My husband's New Year's resolution is finally happening! He has been wanting to begin an exercise program and is slowly beginning to work out with son #1 and #3. My studio is shaping up nicely and he is using some of the new equipment, especially the TRX system. I'm happy that everyone is realizing the more you move the better you feel and coupled with healthy eating gives the best results.
This week we have many activities on the calendar. My sister recently sent me some informative nutrition charts and I'm using the one I posted this week to help plan our meals. Some adjustments will be made, but I like the idea of healthy 5 minute dinners. I will let you know if it really takes only 5 minutes!
Monday; Meatless again! Homemade, Whole-grain, buckwheat waffles with peanut butter, cinnamon and fresh fruit. (Newtown friends--Big Y and Caraluzzi's having a sale on berries!)
Tuesday: Brown Rice Bowls with black beans, broccoli, cheese and grilled chicken
Wednesday: Grilled Sweet Italian Chicken Sausages with Peppers & Onions -optional grinder rolls
Thursday: Whole grain Pasta with sauteed spinach, tomatoes, white beans, and goat cheese
Friday: Homemade Tomato Soup & grilled cheese panini's & salad (Panini press is most used Christmas gift!)
Saturday: Grass fed burgers, Sweet potato fries, Romaine salad
Sunday: Fish (waiting to see what is on sale) with steamed green beans and side salad
Keeping it simple and healthy so I stay sane taking everyone where there need to go and having time to do the important things like playing games and reading with the younger kids. Ive been missing that and want to do a better job giving those the attention they need!
Happy week ahead all....we're hoping for more snow!!
Best,
Donna
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Meals at a glance...
This week after watching a film in science class about bacteria, my daughter came home and announced that she is now a vegetarian. She does not want to eat chicken especially because of the chance of developing food poisoning. Wouldn't you know that after she makes this announcement we have roasted chicken, and that night my youngest son is sick to his stomach! I know it is not from the chicken and from a stomach bug, but she gives me a look like, "I told you so!" I have no problem with her wanting to cut back on her meat intake, but I'd like her to know her choices and learn more facts about food poisoning. I did a little research and learned something myself. There is a new movement called, Reducetarian. Reducetarians are individuals committed to eat less meat for various reasons, but do not avoid eating meat completely. I am a reducetarian, I eat more of a plant based diet with a small serving of animal protein. I described this new term to my daughter and she thinks it's doable. Just no chicken for now!
Last week's favorite meals were the quesadillas and almond crusted chicken. Haven't had the salmon yet, that's tonight, but I have a feeling that will be a hit too. We're going to try to do meatless Monday's and really fill our plates with veggies. Our week ahead looks like this.....
Monday: Baked Pepper Jack Quinoa Skillet- This recipe is from the January Good Housekeeping issue. It looks delicious. One of my son's said it looks like veggie nachos. We may have to have some tortillas with it!
Tuesday: Tex-Mex Chicken Soup--not sure if the chicken will be a hit with my daughter, but it's another recipe from GH and everyone thought it looked good. Its simple to make on busy nights and is a hearty meal.
Wednesday: Salmon Caesar Salad with a hearty whole grain bread
Thursday: Asian Vegetable Rice-Noodle Bowl--thanks Kids Cook Monday for this recipe.
Friday: Roasted Winter Veggie Salad and Whole Wheat Pizzas
Saturday: BBQ Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Salad
Sunday: Ginger Shrimp with Swiss Chard and Bell Peppers- Fitness Magazine January issue
I know many of you can relate to the endless driving around to after-school activities and sports, so I hope some of these meals work for you. They are easy to prep before you head out the door to drive kids places, and do not take long to prepare. If you can't find the recipes, please contact me and I'll happily send them to you.
If you're interested in reading more about the Reducetarian Movement, check it out on Facebook or it's web page.
All my best,
Donna
Last week's favorite meals were the quesadillas and almond crusted chicken. Haven't had the salmon yet, that's tonight, but I have a feeling that will be a hit too. We're going to try to do meatless Monday's and really fill our plates with veggies. Our week ahead looks like this.....
