New Blog...

Hey ya'll check out my new blog...I'll still write relevant stuff on this one, but my new one is for my passion for quilting!  Check it out and let me know what you think???

http://www.lizbquilting.blogspot.com/

Look Mama - Love Circles

Love Circles Quilt Block

Quiltin' Up a Storm!

Well, I have been quiltin' up a storm lately!!!  It seems my proclivities seem to swing from bloggin', to cookin' to quiltin'. 

My little man LOVES to "help" me quilt.  He likes to name the shapes and lay on the quilt while I am tieing it or quilting it.  He has learned the hard way that quilting needles are VERY sharp and that pulling on fabric I am cutting with a rotary cutter is a BIG "no-no".  He also likes to sit at my sewing machine and push the buttons (which is fine if it is off, but not so cool if it is on : | ).  It is almost as much fun as "driving the car".

Quilting has become almost therapy for me.  It helps keep me busy while my little man is busy himself and it also shows him how to get busy if he is bored and looking for something to do.  When I pick up my quilting, he usually goes and gets something himself (like his toddler computer or his hammer and work bench).  I love to see him get busy and discover things for himself.  Also, he is at a "high maintenance" age (are there any other kind?) and when I get to do "my thing", it is easier to have patience with him and "his things".

I am developing some fabric craft games for him...so far shapes on some batting keep him busy...it is almost like a design wall for him.  I am thinking I will make him some quilt squares to put up there and make designs.

Wish there was more "insightful" ponderings, but just been quiltin'. 

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

Yeah!!!!!!!!  I'm a Mama/Mother/Mommy - whoooo hooo!  Happy Mother's Day to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Happy Mother's Day to you too!!!!!!!!!!!

The Hearts of Man

So, I was driving in terrible traffic the other day...this doesn't usually happen as I don't have to go to work in the morning or come home at night...so I was frustrated, but calm. 

The three lanes of traffic were stopped on the interstate.  I HATE this, I never understand how this happens (yes I know the scientific explanation, but it still doesn't make sense to me). 

I look to my right and there is a perfectly good shoulder not being used by anyone, I only have a few miles to go and I am special right?  I thought about - can I make it?  What if there is a car stopped on the shoulder up there and I get stuck etc.  NO, I didn't do it...I thought about it and then I realized - oh yeah, it is ILLEGAL!  I actually weighed "how" illegal it was before I discounted the idea.

Then, I noticed that no one else was using it either...here was 100s of cars with an escape route and EVERYONE was following the law!!!  (Except for one car that decided he only had 3/4 of a mile to go and he broke the law to do it).   I was amazed and VERY happy! 

What a country we live in where the hearts of man are this disciplined with this much respect for the law!  Then, I started wondering what else is in their hearts...if they respect the law so much - are they voting?  What do they think about the "State of the Union"?  All of a sudden it hit me!  This is why the country was so easily hijacked!  The "socialist" agenda is wearing suits and ties and is changing the law - and we all follow the law! 

Then, I started thinking...what will it take to get these type 100s of people to get mad/excited/interested in keeping the country the way it is/was...or are they for the "fundamental transformation"?  I still haven't figured this out...I'll keep ya posted!

Oh yeah, as I went through the traffic - I saw the problem...someone rear ended a cop - oops!!!  I always drive more carefully when I see a cop...guess that person didn't!  Either way...his day was MUCH worse then mine stuck in traffic - so I thanked my lucky stars and had a good day!

An Invitation to the White House for Dinner

I got this in my e-mail and think it is appropriate for this day in time!

[Once upon a time I was invited to the White House for a private dinner with the President.


I am a respected businessman, with a factory that produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics.

There was some talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration, but I paid it no mind. I live in a FREE country. There's nothing that the government can do to me if I've broken no laws. My wealth was EARNED honestly, and an invitation to dinner with an American President is an honor.

I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the President in a yellow dining room.

We sat across from each other at a table draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the china. Uniformed staff served our dinner.

The meal was served, and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached out, plucked a dinner roll off my plate and began nibbling it as he walked back to the kitchen..

"Sorry 'bout that," said the President. "Andrew is very hungry."

"I don't appreciate..." I began, but as I looked into the calm brown eyes across from me, I felt immediately guilty and petty. It was just a dinner roll. "Of course," I concluded, and reached for my glass.

Before I could, however, another waiter reached forward, took the glass away and swallowed the wine in a single gulp. "And his brother, Eric, is very thirsty," said the President. I didn't say anything. The President is testing my compassion, I thought. I withheld my comments and decided to play along. I don't want to seem unkind..

My plate was whisked away before I had tasted a bite. "Eric's children are also quite hungry."

With a lurch, I crashed to the floor. My chair had been pulled out from under me. I stood, brushing myself off angrily, and watched as it was carried from the room. And their grandmother can't stand for long."

I excused myself, smiling outwardly, but inside feeling like a fool. Obviously I had been invited to the White House to be sport for some game. I reached for my coat, to find that it had been taken.

I turned back to the President.

"Their grandfather doesn't like the cold."

I wanted to shout, "that was my coat!" But again, I looked at the placid smiling face of my host and decided I was being a poor sport. I spread my hands helplessly and chuckled.

Then I felt my hip pocket and realized my wallet was gone. I excused myself and walked to a phone on an elegant side table.

I learned shortly that my credit cards had been maxed out, my bank accounts emptied, my retirement and equity portfolios had vanished, and my wife had been thrown out of our home.

Apparently, the waiters and their families were moving in. The President hadn't moved or spoken as I learned all this, but finally I lowered the phone into its cradle and turned to face him.

"Andrew's whole family has made bad financial decisions. They haven't planned for retirement and they need a house. They recently defaulted on a subprime mortgage. I told them they could have your home. They need it more than you do."

My hands were shaking. I felt faint I stumbled back to the table and knelt on the floor.

The President cheerfully cut his meat, ate his steak, and drank his wine. I lowered my eyes and stared at the small grey circles on the tablecloth that were water drops.

"By the way," he added, "I have just signed an Executive Order nationalizing your factories.
I'm firing you as head of your business. I'll be operating the firm now for the benefit of all mankind.
There's a whole bunch of Erics and Andrews out there and they can't come to you for jobs groveling like beggars...we need to spread YOUR wealth around..."

I looked up. The President dropped his spoon into the empty ramekin which had been his crème Brule.  He drained the last drops of his wine. As the table was cleared, he lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair.

He stared at me. I clung to the edge of the table as if it were a ledge and I were a man hanging over an abyss.

I thought of the years behind me, of the life I had lived. The life I had earned with a lifetime of work, risk and struggle.

Why was I punished? How had I allowed it to be taken? What game had I played and lost? I looked across the table and noticed with some surprise that there was no game board between us.

What had I done wrong?

As if answering the unspoken thought, President Obama suddenly cocked his head, locked his empty eyes to mine, and bared a million teeth, chuckling wryly as he folded his hands.

"You should have stopped me at the dinner roll," he said.

WAKE UP AMERICA !!!]

Alternative to Heavy Easter Meal - Easter Cobb Salad

If you are having the whole family over - maybe this is not a good alternative...but if you are just having Easter with your immediate family...this is a great alternative.  Note:  this is not a simple meal...it doesn't require a lot of cooking, but does require quite a bit of prep time (chopping veggies etc).  Cobb salad was supposed created by the owner of the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, Bob Cobb, in 1937.  There are many variations, but the important thing is not to toss it...make sure the veggies & meat are in rows across the top.

Easter Cobb Salad

3 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
8 bacon slices, cooked
1 bag of salad, size based on your family (I like the one with Iceberg lettuce, carrots & purple cabbage)
4 cups diced cooked turkey or chicken
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and sliced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cup (at least) crumbled cheddar cheese
1 can sliced black olives
1 cucumber, sliced

1.  Cook bacon until done, drain on papertowel set aside; flash fry (cover the bottom of a skillet with oil, then cook chicken breasts on high heat for about 8 - 10min total - turning often to prevent burning) the chicken breast (I like to do mine with salt & pepper with a touch of garlic, but you can bread them with egg & bread crumbs too, if desired)- if using turkey...I recommend baking it the night before or using fully cooked turkey from the store; boil the eggs.
2.  Make one big bowl or individual bowls:  Put the lettuce in the bottom of the bowl; arrange eggs, bacon,avacados, tomatoes, chicken/turkey/ham, cheese in rows across the top of the lettuce; covering the lettuce completely.
3.  Serve with favorite dressing...I recommend a red wine vinegrette or honey mustard.  You can try the "Original Cobb Salad" Dressing from the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood (supposedly created by the owner Bob Cobb in 1937 - who also created the Cobb Salad at the same time)

Original Cobb Salad Dressing


Makes 1 1/2 cups
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon dry English mustard
1 small clove garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup full-flavored olive oil
3/4 cup salad oil

1.  Blend all ingredients together, except oils. Add olive and salad oils. Mix well.
2.  Blend well again before mixing with salad.
A note from the Brown Derby: "The water is optional, depending upon the degree of oiliness desired in the dressing."














