Archive for Brands I Love

Sometimes the BEST things are so simple.

November 10, 2009 · Filed under Appetizers, Brands I Love, Costco · Tagged

Sometimes the best things are so simple we tend to forget about them.  A few weeks ago we were graciously invited to a Halloween party!  Michael had been gone all week on the East Coast and come Halloween day I was BEAT STREET!  All done.  Now normally, (especially given my incestuous love for this Haunted Holiday) I would have come up with a fabulous, Halloween-oriented appetizer…but again, I was tired and over it! (God Bless you single Moms! Really.)As I sat pondering what I could throw together easily I came up with two great app’s that are slam-dunks every time, and honestly I think because they are so darn easy I just forget how good they are.  Nothing inventive here people, but wow…easy, somewhat healthy (for a party app) and always gobbled up!  A trip to the store and about 20 minutes to put together.  DONE. (I would also like to add both the shrimp and the meatballs were gone within about 15 minutes of our arrival).

Appetizer #1.    Jumbo Prawns and Cocktail Sauce

Ingredients:  Jumbo Prawns & Cocktail Sauce

Now remember you are looking for frozen, cooked with the tail ON that have been farmed in the U.S.A (see All the Fish are Swimming post for guidelines)

Take a large round serving dish, fill with ice, place dipping bowl of Cocktail Sauce in the center, then place prawns and slices of lemon in whatever presentation makes you the happiest

                          Assemble when you arrive.  Bring ice in a ziplock.  Shrimp in a ziplock.  Lemon slices.  Cocktail sauce.  Your serving bowl.  Cocktail Sauce bowl.

shrimp

  

Appetizer #2:  Chicken Meatballs with Sweet ’n Sour Sauce & Pineapple chunks

Ingredients:  Chicken meatballs, Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce, Pineapple Chunks

Obviously you can use any kind of meatball you wish!  Beef/pork and/or turkey will work too.  But if you are eating leaner, healthier…why not contribute this way of life to the event you are attending?  The Chicken Meatball’s I love are from Costco (Aidells Meatballs), and even with nothing on them they are a home run.  My friend Kelley just heats them and sets out some toothpicks. (BTW this is how my kids get them and they INHALE them).

For a party I prefer to take it just one easy step further and add the Sweet ’n Sour Sauce, and pineapple chunks.

  1. Dump meatballs into baking dish
  2. Dump sauce over the top
  3. Dump pineapple chunks (juice drained out)
  4. Mix together

Now the meatballs have been cooked, but to heat they need about 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  I like to arrive at parties and be able to simply put the dish out (not bothering the hostess with needing things…especially his/her oven) so I put these in the oven about 30 minutes before we will be leaving.  Right before we go I dump them into a stove-top pan and place the lid on.  This makes them easy for transport and keeps them warm. 

Upon arriving I place them into the serving dish and place some toothpicks next to it!

  

chicken meatballs

The Sauce:  Prior to eating a cleaner, healthier way of life I SWORE by World Harbors Maui Mountain Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce.  It really is wonderful!  But this time when I went to Safeway I decided to check the organic section for options and I found Acadia,Roasted Red Pepper Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce & Marinade.  I was intrigued because the bottle was the exact same shape and size as the Maui Mountain/World Harbors brand.  When I compared the two I couldn’t help but smile because sure enough they were/are the same parent company.  The price was pretty close to the same too.  The main difference is the Acadia brand has no High Fructose Corn Syrup, and no Preservatives.  So this is my new Sweet ‘n Sour Sauce of choice!  But, like the meatballs, I would venture any Sweet & Sour will be a sure-fire hit.

 
So this post is just a reminder friends that you don’t have to break your back to contribute a yummy, healthy(ish) party dish!  Fruit trays, veggies, smoked salmon and apples…think about the things you like and just take them up a notch as far as presentation!  Have fun with it!

Leave a comment »

Protein Power for those snack attacks

November 10, 2009 · Filed under Brands I Love, Costco, Snacks, Trader Joe's

My friend Stacie has never been a big meat-eater, but she loves her dairy.  In trying to come up with some snacks that are not dairy, but had some protein, Stacie asked me what I snack on during the day. 

I totally get what she is struggling with.  You can’t run all day on cucumbers and carrot sticks, you need something with some protein to fill you up and keep you from thinking about food!   I think most of us can agree we tend to screw-up our eating when we are not prepared, and find ourselves STARVING!  So I love Stacie’s question and today is her Birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACIE) and in honor of that I am going to throw out some easy, on-the-go protein options!

