Recap of the week

I am happy to report my family and I have had a wonderful week surrounded by family and good friends. I just love this time of year because is it a small glimpse into Winter holidays. We have gone to parties, carnivals, dinner dates and today will be a day of relaxation, running and cooking.

Aryana and dad are going to make ghost treats for her class party tomorrow. I will take a picture and post when they are done. We got to carve her pumpkin, which should be fun.

I have lots to share so keep checking back as I am going to update and make recipe for week etc today. I already have pumpkin fudge in the freezer hoping this will be good.

Have a great Sunday Everyone!

Tortilla Soup

Wow this got two thumbs up for the family and it was simple..

3 chicken breast (frozen)

1 large can on enchilada sauce (red)

1 large can of whole tomatoes (would drain half the liquid and mash tomatoes)

1 onion chopped

1 can of chicken broth

2 cups of water

1 40z can of diced green chiles

salt/pepper

1 teaspoon of cummin

1 teaspon of chili powder

1 bag of frozen corn

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon of cilantro

As always you can add chips on top also cheese. However since I am trying to stay in the lowfat area I omitted them.. And amazingly so family members did not request them. I am happy to say last night was a perfect night to have this as it was a little cool.

Have a great day.

Weekly Menu

Here is the Menu for this week

October 24th

Monday- Applesauce Chicken (just finished Amazing, will post recipe this week)

Tuesday- Tortilla Soup

Wednesday- Vegetable and Chickpea Curry

Thursday- Mexican Style Meat

Friday- Cheesy Mac and Cheese

Saturday- Mom and Dad have a date night.. YAY

Sunday- Chicken Sundried Tomatoes and Artichokes

Desserts: Since we are approaching Halloween what perfect time to have Caramel Apples and Chocolate Caramel Apple Cookies..

Make it a great week

I am a little behind

Well hello my bloggers,

I have found myself a little bit behind with everything lately. With the sun going down early I feel like I go to bed early, so that does not leave me much time to blog. So I am making it my effort this week to get caught up on everything. I have just got my menu together for the week. It feels like I am over planning food. I just set a meal for each day of the week but I think that atleast one day I have to plan for leftover night. I even take leftovers for my lunch everyday. Anyways, I hoping everyone is enjoying their cool Fall nights..Pictures and everything will be post and up to date this week

Cake Pops

HEalthy Protein Cookie Dough

1 Tbsp natural peanut butter (could also use almond butter)

1/2 scoop (15 grams) chocolate or vanilla whey protein powder

1 tsp agave nectar syrup (or honey)

2 tsp raisins

2 tsp mini chocolate chips

1/4 cup quick oats

1 Tbsp unsweetened almond breeze (or milk of choice)

In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, protein powder & agave until almost combined. Add in chocolate chips, raisins, oats & stir. Add almond breeze (or milk) to help bring it all together into a dough. Enjoy as is (cookie dough!), or place in plastic wrap to form into a bar & refrigerate or freeze for later.

Spaghetti Squash

2 cups marinara sauce

3 cups cooked roasted spaghetti squash

1 cup part skim ricotta

8 tsp parmesan cheese

6 oz part skim shredded mozzarella (I used Sargento)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°.

In four individual 5 x 7-inch oven safe baking dishes, ladle 1/4 cup quick marinara sauce on the bottom of each dish. Top each with 3/4 cup of cooked spaghetti squash and spread evenly. Top each with 1/4 cup ricotta.

Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of grated parmesan cheese and .75 oz mozzarella on each. Add the remaining sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 15 - 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges begin to bubble; uncover and cook an additional 5 minutes.

Weekly Menu

It is Sunday and our daughter's 4th birthday. It has been an wonderful day. We started off with a light breakfast, headed to Trader Joe's and then a awesome hike with Auntie Lyss. Aryana requested a nice hike and we were very impressed she walked 2.62 miles today. I think for a 4 year that is very good. I decided today that Roman and I exposing Aryana to exercise and enjoying hikes etc is only going to put her in a great position in the future. With that being said I have the menu planned for the week or at least til Wednesday this week. Towards the end of last week we had most leftovers then we thought. So Some of the meals are carried over from last week.

