Penne Chicken Tomato Salad

6 oz bag of spinach and argula
6 oz cherry tomatoes cut in half
8 oz whole wheat penne pasta
1-2 chicken breasts
1 cup bok choy (cut into small pieces)
feta cheese (optional)
raspberry walnut dressing (optional)

Cook the penne according to the package directions, omitting salt. Rinse under cold water; drain again. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in large skillet over medium high.  Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.  Transfer the chicken to a cutting board; let rest 5 minutes.  Cut the chicken on the diagonal into thin slices.
Add the chicken to pasta.  Add the argula and spinach, bok choy, tomatoes; toss well. Top with feta cheese if desired. Drizzle with dressing if desired.
Adapted from a weight watcher recipe

Some of My Favorite Things

Purex Complete Softener Crystals
I live in an apartment so the washer isn't the greatest. What I love about the purex crystals is you add them in at the beginning of the wash so you don't have to worry about adding it later.  It also smells really great and makes the wash smell good too.

Dove Body Soap/Body Wash
I like the nutrium moisture from the body wash and the bars don't break my skin out.  I have very sensitive skin and most products give me a rash; Dove doesn't plus it has extra moisture in it.  It leaves my skin soft even if I forget to put lotion on.

Aveeno Body Lotion/Oatmeal Bath Soak/Shaving Cream
Aveeno Lotion is a great moisture rich lotion that doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy like alot of lotions do.  I've tried several ones and this one is not greasy, clears up my dry skin, and again no rash.  Love the oatmeal soak for bath when my skin is itchy. Also works for kyle with his psorisis. The shaving cream prevents razor burn and helps the hair grow back slowly.  Leaves skin smooth.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream
I actually don't use this for wrinkles but more for my dark circles and puffiness. I've tried the eye rollers but those make my skin red and feel a stinging sensation.  This one of the few non eye roller creams out there. I've been using it for two weeks now and my dark circles are barely visible and my eye puffiness has gone down.

Potato Kielbasa Skillet

This is one of my favorite dishes.  It is my recipe as I have altered it significantly from the original recipe in Taste of Home.  To see the orginal you can find it at Taste of Home.

2 lb red potatoes, cubed
6 tbsp water
1 1/2 lb smoked kielbasa cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp dark brown sugar
2 tbsp balsamic and 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp honey dijon mustard
1 tsp dried italian seasoning
1/2 tsp red and black pepper
2-3 C spinach
4 bacon stips ,cooked and crumbled

Place potatoes and water in a microwave safe dish.  Cover and microwave on high for 5-6 minutes or until tender; drain. In a large skillet, sautee kielbasa and onion powder for 6-8 minutes.  Add potatoes; sautee 8-15 minutes longer or until kielbasa and potatoes are lightly browned.
Combine the brown sugar, vinegars, mustard, thyme and pepper; stir into skillet.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.  Add spinach (as much or as little as you want) and bacon.  Cook and stir until spinach is wilted.

Classic Mandarin Orange Salad

I love this salad except I don't always use the cheese.  It tastes fine without it or I use less cheese. 

1 5 oz baby spinach and raddicchio or other salad variety
1 15 oz can dole mandarin orange, drained
1/2 C carrots, sliced
1/3 C pecan halves, toasted
1/2 C prepared light raspberry vinaigrette
1/4 C crumpbled blue or feta chesse

Combine spinach, mandarin oranges, carrots, and pecans in large serving bowl.  Pour dressing over salad; toss to evenly coat. Top with chesse.
 Cook's Note (from book) Slice carrot with vegetable peeler in short lengthwise strips, if desired, or cut crosswise into thin slices.

