The End

30th has finally came! We made it!! Yay. We tried new foods and eliminated more processed foods. The first 2 weeks was the hardest to not order in. The second week I realized that it affected friends too, because I couldn't just go out to eat with them when we wanted to. It has made a difference in our family dynamic. We sit down together and eat meals together. It has brought us all closer together. We end this month with grilled pork chops, grilled asparagus, corn and apple cobbler for dinner. Excited! Lunch I made the kids organic Mac n Cheese, by Annie's. I had Greek salad. 

Greek salad
Cucumber, tomato, red onion, green and black olives,  feta cheese
Seasoning tsp olive oil, oregano, basil

Simple and fast lunch. I made one batch and it fed us 4 times. Used 1 cucumber, 8oz of tomatoes, 1 can small olives, 4oz feta. 

Apple cobbler
Chopped apples, oatmeal, cinnamon and brown sugar

I am looking forward to Oct and the changes we will be making to simplify our life. Decluttering and trying new meals. Maybe get to try making pasta, fruit snacks,  and more. I am making. A goal to eliminate the processed foods from our pantry. We started in January to get rid of them and stop buying it. Well while we have eliminated about 70-80% we still are using a lot. This month we have lots of chicken on the menu, fish, enchiladas, and Korean meals. Currently we have about 20 dinner meals already prepared and in the freezer. It cost us about $75 for it as well. I had hoped to keep our grocery bill $200 but it might end up being $300 which is still more then half what we have been spending. Very sad. We are only a family of 4 and we spent about $800 or so on groceries. So here is to Oct savings!

I will be on the look out for sales, coupons and buying bulk. 

God is our provider!

Eating from home

Well we are finishing off the month here in a couple days. What's for dinner? Oh how to end the month of eating from home? Why not with some enchiladas and gilling! Today I made a trip to the store. To get 2 things, coming out with much more then that. Opps but was it?
My kids both like the fruit and veggy pouches today I found some for .59c so I bought 14 of them.

Simple meals

I picked up 4 happy puffs, they are gluten free and organic they are 2.49 and I had $1 off 2 coupon. Found cheese 1.89 and had a $1 off 2 coupon so I got 2. A nice gal gave me $1 off coupons for frozen chicken so I grabbed 3 of them, bringing them to 4.99 each. I go some fresh chicken for 7.36 had two coupons for that one .40c off and .75c off. Steak for 1.02 a lb, came to 2.24 A few other things as well. So with the kids extras I spent just over $60 that included some sippy cups for the kids. So here is where we get more then enough meals for the next 2 weeks.

I had 2 green peppers, 1 red pepper, 5 large carrots, celery, and onion already. I chopped them up and  put 2 chicken breasts in a bag with the veggies. Different bags had different veggies. Added seasoning to them and put them in the freezer. So simple. Didn't take much time either.

Made my dad's enchiladas. Recipe is on a previous blog. 

This took about 3 hours to finish this all. Only spent $60 and have enough meals for 16meals. Yes that is right 16 meals. We will add rice to some of the meals, or fresh veggies but still staying well under budget.

5 days to go

I am very happy to have made it this far! So now to update with meals.

Sausage and egg noodles

Cook the sausage with pepper, salt and smoke rub

Add one thin chopped onion and 2/3 red pepper 

Cook noodles for 7/8mins

I used 3 fresh tomatoes chopped and cooked for a few mins then chopped up in the ninja. I added it to the sausage, onion and red pepper, cooked for another few mins added some corn starch to make it a lil thicker. Drained the pasta and put it back into pot. Dump the sausage mix into the pasta and mix together covering the pasta. Serve hot.

