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Instapot Heart-Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken
Dad is beginning his 3rd week in the hospital. He’s now in the cardiac rehab unit and learning all sorts of ways to function without putting pressure on his arms. I had no inkling all that entailed recovering from a heart attack and bypass surgery. TV and movies definitely gloss over the intense parts. Not only his he recovering from double bypass surgery, he also has his sternum and ribs healing, as well as several incisions on his lower leg. The ribs and sternum were sawed through so the surgeon could get to dad’s heart, and the leg incisions are from the surgeon searching for a viable vessel for the bypass. …
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Heart Healthy Fried Cauliflower Rice
My family has made a very conscious decision to begin a more heart-healthy lifestyle. Mr. Man and the 4 amigos as well as my parents, siblings and their families; we’ve all decided it is time to make a permanent change together. As I have been researching heart-healthy foods and recipes, I’ve noticed it isn’t as hard as I assumed it would be. The recommendations from the American Heart Association as well as the CDC and Mayo Clinic all suggest low sodium, low-fat diet with complex carbs and plenty of fruits and vegetables. For an individual who has hypertension, high cholesterol, and/or heart disease (especially if they’ve had a cardiac event) the…
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Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a family favorite…and I never make it exactly the same. This time around I didn’t realize I was out of canned green chilis, but I did have mini sweet bell peppers so I roasted those in the oven as a substitute. Turns out that was the best idea ever and I feel the need to share this version of the enchiladas. Just like most of my recipes, they’ve evolved and become better over the years. I learn tips and tricks and I experiment with the outcome. Sometimes the end result is amazing, and sometimes it’s poo; but isn’t that what take-out pizza is for? The recipe starts with chicken,…
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Meal Planning Monday
Mac’n’cheese is a favorite for most people; definitely a favorite of my boys. Except they are super picky about the flavors, they usually prefer the fake Kraft mac’n’cheese with the powder. I have tried and failed to create a made from scratch mac’n’cheese that the amigos are willing to eat…until tonight. This instapot broccoli mac’n’cheese recipe totally hit the spot for all of them, even with the broccoli. AND…the best part is it was completely cooked in my instapot all at once, including steaming the broccoli. Instapot Broccoli Mac’n’Cheese 1-16oz box of small pasta (elbow, shell, bowtie…your choice) 3Tbsp butter 4 1/2 cups water 1/3 cup dehydrated onion 1lb fresh…
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Meal Planning Monday
When I meal plan each week, I like to have some quick dinner options, especially for days full of chaos and activities. A few family favorites are cheese tortellini with marinara sauce and Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Meatballs that are found at Costco. Both are no-thinking foods that I don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen for. Another thing I love to do is roast veggies for a side dish. Roasted carrots are the ultimate favorite, but roasted asparagus comes in a close second. When you roast vegetables in only some olive oil it brings out their natural flavors. So when carrots are roasted, they get super sweet and when asparagus…
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Meal Planning Monday
Mondays are my meal planning and prep days. I know…it’s somewhat unusual. Most people like to plan, shop and prep on the weekends. I find planning and prepping during the week, while the older amigos are at school, is not only easier but gives me time to be more creative with the meals I choose. With Bean and Keegs approaching teen years, their appetites have increased significantly in the last year. I’ve had to get rather creative with meals and snacks to keep them appeased and well fed. Someday soon I will have 4 boys who are teenagers and older and I suspect that I will feel like I am…
