Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box

Our Journey: Advice

2013-05-19T20:43:00.000-05:00

After over a year of walking through the journey of infertility ‘quietly,’ Nate and I feel led to share our story in hopes of providing connection, fellowship, advice, and prayer for others traveling on such a heartbreaking road.

{start at the beginning here}

ADVICE

As I have said before, so many people have said hurtful things to me or to other friends of mine who are going through infertility. No one was being intentionally hurtful, but all the same, frivolous questions can break the heart of a woman who wants a child of her own. With that said, I have some advice on the subject. . .

"What NOT to say"

* Do not ever ask anyone when they are going to start having children. If they wanted you to know, they would tell you.

* On the same note, don't ask anyone when they are going to have more children, if they are done having children, or anything remotely close to either of those phrases. Again, if they wanted you to know, they would tell you.

*When you know that someone is having trouble conceiving, do not say anything trivial like "if you just relax it will happen . . . "

"What TO say"

* THE ONLY thing to say when someone is going through infertility is "I am sorry that you are going through this and I am praying for you." Period. End of subject. Not a word more.

To precious friends reading this who might be wondering when do I seek a second opinion or go to a fertility doctor. . .

WHEN TO GO TO A FERTILITY DOCTOR?

That is entirely up to you.

3 months after our miscarriage, I was at my doctor looking for answers. Although we didn't start Clomid at that time, my regular OBGYN was fully ready to prescribe Clomid and to try to figure out why we were not getting pregnant.

One thing I would do differently looking back is that I would have gone to Dr McKenzie when we were getting on Clomid. We love my regular OBGYN and am so thankful that he will deliver our child, but Dr. McKenzie (or any fertility doctor) specializes in infertility where as a regular OBGYN does not deal with infertility on a daily basis.

God is so good.

Since sharing our story, Nate and I both have had the opportunity to comfort and give advice to other couples going through this journey and have referred numerous people to Houston IVF and to Dr McKenzie.

He is faithful.

I praise Him for the journey and I praise Him for the miracle he has blessed us with.

Cinco De Mayo

2013-05-03T17:49:00.000-05:00

Cinco de Mayo is this Sunday! :-)
If you are still trying to decide what to make for such a fun holiday, I have compiled some of my favorite Mexican recipes below!

Avocado Dip

Corn Dip

Homemade Guacamole

Homemade Pico De Gallo

Individual Seven Layer Dips

Kelli's Salsa

Queso Fresco with Roasted Garlic

Huevos Rancheros

Mexican Breakfast Eggs

Mexican Rainbow Salad

Chicken and Guacamole Tostados

Quick Chicken Quesadillas

Palomas Con Picante

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Frijoles de Farmer's Wife

Churros

Mexican Chocolate Cake

Our Journey: Part 8

2013-03-24T12:05:00.000-06:00

{start at the beginning here}

Part 8

Waiting. . .

Again a supernatural peace but still so hard to wait.

After going through so many procedures and hoping I was pregnant, I wouldn’t even let myself get my hopes up.

I just kept telling myself, if this doesn’t work, we will just do it again. It is ok.
Don’t worry. Just pray.

Finally, the two weeks were up.

I went to the doctor, had the blood work done and then waited a couple of hours.

My nurse called,
“Honey, you are pregnant!!!”

Oh the joy

The overwhelming joy.

When Nate came home I had a little onesie, a card, and a baby Bible waiting for him.

We were thrilled.

We went and told my parents.

Tears, hugs, JOY.

The next day we told my brothers and sister in laws.

They had been praying fervently for us and answered prayer is so so sweet!

Two weeks later, we went in for our first ultrasound . . . and heard and saw the sweetest sound in the world.

God’s hand was all over our journey. In the darkest times, it was apparent that he was there.

Our pregnancy is a miracle. Our baby is a miracle.
God is so good!

God has heaped blessings on us since finding out that we are pregnant!
The main one being that I am pregnant and due within days of some of my very best friends.
And that I am delivering at the same hospital as two of my sweet friends who are due within days of me!
From when we are due to the excitement people have had over this pregnancy, God has blessed us.

HE is so faithful. God is so good.
We are so thankful.
{Advice}

Our Journey: Part 7

2013-03-21T20:07:00.000-06:00

{start at the beginning here}

Part 7

We met with Dr. McKenzie for a re-evaluation and she recommended that we move onto IVF.
We had so many questions for her. She was patient, answered all of our questions, and acted like she had all the time in the world just for us.

