Veggie Kabobs

I was shopping in Harris Teeter for picnic food when I came across a lovely jewel---veggie kabobs. I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but when I think of kabobs, I usually think of chicken. How awesome! These have squash, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, I can't remember all, but VEGGIES! So, Poison Ivy, here is a great recipe you can do yourself and engage the kiddies. Experts say kids are more likely to "try" their own creations.

Ways to Eat 'Em:
1. Dribble Olive oil over them and sprinkle some salt. After done add a dash of herbs and splash on some red wine vinegar.

2. Brush on some BBQ or Teriyaki sauce for excellent flavor.

3. Raw: just dip in Ranch!

Tips:
1. Soak wooden skewers in water for a bit. I think these directions are on the skewer package.

2. Wrap in aluminum foil to keep from charring. If you do wrap 'em, this is a great opportunity to add lots of flavor. Examples are butter (I know..), Italian Dressing, use your stomach's imagination!

Found Some Recipes:
A Food-Networker: Veggie Kabobs with Herb and Garlic Marinade
not all veggie--fruit too, and some tofu

One from Care2--has a pic that looks like mine!

Simple but Good----plus has the skewer tip on there!

Recipes from Around the World----A Greek One


Hope these are helpful and yummy for ya.

Homemade Pizza

My family has been on this homemade pizza kick. I was really enjoying the endless possibilities until I got sick---and lets just say homemade pizza isn't as great in reverse. But that won't stop me for long because 1) I can totally sneak veggies in for my kids, 2) everyone gets what they want, and 3) it fulfills my slow-but-steady turn over to vegetarianism.

I am doing this post for a good friend Poison Ivy. And Melissa could use it too--since she has a new stove now! I have found that when you can create your own food, it tastes much better. My husband goes wild with his pizza. I don't know how he stomachs some of his creations, but he does. I created a really good one for those of you who like "white" pizzas. It included asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, Alfredo sauce, Italian mix shredded cheese, and a bit of garlic and Parmesan cheese. MMMMMM! I created a Mexican style one too. I tell you, making your own pizza is fun and cheap. And you control what goes in it! So it's healthier too. I'll start you off with my kids' pizza: a basic cheese with a few secret ingredients.

Basic Homemade Pizza

Ingredients
1 premade pizza crust from grocery store or box pizza kit (if you want you can go all out and make your own from scratch)

1 jar of spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce (again you can make your own here)

1 8oz package of shredded cheese, Pizza mix

1 small can of mixed veggies, peas and carrots, etc.. (the secret)

Directions

1. Make crust according to directions. The directions for the whole pizza usually come with the crust or box kit.
2. Puree or mash veggies very well. Spread onto pizza crust
3. Spread sauce over veggies; Mix well.
4. Cover liberally with cheese.
5. Bake it according to directions.
6. Enjoy

Tip: If your family likes hamburger meat on their pizza, now is a good time to try out the Veggie "meat" on them.

Tip: Make your own lovely pizza creations!

Lady J Family Pizzas to date:
1. White Spinach Pizza
2. Mexi-Pizza
3. Island Pizza (ham and pineapple)
4. Hubby's Everything but the Kitchen Sink Pizza
5. Pepperoni-Green Olive Pizza
6. Supreme Style Pizza

As you can see, the options are endless here. Go ahead and give it a whirl. Plus, it is quick and easy. Add a salad and you have a complete meal. Just get the movies!

P.S. If you want a recipe to any of my family pizzas--just comment a request!

Pizza Crust Ideas

Jay's Signature

Baking Like Betty--a fellow Blogger --also a good spot to start checking out that once-a-month cooking craze. look to the lower right hand side of the page

Honey & Jam --another fellow Blogger

Yeast Free Crust

More Sneaky Veggies

I just made Stuffed Shells. Mmmm...

I added spinach and cauliflower! How? I bought some frozen cauliflower and pureed it. That enabled me to skip the whole steaming/boiling process. And I bought a can of spinach. Also, skipping a few steps. I mixed them both right into the cheese mixture. My oldest (the picky one) tasted the cheese mixture and....... she loved it. I make my sauce homemade, so it's healthier anyways. Plus, its sooooo easy. Just make your own once and I'll bet you'll never go back to the jar stuff.

Now, it would've been easy for me to throw in some peas and carrots into the sauce. This time I did use red and yellow bell peppers--out of convenience and the need to use them before they spoiled. The red peppers blended right in. I like to use diced tomatoes in my sauce for texture. This sauce can be used for homemade pizza too! And we all know how kids love that. Don't be scared to puree or mash some veggies that are steamed, boiled, or even canned and blend them right in. Then the sauce can be used for dipping mozzarella sticks or bread sticks. The options are endless.

Here are a few sites to get you started. And BTW, I do not use meat in my sauce--its not my family's tradition.

Sweet Savory Southern site

All Recipes

Wikihow--includes video!

Kids cooking About.com

Low Cal from Fitness and freebies

Johnna Knows Good Food: Yum Yum Gimme Some

One using carrots to avoid sugar!

From a Fellow Blogspot Blogger--jar turned gourmet?

