I belong to a private group on Facebook that is comprised of women who are there to encourage each other through health, fitness, and food. My sister-in-law posted this recipe from Skinnytaste. I had all the ingredients on hand, so I thought I’d give it a try. I was NOT disappointed! I was super simple to make and tastes delicious! You will not be disappointed. Thank you Skinnytaste!
-Tammy
Health tips: kid friendly, diabetes friendly
I don’t know where to start! I grew up eating Chicken Kiev. I LOVE it! We didn’t have it all the time, as it was considered one of those “fancy dinners”. And what’s not to love about chicken, garlic, butter, and parsley?!?! I hadn’t thought about it in years…until…I had a dream that I made little meatballs out of them which got me on the Rachael Ray show! It was the best dream, EVER! Of course, I woke up and realized it was only a dream…however, that didn’t stop me from trying to come up with a recipe and make them! I am so, so proud of this one! Totally took me back to my childhood. I called my mom to tell her. Understandably so, she wants me to make them for her. I cannot wait for her and YOU ALL to try these too!
-Tammy
Health tips: kid-friendly, kidney-friendly, diabetes friendly
Nothing says comfort food more than meatloaf! However, just hearing the words comfort food makes me think of gut-busting food. But not this meal. I’ve lightened it up by making mini meatloaves rather than one giant one. And I nestled them in zucchini noodles and tomato sauce, rather than regular noodles. Protein and veggies makes this a healthy meal! Enjoy!
-Tammy
Health tips: diabetes-friendly, low carb, kidney-friendly, kid-friendly
Who doesn’t love a one-pan dish? Easy clean up! I found this recipe a few years back in my Rachael ray magazine. It’s super easy, healthy, and delicious! My kiddos always enjoy this meal too! You can make it kidney friendly by “leaching*” your potatoes to take out some of the potassium! If you want a quick, week-night meal, then please try this! Thank you Rachael Ray! As always, you are my inspiration! Enjoy!
-Tammy
Health tips: kidney-friendly, kid-friendly
Top sirloin was on sale at Stater Brothers last week for $2.99 a pound! That is a smokin’ deal! Now, what I’m about to say has nothing to do with this particular recipe, but is important to reiterate; make friends with your butcher! When top sirloin is on sale for $2.99 a pound, you buy a ton of it, have your butcher grind it (twice), and divide the ground sirloin into 1 pound portions! BOOM! Ground sirloin for $2.99/lb (then you take it home and freeze it in the 1 pound portions). You can’t even buy ground chuck for that price! Okay, my rant is over…now, onto my grandma’s recipe. So, I bought pounds and pounds of top sirloin; I had the butcher grind some of it up, then I cut some into steaks and froze it, and lastly, made this recipe. It all began when my father-in-law invited us over for dinner a few weeks ago and made Beef Stroganoff. I haven’t had Beef Stroganoff in a loooong time. It was soooo good! I wanted more! So, I was looking through my late grandma’s old recipe catalog and found this priceless baby. I want to share it with you all because it reminds me of Beef Stroganoff. I called my daddy and told him I had found the recipe. I gave some leftovers to him and of course, he totally enjoyed it! It’s not the healthiest of recipes, but I tried to re-vamp it to make it a tad more healthy. In a way, I think of this as a gift to you all! I hope you make it and enjoy it!
-Tammy
Health tips: kid-friendly, cheat meal
This is my grandma’s actual recipe…doesn’t it look like a grandma’s hand-writin’? priceless!
Tonight was going to be red-meat night. We were originally going to cook up some steaks. But then my daughter Kayla said she wanted to make quesadillas instead. And me being super tired because it’s the first week of school, I said yes please! Kayla is a salty-pork-eaten girl! She loves salami, bacon, SPAM…you get the picture! She asked “Mom, can I put Spam on my quesadilla?” I told her “TRY IT!” And so she did! And now I’m sure she is going to make these as often as I let her. It’s not the healthiest of meals, but it take few ingredients, it cooks up quick, and we all loved them!
-Tammy & Kayla
Health tips: kid-friendly, cheat meal
I was watching the Rachael Ray show the other day. Every month she creates a “Burger of the Month” recipe for her magazine. Rachael asked a friend of hers what her favorite meal was growing up. Her friend told her that she liked when her mom made pepper steak. So Rachael created a pepper steak burger. You can check out that recipe here. But this made me think; what was one of my favorites growing up? I loved when my mom made chicken Cordon Bleu in the slow cooker. And so, the inspiration was created! Thank you mom for your delicious take on Chicken Cordon Bleu! And I’ve turned it into a burger! I even give you a choice of two different condiments to add: a creamy, garlicky mustard sauce, or a creamy honey mustard (inspired by Rachael Ray). Now everyone else can enjoy it too!
-Tammy
Health tips: kidney friendly, diabetes friendly*, kid-friendly
A few weeks ago, Kayla came to me in the morning and asked if she can make a smoothie for breakfast. Of course! I told her she should come up with her own recipe and I’ll post it. So she did! Well, then her twin brother wanted to get in on the action…so he did! Here is Kayla’s peanut butter banana breakfast smoothie and my Aidon’s blueberry breakfast smoothie. Here’s to a healthy, kid-friendly breakfast! Enjoy!
-Tammy, Aidon, and Kayla
Health tips: kid-friendly, kidney friendly*
The Fourth of July is coming up! A few weeks back, I had a BBQ for Memorial Day and made these two patriotic appetizers: 7-layer dip and a veggie tray. If you are having a BBQ or are invited to one, you may want to bring one or both of these snacks to celebrate our Independence Day! Cheers!
-Tammy
Health tips: kidney friendly*, diabetes friendly*, kid-friendly, cheat meal**
My hubby has the week off and we’re heading to the beach. I over pack food and drinks. But I’d rather have too much than not enough! My kiddos requested the good ‘ol peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but I wanted a different kind of sandwich to enjoy, so I’m making a panini-a caprese panini….tomato, mozzarella, and basil. If you don’t feel like PB & J, then make this! Enjoy!
-Tammy
Health tips: kid-friendly, vegetarian
Family Apron 