After tons of research, prayer, and educating ourselves (including having two of our doctor friends get out their textbooks and spend 2 hours talking to us), we decided to proceed with IVF.

I remember drifting off to sleep before my retrieval thinking I cannot believe we had to do this to try to get pregnant.
So many of my friends who experienced infertility say they always ‘knew’ they would have trouble getting pregnant.

Well, my body is like clockwork. . . so much so that it seems like a dream that we had trouble at all.
By saying I can't believe we had to do IVF, I don't mean that we felt sorry for ourselves.
We were thankful that we were given the chance to do IVF. If we had been in this situation a generation earlier, we wouldn't have been able to have kids, short of a miracle.
Thankfully, God gave doctors the knowledge and ability to be able to come up with such an incredibly calculated and perfected way to help couples get pregnant.
Thankfully, we had the money.
Thankfully, we had a 53% chance of success.
Thankfully, we had a patient doctor and patient 'doctor' friends who explained everything to us in layman's terms.
We went through the journey of IVF with hearts of gratitude.

With that said, I am not going to downplay IVF. . .
it was hard. . .
physically, emotionally, and everything in between.

The shots, the blood work, the medicine, and keeping up with everything was hard.
In Nate's words, it was 'daunting.'

But, thanks to the LORD, I handled it well.

I didn’t have any crazy side effects to the medicine. I was able to give myself the shots. I am organized so keeping up with everything wasn’t too difficult and I thankfully I had a peace and did not go through the emotional roller coaster that so many others endure.
And knowing that our journey could be over and we would have a child was worth all of it.

Nate and I decided at the beginning of that round of IVF, that if it didn’t work, we would just do it again. Not that we didn't have faith in the procedure, Dr McKenzie or in God's miracles, but after having gone through other fertility treatments that I thought would certainly work, we didn't want to get our hopes up.

Throughout the cycle I kept thinking 'don't worry, if this doesn't work, we will just do it again.' I can't really explain the peace in knowing that we would do it again. But there was also a supernatural peace. . . that was over both of us.

Some friends and I are memorizing bible verses with Beth Moore this year. My bible verse during this time was “But he knows the way that I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
I wanted to shine during this time.
We were walking through a valley and I wanted Him to be glorified with every step.
Nate and I kept our eyes on Him and I hope that others saw Jesus through me at Houston IVF.

I remember getting ready to go into surgery . . . and not even being nervous or scared.
I had never had surgery before.
Never been put to sleep.
And yet there was just such a peace.

TOTALLY the Lord.

To God be the GLORY.

Everything went well.
Sweet Nate took such good care of me and the recovery was much easier than it could have been.

And then to wait the two weeks to find out if we were pregnant . . .
{Part 8}

Easter Ideas

2013-03-20T17:14:00.000-06:00

I'm re-posting this from last year! :-) Easter is coming! :-)

I have this song on repeat . . .

Thanking Jesus for the sacrifice he gave. . .

FOR ME.

Oh. How. He. Loves. US. . .
I pray that your Easter weekend is so special . . .
spent with friends, family and, above all, rejoicing in the fact that the Tomb is EMPTY! :-)

Appetizers

Melange of Cheeses and Raspberries

Beverages
Lemonade Sweet Tea

Summer Tea

Salads
Candied Walnut Salad

Jazz Apple Salad

Melon Salad

Summer Watermelon Salad with Honey Orange Vinaigrette

Main Course
Tomato Basil Short Ribs

Blacked Pork Chops with Pineapple Mango

Pork Chops with Apples

Sides
The Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes

"Easter Desserts"
Bunny Rabbit Cupcakes

Spring Chick Cupcakes

Easter Basket Cupcakes

Easter Egg Nest Cupcakes

"Carrot" Cupcakes

Easter Bunny Cupcakes

Festive Blondies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats

Carrot Cake for a Crowd

Regular Desserts that are perfect for Spring
Berry Trifle

Easy Strawberry Trifle

Key Lime Pie

Our Journey: Part 6

2013-03-20T02:14:00.000-06:00

{start at the beginning here}

Part 6

It was time to move onto the next step.
A couple of our friends have loved Houston IVF, so my regular doctor wrote us a referral and we made an appointment for a consult with Dr. McKenzie.
From the second we met Dr. McKenzie, we fell in love with her. She was compassionate and explained complex scientific procedures in a way that we could understand. She also experienced infertility herself and used IVF to have her own children, so she provided a unique and special view into our journey.

