2011

Here is my thoughts on the new year.....
I do believe that the change into the new year gives us an invisible marker to start fresh!~

I think that things happen for a purpose so we can learn from them.
This year my personal goal is to continue to be grateful for what I  have but make it all BETTER.
Learn to be a better mom, better wife, better cook, and better friend. I will not allow my short comings to
let me down... I will strive for my best and not perfection....I will be happy with who I am.

I will always try my best and take my time to breathe...enjoy....and laugh! My BIG new years resolution....is not to stress as much...
AND I continue to be honest with my feelings...if I am mad.. you will know... sad.. you will know...happy... you will know.

My thoughts are that being who you are...is the only way to move forward to the best you.  I appreciate all the differences in my friends that make them unique, fun and different.

I am very thankful for all my family and my husband and the best gift that keeps giving (and taking LOL) everyday...my son!

EASY Breakfast pizza casserole

2 Pilsbury cresent dough... rolled out in a casserole dish... curved about 1 inch on the edges
6 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup cheese or more to taste
6 pieces cooked bacon or one package sausage....cooked!
salt and pepper to taste

optional is adding onions, mushrooms, or whatever you like on pizza!

Preheat oven to 350

use Pilbury to cover bottom of casserole dish leaving a lip on the side...
beat the eggs and milk with the salt and pepper and add to dish. Put in the cooked bacon or sausage....even veggie sausage is fabulous. Sprinkle with the cheese.....I add a LOT!
 cook for about 25 minutes until it is baked through... test with a fork.
Feed four to six... great with a side of fruit and some toast!

Make ahead French Toast Casserole....five stars for Christmas mornin!

 Instead of the raspberry syrup below....I used strawberry and added fresh strawberries to the top but you can pick what you like best of course! I did not use alcohol either. Was Fabulous!

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• Butter, for pan
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Raspberry Syrup, recipe follows

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch thick each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 45 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with Raspberry Syrup.

Praline Topping:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Spread over bread as directed above.

Raspberry Syrup:

1 cup raspberry preserves
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur (recommended: Framboise)
Combine ingredients in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir until warm and thinned out like syrup.

Boiled Egg Casserole/breakfast

This is tried and true... yummy

• 8 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and cut
• 1/4 cup margarine
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 cup freshly grated gruyere cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 45 mins

1. 1 Place the cut side of each egg down in a baking dish greased with margarine.
2. 2 Melt the margarine in a saucepan then add the flour, and cook, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. 3 Add the half-and-half gradually, and stir until mixture thickens and then add the salt, pepper and garlic powder.
4. 4 Add the dry mustard and the Gruyere and stir until melted.
5. 5 Pour the sauce over the eggs and sprinkle top with Parmesan.
6. 6 Bake at 350°F for approximately 20 to 30 minutes until bubbling and top is golden brown.

Keep bed linens organized

I read in my Martha Stewart Handbook this great tip for keeping bed linens neat. When they come out of the dryer fold both sheets as you would and then put it inside the matching pillow case. I stink at folding so even if it is messy inside the pillow... looks neat on the outside! :-) It keeps your linen closet looking neat also.....I will have to re-organize mine soon again! after the holidays!

Pumpkin Egg and Cheese Soufle coming soon... maybe

I will be making this soufle in a squashy looking pumpkin....it looks really good! I am making it tomorrow so if it is any good...I will post.

FACEBOOK

I am taking a facebook break. I say a month or week! LOL just to clear my mind... take a FB vacation. Erik thinks i will last only the weekend.

Make your own laundry detergent

Don't do it unless you do NOT have a high efficiency washer. I had to have repair man out because it clogged my hose. Only use on regular washing machines. It really made my clothes x-tra soft but not worth a repair bill!

Today's thought!

Do something nice for someone else...write a note telling someone how much you appreciate them, a friend, boss, hubby, child, teacher, co-worker.....so many times the day goes by and we don't realize that we are appreciated. Sometimes (or anytime) it is nice to hear.... So here is a kick in the pants to go thank someone or tell them you love or appreciate them!

Chewy Granola bars... kinda like a rice crispy treats but better for you!

