An article published in the New York Times stated that in Santa Clara, California, there is now a ban on promotional toys in kids’ meals because “they make them fat.” The county claims that kids choose the meal because of the toy that comes with it. Ken Yeager, the board president, said the new law would “level the playing field by taking away the incentive to choose fatty, sugary foods over healthier options.” Wait a minute! Shouldn’t we take away the incentive for parents to choose the fast food restaurant? This is where I get really confused. I don’t understand how a toy makes a kid obese. Well, let me restate that. . . I DO but it has nothing to do with the toy in the box. It has nothing to do with food in the box. It has nothing to do with the box. It has everything to do with the fact that the PARENTS are taking the kids to the fast food place every day of the week. The parents are choosing to allow their children to eat these meals. The PARENTS are the ones that are CHOOSING obesity for their kids.
These days, Happy Meals now come with changeable options. You can substitute milk or apple juice for soda and apples for fries.You can choose chicken nuggets instead of a hamburger/cheeseburger. Check out McDonalds Kids Choices.I am not saying that these meals are good for kids, but they’re better with the healthy options, and a special treat now and then is okay. Growing up, I loved a great happy meal or any fast food I could get my hands on. As I get older, all of this is catching up to me. But it has always been my choice, or, when I was a kid, my parents’ choice, as to where and what I would eat. Quit blaming the fast food industries for our obesity issues. We make a mental choice to eat where we eat and a mental choice to drink where we drink. If you’re worried your kids are overweight, here’s a thought. . . . Make them a salad! It’s cheaper to make than buying a happy meal, and a whole lot healthier. Tell your kids to get off the games and go outside and play something physical.

Great Kids Recipe Giving to me by a Friend!

Lite Summer Salad

2 Grilled Chicken Breasts, Sliced
1 Bag of Mixed Greens
1 C Raw Veggies (slivered carrots, celery, radish, peppers, tomato, whatever your family likes)
1 Small Can Mandarin Oranges (natural juice, drained)
1/2 Can of Garbanzo Beans (well rinsed and drained)
1/8 C Toasted Almonds
2 T Toasted Sunflower Seeds or Pine Nuts
2 T Dried Cherries

Light Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
1/4 C Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice
1/2 t Lime Zest
2T Balsamic Vinegar
1T Dijon Mustard
1T Honey
1 T Fresh Finely Chopped Garlic
Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Serves 4

Oh to be able to think like a child, where you can be and do anything you want. You could be fighting dragons or be an miltary hero, or maybe a racecar driver or a horse jockey. The imagination of children is so vivid and carefree.
Imagination doesn’t have to be limited to becoming someone new. It can be used to inspire new ideas. We use our imagination each time we think about what to make for the evening meal. You use your imagination to determine what you can do with a veggie that will make it extra good. As kids growing up, my siblings and I wouldn’t touch anything green, often times referring to them as UGOs (Unidentified Green Objects). They were THAT scary. Using our imagination and the desire to taste all the flavors combinations, we, eventually, tempted fate and tried new things. It’s the funny things you can do that can make your meal edible. I found this trick some time back, and, once its been implemented, there is no turning back. What’s the trick? BACON! You will marvel at the ability of how that one ingredient can change the taste-flavor combination and take an UGO to divine inspiration. The amazing thing from our childhood is that we already knew this trick every time we ate pork and beans. But take this flavor a little further and expand it to other veggies; then, WOW! Watch out!
It take a little courage and a lot of creativity to figure what flavors pair well together, so always try something new. A great way to get inspired is poetry. Check out these Haiku and get inspired.

Bruscetta-Topped Steak, Bacon-wrapped Asparagus

Steak Topper

Ingredients

2 large Tomatoes
4 Large Cloves of Garlic
2 Tablespoons of Chopped Fresh Basil
3 Ounces of Olive Oil
Salt to taste

Directions

Mix all ingredients in sealable bowl and place in fridge
Chill for at least and hour the longer the better
Serve over steaks, potatoes or garlic toast

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Ingredients
• 10 spears fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 10 bacon strips, halved lengthwise

Directions

Coat asparagus with nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle with pepper; turn to coat. Wrap a bacon piece around each spear; secure ends with toothpicks. Grill, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 8-12 minutes or until bacon is crisp, turning occasionally. Discard toothpicks.

