Tequila Marinades

I love marinading for grilling. I do it all year round but it's almost summertime and
I can't wait to get in the swing of things. One of my favorite marinades is a Tequila Marinade. I can't seem to find the recipe for it. I saw it years ago on a cooking show. Unfortunately I cannot even remember what show it was. Basic ingredients were garlic. pepper, green peppers, Tequila, onions, and soy or teriyaki sauce. If anyone finds it, please feel free to send me link in the comments! Thank you!

Healthy Drinks

While browsing the internet, I came across a list of the 10 Healthiest Drinks. Some might surprise you, like the Tea, it comes in at #9. The list is as follows:

10. Apple Juice
9. Tea
8. Orange Juice
7. Cranberry Juice
6. Acai Juice
5. Black Cherry Juice
4. Blueberry Juice
3. Concord Grape Juice
2. Red Wine
1. Pomegranate juice







Pomegranate Juice comes in at #1. It has the most of every type of antioxidants. There are studies that back Pomegranate juice, stating it helps lower cholesterol and many other benefits, which include heart disease, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. I linked all the Juices to a page that lists the benefits of each one, so you can check them out when you have some time.

The best Pomegranate Juice on the market would be POM Wonderful. It is the only brand that guarantees 100% pure pomegranate juice.

I have checked this out in my local grocery store and I must say, it isn't cheap. But, you get what you pay for and I think it tastes great! So go out and buy some delicious juice and benefit from it. So much better than soda and sugar filled drinks. Enjoy!

A Salad to Go

Now that I proclaimed myself a carnivore, I want to share this quick lunch idea. A Veggie Wrap. This is filled with fresh veggies, packed with vitamins and nutrients. I love these. My weakness though is the dressing. My favorite is Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch, very full of calories and flavor. Yummy! To be more healthy, however, this salad is best served with a low calorie dressing. I will go low fat but not fat free. Fat free makes my teeth squeak. (I know, I'm weird.)

Veggie Wrap Recipe:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Red peppers
• Green peppers
• Cucumbers
• Shredded carrots
• Romaine
• Red onion (to taste)
• Dressing of your choice
• Wraps (Can be found in the refrigerated isle of your grocery store.)

I chop all the vegetables small, so it's easy to chew. Place some romaine on the wrap. Add all the veggies and sprinkle with a little dressing and wrap. Slice in the middle and serve. Super simple and delicious. A salad "to go". Enjoy!

Roasted Pork Loin

Just because I am not a vegetarian doesn't mean I don't eat healthy. I am a carnivore, and I love it. Lean is the way to go, in moderation. I love pork. My favorite cut is the tenderloin. I usually roast this with vegetables. Pork is very nutritious. Some studies even show that pork aided in weight loss because of the protein in the diet.



My favorite recipe for Roasted Pork Tenderloin:
I usually make this in a Reynolds Oven Bag, keeps it moist.

• 2 or 3 Pork tenderloins
• Fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups of apple juice
• 3 tablespoons dried rosemary
• 4 tablespoons of chopped garlic (I use Polaner, in a jar.)
• 1/3 cup of Dijon mustard (if you like)

Combine all Ingredients in the Reynolds oven bag, let marinate in refrigerator for a few hours. Then place in oven to cook for about 1 hour at 350F.

I like to serve this with Italian seasoned roasted red potatoes, and steamed carrots. Here is a quick and easy recipe for the potatoes;

5lb bag of Red Potatoes, washed and diced
A little olive oil to coat potatoes
2 packets of Good Season Italian Dressing mix
Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

Combine all ingredients and bake on cookie sheet for about 45 minutes.

It is really delicious and filling, make it with any sides that you like. If you want to go a little more low carb, remove the potatoes and add a salad. Enjoy!

A Guide for Healthy Eating

While searching the web for information regarding healthy eating, I came across this web site, MyPyramid.gov. It is from the United States Department of Agriculture. It is very helpful and full of information. It even has a kids version with a game. There are tips for families, and information about how much exercise you should have. If you click on the "My Pyramid Plan", you can put in your information, and it will show you what you should eat, according to your weight.

Take a moment and give it a try. I found it very resourceful. I will be using this site while I am planning my meals for the day. Enjoy!

