Well life is in full swing here at the Wyatt home. Jack is crazy about the Christmas Tree, he loves the ornaments. He'll touch them, knowing that is not allowed, and look at us and say "Oh, it feels good." He is also very tempted by the presents under the tree. In the words of our doorman, "Our family is a little out of control!" It's been so fun getting packages in the mail. Jack gets especially excited to get to put another present under the tree. I can't wait till Christmas morning, it's going to be a fun one this year. Lillie and Elliott continue to grow and are doing pretty well. At the doctor Thursday Lillie weighed in at 7lb 9oz and Elliott followed behind at 7 lbs 6 oz. They are officially out of preemie clothes and into newborn sizes. Our latest challenge with them is they have their days and nights mixed up. I've been up with them all night the majority of this past week, during the day they are sleeping champs. I know I can make some adjustments and my plan is to start tomorrow or Monday to keep them stimulated a little more during the day so that maybe they'll sleep easier at night, but after a long night, its so nice to have peaceful days I just haven't brought myself to do it yet. I'm not even sure I know how I'm functioning during the day on the lack of sleep I've been getting, but not doing too bad. I have some pictures to post, just can't find the time right now to do it. The only reason I'm able to blog now is because Elliott was not happy in his bed and needed a little snuggle time here at 1:30 in the morning!
Anyway, I didn't get on here to talk about all of that necessarily. After reading Glenna's blog about her holiday baking I decided that I need some inspiration. Not for baking. I've actually wanted to do that on several occasions this Christmas, even wrote all the ingredients down for two recipes to go to the store and finally threw the paper away yesterday because tit kept getting in my way. I told Glenna that I needed to focus on actually cooking dinner before I got around to baking cookies!
Since the twins came home we've been greatly blessed to have so many people from church bring us dinner. What a huge help not to have to worry about cooking and take care of other things. Now that we are getting on a routine I need your help and inspiration. Tell me your favorite meals that are easy to make, healthy, and not real time consuming. I need to get back on my monthly menu routine. I did so good on this when we lived in Louisville, never got around to it in Clarksville.
Look forward to reading and cooking some new meals. Thank you so much!
11 comments:
Easy Chili-
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
2 cans black beans
2 cans Hunts Chili Sauce
1 can rotel
1 small can sweet whole kernel corn
1 tbsp. chili powder
dump it all together, heat through and eat over fritos and cheese.
It is the easiest chili and gets lots of rave around this house hold. Great for those cold NY days!
Susan, I will mail you some recipes. Tell me what foods you do NOT like. Personally, I LOVE the crock pot/slow cooker. You can use it for so many things! Healthy foods too. Do you like comfort food, low fat/healthy, organic, what? Basically I just get in the kitchen and go.... I find pot roast or shredded pork for bbq in crock pot is so easy, but I have some healthy yummy casseroles as well. Pasta or "spaghetti squash", my favorite, it simple and you can add your own fresh veggies... spinach, onions, mushrooms, black olives and italian seasoning with chopped tomatoes and lots of melted mozzarella! You can also make it an asian way with drizzled sesame oil soy sauce, chopped cooked boneless/skinless pork, fresh squeezed lime and crushed red pepper... can't remember all the ingredients but I will send it to you. I find keeping fresh chopped carrots/celery and cucumbers in a good sealed container in the fridge to have on hand with dips... ranch, hummus (which you can make urself as well, quick & easy) just a few suggestions. I do pray that the schedule will come together for you and the babies soon, and that you find energy for each moment. I love reading your posts and seeing the pics. Thank you for taking the time to share, hopefully u will get some great suggestions here. Love, pam
I have an inspiration - how about I just come up there and take you to a nice dinner? You know I am not the chef in my family. :) Course I would not mind cooking some mac and cheese (it would be hard to mess that one up) for my favorite almost 2 year old... Talk to you soon.
I'm going to have to give Keva's chili a try. I'm with Pam - go with the slow cooker when you can, especially in the winter. Most slow cooker recipes are a meal in themselves. Also the one dish casseroles that you can fix ahead (or IF you have a few minutes in the day) then put in the oven at dinner time. If you need a veggie to go with it, open up a can of green beans or corn, etc. I'll think of some recipes to suggest. allrecipes.com is a great website for ideas! Maybe a place to browse when you're up in the night feeding! Look for the 5 star recipes with lots of reviews! Love Mom
susan! taylor had "baby jetlag" when she was a newborn too, so i know how you feel! isn't it amazing how you find the energy to get through the day? :)
as far as meals go, i'm pretty sure we had breakfast for dinner at least three times a week after claire was born. it's the easiest and quickest meal prep, and i usually have eggs and toast on hand. not special, but quick and easy for sure!
i'm also a big fan of the rice cooker (five years in japan you know)... and it's nice b/c it will cook the rice, keep it warm until you're ready to eat, and you can just add a few pieces of grilled chicken and a steamer veggie from the microwave. we do alot of chicken and rice around here when i don't know what else to cook.
wish i could be there to bring you a lasagna! :)
love you guys,
carrie
salsa chicken (crock pot meal..woohoo!)
