The cold weather has made me Squishy.

When it is cold, it is no surprise that I want warm, yummy food.  But when it is really cold, I want warm yummy HEAVY food.  It has been freezing.  This does not take away from my enjoyment of winter, but I do not like when I carry extra poundage.  I don't, however, diet.  It is evil.  I do, however, change what I eat and increase my movement when things are feeling heavy.  I think all this planning ahead with the meals helps, too!  I eat better, as does the familia, and we spend less time going out to eat.

Here are some things that I have been enjoying when I need to eat leaner...

Only 108 calories, but so filling.

This idea is from my friend, Bella.  Roast a veggie in the morning for the week.  You can use it with any dish to build up quantity of food with lower calorie content.  You can use zucchini, beets, any squash, cauliflower, even potatoes.

butternut squash+olive oil+onion+brownsugar+s&p.

I have finally figured out how to love Crock Pot Chicken.  I used chicken breasts, Bone on, skin on.  I crocked with onion, spices, broth, and msg free bouillon.  CROCK FOR ONLY 6 hrs on low.  It saves it from turning out all dry tasting.  It was perfectly cooked.  (In the past, I always let it go all day...and it has that dry grainy texture.) I shredded it, removing all the bones and skin, and then spooned in some of the broth to keep it moist.

You can use this in a chicken pie, in a brown rice bowl, with pasta, in a tortilla....whatever.  This is good protein that tastes good, and was minimal effort.

150 calorie snack.  You won't be hungry afterwards.

Here are some other ideas, but unfortunately I do not have photos!  Sometimes, I am just trying to fit in the eating before the next request for a story, playdough, or painting with Ms. S.

• Imitation Crab 1/2C+ Salsa 1/4C+ 1/2 Avocado+Green onion+Lettuce
• Imitation Crab+Yogurt Dressing+Cucumber+Lettuce+Green onion
• Butternut Squash+Chicken Sausage+Brown Rice+Spinach
• Brown Rice+White Beans+Garlic+Carrot+Spinach
• Ground Turkey Spaghetti Sauce+White Beans+Roasted Veggies
• Butternut Squash Soup+Ham Chunks+Avocado Chunks
• Refried Pinto Beans+Tortilla+Taco Sauce (only 300 calories, and easy to freeze)
• Egg+Low Fat English Muffin+Ham Slice+Dijon Mustard (also easy to freeze)
• Blueberries 1/2C+ Oatmeal 1/2C+1 TBS pecans+cinnamon

Meal Planning--I'm trying again!

I've spoken many times, (in conversations, on Facebook, and on this blog) about how Meal Planning helps my life out in a huge way, when I TAKE THE TIME TO DO IT.  Yet, for some reason, I do it once, and then go back to my bad habits of waiting until the last minute, which leads to take-out or the kids having pasta way too often.

This month, I was inspired by someone on my Facebook who seriously took on "Once A Month Meals".  The idea behind this, is that you cook for ALL DAY, prep and prepare a ridiculous amount of food, making it easy for you to feed your family for the entire month.  This woman kept posting photos of her progress, getting me more and more excited with each photo.  (Ok, the clean up photo was daunting, but the pay off seems worth it!)

My kids are picky.  BUT, I thought that this is worth a try in some form to do at my casa.  Instead of once a month, though, I have been trying this out for the week, and then a little extra.  It works wonderfully.

Things that work great:
1.  Fruit Salads using Bonne Maman Jars
2.  Lettuce Chopped up and put in Quart (wide) Mason Jars
3.  Pasta Meat-cooked, seasoned, frozen in bags
4.  Chicken Pot Pie*
5.  Pork Chops prepped for Crock Pot (in freezer bags)
6.  Veggies for Pot Roast/Roasted Chicken (in freezer bags)
7.  Breakfast Burritos (Egg, Bean and Potato)
8.  Bean Burritos
9.  Taco Meat (half turkey/half beef)
10.  Meatballs

*This was a favorite amongst those who ate it.  (That would not be my children, as they hate any sort of gravy.)

Random Observations

Going here.  Soon.  

Soleil will do anything for a French Macaron.  Or (/mɑːkɑːrɔːn/ mah-kah-rōn;^[1] French pronunciation: ​[makaˈʁɔ̃]^[2]) as the pretentious Hipster at our local cafe corrects me in saying...

Perhaps I should stop buying my 3 year old daughter shoes.

Why I hate going to the commissary.  The bread aisle looked even more bare.

Returning home, and dreading leaving it when we move.

Easy meal for Cinco de Mayo.  Throw whole chicken in crock pot+italian season+chicken broth+onions.  Shred, add taco sauce at end or leave plain, like my kids like it.   Oh, and don't think I made the Spanish rice... I made the Trader Joe's frozen, microwave brown rice and then heated up rotel, and added it in, cooking until heated through.  (It was pretty good.)

