We love vegetables, we love cheese and noodles -- and we love lasagna (see earlier posts). But the last time I made lasagna and used the whole-wheat noodles, I wasn't crazy about the outcome. The noodles were gummy to me, and just not "yummy." So I decided to try a different kind of noodle next time.
Last night, I had veggies (always), I had a can of crushed tomatoes (always), and I had noodles and cheese that needed to be used. So I decided to make a "lasagna-style" vegetable casserole. It turned out really good, and I'm glad I get to have the leftovers for lunch today! (There was only about one serving left of the whole pan -- but that was after supper with family, it wasn't just us.)
Here's what I did:
In my large glass casserole dish, I first drizzled the bottom with olive oil. Then I put a thin layer of the canned crushed tomatoes (just enough to cover the bottom of the pan). Then I put a thick layer of veggies: chopped onion/bell pepper/celery, diced squash and carrots, chopped spinach, a little bit of cooked leftover cabbage. Then a layer of several herbs/spices: salt, black pepper, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, basil, a sprinkle of red pepper. Then a layer of whole-wheat egg noodles, about 1/3 to 1/2 the package. Then a layer of cheese: about one-third or half a carton of cottage cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated parmesan. I topped it all with a layer of crushed tomatoes (the rest of the can), another sprinkle of herbs/spices, and a last sprinkle of parmesan. Covered with foil and baked at 350 for probably about 45 minutes. All but two of the young ones said they liked it, even the ones normally picky about their veggies!
Too bad I didn't take a picture. I'm trying to start doing better about that. Alright, my leftovers are calling me ....
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Overeating -- our brain's response to sugar and fat
See this article with research on the brain and overeating:
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-health/20090420/MED.HealthBeat.Overeating/
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-health/20090420/MED.HealthBeat.Overeating/
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
"There's no sugar in marshmallows..."
I am continuously surprised by the ignorance of our modern culture when it comes to food. I don't mean that in a condemning way, just as a fact. And I can't be too hard, because I remind myself that until recently I was pretty ignorant. Here's the most recent story generating these comments:
Friday morning when I took Jayden to her classroom, we were running a little late and the kids were already sitting down to their breakfast ("morning snack"). It reminded me to tell her teacher about something in Jayden's lunchbox that day (I don't remember what), so the context of the conversation was food and Jayden's menu. Lowering her voice, Jayden's teacher tells me (somewhat hesitating): "yesterday for our dessert after lunch, we had Rice Krispie treats, and I let Jayden have one, because the only ingredients are Rice Krispies and marshmallows, there's no sugar in them...." At this point I'm diligently trying to control my reaction. I could tell by her tone she was a little concerned about my reaction (David says I'm intimidating, and I hate that -- it's not intentional), so I wanted to try to be careful to convey what I intended and not to over-react. Now, a year ago I would have been upset. There is a reason why Rice Krispie treats are not circled on her menu! (I circle the things she can have to eat at school and send substitutes for the things I don't want her to have.) But now I'm better about not getting upset; I realize I can't do anything about the past -- we can't go back and not give her the R.K. treat yesterday -- but we can learn from this to keep it from happening next time. So, the reaction was not so much anger but amazement -- no sugar in marshmallows?!? I just kind of closed my eyes and took it in as she was telling me. She was watching my reaction. I just replied (trying very hard to keep my voice positive and calm): "marshmallows are sugar. Marshmallows are basically nothing but sugar." To which the teacher was kind of surprised and embarrassed.
Now, I think very highly of this teacher, so none of these next comments are directed towards her individually. She is educated and takes very good care of my daughter and her other students. I use this story as an example of what's become normal in our culture. Come on, Rice Krispie treats not having any sugar? You would think knowing that they're a treat and a dessert would directly imply that they contain sugar. I've read articles lately about how ubiquitous sugar is in our food and how much sugar Americans consume. This story reinforces the idea about our ignorance not only about our food in general, but about sugar in particular. No sugar in marshmallows? I couldn't believe it!
