Moving on

If anyone who reads this is interested I have moved on to a different blog and website. The web address is this  http://prairiewindslife.weebly.com/

Pizza Pretzels!

Okay so I love love love the pizza pretzels you can get from Safeway or a lot of different grocery stores, you know the ones that have poppy seeds in them and have the red sauce and a bit of onions and cheese on top! Ya those ones! Well every once in awhile I just crave them, especially when I am about to go on a road trip because they are very much a road trip food to me. I like to make things because well I am too cheap and lazy to drive 30 minutes just to go to the store and buy them. Here is a recipe that I have put together for my pizza pretzels.

Ingredients:

Bread:
1 1/3 Cup of Water
2 Teaspoons Sugar
1 1/4 Teaspoons Salt
2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons of Poppy Seeds
3 Cups of White Flour
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1 1/2 Teaspoons of Bread Machine Yeast

Toppings:
1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella
1 Shredded Small White Onion
1/2 Cup of Tomato Sauce


Directions:

1) Add the ingredients for the bread to your bread machine in order that is listed. 
2) Set to dough setting and walk away while the machine does the work.
3) Once done pre heat the oven to 350 degrees F
4) Cut the dough into 6 pieces and then roll the dough out to make a long think band (about 15 inches or less) then form into a pretzel shape by taking one end to the middle and making a circle. Repeat with the other side. Place on a cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper.
5) Let rest for 10-15 minutes.
6) Add toppings to each pretzel and put in the oven for between 15-20 minutes. Check the bottom of the pretzels and if they are not a light brown then let cook for a few more minutes.
7) Let cool and then enjoy!

So I have been a naughty girl again...
Life gets busy and well when you have two kids it gets even busier. But I am back. I am hoping to post at least once a week but we will see how that goes, again life gets busy. But I do like to write and I do like doing this blog and sharing recipes and just things that I have discovered about being a wife and stay at home mom. 
Life has gotten busier since we welcomed our newest into the family on April 3rd. He is a husky little guy and weighed a whopping 9lbs 3oz! The first month I will admit was a bit of a struggle, it is hard to balance two kids at first. You feel bad spending too much time with one over the other and then you just go to bed sometimes feeling guilty that you are not doing a good job. Maybe everyone doesn't feel that way but I know I sure did. There was some days where I felt like I was especially failing my two year old girl. I think that it is an adjustment that every parent goes through from transitioning from one to two, I have heard that, that transition is the hardest. 
I have been pretty lucky to have two really good babies. Olivia was an amazing baby and is a really good kid and so I felt bad when she was acting out because it was a change for her to go from being the only one to well not being the only one anymore. Colton is a good baby but he sure loves to just be held and doesn't like missing out. Now that things have settled down and we are all in a groove now, life is back to normal and we have a system that seems to work. 
Here are a few things that I have found that has helped things to get better and transition easier from one to two kids.

1) Include you toddler as much as possible! 
I make sure Olivia helps me with cleaning, baking, changing the babies diaper, giving him a bath, you name it I try and get her to help. Getting them to help helps them to feel like they are being included and not abandoned. All they want to do is feel loved and like their world has not completely changed so getting them to help seems to help them feel confident in their world.

2) When baby is napping and they are awake spend time with them:
I know holding a new born baby is by far one of the most amazing feelings and moments ever! There is nothing like the smell and cuddling of a little sleeping baby on your chest... but you know what its okay to put them down once in awhile. Especially when you have another one who needs your love and cuddles just as much. Now when Colton is napping and Olivia is awake we go and play or draw or even just veg on the couch together and cuddle.That alone time is just as important to them as it should be to you, I love our one on one times now because I can see how she plays and get to know her little personality as it is growing and changing everyday.

3) Try and let them play together:
I know a new baby doesn't do much, but bring the baby to where your toddler and you are playing. I lay Colton on a blanket on the floor beside us while we build blocks or play in her bedroom and I encourage Olivia to talk to him and "play" with him as well. She thinks its hilarious when he is batting away with his hands and gets excited when he sees her. My husband and I want them to grow up and be best friends and in order to do that we have to encourage them to play from the very beginning and I have to say it is working because she adores him and vice versa.  

