Life Lesson's and New Beginning's...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

If you haven't already noticed, I have been away from my blog for quite some time now. It was not intentional to stop blogging. I just had a lot on my plate. I lost interest in the blog and nothing seemed to brighten my day, well almost nothing.

I guess I should tell you all about what happened. In November, the guy I was dating broke up with me. He gave me this speech that it wasn't me and something was wrong with him. I cried and it really hurt and now we don't talk to each other anymore. I guess I got over him because I decided that he wasn't worth waiting for and there were a lot of things about him that annoyed me to no end. And of course the fact that he lied to me during our entire relationship of two years and eight months. That was the icing on the cake right there. So yeah my ex really sucked and I honestly don't give a shit about him anymore. He broke it off and I moved on. It was actually not as difficult as I expected.

Since the break up happened, I had to move in with my dad, little sister, dads girlfriend, and the girlfriends daughter. The house is beautiful and I love that we are out in the country. The only thing that kind of sucks is I'm forty-five minutes away from my job and the new guy in my life. But I can make it work. The drive isn't even that bad. Oh, I almost forgot. We can't have pets here and it sucks. I had to leave my cat and leopard gecko at ex's house. But I plan on bringing the gecko here when it gets warmer. I want to move the cat but I don't know where to move her too. I really wish I could bring her here. I think she'd like it here.

Also a few days ago, I started to have car trouble and it had to be towed. I'm waiting for a call from the dealership with news as to what is wrong with it. So I've been driving my dads jeep to work. It's weird not having a car. 

On brighter news, I did meet someone and we have started dating. We are taking it slow and everything. I must say though he is a much better man than any guy I've ever dated before. I think this one might just be a keeper. I mean its no big deal with a man decides to wait for you while watching you be with someone else. There aren't many guys in this world that would do that for a girl. I'm really lucky to have him in my life. So wish us luck.

Also, a stray cat has kind of adopted my family. He or she just showed up one day on our porch and now he or she lives in a cardboard box and a blanket behind the house. The kitty is so friendly and loving. Its great having animals around the house, even if we can't keep it inside the house.

Indian Madras Pie...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Indian Madras Pie

This recipe makes about 6 servings. It takes about 20 minutes to prep.

 Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces.
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 package of lean ground turkey
1 1/2 cup baby carrots, sliced
3 medium parsnips, peeled and sliced
2 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup frozen peas or frozen vegetables
2/3 cup milk
2 tbsp unsalted butter
Pinch cayenne pepper

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat; cook, boiling, for 12 minutes. Drain and return to pot.

2. Meanwhile heat oil in a large lidded 3 to 4 quart flameproof dish over medium, high heat. Crumble in turkey and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, for 4 minutes. Stir in carrots, parsnips, ginger, 3/4 tsp of the salt, the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne and 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring once or twice, for 17 minutes adding more water if necessary. Uncover and stir in peas or frozen vegetables. Cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat. 

3. Mash potatoes in pot with milk, butter and remaining salt. Spread potatoes over turkey mixture in dish and sprinkle with cayenne pepper, if desired. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

I made this dish last week and it was good but not nearly as good as my shepherds pie. I think I should change the amount of cinnamon in this recipe.

Where my Garden Grows...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I was walking among my garden earlier this morning and enjoying all the things I currently have growing there. I found some batteries for my boyfriends camera and started to take photos of nature at its best.

I found this little guy exploring my marigold flowers. I thought he was pretty cool and got some great photos of him. I was really surprised at the quality of the photos considering this is my first time I using the camera. I think they the photos turned out really good.




Is that caterpillar just the cutest? I don't know if he is good or bad for my flowers but I thought he's pretty cool.

I just love this picture of my tomato plants. I love taking the time to enjoy nature.




 I also harvested some produce while clearing out the garden for spring. I planted some bulbs that hopefully will come back every year. I also currently have two other flower plants that are growing that will also come back as well. I'm so excited for the spring season.


I also started my herb garden indoors. I currently have some seeds sprouting. I love watching my plants grow. Its really fascinating and a lovely wholesome experience.