Monday: Baked Pepper Jack Quinoa Skillet- This recipe is from the January Good Housekeeping issue. It looks delicious. One of my son's said it looks like veggie nachos. We may have to have some tortillas with it!
Tuesday: Tex-Mex Chicken Soup--not sure if the chicken will be a hit with my daughter, but it's another recipe from GH and everyone thought it looked good. Its simple to make on busy nights and is a hearty meal.
Wednesday: Salmon Caesar Salad with a hearty whole grain bread
Thursday: Asian Vegetable Rice-Noodle Bowl--thanks Kids Cook Monday for this recipe.
Friday: Roasted Winter Veggie Salad and Whole Wheat Pizzas
Saturday: BBQ Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Salad
Sunday: Ginger Shrimp with Swiss Chard and Bell Peppers- Fitness Magazine January issue
I know many of you can relate to the endless driving around to after-school activities and sports, so I hope some of these meals work for you. They are easy to prep before you head out the door to drive kids places, and do not take long to prepare. If you can't find the recipes, please contact me and I'll happily send them to you.
If you're interested in reading more about the Reducetarian Movement, check it out on Facebook or it's web page.
All my best,
Donna
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Meals at a glance....
First week back to a regular routine and we survived. I miss lazy mornings in pajamas playing games and watching movies! We're back in our groove again though and somehow everything seems to get done amidst the chaos.
I mentioned last week my new cook book, Clean Slate. We tried some new recipes and they were a success. The favorite so far for most was the Spicy Cauliflower and shrimp dish. The flavor of the sauce was excellent. The chicken dish from last week was also given a thumb's up. I think my favorite was the Red Lentil soup. I can eat soup every day in the winter and I loved this one, hearty and filling. I can't say enough good things about the book. I've been making smoothies and snacks as well and the kids love them. Great healthy dips and trail mix ideas. The recipes are easy to follow and simple to make which is what I love about the book as well.
This week we're trying some more. I tried to help choose different dishes so we have one night vegetarian, one night fish, chicken, and a pasta. Our week ahead looks something like this....
Monday: White Bean & Cheese Quesadillas with Avocado and Mango Salsa
Tuesday: Vegetable Soup with Panini Sandwiches
Wednesday: Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders with Spinach Salad
Thursday: Spaghetti Carbonara (a lighter version) and Salad
Friday: Whole-Wheat Pizzas with all the fixing's --a set pick for each week!
Saturday: Roasted Vegetables with Quinoa and Grilled Chicken in a lime vinaigrette
Sunday: Moroccan-steamed Salmon with Couscous and Carrots( the sauce for this looks amazing)
Please share what's on your table! It's always fun to pass along ideas and try something new.
Stay warm and have a great week.
Best,
Donna
I mentioned last week my new cook book, Clean Slate. We tried some new recipes and they were a success. The favorite so far for most was the Spicy Cauliflower and shrimp dish. The flavor of the sauce was excellent. The chicken dish from last week was also given a thumb's up. I think my favorite was the Red Lentil soup. I can eat soup every day in the winter and I loved this one, hearty and filling. I can't say enough good things about the book. I've been making smoothies and snacks as well and the kids love them. Great healthy dips and trail mix ideas. The recipes are easy to follow and simple to make which is what I love about the book as well.
This week we're trying some more. I tried to help choose different dishes so we have one night vegetarian, one night fish, chicken, and a pasta. Our week ahead looks something like this....
Monday: White Bean & Cheese Quesadillas with Avocado and Mango Salsa
Tuesday: Vegetable Soup with Panini Sandwiches
Wednesday: Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders with Spinach Salad
Thursday: Spaghetti Carbonara (a lighter version) and Salad
Friday: Whole-Wheat Pizzas with all the fixing's --a set pick for each week!
Saturday: Roasted Vegetables with Quinoa and Grilled Chicken in a lime vinaigrette
Sunday: Moroccan-steamed Salmon with Couscous and Carrots( the sauce for this looks amazing)
Please share what's on your table! It's always fun to pass along ideas and try something new.
