Food, Healthy Living, Natural Foods, Recipes

Lemon Chicken Edamame Spaghetti Recipe

This post is in partnership with Explore Cuisine. This Edamame Spaghetti recipe is my own

Lemon Chicken Edamame Spaghetti Recipe

My husband and I are month 2 into a low carb/low calorie diet. The two things I miss most is steak and pasta. The good thing about changing eating habits is that we are doing it together. I have never been so successful on a healthy change prior to having my husband jump on board. We hold each other accountable and at night discuss what we ate during the day, almost in competition form to who kept closest to the new regimen. Then we allow ourselves a cheat night once a week and look forward to our reward.

Both of us have dropped weight and I reached my goal weight this week. I also learned something else and that is how to get real creative in the kitchen. Ever heard of Edamame Spaghetti? It exists and I am so glad I tried it because I don’t have to crave actual pasta anymore.

Explore Cuisine have taken that popular soybean and created a delicious pasta noodle that I personally love better than actual pasta for more than one reason. First, it cooks in about 4 minutes in boiling water so that saves time. Second, it is delicious and that is an understatement.

When I first served it my husband was a bit skeptical as if we were cheating on our diet. It is so  much like spaghetti but I handed him the box to read and we felt so good about our meal that night because it fits right in with how we are eating. We can have pasta again and not wait until our cheat night run to Italian restaurants.

This Edamame Spaghetti recipe was literally thrown together with leftovers in my kitchen. We are moving next week and living in transition until the home build is complete so I have to use up what we have in the fridge and freezer. It turned out delicious. The house LOVED it. Edamame is loaded with plant-based protein (25 grams per serving), fiber and iron. Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame Spaghetti is made from 100% organic ingredients and is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher. Let’s get to the recipe!

Lemon Chicken Edamame Spaghetti Recipe

I had some green peppers I needed to use up so that is what I added to my recipe. It is nice to have a crunch with this dish so you can use any bell pepper and even some pine nuts or zucchini. I just sauted my peppers in some coconut oil and garlic until cooked down a bit.

Tip: When cooking down spinach remember that spinach holds a lot of water. I used fresh spinach and rinsed. Then I drain and blot as much water out as possible. Cook down in olive oil. It just takes a moment or two so don’t overcook. Then I drizzle with some lemon juice and take it from the pan and lay it out on a paper towel lined cookie sheet and cool a tad before grabbing more paper towels to absorb the water still remaining in the cooked spinach.

The picture above is the final step. Put all of your cooked ingredients back together in a large pan or wok. I have cooked chicken breast, cooked spinach and sauted green peppers and minced garlic. Add the cooked and drained Edamame Spaghetti noodles and toss. Drizzle more lemon as you toss. Plate it and top with grated parmesan cheese.

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Food, Recipes

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Feed Your Hungry Family

Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Feed Your Hungry Family
Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash

It’s not always easy to find time to cook for your family. But you don’t want to resort to take out and fast food orders, either. It’s smart to find a few simple recipes that you and your children love — and that you can add to your weekly rotation. This way, you won’t have to stress when dinner time rolls around once again. Take a look at these easy dinner recipes.

1. Tofu and Vegetable Pad Thai

This American-Thai dish works as a perfect option for nights when you only have 30 minutes to spare. It includes proteins, vegetables and starches to create a dinner that your whole family will enjoy. You can incorporate any meat or meat alternative that you like, such as tofu, chicken or shrimp. The sauce comes together easily, so you should be able to prepare and eat without any trouble.

The best part about pad thai is that you can use virtually any vegetable. If you have leftover carrots or broccoli, you can toss those into your dish, as well.

2. Corn Chowder With Bacon

Are you ready for warm and hearty plates? The cold weather always feels more bearable when you make soup. This corn chowder should be on your list. It uses corn, potatoes and onions as key ingredients. The recipe calls for chives and bacon as toppings. You’ll be able to make your corn chowder more quickly if you prepare your ingredients beforehand. Plus, you’ll have leftovers for days.

If you need more protein in your soup, you can always add chopped ham or shredded chicken.

3. Lobster and Steak Linguine

A fancy meal doesn’t have to take hours. This lobster and steak linguine would be terrific for a family celebration, as it’s decadent and delicious. You’ll only need a few components to make your meal, so you probably won’t need to buy much other than your meats. It’s best to serve such a dish with a side salad, bread rolls or another option that doesn’t overpower your tastebuds. You don’t want to miss any flavors.