I actually got the idea of the title of "our journey" from her. I referred a friend and her husband to Houston IVF, and when discussing the different avenues to go down, Dr McKenzie said, "Well, Elizabeth will tell you that it is a journey."
And it certainly was! :-)

Test after test after test.

I am so thankful for Nate. He led such a involved role during this process, almost hovering over me. Through every test, blood work, phone call, and results . . . he was right there. Holding my hand and just being the perfect leader of our family.

There was no explanation for our trouble getting pregnant . . . which put us in the “unexplained infertility” category.

So the plan was to do IUI with Clomid since my body had responded so well to Clomid in the previous months.
(again, Nate completed incredible amounts of research (and there was tons of prayer) before we felt comfortable beginning this next step)

But before starting Clomid again, a preliminary ultrasound showed that I had a cyst and I had to skip that cycle.
At the beginning of our journey, knowing that I had to wait another month would have sent me into a tail spin.
I remembered taking my first pregnancy test and thinking 'there is no way I can wait another month.'
But now, everything was so different.
I had faith that God was in control. There was a plan to help us get pregnant. And, to be honest, it was kind of nice to be forced to take a break from charts, pills, ultrasounds, and everything else that accompanied infertility.

We didn't get pregnant on our month 'off.'

So we moved onto IUI.
The cyst, thankfully, went away.

Everything went perfectly.

My body did exactly what it was supposed to do.
Again, I thought, 'this is it.' We will get pregnant. There is nothing 'wrong' with us so, of course, we won't need to do IVF. We will get pregnant doing IUI and our journey will be over.

Two weeks later . . .

Not pregnant.

Another cycle of IUI with clomid again. . .

Not pregnant.
{Part 7}

Our Journey: Part 5

2013-03-18T06:13:00.000-06:00

{start at the beginning here}

Part 5
Prior to starting any medication, my doctor wanted me to get daily ultrasounds to make sure everything in my body was working correctly.

A year ago this month, I started to go to the Medical Center for 7 to 8 days in a row to get an ultrasound. I was excited to hopefully fix whatever was wrong!

But nothing was wrong and my body was like clockwork.

Our doctor said it was time to start Clomid,

so Nate started researching.

Nate doesn't make any decisions without looking at all the options, praying about it, and absolutely becoming an expert on the subject.

And after a period of time, we felt comfortable starting Clomid.

I thought that 'this is it!' Our journey is over!

It wasn't the highs and lows of earlier. . . but just confidence and faith.

Each month, I spent 7-8 days at the Medical Center for ultrasounds and

got excited over growing follicles and prayed that one day I would be able to see a baby on that screen.

But Clomid didn't work. . .
month, after month, after month.
{Part 6}

Bloglovin

2013-03-16T08:24:00.000-06:00

If you have heard the news about Google Reader going away in a few months . . .

I would suggest to start following blogs using Blog Lovin!

Follow me on Blog Lovin by clicking the icon below! :-)
Happy Saturday and don't forget about the hair tie giveaway by Tiny Bit More going on now! :-)

Our Journey: Part 4

2013-03-15T09:52:00.001-06:00

{start at the beginning here}

Part 4

Soon after receiving supernatural peace from the Lord, I was hit with the question, “Elizabeth, am I enough for you?”

God does not promise us a spouse, children, health or financial security . . .

He promises that if we believe in Him, He will bless us with salvation, heaven, eternal life, and that He will meet our every need. . .

So from that point on, there were two corresponding prayers in my heart.

God can do all things.

He can make the rivers part and the storms be quiet.

He can raise the dead.

I know, that I know, that I know that he can give us a child.

And so I asked expectantly. . .

Knowing that He was big enough to grant us the desires of our heart.

Yet, at the same time, I told myself, we are not promised children and God WILL be enough if He says no. So I also prayed that if He did say no and did not give us children that He would fill that hole in our hearts.

After coming to the shocking realization that we were probably not going to get pregnant without medical help, Nate and I began to pray over whether or not we should travel down the road of fertility treatments or down the road of adoption.

For us, we did not have a peace about adoption at that time.

Not saying that it wasn’t in our future,

Not saying that it isn’t in our future.

I have had precious friends stop at this point on their journey to get pregnant and adopt and I have had friends do IVF 8 times.
But we prayed with open hearts and felt God leading us towards the road of fertility treatments.

