Top 7 Crockpots

As I mentioned I swear by the crockpot. Here is a video I found to research new crockpots, as I love mine I want just the next step up. And I think I found it. The wonderful thing is that crockpots are not extremely expensive. Please enjoy and write reviews or your thoughts if you actually have one of these crockpots.

http://youtube/W7vUFGg00X8

A Rockstar Is Being Born

Today, I spent a wonderful afternoon with some dear friends. We celebrated Heather's new bundle of joy arriving in November. My friend Sue and I had the pleasure to create a theme and run with it. I thought it would be fun to think of something a little different. I believe we did great.

Shake, Rattle and Roll a Rockstar is being born... Parker

We did red, black, grey and white theme. Not a typically baby shower. We had guitars hanging around, large records, and rockstar rubber duckies. It was a huge success. Much love to Baby Parker for a healthy delivery.

What to have in your pantry for the Fall

PUMPKIN, PUMPKIN and more PUMPKIN.. So many fun recipes and ideas to make with pumpkin..

Heather's Baby Shower

Well tomorrow is the day for Parker's baby shower. I have had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for my wonderful neighbor with my dear friend Sue and Heather's mother. I can't wait to show off the theme and ideas.. Which I think are great. But since it is a surprise pictures and theme will be posted tomorrow..

Stuffed Green Peppers

I did some of this prepping the night before so I was not rushing the morning. Everyone loved these even my 4 year daughter. Excellent.

4 med green peppers, tops removed and seeded

1 lb ground turkey meat

1/3 cup rice (brown)

2/3 cup of water

1/2 c chopped onion

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

3 washed and peeled carrots (use to put between the peppers for support)

Washed green peppers; drain well. Lightly salt cavity of peppers. In med bowl combine:

Mix Well. Stuff green peppers 2/3 full. Arrange Stuffed peppers in crockpot, using carrot pieces to support peppers.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Free Admission for kid's in month of October at the Zoo

We are always looking at ways to keep our activities fun but at the same time not too expensive. Here is a great way, look what San Diego Zoo is offering for the month of October..

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/19/kids-free-local-museums-o

September 25- October 1

Here is what is on our menu for the week..

Monday: Chicken and Dumplings (Skinny Recipe)

Tuesday: Tangy Coconut Black Bean Soup

Wednesday: Spinach Stuffed Shells with Meat Sauce

Thursday: BBQ Turkey Meatballs

Friday: Goat Cheese, Chicken and Veggie Quesadillas

Dessert: Pumpkin Swirl Cheescake Yogurt Cupcakes, Zucchini Spice Cookies (thanks to my sister)

Snack: Pumpkin Protein Bars

Fun Breakfast: Almond Joy Oatmeal in the Crockpot..

Have a skinny week.

Helpful Websites

I found over the past couple weeks there are a lot of helpful websites out there. Each week I will try to post a couple that I have found very resourceful.

thegraciouspantry.com

Baked Zucchini Zita

Ingredients

• 1 (1 lb. 7.8 oz.) jar marinara (no sugar added)
• 1 (13.25 oz.) box penne (whole wheat, uncooked)
• 2 cups fat free cottage cheese
• 2 cups skim mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 large zucchini (1/4” slices)
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (finely chopped)
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil (finely chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl combine cottage cheese, mozzarella, oregano, basil and black pepper. In the Crock Pot, spoon 1/4 of marinara onto the bottom, add 1/3 penne shells, 1/3 of zucchini slices and top with 1 cup cheese mixture.
2. Note: As you spread the cheese mixture be careful to keep it away from the edge of the crock pot by about an 1”. Cheese tends to burn if touching the sides while cooking. Repeat until you have 3 layers. Top off with remaining marinara and cheese.
3. Cover and cook on low for approximately 2 hours or until penne noodles are Al Dente (firm but not hard). Not all crock pots cook the same so be sure that the penne is done before serving. The cook time is recommended based on the crock pot used when preparing this recipe. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.
4. Tip: If you prefer your ziti a little more on the thick side, allow to cook an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Tip: If you're on a tight budget try Ragu Lite (no sugar added) and if you're not, try Amy's Organic Marinara Pasta Sauce.
6. Pair a serving of this with a chicken breast and a helping of veggies for a wonderfully balanced meal!

Weekend Wrap Up

I am happy to say this week was a success with all the cooking or should I say the lack there of. I honestly can say MY FAMILY and I love the crockpot. It has made our evenings so stress-free while eating healthy. I am now trying to buy only fresh groceries nothing canned. If I want to make it then find a recipe to make it. So I am going to highlight a couple stamp of approval recipes from this week.