Enjoy & Happy Easter!!!

Stuffed Peppers Bolognaise

What do you do when you have green and red peppers that need to be eaten and it is a beef night???  You guessed it...Stuffed Peppers Bolognaise!!!

6 med bell peppers (or 3 big ones)
1 1/4 cups water
2 cups V-8, divided
1 can toamato paste (6oz)
1 tsp dried oregano, divided
1/2 tsp basil leaves
1/2 tsp garlic salt divided
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 lb lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
2 med tomatoes chopped (I like to use the Pampered Chef chopper on these veggies)
1/2 cup carrots chopped
1 med onion chopped

1.  Heat oven to 350degrees F.
2.  Cut bell peppers in half remove seeds and membranes, set aside.
3.  For sauce, in medium sauce pan combine water, 1 cup V-8, tomato paste, 1/2 tsp oregano, basil and 1/4 tsp garlic salt and heat over medium heat for 10 - 15min.
4.  For filling, in a large bowl combine beef (raw), oats, tomato, carrot and onion with remaining cup of V-8, 1/2 tsp oregano and 1/4 tsp garlic salt mix lightly but thoroughly.
5.  Put bell peppers in 9x13" glass dish, fill each half with 1/3 cup of filling, pour sauce over evenly over top. 
6.  Bake for 45 - 50min until 160degrees F and/or hamburger is no longer pink.

Makes 6 - 8 servings

Healthcare - Super Scared!

Well, the House passed healthcare...just super scared what this means for me!  I was going to try to read it, but they threw out the one I was reading and I have been too busy the last few days (the 72hrs they gave us to read it online).  So, guess it is my fault...not that my representatives are listening to me anyway!

Irish Soda Bread

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!  Tonight I celebrated with some Irish Soda Bread and Roasted Pork Stew!!


Irish Soda Bread at http://www.bettycrocker.com/ search Irish Soda Bread - here's a pic of mine...

Roasted Pork Stew

4 pork chops (1" thick) cubed; 1lb
1 pkg frozen peppers & onions mixed vegetables
1 jar sliced mushrooms
2 med zuccini; sliced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp marjoram
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil
4 cloves minced garlic
3 tbsp tomato paste
shredded mozzerella cheese to garnish (optional)

(I like mine with lots of juice so I add about 3 - 4 cups of water)

1.  Preheat oven to 450degrees F. 
2.  Mix oil, salt, fennel seeds and pepper in a zippered bag; remove the fat and cube the pork chops then shake cubed pork chops in zippered bag mix.
3.  Spray a shallow casserole dish with cooking spray; add the pork chops.
4.  Cook for 25min; let stand for 10min.
5.  Combine pork, frozen veggies, tomatoes with juice, zuccini, garlic and mushrooms in a crock pot slow cooker; cook on low for 4 - 4 1/2 hrs.
6.  Add tomato paste and cook for another 30min until desired thickness.

Southwest Black Bean Chicken Soup

Since it has been raining here so much lately - I was in the mood for soup this weekend and this came out really good!!!

1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts cubed
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
2 cans corn (I used fiesta with the peppers)
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 tbsp chopped dried onions
1 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cups chicken boullion (with no MSG)
2 cups water
2 tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp cilantro
Tostitos Dippin Strip tortilla chips
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

1.  Cook chicken in oil until no longer pink (in a dutch oven).  Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.
2.  In same pan, saute onion and garlic for 1 min.
3.  Stir in broth, corn, beans, lime juice, salt, chili powder, pepper, cilantro and chicken; bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 min.
4. Top each serving wiht chips and cheese (I like to just put it on the table and let everyone do this part themselves.

Yummy!!!

Cookin Up a Mess of Veggies!

So, what do you do when you have fresh veggies that are about to go bad and it is pizza night???  You cook up a mess of veggies!!!

1st I made Potato Wedges and Sweet Potato Wedges

4 potatoes
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp garlic powder

1.  Preheat oven to 425degrees F.
2.  Cut the potatoes into wedges; spray with cooking spray.
3.  Mix dry ingredients; sprinkle over wedges.
4.  Bake for 25 - 30min until tender.

2 large sweet potatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

1.  Preheat oven to 400degress F. 
2.  Boil potatoes for 10min.
3.  Cool and cut into wedges; place on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil. 
4.  Bake for 20min until tender.

Going to eat these this weekend instead of tater tots and whatever is left, I'm going to freeze for the next week.

2nd I made:  Candied Sweet Potatoes, Squash and Carrots

2 medium sweet potatoes
2 yellow squash
8 baby carrots
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp water

1.  Boil the sweet potatoes for 10min; add squash & carrots boil for another 10min .
2.  Slip the skin off the sweet potatoes and slice and cut in half; slice the squash and cut in half and slice the carrots.
3.  Heat butter, water & brown sugar in a 10" skillet until warm and bubbly...add veggies and stir until coated.

Yummy!!!  This will be veggies for about 2 - 3 meals for my family.  Planning to freeze it in meal size containers and use as needed in the future!

3rd I made:  Butternut Squash boiled and baked

1 large butter nut squash
2 tbsp butter

Baked
1.  Preheat oven to 425degrees F.
2.  Slice top of squash and put on cookie sheet; chop the butter and put a small square on each slice.
3.  Bake for 45min or until tender.

Boiled
1.  Boil 2 - 4 cups of water.
2.  Cut bottom of squash in half and remove seeds and fibers.  Cut in quarters and boil for 20 - 30min until tender.

I plan to freeze the baked squash for future meals and serve as needed.  I plan to make a butternut squash puree soup with the boiled squash and freeze it for future meals.

Whooo hoooo!! Nothing like getting all the dishes dirty on pizza night - LOL!

DIY Wednesday!!!

Whoo hoo, feeling empowered!!!  It's Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Wednesday...changed the light cover in the garage - "man up"!

I also put a new flag in the Front Yard - Happy St. Patty's Day...also check out the new solar powered track lights - I did those today too!!!

Oh Yeah...new doorbell too!!!!!!!!!!

Oh YES YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dinner: Ruby Tuesdays - Whooo hooo!!

Tonight I rooked my husband into taking me out for dinner...whooo hooo!  Gotta love that salad bar!

You can get coupons by going to:  http://www.rubytuesdays.com/ and sign up for So Connected.

Weekend Yummy: Double Orange Muffins

This is a yummy Quaker Oatmeal recipe with a few tweaks.  To get the recipe and visit Quaker go to: http://www.quakeroats.com/cooking-and-recipes/content/recipes/recipe-detail.aspx?recipeId=11615

Double Orange-Walnut Muffins

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I like to use whole wheat flour for more fiber)
1 cup QUAKER® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)*
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts, divided
2/3 cup plus 1/4 cup orange juice, divided (I like to use the Minute Made for Kids with all the extra vitamins added)
1/2 cup fat free milk
1 large egg
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted and cooled

1.  Heat oven to 400ºF. Spray bottoms only of 12 medium muffin pan cups with cooking spray or line with paper baking cups.
2.  Stir together flour, oats, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add 1/2 cup walnuts; mix well. Set aside. In medium bowl, beat 2/3 cup juice, milk, egg and melted butter with whisk or fork until well blended. Add all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just until dry ingredients are evenly moistened. (Do not overmix.) Pour into prepared muffin pan cups, dividing evenly. Sprinkle tops with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts.
3.  Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
4.  Remove pan from oven and immediately spoon remaining 1/4 cup orange juice over tops of muffins, dividing evenly. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle tops of muffins with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Remove from pan. Serve warm. (I don't serve these warm  - they are very moist and yummy cold too!!!  However, I would store them in the fridge after the first few hours or 1 day and then microwave them warm if desired.)

Cook’s Notes
• Chopped toasted pecans may be substituted for walnuts.
• Nuts may be omitted, if desired.
Variations
*If using old fashioned oats, add an additional 2 tablespoons flour.

Yield
1 Dozen


 

Chicken Parm - Sorta

This recipe came from one of my toddler cook books, which calls for shallots, fresh garlic...blah, blah, blah...no time for that for lunch, so I made this variation of Chicken Parmesean for lunch and my little man ate it up!!!  It is pizza night...so I like to make something good for lunch to give him the opportunity to get his protein and veggies in for the day.  