4. Three-Ingredient Tomato Soup

Here’s a second soup option for those chilly evenings. This tomato soup requires three ingredients, so you’ll be able to eat quickly. Additionally, you can make enough for multiple meals. As a result, you have a dish to take to work tomorrow. It’s never a bad idea to make some grilled cheese sandwiches to complete your plate. If you have fresh tomatoes, you can use those rather than canned.

5. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Your slow cooker will always be a useful tool. This Texas pulled pork tastes delicious by itself, but you can make sandwiches, too. You’ll simply add your meat, spices and liquids to your crockpot. Then, you can enjoy your roast around six hours later. What’s easier than that? You could cook your pulled pork on low for 10 to 12 hours if you won’t be home all day. Serve your pulled pork with coleslaw.

Remember that Texas-style pulled pork differs from other versions. You may prefer a Carolina or Memphis approach instead, but it’s always fun to try something new.

6. Chicken Enchilada Casserole

You can never fail when you make a casserole. These dishes are made for families, so you’ll be able to fill everyone’s bellies. Plus, you only need four ingredients! The recipe doesn’t call for any peppers or chiles, but you can add those to make your enchiladas spicier. Feel free to use a protein other than chicken, as well. Be sure that you have sour cream, red salsa and other toppings for your meal.

An enchilada pairs well with chips and queso, so you may want to make that as a side if you have time.

7. Swedish Meatballs With Potatoes

There are many reasons why people love a certain Swedish furniture store. But if you don’t have an IKEA nearby, you’ve likely never had their famous meatballs. These yummy meatballs boast a totally different flavor than their Italian counterparts. They’re made with a savory beef broth gravy rather than a marinara sauce. This dinner tastes best with steamed rice, egg noodles or roasted potatoes.

8. Honey Sriracha Baked Salmon

There’s a reason why many people love salmon. It’s not only tasty, but it’s easy to season and cook. This honey sriracha take is both sweet and spicy. Plus, you should be able to make it in less than 30 minutes. You’ll need a salmon fillet for each person, but it’s simple to scale your ingredients to feed a crowd. A side like pasta salad or green beans would tie everything together.

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Try These Easy Dinner Recipes for a Fast Weeknight Feast

It’s key to have specific recipes accessible for nights when you need a simple meal. These ideas are a delicious place to start! Try them this week so that you can find a new favorite.

*post contains affiliate links

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5 Reasons You Should Switch to an Artificial Christmas Tree This Year

5 Reasons You Should Switch to an Artificial Christmas Tree This Year
Photo 102230408 © Syda Productions – Dreamstime.com

Nothing inspires the holiday spirit quite like a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. You want that picture-perfect look, but you’re starting to wonder if it’s worth bringing a cut tree into your home to get it. If you’re on the fence, consider these five reasons you should switch to an artificial Christmas tree this season.  

Realistic Look

Gone are the days when artificial trees looked like green pipe cleaners stuck to a metal pole. Balsam Hill reviews boast about the next generation of artificial trees that look even better than the real thing. With the right materials and attention to detail, modern artificial Christmas trees look the part.

Lower Maintenance

Natural cut trees require plenty of water to maintain their freshness, which means you’ll be caring for it every day until it’s hauled away. Artificial trees don’t require any attention once they’re set up, and Balsam Hill professional reviews demonstrate that the process is often much easier for an artificial tree than its natural counterpart.

Longer Lasting

The great thing about an artificial tree is that you can leave it up as long as you’d like without worrying about it drying out and becoming a fire hazard. This means countless cozy nights admiring the twinkle lights, mug of hot cocoa in hand.

Free from Pests

It isn’t something you’d necessarily think about, but bringing a live tree into the home can bring some unwanted house guests along with it. Spiders, mites, moths, bark lice and many more critters can hitch a ride into your home, with some taking up residency for good.

Free from Allergens

Many people who are sensitive to common allergens find that real Christmas trees can sour their holiday season with stuffy noses and even itching and hives. Artificial trees are made with a synthetic material that won’t cause allergies to flare up for those sensitive to real trees.

Christmas trees are a festive part of the holiday season. Choosing an artificial tree can make the season merry and bright because of its many advantages over a natural tree.

2020 Holidays

The 2020 Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway Hop December

The 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Welcome to our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide

If it fits the topic of GIFT trends, we will feature it.

Keep checking back throughout October, November and December and see what new topics and brands I have added!

Make sure to also visit our  2020 Fall Foodie series and stay tuned for the 2021 Healthy New Year Series coming soon!

