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Weekly Meal Plans & Quick Dinner Recipe Blog
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April 28, 2009 by susan
Break out the sombreros and get started on your Cinco de Mayo fiesta planning. Here’s some great recipes from margarita to fajita to get the celebration started. All you have to do now is download some Gypsy Kings, practice your salsa dancing, and stock up on Dos Equis and limes!
Gourmet Guacamole
Pomegranate Sangria or The Perfect Margaritas
Smokin Steak Fajitas or Grilled Veggie Fajitas
Corn, Avocado & Tomato Salad
Eva Longoria Parker’s Mexican Cookies
Tags: cinco de mayo, fiesta | Comments (1)
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April 27, 2009 by michelle
And they’re off! This year marks the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby. Catch the excitement of the day and throw your own Kentucky Derby party.
It’s time to break out the hats, roses, and of course, bourbon. No derby party is complete without Mint Juleps. I prefer my bourbon straight up, but no one can pass up a mint julep on Derby Day. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, these cocktails are a must!
Serve an elegant buffet using fine linens, silver, and china. We think tea sandwiches, cold seafood, and an assortment of salads is perfect.
Another essential is Derby Pie. While there are many variations of this tasty dessert, it’s basically liquored-up, chocolate-pecan pie. We recommend making this the night before and warming it up right before serving.
Betting on the “most exciting two minutes in sports” can be super fun and easy. Since many of your party-goers may have limited knowledge about the horses, we suggest that you keep it simple. Print out a list including horses’ owner, jockey, odds of winning, gate position, and jockey’s number. Cut into slips, fold, and place in a derby hat. As guests arrive, have them pick a slip out of the hat. Before the race, guests should ante up. When the race is complete, the person that has the winning horse collects the pot. Or, offer a percentage of the pot for the first place horse, a smaller percentage to the second place horse, and an even smaller percentage to the third place horse.
So listen to the band strike up My Old Kentucky Home and let the fun begin!
Tags: derby party, kentucky derby | Comments (0)
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April 22, 2009 by susan and michelle
(contest closed)
This Sur la table “Herb Garden in a Pail” would make a super cute mother’s day gift. It even comes with gardening gloves and a bow! The best news, we are giving it away (yes, that means a mother’s day gift, or gift for yourself, for FREE). All you have to do is comment on this blog by answering the question “What’s your favorite herb?” and you will be entered in the drawing which will take place on Thursday, April 30th. You will have your gift in plenty of time for mother’s day or to begin your own herb planting.
Here’s some more info on the product:
This fun gardening set is neatly packaged in a cute recycled galvanized steel pail and presented perfectly with a pretty ribbon for giving. Gardening set contains everything you need to grow fresh culinary herbs, including basil seeds, parsley seeds, garlic chives seeds, gardening gloves, organic soil, rice-hull drainage and instructions. Certified organic herbs can be grown either indoors or outdoors and look lovely when grown from the patio or balcony.
Good Luck and Happy Mother’s Day!
Susan and Michelle
Tags: 2009, gardening, giveaway, herbs | Comments (56)
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April 15, 2009 by michelle
You’ve Got Supper will share many delicious grill recipes this Spring and Summer. In preparation for these meals, we recommend you spend a little time prepping your grill for the season. Sure, we all should have cleaned the grime off of the grill at the end of last season. But if you are like us, your grill is greasy on the inside from the previous season’s use and dirty on the outside from sitting out in the elements all winter. Don’t worry; you can get your grill ready for barbeque season with just a little time and effort.
According to the National Propane Gas Association, the following steps will help to ensure that you have a safe grilling season.
1. Clean the burner and tubes. Insects may be hiding in here for warmth and they can cause ignition problems, including an uneven flame. Refer to your instruction’s manual to remove tubes off of gas line. Clean dirt and grease with warm, soapy water. Clean out gas port on burner unit with toothpicks. Clean gas tubes by soaking in warm, soapy water. Do not reassemble until after step 2.
2. Clean grill housing. Before you start, place aluminum foil over gas orifices to prevent corrosion. Scrub the grill’s inner and outer surfaces with a brass-bristle brush and soapy water. You can now reattach gas tubes.
3. Check the fuel supply. Always check the gas line, connections and propane tank before restarting the grill. Dented or rusted tanks should be replaced immediately.
