Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Sarah

I wanted something simple but tasty and this is what I came up with.  Hope you enjoy! You can also make this an easy vegetarian meal by omitting the chicken.  To increase the amount of protein, you can use pasta such as Barilla Protein Plus.

1-2 cooked chicken breasts cubed (I had some in the freezer for quick use)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce (small or large depending on how saucy you want it)
1/2 medium onion chopped
1-2 medium garlic cloves minced
1- 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach sliced or 1 small box of frozen spinach thawed and drained
~ 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or to taste)
~ 1/2 package of wacky mac or similar noodles cooked
Fresh Mozerella shredded or sliced to cover top ( about 1-2 cups)
olive oil

Prepare noodles according to package making sure to not overcook them.  While preparing noodles saute onion and garlic in sauce pan in a small amount of olive oil.  Once tender add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian Seasoning and simmer.  Slice/shred spinach (hold a handful in a bunch and slice across).  Grease bottom of a 9×9 baking dish.  Mix noodles, chicken, spinach, and sauce and place in pan.  Bake at 350 til heated through (10-20 min).  Cover with cheese and continue to bake til melted.

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Chocolate Muffins

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Sarah

Good enough to be dessert! (Unfortunately enough sugar to be one! Will try and make a more diabetic friendly version soon!)

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 12-15 muffins

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup  white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup  Sugar
1/3 cup  packed brown sugar
1/3 cup  Flax Meal (flax seed meal)
1/2 cup  Cocoa (unsweetened)
1 tsp  Baking Soda
1/4 tsp  Salt
1 tsp  Cinnamon (Saigon Cinnamon was recommended)
1 large  Egg
1 cup  Lowfat Vanilla Greek-style Yogurt
1 tsp  Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup  Canola Oil
1/2 cup  Skim milk
3/4 cup  Dark Chocolate Chips
2/3 cup  dried cherries, chopped (optional)
3/4 cup  walnuts, chopped (optional)

 
Preheat oven to 375⁰F.  Line 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.  In a large bowl, stir first 8 ingredients; set aside.  In a small bowl whisk egg, yogurt, vanilla, oil and milk.   Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir gently to combine.  Add chocolate chips and cherries(optional) until just blended.  Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.  Sprinkle with walnuts if using and bake 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.  Repeat with remaining batter (unless you’re like me and you just make larger muffins  J).  Cool in muffin tin on wire rack; then remove and cool thoroughly before storing.

 

I kept mine in a ziploc bag in the fridge and then heated one in the microwave for 15 seconds giving it just out of the oven gooeyness.

Nutritional information: Coming soon

Recipe from:  Weis Healthy Bites (by Weis Grocery Stores)

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Beginnings

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Sarah

I was trying to decide what to write about first upon entering the world of blogging. I have many ideas as to what I want my blog to contain. Where to begin is however somewhat daunting. So I decided on an introduction of myself and why I am blogging as the best way to begin. So here we go! Obviously since this is Sarah’s Everyday Life, I am Sarah. I am a stay-at-home mom with two kids, ages seven and almost 5, and a husband who works with children with Type 1 diabetes (I am sure there will be several blogs relating to this subject in the future!). I am a follower of Christ, but don’t worry this is not a site to try and Bible beat you into what I believe. I created this site to help with the Mom-brain syndrome. All moms out there know what I am talking about. I can tell you where almost every toy and article of clothing is in my house but can’t remember what I had for breakfast. All moms at some point feel as if they have been lost in the identity of their family. That they no longer are able to have anything of themselves left. So this is in a way how I am re-inventing my identity so that it can encompass all of me and not just the mothering part. Also, to counteract the other part of mom-brain syndrome, the inability to remember. 😀  I wanted to have a place to collect the tips I learn on other sites, in magazines, and from word of mouth so they can be found easily when needed. I could simply make a file of these things but I thought, ” Why not share the things I learn and maybe be of help and service to others?” And so this blog begins. Hopefully soon it will be brimming with cooking, crafting, and health tips as well as recipes that I have found to be amazing. I am sure that I will also be sharing the crazy antics of my kids, lessons of life that I have learned, and no doubt my strange love and obsession with South Korean culture and entertainment. Thanks for visiting and I hope I can make each read worthwhile.

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