And so we started down that path. . . .
{Part 5}

Our Journey: Part 3

2013-03-13T04:11:00.000-06:00

{start at the beginning here}

Part 3

Month after month after month.

Nothing.

Basal temperature.

Ovulation tests.

Charts. Plans. Hopes.

Doctor appointments.

Tears. Dismay. Anger. Stress. Disbelief.
We felt it all.

Then months into our journey, God changed my heart.

“Wait with grace, Elizabeth. While you wait, encourage others. Use this time wisely. Invest in your marriage. Love, honor, and delight in Nate. Good will come of this.”

My change of heart was entirely the Lord.
Nate would agree that his heart was changed too.

Not saying that our time of waiting wasn't hard. . . but it was different.
There were no longer huge swings of highs and lows.
But a steady stream of faith.

Because our hearts were changed, we could weather the attacks that Satan threw at us. . . and there were plenty.
I could write a novel on the uncouth things people have said to us,
none intentionally hurtful,
but so many speak without thinking . .
and, yet, we would literally laugh to ourselves when comments were made, identify that Satan was trying to crush our faith, and give glory to God that we could laugh at the comments.
To look back and realize that I have never cried, gotten upset, or even really angry over thoughtless comments people have made is totally the Lord. . .
Even though we were going through this incredibly tough journey. . . it was apparent daily that we were not going through it alone and that Jesus was by our side.

But months went by and nothing.
{Part 4}

Tiny Bit More Giveaway

2013-03-12T17:40:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to bring you a fun giveaway today!

Amanda from Tiny Bit More has recently started making these precious hair ties.

Amanda and I have known each other since elementary school but more importantly were Kappas together at Baylor! :-)

My personal favorites are these cute chevron ties! :-)

Amanda is giving away 9 solid and 1 print hair ties valued at $17.75!

She is also giving Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box readers a discount! 10 hair ties for $12 plus free shipping!! (Just let her know that you are a follower of Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box!)

Enter below!

Giveaway ends Thursday, March 21!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our Journey: Part 2

2013-03-11T03:04:00.000-06:00

{start at the beginning here}

Part 2

Nothing . . . NOTHING can explain the grief, the disappointment, and the hurt of losing a pregnancy.

There are no words.

Through those dark days, I clung to God.

Good WILL come of this. He IS Sovereign. There IS a divine plan. HE WILL use this for His glory.

We WILL see our baby in heaven one day.

God is good.

Even the night that I miscarried, he was good . . .

Even though it was the worst night of my life. . .

even in the darkness. . .

I KNEW that God orchestrated that night perfectly.

I felt like He said, “I am going to take this from Elizabeth and Nate. . .but she is not going to go through this alone. She will be surrounded by love.”

And we were.

But we were heartbroken.

Nate loved me well during that valley. He is so good at that. . .

Very few people know about our loss. . .

It is even hard for Nate and I to talk about it to each other.

But I truly believe that one of the reasons we go through trials is to encourage and support others who might go through the same or similar trials after us.
God has put people in my path this past year to pray for and comfort after they too have experienced loss.
He is so faithful.

Nate and I encouraged each other with "we weren't even trying to get pregnant and we did. . . surely we will get pregnant again soon"
{Part 3}

Our Journey: Part 1

2013-03-08T15:30:00.000-06:00

Part 1

I have always wanted to be a wife and a mother. I never wanted fame, success, a business, or anything of the sort. I wanted a white picket fence, the June Cleaver 1950s life, and dinner on the table when my husband got home from work.

In high school, I was voted most likely to be a “Memorial” mom.

In college, I loved, doted on, and cared so much about a group of guy friends that they called me Mom.

Fast forward a couple of years. . .

In November 2011, I thought I was pregnant.

We weren't “trying” but we weren't “not trying.”

I remember taking the pregnancy test, waiting those 3 minutes and praying, “Lord, please let this be positive. . . I can’t imagine waiting another month now that I think/hope I am pregnant. I don't think I am ‘built’ to wait another month.”

And it was positive!

Overjoyed doesn't even begin to describe how we felt!

Nate was researching car seats that night and I was planning the nursery.

We were so so thankful!

We told our families.

We planned.

We rejoiced.

And then just a short time later. . . we lost the baby.
{Part 2}

St Patrick's Day Ideas!

2013-03-06T15:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Almost St. Patrick's Day to YOU! :-)
I have included below some wonderful ideas to make your St Patrick's Day table delicious, fun, and of course, green!
Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh!!!!!

