Category: Recipes

Shape Up In 2018!

One easy weight loss trick I learned years ago is to eat at least 5 fruits/vegetables in a day. Think about a typical day for you. Do you sometimes get to the end of a day and have included few, if any, fruits or vegetables in your diet? When I realize that is happening to me, I have to re-evaluate my eating habits. Adding at least 5 servings is a healthy thing to do and it fills me up…so hopefully I won’t eat so many of the empty calorie snacks.

Here are some great reasons to start eating more fruits and vegetables:

Continue reading Shape Up In 2018!

Christmas Gifts That Won’t Break The Budget

Christmas shopping—deciding what is gift is right (and in your price range) for each person—is a task that can bring on stress for all of us. You don’t want to be paying for 2017 Christmas way into 2018!!

What can I get for Uncle Johnny? Socks, tie, cologne, pajamas? Oops, those are the things I got him the last few years. BUT I don’t want to buy him useless things either.

Let’s share some items that are thoughtful, useful and reasonable in cost, yet Uncle Johnny, Grandma or Grandpa, your neighbor, etc. will know you thought about them when they receive your gift.

Gift packages that you make up yourself—like Movie Night for a family (with a DVD, Microwave Popcorn and other goodies for sharing during the movie). For someone who loves to read-how about a special book with a small light for reading in bed—or add a soft throw for keeping warm? How about a teenage girl? Nail polish, a good nail file and buffer. For the cook–fill a mason jar with kitchen gadgets like measuring cups, measuring spoons, recipe cards, etc. And for those of us with cold feet in the winter–how about some soft, cozy socks and scented lotion?

A Gift package for that special man or woman –How about special shampoos and conditioners or hair care styling products—include one of those absorbent towels for drying hair, combs, brushes, hair accessories). CLICK HERE to see UltaLife’s Beaux Noggins Luxury Hair Care assortment  ((HINT** Apply this Coupon Code – HAIRGIFT – to any Beaux Noggins purchase and receive 30% off)

 

How about something you make yourself? Everyone will appreciate and love a homemade goodie. Package it in a pretty, reusable container, add a bow and your recipient will be delighted. I can tell you the things I have made and given many times in the past—and they are often requested when I say—’What do you want for Christmas?’

Here are my suggestions with the recipes!! They are all easy to make and will be so appreciated.

Cranberry Relish

 

 

 

Molasses Cookies

 

 

Milk Dud Cookies

 

 

 

Homemade Brownies

 

 

How about something for the special man with a beard? UltaLife offers 3 Beard Oils—and your man will love the label!! SEXY BEAST. One beard oil would make a great stocking stuffer—purchase all three and you have a great gift. Choose between Unscented, The Boss and Vintage—or get all three! (Hint** when you purchase our Beard Oils in Amazon, click on the Holiday Promotion and you will receive 20% off). Click Here  for Sexy Beast.

Here is a special deal for you!! Buy all three Beard Oils and use this code in Amazon 25BRDOIL for a 25% discount!

How about you? You are special and you need to take care of yourself. Check out our whole line of Supplements—after all this time of year is stressful. Health is happiness. Take care of yourself.

CLICK HERE to see all UltaLife supplements —two I would recommend especially at this time of year are:

Perfect Sleep – are you getting enough good, restful sleep at night—are you tired and worn out every day? Do you have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep? (HINT**: Click on Holiday Promotion in Amazon to save 20% on Perfect Sleep)
Perfect Sleep 

 

 

Calmer-Feeling anxious & worried?  Anxious? (HINT** check out the promotions in Amazon—Holiday Promotion is 20% off Calmer—Introductory Special is 30% off Calmer)  CALMER   

 

 

 

Christmas should be a time of joy and blessings—not stress and overspending!!

 

 

Here At UltaLife We Believe in ULTIMATE Living-

Nourishing Your Body, Mind & Spirit.

Are you an UltaLifer? Learn about the many supplements designed to make you stronger and healthier!

Click Here to check out all of our great products

Family Recipes: Cranberry Relish

You will never buy a can of Cranberry Sauce after your make this Cranberry Relish. It is perfect during the holidays with ham and turkey….actually if is good with any meals.

It contains wonderful, fresh ingredients—cranberries, oranges, apples, pineapple and nuts. Make it today and enjoy for Thanksgiving and Christmas and…..!

Cranberry Relish

1 package whole cranberries, raw

2 apples, unpeeled

2 oranges, unpeeled

1 small can crushed pineapple

1 cup chopped nuts

2 – 2 3/4 cups sugar (start with just 2 cups)

1 teaspoon red food coloring

Continue reading Family Recipes: Cranberry Relish

Family Recipes: Awie’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Most of our family started calling my mom ‘Awie’ when my child was young and that was just what came out instead of grandma. She was always mom to me. She was one of the wisest and most compassionate people I have ever known—and she was a terrific cook.

I remember mom making this Pineapple Upside Down Cake so many times. She would sometimes make it in 3 round pans and it was beautiful all stacked up, but I love the ease of putting it in a 13×9 pan. It starts with a yellow cake mix (any kind) so getting it ready for the oven is easy and quick. Mom used crushed pineapple, chopped nuts and coconut in the topping. You can certainly make yours without the coconut or nuts if you prefer.

