Who Needs to Go Out?

Our Gluten-free diet has definitely restricted our dining out.

Oh, we enjoy a big burrito bowl at Chipotle

or a Combo Fried Rice at PF Changs,

but most of the time, the gluten free menu is lacking.

Saturday's meal plan provided a meatless meal.

I was a little cautious - would it satisfy "the lion" (read carnivore)?

As we finished the meal,

hubby declared that it was better than any Italian restaurant.

That is success in my book!

Pasta with Squash and Cream

8 oz spaghetti

1 medium zucchini

1 medium yellow squash

3 carrots

2 T butter

3 cloves garlic

3/4 c heavy cream

3/4 c shredded Parmesan cheese

1 T chopped fresh basil

Cook pasta according to package.  Reserve 1/2 c pasta water.

Cut zucchini, squash, and carrots into julienne strips.

Melt butter in skillet; saute vegetables and garlic about 8 min. or until tender.

Stir in cream, cheese, and basil.

Cook, stirring until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.

Toss with pasta, adding reserved pasta water, if needed.

Weekly Meal Plan

Sunday - Pork Roast with Cranberry Sauce

Monday - Grilled chicken wtih mashed potatoes and asparagus

Tuesday - Onion Dijon Pork Chops and Asparagus

Wednesday - Pizza Casserole and Italian Salad

Thursday - Creamy Tomato Soup

Friday - Chicken with Feta and Tomatoes

Saturday - Chicken and Rice Soup

.com

 

I am thankful today for the Internet.

The internet gives me access to so much information.

Then internet allows me access to a larger selection of gluten free foods to keep me healthy.

The internet keeps me connected to family and friends - near and far.

The internet gives me information that helps me to save money.

The internet broadens my world.

I am thankful.

Just A Thought

Proverbs 24:9a 

The thought of foolishness is sin...

Convicted.

It is easy to get prideful ...

to think that I have things figured out ...

and then ...

I am reminded ...

Just the thought of foolishness is sin.

There is always something to work on.

I haven't "arrived" in all of my actions,

but my thoughts also convict me.

Spring Cleaning

The Four Week Challenge is almost over.

In the process, I have discovered some things that are missing

and I am going to turn it into a 5-6 week challenge.

This week's challenge includes:

Clean Vents

Clean out and Reorganize kitchen cupboards and pantry.

Clean closets.

Clean windows, blinds, and window treatments.

Clean windowsills and trim.

Clean out and reorganize medicine cupboard.

I cleaned the vents yesterday during my regular cleaning day.

I also laundered the window treatments.

I do my windows weekly, but did make an effort to wipe down the trims and sills.

I do not have a medicine cupboard, but did go through my "drawer" 2 weeks ago.

So that leaves

cupboards and pantry (Wednesday)

closets (Wednesday)

Blinds (throughout the week)

Avocados Again :)

I don't know how long it will take me to realize it,

but ...

you can't judge a book by its cover

and

I can't judge a recipe by its ingredients.

(OK - sometimes you can, but sometimes my judgement is not spot on)

Last week's e-meals provided a recipe for Steamed Asparagus Salad.

I loved all the ingredients in it,

I bought all of the ingredients,

and at the last minute, I waffled.

In the end, my curiosity won out and the recipe was Awesome!

Steamed Asparagus Salad

1 lb asparagus

1 c grape tomatoes, halved

1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed

1 c sliced basil leaves

1/4 c olive oil

2 tsp lemon juice

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Steam asparagus 5-7 minutes.

Place asparagus, tomatoes, avocado, and basil in a large bowl.

Stir in oil, lemon, and mustard.  Season with salt and pepper.

This weeks menu plan:

Sunday: church dinner - chicken pot pie

Monday: Honey Spiced Chicken and Braised Kale

Tuesday: Potato and Sausage Dinner

Wednesday: Cuban Chicken

Thursday: Southwestern Pinto Bean Soup

Friday: Beef Stuffed Peppers

Saturday: Pasta with Squash and Cream

Busy Saturday

We began our day with a sleep in to 6:30 - Yeah!

Visitation took us to a beautiful golf/lake community

and it was a beautiful day.

When we got home,

hubby set to work building me a pallet bench for the back porch.

He brought home a pallet from work

and was challenged to use scraps that we had from making clothes lines.

 I think it turned out beautiful.

Next time we are going to make the back a little shorter.

