Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Refrigerating your produce can help it keep longer, but not all produce does well in the cooler temperatures. The majority of fruits and vegetables handle cold fairly well, but naturally enough, the exceptions are tropical fruits, whose cells are just not used to the cold. Bananas will suffer cell damage and release a skin-browning chemical, avocados don't ripen when store below 45 degrees, and citrus fruit will develop brown-spotted skin. These fruits, as well as squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, melons, and pineapples, are best stored at 50 degrees - so keep them out of the fridge unless you've already cut them and need to keep them fresh. Most other vegetables, including lettuce, carrots, and cabbage, will do better in your refrigerator, as will fruits like apples, and pears. Garlic, onions, shallots, and potatoes should never be refrigerated because the cold will cause sprouting, loss of flavor, or conversion of their starch to sugar. Keep these foods out of the fridge (at a little cooler than room temperature,if possible) and in a dark cabinet. Humidity is also an important factor, so fruits and vegetables should always be stored in the refrigerator crisper bins, which will prevent them from drying out.

Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Strips w/ Long Grain and Wild Rice

Dinner Tonight: Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Strips w/ Long Grain and Wild Rice

Well I got my voice back, family wonders if that's a good thing or not! But I just haven't felt up to par today. It seems since I went through the Cancer Trial I'll have a day or two of feeling like this every few months. I just feel really run down and no energy but it only lasts a day or so. Thank God for that Cancer Trial though, I was Stage 4 Melanoma at one point. So things could have a lot worse. Really didn't feel like cooking and not all that hungry so I prepared Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Strips w/ Long Grain and Wild Rice.





I used Perdue Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Breast Strips. Since using these a while back I now keep a package or two of these in the freezer. Their great for Lunch or Dinner and a breeze to fix and delicious. They come breaded and you just bake them for 12 minutes, flipping them over after 6 minutes and their done. Good for salads, sandwiches or just by their self. To go with the Chicken I microwaved a bag of Uncle Ben's Ready Rice Long Grain & Wild. I guess my favorite among the Uncle Ben's Ready Rices. Another tasty and easy to fix item, just microwave for 90 seconds and it's ready. A very easy meal to prepare but quite good! It's not bad being a slug every now and then! For dessert later a Healthy Choice Chocolate Swirl Frozen Yogurt.




 

Perdue Whole Grain Breaded Chicken Breast Strips

INGREDIENTS
Ingredients: Boneless skinless chicken breast with rib meat, chicken broth. Contains 2% or less of salt, yeast extract, brown sugar, natural flavors.

Breaded with: White whole wheat flour, wheat flour, water, salt. Contains 2% or less of natural flavors, dextrose, dried yeast, natural paprika extract, potassium chloride, yeast extract, maltodextrin, dried garlic, natural paprika and annatto extracts, yellow corn flour.
Nutrtion

Serving Size 3oz (85g)
Servings Per Container About 8
Amount Per Serving (* % of Daily Value)
Calories 160
Calories from Fat 50
Total Fat 6g (9%)
Saturated Fat 1.5g (8%)
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 35mg (12%)
Sodium 490mg (20%)
Total Carbohydrate 13g (4%)
Dietary Fiber 1g (4%)
Sugars 1g
Protein 14g (25%)


http://www.perdue.com/products/details.asp?id=400&title=PERDUE%AE%20Whole%20Grain%20Chicken%20Breast%20Strips




UNCLE BEN'S® READY RICE® Long Grain & Wild

The rice that's always ready to enjoy. Now, you can have our original delicious Long Grain & Wild Rice recipe with 23 herbs and seasonings in just 90 seconds. This microwaveable pouch also eliminates prep and cleanup. UNCLE BEN’S®. ‘Perfect Every Time’®.

Nutritional Claims & Product Benefits:

Good Source of Folic Acid
Good source of iron
0 g Trans Fats & No Saturated Fat
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Squeeze pouch to separate rice.
Tear to vent.
Heat on HIGH for 90 seconds.
Cooking time for 2 pouches – 2 ½ minutes. Microwave times may vary. Take care when handling and opening the hot pouch. Refrigerate unused portion.

In the Skillet
Gently squeeze the sides of the pouch to break apart the rice, and pour contents into a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. of water and heat.
Stir rice occasionally until heated thoroughly.
Serve immediately.


Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup (125 g)
Per Serving % Daily Value*
Calories 190

Calories from Fat 18

Total Fat 2.0g 3%

Saturated Fat 0.0g 0%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 630mg 26%

Carbohydrates 39.0g 13%

Dietary Fiber 2.0g 8%

Sugars 1.0g

Protein 5.0g





http://www.unclebens.com/Products/Ready-Rice/Uncle-Ben-s-reg;-Long-Grain-Wild#.UhpZ6hvOk20

Simple Applesauce

Apple Sauce with a hint of Cinnamon and Nut Meg, and real easy to prepare! Plus it's another Diabetic Friendly recipe!



Simple Applesauce

Ingredients:

3 pounds Apples - peeled, cored and chopped
3 cups Water
1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
1/4 teaspoon Ground Nut Meg
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon


Directions:

Place apples in a large saucepan and just barely cover with water. Simmer over medium-low heat until apples are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
Run cooked apples through a food mill or blender. Stir in the SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener, lemon juice, cinnamon, nut meg. Cook over medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition Info Per Serving (1/8 of recipe): Calories 100 | Calories from Fat 5 | Fat 0.5g (sat 0g) | Cholesterol 0mg | Sodium 5mg | Carbohydrates 27g | Fiber 5g | Sugars 21g | Protein 0g

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Rice can be stored in the fridge for a longer amount of time if you store a slice of toast on top of it. The toast will absorb excess moisture and keep the rice fluffy and fresh.

