The Photo Says It All

Let me just start out with...I just can not take it anymore.

What you ask?
Just certain things.

Like people who do not know the difference between isle/aisle.

Let me explain to you...an aisle is something you walk up or down or sit in.
Example "Aisle 4 is where you will find bread".

An isle is a small land mass surrounded by water.

I.E.:

Notice the difference yet?
This is simple spelling & definition, peeps.  
We are talking third grade English.

Please, please, please remember the difference.

Next up...the term "My bad".
This is slang & it is horrendously bad slang.

When you say "My bad". This is not a complete sentence.  It is an open ended phrase.
Your bad what?
Your bad odor?
Your bad dog?

If you made a mistake, you can say "My mistake" or perhaps "My error".
Not "My bad".
Please erase this phrase from your vocabulary.

Next up.
"Bae"
"Bae!"

Seriously, do the muscles of your mouth hurt that you can not continue the rest of the word.
Say it with me..."Babe".
Nice.
I am not one for this term of endearment but it's a hell of a lot better than "Bae".
Sounds like a cry from a goat or a sheep.

Here are two definitions for what the word means in other languages:

In Danish it means "poop". It means "bye" in Icelandic.

Let's take a moment to think about calling our sweetheart this so called term of endearment.
Why?
Well, you sound like a moron.

Seriously.
A moron.

There so much more I could go on about but I will digress.

Tell me, do you have a word/phrase that you simply can not stand?

Weight Watchers: Baked Macaroni & Cheese w/ Broccoli - 8 PP

I made this eons ago.

I'm talking months peeps.

Just now getting to uploading & posting.

Talk about procrastination.

Behold the product:

Let's get to the details:

Ingredients:

2 sprays of cooking spray

12 oz uncooked pasta (approx 2.5 cups)

1/8 tsp salt for the pasta water

10oz uncooked broccoli (about 2. cups)

1 tsp butter

1/3 cup breadcrumbs

3 tbs parm cheese (divided)

2.5 cups FF skim milk

1/3 cup flour (all purpose)

1/2 cup uncooked diced onion

1 cu low fat shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375. Coat 2 quart baking dish w/ spray.

Cook pasta according to directions, adding broccoli approx 3 minutes before done.  Drain pasta & broccoli & return to the pot.

Meanwhile in a large saucepan, melt butter over med. heat, add bread crumbs & cook, stirring often until light golden.  You may skip this step if you are using store bought crumbs vs. fresh.  Remove from heat & add 1 tbs parm cheese; set aside.

In same saucepan (wipe clean if necessary) whisk together milk & flour until blended; add onions. Bring to a boil over med-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat to low & simmer until thickened, approx 2 mins.

Remove from heat & whisk in cheddar cheese, mustard, s&p & remaining 2 tbs of parm cheese. Pour over cooked past & broccoli. Toss to mix & coat.

Transfer to baking dish & sprinkle top evenly w/ bread crumbs.  

Bake until edges are bubble, about 20-25 mins.

Divide into 8 pieces & Viola! Done!

1 piece per serving.  8pp a serving.

My family's reaction: They liked it.  My reaction: It was good but to me, too much work when I can just add some broccoli to boxed mac & cheese. Yes call me lazy but it's my blog & my opinion.

Tell me, have you made it before?

It's the 4th of July!!!!

Happy Birthday America.

How are you spending the birth of our country?

If you aren't an American, tell me how you are enjoying this Saturday.

Is this thing on??? Hello?

Does anyone read this little old blog of mine?
The corner of the internet that I claim?

Well, if you do, you may wonder where I disappeared to.

This might give you a clue:

All I will say is it's been rough the last 6/7 weeks.

I will get through it.
I am having my up days, my down days.

I'm not sick, either is anyone in the family.

The family is, how shall I say broken.

Vague? Perhaps.  I do not want to air semi-dirty laundry on the world wide web. Know what I mean, Vern?

I am still doing Weight Watchers.  I will post a great recipe soon.
Cheeks is doing great in school.
Summer is really here & we are looking forward to going to Disney at the end of it.

As much as I want the vaca to come, that will mean the end of summer & I will have a 4th grader.
Where did my 11 pounder go? The big blue eyes & the fat cheeks!

He's grown into the class clown.
That's where.
He got voted that today.
So proud. Ha!

I hope you will stick around & see what is to come.