4. Clean the briquettes and cooking grids. Unlike charcoal, the briquettes do not burn but transfer heat from the burner. As a result, the cooking grids are coated with grease. To clean, flip the briquettes so the greasy side faces the burner and place the grids in their usual place. Light the grill, close the lid and set the flame on HIGH for 15 minutes. The heat will burn the grease off the briquettes and grids.
Tags: clean grill | Comments (0)
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by Taylor
Michael Pollan’s American Paradox: The more we worry about nutrition, the less healthy we seem to become. This book is super interesting. Read these top 5 facts and tips, or better yet, the entire book. It will change the way you eat!!
Top Five Facts and Tips:
- An apple in 1940 was three times more nutritious than they are today, because of the decline in soil quality and the use of fertilizers to speed up the process.
- Buy organic fruits and vegetables when you can, and eat smaller portions of them. The nutritional value is higher so eating part of an organic apple will have the same nutritional benefit as eating an entire inorganic apple.
- Food is not just a sum of its parts and the effects of individual nutrients cannot be measured. Therefore, the same benefits of eating spinach (iron, calcium, vitamin A) cannot be achieved by eating iron-enriched or calcium-enriched food.
- Many of the items we buy in grocery stores are actually food imitations, but food companies protested having “imitation” on the package, so it was no longer deemed necessary by the FDA. For instance, what you are buying to make your kids’ sandwiches may be a “bread imitation” rather than just bread. Try to buy food as few hard-to-pronounce ingredients as possible.
- Eat only what your great-grandmother would recognize. For instance, buy yogurt instead of “go-gurt.”
Tags: books | Comments (0)
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by susan
These “brain foods for kids” came from Dr. Mommy at www.drmommyhealthtips.com. Pretty good article. Although it won’t force your kids to sit down and study without distraction, a balanced diet incorporating a variety of the following foods to enhance brain function is essential! The scientific facts are compelling.
- Eggs - contain a vitamin-like substance called choline. This particular substance is needed for the creation of memory formed deep within our brains. The more cells we have the better our memories will be. If your child does not like eggs, be creative try making French toast using eggs and whole wheat toast.
- Strawberries and Blueberries - these wonderful berries are loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in berries, spinach and tomatoes, and have shown to boost cognitive functioning. Antioxidants have also shown to ward off Alzheimer’s disease. Kids enjoy berries and now we as parents can rest assure that they will boost their brain power.
- Oatmeal - another breakfast favorite has been found to help with spatial memory. Oatmeal which is a whole grain high in fiber, digest slowly which will give the children the energy needed as well as providing them with protein. Try adding berries, raisins or dried fruit to oatmeal for an added crunch and surprise.
- Milk - fat free milk is a great source of Vitamin D, protein and phosphorus. The calcium will also regulate energy. Unless a child is lactose intolerant, milk should always be part of their diet. Calcium plays an important role in the body’s production of insulin. To make milk appealing try adding chocolate or strawberry syrup, or for a fun treat try making milkshakes which are always a crowd pleaser.
- Whole Wheat - for your child to maintain their energy throughout the day, make sandwiches using whole wheat bread. Whole wheat breads are rich in fiber, and the enriched flour used by most commercial bakers is also rich in folate vitamin. Folate is used to manufacture memory cells in the brain. Add peanut butter and jelly or low fat cheese to make the sandwiches more enticing. Another choice for the child who does not like whole wheat bread is to make mini-sandwiches using whole wheat crackers or whole wheat tortillas. And let’s not forget cereal which is also a great source of energy and contains a large amount of fiber. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
- Water - this source is usually overlooked and so very important. It is amazing how little children will intake while in school. Because of this lack of water intake the chances of dehydration increase. The brain will drain and the water will enhance it again. It is important to keep lots of water on hand and offer it at every meal, especially after active days.
- Beef - because of the increase of iron-deficiency seen in children and the affect that iron deficiency has on their performance, beef is suggested. Lean beef is one of the best absorbed sources of iron there is. Beef also contains zinc which is needed for memory. Try making a stir fry with lean beef strips and vegetables for a tasty and nutritious meal.
- Vegetables - not just any vegetables, but the green leafy vegetables are also very high in iron and other vitamins along with antioxidants. As stated above these vitamins are vital for brain function and memory. If you child is not a meat eater, adding the essential green leafy vegetables will be very important.
