Hungry For Living

Pesto Linguini and Shrimp!

2013-04-19T00:13:00.000-04:00

This is a quick and easy recipe to make a delicious homemade dinner.

Ingreidents:

Pesto

Shrimp

Pasta

You can use store bought pesto but I prefer to make mine from scratch. Its simple and quick process that brings incredible flavor to your meal. To find the pesto recipe go here!

Next I defrost my frozen shrimp in a bowl under cool running water. (you can also use fresh raw shrimp)

On the stove I start boiling a pot of water for the pasta.

Next I measure out my Gluten Free linguini to ensure proper servings.

If your shrimp are shelled you can easily remove the shells under running water.

While I leave the shrimp to drain in the sink I add the pasta to boiling water

In a large warm skillet I add the shrimp and cook till pink on one side then flip them over.

Once the shrimp is flipped I add a few teaspoons of the pesto and begin to saute the shrimp.

After draining the cooked pasta

I add it to the skillet and top it off with more pesto

Stir the shrimp, pesto and pasta for a few minutes

Then serve! I like to top it off with a bit of pecorino romano grated cheese.

For this post I used 4 Tbsp of oil and opted to leave out the pine nuts while making the pesto. Each serving has 11 Weight Watcher Points Plus Values. Yields 2 Servings

Homemade Pesto Recipe!

2013-04-10T01:33:00.000-04:00

I love pesto! Lately I have had a lot of basil growing in my garden anda have been finding many uses for it. Before I left on a trip I wanted to be able to use the large amount I had growing for fear it may die while I was away. Right away I thought about making pesto. At first I wasn't sure if the large amount I had was even enough to make a decent amount of pesto. After some reading I knew it would be a perfect way to transform my basil into numerous delicious meals in the future. It is a simple and easy process anyone can do. Here is recipe for how to make pesto.

40 Basil leaves

(you can add parsley if you like or if you don't have enough basil)

1/4cup Romano cheese

(you can also use Parmesan)

2 cloves of garlic

1/4cup pine nuts

(optional)

2Tbsp Olive Oil

2Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(you may need to add more oil to get the desired consistency)

A Dash of Salt

I start by putting my Basil leaves and Olive Oil in my Ninja Blender and pulse a few times to break down the leaves. You can use any sort of blender or food processor.

Next I add the cheese, garlic, salt and pine nuts if desired, then pulse the blender a few more times.

The last step is to add the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (you can use more olive oil or canola oil if desired or if you don't have EVOO). I add it slowly and blend the pesto in between to reach the desired consistency. I like my pesto to resemble a thin paste.

Then Enjoy!

There are so many uses for pesto. You can use it as a sauce, a spread, a drizzle or as an ingredient in so many dishes. I love it on pasta or as a spread in a caprese panini.

Have you ever made your own pesto?

It's easy being green!

2013-04-07T22:58:00.004-04:00

Like me, many people don't always know if their natural or organic products are the real deal. Here is a quick and simple cheat sheet to help you find the products that deliver what they claim. When shopping for natural and organic products you want to look for these seals of approval!

USDA ORGANIC

In order to certified USDA Organic at least 95% of the ingredients must meet the USDA's National Organic Program standards for how their components are grown, mined and processed.

NATURAL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION

For a brand to even be considered for this certification, at least 60% of it's entire line must be natural.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET PREMIUM BODY CARE

Any item that earns this seal is made without any of the 400 "unacceptable" ingredients identified by Whole Foods Market.

ECOCERT

This is a European authority that requires at least 95% of a products ingredients to be of natural origin, and 10% organic.

Natural Egg Dyes!

2013-03-29T15:11:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year again and why not try some natural methods for dying Easter eggs this year. Forget using harsh synthetic colors and dyes, natural coloring derived from food can produce sweet, subtle hues that are sure to please anyone! Check out our post from last year on Natural Dyes!

Click here to learn 3 easy methods to dye eggs naturally

22 Things Happy People Do Differently!

2013-03-26T21:20:00.001-04:00

I Love this..

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.

The question is: how do they do that?
It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …

1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.

2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.

3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.

4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.

5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.

6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.

7. Speak well of others. Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.

8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.

9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.

10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.

11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.

12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.

13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.

14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.

15. Nurture social relationships.
A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.

16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.

17. Eat well.
Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.

18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.

19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.

20. Tell the truth.
Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.

21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.

