Thursday, July 14, 2011

Project Kitchen Organization: Recipe? What recipe?


I will be the first to admit that I went a little crazy with the nesting when I was pregnant with my last princess. I was like a mad woman with the crazy look in her eye and all. My family simply stepped to the side and let me do my thing. (Often stepping over piles of containers, bags and bins)

After the baby I found the organization very useful and effective and am thankful that I got it all done. I thought I would take the next couple of weeks to go through and share some of the things that worked really well. Happy Organizing!!


I had a recipe problem. I had one whole drawer of any recipe that I had run across in the last 5 years that looked halfway good. In this cabinet was whole magazines, inserts and chicken scratch notes that I could stuff in one place.

I won't even go into what would happen if one would open the door...ahem.

It took a good week but I went through each and every bit. I found that half the recipes were not practical now that we were a family of five. ( Poached pears? I don't think so...maybe when we retire :) ) I felt awesome with what was left because now I actually had things that I wanted, could and would make!


For my loose recipes, I found that I prefer the recipe books. They have handy pages that can be whole pages for bigger recipes and then index card sectioned pages for the cards and smaller recipes.

My favorite part about this cabinet, however is the recipes for the week area on the door.

I took a cheap file folder and cut it in half. I then taped it up on the cabinet that held the recipes and I place all the recipes for the week there.( I should have used double sided tape to make it look a little cleaner but I was in crazed nesting mode!)

Its so easy when I menu plan to pull them right then and there and that way I have them!!



((I am linking up this week to I'm an Organizing Junkie!!))

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

What do I do with all these garden veggies?!? (recipe)


So you put in the time to pick the perfect seeds or plants and painstakingly planned, dug, planted and kept critters and weeds out of the way. You get your first crop and are thrilled!!! Then.... you start to get so many tomatoes you are actually seeing red. (Don't even get me started on zucchini :) )

I found the perfect recipe that uses 5 (or more) different veggies and is delicious. An added side bonus is that the kids gobbled it up without realizing that it contained so many things that were actually good for you. I don't know about you but it tastes even better to me due to the fact that I know where it came from and it was as fresh as it gets!

I can't wait to try it with shrimp....yummy!

So here you go....enjoy!!

Garden veggie pasta
  • 1 (16 ounce) package pasta (any type will do )
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 yellow squash, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 5 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped (or a can of diced tomatoes)
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese/ mozzarella
  • 1 lb of chicken diced
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook diced chicken until cooked through. Add onion, garlic, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, bell pepper, and chopped tomatoes until tender. Season with basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Add pasta and 1/4 cup olive oil. Mix well, and heat through. Sprinkle top with Parmesan or shredded mozzarella.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Menu Plan Monday - I'm back in the saddle !


Hello!!! After 2 months of looking at my newest little princess, I am ready to get back to saving, blogging and cooking! It wasn't until I stopped menu planning that I realized hoe much money and time it saved!

I had a bunch of garden veggies from my garden that I needed to use this week and came up with the yummiest pasta. My kids loved it and didn't even know they were eating 5 different kinds of veggies!! I will make sure to post it tomorrow! Happy Eating y'all!!!


Monday: Summer garden veggie pasta (see recipe tomorrow), garlic bread

Tuesday: Marinated chicken kabobs w/peppers, onions, mushrooms, salad, rosemary potatoes

Wednesday: Pork stir fry over brown rice

Thursday: Italian pot roast over egg noodles and spinach salad

Friday: Pizza Night!!!

Saturday: Roast beef sandwiches with Au jus, baked fries and green beans

Sunday: Leftover Sunday- If its not movin, you can have it but big mama is NOT cookin!!



For other great meal plans visit I'm an Organizing Junkie .

Monday, May 30, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: Happy Memorial Day !


Happy Memorial Day !!! I hope that your family is remembering the sacrifices that our armed forces have made...and of course having some good food!! I am going to try to have a meat free night one night a week. ( I can't wait to eat from our garden this summer!) What did you plant this year? Happy eating y'all!!