1 or 2 chicken breasts
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/8 cup shredded parm cheese (optional)
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 shake of minced onions
1 tbsp flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
Sprinkle of mozzerella cheese (optional)

1.  Cut the chicken in strips and beat them to about 1" thick (what - no time for that, so I just cook them)
2.  Heat oil on stove over med heat.
3.  Sprinkle the chicken with flour (and turn to coat with the flour).
4.  Put bread crumbs, garlic salt, minced onions and parm cheese in a ziplock bag; dip chicken in the egg; add chicken to ziplock bag; seal and shake.
5.  Cook chicken in the oil until done (about 3min a side if you beat them - about 4 - 5 min if not)...I also like to cut the thickest one in 1/2 to make sure they are done before I feed them to my little man.
6.  Heat the diced tomatoes and the tomato paste in a pan until simmering, serve over the chicken with the sprinkle of mozzerella cheese.  (However, my little man doesn't really care for tomatoes or mozzerella cheese right now and we are having pizza for dinner - so I skipped all that and they came out more like chicken nuggets.)

The recipe in the book calls for some kind of vinegar cucumbers (for a Toddler? I don't think so...).  However, I served it with my roasted mixed veggies and it was a hit!!!

Enjoy!!

Beef Burgundy...Not So Good

Well, my Beef Burgundy didn't turn out as well as I would have liked...the gravy never thickened (which made it greasy and runny. 

So, next time I plan to make these changes... 

Instead of putting the cornstarch and water in the crock with the veggies...I plan to remove the veggies with a slotted spoon and discard all but 2cups of the broth.  Then, return the two cups to a pan on the stove (I never did get it to boil again...not sure why?) Bring to a boil (slow boil not rolling)...then add the water/cornstarch mixture and stir...when thickened serve over meat and veggies.

I'll let ya know how it goes...if you make it...do it the new way - let me know how it goes!

Beef Burgundy & Vegetables

MMMMmmmmmmm!  So Yummy!  I have an appt. today at 3:30pm, so I needed to get dinner ready early - what better then Beef Burgundy in the Crock Pot (with Veggies to boot) a real one pan meal!!!

2 - 2.5lbs Beef Chuck Roast
8 oz baby carrots
8 oz sliced mushrooms (fresh or canned; drained)
1 green pepper, cut into thin slices
1 packet onion soup mix or 1 tbsp minced onions, 1 tsp sugar; 1/2 tsp onion powder
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp redwine
1 cup beef broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 tbsp corn starch
2 tbsp water

1.  Spray Crock Pot with cooking spray.  Wash carrots, & mushrooms (or drain canned mushrooms), wash/core/slice green pepper and put in bottom of Crock.
2.  Put chuck roast on top of veggies in the crock.
3.  Mix onion soup mix, olive oil, red wine, beef broth, salt & pepper in a bowl and pour over top of the chuck roast.
4.  Cook on Low for 8hrs or on High for 4hrs.
5.  Remove meat to plate and cover with foil, let stand 10 - 15min before slicing.
6.  Blend the cornstarch and water (or shake it in a Tupperware Gravy Shaker) until blended.  Add to Crock Pot; turn on High, then cook uncovered for 15min or until thickened. 
7.  Serve meat and veggies with gravy over top.
(You can serve this with 2 - 4 cups of egg noodles, but I made those yummy Easy Bisquick Rolls - check my fav recipes page).

I'll get pics up later! 

I'm BAAaaaaack

Hey All!!!  I'm back!  I took a little hiatus and feel great!!!  I am ready to tackle it all again!!!  I went to see lots of family in TX and now feel re-energized.  It is amazing what staying in a hotel (and letting someone else do the laundry/cleaning) and eating out (letting someone else cook) can do for your morale!!!  Not to mention seeing all the family and BFF that you LOVE!!! 

I'm about to figure out what we are going to do for dinner and I'll get back to ya!!!

Pasta, Blackbean and Sausage Dinner

I had some sweet italian sausage cooked in the fridge and was looking to make something yummy for my 2 year old...I raided the pantry and come up with this recipe...my little man ate it up!!!

Pasta, Blackbean and Sausage Dinner

1/2 lb sweet italian ground sausage
1 cup wagon wheel pasta
1 can blackbeans drained and rinsed
1 cup milk; separated
1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp butter
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt & pepper to taste

1.  Cook the pasta according to package.  Cook the sausage in skillet until done; drain and set aside (mine was already cooked).
2. When pasta is done and drained, shake 1/2 cup milk and flour in a gravy shaker (or mix together in a bowl) until smooth.  Heat butter and milk/flour mixture to boiling (med heat - don't scorch) let boil for 2 min or until thickened; add the pasta and the other 1/2 cup milk stir til coated.
3.  Add the cheese and sausage; stir until cheese is melted and serve.

If you make this...let me know how it goes!

Slowing Down!!! The Results So Far...

I noticed some interest in this subject...so I'll post how it is going thus far.  As I commented, when I slow down my day can turn into chaos with a quickness...so I am still tweaking the "slowness" of slowing down. 

I found out the hard way that there are some things that I HAVE to get done (e.g. unloading the dishwasher) or I feel completely overwhelmed by dinner time.  So, I am attempting to identify which things I MUST rush around to get done and which things can wait...so I can slow down and be in the moment...

I'll keep ya'll posted!

Health Care "Insurance" Reform Bill - BOHICA

Well, appearantly a new wave of fervor is rising to get HR 3200 passed ASAP.  This makes sense because the Democrats appear to be in danger this election year of losing their filibuster "buster" numbers.  I have even heard that they are planning to use reconciliation (any means necessary) to get it through...this is concerning to me - because I have been reading the bill and albeit it is the old 2009 version there is a Commissioner in there who has WAY to much power!!!  Also, Congress has vowed to post the new bill 72hrs before it goes for a vote...where are they going to post it?  Their opencongress.org link is broken (at least to me). 

I plan to continue reading the old bill...I saw a side by side comparison to the old bill and the new bill and the changes they are making are not what is concerning to me...  I'll let ya know what I think!

Sausage & Rosemary Risotto

This also got an unsolicited "this is good" from my husband so highly recommend it!
Sausage & Rosemary Risotto
1.2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp thyme
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 med onion, finely chopped
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
1lb pork sausage (I like sweet italian ground)
1 1/2 cups aborio rice (risotto)
3 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups fhot water
4 oz apple juice
3/4 cup parmesean cheese

1.  Heat oil and butter in large deep pan.  Add the onion, garlic and celery cook for 2min.
2.  Add the thyme, rosemary and sausage; cook until sausage is cooked/brown; remove sausage (leave onions) drain on paper towel in bowl.
3.  Add aborio rice to onions stir to coat in oil; stir constantly for 2 -3 min until translucent.  Add the apple juice and cook until reduced (about 1 min).
4.  Gradually add hot chicken broth one ladle at a time until rice absorbs each addition.  Increase heat to med so liquid bubbles.  Add hot water one ladle at a time until rice absorbs each addition. Cook 20min or until all broth/water is absorbed and rice is creamy.
5.  Toward the end of cooking, add sausage back to rice and heat through.
6.  Remove from heat and add butter; mix well, then melt the parm cheese in...serve immediately. 

Recipe: Healthy as You Wanna Be!

I made this the other night and found that it is a great recipe to substitute stuff to make it easier/faster or healthier...  I got an unsolicited "this is really good" from my husband who is NOT demonstrative - so must share!

Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

1 can (10oz) enchilada sauce     or      homemade Ranchero Sauce (recipe at the bottom)
1/2 cup Thick'n'Chunky salsa     or      homemade Salsa (recipe at the bottom)
2 cans (12.5oz)  chicken, drained or      1 large rotisserie chicken, cubed (4 cups)
1/2 sour cream                           or     you can make your own, but I don't know how...
2 tbsp dried chopped onion & Chives or 1/2 cup chopped onion (or green onions)
2 tbsp taco seasoning (1 oz pkt) or  1/8 tsp chipolte chili, 2shakes chili powder, 1shake cayenne
8 corn tortillas (cut in 1/2)      or     8 homemade corn tortillas (recipe at the bottom)
2 cups pkg shredded mexican cheese or shred your own colby-monterey jack (8oz)
2 cups tortilla chips                 or    you really need to use these to make it taste right
1 can diced tomatoes, drained   or    1 cup chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp sliced black olives              or    ???
5 shakes dried cilantro             or   fresh sprigs of ciliantro

1.  Heat oven to 375degrees F; spray a 13 x 9 (3qt) glass dish with cooking spray.
2.  In a large bowl, mix enchilada sauce and salsa (reserve 1/4 cup of mixture). Add chicken, sour cream 1/4 cup onions (or 2 tbsp dried onion) and taco seasoning, mix well.
3.  Spoon reserved 1/4 cup enchilada/salsa mixture in bottom of glass dish. Arrange 8 tortillas on the bottom of the dish, overlapping as necessary.
4.  Spoon 1/2 chicken mixture over tortillas, sprinkle 2/3 cup cheese over it; repeat layers. Cover with foil.
5.  BAke 30 - 35min until hot.
6.  Layer tortilla chips, tomato, black olives, 1/4 cup green onions (or chives) and remaining 2/3 cup cheese over top.
7.  Bake uncovered for 5 min until cheese is melted, let stand 10 min before serving.
8.  Garnish with cilantro springs or dried cilantro.

