Fantastic Fit Foods

Avalanche Cookies

2016-11-04T14:29:00.000-04:00

Just spotted this one on Facebook! I really love the simplicity and quick and easy prep on this cookie and the peanut butter and white chocolate got me hooked. This recipe is definitely going into my Holiday Cookie Arsenal!!

Get the full recipe here...http://cookiesandcups.com/no-bake-avalanche-cookies/

Christmas Cookie Gift Boxes

2016-10-25T12:25:00.000-04:00

I like these brown gable boxes because I can use silver and gold paint to decorate the outside with stars or Christmas Trees! Also they have a gift tag that goes with for easy gifting!!

Cookie Gift Wrap Ups

2016-10-25T11:48:00.002-04:00

It is that wonderful magical time of year that I start planning for my annual cookie deliveries to dear friends and neighbors. Wrapping up these gifts has been a challenge for me. I want to prepare them in a cost efficient way, but also want the cookie gift to feel special and thoughtful.

This year I found a wonderful site to help me achieve the simple, yet elegant gift I like to hand out to neighbors and friends. If any of you have cookie wrapping ideas, PLEASE POST YOUR IDEAS! I NEED HELP with this one!!

I really like both of these which I can customize to Christmas!

You can find more ideas here...http://www.brit.co/cookie-wrappers/
I love this site by the way, brit.co.

Coconut Milk Ranch Dressing

2016-10-17T11:13:00.001-04:00

ingredients

1 can full fat coconut milk (or coconut cream, refrigerated overnight, do not use light coconut milk)

2 tablespoons shallots (minced)

1 garlic cloves (minced)

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped)

1 tablespoon fresh dill (chopped)

1 teaspoon sea salt

black pepper (to taste)

2016-10-14T11:04:00.000-04:00

Great mandolin slicer, use it for the potato lasagna recipe!!.. it doesn't slide and does ALL types of slicing quickly.

Ham N Cheesy Lasagna Variation!!

2016-10-14T10:57:00.000-04:00

Love these Lasagna like variations, you could go wild with these. Add Zucchini strips instead of potatoes for fewer carbs, Use a layer of rice. What variations can you guys think of to share? Let your creativity run loose!!

Find the full recipe here...https://www.buzzfeed.com/alvinzhou/layered-ham-and-cheese-potato-bake?bffbtasty&ref=bffbtasty&utm_term=.enAQvXVnK#.egW9xwY2a

This weeks' Splurge! Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta!!

2016-10-13T09:53:00.003-04:00

This week's Splurge, BANG BANG SHRIMP PASTA!!
Wow, I'm not usually on the bangwagon for recipes that include anything "cream", but this is super easy and looks absolutely delicious.
I just found my splurge for the weekend!! Love it!! Enjoy. How often do you guys splurge during the week?

Kudos to My Incredible Recipes.. Full Recipe here: http://myincrediblerecipes.com/bang-bang-shrimp-pasta/

Make Chicken Stock in your Slow Cooker

2016-10-10T11:56:00.000-04:00

I love using chicken stock in recipes and am always looking for an easier, no fuss cooking method. This one is pretty good and I like the storing methods at the end of the video!

I use chicken broth in my chili, a combo of beef broth AND chicken broth for richness. In what surprising ways do you use chicken broth?

** Don't forget to date your broth (use masking tape and write on) and freezer bags. use within 2 weeks in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer.

Pizza Skulls!! What?!

2016-10-04T16:07:00.000-04:00

Such a cool Halloween idea! I fell immediately in love with these guys!!

Find Full Recipe here at Hungry Happenings!! So Cute! AND I really like this page. Lots of cool Holiday and baking ideas!

Fall Comfort Food

2016-09-27T10:43:00.002-04:00

So, I've been away for a bit, got in a little car accident, but everyone is ok. So I though a little comfort food is in order. Rich, creamy, tomato..ee Tomato Bisque Soup is my choice. Simple yet elegant and I buy a good sourdough from the local bakery for the grilled cheese sandwiches. The good bread crisps up so crunchy and buttery to contrast the smoothness of the soup. My mouth is watering!! ha lol Tonight can't get here soon enough!!

This is a really cool recipe and the video shows a lot of techniques... I like the way he thickens with white rice and using the San Marzano Tomatoes is more consistent than using fresh tomatoes. I use the below immersion blender, my second one as I wore the first one out!! There are tons of them on Amazon to choose from, but I like the price point and simplicity of this one.

