It's been awhile since I updated, but that's mostly just because my computer is still broken and I feel bad spending too much time on Dayne's computer since it's in the bedroom, and the cats aren't allowed in there. So if I'm in here too long, they meow and scratch at the door.
In any case, there were a couple new recipes that I tried awhile ago, but neither of them were very noteworthy. One of them was honey-rosemary chicken (which was... okay, I don't know if I'll try it again, though). The other was a crispy onion chicken, which I liked because it's made with French Fried onions - however, next time I try it, I will need to make just enough for one meal, because it doesn't stay crispy very well.
Other than that, I've made the Honey-Baked chicken a few more times, since Dayne really likes it. I've also done hogies again and the Sweet and Sour Pork chops again. I will need to start trying more new ones again, but right now I'm sticking to ones I've done before because then we still have most of the ingredients and it's cheaper for grocery shopping.
Nothing really exciting happened in March that I can remember (I am just now realizing that I haven't posted in over a month), but the first week of April my friend Celina flew in for a few days over Easter. And I picked her up from the airport ALL BY MYSELF! It was my first time driving on the highway/freeway/whateverway and it was all by myself because Dayne had work. Thank goodness for TomTom or else I would have been so lost.
Anyway, on Friday we took her to the Inner Harbor and went to the Baltimore Aquarium - which was fun for me, too, because I had never been there either. And then we walked to the Basilica that she wanted to see, since it was in the area. That night we went to Medieval Times for dinner, which was SO MUCH FUN! Our knight didn't win, though, which was sad. Saturday we went to DC to show her the monuments and check out the Cherry Blossom Festival. Sunday was Easter, which we went to Dayne's parents house for, and then Monday she had to fly back.
These last two weeks I was baaaaaad with my points, too. I knew I was going to be while she was out here, but it was then hard for me to get back into the swing of things. This week, I seem to be back on track, so hopefully I can get rid of the few pounds I gained over the past two weeks.
I might be starting a nannying job soon - I go to meet the family on Saturday, though I'm still not sure at what time. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, since it won't just be childcare... they also want me to help keep their home tidy. It's not a problem, but I just worry that they are expecting more from me than I can do and I don't want to disappoint. Oh well, no sense in worrying about it right now!
Now maybe if I keep this blog up to date, my posts won't be so long.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Another winner! And the left overs are so very tempting
The slow cooker has easily become one of my favorite kitchen appliances, even though I've only used it twice. Granted, I had to wake up at 5 in the morning to ensure that the pulled pork would be done before 9 pm. The great thing, though, is that I just had to put the pork in the crock pot, set it on low heat and the timer for 12 hours, and then go back to bed. And oh boy, it was WELL worth it. I'm glad it turned out, because it's one of Dayne's favorites.
It was not so good for my Weight Watchers, though... it's 11 points per serving, and it was so good I had two. I don't feel guilty anymore about using my weekly points, since they're there for a reason, but now I only have 10 of them left for the rest of the week, so I'll need to be careful. But anyway, like usual, here's the recipe:
Pulled Pork
2 1/2 lbs pork loin, trimmed of any fat
1 tsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
8 hamburger buns or hard rolls
1 14-oz bottle of your favorite bbq sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1. Place the pork roast in the Crock-Pot slow cooker and cook on low for 10-12 hours or on high for 5-6 hours.
2. Remove the pork roast from the stoneware, and pull the meat into shredded pieces. Pour out any liquid in the stoneware, and combine pork with the remaining ingredients in the stoneware (We used KC Masterpiece Hickory Brown Sugar for the bbq sauce). Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
3. Serve the barbecued pulled pork on hamburger buns or hard rolls. (We used potato buns, and it was really tasty)
The hardest part of this recipe was being in the apartment while it was cooking and smelling it all day. It smelt SO good - especially once all the rest of the ingredients were added, and that was when I was started to get hungry, too.
If anyone has any good slow cooker recipes, I'd love to get them. I don't really like red meat and I don't like cheese, but other than that I'm open to suggestions (and even recipes with either of those would be fine, too, because Dayne likes both).
