My mom

I know that I have a great group of followers out there and I wanted to tell you why I haven't posted and why it might be a little while before I do again. My sweet mom passed away suddenly from Acute Leukemia on Friday. We had no idea,there were no warning signs and when we found out, it was too late. It still doesn't seem real and I can't believe that this is happening. I love her so much and miss her more than words can describe. She encouraged me to do a food blog. She is the one who taught me how to cook. She made the best food, healthy and delicious and is famous for her cookies. I know it will take time to heal, I know that we will be together again someday and I know that families are forever. My life is better because of her and she made me the woman, wife, mother and person that I am.

I know that life will go on, we will be strong as a family and I will have the desire to make yummy food and share it all with you. Please don't give up on me, I am here and will be back soon.


Hiking in Scotland. I was pregnant with my first little girl. I always wanted to be a mom, just like her. I love you mom.


Making her yummy salsa last summer. I will make it always.

Craisin White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I received this recipe years ago when I was first married from my sister-in law, Shana. I altered it a bit to make them low fat and they turned out great!! So good! I tested them on my friend, hubby, and brother and got thumbs up from them all! They have a slightly crunchy out side with a soft chewy inside. YUMMY!



Ingredients:

1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups oatmeal (I used quick cooking oats)
1 cup white chocolate chips
3/4 cup craisins

1. Heat oven to 350
2. Combine applesauce, sugars, egg whites, and vanilla. Add in flour, baking soda, salt and oat. Stir in white chips and craisins.
3. Using a scooper or spoon drop onto cookie sheet and gently press them down so they are sightly flat. This way they cook even. Sprinkle sugar on tops of cookies (makes a sweet crunchy top). Bake for 10-11 minutes.

*You want to be careful not to over cook them. When the centers aren't doughy in the middle pull them out. Because there isn't butter in these cookies, sometimes you have to play with the cooking time. You don't want doughy cookies, but also you don't want hard cookies. So after 10-11 minutes pull them out, they should be perfect!

Lazy Chicken

This is a Rachel Ray recipe and it is sooo good! I have made this on several different occasions for company and everyone loves it. There is hidden zucchini in this but it tastes so wonderful that no one will ever know!



Ingredients:

1 lb. chicken breast, cut into bite size chunks
2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, halved and sliced
Steak seasoning
1/2 chicken stock
1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
1 14oz. can crushed or petite diced tomatoes
10 basil leaves, coarsely chopped (I used 1 tbsp. dried basil)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

1. In a deep skillet (oven save) brown the chicken on med-high heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper while it cooks. After a few minutes, remove chicken. Set aside.
2. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan. Add a layer of thin sliced potatoes and onion. Sprinkle the potatoes and onion with steak seasoning. Let potatoes and onions cook turning occasionally but maintain a thin layer until the brown all over. Add a little broth to the pan. Spread a thin layer of zucchini across the top of potatoes and onion. Sprinkle zucchini with steak season as well.
3.Top with chicken making an even layer over the veggies. Dump the tomatoes evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle with herbs. Cover and cook until chicken is done and veggies soft, about 10 minutes.
4. Next sprinkle with cheese and place pan under broiler or a minute until cheese melts and begins to brown. Serve from the hot pan at the table and add a green salad, rolls or muffins! YUM!!

Orange Cran-Apples

Sorry it has been way to long! Been busy having fun with my sister down here, but I will do much better! Ok, now onto the food! Here is a quick side dish that I LOVE!! If you love cranberries, you will love this! Great with any ham, turkey,or chicken dish!




Ingredients:

2 apples (anything but granysmith and golden delicious)
1 can whole berry cranberries
rind from one orange
dash of cinnamon

1. This is so fast! Ok, slice (or dice) your apples and put them into a sauce pan on medium/low heat. You want to soften them a bit first before adding the rest. You can add about a teaspoon of water if you need to help the apples along, but they should start to create apple juice once they warm.
2. After a couple of minutes add your can of cranberries, orange rind, and cinnamon. Stir all together. Let your apples soften and once they are, you are done!! That easy and so good! Fat free too!

Chicken Parmesan Pasta Toss

I came up with this one as kinda a spin off of chicken Parmesan, which I love!! It is a little quicker and super tasty. Great with fresh Parmesan cheese and garlic bread!



Ingredients: (4 servings)

1/2 box spaghetti
1 (14oz) can petite diced tomatoes
4-6 chicken tenders or 2 chicken breasts, thawed
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
fresh Parmesan to grate on top
salt and pepper to taste

1. Get a big pot of water boiling for the pasta and preheat your oven to 425. You are going to make everything while your pasta cooks so while your water is warming you are going to prep everything else. Lets go!
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Take each piece of chicken and toss in bread crumbs until coated and place on cookie sheet. If you are using chicken breasts, you might want to cut them into tender size pieces for quicker cooking. Set your cookie sheet off to the side. You will put your chicken in when your water starts to boil.
3. Next chop your garlic and onion. Open your can of tomatoes.
4. When water is boiling toss in your noodles, put chicken in oven and set timer for 13 minutes. Lets make the sauce.
5. In a non-stick skillet, drizzle a bit of olive oil and get your onions and garlic in the pan. When they have started to soften after a couple of minutes pour in your tomatoes. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes and taste. Add salt and pepper to your liking.
6. When your pasta is done check your chicken to make sure that it is done. Drain your noodles and toss into your sauce. Toss to coat. Pull your chicken out and cut into thinish slices. To plate : first pasta and sauce then grate some fresh Parmesan, and top with sliced chicken! SO GOOD! Serve up with steamed broccoli or a side salad and garlic bread. YUM!