Veggie Products

OK, so I'm sure all of you have heard of Veggie Burgers, "Chicken" patties and nuggets, and "Sausage", etc, etc... Well, I tried some. I mean, I've eaten them before, but this time I remember. Before was such a while ago. And recently I had a bad episode. Let's begin...

In my early 20's:
1. One night I baked up some "Chicken" nuggets. Well, my ex-boyfriend and I got into a big one and I went home (which was next door because he lived beside me with my uncle and girlfriend). Well, my uncle's girlfriend brought my nuggets over to me. In my moment of distress I forgot what I had cooked. I ate one and loved it. I then remembered my "Chicken" nuggets. I asked Robbin, "Are these the veggie nuggets?" She said, "Yeah, you cooked them (duh)." Wow, I thought, theses are good.

2. I tried Falafel Burgers at a place called Jack's Corner on Spring Garden Street. Great! I love 'em! And will still eat Falafel gyros, burgers, whatever to this day.

3. Veggie Burgers: Randomly from store (Boca) and from Cloud Nine restaurant. Liked them, but no big thing. Thought a bit high in sodium.

Recently:
1. Veggie Cheeses: YUCK! I think that Smart Brand--not sure. But was chalky. Ooh. Blech. Tasted it. Verdict: No Thanks.

2. Veggie Dogs: I believe Smart Dog Brand---YUCK! OMG was it horrible! I feel sick thinking about it. Seriously. OMG! They were like gelatinous, yucko, gag-me things. And they were all formed, like crayons. IDK. YUCK! Tasted it. Verdict: YUCK! (I'm sure you got that).

Lately:
1. Veggie Burgers. I have to say I like these things. Especially, the Black bean Burgers from Morning Star brand. I tried the "Italian Sausages" from Morning Star. They were OK; but if you eat them in the same bite as your spaghetti and sauce, you'd never know. Chicken patties, hot boneless nuggets, and regular nuggets are great. All of your nugget-freaks at home will never be able to tell the difference unless they can read the package (in otherwords, hide the f*#@!^+% package). Oh, and those Ginger Teriyaki Cakes (essentially rice patties) from MS are GREAT! Even the "I-can't-eat-hippie-stuff" people at my work liked them. And Boca brand has some awesome mushroom burgers that my oldest said, "These are the best burgers I ever had, Mommy." If that doesn't say enough already. Tasted it. Verdict: 2 thumbs up!

P.S. Hey, Poison Ivy, hope this has been helpful.

Update on Callanetics

OK, so at first I thought I was going to do 10 hours in 10 days. Then I remembered something about doing it twice a week and my aerobics 3 times a week. So, I checked out the back of the VHS cover. Lo and behold--it said to do it twice a week! So I have averaged twice a week. I completed my sixth hour last night. I promised figures--no pun intended. I measured after my last post, same night. My hips were 42 and waist was 36. That's inches around. Geez, I feel so exposed. I measured last night before going to bed and (drum roll): Hips=39 1/2; Waist=34. Yay me! I have not measured my arms or butt width. My area of biggest concern is the midsection.

Side note: My husband has been all over me. He said, "I don't know what it is. It must be the Callanetics, but you are so sexy lately." Again, suspicion of a motive is high.

Callenetics

OK, if you don't know me let me fill you in. I'm 31 and out of shape. Short and sweet--wait, yes I am short and sweet, but I was referring to the story. I have tried Curves diet, Slim Fast, low carb diets, fat flush, The See-Food diet, you name it. I have done aerobics, gym membership, P90X., 10 minute, Belly dancing, Hawaii something...again you name it. Yes, the diets work, but the weight comes back. The exercises work, but I don't stick with them. P90X is something I would recommend to anyone who can physically handle it. It really works for me. So, why not keep on keeping on? I'm "scared" to restart it. Honestly, its that tough. And I'm lazy. OK, I admit it!

So, I decided to pull out an old video called Callenetics, by Callan Pinckney. She claims to make you look 10 years younger--body wise--in 10 hours. Madonna is even a fan. Not that I think name dropping makes something credible, but Madonna has an awesome body at 49, OK. And like Tony Robbins says, if you want to be like successful people you need to learn from successful people. Anyways. I did these exercises before when I was in my early 20's, along with my fave aerobic video (Adidas Say Goodbye to Cellulite). I was looking hot. I attributed my success to Callanetics, one of my BFF's convinced me it was the aerobics. I had wholeheartedly believed it was the Callenetics. Now, I believe that again.

Another tasting has begun. I have totaled three hours. Woo-hoo! The moves appear easy, but don't be deceived. I'm just as sore as I would be after doing P90X. Now, I want to tell you, after doing P90X other exercise programs didn't satisfy me. I would feel as if I was barely moving in the other programs. P90X is hard core. So, for Callenetics to fulfill my need to feel pain is saying something. The other problem I have is commitment. P90X is a 90 day program. Callenetics claims to give results in just 10 hours. That is in as little as 10 days! Plus I could put it to the taste! I'm so hyped.

In three hours what can I say: I feel stronger. Visual results have not been apparent yet, except better posture. My husband said he could see a difference. He didn't know what exactly, but a difference none the less. I don't trust a man who might be after my sexy body. So I will need to take measurements and pics. Maybe I'll post the info. Anyway, until next time.....

Some Sites:

Callenetics

Lose 10 inches

Photos of users

your library?