Best (& EASIEST) Pulled Pork

I tried a new recipe and I loved it.  It is SUPER easy- not on my diet- but tasty nonetheless.  At first I freaked out when I realized you used root beer to cook your pork in- but there were so many awesome reviews that I went with it.  Then two days later I made another batch for a friend who had just had a baby.  I just sent over the pulled pork, a mess of coleslaw and a bag of rolls.  This would be wonderful for tailgating parties.

Here is the recipe- photo and recipe from Allrecipes.com.   I used 2 litres of A&W root beer, a half of a pork roast- the inexpensive kind in a tube shaped bag and Sweet Baby Ray's Original BBQ sauce.  You just put the pork in the crock pot- cover it with root beer- cook on low. Turn the roast a time or two during the day.  At dinner time drain off all of the root beer and remove any fat.  Shred meat with a fork (it falls apart) and drench with the BBQ sauce.  You can use the pulled pork on your favorite salad or I like to make sandwiches with it- just put a heaping pile of the pork in the middle of a soft roll and enjoy.

Activity Day: Homemade Chocolates

With Valentine's Day coming up I thought it would be fun to teach the activity day girls (church group of girls ages 8-11) how to make homemade chocolates.  We used the delicious billionaire chocolate recipe and this chocolate peanut butter candy recipe.  I've made the billionaire chocolates before and they were a huge hit.  Make the filling balls small (nickel size or smaller) so that after dipping in chocolate they are the perfect size- if they get too big they are a little hard to chew.

I made the billionaire filling ahead of time and rolled them up all ready to dip into chocolate.  If you run out of time doing this activity you can send these home to eat without dipping them in chocolate- they are delicious as is!

While the girls were here we made the peanut butter filling and rolled both kinds of candy in chocolate. We got chocolate EVERYWHERE.... this may go down in history as the most messy activity day EVER!

We put some of the candies into little candy cups and the girls boxed up a few of their chocolates with a ribbon to give as a gift.  The other candies were placed onto a pink paper plate.

We ran out of time. Next time I'll make both types of candy fillings ahead of time.  This will allow them to firm up in the refrigerator before dipping in the chocolate.  This advanced prep might also allow us some time to put the finished chocolates in the refrigerator for a few minutes so that the chocolate is set before the candy needs to be transported home-we ended up sending home some very unique and interesting looking mounds of chocolate- but the girls were thrilled with their results.

For our spiritual message we talked about how important it is to follow directions when making a recipe.  We talked about how important it is to follow directions in life.  We discussed how we can find the directions we need in the scriptures, from our leaders, and from our parents.  We talked about My Gospel Standards and how they are a great "recipe" for life.  It was a yummy fun day although it destroyed my healthy eating plan for the day!

Pecan, Apple & Spinach Salad

I had this salad for lunch yesterday.  It is one of my favorites.  The salad is made with a spring salad mix, baby spinach, chunks of apples, pecans, diced roasted chicken, and goat cheese all topped with Braswell's raspberry vinaigrette.  This very yummy salad dressing has sugar in it- but I still use it occasionally...mmm.

Yummy Healthy Meals

I found out that I don't like roasted cauliflower last week.  The flavor doesn't dance on my tongue - it had a funny sweetness to it.  No, the flavor just kind of rolls over like a sluggish couch potato.  Ick.  However, in my experimenting I found a few healthy recipes that I do like.

Southwest Chicken.  I added about 1 t. chili powder and 1 t. cumin to the recipe and I chopped up the chicken when I served it- so it was kind of like a stew or casserole rather than a piece of meat with stuff on the side.   My husband asked that we have it again.

Beef Stew.  This beef stew does not have tomatoes and the other flavors really shine through.  Allow each person to season their bowlful with some of Jane's krazy mixed-up seasonings original mixed-up salt.  It is worth a trip to the grocery store to get this stuff.  SUPER good!

By the way, this salt tastes amazing on pot roast, too.