Monday: Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and all things picnic!!


Tuesday: Grilled lime chicken, grilled asparagus, potato packets


Wednesday: corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, green beans with redskin potatoes


Thursday: Leftover buffet - big mama is not cookin!!


Friday: Pizza Night!


Saturday: bacon wrapped cheeseburgers, baked fries and salad


Sunday: BBQ shredded pork sandwiches, baked beans and mac and cheese

Monday, May 23, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: Back to the grind

So I guess I am back to cooking! :) I am excited that the weather is finally warm enough to do some grilling. I am trying a new recipe (Mexican lasagna) and an old favorite (sausage with potatoes and green beans). I hope y'all have a yummy week!

Monday: Grilled sausage with potatoes and green beans

Tuesday: Stuffed shells, salad, garlic bread

Wednesday: Leftover buffet

Thursday: Grilled steak, corn on the cob, asparagus

Friday: Pizza Night !!

Saturday: Mexican Lasagna, salad

Sunday: Chicken kabobs, tomato salad, baked beans

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Works for me Wednesday: Gift bags for older siblings

I am so blessed to have a beautiful healthy new baby girl.



I was worried, however, how the big ones would react to said baby girl. Oh sure, they acted excited before she got here. But any mama knows that things can change after you add a little one to the mix. :)


So, to help a little I came prepared.


I went to the dollar store and got new packs of crayons, fresh coloring books, juice boxes, candy, a little lego kit and a princess compact. I put them in a colorful gift bag for each child and put a big bow on each. I carefully packed them away with my overnight bag awaiting our little blessed event.





When the time came, in the trunk they went. When the kids came to see their new sister, they got a gift from her. They were thrilled and I would like to think that gave the newbie a little edge...but that is probably just mama's wishful thinking....


(( It also helped keep them occupied while daddy got to visit and relax. ))



For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: Living on the kindness of strangers!!

So ......I am a proud parent to a beautiful baby girl! I have not been posting due to wanting to do nothing but stare at my beautiful princess.

I am blessed to have an awesome husband who has been doing the cooking and this week the ladies from church has been feeding us. (Can you say THANKFUL !!!)

My hubs came up with an awesome chicken bruschetta recipe that would knock your socks off and I will be sharing that this week.

Next week I hope to be back in the kitchen....or at least have a menu plan to be :)

Happy eating !!!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Kroger changed their Fuel Savings!



I just got word that Kroger has changed their fuel savings and I thought I would pass it on to all your Kroger shoppers out there. Here are the basics:



* Beginning May 1, Kroger and Shell will team up to help Columbus area customers save on fuel.



* Kroger customers will receive instant savings with Kroger’s new Fuel Rewards program at Kroger, Turkey Mini Market and participating Shell stations.



* Customers have the opportunity to instantly redeem 100 Fuel Points for a 10 cent per gallon price savings at the pump, or up to 1,000 Fuel Points per visit to save up to $1.00 per gallon.



For more info on this exciting new fuel savings (and who couldn't use savings on fuel?!) , please visit www.shell.us/kroger or www.kroger.com/fuel.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Menu Plan Monday- that baby isn't here yet?!?!

When I walked into my OB's office this morning the first thing she said to me was "I cannot believe you have not had that baby yet !!!". This should tell you about my mental state of cooking this week. :) Its easy and simple this week until Sunday and I am soooooo hoping that I will not be around to see that meal! Happy eating y'all!

Monday: Grilled cheese and soup

Tuesday: Rotisserie chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- daddy's in charge!

Thursday: Chicken enchiladas on whole wheat tortillas, refried beans

Friday: Pizza and wing night

Saturday: Burgers and dogs, baked beans, corn on the cob

Sunday: Beef roast, roasted carrots, asparagus

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Free Bowling - Central Ohio !!!



Its about 2 weeks into summer vacation (ok, so maybe less) that the kids start whining that they are bored.