Other than that, nothing is really going on other than needing to use Dayne's computer because mine isn't working currently. Oh well! Life goes on.
It was not so good for my Weight Watchers, though... it's 11 points per serving, and it was so good I had two. I don't feel guilty anymore about using my weekly points, since they're there for a reason, but now I only have 10 of them left for the rest of the week, so I'll need to be careful. But anyway, like usual, here's the recipe:
Pulled Pork
2 1/2 lbs pork loin, trimmed of any fat
1 tsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
8 hamburger buns or hard rolls
1 14-oz bottle of your favorite bbq sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1. Place the pork roast in the Crock-Pot slow cooker and cook on low for 10-12 hours or on high for 5-6 hours.
2. Remove the pork roast from the stoneware, and pull the meat into shredded pieces. Pour out any liquid in the stoneware, and combine pork with the remaining ingredients in the stoneware (We used KC Masterpiece Hickory Brown Sugar for the bbq sauce). Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
3. Serve the barbecued pulled pork on hamburger buns or hard rolls. (We used potato buns, and it was really tasty)
The hardest part of this recipe was being in the apartment while it was cooking and smelling it all day. It smelt SO good - especially once all the rest of the ingredients were added, and that was when I was started to get hungry, too.
If anyone has any good slow cooker recipes, I'd love to get them. I don't really like red meat and I don't like cheese, but other than that I'm open to suggestions (and even recipes with either of those would be fine, too, because Dayne likes both).
Other than that, nothing is really going on other than needing to use Dayne's computer because mine isn't working currently. Oh well! Life goes on.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Another food post (hee hee)
Last night I made Hot Hogie Sandwiches, and they tasted pretty good, but I did not do so well with following the recipe in the cookbook. Here it is:
Hot Hogie Sandwich
1 can tender chunk ham, chicken, or turkey, flaked
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp. chopped onion
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 loaf French bread
6 oz grated Chedder cheese
Combine first 6 ingredients. Slice bread lengthwise, butter bread and spread with meat mixture. Cover with cheese and garnish with green pepper and black olives if desired. Broil until cheese is bubbly. Serves 3-4.
At least, that is how is it in the book. When I made it, I had to substitute sour cream for more mayo because ours was frozen (long story short, we turned the fridge to the coldest setting when we got all the snow, to keep things from spoiling just encase we lost power, and some things froze) AND it was expired. Also, when I did my grocery shopping, for the life of me, I could not find any parsley that wasn't still planted in a pot of dirt, so I replaced that with basil from off my spice rack (which added some really nice flavor, if I do say so myself). Since I usually pick the cheese off mine when someone else makes it, I only put cheese on Dayne's half and not mine. But mine had black olives, and his didn't.
All in all it was pretty tasty, even though I forgot to drain the can of chicken, and it was, perhaps, a little soggy rather than crispy. But I learned my lesson. My half of the bread was 24 points (which is acutally two 12 points servings). I, perhaps, should not have eaten the whole thing in one sitting, since I ended up going over my daily points by 11 and using some of my weekly points. But I hadn't eaten lunch, and I was hungry.
Tomorrow I'll be making Pulled Pork for dinner, and I'll be getting THAT started at like... 6 in the morning because it'll take anywhere between 12-14 hours in the crock pot. I'm rather excited, though, because this is something that Dayne LOOOOOVES, so hopefully I do a good job on it.
I didn't do so well with the 30 Day Shred yesterday - I only did the first ten minutes and then skipped to the cool down. I'm not sure why, but I just wasn't feeling up to it. I think it's partly since I didn't lose any inches for any of my measurements, and I had actually gained a pound. The gain could just have been from building muscle, but it was a little discouraging since I busted my butt AND I did well staying within my points all week. But oh well. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll try it again then.
I apologize that all I seem to be posting about lately is recipe's, but life is pretty uneventful right now - which isn't always a bad thing. I need to start applying some more places, since I didn't get the job at GBMC. It would have been nice, but I guess I'm not too heartbroken about it.
