Fun and quick snacks

This was very good, and I plan to make it again. The only thing I think I would change is maybe the fruit? I am not sure. I used dried cherries, and it didn't taste good to me. I may have baked it too long, or just don't like dried cherries. I have another recipe for Home made granola cluster crunch. I might try that one next.

Home made granola

4 c. oats
1 c. wheat germ
2/3 c. coconut (sunflower seeds)
1/2 t. salt (not optional)
2/3 c. almonds
-----------------------------
1/2 c. maple syrup
6 T. flavorless oil (I use canola)
4 T. warm water
1 1/2 t. almond extract

2/3 c. dried cherries (cranberries are good too)

Preheat oven to 275. Spray a cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) with cooking spray. Combine ingredients from oats to almonds in a large bowl. Combine the wet ingredients and warm in the microwave. Pour over the oat mixture. Mix well. Spread on the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Stir and add the cherries. Bake an additional 20-30 minutes until golden brown.

You can substitute any flavorings and dried fruit that you like. You can leave out the coconut or substitute in some sunflower seeds. Experiment around with the basic formula.

=====================================
This is really good, and made quite a bit! I have a few bags in my freezer now :).

Chex® Muddy Buddies®

Another popular name for this favorite mix is "puppy food". Chow down; it's doggone good!

Prep Time:15 min
Start to Finish:15 min
Makes:18 servings (1/2 cup each)

WW Points = 6

Serving size 1/2 Cup
Cals: 255
Fat: 13.1
Fiber: 1.9

Ingredients:
9 cups Chex® cereal (any variety)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanuts

Preparation Directions:
1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, stir together chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Microwave uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Stove-Top Directions: Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. In 1-quart saucepan, heat chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
8 months ago
Source(s):

A voting funnny!

This is a funny NC go vote ad.

BaRock the house

With only 10 days left until the election, Barack held the first of three rallies on October 25, 2008 at for 1,100 folks at Peccole Park at the University of Nevada.

Feed the hungry

http://www.freerice.com Check it out. You can increase your brain power and feed people at the same time.

Potato Kielbasa skillet

This was pretty good and I will likely make it again. The nutrition info below might be slightly different because I edited this recipe. Instead of green pepper I used crinkle frozen zucchnini. Instead of regular kielbasa, I used turkey kielbasa. I sliced half an onion adding the first half, after boiling ten minutes I added the other so it would still be slightly crunchy.

I would use less water if I made this again. I might start with 3/4 of a cup.


SERVES 4
Source

Ingredients
5 large potatoes, cut in bite sized chunks
1 lb kielbasa, sliced
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups shredded American cheese

Directions

1.In dutch oven, brown potatoes, kielbasa, onion and peppers in oil.
2.Add seasonings and water.
3.Bring to a boil.
4.Cover tightly and cook for 20 minutes on low, stirring occasionally.
5.Uncover and put cheese on top.
6.Simmer until cheese is melted

Nutrition Facts

WW POINTS = 6
Calories: 268
Fat: 14.5
Cholesterol: 32.5
Carbohydrates: 24
Sodium: 591
dietary fiber: 2.8

Chicken .. it's whats for dinner

My mother in law gave us this recipe a long time ago. It is a constant in our dinner rotation. I have no idea how many points are in it, but I would guess probably no more than 7. I usually serve with canned green beans for a easy kick back dinner night.

I do not add the pimentos, but I add a can of sliced, drained mushrooms instead.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 90 minutes

4 chicken thighs
1 13 3/4 oz Swanson Can chicken broth
1 package long grain wild rice mix
1 cream mushroom soup (do not dilute)
1/2 cup of water or white wine
1 small can mushrooms (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
small jar pimentos (optional)

Combine rice (not the season packet), broth, soup, pimentos if used, and water.

Pour mixture into large (13x9x2) baking dish. Place washed & trimmed thighs which have been lightly salted and peppered on top of mixture.

Bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours at 350 degrees. Stir rice mix around about 1/2 way through cooking time. (Baking dish and chicken do not have to be removed from oven when stirring).

This dish should be moist and rice tender.


Hint: Leave some chicken thigh skin on to keep meat moist.

*Freezes well.

Yield: 4 servings

The great washer debacle of 2008

Alert! Don't read any further if you have a weak stomach


Let me start by saying, we are NOT filthy people. My home is not spotless, but it is no where near filth either.

I just experienced one of the top most disgusting moments of my life. Yup, I can pretty much put this right up there with poop, puke, and well let your imagination fill in the rest. After 2 kids, cleaning dog, cat, people puke / poop there isn't much that makes me sick. THIS however was enough to send me almost running for the McPotty.

This all started about two weeks ago. Our washer broke. We had a repair man come fix it a few days later. My washer is the front loading style, so it has a rubber seal all the way around on the front. A shock broke on the bottom, causing the center drum to drop. This turned that seal almost inside out. I noticed that the seal was slimy on one side. I thought maybe at first this was part of the reason the washer was broken.

Fast forward to today. I was pulling out some towels and I noticed the seal was pulling out with the fabric. I saw the seal turn inside out and it jogged my memory from the week before.

I grabbed a lysol wipe off the washer, pulled back the seal and almost retched at what I saw. It basically looked like someone shit in the liner.

I used at least half a tub of lysol wipes, and an old towel wiping out the gunk.

I am running the washer right now empty with Tide with bleach, and some vinigar. Hopefully this will kill any left over germs. Don't worry! I threw the towel away in a plastic bag with all the other wipes.

After dousing myself in lysol, and taking several deep breaths, I went online and found this article.

Gross Washer article

See this liner? This is basically what mine looked like.



Basically the referenced article says If you don't run a maintenance wash with bleach additive once a month with no clothes, your washer could grow slim and black mold. Wow, that is so freaking awesome! NOT. Make sure to leave the door open when not in use as well.

Ironically, we have been worried our basement had mold in it, because it flooded too. Maybe this whole time it was because we were washing our clothes in a dirty washer haha.

If you have weak stomach, don't look at these pictures I am posting here>>>>

I think I will need a drink tonight.

Weekend confession

It is said that confession is good for the soul. Maybe it will turn out to be good for my butt size too.

Yesterday I indulged in Carl's Jr. I have not had Carl's in years. I must say it was delicious.

Guacamole Bacon burger (six dollar version)
Calories: 1140 (Oh my god)
Fat: 85 (double omg)
Fiber: 6 grams (not bad)
Points = 29 ::Sob::

Medium Fry
Calories: 710
Fat:33
Fiber: 5
Points = 16

Diet coke:
Calories: 0
Fat:0
Fiber:0
Points = 0

Total points (gulp) = 45

Luckily for me I only ate breakfast and this yesterday. It is pretty safe to say I won't be eating this for a long while. I should have followed the golden rule and checked the points BEFORE going.

I love using (Dotties weight loss zone). There is a huge area with restaurants and menu nutrition.

Here is the really bad news. Today I also had Chinese food, trail mix, and home made chicken noodle soup. I will not be surprised if this week is a scratch on the weight loss.

Cat eats with fork and chopsticks?

WHAT???

Tried: Fiber One Brown sugar pastry

I had to run into the store last night, and while I was waiting for my script, I came upon a new Fiber one product. I love me some Ooey goey Pop tart goodness, but they are serious point killers. It's 5 points for one, and you know when they package them in two you want to eat both!

Ok Fiber One, I really .. really ... really love you. I did not like these as much as I love some of the other Fiber One products. They are good, but not great. They should rename these to "Poop Tarts" with all that fiber in them.

Fiber One Brown sugar cinnamon Toaster Pastry

WW Points = 3

190 calories
4 g fat
140 mg sodium
36 g carbs
5 g fiber
16 g sugar

Kellogs Brown sugar cinnamon Toaster Pastry

WW Points = 5

Total Fat 7 g 11%
Sat. Fat 2.5 g 13%
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 170 mg 7%
Total Carbs. 34 g 11%
Dietary Fiber 0.5 g 2%
Sugars 16 g
Protein 2 g
Calcium 0 mg

Drivers rant

I am always amazed at the stupidity I see constantly on the road. Tonight on my way to the store, I passed a man allowing his small child to ride in the car with his head sticking up OUT the sun roof. The child was obviously not in a car seat, was in the front seat, and clearly to young to be. Sure, he was on a side road, but things happen. Can you imagine how he would feel if he did get in a accident? Good grief.

