Archive for Retreat Cookbook – Page 2

Bunless Burger Casserole

By Val · Comments (0)
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

TastyTuesdayIngredients:
2 1/2 lbs Ground chuck or lean ground beef
16 ozs Cheddar or american cheese, shredded
1/2 lb Bacon, cooked crispy
1 Large tomato, chopped
1 Large onion, chopped
2 Large dill pickles, chopped

Instructions:
Brown ground beef and onion in large skillet or dutch oven, drain as usual and return to pan. Layer on half of cheese, stir into mixture to get melting, stir in tomato, then top with rest of cheese and crumbled bacon. Cover and simmer to let cheese melt. Serve with pickles or cucumbers on the side, and a salad. This also goes great with a mock potato salad and is the perfect compliment to your low carb menu.

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Categories : Beef Recipes, Retreat Cookbook
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7 Healthy Breakfast Ideas

By Val · Comments (0)
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

TastyTuesday When trying to eat healthier, like anything else in life, the best place to start is at the beginning. The first meal of the day is also the most important because without it our bodies aren’t fueled and ready for what the day may bring. Start your family out right each and every morning with a healthy breakfast. Breakfast is the most important, yet can also be the healthiest meal without a lot of hassle or time. Enjoy the variety that the options below, and it will definitely never be boring.

1. Bagels – Low-fat cream cheese or your favorite natural fruit spread make bagels a quick breakfast when you’re pressed for time. They are easily transportable as a sandwich, if necessary, but beware eating them in the car might be a little messy depending on the fillings you choose. Make an egg and cheese sandwich for some added protein.

2. Smoothies – These are good any morning but particularly on a hot day. You’ll have to blend the ingredients together in the morning, but the prep work can be done at night. Cube your fruit and place it into a container. Instead of frozen yogurt in the morning, use a cup of plain yogurt. Add ice cubes, a little water and blend. You can even add some of your favorite vegetables to help get in the recommended 5 servings per day.

3. Non-Fat Yogurt – With fruit or without fruit, yogurt is a great addition to just about any breakfast. It’s full of calcium and fat free yogurt can actually work as a substitute for higher fat content foods such as mayo and cream cheese. Add some low-fat granola or whole berries to added texture and nutrition.

4. Fresh Fruit – Mix it up as a salad. Cut it up in your cereal, or eat your favorite kind by itself. Fruit is great no matter how you eat it. For those who like cottage cheese, mixing it with your favorite fruit is a great breakfast option that doesn’t take forever to prepare.

5. Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Toast – Peanut butter is a great source of protein and the whole wheat is a healthier option than white toast. Most kids love peanut butter and will jump at the chance to eat it for breakfast instead of with jelly for lunch. Why not add some fruit spread and have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for breakfast?

6. Omelets or Scrambled Eggs – Eggs are a great source of protein and mixing them with your favorite veggies or peppers give them a boost compared to just eating them plain or worse, frying them. Sprinkle with a bit of cheese for added appeal to little ones. Wrap them in a flour tortilla as a make and take breakfast burrito.

7. Muffins – Muffins are great because they can be made ahead of time saving lots of hectic mornings from being even more rushed. Mix fruits or vegetables in the batter and you will not only receive the grain from the muffin but your fruit and veggies too.

Even if you, or your other family members, are prone to grab a high calorie snack or fast food style lunch, you’ll be one step ahead by eating a healthy breakfast. Just remember, skipping breakfast is one of the worst things you can do for your health. Instead of omitting breakfast or filling up on sugary foods each morning, try some of these ideas for a healthy breakfast menu in your household each and every day of the week.

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Categories : Breakfast Recipes, Mom's Well-Being, Our Body, Retreat Cookbook

5 Ideas for Healthy Grilling

By Val · Comments (0)
Friday, July 24th, 2009

fiveforfridayGrilling food is actually better for you than one would think. The type of grill you have is not important so much, as it is the grilling process that helps make the grilled food healthier. Here are some ways to make your next grilling adventure a healthy one for you, and your family.

