10 Minute Crock Pot Chicken

As I've mentioned before, Thursday evenings are crazy busy for us. I rely on the crock pot to cook dinner for me on those nights! With crock pot chicken, I can spend 5 minutes in the morning getting dinner together, and 5 minutes in the evening finishing it up. Quicker than going to McDonald's!

In the morning, I put a whole chicken in the crock pot on low. I sprinkle it with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasonings (but you could use whatever spices you want). That's it.

When I get home, I steam a bag of microwave veggies and a pouch of whole grain rice, and I'm done! Chicken cooked in the crock pot isn't always the prettiest to serve, but it is so moist! It doesn't get any easier, and I've served my family a healthy, home cooked meal in no time!

Homemade "Hamburger Helper"

Like most kids of the 80s, I grew up on Hamburger Helper and loved it. It is a quick and easy meal for a busy mom to prepare, and kids will gobble it up so I understand the appeal. Good thing is you can make a homemade version just as easily and without the added MSG, sodium, hydrogenated oils, and artificial colors and with just as much variety as the boxed version.

Here is my recipe, but let me warn you, I don't use a recipe to make this so I'm guessing! Proceed with caution! :)





Homemade "Hamburger Helper" Chili Mac

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• Chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt, & pepper (to your taste)
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup milk
• 3/4 box whole wheat pasta shells
• 1 small can tomato sauce 
• 1/4 cup salsa/taco sauce
• 1 cup cheese
• 1/2 cup light sour cream

Brown the ground beef and onions together and drain an excess fat.  Add in spices, water, and milk and bring to a boil. Add noodles and cook for the amount of time directed on box. When done, add in tomato sauce, salsa, cheese, and sour cream and stir. Continue cooking until desired consistancy - about 3-5 minutes.

This recipe can easily be modified using chicken or tuna, different cheeses, adding various vegetables or beans...the possibilities are endless! This is a great one pot meal that is on the table in 30 minutes or less, and the entire family will enjoy it.

A kid favorite - chicken nuggets

My friend Stephanie has made some healthy changes in her family's diet, with excellent results! Her son has lost a little weight, has calmed down in his behavior, and is eating new foods. I love to hear these stories! Stephanie just shared a recipe with me, and I wanted to share it with you.

From Stephanie:
Cole loves chicken tenders, so I tried this recipe and it is AWESOME. He eats them up as if they were bad for him. LOL! 

I think all kids (and most grown ups too!) love chicken nuggets/fingers/tenders, so if you can find a way to make them healthier than the traditional breaded and fried, you are most certainly going to have a winner! The recipe Stephanie shared is great because it uses almonds (healthy fats, protein, and fiber!) as well as whole wheat flour, and they are baked.  Plus, you're avoiding the processed junk you get with frozen nuggets.

I bet this recipe would work well to bake a big batch and then freeze to heat up as needed.

P.S. This Web site looks like it has tons of great meal ideas. Thanks for sharing Stephanie!!!