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Meatless Monday! Easy Quinoa!

Quinoa is pronounced (Keen-wah) and is a grain unlike other grains.It contains twice the protein of regular cereal grains, contains less carbohydrates, more healthy fats, fiber, phosphorus, calcium and is high in iron.It is the most nutritious of all the grains and up until now has been quite unknown.It is a complete protein, which means it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs, just like meat, eggs and dairy. The great thing about quinoa, it can help you stay feeling full. The carbohydrates in quinoa release slowing into your body, so you won’t get that rush of energy after eating certain other foods, and you will have less cravings for sugary foods. (http://www.foreverlookingood.com/quinoa-nutrition)

1. 
   
   one small onion chopped finely


2. 
   
   half a bell pepper chopped(I like it a lot with the bell pepper but Rylee does not so I usually leave it out.)


3. 
   
   1cup quinoa


4. 
   
   2.5 cups water


5. 
   
   1 table spoon garlic and herb seasoning(you could use any seasoning you like)


6. 
   
   .5 cup lentils
   Add all ingredients to pot. Stir together. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cook approximately 40 minutes or until quinoa and rice are tender and liquid is gone. If liquid is gone before they are tender add another .5 cups and continue to simmer.
   
   

This dish can be used as a side or main dish served with a salad. Feeds about 4.

I love, love quinoa. Rylee asks for it and Finn is eating it now, too. Give it a try. It is a nutritional powerhouse! To save money on quinoa, shop the bulk bins or consider ordering online.

Christmas Cookies in July!

Easy and Light Cut Out Cookies

Earlier this week my daughter Rylee was all about Christmas. She really wanted to make gingerbread cookies. I usually will stop and make cookies with her but I was very busy and I also did not need the temptation of cookies in our house. I remembered reading an article somewhere about an easy and quick cookie using tortillas. So I quickly devised a recipe that would satisfy Rylee's desire to use her Christmas cookie cutters and my need for this project to last less than 30 minutes. Here is what you need:

• 
  
  corn tortillas(the white corn seem to taste the best)


• 
  
  melted butter or butter substitute(I use I can't believe its not butter spray.)


• 
  
  Sugar(raw sugar if you have it but regular will work)
  
  

1. 
   
   Preheat oven to 350.
   


2. 
   
   Spread tortillas out on cookie sheet and let child cut out desired shapes.


3. 
   
   Discard extra tortilla pieces.
   


4. 
   
   Have Child brush or spray cookie cut outs with butter.



5. 
   
   Sprinkle generously with sugar.(You could also used colored sugar if you have any left over from holidays.)
   


6. 
   
   Bake in oven 8-10 minutes or until light brown around edges.

Meatless Monday!! Crockpot Eggplant Yum!!!

Easy, Cheap, and Healthy Crock pot Eggplant

• 
  
  2 small eggplant or one large or several of the Japanese small ones


• 
  
  Italian bread crumbs


• 
  
  1 jar pasta sauce


• 
  
  olive oil


• 
  
  8 oz fresh mushrooms(can be left out)


• 
  
  Parmesan cheese(not necessary)

1. Cut eggplant into 1/2 slices. You can peel them or leave the skin on(I leave the skin on). Slice mushrooms in half.


2. Brush both sides of eggplant with olive oil. Also, brush bottom and sides of crock pot with olive oil to prevent sticking.


3. Layer bottom of crock pot with eggplant and sprinkle with salt and pepper.


4. Layer half the mushroom on top of eggplant.


5. Pour 1/2 sauce over eggplant and mushroom.


6. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over sauce. (about a 1/2 cup)


7. Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese over sauce.(I left the cheese out all together but I am sure it would be good.)


8. Repeats steps 3-7.


9. Pour 1/2 cup water around the edge of crock pot. Not on top you will wash off the sauce.


10. Cook on low for 4 hours or until eggplant is very tender.


11. Serve with Whole wheat pasta or just a salad.

Eggplant is a great healthy value currently. It is at the peak of the season. This recipe could also be done with zucchini or squash. You could also get creative adding onions and peppers to the layers. I think that is what I am going to do next time!! Enjoy!!

