Recipe: Taco Pasta

Hola!  So last night I made this taco pasta from Plain Chicken - just with a few changes.  Basically, I was trying to make it healthier/less calories, and well whatever I figured I'd share what I did.  The mister gave it two thumbs up [which is rare from him on pasta/hamburger helper like dishes]!

A maybe healthier Taco Pasta, but maybe not ha!

1 lb ground turkey
8 oz pasta shells
1 green onion, chopped (or more depending on your tastes!)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 cup of salsa (use a bean one for more protein!)
1 packet low sodium taco seasoning (really, you could probably get buy on half a packet!)
3 oz of fat free cream cheese (or neufchatel cheese, both have less cals than regular!)
1/2 cup of light sour cream
Shredded cheese for topping (even better would be to skip this, but I still used it!)

1. Get your water boiling and cook pasta.  When you drain it, save 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
2. While pasta is going brown your turkey.
3. Once the turkey is nearly done add your onion. Cook meat through, add the garlic and saute.
4. Next, mix in the salsa and the taco seasoning.  Simmer for about 5 min.
5. Now mix in your cream cheese, sour cream, pasta and pasta water.  Keep stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended.

Top with a bit of shredded cheese and some salsa if desired. Serve and enjoy! :)

Weddings & Weightloss

 [this photo sums up the night! :)]

Two weekends ago, Brian’s sister got married! It was an awesome weekend and an awesome wedding! I had a blast hanging out with Brian’s niece/nephew and many cousins! I don’t know, I have such a small family that it’s fun being accepted into a much larger one. And talking about being accepted, Megan (Brian’s sis) actually put me in several of the wedding photos. Maybe I’m reading into it too much, but you don’t just put some random girl in your wedding photos. WHICH is why being included in them made me feel pretty awesome. It’s nice to be considered family...and not some random girlfriend. :P

Okay, moving forward to a different topic. Last Monday, I hopped on the scale and closed my eyes. I was completely dreading its response, because every time we are gone for a weekend all our hard work goes down the shitter. However, most likely due to all the tennis playing between events AND crazy ass dancing at the reception I seem to have lost more weight. Go me!! I’m going to go ahead and let things get real honest and give you a peek into my weightloss journey. Why? Because many of us have some sort of “weight loss/get healthy” story and I think it’s nice to share and know you’re not alone. So...

[see, bone-y chicah.  This is from senior prom, 2003.  Yes, I wore camo to my prom...ha]

I was always thin. Not because I didn’t eat. I mean I was picky, but that had nothing to do with it. I’m guessing it had to do with genetics (mom is thin, brother is a stick!) and just being an active kid. Then I got older, moved out and had a horrible diet like many college kids...oh and add the beer/booze. Ha, All that + less activities + a handful of break ups (why do girls result to eating then??) + slowing metabolism = chubby girl. My highest weight came after college when I first moved away AWAY from home. It was horrible. I was used to being able to eat whatever the hell I wanted without any visible consequences. The food fairy’s had finally had enough. I think my worst was in 2008/09 and I was 168-170. Gah. I’m only 5’4”, so that was just not good.

[Left: August 2008 around my highest weight;  Right:  July 2012, eating healthy stirfry and "Glamping"!]

Finally, I joined Weight Watchers Online and it worked! I lost about 18-20 lbs and kept it off for about a year or so. Then I gained some back, for the next few years I sort of hovered around 150, give or take a couple lbs. Then this year I thought enough is enough and I’ve finally reached ONE of my goals. I weigh under 140 lbs. 139.5 to be exact, ha! It feels really good and is actually pretty motivating. My final goal weight is 130, but really at this point (since I am in my healthy BMI) I just want to tone up the flab! And I know I'm not "skinny", but I don't think I ever want to be super thin like I used to.  I feel like I look healthy, and it suits me just fine!


Anyway, just sharing. :) I have a pretty extensive “Fitness” folder on pinterest if you are needing ideas or motivation for yourself!

So what’s your story? Have any great workout routines or moves you want to share?? :)

xo,kass

Style Log: Don't Worry, Be Happy

{dress/f21 :: watch/target :: everything else :: no clue :P }

I feel like I need to focus more on doing things that make me happy, rather than just things I just feel like I should be doing. I’m not talking about shirking my grown-up responsibilities or anything - just refocusing things. It’s getting warmer now and I plan on enjoying my summer fully.

So, some things I’d like to do...or stop doing:

-Spend less time in front of the TV. I mean that’s easier in the summer ‘cause “my shows” aren’t on, but still. Sometimes I just get to lazy and spend sunday afternoons watching movies. LAME.

-Be more active. Play lots of tennis. Take Theo on lots of walks. Maybe even play some basketball again. :P

-Explore. I will be living in a semi new town this summer, while I’m familiar with the immediate area I’m not with the surrounding stuff...there will be a lot of new places available to me within a hour or two drive. :)

-Get back into photography! This has really fallen back as of late, not cool, not cool. I really want to get back into the habit of taking my camera everywhere with me.

