The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement ~ Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know we generally stick to actual meals for our Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement, but I think it's nice to throw an appetizer or a dessert in there once in awhile to spice things up!  These are the absolute best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had or made, stolen directly from Betty Crocker herself. I tell myself they are slightly healthier because they are made with whole wheat flour.  If you are going for lower cal, you can even substitute the butter for margarine.  Either way, they are delicious!

3/4

cup granulated sugar

3/4

cup packed brown sugar

1

cup butter or margarine, softened

1

teaspoon vanilla

1

egg

2

cups Gold Medal® whole wheat flour

1

teaspoon baking soda

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/2

package dark chocolate chocolate chips (2 cups)

1. Heat oven to 375ºF.
2. Mix sugars, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

Makes 3 dozen cookies

Happy Eating Friends! ~ Trina

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement ~ Homeade Chicken Noodle Soup

Well, what crazy week it's been so far.  Both my son and I have been diagnosed with influenza A, and let me tell you...it's no walk in the park.  If I can eat, I'm eating soup out of a can.  I've longed for someone to make me this yummy recipe, my kids love soup so it's always a hit and perfect for a day you aren't feeling well or the weather is bad. 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon smart balance butter
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can vegetable broth
• 1/2 pound chopped cooked chicken breast
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat egg noodles
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook onion and celery in butter until just tender, 5 minutes. Pour in chicken and vegetable broths and stir in chicken, noodles, carrots, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes before serving.

Happy Eating Friends! ~ Trina

The Down & Dirty on True Whole Grain

As you all painstakingly know by my anti-chicken fingers movement recipes, I'm a nut for feeding my body with healthy foods.  So, I love researching and learning about what is truly healthy as they come out with new items every day we are supposed to ax from our families diets.

I will tell you one thing: if you are swapping whole grain for refined flour products, healthy fat (such as avocados or nuts in place of potato chips), fresh foods rather than processed foods, you are already on the right track.  Throw in leaner proteins, milk and cheeses, etc, you will be doing great.

So, to hone in on one of these items - what truly is whole grain?  Well, the first ingredient should say "whole".  Avoid or deeply scrutinize products that show multi-grain - loose regulations by the FDA mean  the product doesn't necessarily contain much whole grain.

So why whole grain and what is refined flour?  Refined flour is made from grains that have been stripped of their fiber-rich outer bran and nutrient-dense inner germ.  So...basically, most of the nutritional value has been removed.

Be sure a whole grain (e.g., whole wheat, oats, whole barley, whole rye) heads the ingredient list.  Skip those that list wheat, unbleached wheat, wheat farina, rice, corn or rye flour, as all are refined.  Look for at least three grams of fiber per 100 calories.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather be feeding my body, and my children's body, with as many nutrients as possible.  More articles to follow on healthy eating!  ~ Trina