Gardening Season is Coming to a Close...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I started Gardening earlier this Spring. I was sadly a late bloomer in this new found hobby of mine and now winter fast approaches. I'm so sad to see the gardening season go away so soon. I have a boat load of things I must do to prepare my garden for the coming spring. I also want to start composting to build better soil for my garden bed. I planted some herb seeds for my indoor herb garden a few days ago to keep the harvest going.

I grew my very own pumpkin patch in one of my raised garden beds. Something has been eating one of my pumpkins. I'm so disappointed. I wanted to use these pumpkin for carving for Halloween but they have yet to change color. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if that's just normal. I think next year I'm gonna skip the pumpkin patch.

It's so sad. My garden is decaying as the fall season rolls in. It makes me sad to see all my produce start to die. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that next season I have more experience and have a better plan of what I want to grow and what I want to try to grow. I can't wait to get started but first I need to draw out my garden bed. I must make plans on what I'm growing and what I'm not.

Thankfully cooking and baking will be able to fill the void until the Spring.

Sweet and Sour Sesame Seed Chicken...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Sweet and Sour Sesame Seed Chicken

Ingredients:

3-4 Boneless chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 - 1/2 cup canola oil

Sweet and Sour Sauce:

3/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp ketcup
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic salt
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Sesame Seeds are Optional

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

1. Trim and cut the chicken into cubes. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch into a gallon - size plastic bag and add all of your chicken cubes into it. Seal and shake to coat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a large dish. Pour beaten egg over the chicken and stir gently to coat.

2. Heat the oil in a large skillet and pan fry the chicken over medium high heat on both sides until slightly brown. Place chicken into greased baking dish.

3. Mix all of your sweet and sour ingredients in a bowl with a fork. Pour or drizzle evenly over the chicken, save some as a dipping sauce. Bake the chicken for 45 minutes at 325 degrees. During this process, stir chicken a few times. Add the sesame seeds. Increase the oven to 375. Bake for 15 more minutes. Watch the chicken to make sure it doesn't burn.

I thought I wouldn't really enjoy this meal but as it turns out. I loved it. I can't wait to make it again. I encourage you all to do the same. I promise you won't regret it.

Sugar is my Addiction...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

First off, I want to apologize for not posting everyday like I wanted. I am having a hard time downloading photos of all the amazing food I have made this past few weeks. I think I might ask for a camera this Christmas. That would be nice. Then I wouldn't have to take photos on my phone. Or I could just use the one my boyfriend got last year or two years ago, not sure which at our Christmas Raffle at work. That would work as well. I might ask for a memory card for it. Then I can use it as my main source for photos.

Second, I have a sugar addiction. I am seriously addicted to anything sugary and sweet. Its such a terrible mix fr me because I adore baking. But I need to find ways to make these foods better for me. I need to work on giving up sugary foods that are bad for me. Like I love chocolate, especially those Halloween Reese's Peanut Butter Pumpkins. They are so delicious and the goodness factors seriously spike with that food. I need better options. If you anyone has some advice on how to do such things, please leave a comment.

I'm having a hard time keeping up with my calorie counter on my phone. I try and then I just stop using it. I need to use it because it might help me loose weight. I really need to loose weight. I'm not fat per say. I just need to loose a few pounds.

The Salty Saloon - Salt is the Enemy #1...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Salt can be a wonderful thing. It help bring out the flavor in foods that sometimes taste bland. It also enhances the foods natural flavor. Salt however can also be a very bad thing. Too much of it and it can cause some serious increase of your bodies natural salt intake. Most foods already have salt built in, so the need to add more isn't necessary. But I am one who likes to sprinkle some  on food, especially mashed potatoes. I think mashed potatoes taste better with salt. I need to break this habit I really do. I am currently working on revamping myself to be a better me for a better tomorrow. I'm slowly working in making it less of a thing for myself. I encourage others to do the same. It will be hard but it will be worth it in the end.