Hot Hogie Sandwich
1 can tender chunk ham, chicken, or turkey, flaked
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp. chopped onion
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 loaf French bread
6 oz grated Chedder cheese
Combine first 6 ingredients. Slice bread lengthwise, butter bread and spread with meat mixture. Cover with cheese and garnish with green pepper and black olives if desired. Broil until cheese is bubbly. Serves 3-4.
At least, that is how is it in the book. When I made it, I had to substitute sour cream for more mayo because ours was frozen (long story short, we turned the fridge to the coldest setting when we got all the snow, to keep things from spoiling just encase we lost power, and some things froze) AND it was expired. Also, when I did my grocery shopping, for the life of me, I could not find any parsley that wasn't still planted in a pot of dirt, so I replaced that with basil from off my spice rack (which added some really nice flavor, if I do say so myself). Since I usually pick the cheese off mine when someone else makes it, I only put cheese on Dayne's half and not mine. But mine had black olives, and his didn't.
All in all it was pretty tasty, even though I forgot to drain the can of chicken, and it was, perhaps, a little soggy rather than crispy. But I learned my lesson. My half of the bread was 24 points (which is acutally two 12 points servings). I, perhaps, should not have eaten the whole thing in one sitting, since I ended up going over my daily points by 11 and using some of my weekly points. But I hadn't eaten lunch, and I was hungry.
Tomorrow I'll be making Pulled Pork for dinner, and I'll be getting THAT started at like... 6 in the morning because it'll take anywhere between 12-14 hours in the crock pot. I'm rather excited, though, because this is something that Dayne LOOOOOVES, so hopefully I do a good job on it.
I didn't do so well with the 30 Day Shred yesterday - I only did the first ten minutes and then skipped to the cool down. I'm not sure why, but I just wasn't feeling up to it. I think it's partly since I didn't lose any inches for any of my measurements, and I had actually gained a pound. The gain could just have been from building muscle, but it was a little discouraging since I busted my butt AND I did well staying within my points all week. But oh well. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll try it again then.
I apologize that all I seem to be posting about lately is recipe's, but life is pretty uneventful right now - which isn't always a bad thing. I need to start applying some more places, since I didn't get the job at GBMC. It would have been nice, but I guess I'm not too heartbroken about it.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tonight, it was Sweet and Sour Pork Chops
I have been super excited for this recipe since we bought the pork chops for it this last weekend. It was another success, so this is another one I'll be making again - plus it's really simple. Like last time, here's the recipe for it:
Sweet and Sour Pork Chops:
1 (8 0z.) can Crushed Pineapple (undrained)
1/3 c. Finely Chopped Onion
1 c. Honey Barbecue sauce
1/4 c. Chili sauce
4 Bone-in Pork Chops (about 3/4 inch thick)
Combine all ingredients except pork chops. Spray inside of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Pour 1/2 of the mixture into slow cooker. Top with pork chops and cover chops with remaining sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4 1/2 - 5/12 hours.
We didn't buy the pork chops with the bone in, but I don't think it effected anything. Although, Dayne says that the bone is sometimes where a good deal of flavor comes from, so maybe next time we'll get the pork chops with the bone in to see if there really is any difference. For anyone doing Weight Watchers, this was 5 points per serving (figuring that each chop is one serving).
Speaking of Weight Watchers, I think I've decided to up my goal weight. Starting out, it was set at 110 - but that was back before I got married. Since then, I've decided to set a different goal for myself - which is just to be more healthy. According to the BMI (which I know is total bunk, but there isn't really anything else to go from) the heaviest I should weigh for my height is 124, so as long as I'm in the healthy weight limit, I'll be happy. So I decided to set it for 120 instead.
