spaghetti and meatballs

Okay, okay, I know. You can't get more basic than spaghetti and meatballs. I just thought I would share the way I make them. 

First, let me say, I love Trader Joe's. What they have isn't complicated and it's organic where it's necessary. For the most part, their products have ingredients lists that are simple. So here is an easy one that is surprisingly healthy, and made of Trader Joe's ingredients. What I have below makes a lot, so cut in half if you don't like leftovers. 

For the sauce, throw these in a pot and simmer for as long as possible. I usually do an hour:

- 1 bag Turkey Meatballs

- 1 jar No Salt Added Marinara Sauce

The simmering is important because the meatballs soak up the sauce and get plump and juicy. The no salt sauce is perfect because the flavors and salt from the meatballs go into the sauce. You don't want a salt overload.

For the spaghetti, I use one package of the High Fiber white spaghetti. To keep them from sticking I throw some olive oil on them. 

That's it! Sprinkle with cheese as you'd like. I use Mizithra, which is a Greek Grated cheese. Parmesan or Romano will do, of course. 

Kali orexi!

veggie rice

This veggie rice dish was created by throwing stuff together, and has become a go to recipe. Oh, and I don't really measure things, I eyeball it. I will try to say about how much I put of things. :)

Throw together in a medium pot in this order:
- olive oil, about 1 tbsp
- 1 medium zucchini, diced, cook
- frozen spinach, about 1 cup
- 1 can no sodium added diced tomato
- pepper, garlic powder and, optional, fresh dill (I keep some in my freezer)
- 2 cups brown rice (I use one pouch of the Trader Joe's frozen b. rice)
- add water as needed, I use about 1/2 cup

Simmer, the longer the better. But, I would say at least 20 minutes. Enjoy!

healthy pizza

I'll kick things off with a healthy pizza. :)


Simply, build the pizza in this order: 
- whole wheat boboli pizza crust (or Trader Joe's wheat dough) 
- no salt added marinara sauce
- frozen spinach, defrosted and mixed with a little olive oil (ALT: chopped broccoli)
- grated part-skim mozzarella cheese. See how I hid the veggie :)
- sprinkling of oregano
- sliced mushrooms, cooked in olive oil and oregano

Bake based on dough instructions. YUM.