Easy Roasted Chicken

This is such an easy recipe and really hard to mess up. It is my go to when we have company and I want to feel fancy. I also love the possibility to use leftovers a multitude of ways! (Think quesadillas, chicken noodle soup, chicken salad, etc.) Makes your house smell soooooooooo good!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Rinse and dry chicken with paper towels.
Mix together your favorite spices. I use rosemary, thyme, parsley, pepper, and Himalayan Salt. I do not measure, I just eyeball it. Once mixed, add 1/4 cup olive oil (or oil of your choice) and mix well.
Roughly chop an onion in quarters. Cut a lemon (or lime) in half. Stuff onion and lemon (or lime) in the cavity of the chicken.
Rub spice and oil mixture all over outside of chicken.
Place in roaster pan. Cook at 450 for about 40 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350 and cook an additional hour or until chicken is registering 160-165 degrees internally.

Bananas Foster

When I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go on a date with my sweet hubbabloo! We enjoyed dessert at the Raintree Cafe in St. Augustine. I had a Bananas Foster Crepe. It was very delicious, and today I was wanting something sweet and bananay to eat. I found this recipe on teambeachbody.com

I didn't have any ripe bananas, so I popped some in the oven at 300 degrees for about 40 minutes. Great hack if you need ripe bananas and have none on hand.

Total Time: 21 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 6 min.
Makes 4 servings, about ⅓ cup each

Ingredients:
2 tsp. raw honey
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
Nonstick cooking spray
2 large ripe bananas, cut into ½-inch slices

Instructions:
1. Combine honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl; mix well. Set aside.
2. Heat medium nonstick skillet, lightly 
coated with spray, over medium-high heat.
3. Add bananas; cook, gently stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Add honey mixture; cook, gently stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until bananas are well coated and soft.
5. Serve immediately.

Tip: Use a nonstick coconut spray for additional flavor.

Eating your Feelings

One of the things I have come to learn about myself over the last few months is that I am an emotional eater. I have also come to learn that I am not alone. And guess, what, neither are you!
So many times at the end of a long hard day of momming, I would "treat" myself to something sugary and delicious and totally bad for me. It would be great if I could eat just one cookie or one peppermint patty or one scoop of ice cream. Unfortunately, once I start, I cannot stop. I will eat 4 or 5 and then feel terrible physically and emotionally afterwards.

Becoming a coach and having others rely on my good example jump started my goal to create better habits, but I still found myself eating my feelings (now more in secret than ever) when I was having a less than stellar day.

I decided what I really needed was to take a long, hard look at myself. The truth is, what I really need in those lonely, frustrating, discouraging moments is to refuel my spirit. I have found that talking with my spouse, calling a friend, going for a jog or a walk, spending time in a good book, or simply going to bed early all help me to actually feel better long term versus for the duration of my sweet treat.

Go for a walk or jog! I am sure you in live in a beautiful place!

Spending time in a fun book when you have small children can be hard, but it sure fills my cup.

So, the next time you're wearing your cranky pants, go take a nice long bath, read a book, and slip in to bed a little early. I promise it will do you more good than that sugary baked good. It has worked wonders for me.

A Dancer's Heart

I was a part of a children and teen's performing group for most of my childhood. I'm not sure if I've ever conveyed just how integral this was in my life. By the time I was in high school, I was at the dance studio nearly every day of the week taking multiple classes, tap, jazz, ballet, company (an audition only group), and ensemble. I even taught the 3-5 year olds ballet, tap, and jazz to help pay for my own classes.

On top of classes, Showtime USA performed in and around the St. Augustine area at least a few times each month. It was a huge deal to me. My dearest friends experienced all of this with me. If we weren't in classes together, we were hanging out at one another's houses, hanging out with Miss Pam (our dance instructor), painting the dance studio, popping one another's pimples (So gross, yet so awesome!). Heck, I got my first kiss in the parking lot of the studio.

