Breakfast Salad

This salad will pack a punch, as you start you're morning on the right foot.

serve: 5

10 oz. Lettuces, rinsed and torn into bite size pieces
10 oz. spinach, rinsed and torn into bite size pieces
1/2 c. plus 2 Tbsp. Dried cranberries
1/3 c. plus 2 Tbsp. almonds, blanched and slivered
1-1/4 lb. extra lean turkey bacon * Vegetarian bacon
7-1/2 mushrooms,cleaned and sliced
1-1/4 (6oz.) pkg. croutons
10 eggs, scrambled* Egg substitute
2-1/2 Avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced

Directions:

1. In a medium sized dutch oven skillet,add oil to scramble eggs.

2. After scrambling eggs, use the same skillet (but make sure to clean it first) pan fry the bacon.

3. Toss together Lettuces, spinach, almonds, cranberries, mushrooms,as well as scrambled egg's and bacon. Topping it off with Croutons, and a slice of Avocado.

Zucchini loaf

When it come's to creating/ re adapting a recipe, I think on all different level's. As this recipe is based on Vegan and vegetarian's, an you don't even have to be either to enjoy this recipe. So why not give it a shot. what a great way to trick you're little one's into eating their vegetables.

Serves: 8

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 large Zucchini, chopped
3/4 c. celery, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 c. parsley, finely chopped
2 (14-ounce) pkg. firm tofu, drained
1 c. bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. ketchup
1 Tbsp. Tamari
1/2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce * (vegetarian Worcestershire sauce)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. oil a (9-inch) loaf pan with cooking spray; set aside.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery,Zucchini, garlic and parsley and cook until softened and golden brown, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, wrap the tofu in 3 or 4 layers of paper towels and gently press out as much water as possible, changing the paper towels once or twice as needed. Crumble tofu into a food processor and then add bread crumbs, egg, ketchup, tamari and Worcestershire and purée until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the onion mixture.

3. Spoon tofu mixture into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake, uncovered, until deep golden brown and firm to the touch, about 1 hour. For easier
slicing, set aside to let cool until warm.

Living Better Tip:

To add more pizzazz to this recipe.
Jazz it up with you're favorite cheese, apply to the top and allow it to melt.

Breakfast pizza puff

Adapted from:http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/237183/supersize-pizza-puffs/

Who said Pizza is only for Lunch and Dinner? I know I didn't.
As you can simply enjoy Pizza anytime like the commercial said "You can enjoy pizza anytime". this recipe is quick as well as simple.

serves: 4

1 (10 oz.) can biscuit dough
1 pinch garlic salt
2 c. tomato sauce
2 c. extra lean ground turkey sausage
2 c. scrambled eggs * egg substitute
2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese * Vegan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Separate biscuits and place on a work surface. Roll biscuits to double their original sizes using a rolling pin. Sprinkle garlic salt over each biscuit and top with tomato sauce. Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese over turkey sausage, and eggs, reserving about 2 tablespoons cheese. Fold the edges of each roll over the toppings, pinching the edges together to seal shut with a fork. Arrange biscuits on a baking sheet. Sprinkle pizza with reserved mozzarella cheese over each biscuit.

3. Bake in the oven until cheese is melted and biscuits are lightly browned, about 12 minutes.

Hot out of the oven.......Turmeric

*Note:Please continue to read this blog article.

Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love.
That no other blog source will ever take you close into the story.
I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes.Your saving money while eating the way you want in a healthier way.


I want to introduce you to another Spice that I truly love to use within side my kitchen. As well as share with you all the Health benefits that Turmeric has in it. First you're going to want to know what is Turmeric? and were did it originate from. Turmeric native is southwest India, as this spice has been used by the Asian for thousands of years an is part a part of their Siddha medicines. As they first started using it as a dye then later for medical properties. Turmeric is a yellow-pigmented curry spice that is often used in Indian cuisine. But this spice is far more than a cooking staple. It also has a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese medicine, as well as Ayurvedic medicine. Within (TCM) they have used this spice to treat liver disease, skin problems, respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, sprained muscles, joint pains, and general wound healing. As the benefits of Turmeric has been well documented in the Holistic medical field.The Bioactive ingredient in Turmeric as know as "Curcuma longa" has been found to promote health and protect against a wide array of health conditions. That includes the following anti-cancer properties that have been intensely studied, as well as drinking turmeric as a juice for many skin conditions, including eczema, chicken pox, shingles, allergy, and scabies. Turmeric also helps with kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, cancer, irritable bowel disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, as well as other clinical disorders. As Turmeric adds a lot of flavor to you're food as well, just to name one dish in particular "Spanish Rice". Which you add just a few dashes to the rice to give it's color, as it adds plenty of flavor to other dishes as well.

Oatmeal Pancake

When I came up with this recipe I was thinking about all the people who deal with multiple food allergies like myself, and I created this recipe based around using no "Flour,Eggs,Milk". As the oat's hold up like flour in this recipe. * Note: depending on how much oats you use it may come out crumbly.Texture is like a chewy oatmeal cookie.

