Smart Food

Buffalo Chicken Dip and Ways to Spookify your Dishes for Halloween
Tis the season for chips and dips!  Football season means easy foods to munch on as you’re watching the college game on Saturday or the Pro on Sunday!  I have some favorites, including the Mexi-Melt of Beans – my father-in-laws favorite!  Here’s another one that will have you wanting to lick the bowl!
Hormel Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup ranch salad dressing
3/4 cup hot wing sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 (12.5-ounce) cans Hormel® Chunk Breast of Chicken, drained
Crackers, tortilla chips and celery sticks

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F. In large bowl, combine cream cheese, dressing, hot wing sauce and shredded cheese until well blended. Gently stir in chicken.
Spoon mixture into 2-quart casserole. Bake 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips and celery sticks for dipping.

Kicking it Up a Notch …

No More Leftovers, It’s a Brand New Meal Now!
Meatloaf, roasted chicken, spaghetti & sauce…these are all common dinners in my home.  I may serve meatloaf on Monday but will have enough remaining to serve it again.  No problem for me, but I’ve been blessed with both a husband and 5 year old who might as well roll their eyes when I suggest we’re having the dreaded word LEFTOVERS!
So let’s start with that meatloaf.  How can you switch it up to keep it from being just a leftover dish?  Serve it as a meatloaf sandwich or dice it up and throw it into a pot of tomato sauce and treat it like meatballs.  What are your ideas?
Fellow bloggers Kim Tracy Prince, Whitney Moss and Renee Moss chatted as part of Ragú®  Mom’s the Word, on this Recycle, Reuse, Reinvent episode!  Renee’s reuse …

Interview with Celebrity Chef G. Garvin – Shares ways to make dinner prep easier!
Chef G. Garvin’s experience as a great chef and a single father make him a true expert of dinner preparation with kids in tow.  Last week I shared some of Chef’s great suggestions of using ground turkey as the base to many different meals.  Watch the entire interview with Chef G. Garvin and learn firsthand his other suggestions for busy moms wanting to serve yummy, healthy meals!

If you could ask Chef G. Garvin a question what would you ask him?
 

Ragu© Mom’s the Word Talks about Grocery Shopping with Kids! Do you?
I did it yesterday. I sort of hated it. Alright, it wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but I prefer to keep the occurrences to a minimum.  What did I do? I went grocery shopping with my 5 month and 5 year old.  It could have been much more of a nightmare than it was!  But, it could have been way easier if the girls where home with Nana.
Grocery shopping with children certainly has its pluses and minuses.  I utilize my 5 year old to grab a lemon, box of pasta or entertain the baby who is strapped into her carseat locked into the cart. But, her help, while very much appreciated, isn’t exactly what I need what I want to get through a big list. The “I’m tired Mom. When are we going to be done?” whining …

Coca-Cola #FamilyNight with Celebrity Chef G. Garvin, Smarty Pants Mama & more! Giveaways!  Tues., 10/11 7-8PM EST
Using Sunday afternoon to prep for the week ahead is a Smart Mama strategy!  I recently Skyped with Celebrity Chef G. Garvin of Turn Up the Heat with G. Garvin.  He shared that being your own sous chef on Sunday can save a Smart Mama loads of time as the weeks kicks in.  Dedicating time on Sunday to dice your onion, carrots, peppers and other veggies will make dinner prep after soccer practice a whole lot easier.
Ground Turkey a Great Base!
Ground turkey is Chef Garvin’s go to protein. He finds it to be an easy base for a lot of meals.  Tacos, meatballs, meatloaf, and chili were some of his suggestions.  He also reminded me that sandwich night is another great way for a busy family to have …

Ways to Make After School Snacks Healthier!
After school snacks can get junky and repetitive.  Just as fast as our morning goes, we’re awaiting our kids at the bus stop before half the laundry gets done.  Exhausted, yet wired, kids are ready for the afternoon.  Hours of soccer, ballet and gymnastics cram our days and my daughter is always STARVING from the moment she sets her book bag down!
Bags of chips, chocolate filled granola bars and sugary cookies are often what kids want.  As Smart Mamas we need to remember nutrition is still important, even after a long day at school.
Making Better Choices
Here’s a chart provided as part of my involvement with the Hormel Extended Family Blogger program to help Smart Mamas think of healthier snack options.

