Oh my goodness, YUM! Especially for something with so many vegetables (my husband was happy)! I don't really know how to describe it other than it was super healthy, tasted healthy, but good at the same time. We used this as a side dish with some marinaded chicken breasts, but I honestly think it would be good as a main dish, also. I didn't think that it would be at first because it seemed like more of a vegetable side dish, but it does have chickpeas and couscous and cheese.
It seemed like the whole family enjoyed this meal. I would definitely make this again!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Livin' on the Vedge
Makes 6 Main Dish or 8 Side Dish servings
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups uncooked vegetable couscous
1 teaspoon lemon peel
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large orange bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 large portobello mushroom, chopped
1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vingegar
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
1/2 cup crumbled light feta cheese
4 tsp dried basil
1. Preheat oven to 450°F
2. Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in couscous and lemon peel. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand until ready to use.
3. In a large bowl, toss together all vegetables, chickpeas, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Spread vegetable mixture in a large roasting pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Roast for about 25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until vegetables are tender.
4. To serve, combine hot vegetables, cooked couscous, feta cheese, and basil in a large serving bowl and toss well. Add a bit more pepper to taste, if desired.
Recipe taken and modified from
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups uncooked vegetable couscous
1 teaspoon lemon peel
1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large orange bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 large portobello mushroom, chopped
1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vingegar
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
1/2 cup crumbled light feta cheese
4 tsp dried basil
1. Preheat oven to 450°F
2. Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in couscous and lemon peel. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand until ready to use.
3. In a large bowl, toss together all vegetables, chickpeas, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Spread vegetable mixture in a large roasting pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Roast for about 25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until vegetables are tender.
4. To serve, combine hot vegetables, cooked couscous, feta cheese, and basil in a large serving bowl and toss well. Add a bit more pepper to taste, if desired.
Recipe taken and modified from
Great Idea for Wrapping Paper Storage
So, a friend of mine (Catherine M.) told me how she stores her wrapping paper and it is a crazy great idea! I don't know why I hadn't heard about it before! It is going to save me so much space and time when I need to wrap something. She has two garment bags (like luggage ones) that she uses to store her wrapping paper/accessories. One is for year round paper, etc. and one is for Christmas paper, etc. Today I am going to put all my Christmas paper, boxes, labels, bags, tissue, etc. into a garment bag that I have but never use anymore. I am SO excited!! Goodbye big bins of random wrapping stuff.....Hello organization!!! :) I will post pictures later. :)
So here is the finished product. I would have taken pictures of the before, but I forgot and it was kind of a disaster, anyways. SO, just imagine two bins full of random paper and scraps, tissue, bags, labels, etc. Now, here is what the finished product looks like.
I didn't put bows anywhere because I have decided I am not storing bows anymore. They inevitably get crushed and look bad when I try to use them. I don't even use bows most of the time (maybe that is because they are crushed...hmmmm). I do have some ribbon that I may try to get into this one or the year round one.
Unfortunately, when I was all done putting the stuff in here, I realized that the hook to hang it up must have broken some time in the past and I don't know where it is. So, I will see if my husband has a way that we can hang it in the closet. It would also fit well under the bed if I need it to. :)
So here is the finished product. I would have taken pictures of the before, but I forgot and it was kind of a disaster, anyways. SO, just imagine two bins full of random paper and scraps, tissue, bags, labels, etc. Now, here is what the finished product looks like.
