Slow Cookin' Split Pea Haven

Here's a healthy recipe for a soup that can be slurped via a straw. I developed it while becoming acquainted with my crock pot oh..so many years ago. This recipe came in particularly handy while I was recuperating from my fractured jaw. It's also perfect for times when you want good nutrition without having to take the time to chew your food.

The longer you cook the mixture, the softer the veggies become. I like to cook it until everything purees together in one wondrous blend.

Slow-Cookin' Split Pea Haven

6 cups water

2 cups split peas, rinsed

1 medium carrot, sliced and peeled

1 small onion, peeled and sliced

1 T Italian seasoning

1 small stalk broccoli, peeled to remove thick outer coating

1-2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup cabbage

* Place all ingredients into crockpot. Stir thoroughly. Set crockpot setting on HIGH.

* Cover and cook for five hours. Stir occasionally throughout cooking time to prevent sticking.

* Cooking times vary, so check periodically.

* Serve warm with a slice of wholegrain bread or crackers.

* Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator.

* Soup can also be frozen for later use.

NOTE: For a non-vegetarian version, you can add a skinless and boneless chicken breast or pork tenderloin to the pot. When done, the protein will easily fall apart with a fork.

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No Time for Hot Cereal?

Sometimes we either oversleep and miss the alarm or simply don't want to take the time to eat hot cereal in the morning. Either way, there is a quick and easy solution to fuel yourself for the day ahead.

Take some time the next before to make a couple batches of your hot cereal. Add dried raisins, dates, nuts or sliced fresh apples to your favorite whole grain cereal. A good combination is some oats, quinoa and flaxseeds for your whole grain cereal base.

Cook up your cereal over medium heat until done. Stir constantly to prevent sticking.

Remove from heat and let cool.

Place into airtight containers. Put into the refrigerator.

When you start your next day, simply take out the prepared cereal mixture and scoop your portion into a cereal bowl.

Heat in a microwave for two minutes to warm thoroughly.

Serve with soy or dairy milk and sweetener, if needed. Or, you can skip the milk. Sprinkle with some cinnamon for extra sweetness and nutrition.

How easy and convenient is this?

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Easy & Nutritious Meal for Holiday Season

It's always nice to be able to have a homemade meal that doesn't take much time to prepare. This is especially true when you're tired for any reason including long work hours, tkr recuperation or illness. Here's a recipe that doesn't take much energy to get ready. Plus, it's nutritious. Can't beat that...I remember eating it as a kid when my grandparents would make it. I've added some modern twists..

Enjoy this recipe throughout the busy holiday season or any time of the year.

Boiled Dinner

6-8 cups water

2 large carrots, peeled and diced

1 - 2” slice of cabbage

2 slices onion

2 potatoes, peeled and however you want to cut them

1 chicken breast, skin removed

1 t. Italian seasoning

¼ t dried basil

3 sprigs broccoli

Place water into Dutch oven, crockpot or large cooking pot.

Add all ingredients.

Cook over medium heat until everything is cooked til tender. If cooking on a stovetop, partially cover. If using a crockpot, fully cover for the duration.

Stir occasionally.

There are a variety of ways to serve this:

* You can serve this as a soup by cutting the protein up.

* Remove the veggies and protein to a serving plate and serve with a dollop of plain yogurt.

*Save the broth for other uses. Use the broth instead of canned broth in any recipe.

* Place a slice of whole grain bread onto the plate and pour some broth over it. Eat this in addition to, or instead of, the potatoes.

Freeze or refrigerate unused portions for later use. Store in airtight containers.

What's nice about this recipe, is you can alter the preparation methods according to how you feel. If you lack energy, simply peel the veggies and place whole into the water.

* Or, substitute peeled baby carrots for the carrots that require peeling.

* You can also buy a package of peeled and prepared fresh veggies to open and place into the water. The choice is yours.

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Eating Healthy Is Not That Difficult

It seems no matter where we turn there is some celebrity exclaiming that they are unraveling the difficulties of eating properly. Their program contains a 'miracle cure' that, even though the individual states they want to help us, really is nothing but common sense. Or, the media is making us believe that eating healthy is difficult, time-consuming or some other such negative connotation. It simply isn't true.

Moderation is the key. Stop eating an excess of processed foods. Not only will this help your budget, it will help your waistline. And...it's not that difficult. Totally eliminating your favorite items is not the key, that will just prompt a stronger response to have the food. Instead, eat the item in moderation. Cut the candy bar into bite-sized pieces and free the rest for future enjoyment. Buy a fast-food hamburger, but use the fat and calories content as part of your total dietary intake figures. You are keeping track of your food intake, eh? If not, start. That's the next item...

Use a food diary. Keep track of what you're consuming daily. Record the food item, the calories, saturated and trans fat, and cholesterol count. That's not difficult, either. You'll be surprised at how many unnecessary calories per day you eat.

Start steaming foods. Steaming provides the quickest way to cook foods and avoids all the excess fat usually involved in other food preparation methods. Which reminds me....

Fat is fat. I don't care how much choosing 'healthy' fats over harmful fats invade our literature. Fat is fat. Lowering your fat content will naturally lead you to eating a healthier meal plan. And, it's not that difficult. Learn to enjoy foods in their natural state. When consuming fat, however, choosing the unsaturated versions will be more heart-healthy than the harmful saturated and/or trans fats.

Speaking of trans fat, try to limit them as much as possible...or avoid them. Trans fat not only raise harmful cholesterol, but lower beneficial cholesterol, according to numerous reports done by a variety of sources including the American Heart Association, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, etc.

For a simple, nutritious and tasty meal:
Steam a handful of spinach, one peeled and sliced medium potato, ½ cup of broccoli, one slice onion, 1 medium peeled and sliced carrot with a serving size of protein. Steam until all food is done. Remove and place onto serving plate. Sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Serve with a dollop of low or nonfat yogurt.

For variety, cook up ½ cup couscous or quinoa and mix with the above mixture.

Voila! How easy was that?

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