Enjoy!

Homemade Ranchero Sauce:  (from Cooks.com)
1 (8 oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained & shredded
2 (8 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes
1/2 c. diced onion
1 sm. bunch cilantro, minced or 1/2 tsp dried cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. minced garlic
Mix all ingredients together for a hotter sauce add 1 minced jalapeno pepper; for smooth sauce use blender/food processer.

Homemade Salsa: (from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Speedy-Homemade-Salsa/Detail.aspx)

1 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1.  In a food processor, combine all ingredients; cover and process until chunky. Transfer to a small bowl.

Homemade Corn Tortilla Recipe: (from http://www.cooking-mexican-recipes.com/corn-tortilla-recipe.html)

Makes 10 to 12 tortillas (6 to 7 inch)
•2 cups Maseca Corn Masa Mix
•1 tsp. sea salt
•1 1/4 cup hot water plus 2 to 3 tablespoons
•1 tsp. shortening

Make the Dough
Mix the masa harina (corn flour, not to be confused with corn meal) and salt in a medium sized bowl. Measure 1 1/4 cups of boiling water and the shortening into a separate pan or bowl. Stir until the shortening is melted. Pour this mixture into the bowl of corn flour and mix with a fork. When the mixture is cool enough to touch (a couple of minutes) mix the dough with your hands. The dough will probably be a little dry. Add hot water one teaspoon at a time until the dough stays together and doesn't crumble apart. Knead the dough for one or two minutes. Play with the consistency by adding more water if needed. What you want is a dough that is moist enough to stay together but not too sticky.

Make Golf Balls
Pinch off some dough and roll into smooth round balls (golf ball size) with your hands. Masa for tortillas is not like pie dough so don't worry about over handling it. I would suggest covering the dough you're not working with, with either plastic saran wrap or damp paper towels to keep the dough from drying out while you are making golf balls. Flatten the ball a bit in the palm of your hand. Did I mention that you should be pre-heating a cast iron or comal pan over medium high to high heat. Now's the time. And don't put anything in the pan like shortening or Pam. You don't need it.

Pressing The Dough 
If you don't have a press yet, you can simply roll out the dough with a rolling pin. Just make sure you cover the dough with plastic, as per these directions . If you are using a tortilla press, first get yourself a Ziploc type bag. Sandwich size or gallon size will work. I like to use this type of plastic because it is thicker and easier to work with. Cut it in half so you have two separate pieces. Lay one piece on the press and then place the slightly flattened dough on top, a little bit closer to the hinge of the lid like in the picture. Cover the dough with the second piece of plastic and close the lid to flatten the tortilla.Carefully peel the top piece of plastic from the tortilla. Lift the tortilla and the bottom piece of plastic from the press and place it in your hand, dough side down. Now carefully peel the bottom piece of plastic from the tortilla. I did not have any problem with the dough sticking to the plastic. If you do, it probably means your dough is too wet. Try adding a sprinkle of corn flour and kneading the dough a bit more.

Cooking The Tortillas
Place your tortilla in the preheated cast iron pan or comal and cook for 45 seconds to a minute then turn over and cook for another 45 seconds or longer.
Place cooked tortillas in foil and cover with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm. Store tortillas in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for several days.






 

Slow Down!!! Be Happy!

I am not a morning person, but I am up early every morning. So, I like to get up get a cup of coffee and wake up before my son.  Everyone I know thinks this is crazy and sometimes I think it is too, but I want to be in a good mood in the mornings and this is the only way I know to do it.

In order to get everything done and have the time to wake up - I find myself rushing around - half awake, in order to relax and have some me time.  Does this make sense?  So, do I get up earlier? 

NO!  This morning I decided to just SLOW DOWN.  This is not as easy as it sounds for me.  I asked myself - does the me time make me in a good mood or does just being awake make me in a better mood...  I slowed down and enjoyed just being awake.  I concentrated on just being in the moment...I took my time making the coffee, turning off the alarm etc and I am in a pretty good mood! 

So, now I am wondering how much other stuff I do in a day, in order to get ready to relax or have fun or be happy...today I am going to try to slow down all day and see what happens.  I'll let ya know how it goes...

I Cartooned Myself!

Well, that was 2hrs I will never get back, but it was pretty fun!  What do ya'll think...does it look like me?

Dinner Last Night...Schnitzel, Candied Sweet Pots & Squash

I tried to get this up last night...but my dear husband had stuff to do too...owell!

Pork Chop Schnitzel
1lb pork chops
1 cup bread crumbs
3 tbsp parmesean cheese
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp tarragon
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/2 cup butter

1.  Pound the pork chops until they are 3/4 to 1/2" thick.  (I don't always have the patience for this...if not this thin, then just check them before you take them up and make sure they are done - white inside with no pink juice).
2.  Mix bread crumbs, parm cheese,basil, tarragon and garlic salt in a bag; add pork chops and shake until well coated.
3.  Melt butter in large skillet on med heat...careful not to scorch it...if it is steaming add the pork chops; cook for 2 min on each side to brown, then cook 15min more turning in increments of 3 - 4 min to make sure not to burn them.

Candied Sweet Pots and Squash
2 large sweet potatoes
1 large yellow squash  (the long slender ones that look like cucumbers)
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp water
3 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt

1.  Peel the sweet pots and boil for 10min, cut off the ends of the squash and add squash to boiling water; boil for another 5 - 10 min - until fork tender.
2. Drain veggies; when cool cut into bite size pieces.
3.  Heat the brown suger, water, butter and salt until smooth and bubbly - stir pretty much constantly to keep from scorching.
4.  Add veggies and stir to coat - turn off heat and serve.

I also had pinapple chunks, because I like to have fruit with dinner - it turned out GREAT!!!

Dinner: Creamy Chicken Veggie Soup

Creamy Chicken Veggie Soup

1lb chicken breasts, cubed
1 med onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic or 2 fresh cloves pressed
2 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp all purpose flour
1 cans vegetable broth (1 can water)
1 can great northern beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen california mix, cut into bite size pieces
1.4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp pepper (optionsal)
1/2 cup mozzerella cheese

1.  Saute chicken in dutch oven with onion and garlic in oil until no longer pink.
2.  Stir in flour until blended; gradually add broth and bring to a boil (stirring constantly) for 2 minutes.
3.  Reduce heat; stir in beans veggies and seasonings.
4.  Cook stirring occasionally for 8 - 10 minutes or until veggies are tender.
5.  Garnish with cheese and serve.

I am also going to make the Quick Easy Bisquick rolls from previous entry in this blog the search doesn't seem to work...so here it is again:

Quick Easy Bisquick Rolls


2 1/4 cups Bisquick
8 oz sour cream
1/2 cup of margarine, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350degrees F.
2. Stir 2 cups of Bisquick, sour cream and margarine together until moist through.
3. Make 36 balls of dough...sprinkle with the 1/4 cup of Busquick to make smooth; put three balls in each cup of a muffin pan.
4. Bake for 15 - 20 min until golden.


Enjoy!

Great Veggie Recipe!

I made a yummy veggie recipe (again it has all the veggies you need for an entire day - whoo hoo). 

Roasted Veggies
2 med zuccinis
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
2 med onions, quartered and separated
2 rome tomatoes; quartered sliced in 1" pieces
1 can sliced mushrooms (or whatever kind mushrooms you have); drained
3 tbsp olive oil or veggie oil
2 tbsp dry red cooking wine (optional)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper (optional)

1.  Preheat oven to 350degrees F.
2.  Cut the zuccinis, red pepper and green pepper in 1" pieces; quarter and separate onions. 
3.  Spread in the bottom of a 3qt casserole dish.
4.  Mix the oil, wine, oregano, basil, salt and pepper in a bowl and drizzle over the veggies.
5.  Roast in oven uncovered for 30min
6.  Add tomatoes and mushrooms; toss to coat.
7.  Roast for another 15min and serve.

Yummy!!!

Are You On Duty 24/7 ?

Stop it!!!!  I am a stay at home Mom and have always known that working from home would be hard for me, because I am constantly seeing things that need to be done around the house (unlike my loving husband).  I am now obviously working from home now...  I consider my house and my family my job.  I spend almost every waking moment thinking of ways to do things better, cooking/cleaning and raising my son. 

However, I have learned to go OFF DUTY at some point everyday!!!  This is harder than you might think...I get up really early in the morning and although I see TONS of stuff that I can be doing to get a jump on the day...I DON'T DO IT!  I watch TV (usually Fox News) and type on my computer - connect with others on Facebook etc.  It actually gets me in a better frame of mind for the day than getting a jump on the laundry or dishes!

