Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Butter Cookies:

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup natural peanut butter {creamy}
3/4 cups pure maple syrup
1/2 cup carrot puree
1/4 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
non stick cooking spray

1. preheat oven 350 degrees.
In a bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. set aside.

2. In a large bowl, mix together peanut butter, maple syrup, carrot puree,
conola oil, and vanilla. stir until combined.

3. pour in flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, and turn over with a
spatula about 7 times. Don't overmix! There will be dry spots. Stir in raisins.

4. While batter is resting, spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray. and then
drop on cookies with a spoon or ice cream scooper. Use fork to make the classic
peanut butter criss-crosses on top.

5. bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to cookies to a wire rack to cool.
they store up to 4 days.

ps. This recipe is so healthy and all that cause i'm doing an 8 WEEK CHALLENGE
that requires no sugar or white flour. this recipe is easy, and I actually had everything in
my cupboard. {except wheat flour, so I used white...it'll be my free day. :)}

ENJOY.

Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits

I've been dying to get this picture off my hard drive. These are so good and yummy! Sorry, they don't really go with the no-carb-new-year :)

Biscuits:

2 1/2 cups Bisquick

3/4 cup cold Milk

4 TBSP cold Butter

1/4 tsp Garlic Powder

1 cup (heaping) Cheddar Cheese, grated

Brush on Top:

2 TBSP Butter, melted

1/4 tsp Parsley flakes

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

pinch of Salt

1. Preheat oven to 400. 

2. Combine Bisquick with the cold butter in a medium bowl using a pastry cutter (or a large fork). Don't mix too thoroughly. There should be small chunks of butter in there that are about the size of peas. Add cheddar cheese, milk, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Mix by hand until JUST combined (don't over mix)

3. Drop approx 1/4 cup portions of the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake for 15-17 minutes until the tops of the biscuits turn light brown.

5. When you take the biscuits out of the oven, melt 2 TBSP butter in a small bowl in your microwave. Stir in 1/2 tsp garlic powder and the parsley flakes. Use a brush to spread this garlic butter over the tops of all the biscuits. Use up all the butter. 

Pizza in a Pinch

In today's world everyone is in a Pinch. Well today for lunch was no different. My 2 year old wanted pizza. Usually that's not a problem with the stock piles of Totino's pizzas in the freezer. I haven't been grocery shopping in a while, so no pizzas were to be found! So I improvised……I toasted some whole wheat bread, spread a lil pizza sauce on and topped with cheese and olives (like I said, haven't been grocery shopping in a while… lol).

SUCCESS!! I call it Pizza in a Pinch.

Confetti Taco Filling

i've seen similar recipes to this called confetti tacos, so i guess that's what i'll call it?

Ground Beef (i do 2 lbs at a time and freeze 3/4 of it)
1/2 an onion
garlic powder
onion powder
black pepper
taco seasoning
Can of corn
Can of Kidney Beans
fresh spinach (optional)
soften onion in some olive oil, and add ground beef. add seasonings to taste (this goes back to my i dont follow a recipe) i like it super seasoned, so i add a lot, but you can start out easy and add more at the end. if i had to make a guess of measurements, i'd say between 1/2 and 1 TSP. of each except for taco seasoning, i add a buttload of that, like 2 Tablespoons, but you might not like that stuff as much as i do! :) anyways, once the ground beef is cooked, add the corn and kidney beans, then tear up a bunch of spinach and wilt that in (or just throw in WELL drained frozen spinach). if i have extra enchilada sauce i will pour some of that in, but today i didnt. you can also add olives, they are super good in this, but i dont think they freeze well, so i skipped them this time. this it what the mixture ends up looking like...
at this point, you have a few options, today i steamed some corn tortillas and topped the mixture with salsa, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, and more fresh spinach.

but i also use this ad my enchilada filling, i add not quite a whole small can of mild enchilada sauce, then i layer the beef mixture, cheese, and steamed corn tortillas, top with cheese and olives, bake until it's hot all the way through and enjoy! this is how i freeze the mixtures, put it in about 2 cup portions in baggies and lay them flat in the freezer, then to thaw i either throw them in the microwave for a few minutes, or let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

Prophet Matching Game

I made this matching game for our primary class, but i am sure i will use it when my kids are old enough too! All i did was made a page of pictures of all of the LDS Propets and printed them twice. Then i cut them out, and mounted them onto navy blue cardstock and laminated them. After i was all done however i realized that I had forgotten to do Joseph Smith! Probably the easiest one! so that one is still in the works. :)  I used Images from the Finch Family Software, which i HIGHLY recomend investing in! i use them ALL the time! and they arent too pricey either! I have the LDS clipart and the Scrapbook clipart discs. Anyways this would make a good sunday activity for kids, or a time filler for primary :)

** Sorry, but I am not allowed to distribute this game since I do not own the images. Therefore I cannot email copies out.**

LDS Bingo

This was another game i made for our primary class, but you could use it for Family Home Evening. I love how it teaches the kids to recognize and remember specific church related pictures. i was amazed the first time we played this a lot of the kids didnt know what the ten commandments or the liahona LOOKED like! i made 10 bingo pages and a page to cut up for the call peices. I also just got a bag of bright buttons to use as the bingo peices.

