Scrap-tastrophe

Menu Plan {Sept 24th - Sept 30th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:40:00 +0000

Monday - Rice Crusted Quiche
Tuesday – ~~BLT's~~ Taco Time Taco Tuesday
Wednesday – Pasta w/Lemon and Kale
Thursday – Eggs and Rice added Back Bacon
Friday – Supper Out! Houston's Pizza...Salad yummmmy
Saturday – Free Meal or Eat out .....Little Caesars for the kids (Sleep over friends) and Wok Box for the Adults
Sunday – ~~Roast Beef~~ Roast Pork & Mashed Potato's w/Buckwheat and garden carrots

This week...

Monday – Easy Cheesy Chicken & Veggie Gnocchi Bake (food.com new recipe) & Salad

Tuesday – Leftovers from Sunday and Monday
Wednesday –Meatloaf (food.com) & noodles with veggies and dip
Thursday – Taco's
Friday –Free Day (Again - see a pattern??? ;-) )
Saturday –Crispy Chicken Burgers with fresh cut fries

Sunday – Steak BBQ'd and baked Potatoes.

So what are you having? DO you have a killer meatloaf recipe trying to get my kids to fall in love with one?

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:28:00 +0000

We make these today and wow so yummy only we sub'd white choc mini chips and a dried not freeze dried strawberry....super easy to make with the kiddos too.

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp honey
2 cups freeze dried strawberries
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs in one at a time and beat until fully incorporated. Stir in vanilla and honey. Gradually blend in dry ingredients, followed by freeze dried strawberries and chocolate chips (don’t worry about breaking up the strawberries; stir them vigorously!).
Drop tablespoonfuls (1-inch balls) of dough onto prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 10-11 minutes, or until cookies begin to brown and are set. Bake an extra minute or two for a crisper cookie.
Cool for 2 minutes on baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 3-4 dozen

Pasta with Kale, Lemon, Parmesan & Bacon!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:12:00 +0000

Supper tonight was delicious and I combined 2 recipes into one....The one below and a bacon pasta recipe....I adjusted to my family about 3 large Kale leaves a cup of peas I just add the Kale annd peas at the end of the pasta cook time (saves steps and time) then in a frying pan fry about a cup of chopped bacon and a small onion till onion is translucent and bacon is crisp I added half a can of diced (seasoned - small can) tomatoes to the pan then toss with pasta.....yummmmmmm!

Pasta with Kale, Lemon & Parmesan

Yield – 4 servings Preparation Time – 20 minutes Cooking Time – 15 minutes

Ingredients

10-12 kale leaves (free)
1 lb. small pasta noodles, fusili or small shells ($.50)
2 lemons, juiced and zested ($.50)
3 Tbsp olive oil ($.15)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese ($.50)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring 6 cups of water to boil. Add 1 Tbsp salt and then add the kale leaves. Boil 2-3 minutes, or until the kale is soft and bright green. Drain in colander and rinse with cool water. Let sit for a few minutes before chopping. Then chop into bite size pieces.
In a different saucepan (or the same one), boil the pasta noodles. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cool water if you are planning to serve this as a cold dish.
Toss the cooked pasta with the chopped kale leaves. Then squeeze in the juice of 2 lemons, plus 1 tsp lemon zest. Add in the olive oil and some salt and pepper. Toss well.
Add the Parmesan cheese and toss again.
Serve as is…or with fresh fruit…or with sliced grilled chicken on top. Or mixed in. (whatever works for you, works for me!)
Serve chilled or warm.

Cost $4.40, at most

Did you make it what did you think????

Menu Plan {Sept 17th - Sept 23rd}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:40:00 +0000

Monday - Rice Crusted Quiche
Tuesday – BLT's
Wednesday – Pasta w/Lemon and Kale
Thursday – Eggs and Rice
Friday – Supper Out!
Saturday – Free Meal or Eat out
Sunday – Roast Beef & Mashed Potato's

We are down a grown up so supper is light and easy and well may change! LOL! FYI the Cilantro Lime Chicken last week was so yummy!!!

What is your meal plan this week???

Menu Plan {Sept 10th - Sept 17th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 19:07:00 +0000

Well I am back at it and I was pretty sure I wasn't gonna post here but here I am its like therapy for me.

