Mamavation Monday: Teaching Kids to Cook with ChopChop

June 15, 2013 By 58 Comments

Mamavation Monday

So many of us in the community have struggled with food issues. Our concept of food is totally out of whack, so we don’t know what is good anymore. We’re trying to learn now – and we have awesome resources in Mamavation, which really helps! But what about our children? They have a step up on us – we, as their moms, are learning how to properly feed ourselves and we can help them too! Teaching kids to cook is a fantastic way to make sure that they understand nutrition, how to eat, and even to cook for themselves when they move out. This week we have the privilege of talking with Sally Sampson, founder of ChopChop: The Cooking Magazine for Families who knows all the ins and outs of teaching kids to cook.

Special Guest: Sally Sampson

Sally Sampson, Founder & President of ChopChop Magazine

Photo credit: Carl Tremblay of ChopChop Magazine

Although she had been the author and coauthor of 21 cookbooks already, Sally Sampson wanted to do something more, something that would really make a difference. She had raised a child with a chronic illness, so she had spent quite a lot of time in pediatrician’s offices and hospitals over the years, and she turned her focus to the childhood obesity epidemic in the US to see if she could make a difference. She took her idea of having a pamphlet that doctors could use to prescribe cooking to their patients to several physicians and the response was overwhelmingly in positive – in 2010, Sally founded ChopChop Magazine and it has been growing strong ever since. The magazine is known for teaching kids how to cook healthy, simple foods – we’re not making funny faces or hiding ingredients here, but teaching nutrition in a straightforward approach that doesn’t talk down to the kids and is great for any beginning cook. The success of the magazine is incredible – in fact, just last month ChopChop won the James Beard Publication of the Year award, the first time a nonprofit publication has ever won!

On Monday, we will be talking with Sally Sampson about teaching kids to cook and how we can set our children up for a healthy life by providing them the experience and knowledge of the kitchen. And just think – our kids won’t have to learn later on down the road how to eat well because we’ve taken the time to prepare them for a life of health! She will have great ideas to share, so join us to Monday to hear Sally Sampson talk – you won’t regret it! You can connect with Sally and ChopChop Magazine on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Oh – and check out the ChopChop Magazine website for some recipe ideas to get you and your kids cooking!

Hey – did you read about the petition to request Similac stop using GMOs in their infant formula? Check it out here!

On Wednesday, June 19th, we’ll be having a Fitcation Application Launch Twitter Party at 7pm PST/10pm EST! Applications now open for Fitcation, and don’t forget to RSVP for the twitter party to be entered into the awesome giveaways.

Our next Mamavation Mom campaign is also acception applications – this one does NOT have a weight requirement and will be focused on detoxifying the WHOLE house, from your food to your household cleaners and personal care. Get your application video ready and apply to be one of the next Mamavation Moms! You can do it!

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by ChopChop Magazine

Be sure to include the following disclaimer at the bottom of your post:

“ This post is sponsored by ChopChop Magazine and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway ”

———> Sistas, link up your posts here.

Reading ChopChop magazine

Photo credit: ChopChop Magazine

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

  1. Add your name and Twitter URL or blog URL to the linky below
  2. Tweet out this message “ Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV – we’re talking to @ChopChopMag about teaching kids how to cook! http://bit.ly/10mq1Ne ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets, comment each time)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):

  1. Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)
  2. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit, so leave 2 comments!)
  3. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the#mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
  4. RSVP to the Google+ event for Monday (1 entry)
  5. +1 the Google+ event for Monday (1 entry)
  6. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
  7. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
  8. Follow @ChopChopMag on Twitter (1 entry)
  9. Like ChopChop Magazine on Facebook (1 entry)
  10. Follow ChopChop Magazine on Pinterest (1 entry)
  11. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)
  12. Start a thread on the forums and tag another Sista to join in on the conversation (1 entry)

 

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Mondays Tagged With: , , , , ,

Mamavation Monday – Let’s talk LUNCH

March 16, 2013 By 117 Comments

 

Do you Pinterest? I know I do and love it… but I also see all of these wonderfully creative Bentos and all of a sudden I long to make lunch more fun. Yes, for the kids but also myself. I mean, who WOULDN’T want to open their lunch up and see flowers and hearts and ANGRY BIRDS?

