Toad in a Hole- Midwestern Style

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I know that Toad in a Hole means something completely different to people over in Europe where this recipe consists of sausages cooked in Yorkshire Pudding. But to most of us here in the Midwestern United States, Toad in a Hole is an egg that has been sautéed inside a slice of bread where a hole was removed from the center.  It is a simple dish, giving you that perfect dunking bread already there and waiting to be slathered in the runny yoke the moment a tine of your fork hits the egg.  It takes no time to make and is, well, wonderfully delicious.  Plus kids and adults always seem to get a kick out of it!

Toad in a Hole- Midwestern Style
2 slices bread per person
2 eggs per person
butter
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
fresh chives to garnish

Using a shot glass or a small biscuit cutter, cut a hole in the center of each slice of bread.  Butter both sides of bread as you would for a grilled cheese sandwich.  Be sure to butter the circles you just removed from the breads, they are great dippers for the runny eggs!

Place the bread into a nonstick pan  and "grill" at medium low heat until just golden.  Flip bread and very carefully break the egg into the hole.  The yoke should fill it nicely.  Season each egg with salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.  Allow to cook until you get the eggs to your preferred doneness.  I like to lightly cover my pan with foil to set the yoke just a bit more.  If you don't like a runny egg at all, just leave the foil on the pan to your perfection.  Carefully remove the Egg's in a Hole to each person's plate, garnish and enjoy!  Serve along side some fresh fruit and crispy bacon.




I  know there are all sorts of other names for this fun dish.  What do you call it in your neck of the woods?!

Frozen Diet Meals - A Simple Review!

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Eating nutritional meals while dieting and leading a busy life can be hard. I have recently gotten into the habit of buying a bunch of "diet" frozen dinners and taking them to work. A quick microwave and I am back at my desk with something that is good for me and filling. So I thought I would review a couple of the ones that I have been munching on in case you have been thinking about doing the same. So let's start with the Weight Watchers Smart Ones. Honestly I tried these because they were the cheapest brand on average I could find. They have a good selection under at my location and then some around .50. So I could spend about for a full week when at a restaurant I would be lucky to get a single meal and a fast food restaurant I could stretch that to two days if I worked at it a little. So I have tried all of the cheaper ones and some of the next level.

On the cheap I would have to say I am addicted to the Smart Ones Creamy Rigatoni with Broccoli & Chicken. Something about the sauce has me licking the bowl when I am done. It has 290 calories, only 8 grams of fat, and a Points value of 6. I don't know about the Weight Watcher's Point system, so not sure if 6 is good or bad. Something just doesn't seem right when pasta is part of my diet, but I would eat this even if not worried about the calories and fat.

\"Diet Meals\"

They offer three meals with turkey, but my favorite is Turkey Medallions with Mushroom Gravy. It has only 200 calories, 10 grams of fat, and a Points value of 4. Mostly because I like the green beans as a side, the turkey is the same in all three meals. If you like mashed potatoes with a little kick, the Slow-Roasted Turkey Breast has garlic-herb potatoes.

Frozen Diet Meals - A Simple Review!

Finally I would recommend any of the meals with macaroni and cheese, my favorite being the Salisbury Steak. It has 250 calories, only 4.5 grams of fat, and a Points value of 5. Something about Salisbury steak that says frozen dinner. It has really great gravy and I repeat the macaroni and cheese alone is worth the purchase. I think I have pasta issues.

If I had to recommend against any of the meals I would suggest you steer away from the Tuna Noodle Gratin. It has 260 calories, only 7 grams of fat, and a Points value of 5. This is actually a great tasting and filling meal. The problem is that when it is microwaved the whole office will smell like tuna fish. In a way that it will not go unnoticed by your colleagues. I say keep this one at home.

In summary, I would not let the low prices fool you. Weight Watchers Smart Ones food is delicious, filling, and economical. I have tried some other more expensive diet meals, but to me none are so much better that they demand a higher price. Let me know what you think and check the ingredients before trying any of these meals if you have any food allergies.

Frozen Diet Meals - A Simple Review!