Authentically Irish
Guinness and Cheddar Cheese Spread

Not Authentic but perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Irish Flag Fruit Pizza

St Patrick's Day Rice Krispies Treats

Rainbow Kabobs

White Chocolate Shamrocks

Fruit Rainbow

Lucky Charms Cupcakes

It's Green, Isn't it??
Soft Frosted Sugar Cookies

Green Velvet Cupcakes

Key Lime Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Mint Chocolate Chip Milk Shakes

Pistachio Cake with Vanilla Honey Buttercream

Green Velvet Sheet Cake with That's the Best Frosting I've Ever Had

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

Andes Mint Cupcakes with Mint Buttercream

Cucumber Mint Tea Sandwiches

Key Lime Pie

Pistachio Bread

Dia duit!

Slow, Low Oven Ribs

2013-02-17T15:30:00.000-06:00

These ribs are so easy to make and are perfect for Sunday evening supper with friends or family! Because you don't have to fuss over them, the 3 hours making the ribs gives you time to concentrate on a fancier or more time consuming side or dessert!

Slow, Low Oven Ribs
Serves 4
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1/4 cup minced sweet onion (like Vidalia or Walla Walla)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons tomato relish, such as Mrs. Renfro's (optional)
4 bay leaves
4 pounds country style pork ribs
salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a small saucepan combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes, until reduced by half. Stir in the maple syrup, soy sauce, and tomato relish (if desired).
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Line a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with foil. Place the bay leaves in the bottom of the dish.
Season the ribs with salt and pepper, and arrange in the baking dish. Pour half of the sauce over the ribs. Turn them a few times to coat with the sauce. Cover tightly with foil. Refrigerate the remaining sauce.
Bake for 3 hours. Remove the foil and pour the remaining sauce over the ribs. Return to the oven and bake an additional hour, or until the sauce is a thick glaze and the meat is very tender.
Remove the ribs to a serving platter and let stand for 15 minutes. Ladle off the accumulated fat from the pan juices by tilting the pan carefully and spooning it off. Pour the pan sauce over the ribs, discarding the bay leaves, and serve as soon as you can.
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Valentine's Day Linky Party

2013-02-06T08:20:00.001-06:00

Today, we are linking up with Valentine's Ideas! :-) Crafts, recipes, decorations, etc! :-) Whatever your heart desires!

Here are the hostesses! :-)

Meg from Henning Love

Allison from Cupcake Diaries

Whitney from Harvest Home!

I can't wait to see all of your ideas! :-)

I am sharing these Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting! :-)

Red Velvet Cupcakes
Makes: 24 cupcakes
Ingredients:
For the cake:
2½ cups cake flour
1½ cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. salt
2 large eggs
1½ cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp. (1 oz.) liquid red food coloring
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. distilled white vinegar
For the frosting:*
8 oz. cream cheese
5 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the cake flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt; whisk to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, food coloring, vanilla and vinegar. Beat on medium speed until well blended. Mix in the dry ingredients on low speed and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared liners. Bake, rotating the pans halfway through baking, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Let cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until totally incorporated, increase the speed and then beat until smooth. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.
*If you are big on frosting as I am, you may want to increase the quantities by 50%. That is what I typically do for a batch of 24 cupcakes. I usually end up with some left over, but I would rather have too much frosting than not enough!
Annie's Eats

SUPER BOWL!!!

2013-02-03T06:30:00.000-06:00

Super Bowl Sunday is today!! Here are some great ideas from Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box to serve at your get together!

Of course, appetizers are the focal point of a successful Super Bowl party!! So in my opinion, the more the merrier! :-)
Avocado Dip

Black Bean Salsa

Chicken Jalapeno Poppers

Chicken Nuggets with Honey Mustard

Corn Dip

Fat Free Seven Layer Mexican Dip

Homemade Guacamole

Homemade Pico De Gallo

Individual Seven Layer Dips

Kelli Hutka's Salsa

Pigs in a Blanket

Queso Fresco with Roasted Garlic

Roasted Garlic and Three Cheese Dip

Sausage, Cheese and Crackers

Smoky Tomato Salsa

Texas Trash

When hosting a Super Bowl party, I like to keep everything very casual and easy. Which is why I love these "main courses"! They can be eaten in front of the TV or standing up!
BBQ Chicken Pizza Braid

BLT Wraps with Herbed Mayonnaise

Frito Chili Pie

Grands Taco Melts

Killer Club Sandwiches

Pizza Roll Ups

Tex-Mex Beef Wraps

Vitek's Homemade Gut Pack

I love to serve "team themed" dessert like cupcakes, rice crispy treats, or cookie cake!

