Author: fstaradmin

Whether you’re feelin’ fancy or just feelin’ hungry, these stuffed flank steak recipes are going to make you feel like a professional chef! Flank steak is great because it’s very versatile, tasty, and affordable, so you can create a chef quality meal for a good price!

Trust us when we say that these recipes are easy, because they are! All you need to do is pound out the flank steak, roll it up with some tasty ingredients, and cook it!

1. Italian Stuffed Flank Steak
Garlic, herbs, prosciutto and provolone, say no more! Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze or A1 steak sauce to kick up the flavor even more!
 
Get the recipe from The Chunky Chef.

2. Spinach and Feta Stuffed Flank Steak
A Mediterranean style stuffed flank steak oozing with spinach, feta, sundried tomatoes, and herbs – is your stomach growling yet?
 
Get the recipe from Emily Bites.

3. Mushroom and Blue Cheese Stuffed Flank Steak
There’s just something about the combination of blue cheese and beef that makes your mouth water. Blue cheese has a very unique taste, so if it’s not your thing, you can substitute the blue cheese for goat cheese which is much more mild.
 
Get the recipe from Countryside Cravings.

4. Fajita Stuffed Grilled Flank Steak
Just because this stuffed flank steak recipe is low in carbs and fits into the ketogenic diet, doesn’t mean it’s not bursting with plenty of flavor! Pepper jack cheese, onions, bell peppers, and spices make this stuffed flank steak recipe a tasty addition to your Mexican night!
 
Get the recipe from All Day I Dream About Food.

5. Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Flank Steak
If we told you this could be ready in a half hour, would you believe us? This is a quick meal that can be made in 30 minutes or less for a fancy dinner party or just for a weeknight dinner with the family. You pick!
 
Get the recipe from Dinner then Dessert.

6. Bourbon Marinated Flank Steak with Roasted Mushroom, Sage and Fontina
Pop some chicken nuggets in the oven for your kids – this flank steak is only for adults! Marinated overnight in a bourbon, brown sugar mixture and then stuffed with portabella mushrooms, herbs, and cheese; you’ll feel like you’re eating at a high-end steakhouse in your own home!>
 
Get the recipe from Barbells and Bellini.

How do you stuff your flank steak? Let us know in the comments below!

 
It’s 8:30 pm and your stomach is growling, you reach for that tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream, and then pause… “should I really be eating this?”You quickly track this meal in the MyFitnessPal App on your smartphone and realize this puts you 300 calories over your 2000 calorie limit for the day. You also realized that it doesn’t have a nutritional benefit, so you think, “I know I shouldn’t eat that!”

Instead you grab half a cup of greek yogurt, some pineapple and coconut flakes eat that instead.

While, the yogurt parfait may not be as indulgent as the mint chocolate chip ice cream that you just skipped out on, you stayed on track and will be able to hit your goals much easier now. Plus, let’s be real, hitting your weight-loss (or weight-gain) goals will put a much bigger smile on your face than that chocolate chip ice cream ever will!

What is MyFitnessPal?
MyFitnessPal is a powerful tool that can be accessed on your smartphone or online to help users track their meals and physical activity. By tracking what you eat and how much activity you’ve done, it’s easy to see what you have to do to stay on track and live a healthier lifestyle. In fact, according to some medical studdies, keeping a food journal doubles your weight loss!

Download the app today to get started.

 

Here’s how it works:1. You’ll create a profile which includes information about your height, weight, lifestyle, and goals (to gain or lose weight). Based on this information, they will recommend a calorie target to strive towards.
 
2. When you eat and exercise, you can easily log your meals and activities in the food and exercise diaries. By recording this, MyFitnessPal will be able to calculate the number of calories you’ve consumed from food and burned from exercise, and let you know how many calories you have left to eat for the day. If you stick to these limits, you should be able to hit your goals.
 

Plus, the more you use the app, the easier it gets! MyFitnessPal will remember foods and exercises that you like the most and it will be even easier for you to add these to your diary.

Note: MyFitnessPal easily syncs with your FitBit, apple watch and a few other fitness trackers. Just make sure you sync it under apps & devices in the MyFitnessPal app.
 
3. Periodically weigh yourself and update the app so the app can adjust for your new weight and provide you with the most accurate recommendations.
It’s that simple! For just a few minutes a day you can learn so much more about the foods that you’re eating and how they impact your health.

Other Great Benefits of MyFitnessPal:

• Tracks your sodium intake and will notify you if a specific food is high in sodium.
• If you’re watching your cholesterol, this tracks your dietary cholesterol so you can stay on track and try to avoid foods high in cholesterol.
• Will notify you if you met your protein goal for the day
• Easily access MyFitnessPal’s blog for recipe inspiration and nutritional advice
• Ability to add your friends on the app for support, encouragement, advice and tips from the people you trust most
• Track your water intake to make sure you’re staying hydrated throughout the day

Five Star Home Foods’ Products Are Now On MyFitnessPal
We just added nearly 300 items to MyFitnessPal to make it even easier for you to get started! This means all of the nutritional information for any of the products that are delivered to your home from Five Star Home Foods are already in the MyFitnessPal system. So, all you need to do when logging your food is type in the name of the food (ex. Chicken Fajita Strips), add Five Star Home Foods as the brand, and select how many servings you ate – it’s that simple!

Head to MyFitnessPal’s website for more information and to get started.

Does Your Favorite Steak Make The Cut?

At Five Star Home Foods, we know our customers have an exquisite taste for steak… probably because we only sell the best (looking at you, Certified Angus Beef.) So what are the top three that our customers rave about?
 
The Sirloin, Strip, and Filet Mignon are definitely our most popular and most desired steaks here at Five Star Home Foods. We’re sure many other steakhouses would agree that these steaks are top of the line, so we wanted to give you some tips on how to prepare them the right way.
 
