Beck's (Better than Manwich) Sloppy Joes

The "clean-eating" movement has been growing exponentially in recent history.  If you would like a good healthy lifestyle site, I want to direct you to Brand Fitness.  It is a blog/group that a friend of mine started.  She's a good source for clean eating recipes and healthy living in general.  She's also a good resource to point you to others if you need more direction for a healthy lifestyle.   

Another mom-blog doesn't have a specific angle to be healthy but it is something that should be considered important.  I believe in indulgences but only in moderation.  That being said, if I have the opportunity to give my family something a bit healthier, I'm going to take it. It is always better to know exactly what is going into your families food. And just like with this recipe, if it turns out to taste better than a can, even better!  So here it is, a can-free sloppy joe that will knock your families socks off!

Ingredients:

1 small onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1 lb lean ground beef (I used 90/10 but if it is a lower grade, just make sure you rinse the fat off)

1 cup ketchup

2 tbsp brown spicy mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp chili powder 

1 tsp cumin

a dash (or dashes!) of hot sauce

1/2 cup water

Start by  browning the beef along with the onions and peppers.  Once browned, drain any fat.  This is where it gets really difficult so pay close attention.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir.  I added several dashes of hot sauce to mine but we like things spicy in my house.  If you can't handle it, feel free to leave it out.  The water is just meant to thin out the sauce.  You may not need the entire 1/2 cup or you may need more.  Play it by ear and be flexible.  Let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes on low and serve and enjoy!  

Serves a family of 4: 298 cal / 27 carb / 10 fat / 23 protein / 20 sugar

My husband was so excited about this dinner, he reached for the bowl
as I was taking the picture.  He just couldn't wait! It really is that good.

Easy Fruit Torte

Looking for an easy, delicious dessert to carry to your next picnic?  This fruit torte is your answer!  It is very easy to make and it will definitely leave you with a happy crowd.

Start with a basic yellow cake recipe.  Here is the general recipe I use:

Basic Yellow Cake
Cream together: 2/3 cup butter (softened), 1- 3/4 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1- 1/2 tsp vanilla.
Sift together: 2- 1/2 cup AP flour, 2-1/2 tsp BP, 1/2 tsp salt
You also need 1-1/4 cup milk

Over about 3 batches, slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture.  After each dry bit added, add some of the milk.  Once everything is mixed together, pour batter evenly into 2 sprayed torte pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.  I turned mine 10 minutes in to make sure they cook evenly.

Once tortes are finished, remove from pans and set aside to cool.  While they are doing that, you can prep the cheesecake topping.  You aren't going to believe how easy this is.  Mix 2 cups of cold milk, 1 box of sugar-free cheesecake pudding and 8 oz of cream cheese (softened).  Blend it together until it isn't lumpy and it begins to thicken the way pudding should.

Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread the topping and add whatever fruit looked good at the market that day.  I used strawberries and blueberries to be patriotic for the holiday but this would be great with kiwi, pineapple, raspberries, or really anything.

I refrigerated until it was time to serve.  Try this and you will get rave reviews! Feel free to share any comments!

Happy Memorial Day and thank you to all veterans!