Make Healthy Meals

Raw foods sound very unappealing to a lot of people, except of course for things such as raw fruits. But eating raw foods can be very good for you.

Many people feel that raw foods provide more benefit than cooked foods. This can be debated, but those who believe in it feel that you can gain increased energy, a lower weight, healthier skin, better digestion and a lowered risk of heart disease. Pretty nice if true.

Raw vegetables have a taste that is distinct from the cooked version. You may find that you actually prefer the taste of raw… then again, you might like the cooked version better. Read the rest of this entry »

1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion (one large)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 71/2 oz can tomatoes, cut up
2 8 oz can tomato sauce
2 6 oz con tomato paste
2 tsp dried basil, crushed
1 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 cup red wine (optional)
6 dried lasagna noodles
1 beaten egg
2 cups cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan
3 tbsp snipped fresh parsley (optional)
approx 1 lb sliced or shredded mozzarella Read the rest of this entry »

1-1/2 to 2 lbs round steak cut into strips
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp ginger
salt and pepper to taste
1 can chopped tomatoes
2 bell peppers, cut into strips
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp cornstarch Read the rest of this entry »

No matter how healthy you want to eat, there are probably times that you just need to indulge in chocolate. It’s one of those foods that can be so wonderful even when it’s so bad for you. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be all bad.

My personal preference for chocolate indulgence is the occasional high quality dark chocolate. More antioxidants, and a Hershey’s bar just can’t come close to the flavor. Even a small piece can be quite satisfying. Read the rest of this entry »

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup Italian salad dressing
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 cup grated parmesan
4 potatoes; peeled, cut into wedges
4 carrots, chopped Read the rest of this entry »

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
1-1/2 cups teriyaki sauce
2/3 cups brown sugar
1 can pineapple chunks Read the rest of this entry »

2 cups brown sugar
1 bone-in, cured picnic ham (NOT spiral cut)

In bottom of slow cooker spread about 1 cup of brown sugar. Place ham on top, flat end down, and rub the rest of the brown sugar all over it. Read the rest of this entry »

2 cups barbeque sauce
1 15 oz can pineapple chunks
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 chopped bell pepper

Combine barbeque sauce and juice from pineapple chunks in a bowl.

Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour sauce over it.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours, adding pineapple and bell pepper late in the cooking.

Editor’s Note:

I always recommend adding fruits and vegetables late in the cooking with a slow cooker if you like them a little crunchy. Add them early on and they tend to lack flavor.

The usual Easter egg bread is made with an egg bread, but this year I was a little low on eggs after boiling and dying most of mine, and no time to go to the store for more.

I knew I wanted 5 eggs to cook in my bread, just for how it looks, and that was what I had left. With that in mind, I decided to cook a cinnamon bread and put the eggs in it.

I think it looks rather nice. I’m debating adding a glaze or frosting to it – probably a nice frosting like you would put on a cinnamon roll. Read the rest of this entry »

I admit I adore my slow cooker. It allows me to get a start on dinner at whatever time I feel like it. That’s a wonderful thing.

However, many other people really don’t feel that way about their slow cookers. The flavors of the food don’t always come out as you’d expect when you slow cook, and meats can turn out terribly dry.

Fortunately, with practice you can get around those problems and keep them from ruining otherwise perfectly good meals. And if you get some recipes that are planned for slow cookers, you can find some that are utterly wonderful. Read the rest of this entry »