Cheesy Spinach Calzones

Cheesy Spinach Calzones
My modifications below recipe

1 package (10-ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 8-ounce package cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese
4 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 13.8-ounce package refrigerated pizza dough
1 egg white
1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Method: Grease a large cookie sheet and set aside. For filling, combine spinach, cream cheese, 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, green onion and pepper. Set aside.

Unroll pizza dough on lightly floured surface. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knive, cut into four even pieces. Spoon filling (divided evenly) onto one side of each piece of dough and fold over, carefully pinching the edges. (You can use a fork and a Tablespoon of water to seal the edges if needed.) Brush tops with egg white and remaining Parmesan cheese.

Place on cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until nice and golden brown.

You can also divide the dough into 25 three-inch squares for appetizers, fill and bake.

My modifications: I use Wildtree's Quick and Easy Whole Wheat Pizza Crust Mix and add 1/4 cup of Wildtree's Alfredo Mix to the filling. It makes it extra cheesy and gives it gourmet flare. Instead of brushing the tops with egg white, I use Wildtree's Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil.

English Carrots

I will post the recipe from the cookbook then add my Wildtree modifications.

English Carrots

4&1/2 cups (1&1/2 pounds) sliced carrots
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons chopped onion
2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash of pepper
1/4 cup crushed Saltine crackers (about 7)
2 teaspoons melted butter

Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook carrots in boiling, salted water until tender. Drain. Place in 1-quart casserole dish. Combine mayonnaise, onion, horseradish, salt and pepper. Mix with carrots. Mix cracker crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until hot. Serves 4-6.

My Modifications:
I use 1 Tablespoon chopped onion and 1 Tablespoon Wildtree's Onion and Chive Blend and 1 Tablespoon horseradish and 1 Tablespoon Wildtree's Cranberry and Horseradish Blend. It just spiffs the dish up a little bit. I often use whole wheat Saltines.

How NOT to make dinner

So this evening was one of those disasters, but not because the food didn't taste good. I had hamburger browning on the stove top for hamburger gravy (you know, that old-fashioned dish that could feed an army for real cheap,) and I placed a big pot of potatoes on the back burner. I turned the burner on high to get the potatoes boiling because the intent was to have mashed potatoes and hamburger gravy for supper.

Well... I walked upstairs for a minute, came back down and was standing next to the stove when an empty 9X13 glass pan (also on the stove top) exploded right next to me. It sounded like a gun shot. I almost crumpled to the floor, but there was glass everywhere so I refrained. Of course our 22-month-old son and the family dog came running to see what was up. I had turned on the wrong burner for the potatoes and instead turned on the one under the empty glass dish.

I ended up throwing out the food because there were glass shards in everything. Instead of hamburger gravy and mashed potatoes, we had egg and cheese sandwiches with fresh garden tomatoes on homemade whole wheat bread with homemade basil pesto mayo. Not bad for not even having a plan B.

Next time I'll think twice about which bottom I'm lighting a fire under!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened ( I used 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup buttered grapeseed oil)
1/2 cup peanut butter (I use JIF natural peanut butter)
1 cup granulated sugar (I use evaporated cane juice crystals)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla (I always use pure vanilla and prefer Mexican vanilla. You don't have to use as much if you use Mexican vanilla.)
1&1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I always use unbleached when using white flour)
2 cups rolled (Old-Fashioned) oatmeal
1 cup chopped cocktail peanuts or chocolate chips (I use dark chocolate chips)

Method: In large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter (and grapeseed oil if using) on high speed with electric mixer until combined. Add sugar, brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in flour and stir in oatmeal and chocolate chips or peanuts.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes or until edges are set.

Healthy choices made easy

It really is the small stuff that matters. Making small healthy changes can add up to a big difference overall. I like having something sweet on hand for dessert, but don't want to compromise my commitment to healthier choices. Besides using all-natural seasonings and spices (Wildtree makes this SO incredibly easy) I am also learning about other alternatives when it comes to baking and cooking.

One thing I have been using in place of white granulated sugar is evaporated cane juice crystals. I buy it at our local indoor Farmer's Market and it is relatively inexpensive. Obviously, raw sugar is another good choice, but that can get pricey if you bake often.

According the the World's Healthiest Foods Web site, evaporated cane juice is healthy alternative to regular sugar. While they are bother made from sugar cane, the evaporated cane juice does not go through as much processing as regular sugar. Visit http://whfoods.org/ and type in evaporated cane juice for more information. The only thing I've noticed with the cane juice crystals is that is has a slightly stronger taste so I have not used it to sweeten iced tea, but use it regularly for baking.

Since we ended up at a birthday party last evening (where I ate way too much) I made the Salmon and Asparagus tonight. I will post the recipes under the "Recipes" tab on my blog. I also made Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with a few minor adjustments to the original recipe to make them more healthy. You can find that recipe under the recipe tab too. 

Bathing suit debacle

Clothing hides a LOT! I found that out today when I tried on a plethora of bathing suits. I thought I was being liberal when I chose the sizes and I picked out a lot of different styles that I thought might work. But alas, I was unsuccessful in finding something suitable.

My first clue that I was going to walk away disappointed and depressed was when I tried on the first one and could hardly hoist it past my thighs. Each one from there on out only inflicted more insecurities. I tried one-pieces and tankinies (even I wouldn't want to see myself in a real bikini). The one-pieces either revealed every abdominal roll (I think they might have even created rolls just to make me feel bad) or I poured out at the top and for the tankinies either the bottoms worked and the tops didn't, or vice versa.

So maybe I need to crank it up a notch and forget the baby steps in my "getting fit" goals! I think I'm going more for toddler steps today. So look out summer and pool season, I am on a mission and I will sport a bathing suit and a few short weeks without shame.

Dinner tonight is Seasoned baked Salmon and asparagus with Tuscan grapeseed oil.

Baby Steps

So maybe I don't get hardcore exercise yet, but I am sticking to my walk/run routine. I comfort myself by saying, "I may not be at the gym, but at least I am not sitting on the couch or in front of the computer." I also consider the fact that I am pushing a baby stroller with a toddler inside (even though he is a peanut) and trying to hold back a 90-100 pound dog that wants to eat or play with every other dog we pass along the way. That, my friends, has to help burn calories. We even walked in sprinkling rain this evening.

And as far as food and eating habits go, I have been trying to train myself before I take a bite to stop and think about what I'm doing. "Am I really hungry?" "Is this a healthy choice?" "Is is really worth it?"

Sometimes, yes, it IS worth it! Two bites of delectable strawberry cheesecake left here by our friends can be my compromise. I'm enjoying some "naughty" food, but not consuming two slices at one time like I would like to do. 

I'm getting there - its all about baby steps!