My son decided his birthday activity this year would be for the whole fam to go bowling. I would like to stop and interject here that its sad when you still bowl bad as an adult.....with the bumpers out but that is another post.


Anywho, I picked up a little pamphlet that promised free bowling all summer long to kids 16 and under. Here is the skinny......



AMF is offering a program where kids under 16 score free bowling all summer long.

Just visit freebowling.amf.com to sign up and learn more.

Each week you will be e-mailed coupons for 2 free games per day, per child.


They can bowl for free and also enjoy activities, contests and more!



Just thought I would pass it along :)

Monday, April 25, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: Bring on the HEAT !!

I am not sure if its a craving or the fact that I am willing to try anything to help this baby find "the light", but I am craving spicy!! I found several diabetic, healthy recipes that promise the spice that I need and I am excited to try them!!! I hope they are as good as they sound....happy eating, y'all!!!




Monday: Sloppy joes with cheese, mixed veggies



Tuesday: 3 alarm chili, salad



Wednesday: Buffalo tenders, green beans, baked fries



Thursday: Leftover night...BIG mama is not cookin!



Friday: Pizza night!






Sunday: Quesedillas with green pepper, onions and cheese, re fried beans

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Pregnancy makes you crazy

Since this blog is my therapy I would like to just get some things off my chest. Mostly some crazy things that this pregnancy has made me do...




** Wake up in the middle of the night unable to sleep because some things have been bugging me. So what do I do? I make of list of people to call the next day to tell them all the things that they are doing that bug me....and then I actually do it. Yikes!



** Re- paper and organize every single cabinet and shelf in my kitchen in a week.



** Put a giant anaconda shaped pillow between me and my love at night so that I throw my arms, belly and legs over it. Leaving him exactly 4 inches to sleep....like he is in a coffin. (I may have squinted my eyes at him, daring him to say one word but I'll never talk.)



** I have the worst case of non filtered verbal vomit a prego has ever seen. If it runs through my mind, it slides out my mouth. Often with me slamming my hand over my mouth in disbelief that I just said what I said.



** Deciding I need to tear out my pantry and totally reorganize it, go through 25 totes of kids clothes and pack away my winter clothes.....3 days before I have 40 people come over for my son's birthday party. No pressure.


** Go through 2 whole days of enduring kidney stones because I had stuff to do.



** Getting mad at hubs because he had the audacity to not have kidney stones and a pregnant belly and he was whistling. I started to get out both the big shovel and hefty bags.....it was a close call that day.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Resurrection Rolls



I love the idea of making these rolls at Easter time! It really is a physical reminder that the tomb is empty!!!! (Kids seem to love them too) I especially like a recipe like this since its store bought crescent rolls and this pregnant, contracting, kidney stone dropping mama is all about easy :) Ii hope you enjoy them this resurrection Sunday!!




1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
8 large marshmallows
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons white sugar



Preheat oven to 400 degrees Lightly grease a baking sheet.


Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles.


In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.


Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of a dough triangle. Carefully wrap the dough around the marshmallow. Pinch the seams together tightly to seal in marshmallow as it melts. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat.

Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.





Find the original recipe here !

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Menu plan for the week!

I must admit that this weekend has put me through ringer! I had my sons 5th birthday extravaganza, hospitalized with multiple kidney stones and having contractions like crazy. You can imagine my enthusiasm for cooking at this point. :) But......my family still insists on eating. (They are needs in that way.. ) so the menu planning continues. Its just we are keeping things as stress free and simple as possible. So here it is...happy eating y'all!!!




Monday: Leftover Monday- mama is tired.



Tuesday: Club sandwiches and homemade chicken noodle soup (from freezer)



Wednesday: Grilled marinated chicken, salad and baked potatoes



Thursday: Ravioli lasagna (frozen from previously), spinach salad, garlic bread



Friday: Pizza Night!



Saturday: Grilled Delmonico steak, corn on the cob, steamed broccoli


Sunday: Ham and fancy Easter Fixins (That I did not have to cook!)- HE IS RISEN !!!!!