It is how I gained self-confidence. It is how I learned to persevere and set goals and to fail gracefully. It is also where I first heard about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Just last year, I rediscovered my dancer's heart. I had the opportunity to go to Showtime's end of the year show and participate in the 30 year reunion for past performers. I had a smile the entire time. It was amazing to see those kids having the time of their lives up on that stage. I was right back to those days. It was awesome to actually be on stage again and dance with some of my best friends! Some people hated high school. I'll go ahead and admit that although it wasn't always easy, it was a great time in my life. Showtime and my friends there were a huge part of that. Seriously, watching my children fall in love with the show and remembering all the positive in my life made me want to open a Showtime franchise here in Orlando!

A couple of years ago, my mom treated my sister and I to the Move Live Tour put on by dancing siblings, Julianne and Derek Hough. My goodness, it was amazing. It was like Showtime on steroids! Again, the smile never left my face. I have a dancer's heart and I guess I always will. I need to integrate dance more fully in my life somehow. Maybe that's by opening a Showtime, maybe it's by taking up Zumba, maybe it's by dancing in my LIVING ROOM. As a child, there was a studio in town run by Sally Walton. They often performed at the same events we did. There was always a number or two put on by adults. I remember thinking they were so old and how weird that they were in costumes dancing at their age! Little did I know, they probably felt as I do now. Dance isn't something you outgrow! I've changed my tune. Those ladies rocked and good on them for continuing to do what they loved.

My heart is full of gratitude for Miss Pam and all she did to help me hone my dancing and singing talents. Doing the routine "Just one more time" (more like 20) and helping me improve my other talents; those that aren't as easy to see: integrity, honesty, and charity. My heart is also full of gratitude for my parents who surely sacrificed to pay for umpteen classes a week and costumes and tours and camps. My parents always supported me and found joy in watching me have the time of my life. They were truly selfless in that regard.

Mom and me at Move Live on Tour a couple years ago!

I love you, Mom!

Performing in a sequined black dress and having a ball!

It makes complete sense to me that my post-baby weightloss transformation started out with a dance fitness program, CIZE! And now, Beachbody is launching another dance fitness program, Country Heat! I am soooooooooooooooooooooo excited!

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

I use my crockpot way less than I ought to! It really is a great way to make sure you have a whole foods dinner without a lot of fuss. I made this Crockpot Chicken Fajita recipe and it was a hit. I didn't even get a photo because they were gone in a flash. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1 1/2" strips

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies

1 each red, orange, and yellow bell pepper, julienne (Aldi sells them in this combo for about $2.50)

1 large red onion, halved and sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced (I use the pre-minced garlic that is in olive oil anytime a recipe calls for garlic. It may not be as good, but it is so much easier.)

2 1/2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

3/4 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp salt

3/4 tsp pepper

Optional

2 TBSP fresh lime juice

1 TBSP honey

For serving: whole wheat tortillas, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, cheddar cheese, black olives, etc

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together spices. 

Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Pour half the canned tomatoes in the bottom and spread in an even layer. Top with half of the peppers, half of the onions, sprinkle garlic, top with chicken strips. Evenly sprinkle half of the seasoning over the chicken breasts, flip the chicken (I used my hand to just kind of flip it over) and sprinkle remaining spices (again, I used my hand to kind of make sure the spices were even). Top with remaining half of tomatoes, peppers, and onions.

Cover and cook on high heat for 3-4 hours or low heat for 6-8 hours. The longer you cook it, the more likely your chicken will shred due to tenderness. If you want to them to remain more firm, cook less.

Ladle out 1 cup of the broth and discard. 

If desired, whisk together lime juice and honey and add to crockpot.  Gently toss. Serve warm in warmed tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Recipe adapted from www.cookingclassy.com

Service Required--Driving Lessons for Life

Today's guest post was written by my dear friend and former colleague, Jim R. Jacobs. Jim recently wrote his first book, Driving Lessons for Life. The following driving lesson is not in the book, but gives you a sampling of what a gem this book will be. Pun intended!
A couple of days ago, I did a blog post on the ten most influential people in my life. Jim made that list. Here's what I wrote then,  "Jim was my first boss out of graduate school.  He was my supervisor as I pursued my licensure in clinical social work. He became a dear friend.  I see Jim as the older brother I never had.  I know his life isn't perfect, but it is lived with a faith I want to have."  
Jim taught me many driving lessons as we met weekly for my clinical supervision requirements. I learned so much from him and I am excited to get my own autographed copy of his book to cherish. It'll feel like I'm sitting across from him on the couch in his office (eating tuna fish for lunch) and learning from a great man how to become a great therapist, person, and friend. Enjoy!