Tags: brain, food, kids | Comments (0)
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April 13, 2009 by michelle
My daughter doesn’t like mashed potatoes. Crazy, huh? Yet she jumped at the chance to try chocolate-covered bugs. Here’s a one minute video of some neighborhood kids sampling tasty bugs.
Chocolate Covered Insects
Most picky eaters won’t eat bugs. (Good for them!) If your child is a picky eater, try some of these practical tips from the Mayo Clinic.
- Respect your child’s hunger — or lack thereof. Young children tend to eat only when they’re hungry. If your child isn’t hungry, don’t force a meal or snack.
- Stay calm. If your child senses that you’re unhappy with his or her eating habits, it may become a battle of wills. Threats and punishments only reinforce the power struggle.
- Keep an eye on the clock. Nix juice and snacks for at least one hour before meals. If your child comes to the table hungry, he or she may be more motivated to eat.
- Don’t expect too much. After age 2, slower growth often reduces a child’s appetite. A few bites may be all it takes for your child to feel full.
- Limit liquid calories. Low-fat or fat-free dairy products and 100 percent fruit juice can be important parts of a healthy diet — but if your child fills up on milk or juice, he or she may have no room for meals or snacks.
- Start small. Offer several foods in small portions. Let your child choose what he or she eats.
- Boycott the clean plate club. Don’t force your child to clean his or her plate. This may only ignite — or reinforce — a power struggle over food. Instead, allow your child to stop eating when he or she is full.
- Leave taste out of it. Talk about a food’s color, shape, aroma and texture — not whether it tastes good.
- Be patient with new foods. Young children often touch or smell new foods, and may even put tiny bits in their mouths and then take them back out again. Your child may need repeated exposure to a new food before he or she takes the first bite.
- Eat breakfast for dinner. Who says cereal or pancakes are only for breakfast? The distinction between breakfast, lunch and dinner foods may be lost on your child.
- Make it fun. Serve broccoli and other veggies with a favorite dip or sauce. Cut foods into various shapes with cookie cutters.
- Recruit your child’s help. At the grocery store, ask your child to help you select fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods. Don’t buy anything that you don’t want your child to eat. At home, encourage your child to help you rinse veggies, stir batter or set the table.
- Set a good example. If you eat a variety of healthy foods, your child is more likely to follow suit.
- Be sneaky. Add chopped broccoli or green peppers to spaghetti sauce, top cereal with fruit slices, or mix grated zucchini and carrots into casseroles and soups.
- Keep it separate. If your child isn’t a fan of various ingredients thrown together, you might “unmix” the food. Place sandwich fixings outside the bread, or serve the ingredients of a salad, casserole or stir-fry separately.
- Stick to the routine. Serve meals and snacks at about the same times every day. If the kitchen is closed at other times, your child may be more likely to eat what’s served for meals and snacks.
- Minimize distractions. Turn off the television during meals, and don’t allow books or toys at the table.
- Don’t offer dessert as a reward. Withholding dessert sends the message that dessert is the best food, which may only increase your child’s desire for sweets. You might select one or two nights a week as dessert nights, and skip dessert the rest of the week. Or redefine dessert as fruit, yogurt or other healthy choices.
- Expect some food preferences to stick. As kids mature, they tend to become less picky about food. Still, everyone has food preferences. Don’t expect your child to like everything.
- Know when to seek help. If your child is energetic and growing, he or she is probably doing fine. Consult your child’s doctor if you’re concerned that picky eating is compromising your child’s growth and development or if certain foods seem to make your child ill.
Your child’s eating habits won’t likely change overnight. But the small steps you take each day can help promote a lifetime of healthy eating.
Tags: chocloate covered bugs, eating bugs, picky eaters | Comments (1)
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April 8, 2009 by susan and michelle
“Do you like green eggs and ham? I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do not like green eggs and ham.”
If you want to make something tasty with your leftover Easter ham, try one of these recipe and transform your leftover ham into something delicious.
Ham and Spinach Quiche
Mozzarella Ham Stromboli
Ham Biscuits
Wholesome Ham and Broccoli Muffins
Tags: Easter ham, ham recipes | Comments (0)
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