Saucy Salmon Packets

Looking for a quick FABULOUS all in one Valentines Dinner Meal? I knew you would be, and this one, is an easy clean-up tooo!!! (Yayyyyy)

Ingredients:

• 4 Salmon Fillets
• Olive Oil
• 2 cups frozen whole green beans (please be mindful that they should be low sodium)
• Pepper
• 1 cup of red onions sliced
• Feta cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Bag of Instant Brown Rice (Success, Uncle Ben's, 365degree... etc)
• 1 cup of black olives, sliced
• Parchment paper (for baking)
• 4 teaspoons garlic, chopped
• 1 cup of salad dressing (Greek or balsamic will work)

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut 4 (9x12) pieces of parchment paper. Layer the following ingredients in the center of each piece of parchment paper: green beans, onions, tomatoes, olives, garlic. Season with pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Season salmon with pepper and place on top of veggies. Pour a tablespoon of salad dressing on the top of each piece of salmon. Fold the shorter sides of the parchment paper over to cover the salmon. Roll the remaining ends of paper up to the center so you have a packet. (FYI - I had to practice this a few times myself before mastering the "packet look" but it is so worth it!) Place packets on baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cook rice according to directions. Serve salmon and veggies on top of rice. Top with a teaspoon of feta cheese!!

You're going to LOVE this one! And here are a few of the health benefits for you... (Education is Power!)

***Benefits of Salmon - salmon oil, in particular the fatty acid, helps stimulate the secretion of leptin. Leptin is a hormone that helps the body regulate food intake and metabolism, which in turn helps the body respond to insulin.

***Benefits of Green Beans - The major health benefit of common beans is their ability to lower cholesterol due to their rich source of fiber. Studies have shown that the high fiber contained in beans prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal.

***Benefits of Black Olives - Black olives are a rich source of vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that acts to neutralize free radicals in the body. Black olives also offer a healthy dose of dietary fiber, iron and copper. While olives are a bit salty, one serving is well within the sodium ranges suggested by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Happy Valentines Day!!! For any questions or requests please email me at www.fitandfabulousmommyclub@gmail.com

--Candice Hood

Savory Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-size green peppers
• 1/2 pound extra-lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup drained, canned whole tomatoes
• 1 cup cooked wild rice
• 1 tablespoon Worchestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
• vegetable cooking spray
• 1 cup canned tomato sauce

Directions: Slice off stem end of peppers and remove and discard seeds and membranes. Submerge the peppers in a pan of boiling water and cook for 5 to 10 minutes; drain. Brown ground beef and onion in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Return meat mixture to skillet. Add tomatoes, breaking them into pieces with cooking spoon, and cook until liquid evaporates. Remove meat mixture from heat; stir in wild rice, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Spoon 1/2 cup portions of rice mixture into peppers; sprinkle evenly with bread crumbs. Place peppers in a baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Spoon tomato sauce over peppers and return to oven until heated.

Yield: 4 servings; Serving size: 1 stuffed pepper
Nutrition facts per serving: Calories: 243; Carbohydrate: 34 g; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 4 g; Saturated fat: <1 g; Sodium: 653 mg; Fiber: 5 g

Sunny Honey-Orange Chicken

• 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tsp. grated ginger
• 1 tsp. garlic
• 1 tbsp. orange zest
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Directions: Combine juice, honey, ginger, garlic, zest, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken; stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot; add olive oil and swirl to coat. Lift chicken from marinade and let excess drip back into bowl. When oil is hot, add chicken and cook over medium heat 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Add reserved marinade to skillet and boil over medium-high heat, turning chicken once or twice, 3 to 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce is reduced by half. Transfer chicked to a cutting board, cut into diagonal slices, and arrange on a platter. Stir sesame oil into thickened sauce and spoon it over chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Power Facts:

• Ginger - Studies show it helps to lower blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, relieve headaches, nausea, muscular inflammation. Fresh ginger should be cut from the root and only slice the amount needed, as once the ginger is exposed to the air, it loses it's nutritional properties. When buying ginger, only select smooth, firm, unblemished roots. Ginger is beneficial to health when eaten and can be used as a bath soak for sore muscles and made into tea to help alleviate sinus issues! Ginger is definitely one of my top 20 Power Foods... add it to your list!

--In Perfect Health and Wealth, Candice Hood

Celebrity LifeStyle and Wellness Coach/Fit Family Expert, Fit and Fabulous Mommy Club