Category: Recipes

Posted in Recipes, Salad

Simple Shrimp Veggie Salad

Posted on by traci

What You Need:

  • Raw shrimp (See note) – How to shell and devein a shrimp – Follow the link.
  • Butter
  • Lemon
  • Mixed greens
  • 1 cup of your favorite raw veggies
  • goat cheese, feta cheese, or blue cheese
  • Raspberry Vinaigrette (I like the Raspberry Merlot from Bolthouse Farms.)

Simple Shrimp Veggie Salad

Stars of the Recipe:

  • 1 oz. raw shrimp (see note)
  • 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 c. mixed greens
  • 1 c. cut veggies (I used bell peppers and cucumbers.)
  • 1/4 c. Goat, Feta, or Blue Cheese (I used blue cheese.)
  • 2 Tbsp. raspberry vinaigrette

Steps:

  1. Heat the skillet to medium heat.
  2. Add the butter, deveined, and shelled shrimp.
  3. Cook for 3 minutes. Flip.
  4. Squeeze the lemon over the shrimp and then cook for an additional 3 minutes.
  5. In the meantime, in a bowl place the mixed greens and cut veggies.
  6. After the shrimp are finished cooking, place on the greens and veggies.
  7. Top with cheese and vinaigrette.
  8. Enjoy!

Note:

You can also use already cooked shrimp if you don’t want to cook the shrimp.

Posted in Drinks, Holiday/Christmas, Recipes

Homemade Peppermint Mocha

Posted on by traci

I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to make a peppermint mocha that wasn’t full of a lot of calories.

Can I be honest? The ones from Starbucks are not my favorite. They add way too much chocolate. I would rather have the peppermint shine through. I love peppermint in my lattes so that makes sense.

Yesterday I found a peppermint mocha ground coffee at Aldi’s so that is what I’m using for the coffee part of the recipe. So good.

For the recipe:

  • ground coffee – I used peppermint mocha flavored coffee.
  • peppermint syrup
  • almond milk – I used vanilla unsweetened almond milk. You could use real milk or any non dairy milk. I just prefer almond milk.
  • cacao powder
  • whipped cream

Peppermint Mocha Latte

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 to 2 Tbsp. ground coffee (I used a reusable K cup pod for my coffee maker.)
  • 1 Tbsp. peppermint syrup
  • 1/2 c. milk (dairy or non dairy)
  • 1 to 2 tsp. cacao powder
  • 2 Tbsp. whipped cream

Steps:

  1. Add the peppermint syrup to the mug.
  2. Then brew the coffee. I brew my coffee using the bold setting.
  3. While it’s brewing, froth the milk and cacao powder.
  4. After the coffee is done brewing, top with frothed milk and whipped cream.
  5. Enjoy!

Note: You either need to use a frother or froth it without a frother. Place milk and cacao powder in a mason jar, place the lid on it, and then shake it. (Arm workout) Once it’s increased in volume, remove the lid carefully. Microwave it for 30 to 60 seconds.

Stay kind!

Have a magical day,
Traci

Posted in Recipes

Share Your World (9/14/2020)

Posted on by traci

For more, Share your world blog posts, visit Melanie’s site.

Roger’s Magical, Mystical Questions: You have just been gifted a magic wand that specializes in completing household chores. You can request the completion of only two household chores. Which chores would you assign your wand to complete?

I would assign my magical wand to do the dishes. I’m constantly having to get on my oldest to put away the dishes. (There needs to be several commands and mom about to lose her cool.) So dishes need to be done by the wand – less gray hairs for mom.

The other chore would be to sweep the floor. That is a constant ongoing battle. I don’t know how we have so much dust. I swear it reproduces quickly because I can sweep it up and then half an hour later, there is more dust. Never ending battle.

At the local Wizards-R-Us store there was a sale on handshake shockers, instant darkness pellets, and levitation pills. Which of these ‘party thrillers’ are you more likely to purchase?

I would think the handshake shockers would be funny when I’m in person with students. They might not think so. However, I think the levitation pills might be helpful. My classroom is across the entire building from where my students’ classrooms. (I’m an Intervention Specialist and do pull out services.) There are days I need to get from one of the building to the other quickly. Those levitation pills will be helpful.

