I feel like Chicken Tonight

Chicken Quesadilla's

Let's all be honest...we all have that one night a week that is our busiest.  For me, as the kids all get older I find myself running them from one activity to the next.  Getting them on time isn't always the issue...its getting them a healthy lunch, dinner or snack.  

One of the most challenging facts about a quick dinner is always nutrition.  Although we would all love it to somehow be convenient to feed the kids a chicken dinner in the car that obviously is out of the question.  So finding healthy, nutritional and quick meals is the best way.  Finding those recipes is the first place to start so I'm helping us all out!

Chicken Quesadilla's are a staple weekly at our house.  Not only is it quick, cost friendly and fun for the kids who get to eat with their hands... its delicious! Who doesn't love melted cheese over chicken?

This recipe yields 12 portions.  (2 large tortilla's cut into 6 individual servings)

1 Ready to serve Rotisserie Chicken from your local grocery store (your only using the breasts for this recipe. The remaining chicken can be used for a second meal like stir fry, wraps or soups)

4 Large Tortilla's

2 cooked chicken breasts chopped or shredded

1/3 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup chopped red pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese  (Mozzarella, Monterey Jack or White Cheddar can also be used)

2 tablespoons chopped Parsley

Salt and Pepper

*For the children I don't use the onion on theirs...it can be overpowering for the little ones but it adds a sharp crisp flavour for the adults. I highly recommend using it on yours!

~Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

~Chop (or shred the chicken)

~Chop the onion

~Chop the red pepper

~Chop the Parsley

~Shred the cheese 

~In a large bowl, combine the chicken, pepper, parsley and onion (IF YOU ARE leaving the onion out for the kids then divide the chicken into two bowls-one with just chicken, cheese, parsley and peppers)

~Season with a pinch of Salt and Pepper

~Place one large tortilla on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

~Place half the mixture evenly onto the tortilla

~Top with half the cheese evenly

~Place another tortilla on top

~Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese has melted and edges of the tortilla are crispy

~Cool then cut into 6 pieces and serve with a side of salsa and sour cream

~Repeat for the remaining Tortilla

You can keep this recipe vegetarian also by simply adding 1 cup of spinach to replace the chicken if you wish.

Natalie Mascia

Juice it up!

Its that time of year again when we all swear we are going to eat better, do better and be better!
Its a lot easier said than done though...
There is a lot of effort that has to go into the eating better part, and a lot of us want too so badly but figuring out where to start is the most discouraging part of it.  In some cases, a lot of people start out trying to be TOO healthy...and that can lead to bland food leaving you feel worse and more of a failure.

Luckily they invented the juicer!
This for me is the fastest, easiest way to add nutrition to your diet and start the day off right...my favourite part is I use these juices in the kids morning smoothies and nobody has a clue!  I think my 7 year old is onto me but for now I will just pretend I know nothing!?!

These recipes Ive developed for my taste, they are very flexible and do really well as a smoothie if you wish to add plain or flavoured yogurt.  Another great alternative without adding calories is blending some ice in with the juice in a magic bullet to get a refreshing post workout treat.

Please feel free to use these recipes as is or as a starting point to creating your own delicious blends.  Adding spices and herbs are another great addition, my only rule of thumb is try to keep within the same family of colours.  For example, feel free to add some turmeric to the Mellow Yellow for extra health benefits and it won't alter the colour in any way.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy!

Beet Lover
2 large red beets
1/2 cup raspberries
2 Oranges


Orange Bliss
2 Oranges
3 Large Carrots
1 cup Cantaloupe


Mellow Yellow
1 cup pinapple
1 Yellow Pepper
1 1/2 inch piece of Ginger


Green Goddess
1 cup of Kale
2 Kiwi's
1 Green Apple
1 Cup of Honeydew
Few Sprigs of Mint




Natalie

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

It's time to pull out your crock pot for this one!

