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Showing posts from 2012

Curried Barley Salad

This Curried Barley Salad is from this months bon appetit   This months magazine has a fabulous section filled with grain salads. I made the Curried Spelt Salad but substituted barley for the spelt. I also made the Quinoa Tabbouleh. Both excellent. Curried Barley Salad Quinoa Tabbouleh

Turkey Taco Salad

This is my easy Turkey Taco Salad that my kids love. Ingredients 1 lb. ground turkey 2 Tbs. chili powder 1/2 Tbs. olive oil Greens of your choice( I always use romaine, I also throw arugula, baby chard, or kale in) Carrots shredded ( I buy them this way from Trader Joe's) 2 green onions, chopped 1 sweet red pepper,chopped 1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved 1-2 avocados, chopped Tortilla chips, crushed Shredded jalapeño jack cheese( I buy this at Trader Joe's ) I use bottled french dressing, you could make your own Start by browning the turkey in olive oil, add the spices and set aside. Assemble the rest of the salad, then add the turkey and dressing. You have dinner! Enjoy and let me know how you like it.

Picnic For Dinner Tonight

 Picnic For Dinner Tonight...Isn"t this a cute basket? This Pasta Salad is my son Tyler's favorite. I use cheese tortellini and mediterranean ingredients, the dressing is an oil and balsamic vinegar perfect for a picnic dinner. Mediterranean Pasta Salad Ingredients 1 pound of cheese tortellini cooked according to the package 1/2 cup of julienned sun dried tomatoes 1/2 cup of marinated artichoke hearts 1/2 cup of kalmata olives, halved 2 small perisan cucumbers, chopped 1 sweet red pepper, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 1/2 small red onion chopped 1 handful of fresh basil, chopped 1 handful of feta cheese, crumbled Drizzle of olive oil Drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar Salt and Pepper to taste I made my salad this afternoon and placed it in the fridge for dinner. I also like to serve it with a rustic European stone-hearth bread from our local bakery Bread and Cie. For tonight we are having Black Olive

Meatless Mondays

In honor of Meatless Mondays I have decided to share one of my favorite vegetarian cookbooks with you.    Deborah Madison is a leading authority on vegetarian cooking, and I urge you to check out her recipes if you are not familiar with them. In this book she covers everything from a well stocked pantry to preparing the ultimate dinner party. This is my go to book for vegetarian delights, a great reference book. Some of my favorite recipes include Mixed Beans in Broth with Parsley and Parmesan page 316, Watermelon with Mint,Lime and Feta page 167, and Savory Vegetable Galettes page 497.

Chicken and Strawberry Kale Salad

This is what's for Dinner Tonight. Grilled Chicken and Strawberry Kale Salad We had some grilled chicken left over from last nights chicken caesar salad burritos, so tonight we will use it for this yummy salad.  Ingredients Fresh chopped kale Chopped grilled chicken(I like the grill taste on the chicken for this salad) Chopped red onion Sliced Strawberries Dressing  Drizzle of olive oil Drizzle of your favorite vinegar salt and pepper Enjoy!

It's whats for dinner tonight!

Chicken Ceasar Salad Burrito This is a quick and easy weeknight meal your whole family will like. First you need to grill chicken breasts. I do this on my inside stovetop griddle. Second you need Ceasar Salad. You can buy the bag of ready to go caesar salad, or as in my case use fresh romaine lettuce with a bottled Ceasar Dressing with your favorite croutons. I used white flour tortillas from Trader Joes, (my family prefers them to the whole wheat), use what your family likes. Layer the Ceasar Salad in the tortilla, top with sliced chicken breast. Roll the tortilla around the salad and chicken. Enjoy! My daughter calls these green burritos.

