Tangy, sweet flavorful chicken is so easy to make and it goes great with rice.1 ( 3 pound) whole chicken, cut in half

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic, mincedDirectionsRinse chicken halves, and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken, cut side down, in a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine sugar, soy sauce, grated ginger and garlic. Mix well. Pour mixture over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Bake chicken, uncovered, for 1 hour, basting frequently. Test for doneness, making sure there is no pink left in the meat. Let cool slightly, then cut into smaller pieces to serve.Jamaican Jerk ChickenYou don't have to take a trip to the islands in order to enjoy this spicy Jamaican treat. This recipe features jalapeno peppers, fresh ginger and soy sauce.1/2 green onion, minced

1/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root

1 tablespoon minced jalapeno peppers

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 ( 2 to 3 pound) whole chicken, cut into piecesDirectionsIn a bowl, combine green onions, orange juice, ginger, hot pepper, lemon or lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, allspice, cinnamon and cloves. Add chicken, and marinate for 8 hours.Prepare barbecue, medium heat. Cook chicken, and drizzle with left over marinade that has been boiled for 2 to 3 minutes.Savory Chicken MarsalaThe addition of Marsala wine makes this chicken extra special.1/4 cup all-purpose flour for coating

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves , pounded 1/4-inch thick

4 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1/2 cup Marsala wine

1/4 cup cooking sherryDirectionsIn a shallow dish or bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper and oregano. Coat chicken pieces in flour mixture.In a large skillet, melt butter in oil over medium heat. Place chicken in the pan and lightly brown. Turn over chicken pieces and add mushrooms. Pour in wine and sherry.Cover skillet; simmer chicken 10 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink and juices run clear.

As a busy mother, grandmother and wife, I am always looking for easy to prepare dinner recipes that I can make for my family that don't take a lot of effort or time. Each of these three recipes will make 4-6 servings. If you have any leftovers, you can refrigerate them for up to 3 days or freeze them in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.Stroganoff Pork Chops Recipe

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon table salt

6 lean pork chops

1/2 teaspoon ground paprika

1 envelope brown gravy mix

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

1/2 cup sour creamIn a small bowl, combine together the flour with the salt. Rinse chops under running water so that they are moist. Dip them into the flour mixture. In a large skillet that has been sprayed lightly with non-stick vegetable cooking spray, brown the meat over medium heat. In a small bowl mix together the brown gravy packet with water (as directed on package) and then pour gravy into the skillet with the meat. Stir in the chopped onion, cover and simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes. Uncover the skillet and simmer for an additional 10-12 minutes. Remove meat from skillet and transfer it to a serving platter. Stir sliced mushrooms and sour cream into the gravy mixture until it is well combined. Simmer gravy for 5 minutes and pour it over the pork chops before serving.Baked Italian-Style Pork Chops Recipe

6 lean pork chops

1 can condensed Italian style tomato soup

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauceIn a 9" x 13" baking dish, bake the pork chops in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Drain off any fat. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the tomato soup, water, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar and hot pepper sauce. Ladle this mixture over top of the partially cooked chops. Place baking dish back into the oven and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until done.Pork Chops In Creamy Mushroom Sauce Recipe

6 lean pork chops

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup water

salt and pepper to taste

1-2 tablespoons vegetable oilPlace 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into a large skillet with the pork chops. Over medium-high heat, cook the meat for 10-12 minutes or until browned on both sides. Drain off fat. In a small bowl combine together the cream of mushroom soup, water, salt and pepper. Bring temperature up to a boiling point, reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Simmer for 10-15 minutes or until meat is done.

Use these power foods in your healthy dinner recipes. You will have a full and satisfying dinner, without loading up on the wrong amounts of calories.Power Foods

Almonds, and other nuts.