Also, I go OFF DUTY everynight at some point...it depends on how I feel.  If I have had it with housework/dishes/cooking etc...I go OFF DUTY.  Now, if my 2yr old son needs me or my husband needs something...I am on call - but that housework/ those dishes/ and whatever cooking/freezing may need to be done - will be there tomorrow too!  So, I just tell myself I am OFF DUTY and stick to it.

I used to feel guilty about this frame of mind, but I read it in a magazine and realized I am not the only one doing it!!!  I still manage to get in a 11 to 12hr workday - so really, what do I have to feel guilty about??? 

It would be really interesting to see what would happen if I tried to skinny down my ON DUTY time to 40hrs a week...LOL!  I do not think this is possible as I have a 2yr old who cannot understand I'm OFF DUTY and a husband who cannot find anything by himself - LOL.  Plus, my work week is 7 days instead of 5 days...so it is just not possible.  So, I work my 70 - 80hrs a week and make sure I get my OFF DUTY/ME TIME or whatever it is called to keep me sane and happy.  Try it and see if it works for you...

Division A - Affordable Health Care Choices - Research

Division A - sounds good on its face, but if you look at it line by line - you find out that it is vague in some places as to its intent and far too specific in denying enrollment into healthcare plans after this bill is passed and give WAY to much POWER to "the Commissioner".

Check out my comments in red and leave me a message telling me what you think...

DIVISION A—AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE CHOICES SEC. 100. PURPOSE; TABLE OF CONTENTS OF DIVISION;
GENERAL DEFINITIONS.
(a) PURPOSE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The purpose of this division is to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending. (Spending by who??? cost would be a better word)
(2) BUILDING ON CURRENT SYSTEM.—This division achieves this purpose by building on what works in today’s health care system, while repairing the aspects that are broken.(Too vague...broken?  what is broken - what does broken mean in this sense)  
(3) INSURANCE REFORMS.—This division— (A) enacts strong insurance market reforms (Yeah, we like market reform!); (B) creates a new Health Insurance Exchange, with a public health insurance option alongside private plans (This is a BIG sticking point as many believe it will take over the private industry by forcing private insurance companies out of business); (C) includes sliding scale affordability credits; and (D) initiates shared responsibility among workers, employers, and the government; so that all Americans have coverage of essential health benefits (This is an issue even to me...it sounds like I will be paying for others health care - don't I already do that with Medicare and Medicaid???).
(4) HEALTH DELIVERY REFORM.—This division institutes health delivery system reforms both to increase quality and to reduce growth in health spending so that health care becomes more affordable for businesses, families, and government (yeah!!!).

Here's the meat of it???
TITLE I—PROTECTIONS AND STANDARDS FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS (Yeah!)
Subtitle A—General Standards SEC. 101. REQUIREMENTS REFORMING HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE. (Yeah!)
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this title is to establish standards to ensure that new health insurance coverage and employment-based health plans that are offered meet standards guaranteeing access to affordable coverage, essential benefits, and other consumer protections. (Yeah!)
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS.—On or after the first day of Y1, a health benefits plan shall not be a qualified health benefits plan under this division unless the plan meets the applicable requirements of the following subtitles for the type of plan and plan year involved:
(1) Subtitle B (relating to affordable coverage).
(2) Subtitle C (relating to essential benefits).
(3) Subtitle D (relating to consumer protection) (ok guess have to check those later).
(c) TERMINOLOGY.—In this division: 
(1) ENROLLMENT IN EMPLOYMENT-BASED HEALTH PLANS.—An individual shall be treated as being ‘‘enrolled’’ in an employment-based health plan if the individual is a participant or beneficiary (as such terms are defined in section 3(7) and 3(8), respectively, of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) in such plan. (Good)
(2) INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.—The terms ‘‘individual health insurance coverage’’ and ‘‘group health insurance coverage’’ mean health insurance coverage offered in the individual market or large or small group market, respectively, as defined in section 2791 of the Public Health Service Act.(also Good)

SEC. 102. PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE.
(a) GRANDFATHERED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE DEFINED.—Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, for purposes of establishing acceptable coverage under this division, the term ‘‘grandfathered health insurance coverage’’ means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 if the following conditions are met:
(1) LIMITATION ON NEW ENROLLMENT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in this paragraph, the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day of Y1. (This sounds like you can't get into private health insurance after this bill passes - not good)
(B) DEPENDENT COVERAGE PERMITTED.—Subparagraph (A) shall not affect the subsequent enrollment of a dependent of an individual who is covered as of such first day.

(2) LIMITATION ON CHANGES IN TERMS OR CONDITIONS.—Subject to paragraph (3) and except as required by law, the issuer does not change any of its terms or conditions, including benefits and cost-sharing, from those in effect as of the day before the first day of Y1. (This is not good either as it sounds like you can't change your private insurance after this bill passes)

(3) RESTRICTIONS ON PREMIUM INCREASES.—The issuer cannot vary the percentage increase in the premium for a risk group of enrollees in specific grandfathered health insurance coverage without changing the premium for all enrollees in the same risk group at the same rate, as specified by the Commissioner.(This is good in that is sounds like it provides some controls on insurance rates...but who is this Commissioner and isn't this too much power for him?)
(b) GRACE PERIOD FOR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT BASED HEALTH PLANS.—
(1) GRACE PERIOD.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner shall establish a grace period whereby, for plan years beginning after the end of the 5-year period beginning with Y1, an employment-based health plan in operation as of the day before the first day of Y1 must meet the same requirements as apply to a qualified health benefits plan under section 101, including the essential benefit package requirement under section 121. (This is VERY scary...sounds like you can only have your plan for 5yrs and then you have to go to the public option...and again who is this Commissioner...too much power)
(B) EXCEPTION FOR LIMITED BENEFITS PLANS.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to an employment-based health plan in which the coverage consists only of one or more of the following:  (i) Any coverage described in section 3001(a)(1)(B)(ii)(IV) of division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111–5). (ii) Excepted benefits (as defined in section 733(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974), including coverage under a specified disease or illness policy described in paragraph (3)(A) of such section. (iii) Such other limited benefits as the Commissioner may specify.  In no case shall an employment-based health plan in which the coverage consists only of one or more of the coverage or benefits described in clauses (i) through (iii) be treated as acceptable coverage under this division (If you have all the above docs on file...you could look all this stuff up...who has time? also again who is the Commissioner and too much power!)
(2) TRANSITIONAL TREATMENT AS ACCEPTABLE COVERAGE.—During the grace period specified in paragraph (1)(A), an employment-based health plan that is described in such paragraph shall be treated as acceptable coverage under this division. (c) LIMITATION ON INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Individual health insurance coverage that is not grandfathered health insurance coverage under subsection (a) may only be offered on or after the first day of Y1 as an Exchange-participating health benefits plan.(Again sounds like you can't get individual coverage after this passes)
(2) SEPARATE, EXCEPTED COVERAGE PERMITTED.—Excepted benefits (as defined in section 2791(c) of the Public Health Service Act) are not included within the definition of health insurance coverage. Nothing in paragraph (1) shall prevent the offering, other than through the Health Insurance Exchange, of excepted benefits so long as it is offered and priced separately from health insurance coverage.(Guess I need to look up section 2791(c) of the Public Health Service Act...why can't they just put it in here?)

Dinner: Log on to Betty Crocker!

I made Stroganoff straight from Betty Crocker - here's the link:  http://www.bettycrocker.com/  I love the Betty Crocker website...check it out and sign up!!!  You can save, print and share recipes and even put the ingredients on your grocery list  - I have already started using my phone for my grocery list and it is GREAT!  I am working on a way to use my laptop in the kitchen...but if you saw my cook books - you would realize why this is a VERY BAD IDEA - lol!

I don't like the Worstershire sauce, so I use Dry Red Wine instead.

We also had the leftover Butternut Squash and pinapple chunks. 

Yummy!!!

Dinner: Turkey Samiches & Veggie Cheese Soup

This actually worked pretty well for my family...

Veggie Cheese Soup

2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 pkg frozen cali mix veggies
1 tsp tarragon
1 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1 can cream of celery soup (or any "cream of" soup - chicken/mushroom)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1.  Saute onion in dutch oven in the oil for 5 - 7 min until translucent.
2.  Add chicken broth bring to a boil.
3.  Add tarragon, thyme and veggies - bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 8 - 10min.
4.  Add cream of cellery soup and cheddar cheese stir until melted and smooth.
5.  Serve immediately.

Turkey Samiches

1.  Put the bread, turkey, condiments and cheese on the table and let everyone "make themselves a samich"! lol...

Communication Challenged?!

So, I am listening to my husband and my son communicate the other night...it was really quite interesting. My husband had put in a DVD for my son (my son was telling my husband that he wated to watch Kai Lan)...my husband couldn't put it on that until the previews were over.


