Thursday, January 31, 2013

Sierra's Plan: Week 1



I'm writing this for Sierra so that she has easy access to her meal plan.

*Feel free to ask questions about anything (open forum).

The RULES

1. Track every calorie that goes in your body.
2. No drinking your calories, except a 'liquid' meal. (P.S. Booze has calories, & LOTS OF THEM!)
3. Get moving! Do alternate types of activity to confuse muscles.
4. Pair carbs with protein everytime you eat (Helps absorption/processing).
5. Drink at least 64 oz of water a day.
6. Eat every 2-3 hours
7. Sleep in 90 minute incruments (6, 7.5 or 9 hours every night).
8. Always have a food backup plan. Ie: granola bar & apple in your purse.
9. Make everything you are fueling your body with as nutritient dense as possible.
10. Don't eat at least an hour before you go to bed, but sip
on water right up until you do rest. It's ok to go to bed hungry!



Day 1- Friday: 1545-1795 Calories

5:15AM Quick Exercises-Should take ten minutes:
Stretch -Hands in the air/touch toes
30 sec wall sit
10 push ups
60 sec plank
20 jumping jacks
Repeat Series 3x
Stretch

5:25- Make (from powder) Slim Fast Shake (with water): 100 calories
Drink while you are packing your lunch/snacks or selecting your clothes.
5:35- Shower/ Get ready
While you are brushing your teeth, march in place.
Drink a full glass of water after brushing your teeth.
6:30/7AM- Make Green Smoothie- put in to go cup to drink on the way to work. 250 Calories
*Don't forget to put on your ankle weights before you leave!
9:30/10AM- Eat Plain Instant oatmeal - add 1 packet of Spenda with Fiber. No more than 2 tbsp dried fruit of your choice &/or sliced nuts - 150 Calories
Noon- Walk/do some type of activity for at least 15-20 minutes.
12:15/12:30- Green Salad (your choice- no meat). 300 Calories
2PM- Eat 1 apple sliced with 1 tbsp peanut butter. 220 Calories
4:30- Eat 1 hard boiled egg & 1 grapefruit. 175 calories
6:45- Eat a small (SMALL) portion of whatever dinner you are having that evening.  350-500 Calories
8:30- Eat a healthy choice fudge bar or sugar free popsicle. (*if you like) 25-100 calories
9/10PM- Yoga Ball Exercises
11:30PM (no later)- In bed- visualize waking up at 7AM

Day 2- Saturday: 1420-1670 Calories

7:00 AM Quick Exercises-Should take ten minutes:
Stretch -Hands in the air/touch toes
30 sec wall sit
10 push ups
60 sec plank
10 Squats
20 jumping jacks
Repeat Series 3x
Stretch

Drink a full glass of water after morning exercises.
7:30AM- Drink Green Smoothie- 250 Calories
*Don't forget to put on your ankle weights!
10AM- Eat 4 Egg White Omelete with Tomato, Basil & Feta/Mozzerella - 100 Calories
Noon- Walk/do some type of activity for at least 15-20 minutes.
12:30- 1/2 cup Chicken Salad in a whole grain pita pocket. 300 Calories
2PM- Eat 1 apple sliced with 1 tbsp peanut butter. 220 Calories
4:30- Eat 24 almonds & 1 mandarin orange. 200 calories
6:45- Eat a (SMALL) portion of whatever dinner you are having that evening.  350-500 Calories
8:30- Eat a 100 Calorie bag of Popcorn (If you like). 100 calories
9/10PM- Yoga Ball Exercises
11:30PM (no later)- In bed- visualize waking up at 7AM

Day 3- Sunday: 1475 Calories

7:00 AM Quick Exercises-Should take 10-15 minutes:
Stretch -Hands in the air/touch toes
30 sec wall sit
5 Burpees
10 push ups
60 sec plank
10 Squats
20 jumping jacks
Repeat Series 3x
Stretch

Drink a full glass of water after morning exercises.
7:30AM- Drink Green Smoothie- 250 Calories
*Don't forget to put on your ankle weights!
10:30AM- Eat 1 Bagel Thin with 1/4 cup YoChee- 150 Calories
Noon- Walk/do some type of activity for at least 15-20 minutes.
12:30- Eat 1 Can of broth based (heavy on the veggies) soup of your choice. 200-300 Calories
3:30PM- Eat 1 apple, 1 large carrot, & 8 Black Olives. 175 Calories
6:00- Eat a 1 cup portion of Super Bowl Chili with Cheese & 1 serving tortilla chips.  500 Calories
8:30- Eat 1 grapefruit. 100 calories
9:00PM- Yoga Ball Exercises
9:45PM (no later)- In bed- visualize waking up at 5:15AM

