Fettuccine Premavera

Another "healthy" recipe I like to use is the following Fettuccine Primavera adapted from the Taste of Home Cookbook.


Try adapting this recipe to your liking, using vegetables that you enjoy, just as I did. You may also want to adapt the cooking time depending on your preferred veggie "doneness".

Fettuccine Primavera

8 oz uncooked fettuccine pasta

1 C. julienned sweet red pepper

1 T. canola oil

1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small strips

3/4 C. chicken broth

1 1/2 t. lemon juice

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. dried thyme

1/2-1 t grated lemon peel (as you like)

2/3 C frozen peas, thawed

1/2 C. julienned carrots

1/2 C. broccoli in small pieces (thawed if frozen)

2 t. cornstarch

2 T. reduced-fat sour cream

1/4 C. shredded Parmesean cheese

1) Cook fettuccine according to package. Meanwhile, saute red pepper in oil for 3 min. in a large (12in) nonstick skillet.

2) Stir in chicken, broth, lemon juice, salt, thyme, peas, carrots, broccoli, and lemon peel. Cook for 2 mintues until heated through.

3) Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into chicken mixture. Bring to a boil and cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring (until thickened and chicken is no longer pink).

4) Remove from heat; stir in sour cream.

5) Pour drained fettuccine in a large bowl and add chicken and veggie mixture. Add parmesan cheese and toss all to coat.

Get Paid to Internet!

So, as some may have notice down at the bottom, I've given Swagbucks a try.  New to me still, but seems very easy to earn those bucks!  I've used it as my usual search engine as well as done many of the daily polls, yet there are still other ways to earn.  After only three weeks, I've earned enough to redeem a $5 Amazon gift card.  As you might notice, those swagbucks have gone way down in number, and that's why!  I invite you to give it a go too.  Please use the link below, sign up, and rack up the bucks!  Who wouldn't want to earn money for using the Internet?
http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/Healthymoneymom

Collect and Reap

No new news here, just a word of encouragement. Have a garage sale! There are lots of ways to beat those excuses- you don't even have to have the sale at your place! By going through things, taking out those that are simply never used, and selling for cold hard cash, you reap the rewards of your effort ($) and clear up clutter. -It makes it easier to decide what to wear in the morning if all the choices are things you actually do wear. Considering the results I've had from using Craig's List, I'd totally recommend that for those things that you really want a certain price for, but for those other things that you just assume get rid of, hold a sale!

Quinoa- "The Gold of the Incas"

In my search for an easier way to eat healthy foods without feeling deprivation or dislike, I discovered the great benefits Quinoa can provide, while being a tasty side dish. According to the site "The World's Healthiest Foods", Quinoa is truly a good choice~
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=142&tname=foodspice">http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=142&tname=foodspice

"Not only is quinoa high in protein, but the protein it supplies is complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. In addition to protein, quinoa features a host of other health-building nutrients."

There are many fancier recipes for quinoa out there, but here's a basic one that you can adapt.

First, with one cup of quinoa, you need to soak to remove the outer coating which can leave a bitter taste. Soak for at least 15 minutes, stirring and draining off a couple times in between. Strain well and transfer quinoa to cooking pot. Add 1 1/2 cups water & 1/2 tsp salt if desired.

Bring to a boil, cover with a tight fitting lid, and turn the heat down to simmer. Then cook for 15 minutes.

Remove quinoa from heat and allow to sit five minutes with the lid on.

Fluff quinoa gently with a fork and serve.

I like to add a little garlic salt and also peas!

Fight Back With A Plan

If you haven't figured out by now that planning has real value, then hear it today. Planning ahead cuts down on waste, cuts the grocery bill, and cuts time. While reading a brief article about toddlers snacking, I was surprised by one sentence. "If you're headed to the market with your child in tow, be prepared to buy an on-the-spot snack, but make it something reasonably healthy." Though I believe they mean well- try to make it healthy-but really?... should my toddler really expect me to buy a snack each time we shop somewhere? And should I really compromise my grocery list and budget each time my toddler wants something? I would much rather spend a couple minutes before we leave to pack a snack that I know I've chosen carefully on a previous shopping trip, probably got on sale and used a coupon, and can even consider what else my toddler has already eaten that day, helping to perhaps fill a gap in her diet with my choice. All I have to do is think about it before we leave and bring it along.


