Day 19

Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)

Hands down, Mac n' Cheese. I love it when the kids request it for lunch. I miss Olympia because Ramblin' Jack's has the best mac n' cheese around. If one of the girls orders it at a restaurant, I have to try it. YUMMY! My second favorite comfort food is Oatmeal Raisen Chipper cookies - a cross between an oatmeal raisen and chocolate chip cookie. It's the PERFECT cookie.

THE LIST:

Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?

Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?

Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?

Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.

Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.

Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?

Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.

Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!

Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?

Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)

Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).

Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.

Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!

Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.

Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.

Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.

Day 18. Describe your personality.

Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)

Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.

Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)

Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.

Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

Day 24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?

Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.

Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?

Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!

Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.

Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)

Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?

Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!

Day 11

Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).

Totally planned on making this and taking pictures today, but, it didn't happen!! Oh well! It is super easy and I think you should go make some. Right now. I would, except everyone is in bed and I'd end up eating it all by myself.

Melissa's Caramel Popcorn

Pop popcorn (3 bags of microwave popcorn) and put into a clean, brown paper bag (I know, seems strange, but it totally works! and it makes for easy clean-up.)

1/4c. Karo Syrup
1/2c. Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 cube butter

Put above ingredients in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes on high. Remove and stir well and blended. Return to microwave and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove and add 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda and 1 tsp. Vanilla.

Mix caramel into bag of popcorn. Stir well with long-handled wooden spoon. Caramel is really hot! Close paper bag and microwave for 30 seconds. Pour into large bowl or cookie sheet and let cool 30 minutes. Enjoy!!

**I like lots of caramel and sometimes make 1.5x the caramel - super yummy!**



Yummmmmmm

I found a recipe for Browned Butter frosting and it is AMAZING! So, for Harper's birthday, I made lemon cupcakes (took the cheater way and used a boxed mix, but will do from scratch next time! I made 4 dozen cupcakes, so I had to save time somewhere!!), topped with the yummy frosting and added toasted coconut to finish. Soooooo good! I think I have to stop watching Cupcake Wars on Food Network!

Pretzel Jell-o

Ok, for those that have never had it - don't knock it until you have some! It is AMAZING and addicting! A family favorite in this house!!

Pretzel Jell-o Recipe

Crust

3 C. broken pretzels

3/4 C. melted butter

3 T. sugar

Mix together and press into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes, cool.

Filling

12oz cream cheese, softened

1 C powdered sugar

1 8oz tub Cool Whip

Beat cream cheese & sugar until smooth. Fold in cool whip and carefully spread over pretzel mixture.

Topping

1 6oz raspberry or strawberry jell-o

1 large pkg. frozen raspberries or strawberries

2 C. water

Dissolve jell-o in boiling water. Stir in frozen berries, stirring until jell-o begins to thicken. Spread over cool whip mixture in pan. Refrigerate until set. Cut into squares to serve.

Tasty Tuesday

So, my friend Melissa wanted to try something this year, Tasty Tuesday, as a way to share recipes that we are trying, family favorites, and our old stand-bys. I love the idea - I'm always looking for new recipes (we do Meat-Free Monday, so I'm definately looking for great vegetarian recipes) and I love to cook, so, I'm jumping on the band-wagon and sharing a recipe every week as well.

Red Bean and Quinoa Chili

Recipe from Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair. (my new favorite cookbook!!!)

This is a one-dish meal you can make in 45 minutes. Try serving it to guests – they’ll love it!

Ingredients
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp sea salt
1 large green pepper, chopped
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cayenne
2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed in warm water and drained
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
1 cup tomato sauce or canned tomatoes
1 cup water
1 15oz can kidney beans, drained

Garnish ingredients (optional)
Chopped cilantro
Low fat or non fat sour cream

Preparation

• Heat oil in skillet on medium heat.
• Add onion, salt, garlic, pepper and spices, saute for 5-10 minutes.
• Add rinsed quinoa and stir in.
• Add corn, tomato sauce or canned tomatoes and water to onion/quinoa mixture. Simmer together for 20 minutes.
• Add beans to other ingredients, simmer another 10 minutes.
• Top with cilantro and/or sour cream, if desired.

This is a great meat-free chili and Duffy didn't even miss the meat. We topped with avocado's and cheese as well.

New Favorite

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you have to try the new, organic bread from Green Earth Baking. My favorite, by far, is the 15 Grain but the whole wheat is fabulous too. It's hearty, chewy, has great flavor and is great for you! Check out their website too: http://www.greenearthbaking.com/

Recipes

Ok, so for awhile now, I've been thinking about posting some of my favorite recipes. I find myself wondering what to make for dinner (now that I'm home full-time, it's breakfast, lunch AND dinner) and I always ask others for ideas, so I figured I'd start posting recipes that I love, are crowd-pleasers or are just fun. So I'm going to start with what I made for dinner last night, since I had several requests from friends via Facebook last night!

California Pizza Kitchen's Thai Chicken Pizza

Ingredients:
***Dough*** (or any pre-made dough you like)
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

***Topping***
3 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter
3 tablespoons brewed tea
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons chili oil
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
2 teaspoons honey

2 tablespoon green onions
1/2 poundchicken breast, cut in 1/4-inch strips
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 carrot, shredded
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Directions:
For the dough: In a small bowl, dissolve the honey in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir until it dissolves. Let the yeast mixture stand for 5 minutes, until a layer of foam forms on the surface.

In a large bowl, combine the flour and the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the olive oil and the yeast mixture. Stir the flour into the wet ingredients, until all the flour is incorporated. If its too dry, add more water. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 15 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.

Shape the dough into a ball and put in a well-oiled bowl. Cover with a moist towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (about 1-1/2 hours).

For the topping: Combine peanut butter and next 7 ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth. Set aside.

In the meantime, season chicken strips with red pepper and salt. Sauté in 2 tablespoons olive oil, until done (about 7 minutes). Coat chicken with 2 tablespoons peanut sauce. Set aside in the refrigerator.

Punch the dough down, and divide into 2 equal portions. Roll out each portion into an 9-inch flat circle. Spread 1/4 cup peanut sauce over the surface of each of the doughs. Distribute 1/2 of the cheese over the sauce. Repeat with other pizza. Distribute 1/2 of the chicken and green onion over the cheese. Repeat with other pizza. Place the pizzas in the oven (on top of pizza stones). Bake until crust is crispy and cheese is bubbling (8-10 minutes). Remove pizzas from the oven and sprinkle each with carrot and cilantro.

I usually add a bit more cheese and chicken because we are eating it for a meal. I also add bean sprouts too!

Quick Lemon & Garlic Quinoa Salad

Quinoa has an excellent nutritional profile (10.5 grams of protein per cup). This unique whole grain, which was the staple food of the Incas, is also rich in calcium and iron. (from Feeding the Whole Family cookbook - AWESOME whole food recipes!)

Salad:
1 cup dry quinoa
1¾ cups water
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup carrots, chopped
1/3 cup parsley, minced
¼ cup sunflower seeds
Dressing:
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons tamari/shoyu/or soy sauce

Rinse quinoa with water and drain. Place rinsed quinoa, salt, and water in a 2-quart pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer 15-20 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Tip pan to the side to make sure all the water has been absorbed. Let stand for 5-10 minutes then fluff with a fork.

Prepare vegetables and dressing. Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl. Add carrots, seeds, and parsley to quinoa. Mix thoroughly. Combine garlic, lemon juice, oil and tamari or shoyu; pour over quinoa and toss well. Serve at room temperature or chilled.