Day 4- Monday: 1500-1750 Calories

5:15AM Quick Exercises-Should take ten minutes:
Stretch -Hands in the air/touch toes
30 sec wall sit
10 push ups
60 sec plank
10 Squats
20 jumping jacks
Repeat Series 3x
Stretch

5:25- Make (from powder) Slim Fast Shake (with water): 100 calories
Drink while you are packing your lunch/snacks or selecting your clothes.
5:35- Shower/ Get ready
While you are brushing your teeth, march in place.
Drink a full glass of water after brushing your teeth.
6:30/7AM- Make Green Smoothie- put in to go cup to drink on the way to work. 250 Calories
*Don't forget to put on your ankle weights before you leave!
9:30/10AM- Eat 1 Bagel Thin with 1/4 cup YoChee- 150 Calories
Noon- Walk/do some type of activity for at least 15-20 minutes.
12:15/12:30- Green Salad (your choice- no meat). 300 Calories
2PM- Eat 1 apple sliced with 12 almonds. 180 Calories
4:30- Eat 1 hard boiled egg  & 2 cups halved strawberries 170 calories
6:45- Eat a small (SMALL) portion of whatever dinner you are having that evening.  350-500 Calories
8:30- Eat a healthy choice fudge bar or sugar free popsicle. (*if you like) 25-100 calories
9:00PM- Yoga Ball Exercises
9:45PM (no later)- In bed- visualize waking up at 5:15AM

Day 5- Tuesday: 1500-1750 Calories

5:15AM Quick Exercises-Should take ten minutes:
Stretch -Hands in the air/touch toes
30 sec wall sit
10 push ups
60 sec plank
20 jumping jacks
Repeat Series 3x
Stretch

5:25- Make (from powder) Slim Fast Shake (with water): 100 calories
Drink while you are packing your lunch/snacks or selecting your clothes.
5:35- Shower/ Get ready
While you are brushing your teeth, march in place.
Drink a full glass of water after brushing your teeth.
6:30/7AM- Make Green Smoothie- put in to go cup to drink on the way to work. 250 Calories
*Don't forget to put on your ankle weights before you leave!
9:30/10AM- Eat 1 Bagel Thin with 1/4 cup YoChee- 150 Calories
Noon- Walk/do some type of activity for at least 15-20 minutes.
12:15/12:30- Taco Salad (with YoChee, Salsa & 1/4 Avocado). 350 Calories
2PM- Eat 2 cups halved strawberries with 12 almonds. 175 Calorie
4:30- Eat 1 hard boiled egg & 1 whole apple.  175 calories
6:45- Eat a small (SMALL) portion of whatever dinner you are having that evening.  350-500 Calories
8:30- Eat a 100 Calorie bag of Popcorn (If you like). 100 calories
9:00PM- Yoga Ball Exercises
9:45PM (no later)- In bed- visualize waking up at 5:15AM

Day 6- Wednesday: 1530-1680 Calories

5:15AM Quick Exercises-Should take ten minutes:
Stretch -Hands in the air/touch toes
30 sec wall sit
10 push ups
60 sec plank
20 jumping jacks
Repeat Series 3x
Stretch

5:25- Make (from powder) Slim Fast Shake (with water): 100 calories
Drink while you are packing your lunch/snacks or selecting your clothes.
5:35- Shower/ Get ready
While you are brushing your teeth, march in place.
Drink a full glass of water after brushing your teeth.
6:30/7AM- Make Green Smoothie- put in to go cup to drink on the way to work. 250 Calories
*Don't forget to put on your ankle weights before you leave!
9:30/10AM- Eat Plain Instant oatmeal - add 1 packet of Spenda with Fiber. No more than 2 tbsp dried fruit of your choice &/or sliced nuts - 150 Calories
Noon- Walk/do some type of activity for at least 15-20 minutes.
12:15/12:30- 1/2 cup Chicken Salad in a whole grain pita pocket. 300 Calories
2PM- Eat 1 apple, 1 large carrot, & 8 Black Olives. 175 Calories
4:30- Eat 1 hard boiled egg & 1 mandarin orange..  105 calories
6:45- Eat a small (SMALL) portion of whatever dinner you are having that evening.  350-500 Calories
8:30- Eat 1 grapefruit. 100 calories
9:00PM- Yoga Ball Exercises
9:45PM (no later)- In bed- visualize waking up at 5:15AM