Now, don't get stuck on the "toddler" talk. I'm referring to toddlers because that's the sentence topic I chose to quote, and because that's who I'm planning for, BUT you can enter your child here (at any age) or even... yourself. No maybe you don't have a small tantrum if you don't get a candy bar, but don't we even as adults give in to those very abrupt "cravings"? We have to have it, only because we've allowed ourselves to justify any reason whatsoever. So what if we had instead, had a small, well-thought-out treat on the drive over, or had it waiting in the car for after? Most of us don't need animal crackers to get us through grocery shopping, but if you know you may submit to some bad choices because of lack of planning, then consider combatting that with... a plan!

I use this planning tool for nearly any outing- especially with my child. We bring drinks along for being out-and-about all day, bring a couple snacks when we don't know where we'll end up and when, and even keep items in the diaper bag for unexpected moments of snacking necessity. By expecting the unexpected, we can save money on impromptu moments of weakness, and make better choices on what we eat by not limiting our choices to what's available at the time.

Eat This, Not That

Found this great site recently and wanted to share. Similar to the books, this site shares insightful information about making better food choices that are not always so obvious. http://eatthis.menshealth.com/home
And though I've only been able to skim through the popular books, here's the link to the book as well- not directly related to the website given, just similar name I believe!

Easy Pork Tenderloin, Loaded With Flavor

While visiting a friend's home in Michigan, they served this really tasty pork tenderloin and also shared the easy recipe. Even my husband who's not a huge pork fan, likes this one.

Tasty Pork Tenderloin

4 T. soy sauce

1/2 t. garlic (I use crushed)

2 T. olive oil

2 t. brown sugar

1 t. ground ginger

1/2 t. pepper

Pork tenderloin

Mix up all the ingredients to marinate the pork with in a ziplock bag for several hours. Bake for 45 min. at 325 degrees, uncovered or grill for approx. 45 min. I usually put this on a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with shallow sides) because this will have marinade juices spilling on the pan since I pour it all out onto the pork- or don't pour the marinade for cooking time.

* Did you know?-
The capital 'T' stands for Tablespoon and the lowercase 't' stands for teaspoon?

Doubling Up On Coupons

Money saving hint- You've probably heard that some grocery stores will "double" coupons (often up to $1), but did you know that Target will let you double up? If you have a Target coupon and a manufacturer's coupon for the same item, you can use both. Often Target will issue coupons with your receipt for their own brands, but you can receive Target coupons for national brands in the mail and sometimes coupon packets in the newspapers, and then add the manufacturer's coupon with it. You can also find coupons on their website under "see more"- http://www.target.com/


Bring in your own reusable bags to Target too, and save another 5 cents for this 'go green' promotion!

Light Broccoli Cheese Spread/Dip

A really delicious find was this recipe for a Warm Broccoli Cheese Spread in the Light and Tasty section of my Taste of Home Cookbook. I've always had great reviews when I make it.

8 oz. fat-free cream cheese, cubed

8 oz. reduced-fat sour cream

1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix

10 oz. frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, drained and patted dry

2 C. shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

Crackers to serve spread with
1- I like to briefly food-process the broccoli in order to break up some of the big chunks. Then, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream and salad dressing mix until blended. Fold in the broccoli and 1 1/2 C. cheese.

2- Spoon into a shallow 1-qt. baking dish precoated with nonstick cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake another 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Serve warm with crackers.

Be Inspired By... Anything!

