139) I really liked this one but I couldn’t find the exact biscuits she used and regular frozen biscuits didn’t cook evenly. I think I may just use regular biscuits next time cut into little pieces.
http://roxanashomebaking.com/upside-meatball-casserole-recipe/
140) I am not terribly fond of these. They have a slight yogurt flavor and I really dislike yogurt but the kids are loving them and they are healthy. http://www.lovefromtheoven.com/2013/05/25/chewy-chocolatey-breakfast-cookies/
141) We picked a ton of apples this fall with the intention of making pie filling…after 15 quarts of pie filling, it was time for another recipe. This was good and easy and it makes the whole house smell amazing!!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/homemade-apple-cider/
142) I love easy chicken dishes that my kids love.
http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2014/04/01/oven-fried-spicy-ranch-chicken-strips/
143) Another way to use up our apples.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/dried_apples.html
144) This stroganoff was good but needed a little oomph. Maybe some parsley next time.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/easy-ground-beef-stroganoff
145) Oh man are these good! They are definitely better warm but cool they were good too. I was shocked at how easy and quick they are!
http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/super-soft-pretzel-rolls-recipe/
146) We grew squash in our garden to use as baby food but since my freezer is chock full already, I don’t have much room for any. Which means we need to cook up the surplus. I can’t actually stand the stuff but it turns out Jared and Emily loved it. This is a traditional preparation and the puree can be eaten as a side or baked with. I did both.
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/butternut-squash-puree/
147) I made this bread out of the squash puree. It was very easy to make and yummy.
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/butternut-squash-bread/
148) Tonight was a dreary weather sort of night and we have company coming for the weekend so I decided to make some scrumptious muffins to celebrate the coming of fall and my family. Is there anything better than the smell of pumpkin baking on a chilly night while drinking some warm chai? I think not! These are delicious! They are incredibly dense but still soft. I recommend using real butter because you can really smell and taste the butter in them.
http://heatherchristo.com/cooks/2013/09/15/pumpkin-snickerdoodle-muffins/
149) A new soup that Jared likes! I think we have reached the conclusion that it isn’t soup he dislikes, it is bland watery soups he dislikes. We both really liked this!
http://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/2011/12/cheeseburger-soup/
150) These were really good and easy but have way too much sugar. I think I would halve the sugar and water next time.
http://therecipecritic.com/2012/10/slow-cooker-cinnamon-almonds/
151) This bread really did taste like a cinnamon roll but I did feel like it was a bit tough. It didn’t really slice well and was just a bit chewy.
http://inthelandofroses.blogspot.com/2014/09/easy-cinnamon-roll-bread.html
152) These are pretty good. My 3 year old loved them but my 5 year old wasn’t a fan at all. I think they are a good simple breakfast though.
http://www.everydayfamily.com/blog/recipes-for-toddlers-oatmeal-blueberry-applesauce-muffins/
153) Texas Spaghetti-sorry, I accidentally saved the print link rather than the web page. My husband really loved this! I still prefer regular lasagna but this was tasty and filling.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/prt/0,1626,156163-246196,00.html
154) When you really just need chocolate! I added caramel chips to these because I didn’t actually have enough peanut butter chips. They are soooo good! I am loving the combo of chocolate, caramel and peanut butter!
https://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipe-details.aspx?id=5366
155) These were a hit! Jared really likes bbq sauce and these were yummy and easy. I thought about trying to use homemade crust but am glad I didn’t since my recipe tends to be very fragile. I think this will be a good recipe for when we need to get supper done quickly.
http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/10/bbq-beef-pie-pockets/
156) We didn’t like this at all! I honestly didn’t have high hopes but it was much worse than I thought it would be. I salvaged the chicken by removing the slimey pineapple and shredding it with taco spices and ranch sauce for chicken tacos.
http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/04/crock-pot-hawaiian-chicken-freezer-meal-2/
157) I am always looking for the perfect snickerdoodle recipe. This one was not the perfect one for me. It was a crunchy cookie rather than chewy. It was still good and my husband loved them but it wasn’t what I was looking for.
