Spaghetti Squash~ The Amazing Gourd!

Did you know that 1 cup of spaghetti squash is Only 42 calories, 10 grams of carbs(the good kind, has 2 grams of fiber and 1 gram of Protein? Well,now you do.In addition it contains omega-3 essential fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.Good for preventing heart disease, cancer and inflammation caused by arthritis and the omega-6 promotes brain function. It is also rich in beta-carotene, folate, potassium and vitamin B6! Whew!
If you didn't know that I'm sure it is safe to assume that you didn't know that it can be an amazing substitute for pasta in nearly all dishes that require pasta....Even lasagna! This Amazing gourd can be served in many different ways for breakfast, lunch and dinner...even as a snack! How do I know you might ask?? Well, I have tried it and I have been experimenting with it for the past few weeks. Here are a couple of my favorites...
I still am cooking on a budget and it just happens to be the season for all kinds of wonderful gourds. This means they are fully stocked at your grocery store and usually on sale!! I have been buying them for 77 cents a pound. I can get about 8 to 10 servings from one $5.00 squash

BUTTERED SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Ingredients:
* 1 Large Spaghetti Squash
* 2 Tablespoons butter or olive oil
* Salt and Pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Cut in Half long ways, turn flesh side down in microwave dish with 1 inch water. micro about 10 to 12 mins until soft. Or boil until soft.
2. Use fork to pull the squash strands from the shell onto a serving plate or bowl.
3. Mix with butter or olive oil.
4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.



CHEESY SPAGHETTI SQUASH
Ingredients:

* 1 lARGE Spaghetti Squash
* 1/2 TO 3/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
* 1/4-1/2 Cup Butter or Olive Oil
* Salt and Pepper to taste.

Steps:

1. Cook and Prepare Spaghetti Squash with your choice of basic methods (above).
2. Toss squash strands gently with butter, cheese, salt, and pepper.

THESE NEXT TWO ARE MY FAVORITES!!!

SPAGHETTI SQUASH HASH BROWNS
Ingredients:

* 1 Medium Spaghetti Squash, cooked
* 1/3 cups all-purpose Flour (or try Whole Wheat Flour for a healthier dish)
* 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
* 4 Tablespoons Butter or Olive Oil
* Salt and Pepper to taste
* Sour cream garnish (optional)

Steps:

1. Prepare and cook squash (see basic methods above).
2. Mix squash strands with flour and cheese.
3. Heat 1 Tablespoon Butter or Olive Oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Spoon 1/4 cup of squash mixture into skillet.
5. Pat and press the squash mixture to form a thick "hash brown" cake.
6. Cook until bottom is lightly browned.
7. Turn hash brown over and cook the other side until lightly browned.
8. Continue with remaining squash mixture, adding butter or oil to the skillet as needed.
9. Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper to taste.
10. serve with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS
Ingredients:

* 1 Medium Spaghetti squash
* 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
* 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
* 1 Can Diced Tomatoes, drained
* 1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Basil
* 1/8 teaspoon Dried Oregano
* 2-3 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese (or Romano Cheese if you prefer)


Steps:

1. Prepare and cook squash using any of the basic methods above.
2. Sauté the minced garlic in the 2 teaspoons Olive Oil until it's softened and fragrant.
3. Add the tomatoes, basil, and oregano to the garlic and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes.
4. Spoon the garlic tomatoe mixture on top of squash strands.
5. Top with grated parmesan or romano cheese.