1. Start with your cuts of meat. Cut off the excess fat when working with chicken. If you aren’t the type who likes to mess with chicken parts, buy them already skinned and boneless. With steaks, cut away the outer fat but don’t worry about the marbled effect within the meat. Do the same for pork. A butcher can guide you to the right cuts of meat for grilling if you ask them.

2. Steam your vegetables on the grill. You are cooking the meat on there, why not the rest of the meal? Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray and then wrap your sliced vegetables in it. The heat from the grill will create convection current inside the foil. Make sure that you tent the foil so that the air can move among the vegetables.

3. Fish is a healthy alternative to other meats. Fattier fish like salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is tasty and tender when cooked on the grill. Fillets of fish crumble up easy so put them in foil just like the vegetables to keep them together during grilling. Fish steaks are better for direct grill cooking than fillets. They are thick but will cook quicker than other meats so don’t turn your back on them.

4. Spice it up! Instead of using salt on grilled foods, experiment with other seasonings. The process sears the outside and the seasonings that you have applied. Combined with the succulent juices that will be released once the meat is cut, these seasonings will add flavor to your meal.

5. Grilled fruit is a healthy dessert option. Pineapple, apples, or bananas are all made even sweeter as their natural sugars are brought out when warmed on the grill. Top with vanilla yogurt or icecream for a sweet, creamy yet healthy treat.

To grill healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or your favorite meats. The fat that is in the meat will all drip away as it cooks leaving you with a tender and heart-friendly main course. Your veggies steamed right on the grill will be a healthy addition, with grilled fruit to cap it off

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Categories : Retreat Cookbook

Colorful Rainbow Smoothies

By Val · Comments (0)
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

TastyTuesdayLast week’s Tasty Tuesday was a milkshake recipe, but this week I’ve got a couple of kid-friendly smoothies. Though techinically they could be considered milkshakes too I guess.

You can custom make them any color of the rainbow depending on your child’s or YOUR favorites. Perfect for a birthday party or holiday celebration.

Color Me Smoothie
2 C vanilla ice cream
2 C apple cider
2 TBSP honey
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Food coloring

Put the ice cream in the blender. Add the apple cider, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg, then blend until smooth. Here’s the fun part! Add any color of food coloring desired blending in short spurts until drink has reached the desired color. Serve immediately.

**The idea of changing the color is for an added bit of excitement to a child’s drink. It can also be great for something special on a holiday morning such as red for Valentines Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day or even orange for Halloween.

Soda Pop Smoothie
1/2 C grape soda
2 C vanilla ice cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
10 ice cubes

Pour the grape soda into the blender. Add the ice cream and vanilla extract. Place the ice cubes on top. Blend until smooth. If it’s too thick add some milk a little at a time to reach the consistency you are looking for.

**This is also great with orange soda, red cream soda or even a creamy root beer in place of the grape soda.

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Categories : Beverages, Retreat Cookbook
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Tasty Tuesday: Choco-Mint Milkshakes

By Val · Comments (0)
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

TastyTuesdayThe perfect summer treat!
Ingredients:
5 scoops vanilla bean or French vanilla ice cream
2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup chocolate syrup
2 drop peppermint extract
Canister of whipped cream
Peppermint candy crushed
Chocolate sprinkles
Cherries

Directions:
In a blender, mix ice cream, milk, syrup and extract. Blend until thoroughly mixed. Pour into milkshake glasses. Top off with whipped cream, candy pieces, sprinkles and a cherry. Serve with a spoon and straw.

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Categories : Beverages, Chocolate, Retreat Cookbook
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Tasty Tuesday: Sort of Hawaiian Salad

By Val · Comments (0)
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

TastyTuesday This is my dish – the one I always bring to our family parties because it’s always requested. Because it’s only 5 ingredients, it’s definitely a quick prep. dish that serves at least 8, though it can easily be doubled for larger crowds.

