Here are my top ten healthy addictions:
(which can be found at Wal-mart)
1. Sweet Mini Pepper - They are delicious, easy to munch on during lunch, and are loaded with vitamin C. In one small pack you get Red, Orange, and Yellow bell peppers all for a great price!
2. Turkey Breast Cutlets - Turkey breasts are a great source of lean proteins. Rub them down with some BBQ spices, throw them on the grill, and eat them as is or on top of a big leafy salad.
3. McCormick's Perfect Pinch, Parmesan Herb - When it comes to cooking veggies, it's easy to get stuck in the rut of steamable microwave bags or heating up a can. A great way to punch up the flavor is to cook fresh veggies in the oven. Take any raw veggie you like (broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, green beans), toss them in olive oil on a cookies sheet, season them up with this Parmesan herb spice, salt and pepper, and pop them in a 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes. You'll be glad you did!
4. Quinoa - This is a great whole grain that's packed with protein and provides all 9 essential amino acids. It is cooked exactly like white rice and found in the same grocery isle. My Aunt Priscilla has shown me a great way to spice this one up. Cut up some onion and bell peppers into tiny pieces. (Easy to use the mini bell peppers mentioned above). Saute with olive oil in the same pan you would cook the quinoa. Set aside and cook quinoa as directed. Once cooked, add veggies and some sliced almonds back into the quinoa. Crunchy and savory!
5. Spaghetti Squash - This beauty has folic acid, potassium, and vitamin A. Please do not be fooled by the name or by many popular recipes for this veggie; it is NOT a good substitute for real spaghetti! It is a great veggie side dish all on it's own with a little salt and pepper seasoning!
6. Low Sodium Taco Seasoning - This packet is instrumental in my favorite Mexican dish remake. In one skillet cook ground turkey with the taco seasoning, and in another skillet cook up a pan of sliced onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Stack up your plate with a few whole grain Sun Chips, pile on the turkey and veggies, and grate some cheddar cheese on top. It's a staple in this house!
7. Mini Seedless Cucumbers - I tell Clare that these are sour less pickles! They are practically seedless and can be chomped down with no prep work besides a quick rinse.
8. Melba Crackers - A little carbs are needed in every one's diets. I love these Melba crackers for a fast lunch of cheese, crackers, and veggies with Clare. This particular flavor (roasted garlic) is great smashed up and coated on chicken breasts in a oven fried version of Parmesan chicken.
9. Kikkoman's Stir-Fry Sauce - While most Chinese food is not what most people would include on a healthy diet list, my version is sure to please. Stir-Fry's are great because with a good protein (like pork sirloin or chicken breasts) you can increase the amount and variety of veggies you can get in one meal. I love to add snow peas, bean sprouts, carrots, bell peppers, onions, broccoli water chestnuts, and (as odd as it sounds) cabbage. You get a huge pot of veggies and meat as one complete meal.
10. Swai - Sometimes cooking fish correctly can be a very daunting task. At least that's how I felt for years till I tried Swai. These fillets are about the size of talapia with the beauty of being unable to be overcooked. Believe me, I've tried on accident. Get a skillet on Med-High heat. Spray with Pam. Season fish with what ever you like. We do salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ranch seasoning. Cook, flipping once till no longer pink. Simple as a pimple!
