what’s cookin’

 

monday ~ bbq beef bundles, corn, plums

tuesday ~ florentine pasta toss, salad

wednesday ~ tacos, black beans and rice

thursday ~ grilled cheese, tomato soup

friday ~ italian torta, green beans

saturday ~ burgers, tots

sunday ~ leftovers

1 apology with a side of cole slaw

My title probably has a few of you going “hmmm, where is she going with this one?” Well I will tell you, Mimi called me today and gave me a “come to Jesus” meeting if you will about my blogging routine or lack there of lately.  I first want to apologize for my blogging etiquette and that I have not been a good blogger lately.  No matter how I try my days just get away from me and that I have had severe writers block lately.  So here it is “I am sorry and please forgive me”.  I think I am going to have to start writing at night for the next day and try that for a while.  Thanks Mom for the wake up call I needed it!

Second on the list is my cole slaw recipe.  We are having fish tacos tonight and Mr. Miller loves to put cole slaw on his, I think he would put cole slaw on just about anything.  I would like to claim this as my recipe but I can’t.  I found it several years back in one of my Paula Deen books, you know that Savannah Gem that I love more than my luggage.

cole slaw

1/2 bell pepper, chopped

2 carrots, shredded

1 green onion, chopped

1/2 head of cabbage, chopped

1/2 C Mayo

1/2 tsp season salt

pepper to taste

2 tbsp of sugar

1 tbsp white vinegar

Combine all veggies in large bowl. 

Add mayo, salt, pepper, sugar and vinegar in large jar and shake vigorously.  Pour over salad, chill for an hour and enjoy.

what’s cookin’

 

Monday

bison meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas

Tuesday

veggie rollups, melon

Wednesday

lasagna, salad

Thursday

fish tacos, black beans, cabbage salad

Friday

leftovers!

Saturday

burgers, tots, fruit salad

Sunday

tomato and basil pizza, salad

{this moment}

My future paleontologist.

1st grade ~ already?

Remember this little boy last year?  Do you remember the blubbering Mama who left her little man at kindergarten? 

Look at the difference a year makes.  He was so ready to go this morning.  Last night was a different story, he didn’t go to sleep until 2 am.  Our nerves got the best of us.

We got to school this morning and got a high five from Mr. O’Connor and a handshake from Father Don.  Saw some of our buddies from Kindergarten and all was right in the world again.

Our new teacher, Mrs. Gleeson, we really like her.

 

I agree with Mrs. Gleeson!

what's cookin'

I decided that for a while I am going to start a series on Mondays, what's cookin', to share what meals I am coming up with and also to encourage you to share also. I am doing so much reading lately on what is being put into our food as far as hormones and what it is doing to our bodies and it really scares me. I feel more sure of our decision to eat simply and whole.

Monday

Turkey Kielbasa with brown rice and mushrooms

Corn and Tomato Salad

Tuesday

Bison Burgers in a lettuce wrap

Home Fries

Wednesday

Brown Rice with Tomatoes, Basil and Parmesan

Green Salad

Thursday

Grill Salmon in a Raspberry Sauce

Asparagus

Garlic Risotto

Friday

Chicken Pasta Salad

Saturday

Homemade Pizza

Salad

Sunday

Turkey Tacos with Blackbeans and fresh Cilantro

{this moment}

~ a brief moment that warms my heart…

“blew out my flip flop”

We had several deserts on our desert table at the party.  One of which I actually made, flip flop cookies.  I thought they would be great for the kids.  Being at our advanced age now we have kids and so do all of our friends.  The party was adult and kid friendly with juice boxes in their own iced down bucket.

Here is a break down of how to make these super simple and cute cookies.

Dip Nutter Butters in Chocolate.  You can use dark, milk or white.  I had Hershey Bars on hand so that is what I melted down.

Place on cookie sheets to dry.  I had to eventually put in fridge to set up since it was so hot!

Next I used blue and green royal icing to make the straps.  Printed of cute labels, put in pastry bags and tied with string.

The adults ate as many as the kids.  I sent some extras home with my brother in law, Randy, it was the least I could do since he and Pops manned the grill in that heat!

salsa

 

I have been making salsa today.  We have had a landslide of tomatoes this week plus a few peppers.  It’s time to SALSA!

Super simple, easy and fresh.  I make a fresh salsa that will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Salsa

fresh tomatoes or diced tomatoes

cilantro to taste

2 garlic cloves

1/2 of large white onion

1 small jalapeno pepper ~ more or less depends on you

juice of 1 lime

1 tbsp of Meat Tenderizer – yes I am sharing the secret ingredient because I love ya all!

Put ingredients into food processor, pulse until you like.  Store in air tight jars in food and enjoy.  Best if made the day before serving, but hey who am I kidding we can’t normally wait that long.  Besides it is Taco night!

what’s cookin’ this week

 

Monday ~ Pioneer Woman’s Meatballs, mashed red potatoes, peas.

I made the meatballs in the morning and slow cooked them in the Crockpot.  They turned out great and will make a great lunch for Mr. Miller today.  I used free range organic bison and corn grits in the recipe.

Tuesday ~ Pasta with fresh zucchini, tomatoes and garlic, Cucumber Salad

I use rice pasta and toss with sautéed fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil and zucchini.  Serve with a quick cucumber and onion salad.  Great filling meal on a hot, hot night.

 

Wednesday ~ Tacos

A Green Acres staple!  Bison and black bean tacos served with fresh corn tortillas.  Grampie and Grandma brought me a tortilla press from Houston last week.  Thanks, I can’t wait to use it!