Day 7- Thursday: 1745-1895 Calories

5:15AM Quick Exercises-Should take ten minutes:
Stretch -Hands in the air/touch toes
30 sec wall sit
10 push ups
60 sec plank
20 jumping jacks
Repeat Series 3x
Stretch

5:25- Make (from powder) Slim Fast Shake (with water): 100 calories
Drink while you are packing your lunch/snacks or selecting your clothes.
5:35- Shower/ Get ready
While you are brushing your teeth, march in place.
Drink a full glass of water after brushing your teeth.
6:30/7AM- Make Green Smoothie- put in to go cup to drink on the way to work. 250 Calories
*Don't forget to put on your ankle weights before you leave!
9:30/10AM- Eat 1 Bagel Thin with 1/4 cup YoChee- 150 Calories
Noon- Walk/do some type of activity for at least 15-20 minutes.
12:15/12:30- Green Salad (your choice- no meat). 300 Calories
2PM- Eat 2 cups halved strawberries with 1 hard boiled egg. 175 Calories
4:30- Eat 1 apple sliced with 1 tbsp peanut butter. 220 Calories
6:45- Eat a small (SMALL) portion of whatever dinner you are having that evening.  350-500 Calories
8:30- Eat a 100 Calorie bag of Popcorn (If you like). 100 calories
9:00PM- Yoga Ball Exercises
9:45PM (no later)- In bed- visualize waking up at 5:15AM









































1 WEEK DINNER PLAN

Friday: Beef Stew (Make YoChee & Crocked Chicken- Chicken Salad in the morning with YoChee)
Saturday: Leftover Beef Stew (Soak Beans tonight)
Sunday: Turkey Chili, Chips & Cheese (Crockpot Refried Beans today)
Monday: Ground Turkey Taco's/ Burritos (Veggies, 1/4 Cup Meat + Extra Lettuce for lunch tomorrow)
Tuesday: Blackened White Fish with Yams & Cauliflower Poppers
Wednesday: Hawaiian Chicken with Brown Rice & Steamed Broccoli
Thursday: Spaghetti & Turkey Meatballs (<- for the family) 3 Meatballs, An ENTIRE Spaghetti Squash & Sauce for you.
Friday: Tuna Melts (YoChee) &
Saturday: BLT Mac 'N Cheese (YoChee)



Chicken Florentine Soup



I had leftover Mushroom Bisque that I wansn't thrilled to eat for leftovers again.... *but* I was in the mood to eat Chicken Florentine Soup..... upcycle time :)

I put the leftover Mushroom Bisque in a pot.

To that, I added:

3 cups frozen spinach



2 cups of milk
1/2 cup half & half



1 cup water
3 chicken bouillion cubes (Take them out of the wrapper)



1/2 a box of Orzo pasta
Bring everything to a simmer and stir continuously until pasta is cooked!
Then add:
1 bag (about 1.5 cups) precooked shredded chicken
2 cups largely diced & steamed carrots

Salt & Pepper to taste. Garnish with Parsley

Jalapeno Popper Bacon Grilled Cheese


Easy Peasy.

Put mayo on the outside of the bread (thin layer)

Spread cream cheese or YoChee on the inside of the bread

Put halved, de-seeded fresh jalapenos on the bread

Put precooked bacon on top of the jalapenos

Put shredded white cheese on top of the bacon



Panini press it/Grill it.

Voila!

Click here to see Jalapeno Poppers two other ways!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Healthified Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup

 
I apologize that this is the only picture I have!!
 
You'll need:
  • 1 lb Spicy Italian Sausage (You can use a healthier version of turkey or chicken)
  • 2 large Russet baking potatoes, chopped in 1"ish cubes (I use my chopper) 
  • 1 large onion, chopped (again with the chopper
  • 1/4- 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or 2 tsp.
  • 2 cups kale, savoy or swiss chard, roughly chopped
  • 16 oz chicken stock
  • 1 quart water
  • 1 cup lowfat milk
Directions:
  1. With kitchen shears, cut uncooked sausage into small pieces.
  2. Brown sausage in your soup pot.
  3. Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir.
  4. Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in pot.
  5. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
  6. Add Bacon.
  7. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
  8. Turn to low heat.
  9. Add kale and milk
  10. Heat through and serve.
  11. Salt & Pepper to taste
The 'grease' floating on the top of the soup is really necessary for the flavor, but if it bothers you, throw a piece of lettuce on the top of the soup and it will soak it up.
 
