Breadsticks

Breadsticks    

      Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 pkg (2 1/4 tsp) yeast
• 1 cup plus 1 Tbsp warm water
• 3 cups bread flour 
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• butter
• garlic salt

1. Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water.  
2. Let it sit 5 minutes until it foams
3. Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.
4. Stir in yeast mixture and oil.
5. Knead on a floured surface for a few minutes.
6. Shape dough into a ball and cut like a pizza into 12 slices.
7. Roll each slice into a log shape.
8. Place on a greased baking sheet.
9. Let rise 2 hours
10. Bake at 400 for 8-12 minutes or until lightly brown on top.
11. Brush tops with butter and sprinkle with garlic salt.

Cheesy Baked Ziti

This is a family favorite of ours.  It isn't difficult to make, but will taste like it took you all day to make.  Serve it with a side of breadsticks and a salad for a perfect meal.  

     Ingredients:

• 1 lb of penne or rotini pasta
• 2 lbs ricotta cheese
• 1 small jar (14 oz = 1 3/4 cup) of spaghetti sauce
• 1 can (14 oz) stewed tomatoes, blended in a blender or food processor
• 1 can (14 oz) tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• dash of pepper
• 1/8 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded (tastes better if you grate a block rather than buy a bag)

1.  Cook the pasta.  While it is cooking, go ahead and shred the cheese.
2. Strain the pasta.
3. Pour the pasta into a LARGE bowl and mix with the ricotta.
4. In the same pot you cooked the pasta (saves on dishes), gently cook the next 10 ingredients.  This just blends the flavors.  Cook med-high heat for about 10 minutes.
5. Pour sauce over ricotta/pasta mixture and mix well.
6. Put mixture in a 11X13 dish.  *It needs to be at least this big or slightly bigger!
7. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
8. Cover with aluminum foil ---I always put toothpicks in the pasta (sticking up where visible) to keep the aluminum foil from touching the cheese.  No one wants to scrape cheese off of the foil cover.
9. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
10. Remove the foil and Broil for 4 minutes.
11. ENJOY!!!!

*Note:  For something extra special, toss in some pepperoni and call it a pizza pasta.  LOL


**Note:  You could eliminate the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, and spices for a very large jar of spaghetti sauce, but it won't be as delicious.

Lemonade Pie

I am not a winter person.  When winter blues get me down, I try to trick myself into thinking it is warmer outside.  One way to chase those blues away is with my favorite pie.  Not only is the Lemonade Pie delicious, but it is super easy and quick to make-No Baking Required.  I don't know who created this pie, but they were genius!  I'm addicted to it.
     Ingredients:

• 1 large tub of cool-whip, completely thawed.
• 1 can of condensed milk
• 1 can frozen lemonade concentrate
• 2 graham cracker pie crusts

1. In a bowl, mix the condensed milk and lemonade concentrate.
2. FOLD in the thawed cool-whip until well mixed in.  Do not use a mixer, or the pie will be runny.
3. Pour evenly into each pie crust.
4. Pop them in the freezer for 3-4 hours or overnight and enjoy!  ***My preference is to freeze one for about 2 hours and then keep it in the fridge after that because I'm not a huge fan of biting into frozen foods.  I like it to be more smooth.
5. Enjoy!

Heart Health Awareness

Hello All,

It has been such a long time since I have written here.  I have been preoccupied with life, traveling, family, and my own recent discovery of heart valvular disease.  

Heart Disease Doesn't Discriminate

For nine years I dealt with palpitations and doctors assuming it was just stress or anxiety, ignoring my symptoms because I'm young.  My mother has aortic valve regurgitation/insufficiency.  I was experiencing the same symptoms as she (mostly a fluttering feeling with dizziness).  I had a pretty good idea that I would have the same condition.  Despite my pleas to have an echocardiogram with my prior cardiologist, it was not done.  

This past December, my heart seemed to be on palpitation overdrive with so much tightness my shoulders and back ached.  I also had a hard time breathing and became very lightheaded.  Since that time, I still have a hard time catching my breath.  Occasionally the pain will revisit my shoulders as the tightness builds in my chest.  

Listen To Your Body.  You've Known It The Longest.

In January, after I got back from visiting family in Texas, I set an appointment with a new cardiologist.  At first sight, he didn't believe anything could be wrong with me either.  I have good cholesterol levels.  I have a normal blood pressure.  I'm young.  I'm not overweight.  I seemed to be fine.  He decided to hook me up to an event monitor for 30 days anyway just in case, and schedule an echocardiogram.  FINALLY!  