**Sorry, but since I do not own these images, I am not allowed to distribute them, so I cannot email copies out.**

FHE in a Jar

Seeing how it's Monday, it's time for some Family Home Evening ideas. For Christmas this year we made 'FHE in a Jar' for the families we gave gifts to. I wish I would of taken a picture of the final product because it was an awesome gift! :)
I got the idea, and PDF file, from The Idea Door a website that has lots of fun LDS church related activities and crafts from Primary to Relief Society. It's a great site for any of you that teach a lesson, or just want to teach in the home. I love it!
Back to FHE in a Jar, like I previously said, I just printed out the pdf file of all the different family home evening ideas on some cute paper. Cut them out and put them in a jar. (I actually just used an empty formula container. It was perfect to use, with the snap on lid and all that) that I had decorated with some pictures and the following quote:

"I hope, my brothers and sisters, that you are having your family home evenings in your home with your children. You Can Not afford to postpone this. The days, the months, and the years pass so quickly, and before long it will be too late." -President Gordon B. Hinkley (Jan. 28, 1996)

All in all, FHE is important and we don't always have time to prepare some elaborate lesson. So it's nice to have a bunch ideas already prepared in ONE place. It was a huge hit with every family that got one! I need to make our family one, that's one of my next projects! :)

I Like To Sing a Song...Sing Sing Sing!

I wish I could take credit for this cute idea - but I actually got it from my Aunt who teaches Nursery in my parents ward! This is how they do singing time - each wood cut out has a song written on the back. They had a few and I wanted to make my own set (I added a few more...he he)

Katelyn loves this game! She'll open the bag and hand me each different cut out and we'll sing the song. Most of the them have actions the go along with the song. Katelyn knows quite a few and will do the actions along with me while we sing. Her current favorites are: Popcorn Popping, Once There Was a Snowman, The Wheels on the Bus, 3 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, 3 Little Ducks, 3 Little Monkeys Teasing Mr. Alligator, Red Light Green Light, and Little Red Caboose.

I have a few more ideas and songs to add, plus you'll see a few that I haven't quite figured out what song to do yet... but this works great for FHE (we just pick a song to sing out of the bag) and it's great for Katelyn to learn all these songs and rhymes!

(Click on each image for full size view)

super easy chinese-y dinner

This is probably the easiest chinese meal you will ever make! and its pretty healthy too!

1/2 box of cooked thin whole wheat spaghetti

2 chicken breasts cubed and cooked

2 cups of frozen broccoli

1 cup of frozen peas

2 Tablespoons of soy sauce

3 Tablespoons of oyster sauce

1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon of onion flakes

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

1/8 teaspoon of cruched red pepper flakes (optional)

After cooking the pasta and chicken, add ALL ingerdients into a wok (or large skillet) and heat together until vegtables are thawed. Vegtables can be switched out for any kind that your family will eat!

Honey Mustard Chicken.

1 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
1/2 cup finely crushed unsalted pretzels
1 tablespoon grated parmesan
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic  powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup sweet potato puree
3 tablespoons honey
1 large egg
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts {we did 3 breasts, cut into strips}
nonfat cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil

1. On a plate, mix in breadcrumbs, pretzel crumbs, parmesan,
paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder together.
2. In a bowl, mix in sweet potato puree, honey, egg, and mustard.
Dip the chicken strips into the sweet potato mixture and then coat
in the breadcrumb mixture. set aside.
3. Coast a large skillet with cooking spray, add the olive oil, and
set over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on the first side, cooking
4 to 5 minutes, until the breadcrumb coating is crispy and golden.
Turn the chicken over and repeat, 4 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately, and
fill your belly with deliciousness.

and just because we couldn't get enough honey mustardness..we mixed in
equal parts of honey and dijon mustard for a dip, for our chicken.

We didn't get pics. We are pigs and food doesn't last that long...but it was
amazing! It's from the cookbook, Double Delicious{by Jessica Seinfeld}

Buy it. it's awesome!!!

SNIPPETS BUTTON IS FIXED!