 I tweeked the real recipe as you can see below.

here is the recipe
1 package large marshmallows
2/3 chunky peanut butter ( i used peanut butter that you make yourself..fresh)
1/2 cup margarine or butter... ( i used my flax added margarine)
1/4 cup corn syrup ( I used Agave syrup..much better for you)
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup rice cereal (rice crispies)
1 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped peanuts ( i used unsalted sunflower seeds)
1/2 cup raisins
2 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons sesame ( i used pure flax seeds)

In a large microwave safe bowl, combine the marshmallows, peanut butter, syrup, and vanilla. Microwave for about 2 minutes...stirring until blended.
then stir in the remaining ingredients.

Spread on a greased 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
cool and cut! Yummy snack treat

Noah's favorite snack...one of them!

So easy...
Ritz crackers....smear with peanut butter... I use the fresh one that squeezes out the peanuts in front of your eyes (no sugar added)! Put a second ritz on top. Squeeze the top and bottom together so some peanut butter oozes out. (the word ooze is gross but I could not think of another word)
Then roll it in mini chocolate chips....
I put it in plastic bags for his school snack or he eats them at home.

Top Secret Gooey Chocolate brownie type dessert yumm! My recipe I made today. So easy it is embarassing! LOL

9x9 glass pan or any pan needed.
Mix one box chocolate cake mix, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1 tsp cinnamon, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup chopped pecans..... just mix together.
Heat oven to 350, put in oven for about 25 minutes. Will be soft when it comes out of the oven. It will be gooey and wonderful. After it cools it is more dense and easy to cut. It is a very rich and chocolatey dessert. If guests come, some strawberries and whip cream on top will add extra ooomph! :-)
It will be thicker than brownies but flatter than a cake. 

Virgin Coconut oil is a favorite

I love the Virgin Coconut oil to cook in and for the skin!
I cook with it anytime i need to fry something. Also, it is the BEST for dry skin!
mix 2 tablespoons with a few drops of Lavendar and put on after a shower. You will be smooth all day!
Then at dinner cook your chicken in it... minus the lavendar! LOL
Great for dry hands too!

Easy Hot Oil Hair treatment

During the cold winter, our hair can use some extra shine! Mix a tablespoon of olive oil and a few drops of lavender together. In before shampooing, put it on your head and then after a few minutes shampoo it out. You might need to do a double shampoo. Your hair will be so soft and shiny! No frizzy ends! Works GREAT!

Pizza Crust! Sooooo good!

I made this today...very easy. The recipe calls for all white flour but I replaced one cup with wheat flour. Do what you like....my son does not like the 100 percent wheat crust so I made this one. It is kid tested and your whole family will love it. Good for when guests come for a lunch too! I got this recipe on-line. The honey really makes it perfect!

• 1 cup of warm water (105F)
• 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of yeast

Step by Step Procedure

---

1.		Put warm water (80 to 110°F) into a bowl. Add salt and honey and mix with a spoon. Add yeast, mix and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
2.		Gradually add flour and olive oil and start mixing.
3.		When the mixture gets too heavy to mix, start kneading the dough with your hands.
4.		Knead the dough until you have a smooth ball. If the dough cracks it is too dry. Add water bit by bit until if forms a nice coherent ball. If your doug feels more like batter, it is too wet and you need to add flour bit by bit. If you need to add water or flour, do it by small amounts.
5.		Coat the dough with olive oil, place it in a large bowl and cover it with kitchen wrap or a grocery bag. Let the doug rise for about an hour at room temperature, then push it down again so it deflates. Let it sit for about another hour. If you want to use it the next day, put it in a refrigerator.
6.		Put the dough on a lightly floured surface, put a bit of flour on top and make it into the shape of a pie by stretching it out from the center outwards. Use a rolling pin until the dough is about 1/4" thick. Punch some holes in the dough with a fork to let the air escape while the pizza is in the oven
7.		Put on your pizza sauce of choice. Put on your favorite pizza toppings.
8.		Bake the pizza in you oven at 400 - 450° F for about 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is light brown.

Additional Information

---

• You get better results when you use a pizza baking stone. The pizza stone should be preheated to 450F for an hour prior to baking, and should be placed in the middle of the oven.

Make your own DISHWASHING MACHINE POWDER!

use one tablespoon Borax and one tablespoon baking soda!

info below...
Borax and baking soda are both natural disinfectants and mild abrasives – just what you need to blast away stuck on food and germs. Borax is a common ingredient in many commercial detergents.

