18 Posts are tagged with: meals_for_the_family 1 2 Previous Next

Bringing Back Family Night One Week at a Time

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Oct 15, 2009 by Amy B.

Every day, more and more families lose part of their household income. This means that some of the things families have taken for granted over the years are suddenly out of the question. Take football tickets for instance. When a household income is suddenly cut, it can be impossible for a family to afford season tickets. Thankfully, there are many inexpensive ways for your family to enjoy football night without spending a fortune.

First of all, if your family simply enjoys football, why not go watch local high school football games? Not only are these games more affordable, but it's fun to support a local team. Plus, many high schools charge less than $10 per ticket. High school students can even get in at a discounted price. Not to mention that the snacks are more affordable.

When times are tough, don't forget that some of the best games can be watched through satellite and are included in the price you're already paying. For special games, you may have to pay to see them on pay-per-view, but if the game is really important, everyone can pool their money together to pay for it.

If times are really tough, you can also listen to games on the radio or sometimes watch them online. If you're looking for a game that isn't local, satellite radio is a good option. You can even find online radio broadcasts by visiting the team's website.

As you can see, there are a number of different ways for your family to enjoy their favorite football games for less money. Best of all, you can prepare snacks at home for a fraction of the cost that the stadiums charge. Let's take a look at what I mean.

Stadium Snacks for a Family of Four"
Hot Dogs $24
Drinks $12
Popcorn $10
Total: $46

Snacks at Home"
Hot Dogs $10
Drinks $2
Popcorn $4
Total: $16

That's a huge savings. Not to mention, that you'll never miss a play heading to the snack bar.

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Saving Money in the Kitchen: Buffalo Chicken and Onion Rollups

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Sep 21, 2009 by Amy B.

When you're on a budget, a birthday party can seem extremely expensive. This is especially true if the birthday party is hosted outside the home. Everything from a cake to the meal can cost a fortune when celebrating at a local restaurant. Instead of spending a fortune on birthday parties, why not save some money in the kitchen and make your own birthday cake and party foods?

A restaurant meal is a special way to celebrate a birthday. But, making someone their favorite meal from scratch means so much more. That's especially true if it's a meal you don't make very often because it's expensive or time consuming. This is the perfect way to celebrate when only a few people will be coming over.

If a lot of people will be attending the party, food plattersare a wonderful idea. As always, you will definitely save money by putting platters together yourself. You will also save more money the more you have to do. For example, instead of buying cheese cubes, buy large blocks of cheese and cut them yourself.

The most important part of any birthday party is of course the cake. Just because you'll be making the cake at home doesn't mean you have to go with a mix. In fact, making a cake from scratch is much more affordable. Not to mention that they taste a lot better. There are literally hundreds of recipes online.

Speaking of recipes, the following recipe is great for entertaining.

Buffalo Chicken and Onion Rollups
Serves 20

1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken, cooked and shredded
10 burrito sized tortillas
8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
½ package of ranch dressing mix
Buffalo wing sauce
1 cup of chopped green onions

1. Toss the shredded chicken with enough buffalo wing sauce to make it moist.
2. Mix the softened cream cheese with the ranch dressing mix and spread onto the tortillas.
3. Top with green onions and roll.
4. Cut each roll into five pieces and serve on a large platter.

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Saving Money in the Kitchen: Cheesecake Hearts

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Sep 7, 2009 by Amy B.

The kids have gone back to school and the parents finally have a bit of time for themselves. Unfortunately, the economy has made it hard to go out for an expensive night on the town. That's not a problem though. This weekend, send the kids to grandma's house and enjoy a romantic dinner at home while saving money in the kitchen.

Why spend close to $100 at an expensive restaurant when you could create a romantic dinner at home? The truth is that not only will you save money, but you can also create a romantic atmosphere at home. In fact, a dinner at home allows for much more romance than any restaurant ever could.

First of all, decorate the dining space for the special occasion. If you don't have a fancy tablecloth, use a white sheet tied at the corners with ribbon. Place candles on the table and break out the good china. You could also add fresh flowers.

Now that the mood of the room is set, it's time to think about the menu. You can't go wrong with steak, but another romantic option is Cornish game hens. They are perfect served with wild rice and roasted asparagus. Of course, what would dinner be without a romantic dessert?