I derived this copycat recipe from here.

....................... June 2, 2013...........................

Made this again the other night and was too lazy to look up my own recipe, so I made it with what was on hand, from memory, in the crockpot. 

  • 7 cups water and about 1/3 cup chicken better than boullion in the crock.
  • Turn on low.
  • Brown a chub of turkey breakfast sausage and throw in.
  • Same pan ... With scissors, Cut up 1 lb bacon and crisp. Add 1 large onion to bacon and cook until translucent. Do not drain. Put bacon and onion in crock. With leftover grease in pan, brown 5 medium chopped potatoes then put in crock.
  • Add 1 tbsp chopped garlic, 1/2 tsp ground pepper.
  • Crock low for 4 hours or so.
  • Add 2 bunches of deveined chopped chard to the pot.
  • When almost ready to serve, add about 1-2 cups half n half.

I think it turned out better the second time :)

Healthified Baked Potato Soup in the Crockpot



I love Baked Potato Soup :)  The misconception is that it is bad for you and you have to put cream or butter in it to make it taste good.  Not anymore!




Put about 8-10 medium-large red potatoes in the crockpot. 

Cover with broth (I guestimate about 4-5 cups water + chicken boullion to equate the water).

Crock on low for 5-6 hours or keep warm all day.


When you are about 1/2 hour away from chowtime, Take a potato masher or, my favorite, Pampered Chef Mix 'N Chop and breakup/mash the potatoes into a chunky slop.


Add 1-2 pouches of instant mashed potatoes to thicken.
Add a large scoop (about 1 cup) of YoChee, or plain Greek yogurt to cream it up.
Add 2-3 cups lowfat milk to get the consistency you want.
I like to add garlic powder, but thats entirely up to you.



Garnish with bacon bits, sliced green onions, cheddar cheese, and more YoChee (or sour cream).

Salt & Pepper to taste.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Chicken Fried Rice



You will need:

8 cups pre cooked rice
Oil
Soy Sauce
2 fried rice seasoning packets
Vegetables of your choice- I used 1/2 package frozen peas/carrots, 10 green onions & 1 can corn
2-4 eggs
2 cups pre cooked diced or shredded chicken

Put a couple tablespoons oil in the bottom of the wok. 
Turn the flame on high and throw in the green onions and the vegetables,
Add 'cold' pre cooked rice and a couple tbsps soy sauce.
Stir fry until it looks like everything is getting hot. 
If the rice seems like it is starting to stick, add a bit more oil to the edges.

Create a 'hole' in the middle of the rice so you can see the bottom of the wok.

Sprinkle seasoning packets over everything, and then crack the eggs into the bottom of the wok.  Let sit for just a moment to get them cooking.

Stir furiously to get the eggs scrambled into the rest of the rice.
Add a bit more soy sauce and the pre-cooked chicken.

Salt/ Pepper to taste.





BLT Mac N Cheese



This is a Pampered Chef recipe out of their 29 minutes to dinner cookbook.  It is AMAZING and totally worth the amount of money you have to spend on the sharp white cheddar cheese.  I have healthified it.

cups Water - Bring to a Boil, then add:
1 lb Uncooked cellentani or cavatappi pasta. ->Whole Grain
Boil for about 8 minutes then add:
4 oz Sharp white cheddar cheese <- I bought 1/3 lb thinly sliced from the deli and cut it up.
1 oz Parmesan cheese
4 oz Cream cheese (1/2 a block) or YoChee
1 Large leek white and light green portions only (Soak in water before slicing)
Stir until cheeses are melted and then add:
8 slices Bacon or 1 1/2 cups bits (I used a bag of precooked portioned frozen bacon bits)
1 tsp Salt + 1/2 tsp Coarsely ground black pepper
Once everything is mixed nicely and the sauce is completely thickened, add:
3 Large plum tomatoes (I used Roma- deseeded and cut into large chunks)


Enjoy!

Valentines Project for my Hubby

I'm not interested in spending a bunch of money on Valentines Day, but I do want to show my husband how much I love him with small gestures over the next 16 days.  I originally planned on 14, but found 2 more things I wanted to add to the daily gifts, so it's starting tomorrow.








