Smart Food

I’m exhausted.  Yes, as a mommy of a newborn (just 9 days old) and a 4 1/2 year old my energy and time on hand is very limited!  Dinner these next few weeks must be simple and not complicated.  I’m also trying not to break the bank by ordering out every night – you know that is what I really want!
Monday was the 1st day of really being a stay at home mom of 2.  My husband was off at work.  I had the girls, with one at least in school for half the day.  I picked up the house, I napped and enjoyed my girls!  Again, with limited time I needed to cook up the London Broil that we bought over the weekend at Target.  I needed an easy recipe, one with limited ingredients and steps.  I searched and came across some great ones but …

Have you spotted Smarty Pants Mama on the screen at http:///www.Facebook.com/ragusauce? Be sure to visit the Mom’s the Word on Dinner app to see me share my insights on these videos:

Is your dinner online of offline?
What are your go-to veggies?
What was your funniest dinnertime moment?

Simply Join the Conversation and scroll through the 9 videos available!  Which is your favorite?  Which one relates to you & your family the most?  Leave a comment here or there to share your own insights!  Let’s use this time to share stories and tips with moms just like us!
Disclosure:  This post & videos were created in connection with my appointment as an Ambassador in Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner Program.
 

Finding great breakfast choices in Miami isn’t too hard, there are some great one’s to pick from!
We love Sunday mornings.  With a child in our house and one arriving any day now (I’m 37.5 weeks preggo,) waking up early isn’t much of our choice.  On Sundays, we get out the door by 8, head to church and then typically head out to breakfast.  I grew up going to church around noon each Sunday followed by lunch at a local restaurant, Leo’s in Garden City, NY, for much of my life.  It’s a tradition that I now maintain with my own family.  Since we are far earlier risers than I guess my parents and I were, breakfast/brunch is our weekly meal rather than lunch.  I also must admit that not only do I love our yummy family breakfast; it also tends to be a little …

A quick lunch before the movies is something this Smart Mama house loves!  Just this past weekend we headed over to Burger King for a yummy lunch filled with hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and my daughter’s favorite, chicken tenders!

The latest Burger King chicken tenders are delicious; this was evident through my picky eater who engulfed them far faster than the sandwich I made her the day before!

Our Burger King outing was part of a promotional event by Burger King to introduce these new yummy tenders.  The crowd was great, filled with families all enjoying a Saturday lunch together.  My daughter and her cousins had a blast!
After our tummies were filled up, we all headed out to a local movie theater, Sunset Place, to see the adorable movie Hop!  It was such a cute …

 
We’ve all seen the commercial, come across the ad in coupon circulars and more for the Hidden Surprise Easter Egg Treats using Kelloggs Rice Krispies cereal!  You watch it, especially with kids, and you have the instant desire to make them.  They look adorable and they don’t look to difficult to make!
Well for a “nothing thankfully planned on this Thursday afternoon” type of day, I stopped by Target and picked up the ingredients.  My daughter was ecstatic when I picked her up from pre-school with the news of what we would be doing!
The first steps are your standard Rice Krispie Treats recipe….melt the butter, add the marshmallows and stir in 6 cups of cereal.

 
 
Now it got a little more challenging!  We took out 2 larger sized plastic eggs and began to stuff them each with the mixture.  This is when we realized that the direction to butter …

