Tuesday In Texas

Happy Feet

by Kris B.

In an email that Tracey sent this morning she said that she was disappointed because she had been shopping yesterday and found some really cool hot pink Converse, but they didn't have them in her size so she was hoping to find them today at a different store location.  I am experiencing similar frustration as I ordered some shoes online last week and they haven’t even shipped yet.  In this world where everything seems to cater to immediate gratification, how can that be?  The second order that I placed at the same time from a different vendor arrived yesterday so I am smiling nonetheless.

I think it is funny that we are both experiencing retail therapy through buying shoes.  I am not one of those women that has a pair of shoes for every outfit.  (If I did, I’d own a pair of Converse in every color!) I don’t even buy shoes that often, but right now while I am trying to lose weight, shoes seem like a better investment than clothes.  No matter how much weight I lose, or gain for that matter, my shoes will still fit.  And with spring finally here, it seems the perfect time to put some new life in my shoe collection.

I’m not sure that I would use the word “style” to describe my choice in shoes.  Practical and comfortable might be more appropriate.  (Converse, Birkenstocks, Crocs, just to give you an idea…)  As a teacher, I am on my feet all day and I often walk between home and school so function trumps fashion in my book any day.  I do, however, have a few pairs of “sitting down” shoes.  They’ll probably last me a lifetime because I only wear them once or twice a year when I absolutely have to.  These are the shoes that look great, but that I can’t walk or stand in for more than about two minutes.  And the older I get, the less willing I am to even give them two minutes!

As a kid, I remember that getting new shoes was a BIG deal.  It happened twice a year - at the beginning of the school year and then sometime in the spring.  I only had two pairs of shoes at a time - school shoes and “play” shoes and the two never crossed into the other’s realm.  Oh, and when we lived in colder areas, I did have a pair of snow boots.  That was it.  My parents didn't attend church so I didn't even have ‘Sunday shoes.”  My minimalistic shoe collection growing up had nothing to do with money; it had to do with priorities.  My mom just plain didn't think that I needed more than two pairs of shoes at a time.  The end.  She did, however, think that I needed piano lessons and for that I am forever grateful.  I wonder what I’d be today if she had bought me more shoes and no music lessons.  Hmmm…  The only way to get a new pair of shoes “off schedule” was if my toes were coming through the ends.  If you really wanted new tennis shoes, the growth of those holes at the toes could be accelerated by dragging your feet when trying to slow a swing.  I don’t know that from personal experience of course; I just saw other kids do it.

I’m not sure if it was my childhood shoe experiences that have fueled my current “collection” of shoes or if it is just an acquired taste, but new shoes just make me feel good.  It’s like making a fresh start.  A clean slate…at least until you encounter that first mud puddle, scuff, gum, or dreaded dog pile!  Then, well,  it’s time for another new pair.  Just kidding…maybe.

In all seriousness, I know that I have more pairs of shoes than I need.  And that I really didn't need to order three new pairs in the past week.  Admittedly, these purchases were to satisfy an emotional rather than a physical need.  I ordered them just to make myself happy, pure and simple.

 It was a totally selfish act for which I am not even going to apologize.  If, however, anyone out there wears and size 9 and prefers function over fashion, I am willing to share!

As a parent, I did not follow my mother’s philosophy regarding children and their shoes.  My girls had many pairs and I enjoyed buying them.  (For the record, they also had violin lessons. LOL.)   And, their love of shoes has followed them into adulthood.  Unlike me, however, my girls definitely put fashion (?) over comfort and function!

What simple indulgence makes you happy?

