Rising food costs...how to help!

Hey peeps:

Sooooo organic food is psycho expensive already, and regular food is getting pretty expensive too. Here's an article that gives a few tips on how to economize at the grocery store...one biggie - buy local - another biggie - avoid pre-packaged foods...

Manicotti

So, for some cheesy goodness I tried the Manicotti recipe from the most recent issue of Clean Eating Magazine...the recipe was easy enough, although a little labour intensive, and I think I dirtied every single pan and dish that I own :) It was good....but I probably won't make them again unless I am having a dinner party or something (because they do have a little bit of a 'wow' factor!) - although I probably will use elements from the recipe for other stuff...it was a good way to eat fish though, and the little bundles were way too cute and pretty :)

Uncooked


Cooked

Lentils for Lent!

So, I gather that since it's close to Easter, we're near Lent - and although I'm not big into religion, I know that usually people give something up for Lent...well, this year, instead of giving something up, why not pledge to eat more Lentils? Just sayin'....

Here's a fabulous article singing the praises of eating Lentils

And for a quick and easy way to incorporate lentils into your meal TONIGHT, why not try this recipe I just made up on Sunday because this is all I had in the kitchen and I was starving:

Jasmine rice - cook per instructions (about 9-11 minutes - nature's minute-rice) I used the ratio for 4 servings
lentils (about 20 minutes) I got a WHOLE BUNCH out of cooking 1 cup (like maybe 3 cups at the end of the day, so I froze 2 cups and kept 1 cup for the recipe below)
onions (I used 1/2 a large one), celery (1 stalk), garlic (as many cloves as you like, I used 3)
canola oil (maybe 3 tablespoons)
salt to taste

put the rice water on to boil, prep the lentils and put those on, chop up the onion, celery and garlic (or smoosh that in a press) - when the rice water starts to boil, add rice to cook (as per package directions). Heat oil is a large skillet or wok over medium heat and slowly sautee the veg....when that is done set aside - unless your rice is done, the plop in the rice and stir it all up...by now your lentils should be done - (I like mine more smooshy) - if yes, then plop about 1 cup of the lentils in with the rice mixture...then I sprinked a bit of salt and stirred it up and YUMMY! SOOOO quick and easy and good i forgot to take a pic of it because I had to eat it right then and there - I'll have to remember to grab a shot when i take the leftovers out of the freezer next time.