Make Ahead: Low Fat – Enchiladas

* 1 (8 ounce) package light cream cheese

* 1 jar salsa

* 1 packet of taco seasoning

* [...]]]> This is a great recipe for when you need to make something ahead of time to have in the freezer, or when you need to drop off a healthy dinner to a friend.

Make Ahead: Low Fat – Enchiladas

* 1 (8 ounce) package light cream cheese

* 1 jar salsa

* 1 packet of taco seasoning

* 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast meat – I used natural canned white meat

* 1 (15.5 ounce) can pinto beans, drained

* 1 can corn, drained

* flour and wheat tortillas

* 2 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese – 2%

1. Mix cream cheese at room temp. with salsa until combined.
2. Add corn, drained chicken, taco seasoning and beans to mixture.

3. Fill tortillas with the mixture, roll and place into the prepared baking dish.

4. Spread salsa and cheese over the top. Cover with aluminum foil.

5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through.

If you are freezing this meal – cover with press and seal and then foil.   

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Summer Grilled Flank Steak:

1.5 lbs. of flank steak

Marinate the steak overnight in the mixture above.

Then grill each side for 5-7 minutes.

Summer Grilled Flank Steak:

• 1/2 c. soy sauce
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. EVOO
• 1/4 c. lime juice
• salt and pepper
• 3 garlic cubes from TJ’s
• 1 TBSP minced garlic

• 1.5 lbs. of flank steak

1. Marinate the steak overnight in the mixture above.

2. Then grill each side for 5-7 minutes.

3. Serve!

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Yesterday I made a lentil salad that was fresh and summery. I made up the recipe but got ideas from one I had seen in Eating Well. and from RhodeyGirl’s website.

Here is what I did:

Anyways, after that Anna and I came home because the air conditioner people were coming to [...]]]> Yesterday started with a 4.5 mile run/walk. I was going to make yesterday my day off but it was too nice outside to be out there. I am thinking today will be my day off because it is hot and humid!

Anyways, after that Anna and I came home because the air conditioner people were coming to fix our air conditioner for good. We had it temporarily fixed before. Such a pain! They were here all day – 12 – 5. So that meant we were stuck at home. We did a lot of playing and some dinner planning for the next week. I made a few things to put in the freezer for dinner while Anna and I are at the lake next week. Brady can just heat them up and eat! I will post those recipes this week.

Last night, we had Thai Red Curry Chicken and veggies. It was simple but good. I made quinoa to go with it.

Brady’s plate…

For my plate I just put curry sauce on the veggies and quinoa.

Make Ahead Meal: If you need to make dinner ahead of time so it is ready to eat when you get home…

1. Cook chicken in Red Curry sauce – I used Trader Joe’s.
2. Make quinoa.
3. Stir fry veggies so they are cooked the way you like them.
4. Then place everything into a glass dish – like shown above – and reheat it in the oven. Maybe 425 for a few minutes.
5. Everything has already been cooked so just heat it to your desire.

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Check out this article on Women’s Day.com where bloggers give some of their lighter recipes for classic foods!

My contribution was lighter Party Potatoes or Cheesy Potatoes!

What are some ways you lighten up family favorites?

Just for fun…

Share [...]]]> Looking for lighter recipes for your favorite classic dishes?

Check out this article on Women’s Day.com where bloggers give some of their lighter recipes for classic foods!

My contribution was lighter Party Potatoes or Cheesy Potatoes!

What are some ways you lighten up family favorites?

Just for fun…

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After our run and my shower (along with some [...]]]> Yesterday Anna and I started the morning with a 5.4 mile run. It was the perfect temp. and it was not as humid as it has been all summer. We didn’t get going until almost 10 because she was up in the night so we both slept later.

After our run and my shower (along with some playing, eating, diaper changing) we headed to the grocery store to load up for the week! We stuck to our list pretty closely and made it home within an hour. Not too bad…

Then we organized our groceries and got started making dinner. Last night’s dinner was pizza!

I made a veggie on whole wheat and a pepporoni on regular thin crust.

My veggie was topped with zucchini, mushrooms and artichokes along with some parmesan.

Brady’s was topped with pepperoni then he later added black olives and bacon. Then he added lettuce and avocado.