Cheesecake Hearts
1 frozen plain cheesecake, thawed
6 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon shortening
Whipped cream
Strawberries

1. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut the cheesecake into hearts.
2. Freeze the cheesecake.
3. Mix the chocolate chips and shortening together and melt in a double boiler.
4. Dip the frozen hearts into the melted chocolate.
5. Place the hearts in the refrigerator until firm or ready to serve.
6. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

A romantic dinner doesn't have to cost a fortune. In fact, this menu could be prepared for less than $40. And it truly is a great way to ring in the back to school season.

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Saving Money in the Kitchen: Breakfast at Home

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Aug 10, 2009 by Amy B.

Do you never have time to fix breakfast at home? If this is the case you probably turn to fast food restaurants to get your morning meal, but have you considered how much this costs? At $5 per day, Monday-Friday, that's $25 a week or $1,300 per year! That's quite an expense. What if you could enjoy breakfast at home and cut the costs, while still enjoying a quick meal? This week, let's discuss kicking the fast food habit and fixing a quick breakfast at home.

If you enjoy pancakes, French toast, or even waffles, you can easily enjoy them at home, while saving money. You can purchase these items already frozen at the grocery store, but if you want to spend pennies per serving, make them yourself and then freeze them. Then all you have to do is pop them in the microwave or toaster and you've got a quick meal.

If you need something that you can take with you in the car, it's also quite easy to make breakfast sandwiches at home. All you have to do is bake a batch of biscuits the night before and the next day heat up pre-cooked sausage patties, top with cheese, and place on the biscuit. Of course, if you want something healthy, you can also prepare a fruit salad the night before. The leftover fruit salad could be layered with yogurt and granola to create a gourmet parfait later in the week.

This week, why not try a quick breakfast sandwich made from this recipe?

Minute Steak, Sautéed Onions, and Cheese Sandwiches
Serves 4

2 minute steaks, cut in half
1 onion, finely chopped
Olive oil
4 slices of American cheese
4 croissants

1. Cook the minute steak and onions in olive oil over medium-high heat until cooked through.
2. Top each croissant with steak, onions, and a slice of cheese.
3. Wrap in wax paper and enjoy at work or on the go.

A quick meal doesn't have to be expensive. As with most meals, you can always save money by preparing them in your own kitchen.

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Bringing Back Family Night: Homemade Steak Dinners

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Jun 25, 2009 by Amy B.

Do you love to take your family out for steaks on Friday night, but feel your budget getting tighter and tighter? Then why not fix steaks at home? With the wonderful warm weather, right now is the perfect time to enjoy family night at home. You can break out the grill and create a delicious steak dinner that costs a fraction of what you would pay at the steakhouse. This week, we'll discuss how you and your family can enjoy a delicious steak dinner in the comfort of your own home.

The typical trip to a steakhouse for a family of four can really add up. In fact, even eating at a steakhouse chain can be quite expensive.

4 sirloin steak dinner $48
4 drinks $8
4 desserts $12

Total $$68

That's quite a large total when you're trying to live on a budget and even a buffet restaurant costs around $48 for a family of four. Thankfully, you can prepare a delicious, high quality meal for a much smaller price.

4 (8 ounce) sirloin steaks $10
4 baking potatoes $4
Sour Cream and Butter $4
Salad Mix $4
Salad Dressing $3
Rolls $4
Bakery dessert $6

Total: $31

The truth is you could even afford to serve rib eye steaks if you wanted. You'll always save money when you prepare your own meals. If you want to save even more money, consider stocking up when steaks go on sale and stashing them in the freezer.

You can make this a special meal by cooking and eating outside or even incorporating other family night activities into the evening. You could play music, have a movie marathon, or even break out some fun games. The fun part apart about having family night at home is being able to be with your family. You can be as loud as you want and do what you want. Best of all, you don't have to a leave a tip.

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Meal Options for the Family: Spring Meals

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May 4, 2009 by Amy B.

Spring has sprung and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious meal? A meal containing fresh ingredients with loads of flavor is just what you need to tackle all that spring cleaning. More importantly, the meal needs to be quick to prepare, while still being healthy. Never fear, I have just the recipe to satisfy your cravings and your needs. Plus, there's even a tasty dessert recipe included.

