a Joyful Melody

Real Food Revolution

2012-02-17T05:10:00.000-08:00

I love making food from scratch, simply because it first tastes good and I know what is it it.I came across this list and seriously it's crazy what people eat. I'll be honest I've been guilty of doing so, out of convience.

Aspartame: An artificial sweetener commonly used in soft drinks and chewing gum. It's 180 times sweeter than regular table sugar.

BHA: A chemical added to food in order to preserve fats and keep them from turning rancid.

BHT: A chemical preservative found in cereals and snack food.

Calcium Peroxide: What they use to bleach flour and improve dough texture.

Disodium Guanylate: A flavor enhancer 100 times more potent than MSG often added to sauces and canned foods.

High Fructose Corn Syrup: A highly processed liquid sweetener and preservative consisting mainly of glucose.

MSG: a flavor enhancer commonly used in Chinese food, canned goods, soup mixes, and processed meat.

Partially Hydrogenated Oil: Oil that has been partially hardened through a chemical process and adds trans fats to food.

Polydextrose: A chemical additive used to replace sugar in many foods.

Potassium Sorbate: A preservative used to slow down the growth on mold and yeast.

Sodium Benzoate: A chemical preservative found in acidic foods like condiments, salad dressings, and carbonated beverages.

Sucralose: An artificial sweetener 600 times sweeter than regular sugar.

Xanthum Gum: Made using petrochemcials to create sticky dough.

Are you guilty of not label reading sometimes?

Valentine Giveaway at Bailey Grace Lovelies

2012-02-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

Okay all you Lovelies...here is the Valentines hat giveaway...Rules are comment under picture "What your favorite Valentines gift would be?" and share share share my page, to give others the chance to enter. Winner will be annouced on Wednesday and item will be shipped asap so your little lovelie may wear her hat by Valentines day. (size of hat is 15 months-5 years old) Begin!

Here is the link to the giveaway page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bailey-Grace-Lovelies/336109413074170

Introducing Bailey Grace Lovelies

2012-01-28T08:31:00.000-08:00

This is the year I have decided to stop dreaming and start doing. So I opened a little store of my handmade items, I love fun things jewelry, hats, clothes and for years I have always had little designs in my head, so I am bringing them to pass. I have opened my little businesss on Facebook first, and am working on the website. Thinking of putting my items on Etsy. Would love for you to come check out my page and honestly would love the "love" Here's my page link http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2857288364821.133336.1637989698&type=1#!/pages/Bailey-Grace-Lovelies/336109413074170 I have so many ideas just trying to work on time to be able to work on it all. I love it though so fun and relaxing to knit and sew. Here are some sneak peaks, but please come by.

Rambling Wednesday

2012-01-25T03:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took my mom to some of her Dr appt's. Then we stopped at Joann's fabric to check out the fabric I want for my kitchen. I am working on changing it for the 100th time as my husband would say. I change like the wind but I finally have it down on the color scheme I want. I want black, white, and splashes of yellow. I love the Damask design so I want that to be the curtains. Well here these are some ideas of the color scheme I want..note they are not my pictures..good ole Pintrest hooked me up.

I love how the colors just look happy together. So I am on a mission...sorry hubby. Yesterday I was blessed with the fabric now have to make the template and start sewing. Here's a picture of the fabric I got.

I'll make curtains out of that fabric and paint the wall that it hangs on yellow. So excited I can see it in my head now to make it in my kitchen. Dear HGTV you might have to rescue me.

Did end the night with a sweet treat. While at the market I saw this little beauty

The color stopped me since I love color. I am not crazy over ice cream (gasp I know) but actually like sorbet. Well this little one asked to come home with me and boy oh boy am I happy it did. It's sweet but not overly sweet because the tartness really comes through. Tastes just like real raspberries in a bowl. Very refreshing and a great way to finish a meal. Baby and me give it 4 thumbs up...oh wait what baby well here you go

Baby # 5 gives it the thumbs up .....Have a beautiful day, remember to see the beauty in all things today, you'll be suprised over God's goodness.