Homemade Bread and Milk Chocolate Fudge

But not together.  I spent yesterday making milk chocolate fudge and peanut butter fudge.  Then I spent some time wrapping it up for gift giving.  I used small tins from Target and some gift boxes that I had on hand.

Here are the packaging directions that I followed:

• Wrap the fudge in saran wrap- to keep it clean and fresh
• Wrap the fudge in the saran into parchment paper to make it pretty
• Tie that bundle up with cute baker's twine- instead of buying the baker's twine in the candy section go to the crochet yarn and thread section- our craft store carries crochet thread that is identical to the baker's twine but TONS cheaper!
• Make little decorative doodads out of polymer clay and tiny stamps to jazz them up a bit ahead of time and then tie these on-  here is a tutorial that is similar to what I did- I just used stamps instead of nature-
• Add a tiny jingle bell- if you so desire

My husband spent the evening making his delicious bread.  He makes me 100% whole wheat no sugar (just honey) bread- for my healthy eating kick. Then he makes some that is half white flour and half wheat with some sugar in it for himself. Yep, I'm spoiled!  Both kinds of bread are super yummy and with the cold weather we've been having I've been making and enjoying lots and lots of toast.

Whole Wheat and Honey Pumpkin Bread

Well, the healthy eating plan has paid off!  I'm eating a healthy fats (like avocados & real butter), whole foods diet with only a few sweeteners like honey and maple syrup- with a touch of semi-dark chocolate.

Now I'm done losing weight.  Some would say that I could still lose ten pounds but I don't buy the Hollywood version of healthy.  With my doctor's approval I'm moving on to maintenance!

It would still be so easy to switch back to my old way of eating.  Especially as the holidays approach!!  But I'm trying to hang tough and to pay attention to the benefits- and not just the sacrifices- of changing my lifestyle.... any suggestions for staying motivated during maintenance?

I am putting together a file of well loved healthy recipes.  Since, I love pumpkin bread  my daughter and I came up with the following recipe (thanks Amber).  I hope you'll like it too!

Whole Wheat & Honey Pumpkin Bread

1/3 c. applesauce

1/3 c. vegetable oil

1 ½ c. honey

2 t. vanilla

4 eggs

1 15 oz. can  pumpkin (Libby’s or a good tasting organic brand-  and there is a not so pleasant difference in the taste of different brands of canned pumpkin)

1 3/4c. whole wheat flour

1 1/2 c. brown rice flour

1 t. salt

2 t. baking soda

½ T. cinnamon

1 ½ t. ginger

1 t. cloves

½ c. water

Optional:

1 c. chopped nuts

1 ½ c. semi sweet chocolate chips

Mix the moist ingredients. Stir the dry ingredients together and add them to the pumpkin mix. Blending just until mixed. Add the water. Mix. Gently add nuts and chocolate chips.

Pour batter into two well greased bread pans- lick the bowl. Bake at 325 for 50 min. or until toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Remove from pans and cool for 5 hours before slicing.

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Homemade Turkey Sausage

It is only ten in the morning and I've already finished eating lunch because I tried a new recipe and I just didn't want to wait until lunch to taste it!

Often commercial sausages are filled with an unhealthy variety of preservatives.  I was so excited when I found this highly rated, super simple turkey sausage recipe.  I made it today and I love it!

The only change I made to the original recipe was that instead of making patties I just cooked it and crumbled it up in the skillet.  I would suggest that if you like super.mild sausage you go a tiny bit lighter on the cayenne.  Totally delicious plain but also very yummy with whole wheat spaghetti and tomato sauce.

I'm so excited to make this again so that I can add it to omelets, soups and casseroles.  Yummy!

Favorite Healthy Cooking Blogs

I've been surfing the web and looking for healthy bloggers.  Obviously not everyone agrees on the same diet.  I'm trying to be a whole grains (How to Lower Your Fat Thermostat), no sweeteners (except a little honey and maple syrup), low fat (except for some healthy fats like olive oil, almonds and avocados) kind of gal.