It’s been some time!  Here’s our yummy menu for the week!  Please understand that I’m nearly 35 weeks pregnant so my cravings are in full force!
Monday:
Pollo Tete
I’ve shared this recipe a few years ago.  It was given to me by 2 cousins at my bridal shower.  They each wrote up the recipe not knowing their sister was writing up the same one to share with me.  It’s that easy and good!  I’m serving it with rice and sautéed zucchini.
Recipe:  http://smartypantsmama.com/2008/04/free-for-me-friday-yummy-chicken/
Tuesday
Skillet Chicken Nachos
I subscribe to the Betty Crocker Dinner Made Easy newsletter.  This past weekend a recipe for Chicken Nachos popped up.  I haven’t stopped thinking about them since!  (pregnancy mind!)
Recipe:  http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/skillet-chicken-nachos/9bf0c3be-09dd-4b1b-8cf4-a9cfa979b232?WT.dcsvid=MzI1ODgzNTg5MAS2&rvrin=34BA3A72-8369-4CFC-A090-F58ECF284E25&WT.mc_id=Newsletter_DME_04_10_2011
Wednesday
Braised Pork Chops with Mushroom & Onions
Here’s another recipe I received at my shower.  Another one that’s super easy and yummy!

2 tsp. olive oil
2 large onions, halved & sliced thin
1 …

My daughter is a riot, who can drive me a little bonkers at times.  Dinnertime is always an event.  I’m sure you all can relate.  This event can be productive, humorous or in reality, more often than not, frustrating!
Let’s think about those more humorous times.  You know, the ones where you mumble, “I can’t believe she just said that!” or “I can’t believe he just did that!” which have you red and laughing as you try to maintain order at dinner!
I recently sat down with moms Mindy Roberts (http://www.themommyblog.net) and Vicki Howell (http://www.VickieHowell.com) to converse about our funniest dinnertime moment.

This Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner episode is also available for you to watch at Facebook.com/RaguSauce!  Be sure to visit Mom’s the Word on Dinner and “Join the Conversation” by posting your funniest moment!  I’m sure there are …

How do you create instant excitement with 2 four year old little girls? Just mention popcorn, candy, movie and a game and you can image the reaction!  I recently had a Pop & Win Popcorn Party Playdate for my daughter and niece.  The afternoon was such fun!
We opened a new box of Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn and started off with the excitement of microwaving the popcorn.  You know how kids are so fascinated by watching and hearing popcorn pop!  To add to the excitement our popcorn was a Pop & Win bag!  All you have to do is pop a bag to reveal a heat-activated code and see if you’ve won.  One in six bags is a winner so we were hopeful!  You should have seen their anticipation as we watched the popcorn bag rotate in the microwave; they tried …

Peas. Carrots. Broccoli. Corn. Sometimes Cauliflower. Red pepper when cooked.
That would be the huge assortment of vegetables that my 4 ½ year old will eat without much protest.  Dare I introduce anything new, it would certainly be a fight.  You see my daughter is in that stage where “I don’t like it,” is stated BEFORE she even tries it.  I don’t understand.  “How do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t even tried it?”  All along I’m thinking if someone offered me beef tongue for dinner I would respond just like her!  She’s in ways nervous to try something new and prefers her “comfort” veggies.  Better that than nothing.  Right?  I’m still not trying beef tongue though!
In a recent conversation with moms Kim Tracy Prince and Daphne Brogdon as part of Ragú’s Mom’s the Word on Dinner, I was quickly reassured that I am …

I love trying new recipes.  Most of you have learned that about me.  I especially like recipes that are not only yummy, but fairly easy to follow.
On a recent trip to Publix, my local supermarket, I used my SmartPhone, to find a recipe for pork that I found on sale.  (You also know I love to buy things on sale!)  Now, I do use my phone a lot when I shop.  I have several recipe apps that are great resources when I’m trying to figure out what on earth to make for dinner that week.  The app I used on this visit was a little more unique than the standard recipe databases.  This recipe collection, Hormel EZCook made my “what can I do with this pork” dilemma end in seconds.

