Tag: recipe

Top Ten Tuesday – Slow Cookers Recipes

I’ve been wanting to pull my slow cooker out for awhile now and we’ve been on the go so much, it just hasn’t happened. Writing this post means it will happen soon, though, because now I am hungry!

 

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Today’s Top Ten is all about slow-cooker recipes. Some are mine, some I have seen and want to try. At the end of the day, I love food, I love to eat, and I love to make recipes that make for tasty leftovers. I have yet to make a slow cooker meal that doesn’t do just that.

 

 

10. Spiced Slow Cooker Applesauce – on my list to try!

9.  Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs – on my list to try!

8.   Crock Pot Italian Sloppy Joe

7.   Embarrassingly Easy Crock Pot Salsa Chicken Thighs

6.  Crock Pot Minestrone Soup – on my list to try!

5.  Slow Cooker Apple Butter – on my list to try!

4.  Healthier Buffalo Chicken Mac N’ Cheese

3.  Slow Cooker Chicken

2.  Slow-Cooker Pork Carnitas 

1.   Super Easy Pulled Pork

 

What is your favorite slow cooker recipe?

 

 

 

Fiber One Cheesecake Bars and my #CheesecakeInstincts {Giveaway!}

Follow your #CheesecakeInstincts! 

In our house, we love sweets – whether it’s a snack or dessert. Always trying to be mindful of what we’re eating, we are also a fan of Fiber One products and the new Cheesecake Bars are a great new addition to our lunch bags. It is a delicious, low-calorie, healthy snack.

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High on the list of what I love about these low-calorie products, is the individually wrapped servings. Just grab one and go. I also, of course, love the flavors. They really satisfy those sweet tooth cravings, especially in the afternoon.  Here are a few ways I like to follow my #CheesecakeInstincts and enjoy the Cheesecake Bars.

The Salted Caramel Bar is really good with a handful of grapes. The sweet flavors together, along with the little bit of salt really hit the spot. 

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The Strawberry Bar is really good in the microwave for just a few seconds, enough to make it warm, with a dollop of fat free topping.

 

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And also, when you’re on the run, it’s also delicious by itself. Both the Salted Caramel and Strawberry bars are moist and filling.

Best of all, each Cheesecake Bar has irresistible layers of graham cracker-y goodness and rich & cream cheesecake. Each delicious cheesecake bar has 150 calories and 5 grams of fiber per serving. For those following Weight Watchers and tracking points, this is a 4 point snack!

 

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Right now, you can find Fiber One Cheesecake Bars on sale at Publix from 7/16-7/29! And to help you out, I am giving away $15 to one lucky winner! All you need to do is visit the Fiber One Facebook page, view the recipe ideas for the Cheesecake Bars, and let me know in a comment below which flavor you want to try to fulfill your #CheesecakeInstincts and how you would enjoy it. I will pick one random winner on Friday July 24th and send $10 via PayPal. 

 

[Tweet “Fiber One Cheesecake Bars for my #CheesecakeInsticts. On sale at Publix and a chance to win $15!”]

 

Also visit Ready Plan Save Coupon for a $0.50 coupon!

{Recipe} Homemade Paella

Social media is a wonderful thing. Last week, Facebook reminded me of a recipe I made back in July 2012, which I had forgotten about. I decided to make it again and it turned out to be a fantastic dinner for two nights and lunch for one day.  Since we enjoyed it so much, I wanted to share it here on my blog again.

This is my version of homemade paella. Hubby is not a fan of spicy foods so I like to modify recipes so that he will enjoy them as well. It’s the best of both worlds when I can make a recipe that I love and that hubby loves as well. The biggest change I made to this recipe was the sausage. Normally, paella calls for chorizo which can have a bite to it. Instead, I use mild Italian sausage.

 

 
Homemade Paella

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 links mild Italian sausage
1 bag Vigo yellow rice (serves 8)
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/4 White onion, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces
Paprika
Minced garlic
Adobo powder
Olive oil

 

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Cook chicken breasts in olive oil. I like to cook them whole and then cut them up about halfway through. I find it easier to cut then when it is raw.

In another pan, cook sausage in olive oil. When it is done cooking, slice into bit-sized pieces.