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/09/snickerdoodles/
158) This was easy and filling. We all love a good casserole every once in awhile. It’s been awhile since I cooked a meal using canned goods so it felt a bit odd but I did like how easy it was to whip a scrumptious dinner without a lot of time spent at the stove.
http://www.homemakingchallenged.com/2012/01/chicken-tortilla-bake.html
159) I used to work at a coffeeshop that made stuffed green pepper soup and I always jumped at the chance to take home the leftovers.We really liked this recipe, even my husband who normally won't eat tomatoes. It made a HUGE amount though! Fortunately, I think it will freeze well. I plan on freezing it in quart bags to use as quick taco filling.
http://stickafork.net/2011/01/stuffed-pepper-soup/
160) For some reason, I cannot make big fluffy biscuits. I think I need to stop blaming recipes and admit that it is me. I can make perfect pie crust, crispy french bread, cookies that make my family drool, but biscuits are my cryptonite. These were still good though which proves that the recipe is a good one, it is just my skill that is lacking. They weren’t fluffy but still soft and tasty. And I will keep practicing.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/biscuits-recipe.html
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Easy Cinnamon Roll Bread
Easy Cinnamon Roll Bread
No yeast in this recipe, so prep time is quick. You don't even need a mixer! It makes its own unique swirl as it bakes.
BREAD:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup plain greek yogurt, or sour cream
SWIRL:
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled slightly (can use water instead)
GLAZE:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 - 3 teaspoons cream or milk (as needed for consistency)
Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter or spray a glass loaf pan.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and yogurt or sour cream. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture, stirring with a spoon just until combined. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
In a small bowl, stir the Swirl ingredients together. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the top of the bread; then use a knife to swirl it a couple of times into the batter. (Don't overmix it).
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the center tests done with a toothpick.
Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Remove bread from the pan and cool completely on the rack.
Make the Glaze by whisking the ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth, adding a dab of milk at a time until a good drizzling consistency is reached. When the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top.
No yeast in this recipe, so prep time is quick. You don't even need a mixer! It makes its own unique swirl as it bakes.
BREAD:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup plain greek yogurt, or sour cream
SWIRL:
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled slightly (can use water instead)
GLAZE:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 - 3 teaspoons cream or milk (as needed for consistency)
Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter or spray a glass loaf pan.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and yogurt or sour cream. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture, stirring with a spoon just until combined. Pour into the prepared loaf pan.
In a small bowl, stir the Swirl ingredients together. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the top of the bread; then use a knife to swirl it a couple of times into the batter. (Don't overmix it).
Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the center tests done with a toothpick.
Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Remove bread from the pan and cool completely on the rack.
Make the Glaze by whisking the ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth, adding a dab of milk at a time until a good drizzling consistency is reached. When the bread is completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the top.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
August Recipes
I am going to start this month out with a cookie recipe that came from my favorite cookbook. I actually have 2 favorite cookbooks and they are both a compilation of recipes from 2 different churches. One is the church I went to as child and the other is my Nana’s church. I love finding a recipe in these by someone I know and then letting that person know how much I love it. My Aunt Julie is one of the best cooks I have ever met. She could give Gordon Ramsay a run for his money. So many recipes we use on a daily basis are from her and from this cookbook. This recipe came from a friend of the family and I found it in “Feeding the Flock” from New Hope Community Church.
121) Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies by Marcie Heerten
1 c. Shortening 2 c. Flour
1 c. Sugar 1 c. Oatmeal
2/3 c. Brown Sugar 2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 c. Peanut Butter 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Vanilla 1 pkg. Chocolate Chips
2 Eggs
Cream Shortening, sugars, peanut butter, vanilla and eggs. Add flour, oats, soda and salt. Mix well and add chocolate chips. Drop on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10-12 at 350 degrees.
Thanks Marcie!
