Almost Stuffed Bell Peppers

Well here is one of my hubby's favorites.  (He's a simple man...)

I call it un-stuffed bell peppers.  This is a very easy dish to make, and it feeds a whole lotta boys!

I know, I have 4 growing ones, not counting the hubs. 

I know it doesn't look like much but it's a crowd pleaser!  You can use whatever kind of ground meat you like.  I used ground turkey, but you can also use sausage, or any other type of ground meat.  Season your meat however you like.  I use just a bit of salt and pepper.

Yes it's that simple!

I hope you enjoy this little recipe as much as we do.  A quick and easy dinner! 

My kids like putting this on tortillas, while the hubby likes eating it just like this...

Aren't quick and simple dinners the best? ;)

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

                                    

Mmmmmmmm........

Sweet potatoes are delicious.  This recipe is especially savory!

Twice Baked or Stuffed Sweet Potatoes!

  What could be better than a sweet potato, stuffed with cheese & bacon?

So here's the down-lo:

Ingredients:

1 large Sweet Potato

(I use the white variety, but you can use which ever you prefer.)

1/2 Small Onion- Sauteed

1 Strip of Bacon- Cooked

1 Clove Garlic- Minced & Sauteed

1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese, plus additional for topping

Splash of milk

First pierce and bake your sweet potato in the microwave on high for 4-6 minutes or until tender.  If you prefer to bake them in the oven the first time around you can.  This will take an additional 30 minutes.  

Next, quarter your potato by cutting in half lengthwise, and then in half across the middle.

Scrape the flesh from the potato, leaving a small amount of flesh in the skins.  Just enough so the skins are sturdy and don't fall apart.

Next, combine all ingredients in a bowl including the potato flesh, and mix.  If the potatoes do not easily mash, use an electric mixer.  Do not over mix.  The consistency should be a little lumpy not baby food like.

Next, stuff your skins with the mixture in the bowl, and top with a little extra cheese.  The stuffing will overflow like this:

Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes @ 375 degrees.

This is the result:

These have become a regular in our house!  To keep this recipe vegan, omit the bacon  and use vegan cheese, and almond milk.

I have  made it both ways and it is delicious either way.  These potatoes are quite hearty.  With only one large potato it makes 4 stuffed potatoes.  They go a long way!  

I hope you enjoyed this recipe!

The Apple Pie Smoothie

                                                                         

Apple Pie... It's crisp, flaky crust paired with delicious warm apples and cinnamon.... :)

This smoothie mocks that delicious flavor.  However, you skip all the bad calories.  This is a healthy smoothie recipe for those who are watching their waistlines...  Of course, it doesn't lack in flavor.  

I made this yesterday for breakfast, but my kids finished it off!  They loved it as much as I did.  :)

It's perfect for breakfast, mid-day snack, or a healthy alternative to a sweet craving! 

It tasted as good as it looked.

In a blender combine:

2/3 C Vanilla Almond Milk

5.3 oz Container Yoplait Greek-Apple Pie Flavored Greek Yogurt

1/2 Apple Sliced and Peeled

1/2 Banana

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

6 Ice Cubes 

Blend well.  Add more ice if needed.  Drizzle with sugar free Carmel syrup, and sprinkle with cinnamon.

ENJOY!

This was one of my favorites so far!  

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  

What are your favorite smoothie recipes?

Fruit and Maple Oatmeal

Lately I have been loving the fruit and maple oatmeal from Mcd's.  I basically re-created it at home, but I made it healthier and of course it is delich.  :)

 Here's what you'll need:

1/2 C Quick Oats (Cooked to directions on box)

1/8- 1/4 C Almond Milk

1/2 C Chopped Apples

2 Tbs Rasins or Nuts

1 Tbls Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Maple Syrup or Honey

2 Tbs Flax Seed (Optional)

1 Tbs Peanut Butter (optional) 

2 Tsp Cinnamon (optional)

After cooking your oatmeal, add the other ingredients into your oatmeal and stir to perfection.  I love this oatmeal and it only takes about 5 minutes to make.   With the optional ingredients it is super good & good for you. And, it only has 1 tbs of Brown Sugar!  I'm a lover of sweets, and this did not leave me thinking I need to add sugar.  It is Delicious.

