10 Day YOU Challenge: {Day 1} 10 secrets

I am being a copy cat.  

Doing what the cool kids do.  

Following along like a sheep...

Which, if you knew me at all is completely against my grain.  

I don't follow memes, I am the leader of the pact not the sheep blindly following...

Why, you ask am I being a copy cat and following along....

well, because...

This is AWESOME!!

I am also smart enough to know I don't have to reinvent the wheel when there is a super awesome one right next to me...

So, a few days ago I was blog surfing {my favorite activity} and discovered Because (I think) I Can.  The name alone pulls me in, I love it!!  I am skimming along looking over craft projects(very cool), pictures of kids(too cute!), secrets, huh? What? Secrets...I stop and really read.  She explains that she has never really talked about 'Who is Because (I think) I Can', and I think..."hmm neither have I"... then I think, "well, I haven't because it's hard!"

So, I continue to read Leanne's challenge posts and they are funny and serious and I feel as though I know her.  She would be an awesome friend to have. 

So, I am posting my own YOU Challenge posts.  Like Leanne, I am gonna spread this out and not do it all in 10 days.  I don't think you all need to know that much about me that fast...lol. 

Alright...Day 1....10 Secrets....

1) I can't sing to save my life.  Really...I can't sing!!  Not only can I not hold a tune, I can't remember song lyrics..

2) Speaking of Memory...I have NONE.  I can't remember what I ate for breakfast let alone what happened two months ago.  People will say, "Don't tell anyone this is a secret" and I'm like 'ohh, its okay, I wont remember what you told me in an hour.'  It's not that I don't take stock in the event, I just honestly can't remember.  I have to look in my children's baby books to remember their time of birth stats.

3) I am a closet Twilight Junkie...Yes, I am one of those TwiMom Fans who has read the FanFic and all...

4) You know that Perky Perfect person in high school that you wanted to barf on every time you saw them?  Well, mine grew up to be a labor and delivery nurse!  Yep...My Perfect Perky Barf worthy classmate was the person who got to tend to me while I recovered from my first C-section.  I may or may not have said some ugly words to her...I can't remember.

5) I once told my children that if they didn't behave I was going to lock them in the closet. I was not serious at all but they stopping fighting.  I tried it again a few months later thinking I'd get the same results...My daughter looked at me all serious and said..."You can't do that Momma.  There aren't any locks on the closet doors."  She was 4.  That was the day I realized my children (specially daughter) was smarter than me!

6) I have NO IDEA what I want to be when I grow up.  Before my children were born, I worked in the educational field.  Then I worked in Business Management.  But I have been a Stay at Home Mom since 2007.  I have tried off and on to go back into management, but really why hire me, who has watched Disney for the last 4 years, or  some kid fresh out of college.  Looking at my resume, I would pick the college kid.  No baggage, cheap, and easy to mold.

7) There are days that I drop the kids off at school then come home and check my email and facebook,.  Then log on to Pinterest and before I even realize what has happened my phone is beeping at me to tell me it is time to pick up the kids.  I am still in my PJs.

8) When I was a teenager, I didn't have any rules or structure at all.  I am often amazed that I survived.  The term raised by wolves could apply.  I am in a constant internal debate on how I want to parent my own children.  Knowing I don't what to give them what I had, but also not wanting to overcompensate for my own lack of parental guidance.   I had to learn lessons the hard way.  I learned them and they made me a strong independent individual, I want that for my children.  But also I don't want them to learn all the hard lessons that I learned. 

9) I don't take a shower everyday...and honestly have know idea when I shaved my legs last.  {Leanne--I haven't had a baby in 8 yrs, don't feel bad about that one}

10) I own 16 pairs of yoga pants.  12 of them are black or should I say varying shades of black.  I own 22 Old Navy Tees in every color but white.  I own 8 pairs of flip flops.  1 pair of tennis shoes and 2 pairs of converse.  I own 2 pairs of jeans.

Wow! 

This was a lot harder than I thought it would be!! 

Read More »

No Cooking Needed…

Being Gluten Free can sometimes feel limiting.  Can sometimes feel like a cloud following you around, a constant reminder, that ‘YEP, things are different now’…

Pretty pictures inspire me, remind me, and motivate me…

So, today I have a collection of pretty pictures to remind us{me} that Gluten Free food can be fun and easy.  Very yummy, kid friendly, and of course lazy mommy approved.