Monday - Rice a Roni Turkey Casserole (New Recipe)
Tuesday – Crock Pot Taco Soup w/7up Biscuits (New Recipe)
Wednesday – Cilantro Lime Chicken Taco's (New Recipe)
Thursday – Slow Cooker Meatballs w/ noodles
Friday – Fish and Chips
Saturday – Cashew Chicken w/rice & steamed Broccoli & Cauliflower (New Recipe)
Sunday – BBQ'd Steak & Baked Potato's

A whole boat load of new recipes and the start of all the activities too. We go every night except Fridays. Busy little beavers we are in this house!!! Hope all is well with everyone out in my online world! We are ok....just trying to get by some days! See you here next week if not sooner!

Quicke Meal plan for this week. Menu Plan {June 10th - June17th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:58:00 +0000

This week is gonna be a crazy one.......The Daddy leaves again for work and its fathers day weekend so booooo for him and for us.

Menu Plan {June 10th - June17th}

Sunday – Roast w/gravy & Potato's

Monday - BBQ'd Steak & Baked Potato's

Tuesday – Taco Tuesday @ Taco Time .99 cent tacos (Soccer night)

Wednesday – Beef Stew (from the leftovers)

Thursday – Noodles & Hotdogs (Soccer night)

Friday – Secret Surprise

Saturday – Secret Surprise

Sunday – Secret Surprise

The secret well you will just have to wait till next week to find out.....see you next week

Tortured Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:32:00 +0000

Yes the recipe is called Tortured Chicken.....It was so good the only thing I will change is the rub technique next time.

Tortured Chicken - Beer Can

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Serves: 4, Yield: 1 whole chicken

Ingredients

1 large chicken, rinsed in cold water and patted very dry, inside and out with paper toweling ( 2-2.5 pounds)
1/2 of a can beer ( 6 ounces of a 12 ounce can, any brand, any variety)
1/3 cup paprika
1/3 cup salt
1/3 cup black pepper
2/3 cup packed brown sugar

Directions

Mix 4 dry ingredients together.
Use this rub inside and out of the cleaned, dry chicken. (Here is where I would change it by separating the skin from the bird and put the rub right against the meat...do you know what I mean??)
Be generous.
Place 1/2 can of beer in center of roasting pan.
Position"bottom" of chicken over beer and slide chicken over the can of beer until the chicken is"sitting" upright in the pan.
The fit will be snug and chicken will be secure.
Roast uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Do not baste, do not turn pan.
The beer will steam the chicken deliciously.
When done, carefully remove can of beer from chicken and serve.
Chicken can also be carved while"sitting" on the beer can. I have"tortured" 2 or 3 chickens in the same roaster and did not have to adjust cooking time.

When I did this recipe I BBQ'd them one with a beer and the other with a can pepsi. The beer one was super moist as was the pepsi but the meat had a hint of sweetness to it.....It was very yummy too!! Well will be doing many of these this summer I am sure. If you have a spice rub that is better than this please share in the comments or email if you want it kept a secret.

On another note does anyone know if real cheddar cheese slices can be frozen then thaw and used normally? I know of people doing this with shredded cheese but not slices.......fricken KIDS!!!! No comment!

Best {Easiest} Dessert ~ Thank You Pinterest!

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 00:55:00 +0000

Of course I don't have time for much but I sure can try and browse Pinterest...please tell me you are all the same way! LOL! I seriously need to get back to meal planning before summer starts and we just eat crap all summer! Anyway our dessert was yum (minus the pan/cake removal incident - none of which hit the floor btw)

Diet Coke Cake

Ingredients:

1 dry box cake mix, any flavor
10 oz. diet soda, any flavor
2 egg whites
cooking spray

Directions:
Preheat oven according to box directions. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.

Beat cake mix, diet soda and egg whites in a large bowl for 2 minutes. Pour mixture into pan.

Decrease cooking time by 5 minutes from what the box says. A toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake will come out clean when it is finished. Let cool before cutting into squares. Serve with fat free whipped cream if desired! Yum!

and the icing i used was something I have never made before I have made cooked icings but nothing like this for sure! Thanks to Pioneer Woman (you have to scroll about 1/2 way down the page) and her recipe site I came across this one.....

That’s the Best Frosting I’ve Ever Had

Prep Time 15 Minutes Cook Time 10 Minutes

Servings 12

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

5 Tablespoons Flour
1 cup Milk
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 cup Butter
1 cup Granulated Sugar (not Powdered Sugar!)

Preparation Instructions

In a small saucepan, whisk flour into milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. You want it to be very thick, thicker than cake mix, more like a brownie mix is. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. (If I’m in a hurry, I place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools.) It must be completely cool before you use it in the next step. Stir in vanilla.

While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. You don’t want any sugar graininess left. Then add the completely cooled milk/flour/vanilla mixture and beat the living daylights out of it. If it looks separated, you haven’t beaten it enough! Beat it until it all combines and resembles whipped cream.

