Easy Game Day Taco Soup

Who says you can't enjoy eating healthy foods while watching the Big Game? Nothing beats a nice hot bowl of soup on a figid, snow-bound Super Bowl Sunday! Or any winter day.

Here's an easy game day treat all your guests are sure to enjoy.

1 lb. cooked ground beef

1 lb. velveeta cut into chunks so it will melt.

1 packet of taco seasoning



1 can of each of the following:

corn (entire can, do not drain)

kidney beans (drained and rinsed)

rotel (entire can, do not drain)

stewed tomatoes (entire can, do not drain)

add another can of dark red kidney beans for even more fiber and healthy vitamins!

Combine it all in a crock pot and let it cook for several hours.

Stir often to blend flavor and keep the cheese from burning.

Enjoy poured over some brocoli or with your favorite tortilla chips!

Go Saints!!

Keep eating healthy!

The Time Honored Christmas Tradition

All the good food and delicious Christmas treats help make December a treasure to remember. Every Christmas candy lovers all over the world share chocolates with friends and loved ones. When we were growing up we had an uncle who enjoyed sharing a big box of Russell Stover chocolates with our family each Christmas. I'd never seen so many different chocolate delights to choose from!

I've never quite mastered the fine art of making candy with chocolate as well as the fine folks in Abilene Kansas where Russell Stovers has made their chocolates for decades! They have a real talent. And we mustn't forget the good folks in Hershey, PA who have been making chocolate since just after the pilgrims enjoyed their first Thanksgiving!

People all over this wonderful world love chocolate! And health pundits seem to think a little chocolate is really good for you! So have some of your favorite Holiday treats this Christmas and enjoy the sweet and rich taste of chocolate that people everywhere have enjoyed for centuries!

If you want to give your loved ones a delicious treat this Christmas try your hand at making some of this delicious - Double Fudge:

Here is all you need:

2 cups of granulated sugar,
2 squares of Baker's Chocolate,
1/2 a cup of cream,
1 tablespoonful of butter.

Boil seven minutes; then beat and spread in buttered tin to cool.

Now for the 2nd layer of this tasty treat. Mix the following in your blender or food processor:

2 cups of brown sugar,
1/2 a cup of cream,
1 teaspoonful of vanilla extract,
1 cup of chopped walnuts, chopped fine,
1/3 of a stick of butter.

Boil ten minutes; then beat and pour on top of the first layer of fudge already in the pan.

When cool, cut in squares.

Wrap in a colorful plastic or foil package and add a red or green bow! Your family and loved ones are sure to enjoy this rich and tasty double fudge!

Christmas just wouldn't be the same without chocolates!

Merry Christmas!

Chocolate Heaven!

As the nights get chillier and we spend more time in the warmth and comfort of home - why not enjoy a nice warm cup of cafe mocha with someone you love! These are so easy to make - and they will keep your tummy warm on these cool Autumn evenings!

Here is all you'll need:

1/3 cup nonfat, dry milk
1 cup water
1 cup brewed coffee
4 Tablespoons hot chocolate mix
non-fat whipped topping (optional)
cinnamon (optional)

1. Heat reconstituted non-fat dried milk in saucepan until warm; do not boil.

2. Add coffee and hot chocolate mix. Stir well and heat to desired temperature.

3. Divide coffee mixture between two mugs. Top with non-fat whipped topping and cinnamon, if desired.

Note: You can substitute 1 cup skim milk for the reconstituted non-fat dried milk

So toss another log on the fire and cuddle up with your favorite someone and enjoy a heart warming cup of cafe mocha sometime soon! And why not enjoy a small serving of rich, dark chocolate to top off your day?

Warm Your Tummy with some Wholesome Pumpkin Bread!

Do you have any cans of pumpkin left over? Try some delicious - and wholesome - pumpkin bread this weekend! Pumpkin is full of good vitamins and healthy antioxidants and the pumpkin and whole wheat in this recipe will give you some healthy fiber!