Leave me a comment if you still read MMM.
I'd love to know you are out there.

With that, I'm out!

Weight Watchers Lasagna...YUM!

I am sure as most of you have guessed by now, I am doing WW.
My sister called me up the beginning of February & asked if I would join with her.
On a whim, I said sure.
So glad I did.
I found out that before I had even started I lost 30lbs.  Since I have been a member, I've lost 16.6.
Grand total...46.6 lbs.

Holla!

Well, I love to use recipes to help with the new lifestyle and this recipe is to die for!
Plus, make it in the crockpot.

Holla, again!

Not to mention, Tuttorossa sent me a nice sample pack of some great canned tomatoes.  It included:
28 oz Tuttorosso Crushed with Basil, Tuttorosso NSA Peeled Plum and Tuttorosso Diced Tomatoes. 

I was excited to get them, as I grew up with Tuttorossa products.
They have actually teamed with Inspiralized.com for some fun.

Check out their Facebook promo: Tuttorossa Tomatoes.
You can win so many different things.  Check out what the grand prize is:
Spiralizer, Inspiralized Book, Apron, Picnic Basket and Kitchen Gadgets.

Nice.
Here's the catch, it ends tomorrow.
So, quick, check it out.

Now, onto my 7pt serving Lasagna.

I got the recipe from Weight Watchers.

First gather your ingredients:

•  1 pound(s) uncooked 93% lean ground beef   (I used ground turkey & no one in my fam knew the difference).
•  1 small uncooked onion(s), chopped  
• 1 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced   
•  28 oz canned crushed tomatoes   
•  15 oz canned tomato sauce   
•  1 tsp table salt   
• 1 tsp dried oregano   
• 1/2 tsp dried basil   
•  1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste   
• 1 cup(s) part-skim ricotta cheese   
•  1 1/2 cup(s) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided   
• 6 item(s) uncooked lasagna noodles   (I used Healthy Harvest)
•  1/2 cup(s) shredded parmesan cheese, strong-flavored like Parmigiano Reggiano   

After you have gathered your ingredients & your slow cooker, start your engines & get ready to make a great lasagna.

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef, onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5 to 7 minutes. 

• 
  
• Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes; simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. 

• 
  
• Spoon 1/3 of beef mixture into a 5-quart slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna sheets in half and arrange over beef mixture; top with half of ricotta mixture. Repeat with another layer and finish with remaining 1/3 of beef mixture.

• 
  
• Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 4 to 6 hours. Remove cover; turn off heat and season to taste, if desired.
• In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over beef mixture. Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes. Yields 1/6th of dish per serving.

This is the finished product.

It is good.

Now for the point value...if you cut it into 1/8"  slices, it's 7 points.  If you give yourself a larger portion, count it as 10.

I'm telling you this is worth it!!!!

Tell me, how do you cook your lasagna?

The Maze Runner Series by James Dashner

I know it's April.

Believe it or not, I have been reading.

Avidly.

I just finished this series:

These are YA.  Young Adult.  What great books.  Loved each one except for The Kill Order.  It's the prequel, which was written after the first three.  While a good story, the ending was meh.

I first gained interest in these novels after watching "The Maze Runner" on demand.  The movie was ok but I thought the book has to be better.

It was.  Tons of details, delves into the characters and much more plot.  I find this to usually be the way, books are better than movies.

Each book kept me on the edge of the my seat.  When Death Cure ended, I thought to myself "I am so glad I read these".  A coworker had seen what I was reading and told me he thought they were great.  

The story is based in  post apocolyptic Earth.  Sun flares have caused much of the human race to die off and the ones left behind are fighting "The Flare".  Of course, there is a coalition that is trying to find a cure.  They are doing test by dropping unsuspecting teen boys (with their memories erased) into a Maze.  They will use their finding to see how the brain works which will help with the antidote for "The Flare".  

The author shows how young men, put in a precarious position, work, live and sleep together.  How they form their own society, their own rules, their own punishments.  

All four books are an easy read.  I would say two thumbs up on all but the prequel.  I give that one, one and a half thumbs up. I really detested the wrap up!

Tell me, what are you reading?

Weight Watchers Skinny Italian Chicken Stew

I have found a mecca & it is called Skinny Italian Chicken Stew.

Guess what else?
Made in the slow cooker.

Oh yea!!!!

Really?
Skinny?
Slow Cooker?