I am going to sand it a little and paint it.

It is primarily my bench for putting on my garden boots.

I tidied up my garden,

did a little weed spraying,

and reorganized a daffodil garden.

After the outside work, I set to work on church dinner preparations.

Chicken Pot Pie

Natural Strawberry Fruit Snacks

Peach Plum Pie

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

I don't know what possessed me to make 2 pies - 

Gluten free crust is a real bear to work with,

but I tried 2 new recipes and was relatively pleased with them.

I enjoyed making the cupcakes.

One exploded in the making and ended up looking like the Titanic,

but they were good - really good.

Everything is gluten and cassein free and still edible - Hoo Rah!

The Humor in Life

Today I am thankful for humor - 

the simple joy in life - 

the moments of laughter - 

and those that we can enjoy it with.

Some classic Far Side

 Quite a Predicament!

Some snowmen humor for those still "enjoying" winter.

I got tickled by this one yesterday - 

I married a lego lover and I sure am stuck on him!

Build It Right

I am a "homemaker," so I value the instruction of this verse.

Proverbs 24:3 

Through wisdom is an house builded; 

and by understanding it is established:

Do you want a successful home?

Do you want a thriving household?

Do you want a lasting, loving marriage?

Who doesn't?

We know how,

but we often forget - 

either in our mind or in our actions.

The only way to establish a successful, lasting home

is to build on a sure foundation.

Remember the wise and foolish builder in the gospels.

That foundation?

Wisdom.

Jesus Christ.

The Word of God.

Have you spent time with God today?

Do you value what He values?

Are you following His guidelines?

Do you seek man's wisdom or God's wisdom?

Have you repented of known sin?

Still Cleaning

 With a rainy start to the week,

it is a good week to continue the cleaning challenge.

I did finish all of the challenges from last week - 

I was pleased that nothing was as nasty as the bunnies under the bed and behind the fridge.

I don't think that I found 35 things to throw out,

but I probably found about 15.

I have a huge stack of magazines to look through,

so that will boost my numbers.

With an emphasis on the kitchen this week,

I am sure that I will find many broken or unused utensils to part with.

This week:

Clean out silverware drawer.

Clean stove top, oven, and toaster oven. (microwave if you have it)

Clean the top of cupboards and outside of cupboard doors.

Clean all other kitchen drawers (and crock of utensils for me).

Clean computer and organize files, delete files, run defragmenter.

Clean all mirrors and glass doors.

35 more things to sell, give away, or pitch!

I cleaned the top of cupboards and outside of cupboards yesterday.
I found plenty of grease and had to dig out the big "guns."
Needed some grease remover and a scraper.

Look at the ball of grease in front - OOOHH, YUCK!
I also cleaned the 3 kitchen drawers and the mirrors throughout.

Today I will tackle the oven and toaster oven
and begin work on the computer.

*update - 
the oven is cleaned and the stovetop is refreshingly clean - 
I really need to do better at keeping up on it.
I started converted files on the computer from an obsolete program to a more available program.
That feels good.

Something for Everyone

I broke out an "old" recipe this morning.

It is not actually that old, but I have not used it in awhile.

I found it when we first went gluten-free and I was tired of fried or plain scrambled eggs.

It is a great recipe, because it can meet the tastes of everyone - 

unless, of course, you do not like eggs.

I am not exactly sure how they got the nickname "egg buddies" but I am sure it was on a "silly" morning.

My plate usually has 2 muffins,
but there was only one leftover to take a picture of :)

Egg Muffins (or Egg Buddies)

12 eggs

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

(optional add-on items: anything that you would put in an omelet)

(cheese, bacon, ham, sausage, peppers, onions, potatoes, mushrooms ...)

Grease muffin tins.

Put add-ons in cups.  (This is where everyone makes their favorites.)

This morning we had red bell pepper, ham and cheese.

Blend eggs, powder, and seasonings.

Pour egg mix in muffin tins over extra items.

I put about one egg per cup.

I half my recipe to use only 6 eggs, therefore - 6 muffins.

Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

Faster than an egg casserole and easy to customize.

This weeks menu plan:

Sunday: Deer Tenderloin and mashed potatoes

Monday: Leftover Tuscan Beans

Tuesday: Italian Pasta Salad

Wednesday: Beef Stuffed Peppers

Thursday: Taco Soup

Friday: South of the Border Potatoes

Saturday: Thai Cabbage Bowls