This web-based application, accessed at http://m.hormelEZcook.com showed me a list of Hormel …

TV on? Phone within reach?  One eye on your Facebook feed?  Do you twitch when you hear the chirp on your smart phone that a text has arrived?
As a mom, is your dinnertime online?  Are you still “attached” to the online world while you dine with your family? That’s what Ragú® Mom’s the Word on Dinner is asking moms today!
We all know what the “Super Mom” answer is…, “Of course not.  I would never allow my family to watch television during dinnertime and all phones are shut down and not accessible.”
Ha. Ha.  I know the truth!  Even Smart Mamas face a BIG challenge when we sit for dinner and the ding-ding on our phone is heard letting you know that text has come in, maybe one you’ve been expecting all night.  What do you do? Do you ignore it until all the peas and carrots are …

Week of February 14, 2011
It’s Valentine’s Week!  Yes, we are already in the middle of the 2nd month of the year!  Wow, time is flying by!  Below is the menu I’ll be cooking and serving this week.  Yesterday during breakfast we discussed as a family what we were each in the mood for this week.  The menu is a compilation of everyone’s requests!  Let me know which recipes you try!  I really hope some of you try out the homemade pizza for Friday.  It actually has you make the dough and all!  We did it about a month ago and it came out delicious!
Monday: Happy Valentine’s Day! My big valentine picked Country Style Ribs and my little valentine picked corn!  I’ll serve the ribs with some basic roasted potatoes and corn on the cob!
Ribs recipe:  http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/bbq-country-style-ribs/Detail.aspx
Tuesday
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Of course a SkinnyTaste.com recipe has to …

PAM Baking came to the rescue last week when Isabella and I attempted to make mini blueberry muffins WITHOUT paper cups!  My daughter got frustrated the last time we made her favorite breakfast treat, when the muffins got stuck on the cups.   I knew that the next time around I would need to do something to keep a tear from her eye when she baked and ate her muffins!
I discovered the solution….PAM Baking. This solution is so simple, that I roll my eyes at myself for not thinking of it sooner.  According to http://www.Pam4You.com, PAM® Baking combines the unbeatable no-stick power of PAM with real flour. It’s specially formulated to reach every nook and cranny of even your most intricate bakeware. PAM Baking is the secret to your baking success. It is no-stick where you need it most.
Our “intricate bakeware,” the mini-muffin tin, …

Below is this week’s dinner menu at this Smart Mama home.  This week is a little crazy in the here, we’re moving!  Not far, just 4 miles away…but honestly the distance isn’t the challenge; it’s the packing, moving and unpacking. Add to the situation that I’m 5 months pregnant making it a wee bit more of a pain!  So here’s the menu, taking in mind that we are cleaning out our cupboards, fridge and freezer with this week’s recipe!
Week of January 31, 2011
Monday:
Pork tenderloin, Cuban black beans and rice
Pork recipe: I’m making life easy with this one.  I’m going to season the pork with salt, pepper, lime and onion and bake it at 425° for 25-30 minutes.
UPDATE:
Just finished eating our dinner tonight and the pork came out delicious! I ended up adding a diced onion, juice of half a lemon, a little olive oil …

Below is the dinner menu at this Smart Mama home this week.  I typically do this each Sunday night, but last night I was a bit distracted with the football games.  I have found pre planning each week’s dinner menu saves me time throughout the week.  I hit the grocery on Mondays to purchase the items that I need to complete the dishes.  I also let my husband and daughter pick two of the night dishes.  This week my husband asked for hamburgers & macaroni & cheese (not together) for my daughter.
Here’s the menu with links to the recipe I’ll use.
Week of January 24, 2011
Monday: Hamburgers with caramelized onions, corn and Mashed Maple Squash (I’m using delicata squash)
Squash recipe:  http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/mashed_maple_squash.html
Tuesday
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
This is a friend’s recipe that is super simple.  I actually made it last week and had so much leftover that I …

I know you want to stay warm with the cold weather that is approaching across the nation!  Here is a delicious YUMMY recipe that is sure to warm up tummies in your home!
Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 cups chopped red pepper
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can black eyed peas, rinsed
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
1 cup quick cooking barley
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. cayenne
2 cans chicken broth
2 cans stewed tomatoes

Directions
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic & red pepper.  Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.  Add remaining ingredients.  Cook for 20 minutes and enjoy!

