Lemon Berry Bars

I get in the mood to bake.  I have been in this mood a lot lately and this doesn't go well when I am trying to feed my family healthier.  Typically what I do is bake something, give my family one serving of the treat and send the rest to work with my husband. 

These bars were completely delicious!  The guys at my husband's work sang high praises of it, according to my husband. 

I found the recipe at Twopeasandtheirpod.com.  I changed up the crust some due to what I had on hand.  I needed to use up this package of cookies and thought it would be great combined with the graham cracker crumbs.  The results were scrumptious!

                                                

For the crust:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 cup Pepperidge Farms Chessman cookies, crushed

6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup sugar

zest of one lemon

For the filling:

2 lg. egg yolks

1- 14 ounce can fat free sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest

10 ounces fresh berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker and cookie crumbs, melted butter, sugar and lemon zest.  Stir until crumbs are moist.  Press crumbs into the prepared pan, pressing the crust mixture one inch up the side of the pan.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature. 

Once the crust is cool, combine the egg yolks and condensed milk until well mixed.  Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest.  Stir until mixture begins to thicken slightly.  Gently fold in the berries.  Fold carefully so you don't break the berries.

Pour the lemon berry filling evenly over the crust.  Bake for 15 minutes or until set.

Cool to room temperature, then chill for at least one hour before serving.  Cut into bars and serve.  Keep bars in the refrigerator up to five days (if they last that long). 

This post is linked to Tempt my Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace, Tasty Tuesday at City Wife, Country Life and  What's on the Menu Wednesday at Dining with Debbie.

Peanut Butter Banana "Tacos"

I saw this idea in the Clean Eating magazine I think.  This makes a perfect snack, breakfast and I even thought about putting it in my son's lunchbox.  He loved them!

I spent the past week taking care of my 4 nephews while my brother and sister-in-law went on a fabulous cruise in Mexico.  I could not wait to make these for the kids.  They were a huge hit!  (We came up with the banana taco name together.)  What makes it even better is that they are healthy. 

They are very simple to prepare and cook. 

Ingredients:

bananas

honey or agave nectar

natural peanut butter

whole grain flour tortillas

butter

Directions:

Spread about a tablespoon of peanut butter on the tortilla and lay the banana in the center.  Drizzle a little bit of honey or agave over the banana.  Roll it up.  Spread a little softened butter (it doesn't take much) around the outside of the rolled up "taco".  Heat a large nonstick pan to medium high heat.  Place the taco(s) in the heated pan.  Cook and roll them in order to brown on all sides.  Enjoy warm or at room temperature. 

I have linked this post to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum  and Wholesome Whole Foods at Health Food Lover.  Go check out all the great recipes and ideas!

Tacos de Barbacoa in a Crockpot

I cook a lot of Mexican food.  I love the flavors of the chiles and spices.  I really miss having good Mexican food living in Kansas.  What the people here say is wonderful Mexican food is terrible to me.  ICK!  So, I end up making my own.  Usually I end up creating my own dishes, but I recently bought this special edition magazine that has tons of great looking recipes. 

The recipe in the book and the original version of this dish is supposed to be smoked.  I don't have a smoker so the book said that you could do it a crockpot.  I can't imagine how yummy it be if it were to be smoked in banana leaves. YUM!

In the old days, prior to my obsession with eating healthy I used to fry the corn tortillas in vegetable oil.  Talk about bad for you!  Now, I have found a more healthful way to cook the tortillas.  I lightly coat a nonstick pan with nonstick spray and throw the tortillas in (one at a time) and cook till slightly bubbled on one side.  Flip and cook for about 20 seconds longer.  They are perfect!  I can now eat a taco without grease running down my arm.  (I know- gross, right?)

This was so easy and delicious and I can't wait to make it again.   Maybe this Sunday when I have family coming over?!? 

Oh!  and the leftovers made a perfect wrap for our roadtrip to Texas. 

Ingredients:

2 tbsp cider vinegar or red wine vinegar

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp dried oregano, crushed

2 tsp chili powder (I used ancho chile powder)

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1  4 lb beef chuck roast

1/4 cup beef broth or water

corn tortillas

possible toppings: shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, salsa, quacamole, crumbled queso fresco, and/or fresh cilantro

Directions:

In a small bowl stir together the vinegar, garlic, oregano, chili powder, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves to make a paste.  Spoon spice paste on all sides of the roast; rub in with your fingers.  If you can, put it in the refrigerator for a while (I let it sit for about 2 hours). 

Place in a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker with broth. Cook, covered on low-heat setting 10-12 hours or until tender.  (I cooked mine for about 8 hours and it was perfect). 

I have linked up this recipe to the following blogs:

Finer Things Friday at Amy's Finer Things

Hasselback Potatoes

My family loves potatoes and we could eat them with every meal.  I saw this idea here and decided that I could always use a new way to prepare and serve potatoes.  They were very good and kind of fun to make!

Ingredients: 

potatoes

fresh garlic, thinly sliced

sea salt

freshly ground pepper

Italian seasoning

butter

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Carefully slice potatoes as seen in the photo above.  Be careful not to slice all the way through.  Slide garlic slices in between the layers of potatoes.  Drizzle olive oil over the top and sprinkle with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.  Bake for about an hour or until the potatoes are tender.  Remove from oven and top with a pat of butter and sprinkle a little more Italian seasoning on top.  Add sour cream and chives if desired. 