I'm in.

First gather your ingredients & your slow cooker like so:

Here is what you will need:

Chicken Sausage - 3 links 

Spaghetti Sauce - 2 cups

Yukon Gold Potatoes - 1 pound

Peppers - 2

Garlic - Minced - 1tbs

First up, the prep.

Slice chicken sausage into slices & then dices if you wish.

Dice peppers.

Cut potatoes into equal bite sized pieces.

Second:

Dump all in the slow cooker, do not forget your garlic.

Third:

Add 2 cups spaghetti sauce (any flavor)

Stir together & it shall look like so:

Turn your slow cooker on for 6 hours & forget about it.

I have made this twice and I take it for my lunch.

It is yummy!

This is what you will get when all done:

It's 7 pp for one cup.

I usually have a cheese stick with it (1 pp) & some fruit.

You can even have a side salad.

I am telling you this is the bomb diggity (yes, yes, I just went old school).

Tell me, what is one of your fave recipes?

Weight Watchers Inspired: Healthy Chicken Parm Dinner - 8 Points.

I think I took an unintended blogging hiatus.
Didn't mean to, just haven't had anything to write about really.
Unless you want to hear about this fabulous customer service classes I have to take at work.
*crickets*
Yea, I thought so.

Anyway, I made this great dish from Real Food For Healthy Kids. I bought this book a few years ago as a birthday present to myself.  Not only do I want my kids to eat healthy, but as parents we could benefit from it as well.
The nice thing is each recipe comes with the nutritional value.
Yes.
Easy to do your "points" if you do Weight Watchers or just monitor your intake of values.

Let's get on to the good part.

The ingredients:

1/4C. Unbleached All Purpose Flour (I used all purpose, if it was unbleached or not, I have no idea!)
1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1lb. Thin Chicken Breast Cutlet ( I pounded mine out with the back of a weighted ice cream scoop...best kitchen hack ever!)
3TBP EVOO
1C. Canned Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
1.5C. Packed Mozzarella Cheese (6oz.)(I used Fat Free)
1/2C. Marina Sauce (You can used jarred or make your own...I am of the Irish/Scottish decent so my sauce comes from a jar...must to the dismay of the Nana...she can actually make her own thanks to the influence of the Italian neighbors growing up!).

Now the actually recipe:

1. Combine the flour, salt & pepper in a gallon size plastic bag, seal & shake to mix.  Add about 1/3 of the chicken & shake to coat. Remove chicken, lightly shake off excess flour & lay flat plate.  Repeat with other chicken.

2.  Heat 1.5TBS EVOO in a non-stick 12" skillet over med heat until hot.  Add half the chicken & cook until browned underneath, about 2 mins.  Turn, cook another 2 mins & transfer the chicken to a plate.  Add the remaining 1.5TBS EVOO & chicken, repeat.

It will look like this:

3. Pour off any remaining fat in the skillet & add the chicken broth to the pan.  Bring to a boil & cook until reduced by half (about 3 mins).  Return the meat to the pan & turn to coat in the broth.  Arrange the cutlets in an even layer, sprinkle the mozzarella on top & spoon a lil sauce on top.  Cover the pan with lid or foil (I did foil) & cook until cheese is melted (1-2 mins).  

4.  Transfer to plate, add garnish if you wish & serve.

I served mine w/ a side of broccoli.  Always a veggie people, always a veggie.

Everyone loved it.
Cheeks raved about it & called it pizza chicken.
When his brother came home, he told him "Chris, you have to try this pizza chicken, it is delicious"

And for you counting points...it's 8points a breast.
One breast for me was more than enough.

It is so good.
This dish will not disappoint!!!

Tell me something you make that is healthy.
Leave me a quick recipe in the comments.  If I make it, I will post it.

2015 Goals...Are you on track?

So, it's officially one month down in 2015.
February 1st is upon us.
Super Bowl Sunday.
Shortest month of the year.

My question to you is, how are you doing on your 2015 resolutions/goals?

We are doing ok.
Our main goal is to save money to pay off the debt to save money again.

I think a lot of people are doing this goal.

We took the month of January on like bulls in a china shop.

Not going to lie tho, we did send out for pizza approximately 4 times.  One of those times was completely free except for the tip.  SCORE!

Other than that, our biggest money drainer is eating out.  So I have been meal planning and buying breakfast & lunch items for us.
Those are my two downfalls.  It is just so much easier to stop & pick up, then have to think about & make to bring.

