Chronic. Sleep. Deprivation.

I'm staring at this page, willing to write, yet my brain is running on reserve power.  Therefore, I'm throwing in the towel and hoping to resume after a good nights rest.

Here is what we have been up to:

I finished my fall yarn wreath and quite satisfied with the results.  :)

I cut out cardboard letters, Z-I-O-N, to finally make a sign for Zion's door, planning on using yarn for this as well.  I've yet to actually wrap a single letter, or figure out how I want to finish it.

I'm knitting again…and lately wondering if I have post-partum-arthritis, I had no idea that this actually exists, but my joints have not been the same since I had Zion, and I am starting to wonder if I should get them checked out.  (Stay tuned for more on my current knitting projects.)

Baking, baking and more baking.  I just did a dozen or so each: M&M Sugar Cookies & Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Zion is great at stirring, and quite territorial about it as well.  Future baking plans…definitely want to do more cupcakes, for starters these and then definitely these as well!

FAIL notice…remember this post here?  Yeah, well, I totally nailed the starter, but I couldn't find a good/easy enough recipe to start out with…and so, well, the starter went right into the trash.  Boo!

While I'm admitting FAILures, I might as well update you on this journey here.  Yeah, remember that running thing I was talking about?  I haven't. Not even once. Ran. Double boo!

I'm blessed to be working my tail feathers off to coordinate sending Christmas care packages to the MacDella Cooper Foundation Academy in Liberia, Africa…if you are interested in participating…send me an email.  60 boys and girls, orphaned by violent civil war will be receiving backpacks filled with goodies to ring in the holiday.

The winds of change are blowing in our family, if that sounds vague, it is intentional, and you'll have to stay tuned for details.  Don't you love cliffhangers?

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Recipe of the Week: Mole Chili & Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins

One of the best recipes I have ever discovered…this flavorful aromatic chili is the perfect fall dish to make at home or make for friends.  When the secret ingredient is chocolate, how can you go wrong?  And you know how most chili dishes taste better a few days later?  This one tastes AMAZING and cooks in 20 minutes!  Don't be fooled by the daunting mention of jalapenos, baking them removes their heat!

Mole Chili Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef

1 c. chopped onion (about 1 medium onion)

1 garlic clove, minced 

1 14.5oz can of diced tomatoes, undrained

1 c. water

2 Tbsp. chili powder

1 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Reduced fat sour cream (optional)

Fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

Directions:

1.  Cook beef in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until browned, stirring to crumble.  Drain, if necessary, and return beef to pan.

2.  Add onion and garlic to pan; cook 4 minutes or until tender.  Add tomatoes and remaining ingredients; cover and simmer 7 minutes.

3.  Serve immediately.  Top with sour cream and cilantro, if desired.

Jalapeno Corn Mini Muffins Recipe:

Ingredients:

3/4 c. self-rising cornmeal mix

1/2 c. fat-free buttermilk

2 Tbsp. minced, seeded jalapeno peppers

1 1/2 Tbsp. canola oil

1 large egg

Cooking spray

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 425.  

2.  Lightly spoon self-rising cornmeal mix into measuring cup; level with a knife, and place in a large bowl.

3.  Combine butttermilk, jalapeno peppers, oil and egg in a small bowl.  Pour buttermilk mixture into cornmeal mixture.  Stir just until combined.

4.  Coat 12 miniature muffin cups with cooking spray; spoon batter evenly into cups.  Bake at 425 for 17 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove from pans immediately; serve warm.

Source: Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast Weeknight Meals, Oxmoor House 2010

Let's Connect! XO, Courtney

       

What's For Dinner? Menu 10/8-10/14

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sat. 10/8	Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit	On the Go	Meatball Lasagna w/Bread & Garlic Butter ((BHG p.48)
Sun. 10/9	Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon	LO Lasagna	Hubby's Cooking (Recipe undecided)
Mon. 10/10	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Dinner	Teriyaki Salmon w/Mushrooms, Orange Ginger Snap Peas (FFF p.199)
Tues. 10/11	Egg Scramble	LO Salmon	Lentil Soup w/Crackers (My Recipe)
Weds. 10/12	French Toast	LO Lentil Soup	Grilled Chicken & Veggie Arugula Salad (FFF pg.94)
Thurs. 10/13	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Chicken	Red Beans & Rice
Fri. 10/14	Cheese Omelets	LO Turkey	DATE NIGHT!

Key:  LO = Leftovers, FFF = Fresh Food, Fast Cookbook, GHK = Good Housekeeping Cookbook, SBD = South Beach Diet Cookbook, BHG = Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, MISC - Some random recipe I've collected, MOM = My Mom's Recipe, GMA = Grandma's Recipe


Let's Connect! XO, Courtney

       

I'd Loaf A Slice of Bread!