**DAIRY FREE folks, I am dairy free, so I will be using soy milk or coconut milk to thicken, the taste change is minimal as the tomato flavor is so prominent is this soup. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Freaky Friday Bacon & Egg Fried Rice...OMG

2016-09-23T11:42:00.002-04:00

So I made this recipe last night.
My Mashup for this one... I wanted more veges and more protein!! So.....
I added 2 stalks of bok choy chopped and used pork chops as well as bacon. Chopped up the pork chops and added to the "bacon" stage of the recipe. added the bok choy between the onion and rice. Then added 1 cup of frozen peas. It came out really really GOOD!! Quick & Easy too!! oohhh did I mention extra scallions, I Love Onions!!

Easy Chicken Terriyaki Noodles

2016-09-23T09:43:00.001-04:00

I've been hunting around the internet to find inspiration for cooking this weekend. From "Proper Tasty these Chicken Teriyaki Noodles look super simple to make. A good one for a quick weeknight one pot dinner. I would probably add some more veges like some chopped spinach for a little extra nutrition. Anything else you guys might add or change to make this meal more nutritious?

Mastering Your Mean Girl the Book

2016-09-22T09:36:00.002-04:00

Been reading this book and have found it an easy read, like talking to a friend!! It is also very easy to implement these changes. I love the fact that is has support through a website for the tools she is presenting in the book. You have to look for them in the book then look up her tools for success!!

A New Twist on Bacon Wrapped!!

2016-09-22T09:13:00.001-04:00

From "Shared Food" site on Facebook! Wow, does this look good, I cannot wait to try it this weekend!!

In Honor of Fall & Football!!

2016-09-20T10:41:00.000-04:00

Fall is just the time of year that I get all tingly inside and I'm inspired to get back into the kitchen and cook up some comfort!!

I'm definitely going to try one of these out for Sunday Football this week!! It's great to have something as a go to in the crock pot anytime on Sunday!! Going by Camino Bakery, our local on Broad Street, first to pick up a fresh loaf to go with!!
I'll let you know which one is my favorite, how bout you guys which one makes your favorite list?