Super Bowl Treats

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

No matter what you serve or who wins, the best part about Super Bowl Sunday is the friends and family you get to spend time with! :-)

Hoots and Salutes

2013-01-23T21:50:00.002-06:00

{if you aren't familiar with Hoots and Salutes, trust me, it is a good thing}

I have incredibly talented friends.

And I am over the top proud of them. . .

so, today I wanted to introduce you to a few!

Maybe you will add a tv show to your weekly line up, be inspired by a design, or buy a lovely sign for a blank wall!

Either way, I know you will be amazed! :-)

{nashville/hollywood}

Caroline Cutbirth and I met at summer camp when we were little and reconnected at Baylor when she went Kappa! She has one of the most incredible voices I have ever heard and spent numerous years singing in the band, Stealing Angels. Now she is making her television debut on this season's Amazing Race! :-)

{real estate}

Erin Meadows and I went to high school together, were college roommates and sorority sisters. She is smart, witty, and incredibly business savvy! Erin works for one of the most successful real estate firms in the city of Houston and is making a name for herself in the industry. She has a unique commission program that makes tons of sense for today's Houston market! If you need any help buying or selling a home in the Houston area, I highly recommend her! :-)

{design}

Elizabeth Munger Stiver and I went to elementary school together and she has had an eye for color and fashion since back then! Elizabeth and her sister, Amy, started Munger Interiors which is a Houston based design firm that focuses on design and fine art advisory services. Elizabeth creates rooms that are elegant yet livable. Named "Stars on the Rise" in the design community, Munger Interiors is quickly becoming a household name in Houston!

{baking}

Elizabeth Eggleston and I have known each other since high school and remained close friends ever since. Eggleston's Edibles was started as a way for Elizabeth to sell her adorable cake balls which are perfect for wedding and baby showers, birthday parties and game day. But it has turned into so much more! Cakes, cupcakes, and cookies now grace the menu! :-) A Houston based bakery, Eggleston's Edibles is famous in the Memorial area!

{small business}

Becky Leach and I lived down the hall from each other freshman year at Baylor and were both Kappas. She recently started Little Branches and it has taken off like wildfire! :-) Becky makes precious custom vintage signs. I especially love her university and holiday collections!

Are you impressed? I know I am! :-)

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

2013-01-21T20:25:00.000-06:00

What an amazing long weekend!

In case you missed my feature post on The Vanilla Tulip, I shared a great appetizer just in time for the Super Bowl :-)

With school starting back up tomorrow, a quick, easy and healthy dinner is the perfect item to add to your weekly meal plan. A one minute prep time is pretty awesome too!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Servings: 4

1 can Green chiles, diced

1 jar salsa, (about 12 oz)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 whole onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Place chicken in the bowl of a slow cooker. Top with salsa, diced green chiles, cumin, onion and garlic. Cover and set on low. Cook for 8 hours. Remove chicken from pot, shred and return to juices. Spoon chicken into taco shells, with whatever toppings your family likes. Or use the meat to make burritos, tostadas or as a filling for enchiladas.

Disney Family

Overnight Chicken Stock in the Crock Pot

2013-01-15T20:31:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I shared a recipe for a w hole chicken in the crock pot! :-) After I finished eating/freezing the meat from the chicken, I kept all of the skin, bones, and broth in the crock pot and cooked it overnight. The next morning, I had an amazing amount of homemade chicken stock!

I froze the stock in 2 cup bags and anytime I need chicken stock I have plenty in the freezer!

Overnight Chicken Stock in the Crock Pot

Leftover chicken bones or carcass roughly equivalent to one small or medium sized chicken
1 onion, peeled and loosely chopped
1 rib of celery, roughly chopped
1 carrot, roughly chopped (no need to peel)
1 bay leaf
1 sprig fresh parsley
1 sprig fresh thyme
Salt, to taste
(I didn't have any of the ingredients except for the Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot ingredients and the stock turned out wonderful. So don't worry if you don't have carrots and celery)

After removing all edible meat from the chicken put/leave the bones, skin, cooking juices, etc. in the crock pot. If you are using the chicken carcass from the “The Best Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot” recipe just leave every single thing that’s leftover (except the meat) in the crock pot including the original onion and spices you used when making the chicken.
Add the onion, celery, carrot and spices on top of the bones and fill the crock pot almost to the top with tap water (leaving about ½” at the top).(I put 10 cups of water for around 6-8 cups of left over chicken bones, pieces and juice) Cook on low for 8 – 10 hours. After the stock is done cooking turn off the heat and, using a soup ladle, pass the stock through a fine sieve to remove all herbs/bones/etc. Either refrigerate or freeze the stock for future use.