But… that doesn’t happen. Not in my world anyway. But what if it could? This week our Special guest is none other than our very own Mamavation Sista, Graduate and Bento QUEEN – Rachel Lacy.

Rachel has always been a creative and positive force within the Mamavation community and I’m so looking forward to having her join us this week. An Amazing mom to some adorable babes, you can follow her adventures over at Following in my Shoes aptly described as her “little corner of the world for sharing the joys & trials of parenting, delicious & family-friendly recipes, kid-centered bento lunches, and life in Texas.” And of course you can find her tweeting, Facebooking, pinning, and google plusing it up too, so stalk…errrr… I mean follow her on the social media platform of your choice!

This week, Rachel will be sharing some tricks and tips about how to add in a bit of creativity to your family’s lunch-boxes.

 

SISTAHOOD:

If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

Don’t forget to check out our Sista of the Week and show her some love this week!

BLOGGING CARNIVAL:

This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by ReUsies™ – 2 participants will receive their very own ReUsies™

ReUsies™ are a reusable, eco-friendly, fun, economic and family friendly alternative to disposable snack bags and sandwich bags.

Eco-friendly: Each ReUsie has the potential to keep hundreds of your family’s plastic bags out of our landfills. With little effort, you can do your part to help reduce the estimated 20 million single-use plastic sandwich bags that go into U.S. landfills daily.

ReUsiesWant to learn more about these fantastic reusable bags for lunches and snacks? Check out ReUsies on Facebook too!

Be sure to include the following disclaimer at the bottom of your post:

“This post is sponsored by ReUsies™ & Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women. I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

Link up your post here.

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):-2 Viewers with receive their own ReUsies™

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

  1. Hit the Linky
  2. Tweet out this message “ Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV thx 2 @ReUsies!. We’re talking #bento with @Rachel_L Won’t you join us? http://bit.ly/143g0VU ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):

  1. Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)
  2. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
  3. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the#mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
  4. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
  5. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
  6. Follow @Rachel_L on twitter (1 entry)
  7. Follow @ReUsies on twitter (1 entry)
  8. RSVP for Mamavation TV (1 entry)
  9. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)
  10. Start a thread on the forums and tag another Sista to join in on the conversation

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Mondays Tagged With: , , , , ,

Surprising & Scary Health Findings of 2012

December 26, 2012 By 3 Comments

Mamavation 2012 Health Finds

2012 was an incredible year.

I had a baby, protested against the Strong 4 Life billboards and had them removed, fought for labeling genetically modified ingredients in California, spoke at Fitcation and BloggyCon, made some incredible new friends, and continued to changes lives everyday though Mamavation. Blessings abound. As I was looking back, I decided it would be fun and interesting to point out some of the interesting findings regarding health and nutrition this year.

1. Junk food is as addictive as heroin. A study was just released showing that over a period of five days consuming junk food, your brain becomes desensitized to the euphoria of junk food and sugar and needs more and more of it. The same pattern happens with drug use, specifically heroin. NO WONDER people have trouble losing weight. These are ALSO the same foods that have created the obesity epidemic in this country.

2. Top foods keeping your ass wide. The best friends of obesity are french fries, potato chips and soda. Most of you are rolling your eyes saying #duh, I know. But it’s now been confirmed. And I have to agree on the french fries and soda. That was my “go to” when I was a size 22. No more baby!

3. Genetically modified foods (GMOs) lead to obesity. Yup, we have fat rats. In a long-term study, rats that were feed genetically modified corn became obese compared to rats that were fed natural corn. With all this information about GMOs in our diet. I think it’s time to label them and encourage food companies to reformulate and stay away.

4. Sunscreen can actually accelerate cancer cells. Wow, this was shocking, but it’s actually not all sunscreen. It’s the ones that use Vitamin A in their ingredients, which happens to be most of them. So avoid that ingredient in your sunscreen. And also remember that the sun provides you with Vitamin D so don’t avoid it completely, just be responsible.

5. Store bought vitamins can lead to death. WHAT? I know. It seems like everyone is trying to sell supplements these days. The research found that Iron supplements were posed the greatest risk, but Calcuim supplements helped prolong life the most. Interesting. Other supplements to be wary of were multivitamins, folic acid, iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B6. The only supplements I take are fish oil and I give them to my kids as well. Luckily, those are safe.

