Prayer Reminder

I just wanted to remind you dear readers to please continue to pray for my brother, sister-in-law and future niece. The blood work did come back positive for Downs Syndrome BUT there is quite a margin of error for this test. Tomorrow we should have more answers after their level 2 ultrasound. I feel so blessed knowing that you have blanketed this family with prayers. I will update you as soon as we know more. Thanks again!

Mail Call!

Mail time is like Christmas around here. I don't care if it is $20 or $0.75 it is always fun to get money in the mail!! Just this week I got a $15 mastercard from Olay (sent off before DRS blog existed) and that Free Dt. Dr Pepper coupon I told you about a couple of weeks ago. Fun times! That $15 is going to go toward my $5000 annual budget! So now I am closer to being back on track.

Valentines Craft

I was going to save this craft to post on Familytime Friday but I thought some of you might want to do this project with your kiddos in time for their school Valentines Day Parties. I found this idea at the Family Fun website and thought it would make the perfect Valentines goodie to pass out to Colby's class- instead of the classic CANDY laden card!

Go here for the official instructions to make the Heart Shaped PlayDough.

Hint: One of the crafter comments was to use a packet of cherry flavored Kool-Aid for the coloring for a less messy option to the red food coloring. I thought this was a brilliant idea, but didn't have any Kool-Aid, so I stirred in a packet of Strawberry Kiwi Benefiber...... didn't have the same effect! We ended up using red food coloring- my hands are still a lovely shade of pink!

This PlayDough recipe required us to cook the ingredients on the stove-top and then kneed the food coloring into the dough once stiff- messy!!! It is worth the trip to the store to try the Kool-Aid idea.

Instead of using a heart shape cookie cutter we (meaning I) just molded the dough into hearts- just call me Picasso (no idea of Picasso sculpted I just know he did something with art... right? I probably should watch more "Little Einsteins" and less "Imagination Movers")

I know you can't read the card from the picture- but it says "Dough you want to be my Valentine?" Cute huh! Could have also read "I kneed you" but I thought that was a little much for 4 year olds!

Zone 1- Kitchen and Dinning Room Even Months

Even Months
Day 1- Tuesday

• Clean Fridge inside & Out
• Clean Kitchen Door
• Shine Sink (I use the turtle wax to shine my sink)

Day 2- Wednesday

• Clean and organize all cabinets
• Clean and organize all drawers
• Clean outside of cabinets

Day 3- Thursday

• Clean oven
• Clean stovetop
• Clean all knick knacks (everything that sits on top of the counters ex: coffee pot)
• Clean Microwave

Day 4- Friday

• Clean and organize pantry
• Clean Floors
• Clean behind Fridge
• Clean baseboards

Day 4- Saturday

• Detail highchair
• Dust and organize Buffet and Cookbooks
• Clean inside and out china cabinet
• Dust or polish table

Sunday and Monday- OFF

Tidy Tuesday

Well, we are back to the kitchen this week (not soon enough by the looks of my kitchen!) Won't it be fun to peak behind our fridge this week and see that all our hard work last month paid off. Instead of the heaping mounds of collected debris from months of neglect like we found last month we should be greeted by only a few respectable and even recognizable crumbs (shouldn't even be molded yet). Last week a grape rolled under our fridge- I didn't even bother going after it because I knew it would be captured within a weeks time- don't you love a plan!

Tidy Tuesday- Sound-off!

Anyone up for cleaning your kitchen this week? One of my newly diagnosed DRS friends emailed me yesterday to tell me she had just cleaned out her fridge; well you know me- I just had to clean mine out too! Sick, I know- but at least I got a jump start on my zone work!

Southwest Eggrolls- Illustrated!

I was a little intimidated the first time I attempted the eggrolls so I wanted to give you a step by step illustrated guide.

first hint: I have learned that it is very important to let the dough defrost before you try to unroll it- otherwise it flakes. Last night I just set the dough our for about 1.5 hours. But you could also just let it thaw in fridge for a day.

Once thawed, you will unroll the stack of dough sheets. I usually work off of wax paper.