Healthy Breakfast Update

OK, just wanted to let you know, kids are not liking the Special K waffles to much.
I gave them a try this week. They were on sale for 2 for $5 this week at my local grocery store. My children found them to be mushy after toasting and adding the syrup. My "skinny" boy refuses to eat them. He is as smart as a whip, and informed me that he doesn't need to be on a diet. I tried to tell in that it is for long term health and healthy eating. I am not sure if he bought it or not. I will keep you updated on my healthy breakfast quest.

A Good Breakfast for Good Health

One of my biggest dilemmas is a healthy breakfast for my kids. Everyone is always rushed in the morning. I have 4 children to get out the door at different times for school. Hardly a chance for a family get-together. Sadly, I fill my freezer with waffles and french toast sticks. Easy, fast and the best part, mom doesn't have to get out of bed to cook. (Bad Mommy.) This is one of my major changes in this house. I am actually going to hook them up with some Special K and fruit. Low fat or non fat yogurt too.

My first purchase was fruit. They love apples, grapefruits, oranges, bananas, and grapes. Not very filling so I also bought some Special K. I was worried they wouldn't like it. But, much to my surprise, they love it. I brought home the Red Berries and the Fruit and Yogurt flavors. The fruit and yogurt flavored Special K has 1g of fat, while the red berries has 0g of fat, excluding the milk. So eat it with fat free milk, if you can get your kids to do that. Mine are at 2% right now. Next week I am going to switch to 1%. I will gradually get them down to skim or fat free. I don't want to put them in shock.

You can go to Special K, to start the Special K Challenge. Great link to help you get started with weight loss and healthy eating. Special K even offers waffles, snack bites, breakfast bars, protein bars, and protein water to help you feel full. I think this will benefit my children in the long run. It should keep them from getting bored with just the cereal.

I am trying to help my children understand the importance of healthy eating. I am not really mentioning the weight loss benefits to them. I don't want them to get annoyed with all the changes I am making. So far, so good. This might be easier than I thought. Enjoy!

Nuts, a Healthy Snack for Healthy Eating

Eating nuts is very good for you. My kids love these little snacks. They are full of so many good things. A hand full of nuts a few times a week can help reduce heart disease and some cancers. All nuts are naturally cholesterol free. They are however full of calories, but in moderation, are still good for you. Dieters tend to stay away from these little snacks. I will share with you some of the benefits of a few nuts that I love.

I found most of this information on a website called The World's Healthiest Foods. It is an awesome website, full of information on just about any type of food. I used it for the chicken soup post also. You just type in the food you are looking for and there it is. I scroll down to health benefits for my information. Again, by clicking on the nut, it will take you to more detailed information. Enjoy!

Cashews contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium.

Almonds contain protein and are high in antioxidants, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron as well as vitamin E.

Walnuts have high levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Pistachios contain the highest level of phytosterols, which lower cholesterol levels, and offer protection from certain types of cancer.

Pecans contain oleic acid, vitamin E, thiamin, magnesium, and copper, and are a good source of fiber. Pecans also contain antioxidants.

"Healthy" Chicken Soup Recipe

Todays menu for healthy eating is Chicken Soup. I am no doctor or specialist but I do know how good chicken soup makes you feel when you are sick. I have been reading over lots of research on this subject. I will list my basic findings according to my recipe. My recipe varies from time to time because it is based on the size of my pot. It is hard for me to give a recipe out to someone because I mainly judge the ingredients as I go. But here goes, according to a 16 quart pot;

My Chicken Soup Recipe:

• 8 split Chicken Breasts
• 2 to 4 Chicken backs (Grandma said this makes the best soup)
• Celery, 8 stalks
• Carrots, 2lbs.
• Onion, 1 small onion
• tomatoes, 2 quartered
• Bay leaves, 3 or 4
• Parsley, lots of parsley
• Black Pepper, to taste
• Chicken bullion cubes (sometimes, when I think it needs a little more flavor)

I combine all ingredients except pepper and parsley, fill pot with water, and then let it come to a boil. I then turn it down and as it cooks I skim the top, to remove the brown stuff (blood from chicken). When this is removed I add my parsley and pepper and let cook for a good hour. It already smells delicious!

Health benefits of the ingredients: (You can click on the ingredient for more detailed information.)

Chicken contains protein, niacin, selenium, tryptophan, vitamin B6, and phosphorus. These offer help with bone loss, cancer, cardiovascular health and energy.