We were able to pay off a huge chunk of our cable bill.  I let it go.

Next is our electric bill.  Eek! I don't even want to look at it.

I have applied to lower my car payment per month.  The van is just sitting out back...dead.
Waiting to get my taxes back so I can get it fixed.
Fingers crossed it isn't more than my tax refund.

Haven't done much of anything that cost money.  The weather is so awful, between snow, rain & bitter cold, we don't want to go anywhere anyway.

Hopefully February will be just as good as January was to us.
I went shopping today.  Even with great deals and coupons, I still spent $170.
Boys, they eat you out of house and home.

Well, tell me, how are you doing with your goals & resolutions?

An Amish Second Christmas by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Ruth Reid, & Tricia Goyer

An Amish Second Christmas is a book of novellas by four different authors.

Let me start out by saying what a refreshing change this book was from most of the books I have read lately.

Not that the other books were trashy, by no means! These stories are just as sweet, wholesome and tasteful as can be.

I was fortunate enough to win this book in a contest held on a blog.

Don't ask me which one, I have forgotten.  Side effects from being mid-forties.

At first I didn't think I would enjoy the four short stories but I quickly learned I was wrong.

All about the Amish's celebration of the day after Christmas, Second Christmas.  Such sweet stories of tradition with a whole love story told.  I was surprised to see all authors make reference to the young couples spending time alone and sharing a kiss.  It made me think of the Duggars.  Their daughters have to side hug and save kisses til the wedding day.  I tthought, there is wholesome and there is WHOLESOME!  I like the Duggars, so no flaming please.

While all the stories are predictable, they are full of the scenery that you imagine (and if you have ever been to an Amish country, it is even more vivid), family and God.  None of which is thrown down your throat.

Each story in unique and makes you want more.  Makes you want to know how they go one and live their lives.

Definitely a good snuggle under the blanket with a cup of cocoa in one hand & this book in another.

It's a must read.

Tell me, what are you reading currently?

January #EatInChallenge Win Some Lose Some

Hey, before I forgot, don't forget about the giveaway going on.

Check it out here: Eat In Challenge Giveaway

So let's get down to business.
We have been doing really great eating at home for our Buchman Back on Track Financially philosophy.  We eat out way to much and I have already seen the kind of money we are saving.

Last night I made a kick ass meatloaf.  Both Bob & I thought it was wonderful.  We had two plates full & I took leftovers with me for lunch.

Today, dinner was a use what is in the freezer/fridge/pantry night.

So decided on Crockpot Italian Chicken.
The original recipe is from Six Sisters.  If you haven't visited the website, run.  They have fab recipes plus great ideas.

My version may vary slightly from theirs.

Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts (roughly 2lbs)
Packet of Italian Dressing
Block of Cream Cheese (I did low fat)
2 10.5oz Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup. (Also low fat)

You put the chicken in the crockpot, sprinkle the dressing over.

Then heat up the cream cheese & soup til blended.

Pour over chicken, cook 8hrs.

You then leave whole or shred.  I chose leave whole.
You can serve over noodles or rice.  Noodles was a winner.

See:

It's sort of all one color.

I won't tell you what I think the sauce looks like, actually what the whole meal looks like.

I was super excited to make this.

Matter of fact I think I made it before but I can't remember.

Anyway I took a fork, put that meal bite into my mouth and thought:

"OMG! What have I done!"

While not horrendously horrible, it ranked up there as an Epic Fail meal.

It was a bit on the bland side.  Bobster & the kids added hot sauce and said it made it edible.

So, you may give it a try, perhaps you will like it but in our home...never again!

Tell me do you have any meals you were excited about & then whomp! whomp! Let down!

Let me know.

January #EatInChallenge & Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card

As I said in my first post for this #Eat In Challenge, it came at a perfect time because my family is on a strict no eating out/taking out/picking up budget.  If it's no already in the kitchen, you aren't eating or drinking it!
Finances are rough but we will do it.
My husband is totally on board & I was surprised by that, but he likes to keep me guessing.

Anyway the other night, I made a smaller version of our family fav...baked ziti.
Everyone has their own recipe.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Ingredients:
Sauce (I used jarred much to the Nana's chagrin but hey, it works!)
Shredded mozzarella cheese 8oz bag
Ricotta Cheese (Part skim) 8oz
Egg - 1
Parmesan Cheese
S&P
Of course, pasta.  I tend to use Ziti or Penne but once I used elbow mac's & Bobster took a shine to it.