In the alley behind Wizards-R-Us, there was a tradesman selling a Love Potion. The sales pitch was too much for you and you yielded and purchased one vial. What do you do with it?

I might give it to my 17-year-old to drink. He doesn’t need a girlfriend. Done that already and he’s decided it’s not worth the hassle. However one day, he might want to use it.

You are the Great Clearinghouse Winner of a new ‘good luck’ potion – Felix Felicis. It has to be used within the next thirty days or its potency becomes diminished. Do you use it? Do you give it to a friend in need?

I could always use some good luck. It depends on what is going on in my life at the moment I get the Felix Felicis. If I feel as though I’m walking on the mountain tops, I would definitely give it to someone in need. However, if I was in those valley lows I would consider using it for myself but may give it away. (I know I’m being vague.)

Melanie’s Mundane Muggle Questions:

If everyone spoke their mind, would this world be a better or worse place?  Why?

Our society has become a cancel society. When you say something people don’t agree with, then they want to cancel you rather than letting you explain, apologize, or make amends. I wish we as a people could truly speak our minds but the reality is too many people get hurt when they don’t agree with you. I’ve learned that sometimes it’s better not to say anything at all.

Can achieving nothing make a person happy?

During my sister’s adult life, she really did not accomplish anything. She was very unhappy in both her skin and in her life. As the years progressed, she became more of a hermit until she died 4 years ago. Her legacy is one of heartbreak because I truly believe she missed out on life.

How do you know if you love someone enough to marry them?

Unconditional love, cannot imagine life without them
The person trusts you enough to “allow” you freedom to be yourself. (I put allow in quotations because you don’t need permission to be yourself.) They don’t control you.

GRATITUDE SECTION  (as always this is optional)

A phone call from a former student of mine
A student dropping into my Zoom meeting just to hang out

Stay kind!

Have a magical day,
Traci

Posted in Granola, Ingredients, Recipes

Basic Granola Recipe with 5 Variations (DF,V, GF)

Posted on by traci

One breakfast/snack item you can meal prep is my fruit on the bottom yogurt cup. I love to top my yogurt cups with granola. 

You can buy granola from the store or you can make your own. When you make your own, you can control the ingredients in your granola. You can also control how much sweetener you put in your granola.

This granola is a great one because it is very versatile. I have given you 5 different flavor combinations that are all very tasty. 

I portion out the granola for the week. If you get the 4 ounce Mason jars and fill it up to the lip, that is the perfect amount of granola.

What you need for this recipe:

  • Oats
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes
  • Your favorite nuts or seeds (pumpkin or sunflower)
  • Dried or freeze-dried fruit
  • Spices
  • Salt
  • Butter, coconut oil, canola oil, extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil
  • Honey or maple syrup
  • Vanilla or almond extract

Basic Loose Granola Recipe 

Stars of the recipe:

Dry Ingredients: 

  • 4 c. old fashioned oats 
  • 1 c. unsweetened coconut flakes or additional nuts 
  • 1 c. nuts or seeds 
  • 1 c. dried or freeze-dried fruit – add after baking 
  • 2 tsp. spices – cinnamon, pumpkin spice, gingerbread spice 
  • 1 tsp. salt 

Wet Ingredients: 

  • 1/3 c. melted butter, melted coconut oil, canola oil, extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil 
  • 1/3 c. honey or maple syrup 
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla or almond extract 

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. 
  2. Combine all of the dry ingredients except for the fruit in a large bowl. Stir 
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Stir. 
  4. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Stir until all of the ingredients are coated. 
  5. Spread onto a cookie sheet that has either been sprayed down with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. 
  6. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes. 
  7. Take out of the oven. Allow cooling time before adding the fruit. 
  8. Enjoy with your favorite dairy or nondairy milk or yogurt. 
  9. Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks. 

