Turkey--the other white meat

Mike and I recently have wanted to improve our eating habits, which means eating smaller portions and more healthy (less fatty). It hasn't been as bad as it has been before, because I think we have greater motivation and are doing this together. Plus, instead of just eating NOTHING, we have counted calories a couple times (not religiously) and have found that we can eat healthy without always being hungry.

Because of this habit change, I have been on the lookout for low-cal/healthy options and ideas. There are always "tricks" out there that claim to help you intake less calories...and I know some are valid, but others are also unreasonable to me. However, there is one that I was introduced to by Desiree and Scott that we will be using...

Substitute ground beef for ground turkey.

It's cheaper, and less fatty. For a 1 lb ground beef, 80% lean, at Walmart, it is about $2.80. For 90% lean it's probably about $3.50. For about 1.25 lb ground turkey, 97% lean, it's about $2.60. Worth it!

It does taste different, and there is a different texture, but when you season it, it tastes just as good. We had it for tacos the other night (and at Desiree's) and thought it just as delicious.

Desiree did warn us not to use it for hamburgers, and we are going to trust her on that. The consistency of the meat just doesn't measure up when mashed together on a bun. On the other hand, she made turkey loaf which tasted delicious (and I hope she gets the recipe to me so I can post that on here soon!).

Chicken Wraps

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast (is enough for two)
Tortillas (one for each wrap)
Lettuce (torn into pieces if you like)
Cheese
Italian Dressing
Toothpicks
Optional:
Bacon Bits
Tomatoes
Onions
Green Pepper
Croutons
Mushrooms

Directions:

Cut chicken into small squares (maybe 1 in X 1 in) and cook on Med heat with Italian Dressing until cooked thoroughly.

Warm each tortilla for about 20 sec in the microwave. Place about a tablespoon of Italian Dressing in the middle of the tortilla and spread with a spoon.

Place a handful or two of lettuce on the tortilla and spread evenly. But leave about one inch of space on one side of the tortilla free of toppings. Place chicken on lettuce, spreading it evenly. But leave about one inch of space on one side of the tortilla free of toppings. Sprinkle on a few bacon bits, and any other toppings, and some cheese.

When all the toppings are on, start rolling towards the open space of the tortilla (free of toppings). You will notice the toppings shift as you roll, and will fill that empty inch by the end of rolling. Place 4 toothpicks, evenly spaced, into the rolled tortilla (to keep it together) and cut in half. Then eat!

*recipe from me!

Pizookie

I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I thought I would post it, so somebody could tell me how it tastes. I got it off  someone else's blog.  :)

Pizookie - cookie pizza

1 C. butter
3/4 C. brown sugar
1/4 C. white sugar
1 sm. pkg vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp. salt

Mix, then add...

2 eggs
2 1/4 C flour
1 tsp. baking soda
Chocolate chips as desired

bake for 9 minutes in a 375 degree oven

Love These!

These knives are GREAT!!! We haven't bought new knives since we've been married, and we couldn't cut a thing. But we broke down and bought these. I don't know if it's because they're new, or just awesome, but I actually look forward to cutting raw chicken with these knives.

stir fry sauce

Tonight we are feeding the Missionaries. Since I haven't posted anything to this blog yet I thought that I just would. We are serving stir fry. I love stir fry, but not all the store bought sauces. I got this stir fry sauce recipe from my mom. I don't know where she got it, but my family really likes it...Here you go.

First...mix 1 tsp. corn starch and 1/2 C. water
next...mix in 1/4 C. oil
then...mix in 1/4 C. soy sauce (I use reduced sodium but you don't have to) and 1TB. sugar.

That is it..so easy.

I pour the sauce in the skillet and then add my cut carrots and cut cooked chicken. After the carrots are semi soft, I usually add peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or whatever we like that day putting the vegetables that need to cook longer first. After I turn off the heat I add cashews so they will not be soggy when we eat them. We then eat it over rice, of course. Stir fry is so easy, but I thought I would post the sauce recipe...so good! I hope the missionaries like vegetables. Well I guess if not, it is a good time to start. :) Happy eating.

Menus Are Underrated

Because I am the smartest person you have ever known, I will grace you with a token of my knowledge and tell you:

USE A MENU!!!

Mike and I were (are) poor way back when we were still both going to school and had (have) crappy jobs. We were going out to eat at least twice a week and decided we couldn't afford that lavish lifestyle anymore. So we started making menus. GREAT idea for a couple reasons:

1. We hardly ever throw out food. We only buy what we planned on eating/making.

2. We save money. Even if we don't feel like making food, knowing that there is something at home to make is pyshological guilt enough to not go out to eat.

3. We get to eat what we WANT to eat.

Here's an example of our menu:

Sat - Hot dogs (grilled--which means they are elegant)
Sun - Enchiladas
Mon - Tortelini
Tues - Hot deli sandwiches
Weds - Leftovers/Whatever
Thurs - Cream of Chicken (I'll post this later)
Fri - Go out

It only takes a couple minutes. The meals don't have to be extravagant. And we always mix around the days. If we don't feel like having sandwiches, we have something else. And we always leave a day open to go out, so if anything comes up during the week we aren't strapped to a plan. Also, I've heard parents mention that kids complain about what's for dinner, so I was thinking kids should participate in making the menu. Have them choose a meal--and then they CAN'T complain!

Give it a try and tell us what you think!

Penne with Sausage

Mike and I made this up, but when I told someone about it, they told me this is an actual thing. And I can't remember the real name... Oh well. It tastes good regardless of what it's called.

Ingredients:
Penne pasta (we get one box of Walmart brand--however much that is)
Your favorite canned "spaghetti" sauce (Marinara tasted ok, pizza sauce is NOT)
Cheese
Sausage (the U shaped Hillshire Farm kind)
Optional:
Any other veggies you would want, like green peppers, mushrooms, and onions

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Cook pasta according to the directions on the box, and drain when done
3. Cut sausage into rounds, then in half (we use about 2/3 to 3/4 of the sausage)
4. Mix spaghetti sauce and sausage into the pasta
5. Pour pasta into 9x13 pan. Pour cheese over top--as much as you want. Heat for about 15-20 minutes; until bubbly and cheese is melted