by Barbara Stanley

Created on: May 23, 2009   Last Updated: June 11, 2009

It seems that almost everyone is concerned with the issue of gaining weight. Statistics are showing that Americans, overall, are steadily gaining excess pounds. With quite a few parents pushed for time, the drive-through lane at fast food restaurants are never empty. The good thing about fast food is the fact that the foods fill you up. The bad thing is the fact that they also fill you out. They are not overly concerned about how many calories there are in the hamburgers and fries they serve. Let us not forget those delicious shakes and ice-cream sundaes for dessert. Surely there is a better way to serve a family meal in a timely manner that taste good, fills you up, and is not loaded with fat and calories.

While it may be difficult to get children to eat less meat and more vegetables, it is apparent that Americans eat too much meat at each meal. Without sacrificing meat, tasty meals can be prepared that the entire family will enjoy. The following is a few recipes and ideas for complete and balanced meals that will satisfy every member of your family.

For the main dish at dinner time, try this recipe I call Skinny Spaghetti Delight:

Ingredients

one spaghetti squash about three pounds or a little under

one half pound of ground sirloin

one half cup of each: chopped onion, green pepper or Banana peppers, mushrooms, and sharp cheddar cheese

one cove of minced garlic

one half teaspoon of each: dried cilantro, parsley, dried basil, turmeric

two large tomatoes, chopped

1. Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with an ice-cream scoop. Place the cut side of the squash into a baking dish. Fill the dish with hot water to a depth of about one half inch and bake uncovered for thirty minutes at 375*.

2. While squash is baking, cook the sirloin, onions, and peppers in a skillet over medium heat until meat is done. drain

3. Add the mushrooms, spices, and salt and pepper to taste, to the ingredients in the skillet and cook for two to three minutes.

4. Remove skillet from heat and add chopped tomatoes. Set aside until squash is tender and ready to come out of the oven.

5. When squash is cool enough to handle, remove the squash with a fork to create spaghetti strings. Press squash in a colander to remove excess liquid, then add all ingredients together, including cheddar cheese.

6. Fill the squash shells with ingredients and bake uncovered for about 15 minutes at 350*. Yields 4 main dishes when squash shells are cut in half again.

8. After

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