Let's Talk Potatoes!

What is my weakness? It is not chocolate, but potatoes! Yes you heard right, POTATOES! I like mashed potatoes, french fries, baked potatoes, stewed potatoes, roasted potatoes, baked french fries, hash browns, diced fried potatoes, potato cakes...you get my drift? I sound like Bubba Gump! (remember the shrimp?)
Well I know that potatoes are a starch as well as feeding the yeast in your body! I know that regular french fries are one of the WORST foods you could eat! Wahhhh! I suppose I am admitting my problem of liking LOVING potatoes! I am addicted!
Now I do have to admit that I do love hamburgers too! And when I am feeling pretty rotten I want a burger and fries! NOT from a fast food restaurant either! YUCK!  However, something I could eat daily and really I have to admit ..eat 3 times a day! Say it with me POTATOES!
Now that we have that established! Let me share with you some potato recipes! :) Maybe you will grow to like them as much a me!
Hmmmm, they do say you are what you eat!! I guess that makes me a potato! I am kind of shaped like one!

Parmesan Potatoes
4-5 small potatoes (or more!)
1 cup to 1 1/2 cups of Parmesan cheese (depending on the size of potatoes)
1 Tbs of sea salt (not Table salt!)
1 Tbs of pepper
1 Tbs garlic powder (note: I usually use a lot more-like I said before I love spices!)
Lg mixing bowl
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Cooking Spray
Cookie Sheet Pan

Peel and cut potatoes into wedges-not too thick but not to thin! Put in bowl along with Olive Oil. Coating well!
Combine cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic.  Toss in with potatoes-Again coating well
Place on sprayed cookie sheet-(you would think with all that oil it wouldn't stick-but I have yet to make it work!)
Place in 350 oven for approximately 20-30 minutes. Tossing half way through. You can take them out when fork tender or do what we like and make them a little crisper! The potatoes and Parmesan will get crunchy! But keep an eye on them or they will burn!
When done salt a little more if you prefer! Dip in ketchup. Or dip in a little mixture of mayo, mustard, and a little honey! YUM!!


Sweet Potato Fries
2 large Sweet Potatoes
Cinnamon
Sea Salt
Olive Oil
Mixing Bowl
Cookie Sheet Pan
Sharp knife! (sweet potatoes are hard to cut)

Peel potatoes, cut into wedges or strips. Put potatoes in bowl and toss with olive oil. Spread onto pan -no potatoes overlapping!
Sprinkle salt and Cinnamon till well coated! I don't toss because this combo does not stick well. Salt is a must for a good taste!
Place in a 350 degree oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on them! They are really yummy when they are close to crisping-but not good if the ends start to burn! Dip in mayo, mustard, and a little honey mixture! YUM #2!

Here is a quick and versatile meal!!!
Frozen Diced Potatoes (Kroger brand is cheap) (plain or with onions and peppers)
This is where the versatility comes in! What do you have on hand???
Diced cooked Chicken
Leftover Hamburger Beef
An Egg or two

Now for veggies
Add steamed broccoli
or spinach
or onions (if not already in the potatoes)

Heat Pan with olive oil, Add potatoes (enough for your fam), add Sea Salt, pepper, and garlic powder, along with a little bit of butter
cook until potatoes get a little browned. Next add your meat and stir. I have used all the above! Warm the meat if not already warmed
Now add your veggies! Broccoli is wonderful! But so is about 2-3 cups of spinach! (sounds a lot-but cooks down fast!)
Add more spices if you prefer! (we know what I would do!) Cook until veggies are a little browned! You may also sprinkle finely shredded cheese on top until melted! This is a one pan dish if you have these ingredients ready to go! So easy so delicious! I have done this many times at lunch. Having leftover chicken or throw an egg in to scramble. Grab a couple handfuls of spinach. Add spices and it is done! You have a protein, starch, and a veggie all in one pan! And spinach is one of the healthiest veggies too!
Top with ketchup or eat it plain! YUM #3!

And next time I see you...maybe you will be a potato too!
Enjoy!

Pumpkin Muffins

While I am still deciding on my list, I am going to post a few recipes! I LOVE to cook! I dislike cleaning up! :)
So here is a wonderful recipe for pumpkin muffins! The blog I follow posted their version if you want to check it out! Penny-wise Women has some awesome money saving ideas and recipes! Check out the basic muffin recipe and the bean batch one! Also, stop by my friend Heather's blog where she just posted a lentil soup recipe! YUM!

The following recipe is great at this time of year! I found organic pumpkin on sale for $1 a can!! I stocked up and can't wait to make more! The kids love them..esp with a few chocolate chips on top!

3/4 c honey (local is better for you)
2 eggs
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs molasses(i used a little of maple syrup)
1/2 tsp cinnamon ( i love spices- so I always use more than a recipe calls for!!- I used probably 1 tsp or more!
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 2/3 cup flour ( I use unbleached whole wheat flour)
1/2 cup melted butter (real butter-or you can use coconut oil)
1/4 cup cold water
1 cup pumpkin-15 oz can

Combine dry ingredients in one bowl Combine wet ingredients in another bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry. Pour in muffin pan.
Cook on 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes. Be sure to cook low and slow due to the honey. Check to make sure they are not getting to browned! Honey browns quicker!

Add chocolate chips
Sprinkle powdered sugar on top
Add some walnuts or pecans
Add some ground flax for even more nutrition!

Pumpkin has a ton vitamin A, as well as magnesium,calcium, zinc, and fiber!
Enjoy!

As for me I am off to make a batch! Will be back soon to post more recipes as well as something that God has been speaking to me about!

Another Year To Do Better

Are you like me? Are you thinking of what you can do better in the new year? I don't like making resolutions cause I never stick to them! I am really bad about starting something Gun ho and never completing the task! I suppose that is my personality! At least I seem to blame it on that.  :)
Well I have been thinking...oh no!...and I feel the need to just simply do better in all areas of my life. Did I say simply? I want to be a better wife, mother, and friend. Most of all I want to be a better child of God.
Do you beat yourself up like I do? I have many bruises from abusing myself! But God says that I am special to Him. And that with His help I can do anything! (Phil 4:13) The word of God is truthful. But I have to commit myself and pray for that help then believe and trust God to see me through. As our long time pastor always said, God is not in the blah moving business! In other words, he is not going to move us if we are not willing to help!
He is not a puppet master! So with that thought, I am going to make a list of just a few (cause I do not want to set myself up for failure) things I would like to accomplish this year!! Notice I said this year?? NOT within the next month! I am going to give myself a little time to change! Or should I say  A LOT of time? LOL! This way I will not be crying in a few weeks saying I cannot do it after all! But there I go back to ME saying I cannot do it! So someone thump me on the head and remind me that I am not ALONE! And you are not alone either! Let us make the most of this brand new year we have been given! Next time I will share my list with you!

For now I will leave you with this.  "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Here We Go!

This is my first attempt at blogging. I didn't even know what "blog" meant until last year! LOL! Shows how I am not "in" with what is going on! I have a couple of friends who are blogging now, and they have been a blessing to me. I hope I can be a blessing to at least one person.
I want to do more for God. Sometimes it is hard when you are a homeschooling mom and have health issues. I never thought that a blog would be the way to work for the Lord. But I have to admit there are a few blogs that minister to my soul, challange me as a Christian, and encourage me as a mom! Therefore, I consider them to be a blessing to the Lord.
I am a "newbie" so bear with me :) Will try to get this up and going soon!