ONE PAN, 20 MINUTE, SAUSAGE TORTELLINI - Ummmm, good...

Now this is an easy recipe and looks so delicious! It would be great for a week night dinner. I got this from the Rachel Schultz Site . The tomato sauce that is in the recipe should be jarred spaghetti sauce. I read her notes and their were other people that questioned the sauce. So get you tortellini, your sausage, and make some sauce - 20 minutes! Then you can eat!

ONE PAN, 20 MINUTE, SAUSAGE TORTELLINI

Author: Rachel Schultz

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds sausage
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 18 ounces tortellini
• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet and cook sausages about 5-7 minutes, until sausages are browned throughout.
2. Add garlic and heat for 30 seconds.
3. Remove sausages from skillet and slice into bit-size pieces.
4. Return sausages to pan along with broth, tomato sauce, cream, and tortellini.
5. Season with salt & pepper.
6. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes.

Salad on a Jar - Delicious!

Well,  I tried this and the salad was just great! I put the salad dressing in the bottom and then added sliced red onions, sunflower kernels (couldn't find just the seeds), sliced grape tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, sliced hard boiled eggs, sliced radishes, and ending with the Spring salad mix (a container that I bought at Walmart) at the top. I used wide mouth quart Ball jars because that is all I could get. I made 4 jars of salad and ate 1 the next day. My Husband also ate 1. Initially, he was not a happy camper about me putting the salad in jars, but after he started eating the salad, he really liked it. 

I got the recipe from the Titan Outlet Store site. Never thought that they would have a recipe on their page. You have to try this! It is really good!

Farm Recipe: Salad in a Jar

Posted on: March 6th, 2013 by titanoutlet No Comments

 Salad in a Jar – Ingenious!

I’ve always loved salads, and especially love the salad bars where you can choose from a wide array of makings.  My biggest problem at home though, is actually putting the salad together once I have all of the fixings.  I don’t know why that is – perhaps my subconscious is telling me that digging in my refrigerator for the various ingredients is a lot more work than simply selecting them from choices already put in front of me at a restaurant.  Anyway, when I saw this idea that someone shared on Facebook I was quite excited, and I was determined to see if this method really works.  I added extra items based on my personal preferences, and spent most of an afternoon chopping red onions, green pepper, cucumber and carrots.  I also included one boiled egg per jar and added some bacon bits.   While this part of the preparation seemed rather time-consuming, once it was done the assembly process went quite quickly and it brought me great pleasure to see my refrigerator filled with premade salads.   The amount of dressing is up to you.  I started with ¼ cup and will see if that suits me.  I used the least expensive method of sealing, spending under $5 for the Zip-Loc hand vacuum.

I calculated an estimated calorie count for one of these salads, and was found that they were approximately 550 calories (the dressing and boiled egg carrying the majority).  I’m anxious to see how effective the vacuum process is.  If this works well, I hope to create a new habit towards eating healthier!

Salad in a Jar

THE ARRANGEMENT from BOTTOM to TOP:

Dressing

Shredded carrots

Cherry tomatoes

Sunflower seeds

Hard boiled eggs

Baby spinach

DIRECTIONS:

1. Arrange ingredients in a large Mason jar
2. Store in fridge for up to a week
3. When ready to eat: shake jar, place on plate, and eat!

You can make any arrangement you want (add red onion, cucumbers, radishes, peppers, etc.).  Always remember to put the dressing at the bottom and the lettuce at the top – a MUST.

Red Velvet Truffles

I love Red Velvet Cake. My son makes it for Christmas. He uses a recipe my Aunt used many years ago. I came across this recipe for Red Velvet Truffles. This really sounds delicious and easy. The recipe is from the Dessert For Two  site. I think I will give it a try! How about you?





Red Velvet Truffles
Makes 10 truffles* The first part of this recipe is identical to my recipe for red velvet cupcakes for two.
Ingredients

• ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup canola oil
• ¼ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon white vinegar

• –
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 12 oz. almond bark (or white chocolate), for coating

Instructions
In a cupcake tin, place 4 cupcake liners on the outside edge.