Ideas for granola: 

Nuts and seeds: 

  • Cashews 
  • Pecans  
  • Walnuts 
  • Macadamia Nuts 
  • Almonds – Slivers or slices 
  • Pistachios 
  • Pumpkin Seeds 
  • Sunflower Seeds 

Dried Fruit or Freeze-Dried Fruit: 

  • Apples 
  • Blueberries 
  • Cranberries 
  • Cherries – usually more expensive 
  • Raspberries 
  • Freeze-dried honey crisp apples from Trader Joe’s 
  • Freeze-dried grapes from Trader Joe’s 
  • Apricots 
  • Raisins 

Combinations for granola: 

Apple crisp 

Nuts – Walnuts and pumpkin seeds 

Fruit – Used dried apples – I like dried apples in my apple crisp granola. 

Spice – Apple pie spice which is 3 Tbsp. ground cinnamon, 2 tsp. nutmeg, 1 tsp. cardamom, 1 tsp. allspice combined in a small Mason jar. Use 1 to 2 Tbsp. of the apple pie spice blend.  

Cranberry pecan 

Nuts – Pecans and pumpkin seeds – Don’t use coconut flakes. 

Fruit – Dried cranberries. 

Spice – Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. 

Almond Joy  

Nuts – Slivered or sliced almonds 

Fruit – Don’t use any. 

Spice – Cinnamon 

Extract – Almond 

Apricot almond 

Nuts – Slivered or sliced almonds 

Fruit – Diced dried apricots 

Spice – Cinnamon 

Pumpkin spice 

Nuts – Walnuts and pumpkin seeds 

Fruit – dried cranberries or raisins 

Spice – pumpkin spice 

Extra – Add ¼ c. of pumpkin puree to the wet ingredients. 

Printable Recipe

Stay kind!

Have a magical day,
Traci

Posted in Family Recipe, ground beef, Ingredients, onions, Pasta, pasta, Recipes

Johnny Marzetti – Updated

Posted on by traci

One of my mom’s favorite meals was Johnny Marzetti. When I was Googling the history of the name of Johnny Marzetti, I noticed a lot of the recipes bake it. The difference with my recipe is that I don’t. My recipe is more of an American goulash.

It was named after a restaurant in Columbus that shut down in 1972 when the owner died.

When I made it this week, I modernized or added some depth to the spaghetti sauce that I used in the dish. I added a splash of dry red wine while the sauce was simmering. So delicious!

It’s a simple pantry item dish. Here’s what you need to make the dish.

  1. ground beef – I know the price for ground beef has increased. I get the frozen ground beef at this current time because it is cheaper.
  2. spaghetti sauce – I used a simple spaghetti sauce from Aldi. Less than a dollar for the jar.
  3. dry red wine – Doesn’t need to be expensive. Or use beef broth for a deeper flavor.
  4. onions
  5. elbow macaroni – Aldi has 3 pound boxes for less than $1.50
  6. shredded cheddar cheese
  7. Spices: Dried oregano and Italian seasoning – Salt and pepper to taste
  8. optional: mushrooms and green peppers

Johnny Marzetti

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • 1 small onion, chopped or 1/2 of a medium or large onion, chopped
  • 1 (24 to 26 oz) jar of spaghetti sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. dry red wine or beef broth
  • 1 lb or 2 c. dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
  • Optional: 1/4 c. white or Bella mushroom, chopped
  • Optional: 1/2 green pepper chopped

Steps:

  1. Cook the elbow macaroni according to directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a medium sized pot on medium heat. Drain and remove from pan. Set aside.
  3. Add the onions, mushroom (if using), and green pepper (if using) to the pan. Add some oil to the pan if needed. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent.
  4. Add the cooked ground beef, spaghetti sauce, and red wine to the onions. Simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  5. Add the pasta and shredded cheddar cheese to the pot. Stir to combine.
  6. Enjoy with garlic bread and a salad.

You can leave the wine out if don’t want to use wine. I just used it to add some depth to the dish.

Printable Recipe

Stay kind!

Have a magical day,
Traci

Posted in Gluten Free, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Roasted Sweet Potatoes Tacos (V, GF)

Posted on by traci

I’ve began to get Misfit Market veggies and fruits during the Quarantine. It was easier to make sure I had fresh veggies and fruit. This past week I received about 6 sweet potatoes, so I decided to make a roasted sweet potato taco for lunch.

