Cashew Broccoli

This is my new favorite way to have broccoli.  Just tried it the other night and I love it.  I think I could have just had it for dinner and nothing else and been just fine.

Ingredients:

3 stocks of broccoli
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tbs grated ginger root
garlic salt
pepper and sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, put the broccoli into the pot and boil for about 4 minutes. The broccoli will turn bright green.

Remove broccoli, strain and place into a bowl of ice water, making sure the broccoli is covered with the water completely. Set aside.

While the broccoli is in the ice water chop or process cashews. Get out a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil.

Put the broccoli and cashews on baking sheet. Sprinkle ginger, garlic salt, sea salt, pepper, and coconut oil on them. Bake in hot oven until the cashews turn golden brown.

Original recipe came from The Paleo Project

Freezer Burritos

Yesterday I posted my slow cooker refried beans.  Yesterday was also Tuesday...so in my house that means Taco Tuesday.  So when making taco meat last night I made sure I made extra so I would have everything I need to make these freezer burritos.

My family has tried SO HARD to eat healthier.  That means I try not to buy a lot of the "processed" food that is out there.  Yes, we still have some processed food in our home, we are definitely not extreme, but instead of those frozen burritos, chicken strips, breakfast sandwiches etc., I am making them from scratch myself.  It's not difficult or time consuming and that way we still have a quick meal that we can grab from the freezer every now and again when we need to OR in our case, it is usually for the kids as a hearty snack when coming home from sports practices.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef, turkey, or shredded chicken (or go meatless)
• Two 1.25 oz packages taco seasoning
• 12-16  8″ soft tortillas
• homemade refried beans (or 1 can of refried beans)
• 1 c. salsa
• 1 c. shredded cheese

Directions:

• Brown meat until meat is no longer pink — drain
• Add taco seasoning and water {cook according to the directions on the taco seasoning}
• Then assemble your burritos

Spread about 1-2 TBSP Beans on tortilla

Add 2 TBSP Taco meat, 1 Tbsp Salsa, 1 Tbsp cheese

Fold in ends and roll up

Place in freezer bag.  I place 6 in a gallon size bag, 

or place single burritos in individual bags.

When ready to eat, take out and heat in microwave.  About 2 minutes if frozen. 

My favorite way is to put them on a cookie sheet and heat in the oven...I like the crispier tortilla.

Enjoy!

Cake in a Coffee Mug

I confess, I am someone who LOVES to have a little something sweet after dinner, however I don't often times make a dessert beause; 1. it's just not necessary 2. I just spent time making a great dinner...time to also include dessert isn't always available. 3. if I make it...then I'm going to eat it!  I don't need the temptation sitting around the house later in the evening or the next morning, afternoon etc. So this is the PERFECT solution and you are going to LOVE it!

Take one box of Angel Food Cake mix and another box of any flavor cake mix.  Empty both boxes in a large bowl and mix together.  Place in an airtight container until you are ready for your quick dessert.

Put 3 Tbsp of cake mix into a large coffee mug.  Stir in 2 Tbsp water.  Stir well.  Then Microwave for 1 minute and you are done!

Top with some whip cream or ice cream!

ENJOY!

Slow Cooker Refried Beans...minus the refried/fried

While visiting at church Sunday we got on the topic of recipes...specifically slow cooker recipes.  Oh how I LOVE using the slow cooker.  Judy proceded to tell me she just made home made refried beans in the slow cooker.  She gave me the basic idea of how to make them and so I coudn't wait to give it a try.

Ingredients:
1 lb bag of pinto beans
6 cups water (enough to cover the beans plus about 2 inches)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic

Directions:
Rinse pinto beans thoroughly with cold water.
Mix in salt.
Transfer beans into slow cooker.
Add enough water to 2 inches above beans
add pepper, onions and garlic
Cook on High for 6-8 hours or until most of the water has been soaked up.
Use a masher to mash to a refried consistency.  Serve warm.

