Low Carb Taco Meatloaf

I saw this on Pinerest and thought we should try it. Two of my kids aren't that crazy about Mexican food, but they do like meatloaf, so I thought we'd try it. (Plus I usually don't let those two, especially the youngest, dictate what we eat...so I fix things even though I know they wont like initially them.)

This seemed like an easy and yummy recipe and when we had it for dinner 3 out of 5 of us LOVED it! (The other 2 don't realty count. ;0)  ) So, I took a picture of the finished product and thought I'd share the recipe here.

What you need:
1 pound hamburger
cheddar cheese (One 2 cup bag of shredded cheese)
1 chopped red pepper
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 up salsa
1 packet of taco seasoning
(The original recipe included a can of corn, but (1.) corn is high in carbs and (2.) I abhor anything that includes corn in it, so I didn't use it. But if you like it, add away!)

First Pre heat the oven to 375*
Cook the peppers and onions in a little bit of oil (I use olive) with salt and pepper. Once they are cooked and cooled, add them to the raw hamburger along with the taco seasoning.
Spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
Take half of the meat mixture and form into a loaf in the pan. Top 1/3 of the cheese.
Take the other half of the meat and place on top of the cheese. Top this with 1/3 of the cheese and then add the salsa.
Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes.
Top with remaining cheese and cook for another 10-15 minutes.

**I actually used 1 1/2 pounds of meat and it went really fast, so the next time I make this I will probably use 2 to 2 1/2 pounds and 1 1/2 to 2 packs of taco seasoning.

Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

Chicken & Peppers

This is a super easy low carb recipe that I love. All you need are boneless skinless chicken breasts, garlic, peppers, Italian canned tomatoes, olive oil, and parmesan cheese.

The first thing that you do is cut off the fat from the chicken, and cut them into smaller strips. Toss the garlic in a little olive oil, then add the chicken.

While the chicken is cooking, cut up the peppers.

When the chicken is pretty much done (cut open the thickest ones to check), add the peppers. I like to add salt, pepper, basil, & oregano too.

Cook the peppers until the are as soft as you like them. For this recipe, I like them to be pretty soft, but if you like them crunchier, cook them for a short amount of time.

Then add the can of Italian tomatoes & let simmer for about 3 minutes.

Sprinkle a little bit if parmesan cheese on top & serve with a salad.

Steak Roll-Ups

So, I have officially lost 30 pounds!
While my kids are still acting like I am poisoning them at dinner most nights, Jeff & I are enjoying the new healthier recipes I have been trying out. :0)

This is one we have had a couple of times & I love it! I found this recipe on Picture the Recipe. I tweaked it a little to make it more to our taste though.
Here is what you need for these steak roll-ups:
1 pound flank steak
salt & pepper
Worcestershire sauce
Dry steak marinade
your favorite veggies (we used carrots, onions, and red & yellow bell peppers)  
minced garlic
olive oil
Italian seasoning
Glaze recipe:
2 teaspoons butter
1/4 cup beef broth
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar (I use the 1/2 sugar 1/2 substitute blend)

The first thing you need to do is put your steak in a ziplock bag with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce and marinate for 30 min. to an hour. 

Next, chop up your veggies:

Then make your balsamic glaze. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan, then add the rest of the glaze ingredients. Boil this until it thickens up. (about 2-3 min.)

Set your glaze aside, and toss your veggies in a pan with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook your veggies to your liking.  

Next, lay our your steaks, and place some of the veggies in the middle:

Roll up your steaks and place a toothpick in it to keep it shut.

Once you have all of your rolls made, place them in the same pan you cooked the vegies and sprinkle your dry steak marinade over the top of them.

Because the steak is thin, they only take a minute or two to cook on each side.
Place your rolls on a plate and spoon some of the glaze over them.

We pair our rolls with a yummy salad:

These are very yummy and low carb!