Veggies:

Store Bought Hummus and some quick chop veggies!  Making hummus is as easy as pulling out your food processor/blender if you feel so inclined.

A bag of salad, a container of grape tomatoes and a few slices of peppers or onions and you too could be eating this plate of beauty!  

Be careful which dressing you choose to top your salad.

FRUIT:

The SUPER Food…I could eat fruit for every meal and still want some for a snack.  I love a wide variety of fruit, but Strawberries will always be my favorite.

  

Strawberries and cream…either yogurt or ice cream!!

While we have the fruit out, there are a few other things to make. 

 

island-oasis.tumblr.com

 

Guilty Pleasure:

When all else fails and you just want that grab and freedom that the rest of the world have….you would never guess exactly how great a batch of Salsa and Chips can make you feel.  Full, spicy, and just enough salt to get you over that crunchy salty craving.  And because salsa is full of GOOD FOR YOU tomatoes you can eat tons of it…(not the chips though)

 

NUTS:

You know those little bitty snack size baggies that aren’t good for much…they are great for nuts!!  Fill up a few with handfuls of nuts, dried fruit, chex cereal, and any other item your heart desires(marshmallows) and leave them everywhere…then when you are out and about…You have a snack ready to go…no thinking necessary…

 

There are other foods that are Gluten Free as well, but these caught my eye today.  Easy, no cooking, minimal mess, travel well, and if purchased in season you can get these item fairly inexpensively.

Please let me know what quick snacks you like have around.  What do you do when you need inspiration or motivation? 

P.S....I have linked the pictures that had recipes back to the source on Pinterest, the others were google images.

Read More »

Testing Out Windows Live Writer…

 

I have heard that it is much easier to format your posts using this program.

I do have all of my fonts available to play with…  not that I would go crazy like that all the time.  I also have better color control.  

 

If I was an emoticon type of person I could have a field day…But what I think I like the best so far is the automatic spell corrector!!  I couldn’t win a spelling bee to save my life and here I am writing for the world!!  I am sure you are are all shaking your head at all of my typos and horrible configured sentences.  I can’t help it!  I just start typing and it all just flows out…like I’m having one really long conversation with myself…the experts (Pioneer Woman) says to write as if I was talking to my sister.  I am really goofy.  Well, my sister says I am…so I’m pretty sure y’all think I am too…lol


. 

---

Ohhh, I like that…I can add a separator too…



BUT…I can’t push enter to go to the next line…what’s up with that?  I just discovered that backspace will undo everything you just did…like inserting a picture and erasing text…here, lets try that again…

 

This is avery when she was 1.5 years old.  yeah, I know, she is a cutie…she knew she was a cutie!!

 

And here are Avery and Cole this Christmas…They really are very silly!!

So, in all seriousness, this program is very easy to use.  It makes several post formatting tasks very simple.  But, unless I am doing something wrong…the simplest task…hitting enter to go to the next line…is not available…that is just silly!!

There are tons of picture formatting options, like watermarking, frames, and even simple color retouching.  Hmmmm, it even has making a table as an insert!

 

If one of my readers uses this program, could you please tell me if I am missing something, because I really do not like that I can’t push enter to get to the next line…so silly…see I told you I was a goof!

Okay


, that’s it for my fun experimenting…(this was really all just to avoid going to the grocery store)….Off to the grocery store I go…

Read More »

My Dream Kitchen...

I like my kitchen. 

It is nice. 

Reds, Blues, & Yellows...
Trying for the 'French Country' Look....

I have lived in it for 12 years. 

I would love something new...

source

source

source

This is just tooo cute!!

source

I would say I have a theme...

Not too sure those colors would go great with the deep reds of the family room which is attached to the kitchen...

our chocolate leather couch would look very good with the blue though...

Hmmm, who wants to come over for a painting party??

Read More »

Just Don't Eat Wheat

"Just don't eat Wheat." 

How hard could that be.  

When you first think Gluten Free or Celiac Disease, that is the thought that comes to mind.  

Then you do research and it is so much more than just wheat.  As if one could say "just wheat"...

