2 New Recipes

I tried out 2 new recipes from All You magazine! They were both a hit w us! I thought I'd share the links in cause you wanted to try them too! Enjoy!
Wednesday I made Coconut Curry Beef, which I did in the crock pot! That's a plus right there! Thursday I tried baked fish and chips! It was a healthier version of a classic!

For the coconut curry beef recipe click here! (Tip= I thought this dish was too spicy! And I like heat! So I will make it again wo the cayenne. I also added broccoli)

For the fish and chips recipe click here! ( I used cod! And instead of the corn flakes I used Panko. Also, I served w malt vinegar)

FREE

I matched coupons w sales at 2 different stores and these are my FREE or almost FREE (under $1) items. I did my weekly grocery shopping so I had a lot of other groceries that I bought at the time. The store didn't give me back any money, which is TOTALLY fine w me. I had coupons for ALMOST every single thing in my cart and cut my normal weekly grocery bill by $30!

Happy Couponing!



Some cpns were for 'Buy 1 get 1 Free' so the item I paid for isn't pictured
And some cpns were valued at or Above the sale price





Mac n Cheese WINS by a Landslide!

I love love love macaroni and cheese. Kenny used to laugh at me and say it was a kid food. But over the years he has discovered how wonderful a GOOD bowl of mac n cheese can be! It was never something I'd make at home because of calories. And so I rarely satisfied my craving. I decided to start playing w recipes and trying to make a healthier version. Ah, don't misunderstand me- I still love to indulge in the full fat kind of mac n cheese just as much as anyone. But this dish helps me stay in calorie check. Ken and I love a smoky taste. So I usually buy smoked Gouda and add extra smoked paprika! I often add a crunchy topping too. (Panko bread crumbs & EVOO mixed together & sprinkle on top) If serving to kids I'm not sure I'd call it macaroni and cheese! I dunno- just call it cheesy pasta!

1 pkg. (16oz) whole wheat shells or elbow macaroni

1 1/2 c. steamed broccoli

3 Tbsp EVOO

3 Tbsp flour

2 c. fat free half & half

2 c. skim milk

1 clove garlic, smashed

1 Tbsp dried parsley

To Taste= S&P, basil, smoked paprika & thyme

2 c. shredded Fontina, Gouda or any other white flavorful cheese

1 c. shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

1. Cook pasta according to box directions but be sure pasta is al dente bc it will cook more in oven. Meanwhile, in a large sauce pan over medium heat combine EVOO and flour. Let cook until bubbly about 5 minutes.

2. Whisk in half & half. Whisk in milk and seasonings. Bring to a simmer. Let simmer for about 7 minutes until sauce becomes slightly thicker.

3. Turn off heat and stir in cheeses, slowly. Add broccoli and combine w pasta.

4. Transfer to a 2.5 qt. greased baking dish. Bake at 400 for aprox 15 minutes.



Out of oven

Before baking. Kind of soupy.



Operation Fatten MaeMae Up- Part III

Happy Easter! We spent Thursday-Sunday in IN w Ken's family. Of course, food was involved! For 3 days MaeMae ate, ate, and ate some more. Can you tell in these photos taken Sunday?

Operation Fatten MaeMae Up- Part II

We put into effect, once again, "Operation Fatten MaeMae up"! She lovvvves this mission.

Saturday we made her her very own breakfast:

2 eggs

1/4c. heavy whipping cream

cheese

She devoured her scrambled eggs :)

I am certain this weekend will be a great success for our mission! I sure hope bc I take her to get reweighed the following week!

Fruity Morning Smoothie

This is just what I had on hand today! Any fruit is good. Like strawberry/banana or peach/raspberry. Like I mentioned before my program that I calculated nutritional information with is not working properly. But this smoothie is low in calories/ WW pts. Get ready to make this as summer draws closer :)

Look at the color! Lots of antioxidants!!!!!

1/2 c. ice cubes (about 1/4 c. if already crushed)
1/4 c. skim milk
1/2 c. blueberries
1/4 c. strawberries
1/4 c. vanilla fat free yogurt (really any flavor will work)
splash of orange juice

-Blend ice and milk in blender first.
-Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Add more orange juice if you want a thinner consistency!

Operation Fatten MaeMae Up- Part I

Bread Pudding

MaeMae absolutely loved the bread pudding we made just for Her this weekend.

8 Eggs, 4 c. whipping cream, 1 c. sugar, homemade carmel sauce=Who wouldn't love it?

Uh, but I am worried that "Operation Fatten MaeMae Up" is going to turn into

"Operation Fatten Mom & Dad UP"!!!

(This recipe was an option on the voting poll but didn't win. Good Job folks bc

its most defiantly NOT healthy)

Oh so YUMMY homemade carmel sauce

It made a huge batch!

Fish Tacos win this week!



