Shish Kabobs and Pasta

Here's a recipe your entire family can enjoy - it's got something for everyone - meat, veggies and pasta. Plus, the kids will love to help make this!

Ingredients:

12 (10 inch) wooden skewers

1 green bell pepper, cut into large chunks

1 can pineapple chunks,drained (or fresh pineapple, cubed)

1 small zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick

1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast - cut into cubes

1 jar of favorite store-brought Teriyaki marinade

1/2 pint cherry tomatoes

1 pound beef steak, cut into cubes

24 pearl onions

1/2 pound large fresh mushrooms, halved

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, or to taste

salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 pound fettuccine

2 tablespoons softened butter

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

1. Soak the skewers in water for 1 hour.

2. Marinade chicken (and beef if you want)in teriyaki marinade 1 hour.

3. Onto each skewer, alternately thread green bell pepper chunks,zucchini slices, chicken, pineapple chunks, cherry tomatoes, steak, onion, mushroom; repeat until skewer is full. (Tip: Begin and end with bell pepper to hold on other ingredients)Drizzle olive oil over the prepared skewers; season with 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Allow to marinate in refrigerator at least 3 hours, turning every 45 minutes.

4. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.

5. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the fettuccini in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Toss the hot pasta in a large bowl with the softened butter and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.

6. While the pasta boils, cook the skewers on the preheated grill, turning frequently until nicely browned on all sides, and the meat is no longer pink in the center, 10 to 15 minutes. Push the cooked meat and vegetables off the skewer onto or next to the tossed pasta.

7. Enjoy!

Thank you Lisa P. from Babylon, N.Y. for this great recipe!

Healthy Shakes For The Kids

Do you have a hard time getting milk or fruit into your kids' diet?  Try this 2 minute recipe for all natural, delicious shakes that are so yummy the kids have no idea it's good for them! Bonus:  You can add flax seed, Miralax, etc. if your child is experiencing constipation.  Double bonus - you can save fruit that is starting to go bad by throwing it in a ziplock in the freezer for future shakes!

Ingredients:

Per serving:

- 2/3 cups milk (can even be 2% milk)

- 1 frozen banana

         And/Or
Frozen strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.

- 1 heaping Tablespoon creamy peanut butter (optional - good source of protein)

If your child absolutely refuses anything that isn't chocolate, you can add a little Hershey's syrup or a scoop of chocolate ice cream (but you didn't hear that from me!).


Combine on high in blender until desired shake or smoothie consistency.  Add ice for thicker shake. Serve alone or topped with whipped cream and a cherry. 

For soft-serve ice cream-like consistency, use more frozen fruit or  add ice cubes, and serve with a spoon! 

Enjoy!