Recipes You Have To Try.....

Sorry for the leave of absence here on the byrd lately... but something has happened to me.  It's called pinterest, and I'm in deep..... real deep.  I have found so many great inspiring things on there that I find myself waste away all and any free time I have on there, although waste I would call it not.  Anyways..... I also have been busy testing out some of the new recipes that I have been pinning.  Here are a few you HAVE to try!

Spring Pizza - I made this for dinner one night.  It's incredibly light but filling.  I actually like this better than regular pizza!  I made it with a spring salad on the side and I have to say it was the perfect combination.

Doughnut Breakfast Muffins - These were incredibly easy to make and the house smelled heavenly.  I made these for breakfast on Saturday morning.  I also made a large fruit salad with fresh berries.  I did make a few changes to make them healthier.  I substituted the regular flour for wholewheat flour,  the sugar for splenda and the milk for non dairy almond milk. 

 - I loved these Buttermilk Oatcakes with Raspberry Compote!  So did the byrdie family.  I made these Sunday morning and topped them with a smidge of low fat whipped cream.  They were so yummy with the raspberry compote alone that no syrup was needed!  I made enough to freeze for a quick and easy weekday breakfast for the little byrdies.  They were also super filling.... two were more than enough for the mama!

Pizza Cupcakes - now I hate the name of these because to me cupcakes are suppose to be sweet, but that is what they are called.  I made these for an easy dinner on Saturday night.  The little girlie byrds helped me.  Again I made them healthy by subbing out a few things, like making them whole wheat and using reduced fat cheese.  I also omitted the pepperoni and made them with veggies.  I highly recommend making a few with spinach and cherry tomatoes as I did!  They were so good!  I served these with homemade pizza sauce for dipping.  I paired this with fresh diced veggies and some of my skinny dip.

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps - I made these for dinner tonight for the hubbs.  He loved them and ate them up!  I made them exactly as the recipe called for.  I also diced up some avocado and tomato to put on top.  The hubbs added some reduced fat shredded Mexican blend cheese and lowfat sour cream.  The best part is at only 134 calories in two, yes two of these.... it is the perfect recipe to make for that man in your life who needs a lot of food to get full!  I highly recommend you try this!  The mama kept hers vegetarian by having hers with black beans. 

Genius Blondies - Now this is the crowning achievement of my week!  These ooey gooey chocolate chip blondie bars are sooooooo good!  Like, I could live on them and eat nothing else for the rest of my life good!  Now here is the kicker..... they are egg free, flour free and they have only 74 calories per bar!  Now.... don't run away when I tell you this, don't be scared, but they are made from..... beans!  I am serious!  I know it sounds weird but trust me, you have to try these!  I can totally vouch for them.  Oh and so can the hubbs :)

Healthy Eats on the Cheap.... Cauliflower Soup

So with a house full of sickies.... it was only natural to make a big pot of soup.  I wanted to make something different than the usual chicken noodle.  Something a little more hearty and wholesome.  I thought about making potato soup.... but I really wanted to make something with a little more veggies and a little less starch.  I had a big beautiful head of cauliflower sitting in the fridge that I got at the farmers market for cheap.  Then I remembered a recipe I had been saving, a soup that mimicked a hearty potato soup made from cauliflower.  This soup was met with smiles and even a second helpings.  It's the best of all things.... easy, wholesome, healthy,  yummy and cheap!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups onions, finely chopped
• 4 ½ cups cauliflower (florets, about 1 head)
• 3 cups potatoes  (peeled and diced)
• ½ cup carrots, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon caraway seed
• 6 cups reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¹⁄₈; teaspoon black pepper , freshly ground

Directions

Melt butter in dutch oven over med. high heat.  

Add onion and cook until onion is soft and starts to brown, about 4 minutes.  

Add cauliflower, carrots, potatoes and caraway seed.  Cook for 6 minutes until the cauliflower starts to brown. 

Add broth.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 20 min. until veggies are tender.

Slightly mash veggies with potato masher.  Add salt and pepper.

Serve with a crusty bread, or whole grain crackers

Recipes You Have To Try.....