Healthy, Hearty, Quiche (Meat Free)

Healthy and Hearty Crustless Quiche (Meat Free, too)

• 
  
  7 eggs


• 
  
  1/2 cup milk (any kind, I used 1%)


• 
  
  1 cup cooked brown rice


• 
  
  1 cup fresh spinach


• 
  
  1 cup thawed frozen broccoli


• 
  
  1 tablespoon Italian blend seasoning


• 
  
  1/2 reduced fat mozzarella cheese shreds


• 
  
  1/2 Parmesan cheese or can use another 1/2 cup mozzarella

1. 
   
   Preheat oven to 375


2. 
   
   Beat eggs together with fork a few times then add milk beat together used mixed well.


3. 
   
   stir in rest of ingredients except for Parmesan cheese.


4. 
   
   Pour in 8x11 0r 8x8 pan. Spray pan with olive oil spritzer or Pam so that it does not stick.


5. 
   
   Cook 20 minutes then add cheese on top.


6. 
   
   Return to oven and cook until firm in middle about 10 minutes.

Healthy and Cheap Grocery Deals Week Publix 3/4-3/10(save on gas,too)

The best deals seem to be in the freezer section this week! Don't forget your gas card!

Publix BOGOS

• Whole Fruit Sorbet, 1 pint, at $2.99 -.50/1 Whole Fruit sorbet, RP 3/27 (EXP 05/07)


• Power of Fruit Frozen Bars, 6 pk., at $3 -$1 off Power of Fruit (Publix Coupon) Spring Greenwise Magazine -$1 off Power of Fruit Frozen Fruit Bars printable


• Yoplait Smoothie Kits, 7.6 oz, at $3.19 -$1 off Yoplait frozen smoothie (Facebook) printable -$1 off Yoplait Frozen Smoothie printable


• Birds Eye Voila! Meal, 21-23 oz, at $4.99 -.50/1 Birds Eye Voila product, May All You magazine(Pompeian Imported Olive Oil, 32 oz, at $10.99 -$1 off Pompeian Olive Oil or New OlivExtra Plus printable


• Pop Secret Premium Popcorn, 11.2-21 oz box or 30 oz jar, at $3.89 -$1/2 Pop Secret product, RP 4/17*** Super low calories snack!


• Eight O’Clock Coffee, 11-12 oz (excluding Decaf), 6.81 -$2/2 Eight O’Clock Coffee printable
  

Other Deals at Publix!

• Tomatoes, $1.99


• Mangos, $1


• Baby Carrots, $1.29


• Mushrooms, $1.5


• Del Monte Golden Ripe Pineapple, $2.99 (remember Publix will peel and core it for this price, too)


• Vidalia Sweet Onions, 99¢ lb




• Wacky Mac Veggie Pasta, 16 oz, $1.29 -.40/1 Wacky Mac SS 1/30 or SS 5/08




• Athenos Greek Strained Yogurt 5.3 oz, $1 -B2G1 Athenos Greek Yogurt Products, (zip 45448) printable




• Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables 7.5-32 oz, 50% off -$1/2 Birds Eye Vegetables (Publix Coupon) Spring Greenwise Magazine -.35/1 Birds Eye Steamfresh Lightly Sauced printable -.50/1 Birds Eye Voila product, May All You magazine

In Ad Coupons at Publix

• 10 off $50 American Express Gift Card$4.95 Activation Fee(makes it $$44.95)




• *****$10 off $50 Gas Card purchase WYB $25 worth of Groceries*****

Meatless Monday!! Pasta with Cannellini Beans

Meatless Monday!!

Pasta with Cannellini Beans

• 
  
  1 can Cannellini Beans


• 
  
  1 jar pasta sauce(I always keep this in pantry for quick meals and it is often on Bogo at Publix).


• 
  
  1 small onion or 1/2 large


• 
  
  2-3 cloves garlic


• 
  
  Whole wheat pasta (any shape)

1. 
   
   Chop onion and then cook until soft and translucent.


2. 
   
   Next add garlic(you can crush or chopped it. I use my garlic press.). Adjust amount of garlic to your taste. We love garlic so I add at least 3 cloves.


3. 
   
   Add sauce and stir well and heat. Add salt and pepper to taste.


4. 
   
   Add beans( make sure to drain and rinse).


5. 
   
   Cook on low for a few minutes. Do not over cook beans can get mushy.


6. 
   
   Serve over whole wheat pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if you like.


7. 
   
   Serve with a big salad or a side of steamed veggies for a very healthy and cost effective meal.

Cannellini beans are white kidney beans. They are very mild and take on the taste of what ever they are cooked it. They have lots of protein, iron, and fiber.