Monday in Michigan

by Tracey G

Well this Monday finds me out of town for a few days. It's Harry's spring break, so we decided to come down and visit Grandma and Grandpa. Harry's been asking and asking for months, but it's been really hard to orchestrate the kind of visit he wanted - more than just an overnight, lol. And with school and everything, that was a tall order, but with break it worked out perfect, so he and I are at Grandma's and Grandpa's for a few days. :-)

It's always a good time, Harry loves it and it's a nice break from the everyday routines. We get to go shopping, and that's something right there - it's nice to have somewhere else to go besides Kmart and Walmart! We always make sure to hit the favorites: Toys R Us Kohl's, Macy's, Target, Michael's and Home Goods! ;-) And not only do we get to go to our favorite stores, we get to go to our favorite little food places and the candy store. The candy store itself is awesome because you get some of the stuff you can't get easily anymore, so that's a neat place to stop. And Harry discovered his love for the little drink-filled wax bottles, which is just too funny since I too loved them as a kid! And of course I got my own treats too - cotton candy was the first thing in the basket, along with some Pixie Stix ;-) I also bought myself some of the bulk candy, which is always a fun thing filling your bag, but it was bittersweet since I bought myself some of my mom's favorite candy - the fruit slices that are the gummy-like things. This was the only place I could get them for her, so, every time I was down here I'd get her some.

While on this trip, I've discovered Harry's love of clocks hasn't diminished either. It's an odd thing, but he's always loved clocks. He found a wooden clock down in Grandma's and Grandpa's basement that he's now claimed as his, lol. He absolutely loves it, has been fiddling with it since we got here yesterday. Only thing is, it's doesn't work. But as they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day. :-D I blame Grandma for the clock obsession, when he was still a baby, she started taking him to the various clocks in the house when they would chime the hour - and he was mesmerized. And his love of the tick-tock was born.

He also loves coming to grandma and grandpa's place because it's not home - the majority of the rules do not apply here, lol. I tend to let him do his thing because I think that coming to grandma and grandpa's should be different - fun and more lenient than the usual. I never knew my grandparents, all but my maternal grandma had passed away by the time I was born. I only "knew" her until I was about 6 months old, as, that's when she passed away. So, when it comes to Harry enjoying grandparents, I'm all for him having the fun and experiences I never got to have. Let grandma and grandpa spoil him if they want, late bedtime, chocolate for breakfast, extra stories at bedtime, special chocolate milk (a brand that's Harry's favorite that we can't get at home, lol.) and whatever else to make some great memories for him - ones I would love to have myself.

There is a few downsides to this for me the parent, lol, re-entry to usual routine usually means an unruly child for a few days (well, more than the usual unruliness, lol). I can always tell when we've been to visit, lol. "I can do that at Grandma's!" Yeah, well, you're home now Little Mister! LOL I had a lady laughing one day in Walmart while Harry and I were doing some shopping. He started on his behavior that maybe Grandma will put up with, but I will not and I matter-of-factly told him that he was not with Grandma so straighten up. ;-) And there's also the just-because-Grandma-lets-you-play-with-her-ipad-whenever-your-heart-desires-and-walk-around-with-it, doesn't mean I will too!

 He's not made it yet to the point of coming down to spend some time by himself, but I am confident that's going to come soon. And likely too soon, as everything about his growing up seems to happen "too soon". It's all so fast...

Well forgive me for writing and running, but they are calling me for dinner - and since it's my favorite little diner down here tonight, I do not want to be late! ;-)

Food Friday - Have Your Veggies and Eat Your Cake Too!

from Tracey G. 

This time of year gets me thinking carrot cake, lol. It's not something I've always liked - as a kid it wasn't my cup of tea, I didn't like spiced cakes etc. It wasn't that I minded veggies in my treats, not at all, I love vegetables in any form, but it was the fact of the cake being too "busy" with spices and potentially nuts in it too. (It's also a recent thing that I like nuts in my baked goods, but still don't like them in my cookies, lol) But then one day, it was like a switch flipped and I decided I liked carrot cake, lol.