122) This was really good and simple. I think it would be a great dish served over a salad.
http://diethood.com/hawaiian-baked-chicken-100-target-gift-card-giveaway/
123) I had to bake this cake for 95 minutes because it was so dense. The recipe says 75-85 but that was not near long enough. Also, I used a cheap bundt pan from Walmart that worked fine but it apparently wasn’t deep enough. The cake kind of bloomed over the side but I caught it in time and put a cookie sheet under it just in case. It was great but the topping was too sweet!
http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/brown-sugar-pound-cake/
124) This was very yummy and so easy! I used Southwest Ranch dressing because I had a bottle that needed used and it was scrumptious!
http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/10/baked-crispy-ranch-chicken/
125) This was a quick and easy prep meal. It came out of the crock pot really moist and tender but I can’t actually tell you how it tasted because baby made it impossible for Mommy to eat meat that day. Hubby and kids ate it in tacos and loved it. I froze the leftovers for a quick freezer meal after baby comes.
http://www.chef-in-training.com/2011/11/slow-cooker-carnitas/
126) Pork chops, we did not love these. They were easy and fast but not scrumptious.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/25/b2/f6/25b2f674235dc77a181d8287065a53c8.jpg
127) I actually really liked this one. It was filling and heated up really well.
http://completerecipes.com/Cheesy-ground-beef-and-rice-.html
128) Mmmmmm….this was sooo good! I used frozen blackberries and blueberries so the kids hated it because of the seeds but I loved it!
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/blackberry-crisp
129) I didn’t love this banana muffin recipe however I love the method! Mash the bananas in a gallon bag and then add all the other ingredients?! Brilliant! No dishes!
http://www.yammiesnoshery.com/2013/10/the-best-banana-bread-muffins-ever.html
130) We are trying to figure out a way to use up our tomatoes. We don’t really have enough to bother with making sauce and I don’t can so we have been experimenting. This recipe was easy and good and it looks pretty. It had a distinct pizza flavor and who doesn’t love pizza?
http://www.jocooks.com/main-courses/vegeterian/baked-parmesan-tomatoes/
131) This was a BBQ chicken recipe that I had seen floating around for years. I have to admit, I do not understand the point of the soda. I didn’t love it. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t as good as the recipe I usually use, (1 package frozen thighs or drums, cook on low for 6 hours with 1 cup water then drain and add your favorite bbq sauce.) And….because it was chicken breast, it was not nearly as “frugal” as what I usually do.
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/10/crockpot-dr-pepper-bbq-chicken.html
132) I made this casserole for supper and an extra for the freezer for when baby comes. I like this casserole but hubby complains that it isn’t really filling enough. I got it from my Once A Month Cooking cookbook so I had to do some searching to find the same recipe online. Most that I have found, do not have the rice but I think without the rice, it would not be filling at all. I froze the chicken and cream mixture in a gallon bag and attached the poppyseed, crushed crackers and stick of butter in a separate bag, to the outside of the gallon bag.
http://abearinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2010/09/poppy-seed-chicken-freezer-meal.html
133) My attempt at making homemade apple butter went slightly awry. The crock pot burned it a bit and the apples were a touch green so it isn’t the best apple butter…but…when life gives you sour apple butter, make cake!
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/apple_butter_spice_cake.html
134) I have been wanting to try homemade refried beans for awhile. I love refried beans but my hubby won’t eat them so a can always goes to waste at our house. I was going to do a crock pot version but I am still scrubbing my crock pot up after my apple butter fiasco so I decided to do it on the stovetop instead. It was super easy and man they taste sooo good! Give me some cheddar and chips and I could eat them as a meal! I did leave out the garlic and onion since I will be freezing most of it and I didn’t want those flavors becoming too overwhelming in the freezer. I also omitted the red pepper flakes since we are not really fans of those here.
http://scrumptiousandsumptuous.com/2011/10/08/spicy-refried-beans-stovetop-or-crockpot/
135) I made this recipe for dinner and a second for the freezer. I thought it was a little bland but it was still okay. I think I will serve it with pasta and sauce when I cook the freezer one.
http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-durango-43139
136) I made the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo. It was good but I’m not sure it was really necessary to freeze the ingredients. I made one for the freezer and the other I just added all of the ingredients(frozen chicken and broccoli) directly into the crock pot. It seems like it would be just as easy to have the ingredients on hand and make this fresh each time. It is essentially a “dump” dish, where you just dump in the ingredients. We love chicken broccoli alfredo and this was definitely not as good as what I usually make but it was much easier. I think it would make a great dish for after Church.
