Last week in our 5pm newscast our medical minute talked about Body Mass Index and children. The study found kids with working moms had a noticeably higher BMI. They attributed it to a couple of things, one kids are alone and so mom isn't there to monitor their food intake. The second reason is busy moms tend to not cook home made meals and instead resort to take out or fast food.
This scares me. When Lydia starts eating meals with us, I want us to already be in a good habit of eating healthy at home together. And the study kind of re-enforced what I was already doing. I plan out to make at least four meals during the week. The left overs hold us over for at least two more days and we eat out usually one meal. What the study made me do was to start looking for new and healthy recipes. Nothing I make is terrible difficult and many recipes involve a crock-pot. Since I work evenings I usually make our evening meals in the afternoon and either have my husband finish it up or we re-heat it.
One of our favorites is chicken/shrimp/tofu coconut curry. That ones easy because I buy pre-made sauces from Target. We also love Shrimp/Tofu Pad Thai, Swiss cheese chicken casserole, lasagna, peanut sauce chicken, pulled pork, beef stew and the list goes on.
Here's a recipe I just made for Tortellini, its easy and sooooo good:
1 (1 ounce) packet of white sauce mix (I used Alfredo, its by the pasta sauces)
3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (I actually used 5)
1 (14 ounce) can of chicken broth
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cayenne pepper
1 (8 ounce) package of cheese tortellini, I just used a frozen bag from hyvee
1 1/2 cups of half and half
6 cups of fresh baby spinach
6 cups of fresh baby spinach
Spray your crock-pot or slow cooker with cooking spray, put in the white sauce and mix in 4 cups of water until mixture is smooth
Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Add chicken, broth, garlic, basil, oregano, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to mixture
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours (or on high for 3 hours)
Stir in tortellini, and cover and cook for 1 more hour on HIGH
Stir in cream and fresh spinach and you are done.
Whats really good to is to sprinkle shredded Parmesan on top of each serving.
Happy cooking everyone!
Rachel Pierce
