Meat Loaf Supreme

Ok guys! I HIGHLY recommend this recipe this is actually the 2nd time I have made it and it is AWESOME!!! My husband text me to tell me how delicious it was and how grateful he was for me making it lol!

So here is goes, sorry I didn't take as many pictures of the process but my daughter was running around getting in to all sorts of things that made my picture taking a minimum.

To make this you will need:
1 small onion
1/2 green bell pepper
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 tsp dried basil
1 tbsp dried parsley
1/8 tsp pepper
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

Topping:
3 tbsp Ketchup
1 tbsp Honey
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
(Personally I double the topping)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9x5-inch loaf pan with foil. Spray with cooking spray. Chop onion and bell pepper in food processor. (I used a 8x8 pan bc I don't have a 9x5 for some reason... I think someone has mine and has for a while! Bakes in 45 minutes to an hour)
2. Combine milk and egg in a large bowl; add bread crumbs, basil, parsley and pepper. Stir until blended. Add onion and bell pepper; mix well. Add beef; mix just to combine ingredients.
3. Shape mixture in prepared loaf pan. Do NOT pack.

Looks a little gross lol!

 For topping combine ketchup, honey and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Mix Well. Spread evenly over top of meat loaf


    




        4. Back meat loaf until cooked through, about 1 hour. Place pan on rack; let stand for 5 minutes, (I    disregard the next instructions) Lift meat loaf out of pan and place on a serving platter. Remove foil. Serve immediatly

This was after I cut a piece for my husband to take to work for his lunch. YUM!

This is my plate digging in with my daughter!






Again this is an AWESOME recipe. I highly recommend you try it!
Comments welcomed!

Manicotti with 3 Cheeses

Today (or actually yesterday because it went past midnight posting this) I made Manicotti with 3 Cheeses
Ingredients:

12 Manicotti Shells
4 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
8oz Soft Cream Cheese with Onions and Chives
3 Cups Marinara Sauce
1/2 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1. Cook Manicotti in large pot of boiling water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water, drain again

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray (I used a small amount of oil on bottom) Mix 3 Cups Mozzarella with Soft Cream Cheese. Stuff the Manicotti: place in prepared dish

I accidentally bought plain cream cheese so I added some onion and chives

Added the 3 cups Moz.

I split the Manicotti and handrolled the cheese mix and the curled it up.




3. Spoon Marinara Sauce on Manicotti.

Easy lol, except I didn't want to buy more sauce when I had tons at home premade, plus I know how to make my own so I used a garlic and herb sauce.






4.Sprinkle Manicotti with remaining 1 Cup Mozzarella . Bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake for 10 minutes longer.

             

Added Mozzarella

Baked for 15 mins then Sprinkled with Parmesan

It was good despite the Cream Cheese Mix up... I think you could also add Italian Sausage to the cheese mix (cooked of course) and it would be great. If you are a fan of cheese this recipe is for you!!!
If you try it let me know what you think!

Also if you are a freezer meal person the recipe states you can stuff the Manicotti without the Sauce and put in an air tight container and store for upto 1 month!!! NICE!!! Then when you are ready to eat it just defrost add sauce and follow step 4.


ENJOY! I did!

Meal Planning Fun!

On the left you see 6 recipe cards... This is going to be my new thing. I am going to Meal Plan.

No More going to the store and getting random things on sale and hoping I can make something out of them. I do end up using them... but it leaves me with the SAME meals all the time, but I actually like to cook so the things in my rotation are getting old, not bad. I just need to try out new things.

Being Prepared is what I am trying to do. I usually want to do something new for dinner, so I go look through all my recipes, I find a few but I am always missing a few things to make them complete. So I made a decision to grab 5-6 recipes a week and make a list off all the things I need for that week's meals. I will go shopping every week and still try and find deals (Couponing is still amazing!) but make sure that I am getting key ingredients for what I am going to make.

Why only 5 or 6? I know I will have leftovers from at least 2 meals and 1 night I usually go to a bible study that is always a potluck dinner... I have a 7th card for that night but it wont be a main dish type thing. More a side or something I can make a lot of. This week will be Crispy Salsa Potato Skins... Sounds good huh?

So here is my plan. I am going to pick these recipes every Tuesday or Wednesday so I can go shopping the next day, because Sales start on Wednesdays so it only makes sense to try and get good deals before the others take them all! Then I will make them everyday I plan but leave room for those leftovers, or have my husband take them for his lunch if more than 2 meals have leftovers, OR we can have it for lunch on the weekends. All room for adjustment... But on with my plan. I am going to take pictures and write a daily blog on the new foods so people have reviews on how they look and taste so they can try them at home. I will list all the ingredients and everything.

I think this will be fun. I like sharing and food always being people closer together. Even in the bible it talks numerous times about "breaking bread"  

Acts 2:46
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart

Ahhh Food, it is my best friend and sometimes my worst enemy. Through all these meals I am planning to make I pray I never over indulge, but keep adequate portions and always savor the flavor!!! I still have a weight loss goal!

