Mexican Chicken Tostadas

This is a cool looking and tasting Mexican dish. Kids can use their hands and have fun with it. No need for utensils that's for sure. Its something that is very tasty and easy to make. Have them build their own, it will have ingredients that they choose to place on it so it will feel like they have control of what they are placing in their mouths.

Ingredients

1 lb.organic boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup homemade taco seasoning mix (recipe below)
1 cup Refried Beans, warmed
4 tostada shells (6 inch)
1/2 cup shredded organic Mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 avocado, chopped
1/4 cup homemade salsa (recipe on this site)
1/4 cup organic Sour Cream(optional)

Directions

1.Cook and stir chicken in large skillet on medium-high heat 3 min. or until no longer pink.

2.Add water and homemade taco seasoning mix; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. or until chicken is done and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.

3.Spread beans onto tostada shells; top with layers of chicken mixture and remaining ingredients.

4.Garnish with chopped cilantro or green onions before serving.

Homemade taco seasoning recipe

2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together.You can easily double this recipe.Store in an airtight container in your kitchen pantry.

You will be surprised how much you and your loved ones will appreciate this dish. They will be screaming for more...you could easily have a nice brown rice stir-fry to accompany this meal..mmm...Ole!!

Enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert

Vegetable Noodle Surprise

Now this dish is a lot of fun!!If you want it to be a real hit, purchase some chop-st ix and watch your kids meal come to life....its fun to incorporate different tools that add another aspect to eating and enjoying a meal. They will want to eat it just to use the new utensils in front of them right?? There's a lot of original ways to make your children enjoy exploring new tastes and dishes...you just have to become a kid again and find ways that will encourage them to want to try new things...let that inner kid come out and have fun with your little ones, you only live once and life is to short to make meal time a stressful time...go ahead and give it a try, you might just like it yourself...

Ingredients

1 package spaghetti noodles (brown rice or Kamut),uncooked
2 Tbsp. Tamari Sauce
1 cup broccoli florets
1 small red pepper, cut into strips
1/2 lb. boneless organic beef sirloin steak
or organic chicken,cut into thin strips
1/4 cup organic chicken broth
2 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions

1.Cook noodles in large saucepan as directed on package.

2.Meanwhile, heat Tamari sauce in large skillet on medium heat. Add broccoli and peppers; stir-fry 3 min. or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add meat and stir-fry 2 to 3 min. or until meat is done.

3.Drain noodles; return to same pan. Add broth; cook 1 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Add meat mixture and onions; mix lightly.

You can also substitute 1/4 cup chopped cilantro for the onions.

This is a great, simple dish for little ones to try. Let them experience with this and then they will definitely be more open to new recipes and ideas. Don't pressure them to eat a lot of it, give them a child portion and if they feel that they would like more that is fine.If they feel that they are in control of their portions then they may just surprise you and ask for more...

Kids are very smart and they feel when it is a power struggle at mealtime.Try to relax and not have any expectations and this may easily become the best part of your day..imagine that??

Enjoy!!

Sylvie Thibert

Under The Sea Easy Tuna Casserole

Tuna can be lots of fun!It adds a little variety to a menu and kids enjoy it.
Its better to purchase tuna in water...not in oil. Try this dish, I'm sure that it will be a welcomed change to your everyday menu.

Ingredients

1 pkg.of macaroni or fettuccine (brown rice or kamut)
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas)
1 can (5 oz.) white tuna in water, drained, flaked
8 organic crackers, crushed (about 1/3 cup)

Directions

1.Prepare the noodles in a large saucepan as directed on package, adding vegetables to the boiling water for the last 2 min.Drain and rinse under warm water.

2.Pour into a desired dish.

2.Add tuna; mix lightly.

3.Top with cracker crumbs.

Serve with a crisp mixed green salad tossed with your favorite vinaigrette.

It doesn't have to be fancy just fun and tasty...trust me your kids will love it!!!

enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert

Spaghetti and Meatballs Please....