Continue reading Family Recipes: Awie’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Family Recipe: The Best Crock Pot Roast

My husband and I have a dear friend in California, who from time to time shares one of his favorite recipes with me. He recently told me about his crock pot roast and I couldn’t want to try it.

Brought the ingredients to work yesterday and started it. There is almost no prep required. It took me 5 – 10 minutes to put together and then it cooked on low in the crock pot for 8 hours.The roast was tender and flavorful. The gravy was amazing!!!

I had planned to cook fresh green beans and squash to go with the roast for dinner, but when I smelled it and tasted the gravy, I had to make mashed potatoes too.

Hope you will love this recipe as much as we did…and I thank my friend, Pete, for sharing it with me.

Continue reading Family Recipe: The Best Crock Pot Roast

Family Recipe: Homemade Brownies

Here is a brownie recipe you will love and be making it often. It is so simple—takes no more time than a brownie mix and is soooooo much better. This recipe was shared with me about 30 years ago by my minister’s wife, Betty.

When my grandson was living with us, he had a couple of friends who would remind me if I had not made the brownies for a long time.My grandson prefers his with no nuts or other toppings–but most people enjoy the nuts or other additions. Customize to what you and your family love.

The recipe I am giving you is for a 13×9 pan. Recipe can be halved and baked in an 8 or 9 inch square pan—which is perfect for giving as a gift. I have given mine at Christmas, for birthdays and even taken them to new neighbors.

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Family Recipes: Easy Macaroni and Cheese

This recipe was shared with me 30 years ago. I have made it many times and shared it with many friends. It is as simple as making a boxed macaroni and cheese—but so much better. It is so quick to assemble—don’t cook the macaroni! Put in it the casserole uncooked.

 

 

EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE

3 tablespoons butter

2 ½ cups uncooked macaroni

½ teaspoon salt

Dash pepper

½ pound shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I use a little more)

1 quart milk
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Family Recipes: Green Bean Casserole 3 Ways

Who doesn’t love Green Bean Casserole with those crunchy onion rings on top. And it is so easy to make!! It originally developed in 1955 in the Campbell’s Kitchens by Dorcas Reilly and a team of home economists as an “easy recipe featuring a few simple ingredients”. Did you know that 25-30% of all Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup is sold in the month of November? Seems like lots of us enjoy this simple casserole for Thanksgiving!

All recipes can be made with canned green beans, frozen green beans or fresh green beans (just snap and cook them until tender before continuing with the recipes). Add milk, french fried onion rings and just a few ingredients for a simple casserole your family will enjoy.

Here is the original Green Bean Casserole:

  • 2 (15 ounce) cans cut green beans, drained
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (2.8 ounce) can French fried onions
  • salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium casserole dish mix together green beans, milk, cream of mushroom soup, and 1/2 of the can of onions

Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until heated through and bubbly. Sprinkle remaining onions over the top, and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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How about a slight variation to that original recipe? Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Continue reading Family Recipes: Green Bean Casserole 3 Ways

Family Recipes: Company Vegetable Casserole

I love this vegetable casserole. It is so versatile!! I love to make it with a mixture of cauliflower, broccoli and carrots, but you can vary your veggies. It is also great with just broccoli. During the holidays when you are really busy, you can make it ahead and bake it the next day.

 

 

Company Vegetable Casserole

Frozen Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrots (between 1 ½ lbs and 2 lbs)

1 ½ Cups (or more) Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

2/3 Cup Milk

Slivered Almonds–optional

1 Small Can French Fried Onion Rings

 

Continue reading Family Recipes: Company Vegetable Casserole

Family Recipes: Milk Dud Cookies

Don’t expect to stay on a diet when you make these cookies. They are addictive. One of the best peanut butter cookie recipes I ever made….and it has a surprise in the middle.  Form the dough around a milk dud that melts inside the cookie as it bakes.

It makes up to 8 dozen cookies—but I make my cookies a little bigger so usually get around 5 – 6 dozen. The house smells so good as they bake and my husband cannot wait to test them for me!! He says he wouldn’t want me to give anyone cookies that were not good. What a guy!!

Keep in mind that they dough needs to chill at least 1 hour before you form and bake the cookies.

 

 

1 ½ cups butter flavored shortening

1 ½ cups peanut butter (do not use reduced fat peanut butter)

2 cups sugar (DIVIDED)

1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed

4 eggs

3 ¾ cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon salt

1 package milk duds (10 ounces)

Cream shortening, peanut butter, 1 ½ cups sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Combine all dry ingredients and gradually add to creamed mixture. Chill for at least one hour.

Shape 4 teaspoons of dough around a milk dud (I just use a heaping tablespoon). Be sure milk dud is completely covered. Roll balls in remaining ½ cup sugar.

 

Place 2 inches a part on ungreased baking sheets (even better—line with parchment paper and cleanup of pans will be easy). Bake at 350 for 10 – 12  minutes or until set. Cool for 5 minutes and then remove to wire racks.

 

I think you can see how yummy these cookies look—now you just have to smell them baking and taste them!

See all of our Family Recipes by going to blog.UltaLife.com. Then do a search for RECIPES.

 

Here At UltaLife We Believe in ULTIMATE Living-

Nourishing Your Body, Mind & Spirit.

Are you an UltaLifer? Learn about the many supplements designed to make you stronger and healthier!

Click Here to check out all of our great products.