Friday, May 7, 2010 at 06:50 AM
Today is a day to celebrate. Not only is it Mother’s Day Weekend, but the day that I’ve been dreading waiting for is finally here: it’s my 40th birthday! I had been thinking about how to commemorate this day on my blog for a while, when it finally occurred to me. On my birthday (which happens to fall oh-so-close to Mother’s Day) I would introduce you all to the woman who so bravely brought me into this world 40 years ago today: My Mom!
Mom and Me
My mom is a Rock Star! She is a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, daughter and friend to many. She works as a nurse to developmentally disabled people and formerly worked as a hospice nurse. She is always helping others (including me!) and so today, she wrote a recipe for all of you A Better Bag of Groceries fans!
Chicken and Pasta with Greens and Beans by Melissa’s Mom, Barbara
Mom in Her Kitchen
Ingredients:
1/2 lb chicken tenders (NuVal score: 35)
1 medium onion, chopped (NuVal score: 93)
garlic (NuVal score: 91)
4 cups coarsely chopped broccoli rabe (NuVal score: 100)
1 1/2 cups drained cannellini beans (drained and rinsed) (NuVal score of 58for Progresso – among the highest for cannellini beans)
1 small can chick peas (drained and rinsed) (Mom’s brand of Hanover gets a 72; Goya Chick Peas get an 88)
2 cups nonfat/low sodium vegetable broth (not yet scored)
1 tomato, seeded and diced (NuVal score: 96)
6 ounces uncooked pasta, cooked al dente (Mom used Dreamfields which gets a NuVal score of 87)
- Lightly spray a large nonstick saucepan with cooking spray. Brown chicken tenders, then remove to a separate dish. Add onion into saucepan and saute until soft, add garlic, stir until garlic is softened (about 5 minutes).
- Add broccoli rabe; cook 2-3 minutes. Add diced tomato and beans. Stir until softened. Add broth; bring to a low boil. Reduce heat, simmer about 5 minutes. Add cooked chicken and pasta. Cook on low until flavors blend.
Let stand several minutes before serving.
This recipe serves two, with leftovers. It can be adjusted for larger crowds.
Yum, that looks delicious!
My mom created this recipe especially for my Dad, who was diagnosed with Diabetes last year. (Like I said, she is always doing nice things for people!) Mom says that whenever my Dad eats chick peas, his glucose level is better the following morning. Chick peas are an amazing little legume!!
I am off to celebrate my big day. I hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Posted by: Melissa
Posted in: Chicken, Dinner Recipes, Dreamfield's, chick peas
Tags: My Mom
Monday, April 12, 2010 at 07:27 AM
A friend and colleague of mine once nicknamed me just that: The Queen of Leafy Greens and Chick Peas. My curious choice in lunch foods inspired him to do so. Most days, we’d hit the cafeteria (in downtown Chicago, across from the Sears Tower at the time) and I’d help myself to a big plate of leafy greens with lots and lots of chick peas. Fast forward to today and it is still one of my favorite lunches.
Chick peas (also called garbanzo beans) are an interesting little legume, with a texture unlike that of kidney beans, black beans or pinto beans. I love all beans, my chick peas are my go-to variety.
What’s interesting about buying canned chick peas is that the NuVal scores can really vary. Check out these scores:
- Goya Chick Peas: NuVal score of 88
- Full Circle Garbanzo Beans: NuVal score of 82
- Meijer Organic Garbanzo Beans: NuVal score of 82
Great scores, right?
Now check these out:
- Bush’s Best Garbanzo Chick Peas: NuVal score of 53
- Progresso Ceci Chick Peas: NuVal score of 58
Wow, not so good! As you’ve heard me say before, it’s all about the additives! I’m always inclined to reach for that Progresso can (because it’s big and I really love chick peas), but it’s definitely not the highest scoring brand!
So, now for the salad that inspired my Nickname!
In today’s mix:
Romaine Lettuce: NuVal score of 100
Red Leaf Lettuce: NuVal score of 100
Baby Spinach: NuVal score of 100
Cucumber: NuVal score of 93
Cherry Tomatoes: NuVal score of 96
Grilled Asparagus: NuVal score of 100, but take into account that I added olive oil (11) and Kosher salt (1)
Cheddar Cheese: NuVal score of 22 for Cabot Private Selection Vermont Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
Dressing of olive oil (11), balsamic vinegar, Kosher salt (1), and ground black pepper.
Yum! My husband loved it too.
And now, I’m off to put on my crown and rule my Kingdom of Nutritious Foods!
Question of the Day
What is your favorite way to eat Chick Peas?