If you want to make this Gluten-Free, you can use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. It’s your choice which type of tortilla you want to use for your taco. This recipe is easily vegan if you don’t use any cheese or sour cream on the taco. Instead use avocado for the creaminess of cheese or make cashew sour cream to put on the taco.

This recipe is easily adaptable for what you like.

What you need to make the recipe:

  • sweet potatoes
  • avocado or extra virgin olive oil
  • taco seasoning – Homemade or storebought
  • tortillas – corn or flour
  • refried beans – The one from Trader Joes is vegan.
  • Optional toppings: lime, sour cream, avocado, cheese (Cotija or Feta), cilantro, salsa

When I made mine, I topped it with lime, Feta cheese, salsa, and cilantro.

  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Refried beans spread on the tortilla
  • Finished taco
  • Ready to eat

Stars of the recipe:

  • 2 pounds of sweet potato, cubed into 1 to 1.5-inch sized pieces (peeled or unpeeled)
  • 2 tsp. taco seasoning – Homemade or storebought
  • 1 Tbsp. avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 c. refried beans warmed
  • tortillas
  • toppings

Steps:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Cube the sweet potato. Place the sweet potato into a large bowl and drizzle the oil on the sweet potato cubes.
  3. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the sweet potatoes. Stir until all the pieces are coated with the seasoning.
  4. Place on a lined cookie sheet in a single layer.
  5. Roast for 25 to 35 minutes.
  6. Warm up the beans in the microwave or on the stove. Spread on the tortilla.
  7. Top with sweet potato and your favorite toppings.
  8. Enjoy!

Other taco recipes:

Printable Recipe

Stay kind!

Have a magical day,
Traci

Posted in freezer, Menu planning, Recipes, slow cooker

Slow Cooker Freezer Kits – Reposted June 8, 2020

Posted on by traci

July 29th, 2019 – Update: The grocery list is incorrect. You need 2 bags of peppers and onions and only 1 bag of mixed veggies.

So what are slow cooker freezer kits?  Basically you have everything you need to fix a meal in the slow cooker ready to go in the freezer.  There might be a few items that you might need to add to the slow cooker on the day you cook the meal.  Other than that, everything else is ready to go.

Continue reading “Slow Cooker Freezer Kits – Reposted June 8, 2020” →
Posted in Recipes

Philly Cheese Steak

Posted on by traci

I left this blog back in November. It had been a month and a half after my mom passed away. Since then, we’ve had quarantine and my mom’s estate is out of probate. Yeah!

Right before the quarantine, Hubby and I had decided to get new appliances. That was put on pause until stores were allowed to deliver the appliances. (No way we could have done it ourselves.)

Continue reading “Philly Cheese Steak” →
Posted in Menu planning, Recipes

Favorite Meals 2019

Posted on by traci

Updated August 31, 2019 – Original Post

A piece of advice for planning out your meals is to create a list of your family’s favorite meals. That way when you get stuck on creating a menu, you can refer back to the list.

Not only will it help you menu plan, you can also make certain you have the ingredients for some of the meals on hand if what you had planned for dinner does not pan out.  I know there are days I don’t feel like cooking. If I had meals ready to go, I would less likely stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home from work.

I’m going to share my list of 20 meals that my hungry boys and Hubby enjoy eating.  Some of my meals can be frozen or portions can be frozen ahead of time which helps.

The ideas in bold print can be made from items that can be stocked up in the freezer, fridge, or pantry.