I've never met a child that doesn't like spaghetti and meatballs.It is such a fun dish and so delicious too.Let them make it their own style...they can sprinkle shredded cheese or soak a nice piece of toasted Ezekiel English muffin in the sauce...yummy!!!!

Ingredients

2 lb. organic hamburg meat
1 cup natural bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 organic eggs
1 organic jarred tomato sauce
2 cups of spaghetti noodles (brown rice or kamut)

Directions

Heat oven to 400ºF.

1.Line two cookie sheets with foil. Mix ingredients until blended; shape into 1-1/2inch balls.(approximately 32 meatballs)

2.Place meatballs in each prepared pan. Bake 16 to 18 min. or until done.

3.Place cooked meatballs in saucepan,pour organic tomato sauce over and simmer for 10 minutes.

4.Boil noodles according to box directions.Pour meatballs and sauce on top.

Enjoy!!

Sylvie Thibert

Kid-Approved Macaroni Beef Bake

This is a great comfort meal, especially with the cooler days just around the corner.This dish is easy to make, you can put it together in under 30 minutes.If you always have good healthy food choices for your main meals,everyone will come to the table with a great appetite.Your body is a wonderful creation and you need to respect it and give it real food, made in your kitchen with love. Made with no preservatives and ingredients that you can pronounce.

Ingredients

1 pkg. of Macaroni noodles (brown rice noodles or kamut noodles are great!!)
1 lb.lean organic ground beef
1/2 cup of chopped green onions
1 can organic stewed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 tsp. oregano, basil and thyme
Sea salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup shredded organic Cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 400ºF.

1.Boil noodles as directed on package.
2.Meanwhile, brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Add green onions,tomatoes and spices,mix well. Bring to boil.
3.Add meat mixture to drained and rinsed macaroni.
4.Spoon into 9-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese.
5.Bake 10 min. or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through.

Make a lovely green salad to accompany this great dish. Cut some vegetables into stars and heart shapes with mini metal cookie cutters...makes it look fun and kids love that!!!Put in the extra effort and you will be greatly rewarded.

Enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert

Kid-Friendly Mini Meatloaf

When my son was younger this was a big hit. When you prepare your meatloaf recipe it is great to divide the mixture into a muffin pan. This makes the portion for kids the perfect size and not overwhelming for them to finish. You start by giving them one small portion and they will ask for more.It makes it fun for them at the same time and it gives you the satisfaction to know that they are getting a good size of your main meal. Kids need to know that different dishes can be great tasting,you just have to start by making it fun for them and not expecting too much back. With time they will realize that this is what they are to eat and when they see everyone around the table enjoying the meal they will enjoy it too...

Ingredients

1 cup natural bread crumbs (home made is best)
1 jar organic spaghetti sauce,(home made is best)
2 tsp. dried oregano leaves
1-1/2 lb. extra lean organic ground beef
2 cups chopped zucchini
2 cups sliced mushrooms
3/4 cup organic shredded Mozzarella cheese

Directions

1.PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Mix ingredients together with half each of the spaghetti sauce and oregano. Place into individual muffin tins.

2.MIX zucchini, mushrooms, remaining spaghetti sauce and remaining oregano. Spoon evenly over meat mixture; cover with foil.

3.BAKE 25 min. Uncover. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, an additional 10 min. or until meatloaf is cooked through.

Adding spaghetti sauce to the meat mixture not only adds flavor but also helps to keep the baked meatloaf moist.

Serve with your favorite cooked vegetables such as steamed green beans and steamed sweet potatoes.

This is especially for you Julia....hopefully your little ones will enjoy this...

Enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert

Quick Tortilla Pizza

So many moms have been asking me for more kid-friendly recipes for fussy eaters.There's no better way to get children involved in enjoying real food than getting their little hands in helping to create what they are about to taste. It seems like if they help to make it , it is not as foreign and they are more tempted and willing to give it a try when it is ready to eat. Give this a try, have them help you cut and shred the ingredients to the best of their abilities.Put some good music on and make it fun...I'm sure that they will want to do it again...make sure to rave and praise them for giving you a helping hand and help them realize how everyone enjoyed what they made with their own hands and love.