New 2020 Holiday Shopping Trends

Keep in mind there are new shopping trends for the 2020 Holidays! Due to COVID and the effects of our country still fighting to eradicate this illness, we have some predictions that seem to be fairly accurate! (1) More people will be shopping online in 2020 than any previous Holiday season (2) Brands and Companies are aware of this so the discounts and advertising will be competitive and (3) this can mean shipping delays and so many consumers say they will shop earlier than ever. This means our 2020 Holiday Gift Guide starts earlier in October this year – for you!

Now for the 2020 topics and gifts….

Gifts for the Home/Kitchen

Global Grub DIY Food Kits.

Buy now. Free shipping over $65


San Diablo Artisan Churros – Take and Bake Kits available to order online!

Order now – Bakers dozen and filling of choice!


Meater Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer – now in a longer range!

Buy on Amazon!


Bee K’onscious Gift Pack of 3 Raw Honey Bottles.

Buy now! Free shipping!


Women’s Bean Project Gift Boxes – delicious specialty food products that are carefully arranged in a beautifully designed and eco-friendly box.

Buy now.


Pure-Sky Microfiber Mop Floor Cleaning – JUST ADD Water No Detergents Needed – Hardwood Wet or Dry 

Buy on Amazon!


Giani Granite Countertop and Cabinet DIY Paint Kits.

Visit the Amazon shop!


ELYPTOL NATURAL CLEANING WIPES LAUNCHES IN TARGET NATIONWIDE

Buy now at Target.com!


Airfree Air Purifiers for healthier home air

Buy now! Also available on Amazon.


Framing a Mapiful brings joy into a home, they are a physical reminder of people’s biggest milestones

Buy now!


Gifts for outdoor cooking and entertaining from Barbeques Galore

Shop now!


Uzziah Campbell is an 11 year old who, during the outbreak of COVID-19, had a vision of helping those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, grief and other illnesses caused by the pandemic. Small business, child entrepreneur!

Buy Calm & Cure Candles!


A mother/daughter bakery of Bundt pound cakes make delicious gifts! The flavors are delicious!

Buy Janie’s Cakes!


SANSI LED security lights, flood lights and bulbs for the home

Shop SANSI on Amazon!


Refill, reuse and recycle! Get your home clean and ready for the Holidays with less waste.

Shop Dazz Cleaners!


Match Made Coffee – coffee and cookies delivered to your door!

Shop now!


Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cakes – Using a family recipe inspired by 1950’s Brooklyn, and perfected on the east end of Long Island, we promise to deliver you the most delicious crumb cakes on the market. 

Shop Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake Co.


Scott’s Liquid Gold has ONE – for all surfaces to get your wood shining for guests.

Shop Scott’s Liquid Gold on Amazon.


Kitchen Mama Can Openers for smoother cut edges

Shop on Amazon.


SOULMUCH – By rescuing excess staple ingredients that restaurants oversupply on such as brown rice and quinoa, the team repurposes them by dehydrating them, milling into a flour, and then baking into their first launched product — better for you cookies.  

Buy a cookie box now.


Yummy Combs Honeycomb Shape Flossing Treats for Dogs

Shop here!


Gifts for Men/Women

All Tee All Shade Store  is introducing a new ‘Hoodie’ Product Category, and some new designs. Visit the store!


Edifier X3 True Wireless Stereo Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.0 Music Earbuds 

Buy on Amazon


Glorious PC Gaming World’s first RGB, modular mechanical keyboard. Visit Glorious PC Gaming for PC gaming accessories!


Healing Crystals Co. crystal mindful breathing necklaces. Shop Here!


Cariloha Bamboo Bedding/Bath! Softer than cotton.

Visit their Amazon shop!


Honestly Goods – Artistry Goods. Buy Now.

UNTIL DECEMBER 15TH – USE CODE FREESHIP2020 AT CHECKOUT


Success Skills for High School, College, and Career Revised ed. Edition

Buy on Amazon!


DIY Floral Preservation Kit from Floral Preservation Co.

Buy on Amazon


SneakERASERS Instant Sole and Sneaker Cleaner

Buy on Amazon!


AutoERASERS Instant Detailing Sponge

Buy on Amazon!


Shinesty – Fun apparel for the entire family

Buy now!


NomadGoods Phone/Wireless Accessories.

Shop now!


The Meguiar’s® Classic Wash & Wax Kit

Buy now!