How Would You Like Your Steak Cooked?
Before we dive into each cut of steak, it’s important to note that everyone cooks their steak differently. Longhorn Steakhouse gave Five Thirty Eight a year’s worth of data from all 491 US locations so they could better understand how Americans order their steaks, and the results were surprising.
 
If you’re someone who orders your steak rare, you’re probably rolling your eyes when you hear that 11.7% of people ordered their steak well done at Longhorn Steakhouse, and only 2.5% of people ordered their steaks rare.
 
Mostly everyone else can agree that they like their steak prepared somewhere in the middle; 22.5% of people who ordered steak at Longhorn Steakhouse asked for it to be cooked medium-rare, 37.5% asked for theirs to be prepared medium, and 25.8% likes theirs cooked medium-well.However, it’s also interesting to know that this depends on which kind of steak was ordered.
 
The T-Bone steak had the highest number of medium-well and well-done orders, where the Prime Rib had the highest number of rare and medium-rare orders.This is most likely due to the cut of steak having different characteristics. The tenderloin and prime rib are very tender, so it doesn’t really need to be cooked as long for the flavors and texture to satisfy us. On the contrary, highly marbled steaks like the porterhouse or T-bone contain a bone in the middle so these steaks retain more moisture and therefore can be cooked longer while retaining the juices in the steak.
 
Source: Longhorn Steakhouse: Orders from May 30, 2016 – May 21, 2017
 
Our Top 3 Favorite Cuts of Steak
Filet Mignon
Nicknames: Filet (or fillet), Tenderloin Filet, Tenderloin Steak,
 
Description: This is the steak that we would recommend if you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, promotion, or just want to treat yourself! The filet mignon is very desirable for it’s melt-in-your-mouth texture and is essential to the menu at any high-end steak house. Since it’s the most tender cut of beef and only a small amount of it comes from each steer, this steak tends to be more expensive.

Best Prepared: Cook quickly with direct heat either by grilling, pan-frying or broiling. If you opt for a low, slow cooking method you run the risk of overcooking it. We recommend preparing this steak medium-rate to medium.

Recommended Recipe: Garlic Butter Filet Mignon

Sirloin Steak
Nicknames: Top Sirloin
 
Description: Lean, juicy and moderately tender beef that is very affordable. This steak has no bones and very little fat, making it taste delicious any way it’s cooked. Marinades and dry rubs can help bring out the flavor of the beef, but many prefer the natural flavor from the char on the grill. Very thin cut strips of sirloin steak can be nearly as tender as a filet mignon, making it an excellent value.
 
Best Prepared: Cook quickly on high heat by either broiling, sauteing or grilling. We recommend cooking sirloin medium rare to medium, otherwise it may be overcooked and become too chewy.
 
Recommended Recipe: Easy Pan Seared Sirloin Steak

Strip Steak
Nicknames: Kansas City Steak, Manhattan Steak. New York Strip
 
Description: A steakhouse classic known for its marbling, tenderness and flavor. A great choice for summer grilling. Not as tender as the Filet Mignon, but packs more flavor.
 
Best Prepared: Cook quickly on high heat by either sauteing or grilling. We recommend preparing this steak medium-rare to medium for maximum tenderness.
 
Recommended Recipe: Seared Strip Steak with Red Wine Balsamic Reduction
 
Honorable Mentions
Flank Steak
 
Description: Lean and flavorful, should be sliced thin against the grain. A popular steak to marinade and is usually the go-to cut for restaurants to use for fajitas.
 
Best Prepared: Very versatile steak. Can be marinated and then cooked quickly on high heat on the grill, pan fried, or broiled. Slow cooking for six to eight hours is also popular for the flank steak to make tacos and Mongolian beef.
 
Recommended Recipe: Italian Stuffed Flank Steak
 
Skirt Steak
Nicknames: Inside Skirt Steak, Outside Skirt Steak
 
Description: A long, thin cut of meat that has a rich, beefy flavor. Similar to the Flank Steak and can usually be substituted in recipes that call for Flank Steak, but it has a stronger beef flavor and can be a little tougher piece of meat.
 
Best Prepared: Works best with quick, high heat cooking, but it can also be used in some slow cooker recipes as well. Pairs perfectly with most marinades on the grill.
 
Recommended Recipe: Honey Soy Skirt Steak
 
T-Bone Steak
 
Description: The T-Bone steak consists of two tender steaks connected to a T-shaped bone that gives this lean cut of steak its flavor. Similar to a Porterhouse Steak but slightly smaller in size.
 
Best Prepared: Cook quickly on high heat by either sauteing or grilling. No fancy marinades or dry rubs needed, but a butter marinade can emphasize the delicious beef flavor.
 
Recommended Recipe: Marinated Herb Butter T-Bone Steak
 
Porterhouse Steak
Nickname: “King of the T-Bones”
 
Description: The Porterhouse is basically a larger version of the T-Bone because it is carved from the larger portion of the tenderloin. It’s part Filet Mignon, Part New York Strip, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth! Like the T-Bone, this steak is very tender and is a great option to throw on the grill.
 
Best Prepared: Cook quickly on high heat by either sauteing or grilling. No fancy marinades or dry rubs needed.
 
Recommended Recipe: Chef Bobby Flay’s Perfect Porterhouse Steak
 
What’s your favorite cut of steak? Is it one of the cuts listed above? How do you like yours cooked? Let us know in the comments below!
 
All photos on this page are property of Certified Angus Beef LLC. All rights reserved.

Freezers Can Do Way More Than Keep Your Food and Ice Cold!