You find pages and pages of lists like this one:

DON’T EAT THIS

Wheat in any form (includes white flour, all-purpose flour, wheat flour, pastry flour, cake flour, bread flour, spelt, emmer, farro, bulgur, durum, einkorn, couscous, wheat berries, farina, graham, kamut, matzo, semolina, wheat starch, triticale) and ingredients made from those items (bread, pasta, pizza dough, cakes, cookies, pies, breadcrumbs, croutons, etc). Soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and other wheat-based sauces, unless specifically labeled gluten free. Seitan also contains wheat.

Barley this includes the grain itself and products made from barley malt: malt vinegar, barley malt syrup, malted milk, etc.

Rye

Beer unless it’s gluten free

Oats oats don’t inherently contain gluten, but are often cross-contaminated. Try certified gluten-free oats if you can tolerate them.


from Laura B. Russell, Notes from a Gluten Free Kitchen

 

THEN YOU DO MORE RESEARCH...

Modified Food Starch is GLUTEN
Modified starch, also called starch derivatives, are prepared by physically, enzymatically, or chemically treating native starch, thereby changing the properties of the starch.[1] Modified starches are used in practically all starch applications, such as in food products as a thickening agent, stabilizer or emulsifier; in pharmaceuticals as a disintegrant; as binder in coated paper. They are also used in many other applications.

This stuff is in EVERYTHING!!

Did you know wheat is in Wall Paper Paste, yeah...crazy...I know! It can all become very overwhelming. There were days were I wanted to throw every single item in my kitchen away. There were days when I just had to laugh at myself. And there were a few day that I really did just sit down and cry.

Being Gluten Free is more than just wheat. Wheat is more than just Wheat...It is vitamins, shampoo, and wall paper paste. I promise the first month is hard. Adjusting to anything is hard.

• The first month of grocery shopping and weeding through your cabinets is time consuming.  
• You may find yourself standing in the aisle at your local grocery store talking to a box of Uncle Ben's Rice.(NOT GF)  
• Your husband may tell you that food is more important than him.  
• Pinterest may become your best friend.

But, I also promise that it gets better.

Here is what I have learned about the DO NOT EAT LIST....practically every condiment, combined spice, and recipe staple is on the LIST.  Pinterest has great recipes---Everything from Ranch Dressing to Cream of Whatever Soup.  I actually like cooking, it is the cleaning after that has always been my downfall.  It is easier to make what I need than have to read all the tiny print and worry, or to call the 1-800 number.  Sometimes calling the 1-800 number will get you coupons :).  And lastly being Gluten Free isn't a death sentence.  It isn't horrible.  It is just different and it takes dedication, time, planning, and patience.

P.S.
This info is also on Laura B. Russell's website, it really helps to explain how once foods leave their natural or whole state, they can become glutened. I have just discovered her recipes and really look forward to trying a few. Please visit her site for information on her cookbook The Gluten Free Asian Kitchen.

BE SKEPTICAL

Once a food ventures from its original state, it is suspect. If there’s more than one ingredient listed on a package, read it. It may be perfectly safe, but you’ll need to do your homework before drawing that conclusion. Remember: the more additives, the harder it will be to decipher. Be on guard.

Examples:

Green tea is gluten free, but flavored teas could contain gluten, possibly in the form of barley malt sweetener.

A roasted turkey is gluten free. Sliced deli turkey could contain gluten as a binder.

Homemade salad dressing, made from olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs is gluten free. Bottled salad dressings may contain gluten as a thickener.

Always check labels on soups and broths, candy, deli items, sauces and condiments, dairy products (ice cream, sour cream, buttermilk…can potentially contain gluten), anything packaged, processed, or “flavored”. Even prescription medications, vitamins, and supplements are at risk.

Read More »

Meal Plan {2/13-2/19} Making Do...

So, as I have said in the past....I am great at making a plan.  It is the follow through that I struggle with....

Last week I made a wonderful meal plan, I had it all mapped out, wrote out my grocery list and then went to the store and blew all of my food money on crap.  That is really the only way I can explain it.  I came home with crap.  No meat, no eggs, not even the yeast I needed to make my dough....I did at least get toilet paper and milk.  Those two items were on my list.