I would say be inspired by the season as I was for tonight's dinner since the changing seasons commonly bring on new foods and inspiration, but truth is if you see something that sparks your interest then go with it! Sometimes seeing a food on t.v. makes me want to go get some too- to a restaurant usually, but I've tried to change the way I think and ask myself how I could make that at home. Sometimes it just won't be the same, but I bet oftentimes it will be better- because you can make it exactly to taste for you, you can make it cheaper, and you can make it healthier.


So as I was yet again trying to figure out what to make for dinner and wanting to incorporate the veggies in the fridge (broccoli and the zucchini from my parent's garden), I came up with pasta salad.

Here's a rough chop of the recipe- remember to not take it literally- use what you like and you have!

Summer Inspired Pasta Salad on a Whim

Cooked pasta- medium shells

One large zucchini - large chunks and grilled on bbq

Broccoli- small chunks and grilled on bbq

1/3 C. creamy dilled cumcumbers -leftover in fridge

1 avocado cut into chunks

1 large tomato cut into chunks

large spoonful of mayo

garlic salt

~this would be great with some leftover chicken chunks too!

Mixed it all together and it the fresh grilled veggies gave it such a great flavor, I loved it as plain as it might be!

And just get those veggies grilling on the bbq first, then they won't take much longer than boiling water and cooking pasta!

Who Says Money Doesn't Grow on Trees?

Even if you have just a small patio and think your thumb is far from green, with a little dilligence you can grow some items that you may want on hand, would love to use over and over (without paying over and over), and control the environment- i.e. organic! Yes YOU can grow simple plants and provide yourself with some great items to cook with. I suggest tomatoes and herbs. Grow some basil and you'll always have it on hand. I love tomatoes and would add them to lots of things if they were always available to me. I can't wait until my tomato plant turns those flowers into fruits.


Just be sure to read the descriptions before buying- there are lots of different kinds of tomatoes, read the planting tips, water daily, and I also recommend a non-plastic planting pot if you need to use pots like I do.

By spending just a few dollars (these plants really are around $3 at convenient places like Target and Walmart), you'll be growing organic food for yourself with an unlimited amount of yield, helping replenish oxygen in the air, and making your home environment a little nicer. Who doesn't like looking at a happy plant? Especially one that is practically growing you money. So who says money doesn't grow on trees? (and little plants too)

Don’t Let Your House Spend Your Money While You Go on Vacation!

Here's a past blog that I thought very appropriate as some will still be vacationing this month:
It’s true, you’re house can spend your money even when left quietly alone with nothing being used. All those appliances even when not in use, are often still using a bit of electricity. That water heater? What do you think its doing while you’re soaking up the rays? It’s sitting there on guard ready as ever for someone to need some hot water. That means your hot water heater is using energy to keep the stored water, HOT and ready, even when you know you won’t be using it for a week.


So I suggest you take a little tour around your home before leaving for some time- such as a summer vacation. Unplug the items that will serve no purpose- ie. don’t unplug the fridge or lights that you want to stay on a timer to make it appear you are home in the evenings. Otherwise, unplug the lamp and toaster…

We’ve talked about lowering the setting on the water heater already, but if you’re heading out for a week, lower it all the way. It can easily be readjusted upon your return.

Then relax and enjoy your time away, knowing your home isn’t eating away at your souvenir budget.

In With the Old

Sure usually its "out with the old, in with the new", but in my case I think I'm better off first bringing in my past blogs from my other site before I continue on.  Think of it like me moving all my things into a new house before I settle in and start redecorating.  This will be a process, but purposefully so.  I bet even my faithful readers may have missed a blog here or there so this way it will be revisited, second bringing all these past blogs over will take a little time and well, I've got a 2 year old- nuff said.  And hopefully bringing them in slowly but surely will help make some time for my old viewers to adapt to the move, and new readers to find me with new material often.  Thank you to whoever you are.  I appreciate the faithful as well as the new.  Come back again as well as leave comments.

Welcome Me to the New Neighborhood

HealthyMoneyMom is moving... here.  I will be working on this being my new home site so bear with me for a bit.  Bookmark me and come back for recipes, money-saving ideas, and more.
Thanks for looking!