Black Bean Quesadillas with fresh kale salad

Black Bean Quesadillas and fresh Kale salad....It is what's for dinner tonight. Ingredients 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated canned green chilies whole wheat tortillas Directions... I use a cast iron grill on my stovetop. I place a tiny bit of vegetable oil on the grill, then place the tortillas on the grill and place ingredients on the tortilla, top with another tortilla. Cook for a few minutes until the cheese starts to melt, then flip it over. Serve with a fresh kale salad, with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

Eggs and Toast Salad

Eggs and Toast Salad... Try having your eggs and toast with greens and veggies for breakfast. Ingredients Kale Persion cucumber, chopped Heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved 1 slice of sourdough toast 2 hardboiled eggs, sliced Toss ingredients together with a drizzle of good olive oil, and enjoy.

What's for Dinner Tonight?

What's for dinner tonight? The question we ask ourselves every day... I find myself googling that question or asking my clients during the day. I have decided I love to talk about what everyone has for dinner. I am going to blog about what I make for dinner, and I hope to hear from you about what you are having for dinner. Thursday night is a busy night at our house and I am short on time. This is what we had last night, chicken sausages, baked beans, fresh kale salad with lemon juice dressing. A healthy meal can be quick. Thank you Trader Joe's. I swung by Trader Joe's after seeing clients and before picking up the kids from school. I bought  sweet italian chicken sausages, canned baked beans, and a bag of ready to go kale. I preheated the oven to 375 degrees and placed the beans in a shallow dish to bake.(they get a yummy crust on them and taste homemade) Mean while I start to fry the sausages on the stove top, and assemble the salad. Toss the kale in a bowl, add t

Noodle-Free Lasagna

Noodle-Free Lasagna In the ongoing quest to cut refined carbs from our diet, I decided to try a noodle-free lasagna. I urge you to try it too, it is quite delicious and you won't miss the noodles a bit.  This casserole was loved by my kids, and even my husband who does not like zucchini. I don't think he realized it was made with zucchini with the great flavors of the dish. Ingredients 4-5 zucchini, sliced length wise thinly 1/2 lb. of sweet italian sausage 1 medium onion 3 cloves of garlic 28 oz. tomato puree 15 oz. ricotta mozzarella cheese, freshly grated Directions This is very quick and easy, a great weeknight meal. First brown your sausage, breaking it up as you go. Then add chopped onions, and cook over medium heat until done then add garlic and cook for a brief minute. Next add your tomato puree, simmer for a few minutes. While your sauce is cooking slice your zucchini length wise trying to keep the slices the same thickness. In  the bottom of your

Grammy's Old World Turkey Casserole

This is my Mother in laws recipe for turkey and cabbage casserole. She makes it with instant white rice, and cambells condensed tomato soup. You could defiantly make this healthier by using brown rice and your own tomato sauce topping, for our family we make it just like Grammy does. Ingredients 1 lb. ground turkey 1 Cup instant rice 1 small head of cabbage, chopped 1 can instant  cambells tomato soup 1 medium onion, chopped Directions Brown the turkey and chopped onions, adding salt and pepper to taste. Once the turkey and onions are done cooking remove from the heat and stir in the instant rice. In a large casserole add chopped cabbage to the bottom, then place the turkey and rice mixture, top with the can of soup, spreading it on top of the entire casserole, finally add a can of water. Bake uncovered @350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Power Greens Salad Mix

Organic Power Greens for Salad Yum!! I discovered this new salad mix this week, it has baby kale, baby chard, and baby spinach. It is pre washed and ready to eat. The greens are tender and yummy, and boost your nutrition from the basic lettuce. Try this for your next salad.

The Best Kitchen Tool!!

I Love this kitchen tool. I use mine for making smoothies to blending soups. I used to pull out my big blender for making smoothies, and it was such a pain. One day my blender broke and my sister said, why are you using a blender it is so much easier with a hand blender." She was right I never have replaced my blender, I use this hand blender for everything. Just put all your ingredients in a glass for a single serving ,or a pitcher for multiple servings, and blend away using the easy Smart Stick hand blender. My Green Smoothie recipe...even your kids will love 1 banana, cut into chunks 1 handful of frozen berries , your choice 1/12 cups of fresh spinach 1/2 cup of organic plain yogurt splash of water Place all ingredients in a glass and blend with your hand blender. Quick and easy. Experiment with different fruit combinations. Enjoy!