Beans

Berries (raspberries, blueberries)

Dairy (Yogurt, cheese, low fat milk)

Eggs

Instant Oatmeal (regular, unsweetened)

Olive Oil

Peanut Butter

Protein Powder

Spinach and other green veggies

Turkey and other lean meats

Whole grain breads and cerealsNow...here are some awesome healthy dinner recipes for meals using the power foods that I mentioned earlier.Enchiladas

1 lb chicken breast, cubed

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 can (16 oz) fat-free refried beans

1 c wheat germ

6 whole wheat flour tortillas

1 can (10 oz) spicy salsa

3 oz reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, shredded

Salsa and sour cream for garnishHow to put it all together:

Cook the chicken, pepper, and spices in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the beans and wheat germ. Add 3/4 cup chicken filling to each tortilla, roll up, and place seam side down in a nonstick baking dish. Top with the salsa. Cover and bake at 350 F for 40 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Garnish with salsa, sour cream, and cheese.Mighty Muffins

(Power foods: 3)

1 egg

1 pound lean ground beef

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup minced onion

Salt and pepper to tasteIn a large bowl, whisk egg and add everything else, mixing it with your hand until well blended. Divide mixture evenly into a 6-cup nonstick muffin pan. Preheat the oven to 375 F and bake for 25 minutes.BBQ Pork Recipe

1/2 c uncooked instant brown rice

1/2 c frozen mixed vegetables

2 center-cut pork chops, 1 1/4 inches thick

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp mustard

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1/4 c bottled barbecue sauce

1 c applesauceCook the brown rice according to directions. Adding the vegetables as it cooks. Place the pork chops in a broiler pan. Mix together the garlic powder, mustard, brown sugar, and barbecue sauce, and brush the mixture on the chops. Put the broiler pan on the top oven rack, 4 to 5 inches from the heat source, and broil for 8 to 10 minutes per side. Serve with the rice, vegetables, and applesauce.Pesto Pasta

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 c walnut pieces

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 c torn baby spinach leaves

1 tsp dried basil

4 oz whole-wheat spaghetti, cooked

2 Tbsp shredded part-skim mozzarella

Salt and pepper to tasteHow to Make this healthy dinner recipe. Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the nuts and toast them for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the garlic, spinach, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes more, turning frequently. Toss with the cooked pasta and top with cheese. Makes 2 servings per 1-cup servingTortilla de Godzilla

(number of Power foods: 4)

1/2 pound extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey

1/2 cup onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and mashed

2 green chile peppers, seeded and diced

2 teaspoons chili powder

4 large whole-wheat tortillas

2/3 cup shredded lettuce

1 cup chopped tomatoes

1/2 cup grated low-fat Monterey Jack cheeseHow to prepare:

1. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the beef, onion, and garlic until the beef is browned. Drain the fat.

2. Stir in the beans, chile pepper, and chili powder, and cook until hot. Remove from the heat.

3. Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 20 seconds, then fill each tortilla with half the mixture. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese, and roll each tortilla tightly into a tube.Bodacious Brazilian Chicken

(number of Power foods: 2)

1 lemon

1 lime

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1 can (6 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate

11/2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 teaspoon hot pepper salsa

3/4 cup chunky salsaHow to Make this healthy dinner recipe.

1. Grate the zest of the lemon and lime into a resealable bag. Squeeze the juice from both fruits into the bag, and throw out the pulp and the seeds.

2. Mix in everything else except the chicken and salsa.

3. Drop in the chicken, reseal the bag, and refrigrate for a few hours.

4. Grill the chicken, turning and basting with marinade a few times, for 10 to 15 minutes or until the center is no longer pink. Serve with salsa.Mas Macho Meatballs

(number of Power foods: 3)

1 pound extra-lean ground beef

1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers

1 large onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or whey powder

1 jar (16 ounces) tomato sauce

4 whole-wheat hoagie rolls

1/2 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, shreddedHow to prepare:

1. Mix the beef, crackers, onion, garlic, and flaxseed or whey powder into golf ball-size meatballs.

2. In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the meatballs until browned all the way around. Drain the fat from the skillet, and add the tomato sauce.

3. While the mixture is warming, use a fork to scoop out some of the bread in the rolls to form shallow trenches. Spoon the meatballs and sauce into each trench, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, and top with the top half of the roll.Chili Con Turkey

(number of Power foods: 4)

1 pound ground turkey

1 can (14 ounces) Mexican-style diced tomatoes

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (14 ounces) whole-kernel sweet corn, drained

1 package (11/2 ounces) dried chili mix

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

1/4 cup water

1 cup cooked riceHow to Make this healthy dinner recipe.