Boil the pasta for just a minute or two under the suggested time.
It will cook more when you bake it.

While the pasta is boiling away, mix the ricotta cheese, egg & S&P, in a bowl til fluffy.

Once the pasta is done, drain & throw back in the pot.  (Less dishes to do).
Toss in the ricotta cheese & however much sauce you like.  We only like a smidge or a tinge.  Just enough to make it lightly pink.

Stir it up.  Add more s&p if you deem necessary.
Then add most of the mozzarella (leave a little for the topping).

Once all mixed up, pour into a greased 8x8 dish.
Pour some mozzarella cheese on top, shake some parm on top as well.  Adds a great flavor mix.

It will look like this:

Place in the oven & bake for 30-35 mins.  Depending on how brown you like your cheese.

It will come out looking like this:

Easy Peasy, Mozzarella Cheesy!
45 mins start to finish.

Delish.

This fed Bob & I that night (Cheeks ate plain noodles & Chris was at his mom's house).  I even had leftovers for my lunch the next day.

This can be made super cheap as well.  Just watch the sales.

Now onto the good stuff.

The GIVEAWAY.
Oh yea.

I am participating in & you get the chance to win.

Check it out.


Networking Perks is challenging more families to eat at home with the Eat At Home Challenge. Sitting down and eating together as a family is important; we take this time to disconnect from all the daily noise, technology, and social media, while reconnecting as a family. Meal time is also important that we provide delicious and nutritious meals to eat. Finding the balance between work, day-to-day activities, and meal planning isn’t easy, which is why we at Networking Perks want to start 2015 with the Eat At Home Challenge. Enter to WIN a $25 Amazon Gift Card while at the same time building your recipe archive with delicious meals. Make 2015 the year of the family. a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclaimer: Participating Blogs were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. Networking Perks will be responsible for product shipment to winner of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact Karie@NetworkingPerks.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

January #EatInChallenge 2015

I don't know about all of you BUT we have made 2015 to be the year of the Buchmans Back on Track (financially).
One of the easiest ways for us to get back, is to cut out eating out & take out & drive through.  We love it, I hate to admit & at the end of a long work day, it's easier than cooking.

Anywho I am participating in the Eat In Challenge with Networking Witches. Who, by the way, are giving away a $25 Amazon gift card.

So today we did roast beef...in the slow cooker.

 (not my photo...from foodpeoplewant.com)

Here is what I did.

Ingredients:

Roast Beef...mine was probably about 5lbs. (we feed 6 with it...it stretched, I have no idea how! LOL)

S&P

Minced Garlic

I do not, I repeat, I do not brown my roast before putting it in the slow cooker.

I am lazy.

Yes, it's true.

So I place the roast in the slow cooker (which is lined with those Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners...best invention EVER!), then I fork stabbed it to death.  I then season with S&P and about 1TBS of minced garlic.

I added a bit of water, probably about 1/2 inch in depth.  It's always good to have a lil liquid in with what you are cooking.  Plus it helps make an awesome aujous!

When I get home from work it was done.  It takes about 6-8 hours in the slow cooker.  My husband added some cut up potatoes when he turned it on.

We served the roast beef, potatoes, mac & cheese & mixed veggies.

It was a hit...sans the lima beans in the mix veggies...no one likes them.

Tell me what did you make for dinner tonight?

Are you participating in any sort of challenge?

Let me know.

Saving Grace by Jane Green

So I tried to post all the books I read last year.

I did well, then fell off the turnip truck.

BUT
I am back this year.

I just finished this one yesterday:

Fortunately, I won a copy and I am so glad I did.

This book will keep you up at night. Not because it's scary but because you can't wait to see what happens next.

The story centers on Grace, one half of a literary power couple.  Has the life of Riley until Beth, a new assistant, comes into her life.  Things start to go haywire and crumble for Grace, causing her world to spiral out of control.  

I feel the story has overtones of The Hand hat Rocks the Cradle.  The antagonist is definitely a character defined by her swarmy ways while the protagonist manages to make you feel as if you are in her shoes every step of the way.

I would recommend as a good read for those winter nights ahead, I also urge you to never hire an assistant.  Just saying.

Tell me, what are reading right now?