Freezers Can Do Way More Than Keep Your Food and Ice Cold!
Freezers are one of the most used home appliances alongside a refrigerator, stove and a microwave. While most larger families need a second freezer just to keep enough food on hand, many smaller families and couples have been investing in freezers because it helps them save money in the long run.When you have a freezer, buying food in bulk is a no brainer. Most people use their freezer to:
 

• Take advantage of supermarket sales, like when you see a great deal on fruit or bread.
• Make two dinner portions at once and freeze one for later. (Yay for saving time!)
• Meal prep like a champ.
• Freeze leftovers so you don’t get stuck eating the same meal for 3 days in a row… bleh!
• Prebake some of your holiday treats and freeze them so you don’t have to hectically do it all the night before a holiday – another time savor, score!
• Make and freeze homemade sauces to use later.

Purchasing a 5 to 6 month order from Five Star Home Foods is also a great way to save on your main menu items like chicken, beef, fish, and pork. Since you’re buying in bulk directly from the processor, you’re able to save money while getting higher quality food delivered right to your freezer… and you can avoid all of the extra costs the grocery store has to tack on when they go from the processor, to the broker, then the distributor, wholesaler, retailer, etc… It’s a great option if you’re looking to buy in quantity.
 
Once you have a freezer, don’t just keep food in there! Here are 10 unique things you can do with your freezer other than just storing extra food!
 

1. Make Herbal Ice Cubes
When you buy fresh herbs or herbal plants at the grocery store, how many of them do you end up throwing out because they dry up or die? Well, instead of throwing them out, turn them into herbal ice cubes!
 
Add a basil cube to a hot pot of tomato sauce, some cilantro to your jasmin rice, or add a few mint ice cubes to your hot morning tea! This is a great way to store your herbs that would have gone bad and use them in the future!
 
Here’s the steps:

1. Start boiling water.
2. While it’s boiling, finely chop up your herbs.
3. Pack your herbs into an ice cube tray, about 3/4 full.
4. Fill the ice try with boiling water to blanch the herbs before freezing them. This process helps to retain their flavor and color.
5. Place them in the freezer and wait a few hours. Once frozen, you can pop them out and transfer them to a freezer bag to store in the freezer.
6. Then, just start using them!

 

2. Soothe Sunburns
Very similar to freezing herbs in ice cube trays, you can freeze aloe vera in ice cube trays to use on your body when you have sunburn! The cool frozen cube will feel amazing on your sun-burned body, and the aloe will continue to soothe long after the ice cube has melted. It’s a perfect thing to keep in your freezer in the spring and summer, especially if you know you’ll be attending a sunny event or beach day in the near future.
 
3. Make Coffee and Tea Ice Cubes:
Freeze cubes of coffee and tea so that you can make an iced coffee or tea that never gets watered down! When the “ice” melts, you just get more coffee/tea flavor! It’s the ultimate way to make an iced drink without compromising it’s flavor!

4. Make Individual Smoothie Packs:
Sippin on a smoothie for breakfast is a great way to jumpstart your day with plenty of vitamins, but cutting up all of the fruit in the morning may be difficult with your schedule.
 
Instead, measure out the fruits and veggies into individual plastic bags and freeze them! Then, when you’re ready for your smoothie, just add the bag to your blender with a cup of milk or water and BOOM! You have a healthy smoothie in no-time!
 
Head to Nutritionist Reviews for some great recipes!
 

5. Extend the Life of Batteries:
We all know batteries can be very expensive, but if you buy them in bulk, you might be able to save a lot of money in the long run. Storing unused NiMH and NiCd batteries (often used in electronics) in the freezer will extend their life by about 90%. For alkaline batteries on the other hand, storing them in the freezer will only extend their life by about 5%, so make sure you are freezing the right kind of battery. When you’re ready to use them, just make sure you bring them to room temperature first!

6. Save Seeds for Next Season
When the summer comes and goes, don’t throw all of your unused seeds out! They can stay good until the next planting season if you preserve them in your freezer! Once they are completely dry, place them in an airtight container (like a mason jar) and store them in your freezer. Next planting season, thaw them out and plant them!

7. Make Homemade Vegetable Broth With Kitchen Scraps

Don’t throw away your kitchen scraps! The scraps from onions, carrots, garlic, celery, potatoes and parsley can be frozen and later used for a delicious homemade broth. Just toss all of the vegetable peels into a freezer safe bag whenever you have scraps, and once the bag fills up, you can cook it! Just simmer the scraps with a few cups of water and you’ll have a homemade broth in no time!

Bonus: this broth will cost you $0 to make since you would have thrown this food out anyway!

Thanks to Tasty for this awesome video!

8. Remove Gum from Your Shoe
Stepped in gum? One easy way to remove it without scraping at it vigorously is to stick a small piece of paper over the gum and then place the shoe in the freezer for 1 – 2 hours. Then, take the shoe out and peel the paper off. It should easily peel off your shoe! If there’s any residue left, a simple scrape with a knife should do the trick.

9. Preserve Natural Beauty Products:
Many people have been making the switch to using all-natural beauty products for numerous different reasons. The only downside is that the preservatives and additives that were in the un-natural products are what kept them good for so long! If you buy a natural product, keeping them in the fridge might make them last a little longer. For products that you use sparingly (like a unique shade of lipstick) or natural beauty products that you bought in bulk, put them in the freezer to extend their lifetime even longer.

10. Open and Reseal an Envelope
Have you ever closed an envelope too quickly but you already put all of the postage on it? Place it in the freezer in a sealed Ziploc bag for an hour of two. Then, take it out and it should easily open with a knife. Once it’s at room temperature again you can seal it back up!

Looking to Buy a Freezer?
If you’re a Five Star Home Foods customer, you can buy a freezer through us to store our seasonal food orders if you wish. When you buy a freezer through us you will get discounts on your food orders FOR LIFE!
 