Serves: 2

1 c. quick oats * substitute for gluten free
1 3/4 c. Water
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of cinnamon
2-3 1/2 Sugar * sugar substitute
1/2 c. Vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Combine Oat, water, cinnamon,nutmeg and sugar in a bowl. stirring until oats becomes a thick consistency.(close to cookie dough consistency, you shouldn't see any water) if you do add a little bit more oats.

2. Heat oil inside a dutch oven skillet, using a ice scoop; scoop up about 1 Tbsp. of oat batter into the pan. using a spatula pat down batter to form a pancake, allow to fry for about 2 seconds or more on both side's. * Careful this batter burn's quickly then regular pancake batter.

3. how to tell for when it's done, it lightly golden brown on both sides, add syrup and enjoy!

Kale Fruit Salad

Serves: 4

When you think of fruit salad what's the first thing that come's to mind? "Waldorf salad I bet, why not take that same salad but add Kale to it.

2 sm. heads of kale
1/3 c. raisins
2 apples peeled, cored, and chopped
2 Pears peeled, cored, and chopped
1/4 c. dried cranberries
2/3 c. thinly sliced celery
1/3 c. + 2 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. chopped walnuts
1/4 c. sunflower seeds

Directions:

1. Stir in the Kale, apples, celery, walnuts, and raisins, Pears, Cranberries, sunflower seeds . allow to chill until ready to serve.

2. Add you're favorite dressing as a finisher, and enjoy!

S' more popcorn Treats

(Inspired by: Rice Krispie treats)

Serves: 8

If you thought "YUMMY" to Rice Krispie treats, you would love to sink you're teeth into rendition.

1 Tbsp. Vegetable oil
1/2 c. unpopped popcorn
6 Tbsp. Margarine
5 c. Marshmallow
5 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

(Chocolate chips shouldn't be melted-Apply after marshmallow mixture)

Directions:

1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Set aside.

2. Adding vegetable oil to a medium sized saucepan, and heat over high heat. When oil is hot, add popcorn. Keeping the pan moving constantly. When popcorn stops popping, remove from heat. Put popcorn into the prepared pan.

3. Melt Margarine In a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir in marshmallows and cook until melted, stirring constantly. Pour marshmallow mixture, plus add chocolate chips over popcorn and mix with spoon to coat evenly.


4. Allowing mixture to cool slightly. spray with non-stick cooking spray on hands. Mix popcorn with hands so that it is evenly coated, form into ball's or cut them into squares.

5. To add more fun add confetti sprinkles, or drizzle chocolate, or strawberry syrup over. **with crushed peanuts, or you're favorite nut's.

** Not recommended for those with tree nut allergies.

Chipotle Sweet potato Chili

Serves: 8

If you love "Chili" You would for sure love this Spin on a original "Chili Recipe". As chili is very versatile that's what I love about it, You can eat it with or without meat. As This is very Vegan and Vegetarian friendly as well.

2 sweet potatoes, diced
2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced stewed tomatoes
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
3/4 cup diced sweet onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pinch course Himalayan salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 pinch garlic powder
1 pinch onion powder
1 (12 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 c. corn
2 tsp. minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

Directions:

1. In a large dutch oven pot, add in red kidney beans, and corn to sweet potato, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, onion, celery, water, chili powder,cumin, cinnamon,salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, chipotle peppers and place over medium-high heat, bringing to a boil, and allow to simmer for 30 minutes until flavor incorporate together. Serve with chopped chives and a dollop of low fat sour cream.

Sage Tea

serves: 1

Salvia officinal ''Sage'' has multiple purpose, especially for sore throats. As the weather will go through some changes, especially with fall ahead of us cold & flu does not.

1 oz. Fresh sage leaves
1 c. Water
1 1/2 tsp. Manuka honey

Directions:

1. bring 1 c. of water to a boil, and once water comes to a complete boil remove from heat . Placing Sage leaves into the pot and cover with lid , and allow to steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Pour and strain tea into cup, add 11/2 tsp.honey (If you have a sore throat "DON'T USE SUGAR") and stir .

*Note
Sugar only makes the matter worse, honey is much soother on the throat.

~Living Better Tip:

This tea works for any Infections of the mouth.

you can also use this to gargle with, just skip over adding the honey.

Hot out of the oven....Sage

*Note:Please continue to read this blog article.

Living Better Cafe is bring you Fresh out of the oven news, that you're going to love.That no other blog source will ever take you close into the story. I say more good reasons to love L.B.C, not only are you revising original recipes.Your saving money while eating the way you want in a healthier way.

