8:46 AM
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I have decided to give my blog a new look and a fresh start. Please excuse the confusion on the sidebar while I make these changes.
Old Fashioned Cocktail Cake
2 hours ago
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Family Dinner Table
I realize that it has been a long time since my last post. I have had some crazy stuff going on.
Last week my family went camping. I cannot remember the last time that we have had so much fun camping. We were all relaxed, laughing with each other and just enjoyed each others company. One thing that I am taking away from camping was eating as a family. We do eat together, just not at the table. I fell in love with have dinner at the picnic table while camping. I loved the conversations that we had. There was really no telling where they would leave us. The children told jokes and stories. They made up games for us to play. There was no other distraction. When dinner was over there were only a few dishes to clean. After dinner, we would go look at the stars or play a board game in the rec center. We would then sit around the campfire. We would all be wiped out by 9pm! While the kids were going to sleep I would read to them from one of the books on our Kindle. The current favorite is The Book of Nature Myths. It is a free download. They have many others to choose from.
Starting tonight we will cook together and then eat together at the family table. Squirrel & I are going to make some new placemats and napkins to use. After dinner we are going to do things together. It might be watching a movie, playing a game or reading. The main thing is that we are going to doing it together.
Last week my family went camping. I cannot remember the last time that we have had so much fun camping. We were all relaxed, laughing with each other and just enjoyed each others company. One thing that I am taking away from camping was eating as a family. We do eat together, just not at the table. I fell in love with have dinner at the picnic table while camping. I loved the conversations that we had. There was really no telling where they would leave us. The children told jokes and stories. They made up games for us to play. There was no other distraction. When dinner was over there were only a few dishes to clean. After dinner, we would go look at the stars or play a board game in the rec center. We would then sit around the campfire. We would all be wiped out by 9pm! While the kids were going to sleep I would read to them from one of the books on our Kindle. The current favorite is The Book of Nature Myths. It is a free download. They have many others to choose from.
Starting tonight we will cook together and then eat together at the family table. Squirrel & I are going to make some new placemats and napkins to use. After dinner we are going to do things together. It might be watching a movie, playing a game or reading. The main thing is that we are going to doing it together.
Posted in: family
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Slow Cooked Sticky Chicken & Orzo Salad
Tonight I decided that I really wanted to cook, but I also had some things to do around the house. The solution..my crockpot. I stumbled upon a great blog, Full Bellies, Happy Kids and found Slow Cooked Sticky Chicken. I have heard about this recipe for years, but had never tried it. I decided that tonight was the night. The recipe couldn't have been easier. It was a HUGE hit. Everyone decided that it was a keeper. Next time I will not cook my chicken quite as long, mine was a little bit dry.
The other big hit tonight was the orzo salad that I created. It really was not a salad, but that is what my daughter called it. I thought that it was delicious. I do not measure anything. I go by site, I know I need to fix that. I will try and explain what I did.
Orzo Salad
Ingredients:
cooked orzo
1 roasted red pepper, diced
2 big handfuls of spinach, chopped
7 cremini mushrooms, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 Tbsp butter
Parmesan Cheese
Directions:
First, melt butter in skillet, add garlic. Once the garlic is soften add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until the are soft. Add the chopped spinach and cook for 5 minutes. Season the spinach & mushroom mixture. I personally use a salt free spice mix.
In a bowl combine the orzo, butter, spinach mixture, chopped red pepper and mix until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
My children loved this. I will have to make it again.
The other big hit tonight was the orzo salad that I created. It really was not a salad, but that is what my daughter called it. I thought that it was delicious. I do not measure anything. I go by site, I know I need to fix that. I will try and explain what I did.
Orzo Salad
Ingredients:
cooked orzo
1 roasted red pepper, diced
2 big handfuls of spinach, chopped
7 cremini mushrooms, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 Tbsp butter
Parmesan Cheese
Directions:
First, melt butter in skillet, add garlic. Once the garlic is soften add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until the are soft. Add the chopped spinach and cook for 5 minutes. Season the spinach & mushroom mixture. I personally use a salt free spice mix.
