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2 In food/ Recipes

2 tried and true recipes to get your family to eat more plants

This post is sponsored by Barilla but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Anyone who knows me knows that carbs are my love language! Give me a nice warm bowl of pasta and I am one happy girl. However, what I don’t love is the way carbs make me feel tired and pack on those pounds. I recently discovered Barilla’s new chickpea pasta and suddenly I don’t feel so bad about eating all that pasta. Made with one ingredient, (chick peas), it’s a nice low-carb pasta alternative and offers up some plant-based protein too. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak those veggies in for your kids.

Here are two easy recipes your whole family (including the picky little ones) will be sure to love.

Pesto pasta with peppers, artichokes and pine nuts

Ingredients:

1 box of Barilla chickpea rotini pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tsps of chopped garlic
2 peppers diced
1 can of artichoke hearts
2 tbsps of pine nuts
4 tbsps of basil pesto

Directions:

Bring a pot of water to a boil
Add 1 box of Barilla chickpea rotini pasta
While the pasta is cooking, in a saucepan, warm some EVOO over medium heat
When the EVOO and pan is warm, add 2 tsps of chopped garlic and lightly brown.
Once the garlic is brown, add the peppers and artichoke hearts to the pan and lightly roast on both sides then reduce heat.
When the pasta is al dente (about 7-8 minutes), drain in a colander.
In a large bowl, mix together pasta, roasted garlic, peppers, artichokes and pine nuts. Stir in basil pesto. (I used about 4 tbsps but you can use as much or as little as you want to taste).
Optional: Add some fresh grated cheese (I love parmesan) and some chopped parsley.

Lemon oregano rotini

Ingredients:

1 box Barilla chickpea rotini pasta
Extra virgin olive oil
cherry tomatoes diced
1 large cucumber diced
juice of 2 lemons
chopped oregano (about 2 1tbsp)
salt and pepper

Directions:

Bring a pot of water to a boil.
Add 1 box of Barilla chickpea pasta.
Cook pasta until al dente (about 7-8 minutes).
Drain pasta in a colander.
While the pasta is cooking, dice up the cherry tomatoes (about 1 cup) and cucumber.
In a separate small bowl, take the juice of 2 lemons and mix with about 2 tbsps of EVOO. Add some chopped oregano, salt and pepper, stirring together.
In a large bowl, mix together pasta, tomatoes and cucumbers. Add the lemon juice/EVOO mixture, combine well.
Optional: top with some chopped oregano, grate lemon peel and shredded mozzerella cheese.

What are some ways you get your family to eat more veggies?

Click here to buy some Chickpea pasta for your family

January 31, 2019 By Nicolle

3 In food/ kids/ Recipes

5 minute Snow Ice Cream

When life gives you snow you make ice cream right? It’s a nice way to treat yourself after breaking a sweat struggling to stuff your kids into their snowpants and jackets and arguing with them why they need a hat and gloves. All that work only for them to run outside and play for 5 minutes, you deserve something sweet. And I suppose the little ones like it too!

Using only 4 ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, this is the easiest recipe to make your own snow ice cream.

Ingredients:

Fresh snow (I used about 6 cups)
1/3 cup Granulated sugar
1 cup Milk
dash of Salt
1 tsp Vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all of your non-snow ingredients. Throw in the fridge while you go gather your snow.

Next, go outside and fill a large mixing bowl with snow. Your kids can help you with this part.

Bring your snow inside and immediately stir into your mixture you made earlier. Keep adding more snow until you get a scoopable ice cream consistency. I used about 6 cups. (You may need more snow depending on how light it is)

Scoop into dishes to serve or store in an air-tight container in your freezer for later. We prefer ours with sprinkles and in our PJs!

January 20, 2019 By Nicolle

1 In Christmas/ DIY/ food

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe

This homemade Irish cream is a favorite among family and friends! It tastes really yummy, makes you feel all warm and toasty inside and makes great homemade gifts.

I make this homemade Irish cream every year. It’s something I look forward to every holiday season and my family and friends do too! In just under 5 minutes you can have your own homemade Irish cream to drink on its own or add a splash to your coffee. Plus, add a cute ribbon and you have your own homemade hostess gift

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups of whiskey
14 oz of sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional – you can also use coconut extract instead, either way both are delish!)

Directions:

Pour all ingredients into a mixing bowl.
Using an immersion blender, mix together all ingredients for about 30 seconds. (You can also blend together in a blender). Just be careful not to overmix so as not to whip the cream.
Pour into a glass bottle or mason jar. Keep refrigerated.

November 14, 2018 By Nicolle

1 In food/ Recipes

5 tips for a winning game day spread!

This post is sponsored by Frank’s Red Hot but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

In our house, Sundays are for Sunday Funday, relaxing and kicking back with the family. And if you know us, there’s always food involved. During the fall season, my husband is a big football fan. (He loves his Patriots.) I’m not much of a football fan so for me, it’s basically a day of laying on the couch and eating yummy food with my family.

Today I’m sharing some of my tips for a quick and easy game day spread so that you can also enjoy time with your loved ones.

1.) Keep it simple

Things like cheese, crackers, veggies, nachos and dip make for easy game day fare. And what’s game day without some chicken wings? I recently discovered Frank’s Red Hot wings in the freezer aisle at Walmart. They’re super easy to make, and come in a variety of flavors like their Original flavor, Buffalo, and my favorite Kickin BBQ.

2.) Use paper products for easy clean up

No one wants to have to do dishes afterwards. I love using paper products so that I can spend more time with my family.

3.) Do all your shopping in one place

I went to Walmart SuperCenter and got all of my groceries and paper products there. I also got some other household stuff we needed for the week as well. I’m all about one stop shopping to help save time.

4.) Serve a warm, fun, festive drink

I love to make either some apple cider or hot chocolate in the crock pot. It makes us feel like we’re having a little tailgate in our living room.

5.) Think leftovers

Everyone in my family knows, when I’m in the kitchen, I cook for an army. It’s something I acquired from my dad. But the last thing I want is for someone to go hungry. So I usually get creative with leftovers.

I take those leftover Kickin BBQ wings, cut the chicken off the bone and toss it in some quesadillas for my little dude. He loves them!

And those leftover buffalo or original flavor wings? Cut the leftover chicken off the bone and throw it in some garbage bread. I also like to take some Frank’s Red Hot sauce and mix it with a little Ranch dressing for some dipping!