I'd never made it myself, always just had it out or whatever but a few years ago, when I was trying to lose the weight that came along with having Harry, I decided I wanted to make one. Well, I was appalled at the amount of fat that went into the average carrot cake recipe! Wow - I think one recipe I ran across had a full cup of oil in it, no thanks. Those recipes gave me sticker shock in the calorie information department, lol. And I didn't have any canned pineapple around  - every recipe I ran across had pineapple in it. Then, I found this one. Now, I've modified it, of course, because while I may like nuts these days in my baked goods - I still don't like raisins, lol. But I thought this sounded like just what I was looking for - a lighter version with no pineapple involved ;-)

So, I made my first carrot cake. A light one at that too - and it was super yummy!! I was so happy with it, I could have my cake and eat it too! LOL Since then, I've made it into cupcakes and followed the recipe and made it in a 9x13" pan. I like to do the cupcakes because then they are portion controlled that way, I am not temped to cut a bigger piece which would throw off my per serving numbers. I can make the perfect 18 servings by making 18 cupcakes :-) I didn't care for the cream cheese frosting recipe that came along with it, so I just used my favorite one, and lightened it up a little bit, best I could without losing its integrity.

First, you combine the first 5 ingredients - the sugar, eggs, egg whites, oil and applesauce, in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. 

In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients - the flour,  spices, salt and baking soda (if using nuts, those will get stirred in later when carrots are added). 

I like to use a whisk whenever I need to combine dry ingredients when I am baking, it's easy and works well.

Next,  get your carrots ready - I use my mini food processor to shred up the 3 cups needed.

Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl, then stir in your carrots and nuts if using.

Pour into a 13x9" baking pan coated with non-stick cooking spray or line cupcake pans with liners and divide batter amongst them to make 18 cupcakes. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Whether it be in a 13x9" pan or cupcakes, allow them to cool completely before frosting them.

Lighter Carrot Cake

preheat oven to 350°

1 1/3 c sugar

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1/2 c unsweetened applesauce

1/3 c canola oil

2 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp ground cloves

3 c shredded carrots

1 c chopped walnuts, optional

In a large mixing bowl combine the first 5 ingredients until smooth. Combine the flours, baking soda, salt and spices; add to the egg mixture and mix well.

Stir in carrots and nuts. Pour into a 13x9" baking pan coated with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Frost as desired.  Makes 18 servings.

The Cream Cheese Frosting recipe I used for this batch is as follows:

1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened (I usually use Neufchatel, but of course the store didn't have any today, so it was the full calorie/fat deal today)

2-3 tbsp butter, softened

4 c powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2-3 tsp milk

In a mixing bowl, add the cream cheese and butter, mix until well blended. Add the vanilla; then add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Add 2-3 tsp milk to get it to the desired consistency for frosting the cake/cupcakes. Makes enough to frost about  24 cupcakes.

All that's left to do is enjoy! :-) 

from Kris B.

One of this things that happens when you are trying to be intentional about what you eat is that you scrutinize everything that goes in your mouth; I don't mean in an obsessive or unhealthy way, but in a thoughtful and positive way.  For me this means making choices not only in the moment, but also giving consideration to my whole day or even week.  For example, I have plans to go out for dinner with friends on Friday night.  I am not going as far as to say that all bets are off as far as being faithful to my WW point counting, but I don't want to be so consumed with what I can and can't or should and shouldn't eat that it keeps me from being truly present and enjoying the evening out.  Rather, I'll have a lighter breakfast and lunch, an extra piece of fruit with these meals rather than something more calorie laden.   The same balancing act comes into play for me when I am making snack choices.

I am a snacker, always have been and always will be.  I'm not going to change that fact so I just need to learn to live with it.  What that means is that I need to eat snacks that are both satisfying and, if not 100% healthy,  they should at least have some redeeming nutritional value.  As is the case with most things, I want the most bang for my buck, the most tasty goodness for my caloric intake.  

I have mentioned before that I am a bread lover.  That love extends beyond yeast breads to quick breads as well.  Though pumpkin bread is probably my all-time favorite quick bread, zucchini bread is the one I make most often because, as those of you with gardens know, zucchini is quite the prolific crop in any summer garden!  And what better way to eat it than in bread!