6. Indoor tanning is addictive. Well from the look of some people on TV I want to say “no shit!” but this may not be obvious to some. Tanning, both indoor and outdoor is considered addictive by medical standards. What’s worse is if you become a “tanner” before age 30, you are 75% more likely to get skin cancer. Public awareness campaigns are not considered helpful in this instance. These people may need intervention because it can become that dangerous. Wow *says the porcelain queen of paleness*

7. Exercise doesn’t help you lose weight. Wow, now before you wig out, let me explain this one for you. If you put the calories back in that you expend in exercise, you won’t lose weight. In my experience about 85% of weight loss is all diet related and this study backs that claim up. So if you want to lose weight, watch what you are eating FIRST and then add exercise in. Fitness still has LOADS of health benefits so don’t give up on that.

8. SpongeBob Square Pants leads to hyperactivity. I’ve been saying this for years. In fact, it wasn’t until this year that I even let my first grader watch it. Interestingly enough, it’s not TV that rots their brain but the pace of the TV. Fast paced shows like SpongeBob causes hyperactivity and slower paced shows like Caillou do not. Sesame Street has actually picked up the pace since the 1970, so it’s better but sometimes not so much.

9. Genetically modified food leads to cancer. No shit sherlock. Keep digging watson. Make sure to see the pictures of the rat tumors. Those things are huge! They specifically tested the rats on GM corn and soy. Buy organic and GMO free.

10. Social media leads to premature death…..just kidding. I would cry if this was true.

Have a Happy 2013 everyone!

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Leah's Posts, Longterm, Uncategorized, Wellness Tagged With: , , , ,

Why Flavored Apples Should Not be in School Lunches

December 20, 2012 By 11 Comments

Bubble gum flavored apples. Sounds bizarre, right? Well, they are now a reality. And they could be coming to your child’s school lunch tray soon.

Crazy Apples

Crazy Apples is producing “flavored” apples in 3 different varieties: bubble gum, pomegranate grape, and tropical blast. They are marketing themselves as 100% natural, whole apples flavored on the inside.

My first question was WHAT was inside? They don’t answer that question on their site. My second question was HOW do they get the “flavoring” in there? They don’t answer that question either.

So….how exactly is that natural? If it’s natural, it’s not altered. Plain and simple. But the FDA doesn’t define the word “natural” so that means pretty much anything can be defined as natural, including genetically modified fruits and vegetables. I’m not saying this is genetically modified fruit, in fact, I don’t think it is. But in my opinion, any marketer that uses the term “natural” is suspect. If it was natural, why would you need to even imply it is? UNLESS you are trying to market it as “natural.”

It gets worse, the School Nutrition Association has promoted them during their annual conference. The School Nutrition Association, formerly American School Food Service Association, is “a national, nonprofit organization representing 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.” They put on a conference every year and have over 800 exhibitors promoting different technologies and food products to decision makers in our school districts. Crazy Apples were highlighted in 2010, and since then have been spotted in grocery stores across the nation.

My concern is that these apples may start to appear in school lunches. And before you start calling me a “nut” because in the past I’ve condemned organizations for feeding soda to children *gasp how could I?* hear me out. Apples taste fine the way they are. They don’t NEED any additional flavoring. In fact, when you add flavoring to natural produce and give them to children you are training their palate to expect that flavor. Right now that happens with chocolate milk. We don’t need children turning their noses up to real apples because they got used to bubble gum flavored apples at school.

Most moms can see where I’m going with this…

I’ve created a petition and need 10,000 signatures to send to send a statement to the USDA Food & Nutrition Services and the School Nutrition Association, who represent the professionals that provide school lunches to our children, to leave apples alone. They are fine the way they are…and less expensive. Please sign this petition and share it with your friends on Facebook.

I’m continuing to be a royal pain in ass when it comes to food, but our nation can’t afford to ignore things like this. The cost is too high.

