A Family Favorite! Easy Peasy Sweet and Sour Chicken!

    The baby is eating eggs and crunchy, crumbly toast in our bed, my side this time. The washing  machine is whirling and twirling around the first of at least five hundred loads of laundry. The gorgeous fall sun is warming up the house and soul. Kiddos are off to school, besides the one littering the bed sheets with tiny toast crumbs of course. My amazing guy is out the door for the day. Its just me, my coffee, Dr. Meredith Grey (How did life exist before Netflix anyway?) poised to take on the day!

    Ahhhh! The quiet lull in between the summer and the holidays. A few quiet weeks between mayhem. Local pumpkin walks with toasty mittens and melty hot chocolate. Leisurely afternoons with my best girls. Perhaps that's really why I prefer Fall? Besides the warm aromas. Crisp morning air filling your morning run lungs. Beautiful scenery..... and on and on. Fall really is special. Last week as we bribed and begged with the little one to smile and pose one more time for the 2015 family photo spectacular, I mused about the year that has so quickly passed us by. Time as usual is flying by.

    All we can do is cherish today. Savor these minutes that will come, and most assuredly go.  Sit down together at the family dinner table and remember this day, this season. The times their faces aren't glued to their phones. The statistics on family dinners are amazing. After the world has its way with your family, welcome them home with a favorite. Enjoy the quiet times in between the whirlwind of life. Here is one of our favorites. From our family to yours!


                                                      Sweet and Sour Chicken

    You will Need:
For the sauce
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup vinegar
* 1/4 cup pineapple juice
* 1/4 ketchup
* 1 T soy sauce
* 1/2 t salt
* 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
* (optional) diced onions and peppers

For the chicken
* 4 chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
* 3 eggs slightly beaten
* 2 cups flour
* salt
* pepper
* olive oil

Directions:
Pre heat oven to 350. In a large skillet heat about a tablespoon of olive oil. In batches, dip the chicken pieces in the egg first followed by the flour. Make sure the pieces are well coated. Place them in the large skillet season with salt and pepper and allow them to brown, flipping occasionally. After browned place in a baking pan in a single layer.

       Allow the crust to set for about 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, mix all of the ingredients. Heat the sauce over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved and sauce is bubbly. We prefer a little extra sauce. This sauce will thicken in the baking process. If you would like a little extra sauce for dipping, simply double or repeat the sauce recipe.

    Once sauce is prepared pour sauce and pineapple chunks over chicken. If you doubled recipe, only use half of the sauce over the chicken. Place chicken in the oven and bake for one hour. To keep the chicken coating crisp, allow the chicken to bake for at least 35 minutes before flipping. While the chicken is baking start your rice cooker!

 Enjoy! I'm off to fold laundry. Sweep the bed. Snuggle a lil one while we work on the alphabet. Perhaps grab a shower.... Bring it on Tuesday!

Pita Pockets from scratch!

    We have all heard the news! How our store bought, over processed foods are making us sick and causing an obesity epidemic. How scary! When I look around the dinner table each night at my family I yearn to provide the best for them.

    Processed foods are convenient, quick and over purchased. It is overwhelming to imagine eradicating every processed food in the pantry! In fact it was so overwhelming to me that I could not fathom where one would even begin! Many of the foods we create in our own kitchens become "processed" but at home we do not possess many of the harmful components big brands are adding to our foods. 

    I began to realize that little by little, step by step... we are very capable of learning new ways to provide nutrition for our families. With a little bit of time and effort, which is hard to come by at times... we can teach ourselves to be less dependent on convenience foods. 

    In an attempt to cut down on the lunch meats my family consumes I had chicken on the stove ready to be used for chicken sandwiches. Then my mind wandered to the bread. Grabbing the pita bread out of the fridge I glanced at the nutrition information...Yuck! After a little research and a few experiments the following recipe delivered pita bread gold! So easy! So basic! Great for a family on a budget!

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water

2 teaspoons yeast

2-3 cups AP flour (you could also use wheat)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons olive oil. Plus a little more for coating a mixing bowl

Directions:

Mix the warm water and yeast in a medium size mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to set until the yeast is nice and foamy. About 10 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups flour, salt and olive oil and mix until combined. Turn dough out unto a lightly floured surface, adding flour to hands and surface as needed. Knead dough for 5-7 minutes. Until it is soft and stretchy. Form a ball and let the dough rest as you rinse out the mixing bowl and dry thoroughly. Coat the bowl in a little bit of olive oil and add the dough turning to make sure the dough is coated. Allow the dough to rise in a warm area covered until it is doubled in size.