Dear Ava offers beautiful and thoughtful jewelry with heartwarming messages

Shop now!


Books for cooking and other crafting projects at Tuttle Publishing

Browse now!


Tervis Drinkware in the fun designs you’ll love!

Buy Tervis!


For the gamers! SSD cards for PC gamers, Storage for console gamers running out of media space. Flash drives for Travelers. Kingston has it all for the techies!

Shop Kingston!


Every chocolate product is handmade in their Austin-based Culinary Center using fine quality, sustainable chocolate and the freshest ingredients so you can enjoy chocolate near perfection.

Buy Delysia!


Baylis & Harding’s Holiday Beauty Gift Sets

Available at Walmart.com


The dooloop is a modern leash accessory for those who’d rather not walk around swinging bags of dog poop in hand.

Buy now!


LumiCharge – T2W– LED Lamp, Bluetooth Speaker & Wireless Phone Charger

Buy on Amazon.


Elegear Ultra Soft Flannel Fleece Blanket, Anti-Static Warm Cozy Fuzzy Blanket for All Season

Buy on Amazon – use code: WCO6UQ56 for 20% off


Funny socks designed by Artists – buy pairs of socks or send a subscription box

Buy BooSocki!


Gifts for the Kids

6 Plastic Bottles are used to make 1 Shore Buddies Plush! Save the ocean, gift a Shore Buddy!

Buy HERE! Free shipping over $37.99


You’re Pulling My Leg – Family Game Night fun! From Morning Star Games.

Buy now on Amazon!


Magformers STEM Building Sets

Buy on Amazon!


Crazy Aarons Putty World (Great Stocking Stuffers)

Buy on Amazon!


Ben 10 vs. The Universe: The Movie (DVD)

Buy on Amazon!


Bailey Bloom and the Battle of the Bug – Book

Buy on Amazon!


Smarty JoJo, Preschool Learning Toy.

Buy on Amazon!


Zoey Naturals skincare for babies

Buy now!


Green Toys™ Environmentally-Friendly Children’s Toys

Visit the Amazon store


A Kids Book About … so many great topics to read with your child.

Buy on Amazon.


Goodtimer – Positive Reinforcement Educational Toy, Visual Timer and Chore Chart

Buy on Amazon!


L.O.L. Surprise! Wireless Earbuds for Kids w/ 3D Stereo Sound & Built-in Mic

Buy on Amazon!


L.O.L. Surprise! Smartwatch, Camera & Game

Buy on Amazon!


L.O.L. Surprise! Advent Calendar with Limited Edition Doll and 25+ Surprises

Buy now!


Earth BABY’s line of cleansers and sanitizers are the perfect stocking stuffers

Buy now!


Firefly Sponge Bob and other popular characters Oral Care Gift Sets available at Walmart

Buy now!


Shred Dog stylish winter apparel for kids

Visit Shred Dog. Free shipping at $50


A great Marvel comic-based movie for the teens – The New Mutants!

Buy here!


Book gifts for children from Sourcebooks

Buy on Amazon.


ScreenGrabbers and Comfortkins from Wild Republic

Buy Now!


Dolce Primo Kangaroo – Featuring a peek-a-boo door on one of its feet and is also adorned with beads and a teether on its other foot. Dolce stands for Develop, Observe, Learn, Create, Educate.

Buy now!


STICK O Forest Friends 16 Piece Magnetic Building Set, Rainbow Colors, Educational STEM Construction Toy Ages 18M+

Buy on Amazon!


A Little Spark – Mom’s Choice Award® Gold Medal Recipient – When the survival of their hometown is threatened, two unlikely comrades join forces on a quest to defeat a dangerous enemy and bring back the only one who can save them all.

Buy on Amazon.


Comfortkins help children learn the importance of wearing a mask

Buy now!


Anam Cara – soul norishing art for children’s rooms

Buy now!


What is GIRLS CAN! CRATE? These are subscription boxes are for ages 5-10 and introduces them to diverse women who have made history.

Order by December 15th end of Day for Christmas Delivery!


Check out this stocking stuffer! PIKOWash! Hand and Body Soap. Pikotaro,” the YouTube sensation who brought the “PPAP” song (“Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen!”), produced a new hand soap!

Buy on Amazon.


MORE TO COME……

This is a Winter is Coming Giveaway Hop! Once you are done entering my Amazon giveaway below, scroll further for a list of other giveaways to enter from my Blogger friends!

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card in this widget below. Open to US/Can ages 18+. Good luck!