Taste and See

Let's Be Thankful and Have a Good Laugh!

2013-11-19T14:03:00.002-08:00

I don't know about you but I have so much to be thankful for! In the past I took life for granted, I didn't always appreciate what was in front of me. But today I am thankful for the little things. Today I got to hang out with my middle child who will be graduating this summer. It's hard to believe that he has gotten to this point already! Or maybe it is Me who has gotten to this point ;) Ok, maybe I don't want to think about that. Anyway, we had an awesome talk about college and how it is important for him to go after what he is passionate about. It's those little talks that happen once in a while that are priceless. Which leads me to think of Thanksgiving! I don't know about you, but I love to sit down to a beautiful meal with my family and share what we are thankful for. If you are like my family, this sparks up all kinds of stories...that are sometimes embarrassing, but totally hilarious. Just like the cliche laughter is good medicine. There are many health benefits to laughing. So be sure to add laughing to your family holidays this year. There are so many benefits!

Benefits of Laughing

Reduces Heart Disease
Natural Pain Killer
Improves Breathing
Helps You to Loose Weight
Gives Good Sleep
Decreases Stress
Makes You Look Young
Boosts Relationships

There are no reasons not to laugh!!!

Spring into Summer

2013-06-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but Spring into Summer, 70-80 degree weather with a cool breeze is my favorite time of year. It puts me in the mood to ponder, create and organize my life...

I have been working very hard to get my garden planted. Having two teenagers that play Spring sports has kept me running! Every moment I get, I grab my shovel and go out and dig. I learn my best lessons in those times. It clears my head and I can go on with my busy schedule. I have been getting the word persistence. It means to keep going, even though there might be things getting in the way of getting it done.

Time is very precious these days. So when I don't feel like going out and plugging away at my huge garden, I persist. Because with a garden timing is very important. There is a small window to get things planted. I know in the end that it will pay off and I will have an abundance of veggies to eat and share.

So just remember to plug away, it will be worth it! I will be gathering some of my favorite summer recipes, gardening tips soon. But for now, I'm off into my garden...

Week 2 Menu

2013-03-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

http://tasteandsee5.blogspot.com/p/week-2-menu_19.html

Egg Benedict Casserole

2013-03-19T13:18:00.002-07:00

Ingredients:

6 English Muffins

8 Large Eggs

2 Cup milk

1 small onion

Dash of paprika

Hollandaise Sauce:

1 stick butter

4 egg yokes

1/2 cup heavy cream

2T lemon juice

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

Grease a large (deep) pan. Cube 10-12 ounces Canadian bacon and 6 English muffins. Distribute evenly.

Beat: 8 large eggs, 2 c. milk, and 1/4 cup onion(finely chopped).

Spread evenly over the muffin/bacon mixture. Sprinkle with paprika if desired.

Let sit in fridge 8 hours.

Bake covered at 375 degrees for about 30-40 minutes. Remove foil, then bake an additional 15-20 minutes.

Remove from oven, let stand for 5 minutes.

While the casserole is baking, prepare the Hollandaise sauce.

Melt 1 stick of butter. Allow to cool slightly.

Then beat 4 egg yolks and add to butter. Beat again.

Next add 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 T. lemon juice.

Beat til smooth.

Heat the mixture in microwave for 1 – 2 minutes, beating every 20 seconds.

Stir in 1 t. Dijon mustard.

Dribble over plated casserole.

Spinach-Feta Quinoa Cakes

2013-03-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 TBL Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 garlic cloves minced

5 ounces of chopped baby spinach

2 lrg. eggs

1 1/4 cup cooked quinoa

2 ounces of crumbled feta cheese

1 tsp of dill

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

a squirt of lemon

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and spinach and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes.

In a bowl add eggs, quinoa, bread crumbs, feta, dill, lemon, salt and pepper and whisk together. Let stand for a few minutes to let bread crumbs absorb some moisture.

Add onion and spinach mixture to bowl and mix together.

Heat George Foreman Grill or panini press.

Form Patties about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick. Place Patties on grill, and cook for 6-7 minutes, until golden brown and slightly stiff.

Serve warm and add Lemon-Dill Sauce if desired

Makes 8 patties

With a dollop of sauce there are 105 calories each!

Lemon Dill Sauce:

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion

2 tsp. of freshly squeezed lemon

1 tsp. of dill

salt and pepper to taste

Mix and serve

Piloxing

2013-02-20T07:53:00.000-08:00

"Sleek, Sexy, Powerful"

Piloxing is a combination between Pilates, Dance and Boxing. It is a great new trend in the fitness world.