22. Accept what cannot be changed.
Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.

Originally found on Life'd: 22 Things Happy People Do Differently.

How to make Quinoa!

2013-02-05T17:06:00.000-05:00

I had heard a lot about quinoa and wanted to try it. Quinoa is a complete protein packed with iron, fiber, and essential amino acids. It is a wonderful addition to a healthy diet. I bought a bag of Goya quinoa one day at the grocery store and after putting it in the pantry I forgot about it for a while. One night when I was making chicken I thought it would be a perfect time to try the quinoa as a side. To my surprise there were no directions on the bag. There were two recipes, but nothing explaining how to simply prepare it. I took to the internet and started reading tons of pages, recipes, and blogs about quinoa. Taking everything I had learned I developed a simple easy way to prepare delicious, fluffy quinoa.

If you want to try making quinoa you need to know right away that it takes time to prepare and involves a few steps. I went to make it the first time thinking it would take 10-15 minutes like cooking rice or couscous, and that is not the case!

The first thing you want to do is rinse your quinoa! Put your quinoa in a large bowl (I used two cups) cover with cold water, and mix it around to rinse it thoroughly.

After rinsing the quinoa you want to drain it using a fine mesh strainer.

This is where the time factors in. After you strain the quinoa you want to allow it to dry for 20 minutes to remove the water. This is an important step because skipping it will lead to mushy grains.

Once it has dried, you want to toast the quinoa. Using a dry pan you want to stir it around for about five minutes. You will begin to smell the nutty flavor that this brings out in your quinoa. This will also ensure you remove any left over water.

When you are done toasting the quinoa, remove it from the pan and set it aside

If you cook quinoa like you would rice with the same liquid to grain ratio (2 cup grain, 4 cups water) you will prevent your quinoa from being fluffy and it will end up mushy.

What I learned is to cook it with a 1 part grain to 1.5 parts liquid ratio. (2 cups quinoa to 3 cups liquid)

When it comes to liquid you can use water, any type of broth, or a combination of both. I tend to use chicken broth which gives it a delicious flavor.

Bring 3 cups of liquid to a rapid boil in sauce pan.

Once the liquid is boiling add your quinoa. You want to cover the pan but also leave the lid with a slight vent so the steam can escape.

Reduce the heat to medium-low so it can maintain a strong simmer.

Allow the quinoa to cook for 15 minutes or until all of the water is gone.

Once done, remove from heat and remove lid. You want to allow the quinoa to cool and rest for ten minutes. After you can fluff using a fork and enjoy.

It seems like a lot of work for a small little grain, but it's really just a few steps. The time is what sticks out for me, so when I make quinoa I usually make some to store as leftovers for the week.

Have you tried quinoa?

Reflection!

2013-02-05T04:57:00.000-05:00

2012 brought both highs and lows for me. I started the year out mending a broken heart, grieving a lost loved one, had recently moved, changed jobs and had begun to find my independent self again. I also had a great friendship turn into something wonderfully romantic. For the first time I was truly happy. It felt meant to be and I was truly captivated with life. Things began to fall into place and my life, which not too long ago, seemed to be disheveled, now felt picture perfect. I soon after moved again and was now able to easily peruse my ambitions. I was also introduced to wonderful new group of friends.

Fast forward to December, and I found myself basking in the sun on the exotic beaches of Mexico. It felt like life couldn't get better. We celebrated Christmas in Mexico and spent each day exploring a new adventure. A few days before we headed home we decided to take a day and just lounge on the beach. That relaxing day turned out to be one of the happiest days of my life. Somewhere between a cat nap on the beach and a swim in the clear blue water I was presented with a diamond ring.

It was both shocking and exciting all at once. I couldn't believe what was happening and did not see it coming. I don't think the smile has left my face yet. Though I never expected to start the year reading wedding magazines and touring venues, I couldn't be happier. I truly feel I have found my soul mate and best friend.

Humanity!

2012-12-16T23:30:00.000-05:00

I was really disappointed to see a news article tonight about the vast amount of hateful comments posted on twitter tonight during President Obama's speech. It is not the matter in which he was regarding, but the degree of racism that still masks our country. The fact that he was honoring victims of a horrendous tragedy was just icing on the cake, and the fact that 20 of those victims were young children make it all the more shocking. The fact that people are so comfortable going on the World Wide Web, the biggest public forum, to casually spew such hate is actually very scary to me. I would like to believe that we live in a society where we have respect and compassion for our fellow man. We so easily forget about the important things in life and focus on trivial issues regarding our day to day lives. Is it such an inconvenience that a baseball game is delayed?