The amount of money you’ll be saving on your all-natural food orders will cover the cost of the freezer, and eventually you’ll be saving thousands of dollars on your food orders every year! A win for your wallet and a win for your tummy, too!
 
Click here for more information on our Rewards Program.

Kid-Approved Lunch Ideas for Busy Parents
Picture this: You’re walking down the dairy isle at the grocery store and your kid sees a strawberry yogurt with a few Minions on it.They start crying that they want this yogurt so you just grab a few and throw it in the cart.

Sound familiar?

Yeah, I thought so! But, have you ever stopped to read the label?

Products that are specifically marketed towards children are usually LOADED with added sugar and have little nutritional value!

As a parent, it’s your job to help your kids make healthy choices. If you let them eat tons of sugar as a child, you could be setting them up for a lifelong addiction to sugary foods and drinks!

Side note for those with a sweet tooth: There’s a huge difference between added sugar and natural sugar. Added sugar doesn’t have the fiber your body needs to digest the food. Natural sugar (found in whole fruits and vegetables) has plenty of fiber, nutrients, and vitamins, which helps to slow down the absorption so it doesn’t get fast, direct access to the liver like added sugar does. So, when you or your child are craving sweets, try to eat some fruit to feed that craving the natural way!

If you’re trying to stop feeding your kid’s processed sugary foods, these lunch box ideas are a step in the right direction! It might take you a little longer than throwing a pre-packaged Kid Cuisine in their lunchbox, but the health benefits they get from eating a home cooked meal far out weight the time difference! Not only are they healthier than the products that are typically marketed towards kids, but they’re pretty easy to make and your kids will love them too!

But First, A Quick TipIf your children don’t have access to a microwave to heat up their food, buying a thermos gives you endless lunch possibilities because you now have the freedom to pack hot lunches too!
 
From a quick search on Amazon you will find thermoses (like this cute pink and purple thermos from FooGo) for about $15 or $20, and trust us, this is totally worth it! Your kids will be happy that they don’t have to eat sandwiches everyday and you’ll be happy that you can start packing away some of your dinner leftovers in their lunchbox!

If you do end up getting a thermos, here’s how you can keep your food hot!

1. Boil water (you can do this quickly in the microwave by heating up a large glass of water for about 2 or 3 minutes.)
2. Fill the thermos with the boiling water, close the lid and let it sit inside for about 5 minutes.
3. When you’re ready to fill the thermos, poor the water out and add the food.
4. Cover immediately.

For breaded items (like chicken nuggets) that you want to stay crispy, place a paper towel in the bottom of the thermos to keep the moisture off of the food and prevent it from getting soggy.
 

Kid-Approved Lunch Ideas for Busy Parents

In addition to these quick main-meal lunch recipes, make sure you include a source of protein, a veggie, some fruit, and a whole grain in every lunch box. Each one of these key essential food groups help to make a balanced meal that will set your kids up for success!

1. Healthier “Lunchable” Pizza
Kid’s usually LOVE pizza, so why not make them a healthier “lunchable” pizza to take to school! It’s cheaper and healthier than buying the processed store-bought version and you even have the ability to customize it to your kids’ tastes and preferences. As long as you choose the right ingredients, you can provide your kids with a serving of veggies, dairy and whole grains.
 
Get the recipe from Holley Grainger.

2. Mini Taco Hand Pies
Forget the kids, you’re going to want to pack these for your own lunches!All jokes aside, this recipe only takes about 35 minutes to throw together and it’s totally kid friendly! The black beans and ground beef will keep them full throughout the day, and adding some guacamole provides them with plenty of healthy fat! We would recommend heating these up in the morning and putting them into a thermos, but if you don’t have one, the author of this recipe said you can also wrap it in foil to keep it “warm” until lunch.
 
Get the recipe from Lemons for Lulu.

3. Lunch Kabobs
We love this idea from Mom on Time Out because these kabobs don’t need to be warmed up! They’re also the perfect go-to lunch because you can make these with leftovers, too! Our personal favorite is the chicken cobb because there’s so many different flavors on that kabob, but we also like the cheesy chicken quesadilla! Pair these kabobs with a cup of fruit or a veggie for a well balanced meal.
 
Get the recipe from Mom on Time Out.

4. Chicken Avocado Salad Roll Ups
Now, we know a lot of kids are picky and may not like avocado, but for the kids that do, this one is a perfect, healthy lunch idea! Packed with protein from the chicken and healthy fat from the avocado, this lunch will keep your kids feeling full all day long! Just make the salad ahead of time and then spread it on the wrap in the morning, roll it up, and cut it! It’s that simple.
 
Get the recipe from OMG Chocolate Desserts.

5. Spaghetti Pie Muffins
Bite-size spaghetti pies? Now we’re talking! Double the recipe to make these for dinner AND enjoy them for lunch the next few days! They’re the perfect muffin to take to work in a warm canister. Opt for whole wheat pasta and a spaghetti sauce that’s low on added sugar (or no sugar at all) to make this a healthier lunch… and don’t forget to include the Certified Angus Beef®! Can you say YUM?
 
Get the recipe from Where Your Treasure Is.

6. Masonables
Do your kids love tuna or chicken salad? If they do, this is a great idea that you can make ahead of time and feed your kids for lunch all week long! This idea reuses fruit cups and a mason jar (hense the name, masonables!)
 
You could use this same idea for a cup of fruit with yogurt, cheese and crackers or even pretzels and hummus! The possibilities are endless with Masonables!
 
Get the recipe and more Masonable ideas from Soup Spice Everything Nice.