Crock Pot Spaghetti
What you need:
(Family size of 2adults 2kids)
1 large can or jar of spaghetti sauce
1 small can tomato paste
1large can crushed tomatoes
2 med can chopped tomatoes
Italian seasoning
Garlic
Oregano
Lemon pepper
Sugar or honey
1lb ground meat (I use 1/5lb I am not a large meat person)
Pasta (cook 20mins before serving)

Cook the ground meat with some Italian and lemon pepper on med heat
While the meat cooks add all the cans/jars into the crock pot add seasoning to taste. Leave the sugar out for now. Turn on low. Add the meat once browned. Cook for an hour then add the sugar/honey.
Cook for another 2-4hours. I cook mine for about 5-6hours.
Now you can double this and put half in the freezer for spaghetti later or lasagna. I made double this time and froze 3containers for lasagna later. Right at half way cooked take half out and place in freezer containers.

Dads Enchiladas

What you need:

3 chicken breasts

1large can green enchilada sauce

2 small can chopped green chilies

1 small can cream of mushroom soup

Milk

Tortilla shells or corn shells

Shredded cheese

1-2 can Refried beans

Cook the chicken breast with a can of green chillies and small amount of green enchilada sauce. Once cooked shred the meat and set aside. In a pot put the rest of the enchilada sauce, chillies, and cream of mushroom soup with a can of milk(you can use water for dairy free, will be more runny) cook to a boil. Stir often. Once cooked, place a layer on the bottom of the pans just enough to cover. Add a layer of shells followed by refried beans, cheese(dairy free cheeses), meat, then sauce(don't use it all). Add a second layer of shells then cover with the rest of the sauce and cheese on top. You can also wrap the shells with beans, cheese, meat, and sauce. I can get about 8-10 per pan I place it in 3 pans then let cook covered and put in the freezer.

Chiari update

Yay! AshLynn will she the dr who specializes in Chiari Malformation. It is now the time we fight for tricare to approve her surgery by a chiari dr not just a Neurosurgeon. We will meet with him the 16th of oct. I liked what a friend said we pray for a miracle with out surgery but if that miracle need to come by surgery then let it. AshLynn has been doing really good on a limited gluten diet. Her rashes have almost all gone away. This past week we have had more gluten so the rash on her face is back. So I am hoping to get to the store to get her bread.  I am also hoping that we will have another MRI done it's been a few months and see if the malformation has stopped growing. She has had less headaches too!!! That is a wonderful thing! She is sleeping better now that we gave her a pillow. She may not stay on it but helps. 

I don't know what our future hold but chiari will not hold AshLynn back.

Home made meals update

Well we have made it to day 22 in our month of home made meals. Last week we not as easy as the previous. I woke up Sunday the 15th is so much back pain. I had almost ran out of the freezer meals too. I knew Monday and Tuesday I needed to put another weeks worth of meals in the freezer. Well that didn't happen. I do 6/7 meals in the freezer and then cook fresh the other 7/8days. Works for us really well. Those freezer meal night would have ended up being eating out or ordering in, so we save. Well my back was in so much pain I couldn't do anything. No meals in the freezer. Opps. It's the 22nd and I need to get a few in the freezer for those nights I don't feel like standing in the kitchen cooking. We have added a few new meals to our diets. Yay. I am glad for not eating out or ordering in, but it's limited us. I was invited out to lunch with a few ppl from our bible study and had to say no. I would have loved to go, chat and have a great time, but I had no food in our bag to get us a full lunch.  I feel better though. I know the kids are feeling better eating healthy meals. 

I would update on what we ate but to be honest I have forgotten. I didn't write them down anywhere. 

I would love to hear what your family favorite meals are. 

What do we plan to do? Well this coming weekend I hoping to make all scratch meals. Leaving the processed foods out. So I need to make a loaf or two of bread for sandwiches, and find some real simple meals. I will probably repeat food for the weekend. I am a simple person so no complex meals. 

