Delish Cabbage Rolls

I have been experimenting with different meals and of course my family loves it!  Tonight we had cabbage rolls, it was quite interesting but very delish! Hope you enjoy:)

Cabbage Rolls

Serves 6

1 – 3pound head of cabbage

1 pound ground beef

1 cup instant brown rice uncooked

1 large can of diced tomatoes

1 14.5 oz can of crushed tomatoes

1/2 tsp tarragon

2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

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Cook ground beef, drain and blot off with paper towels

Bring a stock pot full of salted water to boil

Remove hard center core of cabbage, cut or pull cabbage leaves (that’s the tricky part)

Place leaved in hot water and cook for about 3 minutes

Remove from water and place on dish towels or paper towels to drain

Mix the uncooked rice into the ground beef, half of the diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes, tarragon, salt, pepper, and garlic.

Place about a fist full of mixture, (approx. 2 tbsp) into each cabbage leaf, roll and squeeze out the liquid.

Place the rolls in a Dutch oven.  Add the remaining tomatoes and their juice, extra salt and pepper if desired.  Add enough water to cover the rolls.

Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for about 30 minutes.

Serve and enjoy. You can serve with sour cram or with roasted potatoes like we did.  Enjoy!!

From my kitchen to yours:)

Chicken Florentine

Another family favorite and very easy to make.

Chicken Florentine

Serves 6

• 6 – boneless chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3-4 tsp of garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup of half-and-half or whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cans of cream of mushroom soup (condensed)
• 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 small pkgs of frozen spinach, drained
• 6 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 1/3 cup bacon bits
• 3 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese

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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the chicken breast halves on a baking sheet; bake 20 to 30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Remove from heat, and set aside.

Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stirring constantly, mix in the garlic, lemon juice, cream of mushroom soup, Italian seasoning, half-and-half, and Parmesan cheese.

Arrange the spinach over the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Cover the spinach with the mushrooms. Pour half the mixture from the saucepan over the mushrooms. Arrange chicken breasts in the dish, and cover with the remaining sauce mixture. Sprinkle with bacon bits, and top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes in the 400 degrees oven, until bubbly and lightly browned.

Enjoy!!

Green Tea – For Body and Soul

Tea is a beverage that holds special places in our heart.  Ask any tea drinker and they will tell you that tea will calm them down and indeed calm the spirit.

Research suggests that green tea in particular may have a more special place in our hearts.  It is thought that it may actually help relax your arteries, therefore reducing the risk for heart disease and blood clots.

When the arteries are relaxed, blood flow will increase which will in turn reduce the risk of cardiac disease.

Green tea is not only great for your heart but it is also a great antioxidant.  Green tea is rich in potent antioxidants called polyphenols.  Researchers suggest that polyphenols help reduce the risk of breast, stomach, colon, prostate and other cancers.

Green tea is also a natural antiseptic and skin protector.  When applied to the skin it will help relieve itching, swelling, sunburns and at times puffy eyelids.

Brew yourself a pot of green tea, relax in a comfy chair with a good book and relax your body and soul.

For more healthy tips: be sure to visit Dr. Mommy Health Tips

Toothpaste – Not just for teeth

Came across these tips and had to share them with you.

Of course I had to try it first before sharing with you as well.

Who knew that toothpaste could be used for more than just your teeth?

Here are some great tips that will save you money as well:

• Whitens sneakers – well now we can not only use toothpaste to brighten our teeth, but can also use on our sneakers! Clean rubber soles by rubbing scuff marks with an old toothbrush and non-gel toothbrush..brush away the dirt!

• Deodorize your hands – you know that smell of garlic you can’t seem to wash off, now you can! Squirt a blob of toothpaste on your hands and rub together, rinse and smell is all gone.

• Remove crayon marks - this really works and I was amazed! Squeeze a small dab of non-gel toothpaste on the wall where the crayon mark is and rub gently with a cloth.  Rinse with warm water and mark disappears, like magic!

• Defog your goggles – can’t keep your swimming goggles from fogging up?  Coat the inside of your swimming goggles with toothpaste, then wipe off, and viola! No more foggy goggles!

• Buff a DVD – no more worries over light scratches on your favorite DVD. Squeeze a little of non-gel toothpaste onto a cotton ball and gently wipe over the DVD from center to outer ridge.  Rinse carefully with warm water and dry with a lint-free cloth and scratches disappear.

Who knew toothpaste could me used on more than just your teeth?  I’ve heard of other uses such as placing a dab of non-gel toothpaste on a pimple and it will disappear, but that never works for me.  The tips I shared worked.  Try them for yourself.

Solution for Canker Sores

Canker sores, seems like a curse if you suffer from them.  Did you know that a little licorice might help?

In a recent study, researchers gave licorice-laced adhesive patches to 23 adults suffering from canker sores.  Seven days after the initial application, sores were less painful and had decreased in size.  Those in the study that did not receive the patches saw their sores increase by 13 percent.

A culprit for canker sores seems to be stress and hormonal changes.  According to Jennifer Phillips, ND, ‘the licorice helps to knit the tissue back together and heal the sore.’

An at home solution can be found in your local natural-foods store.  Steep a tablespoon of dried licoric root in a cup of simmering water for 15 minutes.  Strain the solution and let cool at room temperature.  Rinse your mouth with the tea and watch your sores decrease and size and become less painful.