I will go to sleep tonight counting my blessing for my amazing family, my friends, and having the ability to live a life where I choose my destiny. We all need to take a step back sometimes and remember what is really important. We are all the same. We have faults, we make mistakes and we all have our strengths. The one thing we all have in common.. we are human. I like to believe that we will get to a point where hate for another person be it their gender, race, orientation or beliefs is a thing of the past. We hold the power to determine the destiny of humanity. I choose to spread love not hate! xox

Tuesday's Tip! How To Make Buttermilk!

2012-12-11T23:30:00.000-05:00

Buttermilk is not something I usually have on hand in my kitchen. I usually know beforehand if a recipe I am making calls for it. That being said, we’ve all been there when we come across a new dish we want to try or we get mid-recipe and realize that its calls for an ingredient we don't have. This happened to me the other night and I know like most people I don't want to run out to the grocery store for just one item. The best thing about being out of buttermilk though is that you can easily make do with a simple at home substitute. There are a few ways to make your own buttermilk, but I have always stuck to the old school, tried and true, and simplest way. All you need is two ingredients and five minutes.

Ingredients:

Milk (just under one cup)
1 Tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice (I have always used vinegar)

1. Add one Tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup.

2. Add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line.

3. Let stand for five minutes. (It will start to look curdled)

4. Stir and use.

TIP: If you have heavy cream on hand, use that in place of the milk and you will have real buttermilk

Green Smoothie!

2012-11-20T01:40:00.000-05:00

I don't always eat enough vegetables to get my suggested daily intake of nutrients each day. A while back I started adding some healthier ingredients to my fruit smoothies to make them a little healthier. Over time I have added more healthy ingredients and now have a power packed green smoothie each day that tastes like a fruit smoothie. Here is a easy recipe and instructional video outlining what goes into my green smoothie as well as show how easy they are to make.

Do you drink Green Smoothies?

Would you make these yourself?

Going Gluten Free!

2012-11-04T03:43:00.000-05:00

For years, well for pretty much my whole life I have been plagued with stomach problems. It had become a joke that I always felt sick after every meal. In high school I went to a gastroenterologist and was diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). After years of being sick it became almost a way of life and was seemingly put on the back burner. It never really affected me after eating any certain type of food or anything in particular so I was lead to believe I just had a sensitive stomach. As long as I had a bottle of pepto bismol in my medicine cabinet I was OK.

Over the years I have tried different diets and cutting out certain food groups to try and feel better, but nothing ever worked. A few years ago with the rise of celiac disease and the concept of a gluten allergy being more in the news I again thought that maybe this could be a reason for my chronic illness. After having an endoscopy and colonoscopy performed on me along with blood tests it was almost depressing to find out I didn't have celiacs. Now don't get me wrong I am grateful that I don't have it, but once again I was at square one not knowing why I kept getting sick.

Up until recently I felt defeated and that I would never get to the bottom of my stomach issues. After much investigation and research on my part I learned that you can have a gluten sensitivity. This is not the same as having an allergy to gluten. If you have also been suffering from symptoms that tend to relate to gluten, it may be that you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Research estimates that there are 18 million Americans who have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. That is six times the amount of Americans who have celiac disease. The reason so many people don't know if they have a sensitivity to gluten is because there is no medical test for it. That is why so many people like me suffer for years and get diagnosed with other ailments like IBS.

Recently I caught an episode of the Doctor Oz Show that dealt with this exact topic. Watching the people on TV describe their battle was beyond eye opening to me. A complete stranger pretty much described the last 15 years of my life. They also showed what they called the gluten spectrum. It outlines the small number of Americans on one end that have celiacs (a gluten intolerance), and the large portion on the other who are not effected by gluten. What surprised me was the large number of people in the middle who gave a sensitivity to gluten.

I had already begun to eliminate gluten from my diet to see if I fall into the category of gluten sensitive. But after taking the self assessment test on Dr.Oz.com I was convinced that my efforts had merit. They created a simple checklist of nine symptoms and if you have four or more of these symptoms you may have a sensitivity to gluten. I have at least seven of the symptoms listed. They recommend going gluten free for 2-4 weeks and or consulting your doctor. Over the last few weeks I have been eliminating gluten from my diet which will hopefully eliminate the symptoms I have been experiencing. I will have a follow up post with my progress. If my story sounds familiar to you I urge you to read up on gluten sensitivity. Also if you have a few seconds take the self assessment test HERE.