When plugging it into nutritional info I received this:
Servings per recipe: 8
Calories: 65
Total Fat: 0.3 g
Cholesteral: 0.0mg
Sodium 413.6 mg
Total carbs: 12.4g
Dietary fiber: 4.0
Protein 3.8g

Carrot Applesauce Cookies

This is a recipe I found on the Cooking Classy Blog.   I am always looking for healthy recipes...especially some healthy tasty treats.  This was just what I was looking for.  These Cookies are full of fiber, antioxidants and vitamins.  They are also low in fat.  You just can't go wrong! 

Yields about 2 1/2 Dozen


Ingredients:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup applesauce
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup light-brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1 cup finely grated carrots
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried cranberries (such as Craisins)


Optional Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp milk


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a mixing bowl whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat  flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, optional nutmeg and salt, set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip together applesauce, butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until well blended and smooth about 1 minute.  Stir in egg and vanilla.  Slowly add in flour mixture.  Stir in quick oats, carrots, raisins and dried cranberries, mix until combine.  Drop mixture by heaping tablespoon fulls onto a lined cookie sheet two inches apart and bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden and set.  Allow to cool several minutes before removing to wire rack to cool.  If using glaze: in a small mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until well combine and smooth.  Pour into a piping or ziploc bag, snip a small tip off the end and pipe over cookies (note: store cookies in a single layer).

Love yourself

This past Tuesday was Valentine's Day and well,  it got me to thinking about how we need to love ourselves.  We as women, tend to think of everyone else and leave ourselves for last...if we even put ourselves on the list at all.  We go and do for everyone else in our lives and even tend to wear it as a badge of honor? courage? pride? What is it that we think it does for us to put ourselves on the back burner and do for everyone else? Even worse, we feel that awful "G" word when we do put ourselves on the list...that's right GUILT! What is wrong with us ladies? I have been meeting with my mentor and she has changed my thinking.  I used to be just like the person just mentioned, but have made changes in my life to make sure I am on the list and even more so, at the TOP of my list.  This is what I have found and want to share with you. Let's look at the reasons...the right to the heart of it reasons why we need to LOVE ourselves enough to be on the LIST!

1.  You will find you will be happier.  That's right!  Start listening to yourself.  So many times the decisions we make are according to what we think "others" want us to make or even what "others" tell us to do.  When we are doing things without stopping and listening to what we truly want, we are not going to be happy.  Start listening to yourself and make those decisions according to what YOU want.  I know it's hard, you are out of practice...you haven't done it in so long, but take that step, that leap of faith, you are a smart cookie you'll choose what is exactly right!  Exactly right for YOU!

2.  You will be healthier.  What? You heard me, you will be healthier.  When you are listening to everyone else and doing for everyone else...you run out of steam quickly.  You give and give and give and never fill up, so you run out steam.  What happens when you run out of steam? Um, you have a poor attitude, little things begin to drive you crazy, you get depressed, speak in a lousy tone to your family, the world is out to get you, etc.
     So now we are depleted and what happens?  We try to fill ourselves up...BUT we fill ourselves up with food that is not good for us, or just too much food, maybe too much to drink, maybe we spend our time on bad relationships or friendships. Yes, all ways we try to fill ourselves up.
     When you choose to start putting yourself on the top of the list, you will find you begin to want to take care of your body, with activity, healthier foods & relationships.  You will find you have more energy and you will have more to give to those you love, because when you are giving to them, you are doing it as your best self, your happy self, the self that stands up straight, shoulders back and a big smile on your face.

3.    It will give you confidence.  Confidence is something I have struggled with all of my life, I WANT to jump out there, but it's SO Scary!  What I have found, is when you put yourself on top of the list, you will find more opportunities to put yourself out there.  Each time you put yourself out there, you gain a little more confidence.  Example: becoming a certified Turbo Kick instructor....was so scary for me.  Even worse was auditioning to become an instructor at a fitness center, although I was TERRIFIED I put myself out there.  OH MY, I am now an instructor...teaching my first class...HORRIFYING, again I put myself out there.  Each time I do I find I am gaining more and more confidence.  My motto has become "LIFE BEGINS JUST OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE" This I believe, because the pride and confidence you gain each time you do it, is amazing.  When you have yourself at the bottom of the list and do not respect yourself, then others will not respect you.  However, when you are on the top of the list building that loving relationship with yourself and building that self confidence and building a happy life, others begin to look up to you, respect you, are drawn to you and want to work with you and be around you.