Leftovers or not

Leftovers the words I grew up hearing if I asked what was for dinner most nights. My dad is a very good cook, so leftovers were never bad. Although the second night of leftovers, I would want something fresh. So when I moved out and began cooking for my husband and I leftovers just sat in the fridge til I threw them away. We would eat a lot of boxed meals. My dad always cooked from scratch. I am finding a new pattern here. These last 2weeks I have seen the leftovers leaving the fridge and into the microwave for lunch or a second meal. Wow! I never thought that processed foods would not be good as seconds. I also am eating leftovers. Healthy food is being eaten in our home while the boxed stuff just sits in the pantry. I am seeing that we are not wasting as much food. Looks like we will be turning to leftovers more often. So today as you put the leftovers away remember that it could save you a few dollars by eating them for lunch or tomorrow nights dinner.

                As we learn new things and God shows us His plan life becomes easier, by leaning on Him. God has a great plan for you. 

Placed on my Heart

God is amazing! He can do the impossible. Today He placed on my heart the need to pray. We sadly lost our baby in July. I have a hard time with prayer. I struggle. I get off on bunny trails. I become forgetful during prayer. So today I was challenged to prayer. Prayers for my family and for our next baby. I prayed for 3 years for my to be husband. I had not met him but I prayed for him. I am not perfect. I get busy, forget and life takes over. I should be talking to God daily, giving Him praise for all the blessings He gives us. He have never once left my side, or not provided. He has given us much more then we could ask for.
Today He gave me the ability to stay home with both my kids, He showed me His love through my kids. He blessed me with another day with my family. I am very thankful for all He has done.
I give praise to the One who gives us life, He who saved us from our sin, my Lord!
Challenge to prayer. To build my relationship with God.

Second Half

We have made it 2 whole weeks of eating from home. That's is really good. I am still learning and struggle with the shopping. Hoping that next month I can do better and get our shopping bill cut in half. I don't think a family of 4 should be spending as much as we are. Although while looking at our bill and seeing what we bought I realized that the processed food and the "fast" meals you buy end up costing much more. I have enough meals for the next 2 weeks to finish out our 30days of home cooked meals and enough to get some into next month. I need to not shop til next month so about 15 days from now. I guess I need to make that a goal.
I have lots of flour I need to get rid of by cooking/ baking with. Once it is gone I will be buying coconut flour or gluten free. As for now I need to use it. I have lots of pasta and hamburger helper thanks to my husband . So I am going to get those used up and stop buying them. I am looking for huge tips and help on getting our bill down. I try to coupon, not very good at it. Please all the help I can get!

New at the eating from home

What is on your shopping list for the next week? Are you struggling with ideas? Not sure where to start on not eating out? Start slow don't over do it or stress out. Evaluate how often you eat out or order in. More then 2/3 or more times a week? Try cutting down to once a week. Thinking that you can't go on dates with your loved one, you can. Wait what? Won't that ruin not eating out? No, make a picnic and spend time together eating at a park, by a river, pond. Eat before you go out. Go to the movies, bring water bottles in your bag maybe some fruit roll ups you may have made. I know I don't really eat while watching a movie, just drink water. Take a walk with your loved one. There are so many options other then eating out. 

We stopped eating fast food many many months ago. Our struggle is darn Chinese food and pizza. So last night while we were driving we decided to just make our own pizza with the help of the kids. It's not as simple as ordering but much better for us. 

Ideas for meals this week:

Pizza- you can buy pre made crust or make your own. Pasta sauce, cheese and toppings of your liking.

Hamburger- premade or buy ground beef/turkey and make your own patties.

Fish- grilled or baked with salad.

Making dinners or meals from home don't have to be hard. Don't stress and have fun!

Day 14

Well we have made it this far. 14 days into eating from home. How are you doing? Have you descided to eat more home made meals? It doesn't mean everything from scratch. Just that it was prepared in your home. Could be canned soup, boxed food or even a store bought pie that you heated in the oven. I am not a fancy cook or a Martha Stuart. The last few days have been the same breakfast, same lunches maybe slight changes and dinners have been a bit different but simple.
We tried a few new things this week, grilled fish with lemon and orange, smoked sausage with tomato, onion, red pepper and egg pasta. Simple meals but good and made from home.
We grilled ribs for the first time as well this past week. It cost us just over $10 and fed all 4 of us, add a side of salad and its a meal.

