Homemade Sloppy Joes

Hello again!

I'm on a roll this week aren't I?

I'm pretty proud of myself actually. Is that a bad thing? I hope not! I think my mood about this blog has changed a lot since the beginning of this year. I really want to help people out there who would like to start eating healthier but are maybe afraid or who don't think it's possible for them. I know a lot of healthy food blogs are intimidating. They used to make me feel so discouraged and ashamed! I'm a normal person who loves to eat food but I was able to change my attitude and relationship with it and it didn't take that long either. Not as long as I thought in the beginning. I just want everyone to realize how easy it is. I think the first thing you have to do is see what you are putting into your body. Remember that food is FUEL to our body. Our brain and other organs need certain nutrients and the way they get those nutrients is through what we put into our mouths. When you put it that way, it really makes a lot of sense to start eating a more balanced diet. Please let me know if you have any questions. There is so much information out there to help you if I'm not able to. I am still a work in progress but I would like to help others on their journey to eating better too.

I know this isn't a clean meal and I probably wouldn't make this on a regular basis just because we're eating a little better now. But that doesn't mean it couldn't be cleaned up a little! I took this picture before we made the commitment to eat clean so I thought I might as well post it since I went through all the work to get it to this point. 

I love most anything I eat but there's something so comforting about Sloppy Joes and that's what makes them one of my favorites! If there is anyone out there that still buys the canned Sloppy Joe sauce then they're missing out on the delicious goodness of homemade sauce. Pretty much anything that you can make at home is going to be better than something that comes out of a can. When you make it at home YOU control what goes in it and that way you can monitor the salt and sugar intake for your family. My husband is a huge fan of barbecue sauce so he loves this recipe that I came up with because it has more of a smokey flavor than the traditional tomato flavor. I have already fixed the recipe slightly so that it is healthier and you probably already have these ingredients in your kitchen. 

Homemade Sloppy Joes

1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey
1/2 cup BBQ sauce, bottled or homemade (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
Whole wheat hamburger buns or bread
Sliced cheese (optional)
*Sliced avocado
*Spinach

1. Thaw ground beef or turkey if necessary.
2. Brown meat and drain the fat off.
3. Add the BBQ sauce, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar pepper and salt to the cooked meat. Heat through to bubbling.
4. Serve immediately on a bun with cheese, if you'd like.
Enjoy!

*Not pictured but they would be tasty and healthy additions.

WINTER DAY DINNER

Well, Fall is here and Winter is coming whether we like it or not! This dinner is perfect for this time of the year. My husband LOVES potatoes and cheese sauce, which is why he loves this dish so much! It's really easy to put together and it's pretty quick too if your husband will pitch in and help you like mine did. :) Make this once and it will become an instant favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Day Dinner

Adapted from Taste of Home

 

1 pound groud beef

1 medium yellow onion

2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

8 medium potatoes, sliced

1 (15 oz.) can corn

 

Cheese sauce:

1/4 cup butter, cubed

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 cups milk

4 oz. process cheese (velveeta), cubed

 

1. In a large skillet, cook the beef and onion over medium heat until the beef is no loner pink; drain. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.

2. In a greased 13 x 9 baking dish, layer half of the potatoes, all of the meat mixture and corn and remaining potatoes; set aside.

3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted. Pour over the potatoes.

4. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 1/2 hours or until the potatoes are tender.

 

 

I really hope you love this recipe jusy as much as we do. Enjoy!!

Summer Veggie & Beef Saute

Hello Readers!

I have taken a huge break from blogging. A lot has happened in our life and I think things have settled down enough now to where I can get back into it. We just recently moved three hours away from our home and families. It was pretty drastic and we are really sad we had to go but I think this will be a big learning experience for us. Sometimes you just have to take a risk and hope that you are making the right decision. We think we are! My husband is going back to school and we really believe it will help make our life better in the long run. So, wish us luck that the next two years will go by extremely fast! Thanks :)

 

Now, to my recipe. This is one of those dinners that is so versatile. Basically, if you have ground beef in your freezer and some veggies, you can make this dinner! This time I used onion, broccoli, yellow squash and zucchini. You could easily through in a tomato, green onion, mushrooms, peas, carrots, or whatever else floats your boat! Also, as far as I know this recipe is original. My mom is one of those people that just throws things together and they turn out delicious! So I owe this one all to her.

 

 

 

 

Summer Veggie & Beef Saute

Serves 2-4

 

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 medium Yellow Onion, chopped

1 Tbsp. chopped Garlic

1 lb. Ground Beef

2 small Zucchini, sliced and halved

1 small Yellow Squash, sliced and halved

2 cups Broccoli

Salt and Pepper to taste

Sour cream (optional)

 

1. Heat olive oil in large pan. Add garlic and chopped onion. Saute until onion is transparent.

2. Add ground beef and brown.

3. Meanwhile, steam vegetables until tender.

4. Add vegetables to the beef mixture and stir until combined.

5. Salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve with sour cream on top. It's delicious!

 

 

Please feel free to comment or leave suggestions below. Thanks!