***WITH THIS ONE FEEL FREE TO ADD BROCCOLI AND MUSHROOMS YUMMMMMMY!!!

Have a Beautiful Day Filled with Love, Opportunity and Potential. xoxo

Easy Homemade Mac ~N~ Cheese

Seriously, who does not like Macaroni and Cheese? No one! Which is the reason this is the perfect dish to bring to any "Pot Luck", BB-Q (not everything has to be on the grill), picnic or even if your going to have a house full of teenagers at any given unexpected moment! Welcome to my world, Haaaa! This is so Easy to make and it can be done in Large batches to feed crowds and it takes no extra time to do so. With my kids back in school and in sports and hungrier then ever and their friends over all the time, I like to have this on hand because it is also easy for them to serve themselves and heat up fast! If it takes too much time or work to eat, they wont do it so I need to make sure it is already prepared and easy to get at! However, unlike my usual healthy alternative ways....I cant skimp on the goods w/ good ol' Mac and cheese! This recipe is from allrecipes.com I added the ground mustard to it!
Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 quart warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees
salt and pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper ( I add a couple pinches!)
5 ounces cubed Cheddar
5 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
5 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
paprika to taste
*** 1/2 tsp of ground mustard!
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. In medium saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour to make a roux. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, then whisk in warm milk a little at a time to make a white sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Mix in salt, pepper, and cayenne, ground mustard and stir frequently until sauce thickens. Remove pan from heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, jack cheese. Combine pasta with sauce and stir well. Pour into baking dish. Use paprika to make a decorative pattern on top. Bake 45 to 60 minutes, or until top is the desired crispiness. Let rest 20 minutes before serving
Have a Beautiful Day

Cowboy Caviar~Always a Hit!

Some people have been asking where I have been lately.....I have not blogged in 2 mos. I'm grateful to have so many people interested in my positive words and motivation and encouragement and of course my recipes! So, here's is a little bit of Positive Motivation-Dont give up on your dreams, if you believe in them you can make them happen. I have said it once, and I will say it again...There are No Unrealistic Goals, Only Unrealistic Expectations. It is so common for people to want it and want it NOW! However, some Dreams take time to manifest...Be patient, it will happen...whatever it is you desire. Of course you need to do your part and ACT on them. Brian and I have been working on a specific goal for over 5 years and in the last year it got more refined and in the last 2 months everything started to come together full force and just 3 days ago we accomplished it. Good things are worth waiting for, in the meantime, stay positive, light, and happy and if you need some motivation, I'll do my best to help ya out!

Now, onto the Recipe.......

This recipe was given to me by my good friend Michele Kohorn. It is Awesome! In fact, I'm blogging today after a Looooong 2 month Break from blogging because I thought I'd help you out with your menu for this Memorial Day Weekend! Serve it up with blue corn tortilla chips or any kind of tortilla chip you like and your Golden! BTW......I highly recommend that you Double the recipe because it goes FAST!
Remember, make it with Love and Smile while cooking, it makes everything taste even better!

Cowboy Caviar

Ingredients

2 (15oz) cans black beans, rinsed
1 (17 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
2 large tomatoes, chopped
2 large avocado, diced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Dressing
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
3-4 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions

1. Combine all ingred. in bowl.
2. Cover and chill.
3. Garnish with avocado slices
or cilantro sprigs.
3. Serve with tortilla chips


**** I usually make a tiny bit more dressing.....AND sometimes add extra Avocado!!

A Twist on Turkey Burgers! Michelle Style!

Well, It has been a while since I have blogged and needless to say, I'm so behind....or am I?
I'm here today and time does not really matter when blogging unless I make it matter....or, unless someone is waiting anxiously to cook a meal based on my current recipe...then they would starve. Haaa, kidding of course, just amusing myself:)
Anyway, I have decided to take on a new attitude about the "blogging". It really does not matter when I blog the recipes I cook, create, tweak....I just do it when I do and it's all good.
Enough already with thinking "I'm sooooo Behind" I'm actually Right On time...as soon as I log in, start blogging, that is when I am supposed to begin.
I made up this recipe the other day in about 2 seconds and served it for lunch for Brian and I. It was so juicy and delicious and we felt Great because it was so healthy!


1 lb Lean Ground Turkey
salt and pepper to taste
2/3 cups of your Favorite Low calorie/fat Italian dressing
1/4 c shredded cheese of your choice...I used mozzarella
about 1/2 cup chopped spinach

Mix together really well with your hands! Divide into 4 patties and cook until done on skillet!

Serve w/ a side of spinach and a toasted sprouted grain bread! You can add tomatoes and onions and avocado. YUM!

The Pursuit of Happiness is the source of All Unhappiness!