-I want to learn new things.  My commute is getting longer by about 40 minutes, so I'm thinking about getting some language CDs for the drive - spanish maybe?  Seems the most logical.  And maybe get back into the piano or guitar?

-Decorate or house!  Do DIY home and art projects!

-Maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Eat better!

Okay, that's all I can think of for now!

My friends are headed up this weekend for a girls weekend and I couldn't be more excited! It's gonna rock!  Hope you all have great weekends as well!

xo, kass

 

Recipe: Baked Breaded Peppers

So, a few weeks ago we went out to eat and had this breaded green peppers....and they were SO AMAZING! Now, I only just started eating peppers within the last 6 months or so, but I’ll try just about anything if it’s fried. Of course...fried = unhealthy. Plus, I don’t usually do any frying at home, it makes me nervous...all that oil, I’m afraid I’ll catch my house on fire! I decided that I should try to bread and bake them like I do with fish and chicken. They turned out really yummy, however the fried ones from the restaurant were crispy and these ones were softer. I searched the internet high and low for a recipe or anything to get tips on how to keep the cripsy, but no luck. Regardless, these are still fantastic and a great side for grill night!! :)

Bake Breaded Peppers

You Need:

Green peppers {2 large peppers made about 3 servings}

Butter, melted

Seasoned and/or Wheat Breadcrumbs

Cooking Spray

Foil

You Do:

1. Slice the peppers. You can slice them however you want, but I left the pepper whole and just sliced it...like a cross section. If you take out the seeds first, your pepper will collapse on you. So, the second pepper I sliced it first and then cleaned out the innards, which worked much better!

2. Melt some butter - I think I used 2-3 tablespoons. And mix up the breadcrumbs in a dish or bowl. I used regular seasoned and wheat bread crumbs. You could also probably use some panko...that might actually make a thicker crust if you wanted it.

3. Cover a baking sheet in foil and spray it down with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350.

4. Take a pepper slice, dip it in the butter covering it completely. Then, coat it in the bread crumbs. Lay the slice on the covered baking sheet. Repeat this until all peppers are coated.

5. Cook the peppers. I think I cooked mine for 7-10 minutes on each side. Which probably accounts for their lack of crisp. I think I may put the oven hotter next time and just cook for 5 min, then flip and cook for another 5. Basically, just cook them until the breading is golden brown!

Enjoy! Be sure to let me know if you try this!! :) 

Also...still have an ad giveaway over at Eternal Optimist's blog!!  Ad will be 150x150 AND if you don't have a button I'll make one for you! :)

Recipe: Cheeseburger Soup {healthy version!}

Cheeseburger Soup

You Need:

1/2 cup Carrots, chopped

1/2 cup Celery, chopped

1 cup of long grain rice, cooked

1/2 lb cooked beef

1/2 lb of Velveeta, cubed

1 can of Chicken Broth, low sodium

1 1/2 cup of skim milk

You Do:

1.  First brown your beef.  I browned up a whole lb (cuz I had it!) and saved half for tacos!

2.  Chop up your veggies, cube the cheese and get your rice cooking.

3.  Add the veggies and chicken broth into a sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer (uncovered) until veggies are tender.

4.  Next add beef, rice and milk.  Cook for about 15-20 minutes, do not allow mixture to boil. Stir occasionally

5.  Add cheese cubes and cook on low/medium until melted, stirring occasionally.

This recipe makes about 4 servings, each around 240 calories!  I like to freeze a couple cups in those little one serving tupperware things, then you have a super easy lunch!  (sort of like the potato soup, lol)

(FYI, I got this recipe out of a Taste of Home Diet Cookbook and just adapted it a bit.)

Enjoy!

xoxo, kassie

Recipe: Turkey Cucumber Rollups

I really need to be better about sharing my cooking and crafting adventures. Sometimes I just forget to take pictures, or I remember the pictures, but never get around to posting them! This is a super easy recipe that I found from Rachel Ray. <--so yea, this her genius, not mine. It’s so simple, but so yummy. AND HEALTHY.

You Need:

Tortillas {I get the La Tortilla High Fiber kind}

Cream Cheese, low fat {or get the neufatel cheese like me!}

Cucumber

Sliced Turkey

You Do:

1. Chop up your cucumber. How small is up to you. I chopped up half a large cucumber and it made 5 tortillas.

2. Mix the chopped cucumber and cream cheese together. I used about 4 oz of the cheese, but the amounts on the recipe are obviously forgiving. Just use as much or as little cucumber and/or cheese to get the consistency and taste to your liking.

3. Spread cucumber cheese mixture onto a tortilla, use about a spoonful or 2.

4. Layer the turkey on top of it all and then roll it up!

Super easy and super yummy! My favorite kind of recipe.