Grab a spoon and taste this wonderful goodness. If there is any left after your taste test, spread it on a cooled chocolate cake.

Both these recipes are so easy to make I even made an oops and it all turned out great....Let us know if you try either of these or both together......If I would have had nutrawhip I probably would have used that for the icing instead to keep the calories down to nothing....but since trying this icing.......gahhhhh yummmmmy!

Hiatus...

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 04:45:00 +0000

Sorry I took a child hiatus. The boy had surgery on the 28th and I thought we would be down and out for 5 days most well Wednesday will be 2 weeks. Food was the least of our worries these last few days/week. Now that he is on maybe a dose of pain meds a day (sweet!) and eating real foods...real solid foods too! So happy after the wicked intense pain he was in last weekend I am happy to be finally sleeping thru the night and not listening for his screams.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter and celebrated with love and peace in you hearts. We did. It was very quiet and spent quality time with the girl and boy.

The Loot

Having fun and playing with Picnik (the boy loved it)

We had a great spread today with a Turkey breast roast done in the slow cooker. I nuked some potatoes diced them and mixed them with sour cream, cheese, bacon and fired onions and baked till crisp. I also made my Mom's Buckwheat concoction....cooked buckwheat mixed with fried bacon and onions. Both kids LOVE it. Sweet! This is how my mom makes her buckwheat cabbage rolls. Steamed peas. Then dessert was so simple.....1 angle food cake mix.....1 can crushed pineapple including juice....1 9 x 13 pan....1 oven.....then you call it dessert! LOL! I searched and found a recipe for the recipe needy! LOL!

Angel Food Pineapple Cake

About This Recipe

"A very simple, very light cake recipe that I found online when I needed something fast to bring to a bbq. I sprinkled shredded unsweetened coconut on top before cooking which was nice and toasty when it came out of the oven. I served it with strawberries and Cool Whip. Fantastic recipe when you need to whip up something simple in a hurry."

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) cans crushed pineapple ( including liquid)
1 (8 ounce) boxes angel food cake mix

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Prepare 13 x 9 pan.
Mix can of pineapple with box of angel food cake. Blend with hand blender on low for one minute. Pour into pan.
Bake for 25 - 30 minutes. Serve with non-fat Cool Whip and fresh fruit.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 (38 g) * Servings Per Recipe: 12 *Calories 85.7

I took it from here minus their addition of coconut. We topped ours with cool-whip and fresh fruit.....so yummy!

So I haven't even thought of any meals for this week coming up as the kids are off school and not extra activities too. For sure there is left overs in our future and prob some bbqing too. Then in 11 days I will go missing for about 16 days! So don't come looking for me cause I will be hiding out in the sun and water!!!

Cake Batter Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Myers) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:00:00 +0000

What can I saw but yummmmmm! A huge hit in our house now! I have been gawking at the recipe for awhile and I was set on making Chocolate Chip Cookies last night too. Well sorry CHOCOLATE chippies! The SPRINKLE won and pretty much kicked your bum! In my opinion, my kids and all the peeps at works too! So since everyone has a pickle some where (Not mentioning any names Lisa) for the recipe here it is (click the title for a link to the site I got the recipe from)....

CAKE BATTER PUDDING COOKIES

1 1/2 sticks (or 3/4 cup) butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix, dry

3/4 cup yellow cake mix, dry

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

2-1/4 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 F. Stir together flour, salt and baking soda and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together. Add in pudding package and cake mix and beat until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add flour mixture slowly until well incorporated. Mix in sprinkles sprinkles. Roll into 1" balls and place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!

These have a similar taste to a shortbread/butter cookie taste! I also used splenda for the white sugar and was out of vanilla pudding so I used a sugar free white chocolate......delicious!!! Ok Lisa please remove pickle you have the recipe now!!!! (Mine still will taste better than yours!!)

Menu Plan {March 18th- 24th}

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Myers) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:31:00 +0000

Miss me? Well my computer got sick and well even tho I did meal plan I never did get around to posting on Daddy Punk's Computer! Am I forgiven??? I hope so.

Well here is the new week.

Monday - Greek Chicken w/Tzatziki Sauce

Tuesday – Doctored Chicken Fried Rice Helper

Wednesday – Grilled Cheese and Veggies

Thursday – Taco in a Bag

Friday – BBQ'd Burgers

Saturday – Soy/Ginger - Lime fish w/ rice

Sunday – Roast w/gravy & Potato's

We have been pintresting like mad to find out what to do with the main floor bath room and the kitchen pantry! I am at a loss at decorating and organizing both rooms! We have found some cool ideas but haven't found the ONE! Yet!