Many people have gluten allergies so whole grains aren't going to work for them.  Some people prefer to be vegan.  I understand.  I'm finding that even if the diet I'm eating doesn't mesh exactly with a fellow blogger's diet there is still so much to learn and so many adaptable great recipes shared that I am grateful to visit their blogs and learn from them.

Here are some of my favorite healthy eating blogs- (I hope you like them too):

Daily Bites

Deliciously Organic

Kalyn's Kitchen

Live. Laugh. Eat.

Nourished Kitchen

Oh She Glows

Sprouted Kitchen

Steamy Kitchen

The Nourishing Gourmet

The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen

Simply Sugar and Gluten Free

Another reason I like these blogs is that I feel like I'm not alone on my journey to better health.  It is motivational to read of others improved health through diet and exercise.  Mmmm, I think I'll go grab a carrot or something!

Another Healthy Cookbook

I found another cookbook that I like.  It is called Quick and Easy Meals .  I believe it is from the editors of Diabetic Living Magazine.  I found the recipes to be made from mostly fresh ingredients and whole grains.  They are not necessarily low in fat. Some recipes call for egg substitutes.  I'm not adverse to eggs- so, I just use fresh eggs (from our chickens).  Contrary to the one review on Amazon very few of the recipes called for sugar and those that did called for very small amounts- like 1 Tablespoon.

This book has a large selection of salads and quite a few soups too- they all look delish!  We tried the Mexican chicken, avocado & orange salad for dinner- I improvised on the chicken and will have to try it again following the exact recipe- but I really liked the citrus vinaigrette dressing and intend to make the salad again- maybe just omitting the chicken.... or as I said, actually following the recipe :o)

I love cookbooks with pictures and this book has a picture for every recipe.  I'm looking forward to trying more of the recipes! 

And while I'm thinking healthy- I LOVE this whole wheat banana bread!  I didn't measure the bananas- I just used two very large ripe ones and I only baked the bread for 45 min.- it was perfectly done and very tasty- I actually hid a slice or two in my room to eat after the hungry hordes subsided.

Using the Garden Fresh Zucchini

I've been checking out healthy cookbooks from the library.  This week I found Farm to Fork by Emeril Lagasse.  The first recipe I tried was the Provencal-Style Stuffed Zucchini. 

I simplified and adapted it.  I baked some zucchini in the oven at 375 for about 30 minutes- until tender- but not soggy.  While that was baking I made some whole wheat breadcrumbs and mixed that with Parmesan and fresh parsley.  At the stove I browned some mild sausage and some chopped onions and fresh garlic.  When the zucchini was ready I sprinkled the onions, garlic and sausage on top.  Then covered that with the breadcrumb, parsley & cheese mixture.  I broiled that for about four minutes- just until the breadcrumbs were toasty brown.

At first I thought this dish would be to dry- but once I cut into the zucchini and the vegetable juices started to flow it was pretty tasty.

7/2/11  I deleted my scary looking attempt at food photography and went with a generic zucchini photo from the web....

Yummy Mexican Bean Salad

I tried a new recipe for bean salad this week and I love it!  The dressing has fresh lemon, lime & cilantro.  Very Tasty!!  I think I'll go have another bowl full....

6/3/2011- This salad tastes so much better fresh- the recipe makes a large bowl full so share with friends- it's not nearly as good once it has marinated too long.

Cookbook Review

I've been trying to eat less sugar and preservatives- and trying to consume more whole grains and vegetables. And can I just publicly announce that I really, really miss the sugar!!!  

I realized that most of cookbooks I own aren't very helpful in this area- they have gorgeous pictures of amazing desserts.  Even the main dishes are made with lots of processed ingredients and people put sugar in the strangest things....  So, I splurged and purchased two new cookbooks. 

