Kid Friendly Recipe

I don't know about ya'll, but summertime has been a slight parenting fail on getting my boys to eat healthy. Popsicles, french fries, hot dogs, chicken fingers, pb &j etc. have been on the menu more frequently. I think part of this has to do with the fact I am pregnant and want to eat like a kid anyway. I also love to bake when I am pregnant, so dessert every night is the norm. They aren't complaining needless to say. I do love summer's abundance of fresh fruit and veggies, but even those I have managed to add something too...zucchini bread, butter bean corn salad, berry cobbler, etc. 

So when I saw this recipe, I was excited to give it a try:

Spinach Chicken Rollups

pic via Friendly Kitchen blog

The recipe promised to be similar to Zoes Kitchen

Yes Please!

It also works great when chicken is buy one, get one free. 

James grilled the  chicken breasts on the green egg on Sunday and I made these with the leftovers. 

and the best news is that the boys loved them, like ate thirds loved them, so a big WIN.

Give them a try...

Stay Warm Soup

We had this for dinner last night via Pioneer Woman, Hamburger Soup (thanks Tyne for the suggestion). It was a hit with the boys. Thought I would share in case ya'll need some warm inspiration on this cold snowy day. It currently is sleeting in Selma, and the snow is suppose to start in a few hours.

via Pioneer Woman

Hamburger Soup

Prep Time:

 15 Minutes

 

Cook Time:

 30 Minutes

 

Difficulty:

 Easy

 

Servings:

 12

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 pounds Ground Chuck
• 1 whole Large Onion, Diced
• 2 stalks Celery, Diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 can (14.5 Ounce) Can Whole Tomatoes
• 3 cups Beef Stock Or Beef Broth, Plus More As Needed
• 1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
• 4 whole Carrots, Peeled And Sliced On The Diagonal
• 5 whole Red Potatoes, Cut Into Chunks
• 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt (more To Taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, More To Taste
• 2 teaspoons Dried Parsley Flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (more To Taste)

Preparation Instructions

In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown the meat with the onion, celery, and garlic. Remove the pot from the heat and drain off as much fat as you can. (Discard the fat once it cools.)

Return the pot to the heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, then cover the pot and simmer the soup for 15-20 more minutes, until potatoes are tender but not overly mushy.

Soup should be somewhat thick, but if you'd like it to be more "soupy," add 1 to 2 cups more broth OR hot water and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt if needed.

Serve with crusty bread!

Happy Snow Day!

Box Mix Recipes

I love to bake. I have since my Aunt Meg taught me how to make oatmeal cookies when I was five.  I love it still...the measuring, mixing, and of course tasting. It is the one are that I feel like I slow down and enjoy the process. Now that being said, sometimes you need a dessert quick. Last minute dinner party, friend coming over for coffee, husband wanting a warm sweet before bed (think food people!)
These are a couple of my favorite, "box mix recipes". Easy to pull out and put together, but still a little more than just the mix.

Chocolate Pudding Cake (via my friend Maggie, via her friend Michelle)

pic via internet

1 yellow cake mix (pudding in the middle)
1 small box of instant chocolate pudding
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
3/4 cup oil
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup chocolate chips 
1/2 cup butterscotch chips (I use peanut butter because I heart peanut butter chips)

Mix all except chips, then add chips.  Bake at 350 in bundt pan for
45-50 minutes.  Cool 1 1/2 hours or more.  Flip it out and sprinkle
w/powdered sugar.
***The only negative to this cake, is that it is sooo moist it sticks to the pan very easily. To help prevent this, I always double butter/flour the pan and let it cool after for HOURS. Even if it sticks a bit, you can cover with plenty of powdered sugar :)

Chocolate Toffee Trifle

picture via internet

I might have shared this one before as it is my nephew Sam's favorite. 
2 boxes of brownie mix
1 large box of chocolate pudding mix
heavy whipping cream, vanilla, sugar to make whipped cream (don't know measurements, I just eye ball and taste)
1 bag of toffee chips
Bake brownies according to instructions, allow to cool and then break up in bite size pieces. Make pudding and whipped cream. 
Assemble trifle: brownie, pudding, whipped cream, toffee pieces. Then repeat.
I like it best after 4+ hours in the fridge.

Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies
 (I also like the straight up cake mix cookies, which is very similar and I'm sure most of you have in your arsenal)

1 box of yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1/4 c. of unsalted butter (softened)
1/3 c. of water 
1 c peanut butter (I like crunchy)
1 to 2 c. milk chocolate chips
any chopped nut optional (sometimes I use 1c of nuts and 1 cup of chocolate chips or sometimes no nuts, so I increase the chips...whatever you are in the mood for!)
Preheat oven to 350. Cream, eggs, butter, water, and peanut butter together. Add cake mix, chips and nuts. Drop on cookie sheets and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Don't overcook as the best part is the gooey middle. 


Cinnamon Coffee Cake (adapted from all recipes)

picture via internet

1 box of yellow cake mix
1 package of vanilla pudding mix
1 package of butterscotch pudding mix (I have used this and also left it out, not a big difference really)
4 eggs
1 cup of water
1 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup of chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan, or a 10 inch Bundt cake pan
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, and butterscotch pudding mix. Add the eggs, oil and water, mix until well blended. In another bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Pour half of the batter into the pan, spread evenly. Sprinkle with half of the nut mixture. Cover with the rest of the batter, and sprinkle with the rest of the nut mixture.
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, then turn the oven down to 325 degrees F  and bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes. *I have never done more than 35 minutes

Loving Fall

This morning I crawled out of bed at five am to meet some friends to run. (thanks Angie and Kea!) The weather was perfect running weather. Cold enough to feel great when working up a sweat and not so cold that my throat starting hurting. Anybody know what I mean? Summer is my favorite season, but the older I get the more I appreciate fall. The crispness of the early mornings, the vibrancy of colors in nature, and of course the bounty of fall flavors. Here are some things that I have been enjoying lately:

the perfect shirt...soft and comfortable. 

by Bella Dahl

This sheperd's pie. Have I mentioned I have been eating Paleo? I really owe a whole post on it, but the jist is I just completed the 30 day Paleo challenge at our Crossfit gym. Everyone put fifty dollars into the pot and the winner took home the cash. The winner was rewarded based on percentage body fat lost. I lost three percent body fat, and 10 pounds. I was very happy with the results as I have been "meaning" to lose that last ten pounds of baby weight for let's see, Holden is 15 months old :) I also won the cash! Definitely a win-win. Everyone has asked, "will you keep doing Paleo?" YES. The great thing about Paleo is that it really is a lifestyle change, not a diet. I will probably take the 80/20 approach to just maintain and enjoy the benefits of how it makes you feel. I have more energy, sleep better, and am mostly just more balanced throughout the day. I think what I learned the most the past month is how much sugar I was ingesting was UNHEALTHY. I had sugar almost after every meal... maybe it was just a couple of Reese cups, a cookie, or a brownie, but it added up. Really one might call it a sugar addiction :) Does this mean I will not enjoy desserts now, ummm no...but everyday not so much. Now it is more of a "treat".  The biggest challenge is meal planning for our family dinner. This veggie pie recipe is what James says, "Is one of the only good things you have made so far". So there you go, give it a try!

Reading Domino, Holiday edition:

pictures taken a couple of weeks ago of the boys by my favorite, Catherine Mayo:

and last but not least, Hearing the Voice of God Bible Study by Mark Virkler. 

It is a really practical and easy to remember the four keys:

1. God's voice in your heart often sounds like a flow of spontaneous thoughts.

2. Become still so you can sense God's flow of thoughts and emotions within.

3. As you pray, fix the eyes of your heart on Jesus, seeing in the spirit the dreams and visions of Almighty God

4. Journaling, the writing out of your prayers and God's answers brings great freedom in hearing God's voice 

Here is the link to the PDF that explains this in more detail and gives the scriptural foundations. 

Our homework this week was to "practice", and I had some really fruitful time with Jesus. 

I think the hardest part for me was getting STILL and quieting my mind. The neat thing was though, once I did, it didn't take long for him to begin speaking. He was ready and waiting, all I had to do was ask. 

Loving Lately...

READING!! With no TV shows besides the Bachelorette on (and this season is so terrible, even I don't  enjoy it), I have been loving my Kindle. James says worst gift he has ever given me :)
1. Kate Morton: The Secret Keeper and The House at Riverton
2. Melanie Shankle: Sparkly Green Earrings
3. Wife School: Julie Gordon- we are doing a ladies small group on this and though a little cheesy it really has some great points for a strong Christian marriage of all ages

