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TGiF, right?
Hubby and I had a cookfest last night to prep for some friends that are coming over for dinner tonight. We (yes, we... have I told you that I have an amazing husband?) made/prepped an Italian pasta salad, BBQ pulled pork, beer brats, caramel brownies, coconut cake, and homemade Spanish sangria... and then we cleaned the house :) Being the overplanner and OCD type person that I am, I'm nervous we don't have enough food and I will probably clean the house again when I get home from work... this trait may also have been inherited from my very organized, super planner mom!
I will post these recipes later... but here's the run-down on them:
The Italian pasta and caramel brownie recipes are my mom's and are both delicious! A friend in college renamed them 'orgasmic brownies'....
The beer brat recipe is my friend Sara's - she's from Wisconsin and a huge Packers fan and claims these to be the exact same beer brats they serve at Lambeau Field!
The coconut cake and Spanish sangria are new recipes I'm trying. If they are worthy, I will share them as well!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Spartacus Workout
This is a GREAT at-home workout. I've been doing it 3 times per week as my strength/resistance training... However, give it a shot and you'll notice it'll give you quite a dose of cardio as well!
You will need: Several sets of dumbbells of various weights (5, 9, 12, 15, 20, etc.) and a visible clock. I always wear my watch, but it's nice to have a BIG wall clock (with seconds) you can watch.
Perform the exercise as a circuit, that is, perform all 10 exercise one time through. Take a 2 minute break and then repeat. Do this twice for a total of 3 circuits. Perform each move for 60 seconds, completing as many reps as possible. Take a 15 second "break" between each exercise to change weights and transition into the next exercise.
1- Goblet Squats
2- Mountain Climbers (or hold a plank for 60 seconds)
3- Single Arm Dumbbell Swing
4- T-Pushups
5- Split Jumps
6- Dumbbell Rows
7- Dumbbell Side Lunges
8- Pushup Position Row (if this is too difficult, omit the push-up portion of the move)
9- Dumbbell Lunge with Rotation
10- Dumbbell Push Press
Notes
This workout is from The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises, which I highly recommend! Ever head to the gym with a few moves in mind, but get bored of doing the same moves or working on the same machines? I always have it in my gym bag and have followed several of their suggested workouts - all of which are serious butt-kickers!
If you're unsure how to do any of the moves listed above, or to see pictures of how to do them, follow this link: Spartacus Workout
You will need: Several sets of dumbbells of various weights (5, 9, 12, 15, 20, etc.) and a visible clock. I always wear my watch, but it's nice to have a BIG wall clock (with seconds) you can watch.
Perform the exercise as a circuit, that is, perform all 10 exercise one time through. Take a 2 minute break and then repeat. Do this twice for a total of 3 circuits. Perform each move for 60 seconds, completing as many reps as possible. Take a 15 second "break" between each exercise to change weights and transition into the next exercise.
1- Goblet Squats
2- Mountain Climbers (or hold a plank for 60 seconds)
3- Single Arm Dumbbell Swing
4- T-Pushups
5- Split Jumps
6- Dumbbell Rows
7- Dumbbell Side Lunges
8- Pushup Position Row (if this is too difficult, omit the push-up portion of the move)
9- Dumbbell Lunge with Rotation
10- Dumbbell Push Press
Notes
This workout is from The Women's Health Big Book of Exercises, which I highly recommend! Ever head to the gym with a few moves in mind, but get bored of doing the same moves or working on the same machines? I always have it in my gym bag and have followed several of their suggested workouts - all of which are serious butt-kickers!
If you're unsure how to do any of the moves listed above, or to see pictures of how to do them, follow this link: Spartacus Workout
Crockpot Lasagna
Hello, comfort food! I would feel guilty if this wasn't such a healthy alternative to the traditional lasagna recipes. And an added bonus, after a long day at work dinner is already waiting for you!
Ingredients
1 lb. ground turkey breast
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove minced garlic
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
15 oz. tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese -OR- 2% cottage cheese (which is what I use because I always have it on hand)
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
6 pieces no-cook lasagna noodles
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook turkey, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Simmer 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine ricotta/cottage cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Spoon 1/3 of turkey mixture into bottom of a 5-qt. slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna sheets in half and arrange over mixture. Top with half of cheese mixture. Repeat with another layer and finish with 1/3 of turkey mixture.
Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove cover, turn off heat.
Combine remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over top of lasagna. Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes.
