May you enjoy this lovely thought!
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There is nothing more healthy than Butter Nut Squash Soup. What a Fall favorite! I grew my own this year but BNSQ is available in any store produce section or better still from any Farmer’s Market. Cut open the squash and scoop out or cut out in chunks the orange flesh. Boil until pretty soft and drain all but enough to keep the squash from clogging your blender. Add back some more liquid and some milk or cream in your blender and flavor as you like. I like a dash of nutmeg but my husband likes cinnamon. Blend until smooth. Cook in a large pot and be sure to make extra. I freeze leftovers in milk cartons. This is super easy.
PS for totally non-cookers. Go down to the store and buy the soup and also bisque of tomato if you like it, in the square cartons. There are several brands and all are good.
PPSS Add a large piece of French bread or a roll.
Cooking For One
Some people say that it is hard to cook for just one person Personally, I don’t think so and I never use this as an excuse to not eat something good. If you don’t want to actually cook, how about opening a carton of yogurt and adding some fruit and a couple of tablespoons of walnuts?
Speaking of cans, what about a can of soup with a piece of French bread or a roll? There are some really good soups out there now and I especially like the “YES!” brand.
Making a sandwich is OK, but how about making a really god one? Keep some boiled eggs in the fridge and make a deviled egg sandwich or cop out and make just sliced boiled egg with mayo and tomato.
Put together a salad and while you are at it, make enough to take some out and have it for lunch the next day See above for a suggestion, you guys!
I confess I often go the easy way and microwave a packaged entre. There ae no TV dinners out there any more. Some of the frozen dinners now are fabulous. I know “Amy’s” are a bit high in fat, but yum yum! Some of the veggie types are really good too.
Cottage cheese and anything (fruit, tomatoes, yogurt, nuts etc) is good and healthy too. OK, so no more excuses.
COOKING FOR ONE IS FUN!
Beauty is not just in what we see!
Try a little quiet in your day. Meditate to the sound of water or soft music.
Listen to gentle sounds or light classical music. Be still and hear the sounds of life.
Substitute!
Yes, we all get it about the Med Diet and fruits and vegetables, but we also should get that the more of a plant based diet we eat the better.
Usually the Greek dish of layered lamb, cheeses, and potatoes called Moussaka has a lot of fat, much of it from the lamb and cheese. Why not substitute escalope of sliced egg plant, right in the freezer of most grocery stores, for the fried egg plant, lo-fat ricotta cheese, and soy ground beef. It is a bit of a different taste, but really good
I do the same with lasagne. I use whole wheat noodles, lo-fat ricotta cheese, and soy ground beef. I also use Newman’s Own vodka marinara sauce.
Try these substitutions in your usual recipes and watch the calories and fat disappear and the flavor become unique-in a good way.
Yes, Corn Pudding!
It is with a great deal of reluctance that I share this recipe. It is an all time favorite at any covered dish affair and known only to a special few! Diana shared it with me on the condition that I would call her before any event to be sure that it was not the dish she was bringing. So, Jut for YOU, here is:
Diana’s West Virginia Corn Pudding
- Cream 1/2 butter ans1/2 cup sugar until smooth (I used Marg)
- Add two eggs one at a time mixing in between
- Add 1 cp sour cream (I used Daisy Lite)
- Beat until smooth
- Add one can of cream corn and one can of regular corn
- Add one box of corn muffin mix alternating with 1/2 cp milk (I used skim milk) Mix well and bake at 350 in a greased 9X134 glass pan.
This is sooo good you won’t believe it. It is pretty easy too!
Take It From Winnie the Pooh
Winnie the Pooh is a favorite character of mine and I think that as a philosopher he is highly under rated. Just think about this picture. What could be more fun than a crafts day? Knit, sew, clean a little maybe, make something with your kids or grand kids, do a flower arrangement……..and on and on!
He is also going for a walk. I do not even have to tell you how great that is on many different levels.
Finally he has a honey pot in his hands with flowers in it which tells you that he has already eaten the honey. Point? Yes, eat something yummy. Green seedless grapes are as sweet as candy and so healthy.
So, take a tip from W the P and have a great day!!
Be Creative Today
Look around your kitchen today and see what may inspire you to be creative. How about an Idaho Potato Pie or a quiche? Check out your pantry and your fridge and see what comes to mind. Some days I just love to cook this way. Give it a try!
Eat This-Not That
Salads are not what they used to be. Lettuce and tomato are not the salad any more, they are just the starting base. What else can you add? Try some of these additives for a salad surprise. BTW-Eat This Not That means don’t add any cheese except feta and DON’T under any circumstances use full fat dressing. The best dressing is V and O of any type you like. I like apple cider or rice vinegar and Balsamic special vinegars. I use olive oil only for salads or dip and I use Canola oil to cook.
- Boiled egg
- Blueberries
- Different types of tomato-there are sooo many
- Any and all veg. Broc, Cauliflower, Carrots, (I like grated carrots) etc.
- Add a special bag of Asian mix or South West mix
- Nuts (I like walnuts)
- Feta Cheese
- Try “Skinny Girl” Dressings
- Any different type of greens
- Meat
- Salmon, tuna, tofu or any other vegetable protein, like chick peas or beans
- Just for fun-Try scallops (I buy the frozen bag at Trader Joe’s)
So, you see that I am right-right??? Do anything to your salad. Just be sure to watch the carbs and use lots of fiber! Let me know how it goes.