Life is a funny thing. We find ourselves doing mundane things day in day out, same ole routine. Ever notice how you leave the house at the same time every day or go to bed at the same time. You feed the dogs or cats at the same time, and they come to know this routine and will let you know if you’re so much as one minute late. But all the clichés are true; you really should stop and smell the roses. Change it up a bit and do something different. Simple changes can make for a great recipe of life. If your spouse does all the cooking, surprise him or her with a personalized, home-cooked meal from you. If you’re new to cooking, check out StartCooking.com This site instructs you, step by step, through the cooking process. If you travel the same way to work every day, go a different route. Better yet, take the alternate road on the way home so you’re not late for work. When we fall into a set routine, we tend to forget that life is meant to be enjoyed and lived. Start today and give life a twist. Do something spontaneous and unexpected. Treat yourself to something new. Remember, life is not about a job, a career, or what bills you need to pay. Life is about the stories you get to tell later.

Philly Taco with Salsa Twist

(Taste like a Philly cheese steak with salsa in a tortilla)

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 Package Carne Picada 1 to 2 pounds (Carne Picada is a shredded beef you can find in the meat section)
1 Packet Taco Seasoning
1/2 Orange Bell Pepper Cut into Strips
1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper Cut into Strips
1/2 Red Bell Pepper Cut into Strips
1 Onion Cut into Strips
Soft Flour Tortillas
1 Cup Shredded Cheese (Fiesta Style)
Salsa

Directions:

1. Mix Taco Seasoning and Carne Picada
2. In a 10 inch skillet add 2 tablespoons of oil and cook Carne Picada. It cooks just like ground beef.
3. While Carne Picada is browning dice peppers and onions and add to separate skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil and cook until onions become transparent about 10 minutes
4. Warm tortillas in microwave or in a pan
5. Take one tortilla add a couple spoonfuls of Carne Picada.
6. Cover with pepper onion mixture, cheese, salsa to taste and enjoy
7. Enjoy

Ever had that day where you felt like punching something? We all have at some point or another. Psychologists say you should, of course, do something more productive, like smashing an ice cube against a wall or punching your pillow. I say the heck with that! Put your gloves on and duke it out in the kitchen with your oven mitts, that is. It’s amazing the calming effect cooking can have on a person. Think about it. You can chop your frustrations away on an onion and cry at the same time. Talk about killing two birds with one stone. I know I have pounded, I mean kneaded, some dough a time or two. Who needs ice cubes or pillows? Whip up some bread dough and beat it to submission.
In all seriousness, there have been times where frustration, anger, and lack of a stiff drink have brought about some of our best recipes. I think it has to do with the desire to remove yourself from the current state of mind and be someplace else. At that point, you can be anyone you want, like a famous TV or celebrity chef or just a different you. It’s times like these that we can almost reach into ourselves and find the missing ingredient to what were working on. Realizing a pinch of salt or a tad more garlic and you just turned that dish in to a 5-star restaurant showpiece. Having any sort of nonviolent outlet is great, especially if you can share it with someone. Best of all, laugh like Tracy Todd says in her blog “I have learned that the best medicine to ease any negative emotion and most especially frustration is humor.”

Grab some friends for laughs and a good Sangria

Sangria

Serves a Crowd

Ingredients

1 Bottle Inexpensive Sweet Red Wine
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Triple Sec
2 Large Oranges
1 Large Lemon
1 Can Lemon Lime Drink

Directions

1. Pour wine Into large pitcher (we use large, refillable refrigerator-style water jug)
2. Add sugar, Triple Sec, and the juice of one orange
3. Mix until all sugar dissolves
4. Slice remaining orange and lemon into disks, and add to pitcher
5. Add soda
6. Chill  and serve in glasses over ice
7. Enjoy!

