Chicken Noodle Salad

Another Noodle Salad dish, this only takes a little while to make as well.  It ends up being very filling and is very flavorful.

Noodles:  $1
Chicken:  $2
Corn: $.50
Craisans: $.50
Plain yogurt: $.50
Pumpkin Pie Spice and other ingredients: $.50

This meal that can feed 2-3 people with leftovers (Brooke, her mom, and I ate this the night before I brought leftovers into work) and costs about $5.

2 Cups of Noodles (I used whole wheat)
2 Pieces of cooked chicken
1/2 Cup of Corn
1/2 Cup of Craisans
1/2 Cup of Plain Yogurt
3 Tablespoons of Agave (or sugar)
2 Teaspoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice

Cook and drain the noodles (however you are supposed to for whatever noodles you are using) :)
Add Corn, Craisans, Yogurt, Agave and Pumpkin Spice and stir in. (Measurments are approximate:  feel free to add more or less based on personal tastes)
Add Chicken and stir in.

This has a great taste with the pumpkin pie spice and craisans.  It made my co-workers jealous. :)  It was pretty filling, and-as already stated-this fed three people, plus I had left-overs for my co-workers to be jealous about.

Sweet Suddenly Salad

This is a quite tasty and filling recipe for pretty cheap.  It is really quick to prepare as well, taking only around minutes.  If chicken is desired for protein, it takes a bit longer to prepare the chicken, but overall pretty quick and easy.

Suddenly Salad Mix and Ingredients: $1.50
Frozen Corn: $1
Craisins:  $.50
Sugar (or Agave):  $.50
Chicken (if desired): $2

For a meal for two people (including the aprox. minimal costs for the smaller ingredients like craisins and such):  $5.50

Suddenly Salad Mix (Classic works well)
1/2 Cup Frozen Corn
1/4 Cup Craisins
1/8 Cup Sugar (or Agave)
2 Pieces of chicken

Make Suddenly Salad as stated in directions.  Mix in Corn, Craisins, Sugar (or Agave), and cut up pieces of cooked chicken.

The flavors are delicious and go very well together!  This is a very filling meal and contains all the food groups except for dairy.

Lemon Pineapple Chicken

This recipe is a Chinese flavored chicken recipe using a sauce that is similar to sweet and sour. We used Agave juice instead of sugar, and the main sweetness from the sauce came from the natural sweetness of the juices used in the cooking of the sauce.  With the rice, chicken, and fruits and veggies we are only missing the dairy food group, and it is delicious, both fresh and warmed up later.

Chicken $2
Pineapples $1
Rice $1
Bell Pepper $1
Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Soy Sauce, Sugar (or Agave), and peanuts $2

Cost for a good sized meal for 2: $7 (I ended up taking in leftovers to work the next day.  My friend Chris thought it was wrong that Brooke and I should be able to make something this delicious).

Ingredients:
Two good sized pieces of chicken
1 Bell Pepper
1 Can of Pineapples
2/3 Cup Crushed peanuts

2 Cups of rice (cooked)

2/3 Cup of Pineapple Juice (from can of pineapples)
2/3 Cup of Lemon Juice
1/3 Cup of Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1/3 Cup Sugar (or Agave)


-Thaw chicken if frozen overnight (microwave can work too to thaw)
-Preheat oven to about 350 degrees.
-Grease glass pan (abt 11" pyrex type pan.  Brooke and I use olive oil to grease the pan because of how healthy it is)
-Cut up chicken, bell peppers, and pineapples and place in glass cooking pan
-Put Pineapple juice, Lemon juice, Vinegar, and Soy Sauce, and Sugar (or Agave) in medium saucepan and bring to a boil, then let simmer for about 15 min. or until sauce has thickened
-Poor sauce over chicken, peppers, and pineapples
-Sprinkle some nuts over top of mixture
-Bake in oven for approx. 15-25 minutes or until chicken is thouroughly cooked

-Cook Rice as directed from package

-Serve Chicken mixture and sprinkle remaining nuts over mixture.  Place a side of rice and, if desired, pour excess lemon/pineapple sauce over it.

Total Preperation Time: about 35-45 minutes.

I would suggest making extra of this and putting in the fridge to reheat, as it tastes as good reheated as it did fresh.

A picture of what this looked like soon to come!! :)

Introduction

I went on a diet several years ago to loose a little bit of weight.  As I continued to diet, I realized that I loved eating healthy:  I felt good and had more energy when I did.  A while later, I discovered that eating healthy helps with a health problem that I have.  I have an anxiety disorder, and any health problems in general can flair up a panic attack if I am not careful, and one of the things I can do to prevent this is to eat healthy and exercise. I decided after learning this that I would make the commitment to eat healthy all of the time.  I still struggle from time to time, but I am not taking medications for my disorder, just eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep.  And I feel great!!
The only problem?  I just graduated from college and am a poor college grad on a limited budget.  Eating healthy can be pricey, and I didn't have the money to spend on expensive healthy food products.
That's where this blog comes in.  Over time, I discovered ways to eat healthier on a limited budget.  My goal with this blog is to provide a fun resource for healthy recipes that you can make on a limited budget.  I also want to provide my knowledge of where I've found great products at lower costs around southeastern Idaho and tips for making your own delicious treats.
Anyone coming up with great ideas, go ahead and get in contact with me!  I love learning about how to eat healthier. :)
Quick disclaimer: by no means am I a dietician.  This is not a complete nutritition guide.  It's tough to eat healthy, and you should study and consult your doctor if you are worried you are not getting enough nutrients in your diet while eating healthy.
Have fun, and enjoy guys!!! :)