Also I am not feeling the blog name anymore....should I change it or just deal and move on!

Menu Plan {March 5th-11th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:01:00 +0000

Another busy week...we finished soccer this week and I ended up saying yes to a bowling tournament for this week. The Boys went to a camp at the Royal Tyrell Museum for a Beaver camp. The pictures are awesome and they had so much fun!

Well here is what last week brought......

Monday - Bacon Spaghetti (or Pasta) Recipe from Lynn's Kitchen Adventures

Tuesday - Breakfast for supper...Bacon, Eggs, Toast and fruit.

Wednesday - Caesar Salad

Thursday - Marinated Mushrooms and Steak w/ slow cooker baked potatoes

Friday - ~~Saucy baked fish [new recipe] w/lime cilantro rice~~ Instead was pancakes (Lazy!)

Saturday - ~~Crockpot BBQ'd Chicken [new recipe]~~ Forgot the boys were going to camp so we ate out!

Sunday - Spaghetti & Meat Sauce

Here is what is to come this week. I was on the ball last week and made up this weeks and I think tomorrow night I may make up 2 more weeks! I love being ahead of the game!!!

Monday - Crockpot BBQ'd Chicken [new recipe]

Tuesday – Stuffed Chicken Breasts w/Scalloped potatoes

Wednesday – Sloppy Joes w/ Salad

Thursday – Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Friday – Soy/Ginger fish w/ fries

Saturday – Left Overs

Sunday – Ginger Lime Chicken w/rice

Have a great week! Hoping to maybe start BBQing here again next week!

Menu Plan {February 27th-March 3rd}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 01:22:00 +0000

Sorry we took a week off and I never told you! Bad Momma blogger. (Slaps Hand!) Anyway the kids were off school last week and they chose what we ate every night. It wasn't bad either!

Monday - Bacon Spaghetti (or Pasta) Recipe from Lynn's Kitchen Adventures

Tuesday - Breakfast for supper...Bacon, Eggs, Toast and fruit.

Wednesday - Caesar Salad

Thursday - Marinated Steak and Mushroomsw/ slow cooker baked potatoes

Friday - Saucy baked fish [new recipe] w/lime cilantro rice

Saturday - Crockpot BBQ'd Chicken [new recipe]

Sunday - Spaghetti & Meat Sauce

Well back at it this week! Have a great one!

Menu Plan {February 12th-18th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:34:00 +0000

Well last week was a tiring less stressful one. Now I think I am fighting a cold. Then we need to head to the BIG CITY on Valentines Day so we will make it a special day since we will be at the Children's Hospital for the girl Punk! We have Olive Garden on our list! Then we have a long weekend called Family Day next Monday....BONUS!

Monday - Kids have left overs from Wok Box (For the life of me I can't remember what I ate - Funeral Day that is my excuse)
Tuesday - ~~Fishhhhhhh!~~ - We had KD & Turkey Dogs and veggies
Wednesday - ~~Soup and sandwiches (Maybe???~~ Subway instead???) - Subway won!
Thursday - Southwest Spaghetti Squash - Delicious Kids meh! Will have to mess with it a bit more!!!
Friday - ~~Fish & fries~~ Boy Punk had a friend sleep over so it was Wendy's after Soccer...No complaints
Saturday - ~~Pasta with Kale, Lemon & Parmesan W/ Chicken~~ Subway again :-)
Sunday - ~~Olive Garden Chicken &Gnocchi Soup & Homemade buns~~ - Pasta with Kale, Lemon & Parmesan W/ Chicken - Yummy yum yummmmmmmm

So here is our new week...

Monday -Leftovers
Tuesday - Big City DAY! Happy Valentines

Wednesday - Breakfast for Supper (Eggs, Bacon & Toast)
Thursday - Taco Night
Friday - Fish & Chips (on of these weeks we will get to eat fish!)
Saturday - Company - Supper out!

Sunday - Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Monday - Sausage & potato (or Perogies)

This will more likely change on the weekend as our friends from Saskanasquatch will be visiting and they have family here to visit too. So its so good that we can be flexible!!!

Off to bed! Night all!

Menu Plan {February 6th - February 12th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:18:00 +0000

Well another weekend has passed and it time to make another plan. Well after the week we had and 2 deaths the plan was being flexed for sure. We will be not having a meal plan for Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday because Dad is away and that is how we roll when Dad is away! Hehe! It will help me have some time with the kids eating what they want every night! oh and did anyone notice I screwed up on the dates for last week. I am glad last week is over thank heavens!!!!

