Baked Penne

Most people make baked ziti, but I like penne pasta because I can get it whole wheat. 

Ingredients:

1 lb box whole wheat penne pasta 

1 lb turkey burger

1 large jar organic pasta sauce 

1/2 red, orange, yellow and green pepper diced

1 small zucchini squash diced

1/4 purple onion diced

1 pkg baby Bella mushrooms chopped

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons black pepper

1- 12 oz pkg mozzarella shredded cheese

Tools: 

Large skillet

Large pot

Stirring spoon

Strainer

Sharp knife

Cutting board

Aluminum casserole baking dish

Serving spoon 

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. 

In large pot boil water and cook pasta to desired consistency. When finished, strain water with strainer. 

In large skillet cook turkey burger thoroughly and when almost complete toss in all veggies and seasonings. 

When all complete, mix together in large pot. Once all stirred up, layer into casserole baking dish with bottom of dish covered. Add a layer of shredded cheese. Keep layering until pasta and cheese run out. 

Serve and ENJOY.  This is absolutely yummy. 

Banana Pancakes

Healthy banana pancake recipes. I use organic fee range eggs, natural apple sauce. 

Mushroom Beef Stroganoff

Mushroom Beef Stroganoff 

Ingredients: 

1 lb lean ground beef (can substitute turkey burger)

1- 8oz pkg whole wheat egg noodle

1- 10.7oz can low sodium cream if mushroom soup

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 pkg baby Bella mushrooms

1/2 cup light sour cream

Tools:

Large skillet

Large pot

Strainer

Stirring spoon

Directions:

Cook beef thoroughly in skillet, when beef almost cooked add mushrooms and garlic powder to skillet and cook until desired texture or mushrooms. 

In large pot boil water and cook noodles to desired firmness. When pasta is cooked, drain with strainer and add to skillet to cook for 2 mins together. Pepper and salt to taste (if needed) and ENJOY. 

Gotta love my fine china ... comfort food! 

Sweet Salmon

Sweet Salmon

Ingredients:

1/2 lb wild caught sockeye salmon 

2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce

1/3 C maple syrup

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 garlic minced 

1/8 tsp black pepper

Tools:

Baking dish

Extra small mixing bowl (Tupperware)

Measuring Spoons

Table spoon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Mix all ingredients in extra small mixing bowl (not the salmon). 

Place salmon in baking dish and coat with mixture. 

Bake for 17-19 minutes (135 internal temp). 

Remove from oven and serve with sides. I served with brown rice (pepper and feta cheese) and fresh steamed cauliflower. 

Enjoy! 

Baked Apple Chips

Baked Apple Chips 

Ingredients:

3 apples (any kind), I used organic Granny Smith apples).

Cinnamon

Lemon juice

Tools:

Sharp knife

Large baking sheet

Parchment paper (I did not use this, BIG mistake) 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Slice the apples thin (the thinner the better, if they are thick they taste soggy). Line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Soak each side of the apple with lemon juice. Line the pan with apple slices. Sprinkle cinnamon over the slices. Bake for 2 hours. 

These are a healthy, easy, delicious snack. 

I know I used aluminum foil...not a good idea. The apples stuck to the foil and were near impossible to peel away. I read a recipe the called for parchment paper, I suggest that's what's used. 

We were still able to enjoy mostly all the apples, but it was work to get them off the foil to eat. 

ENJOY! 

The Avid Mind Of An Anxious Moment

The avid mind of an anxious moment

Mind is racing a million thoughts a minute...yet, can't just focus on one. (That pain in my leg is a blood clot, my chest hurts...it must be a heart attack, my head is killing me...is it a stroke? Brain tumor?, my stomach hurts...is it my organs failing? cancer? I can't eat that because i might be allergic, I can't take that medicine because it will kill me, can't go to sleep because I might die from all these problems, hard time breathing...is it a PE? cancer? .... stop thinking, stop thinking, why do I feel like this? Not again). Heart starts pounding...pulse check, racing heart. If my heart beats too fast will I die? Sweaty palms...can't get a grip. The room is closing in. Everyone can see my fear. They're all looking at me...yet, there's no one here. I'm all alone. If I die will they find me? Can they save me? My chest is killing me. Is this real pain or is it panic? Should I call 911...should I go to the doctor...? I feel like I'm going to throw up. I have to poop. The room is spinning and I can't catch my breath. Help me please ... someone, anyone, everyone. Calm down please ... this is not okay. This is not real. None of it! You can do this, walk it off. You're being absurd. Walk, walk, walk...deep breath in through your nose, now out through your mouth. Repeat over and over and over. Keep repeating. Calm yourself. Pulse check, slowed nicely, you're still alive. Praise yourself. It's finally over. That was the longest 2 minutes in history. Glad it was a short attack this time. 

8 Minute Yoga for Better Sleep

Exercise is necessary for sound sleep, but you should not exercise intensely at least 4 hrs prior to bed. Yoga is great to help relax for sleep. 

Here's a simple 8 minute yoga plan to do at bedtime for better sleep.