So each of my kiddos have been sick for the last week!  One at a time of course... so it drags out.  First the baby byrd, then the Haylei byrd and now the Sumo byrd.  Sheesh!  Oh and the daddy byrd is not feeling so hot today... so guess who is probably next?  Yep... that aside, since I have been stuck inside my house all week, I have been using it to my advantage.  I have been pretty busy purging and organizing the house.  I have also been cooking up a storm trying a whole bunch of new recipes!  Gotta love Pinterest!   I wanted to share a few of the recipes I have made over the last week that I really really loved!

Cumin Lime and Chickpea Salad (pictured above) -   I actually made this today... I ate it with a dollop of greek yogurt and some lavash.  It is super yummy and easy and... duh duh duh duh healthy!  The baby byrd actually stole it from me and ate it up!

 

Puffed Pancakes - I made this on Sunday morning with fresh fruit and powdered sugar... it was so deli-sh!

 

Salsa Poached Eggs and Grits - I made this one on Friday night.  I used couscous instead of grits, which totally worked.  Brown rice would work well too!  Also if poached eggs aren't your thing... you could cook the eggs separate to your liking ( my hubby prefers over medium).  This was really quick and yummy.  Would be awesome for Breakfast. 

Cucumber Tomato Salad - The husband could not get enough of this!  Again simple, cheap, healthy, yummy and is great on day two as well.  This would be perfect to pack in a lunch with a small pita to spoon it into! 


Have any awesome recipes I should try?  Please leave a comment with a link if you do!  I am always looking for new things to try!

Skinny Tacos on Homemade Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas....

Two out of the three byrdies are sicky over here at the byrdie house.  So needless to say the mama byrd was stuck inside all day.  This is not always a bad thing though... it gave me the opportunity to make some yummy and healthy homemade flour tortillas to go with the tacos I was planning on making for dinner. 

What was so great about these tortillas is that they are made with half whole wheat flour and no lard!  Find the recipe here....


Skinny Tacos Recipe

Ingredients

• Lean & Spicy Taco Meat (recipe follows)
• 3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, (3 ounces)
• 3/4 cup diced tomatoes
• 3/4 cup prepared salsa
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• Homemade Flour Tortillas ( or store bought whole wheat tortillas) 

Directions

 To assemble, fill each taco shell with (in any order): a generous 3 tablespoons taco meat, 1/4 cup lettuce, 1 tablespoon cheese, 1 tablespoon tomato, 1 tablespoon salsa, 1 teaspoon onion.

Lean and Spicy Taco Meat

Ingredients

• 8 ounces 93%-lean ground beef
• 8 ounces 99%-lean ground turkey breast
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, preferably Rotel brand, or 1 1/4 cups petite-diced tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chile, or 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions

 Place beef, turkey and onion in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until cooked  through, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a colander to drain off fat. Wipe out the pan. Return the meat to the pan and add tomatoes, cumin, ground chipotle (or chili powder) and oregano. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 3 to 6 minutes.


261 per serving : Serving size 2 tacos

Five Things I can't Live Without - When Living With Kids.....

I love my kids..... more than anything.  They bring me joy, happiness and fulfillment.  Ninety nine percent of the time I love being a mom, and 1 percent of the time, well I fake it.  I have found that living with kids while rewarding can also be challenging, as anyone reading this who has children know.  For those of you who don't or are just in the beginning stages of parenthood, I thought I would list my top five things that I can't live without that help me from going insane on those 1 percent days....

Storage bins - okay seriously this sounds dumb, but trust me you won't be saying that when you step on a lego at 2 a.m when you are on your way down the hall to tend to a early morning feeding.  I have multiple storage bins, large sterolite ones that sit in my garage with air tight lids keep the kiddos off season clothing ( in a house with three kids there are way to many clothes for all four seasons to store in the closet at the same time).  I have bins that slide under the beds to hold board games and toys that are not part of the everyday play, and small bins that are easy to get to and carry for the little ones which hold everything from art supplies to matchbox cars and animal pet shops.  Spend a little extra and get thick durable ones (I prefer Sterolite), and bins with lids are always a plus ( and preferred in my house). Also look for bins that can stack upon one another.