Healthy Berry Cheesecake Smoothie

With my husband and I watching our waistlines lately, I am constantly experiencing with new smoothie recipes.  This one I had tonight for a little late night treat.  It was delicious!  

Also, it was healthy and Vegan. (I Think)

Here's the recipe:

2 Tbs Flax seed

2 Tbs Pecans or Almonds

3/4 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

1 Tbs Sugar-Free Cheesecake Flavored Dry Jello Pudding Mix

1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder (optional)

1/4 Cup Frozen Mixed Berries

Ice

Water (if needed)

Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth, adding water if needed. Top with frozen berries for garnish.

YUM!

Vegan Cinnamon-Vanilla Latte

Who out there loves a good cup of joe?  I know I do.  But recently, I have cut down on my coffee budget, and my calories.  So my dilemma now, is coming up with great coffee at home.

Today I made this beauty:

Here's what you'll need:

3/4 Cup Vanilla Almond Milk

1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1 Shot Espresso or 1/4 Cup Very Strong Coffee

I have an espresso maker, so I make my coffee's with this:

                                                               

This one is a little spendy. My husband bought it for me last year on our anniversary  However, you can get one as inexpensive as this:

                                                               

I figure for the price I pay for a latte at our local espresso depot everyday, this one would pay for itself in about 2 weeks.  

Start by either steaming your milk with your espresso machine, or heat your milk on the stove just until hot.  It's important that you do not overheat, otherwise it'll be burnt.

Brew your Espresso or strong coffee, and pour in your mug.

Add milk and Cinnamon.

 Vwalla!

For any who are skeptical about using Almond Milk, I completely understand.  I was in that boat!  I didn't like the flavor and I never thought it could replace my morning Breve.  But, the Vanilla flavored and the Coconut- Almond are both great to use in coffee and cereal. They are both super low in calories too. The Vanilla has a whopping 90 Calories and the Coconut-Almond as low as 45.  So I'll take the swap.

It's a delicious cup of joe, that wont break the buttons on your pants, or your pocket book.

What's your morning retreat?

Best Meatless Chili Recipe

PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE

I'm proud to say this is my own chili recipe.  I make this quite often, and after several tweakings, I've nailed it.

It's easy to include meat for all you meat-lovers out there.  Right now, I am doing the meatless thing, so that is the version I am choosing to share with you.  If you want to add meat, cut out one can of beans, and add ground beef, turkey, or pork instead.

 STEP 1

Saute in a large skillet:

1 Small Yellow Onion-chopped

1 Green Bell Pepper-chopped

3 Cloves of Garlic- minced

3 Vine Ripened Tomatoes

 (you can also use canned tomatoes, but don't add those here)

In a separate bowl mix together:

2 Tbs Chili Powder

2 Tbs Cumin

1 Tbs Cornstarch

1 Tbs Brown Sugar

2 Tsp Cinnamon

1 Tsp Red Ground Pepper

2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

1 Tsp Thyme

Dash of Salt

This will be your seasoning.  After veggies are golden brown and soft, add them to a large pot.  Add in:

1 Can Kidney Beans-rinsed

1 Can Black Beans-rinsed

1 Large Can Baked Beans

1 Large Can Zesty & Spicy Spaghetti Sauce Plus, 1 Can Water

(If you are using canned tomatoes, add them here)

Bring to a boil.  Reduce Heat, add seasoning mix, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until hot and thickened, stirring occasionally. Serve with your choice, shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped onion.  

Printable Recipe

Everyone who tries it always loves it, and is surprised when I tell them what's in it. One day spaghetti sauce, and baked beans was what I had in my cupboard and I made chili with it.  I loved it, my kids loved it, & my husband loved it.  I've never gone back to using tomato sauce and plain ol' beans.  

Plus, it's super fast!  I am a busy mom of 5.  I don't have a lot time to prep.  The only prep work you have to do for this recipe,  is chop the onions, garlic, tomatoes, and bell pepper.  My secret to making this step fast is I use this Salsa Maker, that I bought for my husband not too long ago.  It takes your prep time down to nothing. :)

You can get it here:

                                                           

Even though the weather is warming up, I still like to have a hot meal that feeds a lot of people on the fly.

What kind of easy recipes have saved you on a time crunch?