In a large saucepan, cook rice as per instructions on package. This will take about 20 minutes to cook. I turned it off while it was still on the moist side as I wanted to keep the dish as moist as possible.

 

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When the chicken is almost done, add paprika (2 teaspoons), adobo powder (I used about 2 tablespoons of it), and add onion and red pepper. I like a lot of onion and red pepper, so this would be to your liking. Continue to cook until onions are almost clear. Add minced garlic (about 1 1/2 tablespoons) and cook for about 5 more minutes.

 

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In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil and add bouillon cube to dissolve.

In a large skillet, combine rice, chicken, peppers, onion, sausage, and chicken bouillon. Cover and heat on medium for about 10 minutes until bouillon is just about gone. 

 

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Enjoy! This is very filling, a little goes a long way. The glass of Barefoot Moscato is optional.

 

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Do you enjoy spicy food? What is your favorite spicy dish?

{Recipe} Healthier Buffalo Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese

I am always looking for new recipes to try, especially ones that are a healthier option and will be good for dinner and leftover lunch for a couple days. I recently came across a recipe and decided to modify it and make it my own. I have to say it turned out DELICIOUS!!

 

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  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breast (trim fat)
  • 1 jar Texas Pete Mild Buffalo Wing Sauce
  • 1 box Whole Grain Rotini
  • 2 1/4 cups Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Whole Grain Panko Breading
  • 1 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
  • 1 cup Fat Free Milk
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Powder
  • Pepper

 

Put chicken and jar of buffalo wing sauce in slow cooker on low for 5 hours. When done, it will shred very easily. After you shred, mix in some of the sauce from the slow cooker. More sauce = more flavor, depending on your liking.

Cook box of rotini as per directions, al dente, and drain.

In large pot, cook chicken broth and milk until almost a boil, about 5 minutes. Add onion powder, garlic powder, and pepper. Add in cheese (keep 1/4 cup of cheese aside) and whisk until melted.

Place pasta in a large 9×13 casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Add shredded chicken. Pour cheese sauce and mix until all coated.

Sprinkle panko breading and remaining 1/4 cup of cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

 

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Ready to go in oven!

 

**I made the chicken the day before and let it set overnight which I think really helped keep the buffalo flavor.

 

 What is your favorite ingredient for a healthy meal?

Updated Shakeology Recipes and Weight Watchers SmartPoints

**This post has been updated to provide accurate information for my Shakeology recipes and  the new Weight Watchers SmartPoints values under their new Beyond The Scale plan.

 

Do you drink Shakeology? Do you know how much of a SUPERfood it really is? It is chick full of vitamins and nutrients, for many it will replace the need for a multi-vitamin. It is also a great source of protein and fiber, depending on the flavor you choose.

 

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I have three go-to recipes for my breakfast shakes, using both Vanilla and Chocolate flavor. Today, I will share them along with the Points Plus values for those following Weight Watchers.

 

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shakeology

1 pack Chocolate Shakeology (4 points)

8 oz. unsweetened almond milk (1 point)

2 tbsp. PB2 (1 point)

1 medium banana

6 ice cubes

Blend together until smooth.

Total SmartPoints value……….6

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Tropical Shakeology

1 pack Vanilla Shakeology (3 points)

8 oz. unsweetened almond milk (1 point)

1/2 cup mango

1 medium banana

6 ice cubes

Blend together until smooth.

Total SmartPoints value………..4

Caffé Mocha Shakeology

1 pack Vanilla OR Chocolate Shakeology (3 or 4 points)

8 oz. Starbucks Caffé Mocha (7 points)

6 ice cubes

Put all ingredients in shaker cup, shake until mixed.

Total SmartPoints value…………10 or 11 points

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Pineapple Mango Shakeology

1 pack Vanilla Shakeology (3 points)

8 oz. unsweetened almond milk (1 point)

1/2 cup pineapple

1/2 cup mango

6 ice cubes

Blend together till smooth.

Total SmartPoints value………4

 

 

 

Are you curious about Shakeology? Would you like to try before you commit? I have a 5-Day sample pack available. 3 Vanilla and 2 Chocolate packs to try your way for 5 days! Leave me a comment below for more information.

 

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What is your favorite ingredient to add to your shake or smoothie?