I call this Sort of Hawaiian Salad, as most of the Hawaiian Salad recipes I’ve seen include coconut and mini marshmallows. In this one, the cottage cheese adds some extra nutrition to the mix as well. ;)

Ingredients:
11oz. can of mandarin oranges
20 oz. can of crushed pineapple
3 oz. box of instant vanilla pudding
24 oz. cottage cheese (your preference of curd size)
8 oz. whipped topping (like Cool Whip)

Directions:
1. Drain oranges and pineapple. Discard juices and set fruit aside.
2. In a large bowl, lightly mix pudding powder into cottage cheese.
3. Fold in whipped topping, then pineapple and oranges.
4. Chill well before serving.

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Categories : Retreat Cookbook, Salads
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Tasty Tuesday: Tuscan Dinner

By Val · Comments (0)
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

TastyTuesdayThis is a one-dish wonder! Makes for quicker prep time and easier clean up – just what all busy moms are looking for, wouldn’t you agree?

While this dish is quite hearty on it’s own, you might stretch it to serve more by making it a side dish to grilled or seasoned baked chicken breasts, then maybe add a green salad on the side as well. Either way, be sure to have some crusty bread or dinner rolls to go along with it.

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoon Olive oil
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped zucchini
  • 1/2 cup sliced onion
  • 1/2 cup sliced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup dried tomato
  • 1 (15oz) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed & drained
  • 2 rosemary sprigs
  • 1 cup chopped spinach
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (2 oz) pre-shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

  1. Heat oil in skillet.
  2. Add zucchini and next 5 ingredients, sauté 10 minutes
  3. Stir in tomato, beans, and rosemary, cook 5 minutes
  4. Add spinach, salt, pepper to zucchini mixture.
  5. Cook until spinach wilts.
  6. Sprinkle with cheese.
  7. Cover & let stand until cheese begins to melt.

Reminder: Discard the rosemary sprigs before serving.

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Categories : Fruits & Veggies, Retreat Cookbook

Tasty Tuesday: Healthy Snacks

By Val · Comments (1)
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

TastyTuesday Boy, this can be a tough one to deal with on a daily basis for both you and your kids. Why? Now that school is out, the structure of your schedule can often be more flexible. Well, for working parents it’s hard to keep the routine in effect throughout the day. Since you aren’t with your children 24/7, then you have to hope they are educated enough about health and their body that they will make the right decisions.

If you are with your kids for most of the day, it’s a good idea to set up some sort of routine about snacks. If you allow two or three snack times throughout the day, one may be for ice cream or some other treat, and the others might be healthier. Below are some general options to implement in your daily life. Each of them allows for much variation.

The Veggie Tray
A good way to give your kids healthier snacks during the summer and after school is to make a veggie tray. It will allow them to try different vegetables, but it will also only give them the option of eating healthy. Oh, and yes, it’s okay to give them dip for the celery, carrots, cauliflower, or broccoli – maybe peanut butter for the celery, or ranch dressing with the carrots and other raw veggies. If you want to expand their taste buds, add something they haven’t had before and see if they try it. You never know what they may end up liking.

The Fruit Tray
Again, this is just another way to give them different options. Orange slices, apples, bananas, berries, pineapple chunks, and several other fruits will work well. The thing you need to remember is your tray doesn’t have to be boring. Add some peanut butter for dipping the apples or make fruit snacks out of several different fruits skewered on a popsicle stick, or serve the chunks on toothpicks. If you have older kids it may be a little cheesy, but for the younger ones they will enjoy it.

Remembering Milk
Unfortunately, milk has taken a backseat to Gatorade and other juices for some families today. (Not so much here – my kids LOVE milk!) A way to get your children to drink more each day is by adding a snack that goes well with milk. An alternative to cookies, try giving them graham crackers to dip in the milk. It’s a bit more of a healthier choice and there aren’t too many children who will turn their nose up to this snack.

Keep the Variety Going
You don’t have to do the same thing each week – variety is the spice of life. Try mixing up your healthy snacks, even give them some choices, and your children will be developing healthier eating habits. Not only will they enjoy it, but you will also be making this a new part of their daily routine, which will translate into healthier kids and a happier you.

