Life Update

I finally started my diet! Its kind of been crazy since this whole whirlwind related to my arthritis began. I have to make a lot of changes and one of those changes was my diet. On Sunday I went out and purchased all the food I was supposed to have in order to do this diet they prescribed to me. I bought a weeks worth of food... for myself... and it cost me $75. That in itself will be a big adjustment. That like half a month's worth for the who family! Yikes!!!

Anyway, they say the first three days are the hardest. However, since I was at work, today wasn't so bad. Dinner was the worst though. I made spaghetti and meatballs for the family while I had salad. I will tell you something, I don't know that I like this  "no calorie" dressing they recommended. Taking the calories away took all the goodness. Hopefully I will get used to it because this is 6 weeks of my life for now, and really its several months of my life in the end.

I got a membership to a gym and started working out a little bit. I can't do a lot, but I will do what I can. Next week I hope to start some water exercise programs. They will help reduce the pain I am in when I do traditional workouts.

Now I just need some motivation to get me through. I would love to hear some motivational stories, quotes, or even health tips below. I've always found the blog community to be the most supportive and I look forward to having all of you on my journey!

4. Go Out With Friends

Make a date with the girls! It is especially hard for me (with young children), to find time for friends. This is where you have to get purposeful. Its important to let yourself have time without kids and without your man. Make a point to do something you enjoy. Shop, go to dinner, have a night on the town, whatever it is that makes you and your friends come alive.


Get silly, have fun, let go!

Spinach Mac & Cheese Casserole

Its the very last day of March and we will say farewell to the "What's For Dinner?" series. Tomorrow will bring a new series and the winner the Heroes of the City giveaway. I am so excited for all that "new"!!! I do have to apologize that there is no Bento today. The kids ended up not having "baby school" and things slipped away from me. However, I do have one last dinner to share... so enjoy!

Spinach Mac & Cheese Casserole 

Ingredients

• 1 can of spinach
• 2 boxes of mac and cheese
• milk & butter (to make mac and cheese)
• handful of crackers
• 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese

This is another simple recipe! First, boil mac and cheese as directed. While its cooking, drain the spinach. After draining, pour into a large bowl and set aside. Take crackers and put inside a plastic bag and crush. Pour into a small bowl and add Parmesan to crackers and set aside.

After noodles are finished, strain and pour into the large bowl with the spinach. I often like to use sour cream to replace milk. Remember, you will need a lot less milk because of the spinach.

Mix everything (including cheese packets) well. and pour into a casserole dish. Sprinkle with cracker mixture and place into oven for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

As you can see, my son gave me some lovely "flowers" to thank me for cooking dinner!

Shepherd's Pie Burgers

Shepherd's Pie Burgers, basically what is sounds like-it is. Shepherd's pie, made with a burger instead of ground beef. It was a popular dinner at my house so I figured I would share!

As many of you already know, I like to hide some extra veggies where I can with my cooking. My husband is not the biggest veggie eater, so its more for him than my children!

You will see how I used this technique in this meal especially!

Shepherd's Pie Burgers

Ingredients

• 4 cooked burgers
• 1 bag of mixed frozen veggies (or just peas would work)
• boxed mashed potatoes
• a handful of baby carrots (or one large carrot)
• sour cream
• milk and butter (for mashed potatoes)
• bacon/bacon bits

As I mentioned in the ingredients list, you must start with cooked burgers. I cooked these specifically for dinner, but it would be a good use for leftovers. Place them on a baking sheet. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

First, shred carrots. Make 6 servings of mashed potatoes, replacing a 1/4 of the milk for sour cream. It gives it a creamy, delicious flavor. Stir in the shredded carrots. Not only does this give it some color, it adds to the veggie intake!

Next, put a large spoonful of potatoes on each burger and press down the middle with a spoon. This should leave a little "bowl" in the middle of the potatoes.

Add veggies to the "bowl" and cover with more mashed potatoes.

After your burgers are covered, sprinkle them with bacon and place into the oven. Bake for 10-20 minutes until golden.

This is bested served with all the left over veggies you have from filling them! *wink*
It ended up being a hit at my house, which is always a pleasant surprise!

"The Chicken"

Without a better name for what I created today, I have labeled it "The Chicken" due to the fact it is so versatile. This shredded chicken dish can be used on toast, rice, salad, even as a sandwich. It is just that versatile! Since it was made in a crock pot, it was easy too!

"The Chicken"

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup of vinaigrette or Italian dressing
• 1 sliced pepper
• 1 bag of fresh mixed carrots and broccolli
• 1 can of Italian diced tomatoes
• 3 boneless chicken breasts, from frozen is fine.