Thursday ~ Sandwiches and Fruit

Our last Tee Ball game is this night so it will be a simple light dinner of Sandwiches and fresh fruit.

Friday ~ Chicken and Rice, Broccoli

Simple Crockpot recipe!  Slow cook 2 chicken breasts with Cream of Mushroom soup.  Shred.  Add 1 cup sour cream.  Serve over brown rice with steamed broccoli.

Saturday ~ Hotdogs, cottage cheese, fruit

My boys love grilled hot dogs. I buy uncured beef hotdogs at Whole Foods that are amazing.  No nitrites or nitrates so they are safe for Mr. Miller, a win win situation here.   I will cut up some watermelon and have cottage cheese.  Super easy and another reason to use that fabulous outdoor kitchen.

Sunday ~ Steak, baked sweet potatoes, corn on the cob

My meat and potato guy loves his steak.  I have one KC strip left in the freezer that we will grill.  I will bake the sweet potatoes in the Crockpot (again trying to avoid using the oven), and steam the corn in the mircowave.

I hope this shares some ideas and ways to have simple, yet very satisfying dinners during this hot summer.

simple cooking with fresh ingredients

 

I am really trying to get back on track and get things in order for school to start next week.  Yes, I said next week!  My little Cam Man starts 1st grade next week and we are all so excited for a myriad of reasons.

So in order to get us back in gear I am trying to simplify some recipes, my shopping routine and just plain how I feed my family.  For 2 weeks now I have been diligent in making a menu and making a shopping list.  I wait until my Fresh Connect order comes and then I make the menu based on what produce has come there and what is ready at the Green Acres Garden.  I have shopped at Whole Foods again and have stayed within my budget.  I can’t tell you how pleased this makes me.  I want to really pay attention to what I am giving my family.  I do firmly believe that a lot of the obesity, behavior issues, pre pubescent development has  a direct correlation to all of the additives and processed foods that we have become accustomed to in our quick and easy lifestyle that we all want. 

I am choosing to stand up and say “NO MORE” in this household.  I am going to make it work within our budget to buy wholesome, organic with no artificial ingredients.  I know I can do it.  I am pulling out the cookbooks and making simple meals that are good for us, heck I think we are having our own “Food Revolution” here at Green Acres.  Join me, look in your pantry and see what changes you can make.  We can do it.  Share ideas and recipes I would love to hear them!

{this moment}

 

~ a house full of love celebrating the love of my life…

the great project of 2010

Well I know I talk about Mr. Miller and his projects, well the 2010 project is finished!  I must say just in the nick of time, Mr. Miller, Pops and The Deacon finished laying the mulch in the back corner at around 1pm on Saturday while Grampie was filling the tiki torches.  Guests started to arrive at 5.  Nothing like cutting it down to the wire!  I will say the Mother Nature was not on our side with all the rain we had in the 3 weeks leading up to the grand event.  None the less it is done, beautiful and I must say I am married to a very talented and good looking 40 year old!

The view from the patio, remember the Great Project from last year?  Well we are finally getting a backyard that we can feel proud of.

I just love the outdoor kitchen area!

 

We even used the scraps from the blocks.  Mr. Miller is so full of ideas.  Just don’t pay attention to the retro air conditioner, it works and that is all that matters!

So Mendi Sue and Jen there you go!  I posted pics of the yard as for the haircut as soon and Julie (the worlds greatest photographer) gets me the disc you will see the pics from the party and my new hairdo!

the whole deal

 

I have been trying to get back to our Rhythm here again at Green Acres.  It seems that we go along just fine and then “boom” I can derail so fast.  I know that the last 3 weeks have been crazy getting ready for the celebration and the last tee ball games but it is time to get this train back on track.

I was making our menu this morning and realizing that in our derailment I had been pretty lax in what I was feeding our family again.  I am not going to throw these items away but once the processed is gone it is gone!  It is so easy to buy the packaged junk but am I really saving money?  Isn’t it more realistic to think of healthy snacks instead of reaching for ease.  What am I doing to my body let alone my kids and Mr. Miller? 

I went to the  Whole Foods website this morning to look for ideas and they now have their Whole Deal available for printing off at home!  Great ideas and over $45 in coupons.  I know where I am going tonight.  With the garden in full swing and my once a month meat delivery I might be able to do this venture in a reasonable manor with a list and the coupons.  Wish me luck!

Creamy Lemon Bars

We survived 40 with Mr. Miller this weekend. We had a great time and I am oh so tired but satisfied. My back yard looked amazing and all of his hard work paid off.

I promise I am going to be back tomorrow on a regular schedule and my life resumes today with laundry and floors to be scrubbed. I thought I would take a moment to share one recipe from the party on Saturday, my sisters Creamy Lemon Bars! These were amazing and they were gone quickly!

Creamy Lemon Bars ~ Erika

1 (18.25) package of Lemon Cake Mix

1 small package of Lemon Pudding Mix

1 whole egg

1 egg white

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 ~ 8oz cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

1 half of a lemon squeezed with pulp

1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Pour cake mix, pudding, egg, egg white and oil into mixing bowl. Mix with mixer. This will have same consistency of Peanut Butter.
3. Reserve 1 cup of mixture, pat the rest into an un greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes. Cool.
4. In another bowl mix together cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour over cooled crust and spread evenly.
5. Crumble the reserve lemon cake mix over the top and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Cool completely. Keep in refrigerator before slicing to serve.

Enjoy and have a great day. They were gone to fast for me to get a picture. Trust me you know you want them! I am going to try to make them with a gluten free vanilla cake mix.