  1.  tacos – Make ahead and freeze.You’ll only need to get items to top the tacos. (The Youngest’s favorite meal)
  2. sausage and mac & cheese – A very inexpensive meal and one I can keep on hand. (It’s a family favorite meal.)
  3. chicken nuggets and French fries – If I get both of those items at Aldi’s, it’s a budget friendly meal.  I can keep the food on hand. I priced it out at about $3 for a meal if you use half of each bag at a time.
  4. Quesadillas – These are quick meals to eat on busy nights. Both boys love basic cheese quesadillas.
  5. Hamburgers or hot dogs – The Imaginative One loves hamburgers. – Get the 12 frozen hamburgers from Aldi. They are about $9 to $10. Those last for at least 2 to 3 meals. It takes about 5 minutes to cook on my indoor grill.
  6. Grilled cheese – I only like American cheese on grilled cheese sandwiches.
  7. Spaghetti
  8. Soy Sauce Pork Chops – Marinade them while at work – Cook them on the indoor grill in the evening. Get them when they are on sale.
  9. Steak – A very rare occurrence do I serve them steak.
  10. Roast and then hash – Roast would be more for Sunday dinner.  Hash would be later in the week.
  11. Breakfast for dinner – We don’t eat a lot of breakfast foods in the mornings.  We prefer it in the evening.
  12. Meatloaf or meatloaf muffins
  13. Sloppy Joes – Make ahead and freeze. Such an easy meal. Serve with French fries or chips and a raw veggie or a fruit.
  14. Brown sugar ham – The boys absolutely love this dinner.
  15. Ravioli
  16. Roast chicken in the slow cooker or rotisserie chicken
  17. Chicken noodle soup
  18. Potato Soup
  19. Chili
  20. Pizza
  21. Pulled Pork – Make ahead and freeze for a busy evening.
  22. Pork Roast

Here is a form that will help you make a list of family favorite meals. The form is very simple and allows for 10 meals to be listed. There is also an area for 5 meals that can be easily frozen.

Happy eating and meal planning,
Traci

Posted in menu plan monday, Menu planning, Recipes

Mom, What’s For Dinner? – September 2019

Posted on by traci

Jump to meals

School has begun for everyone in my house. I’ve been back at work for 3.5 weeks. The boys and Hubby went back almost 2 weeks ago.

Life has changed a little bit at our house. Hubby has class on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings. Tuesdays and Wednesday’s are his longest evenings. I’ve begun making slow cooker meals on Tuesday nights, so I can leave the meal in the slow cooker on warm. He will eat some sort of snackish meal before leaving for his 4 o’clock meal and then eat his dinner when he gets home.

In order to make it a little easier to put food in the slow cooker, I have been making freezer kits. I spend a few hours on the weekend putting together some of the kits. I use my own list and also some recipes from The Family Freezer. Pull them out the night before, place them in the freezer, and then dump into the slow cooker. Add any additional ingredients, set the timer, and walk away. Makes my life easier.

Another thing that has worked recently for me is to create a monthly meal plan. I’ve done it in the past and am attempting it again. I hope to keep the momentum throughout the year. It’s so much easier to look at the meal plan and make a grocery list.

My plan is to make a list of favorite family meals so that it’s easier to meal plan for the month.

As you see, I never plan for the weekend. It’s a more flexible time in the week. Check out my August meals to see some ideas for Sunday meals.

Now onto this month’s meal plan:

September Meals

Week 1 – September 1 – September 6
  • Monday– Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, and slaw
  • Tuesday – Beef and Lime Chili- Freezer – Slow Cooker
  • Wednesday – Leftovers
  • Thursday– Sweet and Sour Pork – Freezer – Slow Cooker
  • Friday – Roast from Trader Joe’s – Sides to be determined
Week 2 – September 7 – September 13
  • Monday– Breakfast for dinner
  • Tuesday – Italian Wedding Soup – Slow Cooker
  • Wednesday – Leftovers
  • Thursday– Chicken Fajitas – Slow Cooker
  • Friday – Pulled Chicken from Trader Joe’s
Week 3 – September 14 – September 21
  • Monday– Sloppy Joes from freezer
  • Tuesday – Italian Sausage Rigatoni – Freezer – Stove top
  • Wednesday – Leftovers
  • Thursday– Chicken and Pepper Stir Fry – Freezer – Stove top
  • Friday – Steak – Hubby’s Birthday!
Week 4 – September 22 – September 29
  • Monday– Meatloaf Muffins from freezer
  • Tuesday – Cilantro Lime Chicken – Freezer – Slow Cooker
  • Wednesday – Leftovers
  • Thursday– Tuscan Steak and Green Peppers – Freezer – Slow Cooker
  • Friday – Orange Chicken

Stay kind!

Have a magical day,
Traci