Taco Bake

I just finished dinner- taco bake.  It was really good!  As I promised YFS, here is the recipe. http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=157947

I changed it a little.  I’m not a huge onion and pepper fan.  So, I substituted 1 of the tomato sauce cans with salsa instead- just enough pepper and onion for me.  I also used refried beans instead of pinto beans.  I had sour cream and tortilla chips on the table for anyone who wanted to top to their own taste.

Taco Bake-Weight Watchers Recipe

Poultry  Dinner 
Submitted by STACIARN01

Ingredients

 

1 lb lean ground turkey 1/2cup diced onion 1/2cup diced red/green pepper 1 8oz package Red Fat cresent rolls 1 can pinto beans,drained 1 pkt taco seasoning (red sodium) 2-8oz cans tomato sauce 1 cup fat free cheddar cheese

 

Directions

Preheat oven 375 deg Brown Turkey,onion,pepper,drain spray 9×13″ baking dish w/cooking spray.Unrol Cresent rolls.Pinch together to make crust.Bake for 6 min. Add tomato sauce,beans,and taco seasoning to beef:mix thoroughly. Top crust with meat mixture and bake an additional 10min. Top with cheese and bake an addtional 5 minutes. Yum!!! Makes 8 servings…….5pts each Number of Servings: 8 Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user STACIARN01. Number of Servings- 8

Living the Simple Life- Not Starting Out So Simple

     Inspired by several people close to me, I have started a process to make my life more simple and therefore, better.  Living in the busy chaos of life in these times seems to be unfulfilling at times.  So, maybe by going back to the way things used to be before my time- simple and focused- I can become more focused on the things I enjoy and have more time to spend with those I love.

     The first goal I had was to create a better budget system.  I used to do the envelope thing and I lovrd it.  Pretty much, at each payday, money gets put in each envelope which is designated for a certain thing- groceries, gas, entertainment, etc.- and then, when it’s gone for the week, it’s gone.  I loved this system because after the initial planning and aside from the weekly “stuffing the envelopes”, there is no thnking involved.  I know how much was spent or not spent and I know where the money goes each week.  Unfortunately, my dh didn’t really get into this system when I tried it after we got married.  But, thanks to his friends recommending it to him and the book by Dave Ramsey, My Total Money Makeover, we are trying it again.  This is week one.  We started Friday with my paycheck and the begining of the month.  it seemed to be the perfect time.  The only problem was my dh was having pizza cravings and cheap pizza just wouldn’t do.  So, $30 later, he had pizza- from a place he loves and I don’t like- and our envelopes were already off.  Trying to relax and understand this is going to be a hard thing to get used to, I wasn’t very successful at.  But, by later that evening, I had refigured the weekly envelopes to add up.  We’ll see how the rest of the week goes!

I just spent $20 on groceries for the week- $10 less than our budget due to the pizza.  When I make out a menu and really plan the list, I’m amazed that I can have well balanced, good meals every day for very little money.  When I don’t plan ahead, it’s amazing how much I spend on the junk I end up buying!  This week we are having chicken in the crock pot, burritos, spaghetti, pot pies, and taco bake casserole. 

The next project for the day is what I am sitting here writing to procrastinate for.  My cousing had the idea to eliminate so much laundry and clutter by limiting the amount of clothing for everyone in the house.  I am not that brave since I have to go to work every day and need to wear different clothes.  Also, I am not worried about the amount of laundry I contribute.  My son on the other hand has two very bad habits.  The first is that he would rather put clean clothes back in the laundry than folding them and putting them away.  This is one of my biggest pet peaves!  The second is that whenever he gets something out to wear, he gets every single thing out of his drawers!  I mean everything!  And, then it all gets thrown in a pile on the floor where it stays until we have to yell at him to clean his room.  So, by giving him only a fewn options of clothing, there will be a smaller pile on his floor and he will be forced to put it away or else have nothing to wear!  I am hoping this works!

My other project for the day is to update my son’s school work.  Usually this time of year, I am not in charge of his school.  But, due to my dh having heart surgery, he has not been keepng up with it.  So, today I am going to make sure things are on track and plan for this week of school.  It will be a review week- which we have periodically to make sure he is retaining the information.  Also, at the begining of the year I created our book of goals for the year and I really need to start checking them off.  I know some of them have been accomplished and others should have been accomplished and I really need to regain my focus on his studies.  Pretty soon, it will be springtime and school will not be as easy then- too many distractions!