Do you have a sensitivity to gluten or another food allergy?

Gluten Free Chocolate Covered Pretzels!

2012-10-12T04:41:00.001-04:00

I have come across a delicious new treat I can enjoy while eating gluten free. As many of you know I don't like anything that tastes "diet-y" ESPECIALLY sweets. I was nervous when I purchased this bag of Glutino fudge covered pretzels, but I was an instant fan at first bite. They are delicious and taste just like any other chocolate covered pretzel, which is one of my favorite treats. If you didn't know they were a gluten free product you would guess. I can’t even begin to describe how good these pretzels are!

Have you tried these pretzels?

Bottle To Pen!

2012-09-29T01:21:00.000-04:00

Knowing my propensity to be "green" whenever possible, a friend of mine bought me a few B2P pilot pens a while back. I love them and wanted to share this great idea with you all. Pilot created the Bottle to Pen (B2P), a retractable, refillable gel ink pen, which is made from recycled plastic bottles,

Hopefully you are aware of the alternatives to using disposable bottles and recycle the ones you do use. Here are some facts about how plastic bottles pollute.

Plastic bottles take 700 years to begin composting
80% of plastic bottles are not recycled
38 million plastic bottles go to the dump per year in America from bottled water (not including soda)
24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles
The average American consumes 167 bottles of water a year
Bottled water is the second most popular beverage in the United States
Plastic bottles make up close to 50 percent of recyclable waste in landfills

These pens are made from 89% recycled plastic bottles. One plastic water bottle can be used to create two B2P pens, and the pens use the same gel ink as in Pilot's number one selling gel pen. They work great and I love the bottle-styled barrel. It reminds me of the bottles they are made from, and reminds me that we can find all kinds of new ways to go green!

They can be found at any office supply store or online and can be purchased singularly or in multiples. I found a 5 pack of B2P pens at Staples for $5.99.

Would you buy these B2P pens?

Tuesday's Tip! Storing Fresh Mozzarella!

2012-09-25T14:00:00.000-04:00

I love using fresh Mozzarella whether I'm making a caprese salad or a homemade pizza, but I don't always use it all in one recipe. A lot of people are nervous about saving fresh mozzarella and how you can safely store it.

The best thing to do is only buy as much fresh mozzarella as you think you will need for a recipe or that you will be able to use in a few days. If you have some left over the best thing to do is store it in a small air tight container. I usually fill the container with tap water so that the mozzarella is covered and add a pinch of salt. It will keep like this in the refrigerator for a few days.

Can I Grrow My Own Garlic?

2012-09-24T10:50:00.001-04:00

Like I stated in my post yesterday Grow Your Own Garlic? I wanted to try it for myself. So last night I planted my own cloves to see if they will grow.

It really was easy!

Using a square glass vase that I had, I filled it with potting soil I also happened to have. The soil was a bit dry so using a spray bottle i misted water throughout the soil to add some moisture.

Since I am using a container that is bigger than a small plant pot I decided to try and double my chances by using two garlic cloves. This was also easy since I always have fresh garlic on hand in the kitchen.

Simply peel the skins off the garlic cloves. This was a bit funny for me, I haven't peeled garlic in a long time since becoming favorable to quickly pressing each clove with a large knife to remove the skin when using the garlic for cooking. Obviously that method wont work in this situation.

I made a small hole and placed the clove inside with the pointy end facing up, then covered the clove with a thin layer of soil. I did the same with the second clove.

When I was done I again misted the top layer of soil with a little water, hopefully to jump start the growing process.

After that it is out of my hands. I placed the vase in a window where it can receive ample sun light and now I wait!

You can follow my hopeful success, I will be posting all the highlights of this adventure on my Hungry For Living Facebook Page!

Grow your own Garlic?

2012-09-23T10:27:00.000-04:00

Did you know that you can grow your own garlic? Supposedly one planted clove can produce up to twenty cloves! It doesn't seem very hard, So I am going to try this out for myself and keep you updated on the process over at my Hungry For Living Facebook Page.

It doesn't seem that difficult to cultivate your own garlic at home. Here is how you can try it yourself!