Back in the Box Cooking: Dole Food Company

Angels and Insects

 This book is actually two novellas called morpheo eugena and conjugal angel. I really liked some of the descriptive narration of this book in the first novella. I did like the story but felt that is could have been reduced to about five pages.  It is very long with information that isn't necessary.  I got very bored and barely finished it.  Both stories are set in england and deals with alot of poetry.  The first novel is about a young man who traveled into different parts of the world and on his way back to England when his boat shipwrecks.  He studies bugs and insects (mostly butterflies) and stays with a family.  The father is a clergyman who has three grown daughters and several younger children. The young man fancies one of the daughters and has an interesting courtship with her and a spin in the ending. A sidepart of the story is the father who is trying to write a book and about God's Love for humanity by comparison through bees, ants and butterflies.  It is very interesting points of view if the narration didn't get so dull. 
As a result of not being overly impressed with the first novella I did not read the second one.  This certainly a book I do not recommend unless you like long philosphical narrations. 

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

This is very yummy.  Got it from the Back of the Box Cookbook.  A new favorite for our family.
I divided it into 12 pieces instead of 8.

1 1/4 C sugar divided into 3/4 C and 1/2 C
1 C all purpose flour
1/2 C hershey's cocoa,  divided into half
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C milk
1/3 C melted butter or margerine
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 C light brown sugar, packed
1 1/4 C hot water

Preheat oven to 350. Combine 3/4 C of the sugar, flour, 1/4 C of the cocoa, baking powder and salt. Stir in milk, butter and vanilla; beat until smooth. Pour batter into ungreased 9 inch square baking pan. Stir together remaining 1/2 C sugar, brown sugar, and remaining 1/4 C cocoa; sprinkle mixture evenly over batter. Pour hot water over top; do not stir. Bake 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set. Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes.  Serve in dessert spooning sauce from bottom of pan over top.

The Winds of Marble Arch

I haven't been doing any book reviews lately so I am trying to make a better effort to do so.  This is a collection of short stories by the author Connie Willis.  They are very interesting stories and all are different from one another.  There are two stories in here that are set in WWII in England.  The first story is one of the longest and can get a bit dry so do not judge the book on it.  The second story is much better and far more entertaining.  The Soul Selects Her Own Society, and the last two stories are very boring and can be skipped. The stories Jack and Inn are my favorite.  Check this one out and have a nice cup of tea while reading; enjoy.

Italian Sausage Meatballs

These are very good meatballs.  Only way i make spaghetti now. I halved  the recipe since this is enough meatballs for us.  I use the leftover meatballs to make meatball subs.

1 lb italian sausage (casing removed)
1/2  tbsp italian seasoning
1/2  tbsp minced garlic
3/4 C italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg
1/6 C red wine or water

Put all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.  Mix together throughly.  Using the palm of your hand roll into a ball shape about one inch (although mine are more likely 2 inches).  Grease a baking dish.  Place meatballs in dish and bake at 325 for 20-30 minutes or until done. (You don't need to cover).

Chicken and Rice Bake

This is from Campbells website; its not one of my favorite dishes.  It will not WOW your family but if you are tired or just don't feel like cooking then this is the recipe for you.  It literally takes about five minutes to get together and then you just pop it in the oven.  Easy cleanup too.

1 can (10 3/4 oz) Campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup (you can use cream of chicken too)
1 can of water
1 C of rice
seasoned salt and pepper
3-4 boneless chicken breasts

Mix soup, water and rice in a 2 quart shallow dish.  Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; place on top of rice mixture.  Cover
Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until done.

Best Ever Meatloaf

Seriously best ever meatloaf you have ever tasted.

1 egg beaten
2/3 C milk
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce (1-2 tbsp)
3/4 C oatmeal
2 tbsp Mccormick garlic and herb seasoning
2 tsp seasoning salt
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp black and red pepper
1 1/2 lb grouond beef
TOPPING:
1/4 C ketchup
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp dijon honey mustard
1 tsp nutmeg

In a large bowl combine the first eight ingredients.  Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.  Pat meat mixture into a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.  Bake, uncovered at 350 for 30-60 minutes.  Combine last four ingredients; spread over top of loaf.  Bake 15-20 minutes longer or until meat is no longer pink.  Let stand 10 minutes.

Oatmeal Pecan Pie

Refrigerated pie dough (1)
1 C packed dark brown sugar (do not use light)
1 C light colored corn syrup
2/3 C oats
1/2 C chopped pecans
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten (I use 1/2 C egg beaters)
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten.