The recipe that I am sharing here has evolved over time.  I have tried various versions that cut some fat, and some sugar, and some cholesterol; this is its current incarnation.  

It contains many of those things that often scare people away (sugar, oil, and eggs), but unless you eat a whole loaf, which admittedly I probably could but won't, the amounts of these things that you get in a realistic single serving are well within reason.

Back to that idea of the most bang for your buck... This recipe contains several of my favorite things...zucchini, apple, and chocolate.  

It's missing coffee as an ingredient, but who's to say you can't enjoy it with a mug of fresh joe!  Since this has all this ingredients that make my tastebuds happy, I am willing to splurge a little and truly enjoy my slice of zucchini bread as a snack or for breakfast.

INGREDIENTS

3 Cups all-purpose flour

1/2 Cup white sugar

1 Cup Brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 eggs

1/2 Cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 Cup vegetable oil

1 TBS vanilla

2 Cups peeled and grated zucchini (1 1/2 -2 zucchini depending on size)

1/2 Cup mini chocolate chips

Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  

In a separate bowl, stir together the eggs, applesauce, oil, and vanilla.  Once combined, add the shredded zucchini to the wet ingredients.   

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones mixing until they are all well incorporated.

Pour into to two loaf pans that have been coated with non-stick spray. 

 Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

These can also be made as 20-24 regular sized muffins.  Adjust cooking time accordingly.  Mine take about 25 minutes, but my oven generally takes the long extreme on the cook time continuum.

Though the zucchini bread is perfectly good as is, topping it with cream cheese or peanut butter adds a special touch to this treat.  Speaking of peanut butter, well actually nuts...you can add chopped nuts to the bread itself if you'd like.  I am one of those that is picky about where I like to find nuts and where I don't.  In my zucchini bread is one of the places where I'd rather not encounter them.  That is why, if I want a little protein, I'll spread some peanut butter on top...another of my favorite ingredients!

I hope that you are all thinking about planting your gardens so that you have lots of zucchini with which to make Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread this summer. 

Tuesday in Texas

The Time of Your Life

by Kris B. 

Despite the fact that today is only the first Tuesday of spring, spring break, that week of rest, relaxation and catching up for those of us that operate on an academic calendar, has come and gone.  And, I had no rest, relaxation, or catching up during my week off as we were in Delaware taking care of estate business.  I am happy to say that we accomplished a little on that front, but not nearly as much as I had hoped.  It just seems that there is not enough time in my world to get done the things that I need to get done let alone those things that I want to get done.

I am famous for saying, “I wish I had time for (fill in the blank)." or “I don’t have time to (fill in another blank.)"  Lately I find myself saying over and over again that I wish I had the time to really get my house clean.  Really clean.  You know, do some hardcore spring cleaning.  With spring break over, I have no days off now until the semester ends in May.  That seems SO far away.  I don’t even want to think about the amount of dirt and dust that accumulate in these next eight weeks!  Don’t call the Health Department yet.  I do manage to run the broom and the vacuum around once a week or so, but all I accomplish is getting the really big stuff.  I know not to look up at the ceiling fans or behind any furniture.  It is too unsettling to actually see all that dirt that I really need to be addressing.  I just keep saying, “I’ll get to it all in May when I have enough time to do it right.  Translation:  when I have the time to do it all perfectly.

I have used this same line of reasoning with regard to regular exercise, reading for pure enjoyment, finishing a piece of music that I started over the Christmas break, watching the movies in my Netflix queue, replanting flower beds, and many, many other things.  I’ll get to them when I have the time.  All these things left undone begs the question, “What do I do with all my time?”

