It's beginning to look alot like . . .

My cell phone takes really crappy pictures.  Unfortunately Nathaniel has absconded the real camera as he is really into 'stop motion' recently.  Anyway, you will just have to take my word for it that it looks pretty!  I just love decorating for Christmas - wish I had more money and time to devote to it. But then again - making do sometimes forces us to be more creative :)

Hope you and yours have a warm, cheerful and peaceful Christmas season.  Many blessings!

no-knead bread

yep,  I feel like I am the last person on earth to try this - but try it I did! And it was GOOD!

here's the link - I meant to take my own pictures but it didn't last long enough :) :)

http://www.fitsugar.com/Healthy-Recipe--Knead-Whole-Wheat-Bread-2855780

Candy Chicken?

this is the BEST crockpot recipe for chicken.  ever. 


http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-brown-sugar-chicken-recipe.html


my husband and kids have asked for this again and again.  try it!!

Its always something!

Poor Nathaniel!

Had a steel door go OVER his foot at school on Monday.  It went over his shoe and two pair of socks (Thaniel says his feet are always cold :) and still managed to take part of the nail and a bit of the toe.  Luckily it wasn't broken but his poor big toe is a puple and black mangled mess!

Today was the first day I sent him back to school.  He went in a pair of my slippers cause we still cant get a shoe on that foot - poor kid!

Long haired freaky people

sorry this last one is so out of focus :(

Crockpot Indian Inspired Chickpea, Potato & Lentil Ragout

This smells SO good - I cant wait for it to be done!

I haven't tried this one before but it's a variation of a recipe I saw on the Weight Watchers page.  If it tastes as good as it smells it will be a winner!  I also loved that I had all this on-hand! This would be great with Naan - but since I dont feel like running to the store I will probably serve this with Couscous.

 Crockpot Indian Inspired Chickpea, Potato & Lentil Ragout:
1 med onion chopped
2 med potatoes diced
1/2 cup lentils
2 garlic cloves finely diced
1-2 teas fresh ginger shredded or half teas dry
1 small can diced jalapeños (with the juice)
1 14oz can Chickpeas drained
1/2 teas Garam Masala
1 teas Cumin
1 14oz can diced tomates (with the juice)
Salt

Mix all in Crockpot and stir until ingredients are just mixed.  Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hrs or on low for 7-8. 
Salt to taste in the final hour.

Couscous
1 cup whole wheat couscous (I get mine at Trader Joes)
1 cup veggie broth (or coconut water would be yummy too)
2 teas olive oil
salt and pepper (optional)

Boil broth, turn off heat and stir in couscous.  Cover.  Let sit for 5 mins.  Add olive oil and fluff with a fork.

something super YUMMY

is on my stove right now.  It was EASY but TIME CONSUMING - so dont try it unless you are having a lazy day at home with lots of time to fiddle around.


red beans, rice and sausage Risotto:

2 cups (dry uncooked white rice - I used jasmine)
1 teas veg. oil
2 teas butter
11/2 cups chicken broth
1 sweet onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
1 yellow bell pepper diced
1 can tomatoes diced in juice
1/3 cup white wine (any kind)
11/2 cups water (as needed)
1/3 cup tomato juice
salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste
1 teas Italian seasoning
chicken sausage (I used low-fat & spicy)
2 cans kidney beans drained

melt butter in oil in a large pan and add rice.  stir to coat. add onion garlic and bell pepper.  cont stiring til onion is translucent (this step is important or you will have crunchy onions :( ).  add broth, wine and water a little at a time, and stir until rice begins to swell and soften.  add tomatoes, beans, sasauge, tomato juice & spices.  redux to low and continue to stir occasionally until rice is soft and no liquid remains (about an hour).

YUM!