I first discovered piloxing at a local gym class. It was fun and it gave a great burn.

Regular Piloxing can improve speed, flexibility and stamina, boosting your energy levels! It made me feel healthier and gave me more confidence in myself. Making me a happier person. Not to mention that you burn 500-900 calories per hour. Who doesn't like that!

The best thing is...You can buy the DVD and do it at your leisure! That's what I did. It wasn't working for me to go to the gym for that class anymore (which I was totally bummed). I was so excited to find this DVD, now I'm able to exercise when it works for me!

Spaghetti Squash Stir fry Dijon

2013-02-19T17:41:00.001-08:00

Ingredients:
1 Spaghetti Squash
1 tsp olive oil
6 large Swiss Chard leaves
1/3 cup dried cranberries

Dressing:
1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbl. white wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Using a sharp knife pierce the spaghetti squash in several places. Place the squash in a microwavable dish and cook on high in microwave for 15 minutes. Turning the squash half way through. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut in half and scrape out the seeds and fibers. Using a fork scrape out the spaghetti squash flesh and place in a bowl.
Wisk together the Dijon mustard, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Roughly cut up the Swiss Chard, removing the stems. Heat oil in pan and add Swiss chard and cranberries, until Swiss chard is cooked down, about 2-3 minutes.
Mix together the spaghetti squash, Swiss chard mixture and mustard dressing mixture together.
Serve.

Makes 6 servings

175calories

Banana Oat Nut Smoothie

2013-02-17T12:03:00.001-08:00

Ingredients:
1 lrg banana
1/3 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 of quick oats (prepared and cooled)
2 Tbl. of almond butter or almonds
1 Tbl of Honey
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup almond milk
1 cup of ice

Directions: Blend all the ingredients in the blender.

You can have this satisfying shake for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's healthy enough for a snack, just cut it in half and share. If you like banana nut bread...this is a great alternative.

calories: 248 servings 2

The Healthy Green Salad

2013-02-11T14:25:00.002-08:00

This salad is clean and refreshing!

Ingredients:
1 cup of baby spinach
1 cup of baby kale
1 cup of sliced cucumber
1/2 green apple
1/2 avocado sliced
sprinkle of cayenne pepper
1/2 of a lime juiced onto salad

Calories: 239

Day 3 Detox

2013-02-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

This has been quite an adventure! I figured day three would be the hardest...and emotionally it was. But in a good way! I remember back in the day when I was fit and skinny. I didn't have a family to worry about. I came and went as I pleased. I could exercise whenever and was pretty active. Not that being a mother wasn't active...It just wasn't in the ways my body needed...and not to mentions the lack of sleep...
Over the years I have struggled to keep it off and have become overweight and that has been my image for the last 15 years. So now I'm having to come up with a new image??? Well, I'm not in my 20's and looking for a man? My children are almost all teens and higher. Now what? I'm happily married??? I guess it's time for me! Time to be healthy for the right reasons!
Day three was a good day to sort out my emotions! Spend time with God and realize that I am worth a whole lot more than I have given myself over the years! Time to be healthy for the right reasons...ME!

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Stacey on Pinterest

Source: crooksandqueens.tumblr.com via Stacey on Pinterest

Green Smoothie (Day 2 Detox)

2013-02-09T09:29:00.002-08:00

I woke up early this morning and was so energized! I got up and did my piloxing video for a 1/2 hour, made a shake, now I'm drinking my water and telling you that cleansing your body gives you energy and will power! Try it! You wouldn't believe how strong you really can be!

I tried a different shake this morning!

Green Smoothie

1 banana
1/2 cup grapes
1 kiwi
1/2 lemon (juiced)
1/2 of an avocado
1 cup of spinach
1 cup kale (might want to remove stems)
2 Tablespoons chia seeds
1 1/2 cup of chilled green tea, unsweetened
ice if wanted

Directions:

Add all the ingredients in blender, blend until smooth. Add ice if desired, and blend to perfect consistency for you!

432 calories if you drink all of it.

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Stacey on Pinterest

Day 1 towards my healthy life

2013-02-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I am starting day 1 of Dr. Oz. Detox Shakes. I need to loose 45 pounds to get to my perfect weight. If I loose 2 pounds a week...in six months I could be there! I will be sharing what I eat, so join in if ya want! Remember, do what is good for you and always consult a doctor. It's going to take focus and determination to get there! Here is the link for the Detox Shakes. Let me know if you try it, and please cheer me on, this is fifteen years of fat that I need to burn!

I can transform!!!

