Blog Posts by Habanero♥™

Someone told me the other day that they can't eat healthy and keep within budget. Whether it is a "diet" you are on or just your daily regimen of food intake, you can keep your grocery bill at bay and enjoy meals that the entire family will like.






I live with a Carnivore, a Vegetarian, and a Vegan..............now that is tough cooking considering I cook 365 days a year and all meals are from my kitchen.
I picked up a package of boneless chicken breasts and a package of frozen spinach. The cost was $5.50 I had my own marinara on hand and needed some mozzarella, Parmesan and a package of tofu for the Vegan. I make my own bread crumbs from stale breads that I keep in my freezer.
When I was done cooking I had 4 huge Parmesan cutlets, two cutlets the size of a platter for Chicken Marsala, a pan of spinach Parmesan and a bed of Whole Grain thin spaghetti.....cost of the entire two days of meals was a total of $10.29 for four people, sans the marinara sauce that I made from home grown

"If you have to lie, cheat, and steal, you're just not doing it right, ... My career is a model of tough, fair dealing and fantastic success - without shortcuts, without breaking the law."
Donald Trump

TRUMP: A key resource to be used at an opportune moment. Informal A reliable or admirable person.

For the betterment of OUR Country I am putting my affiliation aside because I am truly interested in how WE are going to get out of the mess we are in. I am interested in your opinion and will respect your views. Please be specific and don't just mud sling.

It's that time of year....Vacation time. I would like to share the places you have been and your vacation experiences. Whether it be a weekend Staycation or an overseas jaunt, it would be nice to hear where your favorite or worse spots are. Also, your favorite childhood vacations.



As a young girl, I spent many weeks in the summer months on the beaches of Cape Cod, Hyannisport, Massachusetts. The sand dunes seemed a mile high as all the cousins would climb to the top and, with shrilling giggles, roll down the dunes.

From sunrise, we spent the days clam digging, crabbing and picking lobsters from the ocean. We ate the freshest seafood on earth. My fondest memories are of my Uncle Herbie digging a huge hole in the ground to do a New England Clam Bake. It didn't get any better. Toasted marshmallows....and passed out cold on a cot in the family summer home.


DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT?????


It is because of these childhood memories that the real deal Fish Fry is still my favorite

I have been inspired even more than ever by some great Shine people who have changed their lifestyles and eating habits. Recently Harley has taken off a significant amount of weight. Her story is compelling because she threw the word diet out the window and changed her lifestyle and habits.

Another blogger, dino, has seen her ways and has incorporated better eating habits with physical exertion .

Of course Brett Blumenthal is the Shine Queen of nutrition and I have learned tons from her and her book.

I, now, read absolutely every label and can't believe what some people are consuming without a clue.

Although Fajitas alone are not such a bad choice it is the extras that make this dish the equivalent to the fat of 44 strips of bacon.



What does your daily workout consist of???



NOW MY TAKE ON GROUND FOODS........The less fat a meat has the more fat needs to be put in to give it flavor. Especially in restaurants.


From reading the labels on the packages of ground beef vs. ground turkey,

My Easter celebrations have been the same throughout my entire life. The traditions have never changed.




Easter has always been a holiday for the young. I want to wish all the wonderful people I have befriended on Shine a very Happy Easter!


It was the time when we would all gather around the table to color eggs. My Mom was a Saint. What a mess we would make. She never complained.


WE always had a buffet because the family grew so big that there was no room on the table for the endless array of foods. My favorites were the baked ham and ...........................................


Potatoes Au Gratin

My favorite part has always been the dessert buffet table. It was always so pretty. The dessert that I loved the very most was.......





HAPPY EASTER................BEAUTIFUL KEESTERS!!!!! HOPE THE BUNNY IS GOOD TO YOU!

Please Stop In At The Pub .....Share a story, a recipe, or a fish tale. EVERYONE WELCOME!






IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN....St. Patrick's Day is around the corner and one of the happiest and fun days of the year. I love the outfits, the spirit, the drink and of course the food.


I love Corned Beef and Cabbage. I love it boiled, baked, crock - pot cooked and I have even had it deep fried. WHAT DO YOU MAKE FOR ST. PADDY'S DAY?



THE LEFT OVER CORNED BEEF YIELDS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SANDWICHES OF MOST DELIS.


My Dad always liked an Irish Stew And Dumplings.............and he made the best.





I always found the best part of the stew was the bread for dunking and wiping up the gravy.




My deceased Mother in Law would have nothing to do with Corned Beef and Cabbage. She was from Sligo, Ireland and came to visit once a year and every night I had to make COLCANNON, a lovely and delicious combination of mashed potatoes, sauteed cabbage and fried bacon. The coup de gras was the well to pour

Happy New Year To Everyone !!!



I am celebrating my one year anniversary on Shine. It has, like for most, been quite a roller coaster ride. I have, however, made incredible friendships.

A lot of people ask me questions about food. One of the biggest questions is how can people afford to eat healthy and yet stay within a budget. I find it challenging myself but I have tons of tricks up my sleeve.


WE ALL KNOW WHAT THIS IS.......


..........................and this!!!!

What would happen to this world IF it was in an age where there were absolutely no fast food establishments, frozen foods, processed foods, HFCS drinks? What would it be like if WE had to make all of our meals each and every day?


Do you think it would help to clean up this sad obesity issue amongst kids?




BUT IF IT WERE GREAT FOR ME............I would eat 5 of these a day!!!!!! Filet O...Yum O !



THIS CHICKEN POT PIE cost less to make than what the two boys above are eating. It feeds at least four!...................at

TODAY I have spent the day putting away all of my Thanksgiving treasures and I am in the process of dragging out all of my Christmas decorations. My mind is still reeling from Thanksgiving and the amount of preparation and now Christmas is peeking around the corner. I will go at full speed for the next 3 weeks to get it right.

I would love to know of your Christmas or Other December celebration traditions.




I make most of my Thank You gifts for my customers. Making wreaths is one of my favorite things to do. I make about 60 over the next couple of weeks and deliver them to customers.





THEN I start making candies and cookies, my favorite being the corn flake wreath cookie above. What are your favorite Christmas cookies or candies?............ I love learning of creative ideas.





The night before Christmas has always been my favorite part of the Holiday. Friends come by and the kids are aglow with the anticipation of Santa arriving. I don't know who started the idea of opening a present