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/09/slow-cooker-freezer-meals-make-8-meals.html
137) Oh man these are yummy! They are the perfect chewy cookie! The combination of chocolate chips and cinnamon makes them taste similar to mexican hot cocoa, which is exactly what I will be enjoying mine with for dessert tonight.
http://lemonsandlimabeans.blogspot.co.at/2012/07/laura-bushs-texas-governors-mansion.html
138) This was delicious! It was creamy and rich but still incredibly healthy. I used some heavy cream and some milk but it could be made healthier with just milk. I think it would be great with potatoes or rice added in. I served it with biscuits and it was just the thing to sate my craving for soup. There were so many amazing flavors but it was not a difficult recipe at all!
Friday, August 29, 2014
Week 30 Update
Tomorrow I am 30 weeks pregnant! This is incredibly exciting…and terribly nerve wracking! When you have never had a full term baby, your concerns at 30 weeks are a bit different than the average mom. I have been counting down the weeks up until this point. Now each week is an extra point. Each Saturday we reach is a huge blessing and if we can go six more weeks with the baby still resting comfortably where it is supposed to be then I will be the most pregnant I have ever been! We have a friend who is getting married in 6 weeks and I plan on being huge and uncomfortable at the wedding.
My belly now takes up a large majority of my lap. I can’t bend so well. I’ve decided that having painted toenails is just not that important. Molly now empties the dryer for me. Emily picks up things I have dropped. By 9 pm I am exhausted and yet it takes hours to fall asleep. Oh the joy of pregnancy. This baby is definitely a night owl. I can go nearly an entire day without feeling much movement but as soon as I lay down in bed, my belly rolls and jumps for a couple of hours.
We moved dressers around earlier this week and stocked baby clothes in an extra one in our room. The bassinet is laundered and waiting to be moved upstairs. I went shopping this week for the few things I needed. All we have left to get ready is the car seat but we are still debating that purchase. It feels good to be this prepared but I feel like the next couple of months will drag by because of it.
We have 7 shots left and my doctor appointments have moved to a bi-weekly schedule now. I failed my first glucose screening test but passed the 3 hour test so I am in the clear. Doctor says all looks great but because there were absolutely no signs of early labor with the girls either, he is keeping a very close eye on me. I have to come to dread the phrase, “lets get some extra pictures of the baby”. After 6 ultrasounds, they become a tad tedious.
I am definitely not wishing this pregnancy away. I am trying very hard to enjoy each second. We are fairly certain this is our last so each kick is extra special. Some days the demands of pregnancy on my body can be a bit overwhelming but I still love it. I love the way people feel extra motivated to open doors for me. I love the teeny tiny hiccups. I love maternity clothes. I love the excitement in my girls’ eyes. I love that I can eat cookies and not feel guilty. I love that I haven’t had to mow the lawn all summer long! I am really looking forward to meeting this tiny little person but for the next 10(I hope!) weeks, I will be thanking God for the gift of pregnancy, heartburn and all.