What exactly is that you are looking at?  Probably a huge mess about to be made, but hopefully not!
I am about to embark on a strange journey into the currently unknown (to me) realm of good, old fashioned bread-making.  This is definitely something I've been wanting to do for a while, but had no idea where to begin.  That is, until my very sweet friend Kristina gave me the confidence boost and inspiration to go ahead and give it a shot, by posting this simple recipe for a sourdough starter.
I didn't even know what a starter was until I read her post, well, with the exception of the friendship breads I used to receive during my short stay in Louisiana a couple of years ago!  
I don't actually have any recipes picked out to use after my starter gets ripe (is that what you even call it? I have no idea!), so I figure I have a few days to come up with something while its doing its thing.  I am hoping to have some fresh baked bread for this weekend to share with Jerry's parents who will be visiting...perhaps I am being too ambitious.  We'll see!
Do you have any good sourdough recipes?  

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What's for dinner? Menu Plan 10/1-10/7

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sat. 10/1	LO Date Night Food	Turkey Sandwiches	Ginger Beef Stir-fry (BHG p. 68) w/Broccoli & Brown Rice
Sun. 10/2	Pancakes, Bacon	LO Stir-fry	Seasoned Tuna Sands/Warm Spinach Salad (BHG p.134/MISC)
Mon. 10/3	Granola w/Yogurt	Frozen Entrees	Spinach Pesto Tortellini w/Rosemary Bread (BHG p. 10)
Tues. 10/4	Egg Scramble	LO Pasta	Hawaiian Turkey Burgers (BHG p. 122)
Weds. 10/5	French Toast	LO Turkey Burger	Southern Camp Stew (FFF p. 29)
Thurs. 10/6	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Stew	Turkey Meatloaf, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts, Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes (GHK p. 131) (BHG p. 176) (MISC)
Fri. 10/7	Cheese Omelets	LO Turkey	Nachos & Chicken Tortilla Soup, Homemade Guacomole (My Recipes)

Key:  LO = Leftovers, FFF = Fresh Food, Fast Cookbook, GHK = Good Housekeeping Cookbook, SBD = South Beach Diet Cookbook, BHG = Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, MISC - Some random recipe I've collected, MOM = My Mom's Recipe, GMA = Grandma's Recipe

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What's For Dinner? Menu Plan 9/24-9/30

This week's menu! Mmmm-tastic!

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Sat. 9/24	Eggs, Bacon & Toast	LO BBQ/Salad	5 Spice Salmon w/Oriental Orange Spinach (SBD/MISC)
Sun. 9/25	Pancakes, Bacon	LO Salmon	Falafel Patties w/Tzatziki Sauce (FFF p.142)
Mon. 9/26	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Falafel	BBQ Beans & Rice (GHK p.147)
Tues. 9/27	Egg Scramble w/Toast	LO Beans	Seared Turkey Cutlets w/Roasted Brussel Sprouts (FFF p.303)
Weds. 9/28	French Toast	LO Turkey	Tricolor Pasta w/Meat Sauce (My Recipe)
Thurs. 9/29	Granola w/Yogurt	LO Pasta	Ginger Beef Stir-fry (BHG p.68)
Fri. 9/30	Cheese Omelets	LO Stir-fry	Seasoned Tuna Sands & Warm Spinach Salad (BHG p.134,MISC)

Key:  LO = Leftovers, FFF = Fresh Food, Fast Cookbook, GHK = Good Housekeeping Cookbook, SBD = South Beach Diet Cookbook, BHG = Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, MISC - Some random recipe I've collected, MOM = My Mom's Recipe, GMA = Grandma's Recipe

Whats for Dinner? Menu Plan 9/18-9/24

In this new weekly segment, I like to call "What's for Dinner?", I will be sharing my meal plan and recipes with you. I have a love of trying new recipes, so any time I am being adventurous (which is most of the time, ha!) you will see what cookbook I am using. I will also site online recipes by linking to them, and my own recipes by sharing them in the blog (and linking to the post). Just looking at this coming week my mouth is watering!!!

   Day              Breakfast                Lunch                                                     Dinner

Sun.9/18	Oatmeal	LO Pollo Relleno	Zesty Spinach Soup w/Crostini (FFF p. 13)
Mon.9/19	Yogurt Parfait	Frozen Entree/LO Soup	Mushroom Stroganoff (FFF p.174)
Tues.9/20	Egg Scramble	LO Mushroom Stroganoff	Arugula Salad w/Prosciuto & Pears, French Bread (FFF p.117)
Weds.9/21	Oatmeal	Frozen Entree/LO Salad	BBQ Beans & Rice (GHK p.147)
Thurs.9/22	Yogurt Parfait	LO Beans & Rice	5 Spice Salmon w/Oriental Orange Spinach (SBD/MISC)
Fri. 9/23	Pancakes & Bacon	LO Salmon	Falafel Patties w/Tzatziki Sauce (FFF p.142)
Sat. 9/24	Eggs Sandwich	On the Go	Seared Turkey Cutlets w/Roasted Brussel Sprouts (FFF p.303)

Key:  LO = Leftovers, FFF = Fresh Food, Fast Cookbook, GHK = Good Housekeeping Cookbook, SBD = South Beach Diet Cookbook, BHG = Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook