Hello, readers! I hope some of you were able to make either (or both) of Monday's meals. If you did, let me know how they turned out! I'm no professional chef, and I'm always looking for tips and suggestions. Also, if there is a particular vegetable or meat or spice you like and I haven't made a meal yet using it, please let me know. Recipes and meal suggestions are always welcome! So, let's get to it.

Wednesday January 23, 2013
For breakfast I made a Peanut Butter and Banana smoothie. Can you tell I like peanut butter and bananas a lot? *On a side note, bananas are .19 cents each at Trader Joe's! And yes, I picked up some more :) Now, onto my peanut butter and banana smoothie. Total time: 5 minutes to make. Ingredients used: 10 ounces of milk, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and 1 banana. Directions: Cut banana into thin slices. In a blender, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth, or at a consistency you like and you're done! I used soy milk, but any milk is fine. When I was growing up, I was lactose intolerant and I would only drink soy milk, (I've since then grown fond of non-soy milk.) This quick and easy to make breakfast is great for anyone who needs to "eat" breakfast while commuting. Easily made to have on the go, this healthy smoothie will keep you full until lunchtime!

 Tip: add about 5 or 6 ice cubes for a thicker consistency. Add yogurt for some more flavor, and a scoop of protein powder for a little extra healthiness! 


The dinner I made has two parts. A spinach and mixed green salad and thin spaghetti with sauteed onions and tomatoes. Time: 25 minutes, including prep for both the salad and spaghetti. Ingredients used for salad: Spinach leaves, romaine lettuce, 3 slices of cucumber, 2 slices of a Roma tomato, balsamic vinaigrette and oil. Directions: Chop romaine lettuce at an angle, and add spinach leaves. Cut slices of cucumber and Roma tomato and add to salad. Last, pour 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of balsamic vinaigrette and mix. Enjoy! 

Ingredients used for spaghetti: a little less than half a package of spaghetti (or more, depending on how hungry you are or how many people you plan on feeding), 1/2 slice of chopped onion, olive oil, 1/2 chopped Roma tomato, three cheese marinara sauce and 3 tablespoons of red wine. Directions: Put water in a pot, and bring to a boil, add spaghetti. Pour a little olive oil (vegetable oil works too) into a pan, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan, but not so much that the oil will hurt you. Put chopped onions in the pan on medium heat, occasionally turning them over so they don't burn. You want your onions to be a nice golden color. Next, add chopped Roma tomato into the same pan as the onions. In a separate pan, mix the red wine and the three cheese marinara sauce together, on low heat. When you spaghetti is done cooking, add three cheese marinara/wine sauce, and sauteed onions and tomato. Enjoy your meal! 

Tip: substitute three cheese marinara sauce with a nice olive oil, or a light Alfredo sauce. 

Until next time, Happy Cooking!