Unfortunately, when I was all done putting the stuff in here, I realized that the hook to hang it up must have broken some time in the past and I don't know where it is. So, I will see if my husband has a way that we can hang it in the closet. It would also fit well under the bed if I need it to. :)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New Years Resolutions
So, I realize this is kind of delayed seeing it is now January 5 and I am just writing this! I normally do not make "new years" resolutions. Throughout the year I am constantly thinking of things I want to change and I say, "Oh, tomorrow," or "Oh, on this such-and-such a day I am going to start doing this certain thing." Unfortunately, these things are normally thought of either, A.) while I am in bed falling asleep, or B.) when I am in the shower. Because of this, I quickly forget what it was that I wanted to change until the next night/morning in the shower. I did finally break down and buy myself a set of shower/bath crayons (I had asked my husband a few times for them, but I don't think he knew where to find them or something ;)). Of course, my 4 year old uses them more than myself, but I have on occasion since then, jotted down a list of things to do or not forget. Anyways...the point I am trying to get at (it has been a long day!), is that I am going to start these things at the beginning of 2011. Gotta start sometime, I suppose! :)
So, first of all, I REALLY want to gain some self control and start losing weight. I had a baby in July and I have GAINED weight since he was born (and I am NURSING!). NOT OKAY!!! I totally thought that nursing would enable me to lose a TON of weight after he was born, making me the size I was after baby number 2. Not the case. Of course, this isn't really my body's fault. It is totally mine. I have done nothing but sit around and EAT. And I have not eaten healthy, either! Funny thing-I usually very rarely crave sweet stuff, I am normally a salt kind of gal, but since I have been nursing, you cannot get me enough chocolate, cookies, cakes, etc. And of course, there was Halloween (when I bought a few HUGE candy bags from Costco and ate a lot of them myself...nice), and then Thanksgiving (those darn candy corns!), and then Christmas (I don't even know where to begin with this one). Of course Christmas is over, but now I have a TON of candy/cookies that I got as gifts or leftover from before. SO, I must gain self control to not eat this stuff!!!! Another thing is that I need to go back to the gym. I exercised until I was 9 months pregnant with my baby. And I loved doing it. I was even looking forward to him turning 4 months so I could go back to the gym (he had to be this old for childcare). Then I slipped and fell and screwed up my ankle. It still isn't 100%, but I think I could go do some things for sure. Tomorrow.....;)
Second, I would like to start feeding my family healthier meals. You know that you must be feeding them crap when your husband (who is a junk food addict) says that we should incorporate more vegetables and protein/fiber, etc. into our diet. Hmmmm.....I guess he isn't a huge fan of all the cream of _____ soup casseroles I tend to make. So, I have a cookbook called Eat, Shrink and Be Merry (see below) that I am going to start cooking all my meals out of for a while. Of course, this means that I will not be freezing as much stuff because of it. So if you read this blog for the frozen meal ideas, I am sorry (I will try to find as many healthy meals I can freeze for you!). There will be a lot more healthy meals posted, though! :)
Third, come up with a budget. GASP! I know....crazy, we do not have a budget at our house. The problem is, my husband is self employed. So, our monthly income various greatly month to month. I have decided, though, that we just need to come up with something, then if we do have more money in a month, we can set it aside to use it in the months we don't have the money. ISN'T THIS AN INCREDIBLE CONCEPT!? (Sarcasm inserted there) I already try to save us a ton of money on groceries, etc., but it would be nice to be able to show how far under our "budget" I am. :)
Fourth, I would like to eat more meals together as a family at our table. We have gotten into a really bad habit of not eating together as a family. In fact, I don't think we have EVER made it a priority to eat together. We normally have the older boys sit at the counter, I go on the computer, and my husband eats at his computer or in the living room. Well, this year, this will end! I have always thought it was really important to have family meals. I loved family meals when I was growing up. But for some reason, I never really enforced it at my house. It is going to be great to sit together for a little bit each night!
Fifth, I would like for my life to be more organized. I know that this current disorganization is just a phase of life I am going through right now with a baby and a preschooler, etc. It does tend to drive me kind of batty, though! I like knowing where stuff is, what is going on, etc. I like my house to be clean (mostly). So, I have a goal to find some organizational tips online or wherever to help me organize my life.
Sixth, I really want to make sure I spend time every day in God's word. This is another thing I go through phases with. I enjoy doing it, I find it really makes my days much better, I am a better person when I do it, etc. But then, life gets kind of hectic and for some reason, I always allow this to go to the back burner. I don't want to do that this year.
Seventh, I want to be NICER to my family. I know that people tend to lash out at people they are closest to, but this year, I would REALLY like to treat my family like I would anyone on the street. They deserve the same amount of respect and decency that a stranger does, don't they? I haven't been doing so well with this so far this year, but tomorrow is new day!