I think it would be helpful to season food well. That way there is enough flavor from the spices that salt doesn't make a play on food. Then the consumer won't have to worry if they are eating too much salt or not. I believe in a healthier you for tomorrow. My theory is that once salt is cut from the diet, you will be able to move on and cut other things as well. Some of the things I need to cut are junk food like ice cream and chocolate. I am particular to anything sweet. I have a major sweet tooth. I always have, ever since I was young. I think that cutting those things from my diet will help me loose weight and feel better about my body, my health, and myself.

Food Is Life...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I have been so busy lately. I try to juggle life the best way I can. I make dinner two nights a week. I cook more than I have ever cooked before. Whats really funny about that is that I love every moment that I spend cooking. I enjoy finding new recipes and making them my own. I love eating my creations and realizing that I can actually make something that tastes great, even amazing. I'm so proud of myself. My family has started to take notice of my new skill as well. I think they might be a little jealous because I never cooked for them.

I have found so many new recipes that I can't wait to try. First I need to find them and get the recipe. I hope to share more of my food adventures with you soon. Keep checking back for more recipes.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Vanilla Butter Cream Icing...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I made some awesome cupcakes for my little sisters birthday. I decided that they turned out so well that I wanted to share them with you. Now the first time I made this recipe, I made it as a cake and honestly it wasn't all that great. It had this strong chocolate taste that was pretty terrible.

Ingredients:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising)
1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
8 Tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
2 tsp. distilled white vinegar
1 tsp. baking soda

Directions:

1. Put cupcake cups into the cupcake pans.

2. Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt into a bowl. Beat butter at low speed until creamy. Add sugar, blend on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until fluffy, about three minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Scape bowl; add food coloring and vanilla.

3. On low speed, beat in flour mixture in thirds, alternating buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour. (I did this step only with the flour but not the buttermilk). In small bowl, stir together vinegar and baking soda. Stir into batter. Divide batter between prepared cupcake pans.

4.. Bake until tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean, twenty-five to thirty minutes. Cool in pans ten minutes. Cool cupcakes on rack until ready to be frosted.

I really loved these cupcakes. I think it was amazing. I loved it. I hope you all get to try it out.

Oven - Baked Fries...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Last week I made some Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf and baked oven fries to go with it. I absolutely loved the fries. They were so delicious that I decide to make them again the next day for lunch. I thought I'd share the recipe with all of you.

Oven - Baked Fries

This makes a ton of fries. Not sure how many it serves. 

Ingredients:

4 large russet potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed and cut into wedges.
3 - 4 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper

Directions:

1. Allow cut potatoes to suck in cold water for thirty minutes. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.

2. Drizzle about a tablespoon of oil onto a large baking sheet and spread it around with your fingers. Sprinkle some salt and pepper onto the oil. Then, add the potatoes to the baking sheet. Drizzle oil onto the potatoes, then add some salt and pepper.

3. Cover tightly with foil and  bake ten minutes. Remove the foil and bake another ten minutes. Flip the potatoes and bake ten to fifteen minutes or until super crispy.

These were the best fries I've ever had and you can season them anyway you want. I will be making them from now on as my only source of fries. I suggest that all of you should make these right away. I promise you won't regret it.

Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

This meal was so good. I mean I really, really loved it. The meatloaf was different from anything I've ever had before. It had cheese and ketchup in it which was just bizarre.  I think next time I'll leave out the ketchup mix in. I think I would of enjoyed it more if it was only included as a glaze for the top. But everything else that made this meatloaf amazing was delightful. This recipe is not mine and I did not come up with it. I got it from fellow blogger, Joyously Domestic. I just switched it up a bit and did things a little different to make it my own.

Yummy

Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf

This recipe makes about six to eight servings.

Ingredients:

2 pounds of ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup saltines, crushed
2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
1 small onion, minced
1/4 green pepper,  chopped thin
Salt and Pepper to taste, I used 1/2 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
A pinch of dried herbs, I used Italian seasoning
Cheese, I used shredded Mozzarella, shredded Sharp Cheddar, and shredded Colby Jack.

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Then combine all the ingredients except the cheese in a large mixing bowl. 

2. Divide the meatloaf mixture in half and spread half of it out into the bottom of the loaf pan. Lay down a layer of cheese, any cheese you wish to use. I used mozzarella, cobly jack, and sharp cheddar. Spread out the other half of the meat mixture on top of the cheese being super careful not to disrupt the cheese too much. Then proceed to use a rubber spatula(I used a wooden one) to close push the meat together while also making sure that no cheese is visible.