TIP TO SHINE A STAINLESS STEEL SINK!

After you clean all the gunk out of your sink and wipe it down with whatever you use, I have a special tip!
 I squirt baby oil in the sink and a few drops of my favorite essential oil (lavendar). The sink looks brand new and  makes the whole kitchen smell fresh. You can use any essential oil that you love.


I do this about once a week! Then when you use the sink the next time.... just wipe off the water drops and the shine will stay for a while!!!!!

For soft skin in the winter!!!

I saw this on TV and I tried it.  Mix together 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 tables spoons or more of canned pumpkin-unsweetened and some cinnamon! Put it on in the shower all over your body! You will smell like a pumpkin pie! You can also add some coarse salt to make it exfoliate too. Just rinse... and I use a body wash after. Voala! the epidermis is soooooooo soft!!

Where was this taken? only the happiest place on earth!

ZEN GROOVES

If you want some good, calming, ZEN music..... I love Zen Grooves...I got my CD at Target a while ago but I love to have the candles lit....especially on a rainy day like today and listen to some Zen Grooves while in my kitchen and cooking dinner. It is extra relaxing with a glass of wine-preferably the WARRANT RED wine! No bias on the wine of course! :-)

This just looks so good and healthy...had to post! LOVE olives!!! I have not made it though so it could be gross! but I doubt it!

Chicken Breasts with Tomatoes and Olives

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Photo: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr, Jan Gautro

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Kalamata and picholine olives add salty savor. Serve over couscous, with dressed greens on the side.

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• The 5 ingredients:
• 4  (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1  cup  multicolored cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 3  tablespoons  oil and vinegar dressing, divided
• 20  olives, halved
• 1/2  cup  (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Preparation

Prepare grill to medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray, and grill for 6 minutes on each side or until chicken is done. Keep warm. Combine tomatoes, 1 1/2 tablespoons dressing, and olives in a medium skillet over medium heat, and cook for 2 minutes or until tomatoes soften slightly and mixture is thoroughly heated, stirring occasionally. Brush chicken with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons dressing. Cut each chicken breast half into 3/4-inch slices. Top each chicken breast half with 1/4 cup tomato mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 2 tablespoons cheese and torn basil leaves, if desired.

Pickle salad

First the recipe is simple. Add a dill pickle cut in cubes to any salad with a Balsamic or Italian dressing. It adds crisp, salt, and a great flavor!

How it came about....I was talking in German to my aunt in Germany...mind you... I don't speak it well. She said she was just making my folks dinner and was serving a salad with cheese, meats, and pickles!!!
Ohhh! so I thought I would try it here in America. I would add a little German to my food as I was cooking for guests! It was very good! I loved it but ya gotta love pickles to eat it!

Later that week, I called my aunt to tell her that I had made her German Pickle salad. She said " Did you put it in a green salad?" I said yes and she was quiet. It was meant to be in a potato salad!!!! Well, lost in the translation.....I added pickles to my GREEN salad and I loved it! Try it...something different, filling and good! enjoy!

Yumm Yumm stuffed green pepper meat for leftover lunch

Here is a yummy low fat meal! After making a stuffed green pepper ( if you want simple low carb recipe....email me) keep some of the Turkey meat in the sauce for leftovers..... take the 100 calorie bread and toast it...put a touch of margarine or butter on the toast and slice up a pickle and add the reheated meat sauce!!! so yummy, low fat, and filling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to my castle.....on line!

My blog will be about what to cook, ideas that taste good and recipes I have made that are healthy and delicious!!! I am not skinny because I eat a lot... even though I eat well! So just because it is good for you.....doesn't mean it is diet food! This blog is for me.. to help keep me on track of the lifestyle that I have, want, and can always improve. If you like it....fabulous. I hope to get tips from my friends and input too.

My Blog will also be about what new green ideas i hear about to keep our planet clean. I don't want to be judged if I throw out a plastic bottle (just an example)......I am not perfect but I try my best to do what is right for our planet and the safety of our home. Erik's idea of being green is to save water by showering with a friend! :-)


Next, I will post over time any cleaning tips for us housewives or working wives that have to clean or men for that matter! I will also ad inspirations and stories that feed the spirit. So enjoy your day.... make the best of it and thank you for reading my first blog!