Stay warm and have a great week.
Best,
Donna
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Meals at a glance...
Happy New Year! Just a few weeks ago life was becoming a little overwhelming for me with the holiday preparations! Now that things have slowed down I find myself missing the craziness, but savoring the down time.
A special gift I received is a new book, Clean Slate, A Cookbook Guide, from the editors of Martha Stewart Living. It is much more that a cookbook! It contains beautiful photos, and a guide on how to "feel your best by eating clean, whole, unprocessed foods as part of a primarily plant-based diet." Many wonderful recipes are included that I look forward to sharing.
Food for thought...
"In our grab-and-go lifestyle, food can become mere fuel to get us through the day, rather than providing us an opportunity to slow down, switch gears, eliminate distractions, and relish the moment." A toast to that! Something I will be working on when I sit down to eat with my family. I hope to focus on our time together and enjoy our meal, rather than thinking about cleaning up, packing lunches and getting everyone ready for the next day.
Over the next few weeks, my goal is to incorporate more meals from Clean Slate into my family's meal planning. Time to reset and reboot all of our diets!
This week we will be trying...
Monday: Seared Halibut Tacos with Grapefruit Avocado Salsa
Tuesday: Mediterranean Chicken Stew with Couscous
Wednesday; (one of our ol' favorites) Whole Wheat Pasta with Sauteed Spinach, Mushrooms, Tomatoes & White Beans
Thursday: Shrimp Stir Fry with Bok Choy and Spicy Cauliflower
Friday: Whole Wheat Pizza with Pesto, Grilled Chicken ( and Arugula for some!)
Saturday: Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup
Sunday: Grilled Salmon , Quinoa and Roasted Veggies
If you are interested in learning more about eating clean, whole foods, I highly recommend buying this book. I have seen it at Target and also on line through Amazon. Great chapter on stocking your pantry and plenty of informative pages describing foods that help heal and allow you to feel better. There is also a 3-day and 21- day whole-body detox with delicious recipes and meal plans. I plan on doing the 3- day plan soon. Anyone interested in joining me?
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and calm New Year! Enjoy.
Donna
A special gift I received is a new book, Clean Slate, A Cookbook Guide, from the editors of Martha Stewart Living. It is much more that a cookbook! It contains beautiful photos, and a guide on how to "feel your best by eating clean, whole, unprocessed foods as part of a primarily plant-based diet." Many wonderful recipes are included that I look forward to sharing.
Food for thought...
"In our grab-and-go lifestyle, food can become mere fuel to get us through the day, rather than providing us an opportunity to slow down, switch gears, eliminate distractions, and relish the moment." A toast to that! Something I will be working on when I sit down to eat with my family. I hope to focus on our time together and enjoy our meal, rather than thinking about cleaning up, packing lunches and getting everyone ready for the next day.
Over the next few weeks, my goal is to incorporate more meals from Clean Slate into my family's meal planning. Time to reset and reboot all of our diets!
This week we will be trying...
Monday: Seared Halibut Tacos with Grapefruit Avocado Salsa
Tuesday: Mediterranean Chicken Stew with Couscous
Wednesday; (one of our ol' favorites) Whole Wheat Pasta with Sauteed Spinach, Mushrooms, Tomatoes & White Beans
Thursday: Shrimp Stir Fry with Bok Choy and Spicy Cauliflower
Friday: Whole Wheat Pizza with Pesto, Grilled Chicken ( and Arugula for some!)
Saturday: Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup
Sunday: Grilled Salmon , Quinoa and Roasted Veggies
If you are interested in learning more about eating clean, whole foods, I highly recommend buying this book. I have seen it at Target and also on line through Amazon. Great chapter on stocking your pantry and plenty of informative pages describing foods that help heal and allow you to feel better. There is also a 3-day and 21- day whole-body detox with delicious recipes and meal plans. I plan on doing the 3- day plan soon. Anyone interested in joining me?
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and calm New Year! Enjoy.
Donna
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