Yummy meatloaf....I am sure everyone has their recipe, this is mine

2012-01-25T03:22:00.000-08:00

I love meatloaf and mashed potatoes, never had it growing up, so it's not childhood memories, but just something that says good ole comfort food. Not to mention with this pregnancy I crave meat...crazy I know. I'm sure everyone has there own recipe, but if you don't here's my favorite. I originally got the recipe from years ago in a men's bodybuilding magazine of course they used egg whites, and low carb bbq sauce but I'm not giving up my sauce ;0)

For it to be my favorite meatloaf it starts with this

This silly sauce is finger licking good, I love it on every thing. Steak, chicken, salmon, and yes even meatloaf. Crazy I know.

Recipe for meatloaf

2 pounds of ground meat

3-4 tbsp of parmesan cheese

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 bread crumbs

2 eggs

1 cup of my yummy bbq sauce (or what ever strikes your fancy, sauce, ketchup, salsa)

salt

pepper

Mix all together in a bowl till ingredients are well blended, I make two loafs, bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, I sweep the top with sauce add back for 1 minute.

Encouragement to chew on:

Great confession for today! “God is my strong fortress; He has made my way safe. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights” 2 Sam 22:33-34. Say that over yourself daily and repeatedly and you will see results.

Amazing blueberry cupcakes with buttercream frosting

2012-01-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

My daughter Beanie baby loves to look over recipes with me either books, magazines, tv, or Internet. While we were browsing she saw this recipe and begged me to make it, so this morning we made them for a special treat....as you can tell by the pictures below, Beanie loved them

Ingredients

2 cups + 2 tablespoons sifted flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup of unsalted butter (2 sticks)
1 1/2 cups of Sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup of whole milk
1/2 cup of blueberry puree
1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F and line cupcake pan with paper liners

Blueberry Puree:
Bring one pound of blueberries (fresh or frozen) to a boil in a sauce pan. I used organic frozen blueberries. Reduce heat to low and simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated (about 1/2 hour) and the mixture is thick, making sure to stir often. Cool the blueberries slightly and place in a food processor. Mix until smooth. For an
extra smooth puree pass mixture through a fine sieve before using, but I didn’t do this and it was fine. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Cupcake:Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add one egg at a time, beating until incorporated after each one.
Sift dry ingredients into a separate bowl. Mix milk with 1/2 cup of blueberry puree and vanilla. Add wet and dry ingredients alternately to butter/sugar mixture starting and ending with the dry ingredients in three additions. Mix until just incorporated after each addition. Do not over beat batter. The batter will puff up when baking, but then settle again once it cools, so you want to make sure that you fill each liner at least 3/4 full of batter. If you want an extra punch of flavor you can mix in a little of the blueberry puree into each cupcake and swirl slightly with a wooden skewer or small spoon. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until cake springs back to the touch. Cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
20 tbsp. (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. heavy cream

Directions:In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds. Add confectioners’ sugar and salt; beat at medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds. Scrape down the bowl and beat at medium speed until mixture is fully combined, about 15 seconds. Scrape bowl, add vanilla and heavy cream, and beat at medium speed until incorporated, about 10 seconds. Then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice.

These are amazing...but not my recipe so I have to give credit where credit is due...please visit http://www.pureandyummy.com/?p=330....she had amazing recipes...can't wait to try more.

Encouragement to chew on:

Have you encouraged someone today? “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today...” Hebrews 13:3

A snow storm calls for Pasta Fagioli

2012-01-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

It's snowing today so hubby said lets make Pasta Fagioli for lunch. There's the hint "lets" not me, not you...but "lets" so into the kitchen we went together. Always a learning experience to give up control in my kitchen.

Pasta Fagioli

Ingredients

1tsp of dried thyme or 4 sprigs of fresh

1tsp of dried rosemary or 1 large sprig

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbs butter

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup of carrots diced

2 cups of canned diced tomatoes (I pureed them per hubby request)

2 garlic cloves

4 cups of beef broth

1 can of kidney beans (rinsed and drained)

1 can of cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)

1 pound of ground meat

1 cup of small pasta

salt and pepper to taste

2tsp of garlic salt

Directions

In pot place saute onions, garlic in olive oil and butter, cook 1-2 minutes, then add carrots and spices. Now add meat and chop up with spatula. When meat starts to brown about 5 minutes then add tomato, beans and cook for another 5 minutes. Now add broth salt, pepper, garlic salt and cover bring to boil then lower heat to simmer for 1 hour. Now add pasta and cook for suggested time on box, ladle into bowls top with Parmesan cheese.

