Down Home Kitchen

1 pkg. boneless, chicken breasts

1 c. (26.5oz) Mushroom Spaghetti Sauce

1 c. (14.5oz) Diced tomatoes with mushrooms(optinal) can use diced tomatoes with juice

1 pkg. refrigerated fettuccine pasta

1/4 c. heavy cream

2 T grated Parmesan cheese

Spray lg. skillet with cooking spray, cook breast till browned on both sides and no longer pink , remove and keep warm.

Stir sauce and tomatoes in skillet, add pasta and bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer over low heat for 10 min or till pasta is tender.  Add cream till blended and serve on individual plates.  Slice each breast into strips; place on top of pasta, and sprinkle with cheese.

This goes great with garlic bread and a nice tossed salad………

Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

Celery    1 Stalk
Peas
Grated carrots   (4)
Black olives     1 small can
Shredded lettuce
Mayonnaise or salad dressing
Large elbow macaroni   ½ bag
Chicken breast     2-3 boiled and cooled off (shredded)

Directions:
Mix shredded chicken and macaroni, salt and pepper to taste
Mix in veggies, in mayo…. Be sure to add enough to be very moist

Note: This is the best macaroni salad I have ever tasted.

Every time I get into a relationship, I get fat. It never fails, that I start cooking and eat and eat, until I fill so miserable, I can’t breathe. Why do we do this? We seem to want to try to satisfy the other partner at first with our expertise, in cooking. So, we try everything out on them. Before we know it, a few pounds pop up in the wrong places. There goes the waistline and a few other place I don’t like to mention. It’s just a mess, cooking, eating and gaining weight. I hate it, but I love to eat…….lol Is that what they call, being happy and content? Yuck!

I found this article on Glycemic levels, and thought it was a good idea to note it for my readers.  I believe that many are obese, because they eat the wrong carbs and done watch their intake.
Keep an eye on G.I. levels. Glycemic Index were the buzzwords of the last year. The Glycemic Index chart ranks carbohydrates based on their effect on blood sugar levels. Carbs that break down fast and lead to blood sugar spikes are given a high value while carbs that move through the body slow are assigned a low value. The more low G.I. foods you consume the better for your blood sugar. For example, a doughnut has a G.I. of 76. Yogurt, on the other hand, has a G.I. value of 14.

There are two types of carbohydrates – simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates are usually sweet and can include cakes, candies and other sugary foods. Some foods such as peaches, melons and apples are simple carbs. Complex carbs include whole grain pasta, brown rice, oats, vegetables and whole grain cereals. For the most part, try to stick with complex carbs which take longer to digest and are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Make your food complex. as in carbohydrates. White bread, cookies, pasta and other highly-processed foods give carbs a bad name.

I’m sure your asking me what I’m doing writing this type of post. Just imagine, how much more fun your baby can have eating the food your eating.

If you can eat it, your baby can. At least the babies, that are already eating “baby food” will be able to. Rather than pay all those expensive prices for baby food, just pop some of the meat or veggies in the blender, with a couple of teaspoons milk and puree. They can enjoy the same food your eating and develop a better sense of taste.

Sure you can have the jar baby food to take with you when you aren’t at home, but use that as a substitute. Cooking at home for the family, gives the special pleasures of smelling the aroma’s. If your baby associates the smells with eating, then it will be all too ready, when the food is offered.

Pureeing the food, gives it the smooth texture of regular baby food. So, why not let your baby enjoy a meal right along with the rest of the family? It’s a good way to interact and give your baby the same pleasures, you get from sitting down to a good meal.

1 pkg. 12 oz. lg. elbow macaroni

1 c. celery, chopped

1/2 c. onions, chopped

1/2 can peas, uncooked & drained

2 tsp. mustard

1 T. mayonnaise

1/2 tsp. celery seed

4 eggs, boiled and chopped

1/2 c. fresh parsley, chopped

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. garlic powder

salt & pepper to taste

Prepare macaroni according to pkg. instructions.  In bowl combine, all ingredients, toss well and serve or chill for later use.