Monday - Pizza Casserole - So good I posted the recipe for you all. Tuesday - Chicken Helper Mix dressed up my way! LOL! - We used a Velveta Casserole and it was yummy!
Wednesday - ~~Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup~~ Ended up being left over night.
Thursday -~~Oven Baked Stuffed Chicken~~ Fresh Sausage and fries (a hit)
Friday - Date Night - Kids get to choose SUPPER! - they had pogo dogs and veggies. I had Chicken Peanut Curry from a local Thai restaurant gahhhhh yum!
Saturday -Cheeseburger Pizza - 3 out of 4 loved it and that 1 is a pick bum!
Sunday - ~~Burgers~~ - Ended up at Tony Roma's for our Anniversary

Monday - Kids have left overs from Wok Box
Tuesday -Fishhhhhhh!
Wednesday - Soup and sandwiches (Maybe??? Subway instead???)

Thursday - Southwest Spaghetti Squash

Friday - Fish & fries

Saturday - Pasta with Kale, Lemon & Parmesan W/ Chicken

Sunday - Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup & Homemade buns

Have a great night & week. I will be posting a new recipe this week too.

WW Core - Bubbling Pizza Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:34:00 +0000

Tonights supper looks, smells and well tastes divine!

WW Core - Bubbling Pizza Casserole
Ingredients

1 lb 96% lean ground beef
1 medium onions, chopped
16 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup diced bell peppers
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
16 ounces refrigerated biscuits ( should be 8 biscuits per can)
1 1/4 cups fat free mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.
In skillet, brown meat over medium heat, stirring to crumble.
Stir in onion, tomato sauce, basil, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
Add veggies
Add quartered biscuit dough to the pan of sauce & meat; stir gently until biscuits are covered with sauce.
Spray a 9 x 13" casserole dish with cooking spray. Dump the mixture into the dish.
Bake for 25 minutes.
Sprinkle with cheese, and bake an additional 10 minutes or until biscuits are done.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Here is the only thing I did different (being as girl punk has issues with Tomatoes, I used her favorite pasta sauce - Natural and organic) I subbed the tomatoes with pasta sauce. I added a herb mix instead of the basil and Italian seasoning (cause it is what I had). I also used baby portabella mushrooms too. I like them better as the don't cook down as much and the kids don't notice them as they do with white mushrooms. I also cut back on the cheese. I used a low fat mix of cheeses I used half of what was called for. So next time I may just use left over Mama's Meat Sauce recipe. We had seconds too! Yummmmmy. Keeper for sure.

Menu Plan {January 29th - February 4th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:12:00 +0000

Well this week was a week that could have ended on Wednesday...Seriously. Yep! Bleck! So our meal plan was pretty much trashed. The boy punk had 2 parties to go to both over supper and both pointless to come home cook and then turn around to go get him.

Monday - Roast Beef (my recipe) in the Slow Cooker and Mashed potatoes Tuesday - ~~Salsa Chicken or Crock Pot Stuffed Chicken or maybe a blend of both! LOL! [both are new recipes]~~ Chicken Strips from our local deli around the corner with veggies.
Wednesday - ~~Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (as per the punks request!)~~ Taco Time I had a salad that I shared with Girl punk! (Remember this was our yes this week could be over day!)
Thursday - Thai Chicken and Pineapple [new recipe] Meh! Not gonna make it again.
Friday - ~~Fishhhhhhhh and fries~~ We had Subway
Saturday - ~~Pizza Casserole [new recipe]~~ Wok Box Took Girl Punk and she fell in love and in a kids meal there is enough for 2 meals for her!
Sunday - Salisbury Steaks ~~with noodles~~ [new recipe] - Yummmmmmy I made these with baked potatoes from Lynn's Kitchen Adventures the only thing is I used grapeseed oil and omitted the cheese. Worked like a charm.

Monday - Pizza Casserole [new recipe]
Tuesday - Chicken Helper Mix dressed up my way! LOL!
Wednesday - Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (lets try this one again!)
Thursday -Oven Baked Stuffed Chicken
Friday - Date Night - Kids get to choose SUPPER!
Saturday -Cheeseburger Pizza

Sunday - Burgers

Please rememeber that we always have a heeeeeeaaaaappppping portion of some sort of Veg too. Lately it has been raw veg pretty much every meal. Tonight tho I made a baby romaine lettuce salad topped with some Costco Greek Salad [I like my Greek salad non-traditional I am partial to lettuce in my salads!] Each salad had less than a tsp of dressing on it too with no complaints! This was a rushed meal plan as I was gonna leave it for tomorrow night but this will do for the week. I need to get some things cleaned out of my pantry/fridge/freezer this week (and maybe next too!)

