Archives for February 2013

Easy Italian Sausage Planks

Oooo…this recipe is a keeper! It’s simple, gluten-free and delicious. I’ll be making this on a monthly basis for sure!!! Love when I find new recipes that work out so well! Wohoo! 

The first time I saw this recipe was on Skinny Taste-I altered the recipe a bit to fit the ingredients I had on hand and to keep it simple, but if you’re interested in a lower-fat version, definitely check out the original recipe!

Slice 3 zucchini’s lengthwise. Take a spoon and scrape out seeds like so..

Blanch zucchini in hot water for 2 mins. 

Start shredding your mozzarella! I have an excellent assistant, if I do say so myself. 

Brown and drain 1 package of Bob Evans Italian Sausage. 

***** If you don’t think your children will like the Zucchini I recommend boiling some noodles and making spaghetti with sauce/cheese**** It’s a small extra step, but worth it. 

Pour 1/2 cup of marinara on the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Fill zucchini planks with Italian sausage, pour marinara sauce over top, sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses and top with garlic powder and oregano. Bake covered in a 375 oven for 35 mins until bubbly.

*You don’t have to make your own marinara -I recommend Newman’s Own Marinara if you’re looking for a good jarred sauce!  

Who could resist? Delicious!

 

Easy Italian Sausage Planks

Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 3 large zucchinis
  • 1 lb Bob Evan’s Italian Sausage
  • 2 cups Marinara Sauce
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Oregano
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Boil water in a large pot.
  3. Slice zucchini’s and scoop out seeds.
  4. Blanch zucchini’s for 2 mins in boiling water.
  5. Pour 1/2 cup of marinara on the bottom of a 9×13 pan and set zucchini on top.
  6. Brown and drain Italian sausage.
  7. Fill zucchini’s with Italian sausage, top with remaining marinara sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic powder and oregano.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 35 mins or until bubbly.
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Easy Guacamole {for 1~or 2 if you’re nice}

3 questions-4

It’s up there with chocolate on my list….seriously. I love guacamole! In fact, my entire family loves guacamole! ha! I’m very proud of that fact, being that my little ones are tight lipped when it comes to eating their veggies {I know, I know- it’s a “fruit”}. Nevertheless….this recipe is for 1. Why? Because 1 avocado is the perfect size for a portion of this deliciousness- you can multiply the recipe as you wish. I make this often for myself for lunch …I eat it in a salad or with corn tortilla chips for a gluten-free meal!

Listen Ladies, if you don’t have all of the ingredients on hand- NO worries, be “comfy” about it- as long as you have a ripe avocado, salt, pepper, and garlic powder you are good to go. I’ve “made do” many of times!

Start with a ripe avocado- you’ll want to look for dark skin and when pressed it will feel tender on the inside. If your avocado isn’t ripe-its going to be tough-figuratively and literally. Add diced onion, diced tomato, garlic powder, sea salt, cracked black pepper, lime juice and some cilantro. I don’t typically measure, but for story telling purposes I will 🙂

Mash with a fork- nothing fancy about it.

Here you have it! Wasn’t that easy?! There are SO many health benefits to eating avocado and to top it off..it’s delicious! Serve with corn tortilla chips or serve with lettuce and some homemade salsa for a tasty lunch!

Easy Guacamole {for 1~or 2 if you’re nice}

Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1/2 tsp of lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp diced onion
  • 1 Tbsp diced ripened tomato {I like Romas}
  • 1 Tbsp fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder {you may use 1 garlic clove if desired!}
  • salt/pepper as desired {you can add more if needed}
Instructions
  1. Mash all ingredients together with a fork!

 

 

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Greek Chicken Gyro on Rice with Homemade Tzatziki

This is my husband’s and my newest favorite dinner….It’s healthy, gluten-free, and tastes {almost} just like a gyro!!! The homemade Tzatziki sauce, made with greek yogurt, makes this delicious dish.  Mmmmm…..lovin this.  How to make the sauce: Scrape the seeds out of 2 English cucumbers. Add dill weed, the juice of one lemon, sea salt, and fresh ground pepper. 

Press in your garlic…

Process well..

Pour cucumber mixture in a bowl and add Greek yogurt.