Posted by: Melissa
Posted in: chick peas
Tags: chick peas
Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 08:20 PM
As I learn more about NuVal scores, I am rethinking what I put in my mouth. When I walk in the door some nights with 2 kids, lunchboxes to unpack, dinner to make and everyone starving, I’ve stopped reaching for a handful of Cheez-its or pita chips. With their low scores, they’re just not worth it. As I approach my one year anniversary of working for NuVal (which I love!), I realize that I have a new Top Ten Favorite Food List that is different than what it was one year ago. Here it is:
1. Chobani Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt: Score of 94
I love this plain, thicker-than-regular yogurt so much. I mix in some fresh nectarine and blueberries. I also put it on baked potatoes. And when my neighbor called looking to borrow sour cream for a recipe she was making (none in my fridge), I gave her the yogurt instead and she said it turned out great. This yogurt is filling and substantial. It’s my quick fix on Monday afternoons when I need an energy boost before teaching my 6:30 pm Pilates class.
2. Almonds: Score of 81
My boss and friend got me hooked on these. I opt for the roasted, unsalted brand and my husband loves them too. Since I work out early (5:30 am), I often need a post-breakfast, mid-morning snack. These do the trick.
3. Frozen Grapes: Score of 91
Someone brought frozen grapes this year to the 4th of July cookout. And boy did it bring back memories. I ate a lot of frozen grapes back in my obsessive Weight Watcher days (circa 1996) because they kept me from eating ice cream. My husband affectionately called them frozen eyeballs. So I resurrected them this summer. They are so easy – just rinse and throw them in a ziploc bag in the freezer. They still look like frozen eyeballs, but they are so tasty and the kids love them too. But this post is about MY top ten. The kids’ will be next week. Moving on…
4. Special K with Protein: Score 0f 60
As I mentioned in my Adult Rated Cereal post, I don’t have time for a lot of munching in the morning. So bye-bye to some of my more laborious cereals and hello Special K with Protein. But it MUST say Protein on the box. My DH has mistakenly bought the regular one (which scores only a 23) and we had to return it. It is a little sweet, very filling, and it lasts me until Almond Time.
5. Joseph’s Flax, Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Flour Pita Bread: Score of 65
These very flat pitas are so satisfying. We go through at least two packages of these a week because everyone in our house seems to like them. And the score is much better than most other breads or pita products.
6. Skim Milk: Score of 91
This is just one of those perfect foods. You get some protein, your Vitamin D and your Calcium. I’ll admit, I probably was not getting the recommended number of dairy servings per day until we switched to milk delivery in glass bottles. I was even able to get the kids to switch to skim. There I go talking about them again. This post is about MY favorites.
7. Tropicana 50 Pulp-Free with Calcium Orange Juice: Score of 81
This is a recent find from when I blogged about juice. We were drinking Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice with Calcium and Vitamin D with a score of 51. Now we’re drinking 30 points higher because the Trop 50 has less sugar. I really think they should change the name though. It makes me think that it is juice for people over age 50. And I’ve got 11 years before I get there. Note: Make sure you buy the one that says “with Calcium and Vitamin D”. The other Trop 50 right next to it scores much, much lower.
8. Quaker Steel Cut Oats: Score of 60
They take a long time to cook, so I often make a big batch and reheat them on busy weekday mornings. These oats are for Mommy only. My daughter loves oatmeal, but not this kind. Even the purple container could not win her over. But I love their sticking power. It’s all about getting me to Almond Time.
9. Chick Peas: Scores vary
And this is why I need NuVal in my grocery store. Because while I do have access to the scores because I work there, I can’t remember them when I am trying to pick out the chick peas that have the best score. Progresso chick peas get a 58, but the Food Club organic brand that I can buy at my local Roche Brothers store, get an 82. Yes, I’ve had a long-time love affair with chick peas. A friend and colleage of mine dubbed me the Queen of Leafy Greens and Chick Peas back in the ’90s. They are just the protein you need on salad.
10: Vegetables: Scores vary, but they are really high
Yes, I am a veggie lover and I have been one since early childhood. I used to ask my mom, “Can I have lettuce for my treat tonight?” and she’d say, “Well, OK. Only if you’re good.” When I get back from traveling or a vacation where veggies were scarce, I feel the difference. And it makes me crabby. My favorites are asparagus (100), arugula (100), broccoli rabe (100) and brussels sprouts (94). My husband knows to just let me order that $6 plate of one of these when we go out to dinner. The good news is that frozen vegetables without additives score really well too. I always have a bag of frozen brussels sprouts in my freezer in case we run out of fresh veggies before that weekly shopping trip.
So that is what is on my shopping list each week. Next week, I’ll post on my kids’ Top Ten list. What’s on your Top Ten List? I’d love to hear about it.
Posted by: Melissa
Posted in: Chobani, Greek yogurt, Special K, Top Ten (Mommy), Trop 50, almonds, chick peas, flax pita, frozen grapes, skim milk, steel cut oats