7. Strawberry Banana “Sushi” Rolls
Get your little one’s in on the fun and have them make their own strawberry banana sushi rolls! These “sushi rolls” are packed with protein in the greek yogurt and natural peanut butter spread, loaded with healthy whole grains, and bursting with vitamins from the bananas and strawberries! A win for their taste buds and a win for your wallet!
 
Get the recipe from The Foodie Physician.

8. California Pasta Salad
The best part about pasta salad is that you can make it truly unique and cater to your kid’s favorite veggies! Plus, if you opt for a whole-wheat pasta you can provide your kids with the extra fiber that they need for a healthy body! It’s also such an easy way to meal-prep for a busy week!
 
Get the recipe from Life in the Lofthouse.

9. No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls
This simple addition to your kids lunch box will look like you’re giving them a sweet treat, but little do they know how healthy they are! Oatmeal is naturally a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. The flaxseed and chia seeds will add plenty of fiber but the texture will be hidden by the creamy peanut butter and sweet dark chocolate chips. Pair this with a fruit and vegetable for a well balanced lunch.
 
Get the recipe from Shape.

These recipes are an easy way to add some tasty nutrients into your kid’s lunches while keeping them full with fiber and whole grains! If you’re looking to simplify your meal prepping even further, click here to see how easy it is to meal prep when using a home food delivery service.

15 Savory Tailgating Dishes For Your Next Tailgate Party

For some people, game day food consists of deep fried wings, pizza and a few bottles of soda from your local pizza shop. This year, be the hero and make one of these game day appetizers instead!

1. Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups
Is your typical buffalo chicken dip eaten up by the end of the first quarter? Give your spectators more of what they like by sneaking their favorite dip into a wrap!
 
Get the recipe from Sugar Apron.

2. Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
These Philly cheesesteak sliders will please everyone at your party – yes, even your Uncle Jim that claims Geno’s is the only place you can order an authentic cheesesteak in Philly.
 
Get the recipe from Homemade Interest.

3. Bourbon-Cider Boneless Wings
No football party is complete without wings! These bourbon-cider boneless wings can be made with your Five Star boneless skinless chicken breasts (or chicken strips) for a tasty addition to your party.
 
Get the recipe from The Chunky Chef.
 
Psst – did you know we have wings on our menu at Five Star? Ask your culinary consultant to add them to your order the next time you reorder!

4. Taco Cups
We love this idea of putting taco dip into a cup! This makes it so easy to grab and it’s one less appetizer you need to fit on your overcrowded plate!
 
Get the recipe from Southern Made Simple.

5. Crockpot Mac & Cheese
Put a smile on everyone’s face by serving a fan favorite – mac & cheese! This recipe really can’t get any easier… just dump it all in and in 2 – 3 hours, you and all of your guests can dig in!
 
Get the recipe from Family Fresh Meals.

6. Cheeseburger Dip
You can’t go wrong with this 30 minute cheeseburger dip! We recommend using tortilla chips to devour this dip but feel free to use Scoops, crackers, bread, celery or just enjoy it by the spoonful!
 
Get the recipe from Sugar and Skull.

7. Paleo Potato Skins with Guacamole and Bacon
These paleo potato skins are super crispy, loaded with guacamole, crispy bacon, green onions, and ranch dressing. The only problem is, no matter how many you make, you’ll always wish you made more!
 
Get the recipe from 40 Aprons.

8. Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers
It’s like a chicken nugget, but a little healthier and sweet! Pair it with some ranch dressing or guacamole and you have a delicious appetizer the entire party will devour!
 
Get the recipe from Unbound Wellness.

9. Slow Cooker Tailgate Chili
This isn’t your typical chili, this one has two secret ingredients: beer and chocolate powder! While beer isn’t a completely abnormal ingredient for chili, the chocolate powder definitely is! This small addition will cut the acidity and give a richness to the chili for a truly unique taste!
 
Get the recipe from Slow Cooker Gourmet.

10. Warm and Cheesy Pulled Pork Dip
This one’s for the BBQ pulled pork lovers! Stack this warm and cheesy dip on tortilla chips, pretzel rods, or Scoops for a dip that will have everyone coming back for seconds, thirds, and maybe even fourths!
 
Ps. Our pre-cooked southern style pork BBQ would also work great in this dish!
 
Get the recipe from Cooking with Carlee.

11. Cheesy Meatball Bites
Need a quick addition to your game day food? This one only takes 25 minutes but your guests will think you worked so much harder than that! Just pick up a pack of shredded mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and crescent rolls to pair with your Five Star Home Foods meatballs and you’re all set!
 
Get the recipe from Butter with a Side of Bread.

12. Bacon Wrapped Tenderloin
Win over the crowd with these smokey bacon wrapped tenderloins dipped in a creamy horseradish sauce. The charred and smokey taste of the tenderloin wrapped in crispy bacon will leave a lasting impression on all of your guests!
 
Get the recipe from Joyful Healthy Treats.

13. Steak and Cheddar Flatbread Pizza
Ditch the usual take-out pepperoni pizza from your local pizza joint and make this cheddar and steak flatbread instead! With so much more flavor, all of your party-goers will be more than pleased with your decision!
 
Get the recipe from Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen.

14. Mini Beef Wellington
The flakey pastry combined with the beef tenderloin and horseradish cream sauce will make your guests feel like they’re dining at a high-end restaurant, but little do they know how easy it was to throw together!
 
Get the recipe from A Dish of Daily Life.

15. Beef Satay Skewers with a Peanut Dipping Sauce
Look like a grill master with this quick and easy beef skewer recipe! The smokey, slightly-chargrilled flavor is complemented by fresh lemons and ginger for a tasty meat appetizer that will probably be gone in a blink of the eye! Pair it with the creamy Thai peanut sauce to really wow your friends!
 
Get the recipe from That Lemon Bowl.

