Low Carb Chicken Lasagna

By Lisa VanWilliams

Here is a great low carb alternative to try when you do not want any pasta or carbs. Try to go with skim or fat-free ricotta to keep down cholesterol levels. Ricotta is also packed with vitamins and minerals like protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Feel free to add in more veggies like, onions, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, or eggplant, or some crushed red pepper to spice it up.

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts sliced into thin strips
salt&pepper
garlic powder
small container ricotta
1 egg
1 garlic clove crushed
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon basil
½ teaspoon oregano
fresh mozzarella
thinly sliced danish ham
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Slice the chicken into thin strips. Sprinkle chicken with salt&pepper, and garlic powder.

I used a cast iron pan and lined the bottom with chicken. Empty the ricotta into mixing bowl and add the egg, crushed garlic, parsley, basil, and oregano and stir well. Drop some spoonfuls of ricotta over the chicken.

Top with ham, mozzarella, repeat layers.

When you get to the top layer, sprinkle that with some Parmesan.

Throw is all in the oven uncovered from 20-30 minutes. Broil at end to get some nice color on the top. Enjoy!

Honey Cashew Chicken

By Lisa VanWilliams

This is a tasty way to spice up any night of the week. Chicken, cashews, honey, add in your favorite veggies, and then add some Sriracha to zing it up as much as you would like. Sesame oil is packed with antioxidants and it is believed to be beneficial in helping to lower heart rate.

We went with mixed peppers and scallions for this recipe but you can add in whatever you may like such as: broccoli, sliced water chestnuts, onions, snow peas, baby corn, carrots, edamame, green beans, etc.

Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts cut into chunks
2½ tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 cup mixed peppers
1 cup scallions
2 garlic cloves pressed
½ cup lightly salted or no salt roasted cashew pieces

Sauce:
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon Sriracha

Directions:
Toss the chicken, cornstarch, salt & pepper until evenly coated. Drop the chicken into the canola/sesame oil mix and fry the pieces up for 5 minutes until the pink is gone on outside. Then add in your veggies and garlic to saute for another few minutes. Precook the harder veggies like broccoli and carrots, but you don't need to do that for the softer veggies as they will steam in the pan. Stir in the cashews.

Make the sauce on the side in a small bowl and whisk it all together. Pour over the chicken and stir it all together. Serve over rice. Enjoy!

Bread Crumb Alternatives

By Lisa VanWilliams

Breading chicken & pork, making stuffing, meatballs & meatloaf are just a few of items we add breadcrumbs into to add some texture and/or crunch. This is a pantry staple, but buyer beware of unhealthy additives that can ruin the healthy quality of your meals. Companies add several unhealthy things to preserve and give these products a longer shelf life. Hydrogenated vegetable oil and high fructose corn syrup are just a few of the things you don't want to see on your ingredients list. Hydrogenated fats are the worst for you because they can raise cholesterol and increase your risk for heart disease. Here are a couple of options to consider:

• make your own breadcrumbs from scratch, add dried herbs in the winter, fresh herbs when they are in season, and freeze what you do not use (lasts up to 3 months).
• buy plain or Kosher breadcrumbs and add your own herbs
• find an organic brand you prefer like: Bob's Red Mill, Trader Joe's Organic Brand, organic Panko, or Whole Foods 365 Wheat Bread Crumbs.  

Make Your Own

Ingredients:

5-6 stale pieces of bread or bake them in oven until toasted
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
salt & pepper


This type of trans fat should be consumed in limited quantities, especially children. Early intervention with children on the importance of eating unprocessed foods is key. Kids that develop a taste for foods made with these fats may be more likely to fall into the habit of eating them as adults. Teach your children the importance of making these healthy food choices -the earlier the better.

Wall Organizers - 10 Ways To Get It Together

By Lisa VanWilliams

Keep track of your cell phones, car keys, sunglasses, bills that need to be paid/mailed, or your shopping/to do list, with these great multipurpose organizers that you can hang right near your door so you are not wasting any time looking for your essentials. Here are ten different styles and where you can find them, at all different prices to help keep you all together. You might even get lucky and find a good deal at Home Goods.

$65.99 Dot&Bo

http://www.dotandbo.com/collections/the-doctor-is-in/20131-modern-times-hanging-organizer?lb=anon&utm_source=google&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=pla_v1&utm_term=104289539357&utm_content=90325&db_unit=pla&db_cdesc=t&db_terms=cpc&db_class=c&db_vref1=g&gclid=CJ7VxtO5iMQCFcxj7Aod12wAjQ

$42.88 Opentip

http://cdn.opentip.com/Home-Kitchen/Woodland-Two-Wire-Mesh-Wall-Basket-White-Finish-Mdf-Plaque-p-4668641.html?gclid=CM6ulJi7iMQCFcXm7AodN1oArQ

$69.00 Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/listing/154270262/message-boardchalkboardmail-magazine?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_woodworking-office-message_board-mid&ione_adtype=pla&ione_creative=54906744395&ione_product_id=154270262&ione_product_partition_id=89336354675&ione_store_code=&ione_device=c&ione_product_channel=online&ione_merchant_id=14315011&ione_product_country=US&ione_product_language=en&gclid=CPrO18y8iMQCFZcdgQod3roANg