Sorry, there was a little mishap with the button for this blog, but i think i got it fixed! well, i hope! :)

My Cleaning List

I'm a list person. I think you all are going to learn that pretty quick. I make lists for everything; groceries, to do, honey-do, packing, bills, schedules, meals, you name it, i probably have a list for it. So when it finally dawned on me that i didn't have a cleaning list. i sat down and made one. Now i know that this list wont work for everyone, in fact, it might only work for me. But its more of the idea that i want to get out there. Just in these last few weeks Ive had this list, Ive noticed chores are SO much easier when i don't feel like they all have to be done in one day! Try it, you might like it!

Monday:
Quick pickup
Laundry-whites and light colors
Pay Weekly bills
Clean bathrooms

Tuesday:
Quick pickup
Laundry- Dark colors and jeans
Sweep
Mop

Wednesday:
Quick pickup
Laundry- Baby clothes and blankets
Vacuum
Dust

Thursday:
Quick pickup
Laundry- towels
Clean microwave
Clean Blake's room

Friday:
Quick pickup
Laundry- Beau's work clothes
Tidy all closets
Sweep front porch

Saturday:
Quick pickup
Clean Master Bedroom
Laundry- catch-up
Throw out all old leftovers

Sunday:
Quick pickup

Monthly:
Laundry- Sheets/bedding
Dust all fans/lights
Clean out fridge
Disinfect: Switchplates, Remotes, Doorknobs, etc.
Windex windows

fabric flower garland.

this flower garland is adorable. 

it's something cute and simple to add a little 

'girly' something to any room. 

I am sure you could use this same tutorial 

for the flowers and make an adorable headband....

i'm doing it. ha.

CLICK ON THIS TO SEE TUTORIAL.

New Years Resolutions??

Were girls! We all make the same ol' resolutions each year! Say it with me "LOSE WEIGHT!" So here are a few suggestions to make it happen and also have fun with it!

Have you tried Zumba? I know you have heard of it, made excuses as to why you dont want to or cant go, well lets start the New Year right and GO! Its so much fun, all you do is dance! How bad can that be? Whether your excuse is "im not in shape enough" (it will get you in shape, you have to start it to get there) or "im too old for that" (hello, your never too old for anything! the great thing about zumba is you go at your own pace!) or even the excuse of "i dont know how to dance, they will laugh at me" (well good thing were not trying out for cheer or drill team because i cant dance either, as for the "laughing at me part" dont worry everyone is SO busy trying to make sure no one will laugh at them and focusing on the actual dance!" So try it! The place I go is so amazing, they have all the lights turned out, and the club dance lights on! So you cant really see anyone else anyways. The instructor is on a platform and a huge spot light is on her at all times so you dont get lost as to what the next dance move is! The instructors name is Andrea. She is amazingly motivating, and she actually cares about how you are doing individually, and as a whole. She is always up beat, always crazy, and always fun. Her warehouse is in green valley and is called "The Warehouse" the address is 415 S Dixie Dr. She does cross-fit, themed zumba nights, and boogie boxing. Check her website out at http://www.dancethewarehouse.com/.

Remember with excersize comes dieting. Dont let yourself think you cant have ANY sweets, or ANY carbs. Always allow your self to have 1 ONE UNO cheat day a week. (but seriously, only 1 day) Dont go on a crazy binge on this day either, allow your self to have that bowl of ice cream, or pizza, or whatever your craving is, just dont have all 3 cravings! The rest of the week eat healthy. Try not to cook with as much butter, oil, or grease. Eat more salads (this doesnt mean drowned every salad in ranch either, choose a healthy less fat dressing). Remember to always eat in small portions too. You can eat as healthy as you want, but over eating on healthy food is (not as bad) almost as bad as just over eating on crap food. Maybe you go to a diet doctor and have them tell you what your goal weight should be, and get a diet plan from them to help with your particular body size.

Another one we love to set for ourselves is NO SODA! Well how about just switching to DIET soda. There are no calories in it, yes it may not taste as good, but at least your getting it right? So lets not cross it completly off our lists, and just alter it a bit.

How about budgeting! ugh! Dont you just hate that word! I know I do. What my husband and I like to do is the envelope method. We go to the bank at the beginning of the month, take out ALL of our money for ALL of our bills that were going to need for that month including gas, food, personal, bike, pets, etc. and then we dont use our card the rest of the month. It has really helped us so far and I LOVE it.

Well that is three of my goals for the year of 2011! Remember with your goals that you must set a date you want to achieve it by (such as loose 30 lbs by July) without a date set we just think we can take ALL year to loose that 30 lbs.

