Monday, February 14, 2011

Some days are more interesting than others. Today, trying to make dinner, I put the oven on the wrong temp. It wouldn't be so bad but it is actually the second time that I have done this! Same recipe too! Thankfully, tomorrow is easy dinner. Spaghetti with meatballs! leftovers from meatball subs last Saturday.
One of my side hobbies is our family tree. It started with Boyfriend being bored at work. If they don't have a class, there is a lot of down time. So he started researching his family tree which prompted me to do the same. An uncle on my father's side did a lot of the leg work for that side of the family so I was only really left with my mother's side. Ironically, I have a book that someone else did on my grandma's birth family! It turned out it was pretty easy to do our family tree for me since someone else had done all of the work! LOL Any way, I think that preserving the family history is important. It allows people to know where they came from. So, I am here to suggest to you guys to start your family tree. You don't have to go back generations. It can be as big or as small as you want it. I found a free site called Geni.com. It is very simple and very basic. Easy to use. Those are things that I was looking for. I think, though I am not sure, that Ancestry.com has a free edition also. Anyway, those are my thoughts for today. It just seems that our family just keeps growing.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

I have been horrible with the menu this week. I hate when Boyfriend is on nights. Hopefully, after next year, no more nights. Here's to wishing! Boyfriend is an instructor for the Navy. He is civilian but teaches Navy enlisted students. At the moment, his building is undergoing major refurbishment. Like they gutted the building and are rebuilding just not touching the outer layer of building. In the mean time, he is sharing a class room and system with a different course. Fun times. Anyway. When Boyfriend works nights we have our big family meal in the afternoon while he is home. We tried the Honey Chicken recipe earlier this week. I would repost the recipe but it wasn't to our liking. We will tweek it an then I will post when it is right.
Cute story... Boyfriend told me that when we first started dating that the people at work knew because he smiled and was no longer mad all the time. I love that I make him smile. I love that at the end of a long day, he smiles knowing he will come home to me.
Today, life is good. I think sometimes we all just need to stop and realize the small things that make life so wonderful.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

So we spent a small fortune in groceries this week. We had to do a Sam's run which we all know is expensive but cheaper in the long run. Unfortunately, we went to Sam's hungry so bought a bunch of crap that was not needed.
$100 - at Sam's
$56 - at Walmart
$78 - at Pic n Save
$24- Dollar Tree
Total for two weeks: $258. OUCH! We did have to stock up on things and we are trying some new recipes and had to buy ingredients we didn't have. Boyfriend also went to evening shifts this week. I hate them. So we eat our big meal at lunch as a family and then leftovers or whatever for dinner. Boyfriend needs meals to take in so that is where some of the expenses came in. We have a bunch of night shifts this year. He will be on them for the next month. Anyway, we tried Cafe Chicken today. It was good and everyone liked it! This is a crockpot meal from Weight Watchers. Healthy!

Cafe Chicken (6 Points)
 
2 1/2 Lb chicken breast halves without skin -- cut into eighths
1 Onion -- chopped
2 garlic -- chopped
Salt & white pepper to taste
1 Green pepper -- diced
1 Medium Tomato – Ripe and Peeled -- Seeded and chopped
1 Cup Dry white wine -- not included w/points
1 Pinch cayenne pepper
 
Combine all ingredients in slow-cooker. Cover pot and set at Low.  Cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until chicken is tender.    
YIELD: Serves 6  6 points per serving

Friday, February 4, 2011

I know I am a slacker. I barely posted the last two weeks. I have been working my butt off at ChaCha to make my Disney down payment!!! Can't wait to go. My bestie is meeting me there. I moved from New York in 2003. I have seen her for about two and half hours, literally, since then. I am beyond excited.
ChaCha is a work at home job. We answer questions that people text in. If you have never used us, give it a try. It is FREE! Just text any question you have to 242 242 and we will answer your question! One thing, some cell networks do not work with ChaCha. T Mobile is one of them. Anyway, ChaCha is what will pay for my Disney trip. If you want more info, just let me know. We are hiring! This is a great way to make some extra money.
Anyway, here is the menu for the next two weeks, in no particular order. I will report back later how much we spend at the grocery store.

Foil Packet Chicken
Beefy Nachos (DS request)
spaghetti
Honey Chicken
Sausages w/ Peppers and Onions
Meatball Subs
BBQ Beer Ribs
Salsa Chicken
Steak
Arroz Con Pollo ( a Weight Watchers recipe worth 7 points!)
Cafe Chicken (another WW recipe worth 6 points)
Wings (Super Bowl Sunday!!)
and of course we always (almost) have homemade pizza on Fridays.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Beef Enchiladas

My sister actually showed me this recipe. It is from sparkpeople.com recipes page. This is so easy to make and is yummy!

1 pound 93% ground beef
6 oz can tomato paste
2 cups warm water
1 cup shredded 2% cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garlic powder
dash each oregano, black pepper,
10 soft corn tortillas



Directions
Brown hamburger. Add seasonings to warm water, combine. Add tomato paste. Mix well.
Warm up tortillas.
Pour 1/2 of tomato mixture into the skillet with the hamburger. Add half of cheese. Stir to mix up the meat, tomato sauce and cheese. Scoop a large spoonful of the mixture onto each tortilla. Rollup the tortilla, enclosing the filling and place it seam side down in 13x9 pan. Pour remaining tomato mixture over tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Number of Servings: 10

Now, like I said, we change recipes. We use flour tortillas instead. I make the meat and add taco seasoning to it for more flavor. I also double the sauce mix since there just doesn't seem to be enough. We like our saucey. My trick to healthy cheep beef..anytime you are going to flavor your meat, like tacos or spaghetti, I buy the cheap hamburger, fry it then rinse it off really well. It saves money and I don't get the fat! I save the good stuff for meatloaf and meatballs and such.