3. Squirt some ketchup on top and spread it out evenly. Bake for one hour in the oven uncovered. Allow the meatloaf five minutes to rest before slicing and serving.

Cheesy Stuffed Meatloaf

 

 

 

So my boyfriend just told me today that he really didn't like the meatloaf. He said he just isn't a meatloaf person, which is sad. I love meatloaf. It's so amazing. I'm gonna make it my goal in life to find a meatloaf he loves.

My Favorite Berry - The Raspberry...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,


I have been gearing my body in a attempt to eat healthier What does this mean for me? Well it means, less fast food, more home made food, less junk food,and more fruits and veggies. I even started to replace some things I eat with organic products. Some of these products are organic brown eggs, organic mozzarella cheese string, and organic low fat vanilla yogurt.

I'm also trying things like turkey bacon and sausage. I'm trying to eat better. And its hard but I know its possible. I'm just so use to eating whatever is easiest to get my hands on. Now I am really trying to push myself to do better.

Did I mention I love fruit? My favorite berry though is Raspberries. They are just so delicious and I can't seem to get enough of them. I usually just buy the small pack even though I know I'll eat them within at least two days of having them.

 

Yummy!!!

Unearthing my first Naturebox...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

A few weeks ago, I turned twenty-three and with this incredible change of age came very important decision. I decided that I am overweight for my age. I currently weigh in at about, well that's not that important. Let's just say I weight between somewhere in the hundreds. I just know that what I weigh is not where I'm supposed to be. So I've been searching the web for ways to eat better. I found this website called Natures box. They send you a trail box for free. I just got mine in the mail yesterday.

 These are just some of the items I got from my nature box. I really enjoyed the cinnamon swirl kettle kernels. They were very delicious. I hope to find more places that do this type of thing. I was looking on online and found another company called Urthbox. They provide a box of non-gmo, organic products to their customers every month. I also think its good deal, they want nineteen dollars for their products.

One Skillet Lasagna - Two Words - Yummy...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Tonight for dinner, I put my hands to work and created a very delicious one skillet lasagna. I found the recipe online from Taste of Homes. I really enjoyed this recipe. I tried to cut back on the cottage cheese that this recipe calls for because I've never been a huge fan. I hope you all try this one for yourselves. Next time I think I want to try adding spinach and ground turkey to make it a more healthy meal.

Cheesy, Gooey, Lasagna

One Skillet Lasagna 

This recipe makes about six servings. 

Ingredients: 

3/4 pound ground beef

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with basil, oregano, and garlic, don't drain. 

2 jars(14 each) spaghetti sauce

2/3 cup condensed cream of onion soup, I used cream of mushroom because I couldn't find cream of onion where I live. 

2 eggs lightly beaten

1-1/4 cups 1% cottage cheese

3/4 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, you can either purchase from a store or make your own. I purchased from the store.

9 no-cook lasagna noodles

1/2 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese

1/2 cup shredded part-skim Mozzarella Cheese

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, cook the beef and the minced garlic over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the can of tomatoes and spaghetti sauce;heat through. Then transfer into a large bowl.

2. In a small bow, then combine the cream of mushroom soup, the cottage cheese, the Italian season, and eggs until mixed well. The mixture will be very gross looking.

 

3. Add one cup of the meat sauce to skillet; spread even. Layer with cottage cheese mixture, I used a small amount, then 1 to 1/2 cups of meat sauce and half the noodles. Break the noodles if they don't fit. Repeat the process, layer the cottage cheese mixture, meat sauce and noodles. Top with the remaining meat sauce. Bring the lasagna to a boil. Then reduce the heat; cover and cook for 15 to 18 minutes or until the noodles are tender.

4. Remove the lasagna from the heat and cover with cheese and lid. Let cool for 2 minutes, waiting until the cheese is melted. Then serve.

This meas was so good. I can't wait to make it again and change it up.