Simon Volk has been a contributing author for websites and is an acknowledged expert in the field of health and fitness. He can be found on the internet at the website: http://www.healthfitnessarticle.com

Prepackaged Diet Meals Review - A Look at the Medifast Diet

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There's no question that prepackaged diets are incredibly popular today. Few of us actually have the time to research, shop for, prepare and package our low calorie or low carb foods. Sticking with diets are hard enough, so adding on the work of research and preparation, at least in my opinion, lessens the chance that you will actually stick with and have success on the diet. And, in today's economy, very often, you'll find that cost of these prepackaged diets are actually lower in cost than trying to buy a bunch of groceries and wasting the gas to gather them. In this article, I will review one of the more popular prepackaged diets and the one that I've had a great deal of success with -- Medifast.

How Medifast Works: In the truest sense of the word, this is a prepackaged diet. Although there are many options from which to chose (women's, men's, diabetics, heart health, and metabolism boosting), all of the plans provide you with enough food to eat the company's prepackaged foods five times per day. Once per day you will prepare your own fresh, large, healthful meal (this is called the "lean and green," and it consist of lean protein and veggies.) So, you're eating six times per day, but only preparing one meal (and you can make this preparation really easy by using an indoor grill and bagged vegetables.)

\"Diet Meals\"

The prepackaged foods are generally quick and easy to prepare and assemble. Some of the shakes require a blender, but some don't. The bars require only that you remove the wrapper, but some of the other foods, like the eggs and oatmeal, require only minimal assembly.

Prepackaged Diet Meals Review - A Look at the Medifast Diet

Medifast Food Choices And Taste: There are over 70 food choices with this diet. Examples are the shakes and bars, puddings and cappuccinos, chili and stews, crackers and chips, fruit drinks and hot chocolates, etc. The taste for the most part is pretty good and better than I expected. And, you can make it even better by adding fat free syrups, whipped creams, sour cream, cheese, humus, etc. I really like to use the pudding as a base for recipes that allow you to make muffins and cookies.

How Ketosis And A Low Amount Of Carbohydrates Make This Diet Very Effective: Many people don't realize this, but this is technically a low carb diet. All of the foods are low in calories and high in protein. This works to force your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. Since you are depriving it of carbs that it would usually burn for energy, it instead has to turn on stored fat which in turn will really ramp up your metabolism and weight loss.

I believe that this is why Medifast works so well and is so effective. In essence, it works a lot like the South Beach or Atkins diet, but you don't have to eat meat or eggs all of the time. As a result, many people see pretty quick and dramatic results as long as they follow the instructions to a reasonable degree.

Cost: This diet's cost is pretty typical of a prepackaged diet. It's around - per day and this can be better with coupons, specials and discounts that are very frequently offered. When you think about it, with the cost of groceries and gas today, this may actually be less than you spend on groceries.

Bottom Line: At the end of the day, my review of Medifast is positive. It's a very effective diet, the food is pretty decent tasting, and it's very convenient and easy to follow. They aren't any calories to count, or many choices to make. You just mostly eat the foods they give you, and you're on your way.

Prepackaged Diet Meals Review - A Look at the Medifast Diet

Lindsey Price is the author of the free ebook "Getting The Most Out Of Medifast," which includes tips, information, motivation and a off or a two weeks free coupon. To get a free copy (immediate download / no information required), click here. You can also visit her diet review website at http://easiest-diet.com/medifast/html

Four Benefits of Paleo Diet Meals That Can't Be Ignored

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The Paleo diet goes by many names, including the Caveman Diet, the Hunter-Gather Diet, and the Stone Age Diet. Regardless of the name you call it by, the benefits of Paleo diet are numerous. Once you adjust to this different way of eating-and looking at food-you will begin to feel the difference in your body.

Our bodies are simply not designed to process and utilize many of the foods in our modern diet. Many of the staples of the modern diet that we consider healthy are in fact products that man himself cultivated. They are not naturally occurring foods. And they are certainly not foods that our bodies were designed to use as fuel. Relatively speaking, these foods are new to our diets and our bodies have not fully adapted to our intake.