This was tonight's dinner day 14: 

Cook the sausage with pepper, salt and smoke rub

Add one thin chopped onion and 2/3 red pepper 

Cook noodles for 7/8mins

I used 3 fresh tomatoes chopped and cooked for a few mins then chopped up in the ninja. I added it to the sausage, onion and red pepper, cooked for another few mins added some corn starch to make it a lil thicker. Drained the pasta and put it back into pot. Dump the sausage mix into the pasta and mix together covering the pasta. Serve hot. 

Day 13:

Grilled Fish with lemon(fresh) and orange pepper. 

Add to salad and its a easy fast meal.

Going backward day 12 dinner was one of my frozen enchiladas. 

I am not trying to make difficult meals or anything fancy. I have almost run out of my pre frozen meals so Monday and Tuesday I will be redoing my freezer meals. 

Kids Update

AshLynn is growing like a weed! She is going to be 19 months tomorrow. Where has this time gone? She is a diva, drama queen, and a toddler going on 13! We are kinda stuck on what to do with her Chiari. We moved last month, due to mold in the home. Her headaches have decreased, a huge praise to God. Yay right! So last week we asked her dr to put in a referral to see the Chiari specialist. Please pray for everything to go smooth and that he will be able to help AshLynn.  Last time she was weighed she is 22.8lbs and is almost 31in

Daniel is doing very well. He has been talking more and keeps amazing me in his new skills. He knows some of his letters and can read the word BALL. He loves to jump and just learned the summersalt. He has been in a weekly class with our church and is leaning so much. I am proud of him. Last time he was weighed he was 29lbs and almost 37in. His birthday is in dec and infant believe he is going to be 3 years old!

I am really missing our angel baby. I would be well into my second trimester if we would not have lost the baby. :(  

Well for now that is our update.

Fruit roll ups

I tried making fruit roll ups for the very first time. I would say not bad, but not great. I will try again in a week or less.
First batch was too thin but did work and was good. The second batch well ummm ya we won't even post that mess. Hehe.

Strawberries, apple, peach

Finished 

Before I cut and rolled it up

I used 16oz of strawberries, 1 1/4 apple and 1 peach 

I used my ninja blinder to mix everything into a paste/mix.

Worked great. First thing you need to do is line a pan with plastic or use a cooking liner. I like the liner better seem to cook faster and more even. I put it in the oven at 170 and cooked them from 8am til 330pm. You wanna dry it out but not burn it or over cook it causing it to be hard and crumble. 

Nearly Half finished

Day 13! It's been 13 days since we changed our cooking habits. How has it affected us? Or impacted my two children? It has in very positive way! Makes me happy to know my son who avoided fruit and veggies with a 10 foot pole is eating apples and carrots. Ya it is only a couple things but its a start! Yay for positive change!

A change of plans

Say what? Needing to change plans? Never! Ha you will hear the military will change plans up to the last second right? Well they did/are. Now I know it could change again but as for now my husband will be here for holidays that are coming up. They choose to send someone else. While it makes me happy to know he will be home for his kids it also makes me sad he doesn't get to advance in his career. An answer to prayer? Not sure if that is what I wanted, but any way now to continue with my plan to still change our eating ways. I want to eat even better. What does this mean for us? Watch for a new blog of food :)
Have a happy blessed day!

Meals from the home

How is it going? Well it's the 10th and we have not eaten out once. 10 days is not much but we are getting there.
Day 5:  Breakfast Cereal
Lunch we packed the kids sandwiches, crackers, and drinks while we shopped for the weeks worth of food. We came home to eat some salad
Dinner I can honestly say I do not remember at the moment.

Day 6: breakfast was the kids normal cereal
Lunch Kids had Dino shaped chicken nuggets
Dinner again don't have a clue. Haha I feel like a space cadet.