It was delicious!

Make Ahead Meal:

If you need to make dinner ahead of time so it is ready when the kids get home or when your meeting is late, do this:

1. Spread sauce on the pizza crust (use a ready made crust such as Boboli).
2. Top with veggies and or meat.
3. Cover with cheese and salt and pepper.
4. Place on a baking tray and cover with foil.
5. Store in the fridge if you are going to be gone all day.
6. Pop it in the oven while you unwind for a minute!

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To get ready for the week I set [...]]]> Today was another nice day! We went to church this morning and then Brady had a soccer game. While he was gone, Anna and I went on a run. Then we did some things around the house before going to Brady’s parents for dinner. We had a delicious meal!

To get ready for the week I set the meal plan. My meal plans are always subject to change…

Mon Jul 26, 2010:

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Last night we went out with friends while Anna stayed at home and hung out with her wonderful Gramma and Grampa (Brady’s parents). It was nice to be out [...]]]> This weekend has been super hot. It feels like you are walking in a hot sauna every time you go outside. This has not slowed us down though!

Last night we went out with friends while Anna stayed at home and hung out with her wonderful Gramma and Grampa (Brady’s parents). It was nice to be out and about and catch up with friends! We had not done that without Anna since she was born.

This morning she kept us in check by waking up at 5:30 – her ususal time. It felt a lot worse than normal since we went to bed so late, but it wasn’t bad. After we were up for a while and we all ate, we set out for a family run. This seemed like a good idea but as we got half way through we realized it wasn’t. We finished up the 5th mile and we were about to pass out. Not sure why we didn’t think to bring water – we watched the news people talk about heat advisory?!!? Anyways, we did bring cash so we could stop at the farmer’s market on the way home. We picked up some big zucchini, yellow squash and cucs. With our change we hit up CVS for some cold water and Gatorade. It was much needed.

Then we headed over to do errands and have a mini playdate with Hadley. Duke and Jen had set up the baby pool for the girls to play in. Hadley was adorable splashing around and loving the water. Anna was captivated by her and enjoyed dipping her toes in.

Then we took pictures of the girls in the matching outfits Jen’s mom got them.

Chatting…like girlfriends.

After the impromptu pool party we did our errands. We got our jogging tire fixed, picked up things at Target and got an oil change. It was pretty productive. We also managed to squeeze in a break for Menchie’s Fro Yo. I had a mix of cake batter, cookie dough and pb fro yo. It was amazing.

For dinner kept things easy by throwing burgers on the grill. I had a veggie and Brady had a sirloin burger. We ate them with sweet potatoes and broccoli.

Here is a glimpse of Brady’s plate.

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Anna got some good tummy time in while she chatted away.

After a fun morning (when I say morning, I mean 5:30-7am), we got ready for a big adventure – the gym! I took Little A [...]]]> Today was a big day! It started with coffee and lots of morning chatting with Brady, Anna, Eddie Elephant and I.

Anna got some good tummy time in while she chatted away.

After a fun morning (when I say morning, I mean 5:30-7am), we got ready for a big adventure – the gym! I took Little A to the “kids club” while I went to a Total Conditioning class. It was really tough! I am going to be feeling it tomorrow! Anna did a great job – she slept the whole time in her car seat! When I went to pick her up, she was just hanging out! Yay!

I felt major mom guilt all day for leaving her to workout for an hour, but I am hoping that will get better with time. We will see…

After that we did some errands and came home, Micca and her two daughters came over to play. We were going to walk but it was too hot out! We had fun hanging out!  Then it was time to make dinner. When I menu planned last week (I will post this for next week) I planned Asian Tilapia. I was hoping it would come out well! I think it did!

Asian Panko Crusted Tilapia

• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 4 tablespoons General Tso sauce
• 1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs – I used some whole wheat and some white
• 8 pieces of white fish (like tilapia, sea bass)

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix together sauces.
3. Place panko bread crumbs in a shallow dish.
4. Cover both sides of fish fillets with mustard mixture.
5. Coat both sides of fish fillets with bread crumbs.
6. Place fish on prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until fish is flaky.

Raw and ready to go:

Served as dinner:

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