\"Diet Meals\"

The result of our consumption of these foods is much like what happens when you use the wrong fuel in your vehicle: a sluggish engine. Our bodies respond by becoming susceptible to illness and disease. Our bodies run more slowly and less effectively than they should. In general, we just don't feel good. However, most of us cannot remember a time that these 'foods' were not in our diets, so we don't realize that how we feel is not normal. We are unaware that our bodies can in fact feel better and perform at much higher levels.

Four Benefits of Paleo Diet Meals That Can't Be Ignored

The four benefits of the Paelo diet are: increased energy; clearer, smoother skin; weight loss; and a stronger immune system.

Increased Energy

One of the benefits of the Paleo diet is increased energy. You will have more energy than you know what to do with. Some people say they feel younger, but others claim they have more energy than they ever recall having. Think about it: the Paleo man had to have a lot of energy just to get through his day, which centered upon surviving. His diet sustained him through the equivalent of walking ten miles each day, as well as running from predators, and lifting heavy objects.

Clearer, Smoother Skin

Your skin will look clearer and smoother skin than ever before. Sometimes we don't even realize how dull and lackluster our skin's appearance has become until it begins to clear. The Paleo diet is a skin-clearing miracle.

Weight Loss

Many of us begin battling our weight as we age. Once you make the shift to the Paleo diet, you will be surprised by how easy weight loss becomes. The Paleo man did not battle the bulge like we do. His physique was slim and trim.

Stronger Immune System

Once you eliminate the damaging processed and cultivated foods we have added to our diets, your body begins to regain its natural resistance to illness and disease. The Paleo man had a short life expectancy due to a lack of medical care, not due to illness. He did not suffer from heart disease or diabetes like we do.

The benefits of the Paleo diet are too good to ignore.

Four Benefits of Paleo Diet Meals That Can't Be Ignored

Want to know even more benefits of Paleo diet meals? Learn more at http://www.thepaleodietrecipesblog.com/

Weight Loss Recipes - 3 Delicious and Filling Low-Fat Meals That Don't Even Taste Like Diet Foods

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The fact that you are on a diet does not mean that your food must taste like diet food. In the contrary! If you want to lose weight effectively and in a healthy way, with a high chance of preventing it from coming back, than you must enjoy what you eat. Because that's the only way how you will continue to eat this healthy food.

The problem why many fad diets fail is simply that you can't keep on eating like that. And even if a restrictive diet does help you to lose weight - as soon as you finish the diet and return to your old eating habits, you will almost certainly pick up weight again.

\"Diet Meals\"

But if you make lasting changes in your lifestyle and start eating healthier instead of going on a diet, then you have a high chance that you will not only lose weight but also keep it off afterwards. A healthy diet and weight is a lifetime commitment, not a 6-weeks affair. Eat healthy and you will be healthy, that's the secret.

Weight Loss Recipes - 3 Delicious and Filling Low-Fat Meals That Don't Even Taste Like Diet Foods

Try these three low-fat dishes that don't taste like low-fat at all! They are healthy and easy to make, filling, high in nutrients and low in calories. And they are not "diet meals" but something you can enjoy.

Spicy Vegetable And Mince Curry

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. crushed chili
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 700 g lean minced beef
• 600 g butternut, diced
• 500 g carrots, thickly sliced
• 600 g potatoes, diced
• 500 g sweet potatoes, diced
• salt

Steps

1. Heat the oil in a large pot. Fry cumin and coriander for about 1 minute, continuously stirring.
2. Add turmeric, chili and lemon juice and mix well. Add minced meat and roast it briefly.
3. Add the vegetables, mix well, cover and roast for 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
4. Season with salt and serve

Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 1 small marrow, cubed
• 1 tomato, cubed  
• 1/2 stick celery, sliced  
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1/8 cabbage
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/4 l vegetable stock
• oregano
• salt, freshly ground black pepper

Steps

1. Bring the vegetable stock to boil, add the vegetables and bay leaf and cook for about 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are just soft.
2. Season with oregano, salt and pepper.
3. Serve with whole grain bread.

