GF Essentials- Cocoa Mudslide Cookie Mix

I recently came across a new vendor, Gluten Free Essentials. They have had a chocolate lovers sampler pack so how could I pass that up. A girl has to have her chocolate.

Lastnight it was a little chilly outside and I didn't want to turn on the heat so I made cookies. These cookies the, Cocoa Mudslides, were excellent. They had a nice texture almost cake like with big chocolate chunks and big marshmallows. Just what this girl needed lastnight.

I can't wait to try the other mixes that came in the order.

Thank You "Gluten-Free Girl"

Yesterday was an awful day. It was busy at work. I hurt my back the end of last week and yesterday was the first day back to work since and of course it was a long weekend because of Columbus Day so it was twice as hectic. I was so tired and grumpy by the time I arrived home. But lo and behold inside of my mailbox was my copy of Shauna's book. It was just what I needed. I couldn't wait to open the box and start reading it. And it is wonderful. It is just the inspiration that I needed. I can't say that I haven't been cheating lately. I get in these moods and the next thing you know I'm eating everything that I'm not suppose to. This has me inspired to start experimenting again with new recipes and to start eating healthy again.

It's time for me to find the foods that will love me back...

Rice with Olive Oil and Garlic

Sorry I don't have a picture of this dish. I'll give you my newest picture of Allie Mae instead. She's getting so big. This rice dish was a last minute dish. We were suppose to have some chicken on the grill with baked potatoes. The idea was to give my husband a nice big dinner and then he would fall asleep in front of the TV about 8 and I would have TV to myself for the season premiers of Grey's Anatomy and CSI. However, about 5:00 it started pouring rain and it never let up. Thankfully though he still fell asleep and Allie and I had the TV to ourselves.

I must say though I was very disappointed with Greys'. It is still raining today so once I get home from work and Gary off to work I can not wait to sit down and watch CSI. I know that won't be disappointing.

Rice with Olive Oil and Garlic

2 cups cooked rice
1 T olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 T parsley chopped
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 medium tomatoe, chopped

Saute garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil until garlic is slightly golden. Remove from heat and stir in parsley and half of the parmesan cheese. Add the rice and top with remaining cheese and tomatoes.

Rice Pizza

This took only about 20 minutes to make from start to finish. This is definately a keeper.

Pizza Rice

Preheat oven to 350

2 Cups Cooked Rice (I used the boil in the bag)
1 cup mozzarella cheese grated
1/2 medium green bell pepper diced
3 1/2 oz. pepperoni slices
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 medium onion sliced
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 T. olive oil
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Cook rice according to package

In a skillet, heat oil till hot. Saute onion and peppers until onion is translucent. Add spices and mix thoroughly.

Add half the pepperoni slices and saute for an additional 2 minutes.

Add tomato sauce, rice and 2 T. Parmesan cheese. Heat to simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes.

Pour into small casserole dish and layer with remaining pepperoni and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake in oven for 6 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Taco Casserole

Here it is the middle of September already. Where is the time going? Oh that's right I decided to get a puppy. I love her she is a doll but as my husband said the other night "Hon, the animals are started to effect our day to day life". And I couldn't agree more. I can't remember the last time I had a good night sleep. One that didn't include taking a walk out to the hayfield at three in the morning so that Allie can go potty. I do enjoy looking at the stars at that time of the morning. The sky has been beautiful lately. But let's hope she is over this before the snow starts flying.

I just received my second iron shot. The doctor wanted me to have them once a month for right now and see how this works. Everyone kept telling me that they hurt really bad and the first one did and that was 8 weeks ago and I still have a bruise on my butt that looks like the state of Tennessee. I decided though instead of paying my doctor god knows how much to inject me with the Iron I would have my friend Kari (who is an RN) do it for me at home. She is wonderful. I never felt the shot, I had no pain and the best part no bruise. So NO Iron shots do not have to hurt.

The other night I actually cooked. I am still suffering with my allergies so I wanted to make something with a LOT of flavor and this is what I came up with.

Taco Casserole

1 lb hamburger

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic- chopped

1 cup water

1/2 cup thick and smooth taco Sauce ( I like Ortega)

4 ozs diced green chiles

1 package taco seasoning (Ortega)

1 package taco shells (broken)

2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese

chopped tomatoes and sliced green onions

sour cream

Preheat oven to 375

Cook beef, onion, garlic until beef is browned; drain. Stir in water, taco sauce, chiles, and seasoning mix. Cook over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes.

Layer half of broken shells on bottom of greased 12x8 baking dish. Cover with half of meat sauce, sprinkle with one cup of cheese. Repeat with remaining shells, meat sauce and cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. To with sour cream, tomatoes and green onions. (I was too lazy to chop the tomatoes and green onion, but definitely will next time).

I hope you enjoy this and now I have some blogs to catch up on reading.

Where has this month gone?

I can't believe it is the end of August already. This month has been crazy. I spent last week in Alabama with my family and let me just say it was HOT. Every day was over 100. And on the last day I got a cold and it's a week later and I still have it.

Something good did come out of my visit to Alabama though. I bought a new puppy. She is beagle / catahoula. She is wonderful. I will admit though that I had buyers remorse after I bought her. Just because puppy's are so much work. They are nothing like cats. Cats will take care of themselves even when they are kittens but dogs are another story. But she is turning out to be wonderful. She's from the south so she had to have three names. So I named her Miss Allie Mae Tennessee. (I actually got her in Tennessee, right over the Alabama border). She was my flea market find.

Gary didn't go on vacation with us. So this was a surprise to him. He wasn't too happy at first but that didn't last long. Now he is anxious to teach her to hunt and herd the cows. We will probably have to wait to see how big she is first.

I have done almost no cooking this month. If I do make something it's throwing some meat on the grill with some potatoes sliced up in some tin foil. I love to make my potatoes that way. I can have them fixed how I like them and so can Gary and the best part is no clean up.

We can say goodbye to August for 2007 and let's hope I can get more accomplished in September. I'll keep you informed.

Sprinkler Tinklers

Gastro Girl had this on her blog today concerning "Sprinkler Tinklers". I don't know about anyone else but this is definately one of my pet peeves. It gave me my giggle for the day.