A to the Z

Here is the list of questions/topics for anyone that wants to join in on the fun! Blog it or Vlog it, People!

Ok seriously this is bringing me back to MySpace days!  I loved surveys...I know I'm a dork!

A. Age: In 2013 I will turn the Dirty 30!

B. Bed size: Queen

C. Chore you hate: Which one don't I hate?? If I have to pick one it would be vacuuming.  I need to invest in that vacuum that cleans on it's own.  What will they come up with next?

D. Dogs: A Boston Terrier named Bella...she is a feisty pain in the butt!  And a Schnauzer named Willie Nelson!

E. Essential start to your day: Pinterest....yeah I know it is an addiction!  It helps me wake up

F. Favorite color: Orange or Pink or Green

G. Gold or Silver: Silver.  Gold makes me feel gaudy

H. Height: 5'0" Yes I am a Shorty Doo Wop

I. Instruments you play: Well I have tried the piano and guitar and never stuck with it but I sing.  My vocal chords count right?!

J. Job Title:Bitch or Jack of all trades.  Ok seriously My Official Title is Administrative Assistant but it should have a side note of Manager, Cook, Handyman, Secretary, Billing, Medication Manager, Babysitter, Human Resources, Nurse, Mental Health Specialist and many more.  I don't even have a freaking degree but still do those jobs!

K. Kids: Marcus-9.  McKennon-My Angel Baby 5/11/11

L. Live: Live like there is no tomorrow 

M. Married: Nope

N. Nicknames: Bananalisa, Shareefa (Don't ask lol)

O. Overnight hospital stays: Just when I had my babies

P. Pet peeve: There are so many

Q. Quote: “I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”
― Marilyn Monroe----Enough Said

R. Righty or Lefty: Righty

S. Siblings: Chenoa-In Heaven and Callie-22 

T. Time you wake up: Depends on the day but usually 6-7

U. University attended: Haha I wish 

V. Vegetables you dislike: Brussel sprouts and Broccoli---gag 

W. What makes you run late: Marcus usually

X. X-rays you've had: Teeth, arm

Y. Yummy food: Don't get me started, I LOVE food

Z. Zoo animal favorite: Penguins or Seals

New Year's and all that comes with it!

For the last year and a half I keep saying this is going to be a better year and life can't get any worse.  Well guess what??  It did and has.  To say that I am broken and have hit my bottom is an understatement.  I need a lot of healing and help.  I don't usually make New Year's Resolutions because who really follows them anyway?  Most people follow them for a month or so and then it is back to the same old habits.  That's ok, who is judging?? Not me for sure!  So I am not going to call them resolutions, just goals.

*I want to change this blog.  I love food and the majority will be about food but I also want to make it about my life and the healing process I am going to try and get through.  After losing a child and the love of my life it will probably take a long time and it might bring some people down (Sorry about that).  I want it to be honest and completely be free to be myself...which will include a lot of foul language and drinking (Again...sorry about that).  Wait maybe I am not sorry, I have to be myself right? 

-A side note:  I am not a writer and have never really been one so don't expect a lot of great writing pieces from me.

*I want to start working out and eating better.  I know, I know everyone says this and I have said it many times.  This time I am serious.  I don't want to do it to lose weight because I really don't need to.  I want to do it to feel better, to feel strong and to feel good about myself.  It might keep me off the couch watching hours worth of NCIS.....Oh but that Gibbs just keeps me hooked:)

*To find God again.  I used to be a regular church goer.  Two to three times a week I was there listening and praying.  It felt great.....and then I lost my son and that changed.  I was and am not able to understand why God would let a child be taken away from his mother but I need to try.  I need help to heal and that's the only way I know how.  It might take time, probably ALOT of time but it is a step in the right direction.

So that is it for now....

Dinner Plan 12/16-12/30

We have had a busy couple of weeks so a lot of these are repeats because I never got to them! I am not doing the full two weeks of meals because of Christmas!



Dinner

 Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

 Fast and Easy Ghoulash

 Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Fried Rice

 Italian Crescent Casserole

 Crunchy Black Bean Tacos

 Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

 Curried Pumpkin Apple Soup

 Sausage, Red Beans and Rice

Breakfast

 Mini Sausage and Potato Frittatas

 Waffles

 Cheese Danish

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

I had some leftover evaporated milk and heavy cream and knew there was no way I was going to end up using it.  I didn't want to throw it away so I brainstormed and realized I could make Macaroni and Cheese!


Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

8oz of pasta (I used GF spirals because that is what I had)
1/4 Cup Flour
4 Tbsp Butter
1/2 can evaporated milk
1/2 pint heavy cream
2 cups cheese (I used Colby Jack)
1/2 Cup Parmesan
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
Milk


 Cook Pasta according to the package, rinse and drain.  In a saucepan melt the butter, whisk in the flour and let it brown slightly.  Slowly add evaporated milk.  The flour will keep soaking it up, when the evaporated milk is gone add the heavy cream.  If you don't have either of these you can use milk.  When the liquid is soaked up add the two cups of cheese.  It will be really thick.  Add Milk a little at a time until you get it as thin as you want.  Add the parmesan, pepper and nutmeg.  Make sure you taste it and add more salt or pepper as needed.  It is very creamy and tasty.  If you use sharp cheddar it would be even better!

And because we are weird, I added smoked sausage and corn on the top.

Music.....Food To My Soul

"As a music lover, if it looks good, you’ll see it. If it sounds good, you’ll hear it. If it’s marketed right, you’ll buy it. But if it’s real, you’ll feel it."
–Kid Rock

I couldn't have said it better myself.  I have always been a huge music person.  I don't mean that I just listen to it.  I listen to it, love it, criticize it, respect it and  most of all feel it.  I've been to more concerts than I can count and listen to almost every kind of music.  To say that I am a music lover would be an understatement.  To me music is one of the biggest parts of life.  It helped me get through rough times and made me smile in the happy times.  There is a song for every occasion.  If you don't think so just ask me I can find you one;)

Saturday night my Dad took my sister and I to the Keith Sweat, Color Me Badd concert.  We were going old school (well my old school at least).  I felt like I was back in high school.
Anyway it was at the Paramount in Denver.  It is a beautiful, historic place. My sister tried to take some pictures, it was pretty dark though.

The stage and the ceiling which is so much cooler in person!

This guy came out and played a ton of hit songs from 1991!

I don't know how many people remember Color Me Badd from 1991 but the lead singer was about 100 pounds lighter.  I normally wouldn't care but it made his performance pretty bad.  He couldn't catch his breath long enough to hit those high notes.  Kind of a bummer but still entertaining.

There is Keith Sweat!  Not a great picture but he can still sing!! Towards the end of the concert he invited a group of the crowd to come and stage and dance!  He also did a moment of silence for all the kids in Connecticut!  

I have been thinking about those kids and their parents and siblings for days now.  I have lost a child but not in a tragedy like that.  My heart aches for them!

My handsome Dad and gorgeous sister.  As you can see I got the short gene lol

Now yesterday I was listening to Ray Lamontagne on Pandora and came across Amos Lee.....talk about food to my soul.  His voice is beautiful and most of his songs are acoustic.  The best part of all?  He made me feel his songs, I am in love!

It started to Rain-Amos Lee

Like music, rain is also food to my soul.  So when you combine them it is always a win:)  Enjoy!

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Toilet Paper Art

I have been seeing toilet paper roll art all over pinterest and thought hey I can do that!  So I made artwork for work and also at home.  Marcus has a ocean themed bathroom so he made seaweed, fish, an octopus and a shark.  He is so creative! Here are the pictures

If you haven't made these before it is so simple!  Collect those toilet paper rolls.  Cut them in one in circles and start creating!  Hot glue them and spray paint them.  Easy!

Freezer Cooking In An Hour Breakfast Style

I love freezer cooking but only for breakfast or lunch.  I enjoy making dinner every night or every other night I should say! Even when we are home I never like to make breakfast so having it ready in the freezer when all we have to do is heat it up is a life saver.  Today I made four different breakfast items in an hour.  The banana bread took 40 minutes to bake but we don't count that.  I usually get out three bowls and all the ingredients for everything I am making and put it in the bowls.  Then I plan what is going in the oven first, second,and third.  I like to bake everything all at once since I have a propane oven and it uses quite a bit.




First up were these Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

These were good but a little dry...could have been me though!

 Second were the Mini Sausage and Potato Frittatas

These were fantastic!!!

 Third was the Chocolate Avocado Banana Bread

I was hesitant about this recipe but it didn't disappoint me at all and who can go wrong with chocolate anything??!!

 Last but not least were my basic waffles..everyone needs a basic waffle recipe right?

I made these while making everything else. See how easy it is to make 2-3 weeks of breakfast??

Mini Sausage, and Potato Frittatas

Mini Sausage and Potato Frittatas

 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
 1/4 bag of frozen hashbrowns
16 oz breakfast sausage-cooked
5 eggs
 1/2 Cup Milk
 1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese
 1 tsp pepper

 Preheat oven to 375. Mix the egg, oil and milk then add the rest of the ingredients. Grease a muffin pan and add 1/4 cup of the mixture. Bake for 10-15 minutes. It makes 12.