1 lb chicken breasts
1 jar of salsa
1 can of black beans
1 can of mexicorn
cook until chicken is easily shredded. add 1 box of cream cheese and book for another hour. you can use chips to dip with or soft taco shells to make it more taco like.
SO YUMMY! i like to make it a day ahead b/c it gets better the 2nd day:)
Sus,
I am not sure if you have this recipe or not......this is one of the dishes my mom would send me back to Murfreesboro with.
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pkg dry Italian salad dressing mix
1/4 cup H2O
Mix H2O and dressing mix. Put chicken in crock pot. Pour mixture over chicken.
Cook on High for 3 hours.
1 - 8oz pkg. cream cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup
mix together well, add a "plop" of sour cream and stir together. You may add sherry, cayenne pepper and mushrooms at this time if you desire. Pour over chicken and cook for 1 hour.
At this point you can remove the chicken, place it in a casserole dish and eat or refrigerate. To reheat. Bake covered at 350 for 30-45 minutes, uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes! ENJOY! (goes well served over rice)
Merry Christmas!
Becca
Susan,
My favorite easy recipes are in the crockpot!
Put in chicken (I prefer boneless skinless chicken breast) and pour a bottle of barbecue sauce over it and walk away. When it's done, shred it. We love it like this.
I do the exact same thing with a couple of small jars of mild salsa or one big one. I just pour it over the chicken and walk away.
You can even do it if the chicken is frozen.
I hope these two help!
Love you guys!
Susan,
For my quick/easy cheating meals I usually just do a packet of Spanish rice and add some frozen corn and canned black beans, sprinkle some cheese and serve a couple frozen taquitos with it or I get stir fry veggies, brown rice and frozen egg rolls. It's nice to have those things on hand. I also try to make extra of a casserole or chicken dish and freeze some. That way we don't eat the same thing all week and I only have to cook/clean once. It really doesn't take much more time to make 2 of something than 1 (if you have the freezer space. Try freeezing casseroles in gallon freezer baggies flattened out). I'll try to think of others...
Susan - http://www.mamawhatsfordinner.com/ is a website a friend of mine administers where people send in their favorite family friendly recipes. Check it out when you need some inspiration! And others, please submit yours!
HI Susan,
First, you are a great wife and mother from what I've read! The Lord bless, keep and sustain you as only He can---John 15:5,7 and Eph. 3:20!
Concerning Inspiration...
quick and healthy equals fresh fruits and veggies plus whole grain crackers or your favorite cracker, sliced cheese of all sorts and nuts. Add some low fat milk or 100% juice (many have a full serving of veggies now as well as fruit) if(I mean when!) no time to wash or cut fruit. Of course, this is mentioned with sweet Jack in mind since most kids will eat 'snack' foods. Snacks can be great nutrition as well as easy.
For a bit of warmth in a hurry, we have Easy Quesedillas: Totillas with shredded cheese of choice in a skillet with non-stick spray for long enough to lightly brown the tortilla and melt cheese; add some chicken (you can use the cans of cooked chicken also) after heating it up with some onion powder and poultry seasoning plus a dash of salt and pepper. We serve them with chopped apples or melon in the summer. You can chop bell peppers and onions to add to the quesedillas and fire up the grill if more time in nice weather.
Winter soup-White Chicken Chili:
In large skillet, cook one chopped onion in 3 tablespoons olive oil for four minutes or until transparent. Add chopped green chilies if desired (4 oz. can drained). Add 3 tablespoons flour and 2 teaspoons cumin and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2, 15.8 oz. cans of Bush's Great Northern Beans and 1 14.5 oz. can of chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened. Add 1.5 cups finely chopped cooked chicken (again, the canned chicken is easy) and cook until hot. Serve with cheese, sour cream and salsa. We also make crackers and some great fresh bread available with it.
Warm Bagel Sandwiches...I think this one is called The Wall Street: Everything bagel plus turkey deli meat and chive and onion cream cheese; heat it up for the full flavor effect. Vary those meats, cheeses and bagels.
Have grilled cheese and tomato soup night.
Have macaroni and cheese with tuna stirred in night.
Have grilled chicken salad for lunches.
Instant mashed potatoes can be a meal with cheese or bacon bits stirred in!
Don't forget to have dessert and hot chocolate after fun in the snow!
Make home-made chex mix as a family. This is a favorite snack and a favorite memory if repeated often.
It's all about your precious relationships (and firstly about that all important vertical Relationship), so simplify to maximize time together. I think it is awesome how God Himself simplified your life is some ways (no car, no yard to mow, less house to clean) to enjoy your larger family for such a time as this. God will provide for you! Phil. 4:6-7.
You are in our prayers, Lady Di (wife of a soldier, mother of four under 9 years)
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