Instead of…
Try this…

Sugery-sweetened beverages
Soda

100% Fruit Juice
Fat-free or 1% milk
Low sodium vegetable juice
Water with sugar-free flavoring

 Full calorie chips & crackers

Unsalted sunflower seeds

Balancing the Dinner Budget – Ragu Mom’s the Word on Dinner Asks Moms
An on-the-budget dinner isn’t always so easy.  We’ve all done those last minute recipes where we spend an arm and a leg buying the ingredients at full price because our pantry was empty.  I’ve learned, the hard way I might add, the importance of stocking up.  I’m not saying 30 jars of olives and 50 bottles of mayo.  I think taking advantage of the buy 1 get 1 free promotions for items that can help make easy dinners is a Smart Mama strategy.
Stocking Your Pantry
My pantry is typically stocked with these 5 essentials for easy, yummy meals:

Pasta
Sauce
Canned soup
Canned veggies
Broth

With 1, 2 and even all 5, I can create something fast that will be enjoyed and won’t stress me out to make! 

Fresh local produce is something a Smart Mama LOVES!  I’m sure you all agree!  Whether you’re at a local farmer’s market, partake in a farm-share or have a great produce department at your grocery store, the freshness of good produce is something we all want for our families.

My near 5 year old has developed a recent fascination with red peppers.  I need to jump on this before the fascination turns to disgust like asparagus did last month.  (I’m sure I’m not the only mother dealing with a stubborn eater!)  This locally grown veggie is great at summertime.  It’s perfect for grilling, adding to kabobs and including in salads.

As we transition from summertime schedules to the school routine, I continue to look for recipes that are not only are healthy and easy to make, but they must be yummy too. During a recent trip to Publix Isabella had a blast …

Another great slow-cooker YUMMY recipe for back to school days!  I adapted this recipe from EatingWell.com.  It tastes great with a serving of brown rice and salad.  My daughter, the picky eater, LOVED it.  The chicken comes out moist, which is a challenge for many of us when making chicken.  Leftovers taste great, too.  I served a thigh and the sauce on top of salad greens and it was great.

As we get ready for the crazy back to school schedule, we need to stack our decks.  We need to have plans in place to increase our chance of success.  The slow cooker is a busy Smart Mama’s friend!  It can be the sous chef that we have always longed for.  Dedicating often less than 15 minutes, a Smart Mama can get dinner organized during nap time, while kids are in school or even before they wake up!

The slow cooker cooks dinner throughout the day, giving you time to do the other millions of things on your to-do list!  As we begin this school year, I hope to share meals that are both easy and yummy, perfectly inline with a Smart Mama’s needs and appetites!

What about a S’more isn’t to like?  Yummy graham cracker, soft sweet marshmallow and chocolate… mouth is watering now.  When I think of S’mores I think of summer evenings growing up in Long Island.  Weekends typically included at least one night of my parents grilling on the Weber.  The very best part, and my fondest memory, was the toasting of marshmallows on the fading flame of the grill after the burgers and corn were eaten.

The marshmallows tasted great on their own, but there was something that was above and beyond exciting for a kid….toping the marshmallow with chocolate and sandwiching it within graham crackers!

Dinnertime doesn’t always have to be disastrous.  Finding ways to encourage a positive dining experience is pretty much every Smart Mama’s dream.  If adding a seatbelt to your preschool/elementary aged child’s chair would be appropriate, I bet half of you would use it no time.  Or if every child was so excited to try the new vegetable you have placed on the plate, I am certain you might find a few speechless moms.

Together, we have all “been there, done that,” in attempting

Elbows, elbows off the table; this is not a horses table! Ever hear that one?  Ha. I can’t even count with all the fingers and toes in the world the times my mother recited that to me.  Ok, so fast forward a few years and here I am, reciting the darn chant to my 4 year old (my 2 month old is allowed to do what she wants at this point!)
Elbows on table, eating with your mouth full, playing with your food…table manners are important, or are they?

Whether you are cooking up some burgers, chicken breasts, or pork tenderloin, it is crucial that you adhere to the recommended guidelines for meat temperature.  Carelessness with this could result in a health hazard to those who would be eating your wonderful cuisine.
According to the USDA, “Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Meat and poultry cooked on a grill often brown quickly and may appear done on the outside, but still may not have reached a safe minimum internal temperature to kill any harmful bacteria.” Using a meat thermometer is the Smart Mama way of being certain of a meat’s doneness.  You need to place the thermometer at the thickest part of the meat. This will help ensure accuracy when reading the temperature.

