Believe in the Magic Traci Diary

Recipes, Travels, and Stories

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  • What I’m Thankful For – First 10

    One of my challenges for Healthy Self is to make a list of 20 things you are thankful for.  It was supposed to be done on Monday.  Monday was such a crazy day for me, so I didn’t get it done.  Yesterday I was just LAZY, plus because of the changes in the atmosphere – AKA snow coming in – my head was bothering me.

    So today, I’m going to make my list:

    1.  Snow day – I’m supposed to be testing today, so this stresses me out.  However, I got almost half done on Monday because I knew this was possible.  Go me because these tests are L-O-N-G and one-on-one with the student.  

    2.  The Imaginative One – He always gives me a run for my money with his random knowledge.  He loves to learn but doesn’t like to test (discussion in the car the other day).  

    3.  The Wee One – He had a music program on Monday night.  If he had a chance, he could have directed that program.  He was on top of the whole production.  There is a special needs student who visits his classroom.  He is so gentle and caring with the little boy.  During the production, he allowed the boy to play with his tie because he knew the little boy needed that.  He also loves to learn.

    4.  Losing 15.5 pounds in 2 months – On Monday, a retired teacher subbed in my room so I could test.  She hadn’t seen me since either September or October.  One of the first things out of her mouth was, “You lost weight.”  Made me feel good that someone noticed my effort.  I’m down 2 pants sizes!!!!!  

    5.  Learning to eat new foods – I never in a million years would have thought I would love eating shepherd’s pie made with sweet potato/cauliflower mash on the top.  It was absolutely delicious!  I also never thought I would make double chocolate chip muffins with avocados.  Actually, I would never have thought I would eat avocados.

    6.  Cuddles with the dog when he’s not sensitive to weather (shakes and won’t leave me alone)

    7.  Cuddles with the Wee One 

    8.  The Imaginative One showing affection or appreciation towards me – These moments are fleeting but appreciated.

     9.  Being able to cook healthy foods for my family – I constantly tell the boys how lucky they are their mom cooks them dinner.

    10.  Photography – I love looking at nature in a different way when I’m taking photographs.  Nature is cool!  I also love taking pictures of the boys growing up.  I have a few pictures of my childhood.  I really wish I had more.  My memories are visual in nature, and I wish I had a picture to go with them to share with the boys.  

  • Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

    My absolutely favorite muffins are double chocolate chip muffins. When they bring in muffins to work, I gravitate to the double chocolate chip muffins. Usually they have a million bazillion calories in it though. I found a way to have my favorite muffin and still feel good about eating it.

    The cool thing about these muffins are there is no eggs in them. You can lick the bowl clean without any worries about getting sick.

    There are also surprise ingredients in it. If you didn’t tell anyone, they wouldn’t know it.

    Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 ripe avocado
    • 2 ripe banana
    • 3/4 c. Sugar or 3/8 c. Truvia baking blend
    • 1 tsp. baking powder
    • <1 tsp. baking soda
    • 1 tsp. salt
    • 1 tsp. lemon juice
    • 1/4 c. Light olive oil
    • 1 c. all purpose flour
    • 1 c. whole wheat flour
    • 1/4 c. cocoa powder
    • 1/2 c. Chocolate chips

    Steps:

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Line muffin tin with cupcake wrappers (12) or spray with cooking spray.
    3. In a mixing bowl, blend banana and avocado until pureed.
    4. Add sugar, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix well.
    5. In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
    6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix well.
    7. Fold in chocolate chips.
    8. Spoon mixture into tins or cupcake wrappers. (WARNING: The mixture will be thick.)
    9. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes.
    10. Enjoy!

    Printable Recipe

  • What’s For Dinner? – Week of March 4

    This week’s going to be CRAZY! I’m staying after work 3 days this week to get things completed. Friday, I’m attending a workshop after school. On Saturday, I’m also attending the same workshop.

    On Monday and Wednesday, I’m testing students all day long! So this week’s going to be stressful between testing, staying after school, and attending the workshop. I prepped food and froze foods, so we would eat, but my plans may fall by the wayside.

    Breakfasts

    Homemade Egg McMuffins

    Pecan Oatmeal

    Chocolate avocado muffins

    Lunch

    Leftover Hot head burritos

    Sweet potato shepherds pie

    Chicken pasta with pea pesto

    Maple chicken

    Soup out of the freezer

    Dinners

    Sweet potato shepherds pie

    Chicken pasta with pea pesto

    Maple chicken

    Something from freezer

    Eat whatever you want at night

    Steak and baked potatoes

  • My Aunt Janet’s Pecan cookies

    The other night, the Wee One handed me a box and asked me what was in it. As I looked through it, I found blank cards and recipe cards. The treasure was two recipe cards written by my grandma. She died Christmas Eve of ’08, so it was nice to see her handwriting again.

    My aunt Janet was my grandpa’s sister, so technically, she was my great-aunt. I still called her aunt without the great. We spent a lot of time with her. She and my Uncle Mitch had a farm with willow trees and a pond. I remember going up to the farm for family gatherings

    and walking around the pond.

    She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 and, within less than a week, had passed away. My whole family misses her.

    Pecan Cookies

    aunt janet recipe
    20130303-125522.jpg

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 C. shortening, margarine, or butter
    • 2 1/2 c. brown sugar
    • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
    • 2 eggs, beaten
    • 2 1/2 C. flour
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 1 C. pecans

    Steps:

    1. Cream shortening, margarine, or butter with the sugar.
    2. Add eggs and beat well.
    3. Add flour, salt, and soda. Mix well.
    4. Fold in nuts.
    5. Drop from spoon onto greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
    6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
    7. Cool for about 1 minute and then remove to wire racks to completely cool.
    8. Enjoy!