Everyday there is something that we can be happy about..It Is up to Us to Identify what it is...and Ultimately Choose it over Unhappiness. This may not always come easily but, the more we do it the easier it becomes to find Happiness.
I'm finding Happiness lately in my Self-Discipline, Confidence and Motivation...all in which are helping me stick to my goals in life..which are becoming limitless!
Or maybe I'm sub consciously a little freaked out that I'm turning 40 in 4 days! I always say the cliche' "Age is just a number"...I truly believe it is but, being that I was raised during a time when people bought "Over the Hill" balloons for 40th Birthday parties I catch myself sometimes thinking that 40 really is a Big Deal...Although I know it is not. So, I continue to work out (sometimes 2 times a day) getting my body and health, in the best condition to confirm that 40 really IS ONLY A NUMBER! Hey, whatever it takes...life is what I make it. Which makes me want to bring up...be true to yourself and what really makes you happy. If your choosing something that does not make you happy, remember you chose it so, it is up to you to find your happiness in it.
This blog was not intended to be a journal however, it sometimes seems to be exactly that....But, I'm o.k. w/ it and if your reading it...hopefully your o.k. with it to. I think we all need each other and the confirmation that we are not alone or possibly that we are all really very much the same just just experiencing things differently. Anyway, I'm sending Positive Energy for Happiness today:)

Confetti White Chicken Chili...A Gift from Issaquah Wa!

You may remember a long time ago that I posted on FB a recipe that my kids Loved and even said it was restaurant style!
Or...then again, maybe you don't remember...
Well, I'm finally getting around to posting the recipe..TODAY:) This recipe is from my wonderful high school friend, Michele from Issaquah, Wa! This is another crock pot recipe and Very low cost, feeds my family of 6. I'm guessing now that I made this for approx. $ 13.00!

Confetti White Chicken Chili

3 15oz cans Great Northern or cannellini beans
1 1/2 cups chopped red, orange and/or yellow peppers (I use all three)
1 cup coarsley shredded carrot
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1 tsp ground cumin (this really is awesome in this dish)

1/2 tsp salt
2 14oz cans chicken broth (No MSG)

2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken

Shredded cheese for garnish

1. Drain and rinse 2 cans of the beans and place in a 3-4 quart slow cooker. Use a potato masher or fork to mash beans. Drain and rinse the third can of beans (do not mash). Add sweet peppers, carrots, green onions, garlic, oregano, cumin and salt to the mashed beans. Stir in chicken broth until combined.
2. Cover, cook on low-heat setting for 6-8 hours, or high-heat setting for 3-4 hours (I think it tastes better on the low setting).

3. Stir in chicken, cover and cook about 15 minutes more until chicken is heated through. Serve with cheese.

For the chicken, I typically use frozen chicken breasts that I poach in water with poultry seasoning, onion, celery and lemon. Then I just shred the chicken. You could easily use a roasted chicken from the grocery store. If it seems a bit thin, after adding the chicken, I typically stir in a paste made of about 2 tbsp softened butter and 2 tbsp dry bread crumbs. It thickens it and gave it some richness too.

***Here's a little ""Michelle Tip"...SAVE the broth from boiling the chicken!! Use it the next time you make a crock pot soup in place of buying chicken broth...tastes better AND you save $$$$$$

Enjoy.

Positive Thought's Create Positive Experiences!

We are Exactly where we are in life because of the thought's we have had. It's true....may not be a thought you had yesterday or last week or last year but, it could have been a thought you had 5 years ago....Think about it.
Our thoughts Are like a blueprint for what we will create, accomplish, overcome, begin....Everything.
We thought it, gave it Energy, and the Universe gradually began to work to bring to life the desires we have. Of course we need to do our part...we need to have specific goals, self motivation, discipline and the ability to take action when we see the opportunity to make decisions or changes towards achieving our goals after all, those opportunities are there because we asked for them.
Why am I sharing this....because lately I am experiencing several years of what were once "thoughts" become what is my living reality. I can look at everything happening in my life right at this very moment and I can link them all to my very own thoughts that I have had over the past 5 to 10 years!
Trust the Universe is working for you. You may not get what you want in life the moment you think it or ask for it but, if you re-visit the thought with positive energy, believe it will become reality then when it is right for you, it will.
Remember to focus on Positive thoughts...Your thoughts Create your life Experiences...so, make them Positive ones:)
Peace.