Simply plant a garlic clove in a small pot. If the clove has started to sprout that is even better. If your cloves have yet to begin to sprout you just want to make sure to plant them with the pointy end up. If you have a bigger pot or flower box you can plant multiple cloves, just make sure to plant them a few inches apart. You can also plant them in a garden if you have the space.

You want to make sure it is placed in a location that gets a lot of sun and that the soil isn't too damp.

If you plant your clove inside water it occasionally like you would an indoor plant. As the garlic begins to grow it will sprout leaves. Eventually they will turn brown die. This is good though, it means it's time to harvest the garlic.

Simply dig out the garlic and hang the bulbs in a cool, dry location to allow them to dry. After about a week the garlic should be dry. Now you can clean it off and cook your favorite recipe.

Would you try to grow your own garlic?

Rosemary Chicken!

2012-09-16T10:18:00.000-04:00

Below is an easy recipe for a contemporary chicken dish made with fresh vegetables.

Ingredients:

4 skinless/boneless chicken breast halves

1 5.8oz box of quick-cooking couscous

1tsp lemon pepper seasoning

1Tbsp fresh rosemary chopped (or 1/2tsp dried and crushed)

3 garlic cloves minced

1/4tsp salt

1 medium zucchini

1 yellow squash

15 cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup apple juice

2Tbsp apple juice

2tsp cornstarch

fresh rosemary springs for garnish (optional)

To start prepare your vegetables by slicing the zucchini and squash in half lengthwise, then make 1/4 inch cuts with-wise.
Cut each of your tomatoes in half.

TIP: If you are using fresh rosemary the best way to remove the leaves from the stem is to hold the top of the stem with your left forefinger and thumb with the leaves facing up. Then with your right hand grasp the stem right below your left fingers with your right forefinger and thumb and move slowly down the stem easily stripping the leaves off.

Here is an easy tip for shopping the fresh rosemary

Cut your chicken breasts in half. If your chicken breasts are thick you will want to pound them out.
Next prepare your couscous as instructed on the box
Place olive oil in a skillet over medium heat
Once hot place chicken in skillet and dust the chicken with 1/2 tsp of lemon pepper.

After approximately 7 minutes turn the chicken and dust with the remaining 1/2tsp of lemon pepper. Continue to cook the through approximately 7 more minutes.

Place chicken aside and keep covered to keep it warm
Place garlic, zucchini and squash in skillet after 30 seconds add a 1/2 cup of apple juice, salt and rosemary.

Allow the juice to come to a boil, cover and then reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes.
In a small glass mix cornstarch into 2Tbsp of apple juice. Slowly add this slury to the skillet while stiring slowly. Continue to stir until the broth becomes thick and starts to bubble, then add tomatoes.
Plate chicken and vegetables over couscous and garnish with a rosemary spring if desired.

What do you think?

Will you try this new recipe?

Easy Marinade!

2012-09-15T22:34:00.000-04:00

Here is an easy marinade you can use for a last minute steak dinner or to give your meat dish a little extra flavor.

Using a Ziploc bag or air tight container place your meat inside with the following.

1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup Vinegar
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (or granulated garlic)
1 tablespoon fresh minced onion (or onion powder)
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours then prepare meat as desired.

Easy Homeade Tomato Sauce!

2012-09-13T13:46:00.002-04:00

I never use tomato sauce from a jar, so whether I am making a quick pasta sauce or sauce as part of a larger recipe, I have a quick and easy way to make fresh homemade tomato sauce. Below is a recipe that will generate 2 Cups of tomato sauce. It is perfect for a pasta dinner for 2 or 3 people. For a larger amount of sauce, just double or triple the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 Can of basic plain tomato sauce

1Tbsp Olive Oil

A handful of fresh cherry tomatoes

3 Garlic cloves (minced)

1/4tsp Salt

1/8tsp pepper

Basil (1Tbsp fresh or 1tsp dried)

Oregano (1Tbsp fresh or 1tsp dried)

Thyme (1tsp fresh or 1/4tsp dried)

TIP: here is an easy way to cut fresh herbs

In a large skillet over medium heat add Olive Oil and Garlic.

Cook and stir for about 30 seconds and then add tomatoes and herbs.

Allow the tomatoes to cook in the hot oil while occasionally stirring until the skins begin to crack.

Once the tomatoes begin to break apart, you can use your spatula or spoon to help break down the tomatoes.