Anyone who's looked at my Facebook (which, chances are, is most of anyone reading this) already knows that I've also started doing a work out video called Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. With this regiment, you're supposed to do level 1 for ten days, level two for ten days, and then level 3 for 10 days. I do plan to do this, but I am also pacing myself. Technically, you're supposed to do it every day - I'm only doing it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, just so I'm getting a good 20 minutes work out at least three days a week. Although, since the strength portion was my weakness, I have also decided to do a few strength exercises on the mornings I don't do the video. My physician has told me on my last two visits that I need to get into an exercise routine, so when I see her again in three months, hopefully she'll be happy.
During these next three months, I'll also be taking a prescription Vitamin D supplement. Last week when I went in for my check up, I had mentioned being really tired lately, so they tested my Vitamin D. Apparently, your levels should be at around 30... mine was at 17. So when I go back, they'll check it again, and hopefully it will be back to normal, and hopefully I won't be so dang tired anymore.
That's all for now!
Sweet and Sour Pork Chops:
1 (8 0z.) can Crushed Pineapple (undrained)
1/3 c. Finely Chopped Onion
1 c. Honey Barbecue sauce
1/4 c. Chili sauce
4 Bone-in Pork Chops (about 3/4 inch thick)
Combine all ingredients except pork chops. Spray inside of slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Pour 1/2 of the mixture into slow cooker. Top with pork chops and cover chops with remaining sauce. Cover and cook on low for 4 1/2 - 5/12 hours.
We didn't buy the pork chops with the bone in, but I don't think it effected anything. Although, Dayne says that the bone is sometimes where a good deal of flavor comes from, so maybe next time we'll get the pork chops with the bone in to see if there really is any difference. For anyone doing Weight Watchers, this was 5 points per serving (figuring that each chop is one serving).
Speaking of Weight Watchers, I think I've decided to up my goal weight. Starting out, it was set at 110 - but that was back before I got married. Since then, I've decided to set a different goal for myself - which is just to be more healthy. According to the BMI (which I know is total bunk, but there isn't really anything else to go from) the heaviest I should weigh for my height is 124, so as long as I'm in the healthy weight limit, I'll be happy. So I decided to set it for 120 instead.
Anyone who's looked at my Facebook (which, chances are, is most of anyone reading this) already knows that I've also started doing a work out video called Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. With this regiment, you're supposed to do level 1 for ten days, level two for ten days, and then level 3 for 10 days. I do plan to do this, but I am also pacing myself. Technically, you're supposed to do it every day - I'm only doing it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, just so I'm getting a good 20 minutes work out at least three days a week. Although, since the strength portion was my weakness, I have also decided to do a few strength exercises on the mornings I don't do the video. My physician has told me on my last two visits that I need to get into an exercise routine, so when I see her again in three months, hopefully she'll be happy.
During these next three months, I'll also be taking a prescription Vitamin D supplement. Last week when I went in for my check up, I had mentioned being really tired lately, so they tested my Vitamin D. Apparently, your levels should be at around 30... mine was at 17. So when I go back, they'll check it again, and hopefully it will be back to normal, and hopefully I won't be so dang tired anymore.
That's all for now!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
For the first time
I finally cooked a meal for Dayne and I! I had been making us meals, but it was usually just Rice A Roni or Ramen or something equally simple. But tonight I tried a recipe from my family's cook book, and I'm so glad I did! It was DELICIOUS. For anyone that wants to try it, here it is:
HONEY-BAKED CHICKEN
3 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breast, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2/3 cup honey
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. curry powder
Place chicken pieces in ungreased 13"x9" baking dish. Combine all other ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Baste occasionally until tender and brown.
I made the mistake of putting it into a round baking dish, rather than a 13"x9" but it still turned out just fine - but maybe a bit juicier and not as brown as it would have otherwise. But it still came out yummy! And there is plenty left over to send with Dayne for his lunch for a couple days.
On Wednesday I plan on trying a recipe for Sweet and Sour Pork Chops. I'm excited because I'll finally have a chance to use my slow cooker! I'm going to get that bad boy started shortly after lunch, though, because it takes roughly 5 and a half hours. I don't want another 9:00 dinner like we had tonight.
