Healthy Dinner Tonight!

A few years back, Jessica Seinfeld was all the rage amongst mommies everywhere with her Deceptively Delicious cookbook where by you sneak veggies into food so kids don't know how healthy they are eating. She was then sued by the author of the Sneaky Chef - and then Jerry was sued for defamation of character, and it went on and on.

Anyway, I didn't have much luck with some of her suggestions and recipies.

Recently, however, a friend turned me on to Gwenyth Paltrow's site and newsletter entitled GOOP (www.goop.com)

Today's post was about Jessica's new website and cookbook about making healthy things from fresh for busy lives (I'll take one of these for Christmas, please!)

Here's the website if you want to check it out yourself!
http://www.doitdelicious.com/

This is her mantra:
We are all about simple and easy recipes as well as great tips and advice about cooking and shopping for food. Our hearts are with those who are just starting their adventures in the kitchen—those who are intimidated and possibly even terrified—so we will always keep it real about what it takes to get a meal on the table. You will find us in and out of the kitchen digging up great finds at supermarkets, farmers’ markets, roadside stands, restaurants and food trucks; and, hopefully, finding that hidden gem of a recipe, and highlighting that gadget that makes life easier for you in the kitchen. Our goal is to get everyone cooking—from the very beginner to those who are already comfortable but looking for fresh recipes and fun tips.

Here's a sample & simple recipe:

Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Yield: Serves 6
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, separated
3 cups low-fat, reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup cauliflower puree
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets (about 2 1/4 pounds)

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, sauté the chopped garlic in 1 teaspoon of the olive oil until it begins to turn golden brown. Add the chicken broth, turn the heat to high, and reduce by half, about 8 minutes. Add the lemon juice.

In a small bowl, combine the water and cornstarch. Slowly stir the cornstarch mixture into the boiling chicken broth. The mixture will thicken quickly. Add the cauliflower puree. Sprinkle in parsley, if desired. Cover to keep warm and set aside.

Meanwhile, begin heating the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Whisk the egg whites and egg in a shallow bowl. Combine the flour, salt, and garlic powder on a large plate. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the seasoned flour and then dip in the egg mixture. Drop the cutlets directly into the heated skillet. Sauté 4 to 5 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Add the lemon sauce and cook 2 to 3 minutes more to combine flavors. Serve.

Calories: 333, Carbohydrate: 18 g, Protein: 45 g, Total Fat: 8.5 g, Saturated Fat: 1.5 g, Sodium: 565 mg, Fiber: 3 g

A fan is born!

Parents of School Aged Children: READ UP

I was talking to some moms outside my daughter's dance class the other day when the subject of lice came up (Yuck).
Apparently, it's going around in a neighboring school.

One of the mom's told me that lice do not like the smell of rosemary - it apparently repels them - and someone has made this into a product for this purpose.
Fairytales haircare is organic and natural and good for your child's hair regardless of the anti-lice capabilities. If you have a knotty hair kid like I do, this spray will do dual purpose as a leave-in conditioner and protector of unwanted pests!


It's sold at smaller pharmacies and specialty beauty shops or you can always buy online.
They also have summer care products that are natural and chem free!
I got myself some - and we are now using it daily. (Don't forget to spray behind the ears)


Stock up and prevent today!

Cake Friday! Tried and loved!

My daughter turned seven on Monday, which meant I needed to make her cupcakes and something healthy to take to school and share with her class. I love making and eating cupcakes but since I have become all to aware of chemicals and other nasty items in our food, I read the back of a traditional cake box (it was Betty Crocker I believe).

Did you know that yellow cake mix has yellow dye in it??
Frosting is just as bad - it has high fructose corn syrup and a ton of other unidentifiable items in it. I am done with those items. Done! What are they thinking???

Thank goodness I am now a regular shopper at Trader Joe's and they have some new products out that I used and will review for my readers.

Trader Joe's now makes a cake and frosting mix - without harmful chemicals!
For your reading pleasure - please visit this post and blog - which I found today and cannot wait to read more about. Two ladies write a blog and a book called "Cooking with Trader Joe's"- I think I am more excited about that than I am that it's Friday!!

So - I used the cake mix and there were two options on the back - make with oil or make with butter. I chose the oil version - but my BFF told me the butter is simply divine. I have to admit, it did not taste that good when I licked the spoon (and the inside of the bowl) but after it came out of the oven, it was just as good as any other cake mix.

Now - the frosting takes a bit of getting used to. It's butter cream frosting - so it's not what our kids are traditionally used to eating but it was good (however fattening). Although my daughter often says "Trader Joe's stuff has less chemicals in it but it doesn't mean it's all good for you" Well said Meg!

Next up - Sunday night baking for her class treat.
Our school only allows "healthy" birthday snacks so this one is always tricky. However, I had been eyeing up a recipe on the side of the Multi grain Pancake and Waffle Mix. It was called a "Blueberry Coffee Cake" and boy was it easy. I folded in frozen organic blueberries, used the multi grain mix in place of bleached (yuck) flower - some eggs, oil, and wallah - I got a lovely square cake that I cut into mini squares and they were moist and delicious.
I cut back on the amount of sugar and substituted some pure Vanilla for an extra little kick - cause that's how I roll!

Delish! A must try for all!