Stay tuned: Meals from 1/19/12 to 1/25 are as follows:

1. Manicotti with Three Cheeses
2. Meatloaf Supreme
3. Chicken and Pasta Medley
4. Creamy Chicken Alfredo
5. Meaty Macaroni Bake
6. Creamy Chicken with Peas.

**Bonus: Crispy Salsa Potato Skins



Yum I can't wait!!

Karaoke Ring of Death (KROD) Jan.2012

SO I am doing this fun thing called Karaoke Ring of Death (KROD). It's monthly (this is my 1st month so hopefully I am doing it right!)  and this was my video partner this month!

Check it out! you can read his blogs HERE>>>  http://littlearrowshurt.blogspot.com/

Great job David!

If you would like to see my video Liz is hosting me at her blog http://landscapes-of-me.blogspot.com/

New year

New Years Resolutions. Yes I made them and I (like everyone else) intend on keeping them. Here they are:
Get under my pre-pregnancy weight and I will have you know I only need to loose 12 more lbs to get to my pre-pregnancy weight!!! I am doing good! lol. Although I know I was not fat by any means at my pre-pregnancy weight, I wasn't where I wanted to be physically. I am not afraid to say what I weighed and what I now weigh and what I want to weigh so let me break it down:
Pre-Pregnancy- 144lbs
Pregnancy- 199lbs (YIKES)

Currently- 156lbs!!
Goal- 135-140lbs

Reasonable right? I think so. I have come along way since I have been able to work out after my second pregnancy in March. I have lost 43lbs!!! and only have 15-20 more to hit my goal weight. I am 5'4" so 130-140lbs is good for me.

My 2nd Resolution helps my first one. DRINK MORE WATER!!! My mother-in-law got me a Britta pitcher because I hate that I am, but I am one of those bottled water girls... I hate tap. Even though I bought one one time that said it was bottled where I live... Stupid. Anyway It has helped me a ton! I found I have a water bottle that holds 24oz, and the minimum you should drink is 64oz a day. Well I drank 72oz yesterday by filling it up 3 times! I felt accomplished.

My 3rd and Final Resolution (unless I join 12 changes in 12 months) is that I am going to expose myself more musically. I have started doing that by using youtube. I have been doing a Karaoke type thing for now, but I will also start working on my own music again soon. I post my video's on facebook and hope people share and that others will randomly start finding me on youtube and subscribe. You can subscribe to me by clicking this link Sandywessel and tell your friends! Some are serious some are fun, and some are funny!

What are your resolutions? 

Been awhile

Ever feel like life sucks? Well I do too! I am going through another one of those hard times... I ask (or yell depending on the circumstance or mood) Will this ever end!!??!! I know the answer to this... Yes it will, but the next question is when? and then how long until crap flips my life upside down again?  Those my friends I do not have an answer for and frankly I hate that. I want to plan my whole life and stick to the plan. It seems simple right? If I make good decisions with my life, like how to spend my money, know how to SAVE my money, be on a schedule, make goals and work at achieving them, have good morals, stick to them no matter what, evenly divide my time to make sure I don't go crazy... Things like this... Now I like planning, I like organization (you wouldn't know it from my house at the moment but I do!) I like knowing the plan and attacking it. I am a "go getter" I do whatever I set my mind to. Well This year just BLEW in so many way can I just say. I mean come on!!! Let me make a list (her comes my organizing)

1. Had a baby and now have to go back to work... which was a place I HATED
2. SURPRISE! Your are pregnant 3 months postpartum and just found out you are 1 month along!
3. Surprise... you lost it...
4. Deal with Miscarriage while going to work at a place that sucks and has no care that you just lost a piece of you
5. Move to a better place, Quit Crappy Job, SURPRISE your husband lost his job for the 2nd time in your 3 year marriage, but now you have a baby and pay more rent and are both unemployed besides a commission job... Go for a dream position with music... DENIED
6.  Car registration is due...on both cars oh what? No money to pay for it?... Crap
7.Get sick and miss or have 1 month of commission shows canceled
8. Great 2nd car wont start... and still isn't registered
9.Get daycare, seem like things are looking up but find out kids wont be there anymore shortly (I'm not mad about that it just another financial hit)
10. Husband has a job that has gone full time YAY!!! But it's night and now you miss him and feel incredibility lonely
11. Suddenly get super sick and go to the ER 2 times, and take forever to get over it, and feel more alone because I can't see anyone!

This is me... I am not pouting or asking for sympathy... I just need to vent... I am SO done with this! I am sick of creditors calling me... wondering what I have to not pay this month so I can pay next months rent... I feel like my life this year has been a downward spiral... I have to give credit to some many blessings now:

1. I have a beautiful, smart, extremely happy and funny, AMAZING baby girl who is growing everyday!
2. I have an amazing husband who is always there for me
3. I have had some great support this year with friends and family
4. I have been able to keep sponsoring my "child" in Kenya
5. Rent has been paid every month (Thanks to some help a few times)

I know there is more but honestly they are not coming to me... I feel really discouraged... I keep praying for a relief that lasts more than a few weeks. I want stability. I don't want to move AGAIN! I don't want to worry about bills ESPECIALLY Rent! The feeling of not being able to provide our own home for our daughter feels horribly irresponsible! But I have NO CONTROL! I HATE THAT! I want like I said to make a plan and attack it, but life takes you on a ride and it's a bumpy one...