 

Filed Under: Activism, Featured, Leah's Posts, Longterm Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 50 Most Inspirational Healthy Tweeps 2012

December 6, 2012 By 13 Comments

Once again Mamavation has had the honor to put out the Top 50 Most Influential Healthy Tweeps. This list is different than before. This year all decisions were handled in a panel with Mamavation Leadership members and Diets In Review. Thank you to everyone who nominated their favorites. We split the list in 5 parts: Fitness, Food, Weight Loss, Inspiration & Activism. And then at the bottom we have some honorable mentions to check out as well. The order is random, so assume each person on the list is equally influential.

Congratulations to the 2012 Top 50 Most Influential Healthy Tweeps!

Top 10 in Fitness

1. @Healthhabits

2. @Mizfitonline

3. @Kodjoworkout

4. @AndreaMetcalf

5. @Fitcheerldr

6. @Fitmomtraining

7. @KellyOlexa

8. @BarefootAngieB

9. @LisaJohnson

10. @Smashfit

 

Top 10 in Food

11. @Skinnyjeans

12. @InspiredRD

13. @Roninoone

14. @MaryHartleyRD

15. @Savorthethyme

16. @fANNEtasticFood

17. @PaleOMG

18. @HealthyJasmine

19. @MichaelPollan

20. @ElisaZied

 

Top 10 in Weight Loss

21. @SkinnyEmmie

22. @Sweatin_it_off

23. @ReneeJRoss

24. @Rachhabs

25. @FittotheFinish

26. @Notdiyheather

27. @Yumyucky

28. @Greenmom

29. @Eggface

30. @FoodieMcBody

 

Top 10 in Inspiration

31. @JoshuaMedcalf

32. @JoyceCherrier

33. @Priorfatgirl

34. @Girlgonehealthy

35. @NYCRunningmama

36. @Growsoulbeautiful

37. @YourInnerSkinny

38. @Tidbits_of_Tara

39. @Askwifey

40. @SarahStanley

 

Top 10 in Activism

41. @WhatsthatSmell

42. @Happymothering

43. @Unhealthytruth

44. @Danceswithfat

45. @TheFoodbabe

46. @PhdinParenting

47. @LindaBaconHAES

48. @Ashleykoff

49. @Bodhi_bear

50. @MrHealthNut

 

Honorable Mentions of Awesomeness

51. @Jacksht

52. @Joggermom

53. @Dolvett

54. @JourneyTV

55. @Nichols0907

56. @HealthyIrishman

57. @Abe_Cortes

58. @Runeatrepeat

59. @StefanPinto

60. @CarrotsNCake

 

Honorable Associations/Companies of Awesomeness

61. @Food_democracy

62. @JustLabelit

63. @GMOInside

64. @CARighttoKnow

65. @Care2

66. @Healthy_child

67. @Nutiva

68. @FitStudio

69. @Cedarcirclefarms

70. @Fitbottomgirl

 

If you were mentioned on this list, please feel free to take this badge because you’ve earned it. Thank you for spreading healthy cheer!

 

Mamavation
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.mamavation.com/2012/12/top-50-most-inspirational-healthy-tweeps-2012.html" title="Mamavation"><img src="http://i688.photobucket.com/albums/vv248/bookieboo78/top50main.png" alt="Mamavation" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
Here are the lists from the previous years:
Filed Under: Featured, healthy living, Leah's Posts, Longterm, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Yogurt Garlic Chicken

May 18, 2012 By 3 Comments

This is my favorite overnight marinade for chicken. It is spicy, flavorful and the yogurt and lemon do a great job tenderizing the chicken for me. Just serve this over your favorite starch or salad greens. I like to serve ours over quinoa or whole wheat couscous.

Print
Yogurt Garlic Chicken

Yogurt Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

  • 2 c. plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 c. lemon juice
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. cardamon
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 c. chicken stock
  • olive oil for the pain
  • parsley to garnish (optional)
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine the first 8 ingredients in a bowl. Mix to combine.
  2. Rinse and dry your chicken breasts and put them in a ziplock bag. Add enough marinade to cover them. Seal and refrigerate overnight. Reserve the remaining marinade and refrigerate. This will be reduced down for a sauce with the chicken.
  3. Add a little olive oil to your pan and brown the chicken breasts. Remove, cover and set aside.
  4. Add the reserved marinade and chicken stock to your pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 12 minutes.
  5. Add the chicken back to the pan and warm through. Turn the chicken so both sides are coated. Salt to taste, garnish with a pinch of parsley and serve.
http://www.mamavation.com/2012/05/yogurt-garlic-chicken.html

Enjoy!