Happy Mothers Day!!!

Happy Mothers Day to all Moms Everywhere, especially mine. I Love You Mom! I love Mother's Day, mine usually starts with breakfast in bed, and homemade gifts from my children. We spend the day together, maybe a picnic in the mountains or a trip to the beach. I Love this special day with my kids and husband.  My Mom usually joins us, but this year she is going on a remote camping trip in the desert. There is no running water or electricity. My Mom loves nature and being out in it, but we will miss her on this Mother's Day. We will still have my Mom in Law to spend the day with us. Celebrate the Moms in your life. Enjoy your weekend fellow Mom's. Homemade Apple Pie I make this different every time, no real recipe.  About 8 organic golden delicious apples sliced and sprinkled with lemon juice A handful of sugar, half white and half brown cinnamon  vanilla pinch of salt 1/4 cup of flour Mix it all together with your hands, then mash them down in the bottom of a

The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie After all of my gluten-free baking my kids requested the old standby my chocolate chip cookies. Every once in a while you need to have the best chocolate chip cookie ever. What is better than making them at home? My family is great at eating healthy options most of the time and really enjoying them, which I strive to share with you. What is your families ultimate comfort treat? Please share.

Kale Lasagna

Kale LasagnaYum! I have been slightly obsessed with kale, so when I came across a recipe for kale lasagna I new I must try it. I made this up for the family dinner tonight and it is soooo good I have already had two pieces. This recipe was adapted from Vegetarian Times. I used Barilla no bake lasagna noodles, and Muir Glen Organic Tomato Puree. This is a fast and easy recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner. Ingredients 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 bunch of kale, remove stems, then roughly chop  15-oz. ricotta  4 oz. goat cheese 2 garlic cloves, chopped 28 oz. canned tomato puree crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon , or to taste 12 no bake lasagna noodles Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees 2. Cook chopped kale in large pot of salted water for 2 minutes. Drain and let cool 3. Mash together goat cheese and ricotta in a bowl 4. Heat olive oil in pan, then add chopped garlic. Cook garlic for 1 minute stirring ,then add tomato puree and red

Chipotle Edamame

Chipotle Edamame Recipe This is a quick and delicious way to spruce up that bag of frozen edamame in your freezer. Ingredients 1 bag of frozen edamame,( i used shelled, but you could also use them unshelled) 2-3 chipotle peppers from the can (chopped) 3 garlic cloves minced 1 Tablespoon of olive oil Directions If using edamame in the shell cook it first, if using shelled place the frozen edamame in a large skillet with the olive oil. Cook over medium heat. Add the chipotle peppers and some of the liquid of the peppers, depending on how spicy you like it. Add chopped garlic and continue to stir until done. May be eaten hot or cold. Enjoy! Health Benefits of Edamame Edamame has high nutritional value and health benefits. These green soybeans are a natural source of antioxidants and isoflavones. Antioxidants are beneficial because they can help prevent negative effects of free radicals in the body. Eating antioxidant-rich foods has been associated with strengthening you

Gluten Free Chocolate Cookies

Gluten Free Chocolate Cookies These are delicious, and a must try! Lately I have been abstaining from my nightly glass of wine with dinner. Thus I have been noticing a sweet tooth for chocolate, and have been scouring the internet for delectable recipes. This recipe comes from 101 cookbooks. She recommends using organic powdered sugar, and dutch processed cocoa powder. I used both along with organic eggs and vanilla.  The toasted walnuts make them special. Toast the walnut halves in a heavy bottom pan, watching them closely. Once they are starting to turn slightly darker, and you can smell them remove from pan and let cool. The cooking time can be tricky you don't want to over or under bake these cookies - under bake, and they are too floppy and crumbly, over bake and your cookies will cool to a crisp. I experimented and with 2 Tablespoons of batter per cookie 13 minutes was perfect. No mixer needed just a bowl and wooden spoon. * 3 cups walnut halves, toasted and coo