 Eat them right away or keep them in the fridge for a couple days. These were so good I had to stop myself from eating all 12...not kidding!

Basic Waffles

After getting that waffle maker there is never a need to buy eggos again:)

Basic Waffle Recipe

2 eggs
2 Cups Flour
1 3/4 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp Vanilla

Mix them together, add 1/3 cup and keep them cooking until they are how you like them!  Simple and delicious!

Dinner Plan 12/2-12/16

Well my monthly dinner plan and shopping just isn't working so I am trying out every two weeks.  I also decided to just list my dinner plan instead of doing it by week.  I like to make things when I want to make them and don't usually follow the order so this way I can switch it up.  


 Main Dishes

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken With Fried Rice

Lazy Enchilada Casserole

30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup

Grilled Pork Chops

Crockpot Salisbury Steak

Ham and Kale Quiche

Deep Dish Pizzas

Sausage, Red Beans and Rice

Italian Crescent Casserole

Spaghetti With Smoked Sausage and Pepperoni



 Breakfast

Cheese Danish

Chocolate Avocado Banana Bread

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

Snacks 

Protein Bars

5 Minute Guacamole and Tortilla Chips

Sweet Potato Crackers

30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup
6 Servings

1 Can Chicken Broth
1 Can Water
1 Can Diced Tomatoes (I used Muir Glen Fire Roasted-Yum)
1 Can Black Beans or 1 Cup Frozen
1 Cup Frozen Corn
1 Cup Shredded Chicken
1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Salt
1 Tbsp Pepper
Crushed Tortilla Chips-optional
Cheese-optional

Combine Chicken broth, water, spices and tomatoes on high heat.  When it comes to a boil add Beans, Corn and Chicken. Let them cook for about 5 minutes.  Add cheese and tortilla chips to the top and eat away!

Sweet Potato Waffles and Strawberry Syrup

I am one of those crazy ladies that loves to go Black Friday Shopping.  Every year I have a game plan.  This year I wasn't able to make it but I still had a friend of mine and my mom pick me up a couple things.  One thing I have wanted for years but never buy (who knows why?) was a waffle maker.

Isn't she pretty???
As soon as I got it home I had to start making waffles. Marcus is a waffle freak, he will eat 6 of them if you let him. I had some pureed sweet potato in the fridge so I got to work!  

Sweet Potato Waffles

 2 eggs
 2 Cups Flour
1 3/4 Cups Milk
1/2 Cup Sweet Potato Puree
 1 Tbsp Sugar
 1/4 tsp salt
 1 tsp Vanilla
 1/8 tsp cardamon
1/8 tsp cloves
 1/4 tsp nutmeg
 1 tsp ginger
 1 tsp cinnamon

Whisk it all together and put 1/4 cup for each waffle in the waffle maker. I can't tell you exactly how many this will make. We have kept it covered in the fridge so we can make some every morning. Yum! It tastes like fall!





 Now to my favorite part....I do not like maple syrup. Anyone that knows me knows that I love sugar! But maple syrup is too sweet for me...weird I know. So I started making my own fruit syrups, or compote they could be called. It is so simple and probably a tiny bit healthier than maple syrup.  

Strawberry syrup

 1 Cup Frozen Strawberries
1/2 Cup Water
 2 Tbsp Sugar

Put it on high heat and leave it until the strawberries are soft.

Mash it down and let it cook a few more minutes. Puree it or leave it chunky. Then put it over your waffles!

Anyone have any foolproof waffle recipes?? I would love to go waffle crazy, breakfast, lunch and dinner! HAHA

5 Minute Guacamole

I don't know about you but I LOVE Guacamole!  I really love it with fresh garlic, onion and tomato but let's be honest....how often do we have time to make it?? I sure don't.  This is a guacamole I have been making for years.  It is a great snack, or addition to a mexican dish and only takes 5 minutes to make!  Another plus is that it is good for you.  Ok except for the salt but you can always cut that down.  Like most of my recipes you can make it the same way I do or make it your own:)


5 Minute Guacamole

2 avocados-peeled and pitted
1 Tbsp Lime juice-you can also use lemon juice  or a mix of both!
2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp Garlic powder
2 tsps Onion powder
1 Tbsp Chili powder
1 tsp Cayenne pepper-adjust to how much spice you like
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp Cumin

Mash the avocado.  I tend to like it chunky but you can mash it until the clumps are gone.  Add the ingredients and mix well.  That's it!  Enjoy!