What to do with that Jicama!

As I was thinking about what to make with my jicama, the idea of a fruit coleslaw popped into that nogin of mine. I really liked how it turned out. My kids didn't like addition of the craisans or pecans. But I thought they were lovely additions.

Jicama Fruit Coleslaw

1/2 Jicama, peeled and julienned(cut into small french fry sticks)
1 apple peeled and julienned
1 pear peeled and julienned
1/4 cup craisans
1/4 cup pecans
1 small container of low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
zest of 1/2 orange
juice of half orange

1. Toss the fruit together in a medium bowl.
2. In a small bowl mix together the yogurt through orange juice
3. Toss the yogurt mixture into the fruit.
4. Add the craisans and pecans just before serving.

This is delicious and a great way to use that jicama!!!

Birthday Pavlova

This is what stiff peaks look like!
Pretty cool!!

The whipped eggwhites spread out on my pan.
It's really easy!

After baking in the oven.
You must cool the pavlova in the oven like the recipe says.
Or else you'll end up with huge cracks!!

The end result!
Beautiful and Delicious!

For my Birthday I wanted to do something that was light and somewhat healthy. I'm trying so hard to reach my weight loss goal that I wouldn't even let my birthday get in the way of my success. I decided to go with Pavlova. It's basically a huge mirange. Instead of using heavy whipping cream I used light coolwhip and kicked it up a few notched by adding orange zest!! Yum!! In addition to the strawberries there is a layer of toasted coconut underneath. I love coconut and had to treat myself to it. I got the recipe from Food Network.

White Bean Chicken Chili

The chicken and beans

The other ingredient.

The veggies diced up.

What it looks like half way through cooking.

The finished product!!

I pre-cooked my white beans and chicken together in the crock-pot the day before. I took 2 cups of white beans placed them in a medium saucepan, covered them with about 2 inches of water, brought them to a boil and let them cook for about 1 hour. That jump starts the beans if you forget to soak them overnight like I do all the time. After the pre-cook I placed the beans in the crock-pot and then my chicken breast on top. To that I added one onion quartered, salt and pepper. I cooked them for about 6 hours on high. After letting them cool a bit I placed the whole crock-pot in the the fridge.

My family gobbled this chili up. It was so good. Along with the chili I served grilled pieces of artisan bread, and an orange/pear salad.

White Bean Chicken Chili

1 Red Bell Pepper finally diced
1 onion finally diced
1 aneheim chili finally diced
1 jalapeno pepper finally diced
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
2 cups water
4 cups white beans
4 chicken breast

1. In a large dutch oven saute all the veggies until just tender.

2. Add the seasons and cook with veggies a few minutes to toast and enhance their flavor

3. Add the beans and chicken

4.Add the water. If you did cook your chicken and beans in the crockpot just use the juices from that.

5. Let simmer about 30 minutes to combine all flavors.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and some sour cream and enjoy!!! It's so GoOoOod!!!

Lasgana Stuffed Bell Peppers

All the ingredients

Pre-mix

After being mixed


Cutting the tips of the bell pepper

Scooping out the seeds and veins

Stuffed and ready to bake

The end result.
I have to say the toasted cheese is my favorite part.

The last few weeks I've joined a food co-op. It's been GREAT!!! I get so many fresh fruits and veggies. Last week we received a boat load of small red bell peppers. I decided to stuff them with lasagna filling. In an effort to introduce more veggies into my children's diet I made them all eat these. For the most part they were received with good marks. Beckham ate ALL of his. I asked him if he liked it. His response," it was gross but I still ate it all." It couldn't have been that disgusting for him to eat it all.

Lasagna filling

2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp granulated garlic(or garlic powder)

1.Mix all ingredients until well combined. You can you use this filling for lasagna or manicotti too.
2. Cut the very tips off of the red bell pepper. Scoop out the seeds and veins.
3. Fill each pepper to the top. Sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese
4. Bake in a 350 oven for 45 - 60 minutes.