Anyway...I am sure I will think of more things tonight as I am falling asleep or tomorrow morning in the shower! I think this is a good starting point, though! :)
So, first of all, I REALLY want to gain some self control and start losing weight. I had a baby in July and I have GAINED weight since he was born (and I am NURSING!). NOT OKAY!!! I totally thought that nursing would enable me to lose a TON of weight after he was born, making me the size I was after baby number 2. Not the case. Of course, this isn't really my body's fault. It is totally mine. I have done nothing but sit around and EAT. And I have not eaten healthy, either! Funny thing-I usually very rarely crave sweet stuff, I am normally a salt kind of gal, but since I have been nursing, you cannot get me enough chocolate, cookies, cakes, etc. And of course, there was Halloween (when I bought a few HUGE candy bags from Costco and ate a lot of them myself...nice), and then Thanksgiving (those darn candy corns!), and then Christmas (I don't even know where to begin with this one). Of course Christmas is over, but now I have a TON of candy/cookies that I got as gifts or leftover from before. SO, I must gain self control to not eat this stuff!!!! Another thing is that I need to go back to the gym. I exercised until I was 9 months pregnant with my baby. And I loved doing it. I was even looking forward to him turning 4 months so I could go back to the gym (he had to be this old for childcare). Then I slipped and fell and screwed up my ankle. It still isn't 100%, but I think I could go do some things for sure. Tomorrow.....;)
Second, I would like to start feeding my family healthier meals. You know that you must be feeding them crap when your husband (who is a junk food addict) says that we should incorporate more vegetables and protein/fiber, etc. into our diet. Hmmmm.....I guess he isn't a huge fan of all the cream of _____ soup casseroles I tend to make. So, I have a cookbook called Eat, Shrink and Be Merry (see below) that I am going to start cooking all my meals out of for a while. Of course, this means that I will not be freezing as much stuff because of it. So if you read this blog for the frozen meal ideas, I am sorry (I will try to find as many healthy meals I can freeze for you!). There will be a lot more healthy meals posted, though! :)
Third, come up with a budget. GASP! I know....crazy, we do not have a budget at our house. The problem is, my husband is self employed. So, our monthly income various greatly month to month. I have decided, though, that we just need to come up with something, then if we do have more money in a month, we can set it aside to use it in the months we don't have the money. ISN'T THIS AN INCREDIBLE CONCEPT!? (Sarcasm inserted there) I already try to save us a ton of money on groceries, etc., but it would be nice to be able to show how far under our "budget" I am. :)
Fourth, I would like to eat more meals together as a family at our table. We have gotten into a really bad habit of not eating together as a family. In fact, I don't think we have EVER made it a priority to eat together. We normally have the older boys sit at the counter, I go on the computer, and my husband eats at his computer or in the living room. Well, this year, this will end! I have always thought it was really important to have family meals. I loved family meals when I was growing up. But for some reason, I never really enforced it at my house. It is going to be great to sit together for a little bit each night!
Fifth, I would like for my life to be more organized. I know that this current disorganization is just a phase of life I am going through right now with a baby and a preschooler, etc. It does tend to drive me kind of batty, though! I like knowing where stuff is, what is going on, etc. I like my house to be clean (mostly). So, I have a goal to find some organizational tips online or wherever to help me organize my life.
Sixth, I really want to make sure I spend time every day in God's word. This is another thing I go through phases with. I enjoy doing it, I find it really makes my days much better, I am a better person when I do it, etc. But then, life gets kind of hectic and for some reason, I always allow this to go to the back burner. I don't want to do that this year.
Seventh, I want to be NICER to my family. I know that people tend to lash out at people they are closest to, but this year, I would REALLY like to treat my family like I would anyone on the street. They deserve the same amount of respect and decency that a stranger does, don't they? I haven't been doing so well with this so far this year, but tomorrow is new day!