Ingredients

6 medium flour tortilla
6 tbsp organic jarred spaghetti sauce (homemade better option)
1/3cup organic shredded mozzarella cheese
diced peppers (every color), green onions, mushrooms,little pieces of organic turkey, chicken, hamburger (cut up in small pieces)

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350°F.Place tortillas on cookie sheet.
2.Spread 1 tbsp of sauce on each tortilla ,then add favorite toppings (have fun with it, make funny faces...)
3.Sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
4.Bake for about 7 minutes, until cheese is bubbling.
5.Allow to cool completely before cutting into wedges and packing (otherwise the crust will go soggy).

Have the kids prepare a nice vegetable tray along with home made dip...I guarantee you that this will be a hit....they will love their creations and will be asking to make more on a regular basis that I promise you.

Enjoy!!

Sylvie Thibert

Mexican Taco Soup...

Taco soup is an easy to make tummy warming treat.Although hot soup on a cool day is an especially welcoming pleasure, this soup will be welcomed any day and in any weather.This is an easy tortilla Mexican soup recipe that takes the flavors of our favorite tacos and puts them into a soup.This amazing but simple taco soup recipe is one your family will love. Can't get the kids to eat their veggies? Chop them up finely and add them to this soup.

Ingredients

1 to 1 1/2 pounds organic ground beef
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 - 16 ounce organic can tomatoes
1 - 16 ounce organic can tomato sauce
2 cups salsa
1 cup frozen corn kernels (optional)
1 - 16 ounce can pinto beans
1 - 16 ounce can kidney beans
1/2 cup taco seasoning (recipe follows)
3 cups water

For garnish:

organic mozzarella cheese, grated
organic nacho chips

Directions

Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. When well browned, add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 1 hour.

Serve topped with grated cheese and organic nacho chips.

Makes 8 servings

Homemade taco seasoning recipe

2 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients together.You can easily double this recipe.Store in an airtight container in your kitchen pantry.

With the cool days ahead of us, this is a great soup for this time of the year....

Enjoy!!

Sylvie Thibert

My famous organic zucchini muffins..

Here is an early Christmas gift....so many people have asked me for this recipe and I'm thinking why not share it with everyone.It is the season of giving and I know that quite a few of you are dying to have this recipe. So Merry Christmas and please make lots and share with your loved ones.

I've been experimenting with muffins and have settled on this one.These zucchini muffins are insanely good and insanely easy to make. No mixer, wooden spoon only, and two bowls, though you could really even make the batter in one bowl.Very moist.Just sweet enough.

Organic Zucchini Muffins

Ingredients

3 cups grated fresh zucchini
2/3 cup melted unsalted butter (organic)
1/2 cup organic cane sugar
2 organic eggs,(beaten)
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons baking soda
Pinch sea salt
3 cups all-purpose organic flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup walnuts (optional)
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

Method

You don't need a mixer for this recipe.

1.Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl combine the sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in the grated zucchini and then the melted butter. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the zucchini mixture and mix in.

2.In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Stir these dry ingredients into the zucchini mixture. Stir in walnuts, raisins or cranberries if using.

3. Coat each muffin cup in your muffin pan with a little olive oil. Use a spoon to distribute the muffin dough equally among the cups, filling the cups up completely. Bake on the middle rack until muffins are golden brown, and the top of the muffins bounce back when you press on them, about 25 to 30 minutes.

4.Test with a long toothpick or a thin bamboo skewer to make sure the center of the muffins are done. Set on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the tin let cool another 20 minutes.

Note; if you are including walnuts and dried fruit, you will likely have more batter than is needed for 12 muffins. I got about 14 muffins from this batch, and that included filling the muffin cups up as far as they could possibly go (above the surface of the muffin tin).

There you go the best tasting muffins in town and they are all yours....enjoy!!!

Sylvie Thibert