100 Days of Real Food

The Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot and a "Healthy" Linky Party

2013-01-14T05:30:00.000-06:00

Happy "Healthy" linky party day!! :-)

Link up with recipes, workouts, success stories, and ideas for staying on track with your New Years resolutions:-) When you link up on Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box, your link is immediately seen on the other hostess' blogs too! :-) It is a wonderful way to discover new blogs and to share great recipes and other healthy ideas! :-)

Here are the hostesses! :-)

Meg from Henning Love

Allison from Cupcake Diaries

Whitney from Harvest Home!

I can't wait to see all of your ideas! :-)

Today, I'm sharing how to make a whole chicken in the slow cooker. This is so easy to prep and a short while later, the chicken is literally falling apart, is full of flavor and is AMAZING!

One thing that I do is serve chicken for dinner the night that I make it and then freeze the rest for later use!

Come back tomorrow to see how I make chicken stock with the leftovers!

The Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot

2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon thyme
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne (red) pepper
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 onion
1 large chicken
Combine the dried spices in a small bowl.
Loosely chop the onion and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Remove any giblets from the chicken and then rub the spice mixture all over. You can even put some of the spices inside the cavity and under the skin covering the breasts.
Put prepared chicken on top of the onions in the slow cooker, cover it, and turn it on to high. There is no need to add any liquid.
Cook for 4 – 5 hours (for a 3 or 4 pound chicken) or until the chicken is falling off the bone.
100 Days of Real Food

Santa Fe Salad with Chili Lime Dressing

2013-01-13T17:59:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow some of my 'blogger' friends and I are hosting a "Healthy" linky party! :-) Link up with recipes, workouts, success stories, and ideas for staying on track with your New Years resolutions:-) When you link up on Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box, your link is immediately seen on the other hostess' blogs too! :-) It is a wonderful way to discover new blogs and to share great recipes and other healthy ideas! :-)

Here are the hostesses! :-)

Meg from Henning Love

Allison from Cupcake Diaries

Whitney from Harvest Home!

I can't wait to see all of your ideas! :-)

In the spirit of healthy eating, here is a wonderful Weight Watchers salad!

{I didn't make the dressing but it sounds amazing!}

Santa Fe Salad with Chili Lime Dressing
6 Tbsp reduced-calorie mayonnaise
3 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, finely chopped
3 Tbsp water
1 medium uncooked scallion(s), minced
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp chili powder
15 oz canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cup(s) cooked corn kernels, fresh or frozen
2 cup(s) grape tomatoes
1 medium sweet red pepper(s), cut into thin strips (about 1 1/2 cups)
8 cup(s) romaine lettuce, cut into thick shreds (about 2 hearts)
To make dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, cilantro, water, scallion, lime juice, sugar and chili powder until smooth. Transfer to a jar or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate until ready to use. In a large bowl or food storage container, layer remaining ingredients in order listed; cover and refrigerate.To serve, spoon salad ingredients into a bowl. Shake dressing and then drizzle dressing over salad; toss well to coat. Yields about 2 cups of salad and 1 1/2 tablespoons of dressing per serving.

Weight Watchers

Hoots and Salutes

2013-01-12T17:10:00.002-06:00

{if you aren't familiar with Hoots and Salutes, trust me, it is a good thing}

I have amazingly talented friends.
And I am over the top proud of them. . .

so, today I wanted to introduce you to a few!
Maybe you will add a couple of necklaces to your wish list, discover a piece of art, or find a new fashion inspiration.
Either way, in know you will be amazed! :-)

{art}

My precious little in Kappa, Sally Taylor, is one of the most talented artists that I know. Nate and I would love to have a piece of her artwork in our home one day. Sally is a native of Dallas and has studied in Texas, New Mexico and Italy.

Casey Wiegand and I went to Baylor and Kanakuk together and she is another incredible artist. I am so lucky to have a original piece that she made for me last year. Casey is incredibly beautiful on the inside and out and her humility and love of Christ draws others to her!

