Spaghetti Squash

So this thing called the spaghetti squash... at TJ's they are hot stuff :) So I thought, why not give it a try.  I figured Mike would totally hate it but he'd have to deal and it would be a one time only thing.... well I was wrong!  Both Mike and I loved it.  It however made way too much and I wish they came smaller or were easier to keep... However, I made Mediterranean Chicken with Spaghetti Squash tonight and boy was it yummy !!

So here is the recipe and how I followed it... 

Ingredients:  

• 1-1/2 lb of boneless chicken breasts (cut into pieces)
• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 5 bacon strips (chopped)
• 1 medium leek ( i used onion... just as good)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 3 TBS of flour
• 1 Cup of chicken broth
• 1/2 cup of white wine 
• 1/3 cup of half/half cream
• 2 plum tomatoes (chopped)
• 1 can of sliced black olives (2-1/4 oz) (drained)
• 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese
• 1/2 TSP of dried sage
• 1/4 TSP of dried thyme (I didn't have sage or thyme so I used italian seasoning which has both)
• 1/2 TSP of salt 
• 1/8 TSP of pepper

I cut the squash in half- which was much more difficult then i predicted... Discarded the seeds and placed cut down on a microwave safe plate in the microwave for 16 minutes.  

In a large skillet add cooking spray and chicken and onion on medium heat until no longer pink.  When done-put in a bowl covered. 

In the same skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp.

Using a slotted spoon remove the bacon and put on a paper towel

Add garlic to the skillet for 1 minute and then stir in the flour

Gradually add broth, milk and wine

Bring to a boil-- cook and stir for 2 minutes

Stir in the remaining ingredients 

Add the chicken and bacon and stir until hot!! 

Ta Da.... I served it on top of the spaghetti squash and with cous cous... well and of course a great glass of wine....

I hope you enjoy the recipe we surely did :) 

So I will definitely buy spaghetti squash in the future!  the hubby loved it and so did i and what a great alternative to spaghetti without all the carbs!! This is one satisfied boy after dinner and studying!

Tart Cherry Juice

So, as I have been working at TJ's I have noticed the large amount of Tart Cherry Juice that we sell everyday.  I have asked a few customers, as I was really interested to know why Cherry and not Cranberry?  Sounds like a great question-yeah.... well as Cranberry is good for urinary tract infections and such Tart Cherry Juice also has many great benefits.  
A customer yesterday said she used Tart Cherry Juice as a sleep aid.... I was like yea right- as I depend on Benedryl for when I need to fall asleep quickly.  The customer suggested Dr. OZ- now I was skeptical but checked out his video (which i posted below) and then gave it a try and I do think it does work.  So I am going to add a glass of it to the nights that I have to go to bed early because I work at 4 or 5 am.  Thought this might be useful to others.  So I was in Harris Teeter yesterday and noticed they are selling it for $8.99 but have the concentrated kind for $4.99.  FYI Trader Joe's sells it for $3.99 and it's not concentrated!!!

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/amazing-antioxidants-tart-cherry-juice

First post...

I want to start the blog off by introducing myself and what I plan to use this blog for.  I have recently gotten married and started a new job.  I work a ton of hours and like my meals to be quick and easy.  I am known for using my crock pot every week and love left overs.  I hope you enjoy reading and find some of the recipes helpful.  I buy most of my groceries at Trader Joes as it is the cheapest!! I will state if I have gotten a product somewhere else and hope to use pictures- so you can not only read the blog but see what my meals look like.  Today for lunch I had Strawberries with Goat's Milk Yogurt, sliced almonds and chia seeds.  What a great little snack- I plan to substitute the strawberries for grapes and cantaloupe throughout the week.  I also had a frozen soup- french onion and a roll.  Who knows what's for dinner?

So I know what's for dinner.  Stuff shells and pull apart rolls... yumm.... 

1 16 oz box of jumbo shells (i couldn't find Jumbo so I used the biggest they had)
4 cups of cottage cheese
12 oz of shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
2 eggs lightly beaten 
1 pinch of garlic
1 tsp of dried oregeno 
1 tsp of dried parsley
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce ( i used a veggie blend and a vodka ** not together)
1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese

directions: Cook your shells according to the directions then drain and put on a cookie sheet so they do not stick to each other.
Mix together the cottage , mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, eggs and the garlic powder. Rub herbs between your hands then mix into the mixture.
Stuff the shells with the cheese mixture

Put 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of the pan then add the shells.  
Spread the remaining sauce on top with the 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. 
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes and let stand 10 minutes before eating.  ENJOY :)