Perfection Achieved

I know I've boasted about Wanda's Pie in the Sky before but today was a gorgeous success. With the air conditioner getting a break, I thought it would be a good idea to fire up the oven! Here is my Cherry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberry Crumb Pie!

Fresheeeee Cabbage Rolls

Fresheeeee Cabbage Rolls

1 large cabbage (I like Napa), leaves cleaned

1 lb. ground beef
1t chili powder
1t Lawry's seasoned salt
1t cumin
1c marinara

1 large tomato, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1/2c parm cheese
2t roasted garlic, minced
1t oregano
1c marinara sauce


Steam cabbage leaves in boiling water. Only 1-2 mins, just until tender. Remove and set aside to cool.

Start browning ground beef with spices. Mix with 1 cup of marinara sauce.

Meanwhile, mix tomato, pepper, parm, garlic, and oregano in separate bowl. Set aside.

Scoop meat mixture into leaves, roll, lay in 9x13" baking dish that has a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Spread tomato pepper mixture over the top of the rolls. Bake for 20 mins at 350*.

I usually make a double batch because this meal freezes well! If you make this, please let me know, I'd love to hear what you think, what you did differently, etc!!!!

Eating Clean

New year, not pregnant, cleaned pantry, organized cupboards, simplifying life, cuddling my kiddos, and settling in for the winter...so on that note I've begun Eat-Clean again. Of course I've modified it to account for nursing and my one sweet a day rule, but I'm already feeling better. And have noticed a difference on the scale. I am also working on switching back to frothed milk in my coffee versus cream, easy to lose the calories when the milk is frothed!

To add to my plan this time, James even found this cool app for my phone that lets you scan in the items you consume and keeps a log of your calories and weight loss, exercise, and a whole bunch of other things.  My parents blessed us this Christmas with a Wii, so I'm working on setting up my info and decide on my workout routine with the Wii Fit!

Also, I've ben working on ways to reduce our grocery bill. I seem to have forgot that buying fresh and eating healthier snacks is more affordable than prepared and or processed foods!  I've simply not been buying anything more than cereal and crackers. My Research King of a husband found a new meat market just north of us, that sells local Michigan products, specializing in organic meat! So the kids and I stopped in last week and found a few products. The kids were so well behaved while I talked with the owner about meat, Michigan farmers, and his business. He gave the kids a piece of licorice, then gave them another during checkout! I like Kroger, but the clerks there don't offer healthy licorice!!!