Stir well and refrigerate.

Chop veggies, saute chicken, and prepare brown rice according to package directions.

Add rice into individual dinner bowls, top with chicken, veggies, and sauce. Mmmmm…SO good!

Greek Chicken Gyro on Rice with Homemade Tzatziki

Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 3 cups Greek Yogurt
  • 1 lemon {juiced}
  • 2 pressed garlic cloves
  • 1 Tbsp dillweed
  • 2 English cucumbers {peeled and seeds scooped out}
  • salt and pepper {to taste}
  • 6 chicken breasts
  • 2 cups Greek dressing {for marinating chicken}
  • Brown rice made according to package directions {for 6}
  • Chopped veggies: I used tomatoes, scallions, onions, and cucumbers
Instructions
  1. For sauce: Peel cucumbers and scoop seeds out. Slice and place in processor.
  2. Add lemon juice, garlic, lemon juice, dillweed and salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Process well.
  4. Empty cucumber mixture into a bowl and add Greek yogurt. Stir well. Refrigerate.
  5. Take sliced marinated chicken out of refrigerator {this should have been marinating for at least 2 hours} and sauté in a wok or skillet. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Make brown rice according to package directions.
  7. Chop veggies.
  8. In dinner bowls add rice, chicken, veggies and top with sauce. Mmmmmm
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Featured Recipe- Wedding Soup

The ultimate comfort food on a cold winter’s day….a bowl of piping hot and hearty Wedding Soup. I’ve made this countless times for my family and for others. Come visit me over at Women Living Well where my friend Courtney and I are whipping up a batch together!

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EASY Muddy Buddies {Puppy Chow}

I would say that this is such a delicious {gluten-free} treat for the kidos…but I’d be fibbing. There were just as many grown-up hands in this bowl of “Muddy Buddies” as were little one’s last night.

Who can resist the marriage of chocolate and peanut butter? I know I can’t…what a treat for a gal who has to pass on pizza at a party!

*This recipe is one of my children’s favorites!!!! WARNING: Contents in this bowl are extremely addictive.

Your ingredients: Rice Chex cereal, peanut butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, vanilla and powdered sugar.

Place your chocolate, peanut butter and butter in a medium microwaveable bowl. Microwave for 1 min, stir and microwave another 30 seconds.

Add vanilla and stir. My kidos fought over this bowl to lick, lol. 

Place your Chex in a large bowl and pour chocolate mixture over top – stir to coat the cereal.

{In 3 batches} add your cereal and 1 cup of powdered sugar in a large Ziploc. Seal and shake until cereal is coated with the powdered sugar. Empty in a bowl and repeat 2 more times. 

Mmmm….these are seriously good. Seriously.  

EASY Muddy Buddies {Puppy Chow}

Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • 1 {12.8 oz} Box of Rice Chex
  • 1 {12 oz} Bag Nestle Semi-Sweet Morsels
  • 6 Tbsp Butter
  • 3/4 Cup Peanut Butter
  • 2 tsp Vanilla
  • 3 cups Powdered Sugar
Instructions
  1. Melt chocolate, butter and peanut butter in a medium microwave safe bowl for 1 min. Stir. Microwave another 30 seconds. Stir.
  2. Add vanilla, stir.
  3. Pour cereal into a large bowl and pour chocolate mixture over top. Stir to coat.
  4. Take 1/3 of your coated cereal and place it in a large Ziploc bag. Add 1 cup powdered sugar, seal and shake. Empty in a bowl.
  5. Do this step 2 more times.

 

 

 

 

  

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90 Meals Under $1.25 Per Serving!

 

Hi Ladies!
This was a nice surprise post! I was just contacted by Ebay Deals that Comfy in the Kitchen’s Crockpot Oatmeal was included in their FREE E-book: 90 Meals Under $1.25! I took some time to look over these recipes and am so impressed by the “comfy” and “economical” cooks we have here in cyber world! Wohoo!! This book will certainly be a blessing to many. I hope you’ll enjoy it -I know I will! Thanks Ebay! 

