ClickClack Storage Containers

ClickClack Storage Containers

I don’t know how many of you buy items in the bulk foods section of the grocery store or health foods store, but I do all the time. For one thing products are usually cheaper when purchased this way and it’s also environmentally friendly because so much less packaging is used. My pantry looked like a chaotic mess, though, with all those plastic bags held closed with green twist ties! I also had trouble keeping track of what I had and what I’d run out of since I couldn’t easily tell what was in all those plastic bags piled on top of each other. All of this changed, however, when I purchased my first round of ClickClack storage containers at Marshall’s. They proved to be a great investment and really helped me get my pantry under control and in a condition that allows me to find things when I need them. Since Marshalls did not have any more, I puchased two additional sets of containers through Amazon but had to pay full price. These containers are not cheap but they are sturdy and occupy space much more efficiently than round cannisters. They are also airtight so if you live in an area prolific with bugs, you will love these. You can see from the picture below how well they stack and how well you can see exactly what is in each one. These are a great investment and I plan on purchasing a few more for the brown sugar and confectioners sugar that are still in those pesky plastic bags with twist ties!

Sugar & Flour Storage

Organized Pantry

MIL Meatloaf

Meatloaf

My son-in-law loves meatloaf so while visiting them recently I made my version. He loves his mom’s meatloaf so I didn’t know if he’d like mine or not. Well, as it turned out he loved it. Hence, my name for it . . . get it? My daughter who’s not much of a fan of meatloaf really liked it as well. She does not like catsup on her meatloaf so you may have noticed that one end of the meatloaf looks a little bare. I sprinkled a little Worcestershire sauce on her end since she likes it a lot. The glory of meatloaf is that you can make it the traditional way by baking it in the oven or, if you’re like me and work full-time outside the home, in the crockpot. Either way you mix it up the same. I’ll give directions for cooking it both ways.

Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 lb. ground pork
1 C. quick oats
1 egg
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 1/2 t. seasoning salt
1/2 half medium onion, diced
1/2 C. catsup

1. Place all the ingredients except the catsup in a large bowl and smoosh together with clean hands or mix well with a spoon.
2. Press into a large round or oblong loaf.
3. To make it easier to remove from the crockpot, place two long strips of foil crisscrossed and running up the sides of the crockpot into the bottom of the crockpot to created handles for removing the cooked meatloaf. Center the shaped loaf over the crisscrossed foil. Spread the catsup over the top of the loaf. Cook all day on low.
4. If baking in the oven, bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serves 8

Strawberry Yogurt Cream

Strawberry Yogurt Cream Layered with Fruit

I confess!!! I have a sweet tooth! Soooooo . . . even when I’m trying to lose weight I have to factor in some desserts especially when we are entertaining in our home. I have already extolled the virtues of Fage Greek Yogurt. It is so creamy and rich tasting that even if using the fat-free or 2% version it tastes great. Here is a sauce I made with the yogurt as the base. You can layer it with fruit in wine glasses for a nice presentation or simply mix the sauce into a big bowl of fruit. I layered the sauce with strawberries and bananas in the picture above.

Ingredients
1 C. Fage Greek Yogurt
2 T. strawberry preserves
1 T. honey
1 t. vanilla

Blend all the ingredients into a smooth sauce.

Flatout Flatbread

Flatout Bread

I think I may be a little behind the times in discovering this product. Oh, well. This isn’t the first time and probably won’t be the last, but I thought I’d share my discovery anyway just in case there are others out there who haven’t tried these. When I’m in weight loss mode, I have to find a way to have pizza since regular pizza is in no way something that works well when trying to count those calories. In the past, I’ve been fairly successful using lowfat, high fiber tortillas. They are a little flimsy, however, so sometimes don’t hold up well, especially, if I cook the pizza on the grill. All that is now going to change now that I’ve found Flatout Flatbread!! It is only 100 calories per large, oval piece. There is 8 grams of fiber in each as well which I think is a good thing. I tried the Healthy Grain variety that is made with 100% stone ground whole wheat with other grains and flax. Now, when I bought these I thought that given the high fiber aspect that these could very well taste like cardboard . . . . but they didn’t!!!! They are not dry at all and have a nice flavor that works well with pizza or to make sandwich wraps. You get six flatbreads per package. I understand that they make several flavors so I’ll be on the lookout for those to try as well. I’ll post a pizza I made using these in a few days. I’m looking forward to making some on the grill now that the weather is warmer!!

Creamy Ranch Cauliflower

Creamy Ranch Cauliflower

Denial is a wonderful thing while it lasts!! I finally decided to weigh myself since I haven’t done so since last fall. I now declare my denial over . . . I need to lose 25 pounds!! Is anyone else out there with me on this? This is one of our “go-to” recipes when we are trying to shed a few pounds and need a tasty vegetable that is low in calories. I buy the ranch seasoning mix in a jar because I use it to flavor lots of different things from scrabbled eggs to baked potatoes to steamed vegetables. I also use it in my taco soup recipe. It’s also cheaper per serving when bought by the jar!

Ingredients
1 large head cauliflower
1/2 C. chicken broth
1 T. Hidden Valley dry ranch seasoning mix
1/4 C. light sour cream

1. Cut the cauliflower off the stalk and into medium size flowerets.
2. Place in a covered casserole dish along with the chicken broth.
3. Microwave on high for 10 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes. If the cauliflower is not fork tender cook another minute or two.
4. Dump the cooked cauliflower and any remaining broth into a food processor and add the ranch seasoning mix and sour cream.
Pulse until the cauliflower is is smooth and creamy. Makes 4 cups. Approximately 30 calories per 1/2 C. serving.