Are you throwing a party for the big game on Sunday? If so, what are you doing to celebrate? Leave us a comment below!

Hungry for more? Check out these 3 fan favorite warm party dips.

Green and Black Football Party Ideas For Game Day

Throwing or attending a party on Sunday for the big game? Make sure your food and house are just as spirited as you are with these creative green and black party ideas!

1. Rice Krispie Treat Jerseys
These jerseys are kid friendly and so easy to make! All you need is a football jersey cookie cutter (only $2.50 on Amazon), Rice Krispies, butter, marshmallows, food coloring and icing! Go a step further and prove your loyalty by writing your favorite player’s number on the jersey!
 
Get the recipe here from Two Sisters Crafting.

2. Printable Photo Booth PropsThese Printable Photo Booth Props from Etsy will be a hit at your party! Guests will love snapping pictures with their props to post on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat! Anyone who misses your party will have serious FOMO (fear of missing out).
 
Purchase on Etsy from OldMarket Corner.

3. Our Favorite Game Day Appetizers and Party Dishes
These whoopie pies are made of just 5 ingredients including a spreadable cheese that was founded right here in Philadelphia… yes you guessed that right, Philadelphia Cream Cheese! These whoopie pies are great if you’re looking to add some bright green color to your spread!
 
Get the recipe from tbsp.

4. Printable Commercial Bingo CardsRaise your hand if your favorite part of watching the big game is actually watching the commercials! If so, download these free printable bingo cards to play a little game during your commercial breaks (and don’t forget to have a few small prizes to give out to the winners!)
 
Download these free printable bingo cards here.

5. Oreo Cookie “Footballs”
These Oreo cookies can satisfy both the home and away team, and they’re so easy to make! Just 4 ingredients and you have a festive dessert to add to your table!
 
Get the recipe from Kraft.

6. Game Day Mason Jars
Feeling artsy? Make these mason jars to show off your team spirit! Great to store utensils, straws, or even chocolate covered pretzel sticks!
 
Get the easy-to-follow steps from Mason Jar Craft Love.

7. Green and Black M&M Popcorn
Can this sweet and salty snack get any easier? It’s a great way to spruce up your popcorn with some team color!
 
Get the recipe here from Two Sisters Crafting.

8. Green Cake Pops
Since these green cake pops were originally made for St. Patrick’s Day, we hope recreating them will bring just as much luck to the Philadelphia Eagles this year!
 
Get the recipe from The Good Stuff.

9. Truffle Football Cupcakes
Jazz up your cupcakes with some green grass and a football to top it off! This cupcake may look hard to make, but we promise it’s much easier than you think!
 
Get the recipe from Taste of Home.

10. “Green” Pesto Stuffed Eggs
 
Who says your deviled eggs can’t be festive, too? The best part about these eggs is that they are colored using pesto! In addition to it tasting great, using pesto is a completely natural way to color your eggs, no dye needed!
 
Get the recipe from The Italian Dish.

Are you throwing a party to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles? If so, what are you doing to celebrate? Leave us a comment below!

Hungry for more? Check out these 15 game day appetizers.

A Popular Diet Focused on Eating Whole, Unprocessed Foods

The Whole 30® Program is one of the most popular diet trends right now, and for good reason! Since April 2009, The Whole30 Program has been helping everyday people lose weight and improve their overall health by eliminating sugar, processed foods, grains, dairy and legumes from their diet for 30 days. The program instead focuses on eating real, whole foods – which I think we can all agree is a great idea!
 
We’re pretty thrilled about the popularity of this diet at Five Star because we know how important it is to eat whole, unprocessed foods. Our company was founded on the idea that eating healthy could be affordable and convenient for even the busiest families!
 
The Co-Creator of the Whole30 Program, Melissa Hartwig, explains that eliminating foods from your diet for 30 days that are known to cause cravings, spike your blood sugar levels, wreck your gut health, and cause inflammation will help you push the reset button on your health, habits, and relationships with food.
 
She reminds everyone that If you’re able to do this for just 30 days, it will change your life. Not only because you might see a little weight loss, but because it will change the way you think about food. It has the potential to change your cravings, tastes and food habits – for the rest of your life! This isn’t something that most fad diets can claim! Take a look at some testimonials here.
 
We welcome this plan for our customers because we too believe that eating whole, unprocessed foods is the key to living a happier, healthier life. Our all-natural food delivery is free from steroids, growth hormones, and artificial preservatives, so you can be positive that you’re treating your body right! We do offer some pre-marinated items as well as convenience items for those who are interested, but for the purpose of the Whole30 Program, the all-natural items are perfect and fit right into the program’s rules!

The Whole30 Program Rules
What You Can Eat: Real, Whole Food. Check your labels! Eat foods with very few ingredients or no ingredients at all because they’re whole and unprocessed. If you can’t pronounce the ingredient, don’t eat it.
 
What You Can’t Eat: Dairy, Legumes, Grains, Sugar and Processed Food and Drinks. Again, check your labels! Around 70% of grocery store Items have added sugar (yes, even “healthier” items like your salad dressing!) Learn the 44 nicknames for sugar here.
 
Below is a quick glimpse of the Whole30 Program. Please head over to The Whole30 Program’s website for more details on how to get started.
 
And the final rule…
 
Do not step on the scale or take any body measurements for 30 days. This program is about so much more than weight loss, so if you continuously check your weight you may end up discouraged and upset that the scale isn’t changing as quickly as you’d like. Instead, participants are encouraged to focus on how they feel. Do you feel more energetic? Are you in a better mood? Do your clothes fit better? Did you notice acne fading away?
 
Once the program is over participants can weigh themselves and compare it to their weight before they started this program.