Chicken or Beef Stir Fry
Serves 4

Olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound of chicken or beef stir fry meat
8 ounces of sugar snap peas
1 large green pepper, cut into strips
1 large red pepper, cut into strips
1 large onion, cut into strips
4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

1. Heat the olive oil and garlic in a wok or large skillet. Be sure to keep the garlic moving though or it could burn.
2. Toss in the meat and cook until almost cooked through. It shouldn't take more than 5 to 10 minutes because the meat is thinly sliced.
3. Add the vegetables and cook until desired texture is achieved and the meat is cooked through. The vegetables should be crisp and not mushy to retain most of their nutrients.
4. Add soy sauce and toss to coat.
5. Serve with brown rice.

Mandarin Dessert Salad
Serves 8 to 10

8 ounce container of fat-free whipped topping, thawed
14 ounce can of fat-free sweetened condensed milk
2 (15 ounce) cans of mandarin orange segments, packed in water
8 ounces of slivered almonds

1. Fold together the whipped topping and sweetened condensed milk.
2. Drain the mandarin oranges and fold into the whipped topping and sweetened condensed milk.
3. Fold in the almond and refrigerator at least 2 hours.

With a little bit of prep time, and some fresh ingredients, you can prepare a meal that's healthy and satisfying. Best of all, you'll even have time to prepare dessert. What more could you ask for, besides a maid to do all that spring cleaning?

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Meal Options for the Family: Picnic Time!

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Apr 6, 2009 by Amy B.

Warmer weather brings to mind the visions of picnics. Who wouldn't want to escape to a lakeside getaway for the afternoon? Unfortunately, even on the weekend, this isn't always possible for busy families. After all, you have to get the food ready, make the trip, plan activities, etc. But, if you have a simple menu everything else seems to fall into place. This week we'll discuss a picnic menu that takes minutes to prepare.

Tuna and White Bean Salad
Serves 4

2 cans of solid white albacore tuna, drained
1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed
1 small red onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
½ cup of green olives, chopped
¼ pound fresh mozzarella, cubed
½ cup fat-free Italian dressing

1. Toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl and chill until ready to pack your picnic basket.
2. Serve with crusty French bread.

Stone Fruit with Honey Mint Dressing
Serves 4

4 peaches, sliced
4 red plums, sliced
4 black plums, sliced
4 apricots, sliced
½ cup honey
¼ cup lemon juice
½ tablespoon of mint, chopped fine

1. Place the fruit in a sealable bowl and mix the last three ingredients to form a dressing.
2. Top the fruit with the dressing and chili until ready to pack.

Both of these recipes can be made the night before the picnic. All you have to do is freeze a few water bottles and store them in the picnic basket so that they keep your food cold. Don't forget to also pack some juice boxes for the kids and maybe a bottle of sparkling wine for you and your spouse. To make things even easier, pack the salad and fruit in single serve containers. Also, you can hold off on adding the dressing to the fruit to see if your children like it or not.

A picnic doesn't have to be a long, drawn out affair. You can quickly prepare delicious recipes that are healthy and make for wonderful picnic fare.

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Meal Options for the Family: Getting Iron in your Diet

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Mar 2, 2009 by Amy B.

Iron is an essential ingredient in a healthy lifestyle. While you can find iron in lean cuts of beef and in beans, another good source is dark green vegetables. Vegetables such as broccoli and spinach are great sources of iron. Unfortunately, that bit of information isn't enough to make your kids come running to the table. No, you have to be tricky when it comes to getting your children to eat these foods. Thankfully, there are recipes that do just the trick.

Broccoli and Cheese Stuffed "Fried" Chicken
Serves 4

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups of finely chopped broccoli
1 cup of 2-percent shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup light or fat-free mayonnaise
4 egg whites, beaten
2 to 3 cups of crushed cornflakes
½ tablespoon of Cajun seasoning

1. Use a knife to create a pocket in each breast.
2. Mix the broccoli, cheese and mayonnaise together and stuff into the chicken.
3. Use wet wooden skewers or toothpicks to close the pockets.
4. Dip the chicken breasts in the egg whites.
5. Mix the crushed cornflakes and Cajun seasoning together and thoroughly coat the breasts in the mixture.
6. Spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and then spray the tops of the breasts.
7. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until cooked through.
8. Serve with a side salad and brown rice.

Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Pizza
Serves 4 to 6

Whole wheat pizza crust
1 cup of low-fat or fat-free Alfredo sauce
10-ounce box of frozen spinach, thawed
2 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella
2 six-ounce packages of grilled chicken strips
1 medium red onion, chopped

1. Spread the pizza crust with Alfredo sauce.
2. Wring the water from the spinach and scatter across the sauce.
3. Top with cheese, chicken and red onions.
4. Bake according to the crust directions.

These aren't the types of meals that send kids running for the door. In fact, these are the kinds of recipes that encourage them to clean their plates.

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Meals for the Family: Introducing Salmon to the Kids

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Jan 19, 2009 by Amy B.

Salmon is a great source of heart healthy fat. While you may enjoy salmon sautéed in olive oil with a side of steamed vegetables, your children may turn their noses up at this healthy meal. Thankfully, there are ways to make salmon more appealing to children. The key is use salmon to prepare foods and recipes they already love.

Salmon Sticks
Serves 4
1 pound of thick salmon filets
1 cup of flour
4 egg whites, beaten
2 cups of bread crumbs
2 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix
Cooking spray

1. Cut the salmon into sticks about 2 inches long and half an inch wide.
2. Place the flour and egg whites in separate shallow dishes.
3. In a third shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs with the ranch dressing mix.
4. Dip the salmon sticks in the flour, then the egg whites and the seasoned bread crumbs.
5. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and place the sticks in a single layer. Spray with additional cooking spray and bake at 400 degrees until cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes.
6. Turn the sticks halfway through the cooking process.
7. Serve with a salad or baked French fries.

Salmon Tacos
Serves 4
1 pound of salmon, deboned and trimmed of skin
½ teaspoon of cumin
½ teaspoon of chili powder
1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon of sea salt
Olive oil
Whole wheat tortillas
Shredded lettuce
Salsa

1. In a small bowl, mix the spices together and sprinkle them onto the salmon.
2. Coat the bottom of a large skillet with olive oil and sauté salmon until cooked through and browned on both sides.
3. Use two forks to break apart the salmon and then top each tortilla with a ¼ of the salmon.
4. Top with lettuce, tomatoes and salsa.
5. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

These recipes are only a starting point for introducing your children to salmon. Play around with this wonderful ingredient and discover more recipes your children will love. As they get older, they'll be more apt to eat salmon on salads and even by itself.

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Recipes for the Family: Change Up Your Winter Menu

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Jan 5, 2009 by Amy B.

Winter family meals don't always have to be loaded with calories and carbs. Warm up everyone in your household with these tasty yet simple recipes.

Creamy Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
Serves 8 to 10

5 pounds russet potatoes
1 to 2 cups fat-free buttermilk
Sea salt, to taste
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Chives, to taste
½ cup low-fat parmesan cheese

1. Boil the potatoes until fork tender.
2. Mash the potatoes with enough buttermilk to make the potatoes slightly runny.
3. Stir in the seasonings and chives.
4. Pour the potatoes into a casserole dish, top with parmesan cheese, and bake at 350 degrees until the top becomes golden brown.
Note: You can mash these potatoes ahead of time and then bake them when you're ready to serve.

Broccoli Roasted with Garlic and Onions
Serves 8

4 large bunches of broccoli, trimmed and prepped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 large red onions, cut into thin rings
½ cup olive oil
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Sea salt, to taste

1. Toss the broccoli, garlic and onions with olive oil and seasonings.
2. Spread the mixture out on a large cookie sheet.
3. Roast at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until desired texture is achieved.
Note: You can use bags of fresh broccoli florets if you are short on time.


Also don't forget to make simple changes, such as serving whole wheat rolls.

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Recipes For The Family: Meatless Meals

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Dec 1, 2008 by Amy B.

You don't have to be a vegetarian to understand the importance of meatless meals. You also don't have to choke down tofu in order to enjoy the benefits of a meatless meal. Meat-free meals are packed with nutrition, are affordable to prepare and can be prepared quickly. What's not to love? The following are just a few recipes to get you started.