Mushroom and Provolone Cheese Grilled Turkey Burger w/ Antipasto Salad and...

Dinner Tonight: Mushroom and Provolone Cheese Grilled Turkey Burger w/ Antipasto Salad and Garlic andHashbrowns

Herb





My voice has come back somewhat but still not full strength from the Laryngitis. Had the 4 Wheel Mobility Scooter out enjoying the day! They say the August Hot and Humid weather is on it's way all next week. For dinner tonight I prepared a Mushroom and Provolone Cheese Grilled Turkey Burger w/ Antipasto Salad and Garlic and Herb Hashbrowns.





I grilled a Jennie - O All White Meat Turkey Burger. A great tasting Turkey Burger and it's a pre-made pattie and only 180 calories. I grilled a total of 10 minutes, 5 minutes each side. Came out moist and juicy with a bit of char, it's hard to beat a grilled burger! I topped it with a slice of Sargento Reduced Fat Provolone and Sauteed Baby Bella Mushrooms , served it on a Healthy Life Whole Grain Bun.





For sides I had an appetizer of Antipasto Salad, purchased this from Jungle Jim's Market Deli Department. I also had Simply Potatoes Garlic and Herb Hashbrowns. First time I've tried the Garlic and Herb Hashbrowns, I eat the plain Hashbrowns all the time. These are just as good with more flavor. For dessert later a bowl of Breyer's Carb Smart Vanilla Ice cream topped with Dole Mango Slices.







Jennie - O Turkey Burgers - All White Meat

Grill or fry these juicy 1/3 pounders as a better for you choice for your family.
Product Features:
Gluten Free
All Natural
Six 1/3 lb. burger patties

Cooking Instructions:
GRILL METHOD:
On preheated grill over medium heat.
Place burgers 4 inches from heat source 7 - 9 minutes per side (turning twice) and until fully cooked to 165°F.


Nutritional Information
Serving Size 149 g Total Carbohydrates 0 g
Calories 200 Dietary Fiber 0 g
Calories From Fat 90 Sugars 0 g
Total Fat 10.0 g Protein 28 g
Saturated Fat 3.0 g Vitamin A 2%
Trans Fat .0 g Vitamin C 4%
Cholesterol 100 mg Iron 6%
Sodium 410 mg Calcium 2%


- See more at: http://www.jennieo.com/products/66-Turkey-Burgers---All-White-Meat#sthash.7U1Du76n.dpuf





Simply Potatoes Garlic and Herb Hash Browns

Simply Potatoes Garlic and Herb Hash Browns have just the right amount of delicate seasoning and they fry up perfectly to a crisp, golden brown because they’re made from fresh potatoes. They’re always fresh, never frozen so you don’t have to worry about freezer burn. No need to peel, shred and season, we’ve done it all just for you.



Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 0Calories 80

% Daily Values*
Total Fat 0g 0%
 Saturated Fat -
Cholesterol -
Sodium -
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
 Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
 Sugars -
Protein 2g



http://www.simplypotatoes.com/products/productview.cfm?prid=46

Grilled Salmon & Zucchini with Red Pepper Sauce

Came across this recipe on one of my favorite sites, Eating Well. This sounded so good I had to pass it along, the name alone, Grilled Salmon & Zucchini with Red Pepper Sauce, just sounds delicious! I left the link so you can get the full recipe.

Grilled Salmon & Zucchini with Red Pepper Sauce

Jazz up simply grilled salmon and summer vegetables with a zesty sauce based on the classic Spanish romesco. Made with roasted red peppers, tomatoes and almonds, this sauce is a great match for any seafood, poultry or vegetables. Using smoked paprika brings out the flavors from the grill. Serve with: Grilled baguette

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see Tip)

1/4 cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers

1/4 cup halved grape tomatoes , or cherry tomatoes

1 small clove garlic

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon sherry vinegar , or red-wine vinegar

1 teaspoon paprika, preferably smoked

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided

1 1/4 pounds wild-caught salmon fillet , (see Note), skinned and cut crosswise into 4 portions

2 medium zucchini , or summer squash (or 1 of each), halved lengthwise......

*Get the full recipe by clicking the link below.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/grilled_salmon_zucchini_with_red_pepper_sauce.html

8 Secret-Weapon Foods for Weight Loss

From the Eating Well web site, it's all about eating healthy and they have the 8 Secret-Weapon Foods for Weight Loss. I left the link at the bottom of the post so you can get them all.

8 Secret-Weapon Foods for Weight Loss

Some of the best diet foods are delicious too!
Want to boost your efforts to lose weight? Of course the foundation for successful weight loss is eating well and exercising, but if you want to power up your efforts, check out this diet cheat sheet of foods that do a little of the work for you. Research shows that these 8 secret-weapon foods can help you lose weight. Find out what they are and how they can help you shed pounds.. .....




1. Mushrooms
Research reports that when people ate mushroom-based entrees, they felt just as satisfied as when they'd eaten those same dishes made with beef—though they'd taken in a fraction of the calories and fat. Swap mushrooms for meat in a Portobello "Philly Cheese Steak" Sandwich and more marvelous mushroom recipes.....




2. Eggs
In one study, dieters who ate eggs for breakfast felt full for longer and lost more than twice as much weight as those who got the same amount of calories from a bagel for breakfast. Think beyond breakfast, too: eggs boost a salad's staying power and make for a satisfying snack. Here are two dozen easy recipe ideas for eggs....




* Click the link below to get all 8 weight loss tips along with some healthy recipes.



http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/weight_loss_diet_plans/diet_exercise_tips/8_secret_weapon_foods_for_weight_loss?sssdmh=dm17.684619&utm_source=EWDNL&esrc=nwewd080813