$49.00 Urban Outfitters

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=26569210&color=020&cm_mmc=SEM-_-Google-_-PLA-_-82530170704product_type_l1a%26product_type_l2dec%26product_type_l3storage&adpos=1o8&creative=51636900664&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CJyGgbu_iMQCFUMV7Aod2xkA3w#/

$127.00 Pottery Barn Kids
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/5434733/?catalogId=73&sku=5434733&bnrid=3518538&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Decor&cm_pla=Wall_Organization&cm_ite=Jackson_Family_Organizer&kpid=5434733&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=44-33825305-2

$138.00 Kathy Kuo Home

http://www.kathykuohome.com/Product/Detail/4012-Casey-Industrial-Reclaimed-Wood-Farmhouse-Wall-Storage-Organizer?glpid=60160710025&gclid=COyT0I3DiMQCFWRk7Aod0wgAlA

$39.99 Target

http://www.target.com/p/smith-hawken-wall-organizer-with-chalkboard-label/-/A-14688375?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=14688375&CPNG=Home+Decor&kpid=14688375&LID=25pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14688375&kpid=14688375&gclid=CI_V5f7DiMQCFdccgQodXI4Amw

$70.00 Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/listing/191572652/entryway-wall-organizer-keys-phone-mail?ref=related-6

$199.00 Wayfair

http://www.wayfair.com/Proman-Bombay-Wall-Organizer-Mirror-WM16678-L41-K~PPM1067.html?refid=GX64116243780-PPM1067&device=c&ptid=99052336860&gclid=CNGXzsLGiMQCFQpk7Aodoi4AnA

$102.00 Sears

http://www.sears.com/cheung-s-fp-3775nw-shabby-white-wooden-5-drawer/p-SPM8201545131?hlSellerId=9714&sid=IDx20110310x00001i&kpid=SPM8201545131&kispla=SPM8201545131&kpid=SPM8201545131&mktRedirect=y

The Great Outdoors

By Lisa VanWilliams

We recently read a great article by Dr.Bill Sears, M.D., whom is a father of eight and the author of 42 books on family health. He is a practicing pediatrician for over 40 years and he is an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine.

He encourages families to get their children outside to play and not let your child have "a green-grass deficiency". Too much television, iPads, iPhones, computers, games, and constant screens for entertainment, can cause some issues down the road like weakened immune systems, mood problems, and childhood obesity.

When the temps are above 30 degrees, bundle them up and get them outside to play. Dr. Sears goes on to list a few health effects neuroscientists have shown from what a simple walk outside can do:

• decreases heart rate
• more relaxed blood pressure
• increased happy hormones
• decreased stress hormones
• mellower moods
• stronger immune system
• fewer fearful thoughts

Studies also showed children displaying signs of ADD that received an extra 20 minutes of day of vigorous exercise showed signs of improvement -especially in their ability to sit still and focus.  

Source: http://healthylivingmadesimple.com/catalog/?cid=28#page=12

Pesto Chicken Artichoke Pizza

By Lisa VanWilliams

This is fairly easy to throw together for a tasty dinner the whole family will enjoy. You can switch up your ingredients and use whatever items you prefer, but this combo goes well together and you will not be disappointed if you like these flavors. This makes two small pies.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt&pepper
garlic powder
2-3 chicken breasts diced
2 garlic cloves
15 oz fresh pizza dough
4 tablespoons pesto
1/2 cup artichoke hearts
1 cup fresh mozzarella (deli section at store -small balls)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450. Dice up your chicken into small pieces and and toss into hot oil in pan, add fresh garlic, salt&pepper, garlic powder, and cook.

Stretch out your dough and put into pan. Cover the dough liberally with your pesto. The add your cooked chicken pieces, break up the pieces of artichoke and spread out evenly.

I cut the mini mozzarella balls in half and spread them out across the pie and then sprinkle with the Parmesan and toss in oven for 15 minutes until it starts to brown. I turn the broiler on at the end to crisp up the top. Enjoy!

Dream Cream

By Lisa VanWilliams

If you suffer from eczema, psoriasis, sensitive skin, cracking, or red bumps, you might want to try this product. My niece has terrible looking hands from eczema that she has struggled with for years. Copays and expensive prescriptions later, she says this works the best and fastest she has seen. It's only been two days that she's been using it and her hands are already healing. The lotion is calming and soothing with a blend of oat milk, lavender, chamomile, rose oil, olive oil, tea tree oil, and cocoa butter.

It you look on the Lush website, it has over 550 reviews and it scores an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 stars. That's pretty good. The users state it's best to use after the shower or at bedtime, and it's great for dry chapped skin, winter dryness, and deep moisturizing. The cream is very lightly scented and it is not overly greasy. It costs $26.95 for 8.4 oz but a little goes a long way and it can actually cost less than some prescriptions. Plus, being made from natural ingredients and safe synthetics makes it a lot more appealing.

Lush LOVES to give out samples and you should ALWAYS ask for a sample. If you have dry hands, dry lips, you need a salt scrub to go, tell the employee, and they will hook you up. The products are expensive, so they do not mind letting you try them out before you commit to the larger purchase. You can buy a cheap bath bomb for $3.95 and ask for a sample. Chances are, you will back to buy the full size.

For locations or to purchase online, you can check them out here:
http://www.lushusa.com/Dream-Cream/00031,en_US,pd.html