So sad no one posted last week for a recipe hmmmffffppppp maybe this week???

Menu Plan {January 23th - 29th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:52:00 +0000

Well we made it thru another week. With little to no stress (minus the punks health issues! One day they will get a break right???)

So here is the recap....
Monday - Ginger Lime Chicken [Dinner Survival - Sandi Richard]...Yummy no complaints everyone enjoyed it!
Tuesday - Ginger Beef w/ Egg Noodles [Dinner Fix - Sandi Richard)...All but the girl inhaled it. She thought it was good but not to die for!
Wednesday - Crockpot Spaghetti w/ Spaghetti Squash....basic meal the kids loved the sauce (Although the crock pot burnt it slightly!)
Thursday - ~~Slow Cooker Roast & Potatoes~~ Left overs....Kids had a piece or bread with left over egg noodles topped with meat sauce. Both inhaled it!
Friday - Burger & Fries....We had Wendy's as it was a soccer night and I was in pain my shoulder is buggered again.
Saturday - Thai Chicken Wraps (Mine will be wrapped in lettuce) [Dinner Survival - Sandi Richard].....Yummmmmy and a keeper!!!
Sunday - Oven soft tacos.....only had 1 left over....so I think they enjoyed them! I have left over chicken from the thai wraps taco-ized over some spaghetti squash with pico de gallo (sp?) yumm yumm yumm yummy!

So this week we are keeping it simple as I am still in pain (yes I will be calling about a massage first thing tomorrow am) and well that is the only reason I can think of LOL!

Monday - Roast Beef (my recipe) in the Slow Cooker and Mashed potatoes
Tuesday - Salsa Chicken or Crock Pot Stuffed Chicken or maybe a blend of both! LOL! [both are new recipes]
Wednesday - Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup (as per the punks request!)
Thursday - Thai Chicken and Pineapple [new recipe]
Friday - Fishhhhhhhh and fries
Saturday - Pizza Casserole [new recipe]
Sunday - Salisbury Steaks with noodles [new recipe]

So what recipe to share this week? Our Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oat recipe or our Roast beef recipe??? Maybe even our Meat Sauce recipe??? Oh I know which you would all like my grilled cheese recipe....hahahahah I kill me with my wit! Your call....leave your requests in the comments and the one with the most requests wins. I will take comments up till 2pm MST on Thursday.

Menu Plan {January 16th - 22th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Well so far so good we did move some meals around and Sunday (Tonight) was totally changed to soup cause it snowed today and well it was COLD! I am such a wimp! So here is an update from last week....

Monday - Kale & Bacon Rotini (Company's Coming Health Slow Cooker) * Meh! No real flavor had good bones tho! LOL So going to have to change it up with some different spices and ingredients.
Tuesday - Hoisin Slivered Beef with Green Beans and Basmati Rice (Dinner Survival - Sandi Richard) * YUMMMMMMMY! Kids gobbled it up...had a tiny zip to it spice wise so I was shocked they loved it so much!
Wednesday - Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad * Changed to Wendy's Take out Thursday -Oven Tacos (Lynn's Kitchen Adventures) * YUMMY! Going to make it with flour tortilla's next time. Keeper
Friday - Chicken & pineapple Curry with Rice and Balsamic Nutty Beans (Dinner Survival - Sandi Richard) * Yummy yummy yummy....Dad was the only one on the fence...ever one else loved it!
Saturday - We picked up pizza the Boy Punk had a friend sleep over and I had salad and left over curry.
Sunday - Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup * YUMMY Yum yum!

Was a crazy week and I hurt my neck some how. So booking a massage appointment tomorrow. So here is this weeks menu....

Monday - Ginger Lime Chicken [Dinner Survival - Sandi Richard] Tuesday - Ginger Beef w/ Egg Noodles [Dinner Fix - Sandi Richard)
Wednesday - Crockpot Spaghetti w/ Spaghetti Squash
Thursday - Slow Cooker Roast & Potatoes
Friday - Burger & Fries (I will either have a turkey burger or fish)
Saturday - Thai Chicken Wraps (Mine will be wrapped in lettuce) [Dinner Survival - Sandi Richard]
Sunday - Family Choice - Something new I am trying will see may be the first and last time you see it! LOL!