Prayer for a full term, healthy baby is still much appreciated. Technically, 37 weeks is full term but we would love to make it to 40!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
July Recipes
96) I love pasta! And this one was so easy and delicious! Hubby said that the leftovers warmed up at work made his coworkers angry at him for not sharing 
http://centslessdeals.com/2013/10/pot-creamy-garlic-pasta.html/
97) This is one of those that has been really popular on Pinterest so it should be good right? But the thing with “convenience dishes” is that they usually aren’t. This one was not. Really, it wasn’t any less work than pizza but pizza would have been 10x better.
http://sweetandsimpleliving.com/easy-pull-apart-pizza-bread/#_a5y_p=1204487
98) Okay, so maybe it is cheating to count a recipe that you have eaten a thousand times but have never made. I don’t care. I love this “salad”(Am I the only one that thinks it isn’t a salad if it isn’t made with lettuce?) This was at nearly every family gathering as a kid but I had never made it. So good!
http://therecipecritic.com/2013/07/strawberry-pretzel-salad/
99) My husband and in-laws love mushrooms. I do not. But I have to admit, they are easy to make and they usually get rave reviews. This one wasn’t as loved as others I have done but still good and took about 30 seconds to prep.
http://damndelicious.net/2014/03/26/baked-parmesan-mushrooms/
100) This one was good and got good reviews from the family. My preschooler thinks cauliflower is awesome, weird, I know. I didn’t like it as much as the potato version but that is probably because I always prefer the less healthy option.
http://rachelschultz.com/2013/05/01/loaded-cauliflower-chicken-casserole/
101) I have been having migraines with this pregnancy and mint and citrus are both supposed to help relieve the pain. This was a good, easy way for to help when I was having a migraine and it actually tasted great. My littlest one thought it was delicious “juice” but that could be because I don’t allow them to drink real juice so she has nothing to compare it too.
http://keeneating.com/strawberry-lime-cucumber-and-mint-water/
102) This was a man pleasing meal. Like, sighing at the dinner table and rubbing his belly, man pleasing meal. It was easy too! The one downside was the baking time. We are now in the midst of a hot Nebraska summer and I try to limit my oven time as much as possible. In fact, I check the forecast at the beginning of the week and make my menu based on the temperatures. If it is going to be a hot week we grill a lot. I will make this again but I will wait until it is chilly out. My hubby said it made delicious breakfast tacos the next day as well.
https://sites.google.com/site/oakcottagerecipes/oven-roasted-smoked-sausage-and-potatoes
103) Yummy and Easy!
http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cake/peachy-keen-bars.html#.T2CUyHsx2zh.pinterest
104) We really liked this chicken but did have a lot of trouble with it burning on the grill. My grill actually caught fire twice. Learning experience for me!
http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/05/girl-who-didnt-eat-everything.html
105) And easy and yummy chicken strip recipe for a night when I don’t feel like doing much. I served it with macaroni and cheese and it got a thumbs up from everyone.
http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2013/11/04/oven-fried-chicken-strips
106) I got my new mixer today! My Mom won a Bosch mixer in a giveaway and because she is awesome she gave it to me! She has had one for quite a few years and is the best bread baker I know so hopefully with this new mixer I can begin to catch up. My husband is very happy to my taste tester!
http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2014/02/03/english-muffin-bread/
107) I was very unimpressed with this one. It didn’t have a good texture and it was really quite a bit of work for something that was supposed to be fast and easy. And you still have to refrigerate it for 2 hours so you might as well make a real cheesecake or on a day when you want to cheat, Jello cheesecake is always yummy.
http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2012/08/mug-cheesecake-2-minutes-microwave.html
108) I love pasta and Pioneer Woman never lets me down.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/09/pasta-with-tomato-cream-sauce/
109) More Chinese love!
http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/take-out-fake-out-mongolian-beef/
110) These were so yummy! Perfectly fluffy and it was a really easy recipe, without any whipped egg whites or silly stuff like that.
http://cookinupnorth.blogspot.com/2011/11/ihop-pancake-recipe.html
111) I have made simple syrups in the past so this is kind of a cheat to call this a “new” recipe but I had never made a strawberry syrup. Hubby loved this one and it was really simple. We left in the berries and ate it on pancakes but I can definitely see the possibilities of straining it into a syrup. For milk or malts perhaps.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/simple-strawberry-syrup/
112) This one was a hit but I did leave out a bit of the chiles to make sure my kids wouldn’t revolt.
http://www.yellowblissroad.com/one-pan-green-chile-chicken-enchilada-pasta/
113) Starting out freezer cooking for when baby comes! I like having muffins and cookies I can pull out for when I need a quick breakfast or snack for the kids. These are a good healthy option. I used white flour but I think they would be good with whole wheat too.
