Sloppy Joes

I love sloppy joes and these are quick and easy to make when in a hurry.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey or beef
1-1 1/2 cup of my homemade BBQ sauce
1 onion chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped

Directions:
Cook meat, when half way cooked add onion and bell pepper and finish cooking meat completely until browned.
Add the sauce and mix well.
Serve with Hamburger Buns!

Quick and Easy!
ENJOY!

Recipe Review- Baked Chicken Parmesan

For those of you who read my post on my other blog about the Sue Gregg cookbooks, well I thought I would review a few as I made them.
I made the Baked Chicken Parmesan and Brown Rice Pilaf from her book the other night and both were simply delicious. I'm loving these books so far.
If you want me to keep reviewing a few I will. If you are the least bit interested in these books I'd try out her sample recipes here.
HUGS!

Menu Plan Monday

I've recently had the honor of receiving some Sue Gregg cookbooks and will be incorporating some of her recipes in my menu. I did a post about them on my main blog if you want to check it out.

MONDAY- Encharrito Casserole (family favorite)
TUESDAY- Baked Parmesan Chicken w/ brown rice pilaf and broccoli (Page 96 and 208 in the Main Dishes Sue Gregg Cookbook)
WEDNESDAY- Mexican Chicken Salad
THURSDAY- Molly's Chicken (No idea who Molly is) Broccoli-Carrot Medley and Brown rice (Page 126 in MD )
FRIDAY- Taco Pizza
SATURDAY- Spaghetti and Meat Sauce and Salad

Enjoy!
For more Monday Menus hop on over to I'm an Organizing Junkie to check them out!

Healthier Carrot Cake

I admit that I made this in a rush, because my husband was leaving for work so it wasn't completely cooled and I left it in the pan and frosted. But it tasted so good warm!!! But wasn't as pretty as if you would have taken the time to let it cool, take it out of the pan and then frost it. But I'll leave that all up to you. To me this is just a way to get it in your mouth quicker! LOL.
Okay on to the recipe.

Ingredients:
3/4 Agave nectar
1/2 coconut oil
1/2 unsweetened applesauce
2 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups White Wheat flour
1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
5 medium carrots, shredded (about 2-3 cups)
1 cup chopped walnuts (1/4 reserved)

Cream cheese frosting
1-80z. reduced fat cream cheese, softened
milk of choice ( I eye ball this)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray the bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 inch pan. Or use something equivalent.
Mix the agave, coconut oil, applesauce, vanilla and eggs until well blended.
Stir in dry ingredients. Mix until well blended.
Stir in carrots and walnuts.
Pour into pan.
Bake for 40-45 mins.

Frosting
Beat cream cheese and about 1 1/2 TBS of milk and your vanilla on low speed until smooth.
Gradually beat in powdered sugar, until smooth and spreadable. Add more milk if necessary.
Spread over warm cake.
Sprinkle remaining walnuts over top.
Mmmmm!!!

To make this even healthier, I may not frost it next time. It was so good I may just sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the top and call it done.

Let me know what you think.
Enjoy!!

Cheesy Yummy Goodness!

Okay I just had to post this because my family just loves it when I make it. I can't say that it will go in the "healthy" category but it's definitely a comfort food and every now and again we need that. So I'm going to start a new label just for recipes like this! I came up with this based on what I had on hand at the time.

Ingredients:
4 Organic hot dogs ( see it's starting out healthy already) LOL
About a cup and a half to 2 cups spiral pasta or whatever pasta you have on hand except for spaghetti ( I just kind of eyeballed it but make enough for 5 people.)
3 TBS. of butter
1/4 c. of flour
1 1/2 c. of milk
1 cup of cheese ( I used a Mexican blend)

Directions:
Cook hot dogs according to instructions. Slice in half and then into bite size pieces. Set aside.
While your hot dogs are cooking make your pasta according to directions on box.
To make your cheese sauce first get a sauce pan and add your butter and melt over medium heat. When completely melted add your 1/4 flour and whisk until combined.
Slowly add your milk, while continuing to whisk. Sauce will start to thicken after a few minutes. Don't let boil. Keep whisking until you feel the sauce start to thicken reduce heat to low and add your cheese. Grab a wooden spoon to mix this together.
Now all you do is add your pasta, hot dogs and cream sauce together and mix well. Add a little salt and pepper to taste.

Wanna make it healthier? Add broccoli as a side! LOL.
If you try it let me know what you think!
ENJOY!

Healthier Alternatives to Sugar

Lately I've really been trying to cut down on my sugar intake and have been looking at natural, healthier alternatives.
It would be easy to adjust most of my recipes to some of these new sweeteners.
I personally use:
Raw Honey:
Real Maple Syrup
Stevia Powder

Xylitol: I've heard nothing but great things about this. Use 1:1 for sugar. Here is a website with a bit more information on using for baking. Cooking and Baking with Xyitol.

I hope this gives you a few alternatives to eating a little more healthy without having to pull your sweet tooth.

BLESSINGS!