29.11.10

Meal Planner


Life gets so busy at this time of the year!

Most days I'm feeling frazzled, beyond busy and unorganized and as a result I find myself eating ice cream out of its container and calling it dinner.

This meal planner is a great freebie and a great way to begin a new (and potentially healthy), organized week.

Meal planning is great because you can plan for busy days, you will eat a variety of meals and you will save money.

While this meal planner won't give me the self control to step away from my favorite ice cream I can at least plan to have a salad on the night I'm going to indulge in some decadent dessert!

To download a full size of the image above, click here for further instructions.

Enjoy!

Created by graphic designer Alma @ Ollibird.

10.11.10

Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili


As we've previously established, pumpkin is one of the best things about fall.

Exhibit A: This chili (... and these and these).

And, this is another recipe made it the slow cooker; my new best friend.

The pumpkin in the recipe makes the consistency thick and creamy. The pumpkin flavor is quite subtle but gives the entire dish a subtle sweetness that's incredibly tasty.

This is delicious, healthy* and perfect for warming up on these brisk fall days we are enjoying right now!


Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili {Slow Cooker}
Adapted from: Taste Of Home

Ingredients

2 medium onion, chopped
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped
2 zucchini, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups low sodium Chicken Broth
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 package of ground turkey
1 can solid-pack pumpkin
1 can diced tomatoes, un-drained
3 teaspoons chili powder
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large skillet, saute the onion, yellow pepper in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker; stir in the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until heated through.

*1 cup equals 192 calories, 5 g of fat, 7 g of fiber and 16 g of protein.




Add sour cream, avocado or shredded cheddar cheese and enjoy!


4.11.10

Better-Than-Crack Brownies


 Okay, stop licking your computer screen....


...seriously, it can't be healthy!

I have no words.

But, I'll try to convey my love for these to you.

I'm sold on a recipes picture. Aren't we all? We see it, we want to eat it, we make it. Well, I saw these, read the list of ingredients and knew I had to make them. Immediately.

Give me a brownie and I'm happy.

But give me a brownie with pieces of peanut butter cups, topped with Rice Krispies mixed with melted chocolate and peanut butter and I'm in sugar heaven.

Unless your middle name is Will-Power prepare yourself to be seriously addicted. These are sinfully delicious. 

But, like Jessica, from How Sweet It Is says, it's all in the name of chocolate!

Amen.


Better-Than-Crack Brownies
Adapted from: How Sweet It Is

Ingredients

1 batch brownies (boxed mix)
1/2 cup salted peanuts (if don’t have salted, add sea salt)
1 cup chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
1 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 tablespoon butter
3 cups Rice Krispies Cereal

Directions

Mix brownies according to directions, and bake for 20-25 minutes in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Remove from the oven and top with chopped peanuts and peanut butter cups and bake for 4-6 minutes.

While they are finishing baking, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Stir in cereal. Remove brownies from oven and evenly pour chocolate mixture over top. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.


These really are as good as they look!

1.11.10

Sweet & Sour Chicken {Slow Cooker}


I love my slow cooker.

Like, love... a lot.

It completely simplifies my life. (Especially since my cooking skills aren't quite to par with my baking abilities. Shh).

In this recipe the tender, juicy, shredded chicken soaks up all the flavors the sweet and tangy sauce provides. This tasted wonderful served over rice with a side of veggies.

This will definitely be made again. I mean, a meal that requires five minutes of prep and tasted marvelous, how could I not?

Enjoy!


Sweet & Sour Chicken {Slow Cooker}
Adapted from: My Kitchen Cafe

Ingredients

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 onion, diced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 cup low-sodium beef broth

Direction

In a large skillet, heat the butter/olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook them for 1-2 minutes on each side, until nicely browned but not cooked all the way through. Remove the chicken to the slow cooker. In a large bowl, combine all the other ingredients. Whisk well. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours. Serve with rice or noodles.

Related Posts with Thumbnails