4.  Your relationships will improve.  When you take time for yourself, take care of yourself, believe in yourself, you will improve your relationship with not only your spouse, but your children, friends, co-workers etc., One way this happens is you tend to attract people who are encouraging, supportive, happy & strong. You will find when you take care of yourself you tend to a cause a rippling effect.  You find you will encourage others and bring out that good feeling you now have for yourself, in others.  You know those people that you just love to be around.  It makes you happy just to be near them, or to think of them.  When you think of that person, are they someone who takes time for themselves? Are they confident? That is who you will be because you are no longer relying on others to determine your self worth.

5.  Finally, I have found when you put yourself on the top of your list you tend to live your life with your eyes WIDE OPEN.  When you think to when you were on the bottom of the list or not even on the list, your days just went by without you even remembering them.  Same old routine

Daily Gratitude Photos February 2012

February 29, 2012
This crazy picture of myself and some of the Aspen workout ladies.  I was so focused on getting all of us in the picture and had to keep the camera from being right in front of my face that I forgot to look at myself...love the after workout hair and the double chin from looking down at the camera!  Hahahahaha That just cracks me up and I LOVE it!

February 28, 2012
Caught Dad and Kati getting in a few hands of cards during breakfast before school/work!

February 27, 2012
Just enjoying my daycare buddies.  They are all so lovable!

February 26, 2012
Took advantage of the nice weather and the break between Nate's basketball game and helping with the gymnastics meet and took off for a 6 mile walk around the lake with Curt.

February 25, 2012
No words needed...just my boys :)

February 24, 2012
Tomorrow is the Patriot gymnastics meet, which is our home gym.  So we went in to help set up the gym for the meet...tomorrow Nick with compete in the meet and Sunday we are going back to help the judges at the USA Boys meet!  Quite the weekend!

February 23, 2012
There is nothing like a family game of cards on a week night! Love any chance we can play together!

February 22, 2012
Was watching Nathan play nerf basketball with his cap on backwards and his long gym shorts on and his mannerisms are EXACTLY like my little brother Mark!  Wowzers it is almost scary.  I even catch myself calling him Mark every now and again.

February 21, 2012
Tonight was student led conferences at the Middle school.  My daily gratitude folder comes from Nick's portfolio.  A Recipe for a Great Mom!  Love it :)

February 20, 2012

Today is President's Day, the kids were off from school...so I too had a day off.  I had to get all of my Doctor appointments in, as these are the only days I am able to get it done.  Went to my first appointment this morning and upon arriving back home I found Nick & Kati in the kitchen making a special breakfast for everyone.  Whole Wheat Tortillas with peanut butter, sliced apples and or bananas rolled up and served. Then our old neighbor came and picked up the kids so they could spend the afternoon together.  I took advantage of this and had a Lunch Date with Curtis! Then ran to my next doctor appointment.  Home and made some delicious Carrot Applesauce cookies!  mmm mmm mmm! What a full day with a great feeling of being truly blessed!

February 19, 2012

A full day today!  Sang in Praise Band for church...started rehearsal at 8:30...with church at 10:45, then home for some lunch and a walk with Big Daddy around the lake (the best part of the day) then home to clean up and off for a Jam Session with the Band, and ended with Nate's Basketball game.  A Sunday Fully LIVED!

February 18, 2012

Gratitude!  Today came in the form of a gorgeous sunrise as I drove to Aspen Sub a Turbo Kick class!  A great feeling to step outside of the box and accept the opportunity to sub for someone else...much different than teaching my own class...(You all remember school and the feeling when you had a sub) lol. But I did it, enjoyed the sunrise on my way there, had a FABULOUS time teaching class...and set my Saturday up for FUN!!! ...a movie with the family and playing games in the evening

February 17, 2012

Today the sun was out...it weas still chilly, but it looked so nice we couldn't resist getting our little dose of vitamin D today.  So Kati and I went for a great walk with our little Mr Rooney.  Love the conversations we have when we go for walks together.  Grateful Grateful Grateful.