A wise friend of mine once said to me that to say that we don”t have time for something or another is an untruth; the real statement is that we don”t make time for whatever it is that is being neglected.  In reality, we do “make” the time for those things that take precedence in our lives at either the conscious or subconscious level.  In times like right now when I am feeling behind and overwhelmed, I hear those words, “We make time for those things that are important.” eching in my soul.  And, my honest response to hearing them is that no truer words have been spoken.  When I think about the things for which I do make time, I realize that I do a lot and that those things that I do accomplish, most of them anyway, make me genuinely happy.

Since I listed above all the things that I haven't gotten done, it seems only fair that I should create a second list of those things that I do do regularly.

• The bulk of my time and energy is given to me students.  I spend many hours making sure that they get my very best teaching, that each of them leaves my classes with all that they deserve and need to continue successfully in their academic pursuits.

• I attend church regularly as well as participate in music ministry.

• I journal (almost) daily.

• I take a photograph every day.

• I do laundry every Sunday afternoon.  (Clean clothes and linens make me happy.)

• I always make time for friends.

• I share the wonderful experience of this blog with one of those friends.

This list of things gets done regardless of what else could be done.  I will stay up into the wee hours of the night to make sure I finish things on this list.  I spend time each day taking photos rather than cleaning.  I take thirty minutes every morning to journal rather than read.  I dedicate several hours a week to writing blog entries rather than to watching a movie.  And, I will not pass up any opportunity to enjoy time with friends, whether that means a response in the middle of the day to a silly email or that I drop everything to accept a spontaneous dinner out together on a Saturday night.  Time spent enjoying the company of friends is precious and priceless.  Time spent with dirt and the vacuum cleaner, not so much.  

Yes, it is all a matter of priorities.  And now that I think about it, I am OK with the priorities that I have established for myself.  Do I like the fact that my house is dirty?  No.  Would I be happy if my house was clean but I didn't take time to enjoy the company of my friends as often as possible?  No!!  It all comes down to making choices and then owning the ones that I make.  I can do that.  I CAN do that.

Come May, there will be no students who deserve my time and I will devote those extra hours each week to the dust bunnies and dog hair lurking in all those corners of my house.  It’s only eight more weeks.  Until then, I’ll continue to make time for those things that truly feed my soul and make my heart sing.

Who knows, maybe I will win the lottery and then I can hire a housekeeper…

OK, not likely.  I’d have to make time to buy a lottery ticket for that to happen.

What nourishes your soul?  What is on your “must do” (not to-do) list?  Are you living your life for you?

Monday in Michigan

by Tracey G.

Monday in Michigan

What do you do when you can't think of a darn thing to write about? LOL That's totally where I am at right now, my brain has literally gone blank for anything. I've nothing informative and nothing even, well, boring, lol. Well, ok, maybe I've got boring - this thing isn't done yet so the jury is still out on whether I've accomplished boring or not ;-) But what did come to me was how the simple shopping for a pair of jeans or two is anything BUT simple. It can be downright therapy-session-needed inducing. I don't think I'm alone in that struggle either, at least I hope not...

I've come to the conclusion that clothes that don't fit correctly not only look terrible on you - but, make you look terrible. So, basically, what that means to me is: get the bigger jeans size if that's what it takes to make them look good on you and to make you look good in them, even if you don't want to admit you had to buy the bigger size. And another conclusion I've come to is to bite the bullet and take the time to try them on. It's something I hate to do, but it seems these days it's a necessary evil - even the same brand, in the same size, in the same "style number", can fit differently. It's nuts. My last quest for jeans was a nightmare. The brand I usually know I can count on to find at least an "acceptable" pair from, was a total fail. Big disappointment because that then meant, I had to branch out. Try different brands...this was becoming way more than I was willing to put into this. But, they were desperately needed. I hadn't bought myself a pair of jeans since Harry was about 2, lol. I now understand what my mom meant when I asked her why she never bought herself anything - because she wanted to get stuff for me instead, I feel the same way about buying things for Harry, and my jeans wardrobe reflected that.  