So, I asked my husband if he knew how to put it on Kai Lan? (The DVD had several shows on it and he would need to select Kai Lan). He answered me with "I can't put it on until the previews are over", I asked this question 3 times and finally had to tell him to answer the question...did he know how NOT can he do it now... He said "no, but he could figure it out", so I went about my business.

A little while later, my son is crying hollering "Kai Lan, Kai Lan, Kai Lan", while Dora was playing on the DVD player...husband kept asking him...what do you want???? LOL!

I didn't say a word and finally they communicated...my My husband put it on Kai Lan and my son stopped crying...My husband failed to see the irony in this...is it just me or are my men communication challenged???

Health Care Bill Research

It is fairly elusive.  I am still not sure I have the correct version.  The obvious website that I wanted to download it from, which is called opencongress.org jammed up my computer 3 times...so I went to the next link, which was candacemiller.house.gov - it is certified by the Superintendent of Docs of the US Gov't Print Office...so should be legit right?  I successfully downloaded a version of the bill...however - I didn't get very far. 

The Title is great - it is called HR 3200 American Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.  The first 14 pages are all table of contents and definitions.  As soon as I got into the meat - I realized that it is not going to be an easy read...duh.  It is written in legal speak - in order to be interpreted by the courts etc in the future.  I really can't tell what the first part says yet, but the title of it sounds good also...it is called:
TITLE I—PROTECTIONS AND STANDARDS FOR QUALIFIED HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS
Subtitle A—General Standards
SEC. 101. REQUIREMENTS REFORMING HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE.
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this title is to estab lish standards to ensure that new health insurance coverage and employment-based health plans that are offered meet standards guaranteeing access to affordable coverage, essential benefits, and other consumer protections.

As I said the rest I am not able to understand yet...I'll get back to you.

Dinner: Mushroom Pork Chops, Baked Butternut Squash and Risotto

I got froggy last night and made lots for dinner! 

1.5 lb Pork Chops
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can sliced mushrooms
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp thyme leaves
2 tbsp dry white wine or apple juice/cider

1.  Brown the pork chops on both sides for about 5min each. 
2.  Mix the rest of the ingredients together and pour over browned porkchops.
3.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 45 min or until juice is clear and/or the meat thermo reads 170degrees F.
4. Serve with the mushroom gravy in the pan.

Baked Butternut Squash

1 butternut squash
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp butter

1.  Preheat oven to 400degrees F.
2.  Wash and slice the butternut squash neck; cut the circular base in half remove seeds and fiber; set on cookie sheet covered with foil.
3.  Cut butter and place around on top of squash; sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar on top of squash.
4.  Bake for 40min to an 1hr until tender (the slices should be done in 40min - I went ahead and got the rest out too...I am going to make a casserole with that part).

Risotto
Cook as directed on package.

I also had apples and pear quarters boiled in 1/2 cup water, 2tbsp honey and 3 shakes of cinnamon on the stove for 20min.

Health Care Reform Hot Button Issue!

Wow, got an e-mail from my cousin and relized just how passionate this issue is for many people.  I have decided that I am not posting any more views until I do my research.  So, the next post on this issue will be my research and with citations etc...where you can check out the bill.

I am not too worried about it, becasue the one person who reads my blog...just quit - lol.

I'll get back to ya!

Weekend Yummy: "Irish Fighting Muffins" - LOL

Yes, as seen on the movies' Charlies Angels...Lucy Liu is not the only one who can make them - lol!  Although hers were Chinese, because she is Chinese...mine are Irish, because I am Scotts-Irish.

My "Irish Fighting Muffins" a.k.a. Chocolate Chip Muffins...are actually good anyway - they resemble scones...who knew?  They are super easy and quick!!
Here's the recipe:

3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, metlted
1 large egg
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup semi-sweet choco chips
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1.  Heat oven to 400degrees F. Grease the bottom of the cups of muffin pan (or use paper cup liners). 
2.  In a large bowl mix butter, egg, milk and brown sugar with for or wire whisk.
3.  In a small bowl mix flour, baking powder and salt.
4.  Stir dry ingredients into wet until moistened.
5.  Drop by spoonful into cups until 2/3 full.
6.  Bake for 18 - 20min; let stand in pan for 5min then remove to wire rack...if baked in paper liners remove them immediately. 

Enjoy!

Dinner: Papa Johns!

I had a pretty stressful day yesterday, so when I finally got home at 4:30pm last evening...I couldn't think of a thing to make for dinner.  When that happens - I pick up the phone and dial Papa for dinner - lol.  I also like the other usual suspects...it is just that I am into Papa Johns right now.

The best thing is that we are supposed to get socked in with snow this weekend AND it is Super Bowl weekend...so I ordered extra larges and it should last me the whole weekend!  Rock on!!!

Go Green?! Save $700 a Year!!!

Perfect...in My Own Mind: Go Green?! Save $700 a Year!!!

Go Green?! Save $700 a Year!!!

I am not a huge green person, but I do worry over the size of landfills and amount of packaging everything seems to have (need?) these days...it seems like one trip to Wal-Mart fills up my entire kitchen trash can and I am on a budget... who isn't?  So, I try to save money wherever I can!

Here are the few things that I like to do:

1.  Recycle glass, plastic and cans - I pay more for my service, but to me it is worth the few dollars more a month (it makes me feel better too and who can't stand ot feel better?).

2.  Use re-chargable batteries...anyone who has a baby or who has had one around knows that they come with a landslide of batteries (all different sizes).  Well, I couldn't get the hang of this until the amount of batteries became more managable (when he was almost 2).  This not only keeps them out of the landfill, but it also saves me money.  The math...a pack of 4 AA batteries usually cost me about $5 or more...depending on where I buy them and I was replacing them pretty much every week (in my baby monitor), so that was costing me $20 month and $260 a year (some months have more than 4 weeks)!  The rechargable batteries cost $12 for 4, but they last a LONG time...I am still using the ones I bought over a year ago.  So, $12 or $260 - you decide! 

3.  Use & re-use the cloth bags at the grocery store - I try to remember everytime, but if I don't I save the plastic bags and use them for trash bags in my bathrooms.  This saves the landfills and probably saves money at the grocery store too...they cost money and the grocery store doesn't charge us (some do now, but not mine), so the cost is rolled into the food that I buy or cuts in the salaries of the employees that I LOVE!

4.  Use rags instead of papertowels - this is a pain sometimes, but I usually wash them about once a month all together on sanitary, which makes it easier to deal with - because I don't like to wash the chemicals and germs with my clothes on anything but sanitary (if your washer doesn't have sanitary - use hot water and bleach).  This also not only saves the landfills, but my wallet...if I pay $8 for a pack of 6 (big) rolls...and nothing for rags (I use old towels, t-shirts, kitchen towels etc, but you can buy them at Lowe's or Home Depot and they come in a cool box dispenser).  If I use them to clean everything all week - I use the whole pack - that is $8 a week...which is $416 a year!!!  Now, to be fair - I still use them for stuff and would probably use the pack wihtin a month, which cost me $96 a year, so the real savings is $320 a year - still impressive in my book!!!  So, free or $320 a year - you decide!

5.  Crackin' the code on household cleaners - I am still working on this one, but instead of buying Clorox Anywhere - I mix my own bleach with the correct amount of water (according to the label) to make it safe for my family and put it in a spray bottle myself (clearly marked).  I am also working on this with Amonia (but I hate the smell and am still working on it).  If you read your cleaners in your cupboard now...these are the two ingredients they have, but they also have a lot of other stuff...frangrances etc that may or may not be good for your family.  (NEVER mix the two, bleach/ammonia - the fumes can kill you!)  I gased myself when I was pregnant - not fun.  This saves the landfill and money too!  A bottle of ammonia cleaner cost about $3 for 32oz, which lasts me about a month - or ammonia which cost $5 for 3 quarts, which lasts me about 2yrs...so $156 or $2.50 a year - you decide!      

Dinner: Raiding the Freezer?

Well, I have already cooked a meal and a half today - I roasted a Butterball Turkey breat (the Herb one) to have for sandwich meat and froze enough for 1 meal for my family for later and then for lunch I made yummy Ham, Cheese & Veggie Rotini, put enough for a second lunch in the fridge for friday and froze the rest.  The recipe is as follows:

8oz Rotini Pasta (I used the veggie kind great colors and it has a whole serving of veggies all by itself)
1/2 pkg frozen california mix vegetables
1/2 lb cubed ham
2 tbsp milk, plus 1 cup of milk
2 tbsp of all purpose flour
1 tbsp of butter
1/2 package shredded cheddar chees or approx 1 cup

1.  Cook pasta according to package. 
2.  When pasta is 5min out from being done - add the veggies and the ham; cook the rest of the time according to the package; drain.
3.  After you put in the ham and veggies make the sauce; put 2 tbsp flour & 2 tbsp milk in a cup and stir until smooth, pour into pan with 1 tbsp butter and turn on the burner (if you turn on the burner first you might burn the flour - I did this today - oops!) 
4.  When pan starts to get hot - stir constantly and whisk in the 1 cup of milk; stir constantly for 1 - 2 min (should thicken). 
5.  Reduce heat to Lo and stir in cheese until smooth again.
6.  Pour over drained pasta, ham & veggies and stir to coat - then serve!
Yummy!!!