All I could do was pass by him with my mouth wide open.

Garlic Fries

These are REALLY nummy. My family loved them, and I will be making them again.

Cooking Light
Best Potato Dish. An enormously popular story with readers, "Out of the Frying Pan Into the Oven" appeared in April 2002. In it we lightened many popular and traditionally fat-laden foods. These fries stand out. First, they're roasted at high heat until crisp and golden. Then you toss them in melted butter, shredded Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley for a tasty finishing touch. --Recipe by Elaine Magee (April 2002)

Yield

6 servings

Ingredients
4 teaspoons canola oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 pounds peeled baking potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons butter
8 garlic cloves, minced (about 5 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°.
Combine first 3 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag, tossing to coat. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning after 20 minutes.
Place butter and garlic in a large nonstick skillet, and cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add potatoes, parsley, and Parmesan cheese to pan; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

WW Points = 5

Nutritional Information
Calories: 256 (27% from fat)
Fat: 7.7g (sat 3.3g,mono 2g,poly 2g)
Protein: 5.9g
Carbohydrate: 42.3g
Fiber: 3.5g
Cholesterol: 12mg
Iron: 1.9mg
Sodium: 386mg
Calcium: 55mg

Rocky Mountain Ramen

I love Ramen noodles, let me count the ways. ::I can hear you gagging from here::

What makes Ramen noodles even better? Adding some boiled eggs. That's right, boiled eggs I said.

My dad showed me this little trick when I was a kid, and I have been eating them that way forever. This is one of my comfort foods.

Rocky Mountain Ramen (I am missing a picture for now stupid server).

Warning! Not weight watchers friendly.

1 package Ramen Noodles
2 Boiled eggs

Mix all together in a bowl, and enjoy!

Rock the vote!

If you do one thing this year, VOTE. Make a stake in your future, your childrens future.

 



From the "desk" of Obama
Friend --

The last day to register to vote in Utah is next Monday, October 6th.

Are you registered? Are your friends and family?

If you only forward one email to your friends, family, and neighbors today -- make it this one.

Each and every vote in Utah is absolutely crucial to victory on Election Day.

Visit VoteForChange.com, our one-stop voter registration website, and register before the Utah deadline.

Supporters like you have built the biggest grassroots movement in the history of American politics.

But in just 8 days, the time for bringing new voices into the political process will be over.

You need to be certain that you, your friends, and your family are registered by the deadline -- it's a small step that will have a huge impact on our Election Day results.

This election is too important to leave anything to chance. Make sure your voice is heard -- and forward this email to all the Utahns you know.

Thanks,

Barack

Speedy Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas

This is a pretty tasty, fairly quick dinner to make. I don't make it exactly as below, and I have not run my version through a recipe calculator. I doubt it is much different from the point value below though. I only eat one Enchilada usually, because I tend to build mine to big.

I add sliced, canned Olives over the top of the Sour cream, and I spoon refried beans onto the corn tortillas with the chicken and cheese mixture.

This is kid and husband approved :)

(I use left overs from another recipe for the roast chicken) Rotisserie chicken and prechopped vegetables make this a quick casserole.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 2 enchiladas, 1 tablespoon sour cream, and 1 tablespoon cilantro)

Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 cup prechopped white onion
1 cup prechopped bell pepper
1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso)
2 cups chopped skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast (about 8 ounces)
1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded, reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation
Preheat broiler.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and pepper; sauté 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add enchilada sauce; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.

Combine chicken, 3/4 cup of cheese, and cumin, tossing well.

Wrap tortillas in paper towels; microwave at high 30 seconds or until warm. Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture in center of each tortilla; roll up. Place tortillas, seam sides down, in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour sauce mixture over enchiladas; broil 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese evenly over enchiladas, and broil for 1 minute or until cheese melts. Serve with sour cream and cilantro.

Nutritional Information
WW POINTS = 7 (for 2 enchiladas)
Calories: 364 (27% from fat)
Fat: 10.9g
(sat 4.9g,mono 2.9g,poly 1.4g
Protein: 29.7g
Carbohydrate: 37.2g
Fiber: 4.1g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Iron: 1.7mg
Sodium: 701mg
Calcium: 339mg