Teriyaki Chicken

I have always had an issue doing one thing at a time. I like to keep my plate full and our bellies! Tonight we whipped up some Teriyaki Chicken with homemade teriyaki sauce. Sorry I could not get a decent picture of the chicken.

Teriyaki Chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serving Size: 4-6 people

Ingredients:

4 pounds chicken breast
1 cup water
5 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut chicken breasts into thin strips and place on baking sheet. I sprinkled a little bit of garlic salt on each piece.
2. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
3. In a medium saucepan combine the 1 cup water, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger and cook over medium heat.
4. Combine the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water in a small bowl until it dissolves.
5. Add mixture to the saucepan and heat until it thickens.
6. Pour teriyaki sauce over cooked chicken and serve.

We had rice and broccoli with our teriyaki chicken.

Peanut Butter Apple Snacks

I decided to whip up a quick fun snack for them. My kids go wild for red apples and we go through more peanut butter then I could have imagined in a week. I decided to make the snack all their favorite treats...apples with peanut butter spread a crossed and sprinkled with a couple of chocolate chips (I really need to replenish my stock of dark chocolate chips, but the regular ones worked just fine).

Needless to say they were gone before I put the plate down.

BBQ Sauce

Tonight I made a homemade BBQ Sauce that would be good for chicken, shrimp, pork, or anything else you would like to put it on.

 

BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon Tapatio Sauce for regular or 1 tablespoon for spicy
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
1/2 tablespoon mustard
5 tablespoons brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan mix ketchup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Tapatio, and lemon juice.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the remaining ingredients.
4. Turn to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour.

BBQ Shrimp

We made a big feast tonight for dinner before our neighbors had to leave for basketball practice. Our table was filled with macaroni and cheese, cheese broccoli, corn on the cob, garlic knots, BBQ shrimp, and brownies for dessert. Out of a pound of shrimp we only had 6 pieces remaining. We laughed that we should have just finished them, but at least I have a little treat tomorrow for lunch.

I used the same BBQ recipe as the previous post. I decided to post it by itself and with the Shrimp in case you were just looking for the sauce alone or with shrimp.

 

BBQ Shrimp Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour for the sauce and 10-12 minutes for the shrimp
Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Serving Size: 3 people

Ingredients:

1 pound shrimp
2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon Tapatio Sauce for regular or 1 tablespoon for spicy
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
1/2 tablespoon mustard
5 tablespoons brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan mix ketchup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Tapatio, and lemon juice.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the remaining ingredients.
4. Turn to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
6. Remove tails from shrimp and place shrimp on a baking sheet.
7. Place shrimp in oven to cook for 10-12 minutes or until they are fully cooked and pink.
8. Mix cooked shrimp and BBQ sauce in a medium size bowl.
9. Enjoy!

BBQ Sauce Recipe

Cheese Ravioli

Last night we whipped up some homemade ravioli (my oldest daughters favorite food). They are quick and easy to whip up.

I used the homemade marinara sauce to top it off. If you are looking to cook a little quicker you can use your favorite store bought sauce.

Cheese Ravioli Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

26-27 jumbo pasta shells
1 large egg
30 ounces ricotta cheese
2 pinches of salt
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. Cook shells according to packaging instructions to al dente. Once cooked drain and let cool.
2. Preheat oven to 360 degrees.
3. In a medium bowl beat medium egg.
4. Add ricotta cheese and salt to bowl. Mix well.
5. Combine shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped green onions to the bowl. Stir all ingredients until fully mixed.
6. In a 9 x 13 dish spread 1/3 of the mozzarella sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.
7. In the cooled shells fill the centers with the ricotta mixture.
8. Arrange the layers in a single layer on top of the marinara sauce.
9. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells.
10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Check the ravioli at 5 minutes to make sure the shells do not overcook.
12. Enjoy!

Marinara Recipe

Marinara Sauce

My 3 year old son helped me whip up some marinara sauce tonight. He is doing very well with telling me when I have reached the correct measurement and loves to pour the ingredients into whatever we are making that day.

Marinara Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 of a medium white onion
2 tablespoons granulated garlic
1/4 cup basil
2 tablespoons parsley
2 teaspoons oregano
2 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Chop the onion into small pieces.
3. Add the chopped onion to the saucepan and sauté for 5 minutes (they should be translucent and soft).
4. Add garlic and continuously stir for one minute.
5. Add basil, parsley, and oregano and stir continuously for one minute.
6. Pour in the two cans of diced tomatoes, salt and pepper. Stir all the ingredients together until nicely mixed.
7. Mash the diced tomatoes thoroughly and bring the sauce to a boil.
8. When the sauce begins to boil reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
9. Add the balsamic vinegar and stir.
10. Enjoy the sauce!

Happy Tuesday

They both make me very proud because they love school and put there all into it. I am one lucky mom!

Their lunches had ham macaroni salad, fruit salad (cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries), cottage cheese, organic apple sauce, and carrots or celery. They took trail mix for their afternoon snack.

Ham Macaroni Salad Recipe

Chocolate Lave Cake

My son and I secretly made lava cake today while the girls were doing their homework. They did not even know that it was in the crock pot until I served them. I love when we can have fun little surprises that bring a smile to everyone (and their bellies).