Preheat oven to 325.  Roll the dough into an 11 inch circle.  Fit into a 9 inch pie plate coated with cooking spray.  Fold edges under; flute (i dont flute).
Combine the brown sugar and remaining ingredients, stirring well with a whisk.  Pour into prepared crust.  Bake at 325 for 50 minutes or until center is set (shield edges of pie crust with foil to prevent overbrowning, if necessary).  Cool completely.  Yield 12 servings

From Best of Cooking Light

Salsa Chicken Dip

1 can of chicken (13 oz)
1 can (16 oz) refried beans
1 cup salsa (i like pace)
1 tsp onion powder
Mexican cheese blend

In a large saucepan combine chicken, salsa, beans and onion powder; heat through.  Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with cheese.  Serve with chips.

Black Bean Chicken Enchiladas

This is my favorite enchilada recipe.  It is very good. The mix is more than can fit in 10 tortillas so you can either make more enchiladas (for 20 total) or use the leftovers for an enchilada salad or tacos or for a enchilada pizza.  All are very good.  For the tortillas I use mission carb balance and mission whole wheat; 5 of each.  I use Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce (1 large can or 2 of the medium size cans).

1 small green pepper, finely chopped
1 small red pepper, finely chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (13 oz) chicken
3/4 C frozen corn, thawed
2 tbsp taco seasoning (i use mccormick)
10-20 tortillas
1 large can enchilada sauce (2 if making 20)
Mexican Cheese Blend

In a large skillet saute peppers, chicken, beans, corn, and taco seasoning in oil until tender (about 3 minutes).  Spoon mixture into tortillas; sprinkle with cheese.   Roll up and place seam side down in a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour enchilada sauce over the top.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Pork Scaloppine with Sugar Snap Peas

1/2 C flour
1/4 tsp salt or seasoning salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
4 boneless pork loin cutlets (about 1 lb) pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 lemon cut lengthwise and sliced into 8 pieces
3/4 c white wine
3/4 C low sodium chicken broth
1/4 C capers, rinsed (i leave these out since i don't like them and dish tastes fine)
1 tsp butter
2 C sugar snap peas
1 C curly parsley, chopped

Season the flour with the salt and pepper; dredge the pork.  Heat the oil in a 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium high heat.  Add pork to skillet and sear 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden and no pink remains.  Set aside on a plate.
Add the lemon to skillet and cook 1 minute; turn and cook 1 more minute.  Add the wine, chicken broth, capers, butter, sugar snap peas, and all but 1 tbsp of parsley.  Simmer stirring, 3-4 minutes until peas are bright green and tender.  Return pork to the skillet to coat with sauce.  Top with reserved parsley and serve.
From Fitness.com

Turkey Sloppy Joes

This is so yummy and delicious.  I love the slow cooker meals and this recipe allows the flavors to really come out.  If you are looking for an easy dish that is satisfying for the whole family, then look no further.
(From Taste of Home)
2 lbs lean ground turkey
1 medium onion finely chopped (I use onion powder)
1 small green pepper, finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2 cans (8 oz each) no salt added tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 envelopes sloppy joe mix (i use mccormick)
1 tbsp brown sugar
In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook the turkey, onion and peppers over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a 3 qt slow cooker. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, sloppy joe mix and brown sugar.  Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hrs or until flavors are blended.

Green Tea teriyaki Chicken

I made this a while ago  and have added it to my recipe book.  I hope you do the same.  It is from Taste of home:
3 1/2 tsp green tea leaves, divided
1 C boiling water
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tbsp reduced soy sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp minced fresh gingerroot
1/8 tsp sesame oil
4 bonesless skinless chicken breasts

Place 2 1/2 tsp tea leaves in a small bowl; add boiling water.  Cover and steep for 5-6 minutes.
Strain and discard leaves; pour tea into large skillet.  Stir in the honey, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is reduced to roughly 3/4 cup.
Add chicken and remaining tea leaves; cover and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until done. Cut chicken into thin slices; serve with sauce.