Link up http://4littlefergusons.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/foodie-friday-gets-a-facelift/

Encouragement to chew on:

Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives. CS Lewis
Recipe adapted from Giada but made better by me ;0)

Happy Pink Saturday....here's my pink that I am proud to show off

2012-01-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to post this and yet kept forgetting, well since it's Pink Saturday I thought well what a great way to show you. A few years ago my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in which she was treated and is now a survivor (praise God), but watching her go through it, taking her to every appointment, watching her skin become burned from the radiation hurt my heart. I thought what more can I do show my love, support and prayers for all victims who have gone through this stupid, nasty disease. When I saw the commercial for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk my heart leaped and I knew I wanted to be part of this. So I signed up in March of 2010 with the leap of faith that I would raise the $1800.00 dollars needed to participate and in 2 1/2 months I was well over my mark (again praise God). So here is my pink from the walk, one of the pink's that I am most proud of, between walking 39.3 miles in 2 days and the grossest blisters I have ever seen in my life, and some injuries that I am still dealing with I am so thankful for the experience of the Cancer Walk.

The Beginning of my walk Day 1..26.2 miles

When I arrived for the start, met up with some new friends

The last mile before the end of the 1st day

Tending to some crazy blisters and feet injuries

Day 2...funny guard to make us laugh and not think of the 12.2 ahead of us.

The finish line of the 39.3 miles in two days...I swear I think God carried me through that line.

So happy I made it. Thank you to all that supported my walk.

I hope you all enjoyed a little glimpse into my adventure.

Be sure to check out other great Pink Saturday's here.

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/

A burst of freshness and yumminess

2012-01-19T07:34:00.000-08:00

So with this pregnancy I crave fruit over all things, so I don't mind giving into my cravings so bad

Mango Berry Salad

Ingredients

1/2 cup strawberries halved

1/2 cup bluberries, blackberries, and or raspberries

1 cup of peeled diced mango

1/4 cup of walnuts, chopped

1/4 cup dried unsweetened cranberries

1tbsp fresh oj juice squeezed

1tbsp fresh lemon juice squeezed

In a large bowl, toss all ingredients together and mix well. Enjoy..so yummy.

Encouragement to chew on:

Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live, as well as strong to think.

What to do when your bored with what you have? $1.00 to decorate...sold!

2012-01-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

Then you spruce it up of course. This hutch was a hand me down from my parents, I love the hutch I just am not a fan of it's color, it's nice and all but I just don't like it dark green color in my kitchen.

Well since I;m on a kick to redecorate my kitchen to black, white and yellow I had an idea. While at Michaels (love that store) I saw they had this paper for sale for a $1.00 and it's yellow. so I bought it and fooled around with it on my hutch.

Tada a little makeover for a $1.00...I can handle that.

What have you done to redecorate and easy on the budget? Would love to hear suggestions.

You know it's good when my picky hubby will eat it.

2012-01-18T06:04:00.000-08:00

Last night hubby asked for me to make Fried Wontons (Hong Kong to be exact...which I'm not a huge fan of, so I decided to make a soup to that I may enjoy. I made a Turkey, Spinach, and Brown Rice Soup. Love this soup so light yet filling, not greasy, very simple and good for you along with good for your soul on a cold night.

Turkey, Spinach and Brown Rice Soup

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 Large onion chopped or 5 to 6 large shallots, chopped
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 ounces ground white turkey meat, broken into small chunks
1 Tbs of Thyme, 1 Tbs garlic powder and and salt or 1 tbs herbes de Provence
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, drained
1 cup cooked brown rice
About 4 packed cups of chopped spinach
1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, optional for topping

Directions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots and bell pepper and saute, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to brown and soften slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ground turkey and stir until the meat turns white and begins to color very slightly around the edges, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the herbs and stir, 1 minute. Add 4 cups broth, tomatoes and rice. Bring to a boil. Stir in the spinach and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and the freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30-45 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan, if using, and serve

Encouragement to chew on:

Insist on yourself. Never imitate.