Here are the 14 things (From bottom left clockwise):









1. (2) packages Little Hotties Hand Warmers & a Tabasco Chocolate:
"YOU ARE MY SPICY LITTLE HOTTIE"
2. Bag of Hershey's Hugs & Kisses:
"I'LL GIVE YOU HUGS & KISSES EVERY DAY"
3. A Banana:
"I'M BANANAS FOR YOU"
4. An Apple:
"YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE"
5. A Grape AMP energy drink:
"IT'S GRAPE HOW YOU CAN AMP ME UP"
6. New Toothbrush:
"IT'S THE TOOTH, YOU MAKE ME SMILE"
7. Pack of Gum:
"I'M STUCK ON YOU"
8. Charleston Chew:
"I'D CHEWS YOU ALL OVER AGAIN"
9. Spicy Meat Stick:
"WE'LL ALWAYS STICK TOGETHER"
10. Honey Roasted Peanuts:
"YOU ARE MY HONEY ROASTED SWEET PEA"
11. Almond Joy:
"IT'S A JOY BEING MARRIED TO YOU"
12. Wasabi Almonds:
"I'M TOTALLY NUTS ABOUT YOU"
13. (3) Matchbox cars:
"YOU WHEELIE REV ME UP"
14. Bit-O-Honey:
"YOU ARE MY BIT-O-HONEY BUNNY"

And the two I'm adding:

15. Burt's Bees Chapstick:
"I THINK YOU ARE THE BEES KNEES"
16. I-Tunes Gift Card:
"TOGETHER, WE ARE PERFECTLY IN TUNE"

More Ideas:

100 Grand Candy Bar:  "Our love is worth 100 Grand"
Payday Candy Bar: "With you, everyday feels like Payday"
Big Hunk Candy Bar:  "What a Big Hunk you are"
Nerds: "I love that we can be Nerds together"
Laffy Taffy: "You can always make me Laffy"
Rock Paper weight/magnet: "You Rock my world"
Fake Mustache: "I Moustache you to be mine"
Hot Sauce: "You are spicy Hot"
Mini Flashlight: "You are the Light of my life" <- I might add this one
Nice Pen: "We are just Write for each other"
Coffee Gift Card: "You are my daily Cup-o-Joe" (would be perfect if your sweeties name was Joe)
Screwdriver: "...." I'll keep this clean :)
Swiss Army Knife: "You cut right to my heart"
New Hat: "I've got you covered"


Since we all eat bananas like monkeys, this is something I get the privilege of doing every day:

BANANAGRAM (My little daily love note)













Monday, January 28, 2013

Lowfat Blueberry Yogurt Oatmeal Struesel Muffins



Blueberry muffins sounded good this weekend. For whatever reason, I was too lazy to look up and follow a recipe and I had vanilla yogurt to use up so.... I made it up as I went.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups and spray 1 mini loaf pan.

In a small bowl, combine & set aside:
1 cup oatmeal
2 tbsp soft butter or margarine
2/3 cup brown sugar

In the mixer, combine:
3 eggs
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup yogurt (I used vanilla)
1 cup applesauce
1/3 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

Then add:
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 cups flour
1 cup oatmeal

Fold in:
2 cups frozen blueberries

Using a large scooper, fill the muffin cups with one scoop.

Using a small scooper, top with crumble.


Bake the muffins on the bottom rack for 23 minutes.

The Mini loaf needs 30-35 minutes.


This recipe makes 24 muffins plus 1 mini loaf.


Chilevos Ranchenos Casserole


I've had it in my mind to make a Chile Rellienos/Huevos Rancheros casserole in the crock for a while.

I wanted to combine the two because they are essentially the same flavors, but one has eggs and one has chiles.  I have to say that in the end, this smelled exactly like tamale pie, and reminded me of mom= comfort.


In addition to the cornmeal mush ingredients below, you will need:
1 large can whole green chiles
1 can corn
1 can black beans
2 cans Red Enchilada Sauce
7 eggs
8 cups shredded Jack & Cheddar cheeses




Simmer in a pot, stirring continuously till thickened.

1 cup cornmeal
3 cups water
1 cup milk
1 tsp taco seasoning
1 small can diced chiles (with the juice)


When it's thickened to mush, pour into a sprayed crockpot.

