to improving her patient's quality of life that she prescribed them as a form of treatment! Her comments are definitely food for thought and great positive motivation for those of us trying to do the right thing and get our families together around our mealtimes! To read Dr. Aletta's post, click HERE!

Tis the Season for Chicken Soup-- Try It Thai Style

2010-10-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

This soup does everything chicken soup is supposed to for the soul!

Now on the eve of the cold and flu season, is the time to share my favorite chicken soup. It's wholesome, delicious, hearty and easy!

Ingredients:

6 Cups Chicken Broth (preferably from chicken Better Than Bouillon concentrate)
1 Package Rice Noodles
One stalk of Bok Choy, chopped in big pieces
1 cup Fresh Mushrooms ,sliced
1/2 cup Scallions, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 ½ cups cooked chicken meat (pulled or chopped breast meat)
1 lb shelled shrimp
1 tsp Thai seasoning
¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Bring chicken broth and one cup of water to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and add scallions and bok choy. Simmer for about 3 minutes or when bok choy and scallions look soft (but not too soft). Add mushrooms, garlic and shrimp. When shrimp are firm and pink, add chicken meat. Stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then add noodles uncooked. Allow noodles to cook, about 3 minutes. Serve piping hot!

This recipe is also good with tofu chunks in place of chicken meat.

Sunday's Family Dinner-- Delicious Earl's Oxtails With Gravy

2010-09-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

Earl's Oxtails and Gravy-- Too, Too Yummy!

My family comes together at my parents home every Sunday for dinner. I say that we go for dinner, but really we spend as much of the day there as we can. My brother's family comes as well. And we alternate cooking duties among us.

On special occasions, like a birthday, we feast. Usually, we combine forces and all contribute to the special meal. Then we over eat and then we drowsily watch a movie before we part.

This Sunday, my father requested oxtails for his seventieth birthday dinner. And since it was my turn to cook, and since I had never cooked oxtails, I solicited help from my Facebook friends for a recipe. I got so many awesome suggestions. But I chose my friend, Sylvester's, recipe because he was kind enough to send me his beloved Godfather Earl's detailed recipe, with full instructions....And it didn't hurt that the recipe included a gravy, which my family loves.

This oxtail recipe is THE BOMB! So delicious, so decadent! My father loved, loved, loved the oxtails, which we served with my mother's mixed greens, white rice and corn bread. Ummm, I get hungry again just thinking about it!

Here is the wonderful recipe. I hope you prepare it for your family. It's perfect for a Sunday dinner. But you need no special occasion. The oxtails were not expensive and the recipe was not difficult!

Enjoy!

Earl's Oxtails with Gravy

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Ready In: 3 Hours 40 Minutes
Servings: 6

"A soul food blast from the past, this is an old family recipe. Oxtails are slowly simmered, producing a savory broth that then makes a delicious gravy."

INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds beef oxtail
1 clove garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
1 teaspoon seasoning salt

2 tablespoons bacon drippings or
shortening
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups broth from cooked oxtails
2 dashes browning sauce
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place oxtails, garlic, onions, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, Greek seasoning, and seasoning salt in a large stock pot. Fill with enough water to cover oxtails, and place over high heat. Bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove from heat, and reserve 2 cups broth.
2. Warm bacon drippings in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in flour, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and browning sauce. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook, stirring constantly, until gravy thickens. Remove from heat.
3. Place oxtails in skillet, and stir to coat with gravy. Return to stove, and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Back to School-- Quick Grab Breakfast

2010-08-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

According to the DietChannel.com , 40 to 70% of Americans don’t eat breakfast even though breakfast-eaters are healthier than non-breakfast-eaters; Kids who eat breakfast are more alert and concentrate better than those who don’t . Adults who regularly eat breakfast tend to be thinner and get more calcium, fiber, fruits and vegetables, as well as less fat, saturated fat and sodium in their diets compared to those that don’t.