Easy Footwear - Again sounds stupid right?  You may even be cringing at the thought of crocs.... but again let me say that you will thank me later I promise.  Each of my kiddos have a pair of crocs for the spring and summer months.  When you have a baby on one arm, your car keys and diaper bag in the other, and you are dangling a bottle from your teeth attempting to get the kiddos out the door so that you can get to the doctors appointment you are about to miss, you don't want to be fiddling around with laces and buckles.  The same rings true for winter months.  Each of my kiddos also own a pair of Ugg or Emu boots (for cold winter months) and a pair of rain boots because trust me, no matter how many times you say stay out of that big puddle... they are going to track right through it anyways. 

Activity Tote/Bag - each of my kids have a tote bag filled and ready to go at all times.  You can keep this in the trunk of your car or in the guest closet of your home.  Each bag includes crayons or markers with coloring and activity books, cheap plastic toys (like the little bag of animals you can find at the dollar store) that you won't be upset over if it happens to accidentally get left behind,  a bottle of water, and granola bar (or some other kind of handy snack).  These packed totes are lifesavers for me when we are stuck in traffic, or at the doctors office.  Any style of tote will do, even a reusable grocery bag can be used.  I happen to be in love with the custom tote above find it here.

Digital Ear Thermometer - simply stated: quick, efficient, easy to read and trust me that is all you want when your baby is screaming and burning hot at 3 in the morning.

Real quality time - life gets so busy in this byrdie house.  School for the kiddos, housework, cooking, dishes, laundry, pets, grocery shopping, working etc.  If you listen to nothing else I say... please listen to this.  Try to do something at least once a week with your kiddos.  Whether it be going out someplace so you can remove yourself from anything that will distract or temp you ( that unfolded basket of laundry, or dishes in the sink) or doing something together at home.  I try to do this a few times a week... it might be going out to breakfast on a Sunday morning or driving to the beach for the afternoon.  It can be an after school trip to the park for a couple of hours, or my favorite a movie night at home with a dvd rental and snacks.  Our family likes to make a nest of blankets and pillows when we do this.  The point is.... no cell phone, computers or chores.  Simply sit, dig, laugh, eat, run, joke, play, snuggle and truly take in these moments with your kiddos. 

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches........

I love this recipe for a number of reasons.  The top two reasons happen to be that this is my secret make dinner from leftover chicken recipe..... and it also takes maybe ten minutes to make.  The recipe is given for an individual serving, so it makes it easy to make the exact amount you need.  This is also a great recipe to make and pack for a brown bag lunch.  Did I also mention that it is yummy, and healthy? 

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken
1/4 cup shredded carrots
2 tablespoons bbq sauce
1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 slices of red onion
1 lettace leaf
1 whole wheat sandwich bun

Directions

Combine chicken, carrots and bbq sauce in a microwave safe bowl and mix.  Set aside.

In a small skillet add olive oil and heat over medium heat.  Add red onion slices and saute until onions are caramelized, about 3 minutes.

Microwave chicken mixture for 45 seconds, stopping to stir halfway through.

Place sandwich bun on a baking sheet or broiler pan and place under the broiler to lightly toast.

Assemble sandwiches by placing lettace on bottom half of bun and topping with chicken mixture.  Top with sauted onions.  Top with other half of bun and enjoy.

I like to serve this sandwich with baked beans.

324 calories in each chicken sandwich

Sunday Breakfast at The Way Station........

The byrdie family had a lovely little Sunday.  A little shopping and the best breakfast at a coffee shop here called The Way Station.  The Way Station has been open for over 40 years..... the inside decor is nostalgic and kitschy, the coffee is superb and the food is fantastic!  If you have a chance.. you have to stop by, but be prepared to wait a while for a seat because the place is always packed..

Waffles with Whip-cream and Strawberries.....

Daddy Byrds Country fried Steak and eggs....

A shot of Mama Byrds hash browns.... what the weigh station is best known for.  Haylei got the Thursday Breakfast and Sumo got the French Toast.  Baby byrd had a little bit of each.......