1. In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, brown the turkey.

2. Add everything else but the rice, and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.

Serve over rice.Salmon Rushdie Dinner

(number of Power foods: 5)

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1 Tbsp ground flaxseed

1 clove garlic

4 6-oz salmon fillets

1 c cooked rice

Green vegetable of choiceHow to Make this healthy dinner recipe.

1. In a baking dish, combine the oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, flaxseed, and garlic.

2. Add the fish, coat it well, cover it, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

3. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F.

4. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat it with cooking spray. Remove the fish from the marinade and place the fish skin-side down on the baking sheet.

5. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes. Serve with rice and a green vegetable.This list of healthy dinner recipes will satisfy you without filling your body full of calories.

Sharing with Friends

Sharing with Friends
Come blog with me. I have free recipes for the whole family...

Boneless Chicken Thighs (crockpot style)

2 lbs skinless, boneless chicken thighs, in 1 inch pieces
Juice from 1 orange
Zest from 2 oranges
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon crumbled dried rosemary
4 slices crumbled, cooked lean bacon
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
2 crushed garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
3 peeled, diced carrots
1 chopped onion
14 1/2 oz can diced peeled tomatoes
6 oz can tomato paste

SERVING: 4

Remove any visible fat from the chicken, then combine it with the orange juice and half the zest, tomatoes and their liquid, oregano, thyme, pepper, garlic, rosemary, onion, carrot, basil and tomato paste in a three and a half quart crockpot. Cover and cook on "low" for about six hours or until the chicken thighs are cooked through. Stir in the rest of the orange zest, the lemon juice, and sugar. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the finished dish.

Ribs: Barbequed Ribs | Submitted By: Gail

4 pounds baby back pork ribs4 cloves garlic, sliced1 tablespoon white sugar1 tablespoon paprika2 teaspoons salt2 teaspoons ground black pepper2 teaspoons chili powder2 teaspoons ground cumin1/2 cup dark brown sugar1/2 cup cider vinegar1/2 cup ketchup1/4 cup chili sauce1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce1 tablespoon lemon juice2 tablespoons onion, chopped1/2 teaspoon dry mustard1 clove crushed garlicPreheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Place ribs on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Scatter 4 cloves of sliced garlic over ribs. Cover, and bake for 2 1/2 hours. Cool slightly. In a small bowl, mix together white sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and ground cumin. Rub spices over cooled ribs. Cover, and refrigerate overnight. In a small saucepan, mix together brown sugar, cider vinegar, ketchup, chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion, dry mustard, and 1 clove garlic. Simmer over medium-low heat, uncovered, for 1 hour. Reserve a small amount for basting; the remainder is a dipping sauce. Preheat grill for medium heat. Place ribs on grill. Grill, covered, for about 12 minutes, basting with the reserved sauce, until nicely browned and glazed. Serve with remaining sauce for dipping.  Amount Per Serving: 8

 

How Can You Become A Healthy Eater?

Eating healthy requires quite a bit of leeway. You might eat too much or not enough consume foods that are sometimes more or less nutritious. However, you should always fuel your body and your brain regularly with enough food to keep both your mind and body strong and alert.

A healthy eater is a good problem solver.  Healthy eaters have learned to take care of themselves and their eating with sound judgement and making wise decisions. Healthy eaters are always aware of what they eat, and know the effect that it will have on their bodies.

Being a healthy eater requires you to become both educated and smart about what healthy eating  actually is.  Being food smart isn't about learning to calculate grams or fat, or is it about studying labels and counting calories.

Healthy eating is all about balanced and moderate eating, consisting of healthy meals at least three times per day. Healthy eaters eat many different types of foods, not limiting themselves to one specific food type or food group.When someone is unable to take control of their eating, they are also likely to get out of control with other aspects of life as well.  They could end up spending too much, talking too much, even going to bed later and later.

You should always remember that restricting food in any way is always a bad thing.  Healthy eating is a way of life, something that you can do to enhance your body or your lifestyle.  If you've thought about making your life better, healthy eating is just the place to start.  You'll make life easier for yourself, those around you, and even your family.