October 16-22

Sunday: Peanut Chicken (in crockpot now and smells so good)

Monday: Pineapple/White Bean Chicken

Tuesday: Vegetable/Chickpea Curry

Wednesday: Meatloaf

Thursday: Butternut Squash Soup and Steamed Veggies

Yesterday I did do some baking .... I FINALLY CONQUERED THE CAKE POPS. After a couple of attempts and I did it. Very cute. Aryana's school has Craft Fair this week so I am making a couple of things to provide treats for the school. Pear/Apple muffins, Banana Pumpkin Bread and a brownie.

Thought for the Day

Being"Skinny" is about good health. Being "Skinny" is about making better choices about what you eat. Being " Skinny" is about being the best you can be by taking proper care of the body you live in.

Here is to a Healthy, Happy Week.

Mid Week Menu

Since we have been very busy, my blog has been put on the back burner. However I am back and organized more then every.

Wednesday: Tilapia Fish with steamed veggies

Thursday: Spaghetti Squash Cassserole

Friday: Sloppy Joes

Saturday: Peanut Chicken

Sunday: Pineapple/White Bean

Snacks: Protein Bars and Cranberry, Pumpkin Bars

Bates Nut Farm

What was I thinking, day after birthday party going to the pumpkin patch... I thought I was super mom, we were all so excited to go, however it was hot and crowded... CROWDED. I thought that we went early enough in the month that it was not going to be too crazy, nope it was packed. However we still manage to have fun, it was just a shorter trip. The rule was the kids had to be able to pick up their pumpkin and actually carry it to purchase it. My suggestion if going to Bates Nut Farm, in Valley Center go during the week. When we left around 12 the line to get in was over 2 miles long with cars..

Aryana's Birthday Party

Well, I am happy to report that Aryana's birthday party was a total success. It is priceless to see my daughter's eyes light up in excitement when all eyes are on her for the day. We are very fortunate to have many friends and family that were with us to celebrate. We approximately had 25 kids and then parents. Let me tell you after the party I was exhausted but worth it. Here are some pictures.

To keep to the pink and black theme.

I did cookies and cream cupcakes, pink lemonade and chocolate dipped pretzels.

Thought of the Day= Control you Kitchen, Control your life

In homes full of growing kids or teens who can afford more calories while whining for kid-friendly dishes, or in homes with a hungry, man sitting across the table from you, “bulk up” your dinners sometime with extra sides that you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. Seriously.

So no more excuses, even if your kids, husband, wife or partner insist on eating mounds of questionable food night and day. Control your kitchen, control your life. Bulk it up without bulking up the numbers on your scale. It makes for happy households and healthy bodies.

Make your dinner a lean protein entrée, along with a choice of whole-grain carb, rice, pasta or potato side, and tons of vegetables. Then you know that you have provided a nutritional meal. If they want to chomp down extra sides or inhale a loaf of unappetizing white bread, have at it!

Tomatoes/Spinach/Cheese Quiche

My week of cooking was a little different this week for a couple of reasons. I doing some last minute things for Aryana's birthday party and the weather was gloomy so unfortunately all my motivation was not in the kitchen. However, I did pull off some really good meals that were quick and easy and most importantly got the stamp of approval for my family. On Thursday I did not put anything in the crockpot nor did I go to the store, so when I got home I thought what can I put together that is healthy, fresh and simple..

Tomatoes, spinach, and cheese Quiche

I had grape tomatoes that needed to be used.

8-10 grape tomatoes (sliced or cut up)

Fresh Spinach (sauteed in pan prior) I used a good amount

Parmesan Cheese

Pie Crust (I did not have enough time to make my own)

4 Egg Whites

Salt and Pepper to taste (I did not use any)

Line the pie crust with parmesan cheese then put the spinach on top of cheese. Blend the 4 egg whites in a bowl before pouring them on top of the spinach. Then on the top place the tomatoes. Place in oven at 350 for 45 minutes. At the last five minutes I sprinkled a little more cheese on the top.

So I put the meal on the dinner table and my husband said what is this, I said a quiche his immediate response, gross. I said please try it. So he did and needless to say the whole quiche was gone he loved it..

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

So I have to say my favorite recipe this week was my pumpkin chili. My pumpkin obsession is taking over. I texted my older sister who also likes pumpkin and said I bet my fingers will turn orange do to all the pumpkin I am eating. And trust me it can happen because my older sister, sorry Allison it happened too. It was funny.