I found the Power Foods cookbook on Amazon for $15.  It has lots of extra information about healthy foods to include in your diet- but so far, I've just been focusing on the healthy recipes.  I've tried the walnut- crusted chicken (I replaced the walnuts with pecans) and the lemon chicken with avocado-corn salsa chicken and both were excellent! 

I'll let you know how the other cookbook is (if I like it)- just browsing through it I noticed several unusual ingredients and the recipes seem to call for quite a bit of sugar... so, we'll see.

Kind of Healthy Granola Recipe

I decided to make some granola yesterday.  I combined some recipes and ended up with this:

7 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups sliced almonds
3/4 c. powdered milk (non-fat)
1 1/2 c. unsweetened coconut (ribbon style)
1 cup wheat germ
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 T. cinnamon
1 T. vanilla

1/4 c. maple syrup
3/4 c. honey
1 c. canola oil

2 c. raisins

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).  Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Combine the dry ingredients and stir together.  In a microwave dish mix the moist ingredients- (warm in microwave to melt the honey and make it easy to mix).  When the wet ingredients are mixed pour them over the dry ingredients and stir well.  Spread the granola evenly on the two cookie sheets.

Bake for 20 min.  Stir once half way through cooking.  Cool.  Add raisins or other dried fruit.  Store in an air tight container.

My hubby likes it- that is always a good sign!

Healthy Gingerbread Muffins and the World's Best Mom

I was blessed to be born to an amazing mother.  I am the fifth of nine children.  Although my mom was from a large family she had to work and learn about how to be the kind of mom she wanted to be.  She read books, talked to friends and prayed.  She decided she didn't want to spank her kids.  So, when she lost her temper and one of us received a spanking she would spend some quiet time in her room.  She would think through the situation and pray asking God to help her find a better way.... He blessed her and she did.  I don't have many heroes- because I don't use that term lightly- but my mom is my hero.

If I was to write a tiny portion of all that she is and all that she has done to help me this would be an endless post.  So, I'll just move on to one other tiny tribute.

My mom tried to feed us in a healthy way.  To her that meant using whole grains.  So, I thought of her when I made these gingerbread muffins.  They are actually quite healthy and pretty good.  I hope you enjoy them.  The original recipe was found here.  I tweaked it and came up with the following:

Gingerbread Muffins

1 1/4 c. Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 c. wheat germ
1/4 c. nonfat powdered milk
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder

1/4 c. buttermilk
6 T. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. molasses
3 T. agave nectar
1 T. canola oil
1 egg

Pre-heat oven to 190 C (350 F).  Use liners to in a 12 cup muffin tin.  Mix the dry ingredients together.  Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.  Mix dry and wet mixtures together just until moist.  Use all the batter to fill your muffin cups.  Bake for about 15-20 min. Remove from pan and enjoy. 

If you are not used to healthy recipes you may notice these are low in salt, sugar and fat.  I still like them- especially with a spoonful of unsweetened applesauce on each half.

Activity Day- Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

This is another activity day activity found on Sugardoodle.  The girls made banana splits (ours didn't look this fancy- I forgot to take a picture).  I had an ice cream bar set up with all sorts of toppings.  I included ketchup and mustard.  Then we discussed why the girls didn't put those toppings on their ice cream. 

We talked about some toppings are good on Sundaes and some toppings are good (on fries)- they just aren't right for Sundaes.  Then we talked about Sundays and how there are good activities that aren't quite right for Sunday (like athletic events)- and activities that can make our Sundays sweet (like reading Bible stories).

We talked about the ideas of appropriate things to do on Sundays on this handout- that link isn't working so hot- the handout is also found here.

For our activity the girls helped make sugar spiced pecans to share with their families (these are good on ice cream and also really yummy to munch on as is- and they make your house smell awesome while they bake).

Activity Day sewing project & What I've been up to

As you know I've been assigned to lead a church group of girls ages 8-11 in a bi-weekly midweek activity (love it!).  This week we are sewing fleece hats and making no sew scarfs- just in time too- as a cold front hit town yesterday... brrr.