Now it’s you turn! Please link up your healthy recipes below:

Submitted by Andrea (@notimeMom) from Adventures in All Things Food. Farmer’s wife, SAHM and foodie at heart.

Filed Under: Featured, Food, Longterm Tagged With: , , , ,

Healthy Parmesan Chicken

December 16, 2011 By 7 Comments

Chicken Parmesan typically involves some breading, a little frying, and lots of cheese. But it’s oh-so-good, right? Would you believe me if I told you that you could still enjoy this comfort food, and that it would actually be healthy for you? It’s true! This recipe holds all of the flavor of the original, plus even more because of the fresh herbs. Serve it over a moderate portion of whole wheat pasta, stick a salad on the side, and you have yourself a healthy dinner.

Print
Healthy Parmesan Chicken

Rating: 51

Healthy Parmesan Chicken

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. each of fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley, chopped
  • ½ tsp. each salt & pepper
  • 1 lb. package chicken tenderloins (could also cut chicken breasts into strips)
  • 2 cups tomato sauce (make sure to get a good brand with minimal ingredients, or make your own)
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 Tbsp. freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Heat large oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Brush one side of cutlets with olive oil, sprinkle with half the salt and pepper and half the fresh herbs.
  2. Place herb-side down into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned.
  3. Brush top side with olive oil and sprinkle with remaining salt, pepper, and herbs. Flip and cook for 2-3 minutes more until both sides are browned.
  4. Remove pan from heat and let cool for 2 minutes. Grab your tomato sauce and pour over and around chicken.
  5. Top with cheese and slide pan into oven. Bake until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
http://www.mamavation.com/2011/12/healthy-parmesan-chicken.html

And there you have it.  A healthy chicken parmesan.  I told you it could be done!

Now it’s you turn! Please link up your healthy recipes below:

Submitted by: Alysa (@inspiredrd) from InspiredRD.com Dietitian, Personal Trainer, Cook, Crafter, Wife, Mom, proud wearer of onion-goggles. New Celiac. Official dietitian of Mamavation & Baby Boot Camp.

Filed Under: Featured, Food, Longterm Tagged With: , , ,

Whole Wheat Pasta with Vegetables

December 8, 2011 By 5 Comments

My fiance took the car with the car seat with him to work a few days ago.

Being a stay at home mom and trying to cook something healthy that my kids will eat is tough. It gets tougher when you don’t have the luxury of running to the store to grab that one ingredient for something that sounds good to you too. And you don’t realize until it’s 5pm and your kids are HUNGRY.

I wanted to make tofu lasagne last night, but alas….was out of tofu. And cheese. And a lot of things.

So this is my Hail Mary from what I had in my kitchen and my freezer (both of which are looking pretty sad, since it’s our big monthly shopping day this weekend…).

And if the empty plates and kiddos begging for more (and my 2 year old’s spaghetti face) are any indication, it was a success.

Hope you enjoy!

Print
Whole Wheat Pasta with Vegetables

Rating: 51

Total Time: 15 minutes

Whole Wheat Pasta with Vegetables

Ingredients

  • A package whole wheat spaghetti (or regular, if you don't like whole wheat pasta)
  • 1 jar tomato sauce (we like the tomato and basil from Trader Joe's)
  • Olive oil
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 1 onion, chopped (we like Walla Walla onions)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (or pressed, if you have a garlic press)
  • About 3 cups of veggies, chopped (we used carrots, kale, broccoli and cauliflower. DEFROST if frozen! I learned that the hard way :)