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/healthy-oats-and-applesauce-muffins/
114) More freezer cooking! These look amazing! Really puffy and pretty and they are tasty too!
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/banana-cinnamon-muffins/479aaf26-88aa-47f2-a5c0-3f4448ecdfd4
115) I have never made Monster Cookies before. Well, not at my house. I used to work for a cookie store and made billions there. I didn’t have a great mixer before and worried that it would burn out the motor to try and mix up this super thick and chewy dough. With the new mixer I can do anything so I made them this afternoon as a treat for hubby who had been out gardening all afternoon. Delicious! And I love that they don’t have any flour so they are gluten free for my daycare kiddoes! Woohoo!
http://www.recipegirl.com/2012/05/07/monster-cookies/
116) Another recipe that I made just as an excuse to use my new mixer 
I did not make the garlic spread but the bread is delicious and so easy!
117) Chicken fried steak in the shape of chicken strips? Dipping gravy? Umm…Yes! I loved that this is just like chicken fried steak but so much easier to cook. We all loved it!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/07/steak-fingers-with-gravy/#recipe-form-220823
118) I always make homemade pudding. That way I know the ingredients and it is much cheaper than snack packs. This was by far the most work I have ever gone to for pudding but it is my favorite flavor and I have had a serious craving for butterscotch! O me O my! That is some scotch butterscotch! Wowza it is good!
https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/7266-best-butterscotch-pudding
119) This one was yummy and easy. It called for 1/2 a pound of sausage so I just browned the whole pound and froze the other half of the meat and pepper to use for pizza down the road. I did make this cheater recipe for cooking crème rather than using the store bought. The store bought is expensive and full of odd ingredients.
http://www.plainchicken.com/2012/02/baked-penne-and-50-grocery-card.html#more
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/MAKE-YOUR-OWN-COOKING-CREME-52461791
120) These were pretty good but I need to work on my execution for sure. Or maybe not cook and parent at the same time. It leads to burning.
http://brunchtimebaker.com/2014/01/16/quick-and-easy-chicken-burritos/
Freezer cooking
With my first baby we didn’t freeze anything ahead of time. We were blessed with meals from our local MOP’s chapter but she was already 2 months old by that time. It was hard to get back into cooking after she was born because I was tired and learning a lot. Hubby tried to help, and he excels at grilling and breakfast, but anything else can be a bit of a challenge. With my second, I froze some casseroles but not near as much as I wanted to do because we only had a small freezer on top of our fridge. In the 3 years since then, my parents have bought us a deep freezer and I am striving to get is chock full before this baby makes its appearance in the fall. We have been freezing green beans and green peppers from our garden and soon I will begin harvesting and freezing squash to turn into baby food for next spring. On top of that we are filling it with casseroles(my goal is 20 full meals), sides, main dishes and baked goods. This is a compilation of meals that I have found are easy to make and freeze well.
Baked goods
http://cookinupnorth.blogspot.com/2011/11/ihop-pancake-recipe.html
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/healthy-oats-and-applesauce-muffins/
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/banana-cinnamon-muffins/479aaf26-88aa-47f2-a5c0-3f4448ecdfd4
http://www.recipegirl.com/2012/05/07/monster-cookies/
I also have oatmeal raisin cookies(I use quakers recipe on the lid of the oatmeal container.) Dinner rolls in wheat and white, whole wheat bread and white bread. I will be doing a freezer cooking session of waffles soon. I like to freeze waffles all year round because they break up into perfect sizes to fit in the toaster. I am also going to make chocolate chip cookie dough balls and molasses cookies. The dough balls are great because I can pretend like I made fresh cookies for kids or company when I really just pulled them straight from the freezer. They taste good frozen too.