What is Clean Eating?

Would you be surprised to hear that there really aren’t any fitness goals you can achieve without it?

The above question my seem extreme, but the simple truth is, you just cannot get healthy without eating healthy. You can exercise from the time the rooster crows until the cows come home, but if you make a run through your local drive-through afterwards, you just are not going to get anywhere fast.

Food is the big ticket to good health. If you eat garbage, your body will show it. If you eat whole, healthy and fresh foods, your body, skin and soul will glow with health that gives you endless energy.

THREE METHODS FOR EATING CLEAN

METHOD 1
There are many people simply looking to remove the chemicals from their diets and bodies, and therefore eat clean. Their focus is NOT on losing weight, but on general health.They avoid processed foods of all kinds, yet eat only when the need arises or three times per day.

METHOD 2
(I believe this is the most common/popular method at the moment)

1. Eat Lots Of Plants – Eat food that is straight from nature. (Some people say “as close to the way nature made it as possible”. But I think that leaves too much wiggle room – in my humble opinion) Eat mostly foods that are off a tree, bush, plant or vine, and you’ve pretty much got it covered. The idea is to stay away from anything that humans (food corporations) have altered in any way.
2. Include Meats - Eat meats that are whole and straight from the butcher. Don’t buy pre-packaged meat products because you never know what’s in them. When possible, buy whole meats and grind them yourself. You’d be surprised what’s in ground turkey meat! You can also select a few turkey breasts and ask that the butcher grind them for you. Many butchers are more than willing to accommodate.
3. Enjoy Grains - Eat grains that are still complete and haven’t been broken down into “glue”. Stick to brown rice, whole wheat and other whole grains.
4. Read Labels I don’t know how many breads I’ve picked up at the store that say they are whole grain. But when I take a look at the ingredient list, white flour is the second ingredient after whole wheat flour!
5. Eat Fewer Ingredients. Try not to purchase foods that have more than 3-6 ingredients in the ingredient list. And be sure you recognize each and every ingredient. If you find a “mystery ingredient” such as “spices”, contact the company! Ask them what they consider to be spices. If it’s anything other than honest-to-goodness herbs and spices, avoid it! And remember, if you can’t pronounce it, it probably shouldn’t go into your body.
6. Eat 5-6 small meals per day. This may seem like a lot at first. But remember, you are eating smaller portions. If you really have a hard time with this, prepare your regular three meals and a snack for the day, and divide lunch and dinner in half. You’ve instantly got 6 small meals!

METHOD 3
There is also another method of eating 3 regular meals and squeezing in 1 snack for a total of 4 meals. You eat every four hours instead of every 2-3. This concept is from Jillian Michaels and the theory behind it is that if you eat every 2-3 hours, your insulin stays continuously spiked and you end up with a higher chance of diabetes.

I have no idea if this is actually the case. I’m simply supplying information for you to consider. Do what feels right for you.

IN CONCLUSION
Clean eating may feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you have a lot of changes to make. My advice is to take baby steps. Make little changes every day and don’t beat yourself up if you make mistakes. We all do. Just realize that it’s what you do the majority of them time that counts.

SIDE NOTE: Many folks who are very accustomed to processed foods have a difficult time with the natural flavors of real food. They claim they don’t like vegetables or anything much that is healthy.

If you are one of these people, I’m here to tell you that over time, your taste buds WILL change. If you start eating this way regularly, you’ll see that eventually, the stuff you used to love just doesn’t taste the same any longer. I’ve even found this to be true with organic foods. There are certain foods I ALWAYS buy organic. On occasion, when these foods become available to my dinner plate in a non-organic version, I can definitely taste the difference! It’s amazing how “numb” our taste buds have become to real foods. Give it time. You’ll learn to love your spinach!

Welcome to my Blog.  I have decided to highlight many things in my life that I hope some will find very helpful and inspiring.  I am trying to get menu together on the weekend and doing my shopping. I will post pictures and tell you about my foods throughout the week.


Week #1 Menu


Monday: Stuffed Peppers with ground turkey, zucchini, rice and sauce
Tuesday: Ham, Potatoes, Cheese Casserole
Wednesday: Balsamic Chicken over Angel Hair Pasta
Thursday:"Skinny" Zucchini Ziti 
Friday: Fun Pizza Making


Snacks: Zucchini Banana Muffins
Sweet Treats: Caramel Peanut Butter Cookies


Running Goal: 5 days/20 miles week


Healthy Tip of The Week:  Most Casseroles called for Cream of Chicken/Mushroom etc.  You can make you own healthy version. I will post recipe this week.