My opportunity as a Hormel Extended Family Blogger is inspiring a little Iron Chef for Smarty Pants Mamas this week!  Let’s try using an ingredient that is often a pantry staple.  It’s used “as-is.”  It’s used in appetizers, entrees and more.  Think of ways you have or could use it.
So, this week I put before you…. Hormel® Chili with Beans!

Yummy! How can you use it?
Here’s my favorite way (compliments of my step-mother-in-law) of using it in a quick and easy appetizer!

It’s always a crowd pleaser and a staple anytime the guys are watching the game! Many variations can be found of this dip.  Maybe you have your own.
Mexi-Melt of Beans
Ingredients

1 can of Hormel® Chili with Beans (without beans if you prefer)
1 box of cream cheese
1 package of shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 325, or have microwave ready.  In an oven-safe/microwave-safe medium …

Lawhorn’s Signature Seasoning
This family owned and operated business (lawhorns.net) has put together a delicious seasoning blend perfect for chicken, steak, pork, seafood and pretty much anything else that would appreciate a great bold flavor!  Believe me, we tried it!
I began with 4 chicken legs placed in a 9×13 glass dish.  I sprinkled the seasoning liberally over each piece.

I even pulled the skin back to get the seasoning really “in there.”
I baked it in the oven at 425 for about 50 minutes. The aroma in the house as it baked made us drool!  The cooked chicken looked, smelled and tasted fantastic!  It had the right amount of kick to it!

You can find Lawnhorn’s Signature Seasoning at many grocery stores. It can also be purchased online.
Disclosure: A bottle of the product was provided for review purposes. All opinions …

Got meat?  I know you do!  From lean beef to juicy pork tenderloin, our carts get filled with these excellent sources of protein each week at the grocery.  Some of us buy small portions and others buy the large value packs.

Regardless the size we need to always remember that although tasty, the meats can easily become health hazards if certain precautions aren’t followed!  Below is a list of tips for Smart Mamas and Dadas to remember when shopping the meat case.

Make the refrigerated meat case your last stop to ensure meat stays cold as long as possible until you get home. I’ve seen SmartMamas using bags like these to keep their meats cold when transporting from the grocery to home.  I’ve never personally used one.  Have you?
Be sure to choose packages that are cold, tightly and completely wrapped with no tears or punctures.  I like to dig …

Hitting the grill this summer?  We love to grill!  Burger, dogs, chicken, pork…you name it!
Now through August 5th you can enter The Elevate The Everyday™ Summer Dining Sweepstakes by Hormel Foods to win one of 3 great prizes!

13 winners will be selected and you could be the Grand Prize winner, enjoying a $500 value outdoor grill for your backyard dining this summer!  Other prizes include,
First Prize: Two Grills ($200 value each)
Second Prize: Ten Summer Grilling Coupon Prize Packs ($45 value each)
To enter, head over to http://www.Facebook.com/HFRecipes and LIKE the page.  Click the Summer Dining tab and complete the entry form!  You can access the official rules from there!
Stick around Facebook.com/HFRecipes for loads of summertime recipes and more!
Disclosure: I am currently a member of the Hormel Foods Extended Blogger Program and this post is part of my involvement in …

I welcome Karen Boykin of  www.lacabezagrande.com as a guest writer this week!  You may remember her delicious sounding suggestion of making Chilaquiles when I asked readers to suggest ways to use leftover taco meat.  Her idea is a perfect use of pantry staples, that’s nutritious too!
Karen plans on devoting part of her blog to fresh food and cooking, as she’s in the process of a diet and lifestyle makeover.
Liven Up Those Leftovers!

Stretch your food budget too, with this Mexican-style recipe, suitable for breakfast, lunch or a hearty snack. They’re called chilaquiles and they’re made in a variety of ways with tortilla chips or corn tortillas – either as fried strips or layered whole, like lasagna. The toppings are up to the cook. The one thing they have in common is that they are an inexpensive use of leftovers, combined with staples that …