Its recipes like this one that make me question why I forget to use the crock pot more often.  Maybe its the time of year...I don't often use mine in the summer months as I tend to use the BBQ a few nights a week. 

There is something about the crock pot, that just makes me feel warm and cozy.  Maybe its because it makes dinner so easy...and the aroma in the house is mouth watering.

This is one of my easiest and most delicious recipes and a definite crowd pleaser.  If you are nervous about getting the kids to help in the kitchen, this is a great starter recipe.  You can easily measure out all the ingredients and the kids can do the rest! My kids love that they can help put all the ingredients into the crock pot and in the end construct their own delicious and sloppy sandwich. 

2 teaspoons of canola oil

1 cup of ketchup

1/3 cup of your favourite barbecue sauce

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon mustard

2 teaspoons of smoked paprika (regular paprika is just fine)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups of thinly sliced spanish or white onion

1 4-5 pound pork shoulder roast

1-1/2 cups of shredded cabbage

~In a bowl combine the first 8 ingredients together and whisk until combined

~Toss the sliced onion into the bottom of your crock pot

~Place the pork roast on top of the onions and gently pour the wet ingredients over the roast

~Put the lid on

~Turn on high and let cook 4-6 hrs

~Before your ready to serve, remove the roast from the crock pot and using 2 forks shred the meat then add back to the crock pot and stir into the sauce

~Top your buns with the pork and a heaping handful of shredded cabbage

Enjoy!

Natalie

Pumpkin Spiced Donughts

After Thanksgiving I still crave the sweet taste of Pumpkin.  I guess you could say that to some degree I'm addicted to the flavour.  Not only are they the star decoration of Halloween every year but they are also extremely beneficial for your health.  Who thought pumpkin donughts could be good for you?

Pumpkins are packed with vitamins and minerals and to make it even better are actually low in calories too.  They are high in fibre, potassium and vitamin C, Vitamin E, Riboflavin, Copper, Magnesium, Thiamin, Folate, Iron and more! Consuming one cup of pumpkin puree contains 100% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin A. In other words...making them...PRETTY DARN GOOD FOR YOU!

After receiving well over 15,000 likes and several regrams from some big time companies such as Wilton Cakes, and several dozen emails requesting the recipe Ive decided to share it with you!

Your friends, family and kids will love these fluffy carmel covered donuts.  Your going to love knowing that they are jam packed with vitamins and minerals and the kids are begging you for more!

2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup of pumpkin puree 
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

Additionally you will need the following for the topping once they are cooled
~2 tablespoons of icing sugar
~1/3 cup caramel sauce

~preheat the oven to 350 degrees
~In a bowl sift the dry ingredients together
~beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes on high)
~beat in the oil
~Add the pumpkin puree and blend just until combined
~add the dry ingredients in 2 additions mixing well after each addition
~Spray your donut pan with non stick cooking spray
~fill each cavity 1/2 the way up
~bake in the oven 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
~empty donuts onto cooling rack-cool for 10 minutes
~dust the tops of the donuts with icing sugar then drizzle with caramel sauce and ENJOY!


Natalie

FoodSaver

FoodSaver The #1 Vacuum Sealing System

I have to be honest when I tell you that I'm not much of a "kitchen gadget" hog.  Don't get me wrong, I have well over 150 cookie cutters but my counters are not piled high, nor are my cupboards with gadgets.

I guess part of the reason is I catch myself asking myself "Did my mother use it? Did my grandmother use it?"  Nine out of ten times the answer is NO! Therefore, I feel like I shouldn't need it either.  The second reason is everything is so expensive, and I find unless you're willing to spend $49.99 on a vegetable peeler chances are the one you're thinking about buying is going to break after the third or fourth time you use it or cause you nothing but grief while using it. So I gotta be honest, it's just not worth it for me sometimes.

Now, this week...I've had the pleasure of testing out the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System.