Spicy Egg Burritos
Serves 4
1 cup of egg substitute
4 ounces of pepper jack cheese, shredded
2 - 4 tablespoons of pickled jalapenos, sliced
2 cups of chili beans, heated
4 whole wheat tortillas
8 tablespoons of reduced-fat sour cream

1. Cook the egg substitute according to the package directions.
2. Right before the eggs are done, add the cheese and jalapenos.
3. Heat the tortillas in the microwave under a damp paper towel for 30 to 60 seconds or until softened.
4. Top the tortillas with the eggs, beans and sour cream.
5. Fold the sides of the tortilla in and roll.
6. Serve with salsa for dipping.

Mexican Bean Pizza
Serves 4-6
1 whole wheat pizza crust
1 large can of fat-free refried beans
1 cup of Mexican cheese blend
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 cups of shredded lettuce
1 cup of salsa
½ cup of reduced-fat sour cream

1. Top the pizza crust with the refried beans and cheese.
2. Bake according to the package directions or until cheese has melted.
3. Top with tomatoes, lettuce, salsa and sour cream.
4. Serve immediately.

Green Beans with New Potatoes
Serves 8
2-pound bag of frozen green beans
16 small new potatoes
½ cup of garlic infused olive oil
½ cup water

1. Boil the green beans for 5 minutes and drain.
2. Toss the green beans with new potatoes and olive oil.
3. Pour water into a slow cooker followed by the beans and potatoes.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours.
5. Serve with whole wheat rolls.

Meatless meals don't have to be boring. They also don't have to strain your pocketbook.

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Recipes For The Family: Thanksgiving Leftovers!

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Nov 24, 2008 by Amy B.

Let's face it. In a few days, you'll be faced with pounds of leftover turkey. While you could serve it with the traditional Thanksgiving sides, over and over again, you know that's not healthy. Thankfully, there are hundreds of healthy ways to serve leftover turkey. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started.

Hot Open-Faced Turkey Sandwiches
Serves 4
This makes a great, quick lunch after hitting all those Black Friday sales. If you don't have time to prepare dressing, use some of the leftovers.

  • 1 pound of leftover turkey breast, skinned and shredded
  • 1 jar of turkey gravy
  • Fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 8 pieces of whole wheat bread, toasted
  • 2 cups of prepared, low-fat dressing mix

1. Place the turkey and gravy in a saucepan, season with pepper and heat over medium-high heat until bubbly.
2. Top each slice of toasted bread with ¼ cup of the dressing.
3. Top with the turkey and gravy and serve.

The Leftover Turkey Salad
Serves 4
This recipe takes advantage of cooked leftovers and some of the extra ingredients you may have leftover, such as celery and pecans.

  • One 4 x 4-inch square of leftover dressing
  • 8 cups of romaine lettuce
  • 4 stalks of celery, cleaned and sliced
  • 1 cup of pecans, toasted
  • 1 pound of turkey breast, skinned and chopped into bite sized pieces
  • Salad dressing of your choice

1. Cut the dressing into bite sized cubes and toast in the oven until golden brown and crispy.
2. In the meantime, combine the lettuce and celery in a large bowl.
3. Top with pecans, turkey, dressing croutons and salad dressing.
4. Serve with leftover rolls.

Don't let the day after Thanksgiving be the beginning of a free for all that lasts until New Year's. Instead, turn those leftovers into healthy meals that are quick and easy. After all, who wants to spend the day slaving away when they could be shopping or hanging ornaments on the Christmas tree?

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Meals For The Family: Classic Casseroles

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Nov 17, 2008 by Amy B.

Is there anything more satisfying than a casserole on a cool evening? Not only are casseroles the perfect comfort food, but they're also extremely easy to make. In only a few minutes, you can prepare a casserole and help the kids with their homework. Thirty minutes to an hour later, you'll have a delicious meal that your entire family will enjoy. Here are a couple recipes to help get you started.

Lean Beef and Vegetable Pasta Bake
Serves 4

  • 1 pound of 93-percent lean ground beef
  • Fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Olive oil
  • 2 green peppers, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
  • 2 tablespoons, minced garlic
  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 16-ounce jar of organic pasta sauce
  • 4 ounces of 2-percent mozzarella cheese

1. Cook ground beef and season to taste.
2. In the meantime, cook the vegetables and garlic in olive oil until slightly tender.
3. Boil pasta according to package directions.
4. Combine the meat, vegetables, sauce and pasta. Pour into an 8-inch dish that has been coated with cooking spray.
5. Top with cheese and bake at 400 degrees until the cheese is browned and bubbly.
6. Serve with whole wheat garlic bread and a side salad.

