Happy first week of October!

I received lots of positive comments on my spaghetti sauce recipe.
Seems like it's that time of year for comfort food.  :-)

Someone wrote in to ask whether or not the sauce recipe can be
adapted to kitchens without crock pots.  The answer is "yes"! 
In fact, my friend Karen (who inspired my recipe) always makes
hers in a saucepan on the stove.  She just simmers it for 3-4
hours, stirring frequently. 

Whichever way you cook it, just remember that the flavors enhance,
so if you want very robust sauce, make it ahead and let it sit in
your fridge for a couple days.  Also keep in mind this will make
the red pepper flavor stronger as well--so go easy on it if you
don't like your food super-spicy!

This red sauce works great with our RPDD strategy.  We eat it every
week.  Don't know the "Real People Don't Diet" eating strategy?
Just visit www.RealPeopleDontDiet.com to learn more.

***
Since the recipes seem to be such a big hit, let me share another
family favorite with you.

I'm in the middle of a nasty fall sinus infection right now.  When
you have a cold, or it's frosty and chilly out, there's nothing
like homemade chicken soup to make you feel better.

I adapted a great chicken soup recipe from www.kraftfoods.com that
my family absolutely loves.  I've made it in my crock pot, in a
Dutch oven, or even in a stir-fry skillet.  The recipe  is
definitely better for you than a lot of canned varieties.  Skip
bread or rolls as a side--go for a nice mixed-green salad with
plenty of veggies and sunflower seeds instead.

Make it for your family and see what you think!

"Real" Easy Chicken Soup
========================
1 large can chicken in water (or leftover chicken, about 2 cups)
1 small onion
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 stalk of celery, sliced or 1 cup frozen peas
1 pouch Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
1 cup Barilla ditalini
32 oz. organic or natural chicken broth
2 cups of water
salt and pepper to taste

Cook chicken until no longer pink (or empty canned chicken into
pot).  Add vegetables and saute 3 to 5 minutes until vegetables
are tender.  Add broth, water, Italian dressing mix and salt and
pepper.  Stir and bring to a boil.  Add pasta, cover and simmer on
low for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and serve.  Garnish with
parsley or Parmesan cheese.

Serves 6.

Crock pot directions:  Do not add pasta until final 15 minutes
of cooking time.  Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours.

***
My family has started to look ahead and plan for the holidays.
How about you?  I'm already dreaming about pumpkin pie!

A few years ago I created my own holiday planner.  I took a
binder and printed out specific planning sheets from a site
called http://organizedchristmas.com/christmas-countdown.  I
didn't use all the planners they recommended, just the ones
that were useful to me.  It took a few hours to print, punch and
collate but it was worth it.

Since then Maria Gracia has introduced a holiday organizer that's
ready to ship.  You can also get a digital version for just $16.95.

Get Organized Now! Christmas Holiday Planner

I highly recommend setting up some sort of holiday planner.  It's
made that time of year MUCH less stressful for us.

We plan our holiday budget, keep track of gifts purchased early
that are in the "gift closet", create gift lists, easily see
which gifts we have left to buy, and track items purchased and
money spent. 

If I'm hosting any events I use the party planner to make sure
nothing's missed. 

It's been such a great help to me; we almost always come in at
budget or slightly under, and pay for Christmas in cash every
year. 

Here's a tip:  save your planner data each year in the same place
you put your annual cards and letters.  It'll be fun reviewing
how much you spent and which gifts you purchased 20 years ago!

And speaking of the holidays, don't forget one of the bonuses included

with "Real People Don't Diet" is called "Real People Celebrate Holidays".

You'll learn how to enjoy holidays all throughout the year without

overeating and gaining extra pounds.   You know where to go...

 

www.RealPeopleDontDiet.com