Do you have a favorite recipe that you would love to share with Smart Mama readers?  Please email SmartyPantsMama@gmail.com to learn how to be a guest poster!

Halloween dessert just got spookier! Here’s a great treat that I have made for Halloween!  They are such a hit!  The look is great, the taste and unbelievable and they truly are fairly easy to make!
Spooky Peanut Butter Eyeballs

1 cup smooth peanut butter
2 tbsp. butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 oz. white chocolate
1 small bag M&Ms
red decorator frosting
blue food coloring
cooking spray

Mix the Peanut Butter Eyeball Ingredients
In the bowl of a large mixer, blend peanut butter and butter until creamy. Slowly begin to add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Continue mixing until it begins to resemble cookie dough.
Form the Candy Eyeballs
Using a spoon or a melon baller, scoop out balls of peanut butter mixture.  Roll between your palms to get them as round as possible.  If mixture gets too gooey, place in fridge for a few minutes to stiffen. Place them on …

You know I love milk. Whether it’s skim, chocolate or yummy Simply Smart, I have at least a glass a day.  The glass typically gets mixed in with my morning cereal.
Yes, I’m a cereal person. I know that there are many more of you out there.  I could eat cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’ve been known to take a bowl for snack time too!  My daughter takes after me.  It may be her favorite breakfast food!  How about you? Are you a cereal person?  What’s your favorite?
In previous blog posts, I’ve shared some other breakfast ideas for moms on the go. The Jimmy D’s Griddle Stick is a popular one among many of you. With the tremendous data that supports breakfast as an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, are you doing your Smart Mama job of providing your children with a …

Seafood during pregnancy, it’s considered a must by many OBs. What does your doctor say?
What a week it has been!  We found ways in this Smarty Pants Mama household to include seafood in 2 dinners, plus a few lunches!  My daughter even tried, and enjoyed scallops for the first time!  We are told by experts in nutrition and health that seafood consumption in an important part of a healthy lifestyle.  I want to continue to encourage each of you to include 12 ounce of seafood in your diet each week.  Most importantly, I want you to instill these healthy, nutritious eating habits in your children.  Fish sticks and shrimp cocktail shouldn’t be the only seafood served.
Please be sure to review  the “A Seafood Lover’s Guide to Eating during Pregnancy” that has been put together by The Perinatal Nutrition Working Group, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies and the National Fisheries Institute. It …

As we each continue to Delve into 12 this week, attempting to consume 12 ounces of seafood, I wanted to share a favorite taco recipe. This recipe, as well as many others, are part of the awesome Delve into 12 gift basket that will offered as a giveaway next week! Be sure to share a comment to let me know that you are taking on the challenge!
Tasty Tilapia Tacos
Ingredients

2 lbs fresh tilapia fillets
8-12 whole wheat soft tortillas
1/4 cup of olive oil

Sauce

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded
1/2 cup plan low fat yogurt
1/2 cup low fat sour cream
1 avocado, pit removed & sliced
1 tsp fresh lime juice

Toppings

Shredded cabbage
Salsa
Fresh lime wedges

Directions

Combine cilantro and jalapenos in a food processor.  Mix until coarsely chopped.
Add yogurt, sour cream, avocado and lime juice.  Blend until smooth.  Keep this sauce refrigerated until need.
Brush tilapia fillets with olive oil and grill over medium …

Fish Tacos, Ceviche, Tuna Salad, Baked Halibut, Linguine with Clam Sauce, Pasta with Shrimp…all are delicious.  Do you make them?  Are they ever part of your family’s weekly menu?  Do you know that many of these meals take as much time and often less time that the traditional spaghetti and meatballs or chicken nuggets? Yet, each of these seafood dishes provides us with a bountiful amount of vitamins and minerals without overdoing it on the calories.  As Smart Mamas we need to make sure to incorporate seafood dishes into the daily menu of our children and ourselves.  12 ounces a week is the recommendation by many leading nutritional authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration, The Perinatal Nutrition Working Group and Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.  They each recommend that pregnant women, women who are planning to become pregnant, nursing mothers, and very young children to eat 12 …