Celery contains many thing mainly Vitamin C. vitamin helps the immune system. Vitamin C has been proven to be a cold-fighter.

Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidants, and the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. They protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and also promote good vision, especially night vision.

Onions contain many nutrients such as chromium, vitamin C, Dietary fiber, and vitamin B6 to name a few. Onions help with lowering blood sugar, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health.

Tomatoes contain many different vitamins such as C, A, K, B3, and more. It also contains Lycopene, which is known for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties.

Bay Leaves are a good source of Vitamins A and C and also contain iron and manganese, as well as calcium, potassium and magnesium. In ancient times they were used for many illnesses.

Parsley contains Vitamins K, C, and A, along with folate and iron. It also contains two unusual components that provide unique health benefits, a volitale oil and flavonoids.

Black Pepper contains manganese, vitamin K, iron, and dietary fiber. This spice helps with digestion.

My kids love my chicken soup. I do believe this is a healthy dish to serve them, as long as we skim the fat from the top before serving. They don't care how good this is for them, they just love it. I hope you enjoy it also.

Kids and Obesity

Fast food isn't always a no-no, but can be depending on what it is you are eating. Fried foods and fat filled quickies can cause lots of damage. When I took my son for a check up, the Doctor asked how often do we eat at (Name omitted), so I don't get sued. I was appalled. I was like, "What kind of mother do you think I am?!?!?" I don't take them there all the time. I couldn't afford it anyway. That is a blessing in its self.

He gave me a sheet with information about childhood obesity. That was a wake up call for me. I knew he was chubby and adorable, but I didn't realize the health risks involved. I never thought my child was obese. The scales say differently and so did my doctor. He was kind of nice about it, stating that I should take charge now before it becomes a bigger problem.

My doctor informed me that my child can suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. These can also be problems when they grow up. He also said that cancer and arthritis may form in adulthood. Heart attack risks increase also. Very scary for me as a mom.

As a parent, I have the power and responsibility to fix this now and reduce these risks. Another sad fact is that my child is self conscious. I saw this over the summer when he wouldn't go swimming without a t-shirt on. I asked him why and he told me because he didn't want the kids to call him fat or see his rolls. That broke my heart and made me cry.

I was trying to find a definition for Childhood Obesity, amazingly no one can decide the guidelines. There is general information on the subject found here. The doctor asked me how long does he sit in front of the television. Amazingly, the answer was "not much". My 11 year old, that has to be peeled from the screen and forced to go out, is about 80lbs soaking wet. He is tall and skinny. My youngest, who I am speaking of as being overweight, is constantly running around the yard, riding his bike, always doing something active. It kind of has me confused.

My preliminary findings are telling me to definitely make healthier snacks and meals, and to be the fridge police too. I have to watch what they eat and how much. Getting the kids involved with the snack making is a great way to teach them about the benefits of healthy foods. Play a game when cleaning and cutting vegetables. Have them name what vitamins come from them and their value. You can make little cue cards with pictures on them to help them remember.

Don't forget a healthy dip for the veggies, not just the usual fat filled dressings. Here is a recipe for a yummy yogurt dip you can eat with the veggies. All you need is:

• 1 8oz container of plain, low fat or non fat yogurt

• 1 packet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix

Combine the two ingredients and mix well. Chill for about an hour so all the flavors go through. It makes a yummy ranch dressing with less fat than sour cream. If you don't like yogurt you can use low-fat sour cream instead. There are many low fat and diet items out there, you just have to find something that you like. I am still looking for things I can pass off on my kids. Here is link to a few more low fat dip recipes you might enjoy.

Now that it is January 4, 2008, I no longer have any excuses not to get this healthy eating project in motion. My husband is still skeptical, but I know I can do this. It is going to take a little work on my part. Enjoy the day and eat Healthy!

Low Fat Crab Recipe

Happy New Year everyone! As I was preparing dinner for my family last night, I noticed how low fat this recipe was, so I decided to share this with you. I love to make these. It is a bit costly for the crab, $25 a pound, but it was a special occasion. It is also a bit high in cholesterol too, but this is something I only make a few times a year.



Stuffed Mushrooms with Crab. It is so simple to make.