Friday morning when I took Jayden to her classroom, we were running a little late and the kids were already sitting down to their breakfast ("morning snack"). It reminded me to tell her teacher about something in Jayden's lunchbox that day (I don't remember what), so the context of the conversation was food and Jayden's menu. Lowering her voice, Jayden's teacher tells me (somewhat hesitating): "yesterday for our dessert after lunch, we had Rice Krispie treats, and I let Jayden have one, because the only ingredients are Rice Krispies and marshmallows, there's no sugar in them...." At this point I'm diligently trying to control my reaction. I could tell by her tone she was a little concerned about my reaction (David says I'm intimidating, and I hate that -- it's not intentional), so I wanted to try to be careful to convey what I intended and not to over-react. Now, a year ago I would have been upset. There is a reason why Rice Krispie treats are not circled on her menu! (I circle the things she can have to eat at school and send substitutes for the things I don't want her to have.) But now I'm better about not getting upset; I realize I can't do anything about the past -- we can't go back and not give her the R.K. treat yesterday -- but we can learn from this to keep it from happening next time. So, the reaction was not so much anger but amazement -- no sugar in marshmallows?!? I just kind of closed my eyes and took it in as she was telling me. She was watching my reaction. I just replied (trying very hard to keep my voice positive and calm): "marshmallows are sugar. Marshmallows are basically nothing but sugar." To which the teacher was kind of surprised and embarrassed.
Now, I think very highly of this teacher, so none of these next comments are directed towards her individually. She is educated and takes very good care of my daughter and her other students. I use this story as an example of what's become normal in our culture. Come on, Rice Krispie treats not having any sugar? You would think knowing that they're a treat and a dessert would directly imply that they contain sugar. I've read articles lately about how ubiquitous sugar is in our food and how much sugar Americans consume. This story reinforces the idea about our ignorance not only about our food in general, but about sugar in particular. No sugar in marshmallows? I couldn't believe it!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Success! Homemade Whole Wheat Garlic-Cheese Biscuits
I made these tonight. Yum! Here's what I did:
Mixed together in large bowl: 2 cups whole-wheat flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp baking soda, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp oregano, and a dash of ground red pepper. (The only thing I actually measure is the flour, so the rest of these measurements are approximate.)
Cut 4 Tbsp butter into small pieces and then mixed into flour with fork until "crumbly."
Stirred in about 1/2 cup shredded cheese. (I think grated Parmesan would work really well in these, too, but I don't have any right now to try it.)
Added 1 cup tomato juice. Stirred with fork and then mixed/kneaded (only a few times) with hands.
Shaped into about 8 large biscuits and baked at 450 for 15 minutes.
I think these were the best biscuits I've made! These are so easy, and so yummy. You'll have to let me know if you try them.
Mixed together in large bowl: 2 cups whole-wheat flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp baking soda, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp oregano, and a dash of ground red pepper. (The only thing I actually measure is the flour, so the rest of these measurements are approximate.)
Cut 4 Tbsp butter into small pieces and then mixed into flour with fork until "crumbly."
Stirred in about 1/2 cup shredded cheese. (I think grated Parmesan would work really well in these, too, but I don't have any right now to try it.)
Added 1 cup tomato juice. Stirred with fork and then mixed/kneaded (only a few times) with hands.
Shaped into about 8 large biscuits and baked at 450 for 15 minutes.
I think these were the best biscuits I've made! These are so easy, and so yummy. You'll have to let me know if you try them.
Baking Powder
I learned something new! This came from running out of baking powder this week:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baking_powder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baking_powder
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Interesting Website
http://www.naturallyhealthy.org/
This is a herbalist who lives in our area. A friend sent me her website link. I haven't had time to read too much on the site yet, but I want to keep it here to come back to, and share it with you, too....
This is a herbalist who lives in our area. A friend sent me her website link. I haven't had time to read too much on the site yet, but I want to keep it here to come back to, and share it with you, too....
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Natural Beauty Products
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/15/three-green-beauty-alternatives.aspx?source=nl
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Hidden Chemicals in our Food ("Food?")
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/29/new-stealth-chemicals-hidden-in-your-food.aspx?source=nl
Finding BPA-free products
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/05/22/where-to-find-bpa-free-products.aspx?source=nl
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