The Perfect Piece of Heaven...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

Today I'm gonna share with you something that holds a very special place in my heart. I made this for my boyfriend for our very first anniversary. He loved it so much.  But sadly I haven't made it since then. And we've been together for two years and six months this September. Which is such a long time and we are both so happy together.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Ingredients:

1 package of yellow cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
1/4 cup poppy seeds
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

Lemon Glaze

Ingredients:

1 - 3/4 cupc confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Cake Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into greased and floured fluted tube pan.

2. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

Icing Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over the cake.

This recipe is very good and I invite all of you to try it for yourselves.

Ice Cream...We All Scream...For Ice Cream...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

So my phone won't let me add any of the photos I've taken of me preparing the last two meals I made this past week. I hope to figure out this problem soon. But in the meantime, I am gonna share something else I made with you. This was pretty easy and fun to make.

Ingredients:

Your choice of cookie

Your choice of ice cream

Your choice of toppings

This was a fun little food project that I made awhile ago. I decided I wanted to make ice cream cookie sandwiches. I bought Toll House Cookie Dough at the store. I baked the cookies and set them aside to cool. Once the cookies were cool enough, I got out the vanilla ice cream that my boyfriends mom bought from Target and placed that on the cookie. Then, I put another cookie on top to create the ice cream sandwich cookie. After all that funnest, I rolled the cookie in sprinkles and then shared them with my boyfriend's family. They all loved them.

Tips for a Heathier You...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I just wanted to give everyone some of the tips I follow when it comes to trying to be healthy. This includes exercising everyday and finding ways to improve upon the food you eat. I struggle with eating good, healthy food. I always seems to fall victim to my temptation of chocolate or sweet goodies.  I also have a problem that once I start eating bad food, I can't stop myself. So here is what I'm doing to stay fit and eat well.

Tips for a Better You...

1. Workout - Do this everyday when time permits. Right now, I jog three nights a week, do squats three to four nights a week, do crunches or sit-ups at least three nights a week, and yoga twice a week. I am trying to just get back into a workout plan. This is where I am starting because I think its a good place for me.

2. Eat Better - Keep a Food Journal and write down all the food I eat everyday. I found it is easier to have an app on my phone that allows me to input my food intake. The app also acts as a calorie counter and lets me keep a goal for my calories.

3. Improve - Write down how to improve workouts and food intake. Find a woman with a similar body type to my own. I have the type of body that once it starts to gain weight, it is very hard to loose that weight. I have to workout much harder than most people in order to loose weight. My body role model would have to be Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, and Demi Lovato. Now keep in mind, that these women's bodies might not be exactly like mine but we all have the same type of body.

4. Healthy Food - Keep a list of groceries that I think are healthy. For example, honey wheat bread is better for you than white bread.

5. Money - Be smart about money and try to save. Don't splurge on unhealthy choices.

6. Limit - Try to keep junk food and fast food out of the picture. If you must have it, then try to get the healthiest thing on the menu. Salads and chicken wraps are my go to when it comes to fast food.

I hope this helps others. Its hard to do all this at once, so you have to really work at it to find a balance that fits into your lifestyle.

Walking in my Garden...!!!

Bonjour Foodies,

I wanted to share my garden with all of you. I decided last winter that this year I would plant my first garden. I would like to say I was most successful. The only problem I came across was not putting some plants out soon enough.


So these plants right here are my banana peppers, a cucumber plant, a tomato plant, and some marigolds. This was my first start at growing flowers and vegetables outside.

This is my bigger garden. It is in a raised garden bed made from cedar wood. I purchased the bed from Home Depot's online website. I have tomatoes plants, some cucumber plants, some green pepper plants, marigolds, and two pumpkin plants. All these plants have at least doubled in size since these pictures were taken. I am very proud of my little garden. It has been very successful. I have harvested some of the plants to use in my own recipes. There is nothing better than to have a garden to provide fresh ingredients for recipes. I rather enjoy gardening. It is a lot more fun than I thought it would be. I'm glad I decided to try it. 

Also look to the future for me more garden news. I am expecting to have some very nice pumpkins before Halloween arrives next month. I also am looking forward to having two garlic plants next spring. I will keep you all posted.