Kale Chips

Homemade Kale Chips Try these @ home they are a fun finger food, that is a healthy snack for the entire family. INGREDIENTS 1 bunch of kale, washed and dried thoroughly olive oil, for drizzling sea salt, for sprinkling DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 275 degrees Remove the ribs from the kale and cut into chip size pieces. Lay on a baking sheet, make sure to not crowd, I used 2 rimmed baking sheets.  Toss the kale with the olive oil and salt, I found this easier to use your hands to toss the kale to make sure each leaf was coated evenly. Bake until crisp, turning the leaves halfway through, about 20 minutes. Serve as finger food. Let me know how your family likes this one!!

Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric and Cumin

Roasted Cauliflower with Turmeric and Cumin This is a delicious dish that can be eaten hot or cold. In my previous post on turmeric I cited that when combined with cauliflower turmeric has health benefits for prostrate cancer. Check my previous post for all the other health benefits of consuming turmeric. 1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 tablespoon of ground cumin 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper sea salt 1 head of cauliflower cut into florets 1/4 cup pine nuts 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro 2 teaspoons of chopped mint 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl combine the oil, cumin, turmeric, crushed red pepper and salt. 2. On a large rimmed baking sheet drizzle the cut cauliflower with the spiced oil mixture. Use your hands to coat all pieces. Spread the cauliflower in an even layer and roast until caramelized and brown. Approximately 45 minutes, tossing once  or twice so all sides brown evenly. 3. Meanwhile roast the pine nuts in a cast ir

Turmeric Spiced Popcorn

TURMERIC SPICED POPCORN Try this spiced popcorn recipe, or modify the idea to suit your tastes. Any combination of spices could be used. I cooked half a cup of popcorn in 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. I used a popcorn maker, but you could easily use a heavy pot on the stove. After it popped I sprinkled turmeric, cayenne pepper, and powdered ginger on it. The medicinal properties of turmeric have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from Cancer to Alzheimer's disease. 14 reasons to add turmeric to your diet: 1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns. 2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostrate cancer. (Check in later for  my recipe for roasted cauliflower with turmeric) 3. Prevented breast cancer fro

Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownies

Gluten-Free Fudgy Brownies I love dark chocolate, and I have passed the love of chocolate on to my daughter Makenna. Together we made these brownies for the first time. I am trying to incorporate more gluten-free cooking, so I can cut down on the refined white flour I consume. These brownies  are delicious! After tasting them Makenna put them out for her brother and Dad, who are on their way home from a baseball tournament. After reading lots of recipes on line I adapted this one. *2/3 cup almond flour *1/3 brown rice flour *1 cup of 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips *6 tablespoons unsalted butter *1/2 teaspoon sea salt *3/4 cup sugar *1 teaspoon vanilla *2 eggs *1 cup walnuts Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking dish with foil, then grease the foil with butter. 2 .Mix the rice flour to the almond flour and set aside. 3. Place the chocolate, butter and salt in a double boiler to melt. Stir constantly until fully

Have a Great Weekend!

Here is a pretty picture of my favorite garden rose. It is going to be a Beautiful weekend here in sunny San Diego. Tonight I am making salmon cakes, and roasted cauliflower with turmeric. I will post recipes. What are your plans this weekend?

No Bake Energy Bars from Pinterest!