Chicken Mushroom Casserole
Serves 4

  • 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • Olive oil
  • 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup of frozen pearl onions, thawed
  • 1 jar of chicken gravy
  • 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
  • Fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 refrigerated pie crust

1. Cook chicken in a skillet until cooked through and cut into bite-size pieces.
2. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil.
3. Combine the chicken, mushrooms, onions, gravy and seasonings.
4. Pour a quarter of the mixture into four large, oven-safe coffee mugs.
5. Roll out the prepared crust and use a large cookie cutter or paring knife to cut four circles of crust.
6. Top the mugs with the crust and bake at 350 degrees until the crust is golden brown.

Skip the long drawn out meals and let your casserole do the work.

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Meals For The Family: Italian Inspired Dishes

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Nov 3, 2008 by Amy B.

When you think of Italian food, what comes to mind? You may think of cheesy, meaty lasagna or a large plate of spaghetti. Both sound delicious and are a big hit with kids, but they can be a bit high in carbs and calories. This doesn't mean that every Italian dish has to be loaded with calories. There are ways to create delicious Italian inspired meals that are actually quite healthy. Best of all, your kids won't turn their noses up in disgust.

Veggie Spaghetti
Serves 4

  • 1 spaghetti squash
  • Olive oil
  • 16 ounces of sliced mushrooms
  • 2 large onions, sliced
  • 1 large bell pepper, sliced
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • 16-ounce jar of organic pasta sauce
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
2. Bake skin side up for 30 to 40 minutes or until fork tender.
3. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in olive oil and season with salt after they've taken on color.
4. In another skillet, season the onions and bell pepper with salt and sauté in olive oil.
5. Combine the vegetables with the sauce and heat through.
6. When the squash is done, scrape the flesh to create strands that resemble spaghetti.
7. Top the squash with veggie sauce and parmesan cheese.
8. Serve with whole wheat garlic bread.

Whole Wheat Garlic Bread
Serves 4


  • ½ loaf of whole wheat Italian or French bread
  • Olive oil
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1. Cut the bread in half lengthwise and brush with olive oil.
2. Broil until the bread is golden brown.
3. Cut the garlic cloves in half and pierce with a fork.
4. Rub the garlic on the toasted bread, season with pepper and sprinkle with cheese.

There's no need to grab your running shoes after eating this meal. This is an Italian inspired feast you can actually feel good about feeding your family.

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Meals For The Family: Spooky Servings!

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Oct 27, 2008 by Amy B.

Halloween is right around the corner. For kids, it's like Christmas in October. What's not to love? It's a night of sweet indulgences, but parents may feel a bit different. Obviously, you want your children to have fun, but you don't want them to ingest a year's supply of sugar in one night. What can you do to help cut their sugar intake, while still keeping Halloween fun? The answer lies in serving a healthy, yet festive dinner before the evening begins.

Personal Monster Pizzas
Serves 4

  • 4 prepared individual pizza crusts
  • 1 cup of pizza sauce
  • 2 cups of 2 percent, shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 green peppers, thinly sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • ¼ cup of stuffed green olive slices
  • ½ cup of sliced mushrooms

1. Place the pizza crusts on a baking sheet and top with sauce and cheese.
2. Let your kids decorate the pizzas to create their own monster. Peppers and onions can be used to create hair. Cherry tomatoes can create a mouth. Olive slices make great eyes and mushrooms make a great nose.
3. Bake the pizza according to the pizza crust directions.

Bloody Bat Salad
Serves 4


  • 8 cups of salad mix
  • 4 slices of cheddar cheese
  • 4 slices of turkey
  • 4 slices of ham
  • ½ pound of strawberries
  • ½ pound of strawberries, sliced
  • Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

1. Place the salad mix in a festive bowl.
2. Cut the cheese and meat using a bat shaped cookie cutter.
3. Puree the whole strawberries and season with pepper.
4. Top the salad with the seasoned strawberry puree, sliced strawberries, cheese and meat.

This festive meal helps curb a little ghoul's appetite so that they eat fewer cupcakes and candy. This way, you'll enjoy Halloween just as much as they do. After they've gone to bed, reward yourself for being a health conscious parent by watching a few scary movies.

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