I then take about 2 sheets of dough off the stack and place it on the wax paper. Then scoop about 1/4 cup of vegy/meat mixture onto center of dough.

Next I fold the ends up over the mixture, so that the mixture won't fall out the ends
once rolled up.

Then I roll up from one end to the next. Warning: the dough sheets are pretty delicate. It is normal for the dough to tare a little!

Don't forget to brush with a little bit of light butter before baking so they will golden!

Won't your family be impressed!!!

This will be the first time I have attempted to freeze the premade eggrolls, so I'll let you know how it turns out on Thursday!

Deal Alert

Want more FREE TP!

I know you do! So go here, make a pledge and then print 2 of our favorite coupons!

Hot Ham and Cheese

Although, a simple "hot ham and cheese sandwich" would have sufficed, I opted to fancy it up a bit with this recipe. My Mom use to make a similar sandwich that was so yummy- so I'm hoping this recipe measures up! I'll let you know.

Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

Go here for the recipe.
I will be using only 2 TBS of lite butter instead of the 1/4 cup, I'll also use 2% swiss cheese, whole wheat hot dog buns, and I decided to use dried onion flakes over the fresh onion.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 sandwich with 2 oz ham on each sandwich
Meal Plan: 300 Calories, 3 meats, 1.5 Starches, 1 Fat

I will serve this with baked beans and a fruit salad.

Southwest Eggrolls

If you love Chili's Southwest Eggrolls but you don't love all the Calories and Fat they pack in- your going to love this recipe. I went ahead and attached a picture of the Athens Fillo Dough so you would know what to look for when shopping. I will warn you the box was $4.39 at Kroger! Not cheap but you will still come out ahead over paying for them at Chili's.

Southwest Eggrolls

1 bag of shredded cabbage and carrot mix (coleslaw mix)
1 lb ground chicken, turkey, or extra lean ground beef
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 can black beans well drained
1 can corn well drained
25-30 Athens Fillo dough sheets
3 Tbsp butter melted

Preheat oven to 425

Spray a deep pan with Pam, toss in cabbage, carrots, and 1/2 of taco seasoning. Put a lid on it, stir as needed. Meanwhile, combine meat with remainder of spices and brown. After the meat is cooked, combine it with the vegetables including drained corn and blackbeans. Make sure Fillo dough has thawed (otherwise very hard to roll out) Place 1/4 cup of meat/veg mix on top of Fillo sheet and roll up like an egg roll (illustration to follow) I usually use 2 Fillo sheets per eggroll. Brush the top with butter for browning and flavor. Makes about 22 eggrolls!

Meal Plan
Serving Size: 1 egg roll
Meal Plan: 140 Calories, 1 starch, 1 meat, 1 vegetable

I am going to add a little bit of the taco seasoning packet to some light Ranch dressing and use this as both a dip for the egg rolls and a dressing for a side salad! I got an avocado to add to our side salad-yummy!

Spinach Lentil Soup

This will be the first time I have made this recipe, so I'll be sure to give you my honest review after we have tried it. I could not find dried lentils when I went to the grocery store so I just got a bag of 15 different beans- might put a slightly different spin on the recipe but same concept!

Spinach Lentil Soup

Here is the recipe.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
Meal Plan: 215 Calories, 1.5 Starches, 1 lean meat (beans), 2.5 vegetables (lots of fiber at least 9g per serving!)

I am going to serve this with cornbread.

Cranberry Spinach Salad

This is a good salad anytime, but I especially love it with the Pecan Encrusted Salmon!

Cranberry Spinach Salad

Click here for recipe. I am going to use Splenda instead of the sugar, olive oil and reduced fat sour cream.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe (this assumes 100% of the dressing is used over 6 portions- you probably will use less)
Meal Plan: 235 Calories, 1 veg, 1/2 fruit, 4 Fats (again I bet you will actually consume a lot less!)

Pecan Encrusted Salmon

Doesn't this recipe just sound yummy! And it is! This is one of my favorite Salmon recipes. And don't forget the Cranberry Spinach Salad- it's a perfect compliment to the meal!