    Store in an airtight container.

    Printable Recipe

  • St. Patty’s Smoothie (GF, DF)

    Yum! And healthy are 2 words to describe this smoothie. Since I would make the boys homemade “Shamrock” shakes, I made myself one of these instead.

    This is another easy recipe to put together. This recipe makes four servings. I put the other three servings in the freezer to enjoy them later. (They are already portioned out, so all I have to do is pull it out of the freezer, thaw it out, pour it into a cup, and then enjoy.)

    St. Patty’s Smoothie

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1.5 c. of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
    • 2 bananas
    • 1 cup spinach
    • 1 tsp. peppermint extract
    • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
    • 1/4 c. chocolate chips

    Steps:

    1. Place all the ingredients except for the chocolate chips in the blender.
    2. Blend until smoothie.
    3. Add the chocolate chips.
    4. Blend until the chips have been combined.
    5. Pour a fourth of it into a cup. Divide the rest into 3 quart-sized bags that have been labeled. Place those 3 bags in the freezer for later.
    6. Enjoy the smoothie in the cup!

    Printable Recipe

  • Homemade “shamrock” shakes (GF)

    Last week, I took the boys to Mcdonald’s so they could try the Shamrock shake. Both of them loved it! This week I decided to make my own version. Ice cream was on sale for a pint. Can’t beat a dollar for a pint!

    It’s so simple to make. Just put the ingredients in the blender and blend away.

    While they were enjoying their treat, I enjoyed my St. Patty’s smoothie. The recipe is to come later.

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     Anticipating his first taste

    Homemade “shamrock” shake

    Stars of the recipe:

    •  1 pint of vanilla ice cream
    • 3-4 drops of green food coloring
    • 1 tsp. peppermint extract
    • 1/2 c. Milk (more or less depending on preference)

    Steps:

    1. Place all ingredients in the blender.
    2. Blend away.
    3. Enjoy!

    The Imaginative One says it would be better with whipped cream.

    Oh, this recipe makes 2 shakes or one big one.

    Printable Recipe

    20130302-191805.jpg

  • Foodie Pen Pals – February

    This is my fourth time participating in the foodie pen pal program.  This time I had to laugh because I got an email from the lady, Stacey, who would be mailing my box because she lived in the same area.  When I got her box, I had to LOL even more because she did not live in the same area as me, but she lived about 5 to 10 minutes from my house.  I have passed her street numerous times when I have traveled between my church and one of the main roads in town.

    I sent it to Jes, who lives in Florida.  I don’t believe she has a blog, so I will post her email when she receives my box. 

    Yummo! 
    I just opened your goodie box! I giggled a little whn I saw the cranberries bc I had run out yesterday and love them in cottage cheese for breakfast. You saved me a trip to the store! And dark chocolate with sea salt is a serious weakness of mine! You packed this full of things I love! 
    Thank you! 
    Now, I am off to make a pot if your delicious smelling coffee :)
    Thank you again,
    Jes

    1 (41)

    Here’s an overview of what I received from Stacey.

    1 (45)

    I love almond butter instead of peanut butter.  This will be great to put in your purse for emergencies.

    1 (46)

    I have to keep these away from the Wee One because he loves gummy snacks.  This is another in case of emergency stash in my purse.

    1 (47)

    Yum! Chocolate!  Enough said.

    1 (48)

    My favorite granola brand and flavor.  I had just gotten a bag of this a few weeks ago, so now I have 2 bags.  Yum!  Chunks of white chocolate and freeze-dried pineapple – it doesn’t get any better than that.

    1 (49)

    I don’t know why the pic is out of focus.  I’ve recently started trying Larabars.  I love chocolate and coconut together, so this will be a real treat.

    1 (53)

    I had this for breakfast one morning after I received this box.  They were delicious with coffee,

    1 (54)

    I love the Kashi brand but haven’t tried this flavor.  This is another case of an emergency stash.

    Thanks again, Stacey, for a great box.

    For more information about the foodie pen pal program, visit the Lean Green Bean.

  • Sunday prep

    I have parent-teacher conferences this week, so I’ll be working late. I ensured Hubby had food to feed both boys on Monday and Wednesday. I also need to make sure I have plenty of healthy snacks.

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    Ranch-flavored veggie chips in individual bags

    20130224-214825.jpg

    Carrot sticks

    20130224-214832.jpg

    Italian Sloppy Joes

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    Asian Chicken Burgers

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    Ham and cheese scones

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    Almond Protein Pancakes

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    Celery Sticks

  • What’s for dinner? Feb. 18

    Breakfast
    Breakfast apple crisp
    Spinach feta wrap
    Lemon blueberry Dutch baby

    Lunches
    Broccoli soup
    Pizza quesadilla
    Crispy chicken salad
    Skillet gnocchi with spinach
    Almond butter sandwich

    Dinners
    Parmesan chicken tenders, butter noodles
    BBQ pork chops, Mac n cheese
    Pork fajitas
    Skillet gnocchi with spinach
    Burrito bowl

  • Sunday Food Prep

    Sunday Prep 2

    So today, I took time out and did some prep for the week.  Tomorrow I’ll be cooking a roast for burrito bowls.  The soup is for lunches, and I ate it for dinner on Sunday night.  The Parmesan chicken is for one of our dinners.  I’m going to eat mine with the roasted veggies.  The breakfast apple crisp is my breakfast for 3 mornings.  I’m going to eat it with Greek yogurt.  The bbq pork will first be a dinner and then be pork fajitas.  Yum!