Instead of skipping breakfast or making nutrient-deficient choices, consider following WebMD’s 5 Golden Rules for a quick and nutritious meal:

1. Go for 5 Grams of Fiber (or More) -According to experts, kids don’t get enough. You can remedy that with whole grains and fruits.
2. Try Breakfast-Friendly Fruits. Good fruits to grab. Prunes, and orange, applesauce, peaches, bananas, apples and of course, berries.
3. Aim for 5 Grams of Protein- Since protein helps fill you up and stave off hunger longer, grab a boiled egg, milk or even left-over meat from last nights dinner.
4. Avoid High-Sugar and High-Fat Choices
5. Microwave It – A microwave version of say oatmeal is way better than no breakfast at all.

Click HERE for Deluxe Microwave Oatmeal recipe.

Click HERE for a delicious baked version of oatmeal, Fruity Oatmeal Bake, you can make ahead!
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10 Cookless Meals for Summer

2010-06-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, so there is nothing I love more than a great meal that I do not have to cook, especially in the summer.Who needs to toil in a hot kitchen during the vacation months? Truth is, even if you don't have a hot kitchen, lazy summer days seem to call for ease and light food fare.

This is why Joy Bauer of Joy's Healthy Bite caught my eye with her latest article on Yahoo's Health Channel,

10 No-Cook Dinners To Beat The Summer Heat

Her choices are easy, no cook options that are light and perfect for the summer.
Here is her list:

1. Salmon salad on a bed of greens

2 . Mexican wrap

3. Gazpacho with shrimp

4. Hummus plate

5. Turkey, roasted red pepper, and feta sandwich

6. Peanut butter-strawberry pizza

7. Greek chopped salad

8. English muffin with lox and the works

9. Black bean salad

10. Curry chicken salad wrap

Click HERE for the recipes and instructions. And enjoy!

Eating to Celebrate the Coming of Spring!

2010-04-01T23:14:00.000-07:00

Spring is finally here. I don't know about you. But I was in a serious winter funk! But now the sun is shining and here in Houston the azaleas are in full bloom. And even though the pollen is falling down upon us like rain, I don't care because spring has sprung.

It's time to get rid of the heavy winter comfort foods and opt for a lighter fare. There are a greater variety of fresh foods in season and eating should reflect our increase in activity as we get out from under our blankets and opt for the outdoors!

In light of this exciting transition, here is a sampling of offerings around the net for how to eat for the Spring-- what to cook and how to cook it---ENJOY!

1. How to Lighten up for Spring--Nutrition at Suite101.com

2. What to Eat This Spring-- Lauren Elyse Madison at Hu ffington Post interviews Laura Pensiero, owner of Gigi Trattoria and Gigi Market in New York.

3. How to Eat Fresh, seasonal Foods-- eHow.com

4. Foods To Eat in Spring--Acupuncture-Vancouver Eating in Spring according to Chinese medicine.

5.Spring Comfort Foods and Spring Desserts-- Epicurious.com comfort foods and desserts

Good Housekeeping's One-Dish Meals-- Easy-- Economical-- Exquisite ! !

2010-01-21T11:57:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to share these recipes a la the smart folks at GoodHousekeeping.com. 15 one-dish meals for $4-a-serving or less. These are Soups, stews and chili's that are delicious and easy.
I do not personally own a crock pot. But it's cold outside and I am considering going out TODAY and snagging one, because this recipe for Chinese Red-Cooked Pork Shoulder looks mighty good!! Given that I have been particularly bad about cooking this week, I just might shock the fam with this tonight. We'll see if mine is as lovely looking as the Good Housekeeping picture!

Perhap tomorrow I will try the Peruvian Fish Soup, only my fish soups must have mussels (like the pic above). Since there are mussels in Peru, I won't feel like I'm cheating if I add them even though the recipe does not call for it!

Click HERE to see other easy and economical delights!!

If I Close My Eyes and Eat Strawberries, I Can Pretend It's Summer

2010-01-16T00:03:00.000-08:00

I am a native Southern Californian. When it's really cold like this for more than one week (which is unusual for Houston), I go a little stir crazy. I start to crave sunshine, heat and all things summer. One of my favorite ways to address this craving is to gorge on strawberries. I can get them at Whole Foods Market. And I can put them on my cereal, in my yogurt or just eat them straight out of the little green plastic basket they come in!

