Mommiedom

Well I had a premade lasagna in the fridge (it was part of the meal deal) so that got tossed into the oven and we had that for dinner. I also made a salad and some garlic bread. While the lasagna was cooking I had the bright idea to also bake a cake which I had picked up at the dollar store.  SO the whole meal cost under 15 bucks and there is no way we could have gone out for Italian for that price.  Sometimes it is actually cheaper to buy premade items like a lasagna because it is nice to have it and just stick it in the freezer.

Now with Daisies and such, I think quick fish tacos tomorrow night.

So it rained all day and I so was in the mood for some soup. I have been wanting to make some Broccoli cheese because I got like four heads of it from veggie co-op. I started off with a huge pot of water and added in some dry chicken stock which was my first mistake (I would do about 4 tablespoons). I put to much in and the soup was to salty for my liking.

I than added in the chopped broccoli (you could totally do 2 bags of frozen as well). When it started boiling, I added in a whole brick of easy melt processed cheese. I also went through my fridge and added in any other shredded cheese that was in small amounts. After it all melted, I added in one package of instant mashed potato mix to act as my thicking agent.  The soup was a nice consistency but like I said to salty. I am going to throw a potato in what is left and see if that knocks it down some.

Also while I was doing that I poached three chicken breasts and diced them up to freeze. I figured to have some already cooked diced chicken in the freezer may come in handy. I would really like to prep more meals to have in the future so that is a goal to do one of these days after the freezer goes down more.

I am going out so I decided to make something in the crock pot the family could just eat when they are ready. So I made some stuffed peppers using the peppers from veggie co-op that needed to be used or they needed to be tossed. I also thawed some ground turkey and added about a cup of brown rice into it as well as some Italian seasoning and garlic salt. I mixed it all together and stuffed the peppers but also just made some meatballs to stick in the pot. I topped it with some tomato sauce and about half a jar of water. Stuffed peppers is always one of my favorites to make and I like to make it closest to how my Grandma made it with a thinner sauce- more soup like. Now this is a nice fall meal just wish we had fall temps here.

Day 5 and what a day it is. We have soccer so I need something filling and quick. I had to go to the grocery store again today because I realized I had forgotten lunch meat for Miss O and we were out of the organic milk boxes she likes to take in her lunch. So as I was running through the store, I noticed they had seasoned Italian chicken meatballs on sale plus one of the meal deals had a free garlic bread with it so I had a bingo moment.

I heated up the garlic bread which was actually cheesy garlic and tossed the meatballs in some sauce and let them simmer while the bread baked. I toped the bread with the meatballs and sliced into nice sandwiches for everyone. A quick and easy meal plus it is healthy with the chicken.

Yes I almost buckled and got a pizza but than I figured by the time I went through all that, I could make something. So with the hubby working late and myself feeling not so great, i asked the kids what they wanted and they picked chicken nuggets. I didn't feel like that so I made some mac and cheese as well. Both kids ate like pigs with this meal which I know was stellar but every once in awhile, these meals happen. I guess it is better than running out for something.

i have been seeing that commercial on t.v. for the new Progresso Recipe Starters and they caught my eye when I was at the store the other day. I guess that is good marketing isn't it. I picked up the Creamy Portobella Mushroom one because I love Stroganoff. I made it according to the directions which are right on the can. The only thing I would have liked to add were some actual mushrooms. I usually have some but this week I didn't get any at veggie co-op because they were out. I paired it with (like the fancy word paired) with some of the awesome green beans we get from co-op.

I than got a urge for an apple cobbler because I had a bunch of apples there. So I did a quick search and this recipe came up so I went to work making it. It was so good and bubbly. I have been craving both chocolate and apple pie which really don't go together. So last night I had brownies which had to be like a thousand calories. I am thinking this is a bit better and I am planning on pairing (fancy word again) with some of that tea I made yesterday (heating it up).

I am so ready for fall and have been making some fall inspired meals. I ant to make some broccoli cheddar soup at some point because I got a ridiculous amount of broccoli at co-op. I think I could make two gallons of it and I know it will get eaten.

I am on a roll and why yes two days is a roll for me especially with me not feeling that great.  I thought what could I make that was easy and fast. I like fast and I also like something we haven't had in awhile, so tacos it was or to be more precise turkey tacos. Heck I can't taste the difference and I love beef.

I have been using coupons more and more and also trying to spot the deal every where so I had a coupon if you bought two items of a certain brand you got a buck off. I like that because I would buy both items and a buck off helps, every dollar helps these days.

I just browned up the meat, added the premade spice mix even though I do have a large container of taco seasoning in the pantry. I heated up the hard and soft shells, chopped some lettuce and tomatoes plus heated up some refried beans (My second item). Both kids love tacos when I make them. I try not to make them all the time because I like variety so I make them about once a month or even as long as six weeks.

The other thing I did while I was making the tacos was brew up a big batch of sweet tea. I was watching Paula Deen and they were making it on her show and I have so been on a tea kick lately. I guess I am sick of diet soda and water, so I have been drinking tea specifically this lemon mango honey diet lipton tea that you just mix up. It is good but when I saw what Paula was doing, I went to work. I think this is better than my large diet cherry coke zero from Sonic Happy Hour

I took three large tea bags (decaf) and threw those in a pot of water. I added in the juice of one orange and oh my was that a juicy orange  plus some cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and about a cup of sugar. I let it simmer for a good 15 minutes and than poured it in to a large pitcher and added some cold water and let it chill in the fridge. The nice thing is that I can either have it chilled or heat it up for a cup as well.

My hubby and I weren't big tea drinkers when we moved down here. We would have it once in awhile but it is so big in Texas. I have heard people put it in the baby bottles. I have seen sippy cups full of it as well. Now as we have been down here for nearly ten years, we drink it more. We also know where to go in the area to get the best kinds. I guess we are becoming natives!

I decided after numerous fails last week as well as a trip to the grocery store and a ton of veggies from the co-op I am in, that I would start the count again to see how long we will go.

So I usually like to make a nice Sunday dinner but all of a sudden the day got a way from us and well I dug around and found italian sausage patties I had bought because I had a coupon. I paired that with some pasta salad that I made from the pantry. I had a bunch of veggies from my co-op because it was my week to drive so I cut up a red pepper and sautéed that up to top the italian sausage along with some tomato sauce and cheese to make a pizza burger.

It was a good and quick dinner which I like so onward to the next meal where I am planning turkey tacos.