Selling this.  I want a Cameo because it fits my lifestyle better.

Cleaning Craft Cabinet.  (I never have need to walk into a Michaels/Joann's again.  But I will.)

Random Blathering Fall 2013

The beginning of the school year is busy.  I love it, but I almost resent it, as I have a hard time letting my boy being away from me all day.  Also, I feel like the days fly by, and I am making an effort to simplify everything I can.  Oh, and I have to eat breakfast or I am a monster by noon.   (Any of you that know me in person, know this to be very true!)  

One great success I had was making mini quiches, freezing them, and heating them for ONE MINUTE in the microwave.  I can't believe how yummy they are, and they have made life easier.  There are a variety of recipes online but basically this is what I did.

1.  Take Store bought pie crust.  Use a biscuit cutter/circle cookie cutter to cut dough.  Put in mini muffin tin with Pampered Chef minitart maker.  

2.  Mix up eggs, milk, salt, pepper. You can add basil, garlic, whatever. 

3.  Add ham, peppers, shredded cheese, whatever you want.  (Make sure bits are pretty small).

4.  Use a measuring cup with a spout and pour some in each pie crust in the muffin tin.

5.  Bake until done.  

6.  Let cool to room temp.  Put on cookie sheet and freeze.  When solid, through in ziploc.  

7.  To reheat, put on plate, microwave 3 for one minute.  

8.  Eat!

Here is my coffee bar for fall.  Another thing I am going to do for fall is to NOT buy any additional coffee or tea for as long as I can.  I need to use up my stash, and I hope to use it all before we move again. 

I need to clean and organize my craft space...  However, every time I go in there, I end up starting to make something, rather than cleaning.

Have you ever used your vegetable steamer to make boiled eggs?  It works great!! I have been doing this for Tate to have a little protein before going to tennis class. 

And I have also been baking a lot.  I get a daily request from my Little-Ms.-Sunshine!

Lastly, go to crockingirls.com.  They have sooo many great recipes and have made my life easier by using the crockpot.  My recent fave was http://crockingirls.com/recipes/quesadilla-casserole/.  It was amazing. I made quesadillas for the kids, since it was a bit spicy, and I used ground chicken and topped with avocado.

Project 5: Crockpot Cooking

Still working on the project for Tate's school...  No need for me to be cryptic--it is a Dia de Los Muertos photo op board for the kids to look like happy skeleton and Frida Kahlo.  I love that it got me painting, but I have to remember sometimes that it is for elementary school kids to have a giggle with, not something that will be placed in a museum! (This ridiculous need for perfection made me love to fly  on instruments, so I guess it is good for something...)

As for this week, I turn to the crock pot.  Pinterest is a wonderful thing!  I have used the crock pot in the past, with so-so results, but it was great that I didn't have to cook.  Lately, I have things that have been downright yummy!  My favorite inspiration?  The Crockin' Girls.  I love their Texas accents, their great personalities, and their stuff turns out great!  Yes, they do use the occasional cream of whatever soups in their stuff, but it is really good AND you can use a healthy alternative if you really want.  (I found several substitutions online when I went looking once.)

Apple Cake (from last post) We made that twice in a month!
Pot Roast+2 French Onion Soup Mix Packets on a bed of celery.  (YOu can add carrots and potatoes, but I roast separately in oven.)
Little Meats and Gravy (from crockin girls) --everyone loved it!
Cheesy Sausage Casserole--(also from crockin' girls) Hubby loved it, kids didn't, but they don't like creamy anything!  I loved it.

Chicken for Shredding --Whole Chicken, 1 cup BBQ.  You can also use broth and veg instead.
Many Bean Soup--dry beans, italian dressing, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, carrots, celery

Oreo Cake

The William Sonoma Oreo Cake.

Kraft's Oreo Cake

Kevin Sharkey's Oreo Cake
Yum.

Crock Pot Meal and other Weekend Stuff

On his way to a knights and princesses party.Fish and Chips in the sunshine on Saturday.
Sunday Crock Pot Meal.

Pot Roast: chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, french onion soup mix and water. SOOO EASY.

Brownie Bottoms. This dessert is AMAZING!!(recipe below)
1. Butter Crock Pot.

2. In saucepan, combine 1/2 C brown sugar, 2 TBS cocoa powder, 3/4 C water and bring to boil.

3. Mix 2 1/2 C brownie mix, 1/2 C chocolate chips, 1 package (2 3/4 oz) instant chocolate pudding, 2 beaten eggs, 3 TBS melted butter. Add boiling mixture and combine.

4. Spread into crock pot. Cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 hours. Turn off heat and let stand for 30 min.

5. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.