The monitor was not needed those full 30 days.  During the echo, aortic valve regurgitation, pulmonary valve regurgitation, and tricuspid valve regurgitation were discovered.  I also have an enlarged aorta.  I wasn't just suffering from stress or anxiety.  I wasn't a crazy, over-dramatic woman after all.  

Luckily for me, my leaking valves are mild right now.  My hopes are that they stay mild where I will not need replacement surgery.  I have been placed on medication to lower my heart rate, and yearly echos have been scheduled.  I also have an upcoming CT scan to make sure I do not have an aneurysm in my thoracic aorta.  I'm confident that will turn out fine.

Anyway, the point of this is to inform you all to take care of your heart.   Love Your <3   It is the only one you have.

Things I NEVER Thought I'd Say...Then I Had Children!

Before I had children, I assumed there would be the everyday sort of sayings.
"Eat all your vegetables before dessert."  
"No hitting."
"Of course I love you."
And the one every parent can't wait to say simply because they heard their own parents say it, "Because I said so."


Then there are the things I never thought I would ever...I mean EVER say, but alas over the years, I have had to say some very odd things.  Why?  Because I actually had children.

1. Stop licking the window.  That doesn't mean you can lick the walls or the floor either.
2. No, we do not flush our Star Wars light sabers down the toilet.
3. Please get your toe out of your nose.
4. You are not 99 so please stop whining about being old.  You are only 5.
5. No, you can not give the fish a bath with your bubbles.  Wait!  Did you put the bubbles in the fish tank?!
6. Please take the millipede out of your mouth.
7. Please take the beetle out of your mouth.
8. Why would you want your head to get stuck, AGAIN?
9. It is just a song, so no, we can't have a hippo.  No, we can't have a whale either.
10. Did you just put a hole in the wall?  Why would you want to see what is on the inside of the wall?
11. We don't ride dogs like horses.  Get off the dog.
12. Get your finger out of your brother's nose.
13. Get your foot out of your brother's mouth.
14. Please take the leaves out of your mouth.  We don't eat leaves off the trees.
15. Please stop eating rocks.
16. Who painted the floor with fingernail polish?!  I don't care if you wanted the white carpet to be pink.
17. We don't draw on the TV or windows.  If you want to see ______ then put the movie in the player...don't draw _______ on the TV.  As for the windows, I can't change what the view looks like outside...sorry.
18. The closet shelves are not rock climbing walls.
19. Please take the underwear off your head.  It is not a mask.
20. No, I don't want to smell your "fart"
21. No, you can not body slam your sister.
22. Did you just drop a treasure chest on her head?
23. Why on Earth would you want to do that?  No, I never told you not to, but I didn't think it was necessary to do so.  
24. No, we are not going to chase the turkey so we can cut its head off and pluck its feathers.  We can buy a turkey at the store if you want to cook a turkey.
25. Please stop throwing yourself onto the floor.
26. Just because a dog does it, does not mean we do it!

And my personal favorite...No we can not keep the dead mole as a pet.

Sometimes I Forget

The kids were acting...well, like kids.  I had a headache, was on the phone, my husband was trying to tell me something, and I was trying to cook dinner all at the same time.  I got off the phone as quickly as I could and glared at my husband and children.  Instead of taking a moment to gather myself and breathe, I took my frustrations out on them.  Zach responded with, "We were just playing.  We're kids."  In my anger, I yelled, "Grow up!"  They stopped in their tracks and looked at me with hurt expressions.    I immediately regretted the words and wished I could take them back.

Zach had said it perfectly.  They are just kids!  I forget that sometimes.  I think all parents do at some point or another.  It is important, however, to remember they are just kids.  Like most mothers, I want to keep them little and innocent for as long as I can...and yet here I was yelling for them to grow up.  Tisk, Tisk.  What was I thinking?

Caitlin asks many questions ABOUT EVERYTHING :) and can't sit still during a movie.  I don't think even a seat belt would keep her in her seat if furniture came with one.  Zach likes to eavesdrop and pretend he is constantly making movies (think Transformers or any robot fighting type of movie).  Expect to hear giggles and BOOM sounds or noises radiate from their rooms at any given point during the day.  

Then, there are the moments when they have very rational conversations, behave like perfect angels (which they do more often than not), and sit quietly while reading encyclopedias.  It is at times like these that I sometimes forget he is only eight and she is only five.   I have to remind myself.  

After they have long fallen asleep, I find myself watching them from the doorway or sitting on the edge of the bed listening to them breathe and watching them deep within their slumber.  They look so young, peaceful, and small.  I see just how little they really are.  They are far from being babies, but even further from being adults.  