4) Patience...
So this is something I so suck at in life, always have. I try and try again but I have some very strong Scottish blood in me and can flair up pretty fast. When my toddler is driving me up the wall because she has digressed in something or she is being crazy, I just take a deep breathe and have to remind myself that her whole world just changed drastically a few months ago. My husband has been so good to help me with this, because I was feeling like a terrible mom a few weeks back because I knew I was losing my patience often at Olivia. So I took a step back and re grouped and then learned to just have lots of love and patience.

Again these are just a few things I felt helped with the whole transition for our little family going from three to four.

Oh man have I ever been bad... it has been almost 6 months since I last wrote a blog entry. That's not to say I haven't been cooking, shopping or making cute things at home, I just have been super busy. But I am back as life is starting to settle down for the fall and winter months. We have some exciting news which was posted on Facebook on Monday, we are expecting number two and really excited about this little peanut to join our family around the beginning of April. 
Today I decided to rant about two products that quite honestly why on earth do we spend the excessive amount of money on products that don't overly satisfy us.

The first product is Pampers... yes the diapers that are on so many commercials and advertised everywhere as the diapers parents prefer. Well not this very unsatisfied mother, actually it is quite irritating that you spend sometimes up to $50.00 for this box of diapers and you have to change your childs sheets every night and strip them down because they are soaking wet! This name brand prides them self and has even named their one brand "Baby Dry" and says how awesome they are. I have been disappointed every time I have tried Pampers and I have officially given up on giving them chances. Actually it's not just them but Huggies as well, so I will tell you the two best brands that I swear by and are HALF the price are Mom 2 Mom that you can get at Safeway and the Presidents Choice name brand diapers at any Loblaws store. I just paid $17.99 for 110 pack of size 5 diapers and Olivia hasn't had a bursting diaper when she wakes up. That to me is worth my sanity.

The second product it Oxy Clean, this product has been okay. But there are just some tough stains that it seemed to never get out, whether it was Olivia's stains or even yellowing in the armpits from Matt and I's clothing. It just never got it out. One time I soaked one of Olivia's onsies that she covered in something for two days and you know what it didn't take out the stain. So I tried it again and again nothing, I was frustrated because Oxy Clean isn't cheap, well thanks to good ol Pintrest someone posted a DIY oxy clean which is just hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. So I said why not give it a shot and tried it out on some of Olivias clothing that I gave the sentencing of having to throw out. Not that hopeful I went about making the paste version and you know what... IT WORKED!! So I took a bunch of clothing that I had some unforgiving stains and some of Matt's church shirts that the collars and arm pits were getting gross and they all look brand new now! The best part is, is that it is pennies to make what you need and if I get snowed in and need to do laundry and have stains no worries because it is all in my house! 

So those are a few things! Here is the link to the blog I got the DIY oxy clean from!

http://myamericanconfessions.blogspot.ca/2012/06/wednesday-diy-oxyclean-at-home.html?m=1   

Quinoa Experiment

    I decided to experiment with Quinoa this week so I made a loaded Quinoa mac and cheese.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup of uncooked Quinoa
1/4 Cup Velveeta Cheese cut up into cubes
1/4 Cup Ricotta
1/2 Cup Broccoli 
1/4 Cup Red Peppers
1/4 Cup Old Cheddar Cheese
1 Tsp Butter
1 Garlic Clove
1 Egg
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook Quinoa accordingly to the package directions. While Quinoa is cooking preheat oven to 350F. 
2. Start cooking the cheese sauce, in a small sauce pan melt the Velveeta cheese and the Ricotta cheese, add salt and pepper to taste. Once melted and bubbly then remove from heat.
3. Cut vegetables into small pieces and mince the garlic. in a small sauce pan melt the butter till bubbly then add the garlic and and veggies and saute for a few minutes. 
4. When quinoa is done cooking add the egg, cheese sauce and veggies. Mix well and then add to a small pirex dish or casserole dish. Sprinkle cheese on top to coat it and then place in the oven. Cook for 20 minutes to 30 minutes, until top is cooked and bubbly. 


*Note: This serves two people and has a calorie content of 466 calories per serving. You can add other veggies as well. I did this recipe because I wanted a healthier option then a regular mac and cheese with noodles, the same size serving would have a calorie content of about 1100 calories. This recipe is packed full of way more nutrients and are not "empty" calories.