Broccoli with Garlic, Almonds and Asiago Cheese

This is one of my favorite side dishes and we eat it rather often.  It is super-easy, quick and rather healthy with a small amount of cheese added.  I think I got the idea years ago from Rachael Ray. 

The broccoli that I used was a great find at the local farmers market.  $1 a head!  Great prices, fresh and local!  Love it!

Ingredients:

2 lbs of fresh or frozen broccoli cut into spears

5 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup asiago cheese, grated

Directions:

Steam the broccoli.  Set aside.  Heat a large, nonstick pan to medium high heat and add olive oil.  Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.  Add the broccoli and almonds and toss all together.  Cook for about 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and top with the cheese.  Cover with foil if needed in order to melt the cheese.  Serve.

I am adding this post to Side Dish Showdown at Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice.

I am also linking this post to the following:

All the Small Stuff - Tuesdays at the Table
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam - Tasty Tuesday
GirliChef - Two for Tuesdays
Foodie Friday - Designs by Gollum

Sweet Blueberry Blue Cornbread

I think this dessert looks a little patriotic with the red, white and blue.  Perfect for the 4th of July!  It turned out very yummy.  I love the texture of the blue cornmeal and the yogurt added a little twang and lots of moisture.  You need to try this recipe!  It was very different but good.

It is not too terribly sweet, so if you want it sweeter you may want to add more sugar.  Maybe this would be even better simply with a little butter on top instead of the strawberries and cream.  They were almost too sweet for the mild cornbread. 

I found the recipe on Paula Deen's website.  I changed the recipe trying to make it a little more healthful.  Here is the original recipe. 

Sweet Blueberry Blue Cornbread
adapted from Paula Deen

Ingredients:

1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar (I used part Splenda and part sugar)
1/2 cup blue cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1 cup plain yogurt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten (I used Eggbeaters)
1/3 cup canola oil
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup fresh or fresh frozen blueberries
1 tbsp vanilla extract
strawberries and whipped cream for garnish if desired

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8” square baking pan with non stick baking spray and set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, corn meal, baking powder and salt. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together milk, yogurt, vanilla, eggs, oil and butter. Add flour mixture to wet mixture and stir just until blended. Gently fold in blueberries.

Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean. Serve warm with strawberries and whipped cream.


This post is being linked to Ultimate Recipe Swap @ Life as Mom.

and

Chocolate Mint Water, Goodbye Diet Coke and My New Friend Stevia

It's official.  I have not had a Diet Coke in two weeks now.  I am a fiend when it comes to this wonderfully delicious, bad for you drink.  Early Morning Large $.99 large drinks and Happy Hour at Sonic are some of my favorite times of the day.  I am addicted to the drink. 

I decided to stop drinking it once and for all.  At least I said, "Let's see how long I can go without one."  I have known for a long time now that aspartame is terrible for you.  It's poison on our systems but my family and I consume it in great quantities.  After I watched this video (see below) on Underground Wellness on YouTube, I knew that I needed to make some changes. 

 I have to say, water is very boring especially when you are used to the fizzy flavorful soda.  I have found something that helps break up the boredom of plain water.  Liquid Stevia.  Flavored Liquid Stevia to be exact.  I bought some chocolate flavored liquid stevia the other day not really knowing what to expect. I knew what I was going for....one of my favorite flavor combinations- mint and chocolate. My plan was to use the chocolate stevia and some crushed mint leaves (from my potted plant) and make some healthy, no calorie, flavorful water.  My plan was successful.  This water is wonderful!  I add four drops and about 4 or 5 mint leaves to my glass of water and I have a refreshing beverage.  It is not Diet Coke by any means but for now it is helping.  If only they would make a Diet Coke flavored liquid stevia!  Boy, would I be in heaven!

AND, my son LOVES it!

I have to figure out the easiest and most painless way to cut the soda completely out of my son's diet

(not going to happen with hubby).  Ughhhh..... It's going to be a fight, but it has to be fought.

The bottles are pretty expensive.  I paid $15.  I can rationalize the expense in many ways: 

1.  We will be healthier without the soda and aspartame 

2.  I am not making daily runs to Sonic 

3.  I am not buying Diet Coke by the case. 

4.  It doesn't take much and my water becomes sweet and flavored.  It should last a while. 

If you would like to learn more about the dangers of aspartame there is tons of info out there.  I recently found Sean Croxton at Underground Wellness.  He has videos on YouTube about health and wellness.  He is very informative.  You ought to check him out! 

Here is a video that he made about Stevia.

I would love to hear from those of you that are going through some similar challenges. 

Let me know if you watch some Underground Wellness videos.

Let me know if you try or use the liquid stevia. 

Wish me luck.  Everyday, I want a Diet Coke.  I have not given into the temptation, but I can make no promises.  Everyday, I want a Diet Coke.

Update:
I have gone 4 weeks without Diet Coke.  The first week or two was very difficult, but it has gotten much easier.  I still have cravings if I eat certain things.  AND my son stopped drinking sodas all on his own...no force involved on my part!  I am so proud of him taking charge of his health like he is and making good, healthy decisions.  He is only 11 by the way.  Pretty impressive, huh???

I have linked up this post to Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade.  Come check out all of the great ideas and recipes!