Mommy, can I have a pancake on a popsicle?
Bet your child didn’t ask you that this morning!
Jimmy Dean has created what I consider a mother’s solution to eating on the run, the Jimmy D’s Griddle Stick!  This pancake on a stick has a delicious turkey sausage in the middle.  After just 60 seconds in the microwave your child is holding their breakfast and ready to munch on the run. The 160 calories and 7 grams of protein also they make Smart Mama happy, too!  The griddle sticks sell for about $4.99 and come with 6 in a box.

I had my first griddle stick at BlogHer, a conference for bloggers, this past August. I was captivated by its design and most importantly nutritional content.  My family loves pancakes and turkey sausage. How great would it be, I wondered? Fantastic! Ideal for moms, ideal for kids …

Are you wondering what is Hood Simply Smart Milk?  I was.  Here’s what I found out:
Hood found an innovative, natural technique called ultra filtration to remove some of the water that makes lowfat milk look and taste watery.  The result is simply delicious milk rich in nutrition and taste.  Simply Smart: All the taste, without all the fat.
Not bad. Right? Many of us love milk and most of us use it in cooking. But the skim milk we typically drink does not provide the proper consistency that we need in recipes.  Secondly, the skim milk, well it tastes like skim milk; milk that has been watered down to be of the desired calorie and fat content.  Hood has felt our yearning for the richer tasting milk that we all drank once upon a time; with its Simply Smart milk products.  Simply Smart Fat Free, 1% and Fat …

I wanted to make these delicious sounding zucchini strips I saw on SkinnyTaste.com.  It was a rainy Wednesday afternoon. My daughter had been in school all morning and then refused to nap. You know the kind of day I’m talking about.  She wanted to “help” me in the kitchen. I figured why not. It was a good way to use up some of her energy!
It was a great recipe, a very easy recipe, a very kid friendly recipe. Measuring breadcrumbs. Measuring cheese. Cracking open an egg.  I did take over when it was time to separate the egg white!  That was it.  She took the zucchini strips that I had cut and dipped them into the egg white, dropped them into the breadcrumb bag, shook the bag and carefully placed them on the baking sheet.  She loved it. We baked them and ate them. …

Guest Poster: Gigi from KludgyMom.com
This week I welcome Gigi, a stay at home mom who parents, cooks and lives haphazardly!  She blogs about it all at http://www.kludgymom.com
I love the delicate, spongy, low-fat goodness that is an angel food cake. Why not make a chocolate one? I tried making my first angel food cake this weekend (chocolate flavored) and I have to say…it turned out as good as any angel food cake I’ve had anywhere. As long as I have the massive amount of required eggs on hand, there’s absolutely no reason to buy one in a store anymore.
The one thing that took me by surprise in making this cake was how lonnnnnnnnnnnng it takes to beat the egg white and sugar mixture to get it the desired degree of stiffness. I served this with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. …

Guest Poster: Gigi from KludgyMom.com
This week I welcome Gigi, a stay at home mom who parents, cooks and lives haphazardly!  She blogs about it all at http://www.kludgymom.com

Straight out of Martha Stewart’s Great Food Fast is this recipe for cashew chicken. I am still a stir-fry novice; I’ve made some with flank steak a few times but needed to branch out and try some chicken. I love cashew chicken when I eat Chinese out – it’s one of my favorite dishes.   This was incredibly easy and fast to pull together and it tasted really good. I wouldn’t say it was exactly like cashew chicken you’d get in a restaurant, but still had great flavor and was inexpensive to prepare. The biggest endorsement I can give this dish is that my husband …