Easy way out...

Yesterday was Friday, and I had to work again... so the family opted for an easy, fun dinner.  We ordered pizza.  I usually make my own pizza which is super yummy, but this week we just wanted to relax and enjoy dinner.

Today, my husband is working all day, so it is up to me to take care of the girls and all that jazz.  I am hoping to be able to take the girls to the Farmer's Market this AM and get some awesome fresh fruits and vegetables.

Let's see where the day takes us.  Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

Busy Day

Today I had to work, and the husband is going to be home a little later than usual.  So, it is up to me to make dinner and pick up the kids.  I have the youngest already and I have about 30 more minutes before I pick up the oldest.

I am currently defrosting chicken and getting ready to chop vegetables.  We are going to have an Asian inspired dinner... but a very Americanized version.

The Menu

Chicken cooked with soy sauce and garlic, served with sautéed zucchini and bell pepper served with white rice.  

Yes, we could have it with brown rice... but we every once in a while it is fun to have the white kind.

Recipe to follow... it's cooking time now! 

Quick Skillet Dinner

Dinner Tonight 

Tonight we are going to have one of our "go-to meals."  

We pretty much always have potatoes, bell peppers and turkey sausage on hand.  I cook them all up together with a little bit of seasonings, and voila, dinner is served!  

This is a great recipe for dinner on a small money and time budget.  

Quick chop/slice, and place in skillet... then finish up the kids homework while it cooks.  

Tip: I bought the sausage on sale with a coupon, so this makes for a fairly budget friendly meal.

Recipe

Ingredients

1 Hillshire Turkey Sausage Rope, sliced

4 Small potatoes, chopped (or 1-2 large potatoes)

2 Tbsp olive oil 

1 tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp Onion powder

1 Tbsp Seasoned salt

Pepper to taste

4-5 Mini yellow, orange, and red bell peppers, julienned

Directions

In a large skillet, place sliced sausage, and chopped potatoes; coat with olive oil.  Sprinkle with seasonings, may add more or less seasonings to taste.  Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until sausage is fully cooked and potatoes are tender, about 15-25 minutes depending on size of potato pieces and thickness of sausage.  In the last 5 minutes, add bell pepper to cook slightly, but still allowing for a slight crunch.  Serve with a quick green salad.  Enjoy! 

Welcome to Me

Who am I?

I am a registered dietitian, mother, wife and student.  Currently I am juggling caring for my family, household duties, work, and my Master's thesis.  Most importantly, I am trying to feed my family right. 

I decided to start blogging:

To apply my knowledge of nutrition

with my trials and triumphs of feeding my family...

In an effort to help others learn to eat right.  

Background Info:

Food has been my whole life. 

A majority of memories as a childhood revolve around food.  

I remember helping my mom all day long prep Thanksgiving dinner.  Now Thanksgiving dinner is my holiday!

In the summer I lived with my dad, some of my fondest memories are wearing an apron in the kitchen while picking parsley leaves or walking to the farmer’s market to buy fresh fruit, veggies and herbs.  

For years I teased my grandmother for planning meals days, weeks, and even months in advance.  Now, I do the same thing and I love it!  

Although my life had always revolved around food, I had never thought about having a career involving food or nutrition.  It wasn’t until I took a class at the local community college and the instructor asked me if I had ever considered a career in dietetics (nutrition).  The next semester, I started taking a nutrition class and knew I was destined to be a dietitian.  I spent the next 5 years dedicated to becoming a dietitian.  

Now, I am proud to say I am a registered dietitian!!

Educational moment:

What is a registered dietitian?  A registered dietitian is your nutrition health professional.  To become a registered dietitian, you have to complete a bachelor’s degree in dietetics and nutrition at an accredited school, then complete an internship (aka supervised practice), and then pass the certification exam.  Once you become a dietitian, you need to continue your education to maintain your registration.  

But then what about a nutritionist?  A dietitian may use the title nutritionist, but not all nutritionist are dietitians.  The definition of nutritionist varies from state to state, and not all states regulate the requirements for the title of nutritionist (in California anyone can use the title nutritionist, so be careful).  A nutritionist may or may not have the educational background, supervised practice, certification exam, or required continuing education that is required of a dietitian.  Be cautious when you see this title used.  Make sure they are also a registered dietitian.