Clean out your pantry challenge!

Hello All!

I am so excited, because I actually enjoy this challenge. A year or so ago I found this challenge online and joined, it is very simple here goes:
Make a time frame 2 weeks-1 month depending on the food in your pantry and Freezer and Challenge yourself to only go to the store for FRESH fruit, veg, milk, butter, eggs you get the idea.
Get creative and use up what is already at home.
Throw out all expired foods, or freezer burns give yourself permission to get rid of it!
I am going to post recipes to help you be creative and use things up like the box of bisquick, or the oatmeal, how about that can of pineapple chunks, or can of peaches......

Please feel free to send me recipes as well and I will post here as we encourage each other.
I cannot wait to see your progress, read your creativty and watch you save money and DECLUTTER!

Leah Marie

As many of you know our daughter Leah Marie Christine was born July 16th.
She is pure joy and such a sweet baby.

I will be back to the blogging and recipes very soon...i even have a project for some of you to take on!!

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pie

When I was growing up and I opened the freezer in the summer and saw THIS PIE...I was always excited!
This Pie could not A) get any easier and B) any yummier!!

Ok here goes.
1 graham cracker pie crust pre made or you can make yourself.
1 large quart of strawberry yogurt
1 8 oz. container of cool-whip
Fresh Strawberries

Let your cool whip defrost a bit, mix with your yogurt and pour into pie crust.
Slice up those strawberries and place around the center well place them how ever you would like. Place your pie in the Freezer for 5-6 hours or overnight.
ENJOY!!!!!
You can use Blueberry yogurt, or raspberry yogurt....whatever your heart desires!!

Taco Salad with Green Taco sauce Dressing

So my mom found this recpie somewhere and OH MY GOSH it is a staple every summer.....heck it is even made in the winter :)

All I can say is trust me it is delicious.
FOR THE SALAD:
1-2 lbs Ground Turkey
1 Can of black beans (drained)
1 small can of olives (drained)
1 bag of shredded cheese
1 red onion diced
1-2 tomatoes (chopped)
1 avocado diced

1-2 heads of romaine lettuce

Take your turkey meat and fry in a pan, season with kosher salt, Mrs. Dash, and black pepper to your liking.
While the meat is cooking assemble your salad
Chop up your romine lettuce and add all the ingredents above. When the meat is done cooking drain off any grease and add to your salad.
Now for the dressing:
1 bottle of green taco sauce
1C. of good mayonaise (I prefer best foods or Hellmans)
1 clove of garlic minced
1/2c a Fresh lemon juice or less this is a taste thing...
Whisk it all together and add more mayo if you want it more creamy.
Pour on top of your salad mix throughly and ENJOY!!!!

Grilled Chicken Salad with Feta Cheese

I was craving a light dinner but filling as well, so I went into the kitchen and I had all the ingredents to make a delicious salad.
Salads are fun right I mean you can put everything you want in them and make it your own, so this is what I had.

Rocket Lettuce
Radishes
Avocado
Green onions
raw mushrooms
and my crowning jewel Feta Cheese.
Now a salad is so easy you cut up only what you want in to it and add or substitute what ever you like.
Now for my Chicken I simply pan seared a chicken breast in olive oil, and seasoned with kosher salt and frsh ground pepper. I cooked until no longer pink then sliced up thin to lay on top or you can cut into chunks what ever you prefer.

HERE IS THE FUN PART ALL THE YUMMY DRESSINGS:
Lemon Vinaigrette:


1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/2 cup good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Yield: 6 servings


FRESH VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1815,147176-250195,00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.

1 tsp. prepared French Dijon mustard (the French use mild table mustard)
3 to 4 tsp. vinegar (the French use cider vinegar)
2/3 c. oil (they prefer olive oil over there)
1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper (optional)
1 tbsp. sugar (optional)
1 tbsp. wine (optional; you can add wine to any French recipe)

Prepare fresh several minutes before using.
Put the mustard in the bowl that you are going to whisk the dressing in. If you are using any of the optional dry ingredients, add them to the mustard. Gradually dribble in the vinegar, while whisking briskly. Keep whisking until all the vinegar has been added and you have a smooth paste. Still whisking, gradually add in the oil. You're done when you have a nice smooth emulsion.

These 2 are gluten free and fat free and deliciously light.
ENJOY!

Baking Bread

Now I finally feel like I have lost my mind....LOL. There are things as a woman growing up I SWORE I would NEVER do: Sew, have more than 1 child, homeschool, and BAKE BREAD.
I still have not sewed and do not own a sewing machine, but I am sure it is only a matter of time. (ssshhh do not tell my mom)
I find myself less and less on the computer...oh sure I update my facebook via my phone and heck I even send emails on my phone but sitting and logging on to the computer does not seem to happen that much. I need to make a point everyday or every other day of jumping on here and making sure I BLOG.
I bought a bread maker it is used and I have my first loaf in their doing its thing as we speak. My grandma has a bread maker and I used to enjoy walking into her home and smelling fresh baked bread.
I want those smell memories to carry on to my children. My boys have their favorite recipes I make and I know this little baby girl will take these to her home and make food for her husband.
I will let you know how this loaf turns out. I know that it saves money and i know that it is healthier for you as well.
In Love,
Sarah

Teriyaki Marinade

Good Morning!

After all the computer issues I have had I am finally back to being able to post and update my blog.
Over the weekend I spoke to my parents and they are attempting to take all Gluten and wheat out of their foods and diet. I have heard of people doing this before and it intrigued me to go through my recipies for them and see what I could find. My dad LOVE LOVE LOVES to BBQ and he has a mean grill the thing is HUGE, HUGE I tell you....It has a smoker on one side and different levels I know these are not the greatest pictures of the grill it self but isnt my daddy and baby brother SO Handsome???

Ok back to the point. I have been using this particular Teriyaki Marinade since Coleen Avilla showed it to me 9 years ago. It is VERY simple and the combination of ingredients made it FABULOUS! I did change one thing and that is I use Hunts NO HIGH FRUCTOSE all natural ketchup.
Here is your all natural, gluten free,no MSG
TERIYAKI MARINADE:
1/2C. Soy Sauce
1/2C. Salad oil
4 TBSP. Ketchup
2 TBSP. Vinegar
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 cloves of garlic crushed
Whisk all together and pour of meat of your choice. I prefer Flnak steaks and chicken but I know it is also so super yummy over Ahi Tuna.