Side dishes
Twice baked mashed potatoes-I don’t have a recipe for this one but it is pretty self explanatory. Make mashed taters(I just make a huge batch for supper some night and use the leftovers), add sour cream, butter, cheese, green onion and bacon bits. Spread it into an 8x8 pan and freeze.
Corn on the cob-did you know you can freeze it?! Cut it in half, boil it for a few minutes then dunk in ice water. Then you can freeze it and have it year round! just add it to boiling water when you want it and get it the right color!
Refried beans-Okay, so I don’t have a recipe for this either but it is super easy. Just google it and you will find all kinds of variations. I like to make it plain and freeze in small bags since only 2 of us like it.
Main dishes
Taco meat
Pizza sausage(browned with peppers and onion)
Shredded chicken(plain and taco) I like roasting a whole chicken for supper and freezing the leftovers
Roast beef. Same as the chicken. We don’t want to eat leftovers for 3-4 days so I freeze some. Then I can make beef and noodles whenever I want.
Cubed ham
Meatballs-these are AMAZING!!! http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/easy-freezer-meal-meatballs/
Runzas
Chicken Nuggets-I do have an amazing recipe for these but can’t post it because you need to be a member of Cooks Country to see it. I will type it up on a separate post at some point.
Casseroles-
http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/4-weeks-to-fill-your-freezer-chicken-broccoli-rice-casserole-day-14.html This one makes 4-8x8 casseroles.
Lasagna
Enchiladas
http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/freezer-meals-ground-beef-pot-pie/
Egg and sausage casserole.
Chalupa casserole
Tetrazzini
Meatloaf
As you can see, I didn’t post my recipes for some of these because people always have their own favorites. I am nearly done with baked goods and will start on the other dishes as my garden starts taking up less of my time. It is a lot of work at the onset but if it can give me an extra 30 minutes a day to focus on my new baby and babies sisters then I think it is worth it. Hope this helps in your freezer meal adventures!
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
7 Tips to Help You Keep Your Sanity When You Become A New Mom.
Parenting is hard. Becoming a new Mom is incredibly challenging and frightening. I didn't have a lot of friends who were Mom's when I had my first but the couple that I did gave me some amazing advice. These 7 tips were things I learned after giving birth to my 2 girls. Now that I am expecting my 3rd baby, I feel much more at ease with the whole process. So I want to share my knowledge as best I can!
I read this blog this evening and agree 100 %!
http://www.cloudywithachanceofwine.com/10-tips-all-new-moms-should-read-before-they-enter-parenthood/#_a5y_p=1909090
But....I have a few tips of my own.
1) You are in charge of your labor. The nurses and doctors work for you. This doesn't mean that I think you should ignore their advice(those nurses are some smart ladies!) but it does mean that if they want you to do something you don't feel comfortable you do have a say!
2) Kick out the guests when you are tired. I can't even think how many friends I have had tell me that they were exhausted and didn't want company. Or they had company who overstayed their welcome while Mom needed to nurse or nap. If you or your husband don't feel comfortable kicking people out, ask the nurse to do it. But honestly, if anybody who visits you in the hospital is going to be offended because you need a nap, they don't need to be there in the first place.
3) Ignore your cell phone. You are not required to answer the phone every time it rings or answer that text from a dear friend who wants to know what you are up to. You are up to sleeping, feeding and bonding. Those are your only jobs. You can get back to people eventually but for the first days/weeks focus on that baby.
4) People are going to want to hog your baby. Don't let them. People will tell you that they can feed the baby but sometimes you really just want to feed your own baby. Take back your baby. You don't need to feel guilty for wanting to take care of your baby in your own way.
5) For Mom's of NICU babies- NICU nurses are some of the most experienced, loving and competent people you will ever meet. And they will wrap your baby up like a burrito and toss them around like a throw pillow. It's freaky. But they know what they are doing. Trust them and take their advice. We learned so much from our time in NICU. They taught us a new way to burp our little girl that was brilliant! They can change a diaper in 10 seconds(including weighing) and they are the champions of the swaddle. They are incredibly busy so they have learned how to do all of this incredibly fast and efficiently which can be scary for a new parent. Don't be afraid of them, rather ask for their advice.