Since it's more then a tad bit chilly out it is the perfect excuse to stay home and snuggle under the covers reading a book.  I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I enjoy old fashioned Christian romances.  The ones I read will probably never win great literature awards, (English teachers probably tremble at the thought)- but it's fun entertainment.  My rationalization is that I watch very little TV, go to the movie theater about once a year- or less--- so this is my guilty pleasure.  Last week at the library I found A Tailor-Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer and really enjoyed it.  Amazon has this one used starting at $3.50

Did I mention covers?  Don't you hate getting into a cold bed?!  One night while preparing for bed I took a heating pad (the kind you get at Walgreens for a bad back) and placed it between the sheets- turning it on high.  By the time I've brushed my teeth and said my prayers my bed is toasty warm.  I shut off the pad, toss it out of the bed and snuggle down for a warm winter's nap.  Works for me.

Another book that looks delightful is Cath Kidston's Stitch- maybe I can talk my librarian in to getting a copy?!

Apples and Caramel

Today's snack was caramel and crispy, crunchy apples.  Just make your favorite caramel candy and only cook it to the soft ball stage.  Then it will be softer- like a thick sauce.  My daughter and I used Betty Crocker's recipe with condensed milk.  Easy and Sweet.

Scattering Sunshine

In the church I belong to there is a large women's organization called the Relief Society.  There are about six million member throughout the world.  Our motto is "Charity Never Faileth".  One of the women in our group is asked to be the "Compassionate Service Leader".  Her job is to find out the needs of members of the church (and others) and to organize service to help them.  I got a call  yesterday asking me to take in a dinner for five to woman who recently had a hysterectomy.  No problem.  Not only is it a joy to be able to help someone else- I know that the wonderful women in this group are there to help me when I need it!  Gotta love that!

For their dessert I made my husband's favorite (and mine) apple crisp.  This recipe can be found in the Mormon Family Cookbook published in 1982.  Hubby's aunt co-authored the book.  I've made a few minor adaptations.

Best Ever Apple Crisp

Apples, peeled and sliced (1 quart- I like more)
2 T.  lemon juice
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c.  white flour
2 t. cinnamon
2/3 c. white flour
1 c. brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 t. nutmeg (optional)

Preheat oven to 400.  Pile apples in a 9x13 cake pan- gently press down.  If apples are sweet sprinkle with lemon juice- I like to use a variety of types of apples for an extra rich flavor.  Using a pastry cutter mix together the remaining ingredients until they are well blended and crumbly.  Bake until the apples are tender and the topping brown and crisp about 30-40 min.  Serve warm- may add ice cream or whipped cream for extra calories--- I mean, extra yumminess!

Scratch and sniff your computer screen- can you smell this- so awesome!!!

Shrimp Tacos and Mango Salsa

This post doesn't have anything to do with weddings- but if you like shrimp tacos these are delicious!!!!  I used Holly Clegg's simple recipe, but any basic recipe will do.  Then add this  mango salsa - it's amazing- it's good on tortilla chips as well.  I think I'd use a little less cilantro- but use fresh ingredients and you'll gobble this stuff up- enjoy!

AMAZINGLY Delicious Salad

spinach picture from the web

My daughter found the most amazing salad recipe.  I think we have had it three times in the last two weeks- it's just that good!  She spread out all the ingredients and let us mix up our own- but really- put everything on.  The combination of flavors is AMAZING!  The dressing does require a fresh orange (don't substitute). I'd suggest doubling the dressing. She did make two substitutions.  One of the reviews on this salad said there was too much blue cheese.  I put shredded mozzarella cheese on mine.  I tried it with the blue cheese and that was good too.  And instead of walnuts we used fresh pecans (after all this is Texas).  Try it.  Ina Garten's Cape Cod Chopped Salad.  Sorry there isn't a picture of the salad- I just get so excited every time we have this that I forget to take one.