Trying new things doesn’t always work. In your mind, you may have thought you had a brilliant recipe, only to find out it turned to mush in the end. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Millions of people have begun to have a go at life only to hit a roadblock and call it quits. It’s the same in cooking, especially if you cook a lot, and, once in awhile, you’re going to make something that tastes absolutely horrible. That’s okay! Did you learn something new? You should have. At least you know that what you attempted to cook doesn’t work. Now, try and figure out why not. I have made some horrible dishes in my time. Ultimately, I discovered what I did wrong and how to correct those errors next time. Too much garlic (yes there is such a thing), not enough salt, all things that CAN happen sometimes DO. . . and all that can be fixed the next time.

That’s what is great about cooking; there is always a next time. Each day you get a chance to offer something up that’s your very own creation. Add a little of this; add a little of that. It doesn’t matter if it comes from a boxed complete meal or from a can. You throw in a few extra spices or other ingredients, and, Presto! You made a simple dish into something better and new. Life is like any recipe you are attempting; just change one ingredient, and it can go from bland to brilliant! Remember that any time life gets dull or boring, try something new to spice it up. Get outside the normal and create new things. Each day, open your refrigerator and cupboards and figure out what you have in there. Then decide what to make. Don’t let the  world pass you by. You are your own unique recipe, so add a little spice!

Our Favorite Spice!

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
5 Teaspoons Paprika
4 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
3 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
2 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Directions
Mix all seasoning in a mortar and pestle preferred but not required
This makes enough seasoning for 1 pound of ground beef.

We love trying new food combinations and sending our palate on a roller-coaster ride of flavors. We love that risk-taking feeling of going out of our comfort zone and diving into a new dish. That’s what we have done. I have to admit I personally couldn’t stand the taste of bell peppers, no matter what color, until about a year ago. If I could taste or see them in my food, my meal would be over at that point. I’d go pop a bag of popcorn, make a cocktail, and call it day. However, like with most things, you have to move outside of your comfort zone and find a way to make it work for you.
For the last year that’s what we did. We tried different combinations and pairings and began to understand how the different color of the peppers brought different flavors to each meal. Experimenting on when to add them to a dish so they melded with the other flavors and didn’t completely take over the dish. We experienced how the flavor changes when you roast a pepper versus sautéing it, what foods paired up well, and some other flavor combinations to completely avoid. We all have that recipe or two from our childhood nightmare kitchen disasters that scarred our palates for life (goulash anyone? MAJOR YUCK!).  In the end, I found that bell peppers are definitely my friends. So if you have a food you don’t think you like, try it several ways until you find something that works for you. I missed out on a lot of great meals over the years by refusing to try them for fear of that overpowering bell pepper flavor. Now, I’m still weary when I see them, but I just choose to try it anyway. Now, as for pickles and olives. . . We’re are not there yet. . .

Here is a simple dish with a bell peppers that just complement each other tremendously.

Mango Chicken Wrap
Ingredients

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Mango (Frozen works great)
2 Tablespoons Red Curry Sauce
1/8 Teaspoon ground red pepper
2 Cups Chopped Cooked Chicken (rotisserie or leftovers)
1/2 Cup Chopped Red Bell Pepper
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
Flour Tortillas
Mixed Red Leaf Lettuce

Preparation

Combine mayonnaise, mango, curry, chicken and red pepper in a medium bowl.
On a tortilla add a small amount of lettuce
Add about a ? cup of the chicken mixture making a straight line down the center.
Top with onions, and bell peppers and serve.

This happens a lot in our kitchen. . .  we call it tempting fate. It’s a fun idea to go to your favorite recipe site,  grab a recipe of something you’ve always wanted to try, and then just cook it. We find ourselves trying some super-simple recipes all the way to attempting some really wacky ones. Most of the time, it’s just “Here is the basic recipe I wanted to try, but what if we do it another fun way by changing a few of the ingredients to make it uniquely our own. This technique makes it so you never have another dull dinner. You’re always trying something new. You can do this on any budget and go as extreme as you like.

To some people, making a PB&J sandwich is scary. If this sounds like you, go make that tonight. Every great cook started somewhere!
To others, making something like Chicken Cordon Bleu sounds too difficult. It’s really only as scary as you convince yourself that it is. So take a chance in the kitchen, and you will amaze yourself. Start small if you need to, but try something new. Taking a chance in the kitchen is like taking a chance in life . . . you never know until you try.