Oats and Greens ???

2012-01-17T07:53:00.000-08:00

Peach Oats Brulee

Here's a wonderful way to make oatmeal a cenetrpiece at your breakfast or brunch table. Besides the great presentation, there's almost no standing and stirring over the stove involved. The butter and brown sugar topping, melted and crisped under the broiler, is just a flourish, touch, well worth the 5 extra minutes and the calories.

Peach Oats Brulee

Ingredients

4 cups of peach juice or necter

1/2 cup of diced fresh peached or could use canned

2 cups of rolled oats

1/2 tsp salt

1-2 tbs butter

1/3 cup of brown sugar

Directions

Preheat oven 350. Pour juice into sauce pan, cover and bring to boil on high heat. Stir in oats, fruit and salt and return to boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.

Transfer the oat mixture to a lightly oiled oven proof 2 quart casserole dish that's about 9x6 inches. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and oats are tender and golden. Remove from the oven, dot the top with butter, and evenly sprinkle on the brown sugar. Place under the broiler about 3-6 inches from the broiler for 2-3 minutes until sugar is melted and bubbly. Serve hot.

I get a kick out of seeing people have a green juice for the first time, because they are blown away over how good it is and how great it is for their body. We have been drinking many different versions of "Green Smoothie" for years, and almost religiously everyday. My kids hear the juicer start and they come running in for what they call a "healthy drink" and I never have problems to get them to drink it all up. So this morning I am sharing one of our green smoothie recipes with you since it has been a couple of months

Get up and go green smoothie

5 to 6 ounces baby spinach leaves, rinsed

2 apples, halved and cored

2 medium carrots, scrubbed

2 oranges

1/2 large lemon

One 2-inch piece ginger, peeled

Ice

Directions

Pass the spinach, apples, carrots, oranges, lemon juice and ginger through a juice maker, according to the manufacturer's directions. Pour the juice into 2 ice-filled glasses and serve.

Encouragement to chew on:

Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.

Happy Pink Saturday....sweet muffins of mine

2012-01-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

I love the color pink, it's just so pretty and happy and of course girly. I love it it to when I have pink food...yes silly I know but I do. So I introduce the White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins...these little treats are scrumptious, and pink. Pair them up with some Earl Grey tea and tea time is a special treat.

White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup fresh/frozen raspberries
3/4 cup plus 2 tbs of sugar (divided)
1/4 cup butter softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract...optional
2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup half and half cream
1 cup finely chopped white chocolate bars or chips
2 tbs of brown sugar

In a small bowl, toss berries and 1/4 cup of sugar, and set aside. In a large bowl cream butter, and 1/2 cup of the sugar, then add egg, and extracts. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternate with cream. Stir in chocolate and reserved raspberries. Fill lines or greased tins with 3/4 full. Combine brown sugar and left over sugar..should be 2 tbs of sugar and stir then sprinkle over batter. Bake 375 degrees for 25 minutes cool for 5 before removing to wire rack. Make your self a cup of tea and enjoy a special treat. Hope you enjoy.

Encouragement to chew on:

Happiness resides not in posessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.

What happens when a pregnant momma wakes up with a craving?

2012-01-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

We make it of course. This morning I woke up with the worst craving for Cracker Barrel biscuits with butter and blackberry jam...sidenote (Dear Cracker Barrel, I love you, you gift shop, your food, really just love you..if you would like I will gladly be you spokesperson, I would gladly accept payment in meals...Thank you very much) Okay I'm back. So I made biscuits, and enjoyed every minute of it. Do you make biscuits? How do you serve them?