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.

In another bowl, beat together the canola oil, sugar, buttermilk, egg white, red dye, vinegar, and vanilla using an electric mixer.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing all the while. 

Divide the batter between the four cupcake liners and bake at 350° for 20-22 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

When cool, crumble the cupcakes into crumbs. In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Add the crumbs and stir very well. 

Scoop a heaping tablespoon of the mixture into your hands and then roll into balls. Place the balls on a plate and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

To make the coating, chop the almond bark into 1″ chunks and place in a bowl. Heat on medium power in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until melted. Dip each ball into the coating quickly, using a fork to turn, then let them dry on a piece of wax paper. Can be made 3 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. 

Notes
*Recipe is easily doubled and baked in a 6″ round cake pan.

Peachy Cream Cheese Pie

I saw this on Pinterest today and followed the pages to finally get the recipe on the Recipe.Com site. It looks delicious and so easy. Gotta try it!

peachy cream cheese pie

This easy pie with its no-bake cream cheese filling makes a refreshing summertime dessert.



Recipe from

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 mins

ingredients

• 3/4 cup vanilla wafer crumbs (about 17 cookies)
• 2/3 cup ground toasted almonds
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/3 cup margarine or butter, melted
• 1 8 ounce package reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel), softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1 cup frozen whipped dessert topping, thawed
• 3 cups peeled, sliced peaches
• 1/4 cup orange marmalade
• Raspberries (optional)

directions

In a medium bowl stir together wafer crumbs, toasted almonds, and the 1 tablespoon sugar; add melted margarine. Toss to mix well. Spread mixture evenly in a 9-inch pie plate, pressing onto bottom and up the sides of the pie plate. Bake in a 375 degree F. oven for 4 to 5 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and orange juice concentrate with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust. Cover surface with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Just before serving, arrange peach slices over filling. In a small saucepan, heat and stir the orange marmalade just until melted; brush onto peaches. If desired, garnish with raspberries. Makes 8 servings.

nutrition information

Per Serving: cal. (kcal) 389, Fat, total (g) 26, chol. (mg) 22, sat. fat (g) 10, carb. (g) 37, fiber (g) 2, pro. (g) 5, vit. A (RE) 237, vit. C (mg) 12, sodium (mg) 235, calcium (mg) 30, iron (mg) 1, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000

Eco-Friendly Bath Rugs DIY

I saw this on Pinterest and looks like a great project that would be easy to make. Plus, it is recycling old towels! 

Pinterest referenced the Fine Craft Guild Site and this where I got the directions. If you go to the site, there is also a video showing a mat being made.
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Towel Bath Rugs

Give old towels a second life by knotting them into super-soft, eco-chic
How-to Instructions for Handmade Towel Bath Rugs

1. First, wash and dry the towels you’ll be using for your rug.

2. Decide how big you want your bath rug or rugs to be by measuring the dimensions on the floor, e.g.. in from of your shower recess, as shown here.

3. Purchase gridded matting also called ‘Latch rug canvas‘ and cut it to those dimensions. This usually sits under floor rugs to avoid slipping and is also called ‘rug canvas’ or ‘anti-slip mat’.


I received inquiries as to where to find a base for these rugs. Here is one solution: Blank Latch Rug Canvas With Grid. This rug canvas measures 36”x60” is only $7.50. If you prefer, here is a smaller size: 24 ”x 30 ” rug canvas. Or, just check out the first link here, which gives you a whole range of mats and rug – bases.

4. Cut the towels into strips of approx. 3/4” thick, and then cut the strips into 5-6” long pieces. If you do this, you will need 2-3 old bath towels for a rug sized 18 inches by 2 feet.

5. Knot each strip along the grid, ensuring they all face the same way.

Tip: for a thick, full mat, knot along every line. For a thinner mat, knot along every other line.

It’s an easy to do project that require little concentration. It may take you a while but it will be worth it once you’re finished with your eco-chic bathroom mat.

Budget: nil, and your old towels have a nice new use. bath rugs.