If cooking Chicken Cordon Bleu seems frighteningly difficult. Then here is a simple one for you:

Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ingredients
6 skinless, boneless Chicken Breast Halves
2 Cups Shredded Cheese (your favorite style)
6 Slices Ham (lunch-meat style)
3 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Paprika
6 Tablespoons Butter
1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
2 Tablespoons Chicken Stock
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

Directions

1.   Preheat oven to 350°.
Pound the chicken breasts ¼” to ½” thick. Place a cheese and ham slice on each breast within 1/2 inch of the edges. Fold the edges of the chicken over the filling, roll up, and secure with toothpicks. Mix the flour and paprika in a small bowl, and coat the chicken pieces.
2.  Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the chicken until browned on all sides, approximately 10 minutes. Place in oven for an additional 20 minutes until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
3.  Add the cream, wine, bouillon, and cornstarch in a separate frying pan, and whisk and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened. Pour over chicken for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
4.  Remove the toothpicks, and transfer the breasts to a warm platter.

Try it today! Before you leave work, browse your favorite site. (I know we all work all day with no time to browse sites…) Find a recipe that you would love to try, and then just go cook it! You will be amazed and what you can accomplish.

Camping season is here! It’s time to break out your favorite camping recipes and dish up some good ole’ camp food. Depending on your style of camp food, here is a list of essentials you will need to start your year off right:

Food Condiments
·        Salt and Pepper
·        Spices – Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder,  Cumin, Paprika
·        Herbs – Basil, Thyme, Rosemary,
·        Butter
·        Ketchup
·        Mustard
·        Mayo
·        Salsa
·        Pickles
·        Relish
·        Squeeze butter

Beverages and Drinks
·        Adult beverages – Beer, Wine, Vodka, Rum, Wine Coolers
·        Bottled Water
·        Soda/pop
·        Juice
·        Coffee/Tea
·        Cocoa
·        Cider
·        Milk
·        Lemonade
·        Gator-aid/electrolytes
·        Kool-aid
·        Hot Chocolate

Food Basics
·        Flour
·        Sugar
·        Eggs
·        Butter
·        Cornmeal
·        Cooking oil
·        Potatoes

Sandwich Items
·        Bread
·        Peanut Butter
·        Jelly
·        Tuna
·        Lettuce
·        Cheese
·        Tomatoes
·        Deli meat – Turkey, ham, Roast beef,

Snack Foods
·        Granola Bars
·        Fresh Fruit – apples, bananas, oranges, Lemons
·        Raisins
·        Energy Bars
·        Cookies
·        Pop Tarts
·        Pretzels
·        Beef Jerky

Other Food Items
·        Syrup
·        Coffee Creamer
·        Cold cereal
·        Marshmallows
·        Hot Dog & Hamburger buns
·        Potato chips
·        Corn on the cob
·        Pancake mix
·        Instant Oatmeal
·        Soup (mix or cans)
·        Frozen hashbrowns
·        Onions
·        Cheeses – Parmesan, Shredded, Sliced

Meats
·        Sausage
·        Ham
·        Hamburger meat
·        Hot Dogs
·        Steak
·        Pork Chops
·        Chicken
·        Bacon

Other Items·
·        Syrup
·        Coffee Creamer
·        Cold cereal
·        Marshmallows
·        Hot Dog & Hamburger buns
·        Potato chips
·        Corn on the cob
·        Pancake mix
·        Instant Oatmeal
·        Soup (mix or cans)
·        Frozen hashbrowns
·        Onions
·        Cheeses – Parmesan, Shredded, Sliced

There is plenty more you can add but this will give you a good start on the season. Camping Recipes will be abundant and you can make almost anything you with these essential items. Have fun Camping!

Breakfast Tacos

Ingredients:
5 Eggs
1/4 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Shredded Cheese
1/2 Log-Style Roll sausage
Salsa
Flour Tortillas

Directions

Crumble sausage in skillet and cook until brown.
Mix eggs & milk in bowl using a whisk for fluffyier results.
Pour  egg mix into into skillet.
Add cheese and cook until melted
Spoon into tortilla-add salsa and enjoy