Day 7: Breakfast I gave the kids some dry cereal cuz they wanted to run around. Fine with me as long as they eat. I made gluten free cookies :)
Lunch was left over nuggets. I had a chopped cucumber.
Dinner well ummmmm haha

Day 8: Apple and bananas
Lunch was peanut butter and jelly
Dinner was breakfast, scones with organic jam, bacon, sausage and scrambled eggs
I also made a peach pie. First one ever. It was a lil short on the peaches and the crust was over worked but still good.

Day 9: breakfast oatmeal and cereal daddy fed the kids I woke late.
Lunch we had sandwiches
Dinner was lasagna with carrots for daddy and cucumber for me.

Day 10: breakfast was a fast meal of ganola bars and banana before left for apts.
Lunch I made sweet and sour chicken over rice for the first time.
Dinner is ribs if its not raining if it is then left over lasagna.

Pre planned meals

Day 11: Breakfast gluten free oatmeal peanut butter balls for the kids as we have a very early busy morning.
Lunch left over lasagna
Dinner left overs, gotta finish it off.

It's been fun and challenging to stay on track. I wanna order in so I don't have to dirty my kitchen or have to cook.
Don't feel like you need to do every meal different or new. I try to make breakfast simple on me because well I am not a morning person. When you know your day is going to be filled with apts or being out, make simple meals. I like having quick things on hand for the kids if we need to be out. Another easy food is oatmeal balls. They are simple and keep very well.
I never measure when I make this. What you need is oatmeal, flax seed, honey and peanut butter. Warm the honey and peanut butter up( we use the natural peanut butter so its harder) in a bowl put oatmeal and 2-4 tables spoon flax seed, add the warm peanut butter and honey mix together, you want the oatmeal damp but not soggy. Add in raisins, chocolate or other favorite add ins. Take wax paper and make into 1in balls. I make them small because they are easier for the kids to eat. You could add mashed bananas as well just would need a lot more oatmeal but would add in fruit with out the kids knowing. I make them the night before we have a busy day. Place them in a air tight container and keep for a few days.
Happy home cooking to you!

Not surprised

Surely I knew my energy would run dry. I had a good 3days of productive energy. Now I am drained. I am sure it is from the news of the hubby departing. I need to get my mind out of the slump. I need prayers. I wish I could just pause time for a bit so we could enjoy the time together and then skip to when he will return home to us!

Overwhelmed

I can't say I am not surprised that this news didn't come sooner. Military members are always doing this or that. I can't say that I like what will be soon happening. I have been well spoiled, yes spoiled. I have a wonderful husband, who is the best daddy in the world. I am truely blessed. My kids have been some really lucky army kids to have had their daddy tuck them in every, and I mean every, night since birth. That is nearly 3years. The last time my husband left for a long period of time was when he joined the US Army in 2009 (oct 13) well just 4 years later he will be leaving again. My heart is sad for my kids. I know I can deal with out my other half, but the kids are who I worry about. We have been a lucky family when it comes to separation. Ya there are the every few months that he might have a 24 hour shift but he always comes home to lay the kids down. We are facing our families first separation. I wish I could have my mother in law come for a few weeks and help me. Maybe I could learn a few things when it comes to cooking. ;) I ask that you all pray for us. Pray for me that I will be able to handle the single mommy life for the short time, that I will have a heart love and compassion for the kids while they won't have daddy around. Also that I am able to handle the everyday things. For the kids that they won't be stressed out, and that they adjust to the changes. For my husband as he is away from the all of us, that he will do well and be focused on what he needs to do.

Kylie

Philippians 4:13

Freezer meals

I am really trying to get into cooking meals and trying new things. So after waking up early on Monday I decided I would make meals to put in the freezer for those days I was tempted to order in. So far three days of eating in is going very well. Today though I was glad to have done these meals. Here is what I did.
I only used what was in my pantry, freezer and fridge. We all know we have food in there we don't use often or that just sits there waiting on a day when we will make it.
First off realizing I had a ton of freezer pans I then grabbed my enchilada sauce that had been bought oh I would say 6months ago, maybe even longer. I cooked up the chicken, which was frozen because I had not planned to do this.