Fish Taco w grilled pineapple and yogurt dip

 To feed 2 people/ 4 Tacos:

Fish:
1 Mahi Mahi fillet (Any firm fish will work great like Ahi or Cod)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. cilantro
dash of S & P
~Thaw fish completely! Pat dry w paper towel.
~Crack egg into a shallow bowl and lightly beat.
~In a separate shallow bowl add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
~Dredge fish in egg, coating completely. Next dredge in bread crumb mixture.
~Place in foil "boat" w 1 tsp. olive oil
~Grill for aprox. 8 minutes. Depending on type of fish. It should flake easily w a fork. Remove from heat and break into chunks.

Before grilling in foil "boats"

Slaw:
1 c. broccoli slaw
1 stalk green onion, chopped
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. lime juice
1/4 c. sour cream
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1 tsp. cilantro
Dash of S & P
~Place broccoli slaw, green onion and olive oil in a foil "boat". Grill for aprox. 5 minutes.
~Remove from heat and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
~Add remaining ingredients

Additional Ingredients:
4 corn tortillas
1 avocado, peeled, seeded and sliced
Cheese, any kind
~Warm tortillas in microwave, about 30 seconds.
~Fill tortillas w fish and slaw. Top w avocado and cheese. Enjoy!




Close up of taco

Nutritional Info: 1 Taco= 6 WW PointsPlus

  

Fish Tacos WIN= Check back tomorrow!

Fish tacos won the most votes this week- Just one vote more than grilled pineapple! I' actually making both for dinner tonight. So check back tomorrow for pictures and the recipe! This past week more people than ever before visited my blog and voted. THANK YOU! You can vote again today for next week's winner!

COUPONING~ The Honest Way

Did you watch TLC's "Extreme Couponing"? I did! For the past year I have been using coupons, beginning light. Sometimes I would forget or not take the time to find them and print them. But I decided several months ago I needed to get more organized and serious about finding FREE MONEY! So, I was excited to watch this new show and get some ideas on how to save more. But for me personally the show wasn't what I was hoping for. First, I felt it was some what hoarding. Several of the people had products all over their house. Some were single with no kids! How could they possibly use/need all that stuff? But one woman had 7 had kids and I totally cheered her on for saving money and stocking up. I'm sure its a must for her and her family! I also praised some who made it known they were donating items to charity. RIGHT ON!!! Secondly, it seemed like an obsession to some. It didn't give too many personal details but from what it seemed many of these people put their couponing above everything else! What if that much time and attention was given to God?  Last, I felt like some were taking advantage of the coupons and stores. Read this article for more information. I kept saying to Kenny "That is ridiculous! They are going to ruin couponing for the honest people!" After all of this hear me out- I still plan on couponing!! I want to get better and better at it. I want to save money. I want to match up sales and coupons and get items for FREE, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I have to keep myself in check, unlike many on the TLC show. I have to commit to do it honestly. I have to only buy what my family will use. I have to only use coupons for products that benefit us. I have to devote more time to my Savior than couponing. And with that I'm certain He will always take care of my family- even with out coupons! ;) "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gosphel of Christ" -Phil. 1:27
P.S. Stay tuned for how I coupon, where I get my coupons & what works best for me!

12 month check up

I can't believe she is 1 year old. The year went fast and gave me the best memories. She is such a good baby. I am blessed. She is now sleeping through the night, napping well & almost walking!

Last week I took her to her 12 month check up! Yet again she weighed in puny, 16lbs 4oz= 5th percentile! She had actually lost a few ounces since her last appointment in mid- February when I took her in for an ear infection. Her doctor is not super worried about her but did schedule a recheck in 1 month to make sure she doesn't lose anymore weight. I don't understand because she eats A LOT! I guess she is burning it off fast though. She refuses milk and juice. I have warmed it, not warmed it, added chocolate and even bought totally different sippy cups. Nothing seems to make her want to drink anything other than water! Her dairy sensitivity is LONG gone, thank the Lord! Kenny & I have started Operation fatten the Baby Up. To get some fat into her I give her yogurt, cheese and even ice cream- shhhhh :) Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

So now we start another year with her. I'm hopeful it will be as blessed and amazing as the first. WE LOVE YOU MAEMAE!!

Changes

I decided to do my recipe poll a little different. You'll now notice that my current weekly menu and the poll items aren't the same! The poll now shows recipes that I'll be making NEXT week. I am hoping this will take some work off of me. Currently, while I was making dinner I would have to remember/write down everything I was doing in case that particular recipe won. I was also taking pictures almost every singe night. It honestly got to be very challenging while dealing w MaeMae and sometimes the lil guy I babysit. With my new system I will know while I'm preparing the recipe that its the Winner! This way I can put more time into it and take better pictures etc. Please keep VOTING! Thanks for the support!

Ken's FAVORITE potatoes win this week!

8 c. baby red potatoes, quartered
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp EVOO
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp rosemary
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp parsley
1 garlic clove, smashed

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Combine ALL ingredients cover w foil, tightly
3. Bake for 1 hour or until potatoes are easily pierced w a knife. Stir occasionally!