Focusing on taking better care of myself is on the list.  But, as most of you mom’s know, it usually doesn’t ever make it to the top of the list.  I hear people always saying you should take time out for yourself.  But, what do I take that time out of?  I get up and go to work early.  No high maintenance or prep time for me, it’s usually the get up and go look.  So, doing anything in the morning only takes time out of sleeping.  Does that sound like a good idea?  I’m thinking no.  But, then there’s the evening when I get home.  Ok.  I admit it.  I’m lucky to get dinner made before I colapse for the night!  But, I guess that seems to be my only option.  But, it just seems that since I come home so tired, I am setting myself up to fail by planning to excercise then.  But, I’ll keep you posted.   

I had thought several weeks ago about having weekly goals to accomplish.  Two weeks ago, they were to eat at the table more and to play games more as a family- or at least with my son.  I’m making an effort on both of these but fell a little short this week and didn’t make any new ones for last week.  This upcoming week here are my goals.  Although they sound easy, sometimes, they are not easy in my world.

Goal 1- excercise 3 times this week

Goal 2- keep up with schoolwork checking

Goal 3- continue the first goals- dinner time 3 times a week and game time at least once

So, I believe these are all good things- things to make life easier.  But, getting them started- making myself do them- sometimes seems to be a hurdle I’m not too sure about!  

My New Project

Last week, I started a new project at work.  I’m really excited about it because, along with getting to do something I love, I also think it will be a great asset to my company.  Since most people I know find everything online, we are creating a new website and I will be writing a food blog to go along with the site.  So, if you want to check out some great healthy eating sites, some great recipe sites, and some health related sites, they will be linked on my other site.  Along with the info links, I will be writing about new food trends, fun seasonal food and entertaining ideas, upcoming events at our stores, or whatever comes to mind- well not whatever!

Here’s the link- http://alslakeshore.wordpress.com/ !  Tell me what you think.  I’m anxious to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly! 

I am putting a permanent link on the right of my blog under Home and Family Sites so you can find me there anytime! 

Autumn Goodies- Treats Without Tricks

With fall comes the change in temperature, the changing of the leaves, and Halloween.  With Halloween only a few days away, here are some fun ideas for some sweet treats!

My favorite Halloween treat is a yummy cake made to look like a pumpkin.  It’s really easy and really does look like a pumpkin.  All you need is a bundt cake pan, two yellow cake mixes, and white frosting mixed with orange food coloring.  Make both cake mixes in the bundt pan.  After they cool, put the flat sides of both cakes together using some frosting to hold them in place.  Then, frost with your orange frosting.  You can frost using a knife or spatula in an upward motion to make the lines on the pumpkin.  Use whatever candies you would like to decorate the face of the pumpkin.  Some ideas I’ve used are candy corn, gumdrops, or chocolate kisses. 

For an extra fun time, before putting the two cakes together, put in a few surprises- spider rings, toy skeletons, etc.  Your family and friends will love it- after they realize they aren’t real!

Looking for something a little more healthy?  This is a great time for making apple crisp.  There are some really good mixes that make it really easy.  Calhoun Bend Apple Cinnamon Mix is great. 

Just slice up the apples, put them in your baking dish, and follow the mix directions.  In a few minutes, you have a yummy apple crisp.  I’ve even had it made in the microwave and it still tasted really good!

Be sure to check all candy before your kids dive into thier treasures.  If you think anything looks suspicious or anything is unwrapped, get rid of it.  The other good thing about making sure you check the candy first is that then you get to grab all the good stuff!  Do you really want them to have all of that?  You’re really just helping them out.

Daily Top 10

1. Saw IV
2. Eagles
3. Marie Osmond
4. Healthy Recipes for Kids
5. Dementia
6. Princess Diana
7. MDA Telethon
8. Gwen Stefani
9. Stranglehold
10. Thomas Jones

I am always entertained by watching what other people are looking for.  So, I decided to start sharing my amusement with you.  I am sometimes saddened and disturbed by what people are looking for.  Sometimes I am surprised since I have no clue what the search is for.  Really, the only thing that surprises me about this one is that Princess Diana only rated 6.  It seems that 10 years later, to many she is still being mourned a great deal- and also is the talk of many gossip magazines.  I’m also surprised so many people on yahoo would be searching the word stranglehold.  I will definitely be on the lookout in the near future for suspicious strangleholders lurking!  On a positive note, it’s good to see healthy recipes for kids right up there on the list.  The reports just came out for children’s health and obesity and it wasn’t good!

While I’m on the subject, here’s a link to another blog I have found very amusing lately.   http://rowdyrodi.wordpress.com/2007/08/30/seriously/ She recently wrote about the strange searches that led people to her blog.  I have had some strange experiences myself.  But, this one tops them all!  Who searches for this crazy stuff?