I hope this is helping someone out there as much as it is helping us! We had such a stressful week and I was so relieved to have this as one less thing to worry about! So as some know I am working on shedding some fluff! LOL! So far this week down 3 lbs not to shabby for just watching the crap I put in my body!!! Wonder what would happen it I started to work out??? I think that is pretty good and hoping to keep it off too! Hoping to buy an elliptical sometime this week to help! So I can watch the pounds fly offffffff. Any help and pointers would be super!

Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:59:00 +0000

So the recipe I have left for you is a combo of two combined. Basically just the spices are different. The whole family gobbled it up and said please make this again. WOW so surprised! I am such a soup girl and so happy that Daddy Punk and Kid Punks loved it!

If you try to make this please let us know what you think or change? You could totally make it using left over chicken, like Roast Chicken or grilled chicken.

Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

Prep Time: 10 mins Total Time: 35 mins Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

3 - 4 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
4 cups chicken stock
2 cups half-and-half
1 stalk celery, diced
1 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 carrots, shredded
1/2 onions, diced
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ - 1 teaspoon thyme & parsley
¼ tsp nutmeg
salt and pepper
16 ounces potato gnocchi
1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)

Directions

Saute the onion, celery, garlic, carrot in oil over medium heat until onion is translucent.
Add chicken, chicken stock, half and half (add cornstarch in half and half at this point if you want a thicker soup.), salt and pepper, thyme. Heat to boiling, then add gnocchi. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down to a simmer for 10 minutes.
Add spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until spinach is wilted.
Ladle into bowls and serve!

http://www.food.com/recipe/olive-garden-style-chicken-and-gnocchi-soup-348802

Menu Plan {January 9th - 15th}

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We survived our first week of meals and with a few changes it all went well! Thursday was moved back to the files and days were bumped so we could have fried hotdogs on Friday. Just like Five Guys but way better!

Monday - Kale & Bacon Rotini (Company's Coming Health Slow Cooker) Tuesday - Hoisin Slivered Beef with Green Beans and Basmati Rice (Dinner Survival - Sandi Richard)
Wednesday - Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad
Thursday -Oven Tacos (Lynn's Kitchen Adventures)
Friday - Chicken & pineapple Curry with Rice and Balsamic Nutty Beans (Dinner Survival - Sandi Richard)
Saturday - Free day/Left overs
Sunday - Slow Cooker Roast Something from the freezer, Potatoes, gravy left over veggies

Recipes will follow if they are good. They are all from cookbook I just recently took from our local public library. Also Friday may change as we have soccer at 6pm. SO we will see how the week goes!

Well off to bed soon as I will be up early doing a power walk before the kids get up! YIPPY!

Well 2012 is going smoothly

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Myers) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:27:00 +0000

Well Monday's meal of Bacon Spaghetti was a hit...Miss Picky pants who I thought we would have to fight to get her to eat it had 2 helpings.....yes 2 helpings!!! Then both kids asked for it for their lunch for today. Mr will Eat Anything is under the weather and didn't touch his but that was ok.

Yesterday I got to make a meal plan/shopping clipboard. It is super cute and was super quick to make and super cheap. 2 pieces of scrapbooking paper (one was .79 and the other was $1.69 I think), a dollar store clipboard $1.25, Modge Podge (already had at home so pennies) and paint (again had at home pennies)

How cute is that hanging on my kitchen wall! going to be even more cute in my shopping cart!

In case you didn't know I Love me some sock monkey! LOL! Also did you know you can Modge Podge ribbon??? I didn't but it totally works! SWEET!

So while at the dollar store I found some plastic sleeves that are open on 2 sides and sealed on 2 sides. I think there are 12 in the pack for 1.25 not bad. Seem to be good quality too. So my plan was to put the menu plan in and then with wet erase markers mark off my groceries. So far it seems pretty good!

Day 2 Supper Sausage and Potatoes....another keeper. Only thing I changed added fried onions and orange peppers also fried the sausage a bit add something I like the crispy bits!.

So how is your new year going? Baby steps like us???

Happy 2012 Menu Plan {January 2nd - 8th}

noreply@blogger.com (Diana Myers) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Well here it is 2012 and can't for the life of me remember the last time I posted here! Well I am back and first order of business is meal plans/menu plan. I have done a plan when the kids were smaller and since they have gotten busier so have I and so I have let thing slide.

Well with a new year and a new job (I started at the beginning of December) many new things will be changing in our house! 1. Menu/meals 2. Chores 3. Housekeeping 4. Selling (Stuff we out grow or do not use anymore!) 5. Decorate/organize (I know they don't seem to fit together but just go with it!) So those are my top 5 for now.

So a friend facebooked (is that a word?) me asking what my plan is. So here I go.... I do a 6 day plan and its not set in stone...flexibility is the name of the game....one day to either eat out or to have left overs.

