Monday, February 8, 2010
Back to Reality
Part of me finds that very disturbing but another part finds it quite refreshing in the sense that I will have to use my imagination and the food we have in order to plan quick and healthy meals.
Tonight, we had scrambled eggs served over a grilled english muffin. I added some grated cheese on the eggs and put them under the broiler for a minute. My husband and I had sauteed spinach with the eggs. Served with a salad or veggies, a nice healthy dinner ready in a flash.
The rest of the week will be a series of improvised meals. I know I have chicken breasts in the freezer, rice and pasta, everything to make a quick tomato sauce, chicken broth, beans, eggs and vegetables. I can make chicken with rice and brocoli. I can probably prepare a soup. We can have pasta and I am pretty sure we could have a sandwich night.
It might be a challenge this week, but I know we can make it!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Healthy Snacks and Desserts

Monkey Bars
1/2 cup raisins
1 1/2 tablespoon rhum or apple cider
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup mash ripe banana
3 tablespoons buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
1/3 cup chopped walnuts (I usually don't add walnuts)
cooking spray
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
Preheat the oven to 350.
Combine raisins and rhum in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute and set aside. In a bowl, combine together the dry ingredients (flour though salt) and mix well with a whisk.
Combine butter and sugar and beat with a mixer, at medium speed, until well blended. Add banana and next 3 ingredients (banana though egg whites) beating well. Add dry ingredients and beat just until combined and moist. Stir in raisin mixture and walnuts.
Spread the batter into a 8 inch square baking pan covered with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden. Cool completely on a rack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
A piece of this bar with a cup of tea or a glass of milk is delicious at any time of day! Enjoy!
Monday, February 1, 2010
I read somewhere about Meatless Mondays and I decided to join the movement and make our Mondays meatless. It is sometimes a challenge to find vegetarian ideas that will please the whole family but I have been quite successful so far.
Tonight we are having breakfast for dinner... request from my son. We will be having buckwheat pancakes and fresh fruits. My husband has a business dinner tonight so I tend to make simple dinners when he is not home - I don't know why... he would not mind pancakes but there is that notion that when Dad is not home we eat differently.
This is what of the week looks like:
Tuesday: Vegetable soup with tortellini, bread and cheese
Wednesday: Pasta with meat sauce, crudites.
Thursday: Chicken Cesar Salad
Friday: Fish
Sunday, January 31, 2010
This in a space where I can share with you the joys of everyday cooking for a family of 5 -mom, dad, 2 teenage girls and a 8 year old boy.
My kids are not particularly picky even though my second daughter does not like tomatoes and will, from time to time refuse to eat the same as us.
My true love is baking - I love to find wonderful muffin, bread, and cookie recipes and add my very own healthy twist to them.
I have lost approximately 45-50 lbs in the past 5 years and I have no intention to gain them back... I try to find prepare good healthy meals for my family so I can maintain a healthy weight but also to make sure my kids understand the benefits of nutrition and good food.