• 1 16 oz can of Phillips Jumbo Lump Crab Meat
• 1 tbs margarine
• 1/2 cup red peppers, chopped small
• 1/2 cup green peppers, chopped small
• 1/2 cup scallions, chopped small
• 2 packages of fresh white mushrooms, large.
• 8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded

Saute scallions and peppers in margarine, until soft. Toss in Crab meat. Do not over mix. You don't want to break up the crab to much. Let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors blend. I then take away from heat and elevate one side of the pan so the excess margarine runs out. Next, scoop about a tablespoon into each mushroom caps. Pour the excess margarine in the bottom of a baking dish. Place the mushrooms in the baking dish, sprinkle with cheddar cheese. If you have a favorite cheese use that. You don't have to be fussy. Bake in oven, uncovered, 350F, for about 30 minutes. If you don't like mushrooms place the mixture in single serving baking dishes and sprinkle with cheese. Tastes delicious!

According to the Nutrition Facts, on the can of crab, a serving is 2 oz or 1/3 cup. Calories per serving is 45, zero from fat. Total fat 0, Cholesterol 65mg, Sodium 220mg, Total Carbs 0, Protein 11 grams. Depending on what you add, this will change. I like to use a low fat no cholesterol margarine. You can use a low fat cheese also. I like Cracker Barrel Cheddar Cheese made with 2% milk.

Todays menu, in my house, consists of left over Shrimp Bisque (not good for you) and our traditional Pork and Sauerkraut (better for you, more so than the bisque). Pork and Sauerkraut on New Years Day is suppose to bring you luck for the new year. This is also easy to throw together. I use sauerkraut from a bag, so much better than canned, and country style spareribs. I saute a medium sized onion in about 2 tbs of margarine, then I add a bag of kraut then the ribs, then another bag of kraut over that. I season with some pepper and let it simmer on my stove top for about 3 hours. You can cook up potatoes with this also. I leave them out. I just don't like them. I hope everyone has a healthy and wonderful 2008. Enjoy!

Healthy Eating

I wanted to tackle a problem that my own family suffers from. I have two children with a weight problem, and one close to it. Their ages range from 8 years old to 16 years old. I have one child in the middle someplace that is skinny as a rail, go figure. I myself am included in the weight problem category. I seem to be growing in ways only a balloon should. So with this blog, I intend to learn as I go and share different recipes and tips I find working for my own family. My husband asked me what did I know about this subject and I answered "NOTHING! That's the problem". Maybe we can work together, and you all can share your tips and tricks with comments. We can learn as we go, a work in progress.

I know my children will not respond to the word diet, or noticeable limitations and restrictions. So I intend to make healthy changes that might not be so noticeable. I am going to start by removing all the junk foods and goodies around here. They will still be allowed a treat here and there, like any diet suggests. I already started by buying fruits and vegetables to use as snacks for those "between meals" hunger pangs. My 8 year old is responding very well to this. He loves apples and oranges. He even likes carrots and broccoli. I do have to limit this with him also, he doesn't know when to stop. If I let him, he will eat three oranges.

I have heard so many stories about soft drinks. They say cut them out and you will lose weight quickly. My children have a very limited amount of soft drinks in their routine already. They really enjoy water. I find if I buy the water bottles, they really like to drink it. That can be a bit costly, but I buy it by the case at Sam's Club, the Deer Park brand. It only costs about $4.88 a case of 36. I make them write their name on the bottle too. That way there is less waste.

I try not to say anything negative about their weight. I know it's a problem and so do they. They don't need to be insulted or made to feel bad about themselves. I just say things like, "Mommy is trying something new." or "Here, have some fruit instead." When the weather gets a little bit nicer, I will suggest going for a family walk or a bike ride. I can even take them bowling for some fun exercise. They wouldn't even have a clue it was good for them.


The importance of eating healthy is my main goal. I am going to record our weights and see what kind of difference this will make for all of us. I know it will be hard for me because I know what I am up to. The kids won't have a clue. My husband is a meat and potato kind of guy, carb city. I see I will be having to make two different meals everyday. He doesn't like change to much. It will be an accomplishment if I can get him to eat healthier too. This year, for Christmas, I hardly even baked. I wanted to make the transition easier next week. I myself love all the goodies that come with this time of year. I also hate to waste, so I tend to eat everything until it is gone.

I am going to begin by researching some diets and nutritional information. I will definitely stay away from the fads. I know this is going to be an awesome adventure with great results. Maybe I will even post some pictures of our progress. Have a wonderful and Healthy New Year!