P.s. These are super quick to make and easy for lunch! In fact, I made, took photos and ate these, all over my lunch break! :D

Recipe: Baked Potato Soup {freezer meal}

Baked Potato Soup 

{freezer meal!}

Image Source

{I accidentally deleted my photos...and ate the soup.}

What you need:

3-4 large baked potatoes

1.5 Tbs butter

2 cloves of garlic, minced

¼ cup of celery, diced

1.5 Tbs flour

1 cup low sodium chicken stock

2 cups skim milk

Dash of Pepper

Bacon Bits

Shredded Cheese

What you do:

1. Peel and chop up potatoes.

2. In a large saucepan heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add celery and garlic to the saucepan and saute for about 3 minutes. Lower the heat so you don’t brown your veggies!

3. Add flour to the pan and stir in and cook for 2 minutes. Make sure to scrape the pan and get any of the mixture that may have settled.

4. Whisk in the stock and add diced potatoes

5. Then slowly add the milk. Once milk is added do not boil! Stir occasionally.

6. Cook soup over medium/low heat for 20 minutes.

At this point you can either eat your soup or freeze it. Or do what I did, eat one bowl and freeze the rest. This recipe should make about 7-8 servings. I freeze mine in single serving containers, so the in the morning I put it in the fridge and it’s thawed out for lunch. So easy, and it’s only 259 calories!

Oh! When you do eat it...sprinkle on some bacon bits, cheese and pepper to taste! Sooo good!

xoxo, Kassie

Health Report: Snacking!

For me, one of the hardest parts about eating healthy is my snacking! I have the bad habit of snacking at work and it’s usually not the healthiest food. A lot of the time I buy those 90 or 100 calorie granola/cereal bars. They aren’t horrible for you and can be a good source of fiber [if you buy the fiber ones], but I get tired of them. Plus, I have a really hard time getting enough veggie and fruit servings in though out the day. Which is not because I don’t like them, I love fruits and veggies! I think I just tend to forget to add them to my meal. Even when I do have some veggies with dinner I’m still not getting enough for my daily serving. In light of this, I think I’m going to try to plan my snacks ahead and include more veggies and fruits!

Here are a few of my ideas!

Fruit Smoothies

Source: laceyinloveblog.blogspot.com via Kassie on Pinterest

I’ve already done this actually! Check out this ladies blog for directions on prepping your own smoothie baggies!

Celery & Peanut Butter

Source: keepyourdietreal.com via Kristy on Pinterest

Be sure to use low fat PB!

Broccoli & Baby Carrots with Light Ranch

Source: mandeefofandee.blogspot.com via Patricia on Pinterest

Really, this could be any veggies with ranch, soooo good!

Apple & Orange Slices

Source: williams-sonoma.com via Brandy on Pinterest

Actually, any fruit by itself us great...bananas, strawberries, grapes, and kiwi! You could also mix in some almonds with the fruit for something a bit different.

What are your favorite healthy snacks?

Recipe: Fruit Salad

This is so ridiculously easy that you really don’t need a recipe. However, since there are so many ways to make a fruit salad I thought I’d share one of my favorites with you [plus the pictures just look so delish!]. Obviously, you can substitute with different fruit and with different flavored yogurt or juice.

FRUIT SALAD

What you need:

2 small bananas
2 kiwi
Strawberries (probably about 1-2 cups, I just added until I was happy with it)
1 single serving of yogurt (I used light raspberry)
Orange Juice

What you do:

1. Slice up all your fruit.
2. Toss fruit and yogurt together in a bowl.
3. Add a tablespoon or two of OJ - just eyeball it to the consistency you want!

That’s it! A quick and simple dish that you can make at your next brunch! Enjoy!

Recipe: Apple Chips!

Good afternoon!

From now on I will be posting a yummy recipe every Thursday!  I'm definitely not the greatest cook, but I get by. :)  Plus, cooking for yourself is cheaper and usually healthier than going out.

So, I'm what you would call a "grazer" - I like to snack throughout the day.  I obviously try to keep healthy snacks around, but sometimes it's just a pain and much easier to grab some potato chips or something chocolatey.   My friend sent me this recipe the other day and I think it would be awesome to make these in bulk and keep around in ziplocks for a nice little snack!  Enjoy!

Apple Chips

You need:
4 Apples [really you can use how ever many apples you want!]
1/2 cp. Brown Sugar
1 cp. Water
Cinnamon
Saucepan
Paper towels

1.  Preheat the oven to 250°

2.  First slice up the apples very thin.

3.  In a saucepan dissolve the brown sugar in the water over low heat.

4.  Dunk the apple slices in the brown sugar mixture for at least 30 seconds.  I left mine sitting while I cut up the next apple.

5.  Take the apple slices out and lay them on the paper towel to soak up any excess water.

6.  Arrange the apples on a covered sheet [I recommend spraying it, not just foil!].

7.  This is optional, but then I sprinkled cinnamon and some extra brown sugar on top of my apples.

8.  Put apples in oven and bake for 2-3 hours, or until crispy!  Enjoy!

peace, kassie