Been Super Busy...

Sorry I haven't been able to post things recently. We have been so busy packing and tidying up, as we are getting ready to move to Oklahoma City tomorrow! SO EXCITED! We are so glad to be finally moving to an area better suited for our family. We've got a job and a house ready for us there, so really, all we have to do is move. Going to be a little while before we will settle and get everything in place, and when that time comes, I will be able to post up my new recipes and updates! So stay tuned, everyone! I will be back!

xoxo

Blueberry Pancakes

I made this for our family brunch today. It was so good! Made from scratch, so simple you will never use boxed mix again! Serves 6.

2 cups flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3 tbsp sugar
2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 tbsp butter, melted
1 cup blueberries, mashed

In a mixing bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar with a wire whisk. Add the milk, eggs, vanilla extract and butter and mix together well until lumps are gone. Finally, add the blueberries and  mix well.

Spray a griddle with nonstick spray and get good and hot, but not smoking. Pour 1/4 cup of batter and flip when bubbles appear on the surface. Repeat till all the batter is used up.

Serve with syrup, whipped cream or some jam. However you like! A nice variation is to use 2 mashed up ripe bananas instead of blueberries, and buttermilk or yogurt instead of regular milk.

About 5 points a serving. Enjoy it and enjoy it again!

Served with Syrup!

Simple Garlic Fried Pork Chops

This is a simple dish I whip up for a quick dinner on busy nights. I usually serve it with some rice or baked potatoes, along with some teamed veggies. It's delicious! Serves 4.

8 thin cut boneless pork chops
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp minced garlic
black pepper
ground ginger
onion powder
paprika

Melt the butter in a frying pan on high heat and toss in the garlic. Saute for about a minute, turn heat to medium,  and lay the porkchops over the garlic. Now, I just take each spice container (black pepper, ground ginger, onion powder and paprika) and sprinkle as much as I need on each chop. I flip each chop over with tongs or a spatula after about 5 minutes and proceed to sprinkle as much as I need of each spice over the chops. You can use as little, or as much, as you want, depending on your taste.

Now keep turning chops over a few times to brown both sides evenly and keep them moist. Cook about 10 more minutes. And that is it!

Good, juicy garlic pork chops. About 6 points a serving. Come and get 'em!

Playing Catch Up

Ok, what is new with our family?

We actually joined a church! Took the plunge and actually joined the Unitarian Universalist Church. Why, you say? We just think it is the right place for us because of the non-judgment, the openness and come-as-you-are factor. Very LGBT (Lesbian-Gay-Bi-Transgender) friendly, very encouraging of new ideas and there is no pressure to "conform". I am certainly not one who likes to conform. And I am an atheist. Yes, I am welcome in their church and they have no plans to change my perspective. Only encouraging me to find my own path to enlightenment. Which to me is way awesome. My husband is agnostic (atheist sometimes, depending on his mood LOL!) and loves it. We joined also for a sense of community, which we direly lack. I wish we joined long ago! Le sigh.

Our local Unitarian Universalist congregation.

And this brings me to the second part of what's new with us. We just joined this wonderful church, and now...we have to move! Yes, we are. Originally we were going to move to Fort Worth, TX, but we have had a change of heart and are going to move to Oklahoma City, OK next month. It's only about 3 hours from Fort Worth, so I can still see my friends there. But yeah, that's where we are headed. We are excited! Finally happening! We didn't know we were going to move till very recently too. We are going to definitely join the local Unitarian Universalist Church in Oklahoma City, I have heard it's quite a large congregation. So, a lot of exciting things to look forward to for our family.

I am also planning to become a certified Yoga instructor. Oh, yes I am! I love yoga, and I would love to help others achieve health and peace with it, like I have. But that will come next year. And I can't wait! Definitely on my agenda.

Meanwhile, here are our most recent pics!

Peanut, Pecan and I on a mini train ride

Baby Acorn

Pecan

Myself enjoying the sun

Acorn with her Dad S.

Peanut

Pasta with Italian Sausage Sauce

I've been making this quite a lot nowadays and I decided to include this recipe here. It really is delicious and easy to make. My family really likes it, and just the thing to whip when you have idea what to make for dinner. You have to try this! Serves 6.

1 pound box pasta of your choice (I used Mostaccioli)
1 pound Mild or Medium Italian Sausage
2 8-oz cans Tomato Sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 4-oz cans mushrooms
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less, depending on your taste)
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese (more or less, however much you wish)
1 tsp paprika

Prepare past according to box instructions. Set aside.

Spray a pan with nonstick spray, and saute together the onion, garlic and drained mushrooms for about 3 minutes. Add the Italian Sausage and saute for about 8-10 minutes. Add the basil, oregano and sugar, and mix thoroughly. Sugar will carmelize slightly. Pour in the tomato sauce and mix. Let simmer for about 5-10 minutes.

Add the pasta into the pot of sauce and stir in well. Spray an ovenproof dish with nonstick spray. Transfer the pasta and sauce into the dish and top with the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stick it into a preheated 400F oven for about 15-20 minutes. When done, sprinkle the paprika on top of the cheese.

Fresh Out of the Oven!

12 points per serving. Filling and satisfying! Have a good dinner!

My Garlic Fried Rice

I realized I have never put up my personal recipe for Garlic Fried Rice! It is simple to make, YUMMY and appetizing. A perfect complement for your main dish. Try this, it's a winner! Serves 6.

3 cups cooked rice
6 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp paprika
2 tbsp parsley

Melt butter in a pot and throw in your garlic and saute till just lightly golden brown. Add the cooked rice and thoroughly mix the butter and garlic throughout the rice. Add then the paprika and parsley, and mix thoroughly.

Let sit on medium heat for a couple minutes and scrape the bottom of the pot to get the little bits of crust off, and mix that into the rice. Repeat as much as you wish, depends on your taste.

Serve! About 8 points a serving. It is good!

Garlic Fried Rice, here served with Oregano-Basil Pesto Cod and steamed mixed vegetables

 Tip: For an all in one dish, simply add chopped meat of your choice and veggies. Quick dinner!

Beef Stroganoff

This is my take on this famous dish. My husband told me this is officially one of his top 5 favorite foods I make now. LOL! So you ought to try it. I have to admit, it really is awesome. Serves 4.

8 oz wide egg noodles
1/2 pound lean sirloin beef, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1.5 tbsp minced garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cans mushrooms, drained
2 tbsp parsley
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Prepare noodles according to package instructions. Set aside.

Spray a pot with nonstick spray and proceed to saute onion and garlic over high heat. Add the beef and brown well. Stir in the mushrooms and saute for about 3 minutes. Pour in the cream of mushroom and sour cream, blending well. Add the parsley, paprika, lemon juice and parmesan cheese, mix well. Finally, add the prepared noodles and blend everything together well. Cover and let simmer on medium for about 5 minutes.

Then it is ready to serve! About 13 points a serving! You will love it!

Tip: For a variation, instead of serving it with noodles, just serve with rice.