Instructions

  1. Start a pot of water to boil for the noodles.
  2. In a separate saucepan, put enough olive oil to lightly coat the bottom. (I know this is a super scientific measurement. It's about 2 tablespoons.)
  3. Turn heat for saucepan to medium.
  4. When oil is heated, carefully put onions in and spread in an even layer over the bottom of the pan. Don't stir!
  5. When onions are translucent (semi-see-through), add minced/pressed garlic and stir.
  6. Stirring occasionally (every minute or so), cook onion mixture until the onions brown a bit on the edges and become very fragrant.
  7. Add tomato paste and stir, cook 2 minutes.
  8. Add spaghetti sauce and veggies, stir, cover pot and turn heat to low.
  9. Cook spaghetti according to directions.
  10. Drain spaghetti and put into big bowl.
  11. Turn heat under saucepan back to medium and cook 3 more minutes.
  12. Add sauce to bowl with noodles, stir.
  13. Eat & enjoy :)
http://www.mamavation.com/2011/12/hail-mary-dinner.html

Now it’s you turn! Please link up your healthy recipes below:

Submitted by Libby (@miacupcake) from Bruises in the Frosting. Mom. Derby girl (team FLASH). Baker. PR-friendly blogger. Postpartum doula. Firmly anti-Beeber. Mamavation Grad. AWESOMESAUCE.

Filed Under: Featured, Food, Longterm Tagged With: , , , ,

Lentil and Tomato Stuffed Delicata Squash

December 2, 2011 By 12 Comments

Get those healthy recipes out…. It’s Mamavation’s first Healthy Food Friday Linky!

Because Fall always makes me think of squash, here’s a healthy, simple and inexpensive choice for dinner. It’s also a great vegetarian or “Meatless Monday” option to try:

Print
Lentil and Tomato Stuffed Delicata Squash

Rating: 51

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Lentil and Tomato Stuffed Delicata Squash

This recipe calls for a Delicata squash which is a 1 - 2 lb. oblong shaped squash with cream colored skin and long green stripes. It has a golden, fine-textured flesh with a mild flavor. You can store these beauties for 7-8 months in a cool, dry place and they are available year around in most areas.  If you can't find a Delicata use any squash you have readily available. Good substitutions would be Sugar Loaf Squash, Sweet Dumpling or Acorn Squash. Just adjust portions accordingly.

Ingredients

  • 1 Delicata squash
  • 1 onion, chopped fine
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped fine
  • 1 small bell pepper, chopped fine
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. oregano
  • 2 tsp. Spike Seasoning (or a low-sodium season salt of your choice)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 c. lentils
  • 2 c. favorite tomato base (either plain diced tomatos, marinara sauce, etc.)
  • 2 c. chicken stock
  • 2 large handfuls of fresh baby spinach
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Low-fat Mozzarella
  • olive oil for the pan
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Cut your squash in half length-wise and set it cut side up in a baking dish with an inch of water. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 to 35 minutes, depending on the size of your squash. To test, use a fork to prick the flesh. It should be soft, but not mushy in order to contain the filling.

  3. While the squash bakes chop your onions, celery and green pepper. Add those to a pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Over medium-low heat, sweat the vegetables down till they are translucent. Then add the garlic just to warm through.

  4. To the pan add the seasoning, lentils, tomato base and stock. Use a tomato base of your choice. A can of sliced or crushed tomatoes will work well as will a bit of your favorite (low sugar) marinara sauce.

  5. Simmer for 25 minutes until the lentils are tender. Then toss in the baby spinach leaves to wilt. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  6. Once the squash is finished baking and is cool enough to handle, scrape out a little of the inside.
  7. Try not to break the skin so it will still hold your filling.  Mash the excess flesh in a separate bowl. Set aside.
  8. Place the shells in a greased baking dish. Add a little grated Parmesan cheese, then a  layer of the lentil mixture and a bit of the mashed squash. Repeat as necessary to fill the squash cavity. Add a little grated Mozzarella and Parmesan to the top.

  9. Put the stuffed squash back into the oven for 15 - 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and a little bubbly. If you want a bit more color on the top put it under the broiler for a minute or two, but keep an eye on it.
  10. Enjoy!
http://www.mamavation.com/2011/12/healthy-food-friday-lentil-and-tomato-stuffed-delicata-squash.html

Now it’s you turn! Please link up your healthy recipes below:

Also be sure to declare you disclosure with: **I’m participating in Healthy Food Friday with Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women ** at the bottom of your post.

Submitted by Andrea (@notimeMom) from Adventures in All Things Food. Farmer’s wife, SAHM and foodie at heart.

Filed Under: Featured, Food, Longterm Tagged With: ,