The turkey I just followed the directions...bake it in the oven on 325degrees F for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs until meat thermo reads 170degrees F. 

So, I am raiding the freezer for dinner tonight...I have some turkey lunch meat that needs to be eaten today or I am going to throw it out.  Wish me luck!

Health Care Reform Debate Continues...

Here is a comment from my StepDad.  He is up on lots of political stuff and has this to say:

There may be a lot things in our health care system that need fixed, but government intervention in the health care industry is the reason it is so expensive today. I have read quite a few different versions of both houses bill's over the last few months and the main consistent thrust in both amounts to a bailout for the insurance industry. I mean, really, buy insurance or go to jail? At least it will create a few jobs in the prison industry.


The Senate version does in fact restrict Medicare and transfer money from that system to the new system in the latest version I could find.

The other statistic I will comment on is the 47 million without healthcare insureance. That number is pretty specious. Even the white house has admitted it includes up to 12 million illegal aliens. It also includes prisoners (both federal and state), and closer to home, it includes the military (Tri-care is not considered insurance). It also includes folks who do not want insurance for a variety of reasons, the Amish/Mennonites and other religous groups, the young and bulletproof folks who would rather buy a widescreen than insurance. I have some serious heartburn with government stats designed to tell a different story than the honest one.

I guess my bottom line is, if the current system has some issues, fix them. The current legislation is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Even is the number is 47 million, and did not include an insurance company bailout, I want to know how we are going to pay for it! Our official projected deficit is $1.3 Trillion dollars, before healthcare, cap and trade and not including the two wars we are involved in.

To put a trillion dollars into perspective. If you were given a trillion dollars on the birthday of Christ and spent one million dollars a day, you would still be a billionaire today.

Very informative - again I need to find these bills and get educated before I comment.

What's for Dinner? Ham & Beans Soup

This meal costs less than $10 to make (even with the dumplings or easy rolls and a fruit) and it feeds my family of 3 for at least 3 meals!  This means that it is only $1.11 a meal!!! Whoooo hooo!

I LOVE this recipe and it is sooooo easy - one pan for real!  Get a bag of mixed dried beans...I like the Hurst HamBeens Brand 15 bean bag, but your grocery store probably has a generic bag too.  Or you can mix it yourself, it should equal one lbs before they are cooked...I like the one with the following:

baby limas
big limas
split peas
kidney beans
pinto beans
northern beans
blackeye peas
garbonzo  beans
crannberry beans
pink beans
small red beans
lentils
navy beans
black beans
white kidney beans

You'll need:
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic, minced
salt/pepper
1 tbsp oregano

1.  I follow the quick directions on the package and rinse and drain the beans well.
2.  I put them in 3qts of water and bring to a boil. 
3.  When at a rolling boil; reduce heat cover and cook for 60 - 70 min.
4.  Add diced ham (or you can add beef, chicken really anything you want or no meat at all), onion, chili powder, lemon juice, garlic, salt & pepper to taste (I usually put in about 3-4shakes of salt and 2 shakes of pepper) and oregano.
5.  Cover again and simmer for 30 - 40min.

I like to serve this with some kind of bread...(you don't need to it has plenty of 20g of carbs), but I like it with homemeade dumplings (see Dinner Turned Out Great-Jan 27) or quick rolls (see Quick Easy Bisquick Rolls-Jan 31) and a fruit either homemade applesauce (see What's for Dinner?  Boston Butt in the Crock Pot - Jan 21), pinapple chunks etc.  (I tried to link these, but am still learning how to do these things...if you know please share!)

Ugh - BIG FLOP!

I made something today for lunch that SUCKED!!!  I made those Bisquick rolls that I put on my blog from last night again...only this time I put bacon/cheese in 1/2 of them and apples/cinnamon in the other half - they both sucked!  I was thinking that the bacon/cheese ones would be good with lettuce & tomato - kinda like a BLT and the apple/cinnamon ones would be good for an afternoon or before bed snack - NOPE!

The bacon/cheese ones were wayyyy too salty and the apple/cinnamon ones needed some sugar...  I think the Bisquick powder is too salty and must find an alternative...but I am determined - so I will keep you posted!

DIY Sunday - Turned into DIY Monday Morning...

Well, I didn't quite get the door knob put on Sunday, but managed to get it on today...maddening!!!  It is not complicated just that you need to be an octopus to put it all together, hold it and screw it at the same time - LOL.  Also, my doors have these lovely brass plates (that came with the house not really keen on them...that made it extra hard. 

I just left the plate off!  I don't like it anyway...  Now, I am thinking that I want to replace all my door knobs with some less flashy ones (mine are all brass) like maybe a nice burnished copper or antique silver...

Oh well, it is done for now - more later on the door knob project.  Thanks to you anonymous for the tip on the hole in the bedroom door knobs, but for some reason this is a real key lock (like a front door) and I am not sure at all where the key is...  I do plan on leaving the b-room alone as it is a normal bathroom knob and will open with the little key over the door.

Hearty Oat Banana Flapjacks - Ditch the Syrup!

Recipes QuakerOats.com

Wow a share button...who'd a thunk it! I love to make these for my son and freeze them. Click on the above to link to the recipe. 

They are a much healthier alternative to store frozen waffles and pancakes and he likes them without syrup - whooo hooo! One batch feeds him breakfast for about 2 weeks, if he eats them everyday.  I do give him the store ones too - he likes them, but I feel better giving him these too.

I highly recommend the above website and the cookbook (called Quaker Breads, Cookies, Muffins ,Snacks and More! available at Wal-Mart and it has tear out recipe cards to put in your recipe box or folder), the above recipe calls for syrup...I think you should try it without first - my son and I LOVE it sans syrup.

Let me know if the link works...

Quick Easy Bisquick Rolls...So Easy My Husband Could Do It!

I made leftovers for dinner tonight...we had the Pepper & Olive (but no pasta) with the baked chicken from last night.  Instead of the shell pasta I made the easiest rolls EVER!  I didn't put anything in them tonight, but think they would be excellent with herbs, such as oregano,basil etc or fruit & spices, such as apples & cinnamon...I will let ya know how these come out.

Quick Easy Bisquick Rolls

2 1/4 cups Bisquick
8 oz sour cream
1/2 cup of margarine, melted

1.  Preheat oven to 350degrees F.
2.  Stir 2 cups of Bisquick, sour cream and margarine together until moist through.
3.  Make 36 balls of dough...sprinkle with the 1/4 cup of Busquick to make smooth; put three balls in each cup of a muffin pan.
4.  Bake for 15 - 20 min until golden.

Here We Go Again!

Really, I have had enough of this stuff!!!

Ugh!!!

DIY Sunday

I can't imagine I am the only one with a TON of "do it yourself" projects in the hopper just waiting to be done (of course by me - lol). 

So, I am going to start DIY Sunday!  Today, as soon as my little man wakes up from his nap - I intend to change his door knob.  He has one that locks right now and that is a recipe for disaster!  Luckily, he has not locked himself in yet...but he can lock the doors - he has locked me in my room several times (good thing I was inside instead of outside my room - lol).  I haven't decided what to do about the other locking doors.  I hate to change them all out, because when we have guests I want them to be able to have a lock...  Let ya know what I come up with and a report on how it goes for me today. 

What's for Dinner? Baked Chicken and Pepper & Olive Pasta

Sorry no pics...I forgot.  This came out really good!!! It also has all the servings of veggies you need for an entire day. Whoooo hooo!


Baked Chicken

1/2 cup mayonaise
1/4 cup parmesean cheese grated
3 shakes oregano
2 shakes basil
2 shakes thyme
3 chicken breasts halved (about 1.5lbs)

1.  Preheat oven to 425degrees F.
2.  Put all ingredients in a plastic zipper bag and shake.
3.  Put chicken breasts in baking dish and bake for  20min or until juice is no longer pink, but clear.
4.  Cut chicken breast into slices or serve whole with below pasta.

Pepper, Olive Pasta

6 oz of pasta shells
2 tbsp olive oil
1 red pepper chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 onion chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic
1 can medium pitted black olives
2 tbsp cream cheese

1.  Cook pasta according to package until al dente.
2.  Put olive oil, red & green pepper, onion and garlic in med to large dutch oven or very large skillet; cook for 5min or until tender crisp.
3.  Add tomatoes and olives and simmer for 15min without lid.
4.  Stir in 2 tbsp of cream cheese and serve over pasta.

Enjoy!

Dinner was Goooooood!