Linguine and Clams........

So I made this for dinner last night... It was hands down one of the top five yummiest dishes I have ever made.  It's really easy and surprisingly very cheap to make.  Also,  as usual it is healthy and low in calories (one serving consists of 8 clams and 1 cup of cooked pasta with broth, and has only 318 calories!)

Linguine and Clams:

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds clams in shells
1 cup salt ( for soaking)
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 3/4 cups reduced sodium vegetable broth or one 14.5 ounce can reduced sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 cups hot cooked multigrain or whole wheat linguine (about 10 ounces when uncooked)
fresh italian flatleaf parsley
finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

Scrub clams under cold running water.  To soak clams, in an 8 quart dutch oven or heavy pot combine 4 quarts cold water and 1/3 cup salt; add clams.  Soak for 15 minutes; drain and rinse.  Discard water.  Repeat soaking , draining and rinsing twice.

In a very large skillet cook shallots in hot oil over medium heat about 2 minutes or until lightly browned.  Add broth, wine, lemon juice and crushed red pepper.  Bring to boiling.  Add clams; reduce heat to medium-low.  Cook, covered for 8 to 10 minutes.  Discard any unopened clams.

Toss together clams and spaghetti.  Top with parsley and sprinkle with Parmesean cheese. 

Makes 4 Servings

Italian Penne with Fresh Mozzerella....

Made this for dinner tonight.... super easy, fresh ingredients, and so good!  Takes about 30 minutes to make and has only 256 calories per serving!  You could even indulge a bit and have a slice of fresh french bread with it.  (FYI french bread that you buy in the bakery section of your grocery store contains 150 calories per slice!  And that's with nothing on it... )


Italian Penne

Ingredients

3 ounces dried whole grain penne pasta ( about 1 cup)
nonstick cooking spray
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 14.5 ounce can of no salt added diced tomatoes
1 14 ounce can of quartered artichokes, drained and halved
1 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup kalamata olives sliced
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves

Directions

Cook pasta according to package.  Drain and set aside

Lightly coat a large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat.  Add onion; cook about 3 minutes or just until tender.  Add garlic; cook for 1 minute more.  Stir in tomatoes, artichokes, chicken and olives.  Cook and stir about 5 minutes or until heated through.  Stir in cooked penne, tossing gently to heat through.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Top with fresh mozzarella and basil.

Makes 4 servings
Serving size 1 1/2 cups

Sarah's Lean Mean Egg Sandwich.....

The key for me is to find easy, quick, filling and yummy choices to get me through my day.  Between the byrdies and the household I have very little time to food prep and cook for myself.  This is my new favorite thing to eat.  It's super quick and filling and it only has 225 calories! The best part is it takes only 5 min. to put together.

Sarah's Lean Mean Egg Sandwich

Ingredients

1 whole wheat sandwich thin ( I use orowheat multigrain with flax seed)
1/2 cup liquid egg substitute ( like eggbeaters)
1 tablespoon of feta cheese crumbles
2 tablespoons of brushetta ( I love trader joes brand)
1 cup of baby spinach leaves

Directions

Pour liquad egg substatute into a microwave safe mug.  Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes.  This will cook the egg and make it into a convienant patty like shape.

Toast the sandwich thins in toaster.  Spread one tablespoon of brushetta on each sandwich thin slices.  arrange spinach leaves on one of the sandwich thins.  Carefully scoop egg out of mug and set on top of spinach.  Sprinkle Feta crumbles on top of egg and top with remaining sandwich thin. 

I eat this with a peace of fruit for a filling and healthy lunch ( would be great for breakfast too!)

What I'm Crushing On......

Chevron Stripes - I love them on everything from walls to clothing

Storage Container House - this has to be the coolest idea I have ever seen!

Mini Party Hats for Toys- I may have to steal this idea for the baby birds 2nd birthday!

Vintage High Waisted 70's Jeans - found these on etsy... I just may have to buy them.

Butcher Block Counter-top - someday.... I will update and renovate my sad kitchen.  I had been sold on granite counter-tops, but now I am in love with the idea of a butcher block counter-top.