Crock Pot Spaghetti
What you need:
(Family size of 2adults 2kids)
1 large can or jar of spaghetti sauce
1 small can tomato paste
1large can crushed tomatoes
2 med can chopped tomatoes
Italian seasoning
Garlic
Oregano
Lemon pepper
Sugar or honey
1lb ground meat (I use 1/5lb I am not a large meat person)
Pasta (cook 20mins before serving)

Cook the ground meat with some Italian and lemon pepper on med heat
While the meat cooks add all the cans/jars into the crock pot add seasoning to taste. Leave the sugar out for now. Turn on low. Add the meat once browned. Cook for an hour then add the sugar/honey.
Cook for another 2-4hours. I cook mine for about 5-6hours.
Now you can double this and put half in the freezer for spaghetti later or lasagna. I made double this time and froze 3containers for lasagna later. Right at half way cooked take half out and place in freezer containers.


Dads Enchiladas
What you need:
3 chicken breasts
1large can green enchilada sauce
1 small can chopped green chilies
1 small can cream of mushroom soup
Milk
Tortilla shells or corn shells
Shredded cheese
Refried beans

I used 3 8x8 pans for our family of 4

Cook the chicken breast with a small amount of green chillies and small amount of green enchilada sauce. Once cooked shred the meat and set aside. In a pot put the rest of the enchilada sauce, chillies, and cream of mushroom soup with a can of milk(you can use water for dairy free, will be more runny) cook to a boil. Stir often. Once cooked, place a layer on the bottom of the pans just enough to cover. Add a layer of shells followed by refried beans, cheese(dairy free cheeses), meat, then sauce(don't use it all). Add a second layer of shells then cover with the rest of the sauce and cheese on  top. I place it in 3 pans then let cook covered and put in the freezer.

Right there I had 6 meals.

The following morning I made some taco meat and placed it in the freezer after cooling.

Now for me I struggle eating breakfast because I am either tired or busy. So I chose to make breakfast burritos.
What you need:
Tortilla shells
Cheese
6 large Eggs
Onion
Red pepper

Chop onion and red peppers
Scramble the eggs with the onion and peppers, at the end add the cheese. Place eggs on the shells adding your favorite salsa or seasons. Wrap up and let cool for 5mins place them in the freezer for fast breakfast meals. Microwave for 45-60sec on the go meal for busy mommies and daddies.

30 days of home cooking

How is it going you may wonder? Well we are doing very well. :)
1 Sept
Daddy woke with the kids and fed them cereal. For lunch and dinner we had what my husband calls Beanie weenies.
2 Sept
Cereal because I was to busy cooking to add another pot.
Basil pasta and chicken nuggets
Crock Pot spaghetti. I like this one cuz it's an easy prep. Well this last time. I'll be making it fresh next time. I use one large can of pasta sauce, 2 cans chopped tomatoes, and a large can of  crushed tomatoes. Add in the crock pot then cook the meat in a skillet. Add the meat. Let cook for 3-5hours.
3 Sept
I tried to get the kids to help make pancakes but no they really wanted cereal. So I didn't make them.
Lunch we made gluten free Mac n Cheese for the kids and I had some pasta with coconut oil and seasonings.
For dinner I had a whole chicken cooking in the crock pot with half an onion,half a red pepper and half a bag of organic baby carrots. I placed it in the crock pot at 7am cooked it on high for 45mins then low til about 4 when I turned it on warm til we ate. It was not as juicy as normal but very tender.
4 Sept
Wow today is much more of a struggle but I am sure glad I decided to make freezer meals. Yes I will go into those here.
Daddy got up with the kids after sleeping in nearly 4hours from his normal work time. He fed AshLynn her organic gluten free oats and Dan wanted daddy cereal. I woke up an hour later and missed breakfast. I think that is where I went wrong. I did not stop for food and I made it home for lunch.
The kids had sandwiches cut into the Dino shapes. Daddy and I had salad and cucumbers.
Dinner will be enchiladas I made on Monday and placed into the freezer.