Level out then start your layers:


Cheese (will do this next time)
1 can Red Enchilada Sauce (will do this next time)
Whole chiles




Cheese
1 can corn
1 can black beans
Cheese





7 eggs (scrambled)

More chiles






More cheese








1 can Red Enchilada Sauce
More cheese.







Crock on low for 5 hours.  Like a lasagna, this needs to sit for a little while to rest after done cooking.  Turn off/ unplug the crockpot about half an hour before you are ready to serve and vent the lid.

When ready to serve, literally CUT the casserole (like with a butcher knife) or you will lose the whole chiles in the process.  This looks like a hot mess, but really turns out to be quite the beautiful vegetarian dish.  Garnish with hot sauce, salsa or sour cream (or all of the above).

*Note- This was my first run at making this. I used too much cornmeal mush for the proportions, not enough cheese and spices and not enough sauce. I have altered the recipe to work better for you.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Naan is for everything


Put in the breadmaker in this order:

1/2 cup warm water
2 tsp. active dry yeast
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
^ Let these ingredients sit for a minute or two so they can activate.
2 1/2 cups Bread flour (It works better than regular)
1/4 cup oil
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1 large egg

Select 'dough setting'.  It will knead the dough and then warm the unit to allow it to rise.  After my dough had risen, I punched it down and let it rise a second time.  This process takes about an hour to rise, but You could leave it all day in the breadmaker if you wanted.

*If you don't have a breadmaker-
In a large bowl, stir together the water, yeast and sugar and let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy.
Stir in the flour, salt, oil, yogurt and egg and stir. 
Knead until you have a soft, pliable dough.
Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled in size- about an hour.

Divide the dough into 8 pieces- easiest with a pizza cutter.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out each piece into a thin circle or oval. 

This worked best for me to flatten it out with my palms first and then roll it with the rolling pin as thin as I could.













Cook each piece on a hot skillet or griddle drizzled with olive oil.











When the surface has big blisters and is golden on the bottom, flip it over and cook until golden on the other side.


Makes 8 Naan.

I served with Cinnamon HoneyButter.


I derived the recipe from here for this Naan.

Shakshuka (Vegetarian) in the Crock

Rooting around one day, I came across this thing called Shakshuka. 

It's basically a spin off Huevos Rancheros from the cuisine of  Tunisian, Libyan, Algerian, and Moroccan cultures but also popular in Israel.

Here's my version:

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 medium white or yellow onion, roughly chopped
2 minced cloves of garlic or 2 tsp
1 fresh jalapeno, minced and seeded (or more if you want it spicy)
2 green or colored peppers roughly chopped
fresh roma tomatoes, roughly chopped
4 cans whole or diced tomatoes with the liquid
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon Tumeric
1 teaspoon or more salt 
1 tsp ground pepper (or more)
1 teaspoon sugar <- Important as it breaks down the acids in the tomatoes
1 can black beans
1/2 cup broth of your choice -chicken/vegetable
4-6 large eggs (for the end)

Put everything in the crockpot except the broth and eggs. Crock on 'low' for 1-2 hours or 'keep warm' for 2-3 hours. 

When it looks ready and not completely soupy (you want it pretty thick) gently crack eggs onto the top of the combination, not breaking yolks. Heat the broth to boiling and then carefefully pour over the eggs. Cover the crockpot to let the eggs poach to your liking- typically served with runny yolks.  This should happen fairly quickly, so be attentive. 

Heat the black beans and then ladle equal portions of vegetables and eggs on top into serving bowls.
Serve with fresh Naan.

I'm making this soon, so stay tuned for pictures!

Garfield Muffins

When I was in Elementary school, hot lunches had these things called Garfield Bars in them.  I almost never had hot lunch, but for whatever reason, people always put their Garfield Bars on the sharing table.  I LOVED those things.  I have been thinking about them for years and I think I have *finally* recreated them!!!

You will need:

3 1/3 C flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cloves
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/3 C sugar (I used bakers)
1 1/3 C brown sugar

1 C oil (or 1/2 C + 1/2 C applesauce)
2 cups canned pumpkin
2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups raisins

Combine the dry ingredients and then add the wet, (fold in raisins last)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 24 muffin cups.

Using a large scoop, put a heaping amount of the batter in each cup.

Bake for 17-19 minutes.  Test with toothpick to come out clean.


I only made 1/2 a recipe, but I assure you, you'll need more than 12 muffins. As of this morning, there are 2 left.

Since I only made 1/2 a recipe, I had about half a can of pumpkin left. Click here to see what I did with the leftovers.