Time for me and healthy choices for my family

I try to mix it up as much as I can, and my kids (I have 3 as well, aged 4 - 11) haven't complained once about our meals! My hubby has joined me in this journey of weight loss, and has been finding healthy meals to cook. I don't add unneccesary fats to my cooking (no more frying in Tbsp's of oil or butter, non-stick cooking spray works just as well!), and I am very conscious of the amount of sodium in our foods, so I don't add salt in a recipe unless it really needs it, and try to buy the lower sodium options of canned goods if they're available.

I do make a lot of chicken breast dishes, but I mix it up every night. A couple recent meals that I got all "thumbs up" from everyone were "Spinach Lasagne Rolls" (vegetarian recipe off www.skinnytaste.com - I used whole wheat lasagne noodles), and a couple recipes I got off Kraft Canada's web site that contain varieties of veggies (peppers, carrots, bok choy, zucchini, etc) with some sort of sauce (Kraft likes to push their salad dressings), brown rice or quinioa, and of course, chicken.

http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/rustic-italian-chicken-rice-121473.aspx?cm_mmc=eml-_-rbecaen-_-20110105-_-1124
http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/ginger-chicken-saute-121432.aspx?cm_mmc=eml-_-rbecaen-_-20110105-_-1123

Switch your pantry from white pasta & rice, to whole wheat pasta & brown rice (If that's what's in it!), and cook from scratch as often as you can. This way you know what's in the food, and you can build your recipe and calculate out the nutritional values with the recipe calulator in the foods tab.

I love to make "Italian-Style Chicken Breasts" on the BBQ when we don't have 6 feet of snow on the ground. I found this in a Canadian Living magazine. They're AMAZING.


4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh parsley (I use dried)
2 tbsp (25 mL) lemon juice
1/2tsp (2 mL) dried Italian herb seasoning
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 (2 mL) salt
1/4 (1 mL) pepper

Preparation:
With sharp knife held horizontally, cut each chicken breast in half to make 2 filets. Between plastic wrap, flatten to even thickness.

In bowl, whisk together oil, parsley, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper; add chicken, turning to coat. Cover and marinate for 15 minutes.

Place chicken on greased grill over medium-high heat; brush with remaining marinade. Close lid and grill, turning once, until no longer pink inside, 6 to 8 minutes.

http://www.canadianliving.com/food/quick_and_easy/italian_style_chicken_breasts.php