It’s about time (for me)

Well – hello again.

After a long time missing – I’m back at it.  I’ve been working 2 jobs and did not have time for this website at all.  Now, however, I’m on a LOA – actually to get my daughter into acting – but I will also work to get this site into the forefront.

I offer known brands of cookware for good prices.  I offer discounts to repeat customers.  Come check it out.  In fact – if you read this and send me an email through my website, www.totalpotsandpans.com, letting me know you read this blog, I’ll give you $10.00 off your first order.

Happy New year

Happy New Year to all

My resolution?  To bring you yummy recipies and tips that are healthy, low-fat, and low-calorie.  I’ve lost weight & kept it off, you can too.

My other resolution?  To continue to expand the catalog at www.totalpotsandpans.com.

Happy Halloween

Not much to say today since I have to get my trick or treater ready.  Have a safe and fun time out there kids!

 We now have Farberware at www.totalpotsandpans.com

Baking season – oh no how to get around the calories now?

As the Holidays approach, baking season is on the mind of everyone.  With children and entertaining, it’s not so easy to always have only low-fat/low-calorie desserts around.  So……….  Portion control!   Go ahead – have a cookie.  But that’s it.  One cookie, no more, maybe less.  Also remember that for fruit pies, it’s the crust that has all the bad stuff in it.  If you just have the insides, it’s not that bad.  Use fat free whip cream, and keep some low-fat ice cream around for you.  Make sure to shop our bake-ware section at www.totalpotsandpans.com/bakeware.html to help you  make all your favorite desserts.

Make any recipe lower in fat/calories

One of the things I learned when I was losing weight was to simply replace high fat items with the low/non-fat equivalent.  For example, if a recipe uses sour cream, simply use fat free sour cream.  It really doesn’t taste that much different once you get used to it.  We now use fat free sour cream on potatoes or for dip recipes.  Cheese is another possibility.  Reduced fat cheese is great for recipes.  If you eat it enough, you will get used to the taste.  There are many butter substitutes on the market that taste just fine but contain much less fat that butter or margarine.  Make a game for yourself to look at a recipe and see what ingredients can be switch with a lower fat version.  Don’t forget to shop at www.totalpotsandpans.com/potsandpans.html for all your cookware needs to make your recipes.

Make Chicken interesting again

Today’s recipie is a simple, low fat, low calorie, delicious, easy to make chicken recipie.  Start with raw skinless, boneless chicken breasts.  If they’re large, cut them in half.  Prepare pieces of foil, a rectangle with the length a bit longer than the width (using standard foil).  Place the chicken in the center.  Put sliced zucchini or squash on each breast.  I use 2/3 to a whole zucchini or squash for each packet.  Add tomatoes.  You can either chop fresh, cut cherry tomatoes, or if your short on time, canned diced tomatoes (not cooked).  Splash a little lemon juice on each packet.  Sprinkle Basil or Italian Seasoning on each.  Fold each packet so it’s completely closed.  Place packets on a cookie sheet.  Bake 35-40 minutes at 450 degrees.  Make your favorite starch and voila, a yummy, low fat, low calorie meal.  Check out our cookie/backing sheets at Total Pots and Pans.

Dessert even dieters can enjoy!

Are you trying to loose weight yet not happy with your menu?  Make sure to read my blogs.  I lost 40 pounds last Spring and I’m sharing many of my recipies.  Today’s recipie is for dessert.  You don’t have to feel guilty about this one and it’s delicious. 

Get a box of Angel Food cake mix – the kind you just add water to.  Instead of the water, add crushed pineapple.  Follow the rest of the instructions on the box.  Personally, I use a bundt pan to make a nice looking cake, but you can prepare it in many different types of pans.

Serve with some fresh cut strawberries (or other berries you might prefer) and a bit of fat free whip cream. 

This is the dessert my family now makes for celebrations – in place of a traditional cake and frosting.  It had a taste that would make you feel guilty if you didn’t know better.

To find a pan that you can prepare this delight in, check out our new bakeware selection at www.totalpotsandpans.com.

Stir Fry Pork

As I’m cutting up my pork to put in a marinade, I was just thinking it’s nice to have sharp knives.  Cutting utensils are very important when it comes to choping anything. 

The following is based on 1 pound of pork – but can certainly be doubled or 1.5, etc.

Mix 1/4 cup of soy sauce (low sodium if you need) and 1/4 cup of red wine.  Add a couple of garlic cloves (garlic powder works as a substitute).  If you choose, a bit of ginger root is nice as well. 
Slice a pound of pork (I get boneless chops on sale).  It helps if they’re slightly frozen – easier to cut.  Add it to the marinade and let sit for a couple of hours.

Coat a pan with no-stick spray, brown the pork (set the marinade aside).  Remove the pork and set aside.

Saute a chopped onion, sliced carrot and sliced zuccini.   Mix 1/2 cup of water with a TBS of corn starch.  Add that and the marinade to the pan.  Stir in some bok choy or chopped cabbage.  If you choose, add some snow peas and/or bean sprouts.  Add the cooked pork and stir till the entire mixture is hot.

 Serve over rice – and there you go – Yummy!

 Check out the selection of cutlery at www.totalpotsandpans.com to help you with all your chopping needs.

Soup – mmmmm, mmmm, yum

This past week the weather at our house has been unusually cool for this time of year.  Being that my hubby likes soup, I made two different soups this week.  One, a low calorie classic, was full of veggies and I added some garbanzo beans to give us some protein.  Then the other day, I made a low fat cream of asparagus soup.  Oh yeah – it was nummy, especially for being low fat.   To really make a good soup, good pots are definitely in order.  Check out the selection of pots and pans at www.totalpotsandpans.com that can be used to help you create your own wonderful soups.

My First Blog

Well folks – here’s my first blog.  This is to introduce my new eCommerce website; www.totalpotsandpans.com.  My goal is to offer reasonably priced quality cookware, with a large spash of customer service.  I’m just getting started so if you’re reading this, you are in a great position to watch me grow.