Pasta With Mixed Vegetables And Cashews 

Ingredients

• 200 g whole wheat pasta
• 4 tbsp. canola oil
• 3 red chili, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 80 g cashew nuts
• 2 red and 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
• 150 g green beans  
• 1 tin corn

Steps

1. Cook the pasta in boiling water according to the instructions on the packet.
2. Heat the oil in a large pan, fry the onions and chili for about 3 minutes, occasionally stirring. Add the cashews and fry for another minute. Add pepper and beans and stir-fry for 5-10 minutes until the vegetables are just soft. Then add the corn, mix everything well and allow the corn to heat up.
3. Drain the pasta and serve it with the veggies.

All three recipes make four servings. They are based on large portions of vegetables and foods rich in complex carbohydrates (potatoes, whole grain bread and pasta) which will fill you long before you could possibly overeat. They provide you with important nutrients whilst being low in calories. No or little fat has been added to the recipes, and the ingredients are rather low in fat. This way, you can lose weight and still enjoy delicious meals of a reasonable portion size.

Weight Loss Recipes - 3 Delicious and Filling Low-Fat Meals That Don't Even Taste Like Diet Foods

Bettina Berlin is a health professional specializing in healthy weight loss approaches. Losing weight can prevent diseases, improve recovery and bring relief for chronically ill people. Are you tired of diets letting you down? Visit http://www.elishas-quick-recipes.blogspot.com to discover how you can achieve permanent weight loss whilst enjoying your life to the fullest! Get The Slim Habit NOW, the weight loss program that teaches you to change your lifestyle instead of torturing you with diets!

Tastefully Simple Hawaiian Dip Mix White Grilled Chicken

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Tastefully Simple Hawaiian Dip Mix
Heather from Tastefully Simple was probably surprised when a barbecue writer picked a dip for a sample product. When I saw a light colored dip, I immediately thought of Alabama white chicken grilled which is likely not the same vision that dances in everyone's else head when they see white-ish creamy products.


Easy Mix Dip By Tastefully Simple
When the dip mix came in, I mixed up a pack. That's super easy. It's one half cup of mayonnaise and one half cup of sour cream mixed with one pack. Stir and you're done. You can dip with chips or with veggies. I loved this dips on carrots especially.


Chicken in Hawaiian Dip Mix
I used boneless chicken strips with the dip, because I was grilling over high heat. If you have grates set higher and the heat down lower, then you can use bigger pieces. With close high heat, then the chicken cooks fast, and sauces (and dips) can burn if the meat pieces are large.

You grill these strips just as I've mentioned on grilling chicken strips, but you may want to brush more dip on as they are grilling. I went light on the dip this first time, but I'd brush with a heavier hand next go round.

Tastefully Simple Dip Grilled Chicken
Our grilled chicken strips were fabulous and even better with more dip to the side. Don't use the dip raw chicken was sitting in, or you may get sick. Split the batch, or make up two packs.

I must warn you that this dip is really spicy. When I thought Hawaiian, I was thinking more fruity or something - certainly not zip. It's not near as spicy the first day as the second, and I think I'll make it a day ahead next time, because I loved it when the flavors melded and that heat really came out.

You could double the mayo and sour cream to tone down the heat (sorry if you know things like this - but some of my readers are just starting to play with food). I love it full on, but it is hot. It's not that bitter hot though. It's just a nice flavor burst "hot."

The Tastefully Simple Let's Luau Hawaiian dip mix is one of my favorite dips ever. It was wonderful with chip, vegetables, and on our grilled chicken. It does pack some heat, so I'd not recommend it for everyone. But, for those who like spicy foods, this would be one of my top pick dips (and also really good on the grilled chicken).

Cyndi's Southern Serenity Prayer

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God grant me the serenity to stop cussing about the things I can't change, the courage to raise cain on the stuff where I can make a difference, and enough common sense to not get arrested sorting that junk out. Amen ~ Cyndi Allison

I made this up and posted it on Facebook. Thought some of my barbecue friends might need this one when you burn your steaks up or your shoulders come out dry.