Anyone following me on Social Media might be wondering if I have fallen off the face of the planet, right? Never fear. I am alive and well and burning the candle at both ends, working on a tool you are going to LOVE! I will make the big announcement on Monday, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, it's high time I share the most amazing recipe I made for my family after church last Sunday. When I was a teenager, I use to LIVE off of Dinty Moore Chicken and Dumplings mixes. With parents who both worked full-time and my crazy schedule
Lately, breakfasts at our house consist of two different choices: smoothies and toast or oatmeal. Thus, when I whip up anything hot, the kids think I’m the best Mom ever. (See, the trick to being an awesome Mom is just to set the kids’ expectations pretty low. Ha!) Once my sleep schedule normalizes with the baby, I will get my act together act breakfast time again. This French toast is pretty basic, but I have put a more whole-ingredient spin on it, and I have made it friendly to those who need to avoid gluten. I hope you enjoy this
Oftentimes, I am asked to take dinners to families in my Church Congregation who could use a meal for whatever reason--new baby, surgery, funerals, etc. Since I know how to cook Gluten-free foods, I often volunteer to bring dinners to those families who need to avoid wheat. This is a variation on my Hearty Corn Bread to fit those needs, and it is just as moist, spongy, and delicious (or maybe even more so) as the original. Enjoy! Hearty Corn Bread (Gluten-Free) Dry Ingredients2 1/3 Cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour1 1/2 Cups Bob's Red Mill Stone Ground
'Tis the season of New Year’s resolutions. Whether that phrase gives you anxiety or invigoration, we just can't avoid all the diet and exercise fodder that surrounds the New Year. Anyone who knows me or who has read my blog knows I am not a proponent of fad dieting. Instead, I advocate for eating a balanced diet made up of mostly plants and whole grains with reasonable portions of animal products and treats. I strongly believe there is room for every food in your diet! That being said, I like the attention we give to our health through New Year’s
Everyone’s favorite dinner at the Andersen table is this homemade Mac and Cheese. It’s so popular that each member of the family (including Dad) requests this for their birthday dinner. It is just that good. I believe there is nothing wrong with sneaking a little extra nutrition into classic dishes. The butternut squash in this Mac and Cheese goes almost undetected. Best of all, it adds a good dose of vitamin A, carotene, fiber, folate and antioxidants to an otherwise not-so-nutritionally-dense food. Also, the bright orange squash provides a beautiful natural food coloring. Enjoy! Creamy Butternut Mac and Cheese Classic mac and
The Andersen household rarely lets a week go by without consuming Bean and Cheese Crisps for at least one meal. (That's what they call them in Arizona, where Neil was raised.) This is a go-to meal for our babysitters to make when we are away, on Sunday afternoons after church, or on weekdays before school. The beans add a bit of nutrition and fiber. Serve this with some salsa and a smoothie and you have a complete meal! Bean and Cheese Crisps (Quesadillas) 15 oz canned black beans (drained)1 teaspoon garlic salt1/2 teaspoon cumin6 flour tortillas2 cups sharp cheddar (shredded)
Does the title of this wrap seem a little contradicting? Is it Mediterranean? Or is it Swiss? I guess you will have to taste it to find out! This is a great meal to pack in my kid's school lunch or just for me to have on the go during the day. It's chocked full of goodness that keeps us well-nourished during the school/work day. Enjoy! Mediterranean Ham and Swiss Wrap 1 large Sundried Tomato Basil Tortilla2 teaspoons Ranch Dressing1 ounce Honey Ham (Deli Slice)1 ounce Swiss Cheese (sliced)1/4 cup spinach (or arugula)1/4 cup avocado (mashed)1/4 cup red bell peppers
Last week was busier than I prefer. Especially at the Christmas season, I prefer to slow things down a bit and enjoy the Holidays with my family. Lucky for me, the calendar is a bit more open this week and I am looking forward to relaxing as much as my family of 7 will allow. Here's what we have going for dinners this week: Monday, December 3 http://heartysmarty.com/southwest-black-bean-burgers-with-oven-fries/ Tuesday, December 4 http://heartysmarty.com/barbecue-chicken-chopped-salad-gluten-free/ http://heartysmarty.com/hearty-corn-bread/ Wednesday, December 5 http://heartysmarty.com/roasted-butternut-penne/ http://heartysmarty.com/apple-and-bacon-spinach-salad-with-balsamic-vinaigrette/ Thursday, December 6 http://heartysmarty.com/vegetable-beef-stew/ Friday, December 7 http://heartysmarty.com/whole-wheat-pizza-crust/ Saturday, December 8 http://heartysmarty.com/hearty-sweet-potato-quinoa-skillet/ Sunday, December 9 http://heartysmarty.com/slow-cooker-thai-peanut-chicken/ http://heartysmarty.com/mandarin-chicken-kale-salad/
This sweet and savory dish will impress everyone at your next family dinner. It’s festive, tasty, and TENDER! With both slow-cooker and Instant Pot directions it is so EASY! This is a fool-proof recipe, folks. To complete the meal, I serve this with garlic mashed potatoes and Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette. Update 2/9/2022: I concocted a dynamite recipe for homemade Catalina Dressing. If you prefer not to use the bottled stuff, this recipe takes just 5 minutes to whip up and it works GREAT in this chicken. Enjoy! Instant Pot (or Slow-Cooker) Cranberry Chicken Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
Like most families in the United States, we eat a pretty traditional dinner for Thanksgiving: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and rolls. To be honest though, I’m never all that excited for the those things. It’s the side dishes I get jazzed up about! Well, and the pumpkin pie of course. Below is a list of the appetizers and sides we love to eat on Thanksgiving Day. I hope this finds you on time as you are doing your last minute meal planning for the big day. Happy Thanksgiving! Citrus Zest Cranberry Sauce OK. I recant what I said about the