Mel's Biscuits

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

3 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup of cold butter

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Cut in shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat egg with milk; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
Turn onto a well-floured surface; knead 20 times. Roll to 3/4-in. thickness; cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. biscuit cutter. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Thought the girls would get a kick out of the heart shapes, the boys made sure I understood they want circles

One of my Twinkies helping

Baked and ready for my tummy

With a cup of tea, butter and blackberry jam this prego is happy

The kids asked for bacon biscuit sandwichs

Encouragement to chew on:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Travel the world with your taste buds...German Dutch Puff

2012-01-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

Dear puffed pancake...I love you, you made me and my belly so happy I must have you again!

I am so glad I made this today, and no kidding if the kids were all asleep I would have eaten the whole thing and hid all evidence (hey don't judge) but momma did share.

German Dutch Puff (also known as Dutch baby, or puffy pancake or just yummy)

Ingredients:

Pancake batter

3 eggs

3/4 cup of milk

1 tbs of butter (melted)

1 tbs of sugar

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup of unbleached flour

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp of salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Fruit topping

1 tbs of butter

1 1/2 cup of diced apples

2 tbs brown sugar

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup of either fresh or frozen berries (this time I just used strawberries)

Preheat oven 425

Whisk together eggs, milk, butter, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl then sift in flour, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg stir to combine and set aside.

Melt butter in a skillet, add apples and saute for 2-3 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon, add berries cook for another 2 minutes until sugar has melted and apples are hot. Remove from heat

(so good you could eat it alone)

Butter a 10 inch cast iron or other oven proof skillet. Pour batter in evenly and top with fruit mixture. Bake for 25 mins until puffed and golden around the outside and firm in the center..(mine got a little darker because I got distracted on the phone with hubby, still tasted amazing)

Divine...simply divine!

Encouragement to chew on:

Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone.

Hey Mel can you make Perogies? Why yes, yes I can!

2012-01-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

That's how it starts with hubby asking if I could make something and then I'm off to the races. This time he was craving Perogies, so he looked at me with his very handsome face and asks if I can make them. Well let's give it a try. Can I just tell you WE are very glad we did. It means a lot when your hubby says they are better then that Polish place in Fall River.....stop the tape...what did you say? They are better then Patties Perogies, who is known for making the best perogies...now that's something to take to the bank. Of course I have to share the wealth, so if you like perogies try these...warning they do take time to make, but worth it.

Melody's Perogies

Ingredients

Dough
1 cups of all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 beaten egg
2/3 cup of cold water

Filling...you can use what you want...this is just what I made

Half a link of kielbasa
1 cup of cheese
4 potatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

To make dough in a medium bowl combine flour, salt, egg and water. Mix well all together to form dough cover bowl and set aside.

To make filling...make mash potatoes the way you usually do then set aside, now take the kielbasa peel the skin off and chop up really well almost minced. Now add kielbasa to mashed potatoes and add in cheese, stir it up salt and pepper to taste...this is where you need restraint don't eat all the filling while it sits and you roll out the dough.

Roll out dough on well floured surface...cut circles out of dough using a small round container (I used my round glass cup) spoon filling into/onto dough circles now pinch edges together to seal.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, drop perogies in boiling water and cook4-5 minutes or until they float...now I take an extra step because I don't like the texture of perogies, I quickly give them a fast fry on the skillet with melted butter then serve...that's just me though, I'm huge on texture. They were wonderful. Enjoy

Encouragement to chew on:

It requires less character to discover the faults of others, than to tolerate them.

Banana Bread out of a crockpot?

2012-01-11T02:56:00.000-08:00

Well that's what I said. Maybe you heard of this before, but not I. I was in the grocery market while in check out behind a very long line I spotted a (food) magazine (which is my eye candy) picked it up and flipped through. Not having much faith in the book (it's a diet one) thought it would amuse me while in line. As I flip I come across Banana bread made in a crock pot. I never heard of that before so of course I have to try this. Well after reading the ingredients and putting it together (all the while being skeptical that it's going to be good) I made it yesterday. The verdict? Seriously it was great, I was shocked great. Now I do have to say that my old fashion version is my favorite, but this took a pretty darn good 2nd place. It is moist, super fluffy, not crazy sweet...really um how to explain..yummy ;0) So here you go....