Ultimate Heist

This is a french film that is 5 star rated.  I think this is a good movie.  The subtitles are small and hard to read but other than that it is good.  The movie is about a french gang that does heists; they plan to get the currency from an airplane.  There isn't much shooting action and it has a love story between the head guys son and a nurse.  There are some parts that could be edited out, but overall a thumbs up.

Pecan Crusted Chicken

Yummy this is a great recipe.  Its a little spicy so you may want to cut down on the pepper or just use black pepper.  This recipe is from the Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook:
1/4 C milk
1/4 C all-purpose flour
1/4 C finely chopped pecans
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tsp seasoning salt (orginal recipe use paprika)
1 1/2 tsp red and black pepper (original recipe uses just black pepper)
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2-3 tbsp olive or canola oil

Place milk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, pecans, sesame seeds, seasoning salt, red and black pepper;mix well.  Dip chicken in milk, then coat in flour mixture.
In a large nonstick skillet, brown chicken in oil on both sides (be sure to use enough oil or coating will come off).  Transfer to a 15 x 10 in x 1 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 15-20 (i actually had to put mine in for 22 to get done) minutes or until no longer pink. 

The Last Hour Movie Review

Watched this movie the other night.  I actually emjoyed most of it.  As with most movies there are definately parts that can be cut out.  It does have a pretty good cast and the acting is alright but the script is terrible along with the dubbing.  Most people did not like the movie from the reviews I read; if you can get past the script and the dubbing it isn't too bad. 
Plot is six people get letters from their dad and have to meet at a house.  Once in the house, they get surrounded by police and also a killer on the inside.  The movie has a few twists toward the end and as some pretty good action scenes.
If you get bored easily this isn't the movie for you.  If you don't mind waiting for the good parts then give this movie a try.

The Way of War

Just got done watching this movie.  Bad.  The acting by Cuba Gooding Junior is well done and for the most part by other actors.  For most of the movie you are in the dark about what is going on or what its about. There are alot of flashbacks and get a sense of government conspiracy but the movie is not clear about what.  You do not even know the characters and who are they are what position they hold.  Even at the end, it doesn't explain everything.  I'm not sure I can even explain this movie to you. 
Cuba plays an ex soldier looking for his box/cash.  He has a fiancee that was killed for some unknown reason (I still dont understand that one).  He has two comrads that were killed in a battle.  There are two gentlemen in the governemnt that seem out to kill him except they have a chance to in the very beginning but dont.  In the last scene he seems to be after the president or vice president.  Not quite sure on that  one.  The movie itself is only one and a half stars..I would give it a half star.  It was made in 2008 and is 1 1/2 hrs long.  Not one of my better picks.

Slow Cooked Pork Barbecue

Add caption

I tried this recipe last night for dinner.  Of course it would have been better if I had read the instructions fully as I thought it only took four hours to cook.  It actually takes about 5 or 6 hours.  The nice thing about crockpot is it just cooks and doesn't take too much work.  I did get a blister from pulling it apart with a fork but it was worth the effort.  I would subsitute the bread for rice..the buns really take away the flavor of the meat, plus I think it is healthier with rice and veggies then on a bun.  So here is my take on the Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook Slow Cooked Pork Barbecue.



1 boneless pork loin roast (3 to 4 lbs)
1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp garlic powder (instead of this I used grill mates steak rub)
1 C bbq sauce
1 C cola
10 sandwich buns (or rice and mixed veggies)

Cut roast in half; place in a 5 quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with the steak rub all over and blend it in.  Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until meat is tender.
Remove meat; skim fat from cooking juices.  Shred meat with a fork and return to the slow cooker.  Combine the bbq sauce and cola; pour over meat.  Cover and cook on high for 1-2 hours or until sauce is thickened.  Serve either on buns or with rice.
(Yield 10 servings)
Unable to give nutrition facts due to altaring recipe.  But if using the salt, garlic powder and buns here is the Nutrition Facts from the book: 1 sandwich equals 410 calories, 11 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 68 mg cholesterol, 886 mg sodium, 41 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 35 g protein.

Upcoming Posts

I will be doing reviews soon.