I was hesitant to take on the challenge, thinking about everything I just mentioned about gadgets but this is different...sooo different it has changed the way I look at meal prepping, grocery shopping, food waste and the cost of food.

Feeding a family of five is NOT cheap.  Especially when you're heath conscious and your meals consist of a meat, a veg and a starch...and sometimes a salad to follow.  Food costs are through the roof, higher than Id say they've ever been.  I can't tell you how many people I see "meal prepping" until the cows come home...They make 10 meals all at once and freeze it. Which is great....I've prepared meals and frozen them many times. Especially when I was pregnant, before the baby came my freezer was jam packed with casseroles, lasagna, pot pies and the list goes on.  Freezing your meals is not my problem...in fact I'm all for it.  My issue is that 99% of us are not storing the food properly in the freezer or don't have enough freezer space for pre-made meals.

I can guarantee we've all said to ourselves or out loud "I have no idea what to make tonight?" or "I have nothing in the fridge for lunches tomorrow!" 

The easiest way to avoid these issues was buying in bulk...taking a monthly trip to Costco or my local market and buying more than enough for more than a weeks worth.  The problem I have is that even though I feel like I'm buying more, I'm actually in most cases wasting more.  For example,  I frequently buy the biggest block of cheese I can find...my kids loveeee cheese!  However, one of them goes in the fridge, grabs the cheese and forgets to wrap it properly leaving hard crusty edges on the block for the next person.  

The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System machine is the most practical, cost efficient, easy and food saving machine I've come across.  With promising to keep food fresh 5x longer and the easy 1, 2, 3 steps I have to say this is definitely a must have in your home.  It removes the air from surrounding the food which normally cause food to not only lose flavour and turn brown but it also keeps the food nutrient rich so you're not losing any valuable vitamins or minerals from your food.

I've used this machine after every big grocery day and over the last month I've been able to cut out one grocery day per month with the FoodSaver.  I can marinade my meats and store them in the freezer knowing they will last up to 3 years without freezer burn! I can cut my block of cheese in half and store the remaining half in the fridge where it now can stay fresh for 8 months!  Also, I can store my pre-made salads in the storage bags and they are fridge fresh for up to 2 weeks! 

I love taking advantage of the seasonal fruits and vegetables the market has to offer, but sometimes I wish the season would last longer...now with my FoodSaver I can do that! I can now store my favourite Fall fruits in the freezer for up to 3 years...not that they would last that long in my house with a family of 5, but knowing that it won't result in freezer burn, or they won't lose any taste, I'm happy to store them and use them as the kids crave them without having to throw uneaten fruit or veggies in the waste. Not to mention I can now take advantage of the sales in the produce isles...knowing I can properly store and save my favourites and enjoy them whenever I wish.  No more waiting for peach season in my house...we've got more than enough stored to keep the kids smiling!

Also, if you have kids, you know snack time can be frustrating when one child wants an orange, the other child wants an apple and the other wants an avocado.  I can't tell you how many times I find myself negotiating with them to all have the same snack...of course, as you can imagine I never win.  I get stuck cling wrapping the heck out of half the orange, half the apple and the other half of the avocado.  Only to find out the next day that they are brown...and nooo kids want a brown apple...or avocado!  The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System machine has given us the chance to drop the negotiation and let everyone have what they please knowing that it will take less than a few minutes to seal, wrap and refrigerate the leftovers.  Again, cutting down on waste and wasting money!

This truly is a machine to help the modern day family...helping to keep down food cost, food waste and giving your kids the opportunity to eat the fruits and veggies they love all year round! Say goodbye to freezer burnt foods and hello to crisp, nutrient rich and hassle free food! 

I am a fan...I invite you to visit the link below to read more reviews and receive information on where you can purchase your own FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System.  With plenty of options available for which one will best suit your family and kitchen and where you can receive a coupon for your purchase!

http://www.foodsaver.ca

The FoodSaver is also available at major retailers such as Costco and Walmart.  

Natalie