So Much Better Making It Yourself!

So I absolutely LOVE the Cajun Chicken Cheddar Sandwich at Earls but I mean I can't go there once a month to eat it, its expensive and well I don't have time for that! So I tend to try and copycat dishes I like and see how it turns out, well and this one is a winner winner chicken dinner... literally! So here is my take on this delectable sandwich.


Copycat Earls Cajun Chicken Cheddar Sandwich:

Ingredients:

2 Chicken Breasts (Slice them in half fat wise to get thinner pieces)
4 Tblsps of Cajun Spice
1 Tblsp of Olive Oil
2 Large Slices of Old Cheddar Cheese (the older and more intense flavour the better)
2 Ciabetta buns or Kaiser Rolls
Toppings for your sandwich


Directions:

1) Take your two chicken breast and cut them fat wise so that they are not so thick. Coat your chicken pieces with Cajun spice, set aside.
2) Heat your skillet to a medium heat setting and then add olive oil, warm the olive oil and then place your Cajun coated chicken pieces to the hot pan. Cook each side till the spices are blackened (if not quite cooked through yet just add a lid on the skillet and cook through.) 
3) Place slices of cheese on top of the chicken in the skillet place lid on top and cook till the cheese has melted. 
4) Fix your buns up with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and place chicken slices on the bun and then serve and enjoy! 

*Note: I like to add ketchup to mine also a perfect side is sweet potatoes fries, also you can coat the chicken with as much or as little spice as you like. I like it spicier so I add lots :)

Crispy and salty but not bad for you... it's a miracle!

So I have started changing some things diet wise and after Valentines Day I will be cutting out sugar again but this time for longer than a week. After Christmas I cut it out for 1 week and lost 2 pounds in just a week! I was good this last Christmas with the sweets but I still felt nasty, and again I am starting to just get that urge to cleanse myself again. We don't eat that much sugar or bad foods but with diabetes in my family I feel I need to be extra careful, also I don't want to get bigger with each kid I have so in between my goal is to be a hot Mom!! So today I made two healthy but awesome alternatives for snacks, I made baked Kale and Garlic Lemon Hummus:

Baked Kale:

Ingredients:

1 Bunch of Kale
1-2 Tblsps of Olive Oil
Salt

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 300F. Cut out the centre stem part of the kale and then cut them or tear them into chip size pieces, do not cut them too small because they shrink down when they are baking. After cutting rinse the kale and use a salad spinner to dry the kale. To make sure it is completely dry place on a dish towel and let sit for 5 minutes.
2) Add kale and 1 Tblsp of olive oil to a large ziploc bag a massage the kale to coat it with the olive oil, if you need more olive oil add so all of the kale has an even coat on it.
3) Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat, lay kale on the tray so that it is only one layer. Sprinkle with salt, if you like it saltier you can add whatever floats your boat.
4) Bake for 20 mins, but make sure to check on it through out that time because you don't want to over cook it. Once the kale appears to be dried up then let it cool completely. This can be stored for up to two days in a ziploc bag.

*Note: If you have any other spices that you would like to add go ahead and experiment! Also I am telling you right now it won't last the 2 days, it's that good.

Garlic Lemon Hummus:

Ingredients:

1 Large can of Chick Peas
1/4 Cup of Olive Oil
2-4 Garlic Cloves
2 Tablsps of Lemon Juice
1 Tablsp of Peanut Butter
Dash of Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1) Open can of chick peas and drain all the juice into a strainer, save some juice for later, rinse and remove all shells. 
2) In a small sauce pan add chick peas and fill with water so that they are covered. Bring to a simmer and cook them so they are soft, about 10 mins.
3) Once cooked drain and put in a food processor add all the other ingredients plus some of the reserved juice. Just add a bit of juice at a time till it is silky smooth. 
4) When done blending place in a bowl and refrigerate or eat right away. Serve with pita bread, veggies or anything else you would like to dip into it.

*Note: I use peanut butter because I don't know anyone who actually has Tahini paste and so you want that bit of nutty flavour and so peanut butter works great. Also if you like it more garlicy or lemony just add more to suit your tastes. I like more garlic hence the up to 4 cloves.