The thing that keeps me going honestly, is that I do know this will end and I am only put through these things because I am being shown something. I am growing. I am not alone in dealing with this even though at times I feel VERY lonely, but that is mostly because of my personality. I love human interaction. I like being around other people... adults. I am at home all day with kids, then (still) don't have a working second car (and if it was working it still isn't registered) so I am stuck at home unless someone has time or wants to make time to come visit me or will take me somewhere. That is hard for my type of people with a social craving. But I am not alone. Jesus  is with me... cheesy? Not at all. He knows what it's like to be alone, like you are the only one going through something that totally sucks. I know he is telling me to talk to him more, and just share with him. This is an area I sometimes struggle in. Remember I said I am a social person? Well I am... but more when you are in front of me, or sometimes on the phone. I like the people that I can actually hear words from, but sometimes they still can't comfort. I am working on talking to him, and I find that best when writing and maybe that's because that's a lot of how God communicates. I mean there is a WHOLE book with his words lol! I like writing, sometimes typing when I have a lot to say and it wants to come out faster than I can write with a pen or pencil. I type much faster than print. But other times the pen to paper gives me an outlet, just the physical release of words on a piece of paper is therapy...
I don't know how long I will be out of work and a regular paycheck. I know I am trying my hardest to bring in income and balance money. I don't know how long this downward spiral is, I don't know a lot. But one thing I know is I am stressed and if I don't get it out I am going to do damage to my body with all this stress and with trying to recover from the horrible sickness still it is going to take a lot longer. I believe in Prayer. Please pray for me and my family. Pray things will look up and this trail will end and that we will be stronger and smarter. Also that we will stable out financially.
I know I am not alone in some of these daily struggles so I will pray for my fellow strugglers. It isn't all about me and it wont last forever. My Jesus will deliver me out of this darkness and bring me new bright happiness... even if that doesn't happen until the day I see his face (I pray that isn't the case, that it gets better sooner) I will wait for that glorious day.

Jesus, you hear and see my struggles, I pray you jump in where I have no control and relieve me of my stresses. I pray for stability especially financially. I pray for happiness and good times. I thank you for every blessing I listed and didn't. I pray I never forget who you are and how much power you have to do anything. I pray I never put you in a box and think there is something you can't do. I ask for a miracle. Revive this heart, and country. I am not alone in these struggles. I am thankful I have you for many people do not. I pray you reach out to them and take the yolk off them too.
I love you!
Amen.

August 15, 2011

I need to write. I feel stressed and kind of up and down with my emotions today... I feel SUPER excited to be quitting my job with the Credit Union, but at the same time that leaves me feeling scared and worried. I mean Premier is doing AMAZING but it's the fear of the unknown... but the fact is we will always have enough to pay for the things that really matter: Rent, Food and Electric. I have never not had a weekly or bimonthly check so this is just weird and intimidating. I don't want to fail and I don't want to leave the stress on Scott being the only constant income. He REALLY encouraged me to quit though. Always coming home hating my job, what they do and how they treat me and everyone else they employ. Crying, or just being completely drained mentally. Doing a supervisor/managment job everyday and not being compensated for it or get a title change, and no raise for over 2 years, and my review always being over looked or extremely late. Lack of recognition, encouragement or even just a incentive to feel like I am doing a good job. I mean there is only so much a person can take. Should I stay there and let them run me over and use me and very much under compensating me for my job? I am not a push over nor am I going to let someone run me over because they know I will "just do it" anyway. I'm done... over 3 1/2 years is enough don't you think? Especially when I have a little girl I could be enjoying and watching grow up. Why miss out on the things that really matter? No more. Life is too short. I know God will always watch over us and protect us, and never give us more than we can handle with him so I should stop worrying and start having more faith in his clear signs telling me to quit.

I also have been feeling sad... knowing that Sept/Oct is when I would be having my 2nd child... This has been overwhelming me the past few days with sadness. I keep having dreams that I am pregnant, and symptoms... I don't think I am pregnant, I just think it's on my mind. I feel like I want another child right now but I am not sure if it's the void of my loss or me just enjoying McKayla so much. Even if I wanted to have one I would not choose to at this point and time. I am really nervous about my health and my body still not being ready. I don't want another miscarriage! That would be horrible!

I also just miss my best friend. I haven't seen her in a few years now and sometimes you just need to see your best friend for a pick me up and fun.

On a better note, I love our new apartment and the area it is in. I feel great going for walks and having a washer and dryer, and the space is great! McKayla just runs all over the place and I'm not having to keep her in a small confined space! She loves it! It has better space too, more functional and SO much more light. I felt like I was in a cave in La Riv!

I have so many things to be grateful for right now, I am not trying to complain but just get stuff off my chest to anyone who will listen and take the time to respond. It's a weird time for me right  now, a lot of new transitioning things and old scars I am overcoming. It will pass, just a weird season, hopeful of growth.

Feel free to comment and talk with me about any of this stuff, talking helps.