I blame the children.  If they hadn't been with me then I wouldn't of spent all of my grocery money on crap.  Yes, the crap was editable food, but nothing to make an actual meal with unless you consider  Marshmallow Pebbles a meal.  You could eat them with a side of Danimal Crush Cups...

So this week, I have a few things left over from last week and I have sworn to NEVER go to the grocery store with my children again!!!

Monday (2/13): Beefy Mac  {Homemade GF Hamburger Helper}

Tuesday (2/14): {Crockpot} I Love My Husband Ribs w/ Mashed Tators and Veggies

Wednesday (2/15): Grilled Chicken w/ Yellow Rice and Salad

Thursday (2/16): {Crockpot} 15 Bean Soup w/ Sausage (from last week)

My new Fiesta Ware Bowls!!!!  I <3 Fiesta Ware!!

Friday (2/17): Chicken Spaghetti *Recipe to come (from last week)

Saturday (2/18): Pork Stir Fry {The Hubs is in Charge}

Sunday (2/19): Fajitas

Monday (2/20): Left Overs

Tuesday (2/21):  {Crockpot} Chicken Noodle Soup

I link up every week at Organizing Junkie, because even before we started this Gluten Free way of life and I wrote out our meals on the backs of envelopes or kid's school work, I always visited her site for inspiration.

Read More »

Kid Friendly- Gluten Free -Snacks {Lazy Mom Approved}

Since being GLUTEN FREE what we eat has changed.  Our kitchen has done a 180....Our snacking habits have too.

We are definitely eating a better quality of food and the quantity has lowered considerably.  I am not sure why that is, I guess whole foods fill you up faster and longer than all those gluten rich crackers and cookies do...

So, here is a list of what we eat from breakfast to lunch to after school snacks.  They are all quick, simple, and kid friendly.  If it is something I cook, I cook it in mass and keep extra in the freezer.  I will update this list with recipe links and pictures as I make the next batch of goodies.  Most is pretty self explanatory though...

BREAKFAST

• Yogurt with Honey Nut Chex crumbled on top.
• Super Fancy Fruit and Yogurt Parfait   {Picture}
• Pamela's Muffins, I add blueberries or bananas to the batter.  Make 2 batches at once.  Kids nuke for a minute and YUMM, breakfast is done.
• Eggies To Go Cups {Recipe coming soon}

 LUNCH

• Cut Cheese Stick in half (width) & wrap w/ Lunch Meat. x2
• Kabob Skewer loaded with Black Olives, Grape Tomatoes, Peperoni, and Chunks of Cheese.  Could add other pizza topping...
• Waffle PB&J...I make a huge batch of waffles, she eats them like bread.  I've used GF Bisquick Mix and Pamela's mix, so far the Bisquick was better for waffles.
• LEFT OVERS...I bought Avery one of those $15 Thermos way back in the day...it is the best!!!  It keeps her lunch warm for hours!!  I nuke her food in the morning fill up the thermos and tada her lunch is done!!  

SNACKS

• Popcorn Chex Mix {My Favorite}
• Popcorn with any topping
• Fruit, Fruit, Fruit...LOTS of Fruit!!
• Rice Cakes with Jelly {Avery's Favorite}
• Bananas drizzled w/ Hershey's Syrup {Cole's Favorite}
• Veggies, Veggies, Veggies....LOTS of Veggies!!

POPCORN CHEX MIX

Pop 1 bag of Microwave Popcorn.

In a gallon sized baggie add  the following:

1/2 cup Wal-Mart Brand Trail Mix.  Mountain or Indulgent

1/2 cup Honey Nut Chex

1/2 cup Rice Chex

Now add the popped popcorn, be sure to leave the unpopped kernels out of the mix.

Seal and shake well to mix up....

Eat and enjoy!! 

Read More »

Potato Soup in 1 Hour!

If you pay any attention to my Meal Plans, you will have noticed, I have completely been astray this week...oh well, schmit happens.

In South Texas, one of our cold fronts is a nice Spring day to most.  No matter where you live, temperature dropping below 50 degrees and being wet and rainy all day, is a great excuse to cook up some bone warming, comforting soup.  