Healthy Bite: Homemade Cheese and Macaroni

My Healthy version of Homemade Cheese and Mac.

The brand of veggie "bouillon"
It's excellent

Every Saturday I gather my family together at 4pm to do cleaning for Sunday prep. While the kids are doing their various chores I fix dinner. Homemade cheese and macaroni is quickly becoming our traditional Saturday dinner. In an attempt to make our diet more healthy I've been figuring tricks to make certain recipes more figure friendly. For this recipe instead of using a whole 1/2 cup of butter I use 1/4 cup of butter and a 1/4 cup of olive oil. Instead of using all milk I substitute 1/2 with veggie stock. I wasn't quite sure what my family was going to react to the new recipe. I didn't tell them what I did differently and just served it as is. You can definitely taste the veggie stock, but adds a lot of flavor. To my relief it was a huge hit!! I will be making this way from now on. Only on special occasions will I do the full fat version. Plus I spread the sauce over two pounds of pasta instead of one which reduces the amount of calories as well.

Special Cheese Sauce

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup flour
1 cup veggie stock
1 cup 1% Milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp powdered mustard
1/4 tsp paprika

1. Melt butter and olive oil in a sauce pan
2. Add flour and cook for about 3 minutes to cook off flour taste
3. Add veggie stock and milk all at once and whisk till thickened. This can take up to 8 minutes. You might also find that you need to add more milk. You don't want it super thick.
4. Remove from heat and add the cheese.
5. After the cheese has melted add the spices. Pour over pasta

This sauce is also good over broccoli or cauliflower.

PIZZA BUNS

Top your pizza how you like.
Here I omitted the sauce, added cheese pepperoni and olive.
Roll up just like you would cinnamon rolls.

Cut the roll with a serrated knife about an inch thick.
Place each roll on well greased cookie sheet.

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.
Enjoy with pizza sauce. My family loves ranch dressing.

Every single Friday I make pizza for my family. Sometimes we watch movies, and sometimes we don't. Now that the kids are getting older they like to have lateovers with their friends. Without fail, I will make pizza. My family doesn't like to think outside of the box when it comes to their beloved pizza. They like pepperoni and cheese and sometimes olives. Me, I like to mix it up a lot and end up eating my "gourmet" pizza by myself. Although Jaren loves to try my new creations most of the time. My sister suggested I make these pizza scrolls. I re-named them Pizza Buns due to the fact that they look so much like cinnamon rolls, or sticky buns.

I know, a lot of you would like my pizza dough recipe so here it is. You have to realize that I NEVER measure this recipe out. It's in my head. I learned it from my Mother who went on her mission to Italy. It took me several years to perfect it and it turns out every single time. You just need to make sure that your yeast and flour are fresh.

1. 2 cups medium hot water. It can't be too hot or you'll kill the yeast. Warm enough to where you can still hold your finger under the faucet. To that add 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast and 2 tablespoons sugar. Give it a couple turns with a spoon and let the yeast work it's magic. It should begin to grow and bubble up.

2. Meanwhile; In a large bowl dump 3 cups flour. You can do all white flour or you can do half wheat. Add 2-3 tsp salt. Mix together with a fork to make sure the salt is well incorporated with the flour.

3. Dump all at once the yeast into the flour. Here's where you go by texture and feel of the dough. Mix the yeast into the flour with a large spoon. If it seems dry, add a little more warm water. If it seem too wet add a little bit more flour. Dump out onto a well floured surface and knead till it's well combined and smooth. You might have to keep adding flour as you go until the dough no longer stick to your hands.

4. You can let the dough rise till it's doubled in size or you can proceed to make your pizza. Either way it works well.

Half Way There

Yesterday I hit a huge milestone. I have lost a total of 20lbs. This is a huge deal for me. I feel strong. I feel like this is something that I'm actually going to be able to over come, my weight. Another great thing about today is that I am no longer obese, I'm just over weight. I am so excited.

Today is a gift because I am no longer obese.