Bigger Eyes Than Stomach...

When I was growing up and my mom would cook one of my favorite meals (which usually involved mashed potatoes) I would load up my plate with so much food, because I figured I would save myself the trouble of going back for seconds. After I ate about half of what I took my mother would look at me and say, "You had bigger eyes than stomach." I have learned over the years to match my eyes and stomach at my favorite meals, but there are still times when that old saying comes in handy while I'm working in the kitchen.

For example...

Baking Christmas candy, cookies, or any other holiday goodies. I always have grand plans of beautifully decorated and intricate candies that are elegantly displayed and proudly handed out to neighbors, colleagues, and family. However, by the end of the day I usually end up with "bigger eyes than stomach." Or in other words...I have better ideas than capabilities. This year I tried to plan a simpler holiday baking menu:

1. Pretzel Turtles: Wonderful combination of a square or round pretzel topped with a Rolo caramel candy and melted in the oven for about 3 minutes. The final touch is a pecan half pressed into the melted chocolate. The result...sweet, salty, caramelly, and crunchy addictive goodness! These turned out great. I think these were well within my capabilities and they taste great!

2. Oreo Truffles. My husband introduced these to me when we were first dating. A package of Oreos finely chopped, blended with a package of cream cheese and formed into a ball, and last but not least dipped in a chocolate candy coating. Can you say "YUMMY!" Here is where my eyes start to dream up these perfectly cute little round balls with decorated sprinkles and neatly drizzled peanut butter on the top. The reality...odd shaped blobs of chocolate with red sprinkles that fall off and make a mess, globs of melted peanut butter top the milk chocolate coating because my idea of lightly drizzling the PB literally busted out of the bag and I gave up trying to be pretty. And not to mention 5 dirty pans and red sprinkles all over the floor. At least they still taste good!

#3. Sugar Cookies. Sweet. Simple. Traditional. Well...they are sweet. My mind got carried away again with the idea of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and angels, forgetting that I am actually going to be the one creating these, and I'm not good at it. My basketball coach used to tell me, "I don't care if you make mistakes, that's part of life. I care that you went out and made a mistake while trying your best." I can honestly say that I tried my best...

I love cooking, and every year around Christmas time I try to convince myself that since I can cook pretty well, I should be able to bake well too, and every year I am reminded that cooking and baking are VERY different. I think possibly there is another saying that I should remember at this time of year. "Know your limitations..." =)

My 5 Fave Chicken Recipes

I hate it when someone asks me what my favorite food is. It just like asking me what my favorite movie is. I have MANY favorites and many different kinds! So I thought I would narrow it down a bit. These are my five favorite chicken recipes to make right now. (Of course this will change, I'm sure, with time).

5. Chicken Stir Fry with Ramen noodles. Steamed veggies, garlic and herb seasoned chicken and Ramen Noodles...YUM!

4. Chicken Parmesan. Savory. Classic. Italian. Enough said!

3. Chicken Chorizo and Black Bean Burritos. The combination of chicken and chorizo is a must try!

2. Grilled Chicken with rice and veggies. This one will never get old!

1. Chicken Dippin'. A recipe made for me by my husband while we were dating...and it is the meal I request on my birthday!

Crock Pot Timer

Tonight I tried a new recipe. Actually I should say today...

I found a recipe for jambalaya on the internet and thought it would be a yummy recipe to try. I love the Zataran's brand of the rice where you add the meat and it makes a tasty dish, but I have wanted to try an actual recipe that didn't come from a box. Throughout my searching, I found one online that is cooked in the crock pot. Just what I need.

I got up early this morning to chop the veggies, open the cans, and slice the meat that all goes in the slow cooker. I put everything in and was anxiously waiting for dinner tonight. The problem...dinner was 12 hours away and I wouldn't be home for at least 11. No problem, I thought...at least I know my chicken will get done.

Ha...the chicken was done alright. The jambalaya had excellent flavor! The spices were just right and it worked perfectly with the white rice. The problem. The meat was way over cooked. The chicken was dry and the sausage was mushy. It would have been the perfect new meal if I would have been home about 7 hours earlier to shut off the crock pot.

I have decided that I want a crock pot with a timer. That way I can set it to cook for as long as I need it to and then automatically it will turn to warm. I will try this recipe again, although next time I will make sure it is a day that I will be around to monitor the cooking.

Ugh!

Ugh...the sound I am always making at this time of year. I have over eaten, over indulged, and over stuffed myself to the point that I can only say "ugh..." That sound is again repeated when I step on the scale in the morning..."Ugh!" I have never been a believer in dieting, but changing your lifestyle. I love food. I have no desire to give up my after-dinner dessert or the occasional run to Dairy Queen. But I do believe in my pants fitting and that number on the scale remaining where I like it. So, in order to keep my jeans in my closet (and not the Goodwill pile) and enjoy life to it's fullest I will...

~ Walk as often as possible. Around my classroom at school, while I'm cleaning the house, on a nice evening when I get home. As much walking as I can squeeze out of the day will help burn as many calories as possible.

~ Measure everything! Again, I don't believe in dieting...but I do believe in moderation. If I want ice cream after dinner, that's fine. As long as I measure out the 1/2 cup and eat it slowly to savor the taste.

~ Make simple substitutions. Low-fat yogurt and cottage cheese, light salad dressing, and canola or olive oil rather than vegetable oil. Bake French fries and use non-stick cooking spray. Simple changes that don't alter the flavor.

~ Try to make it to my local Y at least 2-3 times a week. (I coach and teach so my days fill up pretty fast through the week during this time of year).

~ Eat salads and veggies! I do like the healthy stuff...

~ Wear my jeans instead of loose fitting sweat pants that can stretch!

~ Order small or kid sized French fries if I just "have to have them," get a grilled chicken sandwich rather than the crispy, and drink water instead of pop. Small changes!

Living life to it's fullest is one of the big goals I strive to achieve each day, and I simply cannot do that without carbs, cheese, or chocolate. I'm always trying to find that balance!

Welcome!

Hello all! I have decided to expand even further into the blogging world by starting up a second blog on one of my recent addictions. Cooking. I recently wrote a blog on my other page (Endless Chatter) about my new love for cooking, and it seems when I come to sit down to write, I have been thinking a lot about my adventures in cooking. So I decided that I would create another blog over that particular topic. Here I will share the things from my kitchen to yours. Enjoy!