Crock pot Banana Bread (they say diet but hmm I don't know)

Grease the inside of the crock pot with margarine (I can't believe it's not butter) then flour the pot

Ingredients:

1/3 cup of margarine
2/3 cups of sugar or sugar substitute
2 eggs well beaten
2 tbsp of light corn syrup
3 medium ripe mashed bananas
1 3/4 flour (all purpose)
2 tsp of baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
optional 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts

Cream margarine in large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy. Slowly add sugar, eggs, corn syrup, and bananas. Beat until smooth.

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in small bowl.

Slowly beat flour mix into creamed mix. Add walnuts if using here. Pour into crock pot. Cover, and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours depending how yours cooks, mine was good after 2 hours.. turn off the carefully unstick sides with a butter knife and turn on to serving plate......(now I did have some burned side on the bottom not much but some which I just carefully removed/ scraped with a knife and all was fine after that)
Voila...crock pot banana bread

(haha..notice my finger prints from checking to see if it's done)

Encouragement to chew on:

To rejoice in another's prosperity, is to give content to your own lot: to mitigate another's grief, is to alleviate or dispel your own.

You want a delish fast snack???? Apple nachos?

2012-01-10T11:13:00.000-08:00

Apple Nachos

1 apple per person cored then sliced in rounds
Nutella chocolate spread...warmed to drizzle
Peanut butter, warmed so you can drizzle it also
chocolate chips
Melted marshmallows
Slice the apples. Place them in a bowl of water with salt in it to keep them from turning brown. Use about 1/2 tsp. of salt per 4 cups of water. Spread apple slices on a platter and drizzle with peanut butter, nutella and melted marshmallows. If you want you can even sprinkle with nuts, coconuts and chocolate chips and drizzle with more peanut butter....yummy treat..tastes like a chocolate covered apple just nice and easy to eat.

You can use all kinds of other ingredients if you like. Drizzle with caramel or chocolate, sprinkle with other kinds of dried fruit or use butterscotch, peanut butter or white chocolate chips. You can try whatever sounds good to you.

                                    Encouragement to chew on:

                  Kind words are the music of the world.
                               F. W. Faber

Who wants FREE jewelry? Well then enter this giveaway

2012-01-10T06:40:00.000-08:00

I can't help it I love to give, it makes me giddy. So drum roll please......Bailey Grace Jewelry is going to do a giveaway. It will end on the 10 of February so you will have time to receive the jewelry in time for Valentine's Day. So here we go, Bailey Grace Jewelry is a new little business and needs exposure. So it will be a month long for entries. Share..share..share and tell all you come to te...ll me who me who sent them…the more likes that come in on your name the more entries you receive. So lots of potential to get lots of entries. What do you win well the jewelry piece of your choice. Be sure you visit my site or facebook and comment under the piece you like the best so I may keep track of it. So let the giveaway begin!

https://sites.google.com/site/baileygracejewelry/home

http://www.facebook.com/mrsmelodywest#!/pages/Bailey-Grace-Jewelry/336109413074170

Come check out the rest of the collections

My momma never cooked liked this.

2012-01-10T05:46:00.000-08:00

Growing up in a Portuguese home my mom never made "American dishes" that's what she called chicken pot pie. So when I got married I had chicken pot pie and honest thought "oh man great comfort food". So off I went to figure out how to make a super yummy pot pie that would be yummier then any other I've had and without the whole canned soup thing. Here we go the recipe I use and dare say the tastiest.

Chicken pot pie

1 rotisserie chicken ( I pull the meat off and shred it)

1 cup green beans

1 cup of corn

You can add 1 cup frozen green peas, carrots, peas, and celery, but hubby doesn't like those so I leave them out

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup chopped onion

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

1 3/4 cups chicken broth

2/3 cup milk

2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts

Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)

In a saucepan, combine chicken, and veggies (if using corn and canned green beans then you can skip over this. Instead just combine meat, beans, and corn then set aside). Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside

In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place the chicken mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Brush with egg wash to make pretty and shiny.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Tada comfort food done right. Hope you all enjoy.

Encouragement to chew on:

Every artist was first an amateur.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Channeling my latin side...que the music and hip movement!