Here are some great tips provided by ebay deals on how to cook on a tight budget: 

Cooking on a tight budget starts with an understanding of which ingredients are most economical as well as how to get the most savings on higher-priced items. Check out these quick tips for significant grocery savings:

  • Prepare meals around which items are on sale that week at your grocery store. Stock up on meat when prices are low and freeze it for later.
  • Buy seasonal produce. Summer vegetables can cost you several times more in the winter, and they don’t taste nearly as good.
  • Don’t let anything go to waste. Soups are both economical and a smart way to use up leftover vegetables and meat scraps.
  • Avoid items marked up for convenience, like pre-cut vegetables, individually packaged meats, and bottled salad dressings.
  • Shop in the bulk bins. You’re not paying for packaging, and dried beans cost significantly less than canned.

In this book, there are enough meals to feed you breakfast, lunch and dinner for a month, all at around $1.00 per serving or less.

You can follow ebay deals on FB if you’re interested in getting their deal updates!  

via eBay Deals

*** Fellow bloggers- here is the code to share with your readers!***

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WWW Wednesday- Love Bugs <3

 

Hi Ladies! Just wanted to let you know I’m going to be guest posting at Women Living Well each Wednesday now…

Today, Courtney is sharing our friend Katina’s ADORABLE little Love Bugs– You’ll be so surprised at how easy these little guys are to make! They’re sure to give many smiles this Valentine’s Day!

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I have GREAT news!!!! Take Them a Meal Blog….

 

Take Them A Meal Blog

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Everyone! I have such great news….I’m officially a contributor to the blog…Take Them a Meal. For those of you who don’t know about this blog/website…it’s my heart and absolute favorite meal ministry website. I’m humbled beyond belief to serve for a website that I’ve used as a tool so many times for my meal ministries. God is so good. Please be praying for me to encourage others who have this same passion who I meet over there. These willing souls are the hands and feet of Jesus. 

What is Take Them a Meal {dot} com? It’s a website designed to gather a community of people to sign up for meals for a certain individual/family in need of this kind of help. This need could be because of a surgery, death, birth of a baby, etc. Whatever the case…it is such a blessing for this individual or family. You may not be able to help take away their trial, but you can make a meal.

I love this site because it’s so easy to set up, send to people via e-mail and it has all of the recipients information right on the page. There are even reminder e-mails that get sent to those people who signed up to make and take a meal!

There’s more…

This site offers delicious recipe ideas, prepared meals you can purchase and send, and many inspiring stories of how meal ministry blesses so many people.

Today, I’m sharing my favorite meal ministry story yet. I can’t tell you how honored I was to make a meal for this sweet family who’s 6 year old son is fighting a brave fight with Leukemia.

Please come visit me over at Take Them a Meal to hear all about it…Jonny’s mom is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met, inside and out…by her letter, you’ll see what I feel this way. She truly is anchored in Christ. After you read her letter, would you please pray for this family? I know you will…you are my team and I just love you for that. 

 

Tonight we're all looking forward to a special meal from a friend

Take them a Meal is on FB– Make sure to like them for updates!

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Give me your eyes….your heart….your arms…

 

{photo credit}

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

~Matthew 25:35-40

 

It isn’t our job to save people…but it is our responsibility to love people. Without judgement {Matthew 7:1}.

My dear friend and mentor told me recently, “Janelle, love is messy…look at all the examples in the bible!”

And so I did.

  • Jesus died on the cross for all of mankind {Matthew 27:45-56}
  • Jesus sought Zacchaeus {Luke 19:1-10}
  • Jesus talked with the Samaritan woman at the well {John 4:1-29}
  • Jesus ate with tax collectors {Matthew 9:10}
  • Jesus’s grace with Mary Magdalene, a woman-sinner-and faithful servant of Christ, who washed his feet with her hair. {Luke 8:1-3}

 When I think about all of these examples Jesus lived out, I can’t help but beg to see what he sees.

Am I missing anyone, Lord?

Is there someone who needs a smile, hug, or encouragement today? How about a meal?

Anyone….anyone. It doesn’t matter who.

I can handle the messiest situations and love anyone….with your grace. 

He bestowed his grace, love, and protection on me….someone showed me that same love. I was lost too. Someone took the time from her circle of friends to include me. I can’t imagine how different my life would have been had she not?