So, anyway, I had the daunting task of searching the hundreds of styles by all the brands carried in the store, in search of something I could at least tolerate. And speaking of daunting, for those familiar with the Divergent trilogy, the trying on of jeans in front of those horrible dressing room mirrors, wondering who's watching you covertly in the security office - and critiquing your choices and how they're fitting, should be a try-out task for joining the Dauntless Faction! I know that for me, one of my "fears" that they'd have me face in my fear landscape, with the help of the drug, aside from huge spiders, would be just that - trying on jeans....I shudder just thinking about it!  

Back to the shopping at hand.... I had no idea where to start - so I started with the brand I have a love/hate relationship with. Levis. I love them, they hate me. I was really losing patience by the time I relented and decided to try them, since by that point I had already been trying on a ton of my favorite brand, only to be striking out at every turn. Some had washes that made you look like you peed your pants - I kid you not! It was ridiculous! LOL Which, in my eyes, is NOT a flattering look, at all. LOL Doesn't matter if your butt looks fat in them or not, put on a pair in that kind of wash and no one is noticing if your butt looks fat or not... I guess it just depends on what you're going for, lol. Me personally, I don't think I mind my butt looking fat in a pair of jeans if it means I don't look like I peed my pants, lol. But if distraction away from your butt size is what you're after, as in tricking people to not notice, then that style wash may just do the trick! ;-)

After countless pairs I tried on, I finally found some that I actually kind of liked - this shopping experience was starting to look brighter! Yay! I found some I kind of liked! Time to celebrate! But wait, I spoke too soon...now I had the task of getting the size right. Then the task of getting the length right! NOOOOO!!! I was so close, but yet, still far away. More work to be done. More dressing and undressing in front of that horrible mirror that clearly adds on 25 lbs at the very least. Once I tried on a few different sizes, sizing up, sizing down - I got that part right. Now that left the length thing. This one is always tricky because for some reason a 12 medium and 12 long can fit completely different - I don't get it. They're both 12s but for some reason, this pair is smaller/larger than that pair, but yet they are the same brand, same style number and so forth. Now the trick is to find the pair that fits right and is the right length - in the same pair of jeans, lol. And after a few purchases of jeans that are "just the right length" in the store only to get them home and washed and discover that now they're too short, I've finally come to the conclusion to just err on the side of caution and go with the longer length no matter what. I'd rather be stepping on my hems than having to roll up too short jeans into a pair of capris, lol.

By the time I was done shopping for a simple pair of jeans, I felt like I had just gotten done with a serious workout, it was mentally challenging and sadly, physically challenging, lol. I think the only shopping trip that was worse, was the time I went shopping for some "jeggings" to wear with my boots lol. That was way worse with the physicality of it - trying on pair after pair....

Anyway, after this particularly daunting quest for a pair of jeans, I had not one, but TWO pairs of jeans to show for my efforts!! Yeah!  But, it was after this trip, that I discovered to err on the side of caution and buy long - because after one wash I was online ordering another pair in a longer length because one of the hard-earned pair were too short. Yes, I know, ordering online was playing Russian roulette in the hopes that they'd fit, even though they were the same size, brand and style number, I was changing the length, lol. It all worked out though, and I am happily stepping on my hems, and at least the too-short ones will make cute capris this summer. ;-)

Happy Monday! 

Tracey

xoxo

We Have A Winner!!!

Thanks to the random number generator on mathgoodies.com, Jean Graham will be taking Katrina Kennedy's Practice Portraits class for free!!!  Thank you, Katrina, for the opportunity to share this wonderful opportunity with our friends here.

For those of you who entered but were not selected, fear not!  We have other things to give away in the coming weeks and months.  Come back and follow us here at Pixels, Plates, and LOLs so that you dont miss your chance to win other cool stuff!!

Also, you can still register for the Practice Portraits class at the introductory price of $79 through tonight.  Free would have been great, but $89 is a steal for all of the goodness you will get in this course over the next seven months.  Tracey and I are both looking forward to taking part in this class.