Once dough is doubled, punch down. Pre heat oven to 450 and place a baking stone on middle rack, you may also use an inverted baking sheet. Divide the dough into 6-8 even pieces and set aside under a dish towel. Take your first piece and roll it out on a floured surface. Roll until it is about a quarter inch thick. Place it on the warm baking stone for about 4 minutes. (I only baked one at a time but feel free to place as many as will fit on your stone.) While one is cooking you can prepare the next. You will notice the pita has puffed. That means it is ready! The bread is meant to be light in color. Do not cook until golden, or you will have a crunchy flatbread! While the pita is still warm slice in half and use a small paring knife to gently separate and open the pocket. Store in an airtight container until ready for use!

It was an instant hit! Soft and chewy! Warm and salty! Whip up your favorite salad and feel good about knowing what your family is eating! Enjoy!

no truffle at all... A tasty post from the archives!

Get your chocolate on!

     I am so behind! Sweet baby K has been so sick this week and I have been busy keeping her happy. My Valentines prep is suffering! I have finally begun! I am going to share the easiest chocolate truffle recipe with you!  

 For easy peasy chocolate truffles you will need:

16 oz bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup whipping cream
2 tsp almond extract
truffle toppings of your choice!

 In a saucepan bring your cream and almond extract to a simmer. Stir occasionally. Like my spatula?

 Have your chocolate chips ready in a separate bowl.

 Pour cream over chips and let sit for a few minutes then mix.

Oh my ganache!

     You just created ganache! Refrigerate for three to four hours. Once chilled roll into teaspoon size balls and top! This step gets kind of messy so move fast!

Peanut Butter?

 Feeling encouraged? My husband loves peanut butter! Try this awesome recipe! Peanut butter truffles

     While your mixtures cool get to work on your presentation! I love books so I always feel bad when I destroy one! However...creating a book box is always a fun and unique gift! I found a few old books at the D.I. for under a dollar! Start by gluing the pages and back cover together. Once dried trace a square onto the front inside cover, and using a razor blade carefully begin cutting out your box.

Too cute!

    Once I get close to the back cover I start peeking carefully at the pages remaining until I find a neat picture to stop on. This will serve as your box backdrop.

Yum!

    Truffles rolled and topped! I used two coffee filters to line my box and place my truffles in. It turned out darling! I might have to keep one for myself! Keep refrigerated until ready to share! Happy dipping! 

Coconut Oil Onion Rings and a Winner!!

Congratulations Jodi T!

     Jodi has won a quart of Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil! Thank you to everyone who entered my very first giveaway! Many more great opportunities on the horizon!

    There were so many wonderful suggestions on the use of Coconut oil! Some I had not heard of, some I would like to try, and some I already love!

    One of our new favorite summer time burgers was inspired by Coconut oil! Parmesan crusted, crunchy onion topped! Yum!

Crunchy Purple Onion toppers:

2 medium purple onions sliced into thin rings

2 cups flour seasoned with pepper and garlic salt

1 cup buttermilk

*no buttermilk? Prepare your own by adding four teaspoons of white vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Allow to sit for at least fifteen minutes*

2 t cornstarch

2 beaten eggs

1/2 quart Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil

Start by dredging your onions a batch at a time in the egg mixture. Next coat with flour.  If you did not know...the trick to truly crispy fries and onions is cornstarch! Mix the cornstarch into your buttermilk and dip your floured onions before finally frying in Coconut Oil until golden brown! Place on a paper towel lined plate and salt lightly! You are in for a treat!

Loressa

Make a mercury glass mirror out of a vintage window!

    You know! My favorite DIY materials! Spray paint, Krylon looking glass spray and a random vintage item! I have had a set of old windows sitting in our shed begging me to do something, anything with them!

