Kimber's Korner: Green Noodles & Ham

"I DO like Green Noodles & Ham.
I DO like them Kimber-I-Am!"


As you may have guessed, this dish was inspired by my love for Dr. Seuss. Since yesterday (March 2nd) was his birthday, my Mommy suggested that we try out this fun Rachael Ray recipe for Green Noodles & Ham. "Green Eggs & Ham" is one of my all-time, favorite books Mom and I read together. And now, Green Noodles & Ham is one of my favorite dishes we cook together.


"Just give 'em a try and you will see.
You just might like Green Noodles & Ham like me!"


GREEN NOODLES & HAM
Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 12 ounce box spinach fettuccini
• 8 ounces Low-Sodium ham steak (lean)
• 1 cup FAT FREE half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; plus a little more for a pinch on top
• 1 cup frozen peas
• "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray

DIRECTIONS
Bring a large pot of water to a boil then add a tiny pinch of salt, to season up the pasta as it cooks. Carefully add pasta to water and stir then cook to al dente or until pasta is tender but it still has a bite to it in the center –  or just do not cook it until it is mushy. (Takes about 4 minutes, but check package directions first.)



Cut ham into thin small cubes. Kids not so good with knives should sit this part out. Have the ham already cut up for them.

Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup half-and-half and warm it up a minute. Add about a 1/2 cup of cheese, 4 big handfuls or so, and stir constantly for another minute then season the sauce with nutmeg and pepper. Taste and add a little salt, if necessary.

Turn off heat under sauce and add the peas to it. Then add the ham. Next, drain the pasta (this is a grown-up job). Toss pasta with sauce in the skillet and use tongs to help you pull pasta through sauce until it is coated evenly.You can even add a little more cheese to each plated serving, if desired.

RESULTS
This may be a "Kimber's Korner" dish, but it is something the entire family will love! My parents cleared their plates. I think it is safe to say they liked it too! It would be tons of fun for you to read Dr. Seuss Green Eggs & Ham with your kids and then make this delicious, nutritious dinner together. We sure had a good time. I learned that even though the noodles may be green, they are just as yummy, if not yummier, than the regular ones. It's good to try different things. You may just realize you like them! My Mommy always tells me that part of being a healthy eater means eating a variety of foods; even when foods look different from what I'm used to, like these green spinach noodles. Well, I hope you like this dish---that goes for you "big kids" too!

** "Who's" lookin' for more Dr. Seuss fun? Head on over to Seussville, where there are tons of great activities to choose from including crafts & simple printable materials! It is a great resource for parents & teachers.


NUTRITION FACTS (per serving): 505.5 calories;  8.36g fat;  74.92g carbohydrate;  30.77g protein;  10.6g fiber

BEFORE: 806.75 calories;  44.4g fat;  72.66g carbohydrate;  32.33g protein;  10.58g fiber

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~ Kimber

Livin' Lean Topic Tuesday: Author Janet Brill Serves Up Some Heart Healthy Reading

There is plenty of literature out there speaking to the topic of heart health. As Americans, we recognize there is a serious concern for our health. The growing number of individuals with heart disease is astounding. In fact, it is very likely that you or someone you know has already suffered a heart attack. When I first received my copy of Janet Bond Brill's latest book, Prevent A Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease, I wasn't quite sure if this was going to prove to be a useful tool since I haven't had a first heart attack. However, as I will share in this short review, there is a great deal to take away from this book; regardless of whether you are preventing heart disease or trying to quickly reverse your way out of it.

First, let me share a little about the author. Not only is Janet Brill an educated woman in the area of nutritional and health science, but she has experienced, first-hand, just how painful the outcomes of heart disease can be. When Janet's father was just 45, he suffered his first heart attack. Twenty years later, with no lifestyle changes or advice that could have saved him, he suffered a second heart attack which sadly ended his life. In 2009, Janet's husband had a heart attack. Thankfully he is still alive and because of this, Janet was motivated to write this book----for him. She was not ready to allow her husband to follow down the same path her father did. So, Janet put together this book; combining a great deal of highly-scientific content and presenting it in a user-friendly way. It is practical. It "makes sense".  And it gives you hope and motivation; as desire to want to make these life changes.

Things "I Heart" About This Book:

• Brill explains how heart disease happens in the first place.
• Foods that heal the arteries include: extra virgin olive oil (which we like to use around here), whole grains (go carbs!), red wine and dark chocolate.
• Encourages walking for heart health (a free, fun & easy fitness plan for anyone).
• Provides a meal plan.
• Includes tons of delish recipes for any meal.
• Did I mention that the book encourages red wine and dark chocolate? Just checking!

Although the book is aimed toward reaching those who have already had at least one heart attack, the information within the pages can be valuable for anyone. Brill has found that the people most receptive to making these lifestyle changes are heart attack survivors. The "brush with death" is what motivates them to do whatever it takes to live. I can't speak for anyone else, but I would much rather learn from the experiences of others and shoot for preventing heart attacks all together; no "brush with death" required for me. Whether you are looking for life-saving advice, scientific research to back up your love for red wine and chocolate or simply a great source of more than 50 delicious Mediterranean-style recipes...Janet Brill's Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease is a read worthy of both your time and money.

Take care of those hearts & have a wonderful Tuesday!

Book Information : Prevent a Second Heart Attack: 8 Foods, 8 Weeks to Reverse Heart Disease; written by Janet Bond Brill, Ph. D., R.D., LDN. Three Rivers Press, New York. 2011

 

Paula Deen's Lean: Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

My husband has given this recipe the "Best Dessert I Ever Ate" award. He loved it! And I must say...it was delish! The recipe is huge, easily serving up to 20 people; which makes it the perfect dessert for large gatherings. Trust me. You are gonna want some people to help share this. Most of what I have done to Paula Deen's Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle was to cut down on some of the gingerbread cake, omit some sugar and substitute non-fat dairy. Here's what I got!

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD TRIFLE
Serves 20

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (14-oz.) package gingerbread mix; prepared using egg white
• 2 (1-oz.) packages SUGAR FREE/FAT FREE vanilla instant pudding; prepared using FAT FREE milk
• 2.5 cups canned pumpkin pie filling
• 1/3 teaspoon cinnamon or cardamom
• 1 (8-12 oz.) container FAT FREE whipped topping (recommend Cool Whip)
• 1/4 cup crushed gingersnaps, optional

DIRECTIONS
Bake the gingerbread according to the package light directions (using egg white); cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding using fat free or 1% milk and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling and cinnamon or cardamom into the pudding. Crumble 1/2 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, pretty bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining half of the gingerbread, pudding, and whipped topping. Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired. Refrigerate overnight. Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl.


RESULTS
Like I mentioned earlier, this was the best dessert my husband claims to have ever eaten. I might have to agree. It is definitely in the "top 5". If you love pumpkin pie, than you will LOVE this trifle. I will have no problems remembering this one for Thanksgiving next year...and any other fall festive event where I get the chance to bring a dessert. Here's what we saved, per serving:

BEFORE: 372.65 calories; 10.86g fat;  64.52g carbohydrate;  4.56g protein;  1.53g fiber
AFTER: 163.25 calories;  2.18g fat;  28.81g carbohydrate;  1.33g protein; 1.08g fiber
SAVES: 209.4 calories;  8.68g fat;  35.71g carbohydrate

Pretty sweet, right? A huge "THANK YOU" goes out to Nathalie & Tony for requesting this recipe makeover. Let me know what you think, guys! I hope you all enjoy!

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