Ham and Potatoes

Crockpot style ham and scalloped potatoes
This a great recipe!  My crockpot couldn't even hold all the ingredients so at the end I had to cut some of the onions and potatoes.  It was very good but I would change something if I knew what it was that was a bit off.  Maybe I had a bit too much onion?  Not sure.  I'll have to experiment with this one.

I did not calculate this on my own but according to the recipe it is 310 calories per serving and 8 servings.  I figured the serving size was one cup.  Next time I make it I'll figure this out.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1.5 lb 98% fat free ham [I used Jenni-o turkey ham] cut into pieces
• 9 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1 large onion sliced thinly
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded fat free cheddar cheese
• 1 can low fat cream of celery soup

Layer into crockpot:

• 1/2 the potatoes
• 1/2 the onion
• 1/2 the salt and pepper
• 1/2 the cheese
• 1/2 the ham
• rest of the potatoes
• rest of the onion
• rest of the salt and pepper
• rest of the cheese
• all of the soup
• rest of the ham

Cook time:

Low 8-10 hours

OR

High 4 hours

The finished product!

When feeling blue...

When feeling blue, simply rearrange your rooms!

I did not take a before picture but I am very pleased with these results!

Little Man's play room

I moved his bed into my room, since he usually sleeps in my bed anyway and moved the white dresser back to the big room (pictured is the master bedroom).  Yes my son does have the master bedroom for a playroom.  I like it that way.  

love
anc

Chicken Enchiladas

Crockpot style chicken enchiladas

This recipe was good.  I was not able to make many enchiladas to freeze because the corn tortillas I had would not fold without breaking so I improvised and a dish for the oven.  The tortillas became like chips so it was very nice!

I froze the extra and plan to do a chicken enchilada bake type dish with it.

This makes six 1 cup servings at 292 calories.  This amount is just for the messy mix.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz cream cheese [I used fat free]
• 2 cans of enchilada sauce, red or green OR salsa [I used both!]
• 1 can black beans 
• 1 can corn
• tortilla shells
• shredded cheese
• sour cream, black olives, lettuce, etc to taste

I did not use any sour cream etc.  I drained both the beans and the corn and rinsed them.

Directions:

• Place chicken breasts in crockpot
• smother with one can enchilada sauce
• add cream cheese
• add black beans
• add corn
• Cook on low 8 hours
• Stir to shred chicken [I took out the chicken to cut it]

Now this is where my experience did not follow the directions.  

• spread chicken mixture on tortilla
• roll up and place seam side down in pan
• pour second can of enchilada sauce 
• cover with cheese
• bake at 325-350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes
• serve with whatever toppings you wish

I just placed tortillas in the pan, covered with mixture, put more tortillas on top with some cheese, and cooked.  I never used the second can of sauce.  

The yummy sloppy mess of chicken enchilada crockpot style!

Chicken Enchilada Bake

Chili with a Pizza Twist

UPDATE:  I've also made this without the pepperoni so there would be less sodium and it is still amazing!

This is probably my favorite crockpot recipe so far!  It is so good and I am happy to have leftovers still in the freezer!

Makes six 1 cup servings at 264 calories.  I personally like mine better without the parmesan.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 (15oz) can kidney beans - and the goop!
• 1 (14oz) jar premade pizza sauce [you could totally make your own but I'm not that adventurous yet ;-)]
• 1 (14.5oz) can Italian stewed tomatoes
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded, and diced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 25 turkey pepperoni slices [cut smaller]
• shredded mozzarella and/or parmesan cheese for serving - optional

The Directions:

• brown meat, drain off grease
• put meat into slow cooker
• add entire can of beans
• add pizza sauce
• add tomatoes (cut smaller if desired)
• add diced bell pepper
• stir in Italian seasoning and pepperoni
• I did not stir the first time I cooked this and it was still amazing!  Second time I made this I did stir and it was still amazing!  Hehe

Cooking Time:

Low for six to eight hours

OR

High for four hours

Now this picture isn't the best, I forgot to take one when it was in the nice crockpot so this is one in a baggy before being sealed and put into the freezer.

Pizza Chili!

Helping Others

I am loving my classes this semester!  They are all very interesting and thought provoking.  It is so nice to have classes that relate to life and have a purpose.

For my course in Missions and Evangelism, we are doing an evangelism practicum.  No this does not mean we are to go out to the streets and hand out gospel tracts.  It is about building relationships with others so we can then share our story about how God found led us to Him.

The teacher did not leave us hanging for places to go.  He had several different organizations come in telling us about their work and how we could help.  The vast majority were youth centered.  I do not mind youth but I would rather not have to work with them if there is another option.  While it was beginning to look like that would be the only thing that would fit into my schedule.  Boy was I wrong!  God brought a speaker in just at the right time to rip my heart open . . .  Teaching English pronunciation to international students and sharing about Jesus!  These are adults who have come from places like China and Korea to study in the States.  They are smart brilliant people, most are doing doctorate work at a local university.  Well I qualify!  I speak English and know our customs!