HONEY-BAKED CHICKEN
3 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breast, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2/3 cup honey
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. curry powder
Place chicken pieces in ungreased 13"x9" baking dish. Combine all other ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Baste occasionally until tender and brown.
I made the mistake of putting it into a round baking dish, rather than a 13"x9" but it still turned out just fine - but maybe a bit juicier and not as brown as it would have otherwise. But it still came out yummy! And there is plenty left over to send with Dayne for his lunch for a couple days.
On Wednesday I plan on trying a recipe for Sweet and Sour Pork Chops. I'm excited because I'll finally have a chance to use my slow cooker! I'm going to get that bad boy started shortly after lunch, though, because it takes roughly 5 and a half hours. I don't want another 9:00 dinner like we had tonight.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Valentine's Day
I think it's safe to say that today was the best Valentine's Day I've ever had, without any romantic meals or anything like that. Last night, Dayne and I stayed up until midnight so that we could say Happy Valentine's Day - all the time we were waiting up, he was teasing me about the gift he got me. He was saying things like "So... when you were cleaning, you're SURE you didn't come across it? It's been in the apartment." By the way... he wasn't supposed to get me anything, since he got me a Christmas present when he wasn't supposed to.
So this morning, we got up, and he asked me to look up the time when Game's Workshop was supposed to open (since we were going there for him to pick something out for his present). When I turn on my computer, this came up:
The Word Document in the center is titled "Click Here," and this is what is says:
For the one who’s always there,
Even when I’m not.
For the one who always cares,
No matter why, or what.
For such a friend, what could I do
Or hope to see repaid
The loving care I get from you,
Of which I’ve seldom said:
Your love means more to me, my dear,
Than any wealth or fame;
For while I’m not the best, I fear,
You love me just the same.
And so, on this most loving days,
When I think oft of you,
I hope you know that, come what may,
You hold my true love, too.
Happy Valentines Day, and to many more to come.
~ Your Love and Companion ~
It's safe to say, I forgave him for teasing me last night. We just hung out around the house this morning and played some video games. Then in the afternoon, we went to Game's Workshop and he picked out a couple things he wanted for his Warhammer army. Then, we had lunch at Panera Bread (using what we had left from a gift card), after that we went home and we put on the Olympics while he built his models and I made Strawberry shortcake using some little heart shaped trays.
The recipe didn't work perfectly, since it said to drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet - not put it into a pan, like I did. I had to cook it longer to make sure the center wasn't gooey, but then the outsides got pretty crispy. It was still good, though, and I learned a lesson. I think I prefer them with a strawberry sauce, rather than just strawberries on top. So I found a recipe for that, and I'll try it for next time I make shortcakes.
We've just been chilling around the apartment since then. I played some games on the X-Box for awhile, but now we're watching more of the Olympics while Dayne still works on his models. We were going to go out to eat for dinner, but I've been stuffed since the shortcake, so we're going to save dinner for another night.
In general it's been a wonderful day with my husband, and I couldn't be happier, even if we didn't do anything typical. :)
So this morning, we got up, and he asked me to look up the time when Game's Workshop was supposed to open (since we were going there for him to pick something out for his present). When I turn on my computer, this came up:
The Word Document in the center is titled "Click Here," and this is what is says:
For the one who’s always there,
Even when I’m not.
For the one who always cares,
No matter why, or what.
For such a friend, what could I do
Or hope to see repaid
The loving care I get from you,
Of which I’ve seldom said:
Your love means more to me, my dear,
Than any wealth or fame;
For while I’m not the best, I fear,
You love me just the same.
And so, on this most loving days,
When I think oft of you,
I hope you know that, come what may,
You hold my true love, too.
Happy Valentines Day, and to many more to come.
~ Your Love and Companion ~
It's safe to say, I forgave him for teasing me last night. We just hung out around the house this morning and played some video games. Then in the afternoon, we went to Game's Workshop and he picked out a couple things he wanted for his Warhammer army. Then, we had lunch at Panera Bread (using what we had left from a gift card), after that we went home and we put on the Olympics while he built his models and I made Strawberry shortcake using some little heart shaped trays.