In a bowl combine the orzo, butter, spinach mixture, chopped red pepper and mix until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
My children loved this. I will have to make it again.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
It is Done!!
After almost 3 years, my kitchen cabinets are finally back together. They are no longer stored under my baking table. I cannot tell you the joy that I had putting my kitchen back together. We are going to put up a couple of shelves to better organize some cookbooks. Once this is done, I will be sharing more pictures with you.
I am looking forward to cooking in my new to me kitchen.
I am looking forward to cooking in my new to me kitchen.
Posted in: remodeling
Thursday, May 26, 2011
I'm Still Here...
I have fallen off of the healthy eating wagon. I enjoyed a full week in the mountains with Fire Rat. I enjoyed the local food and the peace of hiking in the woods. I am having the hardest time getting back into the swing of things. When we got home, I threw myself into cleaning my house. That took priority. I cannot tell you how uplifting it was throwing away bags and bags of junk. We donated what we could. But to be honest, it was all junk. Fire Rat spent time going through his 'honey do' list.
Now it is time for me to turn the attention back to out eating habits. I am excited because our Farmer's Market just reopened. I always love going to the different booths. I enjoy looking at the fresh produce. We will be getting 90% of our vegetables from there. I cannot wait. I love this time of the year.
I am trying to find a way to incorporate more exercise into our routine. I keep telling myself that I should be better, but I know that I can just be the best that I can be. I know that I tend to put too much pressure on myself. This is something that I struggle with. IF I cannot do it perfectly, I don't want to start. I know that everything starts with one small step...
Now it is time for me to turn the attention back to out eating habits. I am excited because our Farmer's Market just reopened. I always love going to the different booths. I enjoy looking at the fresh produce. We will be getting 90% of our vegetables from there. I cannot wait. I love this time of the year.
I am trying to find a way to incorporate more exercise into our routine. I keep telling myself that I should be better, but I know that I can just be the best that I can be. I know that I tend to put too much pressure on myself. This is something that I struggle with. IF I cannot do it perfectly, I don't want to start. I know that everything starts with one small step...
Posted in: diet
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Change is Hard
We are having an extremely hard time making the switch in our diet. I am not sure what the hold up is. It was not this difficult the first time we changed our diet. We were pescatarians before. Due to a recently diagnosed shellfish allergy, I no longer eat fish. I have to be extremely careful or else, I might just take a ride in an ambulance. I do not plan on doing that anytime soon.
Since we are having a little bit of trouble, we will be making this a gradual change. I think that we tried to do too much too quickly.
Since we are having a little bit of trouble, we will be making this a gradual change. I think that we tried to do too much too quickly.
Posted in: Engine 2 Diet
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Decision Has Been Made
Fire Chef & I have made the decision to start the Engine 2 Diet. It is a strict vegan diet. You do not use oils or butter(help me). I am nervous and excited. I am nervous because it is going to be hard work. I am going to have to get better organized. I am nervous because I am not sure how I am going to cook without evoo or butter. I am not sure how I am going to give up my biweekly tea.
I am excited because it will be a challenge. I am excited because I know that this is a decision that will pay off in the long run.
We will not be starting the diet right away. This is due to the fact that we want to eat what is in the house. However, we have made the decision not to buy anything new. We will not be able to go through all the oil that we have, but that is ok. The main thing to use up is the chicken and eggs that are in the house.
I cannot wait...
I am excited because it will be a challenge. I am excited because I know that this is a decision that will pay off in the long run.
We will not be starting the diet right away. This is due to the fact that we want to eat what is in the house. However, we have made the decision not to buy anything new. We will not be able to go through all the oil that we have, but that is ok. The main thing to use up is the chicken and eggs that are in the house.
I cannot wait...