Anyway...I am sure I will think of more things tonight as I am falling asleep or tomorrow morning in the shower! I think this is a good starting point, though! :)
Cabbage Roll Casserole (two meals)
Makes 2-12 serving casseroles
4 pounds ground beef
2 large onions, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
4 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce, divided
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon dill weed
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 cups cooked rice
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 medium heads cabbage (2 pounds each), shredded and divided in half
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
2. Stir in 2 cans of tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and bacon; heat through. Remove from the heat.
3. Divide the mixture in half. For each casserole, layer 1/3 (of the half) of the cabbage in a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Top with half (of the half) of the meat mixture. Repeat layers; top with remaining cabbage. Pour remaining one can of tomato sauce (per casserole) over the top.
4. Cover. Label and freeze one, with one cup of the cheese attached, for up to 3 months. Bake the other one, covered, at 375°F for 45 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
TO USE FROZEN CASSEROLE: Defrost in the refrigerator. Bake the same way as above.
4 pounds ground beef
2 large onions, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
4 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce, divided
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon dill weed
1 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 cups cooked rice
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 medium heads cabbage (2 pounds each), shredded and divided in half
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
2. Stir in 2 cans of tomato sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and bacon; heat through. Remove from the heat.
3. Divide the mixture in half. For each casserole, layer 1/3 (of the half) of the cabbage in a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Top with half (of the half) of the meat mixture. Repeat layers; top with remaining cabbage. Pour remaining one can of tomato sauce (per casserole) over the top.
4. Cover. Label and freeze one, with one cup of the cheese attached, for up to 3 months. Bake the other one, covered, at 375°F for 45 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
TO USE FROZEN CASSEROLE: Defrost in the refrigerator. Bake the same way as above.
Gingered Beef Stir Fry
Yields 5 servings
1 egg white
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 beef flank steak (1 lb), cut into thin strips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce (or regular)
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1/4 pound fresh or frozen snow peas, thawed
Hot cooked rice
1. In a large bowl, whisk egg white, cornstarch, sugar, ginger and pepper until smooth. Add beef and toss to coat; set aside.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil. Saute onions for 1 minute or until crisp-tender. Add beef; stir-fry for 6-7 minutes or until meat is browned and no longer pink. Stir in soy sauce. Add carrots, zucchini and peas; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes or until all vegetables are crisp-tender. Serve over rice.
Recipe taken from:
1 egg white
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 beef flank steak (1 lb), cut into thin strips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce (or regular)
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1/4 pound fresh or frozen snow peas, thawed
Hot cooked rice
1. In a large bowl, whisk egg white, cornstarch, sugar, ginger and pepper until smooth. Add beef and toss to coat; set aside.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil. Saute onions for 1 minute or until crisp-tender. Add beef; stir-fry for 6-7 minutes or until meat is browned and no longer pink. Stir in soy sauce. Add carrots, zucchini and peas; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes or until all vegetables are crisp-tender. Serve over rice.
Recipe taken from:
Lick Your Chops
Yields 4 servings
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp molasses
2 tbsp minced shallots or onions
1 1/4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 boneless pork loin chops (about 5 oz each)
1. To make sauce, combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high setting. Place pork chops on a grill rack that has been coated with cooking spray or lightly brushed with oil. Grill pork chops for about 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of chops. Pork should be just slightly pink in the center. Be careful not to overcook them or they will be dry. Brush pork generously with sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
3. Brush any remaining sauce on pork chops just before serving.
NOTE: If you have time you can marinate the pork chops in the sauce overnight. You don't ahve3 to cook the sauce first. Then just throw the chops on the grill.
Recipe taken from:
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp molasses
2 tbsp minced shallots or onions
1 1/4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
4 boneless pork loin chops (about 5 oz each)
1. To make sauce, combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high setting. Place pork chops on a grill rack that has been coated with cooking spray or lightly brushed with oil. Grill pork chops for about 6 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of chops. Pork should be just slightly pink in the center. Be careful not to overcook them or they will be dry. Brush pork generously with sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
3. Brush any remaining sauce on pork chops just before serving.
NOTE: If you have time you can marinate the pork chops in the sauce overnight. You don't ahve3 to cook the sauce first. Then just throw the chops on the grill.
Recipe taken from:
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