The recipe didn't work perfectly, since it said to drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet - not put it into a pan, like I did. I had to cook it longer to make sure the center wasn't gooey, but then the outsides got pretty crispy. It was still good, though, and I learned a lesson. I think I prefer them with a strawberry sauce, rather than just strawberries on top. So I found a recipe for that, and I'll try it for next time I make shortcakes.
We've just been chilling around the apartment since then. I played some games on the X-Box for awhile, but now we're watching more of the Olympics while Dayne still works on his models. We were going to go out to eat for dinner, but I've been stuffed since the shortcake, so we're going to save dinner for another night.
In general it's been a wonderful day with my husband, and I couldn't be happier, even if we didn't do anything typical. :)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Here we go
This idea has been rolling in my head ever since I knew I was going to be moving. I've finally decided to implement it. I'll be starting a blog for the benefit of my family and friends that are out of state or that I may not keep in contact with as regularly. If you're on my Facebook, when I update it will show up automatically on my profile and in your News Feed. This way, the people I don't see very often will still know what's going on in my life.
If I were to be honest, I'd have to say that nothing of much interest has been happening here in Maryland. After the New Year, I started back up with Weight Watchers and have been working to get back into the rhythm of having self-restraint with snacking. So far, I have not done as well. It's more difficult when your husband isn't doing it, too. Although, Dayne and I have agreed that he'll probably gain weight from eating the extra food I would normally have eaten if I weren't portioning things.
This last Sunday we got a record 24 inches of snow (in our area, at least), and the entire state was in a panic and stocking up on food and toilet paper. It was pretty insane. All the schools are canceled probably this entire week because we're due for another storm to hit tomorrow. And all I can think is "If this were WISCONSIN, we'd have a two-hour delay at best, and then we'd be off to school and work." The mayor can also declare a State of Emergency so the kids don't need to make up the school days, too. Lucky punks.
At present, nothing new is happening. Right now I have a sinus infection, so last night Dayne got me a prescription for a strong anti-biotic (it really is nice having a husband in the medical field) and also picked up some Vicks VapoRub, a Vicks Plug-In, and a Neti Pot. Now, if you don't know what a Neti Pot is... you use it to pour a saline solution into one nostril and it cleans your sinuses and goes out the other nostril. It is possibly the most bizarre sensation EVER, but it works and I'm not as stuffed up.
As I update, I'll try to post some pictures from time to time, and also do a VideoBlog entry every once in awhile. That's is for now!
~Amanda
If I were to be honest, I'd have to say that nothing of much interest has been happening here in Maryland. After the New Year, I started back up with Weight Watchers and have been working to get back into the rhythm of having self-restraint with snacking. So far, I have not done as well. It's more difficult when your husband isn't doing it, too. Although, Dayne and I have agreed that he'll probably gain weight from eating the extra food I would normally have eaten if I weren't portioning things.
This last Sunday we got a record 24 inches of snow (in our area, at least), and the entire state was in a panic and stocking up on food and toilet paper. It was pretty insane. All the schools are canceled probably this entire week because we're due for another storm to hit tomorrow. And all I can think is "If this were WISCONSIN, we'd have a two-hour delay at best, and then we'd be off to school and work." The mayor can also declare a State of Emergency so the kids don't need to make up the school days, too. Lucky punks.
At present, nothing new is happening. Right now I have a sinus infection, so last night Dayne got me a prescription for a strong anti-biotic (it really is nice having a husband in the medical field) and also picked up some Vicks VapoRub, a Vicks Plug-In, and a Neti Pot. Now, if you don't know what a Neti Pot is... you use it to pour a saline solution into one nostril and it cleans your sinuses and goes out the other nostril. It is possibly the most bizarre sensation EVER, but it works and I'm not as stuffed up.
As I update, I'll try to post some pictures from time to time, and also do a VideoBlog entry every once in awhile. That's is for now!
~Amanda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
