Food + Blog= Love

Food + Blog= Love...Don't be fooled by the title.. Guys are welcome to view this blog too... This blog is written by a girl so obviously these recipes are girl friendly... Also, most of my posts will be healthy recipes YAY!! But every now and then I will throw in one of my favs! Hey, you gotta live a little!! It's OK to splurge and your man will love ya for it!

Feel free to share your recipes too! I am ALWAYS looking for new ideas!!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Meat Marinera Pasta

Pasta is my go to meal when I am in a hurry & don't have a whole lot of time to make dinner or am starving & just don't want to prepare a meal that takes more than 10 minutes.  It is also something that you can make the sauce on Sunday night and reheat for lunches or dinners through out the meat.  All you will need to do at night is portion out the noodles and make them


What you need:
Marinara Sauce

  • I use Garlic Marinara, but you can choose plain, mushroom, etc.  Whatever you have in the pantry
Meat
  • Lean Ground Beef, Bison, turkey or chicken will work  Use whatever you have on hand
Penne Pasta
  • Gluten Free, Whole Wheat are my 2 favs.  I usually choose Gluten Free over whole wheat though
This is so simple.  Cook the meat, add the sauce, feel free to add any veggies you choose if you have them on hand.  Need flavor? Add some garlic salt & black pepper.  Boil the noodles.  I usually make 1/4 cup when cooking for myself.  When the dude is eating I make 2 cups.  Would rather have to cook additional than have too many noodles.

Got Leftovers?  Reheat sauce on the stove and boil some noodles and ta-daa.. less than 10 minute meal!   


   

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

This is another recipe I got from my girlfriend Tawny..I've actually been craving this bread so I thought I would share & it's good to know that it won't break your calorie bank


2 cups sugar
2 cups canned pumpkin
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup fat-free yogurt
4 large egg whites
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
*Makes 2 loafs



  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Combine sugar, pumpkin, canola oil, yogurt & egg whites in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk
  • Combine flour, cinnamon, salt & baking soda in a separate bowl, stirring well with a whisk.
  • Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture, stirring just until moist
  • Stir in chocolate chips
  • Spoon batter into two (8x4 inch) loaf pans coated with cooking spray
  • Bake for 1 hour & 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes clean
  • Cool 10 minutes in pans
  • Remove from rack & let cool completely
Nutritional Info per slice:  152 calories; 5 g fat; 2 g protein; 26.5 g carbs; 1.1 g fiber

Monday, January 16, 2012

Parmesan-Encrusted Lemon Chicken Breasts

I received this recipe from my girlfriend Tawny a couple of years ago & it is so simple to make, that I had to share!


What you need: 
2/3 cup Italian Breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 cup dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon minced lemon zest
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
EVOO cooking spray
*Sprig of Rosemary



  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  
  • Coat a baking pan with EVOO spray.  
  • Add breadcrumbs, lemon zest, oregano, Parmesan cheese, pepper & parsley to a mixing bowl & blend.
  • Roll both sides of chicken breasts in breadcrumb mixture & place on oiled baking pan
    • For extra flavor place a sprig of rosemary on each breast before baking
  • Brush each crusted breast lightly with 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Bake chicken for approx. 22-28 minutes until tops & bottoms appear lightly brown
  • Makes 4 servings

Nutritional Breakdown
Calories 258, Protein 33.5g, Carbs 14.2g, Fat 6.9g, Sodium 689mg, Cholesterol .83mg



Thursday, January 5, 2012

Ground Turkey & Veggie Combo

Well it's Day 2 of the Shakedown..  I'm feeling pretty good as far as not wanting to eat my hand off by dinner time.  Could be all the meds I'm on too making me not so hungry.  Hey!  I'll take it!  Tonight was a thrown together meal with groceries I already had and everything under a 45 GI (glycemic index).  Hope you like it as much as the dude & I did.


What you need:
Ground Turkey
Fresh Salsa 
Avocado
Italian Squash
Yellow Squash
Cucumber
Cherry Tomatoes
Feta Cheese
Spices: Garlic & Herb, Garlic Powder, Minced Garlic, Onion Powder, Black Pepper, Oregano & White Pepper


Sprinkle spices on turkey meat, brown turkey (roughly 8 min) throw in veggies and add in salsa (roughly 5 min) sprinkle in a little bit of feta the last minute of cooking.  Place in bowl, add avocado and feta.  So easy, so much flavor and it's so quick to make.



Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Lemon Garlic Chicken with Veggies

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a great holiday!  I definitely stuffed my face with Philly Cheesesteaks & Pretzel Dogs, New York Bagels, Pizza & Italian food.  If it was bad for you, well I ate it and enjoyed every second of it.  Now I must get back in gear.  No excuses, more discipline & getting back into Crossfit, Yoga & running, as soon as I am bronchitis free.  Yep you heard it..  I have started off the new year SICK..  UGH!  One step at a time and this week it is a detox with the Advocare shakedown.  Interested in learning more?  Let me know & I can send you the details!  Now on to the first recipe of 2012!!


What you need:
Chicken Breast
Lemons
Minced Garlic
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Minced Garlic
Minced Onions
Red, Orange and Yellow Peppers
Italian Squash
Yellow Squash
Cucumber
Grape tomatoes
Asparagus


Spray your dish with EVOO.  Place your chicken breast with fresh squeezed lemon juice, garlic & onion powder, minced garlic & onion in the dish.  Toss your veggies on top and pour some EVOO on top to keep the veggies moist.


Bake 425 for 45 minutes and you are done.  So easy and so good for you!