Monday - Bacon Spaghetti & Salad
Tuesday - Potatoes & Sausage w/ raw veggies
Wednesday - Crock pot Lemon Chicken w/rice
Thursday - Asian Noodle Soup & buns
Friday - Rice Crusted Quiche w/salad
Saturday - Free day/Left overs
Sunday - Slow Cooker Roast beef, Potatoes, gravy left over veggies

These are all new to use recipes (except Sunday) too so I am sure some will stay some will go!

I am also using this sheet for the first time as well. I think it will work quite well I may even laminate it and use erasable marker (you know the kind you need water to remove not dry erase ones!) Then it will be good to use over and over and I can take it shopping and it won't get destroyed.

Being Frugal

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:29:00 +0000

So like many out their I have a sensitivity to scents. I have always had this but not bad till I had Miss M. She made it unbearable to the point of being ill from scents. Well Febreeze is one of them. I have yet to be able to use their product with out ending in a near migraine. So I have used alternatives but some are good others are ok but they are either just as expensive as Febreeze or more expensive for a quarter if the price. Well last night while tending to my pinterest.com addiction I stumbled across this recipe....

Refill for a 32 oz Febreeze Spray Bottle: 1/8 Cup of Your Favorite Fabric Softener 2 Tablespoons Baking Soda Hot Tap Water - To Fill the Bottle to the Top Shake it up in your Spray Bottle and you're ready to go and fight those Stinky Dog Odors!

Which linked back to this recipe...

Febreeze for Less What You Need: 2 cups warm water 1/4 cup liquid fabric softener 1 tsp. baking soda Simply mix these three ingredients together in a spray bottle, shake well, and get spraying! The great part about this recipe (aside from how well it works and how much money you can save) is that the scent isn't terribly strong or overpowering. Our home smells like clean laundry for a short time, then the scent quickly dissipates taking any bad smells with it!

I will be making this for sure and trying it out. Has anyone used a recipe like this before? Have any tips for me???

I have also found a recipe for homemade liquid/powder laundry detergent. Have you made it before do you love it hate it? Have a great recipe? Sent me any feed back before I get into deep! Hope you week all goes well.

I know I know! Well I am alive barely.

noreply@blogger.com (The Myers AKA Diana) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:07:00 +0000

Well I haven't been doing much of anything crafty wise...I have been pinning like a mad woman tho! I have been keeping up on my Project 52 pages tho! So since Sept has flown past and now October, November is going to slow down right??? Please??? I want to start taking some classes!

So to pick up today is the day before Halloween. What a crazy day its been between making treats, a friends birthday party for the girl, our best friends daughters birthday and pumpkin carving. Plus all the daily other stuff that goes on top of that.

We made Monster Munch to share with our friends and classmates. I found a recipe on http://pinterest.com/
but the recipe included peanuts and since our school is peanut-free we made some changes.

Monster Munch {Halloween Popcorn Mix}

Recipe by Our Best Bites

1 package Almond Bark (1 lb)

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernals)

1 C candy corn

1 C dry roasted, salted peanuts

1/2 C Reeces Pieces

Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl. Much larger than you think you need. The largest you have. It will make mixing easier! Pour peanuts, candy corn, and reeces pieces on top.

Take a large knife and break up almond bark. Melt according to package directions. I just chop it up a little and microwave it in intervals until smooth and melted.

Pour over popcorn mixture.

Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps.

My version....

Monster Munch {Halloween Popcorn Mix}

Orange, white & Dark Merkins

Microwave Butter flavor popcorn
Candy corn
Pretzels
Craisin's or M&M's

Pop popcorn and place on a  large parchment lined cookie sheet. Mine are as wide as my oven. Put a large thick layer of popcorn mine took 2 bags per sheet. Pour pretzels, candy corn, and m&m's on top.

Melt according to package  directions.  I just microwave it in intervals  until smooth and melted. Drizzle each color over popcorn mixture.

Let sit until completely dry and then break up into  clumps and place into bags. 

We love the salty sweet combination!  I am pretty sure we will be making this at Christmas and call it Reindeer Food or something else but change up the combinations for sure.  

From October 30, 2011

Here are the tags we made....it was a 4 x 6 photo....with 2 tag per page.

From October 30, 2011

I used Lil' Ghosts & Goblins by The Scrapping Kat.

Let us know what you come up with.....or if you followed our recipe or adapted it for your own!

From October 30, 2011

Happy Halloween Everyone....be safe and eat plenty of chocolate!
I plan to be back more and with some good news for the new year....I promise!