6) NICU Mom's- Those scary NICU nurses? They scare doctors too. If you aren't getting an answer from your doc or just want a more thorough update, that nurse will be an advocate for you. We struggled with our second one to get any of the pediatricians to actually speak to us personally. With our first, the pediatrician would come into our hospital room each morning and give me an update but with the second I had to stalk her NICU room to get any update at all. When I expressed my frustration to the nurse she stepped in and got me some one on one time with the doctor so I could get some answers.
7) It is okay to do it different. I parent like my parents. When I need parenting advice I call my Mom or ask a Mom that I trust. I don't seek out advice on the internet. My friends do. That's okay. My friends have individual parenting philosophies. I don't. I want to raise healthy, happy kids who seek God. I don't necessarily have a plan for that but rather I play it by ear for each stage. That's okay too. No 2 parents agree(Not even Mom and Dad always agree.) so don't stress about disagreeing with your best friend about how to discipline your child or sleep training.
I read this blog this evening and agree 100 %!
http://www.cloudywithachanceofwine.com/10-tips-all-new-moms-should-read-before-they-enter-parenthood/#_a5y_p=1909090
But....I have a few tips of my own.
1) You are in charge of your labor. The nurses and doctors work for you. This doesn't mean that I think you should ignore their advice(those nurses are some smart ladies!) but it does mean that if they want you to do something you don't feel comfortable you do have a say!
2) Kick out the guests when you are tired. I can't even think how many friends I have had tell me that they were exhausted and didn't want company. Or they had company who overstayed their welcome while Mom needed to nurse or nap. If you or your husband don't feel comfortable kicking people out, ask the nurse to do it. But honestly, if anybody who visits you in the hospital is going to be offended because you need a nap, they don't need to be there in the first place.
3) Ignore your cell phone. You are not required to answer the phone every time it rings or answer that text from a dear friend who wants to know what you are up to. You are up to sleeping, feeding and bonding. Those are your only jobs. You can get back to people eventually but for the first days/weeks focus on that baby.
4) People are going to want to hog your baby. Don't let them. People will tell you that they can feed the baby but sometimes you really just want to feed your own baby. Take back your baby. You don't need to feel guilty for wanting to take care of your baby in your own way.
5) For Mom's of NICU babies- NICU nurses are some of the most experienced, loving and competent people you will ever meet. And they will wrap your baby up like a burrito and toss them around like a throw pillow. It's freaky. But they know what they are doing. Trust them and take their advice. We learned so much from our time in NICU. They taught us a new way to burp our little girl that was brilliant! They can change a diaper in 10 seconds(including weighing) and they are the champions of the swaddle. They are incredibly busy so they have learned how to do all of this incredibly fast and efficiently which can be scary for a new parent. Don't be afraid of them, rather ask for their advice.
6) NICU Mom's- Those scary NICU nurses? They scare doctors too. If you aren't getting an answer from your doc or just want a more thorough update, that nurse will be an advocate for you. We struggled with our second one to get any of the pediatricians to actually speak to us personally. With our first, the pediatrician would come into our hospital room each morning and give me an update but with the second I had to stalk her NICU room to get any update at all. When I expressed my frustration to the nurse she stepped in and got me some one on one time with the doctor so I could get some answers.
7) It is okay to do it different. I parent like my parents. When I need parenting advice I call my Mom or ask a Mom that I trust. I don't seek out advice on the internet. My friends do. That's okay. My friends have individual parenting philosophies. I don't. I want to raise healthy, happy kids who seek God. I don't necessarily have a plan for that but rather I play it by ear for each stage. That's okay too. No 2 parents agree(Not even Mom and Dad always agree.) so don't stress about disagreeing with your best friend about how to discipline your child or sleep training.
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