Crowder Pea Chilli

I bought some fresh crowder peas from our local farmers' market on Saturday. I needed to do something with them. So, I created something. It is really good. Even the kids loved it.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (I used Ground Chuck from EarthFare)
1 can diced tomatoes
3 slices of dried tomatoes (chopped)that I bought at the farmers' market as well. You could use sun-dried tomatoes
2 tsp dried oregano
1 pint of crowder peas (of course, you could use frozen)
1.5 cups frozen corn
3-4 cloves of garlic (peeled and chopped)
Chili powder to taste (I used probably around 4 Tbsp)
1/2 cup water
Salt to taste
1 Tbsp Zattarans Cajun Seasoning (optional)

Brown ground beef with chopped garlic until done.
If using fresh crowder peas, cook ahead of time for about 30 minutes.
Add chili powder and cajun spices.
Add the chopped dried tomatoes and oregano.
Add the can of tomatoes and 1/2 cup of water.
Add frozen corn
Mix well.
Cook on low (low boil) for about 30 minutes.
Serve hot with Mexican cheese blend sprinkled on top.

Super Mom!

What does it take to be a super mom?! I wish I knew the answer. This Super Mom isn't feeling so super lately. So, what am I going to do to change that? First, I'm putting it out to the Blog world that I am going to make some changes.





Here is my list:

• Track calories using SparkPeople
  
• Do at least 15 minutes of exercise
  
• Stop snacking all day long!
  
• Drink 8 8oz glasses of water
  

I feel like I eat all day long! This isn't good. I have gained 15 pounds over the past few months. And, I feel it! I feel bloated, sluggish, tired. My clothes don't fit. I'm not a vain person. I just want to feel good!

So, a Super Mom is there for her family, for herself, for her friends...She makes the best decisions she can. So, here is to feeling Super again! :)

Apple Pie Sunday!

We were at EarthFare (Natural Grocery store) yesterday. They had a FUN back to school party. Anyway, I was going to buy a pie. My 8yo said, why are we buying one when we can make one? Good question. I answered, because I don't feel like making one. His response, "but we know how to make a really good apple pie, and I'll help you". So, I have the ingredients to make apple pie...Yeah us! :) I really don't mind. I just love how he says, "Homemade is Best Made!", and he truly believes that. He says my french fries are better than McDonalds! That makes me feel so good! He also says things like, "why are we going out for icecream when we have icecream at home?" We are teaching him well! And, I'm proud of that!

Here is the apple pie we are making today:
Ingredients:
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust
deep dish pie
3/4 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 6 cups thinly sliced apples

1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped
topping, thawed

Directions:
1. Preheat oven and cookie sheet to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
2. Stir together the sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Toss with the apples in a mixing bowl.
3. Pour the mixture into the first unbaked pie shell Place the second pie shell over this and flute the edges. Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape then place on preheated cookie sheet.
4. Bake 45-50 minutes, until golden brown. Cool for 1 hour before slicing. Top with whipped topping, if desired.

This recipe was borrowed from allrecipes.com, but I did edit it a bit. :)

Getting ready for school

We are getting geared up to start our second year of homeschooling. We are very excited about the new co-op we have joined. I hope it becomes a huge success. Regarding our year, I (the teacher) have to get everything organized! And, I have to know encorporate teaching a 2 year old (almost 3) as well as an 8 year old. I can do it, right?! I need encouragement...So, encourage away! More details to come! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed, but I can do it....I can do it...I can do it!

Quiet time is a blessing!

Today is the first day in a long, long time I have felt like I have had time just to myself. Our oldest is at inventor's camp and the youngest is taking a nap! So far I have taken a 30 minute nap, a shower, and enjoyed some quiet time. WAIT!!!!! As I type this, quiet time is over!!!! Little one just woke up and is crying that he peed (means he leaked out of his pull-up) on my side of the bed no less! More to come...

Beans and Franks Casserole

To give credit where credit is due, I got the idea for this recipe from Rachael Ray's Franks and Beans Casserole. Here is the link: http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=595&r=178%2C445%2C623%2C524%2C432%2C323%2C449%2C595%2C719%2C710%2C589

I am lazy, and this made way too much. So, here is what I did:

In a saucepan, I sauteed 1/2 an onion in about 1 TBS of EVOO (Yeah...I know...Just goofing around!) I added 5 hotdogs cut up into small slices. I actually had some left over from yesterday's lunch.

After the onions and hotdogs were cooked, I added a small can of baked beans (mine happened to be Full Circle Baked Beans, Maple and Onion Flavor). I added to that about 2Tbs steak sauce (think A1) and about 1/4 cup of honey barbeque sauce.

I then poured the mixture into a pie plate.

The topping is a box of Jiffy corn bread mix prepared according to the box, mix in chili powder to taste and cheddar cheese.

Bake according to the package. It took it about 30 minute to cook, but I think it was because of the cheese.

Leftover Gourmet

Well....not exactly gourmet! But, I hate to waste leftovers. I have been known to make toast for the kids using left over hotdog buns or sandwiches for a picnic with leftover hamburger buns. Here is my recipe for using left over pasta. The kids love it, and I have to say, it is pretty darn good!

I had about 10 ounces of left over elbow macaroni from making hamburger mac the other night. I made a bit too much.

So, I used it today to make mac and cheese for the kids:

Left over cooked pasta (depending on how much will depend on how much of the following you will need).
For about 10 ounces of pasta:
4 slices of american cheese
2 Tbs butter or margarine
1/4 cup of milk
add all ingredients in a bowl, heat in microwave in 30 - 45 second intervals stirring in between until the consistency you want is reached....add more or less cheese or milk to get it how you like it!
YUM!!!! Going to eat some now!