Pecan Encrusted Salmon

Go here for the recipe.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 4 oz Salmon
Meal Plan: 375 Calories, 4 meats, 1 starch, 2.5 fats (good fat!)

I am going to serve this with a Cranberry Spinach Salad (recipe to follow)

Chicken and Dumplings

A couple of months ago the couple I cooked for requested chicken and dumplings. Although it is a stretch to call the selected recipe "healthy," this is the best way I could figure out how to have this classic "comfort food" without breaking the Calorie and fat budget. And talk about easy!!!

Chicken and Dumplings

4 skinless chicken breasts
2 Tbs Lite Butter
2 cans 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1 onion, finely diced
1 16oz can Grands Reduced Fat Biscuits

Place chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover. Cook for 5 - 6 hours on High. About 30-45 minutes before serving, place torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until dough is no longer raw in the center.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
Calories: 300
Meal Plan: 2 oz meat, 2.5 starches, 0.5 fats

I'm going to serve this with my spicy green beans.

Mealtime Monday

I'm pretty excited about this week's meals. If you read my late post from last night you know that I actually cheated and cooked last night because I have a busy day planned for today. So I am happy to report to you with confidence you can prepare all but 1 meal in 1 hour and 9 minutes. I think I could have been done a lot sooner but I got distracted (see earlier post "Busted). Here is the schedule for storage and final preparations.


Monday: Pecan Encrusted Salmon with Cranberry Spinach Salad. I think this would have froze nicely but I wanted to go ahead and have it tonight. I went ahead and prepared Salmon and salad dressing so tonight all I will need to do is take Salmon out of fridge to bake and toss salad.


Tuesday: Spinach Lentil Soup. I put all but the water and olive oil in a freezer gallon size ziplock bag and placed in fridge. Tuesday morning I will add water and olive oil and let cook in crockpot all day on low.


Wednesday: Chicken and Dumplings. To prep all I did was place frozen chicken in a freezer ziplock and added all but the water and biscuits. I will store in fridge and then transfer contents of ziplock into crockpot Wed morning, add water and go.


Thursday: Southwest Eggrolls. I decided to have these this night because I wanted to experiment with freezing them. I followed recipe up to the "brush with butter" step. I placed in baking dish with foil over the top and placed them in the freezer. Thursday morning I will transfer to fridge and then brush with butter before baking.


Friday Night: Date Night- Valentines with DH


Saturday Night: Out Valentines with family


Sunday: Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches. I thought the bread would get too soggy if I went ahead and prepped the sandwiches. So, I plan to put these together on Saturday night- that way all I'll have to do is pop them in the oven after church. I don't think it will take longer then 5-10 minutes to make.

Mealtime Monday- accountability

Post your comment or link here if you are participating in Mealtime Monday this week!

Busted!

Ok, I decided last minute (were talking 10:30pm) to go ahead and do all my meal prep for the week tonight. Tomorrow is just packed full and I probably would have ended up robbing time away from the boys if I tried to fit the cooking in tomorrow. Soooo.... I had the kitchen to myself!!!

My whole family was sound asleep so I decided to make the most of my time alone and I dug out my ol' MP3 player so I could "listen" to music while I worked. I should have known better.....

One thing you should know is that I am not very technologically advanced so I only have 6 songs downloaded on my off brand MP3 player. I have listened to those 6 songs over and over for the last 3 years. My playlist includes:

• Adonai by Avalon (Christian)
• Pray by CeCe Winan (Christian)
• Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts (Country)
• Yeah! By Usher (Not Christian- I promise I don't sing along)
• Shackles by Mary Mary (Christian)
• Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts (Disney's Cars Soundtrack)

What a mix, I know. Well let me tell you- something happens to me when these songs play. I don't care if it is Pray or Yeah- I dance! I even do a ballet number to Adonai. You must remember, I was a very sheltered kid growing up and scared of boys so I never went to any school dances nor was I allowed to watch MTV- so I have no idea where my moves come from- but I get down!!! Now in my head, I belong on Dance Party but the few times I have actually performed my moves for myself in front of the mirror- let's just say I scare myself. For this reason I only perform when I'm alone or when I'm in the car. (Although I have never been able to see myself in the car- I think I actually have more rhythm when I'm sitting down). I have been caught a number of times by DH- needless to say my moves do not turn him on- I think he gets a little scared too!