How many times have you been making cookies and wanted to eat the cookie dough? It is one of my favorite things to do, however it is something I have never allowed my kids to do because of the raw eggs. This recipe is great for the kids to make because they can eat it raw, in fact the finished product is raw. When I saw this on Pinterest I  knew I had to try it. An afternoon snack, or pre baseball or gymnastics. They are super Yummy and so easy. I will be storing them in the freezer. Enjoy... Let me know how your family likes them. First just dump all ingredients into the mixer. 1 cup of oatmeal , 1/2 cup of peanut butter, 1/3 cup of honey, 1 cup of coconut flakes, 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, 1 tsp of vanilla. Mix until blended. Chill dough for 30 minutes. Then roll into balls. Couldn't be easier! Hope you like them as much as we do.

Olive Oil Oatmeal

Olive Oil for Breakfast... I have started eating my morning oatmeal with extra virgin olive oil drizzled on top with a touch of sea salt. It is very satisfying and you avoid a sugary start to your day. Make your oatmeal by cooking it in water, when it is done drizzle olive oil and salt on top. YUM! Benefits of olive oil *Reduce Blood Pressure...Heart Healthy *Inhibit the growth of some cancers *Benefit people at risk for or with Diabetes...Blood Sugar Controller *Lessen the severity of asthma and arthritis...Anti-Inflammatory Properties *Actually help your body maintain a lower weight...A Fat That Helps You Lose Fat Benefits of oatmeal *Low calorie food; stops cravings *Provides high levels of fiber, low levels of fat, and high levels of protein. *Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces risk of type 2 diabetes *Removes your bad cholesterol *Contains lignans which protect against heart disease and cancer... lignans protect against breast and other hormone-dependent cancers

It Is Time To Concentrate On Healthy Living

Spring is here and a beautiful spring it is. It is time to get outside and enjoy our bodies and the weather. I have been absent from blogging for a few months, I will be posting new blogs on a regular basis. I would love to hear from you about things you are doing in your own lives to feel and be healthy. As far as myself goes I am on a constant quest for new and exciting recipes. I will be sharing these with you as well as some new exercises we are working on at FunctionetiKs.com to keep our posture anatomically correct. Good posture allows the body to look and feel it's BEST!

Orange Bundt Cake

This week I went to lunch in Rancho Santa Fe at an adorable cafe named Thyme. Thyme specializes in fresh salads, soups, and other light fare. The thing that got me most excited was their bakery. They have a beautiful bakers rack filled with gorgeous homemade delights just like your Grandma would make. The bakers rack was filled with rustic pies, and cakes. One cake that caught my eye was an Orange Bundt Cake. I have an orange tree so I was inspired to come home and try to make it. I went to the internet in search of a recipe, and discovered one from all recipes.com that I altered a bit. Here it is. Ingredients 1 cup of butter,softened 2 cups of sugar 4 eggs 3 teaspoons of fresh grated orange rind 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract 3 cups of flour 3 teaspoons of baking powder 1 cup of milk Glaze 1 cup of confectioners sugar 4 teaspoons of fresh squeezed orange juice 1 teaspoon of fresh grated orange rind Directions 1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy;

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup Ingredients - 2 chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts - 2 cans Ro-Tel (lime and cilantro flavor) - 1 can of black beans - 1 can kidney beans - 1 can of corn - 1 onion, chopped - 2 garlic cloves, minced - 1 carton of chicken broth - 3 TBS. chili powder Toppings - tortilla chips - grated cheese - sour cream - fresh cilantro - fresh lime wedges - chipped avocados Why I Love Crock Pot dinners... Put chopped onion, cans of beans, rotel, corn, chicken broth, and spices in crock pot and stir to mix. Place the chicken on top and make sure the chicken is covered partially with liquid,(add water if needed). Cook on high for 6-7 hours or low 8-9 hours. Before serving remove the chicken and shred, then return to crock pot sir to combine. To serve place a few tortilla chips on the bottom of the bowl, ladle soup over the chips, top with topping of choice. Enjoy!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day Everyone! I wish for you all to find peace, happiness, and love for yourselves and the ones you love the most. I am working on a couple of new recipes to be posted soon. Stay tuned, and let me know what you are  interested in.  I would love to hear from you.