OK, I have TWO “go-to” protein snacks, I love;

1)  Grande Soy Latte is my ON THE GO protein snack that I can grab just about anywhere.  Now this is not an everyday snack, but it does the job when I had to bolt out of the house without my snacks!  170 calories/9g protein/1g Fiber…40% calcium, 15% Vit A and 8% Iron

I try to have these items with me in my car to make for a quick, easy snack ;

2) Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein shake and a few almonds (1/2 0z or about 10 almonds).  220 calories/27g protein/5g fiber

or

Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein Shake and 1 Tbl of peanut butter (a spoonful). 220 calories/28g protein/3g fiber

or

Amplify Chocolate Mint or Vanilla Protein Shake and a handful of pumpkin seeds.  260 calories/27g protein/2g fiber

MY 411 on Protein Shakes

  • Google it, but there are a ton of reasons WHEY is better than Soy when it comes to protein shakes
  • There are some GROSS flavors out there!  GNC sells Amplify and the two flavors mentioned are the best!  If you can not find these then ask for a recommendation and ask about returns or exchanges should you really dislike the one you get.
  • BUY a BlenderBottle.  Nothing is worse than a clumpy, runny, protein shake.  The BlenderBottle ROCKS, you can throw your protein powder in the container and just add water when ready.  $5  (I have two of these so I always have one clean and with me)

Peanut Butter, I use Costco’s Kirkland Organic Brand.  Cheap, and good for you, no extra junk in it (like High Fructose Corn Syrup)!

Almonds.  Trader Joe’s sells Almonds already packaged in 10z servings, called “Just a Handful of Almonds”, can’t overeat this way, can ya?

Pumpkin seeds.  Davids.  You can buy them in most gas stations, convenience stores, or your local grocery store.  The small bags are 2 servings, so eat half a bag!

Snack list (all great sources of protein, all items I enjoy)

  • Safeway Select Enlighten Black Bean soup (comes in a cup, add hot water kind of thing)- it has 10 g of protein per cup, and an amazing 14 g of fiber, and only 1 g of fat.
  • LUNA Bars: These come in a variety of flavors. They are all vegan, and have 10 grams of protein in each bar. My favorites are Chocolate Pecan Pie and Lemon Zest. (processed food, so treat not staple)
  • Nuts and Chocolate/dried cranberries: Very simple. Take a plastic baggie and fill it with nuts and Ghiradelli Semi-sweet chips. I like to use brazil nuts or cashews. (This would be the kind of thing I would take to the movies so I don’t sit there pissed I don’t have milk duds!)
  • Peanut Butter and Apple
  • Crackers and humus
  • Lara Bars (watch the saturated fat in some flavors)
  • Soy Crisps
  • Trail Mix

Comments (1) »

Wednesdays with Ellie & Greek Gods

November 4, 2009 · Filed under Brands I Love, Breakfast, Uncategorized

I have come to look forward to Wednesdays!  Wednesdays are just us girls at our house and we have a nice little routine in place.  I get some work done while Ellie gets her dance clothes on and plays!  We then hit up Starbucks for some coffee and a chocolate milk (Horizon Organic Chocolate Milk) on our way to Ellie’s Ballet class.  Ellie then dances with Teacher Hanna and her little buddies while I watch through the window (no Moms allowed-Boo Hoo!).

After dance class we come home and make a smoothie for lunch.  Ellie gets to pick the ingredients  (I must admit she does a pretty good job) and place them in the blender!

Last week Ellie pointed to the Greek Gods and it was a great choice.  If you are not familiar with the Greek Gods RUN don’t walk to the nearest store.  This stuff is the BOMB!  We use it as yogurt, mix it with berries, cereal, in place of sour cream on dishes, and of course in smoothies.

Greek yogurt is one of Dr. Oz’s 8 favorite foods (see the rest here) and it is good for us because it has live cultures and probiotics. Live and active cultures are beneficial bacteria that naturally reside in your digestive tract and improve intestinal function, promote good digestive health, and lead your body’s defenses against a number of ailments.

Leave a comment »

Taboule ROCKS!

September 12, 2009 · Filed under Brands I Love, Recipes, grains · Tagged

NearEastOk,

I have tried a lot of brands (and I have made my own)…taste bud for taste bud and dollar to dollar Near East has the market on this little gem of a dish!

I love that I can make this DELICIOUS DISH in 30 minutes and serve it with just about anything!  I usually add even more yumminess when the salad is ready (diced red onion, diced tomatoes (even canned) and cilantro) but it is just great without any additions!

What is Taboule?  Well it is basically bulgur wheat blended with herbs and some lemon juice!

Don’t be a white rice snob…as white rice has done nothing for you my friend…branch out and give this heart-healthy treat a try!  You will love it, I promise;)

Comments (1) »