So tonight- I was pumped to have the house to myself so I could dance uninhibited. And let me tell you I was teaching myself some pretty cool moves if I do say so myself- not sure "Usher" would want me for any of his music videos but I'm pretty sure I could do back-up for "New Kids on the Block". Unfortunately, I did not realize that I was also singing along with the music. I'm not sure how long DH stood in the doorway laughing at me before I finally noticed he was there, but once I did notice him I think I jumped 6ft off the ground and nearly dropped the salmon. Evidently he had been trying to get to sleep for the last 45 minutes and my singing was keeping him awake. Funny thing was I didn't even know I was singing!! Oh well.

Kroger Report

Grocery Game didn't post until after 9:30 last night so I didn't make it to Kroger until this afternoon. I wanted to pass on some of my favorite deals.


I did go ahead and get the case of Kroger Peanut Butter. Although it did have 3g of Saturated Fat it had zero trans fats- this was the same as the Jiff I already had it my pantry. Also had 7g of monounsaturated fat- that is GREAT! Final Price: $12 or $1 a jar.
My general rule is I don't like to pay over $1 for peanut butter.


I also got the case of cornbread at $7.92 or $0.33 per box. Although I have seen it priced this low before, I have never seen it lower. What in the world am I going to do with 24 boxes of cornbread!!!


I also did the Nascar promotion- If you buy 10 participating items you will get $3 off your bill. Make sure you watch for this because I noticed that I didn't get my $3 off although I had carefully calculated exactly 10 items so I just took my receipt to the counter and they happily refunded my $3. Always double check your receipt!!!


Grands Reduced Fat Biscuits (needed some for our Chicken Dumplings this week) on sale for $1.27 Used $0.25 from 12/14 SS and got $0.30 off for the Nascar promotion Final Price: $0.47
(if you do not have the 12/14 SS there has been other biscuit coupons for like $50 off 3 in other inserts)


Multigrain cheerios on sale 3 for $5
Use $.75 from recent coupons.com printout and $0.75 from Cellfire loadable coupons PLUS $0.30 off from the Nascar promotion Final Price: Free plus $0.13 in overages!!


Yoplait YoPlus Yogurt on sale $2
Use $1.50 printout from recent deal alert or go here to print if you haven't already, and use $1 from cellfire and shortcut loadable coupons! Final Price: FREE plus $1.50 in overages if buy 1 or $.50 overage for both if buy 2!


Oh and don't forget to use your $5 off February coupon in your Entertainment book!


I bought a lot more but these were my best deals. Come back Thrifty Thursday to see my final grocery bill and savings!

Sonday Sunday- Scripture Accountability

I'm so excited about how many people wanted to be a part of the scripture memorization accountability group! I am looking forward to reading the scriptures that you all have chosen. Thanks again for sharing and I can't wait to hear your stories about how the Lord has used your verse to speak to you throughout the week.

Sonday Sunday

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not lean on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5

I love the words ALL in this passage! Trust in the Lord with all your heart... Did you ever play that game where you had to close your eyes and let your partner lead you through an obstacle course? That is what I think about when I read this verse. My desire is to be so in tune with the Lord that I could just close my eyes and let him direct my every path. I want to have that kind of trust and faith that I could just walk blindly without trying to understand why He is taking me in the direction I'm going.

Seek his will in all you do.... I have no doubt I have walked down many a wrong path because I have not sought His will in all, or everything, I decide or do. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit would whisper this verse throughout my week at even the most seemingly insignificant crossroads so I can get in a habit of seeking His will in all I do. Just imagine how much more time I'll be spending in prayer and in His Word!