Service Required

by Jim R. Jacobs

I cannot speak for everyone else, but I am not particularly pleased when one of those indicator lights starts to light up the dashboard of my car.  Normally, these lights communicate there is something wrong with the vehicle, which means I am going to be reaching into my wallet soon.  I don’t find the lights have ever brought me a feeling of satisfaction, peace, or harmony in my life.  Usually, I start to feel stressed.  Then, I wonder whether the light is mistakenly on.  I ignore it for some time, hoping it will just go off.  When it occasionally does, I feel satisfaction somehow in not having to do anything.  More often, it continues to flash at me, sending out waves of anxiety about what is wrong with my car.  While the lights are helpful to maintain my car and keep me moving, I do not like the feeling I get when they start to blink.  However, there is one light on the dashboard which sends a very helpful life message: “Service Required.”

If I could install an indicator light on the dashboard of my life, I would choose the “Service Required” light.  This message is powerful and key to living the most productive and happy life.  Service is truly essential.  When we reach out in loving kindness to others, not only does the world become better, but we grow too!  Service adds substance to each of our daily interactions.  Hearts are lifted, souls are strengthened, and hope is instilled.  When we, in generous service, reach out to someone around us, we feel a sense of confidence, assurance, and connection.  Nothing is more powerful than charitable service to another in need. 

Some of my greatest memories have been wrapped up in the opportunity to serve someone else.  As I look back on the roads of life I have traveled, I smile at the thought of opportunities to help one in need.  Let’s face it!  The road of life is sometimes hard to travel.  Would we all not be better, if we took more time to stop and help someone stranded on the side?  I will never forget heading to a church meeting dressed in my finest clothes and having this opportunity.  A woman was stuck on the side of the road with an obviously very flat tire.  She resisted my help, but in my suit and tie, I changed the tire for her.  She was grateful and was teary-eyed as she looked at my greasy hands and my soiled suit.  I wished her well and never saw her again.  Yet, I have not stopped thinking about that experience.  I was too late for the worship service, but went anyway.  I felt incredible as I walked into the building with my soiled hands and clothes.  I remember feeling just as grand washing my hands as I had felt in any religious service I had previously attended.  Service had made the difference.  It always makes a difference!

We need each other.  There are too many people in this world who tear down.  We need more who lift up.  There are enough people who find fault.  We need more people who build and strengthen.  Every day, you can find an abundance of people who act in selfish ways.  We need more people who give self-less service.  For within service is the very substance of life.  Greater joy, greater love, greater harmony, greater satisfaction, and greater peace all can be found by the service we do for others. 

Start today!  Install a “Service Required” light on your dashboard.  Attend to it right away.  Start with your family and those right around you.  Then, extend the marvelous influence of self-less service to those in your neighborhood and community.  Seek to make a difference.  For in a full and rich life, service truly is required.

Jim R. Jacobs is the author of the new book Driving Lessons For Life, a great new book teaching powerful life lessons from what we experience on the road.  Driving Lessons For Life is not your typical self-help/inspirational book.  Jim takes the common experiences we all have behind the wheel of the car, and weaves a powerful lesson into them.  There has never been such a book as this.  You read the lesson, you recall the story, and then you do what you always do—drive somewhere.  Literally, every time you head off in your car, a key life lesson will be reinforced in you.  Driving Lessons become Life Lessons as you reflect on them again and again.  These lessons are powerful because they are so connected to your everyday life.  Sign up for driving lessons today!  This book is a perfect gift for yourself, your friends, the new driver, the old driver, and everyone who gets in the car.  Get a signed copy today at www.DrivingLessonsForLife.com.

To contact Jim to share your experiences, to arrange a great speaker for your next event, or for a complimentary, no obligation coaching session, please send an e-mail to DrivingLessonsForLife@gmail.com. 

Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe

I hear the phrase "Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe" a lot among other Beachbody coaches. They are definitely on to something. It got me thinking about my own tribe. I decided to share a little about some of the most influential people in my life. They have definitely helped shape me into the woman I am today.