How Five Star Can Help
If you’re looking to take on a diet like this, Whole30 has plenty of resources online to help you find food that is approved for their program (since so many products in the grocery store have added sugar!) While we aren’t technically an approved partner, many of our plain items like our all-natural chicken, beef and salmon for example, can achieve the same results because they naturally fit into the Whole30 rule book.
 
You can have complete confidence in these products to help you successfully complete your Whole30 Program because they have absolutely:

• No added sugar, real or artificial
• No carrageenan, MSG, or sulfites
• No grains
• No dairy

Better yet, choosing a home food delivery service is a great way to keep you on track because you won’t need to go to the grocery store nearly as much since you’ll have a season’s worth of healthy all-natural food right in your freezer. This means you won’t be tempted by the smell of the bakery or the slow-churned mint chocolate chip ice cream calling your name!

So what do you say, are you going to give it a shot? Have you tried The Whole30 Program or another popular diet before? Did you see results? Let us know in the comments!
For more information on the Whole30 Program, please click here.

Disclaimer: This is in no way affiliated with Whole30. We believe that the nutritional plan outlined by their company can be beneficial if done correctly, so we simply wanted our customers to know more about it. Please consider talking to your doctor before starting this program.

Sources:

• Whole30
• My Fitness Pal
• NY Times – Which Foods Contain Sugar

The Truth Behind the Low-Fat Misconception

When you think back to old pictures of your grandparents or great grandparents, what do you remember? Were they skinny? What types of food were they eating? Did they work out?
 
Chances are you remember them having a very small figure but they were eating things like apple pie with a delicious crust made with butter, not Crisco. At that time, gyms were non-existent and no one even counted calories, so how did they maintain their tiny figures when 100 years later we’re facing an obesity epidemic where nearly 40% of the U.S. adult population is overweight?
 
At some point you were probably told that eating too much fat can make you obese and give you heart disease, but in reality, we’ve been eating fat as long as we’ve been on earth. So that can’t be the real problem, can it?

The “Key” to the Misinformation: Ancel KeysAncel Keys was an American scientist who studied heart disease in the 1950’s, in particular, he studied why heart disease was not a problem three decades prior but is now the number one killer in America. Sounds like he had good intentions, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
 
Keys hypothesized that countries with a higher saturated fat intake would have more deaths from obesity and heart disease. He collected data on deaths from coronary heart disease and fat consumption from 22 countries but then cherry picked the data from just 7 of the countries. This “Seven Countries Study” is a highly criticised analysis because it seems as though he chose these 7 countries because he knew it would support his hypothesis.

These countries included:

• United States
• Finland
• Netherlands
• Italy
• Yugoslavia
• Croatia
• Serbia

Keys decided to leave out two very important groups from this study:

• Places where they did not have high rates of heart disease but they had high saturated fat counts in their diets such as France, Switzerland, Sweden and West Germany.
• Places that had high heart disease rate but a lower saturated fat intake such as Chile.

The graph below shows Ancel Keys’ Seven Countries Study. From the graph it seems obvious that the amount of fat directly correlates to the number of deaths from heart disease. Even if you pushed aside the fact that he left out two very important groups, this graph still doesn’t account for any other environmental variables such as smoking, sugar intake, air pollution and other lifestyle choices.

The graphs below shows the data from all of the countries that should have been included in the study. As you can see, this graph does not conclude that the countries with the highest fat intake also have the most deaths from heart disease.

Another highly criticised problem with Ancel Keys is that he never addressed sugar as a possible cause of heart disease. John Yudkin, however, wrote a book in 1972 called Pure, White and Deadly that proved that sugar is toxic to our bodies, and how it can even cause heart disease. But, that was pushed aside by the general public because they all believe Ancel Keys’ study and instead we created a low-fat market that was very detrimental to our health.

How Low Fat Foods Took Over the Market

Ancel Keys then became part of the American Heart Association and his misleading study was used to persuade consumers to avoid saturated fat. Now, consumers believed that fatty foods were bad for them so manufacturers had to cater to these wants and began to release thousands of fat free or low-fat products to stay competitive with naturally low-fat products.

However, when you take fat out of a product that contains fat, it has to be substituted with another item so it retains the same taste and texture. This meant companies were now filling their “low-fat” foods with items like corn, refined flours, rice, and potatoes, but most importantly, sugar was added to improve the taste.
 
Since the high sugar content of these products causes your blood sugar levels to spike, it can cause more fat storage, insulin resistance, and therefore cause type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
So, the recommendation that Ancel Keys made to fix heart disease and obesity is actually causing it.
 
When someone’s diet primarily consists of carbs (from sugars, breads or grains) and very little fat, their insulin levels will be constantly high, causing them to be very hungry… which makes them eat more!
 
So, just because something is high in “fat” doesn’t necessarily mean it will make you fat. For example, a bag of sugar would technically be “fat free” but eating it can lead to fat storage and disease. Avocados on the other hand are high in fat and actually promote weight loss. Do you see how this can be very misleading?

The Danger Of Vegetable OilsWhen we were told to stop eating butter and lard because of their fat content, vegetable oils and fake butter came to the rescue and gave us a way to cook tasty meals without butter. Only problem – these oils are extracted in such an unhealthy way and were not tested long enough before they were sold to the consumer.
 
Vegetable oils (which actually don’t contain even one vegetable) are actually linked to most of the issues Ancel Keys was researching and trying to prevent including cancer, heart disease, and weight gain. These vegetables oils were created as a cheap substitution for fats and are used in most of our processed foods. So, if you think the Lean Cuisine lunches are healthy, you might want to double check the label and choose to make your own lunch from scratch instead!

Recommended for you >> Cooking Oils and Butters You Should Never Eat

REAL Stats on Saturated Fat
Not only are saturated fats not the problem we thought they were, but they are actually essential for us to function properly because we are made of fat. If we’re avoiding saturated fat, it can actually be problematic.