Miller Gaffney, another Baylor Kappa, is a world renowned art advisor and is currently on Market Warriors on PBS, Monday evenings at 9. Her upbeat personality and sweet spirit makes her a joy to be around.

{jewelry design}

Jennifer Welker and I have known each other since she was born! A former Texas cheerleader turned jewelry designer and mom of two, Jennifer's charms have graced the necks of Jenna Bush and Pippa Middleton. Jennifer not only has a flare for jewelry but also for fashion and looks like a million bucks every time she walks out of the house! :-)

Cannon Lewis and my grandmothers were friends but we didn't meet until she got to Baylor and went Kappa! Her beautiful designs have been seen on Reese Witherspoon and Louise Roe. Cannon is widely talented and I love her choice of precious stones to go in each piece.

{photography}

Summer Spooner and I were also Baylor Kappas together and she is a highly sought after photographer in Dallas. She books up months in advance and is especially known for her newborn pictures. Summer's laid back nature gives her clients such a peace and makes the entire experience so enjoyable! :-)

Sarah Snider and I were cheerleaders together in high school and close friends! She is based in Houston and her photography business covers newborns, families, weddings, and anything in between! Sarah has such a fun and upbeat personality, she has literally never met a stranger! :-)

{fashion}

Caroline Knapp's husband and I went to high school together and he was one of my favorite guys in his grade! :-) When I met Caroline, I was immediately drawn to her sweet, southern demeanor. But this southerner has taken NYC by storm. Caroline's extremely popular fashion blog has led her to rub elbows with David Yurman and Nate Berkus!

{party planing}

Christi Bennett and I have known each other since kindergarten! From her wedding to just a simple Stella and Dot open house, you know that if Christi has a hand in it, the party is going to be incredible! Christi also has a flair for fashion, is beautiful and always looks so put together!

Are you amazed?
Next weekend I'll share some more friends that constantly awe me with their talent! :-)
Happy Saturday! :-)

How to Lead a More Organized Life

2013-01-09T22:52:00.000-06:00

I had a sweet friend ask me last week, "How do you do it all?"

{Isn't it incredible to hear other people's view of your own life?}
I have friends like Casey and Jennifer who really do 'do it all' . . .
but me. . . I'm just normal. .
After realizing my friend was being serious, I thought others might want some ideas on how to make your life more organized . . .
or at least life in the kitchen! :-)

1. Wake up early

I wake up early (like 5 am early) on most days. In the mornings, I love to have my quiet time, drink my coffee, make breakfast, start writing or post my blog for the day, read a couple of blogs, answer emails, and get dinner started if I'm making a crock pot meal.

2. Make a list of things you want to get done today!

Make a list of what you want to accomplish today. (or for you night owls, make a list the night before) Plan when you are going to workout, run your errands, start dinner, etc.

3. Make meals easier!

Spend a Saturday making a couple freezer meals and that way, if you do have hectic day, you can just throw one in the crock pot. And use your crock pot. A couple of minutes of prep time and dinner is ready 8 hours later!

4. Use a meal plan
Once a week decide what you are going to make/pick up for dinner each night. Make a store list from your meal plan and go to the store once a week. Having an organized kitchen is imperative! Making a store list is always so much easier when you can see what you already have and what you need!

5. Give yourself grace.
You aren't perfect. Some days you will fail.
But tomorrow is always another day :-)

Clean Eating Herb Baked Butternut Squash

2013-01-08T20:42:00.001-06:00

Although I miss the yummy fruits of spring and summer, I always enjoy the change in our meals to incorporate winter fruits and vegetables!

Butternut squash is one of those fun winter vegetables that you can do so much with!

(Just do a Pinterest search for butternut squash recipes and you will see all of the options! It is incredible)

I recently started following The Gracious Pantry and tried her take on baked butternut squash!

Not only was it healthy, the squash was flavorful and delicious!

Clean Eating Herb Baked Butternut Squash
1 butternut squash

Olive oil
Garlic powder
Marjoram
Parsley
Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cut the squash in half. Clean out the seeds, peel and slice to chunks. Put chunks in a bowl and then sprinkle herbs and spices on top. Using your hand, toss the squash so that each piece is covered with herbs. Spray Pam or pour some olive oil on a cookie sheet. Dump the squash onto the cookie sheet and spread out until the squash is in a single layer. Bake at 350 until soft (around 30 minutes.)
The Gracious Pantry