It’s nearly the 4th of July. I can’t believe it! What does the 4th of July mean to you?  A reason to BBQ, head to the beach and enjoy a day off?  That’s the answer for many of us.  Let’s try to remember on this 4th, the reason we celebrate – our independence!  The parties, fireworks and more are all in tribute to our successful independence from Great Britain.  Our fight continues overseas as our servicemen and women risk their own lives in the name of freedom!  This 4th before heading to the BBQ or the beach, think about those men & women.  Consider having the kids make some handmade cards to send over to the troops, thanking them for what they do each day for us.
Now, let’s get onto the yummy foods we all love during the summer BBQ season.  At your party, be a …

It’s the 1st day of summer!!! Woo Hoo!  Actually, summer means heat, ridiculous humidity and 100% chance of afternoon thunderstorms in South Florida!  That aside, there are summertime food treats that we all love 100 degree heat and all!  Popsicles, watermelon, sherbet, corn on the cob, burgers & dogs….Yes, I’m getting hungry.  As Ragú’s Mom’s the Word series continues, let’s keep up the conversation about dinnertime!  Although the dinnertime setting maybe different (more outdoor dining) the story is still the same…getting kids to eat a quality meal!
How are you incorporating some summertime foods with dinner?  Do your kids enjoy them?  Is it easier to conive your preschooler to eat salad with the ambiance of the outdoors and threats of no upcoming beach day if she doesn’t have a bite?  Remember the Mom’s the Word conversation with Kim Tracy Prince …

This past week I had a very proud moment, I welcomed my husband Tom to the land of blogging.  Drum roll please….here’s Smarty Pants Dada!  He’s chock full of stories, advice and more that he hopes to share with you and the dads in your home!  Head over the SmartyPantsDada.wordpress.com and take a look!  Follow him on Twitter too!  @SmartyPantsDada
For his 1st guest post, he is sharing his(our) experience with Harmony Valley Foods and a fantastic contest they are holding!  Please enjoy his post!
Never in a million years did I think I would try a dehydrated veggie burger mix, until a unique opportunity presented itself, my wife Smarty Pants Mama received a package of Harmony Valley Vegetarian Hamburger mix to try.
I was incredibly skeptical at first, I am a meat and potatoes kind of guy.  Then I thought about what …

Using leftovers can be a challenge.  Serving them the same way can often be a bore. Earlier this week I made tacos for dinner, feeding my husband, father in law, 4 ½ year old & myself.  The 2 pounds of ground beef proved to be much more than we needed.
Does that ever happen to you?  Maybe it is an intentional extra vat of ground beef, chicken or shrimp that you make in hopes of using a portion for a future meal.  Other times it’s more of a woops, where you really overestimated the tummy sizes of your dinner guests!
Thank you to the fabulous readers of SmartyPantsMama.com, I have a great list of ways to use the taco meat (ground beef) leftovers!  What do you think of the list?  Which leftover creation would be 1st on your list?
1.  Katie suggested…

to add it to beans and make chili. …

In an effort to have enough taco meat to feed 3 adults and 1 hungry child I made 2 lbs of taco meat for last night’s dinner.  Lots of tacos were eaten…soft and hard, plus a yummy taco salad filled my plate!  After all tummies were full I realized that I overestimated the amount of taco meat (ground beef) that would be consumed.  With a little less than a pound of seasoned taco meat sitting in a storage container in the fridge, I’m left figuring out how to use it for tomorrow night’s dinner – and it CAN’T be TACOS!
Please use the comment form below to submit ideas for using leftover taco meat!  I will share the ideas in an upcoming post, being certain to give you each credit!
THANK YOU to all the great responses!  See here for a awesome list of ways to use leftover …

A few weeks ago I shared 4 of our favorite places to get a quick easy breakfast in Miami. Today, using a new tool, LikeList from LikeList.com, I’m making it a more shareable list, one that can be updated with tips from me, you and complete strangers! What do you think? Have a list you want to create?

Well I’m a Smart Mama of 2 now!  This week we start our postpartum healthy eating routine!  Gone are the days of endless bowls of ice cream, chips and dip and spoonfuls of peanut butter!  Tom has been a great pregnant spouse…he put on weight as I did throughout the last 9 months!
Our 1st phase of returning to normal, healthy eating begins with dinners this week.  We’ve decided to try a different SkinnyTaste.com recipe each day, as we have learned through experience that her recipes are always delicious and healthy.  I began by looking through the circulars to see what the protein deals were for the week, (chicken, pork chops and shrimp) and I searched throughout Skinny Taste for recipes to use our proteins!
Monday:
Pork Chops with Dijon Herb Sauce
Pork chops are one of our favorites and there’s nothing like a good …