• A 2010 study from the Harvard School of Public Health found that after analyzing the diets of 1.2 million people, there was no association between eating red meat and heart disease
• A 2010 study pooled data from 21 studies and included nearly 348,000 adults, found no difference in the risks of heart disease and stroke between people with the lowest and highest intakes of saturated fat.
• Another 2010 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a reduction in saturated fat intake must be evaluated in the context of what it was replaced by such as carbohydrates. When you replace saturated fat with a higher carbohydrate intake, you worsen your insulin resistance which can cause obesity, increased triglycerides and small LDL particles, and reduce your beneficial HDL cholesterol.

Benefits of eating saturated fats:

• Regulate thyroid and adrenal activity
• Help improve our good cholesterol
• Required for proper brain function
• Helps to keep us feeling full
• Regulate blood pressure
• Prevent blood clots that can lead to heart attacks

Now, we’re not saying to eat a diet only consisting of saturated fat, but you should no longer be afraid to eat it! Don’t skip out on the butter or steak because you’re worried about the fat content, but by all means, stop buying any products that are marketed as “low-fat”. Just make sure your diet consists of an array of different whole foods including vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains and proteins for a well balanced diet.

When Ancel was studying fats in the diet in the 60’s, fats and oils supplied around 45% of calories, approximately 13% of adults were obese and under 1% had type 2 diabetes.

Today, we’re ingesting less fats. Fats and oils supply around 33% calories and yet 34% of adults are obese and 11% have diabetes.

Seems like we were given some bad advice, eh?

Sources:

• Harvard School of Public Health
• Healthline
• Denise Minger
• The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• US National Library of Medicine
• Regained Wellness
• Wellness Mama
• Science Daily
• Greatist

Take Your Soup to the Next Level With These Protein Packed Recipes

Think soup’s boring? Think again! These recipes aren’t your typical chicken noodle soup recipe that you were fed every time you were sick as a kid… these are protein packed and will be scarfed up immediately if it’s left around your family too long. We recommend making large portions of the soups and freezing some of it to so you can thaw it out later for an easy work lunch or family dinner!

1. 20 Minute Chicken Enchilada Soup
The author of this recipe, Ashley from Wishes And Dishes, says this soup is full of the best flavors, and we couldn’t agree more! If you’re craving Mexican food during the frigid winter, this soup will be a match made in heaven! Add some sliced avocado for some healthy fat and crunchy tortilla chips for a delicious texture, and you have a restaurant quality meal in just 20 minutes!
 
Click here to get the recipe.

2. Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup
Ditch the bun and eat your cheeseburger in this soup! This cheeseburger soup will be your new family favorite (speaking from experience here!) It’s cheesy, creamy, and bursting with flavorful ground beef, potatoes, and carrots. This is comfort food at it’s finest!
 
Click here to get the recipe.

3. One Pot Beef Stroganoff
A fun spin on a classic – this hearty yet light beef stroganoff is sure to warm you up! Only one pot is necessary, so you can enjoy a very easy clean up too! Make sure you useCertified Angus Beef^TM for the most flavorful and tender soup!
 
Click here to get the recipe.

4. Lasagna Soup
Never had lasagna soup? You’re missing out! This has all the delicious cheesy traits of your typical lasagna, but it’s way easier to make! No layering or baking – just 30 minutes in a Dutch oven and you have a delicious Italian meal the whole family will crave!
 
Click here to get the recipe.

5. Jambalaya Soup
Can’t decide if you want chicken, sausage or shrimp in your soup? Why not enjoy a combination of all three of them in one hearty soup? Colorful veggies, spicy tomato cajun sauce, and your choice of protein are cooked in a think and flavorful tomato rice soup, which is arguably better than the typical bed of rice that Jambalaya is served on anyway!
 
Click here to get the recipe.

6. Thai Shrimp Soup
If you’ve ever had Thai cuisine you know how tasty it can be. But unfortunately, take-out isn’t normally healthy. This soup on the other hand, is a healthier version that doesn’t skip out on any of the authentic red curry and coconut taste! If you’re craving take-out, we recommend giving this a try instead!
 
Click here to get the recipe.

7. Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup
Everything you love about a stuffed pepper – spicy sausage, sweet bell peppers, rice and spicy tomato sauce – served in a delicious hot soup! Make a bunch and freeze it for days when you need a warm and comforting dinner.
 
Click here to get the recipe.

8. AGUADITO DE POLLO (PERUVIAN CHICKEN SOUP)
Love cilantro? Then this soup is made for you! Although “aguadito de pollo” isn’t a very common soup in America, don’t be scared, it’s basically just the Peruvian version of chicken and rice soup. The difference is that this soup is loaded with a ton of cilantro, chili peppers, onions, garlic and lime which gives it a refreshing taste unlike any soup you’ve ever had before!
 
Click here to get the recipe.

9. Crockpot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Have you ever tried Olive Garden’s Chicken Gnocchi Soup? If you have, you probably end up ordering a cup of it every time you go because it’s just that delicious! Well, this is a copycat version of the soup that tastes just as delicious but is much less expensive than eating out at the restaurant! For a full at-home Olive Garden experience, you can try making the breadsticks and salad too!
 
Click here to get the recipe.

10. One Pot Philly Cheesesteak Soup
This is a satisfying twist on a local favorite sandwich, the Philadelphia cheesesteak! With this soup, you no longer need to argue if Pat’s or Geno’s has the best cheesesteaks – this soup will be loved by everyone. It’s simple to make, incredibly tasty and only requires one pot!

Click here to get the recipe.

Do you have a family favorite soup recipe that you’d like to share? Leave us a comment below and we might feature you!