Jean Graham, if you will send me an email at kriselliott61@gmail.com, we will get all of the necessary info to Katrina.  Congratulations!

And a big thank you to all of you who took the time to stop by and leave us a comment.  Please come back!!!

Food Friday - It's Italian

by Tracey G

I guess it's kind of fitting, a Primavera-style dish on the first day of Spring! And as if to celebrate, I heard my first chipmunk talking outside today ;-) Yay! Warmer weather is coming...just a little more patience is needed and the spring peepers will be next - best sound ever!

Still on my quest to keep on eating more healthfully, this one is pretty good in keeping with that theme, especially when you use a chicken broth that is virtually fat free - the brand I used had a mere 5 calories per cup! That's a pretty good base for some lighter fare I think. ;-) I once again found this recipe in my Taste Of Home magazine, and the sheer simplicity of it first caught my attention, then the potential for it being a recipe that would fit into what I'm trying to accomplish in the healthy department. I did however  make a couple changes, (of course, lol, because I can't leave anything alone ;-) ) - I didn't add as much of the julienned carrots as it called for - and even what I did add, I still feel was too much. I added about 3/4 of what it called for, next time will just do half or less. I feel that it came out too "carroty" tasting, but that's an easy thing to fix by using less, lol. But hey, if you like a more carroty tasting broth, by all means stick with the original amounts! :-D The other thing I did was add a couple teaspoons of chicken bouillon powder to bolster the flavor up a bit and add a bit of salt without adding just salt - I remembered that's what Ina Garten does in her chicken pot pie recipe that I use, so I used that technique for this.

This recipe is so simple. It's going to be one of those I can see I'd turn to when I need something fast for dinner, as I usually have everything on hand between the cupboard and freezer - the only thing not usually on hand are the tortellini, but that can be something easy to keep around as well, they can be frozen for up to a month or so. And it's done in one pot - can't go wrong with that! I told Harry this is even something he could make since it's just open some packages and combine, lol.

Start with 8 cups of your brand of choice chicken broth (or homemade if you have it!), which for me was 2, 32oz. each, containers of broth.

Place in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil. 

I kind of deviated here from the directions and instead of adding the peas, carrots and tortellini all at once, I added the carrots first and let them cook for a bit because I knew if they were crisp-tender, Harry would turn up his nose at the "crisp" part. I let them cook for a bit, then tested them, checking for the point when they were just at the crisp-tender stage, THEN I added the peas.....

...and the tortellini and pepper. 

Once I got the tortellini and pepper in, I then let it cook until the tortellini were done. All that's left to do is serve! LOL I served it with a nice crusty Italian bread. 

I can see there's lots of possibilities for this as far as adding different vegetables or even some cooked chicken. The recipe also calls for some thinly sliced fresh basil leaves to garnish with, I didn't have any to use, but once there's decent basil available (mostly out of my garden!) I will be adding it ;-)

Here's the recipe, courtesy of Taste Of Home :

Tortellini Primavera Soup

2 cartons, 32 oz. each, chicken broth

1 package, 10 oz., julienned carrots

1 package, 9 oz., cheese tortellini

1 cup frozen peas, about 4 oz.

1/4 tsp pepper

Thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add carrots, peas, tortellini and pepper; return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, 7-9 minutes or until pasta is tender. Top servings with basil.

You can also freeze the leftovers. To use partially thaw overnight in refrigerator. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

Happy eating all ;-)

Tracey 

xoxo 


by Kris B.

While many around the world are eating corned beef and cabbage or a little coddle and champ perhaps with a little Irish soda bread on the side in honor of St. Paddy’s Day, Tracey and I seemed to be in an Italian mood.  This week we were both trying to get back into the regular weekly routine , Tracey after being sick much of last week and me after spending my spring break in Delaware working on estate stuff.  In emails that crossed one another, we independently came up with this week’s Italian-themed recipes.  This was another of those odd little synchronicities that often occurs with us.