Happy New Year!

20 Tips for a Positive New Year - My New Year's Resolution

I have read many of Jon Gordon's books and truly believe if you have a positive outlook, you can achieve your goals and stay healthier throughout the year. He has a list of 20 Tips For A Positive New Year. I plan to follow his list everyday (my resolution). I hope you will take the time to read them and also make it your resolution to follow his list this year. Happy New Year!
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20 Tips for a Positive New Year

1. Stay Positive. You can listen to the cynics and doubters and believe that success is impossible or you can trust that with faith and an optimistic attitude all things are possible.

2. Take a morning walk of gratitude. I call it a “Thank You Walk.” It will create a fertile mind ready for success.

3. Make your first meal the biggest and your last meal the smallest. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

4. Zoom Focus. Each day when you wake up in the morning ask: “What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?” Then tune out all the distractions and focus on these actions.

5. Talk to yourself instead of listen to yourself. Instead of listening to your complaints, fears and doubts, talk to yourself and feed your mind with the words and encouragement you need to keep moving forward.

6. Remember that adversity is not a dead-end but a detour to a better outcome.

7. Don’t chase dollars or success. Decide to make a difference and build meaningful relationships and success will find you.

8. Get more sleep. You can’t replace sleep with a double latte.

9. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in your purpose, people and the positive present moment.

10. Mentor someone and be mentored by someone.

11. Live with the 3 E’s. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

12. Remember there’s no such thing as an overnight success. There’s no substitute for hard work.

13. Believe that everything happens for a reason and expect good things to come out of challenging experiences.

14. Implement the No Complaining Rule. Remember that if you are complaining, you’re not leading.

15. Read more books than you did in 2013. I happen to know of a few good ones. : )

16. Don’t seek happiness. Instead decide to live with passion and purpose and happiness will find you.

17. Focus on “Get to” vs “Have to.” Each day focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift not an obligation.

18. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

I am thankful for __________.
Today I accomplished____________.

19. Smile and laugh more. They are natural anti-depressants.

20. Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.
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If you want to see Jon's books and his thoughts, go to http://www.jongordon.com/

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

Just want to tell everyone Merry Christmas! I hope that you give and feel the love of Christmas in your life! Then carry it through the new year!

And my grownup Christmas list would be..

.

Candy Cane Blossoms

Here is a cookie that I will be making for Christmas. It looks so good and is different from the usual blossom cookie. I saw it on the Baked Perfection Blog . Can't wait until I can taste these delicious looking cookies!

Candy Cane Blossoms
recipe from Hershey's

1 bag Hershey;s Kisses brand Candy Cane Kisses
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons milk
Red and Green colored sugar

Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove wrappers from candies (approx. 35)

Beat butter, sugar, vanilla, and egg in large bowl until well blended. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add alternatively with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in red and/or green colored sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 - 1o minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cookies is set. Remove from oven; cool 2 to 3 minutes. Press candy piece into center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Yields approximately 35 cookies.


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Cute Dolls From Socks

Aren't these dolls cute? I think that they are adorable!I saw these on My Handmade Toys Blog and thought "Now this should be easy!". What do you think? They could be given for Christmas presents or baby shower presents or just to be displayed in your house. Come on, you know you want to try it!



Dolls from socks


It is required to you:

Bright sock
Fabric slice
Scissors
Thread with a needle
Cotton wool or synthetic winterizer for tamping
Small beads or buttons
Pink pencil, ribbons for dressing
 
The sock needs to be cut how it is shown on a picture.

To make a marking for handles and doll legs.


To fill a body of a doll cotton wool or a synthetic winterizer. To stitch handles and legs a seam “forward a needle” on to lines.

To cut out from a fabric a circle. To sheathe its edges a seam “forward a needle”. To fill cotton wool or a synthetic winterizer, to tighten a thread. To sew eyes.

Ready head to sew to a doll body. Of the remained top part of a sock to make a hat. To draw cheeks. The doll is ready.

The child is happy! The group of dolls is filled up:)