I was not able to go last week because little man and I were just not feeling up to it and honestly I wanted to check it out before he came.

It was amazing!  Before I left I was praying this would be a fun and good experience for me.  It was more than I could have ever imagined!  I cannot wait to go back!  The students are so kind and really have a desire to learn!

Now is this were I will end up, helping international students with English?  I honestly do not know but I like the possibility of it :-)  I will continue to pray and would love other's prayers as well about it.  My school does have a program for ESL/EFL Education so it could happen!

I mostly watched while I was there to see how things go.  The lady I got to know is from Korea and it was so fun to learn about her and the culture.  She is so friendly and opened up a lot.

I'll definitely be updating more about this experience!

love
anc

Little Man Monday

Papaw Chew and Little Man

LM did not know we were going to see him and was so surprised and excited!

Two Three

So far on my journey to a healthier me I am at 23 pounds lost.  Woohoo!

I have over 35 days in a row of logging in to my fitness pal.  This site is incredible.  Plus there is a handy little app for my phone and I can scan the foods for easy input!

Today I got back to mister elliptical in the first time in weeks.  With little man visiting his dad it made it possible to go.  The workout felt amazing.  I rocked it out to the tune of 45 minutes!

I am learning to make better choices and I am limiting the amount of bad stuff I allow into my house.

This past week (or maybe this week since its still Saturday, not sure), I used my lovely crockpot THREE times!  It was so easy!  A bonus was the leftover that are in the freezer!

In the coming days I shall be posting about the low-calorie crockpot recipes I tried out.  :-)

Little Man Monday

My Journey

Wow.

Today is weigh-in day.

I just did that.

I am down TWENTY POUNDS!!!!!!!!

It feels amazing!

I haven't been exercising as much as I'd like but I go for walks with little man and walk to classes (unless it is pouring rain).  I limit my intake of not so good foods but I haven't cut anything out except sweet tea and pop.  I miss it sometimes but I have my water to drink!  I truly believe that has what has helped me to loose this twenty pounds.  I drink anywhere from six to fifteen cups of water a day.  I average about ten a day.

As I type this sentence LM is now in my lap.  He just got up and said in the sweetest voice possible "I wanna sit on your lap."  Therefore typing is now a little more difficult but so worth it :-)

I am loving this journey I'm on to become a healthier overall person.  As I said I still eat what I want.  For example last night a neighbor had a cookout and I had a hamburger.  Yes I skipped on the cheese but I make sure to track everything, including the mustard and ketchup!

Well LM and I need to go to the store.  We are out of some staples and he is calling me to go!

love
anc

Good day!

My 21 day habit is still going strong on the food tracking side.  The exercise component got put to the side with little man coming home and classes/homework.  I'm happy that I am just watching what I eat.  I do get exercise but not in the same way I was before.  I walk to class and most days go on a walk with LM.  I would love to be back on the elliptical but kids come first.

I tried out a local gym that has a kid's room but the people there were very pushy to try and get me to sign up for things that I cannot afford to spend money on.  It was very rude and they will not be getting my business no matter how nice the facility was.

I am getting back to being 100% health wise.  I still have some sort of cough but I can breath much better and the sinus pain is gone.

Classes are going well.  So far I'm doing great at keeping on top of everything.  I really like all my classes this semester.

I have one more class for the day then LM and I will probably be taking a walk around campus.

Oh!  I almost forgot!  God is so good!!  A few days ago I checked my mail and I had received a letter from one of the professors on campus.  I do not know the professor, nor have I had him.  Inside the letter basically said I've heard you are having a rough time and some friends wanted to encourage you.  Hope this love gift helps in some way.  So glad God brought you to this university.  WOW!  It was exactly what I needed at that time!  God knows what we need.  He listens to us and encourages us so much.  I had been thinking is this really where I am meant to be.  I have three and a half years left before I get my degree and I've already been in school for three years.  It was very hard to think about it like that.  College is great but I don't want to be here forever studying.  That card helped me to see that yes God did bring me here and I am meant to be here.

Also since I'm very unsure of where I am being called in terms of a major, I am going to be getting some counseling in regards to this.  I am looking forward to any insight that comes.  Mary Kay is still my business and I love it however I am prayerfully wondering if it is my life career or a season one.  We shall see what God has to say in the coming months and years :-)

Love
anc

Little Man Monday

His new size 11 shoes.

Not doing much

Well I made it though the first week of little man being here for the fall semester.  It went pretty good.

I ended the week with being sick.  Yesterday and today consisted of laying low and not doing much.  I can hardly breath right now.

I am still tracking my food intake but actually exercising hasn't really happened.  Although that last part makes me sad, this makes me happy:  I'm 13 pounds down total so far!  I lost another couple pounds just by tracking my food and running after LM.

Hopefully I will be back to 100% health by Tuesday for classes.

love
anc