As I write, a gentle spring rain is falling here in Texas.  It is definitely gray outside, but it is not the dark gray of winter.  It is starting to feel like spring, perhaps the gray feels less dreary because I noticed last evening that my first iris of the year has bloomed!

I just had to share this photo as a beacon of hope for all those who are still experiencing cold and snow.

Back to food…

I have been remarkably good with my quest to eat more intentionally, even in Delaware last week when we were forced to eat most of our meals out.  We had some nice meals, but we also ate a few in airports and on airplanes.  (I am a sucker for the soft pretzels in Terminal F at the Philadelphia airport…but, I planned for them into my WW daily points!)  My contribution to this week’s post, though it sounds somewhat healthy, is a killer to the point count!  That realization truly hurts my heart because pesto meatballs with couscous is one of my all-time favorite meals.  The pesto is what ups the fat, calories, and WW point value.  It is also the pesto that gives the meatballs the delicious flavor.  Dilemmas, dilemmas.

I consulted with my daughter who is a trained pastry chef and a fabulous cook.  Such a consultation turned out to be a big mistake on my part.  Pastry chefs love fat, there is no such thing as too much butter in their world.  My daughter is also a vegetarian so asking her anything about how to cook meat was me stupidly barking up the wrong tree; however, we did finally meet in the middle and seriously discuss the matter of my pesto problem.  

Brooke and I agreed that the pesto definitely added fat to the meatballs.  She asked me if I added fat when I made other kinds of meatballs or meatloaf.  I don’t.  We decided that I could just season the ground beef with basil, garlic, and a little parmesan cheese and cut the olive oil that is an integral ingredient of the pesto.  Next came a discussion about proportions.  After we’d figured out how much basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese I should use with my pound and a half of lean ground beef, I asked the all important question, “So, do you think I should try the meatballs this way?”  her response without any hesitation, “No.  If you like them the way you’ve always made them then make them that way and enjoy the meal.”  Out of the mouth of babes…

So, you are getting the full calorie, and more importantly, full goodness of this recipe.  I plan to enjoy every bite of my meal without worrying or feeling guilty about the indulgence.  My rule of life, and I think that Tracey has said this as well, is “everything in moderation.”  The key to a healthy life, both physically and emotionally, is balance.  One somewhat indulgent meal a week is not going to upset that balance.

One of the reasons that I have always loved this recipe is that it is super simple to prepare, yet doesn't taste that way.  The ingredients are either pantry staples or packaged and easy to find at the grocery store.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds of ground beef   (I use the leanest that I can get.)

1/2 cup of crushed saltine crackers

1/2 cup of commercial pesto    (I make my own pesto over the summer and freeze it, but by         this time of year, that supply is depleted.  Either works just fine.)

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

3/4 tsp black pepper

1 box commercially packaged couscous     (I usually use the Parmesan flavor)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brush baking sheets with olive oil.  I go fairly light on the olive oil and have had no problems with the meatballs sticking.

Combine the ground beef, pesto, cracker crumbs, egg, salt and pepper.  I have to say that this works best when you do it with your hands.

Form 12 meatballs and place on the cookie sheet.  Using a cookie scoop yields nicely shaped and uniformly sized meatballs.

Bake the meatballs for 25 minutes, turning once after about 15 minutes.

While the meatballs are baking, prepare the couscous according to the package directions.

To serve, spoon the couscous on the plate.  Top with three meatballs.  If you are feeling decadent, you can drizzle a little pesto over the meatballs and then top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.  Served with a side of freshly steamed broccoli or a green salad, this makes an easy weekday dinner or a great meal to serve guests.

One of my many weird quirks is that I love paper and pens and I thoroughly enjoy hand writing.  I would much rather sit with a pen and a yellow legal pad than in front of the computer.  I mention this because I copied this recipe by hand into my notebook of collected recipes.  I made the notation that the original recipe is from a Real Simple magazine, but I failed to indicate the issue or date of the exact publication.  

Happy Spring!!!