10 People Who Have Influenced Me (In no particular order)

1. My parents.  I'm counting them as one person here and I hope they don't mind.  My parents were the first great influence on my life.  They taught me so many things and continue to teach me things even into adulthood.  Here are two that stand out. It's okay to make mistakes.  It is important to always do MY best and not that important to be THE best.  Because I learned these things, I have been more willing to take risks, more able to accept disappointment and move on from it a stronger person, and I feel a confidence that apparently is more unique than I thought it was.

2. Janelle Butler Simmons.  I sometimes tell people she saved my life.  I truly believe this.  Janelle was my visiting teacher, for those that know LDS lingo, shortly after my divorce.  That was a super tough time for me and she was the friend I needed to help keep me going many times over.

3. Scott Pederson. Scott was the first person to teach me how to laugh at myself.  I have always been way too serious and it was way worse as a teenager.  Scott made life fun and gave me the courage I needed to start laughing.

4. Stacey Hesson Gillespie.  My SISTER!  I love this girl.  She really is my best friend and I get to be her sister.  It's awesome.  I am always amazed by how much love she has for me.  She makes me feel like I could do anything.  I love her for that and so many other reasons.  Sometimes I think Stacey should have been the older sister.  She is so loyal and will kick someone's butt if they cross a person she loves.  I am pretty sure I learned all about loyalty from my little sister.

5. Kendall Williams and Christopher Prince.  Again, two people counting as one.  These were the missionaries from the LDS Church that taught me all about the LDS Church.  Their testimonies and strength were influential in my ultimate decision to join the LDS Church: One of the best decisions of my life.

6. JoAnn Moghimi. This woman is one of my newer friends! We became fast friends a few years ago when we were introduced through mutual friends. JoAnn is loyalty to the max. She has my back, but gives me a swift kick in the pants as needed. We laugh together and cry together and just get each other. She has never judged me and always seems to know when I need her. I love you, JoAnn!

7. Darren and Emily Ernst. I know I'm cheating, but they go together!  Darren and Emily showed me what a marriage could really be like.  They were the first people that reached out to me as my marriage fell apart.  Though we haven't lived close since that time, I have kept in touch with them.  Because of their example, their love for one another, and their faith in me I had hope that there was something better out there for me.  Guess what?! There was and it is wonderful.

8. Jim Jacobs. Jim was my first boss out of graduate school.  He was my supervisor as I pursued my licensure in clinical social work. He became a dear friend.  I see Jim as the older brother I never had.  I know his life isn't perfect, but it is lived with a faith I want to have.

9.  Brooke Anderson.  Brooke was one of my BYU roommates.  I love her and I love that although we live about as far apart from one another as we can get (me in FL and her in WA), we still are part of one another's lives.  Brooke is so creative and so thoughtful.  She inspires me to be the best mom and wife I can be as she selflessly does those things herself.  She is a true friend and I cherish her so much.

10. Jared Krause. My hubbabaloo.  I love this guy. He has influenced my life for good in so many ways.  He taught me to love again and he taught me it was safe to be loved.  He had to be pretty patient and for that I am so grateful.  We have a good life together.  It is crazy and busy and chaotic, but it is our little life.  It is so full and I am proud to be Mrs. Krause.

Faith

I have read the Book of Mormon nearly every year for the last 20 years. I make a sincere effort to do so once a year. Each time I read the Book of Mormon something extraordinary happens. I find something new. Maybe it's just that something new resonates with me. This time around, it was the subject of faith. One of the Book of Mormon prophets, Alma, teaches the people in Alma 32 about faith and how to grow one's faith. It is a great chapter and coupled with Hebrews 11, really helps one to understand  the concept of faith.

Faith is not just the religion someone practices.

Faith is not just a character on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

(Sorry, I just had to.)

Faith is an all-encompassing way of living one's life. Faithful is a word I want used to describe me. I strive daily to live by and increase my faith. I am a prayerful person and I don't just believe my prayers are answered, I know my prayers are answered. Quite often answers to prayers require a leap of faith.