February 16, 2012

Today I am grateful for the opportunity to do something I love!  Thursdays are a day full of group fitness...500am I get to teach group fitness at my church, 530pm I get to teach group fitness at the gym.  And today I was able to visit on the phone with a friend who was a critical person and inspiration to me on this journey! On my way to the gym...Yep Grateful!

February 15, 2012

Almost every morning before school Kati sits down and practices the piano.  I love that time in the morning before everything begins...sitting with a cup of coffee and listening to her play.

February 14, 2012

Valentine's Day.  After just taking our trip to El Paso, we decided we were not doing anything for

Valentine's....well here is how the day began...I was up to teach my workout class at 500am.  Came downstairs to get my water and found this on the counter...

So excited to have fun doing some Zumba on the kinnect.  I went and taught workout class as we finished up and I am putting things away in my bag I found this...

That's right...80's Workout music...lol

So then I get home and have usually a 1/2 hour before the rest of the house gets up so I use it to do my Bible reading, prayers and To Do list.  This is what I found hiding under my Bible...

I do love Diet Coke...and it is a journal, which is perfect timing as now I have a place to write down all the planning and work needed to begin my "business plan" for helping our youth with Confidence & healthy living.

Wow, what a day of gratitude.  Enjoyed the rest of my day, that evening we were signing up for the Warrior Dash and I grabbed my purse to pay for our entry and found this...

Yes that is a CD of Barry Manilow.  I grew up LOVING all kinds of music. I know many people make fun of those who like Barry's music, but his music makes me smile & I LOVE to sing along to each and every song.  Totally made me smile!  Not sure how he is going to top such a wonderful Valentine's Day! 

February 13, 2012

Nick came into my room at 1:30 this morning with a tummy ache...soon after was in the bathroom getting sick.  Checked on him in the morning and he said he was good to go to school (Yes, Nick will fake NOT being sick, just so he can go to school).  Time to leave, Curt found him lying on the couch, told him to get his coat...he made it into the other room and onto that couch...Curt told him to get back to bed.  As the day went on his energy returned and we were able to enjoy our afternoon playing cards.  Truly an afternoon to be Grateful for!

February 12, 2012

My basketball boy...ready to go with his ipod music playing...getting him pumped for the game ;)

February 11, 2012

The boys had to set up and serve for the Middle School Youth Group Italian Dinner tonight.  So proud of them.  While they were setting things up, we took advantage of having Miss Kati to ourselves and took her to see the Muppets.  A great Saturday all around!

February 10, 2012

Even grateful for that pre-teen attitude that likes to show it's face a little more often then it use to...but at the end of the day I still get hugs, kisses and I love You's from that same pre-teen :)

February 9, 2012

Last year of making a Valentine's Box...

February 8, 2012

Playing Cards with the kids.

February 7, 2012

Today I am so thankful for being back home with my family and to be back in my own bed :)

February 6, 2012

Spent ALL day in the airport...beginning at 6:00am and finally home at 11:30pm So with a day like that what's a girl to do, but to be extremely grateful to have my husband there to goof around with as the minutes slowly ticked away.  And I was grateful for finding these massage chairs...worth every penny to sit and kill a few minutes of our day :)

February 5. 2012

Grateful for healthy legs and the determination to run my first 1/2 marathon!

February 4, 2012

Grateful for the FUN and the FABULOUS information recieved today to help me make a BIG life for myself and my family.

February 3, 2012

Left home this morning with my hubby to head to El Paso for the Smokin' Hot Mama Club retreat! Grateful for a wonderful and supportive husband and for the fabulous group of women I met tonight!

February 2, 2012

Love watching the elementary kids run around and play at recess.  I can always hear their yelling, screaming and laughing when they come out to play.  It makes me smile.

February 1, 2012

Grateful for the Sticky Goals I completed in January and moved to the right side of my mirror!