I can't expect them to know everything, so she needs to ask questions to learn.  I certainly can't expect a five year old girl to sit through historical films.  I can't expect an eight year old boy NOT to be curious or want to make crashing sounds and fighting scenes when all he wants to do is be a film director...well, when he doesn't want to be a paleontologist (by the way, he could spell that at age 4).    

I want them to grow up, but not yet.  I just need to remember because sometimes I forget.

Spaghetti

My mom started making this kind of spaghetti when she married my step-father.  At first, it was a shock because it wasn't loaded down with tomato paste, but it grew on us so much so that I LOVE this recipe.  I won't make spaghetti any other way.  It has its extra bonuses, too.  Vegetables get thrown in for added health...the kids will never know.  It turns out to be a filling, healthy, vegetable spaghetti.  

Serve it with the breadstick recipe I have.  Super, super delicious breadsticks are always enjoyed with this spaghetti or your favorite lasagna.

Spaghetti    

      Ingredients

•  2 lbs beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 stalks of celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped    
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup of eggplant, finely chopped  (or a combination of mushrooms, carrots, squash-any vegetable of your choice)
• 1 (28 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, STRAINED and then processed in food processor
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 can tomato paste-Italian seasoning flavored (or you could add your own herbs)
• 1/8 cup sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Brown the meat with the onions, celery, bell pepper, and garlic.  
2. Strain the grease off if there is any.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients, and bring to a boil.
4. Cover and reduce heat to low/simmer.
5. Cook on low/simmer for 3 to 4 hours.  The longer it cooks, the better.  

Powdered Milk

There are so many uses for powdered milk.  It is a definite in our household to keep it on hand. I put it in a container and keep it stored in the freezer (not sure why...just do).  Then, I scoop out as much as I need.  Here are some ideas on what to use powdered milk for:

1. Make milk.  :D  That was easy.  Use it in cereal, mashed potatoes, recipes, etc...
2. When I don't have raw milk on hand, I use powdered milk to make yogurt.
3. Make whipped topping with equal parts of powdered milk and ice water.  Beat in a little sugar and vanilla.  Put it on top of your favorite pie. 
4. Evaporated milk can be made rather than bought...especially if you forgot to buy it, it comes in handy.  1/3 cup powdered milk with 1/2 cup water.
5. Sour cream can be made with 1/3 cup powdered milk and 3/4 cup yogurt.  Add 1 tsp cornstarch to stabilize it if you plan on using it in cooking.
6. Replace a 13 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk with 1/3 cup powdered milk and 1/2 cup of water.  Microwave until hot and add 1/2 cup of sugar.  Just be sure to refrigerate for a few hours before using. 
7. Instant hot cocoa for those winter months can be made with equal parts of cocoa, powdered milk, and sugar.  Microwave a cup of water till hot and stir in.  Top with marshmallows or a dash of cinnamon to suit your tastes.
8. Make your own curds and whey like Little Miss Muffet.  Boil 1 part powdered milk and 2 parts water.  Remove from heat and pour in vinegar (1 Tbsp per 1 cup of water), stirring slightly.  Let sit and watch it separate.  You should have a clear liquid and curds.  If it is still a little milky, add a small amount of vinegar and let sit again.
9. Continue with the curds to make ricotta cheese by straining the curds through a cheese cloth.  Retain the curds and blend until smooth.
10. You can take it a step further and make cottage cheese by adding some yogurt or evaporated milk to the blended curds. 
11. Soak fish in milk before cooking to make it plump and taste fresher.
12. Make a face mask with a paste of powdered milk and water.  Spread it on your face and let it dry before cleansing it off.  Your face will feel smoother. 
13. Equal parts of powdered milk and water with a dash of salt to make a paste can take the itch out of insect bites.
14. Make some milk to ease sunburn.

Banana Bread

While I have a recipe I like specifically for banana muffins, I also have a recipe I like specifically for banana bread.  This recipe is much sweeter than the recipe for the muffins.  Of course, you could use either recipe for muffins or bread according to your preferred taste.

     Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp milk
• 3/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup nuts (optional)

1. Mix oil and sugar.
2. Add eggs and mashed bananas.
3. Mix in a separate bowl the dry ingredients.
4. Add the dry ingredients, milk, and vanilla and mix well.
5. Pour into a greased and floured bread pan (only one unless you use small pans).
6. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.

Lonestar Angel

Eden Larson is about to receive a marriage proposal when her ex-husband, Clay interrupts.  In a flash, Eden's life is turned upside down.  Not only does she learn that she is still married to Clay because he never signed the divorce papers five years ago, but she also learns that their daughter, Brianna who was kidnapped at six weeks of age, is still alive.  