Imagine my thrill to discover the new Strawberry App developed by the California Strawberry Commission for iPhone and iPod Touch. If you are a strawberry fanatic like me, or if your son is like mine and rejects every single other fruit except strawberries, then this is good news. The Strawberry App is really just too fun. iPhone and iPod Touch users can now have at their fingertips more than 50 mouth-watering strawberry recipes from some of the most popular food bloggers and chefs online.

"As the nation's leading producer of strawberries it's exciting to see the passion that people of all ages have for strawberries when it comes to eating them - and cooking with them," said Mark Murai, President, California Strawberry Commission. "This app was created to help people easily share some of that passion and to h elp people learn new ways to eat strawberries. We appreciate all the great cooks and bloggers who contributed their recipes to help us do that."

The Strawberry App can be downloaded for free at the Apple iTunes store. You can download it here, http://bit.ly/8LANJo.

If you do not have an iPhone or iPod Touch, you can become a fan of California strawberries at http://www.facebook.com/castrawberries,where you can find out about all things strawberry, including recipes and nutritional info. And you can follow on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/CAstrawberries.

I am feeling all summery and warm already! Strawberry ceviche anyone?

5 Ways to Eat Together During the Holidays

2009-11-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

Make these holidays extra special by making the extra effort to eat together.
Five ways to get your family meals in during the holidays:

1. Cook simple. Click here for easy recipes.

2. Get already prepared foods. In a pinch, it's better to eat together than use all of your potential together time cooking!!

3. Stretch that Thanksgiving meal-- freeze leftovers. Use the turkey carcass (sorry, such an unsavory way to refer to your left-over turkey!!) for turkey broth. You can use the broth for soups, stews, gravy. (Delicious, super-wholesome)

4. Practice--right now--saying "No". Also, practice not responding to an invitation unless you have your calendar right in front of you. All of this is an effort to simplify yours and your family's social schedule.

5. Try to establish a set meal time and then fill that time in on your calendar. Then try not to plan anything at that time. You have to be flexible. But you might be surprised how effective this is.

Happy Holidays!!

Thanksgiving! The Ultimate Family Meal

2009-11-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving! This is the ideal time to commit to family meals. Almost everyone recognizes the importance of eating Thanksgiving together. It is the ultimate Family Meal Holiday!!
Perhaps you can use this meal-time celebration to discuss the importance of eating together ALL Year Long!!! Make a family commitment to eat at least one meal per week at home--together. Consider it an early New Years Resolution...Only start NOW as a great way to make this holiday season a special one!!
Its a busy time...but eating together can be especially meaningful now!!

Click here for fast meals to prepare for your family!!

Click here for special holiday recipes!

Click here for ways to take the stress out of your holidays!!

Click here for great 'No Cook Food Gifts'!!

ThatsSoYummy.com is a Wonderful Treat-- Grab this Delectable Recipe

2009-10-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have NEVER been disappointed when I visit Tasha's beautiful foodie site, ThatsSoYummy.com!! She has so much to offer with regard to all things yummy to eat--news, advice and of course, to-die-for recipes. Here is a link to her drop-dead delicious Oreo Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars (or if you like, Kayla's Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars)

Tasha says these taste "even better than they look!" I have to agree! And we, in my household, are VERY serious about our cheesecake!!

check out the thatssoyummy.com. You will be THRILLED you did!!
Your site is a lovely gift to us all!!!

CONTEST: Morning Moments by Aunt Jemima Pancakes

2009-09-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a chance to get rewarded for your new commitment to the family meal!! If you enter Aunt Jemima's Pancake Morning Moments Contest, you could win for your family a vacation to a warm and sunny destination. Just snap a picture of your family breakfast morning and send it in with the submission form by December 31, 2009. There are also other prizes--10 finalists will receive a digital camera.

Click HERE to enter or go to www.auntjemimafrozen.com/morningmoments

September is Get Back to the Table Month

2009-09-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

September is Get Back to the Table Month!! And as we have been advocating on this site, the Libby's Label has launched a campaign to encourage families to cook at home and eat together. they have an engaging website with lots of good advice, recipes and coupons.

And they have enlisted the help of celebrities. Country Singer, Sara Evans, who has recorded the famous "When it says Libby's, Libby's, Libby's on the label, label, label.." jingle and is making many appearances touting the wonders of the family meal. Yay!! Good for her...Good for Libby's!! Also, on board are Hannah Keeley, of the PBS seres, Hannah Help Me and lovely NASCAR wife, Kim Burton. They give their generous advice about how to return to the family table.