2012-01-09T03:49:00.000-08:00

Alright who am I kidding I'm full blooded Portuguese so not much channeling going on. Last month we went over a friends Christmas get together and a beautiful mama there was making empanadas and my husband was very interested in it and decided to ask her 20 questions on what she was doing. Seeing him ask her all those questions I honestly started to cringe..(I'll let you in on a secret I hate to fry food, not because of fat and stuff but because I always think it's going to spit at me) So the whole way home he said "Mel do you think you could make those?" Well how am I going to turn him down so I told him I would. Today was the day...I put on my big girl pants and fry some empanadas and not only did I learn how to tame the oil, but they were so crazy good I'm sold.

I went pretty basic on my first try, nothing fancy.

Ingredients:

My basic taco seasoned meat that I make

Shredded cheese

Threw in some mash potatoes (hey why not)

Last by not least shells...(hint they are in the freezer section not the international aisle or bread section as I first looked)

So we begin

Fill shell, fold over and crimp with fork

Keep it going...thankfully not rocket science

Filled up my dutch oven with veg table oil until super hot. Then turned done heat to maintain heat. Time to fry up these puppies.

Fry till they look done..crispy look to them

and they were kind to me not one of them spit oil at me.

And I was afraid of frying...silly girl. Now that I've got that under my belt I see some crazy creations ahead of me...breakfast, dinner, and you bet even dessert..can't you picture it some nutella chocolate, marshmallows and crushed up graham cracker inside all melted and gooey....drooling over here.

Let me know if you try them..so much easier then you think.

Encouragement to chew on:

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.
Albert Einstein

Oh my goodness muffins......yep that's right that's what I call them!

2012-01-06T09:17:00.000-08:00

I felt experimental this morning and oh my am I happy I did...these muffins are amazing..I guess they should be call Peanut Butter, Banana, Pumpkin, and Chocolate chip muffins..but they are rightfully called "Oh My Goodness Muffins" they are beyond good, and moist, and filling and hey hey now healthy. I also discovered that adding half the brown sugar at the end of the mixing creates a spectacular, crunchy exterior on the top of the muffins...did I tell you these are amazing oh wait till you try them.

Oh My Goodness Muffins Recipe

Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar (divided in half)

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1/2 cup pumpkin

1/2 cup of banana puree

1 egg

1 cup of Whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 cup of chocolate chips (I use semisweet)

1 tsp baking powder

1tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven 350 degrees coat 12 cup muffin tin or line them.

In a large mixing bowl mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar with the peanut butter, pumpkin, banana puree and egg using a wooden spoon.

Put the flour, baking powder and soda along with salt in to a zipper lock bag and shake to blend well. Now add to with wet mixture, and stir just to combine (batter will be lumpy DO NOT OVERMIX, now add remaining brown sugar and stir once or twice. Divide the batter among the muffin cups and bake until brown exactly 18 minutes in my oven. Turn muffins out on rack to cool. Pour yourself a cup of milk and enjoy. Did I tell you these are so yummy?

Encouragement to chew on:

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."~ Alexander Graham Bell

Be sure to join the fun at Sugar Bean Bakers Linky party...here you go http://sugarbeanbakers.blogspot.com/2012/01/watcha-got-linky-party.html

http://comfyinthekitchen.com/2012/01/feasting-in-fellowship-friday-link-up-stuffed-pepper-soup/

Fun recipe, the kids loved....Baked Egg Puffs

2012-01-06T08:43:00.000-08:00

My munchkins loved these cute, puffy little egg souffles. I make them in ramekins so that we each get our own puff (makes each kiddo feel pretty special)..best part they are good for them too. I paired them up with some crazy delish muffins that I'll add in another post.