    I started by cleaning it off really good! Remember, you are more than likely working with lead paint and if you have little ones like I do clean up is uber important! I then sprayed the back of my window with looking glass spray to create a mirror! Looking glass spray will scratch easily so apply it to the surface least likely to be handled.                                                                                                                                                

      I did not tape off the back because I knew I would later sand off any over spray. When  preparing for the next step I did however tape off and cover the front.                                                               

                                                      

    In the next step I covered the length of my window frame with lace. Then with a soft Ivory spray I used the lacy pattern as a stencil. It is such a soft and intimate touch.                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                    

    Curious I also rounded up the first few items I could grab and tried this technique on as well! I found this bottle at the DI for only $2.00! Definitely like the lace stencil!                                                                

    Curiosity satisfied I moved on to finish my mirror! I found this great handle that happened to be 50% off at Hobby Lobby! Then instead of hanging it flat, I wanted to be able to hang my mirror on an angle and adjust it as I saw fit. My sweet husband applied two hinges, top and bottom to the frame and wall and there ya have it! An awesome adjustable mirror!

     

Are you getting your 30/30...

    So by now I am betting everyone has heard of Tim Ferriss....right?! Please tell me this man has you doing all sorts of funky little things also! Cold showers....a daily dose of saurkraut...Heavy creamer in the coffee?!

Anyone else?

    OK so now that I sound like a full on weirdo let me explain...

   Tim Ferriss is the author of the amazing book the 4 hour body. An awesome book that everyone one should own! Full of small consistent changes that will change your life! My favorite of course would be the material on rapid fat loss. Basic fat subtraction and also advanced subtraction tips. The lovin chapter is also pretty good:)

    One of the many recommendations that I have been using myself is to consume 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking... The first morning I put this habit to use all we had in the house that could produce a quick protein fix was of course...eggs! Five eggs later I was strapped in and riding the Hurl a Whirl at full speed! 30 grams is a lot of protein! Before you run to the toilet Hear me out! I have since fine tuned my morning protein intake to include a variety of choices. Low fat cottage cheese with grapes is one I can stomach a little easier! Plain Greek yogurt with a little honey is yet another of many great options!

    This morning I was able to find a smoothie recipe that looks delicious! Why am I sharing this tid bit with you? Because it works! Adding the 30/30 habit to your morning routine will change the way you snack and feel throughout the afternoon! In addition to my running and a few other small dietary changes I am noticing a big difference! I have more energy in the afternoon and I am snacking less! I am better able to make good food choices and I am back into my pre prego jeans! Try it out!

                                                                Loressa

Spring class party craft idea!

Family Fun Sock Bunnies

As the school year winds down....EEK! One more class party is in the works! I love this cute idea! 

Spring has Sprung!

This Winter gal is ready for Spring! Ready to chase Sweet baby K around in the grass! So we hit the craft store early this morning to see if we could coax Mother Nature along! Remember this frame? My dollar find at the DI:)

I used my fishing line trick and a few magnets to keep it from whacking our door in the infamous morning wind storms! I like it! Spring has Sprung!

Jute flower tutorial...

    So here is something you may not know about me.....I Love Jute! Just teasing! Even if you only know me  a smidge you know I use jute for everything! Last night as the Daytona 500 was in yet another delay (husband glued to the tube!) I sat down to start my Nicole Heartfelt Designs for March and ended up with these darlings! Cute versatile and easy!

    Start out with a round piece of burlap...I used a bright colored piece of felt for this tutorial because once you start gluing down your jute it is difficult to see! Using jute of varying thickness and shade determine the size of your petal by forming a loop. Cut several pieces of jute into this length.

Place a dot of hot glue onto your circle. Loop a piece of jute in half and place on glue dot. Hold in place then when glue is cool enough touch firmly press down....I have many burns on my fingertips! Be careful! Many of my fellow bloggers also use the eraser end of a pencil or scissor tips to handle hot glue!

Repeat this step until you have completed a full circle! Then do the same to form inner circles just begin below the last circle to create your flower look!

Once you have done this three to four times your jute will begin to fill up the center. Either use some bling gems to create your center, or begin cutting smaller loops to create a jute center!

Again... Like most Nicole Heartfelts! The possibilities are endless! A darling hairpiece! A unique wall arrangement! I found this frame at the DI for one dollar! Painted it black and voila!

Random Wall pieces! I used a straight pin to adhere to my favorite spaces! Or a  fun and different hat pin! What will you do with yours?