The beans were a last minute addition...didn't want to do plain green beans, so cut up 3pc of bacon and cooked in frying pan, then I sauted a a Roma tomato sliced with a med onion chopped and 1 clove of garlic minced in 2tsp of the bacon grease. Drained the green beans a little and then combine it all and voila! 

What's for Dinner? Carolina Barbecued Pork (in the Crock Pot)

Sorry didn't get this one posted sooner - needs at least 6hrs so eat later - kay? 

2 onions, quartered
2 tbsp brown sugar packed
1 tbsp papreika
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 (3lb) pork shoulder roast or boston butt
3/4 cup cider venegar
4 tsp Worstershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp crushed red peper flakes
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Hamburger Buns

1.  Place the onions in the Crock Pot slow cooker.
2.  Combine the brown sugar, paprika, salt and pepper and rub generously all over meat; set in crock on top of onions.
3.  Combine vinegar, worstershire, red pepper, sugar, mustard, garlic salt and cayenne pepper, mix well.
4.  Drizzle 1/2 of venegar mixure over the roast and put the other 1/2 in the fridge.
5.  Cover and cook for 10hrs on low and 6hrs on high.
6.  Remove meat and onions chop the onions and shred the meat; serve on buns and drizzle remaining vinegar mixture on meat in sandwiches.

I am also going to attempt to make homemade hamburger buns:

3 1/2 to 3 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine softened
1 tsp salt
1pkg regular or quick active dry yeast
1/2 cup very warm water 120 - 130degrees F
1/2 cup very warm milk 120 - 130 degrees F
1 large egg

1.  Mix 2 cups of flour, sugar, butter, salt and yeast in a large mixing bowl.
2.  Add warm water, warm milk and egg.
3.  Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 min scraping sides of bowl frequently; beat on med speed for 1 min scraping frequently.
4.  Stir in remaining flour to make dough easy to handle (not too much flour - makes them tough and chewy)
5.  Place dough on lightly floured surface. knead about 5 min or until is smooth and springy; place in large bowl, lightly cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for about 1 hr or until double. (Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched - thanks Betty Crocker).
6.  Grease two round cake pans with shortening.
7.  Gently push fist into dough to deflate; divide dough into 7 - 8 equal parts; shape each piece into a ball; place in pan; brush with melted butter (if desired).
8.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 30 min or until double.
9.  Heat oven to 375degrees F; bake 12 - 15min or until golden brown.

Wish me luck!

My Take on the State of the Union Address...

Well, I did get through the State of the Union Address...to me it is like reading a holy book...you know you should do it, but it is just so darn hard to understand!


Here's my take...

First he talked about how he understands everything from the American people perspective...Really?

Then, he laments the bailout, but decrees it was necessary. ok.

Throughout the speech I caught on that Obama wants to tackle lots of stuff (not necessarily in this order) including:

1. National Export Initiative
2. Education Investments/Making College Affordable (increasing Pell)
3. Climate Change/Green Energy - High Speed Rail Roads WTH?
4. Health Care Insurance Reform
5. American Innovation
6. Tax Cut/Tax Credits
7. Civil Rights - Equal Pay for Women
8. Fix Immigration/Secure Borders
9. Beef up Homeland Security
10. Bring Troops Home from Iraq by Aug/Change "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy of Military
11. Bolster Small Business to Create Jobs/Grow Economy
12. Sanction Iran and North Korea

Wow...sounds excellent!!!! How are we going to pay for it? We’ll just put the costs in next years budget...because that is how a budget works...WTH????

He was also able to weave the resilience, strength, hope and spirit of the American people throughout the speech.

He also talked about stopping the Congress political parties attacks on each other...I find this amusing with Pelosi and Biden sitting behind him. (Pelosi, because she is so guilty of it and Biden, because he makes it so easy!)

OMG, did Harry Reid just yawn during the President's comments on the economy??? Oh yes he did...he's toast!

Obama says the nation that leads in clean energy technology will lead the global economy...Really? Last I checked it was China and India who's economies were doing the best and they are not so green...am I wrong?

He then ended with the spirited cry "We will not quit"...yeah - I think...however, some of the things he wants to do - I want him to quit...what do you think?




 

More Ideas on Health Care Reform...

Here are some more ideas from my wise cousin (the health care professional) on health care reform.  This was VERY informative to me and I plan to check out more...

Health Care needs to be Universal- available to everyone. That would cover the problem of people who are able to purchase insurance but the insurance companies turn them down due to pre-existing conditions or drop them due to pre-existing. It must be affordable. We paid nearly one thousand dollars per month for private insurance for many years. Neither of us working in a position with benefits. We are luckily able to pay that but what if our income couldn't support such a high policy. And neither of us are high risk for insurance purposes. So, Universal includes that it is available and affordable
Neither the Senate version nor the House version calls for any cuts or changes to Medicare. NEITHER Version calls FOR CHANGES IN MEDICARE. The House version is more liberal and will cover more people but does include increased taxes. The Senate bill has more "pork" and special interest allocation but is more conservative. Neither bill is perfect, but it can be tweaked as areas are identified. I would have preferred the House bill, even if it increased taxes as it is more comprehensive but either will start the process. Ironically losing the ability to break a filabuster may cause the Dems in the house to pass the Senate bill rather than lose all efforts at reform. So, the Rebublicans may shoot themselves in the foot if they refuse to act on anything.

There has been a lot of hype about rationing care...it is already happening daily. Drs are definitely quicker to order expensive tests like MRIs or CT scans on insured persons than on non-insured persons (research supported statement but I don't have time to find citations). And most of the time a good old fashion, cheap x-ray would give them the info they need. Not as good but unless the patient is getting worse why use it as a first line of dx. The answer malpractice. Now that is a place for reform but lets not go there today. Practicing defensive medicine costs huge amounts of money and limits on malpractice should be part of healthcare reform.

I saw a poll that said 50% of Americans were against the reform, 47% were for it, and basically the other 3% didn't know. The number of didn't know should be much higher. Have you read either of these monstrously long bills? I have read parts but the average American only knows what they have seen on TV. So, if you watch Fox you are going to think one way and NBC the opposite. I am 100% for people being active in telling their representatives what they want but in issues that require specialized knowledge it is difficult for people to understand the real issues at hand.

47 million Americans without healthcare. And when they do get sick, our rates go up to cover their bills. Typically the uninsured do not get preventive healthcare so when they present it is usually to an ER with a costly plan to help them. We definitely need reform in this country-our leaders know that and have been talking about since the 60's. Are we going to talk about it and do nothing for the next 50 years? Lets start with something and then make changes to get it right.

What's for Dinner - Leftovers Again

Having left over chicken veggie/bean soup with dumplings from last night...good thing too - had to go to the grocery store and ran outta time to do anything else - LOL.

Yeah - I Got a Comment - Thanks Shannon!

Whooo hooo, I feel so special now...someone found my blog and commented!  Thanks again Shannon! 

Dinner Turned Out Great!

Dinner last night was GREAT!  I ended up adding about a cup and a half of chicken broth...I like more broth - and then I threw some herb dumplings off in there (I use a half recipe - so half of the below)...

2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1 tsp thyme leaves
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp shortening
3/4 cup milk

1.  Mix flour, spices, baking powder and salt in medium bowl, mix well.
2.  Cut in shortening until it looks like fine crumbs. (I don't have a pastry blender, so I use a bamboo spatula)
3.  Stir in milk.
4.  Drip dough by spoonfuls into boiling broth and cook uncovered for 10min, then cover and cook another 10min.

(hint: take the dumplings out of the soup/stew before you turn off the heat...otherwise they get soggy).

Yummy!!!

What's for Dinner? Chunky Chicken Soup

Well, so much for the warm snap we had yesterday...today is cold again and time for some comfort food!!!  I love soup when it is cold and yucky outside...  This soup is extra good, because it has all the meat and veggies plus the kidney beans for a carb - so all you need to have with this is a fruit...  I am having pears.

3/4 lb boneless chicken breasts 1/2" cubed
1 med - large onion chopped
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic (I like fresh - 3 cloves minced)
2 tsp olive oil or vegetable oil
2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 cans vegetable broth
1 can white kidney beans (2 cans  is better, but I only have 1)
1 can mixed vegetables (2 is better, but I only have 1)
2 tbsp chives
3/4 tsp Italian seasoning...I don't like it - so (4 shakes oregano, 3 shakes basil, 2 shakes salt and 2 shakes thyme)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1.  In dutch oven, saute onion, garlic and chicken in oil until no longer pink. 
2.  Stir in flour until blended; gradually add broth; bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2min.
3.  Reduce heat; stir in beans, vegetables and seasonings.
4.  Cook, stirring occassionally for 8-10min. 
5.  Serve and sprinke with mozzarella.

Yummy!!!!  Let me know if you do this and how it turns out.  I will let ya know how it goes for me tonight too.