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Categories : Retreat Cookbook, Snacks

5 Father’s Day BBQ Recipes

By Val · Comments (1)
Friday, June 12th, 2009

This Five for Friday might help you get started thinking about Father’s Day. What do you have planned for Dad this year? If your husband, or Dad is like so many, he loves to barbecue. Why not use one of these five delicious recipes for a special Father’s Day barbecue and give him the day off? Of course, just because it’s “his” day, that doesn’t mean he’ll let you at his grill.

  1. Grilled hamburgers are always a hit, but you may want to incorporate another of Dad’s favorites – blue cheese. While you’re preparing the two pounds of ground beef (preferably ground chuck), add ¾ teaspoon onion powder, 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 ½ tablespoons horseradish (optional), salt and pepper to taste. Mix this thoroughly and then form into patties. Grill the burgers over hot heat until they reach a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Fix the burgers with your favorite fixings and enjoy!
  2. Steaks are another grilling favorite and nothing could be better than a great grilled rib eye steak for Father’s Day. Mix together ¼ cup steak sauce and ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Add one clove or minced garlic and ½ teaspoon dried oregano. Combine this thoroughly and then pour into a zip top bag that holds the steaks. Let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Then grill for four to five minutes on each side.
  3. Perhaps your dad prefers seafood. Why not grill up some spicy barbecue shrimp? The recipe is simple: ½ cup butter, 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 pounds of unshelled shrimp, ½ cup dry sherry, and cayenne pepper, black pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Toss the shrimp in the mixture and then prepare your grill. Be very careful when grilling the shrimp; you may need a fish tray or use skewers to keep the shrimp from falling through the grill. Cook for about four minutes on each side.
  4. Barbecued ribs are another favorite. You’ll need six pounds of ribs, 1 1/3 cup ketchup, ¾ cup water, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 4 teaspoons lemon juice, 1 small onion, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Mix all of the ingredients together except the ribs, and cook for ten minutes. Brush the ribs with sauce and cook the ribs over medium hot coals for about an hour.
  5. Don’t forget about dessert! Yes, even this can be prepared using the grill. Why not prepare grilled pound cake with berries and ice cream. You’ll need one pound cake – already prepared or home-made, ice cream, and whatever kind of berries your dad likes most. Slice the pound cake and then heat each slice on a clean, hot grill for a couple of minutes or until you can see grill marks on each side of the cake. Remove the cake from the grill, then top each piece with a scoop of Dad’s favorite ice cream. Top it all off with ½ cup of fresh berries per slice.

    6. Father’s Day comes but once a year. Try one or more of these five recipes for a special Father’s Day BBQ. With food like this, your hubby, or dad may ask you to prepare the same feast every year!

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Categories : Retreat Cookbook
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Not Just a Side Salad

By Val · Comments (1)
Thursday, May 28th, 2009

This is a delicious salad that’s chock full of antioxidants. So, not only is it good tasting, it’s good for you!

Ingredients:
Lettuce leaves
4 tbsp grated Brazil nuts
4 tbsp chopped dates
2 tomatoes, sliced
2 carrots, grated
2 raw beetroots, grated
About 12 oz grated cabbage
1/2 cucumber, sliced
Vinaigrette of your choice

Preparation:
Place lettuce leaves on plates. Combine the Brazil nuts and the chopped dates and put them in a pile in the middle of the plate. Add the other vegetables in piles around the nuts and create an appetizing and colorful dish.

Just before serving, pour a bit of vinaigrette over the salad to moisten.

Variations:
Perfect as a super-healthy vegetarian appetizer.
Serve a long side a grilled chicken breast, with some crusty bread.
Place the lettuce leaves on a flour tortilla, or flatbread. Arrange nut/date mix along with other salad fixings in center, then fold over or wrap tortilla for a healthy portable lunch.

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Categories : Retreat Cookbook, Salads
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