That’s the neat thing about my life….that I got to experience the difference. I will never forget that and will use it as my second greatest strength next to Yours. 

Ladies, I ask that you dig deep into the words of the song below and to pray to be the eyes, heart and arms of Jesus…remembering that the King will say “whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.”  

 

Give Me Your Eyes

By: Brandon Heath

Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tar
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breathe in the familiar shock
Of confusion
And chaos

All those people goin’ somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath
There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work, he’s buyin’ time

All those people goin’ somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

I’ve been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way You’ve seen the people all along

Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see

Give me Your Eyes (Give me Your eyes for just one second)
Lord, give me Your eyes (Give me Your eyes so I can see)
Everything (Everything that I keep missing)
That I keep missing
Give me Your heart (Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted)
For the broken hearted (The ones that are far beyond my reach)
Give me Your heart (Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten)
Lord, give me Your eyes (Give me Your eyes so I can see)
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah
Yeah

 

Who will you uniquely love today? Be crazy about it….

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What Women Living Well is cooking up today…..Mmmm

My friend, Courtney, from Women Living Well has “Comfy’s” Creamy Bacon Chicken simmering in her crockpot today….yes, I said “bacon”{lol}. You won’t want to pass on this delicious and easy recipe!

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Healthy Almond Joy Bites

So- I’ve never done this but I have REVISED an already existing Comfy recipe! Why?? Because I’ve made this recipe a million times and feel like I’ve mastered it by tweaking it just a bit {and listening to your-yes your!! suggestions! } See how iron sharpens iron Gals? I can’t keep THAT a secret! lol!

So here we go again…

Mmmmm…..these are good.

I was browsing Pinterest the other day and spotted these….a sort of “Lara Bar” copy cat recipe.

By the taste of them, one would never guess these are allergy friendly and healthy! The pitted dates add a decadence that fools your mind into thinking there’s a ton of butter in these little guys!  But, there’s not….hot dog!!!!  Enjoy!

In a food processor, add your dates {you may slice them in half if your processor doesn’t have enough umph}, vanilla, salt, cocoa power,1/2 of your coconut, nuts and warm water . Process well until a soft ball forms.

Take a small amount, oh about 2 tsps full and insert an almond. Make a ball around the almond.

Shape into balls like so.

Then, roll in extra coconut.

Now, you have the taste and texture of a true Almond Joy….without the guilt.

These are awesome!!!!! Yuuuuuuuum.

Healthy Almond Joy Bites

Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup pitted dates {you may want to cut in half for easier processing}
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • pinch salt
  • 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup almonds {and 12 more to insert into center}
  • 3/4 cup coconut {use 1/2 cup inside of mixture and 1/4 cup to roll}
  • 2 Tbsp warm water
Instructions
  1. Add dates, vanilla, salt, cocoa powder, almonds, 1/2 cup coconut and water in a food processer. Process well until ball forms.
  2. Roll into small balls and insert and almond inside .
  3. Roll in remaning coconut.
  4. Refrigerate.

 

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Super Bowl Appetizers!

It’s that time again!!!! As millions around the world are getting excited to watch the 2013 Super Bowl this Sunday, us Ladies are chicken scratching a list of groceries to get. If planning a spread isn’t your thing…no worries. I gotcha covered.

Every guy wants Wings….if this is the only thing you have, all will be well with his world. 

And ya gotta have Nachos…. Loaded Nachos, that is. 

No man I’ve ever known has ever turned down Sweet and Sour Lil Smokies {If you’re lucky- you’ll find these on sale at the grocery store!}. Stick them in the crockpot and you have 1 appetizer…done!

You can also do the same thing with frozen meatballs!  

You never know if one of your guests is on a diet ….so make a Tidbit Tray just in case. Either way….everything on this tray will be gone before the game’s over.

Or you could incorporate a tidbit tray into a salad buffet {this is great for the Ladies! I know I always appreciate a salad!}

 

 

Easy Spinach Dip is a hit with everyone. Serve with cubed bread and veggies.

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños are aaaaaaamazing {and easy to make!}

So….which brother is going to win? That’s one proud Mom and Dad either way! Have fun everyone!!!

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