After the tomatoes start to break apart, you can add the tomato sauce.

After adding the tomato sauce, you can add the salt and pepper.

Continue to stir the sauce occasionally, and using your spatula or spoon, you can continue to break down the tomatoes further.

Allow the sauce to simmer over a low heat for ten minutes

Then Enjoy!

Tip:If you don not have tomatoes on hand or prefer a thin pasta sauce just omit them from the recipe. They do however add a great deal of flavor and texture to the sauce.

Do you think you would like this recipe?

Wordless Wednesday! Remember!

2012-09-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

Tuesday's Tip! An Easy Way To Chop Fresh Herbs!

2012-09-11T02:45:00.000-04:00

I always love cooking with fresh herbs. Since it's been summer I have been using them more than ever. It can be tricky and time consuming chopping or mincing lots of fresh herbs for a recipe. I recently started using an old trick for finely chopping herbs quickly.

Using a small glass and a pair of kitchen shears you can quickly cut any kind of herb quickly.

Just put a handful of whatever leaves you are using in a tall glass, then using the kitchen shears snip the leaves until they are minced. The glass holds the leaves compressed in a small space so it is easy to cut them up. The sharp scissors are much better at cutting the herbs more finely than a rougher knife would be.

I used this trick the other night while making homemade pasta sauce. I filled the glass with Basil, Oregano, Greek Oregano & Thyme picked fresh from the garden and in 30 seconds they were all chopped.

It was quick, easy, and no mess. All the herbs went straight from the glass into the sauce.

Have you ever used this method to cut herbs?

A New Look For Only $0.96!

2012-09-01T01:23:00.002-04:00

While I was organizing my new place I came across a piece of furniture that I didn't have much use for. It was an old shelf that I have had for a while. I remember when I was a kid we had it in our house, at that time it was a dark stained wood. A while back my mom gave it a new life by painting it white and putting on a some new white knobs with a flowery design. In my new place though I didn't have any place where this shelf would look good. I got to thinking and decided to give this old shelf a facelift.

I started by taking the shelf outside and with a drop cloth behind it I spray painted a fresh coat of black paint that I purchased for only $0.96.

After I allowed the shelf to dry I brought it inside. I didn't need to buy new knobs since I had some old knobs saved from old furniture. I had both silver and brushed brass knobs to choose from. After trying both I decided the brushed brass looked better.

Once the shelf was fully dry it was ready to hang.

I decided to use my new shelf as an addition to my homemade bar. Now I have somewhere to display my glasses in the same area.

The shelves also come in handy for a bar idea. They are the perfect size to hold bottle openers, cork screws and bottle stoppers.

Here is the whole bar area now.

So for only 96 cents I was able to breathe new life into an old shelf and spruce up my new home.

Thoughts?

An Easy Dinner Using Leftovers!

2012-08-24T01:08:00.001-04:00

Tonight I created a yummy dish utilizing leftovers, a pantry staple and a few things picked fresh from the garden. When I looked around tonight thinking about what to make for dinner I remembered I had about 11oz of ground beef in the freezer left over from homemade burgers earlier this week and a small amount of Italian sausage from making homemade pizza a few days ago. I also a had a small amount of fresh picked grape tomatoes from the garden. I got to thinking and instantly knew I could make a meat sauce. I also knew I had a whole plethora of fresh herbs from the garden at my disposal. Here is a quick and simple recipe.

The left overs I had were 11oz of lean ground beef and 1 1/2 Italian sausage links

On hand I had fresh genovese basil, oregano, greek oregano, thyme and garlic. I always try to use fresh herbs when possible. Obviously if you dont have all or any, dry herbs can be used.

In a saute pan I browned the ground beef in a little olive oil with fresh garlic. When the beef was browned I I crumbled in the sausage.

Once all the meat was cooked I removed and drained the meat and put it aside in a bowl

At this point I put a pot of water on and once it boiled I added some rigatoni I had in the pantry. Obviously a recipe like this can be altered in many ways and you can choose what ever kind of pasta you have or prefer.

After wiping the saute pan clean I added some Olive Oil, chopped fresh herbs, grape tomatoes and a little salt. I sauteed them over a low heat until the skins of the tomatoes began to crack.