Boyd K. Packer had this to say about faith. "Faith, to be faith, must center around something that is not known. Faith, to be faith, must go beyond that for which there is confirming evidence. Faith, to be faith, must go into the unknown. Faith, to be faith, must walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness. If everything has to be known, if everything has to be explained, if everything has to be certified, then there is no need for faith. Indeed there is no room for it.
"The prophet Alma said: 'Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe. Now I ask, is that faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it... And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.' (Alma 32:17-18, 21).
"There are two kinds of faith. One of them functions ordinarily in the life of every soul. It is the kind of faith born by experience; it gives us certainty that a new day will dawn, that spring will come, that growth will take place. It is the kind of faith that relates us with confidence to that which is scheduled to happen...
"There is another kind of faith, rare indeed. This is the kind of faith that causes things to happen. It is the kind of faith that is worthy and prepared and unyielding, and it calls forth things that otherwise would not be. It is the kind of faith that moves people. It is the kind of faith that sometimes moves things. Few possess it. It comes by gradual growth. It is a marvelous, even a transcendent, power, a power as real and as invisible as electricity. Direct and channeled, it has great effect.
"But faith must be faith. One man tried 'experimenting' with faith. He had spoken to his certainty that an event would transpire, and his desires were not brought to pass; the event he so much yearned for did not happen. Afterward, his bitter comment was, 'Well, you see, it didn't happen. I didn't think it would.'
"In a world filled with skepticism and doubt, the expression 'seeing is believing' promotes the attitude, 'You show me, and I will believe.' We want all of the proof and all of the evidence first. It seems hard to take things on faith.
"When will we learn that in spiritual things it works the other way about--that believing is seeing? Spiritual belief precedes spiritual knowledge When we believe in things that are not seen but are nevertheless true, then we have faith" (Boyd K. Packer, "What is Faith?" in Faith, pp. 42-43).

"Believing is seeing." I love that! Here's to being less skeptical and more faithful. If you're waiting for a sign to do something, maybe the Lord is actually waiting on you to take a leap of faith.

At Home Fitness

I have always chosen to run or do an at-home fitness program in lieu of the gym. I have just never liked the gym. It is smelly, crowded, and far away. I have 5 children ages 8, 6, 5, 3, and 1. By the time we load up, get to the gym, unload, get inside, drop off at on-site daycare, workout, pick up from on-site daycare, load up, drive home, unload... Well, you get the picture. I don't have time for that nonsense. At-home workouts offer me the flexibility of getting up a little earlier than my family, working out, showering and having breakfast on the table before 7 AM. I also just prefer to not be with a bunch of people I don't know while I'm sweaty and in the zone. I like being in a comfortable place AKA my living room. Not to mention the monthly charges to my credit card for something I rarely used!
I have purchased dozens of at-home workouts prior to trying Beachbody fitness programs. Denise Austin, Winsor Pilates, Discount Bin DVDs from Wal-mart, Jillian Michaels, and many more. The only one that came close to doing anything was Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred. But, it cost $20 and only had 2 workouts on it. I got bored really quickly.

I had heard of P90x several years ago, but never did it because it seemed so LONG! I needed something shorter. Say, 30 minutes, that would actually work. My friend, Amy introduced me to Beachbody almost a year ago and I was an instant fan. My first 30 day program, CIZE, was a hip-hop dance program with Shaun T. He was super motivating. The workouts felt like a dance class. I lost 10 inches and about 5 pounds. Not a whole lot, but I wasn't really trying in the kitchen. I was 4 months post-partum and wasn't prepared to stop eating whatever I wanted.
Next, I tried PIYO. Another fabulous program with another fabulous trainer, Chalene Johnson. She felt like my friend and her program was dynamic and fun and helped me lose another 6 pounds and 8 inches.
I got sick around Christmas and put exercise on the back burner. I would go for walks inconsistently, and wasn't doing much to really finish off the last of my pregnancy weight. In April, I became a Beachbody coach and started 21 Day Fix. I finally learned how to make it count in the kitchen and in just 21 days, I lost another 6 inches and 6 pounds! I couldn't believe it. I was seeing a number on the scale that I hadn't seen since 3 babies ago!
Jared and I just finished a 60 day program called Hammer and Chisel. I didn't lose any weight because I wasn't trying too, but I did lose inches and built some actual muscles. I feel incredibly strong and confident. Honestly, the workouts were tough, but we showed up every day for 60 days and I couldn't' be more proud of us.
I am floored that I got these results from at-home fitness programs! I am a huge believer in what Beachbody is doing. They are getting results in a safe way that takes effort, hard work, and consistency. It isn't a get thin quick thing. You have to show up every day. You have to want it. You have to work for it. But, that is how the best things in life happen for us. Plus, putting in the work teaches you how to stay where you want to be and not gain it all back or begin eating poorly again.
It Actually Works!