This dessert is prefect with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge!

 

Chocolate Lava Brownie
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes - 3 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 box chocolate cake mix (I used Betty Crocker super moist dark chocolate cake mix)
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 Jell-O instant sugar-free chocolate pudding (3.9 oz)
2 cups milk
1 bag of dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Line 3 - 4 quart crock pot with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl mix together cake mix, 1 1/4 cups milk, vegetable oil and eggs for 3 minutes or until well mixed.
3. Pour cake mix into lined crock pot.
4. In a medium bowl mix instant pudding and 2 cups of milk for 4 minutes.
5. Pour pudding on top of cake mix. Do not stir!!
6. Sprinkle the bag of dark chocolate chips on top of the pudding. Do not stir!!
7. Cover the crock pot and cook for 2 hours and 30 minutes. *Some crock pots cook a little slower so it may take up to 3 hours and 30 minutes.*
8. Enjoy! Top it off with your favorite ice cream and toppings!

Brownie Cookies

I believe that I have mentioned that we love brownies in this house. Tonight the thought of brownies sounded delicious, but I wanted a different twist on it. I whipped up some brownie cookies and now the house smells amazing!

My girlfriend wasn't home to be my taste tester, so I dropped a plate off to her husband. I hope there is still one left for her in the morning...he was letting all the neighborhood kids try them.

Brownie Cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup Nestle cocoa powder
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup softened unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 package chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl stir together Nestle cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Then set aside.
3. In a large bowl beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, then blend well.
5. Pour half of the cocoa / flour mixture in at a time. Ensure that it is fully mixed.
6. Stir in the bag of chocolate chips.
7. On a baking sheet place rounded one inch balls of dough.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool on a baking raking.
10. Enjoy with a glass of cold milk!

Health School Lunches

I use to have a pantry full of prepackaged food that was quick and easy for me to whip up a lunch. I thought I was helping my family out because I could be done in a jiffy or they could easily get something when they were hungry. It took a long time for me to realize that I was just throwing away my money, my kids were coming home hungry from school, and I wasn't showing them the benefit of proper eating.

It has now been 2 years since I cleared out our pantry and started fresh. I am not saying there is no junk food in our home...we just made major changes. The shelf that use to have 10 different styles of Doritos chips now has barkTHINS, Snapeas Crisps, and one bag of tortilla chips. Our baskets that use to hold granola bars and gummies now have pretzels, a variety of nuts, and edamames. We use to have an abundance of cereals because I could get them for $0.50-$1, but now we have dwindled them down to a few. Yes, we still have fun kids cereals, but we also have a variety of flavors of Cheerios (Chocolate, Peanut Butter, etc). My baking shelves have gone from prepackaged goodies to ingredients for us to make them from scratch.

We didn't just revamp our pantry we also cleared out the fridge to make room for fruits and vegetables the children like (and the adults). I am slowly trying different fruits and vegetables with them in hopes to find a larger variety they will eat. We branched off to Almond Milk for the 2 younger kids. My daughter I think enjoys it because it is already premade chocolate milk and my son is lactose intolerant. We also purchase one container of carb free milk every 2 weeks for him to be able to enjoy cereal. Our cheese drawer seems to keep multiplying with new flavors (we always have cheddar for the little man).

It may not sound like much, but these small steps have really changed our lives. My kids are healthier, the girls come home from school with full bellies that last until dinner time, they all have more energy (ok sometimes this is a negative for us moms), and the girls have told me countless stories about kids trying to trade them junk food for their healthy food. Who would have thought that children actually enjoy eating properly?

I am so proud of them for joining me in becoming healthier. I know the first week of no chips and gummies was a little traumatizing, but they have not complained since then.

As a family we will continue on our journey to live healthy lives! Yes, we splurge with homemade treats, but they no longer control our lives or our bank account.

Today in our Anna & Elsa and Pink Plaid lunch boxes the girls took peanut butter and honey sandwiches with carrots and celery, apples and grapes, applesauce, Babybel cheese, and a Halo orange. For a snack they took 5 yogurt covered cranberries with cinnamon roasted almonds.

Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Chicken - Crockpot Recipe

Well, once again my 3 year old son climbed on top of the island and helped me whip up a delicious meal for our family. He loves to pour all the ingredients in and stir. I can not complain he is an amazing helper.

I have to say this recipe came out mouth watering! I can not wait to eat the left overs tomorrow for lunch!

Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Chicken - Crockpot Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 - 6 hours depending on your crock pot
Serving Size: 4 - 6 people

Ingredients:

2 pounds chicken breast
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Mix together sage, salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.
2. Pour 1/2 cup water in slow cooker. Place chicken breast in slow cooker and sprinkle the seasonings over the top of the chicken breasts.
3. Cook 3 - 5 hours on low.
4. At the 3rd - 5th hour (depending on your slow cooker) in a small sauce pan mix together the brown sugar, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, water and soy sauce over medium heat for 4 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
5. Pour the brown sugar glaze all over the chicken breasts and cook for an additional hour.
6. Shred into pieces and enjoy!