Eden had lost all hope that her daughter was alive after the ransom delivery went wrong.  The kidnapper's vehicle sunk in the river.  Eden assumed their daughter had also drowned, but the body had never been found.  


Clay had never given up hope and continued searching for his daughter to no avail.  Until he received a photo of a group of girls at a youth ranch in Bluebird, Texas.  Both Clay and Eden whisk off to Texas in search for their Brianna without knowing which one of them is her.  They sign on as counselors in order to find out more.  During their stay at Bluebird Ranch, Clay and Eden grow a bond of love for each girl and for each other.  


Love is not the only thing on Bluebird Ranch.  Someone is determined to keep them from knowing the truth.  When their lives and the lives of the girls hang in the balance, Eden turns to the only thing she knows can help her win this fight.  She turns to her faith in God to save all of them.


This was a fantastic book!  I was kept in suspense till the very end.  I love books that have it all...love, tears, laughter, and yet can still lead me to the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens next.  Colleen Coble did an amazing job with Lonestar Angel.  I believe I will need to seek out her other Lonestar Novels.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

Acceptance

I'm going to get on my soapbox for just a moment.  These thoughts have been weighing heavily on me for too long.

6.	acceptance - a disposition to tolerate or accept people or situations; "all people should practice toleration and live together in peace" toleration, sufferance permissiveness, tolerance - a disposition to allow freedom of choice and behavior

-thefreedictionary.com

To accept someone wholly and completely is not always easy - life is not easy- but it is the right thing to do.  We may not always agree with their choices, but we should allow them the freedom to make decisions for themselves without our judgement.  

Everyday it is something... people fighting over religion, fighting against or for abortion, fighting for or against same-sex marriages, fighting over racial issues...the list goes on and on.  

Good Grief!  Isn't it enough?!  Why fight?  Why argue?  

People deal with good and bad coming in and out of their lives like the tides of the oceans.  People want stability.  They want to know that there is similarity, sameness.  People fear difference.  Why is this?  It is ridiculous what we do to each other and ourselves when we have discord.  We cause pain and stress.  It is bad for our health and the health of others.  Negative actions set bad examples of who we are as people to our neighbors, friends, relatives, and children.  

I hate olives on my pizza, but I know many people do like them.  Should I restrict everyone from getting olives on their pizza just because I dislike them?  NO!  That would be selfish and controlling of me.
  
Think of the olives next time someone worships a different God from yours; thinks abortion is the best choice for herself; falls in love with someone of the same sex....  What may not be right for you doesn't mean it may not be right for your neighbor.  

Love thy neighbor as thyself.

To accept someone unconditionally is to show true love.  Can we put all the judgement, selfishness, and hate aside?  Can we learn to accept each other for who we are?  Can we respect someone's decisions whether we agree or not because we love unconditionally?

         Thanks for listening,

  

Give Halloween Treat Bags

I LOVE holidays!  Of course, this means I LOVE Halloween!  As a kid, we didn't carve pumpkins, and I didn't have any neighbors close by who knocked on my door to say, "Trick-or-Treat."  In other words, after we moved from the city when I was five to the country, Halloween became very boring.


Once I got married and had children, I took the celebration of Halloween to heart.  I get giddy with excitement to carve a pumpkin.  I love watching my children get dressed up to go door to door in search of candy...there's no need to mention my raiding their candy after they go to bed...hehee.  Furthermore, I wait eagerly by the door to hear the faint knock of children dressed in costume.  I know the moment I open it, they will say, "Trick-or-Treat."  


I don't want to be like the one house I went to when I was younger.  Uhhh as interesting as it is, it was also very disappointing...I got a sugarcane.  A real sugarcane!  Imagine a kid trying to find and get to the sugar in a sugarcane.  Ha!  There were also the few occasions of getting an apple or a toothbrush--I'm assuming he was a dentist.  


Soooo, what I decided a few years ago was to become the best Trick-or-Treating house on the block!  Instead of just giving candy, I give them a complete treat bag with all sorts of goodies.

I color fun, Halloween designs on the front of orange bags.  

Then fill it with the following:

• I have all of my friends and family save the unopened toys from fast food restaurants (it is really important that they remain unopened).  
• I print out Halloween themed word searches, mazes, and connect-the-dot pages.
• I buy the Halloween colored mini play dough containers and add one to each bag.
• I add a Halloween themed pencil and bookmark--education is important.
• Then, I toss in a few pieces of chocolate and candy.

The kids LOVE getting the Halloween Treat Bags just as much as my children and I like to give them.  We always have such a good time putting them together, especially drawing the fun, spooky designs on the front.