Check it all out at www.getbacktothetable.com

Also see, Top 5 Reasons to Get Back To The Table

Eating Out at Home--- Houston Style

2009-07-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

The Houston Chronicle offers a yummy article that is right up our alley. With Restaurant Favorites at Home, Lauren Winchester shares how to save big money and eat luxurious meals at home by using recipes from renowned chefs in the Houston area. Also, get advice on how to request a recipe from a restaurant. Click HERE!!

When is the best time to shop?

2009-07-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

Are there better times than others to grocery shop? Cathy of fabulessly frugal.com thinks so. Click Here to see her advice on how timing can make your shopping trip more fruitful, fun, or frugal.

Are Coupons Worth the Trouble??

2009-07-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

In a word--Yes!! You mean you haven't you started couponing yet?!?! Well, if you are looking for ways to save money...and who isn't... stashing and using coupons saves some serious cash!! Some folks tell me they save hundreds of dollars every month using coupons.

I am new to coupons, too. But Melissa of Saving Cents with Sense isn't!! Her site features some real deals, coupons, sales, etc. She offers a little tutorial for coupon rookies. She lets us in on the method to the coupon madness. Click HERE to link to her 'Couponing 101' and click HERE to link to "Coupon Lingo'.

You'll learn the best ways to optimize your couponing efforts. Done right, it'll be worth the effort!!

HealthyLessons.com Offers a FREE Weekly Meal Plan

2009-07-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Cheryl Foiles, of HealthyLessons.com, has done a wonderful thing! Her site offers a FREE weekly meal plan. You can download the entire package, which includes a menu, complete with detailed nutrition information; a shopping list and all of the recipes. The recipes are interesting, easy and include things that kids will like, like sloppy joes!!

For the week, she provides suggests such yummies as Tasty "fried" chicken (which is actually baked), Adobo Pork Chops and a Hearty Beef Stew. She also has some good sounding sides like yam biscuits. It's a solid traditional menu with some healthy accommodations. he just has the one week available. But she is promising to offer more soon.

She has done all of the work for you. I know that my biggest complaint for dinner is that I don't want to do the planning. I am terrible about setting a menu and shopping ahead. I am going to try Cheryl's plan for a week and see what happens. I 'm guessing it's a no-brainer, which is exactly what I want!!

You can try it, too. TO Download the package (18 pages), click HERE!

Let me know how it goes!!

BarBeQue Ribs From the Diva

2009-07-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

Monique, the Cooking Diva, is here to save us all. She knows we are busy and a little bit intimidated about putting on a lovely meal in the non-existent time that we have. So she has created an amazing blog that shows us how to do it--step-by-step. Divas Can Cook. Most recently, she posts a killer Bar-be-que Boneless Beef Ribs recipe right in time for the Fourth of July holiday. She even offers up a Starbucks frappuccino alternative that's sure to save you money deliciously.

Check out her blog and subscribe. She'll be our new best kept secret!! Click HERE!

Andrew Weil's 'Poached Salmon'--Quick and Yummy

2009-06-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

My mother has been raving about the deliciousness of poached salmon. So when I came across this super easy recipe, I was thrilled. It's wholesome, easy, tasty and a little bit fancy (or so the family thinks)! Makes adding fish to the family diet a little bit easier and rewarding!
Click HERE for the recipe!
Andrew Weil's site, www.drweil.com is a great place to go when you really decide to commit to a healthier diet. He has a holistic, yet realistic approach to nutrition and preventative health that I find refreshing and down-right inviting!

Martha Stewart's 'Easiest Spaghetti and Meatballs'

2009-06-30T15:30:00.000-07:00

When you are in a rush...and we always are to put dinner on the table during the week night. Here is a super-easy, delicious recipe from the domestic goddess herself. Click HERE for the recipe!

Martha Stewart.com has a cornucopia of recipe and ideas. And though some of her projects can be a bit labor intensive, she has a special section called "Quick Recipes" under the Food Link, which is where I found this gem of a recipe ...Check it out!!