If you have any questions, about zumba, or the envelope budget method dont be afraid to comment and ask!

What are some of your goals for this year?

Love, Tere Shake

Distressed Paint

I have been searching forever about how to make my paint look 'old', and the only i could ever come up with was to sand it after it dried, which works, but it never looked quite right. So when i found this tutorial, using tape, i was so excited to try it! and guess what... IT WORKS! like REALLY well! I used it on three old barn windows Beau got for me and hung them above our TV, (a spot that has been needing some REAL help!)

for some reason it looks really close to the wall color, but its a lot lighter. Anyways, i thought it worked really well and decided to share!

yummiest lotion ever!

I'm not quite sure how i passed by this scent probably a bazillion times until i finally notices it was being DISCONTINUED! It is SO yummy smelling! i bought like 8 :) i suggest going and buying some while they are still around!

Lookin for a good Read?

I don't know about you, but I'm ALWAYS on the prowl for a good read. I'll basically read anything from autobiography to fantasy, from Physiological to Romance....I have kids so there are a bunch of children's books in there too!
Well, I've stumbled on such a great writer I feel the need to share! Shannon Hale is my new found favorite! Mrs. Hale takes an old Grimm's fairy tale or Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and makes it her own. I've read 5 (in the process of #6) of her books, and seriously can not put them down. Stephanie Meyer (author of the Twilight Series) was quoted, "My very Favorite Recent Read", referring to Mrs. Hale's Book of a Thousand Days.
If you are looking for a book with a little bit of whimsy, magic, and love Shannon Hale is your gal.
Leave a comment and let me know which novel you've chosen to explore.

go HERE for some awesome date ideas with your man!!

Our Dinner List

i absolutely hate deciding what is for dinner. the conversation in our house usually goes a little something like this...

Me: What do you want for dinner?
Beau: I dont care.
Me: i dont know how to make that. pick something else.

does anyone else get that answer every time you ask what your family wants to eat? it is highly annoying! so i devised a little plan. i made a list, a long list. of all the dinners i could think of that we like to eat. The method behind my madness, i like to cook in bulk, either a huge elk roast, 3 lbs of ground beef, a whole crockpot of chicken, and freeze most of it. So this list breaks dinners down into categories depending on what meat we have to work with. i use it ALL the time, so i thought maybe it could benefit some of you? maybe not? maybe i am crazy? Some of these dinners might be things you have never heard of, sorry! thats just what we call em!


Ground Beef:
Taco Salad
Stroganoff
Tinfoil dinners
Enchiladas
Tigerlini
Taco casserole
Hamburger Casserole
nachos
Spaghetti
skillet lasagna
soft tacos
sloppy joes
hamburger casserole
hamburgers
meatball sandwiches
homemade chili
taco pizzas
tater tot casserole
meatloaf

chicken:
haystacks
chicken tacos
chinese stir fry
chicken alfredo
chicken salad sandwiches
BBQ chicken
BBQ chicken pizza
stuffing casserole
lettuce wraps
orange chicken
homemade chicken nuggets
chicken parmesan


Shredded Beef:
roast and potatoes
french dips
shredded beef tacos
BBQ beef sandwiches
beef stroganoff
beef stew

Random/no meat:
spaghetti and chili
cornbread and chili
waffles/pancakes/french toast
grilled cheese
homemade pizza
cheesy breadsticks
loaded baked potatoes
bean and cheese quesadillas
hot dogs
burrito enchiladas
mcmuffins
BLT's
Navajo tacos
hoagies
ramen

Other Meats:
Pork chops
Pork Roast
Salmon

Side Dishes:
corn
green beans
rice-a-roni
baked beans
green salad
broccoli
stuffing
mashed potatoes
cowboy potatoes
tater tots
chips and salsa
spanish rice
garlic bread
peas
squash
fruit
fries
biscuits
baked potatoes
rolls

Hopefully this might solve some of your 'whats for dinner' dilemmas!

Veggie Pizza

1 can crescent rolls
1/2 block of cream cheese
A few tablespoons of dry ranch mix (depending on how 'ranchy' you like it)
Veggie toppings, like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.
Other toppings, like ham/turkey, kidney beans, olives etc.
press 1 can (i use 1/2 can if it's just me) of crescent rolls flat onto a cookie sheet and cook until golden brown and crisp. (like 11 minutes) set it aside and let it cool. Mix 1/2 block of cream cheese with some with the dry ranch mix. chop your veggies. once the crescent rolls have cooled, spread cream cheese mixture on top and throw on your veggies! YUM YUM YUM!!!! i could eat this every day! and i use fat free crescent rolls and reduced fat cream cheese, so its pretty healthy!