15-slow-cooker-soup-recipes-to-make-for-dinner

This is my favorite slow cooker. It has a longer cooking time range than the usual 4-6-8 hours, up to 20 hours on this baby. It is easy to clean and has the locking lid for easy transport!!

~~~Remember to not cook with the lid on your crock pot locked, can built too much pressure up.
Get My favorite Slow Cooker Here!

Guide to becoming Wildly Wealthy, Fabulously Healthy, and Bursting with Love!!

2016-09-19T12:51:00.002-04:00

Reading about and working with a new concept the concept of making space, see my new blog... Making Space. Ran across this book.

Mastering your Mean Girl: The No BS guide to silencing your inner critic, and becoming wildly wealthy, Fabulously Healthy, and Bursting with Love.

Sounds like exactly what my 52 year old psyche needs! Rejuvenation! To re-create yourself, post children, after and during going through menopause, after putting everyone else first. I don't know about you, but I am screaming inside to become Bursting with Love Again!! Do you guys feel like there is someone inside dying to get out?

I think this can start me on my way...

Another Quick & Easy Salad Dressing

2016-09-16T16:31:00.000-04:00

I keep this salad dressing in a small container and make it as needed...

Only three ingredients:

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

EVOO

A GOOD BALSAMIC VINEGAR

HONEY

Here's how to do it....

I use leftover salad dressing cups from restaurants, I keep them and wash them.

1 teaspoon of honey

1 Tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

2 Tablespoons of EVOO

Then shake it!! Shake it up!

This is for two servings. You can double and triple all in the same cup and then simply store the rest.

Favorite salad...
Arugula and peach with the above honey balsamic!!! whoa so good, enjoy!!

Create Instead of React

2016-05-25T13:50:00.000-04:00

Learning to create during, instead of reacting to, life's situations is mastery. I have seen it. A person I admire, in a sticky situation, is able to remove themselves, become part of the universe, create a solution to a problem, or challenging situation, all while remaining calm and in themselves. No loss of self, no self loathing or emotionality and keeping self in tact.

I sometimes feel like a blubbering idiot instead of who I really am in some situations, all because I cannot create this person in the particular circumstance or situation. Usually a circumstance that is close to my heart, where I've been repeatedly disrespected, or I'm being asked to do something more than I was originally planning on doing. I tend to react, fall apart, then end up picking the pieces of myself up so I can go to bed and sleep off the crumble.

Picture a version of you looking in on a recent past, sticky situation from above, through a skylight in the ceiling of the room. How would you create a new self to handle the situation? Who would you create within yourself to approach the situation in a positive manner.

Find Elizabeth Gilbert BIG MAGIC here

After the reaction, I look down through the skylight and see someone I don't know, someone I'm not sure I want to know or claim to be myself. It is disheartening. All the while I know that inside me lies the calm, mature person who wants to create a way to handle the situation in the way I envision it being handled. Calmly, in a positive manner and with a direction pointed towards amnesty.

I was just reading on Facebook and ran across an Elizabeth Gilbert post, an excerpt follows:
"If we try to see things with the most generous eyes—searching for the truth, yes, but then bestowing upon that truth the brightest and kindest interpretation—we can learn how to perceive a more beautiful world. Do that, and I promise you this: You will get to live in one."

Perceive and Create that world, the power lies within ourselves! Elizabeth Gilbert is awesome read more...

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/elizabeth-gilbert-power-of-perception#ixzz49gsr5DDN

Dairy Free and God Help Me!!

2016-05-24T15:33:00.000-04:00

Since finding out I have new food allergies and that the food allergies I thought I had before, I don't have via doing a "food panel" blood test! I have been in search of new foods. Some of which fall in the vegan category because I'm allergic to Casein, the protein found in milk, that pervades all foods like the silent fog creeping in on a horror movie!! Seriously, this stuff is everywhere as sodium caseinate. If you look for "dairy free" like creamer. Ahh I can't even say it without hurting, but I've got to give up my 1/2 and 1/2. My daily coffee, which I said I would NEVER give up EVER no matter if I was dying from it. The "dairy free" creamer is simply lactose free, it still contains casein... yep. So, I'm stuck in the coconut and almond milk brand of creamers which really and truly do not stack up against plain ole half and half or even non-dairy creamer.

Well kay sera sera, such is life and in this case, I must roll with it. Anyway, the link below is to a new website where I found a yeast free bread, not necessarily a nan, but it is easy and can suffice for no dairy or yeast and it is EASY!!

So here it is. Keepin It Kind website

Great website with some creative recipes I think you'll enjoy. Looks like I'm havin' a flatbread sammich with steak, goat cheese (cause I can't eat regular cheese for the casein), and grilled red pepper.

Grocery List Organization!!

2016-05-11T15:46:00.002-04:00

FOCUS & SMART LISTS... I have trouble focusing when I'm in the grocery store and sometimes fail to reach my goal of getting the best, freshest, most healthy foods in a minimal amount of time, and that suits the recipes I have in mind for the week. Blending all of these criteria sometimes becomes a bit of a challenge. I have tried using my tablet to enter recipes and shopping lists. I've tried my smartphone, entering list after list, a list for Costco, a "sale" list, a list for the regular grocery store, a list for the Whole Foods Market, my amazon list. The trouble begins when I have to stop to log into my phone, pull up the list. Do you ever have to look in your lists for your "list"? I log in, again, go to look at the list, ah Avacados, organic spinach, onions. "let's see get these put in cart", look back at list and it has gone blank, have to log in again. hmmm maybe I should check into the setting to see how to make the screen stay up longer. At this point I am standing in the middle of the grocery store, stopped, elbows on the cart handles, focused yet again looking at my phone. After my long and dark foray into the phone's settings, and have determined I need bandaids for my blistered fingers and botox for my furrowed brow, I give up!!! (Where are your kids when you need them to figure out stuff on your phone I ask you?) Now I'm back at square one. "Hmmm I've checked off Avacados, Organic Spinach and Onions. Where to next?" Well, 30 minutes have gone by and I'm still in produce, which is at the front door of the grocery store. If anyone else has this issue, then I'll feel ok about it!!