Here is all you need:

1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin
1 & 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup yogurt, plain lowfat
1/4 cup local honey (if you have some)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon of allspice
1 cup chopped cranberries

Let's get Baking:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat together pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, honey, and yogurt.

2. In another bowl, combine the flours, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, allspice, and salt; add to pumpkin mixture, stirring until just moistened.

3. Stir in chopped cranberries.

4. Pour into 2 greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pans and bake for 1 hour.

5. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pan and let cool.

Now share a loaf with one of your favorite family members or friends. They're sure to thank you!

Eating Healthy Foods is fun and easy during this special time of year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Save Your Oven - Use the Barbecue

One easy way to keep the oven freed up for other tasty treats ( like the Turkey ) is to utilize your microwave and your barbecue grill for some of those Thanksgiving dishes! The recipe below is great year round and so easy to prepare! Enjoy some of your favorite vegetables - warmed together on the good old barbecue!

Here some easy ingredient:

4 large sweet potatoes ( chopped )
2 turnips ( chopped )
1 large onion diced
3 or 4 large carrots ( chopped )
4 tablespoon olive oil
a dash of cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste

In a big piece of heavy duty foil ( try doubling it up for even greater strength ) toss in your chopped vegetables. Add a few tablespoons of water and sprinkle a few tablespoons of olive oil on top. Add four or six thick slices of butter if you like. And top off with your favorite spices.

Fold up the foil and put it on the hot grill for 45 minutes! You might want to add some charcoal to keep that fire good and hot! Now go enjoy some beautiful Autumn scenery or catch some Thanksgiving Day football while your veggies are slowly warming their way into a delicious side dish!

While you're out enjoying the mild November weather this Thanksgiving - fire up the grill and keep that precious oven space for other dishes!

Keep eating healthy foods and Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Chili for the Big Game

Enjoy some classic Autumn fun this weekend watching your favorite teams while munching out on some Tasty chili!

This stuff is so easy to make. Stock up on some of these ingredients so you won't have to make last minute runs to the market.

Here is all you need.

One can ( 20 ounce ) of Campbells RoadHouse Chili.
One can ( 20 ounce ) of Campbells FireHouse Chili.

One can of Bush's HOT Chili beans
one can of Bush's mild chili beans
One can of Dark Red Kidney beans drained and rinsed.

Three cans of Rotel original peppers and Chopped tomatoes
one Green Bell Pepper - chopped
one Red Bell Pepper - chopped
A couple pinches of chili powder if you have any.
A few ounces of your favorite beer ( optional )


If you like more meat in your chili try one or both of these:

Optional - One package ( 5 or 6 ) of your favorite Hot links. Chopped
Optional - One 16 ounce Sirloin ( or your favorite steak ) cooked rare and sliced thin.

Pour everything in your largest Crock pot and cook on low for a few hours.

Or cook it on the stove-top in a big Stainless Steel Pot. Pour in a few ounces of extra virgin olive oil , followed by the chopped tomatoes and then the rest of the ingredients. Heat on medium low for a couple hours!

Enjoy the game and all your favorite Fall fun! Keep eating healthy!

Apple , Peach Crisp

Who says eating healthy foods has to be boring? Apples are so plentiful this time of year and everyone agrees apples are one of natures superfoods! Try this delicious apple peach crisp with your next healthy meal!

Here is all you need:

1 20 ounce can sliced peaches, drained
3 or 4 Jonathon or your favorite tart Apples, peeled, sliced
Vanilla 1/2 teaspoon
Ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon
Flour 3/4 cup + 3 tablespoons
Brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup
3 tablespoons butter

So easy to make:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚ F. Lightly grease 9- by
9- by 2-inch casserole dish.
2. Combine peaches, apples, vanilla, and cinnamon
in a bowl. Toss well and spread evenly in
greased casserole dish.
3. Combine flour and sugar in small bowl. Cut in
margarine with two knives until the mixture
resembles coarse meal.
4. Sprinkle flour mixture evenly over fruit.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes until lightly browned and bubbly!

Enjoy with your family and loved ones and keep eating healthy!