Notes
A fresh salad sounded great with my lasagna, but if you want to up your veggie intake without serving a side dish simply add diced zucchini, mushrooms, and/or spinach to the sauce/turkey mixture.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground turkey breast
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove minced garlic
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
15 oz. tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese -OR- 2% cottage cheese (which is what I use because I always have it on hand)
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
6 pieces no-cook lasagna noodles
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook turkey, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Simmer 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine ricotta/cottage cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Spoon 1/3 of turkey mixture into bottom of a 5-qt. slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna sheets in half and arrange over mixture. Top with half of cheese mixture. Repeat with another layer and finish with 1/3 of turkey mixture.
Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove cover, turn off heat.
Combine remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over top of lasagna. Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes.
Notes
A fresh salad sounded great with my lasagna, but if you want to up your veggie intake without serving a side dish simply add diced zucchini, mushrooms, and/or spinach to the sauce/turkey mixture.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Turkey Burgers
Since hubby was flying late last night, I just threw some ingredients together for a quick dinner.. these lil guys were delicious! I honestly didn't measure any of this, except for the turkey, but these are my best guesses as to how much of each ingredient...
1 lb. ground turkey breast
1/4 to 1/2 C. old fashioned oats
1/2 C. chopped spinach
1/4 C. BBQ sauce (probably less... I used a few squirts)
Combine all ingredients and pat out into 4-5 patties.
Heat grill to medium-high. Spray a double-layer of tin foil with cooking spray and set on grill grate to heat. Place patties on heated tin foil. Flip burgers after 5 minutes. Cook another 5 minutes, or until cooked through. You could baste these with more BBQ sauce if desired, but this way provided just the right amount of BBQ flavor.
I had my turkey burger (no bun) with steamed spinach and steamed green beans. Grilled corn on the cob or grilled veggie packets would be delcious if you had a little more prep time!
1 lb. ground turkey breast
1/4 to 1/2 C. old fashioned oats
1/2 C. chopped spinach
1/4 C. BBQ sauce (probably less... I used a few squirts)
Combine all ingredients and pat out into 4-5 patties.
Heat grill to medium-high. Spray a double-layer of tin foil with cooking spray and set on grill grate to heat. Place patties on heated tin foil. Flip burgers after 5 minutes. Cook another 5 minutes, or until cooked through. You could baste these with more BBQ sauce if desired, but this way provided just the right amount of BBQ flavor.
I had my turkey burger (no bun) with steamed spinach and steamed green beans. Grilled corn on the cob or grilled veggie packets would be delcious if you had a little more prep time!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Taco Seasoning
A much better alternative to buying the packets of seasoning at the store. My husband said this was better anyway :)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
After browning and draining your choice of ground beef/turkey/turkey breast, add 3/4 C. water and 2-3 T. of seasoning per pound of meat. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Serve with homemade whole wheat tortillas!
Homemade Whole Wheat Tortillas
Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Stone Ground)
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
3 teaspoons of olive oil
3/4 cups of warm milk
2 cups whole wheat flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Stone Ground)
1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt
3 teaspoons of olive oil
3/4 cups of warm milk
Directions:
Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and oil.
Slowly add the warm milk.
Stir/Mix until a loose, sticky ball is formed. (I got in with my hands a little, too)
Knead for two minutes on a floured surface. Dough should be firm and soft.
Place dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 20 minutes.
After the dough has rested, break off eight sections, roll them into balls in your hands, place on a plate and then cover balls with plastic wrap for 10 minutes.
After dough has rested, one at a time place a dough ball on a floured surface, pat it out into a four-inch circle, and then roll with a rolling pin from the center until it’s thin and six to eight inches in diameter. Keep rolled-out tortillas covered with plastic wrap until ready to cook.
In a dry iron skillet heated on high, cook the tortilla about thirty seconds on each side. It should start to puff a bit when it’s done.
Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and oil.
Slowly add the warm milk.
Stir/Mix until a loose, sticky ball is formed. (I got in with my hands a little, too)
Knead for two minutes on a floured surface. Dough should be firm and soft.
Place dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 20 minutes.
After the dough has rested, break off eight sections, roll them into balls in your hands, place on a plate and then cover balls with plastic wrap for 10 minutes.
After dough has rested, one at a time place a dough ball on a floured surface, pat it out into a four-inch circle, and then roll with a rolling pin from the center until it’s thin and six to eight inches in diameter. Keep rolled-out tortillas covered with plastic wrap until ready to cook.
In a dry iron skillet heated on high, cook the tortilla about thirty seconds on each side. It should start to puff a bit when it’s done.
Keep cooked tortillas covered wrapped in a napkin until ready to eat.
Makes eight tortillas.
I also made my own taco seasoning to put with ground turkey breast... and served with a side of 0% Greek Yogurt (a great substitue for sour cream) and Salsa!
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