Baked Potato Soup is my most favorite soup of all.  It is so rich and creamy.  One little cup will fill you up for hours, and if cooked properly you really can taste all the flavors of a Baked Potato.

I have been playing with this recipe for years.  I do that...I am really not a go by the book cook.  As you can tell.  My measurements are in chunks and handfuls.  I use what I have on hand and make due with what the outcome is, most times it is really very good.

So I present to you Potato Soup in about an hour...

6-8 Roughly peeled and chopped baking potatoes.
Boil in  4 qts water with a generous amount of salt.

Once the largest chunks of potato are starting to get tender, pour out 1/2 of the water.  Add a large chunk of Velvetta, 1 stick of butter, 1 qt Milk, 1 box of Broth (chicken or veggie), 1 handful of Bacon Bits and Sharp Cheddar Cheese, and 1 wooden spoon full of sour cream.

Stir all of that together until the Velveeta has melted and the sour scream is completely blended into the soup.  Now add whatever seasoning you like.  I keep it simple..Salt and LOTS of Pepper.   Simmer and stir till you are ready to eat.

If your soup is not as thick as you would like you can add a pinch or two of Instant Mashed Potatoes or more Velveeta.

If your soup is too thick, add more milk and/or broth.

Serve with Cheese and Bacon Bits.

*I have added left over steamed chopped veggies many times and it is always very very good.  I chop them with my Pampered Chef hand chopper until they are tiny little pieces.   It is a great way to get more veggies in and use up leftovers :)

Read More »

Bob's Chicken Noodle Soup

My husband likes to take over the kitchen about once a week.  Do I complain...hell no!!  On occasion he makes some pretty tasty dishes.  My favorite is his Chicken Noodle Soup.


Here is what you need:
1 Handy Dandy Slow Cooker
3-4 Chicken Breasts
Bag of Noodles (any shape)
Chicken Stock
Carrots (as many as you like)
Celery (2-3 stalks)
Onion (1 small)
Garlic
Mrs. Dash
Salt & Pepper


We have a LARGE family sized slow cooker, so everything is based on filling and feeding a family of 4 with plenty of leftovers.  You can adjust this to the amounts you need.

Fill crock of slow cooker with 4-6 cups Chicken Stock.
Chop Chicken and Carrots into bit sized chunks and add to broth.
Slice Celery and dice Onion, then add to broth.
Add a table spoon or so of minced Garlic. 
Season as much as you'd like.  My husband thinks Mrs. Dash seasoning is the best in the world and goes a bit crazy with it...
Cover and set to high about 4 hours.

When soup is done---
       Cook noodles in a separate pan.

To Serve----
       Each Bowl gets a scoop of noodles, then a slotted spoon of meat and veggies, then a ladle of broth.

Eat and Enjoy!

NOTES--

I know it seems funny to cook and serve it all separately.  My husband has a few quirks from childhood, we all do...just to give you an idea of where he is coming from.....His mother would cook a can of whatever on Monday and still be serving the leftovers on Friday.  My poor, sweet, husband had no idea that green beans were suppose to be CRISP.  So, we have hardly any canned food.  Left overs have to be a completely different meal.  And I own no Tupperware small enough to hold 2 tablespoons of mac-n-cheese.

Read More »

Quick & Easy Enchiladas

Do you have left over Taco Meat??  Do you LOVE Mexican food as much as we do?  Do you want a quick filling cheap meal idea?

Well, I've got one for you...

Preheat oven to 350.

Dump a large can of Rotel and a Chunk of Velveeta into a medium sauce pan. Stir well.


Once the cheese is almost melted, dump the left over Taco Meat into the pan.  Stir Well.   I used Hamburger, but this can be made with any meat you have on hand.




Spray a baking dish with oil and put a layer of corn tortillas in the bottom of dish.  You could also use stale chips.  I am using both in this dish.

Now, layer one third of the meat mixture, and a good sprinkle of shredded cheese.
Repeat layers like a lasagne, ending with a topping of shredded cheese.  Cover with foil.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Uncover and bake an addition 10 minutes.

Serve with Sour Cream, Pico de Gallo, Avacados, Rice & Beans, Salad, anything really.


Super Duper Easy!  Super Duper Yummy!

Enjoy :)

Also linked up at the Sleepy Sunday Linky Party

Read More »