Hurry I Need Food Fast and Make Mine Healthy!

You know, I am like everyone else.
I am long on "to do's' and short on time!

There's my business, volunteer work, my husband's two rental properties in New York that need constant attention, tax prep for family members and a few friends, my Mom's 79th birthday, my son and his girlfriend are here for a visit,the FAFSA forms that are due soon and my old Shepard Dog is having trouble going up and down the stairs.  Pant pant!

I love a lot of action but it can take its toll on eating healthy!

Even though I spend almost all of my time helping busy woman find food  that they will love to eat and that promotes good health, frequently I arrive at lunch or dinner and have no time to create what I planned for us to eat.

Go figure! 

So this issue is dedicated to all of you out there that want easy, fast, yummy, healthy food.

Recipes and pictures are included:  Enjoy!

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Every time I make these I am amazed at how easy and delicious these little wings are.
They do take a while to bake so go take a bubble bath while you wait!

Ingredients:  Don't blink or you will miss them 8-)
Organic chicken wings - as many as you can eat (oh and I guess you have to figure in the rest of the family)
We do about a pound per person, but we like to eat!
Olive Oil
Lemon Pepper (I love Penzeys)

Preheat the oven to 325
Put olive oil on  a cookie sheet.
Put chicken wings on the sheet and toss with olive oil.
Make sure they are in a single layer.
Generously cover with lemon pepper.
Bake until gooey and crispy.
Watch to make sure that they do not dry out!
Usually about 1 1/2 hours.
Noisy eating is encouraged!

Home-Made Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Who doesn't love french fries?
Who wants all that grease, salt and calories?
Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and are super cancer fighters because they are packed with beta carotene.

Preheat oven to 425.
Cover a cookie sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper.

Ingredients:  Here's another long list!
Sweet potatoes - 1 per person
Olive oil
Coarse Sea Salt
Rosemary
Garlic Powder

Cut sweet potato into lengthwise disks
Cut discs into strips.
Place in a large bowl.
Sprinkle with olive oil and spices.
Toss!
Lay out in a single layer on the baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes on one side,
flip fries and bake for another 15.
They will get crisp!

We eat with either apple cider vinegar, Annie's or Organicville's BBQ sauce or organic ketchup!

Sassy Soba Noodles

Wow I made this the other night in about 8 minutes.

Ingredients:
1 lb package of Soba noodles
1/2 c Hazelnuts
4 Nori Sheets
2 T Toasted Sesame Oil
2 t agave
2 T sesame seeds

I added steamed broccoli but you can add any veggie, cooked shrimp or chicken.

Okay here goes.
Cook the noodles according to the directions.
While that is happening, throw everything else in the food processor - except the veggies or protein that you are going to add - and pulse until chopped but not pureed.
Hold on - here is the tricky part.......drain the noodles and rinse with water.  
Pour back into the pot and add hazelnut mixture, veggies and meat if using and toss.
This smells so good that you will be eating it out of the pot!
We polished this off in about 5 minutes.
Add a salad and you have super quick and delicious meal!
It may be over so fast you forget that you ate dinner.

Tortellini Soup

Okay this is a real recipe - those last three were cheating!

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
2 oz of organic, nitrate and hormone free bacon
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
9 cups of chicken broth
2 t of Italian herbs
16 oz of spinach or cheese tortellini
1 28 oz can of tomatoes packed in puree
10 oz or about three huge handfuls of fresh spinach
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese 
(I pass on cheese but is makes it yummy that is for sure)

Heat olive oil in a pan.
Add onions, bacon and garlic, saute.
Add chicken broth and herbs.
Bring to a boil and add tortellini.
Simmer uncovered until cooked - 10-12 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Add spinach and cook until wilted.
Season to taste.
Ladle into bowl and sprinkle with cheese.

If you decide to save the leftovers don't be surprised that the tortellinis expand and become small couch pillows! 8-)

Sara Leah Chase's Cold Weather Cooking
(This is one of those cookbooks that no longer has a functioning binding, I have used it that much!)

Add a salad to any one of these quickies (except the fries) and you have a delicious meal.

Enjoy!

Have a great week and remember.......
 
  You Deserve to be Healthy!