Obesogenic

Obeso-what? The Time to Embrace a Lean & Luscious Lifestyle is Now! Have you heard the word obesogenic? It’s a word that wasn’t even in the dictionary until recently. It refers to conditions that lead people to become excessively fat, like eating too much of the wrong things and not getting enough exercise. I hope you agree with me that it’s a terrible word—a word that doesn’t belong in our vocabulary. I have too much faith in our ability to choose health over bad habits to believe that we need a word like obesogenic to describe anything in our lives.

Lazy Day Chicken

This dish got its name due to its incredible ease of preparation. When you're in a hurry or just don't feel like cooking, this dish is ideal.

                                                                                    Makes 4 servings

1          pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1          8-ounce can salt-free (or regular) tomato sauce

2          tablespoons minced onion flakes

1          packet low-sodium instant beef-flavored broth mix

¼         teaspoon garlic powder

½         cup water

You've got three choices in life: give up, give in, or give it all you've got.

We all want to make the right choice. "You've got three choices in life: give up, give in, or give it all you've got." Happy Monday!

Cranberry Salad Mold

Just in time for Thanksgiving, this colorful mold with its interesting texture provides a cool accompaniment to any dinner. Using fat free, sugar free gelatins greatly reduces the number of calories normally found in gelatin molds.

                                                                                    Makes 8 servings

2          cups cranberries

1          small, sweet apple, unpeeled, chopped

½         cup canned crushed pineapple (packed in juice), drained

            (Reserve 2 tablespoons of the juice.)

⅓        cup sugar

2          3 ounce packages fat free, sugar free cranberry or strawberry gelatin

1          cup small ice cubes

½         cup finely chopped celery
1          teaspoon lemon extract
1          teaspoon orange extract

There is beauty all around when there is love at home

I love this quote. I try very hard to have a loving home! "There is beauty all around when there is love at home." Happy Monday!

Millie's Mail Bag

Sarah from Charleston, WV asks, "What dishes do you recommend for Thanksgiving?" 

Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with family and friends. The first thing I recommend is to view my 12 Ideas for Entertaining and make sure you feed your guests the way you want to feed yourself. 

Next, it is very important to supplement your lean turkey meal. You want to have healthy and tasty side dishes. Three dishes I recommend are:

16 Ingredients, Brunch for 8!

With just 16 ingredients you can make a healthy brunch for 8!  Perfect for the holidays!

Grocery List
1 small bottle of olive oil
1 onion
1 dozen eggs
2 10 ounce packages of frozen chopped spinach
1 small bottle of garlic powder
1 small bottle of ground nutmeg
1 bottle of parmesan cheese
4 small oranges
1 small bags of frozen blueberries
1 can of crushed pineapple
1 small bag of sugar
1 stick of butter
1 small bag of brown sugar
1 small bottle of honey
1 bag of raisins
1 10 ounce package of biscuits

THREE DISHES

Bananas New Orleans

One of my most popular dishes, this one can easily be prepared for dessert while the coffee is brewing. It's delicious by itself, or it really makes a statement when served over vanilla low-fat ice cream.

Makes 4 servings

1         teaspoon margarine

½        cup orange juice

2         tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

½        teaspoon rum extract

½        teaspoon vanilla butternut flavor*

2         medium, ripe bananas, cut in half lengthwise, then each piece cut in half crosswise
           (Choose bananas that are ripe, yet firm.)

           Ground cinnamon

Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate

This is a great way to start the week. "Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate" Happy Monday!

9 Ingredients. 1 Kid-friendly Dinner.

Sometimes it can be hard to cook something healthy that children will enjoy. Here is an easy and affordable way to create a kid-friendly dinner with just 9 ingredients!

Grocery List
1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle of reduced-calorie mayonnaise or light mayonnaise
1 box of Grape Nuts cereal
1 bottle of honey
4 medium sized baked potatoes
1 bag of non fat dry milk
1 small bag of sugar
1 small bottle of vanilla extract
1 bag of frozen strawberries

THREE DISHES

Pumpkin Apple Muffins

Moist, tender, and filled with fruit and spices, these muffins will grace your holiday table or please your family all year long.
 

Makes 12 muffins

1¼     cups all-purpose flour

1        cup whole wheat flour

2        teaspoons baking powder

½       teaspoon baking soda

1        teaspoon ground cinnamon

½       teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼       teaspoon ground cloves

¼       teaspoon ground ginger

¼       cup plus 2 tablespoons raisins

2        egg whites

2        tablespoons canola oil

½       cup sugar

½       cup orange juice

1        teaspoon vanilla extract

1        cup canned pumpkin

2        small apples, unpeeled, coarsely shredded (1 cup)

Let us all speak kind words to each other. In person. To others. Online.

Kids are bullied all the time in our schools.  It even happens online.  We need to speak nicely to each other in person and on the internet.  "Let us all speak kind words to each other. In person. To others. Online." Happy Monday!

Veggie Cooking Tips

Vegetable	Cooking Time	Suggested Spices
Asparagus spears	8 minutes	lemon peel, basil, thyme, sesame seed
Asparagus, 2-inch pieces	3 to 5 minutes	lemon peel, basil, thyme, sesame seed
Green beans, whole	15 to 25 minutes	Basil, oregano, dill weed, thyme, rosemary, tarragon
Green beans, 2-inch pieces	10 to 15 minutes	Basil, oregano, dill weed, thyme, rosemary, tarragon
Broccoli spears	10 to 15 minutes	Dill weed, basil, thyme, lemon peel, oregano, garlic
Broccoli, flowerets	5 to 8 minutes	Dill weed, basil, thyme, lemon peel, oregano, garlic
Brussels sprouts	10 to 20 minutes	Mace, garlic, lemon peel, dill weed
Cabbage wedges	10 to 15 minutes	Savory, fennel, dill seed, caraway seed
Carrots, whole	20 minutes	Basil, orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, mint, savory, nutmeg
Carrots, sliced	10 to 12 minutes	Basil, orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, mint, savory, nutmeg
Cauliflower, whole	10 to 15 minutes	Dill weed, basil, thyme, tarragon, marjoram, paprika, rosemary
Cauliflower, flowerets	5 to 8 minutes	Dill weed, basil, thyme, tarragon, marjoram, paprika, rosemary
Parsnips, sliced	10 to 15 minutes	Allspice, orange peel, dill weed
Turnips, chunks	20 minutes	Bay leaves, oregano, allspice, rosemary
Yellow summer squash	5 to 8 minutes	Basil, marjoram, oregano, garlic, sliced sage, thyme, slice zucchini