Once the garlic began to brown and the tomato skins cracked, I added a can of tomato sauce puree. I added a dash of salt and a pinch of salt to taste as well as a dash of cracked red pepper flakes. Using my wooden spatula I also applied pressure to the tomatoes to break them down a little further. After that I added the meat to the sauce and allowed it to cook for a few minutes.

After the sauce began to simmer I removed it from the heat and used it to top off my rigatoni. After adding a small amount of fresh Romano cheese on top I had a perfectly De-Lish dinner!

Have any other ideas for making a dish with these ingredients?

A Fresh Coat For $3.99!

2012-08-19T03:19:00.000-04:00

I HATE white walls. For me a house, apartment or condo with floor to ceiling white walls just doesn't work. No amount of artwork, photos, trinkets or drapes can make the place feel homey. When I moved into my new place I wasn't to excited to see bright white.. everywhere! Before I moved in I painted the master bedroom and living room a neutral beige tone. Instantly the whole place had a different feel. I used the above mentioned accessories to pull it all together and without painting all the rooms I was able to turn it into a home.

The only other down side was the back splash in the kitchen. It was a horrible deep yellowish color that should be named "puke yellow". At around 2am last night while organizing my kitchen I decided I really hated it and thought..why don't I just paint it? While trying to save money after a big move it occurred to me that I still had half a bucket of beige paint.

I was a little nervous because most of the back splash was wall, but there were two shelves made of pressed wood I'm guessing and covered in laminate. Since I was awake last night when I had this idea I decided to stay up ten more minutes and tape it off. This way in the morning I could paint.

After a quick trip to the store to buy a paintbrush I was in business. Two coats later and a little dry time, I had a whole new kitchen. A coat of paint can truly change something's appearance. It can also give the space a whole new feeling.

Next time you want to make a change to a room think about what you have that you can utilize. Since I had extra paint laying around the only thing I needed was the brush. So for only $3.99 I was able to spruce up a kitchen I didn't particularly like. Now I LOVE my new kitchen!

Here is a look at a room with half of the wall painted. What a difference!

Any other ideas for making cheap improvements to your space?

Your Next Breath Is Never Guarenteed!

2012-08-08T01:55:00.001-04:00

“Your next breath is never guaranteed. Stand up for what you believe in!”

I thought this the other day and wanted to post it on the Hungry For Living Facebook page. It dawned on me though that I would be encouraging the people I disagree with to continue to feel a way that I believe is wrong. But just because they don’t believe in the same things as me I cannot fault them. Everyone is free to hold their own ideas about anything and everything in this world. It’s one of the benefits of having our own mind and a privilege to voice them in this country.

I realize though that there is a difference. If I choose to express my opinion and views on others I am spreading awareness on a topic I am passionate about. When you berate, condemn, or ostracize someone else for their beliefs you are spreading hate.

I have never judged, beat, tortured, discriminated against, humiliated, persecuted or even murdered someone because their beliefs differed from mine. We all have the right to grow, cultivate and form our own opinions. No one is born to hate another individual, hate is learned. It sickens me the way so many people take it upon themselves to judge how others live their lives. Its irritating to see people hate how others live when it in no way impacts their own lives. After all the progress we have made in following the mantra that all men (and woman) are created equal, you would think people would think twice before disregarding another human being. You wouldn’t hate someone for voting differently from you, believing in a different religion or even choosing to dress differently than you, so why than can you not help but hate someone who loves differently than you.

We all have a right to live our lives the way we want to, and that includes loving whoever you want to. Just because it may not be the way you feel love should be does not give anyone the right to stop that love from happening. These are rights everyone has and should not need to be voted on. It’s hypocritical to take our god given rights and let others choose whether or not you deserve them.

People are up in arms right now about gay rights and whether homosexual couples should be allowed to marry. Why not? What will allowing two people in love to marry change for anyone else?

I myself have two moms. They are no different than any other couple and have a wonderful stable, loving marriage. The thing is my two moms raised me to accept others and their beliefs. No matter the color of their skin, religion, gender, economic background or sexual preference. I do not discriminate against you because you may not agree with my opinions or if my family disgusts you and that’s the difference. You may not agree with me but I would never hold that against you. Think about that the next time you judge someone for something they cannot control. Whether or not you agree with them why spend the time trying to take away their rights as a human being.

When I grow old I will look back on my life happily and know I enjoyed every moment to the fullest Do you really want to look back and realize you wasted your life spreading hate and being angry over other people’s lives and forgetting to enjoy your own?

What do you think?