Week 1 Menu

2013-02-06T13:22:00.000-08:00

Week One Menu

3 Day Detox

2013-02-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you...But I have been struggling with my weight. As I get older the harder it is to keep off. In pursuit of getting back on the healthy bandwagon I have come across this manageable detox. It's loaded with all kinds of great ingredients and will help detox your body from all those things that have put that weight on in the first place. Let's get healthy together! I will be posting my progress as I go. Plus, adding some great menu plans. Here's to being healthy!

Dr. Oz 3 day Detox

Homemade Fig Newtons

2012-09-25T16:26:00.001-07:00

Filling:
1 cup finely chopped dried Black Mission figs
1 cup water
1 1/2 cup apple juice
1/4 cup sugar

Cookie Dough:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg white
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1. Make the filling: Combine the figs, water, apple juice and sugar in a medium sauceapan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook at a bare simmer for 1-2 hours until the figs are so soft that they’re spreadable.

2. Transfer to a food processor or blender, blend till smooth. Allow to cool.

3. Make the dough: Cream together the butter, and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, for 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Scrape down the bowl and paddle. Add the egg white and vanilla and beat in. Scrape down the bowl and paddle again. Add the flour and beat on low speed until the dough comes together. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.

4. Place racks in middle and lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to a 12 x 16 rectangle. Cut into 4 equal strips, each 12 x 4 inches. Spoon a line of filling down the center of each strip. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges together. Place on the parchment-lined baking sheets, seam side down.

6. Using a serrated knife, slice each log on the diagonal into 10 cookies. Bake, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through, for 12-15 minutes, until golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a rack.

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells with Cream Sauce

2012-09-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells with Cream Sauce

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups Butternut squash puree
2 large carrots, cooked and pureed
2 onions, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pinch ground cardamom
1/4 cup butter
1/3 pound grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons real maple syrup
1 egg, beaten
2 1/2 pounds fresh pasta sheets
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 cup hazelnuts
3 cups heavy whipping cream
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 pinch white pepper
salt to taste
2 cups favorite mushrooms sliced (portabella)
Directions
Saute the onions, garlic, and spices in butter or margarine until the onions are soft. Stir together with the pureed vegetables. Add cheese, maple syrup, egg, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning. Set the filling aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F .
Cook the cream, garlic, cayenne, and white pepper over high heat; stir often, and adjust heat to keep the cream from boiling over. When the cream is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, add a pinch salt. Adjust seasoning. Remove sauce from heat until you're ready to use it.
Stuff squash mixture in pasta shells and place in a 9x13 pan. Pour Cream sauce over shells and serve.

Creamy Artichoke Lasagna

2012-09-17T15:46:00.003-07:00

Creamy Spinach

Artichoke

Lasagna

Ingredients

Jar marinated artichokes
1 Bag spinach
9 dried lasagna noodles
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 15 - ounce carton ricotta cheese
1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (4 oz.)
1 cup snipped fresh basil
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups half-and-half or light cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz.)

directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add artichokes, spinach, pine nuts, and half of the garlic. Cook for3-5 minutes or until spinach is tender, stirring frequently. Transfer to the large bowl. Stir in ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of the basil, the egg, and salt.
For sauce, in a small bowl or glass measure, combine broth and flour. In the large saucepan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add the remaining garlic; cook and stir until garlic is tender but not brown. Stir in flour mixture and half-and-half. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup basil.
In a small bowl, combine mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.
To assemble, spread about 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of an ungreased 3-quart shallow baking dish. Layer three of the cooked noodles in the dish. Spread with one-third of the spinach/artichoke mixture and one-third of the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella mixture. Repeat layering noodles, artichoke mixture, sauce, and mozzarella mixture two more times.
Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes until edges are bubbly and top is lightly browned. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Packed Lunch

2012-09-01T07:21:00.001-07:00

My children have gotten hot lunch at school for years...but for some reason they decided they wanted to bring their own lunch.

I don't know about you...but I have found myself floundering around trying to find items to put into the kids lunch... I tend to end up with making a peanut butter sandwich and a piece of fruit.

My children started school this week and I wanted to give them some food that is healthy and that they would eat! Because lets face it...if they don't like it...they will probably throw it away.

So this is what we did...

My daughter "wanted" a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, so I did make one...but on homemade bread, apple and homemade granola bar.

The second day I packed hummus and some fresh veggies, homemade granola bar, Tortilla chips...She loved it! Note: she did come home saying that she didn't think that anyone else eats as healthy as her :)

The third day I made little pizzas out of English muffin dough that didn't rise high enough (perfect size pizza), some carrots sticks and a homemade granola bar.