When it comes to seasoning different meals which I am a huge fan of. I "LOVE" the accent that Sage give's the food that it's added into, as Sage has a very wonderful aroma and flavor. "Saliva Officinals" (Sage), has a very wonderful aroma as flavor. Sage is like my second hand to nature when it comes to seasoning food "YES" Salt and Pepper is to, But Sage has and is used for multiple purpose thing's, that I will get into as I hope you continue to read this Article. Saliva officials is a natural remedy for headaches, as it serves a great purpose for you're hair especially help's bring out highlights within dark hair as it reduces the sight of gray. Sage is rooted from Egypt, where it was used in as a fertility aid. Along with medicinal Uses, Saliva officials is good for cramps, gas and bloating. Its oils have antibacterial properties, making sage effective for fighting infections. While making a tea out Sage which is a great throat soother for when you have a sore throat. As Sage is packed with loads of beneficial vitamins, especially the fresh leaves are a good source of antioxidant vitamin. So the next time you see Sage, Please do yourself a favor "Think about all the good properties it carries", and open you're home as well as help other's you may know. By introducing sage into you're home, and make it a conversation piece to pass the word around. That's all it takes to Live Better.

Chicken Florentine Brussels sprout bake

Serves: 6 to 8

When I thought about Chicken Florentine dish, and what all in the regular dish. I basically thought about every person with food allergies, and how can they enjoy this dish without feeling left out. you're substitute is followed after Asterisk inside the parentheses.

8 oz. Dried bow tie pasta
1 sm. Onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. Margarine
2 eggs, lightly beaten * (egg substitute)
1 1/4 c.Milk * (Almond,soy, Rice milk)
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. course Himalayan salt
1/4 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 c. chopped cooked chicken
20 Brussels sprouts, halved
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well
2 c. (8-oz) Shredded Swiss cheese* (Vegan Cheese)
1/2 c. oil-packed dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/4 c. Grated Parmesan cheese* (Vegan Cheese)
1/2 c. Breadcrumbs
1 Tbsp. Margarine, melted
1/2 tsp. Paprika

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta as followed on the package directions; drain well. In a medium dutch oven skillet cook onion in 1 Tbsp. Margarine over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl combine eggs,milk, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Stir in chicken, Brussels sprouts, and spinach. Stir in cooked pasta, onion, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, and 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese. Transferring mixture into a 3- quart baking dish.

3. Cover and bake, for 20 minutes.

Topping Directions:

1. In a small bowl combine bread crumbs, remaining Parmesan cheese, 1 Tbsp. Melted Margarine, Paprika. Sprinkling topping over chicken mixture. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

Gooey chocolate peanut butter cookies

serves: 4-1/2 dozen

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. Margarine, Softened
1 egg
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 pkg. (18-1/4 oz.) chocolate cake mix
3 Tbsp.- 1 3/4 tsp. peanut butter

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream together cream cheese and margarine until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg and vanilla, peanut butter. Add cake mix and combine well ( as the dough should be sticky). place into refrigerator for about 2 hours.

2. Roll into Tablespoonful of dough into balls, place them 2-in apart on a ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 9 to 11 minutes or until top has a cracked effect. allow to cool for about 2 minutes before removing from cookie pans to wire racks.

Money Saving Tips

When it comes to making and saving money, we as people look towards on "How to" save when the answers are lying right under our nose. As I hope these money saving tips will find there way into you're home, as well as become a talk in you're next conversation you may have with a friend or even a family member. So please pass this down, and get you're family,friends, as well as coworkers saving more cash in their purse/ wallet. It will bring loads of happiness to you as you begin to see how you have helped them save money. So why not share!

1. Let's go Pantry shopping

Yes! you heard me correctly, you can find loads of you're grocery at pay less pantry stores. (Aldis,Trader Joe, Grocery outlet) just to name a few. Especially when they're on sale. I find looking for "Awesome" Sales on my favorite items through sale flyers.

2. Shopping on-line

If you want to cut the hassle on standing in those long lines at the grocery stores,
why not go shopping online.

3. Bulk shopping

I am "W.O.W" over shopping in bulk, as you can buy as much as you want for less of the price, if you were to shop regularly.

4. Bring on the Coupons

Just because your grocery store isn't having a sale, don't let that be the reason to not go shopping. Ladies as well as gentlemen go grab you're scissors and the Sunday newspaper, and lets get clipping away.

5. Planning ahead

Writing a list always comes in handle, Especially for planing ahead in advance.
I am "HUGE" when it comes to planing in advance, at lease you have one less thing to worry about as you have square one thing away. So if you're going to do you're grocery shopping on this "Friday" Start making your grocery shopping list the beginning of the week, and post it up on the refrigerator close by so you can see it.

Spanish brown rice

Serves:4

When thinking of a much healthier way to have Spanish rice, brown rice automatically clicked in my head.

1 c. Brown rice
1tsp. freshly minced garlic
2 c. Water
1 c. Salsa
1 tsp. Creole seasoning 1 tsp. Crushed rosemary 1 tsp. Freshly cracked pepper 1 tsp. Turmeric Directions:

1. Pour 2 c. Water into a medium saucepan, along with rice and allow to cook until done.

2. Stir in spice's and salsa, and reduce heat to low. Simmer, adding in the garlic at the last minute and cover. For 50 minutes. Turn heat off as rice sits, cover for 5 to 10 minutes.