photo via Tammy Sims for a newspaper article

COOKING-ok maybe not that much but this past weekend I did make a baked taco recipe that the kiddos loved and fruit pizza that I devoured...
Baked Tacos-
1.5 pounds lean ground beef
1 sweet onion chopped
1/2 package of taco seasoning (the recipe calls for the whole thing, but I think it makes it a bit salty)
1 can fat free low sodium refried beans
1 can tomato sauce
1 package of soft or hard taco shells (whatever your preference)
1 package of shredded taco mix cheese
Brown meat/saute onion/add seasoning, in bowl add that mix to tomato sauce and beans...stuff into shells and lay them in a 9 by 13 casserole dish, cover with cheese and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes so the cheese melts and slightly browns...add whatever taco topping you desire (james has to have sour cream, but I think a little avocado or extra salsa would be delish!)
EASY!! The best part is it reminds me of a Mexi-melt from Taco Bell...(can't believe I admitted that to the general public or all 5 of my blog readers)
Both boys loved them and ate as leftovers the next day..win win.

"Help Momma!"
He is the constant climber/hider and overall Houdini

CROSSFIT
We have a great "box" as the terminology goes...if you are wanting to change up your exercise routine, I highly recommend Crossfit. It is intense, but very fun. I think it has made me appreciate the strength and ability that God gives us physically. Check out the website...
I end up pushing myself and doing things I wouldn't ordinarily do, ex. a WOD (work out of the day) this week was:
W.O.D. Run 400m 10x Ring Dips 5x Push Jerks 30x Push Up Run 400m  times 3 CORE: On your own
What that means is that by the end we had run 1.5 miles, completed 30 ring dips, 15 push jerks, and 90 push ups..I would NEVER do 90 pushups if it wasn't part of a WOD...by the end my arms were dead! The running is a lot faster pace then I do on my own too because you are competing for the fastest time.
Anyway, you get the jist...

Comfortable Wedges: I love love summer shoes, to me they are so much easier to throw on and much cuter than most closed toe options..I have these Antelopes and they are my favorite, I treat them like they are a neutral

and last but not least Holden will be turning ONE on the 26th! He is getting a BIG present:

Because he is the second child and never gets any "new"toys, insert pitiful face as I told James my logic :)

Iphone Dump and Recipes

I have done a terrible job taking "real" pictures lately, but that is just where we are right now...I know ya'll understand! Here are some pictures from the last week of what we have been up to...

baby showers

enjoying "hots" as it has been cold for central Al this time of year

Lane's longest sentence to date is "I bwuild hot wif da"

He is obsessed. 

morning tussling

 and tickling

Mickey Mouse lovers

sweet teethy smiles

walks with friends (sweet baby Jude who was baptized this Sunday)

 bath time chaos (I have about a million of these pictures as this is EVERY night)

date nights

Visiting Sam at school for dental health month

making chocolate covered strawberries for a party, oh and for us to eat as Lane and I both decided they are our favorite!

Mary the sweet lady that keeps the boys has been out having surgery and it has been a little crazy around our house.  Thank goodness for mom filling in and Jim and Shelia talking Lane for a little quality time. I have spent more time around the house though and tried some new recipes...These two were a hit at our house:

This granola recipe from Left on Amelia.

image from Left of Amelia blog

This penne recipe from Pioneer Woman. 

image from Pioneer Woman

Easy and delicious!

Munchkins

Have I mentioned life is crazy with these two baby boys?! Holden is really getting his own little personality and Lane is on GO as soon as his feet hit the floor. He is quite the ham. He also is a show off and loves attention (can't imagine where he gets that from)

fingers are always in his mouth and he is always talking about something

not to mention his arm rolls...at least five above the elbow!

he already blows spit bubbles and drools constantly, I don't remember Lane doing this so early so I am wondering if he will be an early bloomer to Lane's late

chunky monkey, I promise he has a neck under there somewhere

The below sequence is from dinner the other night, very typical:

this is blurry, but shows Lane's "innocent" face so well, This is usually right before he does something he knows he is not suppose to do

In this case it was get on the counter to attack  check on his brother

I love this one: Holden is like, "Really Mom are you going to let him do this?!"

scared face

he knew he was getting away with it as I was snapping away

Lane is 20 months and is learning a new word almost daily. His is obsessed with tractors and all animals.  He still has to have blan"kee" with him at all times. The other morning he got "kee" in his morning diaper, and we had to leave it at home to get washed while he was at school. Melt down city.

Finally I convinced him that he could take his "dog" stuffed animal instead. His teacher said he did ok, but insisted on taking dog with him to the playground. 

Also, I made these muffins to get in the fall spirit and they were delish and easy. I also halved the sugar and used whole wheat flour. 

The soup in the above pictures was this, James's favorite butternut squash soup. It is a lot of prep work but well worth it as it makes tons and is a great mix of savory and sweet.