Beachbody sends you all the tools you need to be successful when you purchase one of their fitness programs. You get ME as your FREE coach. I do my best to help you achieve those goals, motivate you, and hold you accountable. You get a calendar to follow for the duration of the program. Most programs have a minimum of 7 different workouts. The one we just completed, Hammer and Chisel has 16 different workouts! I was NEVER bored. I was challenged every day. You also get an eating plan/nutrition guide and the newer programs provide you with Portion Fix containers to help implement the eating plan. Portion Fix has revolutionized the way I eat. It works because you are eating normal foods, but in the right quantities. It really helps you to focus more on what you can eat and not what you can't. Plus, because you tally up your food by the containers and not calories, you don't get stuck on the numbers. There are plenty of ways to only eat 1,400 calories a day that are empty calories! That doesn't happen with Portion Fix, unless you eat too many yellows! That's the carb container, so you can see why they are hard to limit! Americans LOVE carbs!
So, if the gym isn't working for you. If your current at-home workout isn't working for you. I think you'll find something in Beachbody that does work for you. If you put in the work, show up every day, and really try you will have success!

Milk Cookies

I know this isn't a healthy recipe, per se, but they are a great gift for new mamas. They help with milk supply and taste so yummy. I love to make a batch and freeze them in ready to go dough balls. If the new mama lives nearby, I usually cook them up before delivering them. But, if she is further away and I need to deliver before baby's arrival, I'll take them frozen with instructions to cook.
If you've got a non-chocolate friend, disown them! Just kidding, just sub out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips and cranberries. So good! Recipe credit goes to my childhood pal, Jennifer Lee Smith!

1 Cup butter
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp flaxeed meal (no subs)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 Cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp Brewer's yeast (no subs)
3 Cups oats
1 bag chocolate chips

Combine dry ingredients, except oats and chocolate chips.
Mix 2 Tbsp flaxseed meal and 4 Tbsp water, set aside for 3-5 minutes.
Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs. Add flaxseed mix. Add vanilla. Beat until well blended.
Add dry ingredients. Add oats and chocolate chips. Drop on parchment paper on baking sheet. Bake 8-12 minutes at 375.

Veggie Burgers

Y'all those frozen veggie burgers are for the birds. I just don't like them. I have truly fallen in love with Alana Chernila's cookbook The Homemade Pantry! She has so many amazing recipes that are way better than their store-bought brothers. You can make her veggie burger recipe and eat them right away or freeze them for later use. Today, I made them to take to a friend that is having a baby next week. They were a go-to for me post-baby. I made a batch (about 16-20 depending on size) and had an easy, healthy lunch option when I was adjusting to life with a newborn in the house. I hope you love it as much as I do. It's a lot of work, but so worth it.

Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra (or cooking spray) for the baking sheet
1 medium onion, diced
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium carrots, shredded
1 red bell pepper, diced
10 large mushrooms, stems removed and caps diced
1/2 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
1/2 Tbsp dried oregano
1/2 to 1 Tbsp chili powder, or to taste
salt and pepper to taste
3 15.5 oz cans black beans, drained
2 cups cooked brown rice (from 1 cup dry)
2 cups Breadcrumbs, store-bought or homemade (I didn't have any today, so I toasted 8 slices of bread and pulsed in my blender/food processor)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast (I use Brewer's Yeast)

Tips: I cook the rice first so it's done by the time my veggies are chopped and other ingredients are ready to go. I premeasure the spices and put in a little bowl so they're ready to go for their step. I do the same with the mustard, vinegar, etc. Also, while waiting for the mixture to cool, do your dishes. This makes a lot of dishes. :)

1. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook until soft and shiny, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, carrots, red pepper, and mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until soft and aromatic, about 10 minutes. Add the corn, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper. Continue to cook for 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
2. Preheat the oven to 425. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of the beans, 1 cup of the rice, and half of the cooked veggie mixture. Mash with a potato masher until the ingredients are well blended. Use your hands to combine this mixture wiht the breadcrumbs, eggs, mustard, vinegar, soy sauce, yeast, and remaining 2 cups beans, remaining 1 cup rice, and remaining cooked veggies. Let the mixture cool entirely.
3. Oil a baking sheet with olive oil. Using your hands, form the mixture into well-packed patties. Lay the patties on the oiled baking sheet, and flatten with a spatula. Bake for 15 minutes, flip the patties, flatten with the spatula once again, and bake for another 15 minutes. Serve immediately, or if storing for later, allow to cool, then freeze on a baking sheet for at least 3 hours before transferring to freezer bags.

Storage
Freezer-safe container or bag, 4 months (microwave for 1 minute and then grill or fry the frozen patties on low heat in a covered, oiled frying pan for 10 minutes on each side)
Fridge-(after defrosting or before freezing) covered container for 4 days

Andrea and the Red Crayon

I have been a mom for nearly 9 years. I have 5 children, but it wasn't until this weekend that I had a crayon run through the dryer. Pretty good, right?! Well, I still had the problem of getting it all out. I am so grateful for Google and the author over at Diary of a Doctor's Wife for sharing her experience. I'm happy to report that I successfully got most of the crayon out of the clothing. (Which, by the way, was MY clothing! It was totally MY fault that crayon was in MY pocket! I picked it up to avoid a choking baby situation and forgot to throw it away! Blergh!)

Here's what I did! I didn't even have to go to the store. All of these items were already in my house. Hooray!

1.) Boil water in your largest pot!
2.) Add regular laundry soap, 1/2 cup of vinegar, 4-6 tablespoons of Dawn dish detergent to the washing machine and set it to hot!
3.) Add boiling water to the washing machine.
4.) Add the victims of the crayon attack to the washing machine. Soak for 15 minutes.
5.) Run the wash as normal and dry as normal.

Well, my trust in the Doctor's Wife was warranted! It worked splendidly. It was a red crayon on a light colored load, but now you can hardly see the offending marks. Most were completely gone, just a little evidence remained.

Watermelon Cucumber Salad

I'm always looking for healthy, tasty recipes to take to gatherings. I feel like I show up to BBQ's or church socials and there are about 50 desserts and no fruits or veggies. I made this delicious salad recently and wanted to share it with you. It is beautiful and tastes so yummy! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It is the perfect take along to your next BBQ!

1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cubed
1/2 of a seedless watermelon, cubed
1/2 a lemon juiced
1/2 thinly sliced red onion, soaked in cold water for 15-20 minutes
1/8 cup olive oil
Thinly sliced fresh mint to taste

I sliced the onions first and then let them soak while I chopped the remaining ingredients. Drain the onion, squeeze dry and toss with cucumber, melon, lemon juice, 1/8 olive oil, and mint. Chill until ready to serve. If desired, right before serving,
season lightly with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

If you give a family a PANCAKE...

Pancakes are a family favorite around these parts. I prefer to double or even triple this recipe so that we can eat pancakes for breakfast on another day. I love the flavor of these pancakes so much, I rarely even put syrup on them. My recipe is modified from the America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.

Ingredients
1 Cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tbsp Ground Flaxseed Meal
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Large Egg
3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, Melted
2 Cups Buttermilk (or Sour Milk--2 Cups Scant Milk, plus a little lemon juice)
1 to 2 tsp Oil (to grease pan)

Whisk together the flour, sugar, flaxseed meal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, melted butter, and then add in the buttermilk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, pour the buttermilk mixture into the well, and whisk very gently until the buttermilk mixture is just incorporated. The trick is to leave a few lumps. Don't whisk it smooth!

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Brush the pan bottom with the oil. Pour batter  on the skillet and cook until large bubbles begin to appear, about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook until golden brown on the second side. Repeat with remaining batter, brushing skillet with oil as needed between batches (I only do this about every other batch.)

Enjoy right away or let cool and refrigerate for leftovers. You can turn them into blueberry pancakes by placing blueberries on the wet side before you flip the pancakes. I've also do this with thinly sliced bananas to rave reviews.

Hope your family loves these as much as we do!