What I found at the end of the day is that I do better with hand written "stickie" lists. I have bought a daily planner, YES a DAILY PLANNER! It is made of paper. Inspired by the show

Kelsey's Essentials. The one I chose was The Law of Attraction Planner. Along with personal guidance to get on a higher vibrational plane with the universe, it has many blank pages for notes and, you guessed it, shopping lists. So here's what my little lists look like. I've got stickies for when I cook Italian, Mexican, Asian, vege medley ideas. All the ingredients I need for my favorite salads. (Cobb Salad of course). And this works for me. I don't have to fool with my phone, which in addition to having to log in to open it every time, I need two hands to look at, and only open to the page with my perfunctory stickie and there you go. So I'm creating stickie's for everything, the pharmacy, vitamin lists, sale lists, in perfect harmony with the universe!!

Get this planner here!!! Love it and it refocuses me every day on the inside and at the grocery store !!

Love this blog

2016-01-09T09:39:00.000-05:00

So I love this blog because I love cooking, and when I come up with new recipes or find a new genre of cooking that I enjoy I pop it into the blog, write down my notes to myself basically and share them and then I can come back to the blog and find something that I want to cook that my memory cannot pull up. I have so many different types of food that I enjoy cooking that would be impossible to remember them all. It jogs my memory and I begin to feel full again. So forgive me if I don't visit extremely frequently. Life gets in the way. But when I do come back to the blog and add a recipe to share it fills my soul!

In addition I just learned how to use the speaker to write the blog post from my tablet which is AWESOME!!! See you soon...😯

Summers End... Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

2015-08-28T16:27:00.003-04:00

So summer is coming to an end. It's been a busy busy one for me. I had a health scare earlier in the summer and my postings were stalled a bit.

Spaghetti Squash has been my friend throughout providing comfort when I needed comfort food, and spice when I needed spice.

This is my recipe for Spaghetti Squash Carbonara. It is a take on the Italian classic Pasta Carbonara recipe I love so much.

ONE....So to start, you bake the spaghetti squash in a 400 degree oven for around 35 minutes. Cut the squash in one inch "rings" and remove the seeds and pith fro the middle, see the above picture. Then rub each ring with Olive Oil, salt and pepper, and roast.
TWO...While the squash is roasting cook 6-8 ounces of bacon in a deep pan. Place on paper towel to drain bacon, and remove most of the rendered bacon oil from the pan. Leaving about 2 TBSP. Dice 1/2 sweet onion and sautee in the rendered bacon oil for 5-6 minutes.
THREE.. When the spaghetti rings are done, remove the spaghetti from the sides as shown above and place squash in the pan with the sautéed onions. Toss and add the cooked bacon as a topping. You can add more pepper and it will give a more Carbonara taste. Yummie!!
This is a great simple recipe and you can serve it as a side dish or as dinner alone. To fancy it up you can add parmesian cheese to the top for a little sass. ENJOY!!

Preserving the Harvest

2015-06-04T14:30:00.000-04:00

I picked this up at Costco and it has so much useful information in it I couldn't resist posting. It is that time of year where produce and fruit cost is low. I bought a large container of strawberries, which I will not eat before they go bad, so I'm making a strawberry jelly to preserve them and use for toast on weekends or on pancakes or on top of ice cream.

In addition to having good canning and freezing instructions it also has great recipes! I couldn't stop reading and wanted to just get up and go to the Farmers Market, book in hand! I guess I'll have to wait 'til Saturday morning though! lol I hope you all find this useful!

Great Recipes!

2015-06-01T09:22:00.002-04:00

I just found Chrissy Teigen's site, SoDelusious. There are recipes like Herb Baked Eggs and Boursin & Bacon Stuffed Chicken!

The site is well laid out, has lots of pictures, and easy to navigate. Absolutely love it! A whole new world of inspiration for me!! Can't wait to explore further!

See link in left sidebar...

BLT Pasta Salad, Gluten Free!

2015-05-30T17:18:00.001-04:00

This pasta salad is so good. It's good warm, or cold, as a main course for lunch or as a side dish. I like adding greek yogurt with the mayo to make it a little more healthy.
Ingredients
12 ounce gluten free fussili, Muellers has a great gluten free fussili ½ cup milk
12 ounces lean bacon (or turkey bacon)
1 Cup red or yellow grape tomatoes cut in half, red or yellow, the yellow pear tomato is sweeter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic minced
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
¼ cup mayo
¼ cup greek yogurt
¼ cup sour cream
1/2 tsp lemon juice
4 tablespoons chopped chives
1/4 cup capers
5 cups chopped romaine hearts

Instructions:
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 90 % of the way.
Drain and toss with the milk in a large bowl; set aside. Crazy to toss it with milk. You won't be sorry.
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain. Discard drippings.
Add the tomatoes, thyme and garlic, capers, and cayenne to the pan and toss until warmed through; season with salt and pepper.
Crumble the bacon, set aside ¼ cup for garnish. Toss the bacon and the tomato mixture with the pasta.
Mix the mayonnaise, greek yogurt and sour cream with 3 tablespoons chives and lemon juice, with the pasta until evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the lettuce; toss again to coat.
Garnish with the reserved bacon and the remaining 1 tablespoon chives.
Serve at room temperature. Or chilled the next day. Refrigerate leftovers. If there are any.