In my quest to give them healthy lunches I came across this site that give hundreds of ideas for lunches. I thought I would share with you...and hopefully you might get inspired like me.

Happy Healthy Lunches at:

http://easylunchboxes.smugmug.com/The-Best-Lunchbox-System/Yummy-Lunch-Ideas/10136835_YSuyb#!i=696914291&k=YxmUd

Homemade Mac and Cheese

2012-08-27T15:52:00.001-07:00

Nothing says home cooking like Mac and Cheese! This is one of my families favorite comfort food! Eat it with some veggies and you are good to go.

Ingredients:
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (8ounces)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces)

Directions:
Cook macaroni according to package.
Heat oven at 350 degrees
Heat butter in a 3qt saucepan over med-low heat. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over med low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Add Milk and cheese. Cook over med low heat stirring constantly until cheese is melted and it starts to thicken..
Stir cheese sauce over macaroni and put in a 2 qt. casserole dish.
Bake uncovered 20-25 min or until bubbly.
Let cool for 5 min.
Serve

6 servings

Chocolate Chia Pudding

2012-08-18T20:23:00.001-07:00

This is super easy, healthy and Delicious!!! It's a healthy way to get that Chocolate Craving in...

8 oz Dark Chocolate Almond Milk

2-3 Tbl chia seeds

Add to together in glass dish

Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight

Enjoy your healthy chocolate fix!

Quick Pizza Crust

2012-08-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 pkg active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
1 tsp. white sugar
1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 Tbl. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
cornmeal

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
In medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water...(10 min)
Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest 5 min.
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a round.
Transfer to a lightly greased pizza pan, sprinkled with cornmeal.
Add favorite toppings
Bake 15-20 min or until golden brown.
Let sit for 5 min. before serving.

Thai Red Curry

2012-08-13T07:06:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

1 jar of curry paste
2 bags of frozen stirfry vegetables
1 can of chicken broth
1 can of coconut milk
1 Tbl. Fish Sauce
1 lb. of chicken cut into 1-2 inch pieces(can add favorite protein)
1 lrg onion chopped
1 sm. sweet potato pealed and chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1 Tbl. minced ginger (in jar)
olive oil
salt and pepper
siracha sauce to taste

1 cup dry Jasmine Rice

Directions

Start rice according to directions on package

In a skillet place 1 Tbl or olive oil, add onion, and sweet potato, saute until almost soft on med-high heat and set aside in a bowl.

Add another Tbl. of oil to pan and add chicken, season with salt and pepper.
Add garlic and ginger to chicken when its about half cooked.
Cook on Med-high until chicken is no longer pink.

Add back onion and sweet potato.
Add bags of frozen vegetables
Add Chicken Broth
Simmer until vegetables are cooked

Mix in fish sauce and curry paste and siracha sauce to taste (this is spicy)

Add Coconut Milk

Simmer about 5 more minutes

Serve over Jasmine Rice

Spicy Good!

Spinach Pie

2012-08-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 lb Feta cheese
1 chopped onion
2 eggs
2 bags of spinach
1 pkg. Filo dough
1 stick of butter
9x13 baking dish

Directions

Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl for 1 min.
In a large bowl mix cheese, egg, onion...then add spinach and coat
Unroll Filo dough, place a piece in baking dish and brush with butter (4x)
Then add 1/4 of mixture
Repeat with butter and filo dough and then mixture
Top layer should be Filo dough (sprinkle with some water)
bake at 350 for 1 hour or until golden brown
Let cool
Serve warm or cold

Inside-Out Cheeseburger

2012-08-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

Makes 4 Burgers

Ingredients

1/2 Cup of your favorite blend of cheese (chedder, swiss, american, etc)
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp Montreal Steak Seasoning

Directions

Mix ground beef and seasonings together, shape into 8 small patty.
Add Tbl. of cheese to one patty and cover with another patty
Seal the patties together.
Grill 4 min on each side ( or on George Foreman)
Let sit after grilling for 3 min.
Serve

I also like to add onion in the middle too!
The options to these are endless...
Create to your hearts desires.

Rosemary Ranch Chicken Kabob

2012-08-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup ranch dressing
3 Tbl. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbl. minced rosemary
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. white vinegar
1/4 tsp. ground blk. pepper or to taste
1 Tbl. sugar
1 lb. of chicken tenders or breast

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together olive oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, pepper and sugar. Place into a large plastic storage bag.

Cut up chicken in to 2 inch pieces and put into bag with marinade.

Chill for 2 hours or overnight.

Thread chicken onto skewers.

Grill chicken for 8-12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

Serve with fresh grilled veggies