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Recipe for Pasta with Vegetables and Chicken

Pasta with Vegetables and Chicken

  • Servings: 6 to 8
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Ingredients:

  • 3 cups of broccoli, washed and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cup carrots, washed, peeled, and sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
  • 1 pound of chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 pound of pasta, such as penne or rigatoni
  • 1 cup of Ranch dressing
  • grated Parmesan cheese
  • chopped, fresh basil to garnish

Directions:

Wash and chop the vegetables and dice the chicken.  Heat olive oil in a large skillet.  Add the chicken and saute the chicken pieces with the garlic over medium-high heat, about 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden-light brown and not pink in the center.  Remove from heat when done.  In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Boil the pasta according to package directions.  About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli and carrots to the pasta. This cooks the vegetables just enough to get them tender-crisp.  When the pasta is just tender but not mushy, drain the pasta and vegetables in a colander and then return them to the pot.  Add the cooked chicken to the pot, and then pour in the Ranch dressing.  Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture is combined and heated through.  Serve warm, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil.  Enjoy!

 

 

Busy Times Call for Energy Bites

energy bite mixtureGood recipes never exist in isolation.  They are passed from one person to another, with changes and substitutions made along the way, so they never stay exactly the same. The recipe for Energy Bites that I have posted below is one of those recipes.  A good friend gave me this recipe, and she got it from a friend of hers.  She and I have both made modifications along the way, and it has become a living, ever-evolving recipe.  My friend made these energy bites for my family when we were going through a difficult time and she knew we would not have a lot of time to sit down and eat. They were perfect, because they were portable, easy to eat, and gave us sustained energy rather than the short-lived energy of straight carbohydrates.  I am grateful to her for giving the recipe to me, and I am sharing this recipe now because I see a need for quick, nutritious snacks among friends of mine who have children in sports and other activities.  We are often lamenting about how it is difficult to give our kids snacks that will sustain them through their sports activities, yet will not be full of empty calories or sit like rocks in their stomachs.  So busy parents, this one’s for you!  And this is really for anyone of any age who is going from one thing to the next, and needs something nutritious to get through until the next meal.  energy bite mixture 1These energy bites are packed with protein, fiber, vitamin E (with anti-inflammatory effects), and the “good” monounsaturated fat from the peanut butter.  The ground flax seeds have lots of omega-3 fatty acids (also good fat) and antioxidants.  The sunflower seeds have lots of vitamin E and magnesium.  The chocolate chips and honey give them the sweetness, so they don’t taste too “healthy”.  Also, they are really easy to make–another bonus in busy times.

energy bites and oak leafenergy bites in bowl

Recipe for Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

  • Servings: approximately 25 balls
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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Roll into balls. Store in the refrigerator in a covered container.  Enjoy!

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