keepin' busy

I can't believe it's only been one day since TJ left.... I'm not complaining. Just sayin'..... I have made a goal to stay busy and be productive. Hopefully this will make the time pass more quickly and keep the house and everything from becoming a disaster. Yesterday, my sister Michelle came over and hung out with Barrett and me. We went and bought an air popper to make yummy popcorn and then watched "Dispicable Me" and vegged out. I made sure to pick up the house before I went to bed. That is so hard for me! Today I even picked up during every nap! [Honestly, that will probably only last about a week ha!] I also made chicken tortilla soup yesterday! Oh man it is the best soup ever! No lie. I'll post the recipe soon.

Today, Barrett and I woke up early and hung out for a while. He's been pretty grumpy lately because he's got a runny nose and a baby cough. I can't complain about it this is really the first time he's even been "sick" and he's not even that sick. I really think all the fresh fruit and veggies that I make for him have built up his immune system! Anyway, after his nap we ran to wally world because I needed to get some calgon water softener. Barrett's cloth diapers have been more stinky lately and from what I've read online, that is normal with hard water. Unfortunately, the hard water cloth diaper detergent I had been using wasn't working hard enough to keep the funk away. So, with this wash, I did extra rinses using the calgon and they seem to smell much much much better! Thank goodness! I don't want to give that up!

Also, today I made Golden Yam Brownies! Talk about delish! :) MMMM :) And really they're super easy! I like them because they have lots of sweet potatoes in them so surely they're healthier than regular baked goods ya?!

They're not beautiful but seriously, they are amazing!

Golden Yam Brownies

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups peeled and finely shredded yams

First, you combine the butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Then you add the dry ingredients. Then gently fold in the yams. See? Easy peasy. :) You bake it in a 9x13" pan for about 30 minutes at 350. To make the glaze, you just combine 1 cup of powdered sugar, 2 tbsp of melted butter, and 2 tbsp of milk. It isn't the prettiest but it is very yummy. :)

The other thing I did today was juice about 40 oranges. When we went to Cali for my birthday, we brought home a big box full of oranges and I still had a ton that I wouldn't be able to finish on my own. So I decided to make fresh squeezed OJ. Talk about a great decision! Anyway, after I was done with that, I had a bunch of orange peels and remembered that I had seen a great way to make a natural cleanser. You take the peels and put them in a jar and then cover them with vinegar and let it sit for a while and TA-DA! you have a great smelling, hardworking cleaner. Wherever I saw that suggested using gallon jars (I think.... whatever the really big ones are) but I only had a couple quart jars so I just used those.

Don't mind the aluminum foil, I only had rings and no lids... So this will have to do....



Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

I am SO excited. I found a delicious recipe that TJ loves! He had two helpings for dinner tonight and made himself a "to-go" portion for work tomorrow! :) Here's the recipie:

Ingredients:4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs would be fine too)
Salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (could also use olive oil or canola oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - doesn't really add heat, just adds more flavor)
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

Directions:
Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot. In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened. Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.


*You can also sprinkle more red pepper flakes on top if you want more heat.
**I used Liquid Aminos instead of Soy Sauce. It's full of all sorts of amino acids so it's a bit healthier.

It was still delish even though I didn't have any garlic or real onions. I did use onion powder so at lease it got some flavor.... I also didn't have sesame seeds. STILL AMAZING! :)

Original Source

flax seed! how delightful!

Well, as you know, I've been trying to eat better and make better choices. Yesterday Barrett and I went to Draper with Steph to see Katie. She was telling us about how her and Dave have been eating {mostly} vegan and have been adding flax seed to their food. Have you ever had one of those "AH HA!" moments? I did. She reminded me about how awesome flax seed is! Then I came home and didn't really think much of it... But I decided to go grocery shopping at Sam's Club and guess what was sitting on the shelf beckoning me to take it home. FLAX SEED! So I did. :) This morning, Barrett and I had flax seed smoothies for breakfast and it was delightful! :) Would you like the recipe? OK!

• 1 cup of fruit (your choice)
• 1 cup of ice
• 1 cup of yogurt
• 3 tbsp flax seed
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

I used pineapple and orange (so it was more fruit) and I used Greek yogurt because I like it better. Yep, so tasty!

And here is Barrett enjoying his smoothie :) And yes I am a day late on my project52 photo but here it is anyway! Also, he has been getting up on his knees and scooting backwards. It kind of looks like the worm so I really need to get it on video... I will try!

Recipe anyone???

So the other night I made beefy BBQ macaroni. It's one of my favorite super easy delish meals! It also brings back lots of great memories with my aunt and uncle and their little girlies :) Anyway, I just thought I would share the recipe with you guys!

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
• 3/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon butter/margarine
• 1 cup cheese
• dash cayenne pepper

In a skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic; drain. Add macaroni, BBQ sauce, pepper, and cayenne; mix well. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter/margarine until melted. Stir in cheese and melt. Pour over macaroni mixture and combine. Add more cheese if you want!

This recipe is SUPER easy and delish! I love it this way but to make it a little healthier use ground turkey and whole wheat pasta. If you try it, let me know what you think!!! :)