Valentines Day Plans?

Valentines Day Plans? I love the month of February because it is all about love and celebrating those that you love the most. Since we had children they too become part of our Valentines Celebration. I will help Makenna make Valentines for her class party, Tyler is attending a Junior High Dance. For Valentines Day Randy and I will give them special Valentines and a special little gift. We will have a family dinner together. My most romantic husband always comes through with the perfect Valentine for me. I Love Valentines Day. What will you be doing this year to celebrate the day of Love?

Maintaining Optimum Health

The Body is an amazing machine, with the  ability to heal. The body heals itself day after day, and when it needs help to do its job it signals for help in the form  of pain. Too often, however, we ignore that signal and push on either by taking pills or ignoring the pain until it  succombs to our mal treatment. Look at it this way, when any other machine signals that all is not well, for the most part we listen and do some something to correct the situation. For example, when your oil light comes on in your car most people within the hour will go and have the problem fixed. On the other hand, if you get pain , your bodies  signal that something is wrong, most people ignore it, or mask it by taking a pill. Once the symptom is masked we  forget about it until it returns.  Learn how to listen to your body when it talks to you, Pay attention to your pain and  do something right away to fix the cause of your problem.

Crock Pot Dinner

Cock Pot Dinner There is nothing better than coming home after a long day working and smell the delicious aroma of a cooking dinner. Sometimes I am lucky enough to have my husband, or my mom in the kitchen being the one cooking such dinner. On other nights when we are busy with work, and kids activities, a slow cooked meal is ideal. I am always experimenting with new recipes. This recipe is very healthful and also quite tasty, so I am sharing it with you. This is what it looks like in the crockpot in the a.m. when you leave. This is what it looks like when it is done 8 hours later. Add a hunk of great bread and you have dinner. INGREDIENTS 3 yellow potatoes cubed 1  (10 ounce) package of frozen spinach 2 large carrots,chopped 2 rutabagas, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup of dry lentils water to cover Magical spice mix that allows these ingredients to shine without any added fat 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil 1 teaspoon of chili powder 1 teaspoon turmeric 1

Iliopsoas The Source of Such Much Pain

ILIOPOSOAS THE SOURCE OF SO MUCH PAIN The Iliopsoas is the largest and most powerful muscle of the body. The iliopsoas is the only muscle that attaches the spine to the legs. It is the largest and most powerful of the skeletal muscles. The iliopsoas if not functioning properly can lead to many problems. In most people the problem is that function has been lost in one or both hips due to a dysfunctional iliopsoas. The iliopsoas adapts to our current sedentary lifestyle. Too much sitting in our daily life leads to a shortening of this muscle. More times than not this shortening happens at different rates for the two hips.  While reading this stand up and close your eyes for a moment.,pay attention to the weight being placed on your feet. If you feel like you are heavier on one foot, it is probably because your opposite hip is tighter causing your body to compensate by elevating that hip which makes your body shift to the opposite hip and leg. Now look at your hips while standing in

Take A Cobra Break

It is Friday, the end of a work week. Take a break from working and do a restorative cobra pose. It takes 1 minute and you will certainly feel invigorated and ready for your next task. First lie face down, forehead on floor or mat. Keep your buttocks firm and feet pressed down and pointed straight ahead. Place palms flat on the floor under your shoulders. Now Inhale, curl your upper body as you slowly raise your head,nose,chin,shoulders, and chest. Pelvis remains on the floor. Allow shoulder blades to drop down toward spine, and lift your heart and chest up. Breathe.... hold for 30 seconds. Slowly uncoil your spine and return to the floor. Repeat. I RISE TO MEET LIFE"S CHALLENGES WITH CALM AND CONFIDENCE The benefits are that it tones the back and buttocks muscles. It expands the ribcage by stretching the intercostal muscles between the ribs allowing for better breathing.  The Cobra restores extension in the back , shoulders, neck, and head which helps counter