Baked Egg Puffs recipe

Ingredients:

Nonstick spray
2 large eggs
4 large egg whites
1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (trying to use up all the canned pumpkin I bought)
4 tbsp of shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
2 tbsp of all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 400. Coat 4 ramekins with spray and set on baking sheet.
In large bowl, whisk eggs, egg whites, pumpkin puree, cheese, flour,baking powder, and salt until combined. Divide the mixture among the cups, sprinkle some more cheese on the top and bake until puffed and eggs are no longer runny in the center about 15-18 minutes...(every oven cooks different keep eye on it after 15 minutes)
There you go a simple healthy breakfast that looks fancy enough to serve at a brunch...enjoy

(Peanut enjoying his, he's my slow eater so I was able to get a picture of him)

Gotta love that silly smile

Encouragement to chew on:

When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."~ Unknown

http://comfyinthekitchen.com/2012/01/feasting-in-fellowship-friday-link-up-stuffed-pepper-soup/

New giveaway....Yeehaw ladies...come on over.

2012-01-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

My new giveaway....drum roll please........

One of my favorite books, grab your favorite apron, and some cowgirl boots and sit back and read this adorable book full of ideas, recipes, cute little sayings. Have you all heard of them..Love these girls!

Mompreneurs” Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards have achieved super-success, winning a following with their family-friendly food and craft projects. In a few short years, they established an annual antiques fair, created a line of products, and became contributing editors at Country Living. And fellow Farm Chicks across the country have embraced them, inspired by their warm motto: Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much. Now, fans can enjoy the duo's first book, which serves up 50 tasty recipes and 19 easy projects to bring Farm Chick style to your kitchen.

They have the cutest ideas and fun recipes...not to mention that they call themselves "Farm Chicks" which won their way to my heart in the first place. Here's some examples of their cuteness.

(Hearts of palm salad...seriously on my menu)

(What an adorable idea for winter...exceptionally with kiddos)

(Ways to make something out of nothing)

(Last but not least one of my favorites picnic pies)

Here's what you do to enter:

Mandatory Entry: Follow my blog and leave a comment of what your favorite thing to cook is.
Optional Extra Entries: ( only after completing mandatory entry) You can do any or all of the following entries below for one extra entry each. Please leave a separate comment below for each one you do so I can keep track. Don’t forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner!

“Like” Joyfulmelody on Facebook here's the link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joyfulmelody/176433765780276

    2. Mention this giveaway on Facebook using the share button above.

    3. Subscribe via email or RSS feed and never miss a post or tell me you already do.

    4. Last but not least, write a post about this giveaway on YOUR blog. (Leave a link to your post.)

The winner will be chosen by random.org and will be contacted by email. Please respond within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen

Dreamy chocolate cobbler hit the spot

2012-01-05T08:58:00.000-08:00

So it's been cold here in Massachusetts lately which I know what you are thinking "It's the east coast of course it's cold" but just last week we were enjoying 50 degree weather, and for as much as I enjoy winter here in the east coast I was spoiled by the warm weather. So with this brisk change in weather and now freezing, (maybe something to do with being pregnant) I want warm, gooey, comforting yummies to fill my belly. I've made this before a chocolate cobbler and LOVE it, so here it again debut on this cold day. I like it so much but figured I like you more and would share the recipe. So here you go lovies.

Chocolate Cobbler Recipe

Ingredients:

2 stk	butter
1 1/4 c	sugar
1 1/2 c	self rising flour
1 tsp	vanilla
3/4 c	milk
CHOCOLATE LAYER
1 c	sugar
6 Tbsp	cocoa powder
2 c	boiling water

In a bowl, mix together the 1 1/4 cups of sugar, flour, vanilla and milk. Once the butter is melted

Pour the batter over the butter, but do not stir.

In a separate bowl mix together the cocoa and remaining sugar. Sprinkle cocoa/sugar mixture on top of batter. Do not stir.

Pour the 2 cups of boiling water on top of that (don't stir) and bake for 30-45 minutes. I bake mine until I have a nice golden brown crust. In my oven this usually take about 35 minutes. Serve warm. Great with ice cream reheat oven to 350. In a 9x13 glass baking dish, melt the two sticks of butter in the oven.

P.s I bought brand new boots...going back to my roots ;0)

I might have been born in Massachusetts, but being raised on a farm in California made me who I am...and if your wondering they are the most comfy boots ever.

Encouragement to chew on:

New beginnings start with the Word of God! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1