In the morning place chicken, vinaigrette, and fresh broccoli and carrots in the crock pot on low.Stir so that the dressing covers everything. Add a little extra water or dressing if it seems dry.


Later that day use a fork to shred the chicken. An hour before serving stir in the can of tomatoes and the peppers. When ready to serve, stir once more.

See, easy!

I made some extra crunchy, baked and buttered toast to go with it. I also tried it on my salad, both delicious.

Decked Mac & Cheese

I won't lie, I LOVE macaroni and cheese. The cheap boxed stuff especially! However, it would get boring if I made my family eat just that on a regular basis. I don't. I make mac and cheese into lots of things! That is where today's recipe comes in!

Decked Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 boxes of mac and cheese
• 2 tablespoons of sour cream
• 1 tablespoon of butter or margrine
• 2- 3 of you favorite frozen or canned veggies (I used peppers, kidney beans, and green beans)
• 1 precooked chicken breast- cut into bite size peices
• Milk as needed

First, you place all frozen foods in pot with water for pasta. Bring to boil.

 Second, cook noodles according to box directions. Drain and remove from the heat. Add the cheese packets, sour cream, and butter. Stir until mixture completely covers the noodles. It may be thick at this time. The veggies will add some liquid.

Next, stir in the canned veggies.

Add milk if needed. Serve immediately. This can be served with some extra shredded cheese or breadcrumbs on top.

It was another hit for my family!

Kid Kabobs & Dr. Seuss Bentos

When you have a lot of leftovers, its sometimes hard to be creative. This meal was created out of my need for a main dish to use with all my leftover sides.

Kid kabobs can be made with any kind of meats you like, but its always best to use what ever you already have waiting in the refrigerator.I also added some extra veggies and fruit to my kabobs as well. This recipe is simple and easy.

Kid Kabobs

Ingredients

• 1 can of mandarin oranges 
• precooked chicken
• precooked hot-dogs
• cooked veggies
• kabob sticks

1. Create Kabobs mixing veggies and meat. 
   
   
   
2. Heat in the oven 350 degrees and cook until hot
3. Serve with left over sides!
    
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    School today ended up being canceled today, but I had already made a few bentos. That is good news for you!
   
   
   
   
   

What's For Dinner?: Chicken & Cheese Burritos

I am so excited to start this month's theme, "What's for dinner?" My husband has been bugging me for sometime to do this theme. I am often very creative with my pantry. I love casseroles and one pot meals. I also enjoy playing with ideas inspired by recipes.

Today I will be sharing something that is completely my own creation.

Chicken, Bean, and Cheese Burritos with Homemade Mexi-corn

 Ingredients

•  2 cups cut bell peppers
• 1 can of white chicken breast
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can of chili hot beans
• shredded cheese
• tortillas
• 1 can of corn
• 1 packet of burrito seasoning
• 1 diced tomato

In a big skillet cook chicken and 1.5 cups of peppers until peppers are soft.

Add seasoning packet and mix. Add water as directed by packaging. Drain black beans, but leave the hot beans. In a separate bowl, slightly mash both cans of beans.

Add beans to the meat and pepper mixture and heat until warm. Stir often. Preheat oven to 350. When the mixture is hot, fill tortillas. I like to put the cheese first because it makes rolling the burritos easier.

Place rolled burritos on a baking sheet and bake until cheese melts. (About 5-8 minutes)

While the burritos are in the oven cook the corn, tomatoes, and left over bell peppers over medium heat. Add seasoning to taste. Stir frequently.

Remove food from the oven and serve immediately or cool to freeze and use later.

My children ended up liking this fine, but my hubby loved it. I served to with apple sauce and some left over cranberry sauce from another meal. It could also be served with rice, refried beans, or a salad.

30 Before 30: 7 & 8

7. Throw a dinner party.

 Yes, I believe throwing a proper dinner party is a mark of adulthood. I don't mean a pizza party for adults either! I mean, full out, Martha style, with a theme party! I'm guilty of looking longingly at the rows of home and ladies' magazines, wishing  I was THAT woman. I dream of the perfectly decorated home and the lovely chicken and carrots roasting in my oven. That being said, if you have a pile of these magazines sitting around, I'll be glad to give them a good home.

8. Finish writing my book.

I'm ashamed to admit that I have a half finished romance novel waiting for completion. I can never seem to just sit down and get it done. However, I think its fair to say that if I don't complete it by 30, I'm on the verge of ridiculous.  It would be even better if I could get it published by 30!

Life Update

Remember when I said I need a dentist before 30? I have one now! After breaking a molar, I was quick to have it taken care of. I had little option than to have it pulled out. This in itself has brought me to a small crisis of self. If I am anything like my mother, I am on a sad track to lose more at a young age. I don't think I was mentally prepared for mix caused by emotions and pain.