Healthy Summer Recipes

I have been trying to cook better food and one of the healthiest things you can do for your body is to go fresh as much as possible. For years I didn't realize the implications of that statement. Then I got into a Food Network/Rachel Ray kick. That big jar of dried parsley in your cabinet? It probably has some sort of additives in it keeping it fresh for so long. Toss it out. Go to your local grocery store. Parsley is seriously one of the cheapest foods you will find. Twenty nine cents to buy a nice fresh bunch. Same for cilantro. There your already making healthier choices!

I have IBS and I can not tell you the changes you will be doing for your body if you switch to fresh. The additives and preservatives can not all be good for us. Once I started using fresh herbs and spices with my cooking my stomach pains ceased. The bouts of severe pain that would send me on a couch for hours are gone. The only time I have any issues with it now is if I allow myself to get stressed out for a few days in a row. I'm not saying this miracle will work for everyone but it should really make you think about the things you put in your body especially if you or someone in your family has a lot of stomach problems.

Now on to some of our favorite recipes:
Grilled Chicken - I sometimes like to soak this in Italian dressing for an hour and just throw on the grill because it is so tangy and juicy. But I discovered a new way to make tasty chicken last summer.

3-4 Chicken Breasts (skinless/boneless)
Olive Oil
Parsley
Diced Garlic Clove or two

Mix up the olive oil and fresh parsley and soak your chicken for anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Then just throw it on the grill. It tastes delicious and is good for you too. For a healthy and tasty side why not throw some fresh asparagus on the grill beside it?

Chicken Cesar Salad

1-2 Chicken Breasts
Heart of Romaine
Shredded White Cheese (whatever flavor you prefer we like using Parmesan but have also used Swiss or Gruyere for good results)
Croutons
Dressing of your choice. We tend to not add the dressing to the actual bowl because we have different preferences in our house. If you want to use Italian, go for it. I also started making Italian at home with fresh herbs and spices.

Spray some oil in your skillet so the chicken will not stick and heat it up, stirring it on med high heat over the stove until it is done. Chop up your lettuce. Add some shredded cheese. Less is more with the cheese. Stir it up and keep an eye on it you would be surprised how little cheese your going to actually use. Add in a handful of croutons to the top. Slice your chicken and add it over the top as well. Viola! Fast and easy dinner.

For home made Italian Dressing what you really need is fresh herbs and spices. I use: parsley, cilantro, paprika, and garlic powder. I use approx 1 - 2 tsp of each depending upon how much I am making. Then you will need about a cup of extra virgin olive oil. Pour the seasoning mix into your olive oil and let sit in fridge for at least an hour to set the spices. Shake it up and serve. If you want to stretch your dollar, and aren't worried about using all fresh herbs, you can use these spices dried and if you do so, the dried mix will store well in a zip lock so next time your in a rush you can add olive oil to it in the morning and run out the door for work. That evening you will have a tasty Italian dressing for your salad.

For healthier fettuccine Alfredo try using zucchini as your vegetable. I use an adapted Food Network recipe for my sauce that is home made and tones down some of the fat in the creamy, store bought sauces. I don't feel comfortable sharing that as it is not my own. But in a small skillet to the side I use a small spoon of butter to cook the zucchini. It is sliced into circles then those are sliced in half. It can be cooking beside your pasta as it only needs to cook for 5-6 minutes to get a nice soft texture. Drain your noodles, add your sauce, and toss in the zucchini. It is tasty and good for you, too! If you still have leftover chicken from the other meals, you can add in some of that as well (prepare as you would for a salad).