Mediterranean Rice Salad

This comes from the Sunset Magazine. It's very good. Our problem is even though we eat healthy food, we tend to overeat because it's so yummy!

• 1 1/2 cup rice (I just cook mine in the rice cooker)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 cups chopped spinach leaves
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped green onion
• 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives (we often leave this out)
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

In a large bowl, whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, pepper, pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt. Add riced to dressing and toss to combine. Add spinach toss and let sit until no longer steaming. Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Serve at room temp or cold.

Haystacks

My kids request this meal for their birthday dinner INSTEAD of going out to a restaurant! Crazy! Comfort food for sure. This is what I usually do when I am working all day, and won't have time to cook.

• 3 chicken breasts
• 2 cans cream of chicken
• 1/2 cup water

Dump first three ingredients into a crockpot on low for 2-3 hours until chicken easily shreds.

Serve over rice. Top with veggies of your choice. We use green onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, cheese, chow mein noodles, and pineapple. Sometimes, we don't have any fresh veggies, and we just eat it with rice and a little cheese.

Thai Basil Chicken

Here is a family favorite I cook often. It is very simple, healthy and hearty. This was first introduced to me by Jennifer Miller.

• 1-2 bunches green onions, sliced
• 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 chicken breasts, sliced
• 1-2 Tablespoons oyster flavor sauce
• frozen green beans (as many as you would like)
• 1 package Thai basil
• 1 cup sliced cashews
• chili sauce--optional
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Coat skillet with olive oil on high, add onions garlic, saute couple minutes, add chicken, cook. Add oyster sauce, then the rest. Serve with rice!