So if you looking for a fun recipe for this weekend here is it:

1 lb of turkey meat (which I also brown first)

1 onion chopped

1 yellow pepper (chopped)

1 red pepper (chopped)

1/4 Frank's Red Hot (you can leave this out if you like)

1 cup of Can Pumpkin (could use pumpkin butter as well)

salt and pepper to taste

Cheyenne Pepper (pinch)

Sour cream and cheese on the top after done.

When I brown the turkey meat I like to actually put the onions and peppers in the saute pan as well. If you would like to make your morning simple you can always do this step the night before to make easy.

Put all in crockpot and set on low for 5 hours depending on your actually crockpot.

PS My whole family loved it. My husband and 4 year old were asking for more.

Aryana's Birthday Party

Well, I am so excited I can't sleep. Today is Aryana's birthday party. I have been planning and getting things together for a couple months now. Aryana is finally at an age (which she is turning 4) that to see her face light up as we talk about and prepare for her birthday party is priceless. I am of course, up super early I have the goodies ready, cupcakes bake just need to frosted them, dipped pretzels, cake pops and lots of other goodies. I will post pictures later.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Halloween Decorations

Aryana and I love decorating for any holiday or party. We decide since it was October we could go ahead and enjoy our Halloween decorations. I am one of those people that starts early and collects certain pieces or decorations and continue to add on to that. Aryana being 4, I was not sure if she would like spooky yet, but she did. Most of our items came from some of my favorite store. Michaels, Target and Pier 1 imports.

My cookies and protein bars

Today is Sunday and I usually prepare my foods for the week. I was sad as the charger game was not on however maybe that made me more productive. I ventured to make my own protein bars, as I can eat them everyday and they tend to be expensive. And I made some sweet treats to have around for the week..

Enjoy

Entertainment

It is less then one week away, Aryana's 4th birthday party. I am one of those parents that just loves planning her party and making sure everything is perfect. She had a choice of what the theme was and she picked Hello Kitty. I asked her to pick in July so I could start planning. Guess what I ran with it... LOVE It.. Here is a sneak peak as far as all the other goodies will be posted next week.

Aryana

Well, the day has finally come or should I say night. Aryana had her first "real sleepover." She spent the night at Carter and Campbell's house, which is about 1hr 15 minutes away. Yes she has slept there before but we have been there or grandparents. We were totally fine with it and knew my sister was capable of absolutely anything, but it is just weird to think that she is getting older. I just got the text message that they survived the night great and just getting up now. So what am I going to do with my quiet time this morning.... I have to put away laundry, my favorite, clean the bathroom and then get ready for my Sunday cooking while watching football and of course get a nice run too..

Hope that everyone has a great Sunday. I will be posting much more this afternoon...

Kid Toys

Okay, so we went to Newport today to celebrate Carter's 5th birthday. All I need to say is that boy has every toy under the sun, so it is really difficult to find something new and exciting for him. Well, needless to say my sister and mom have done. If you are looking for something for your child to actually play and entertain themselves. LOOK NO FURTHER....Amazon is the best place to purchase

Magna-Tiles Translucent Colors 100 pieces....(Not cheap) but worth every penny.

http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Tiles-Translucent-Colors-100-pieces/dp/B000CBSNRY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317523342&sr=8-1

Healthy Eating Tip

One of my best secrets merely takes 15 minutes once a week. Typically I do it on the weekends while listening to favorite music or a football game blaring in the background. Intrigued?

I take 5 minutes to chop up a large batch of fresh vegetables and saute it in olive oil in a pan for 10 minutes. Use everything leftover in the refrigerator so nothing is ever wasted. Allow to cool and place in a large storage container in the refrigerator.

Then, when creating omelets for breakfast, whole-wheat wraps for lunch, or large salads for dinner, I take several big handfuls of colorful cooked vegetables to really PLUMP up and volumize my meals.

Staying on the nutritious skinny track is all about the VOLUME! My meals are huge, but it’s with low calorie, high quality extras that are filling and great tasting. Wraps are spilling over, omelets look gigantic, sandwiches and pitas are overstuffed, and my salads look like tall buildings.

More importantly, it adds an incredible extra pop of a sautéed, sweet olive oil flavor to any meal. It’s my decorative skinny icing on the nutrition cake!

Try it this week. You won’t regret those 15 fleeting minutes for the rest of the week.