Recipe Lineup (#5) for Dec 12-19

This week I seem to have found some more hearty meals. I did put together some great mixes. So much fun finding recipes and pairing them together. You could possibly turn you heat off in you home, because these recipes will keep toasty, warm and cozy. Meat has made more of an appearance this week, feel free to take the meat out if you so desire. I most likely will be doing the same.

Meal #1 

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole
(cream of broccoli soup recipe -using gruyere cheese) 

SALAD: Brussel spouts, kale, & Turkey Bacon

I have been really enjoying eating Quinoa in the past few recipes. So much better for the body compared enriched flour noodles. What do you think of Quinoa?

Meal #2

Honey Marinated Pork Chops

Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus and Tomatoes

Time to have pork back in the menu. Have not had it around much these days. Pair the Pork Chops with a great organic Orzo and fresh veggies.

Meal #3

Beef and Barley Stew with Mushrooms

Buttery Homemade Cornmeal Crescent Rolls

I am still not sure if I am going to use the Beef. I might go with turkey or add other veggies to the mix. I think a great roll will make this a perfect match.

Meal #4

Tuscan Garlic Chicken

Cranberry Avocado Salad with Spiced Nuts, 

White Balsamic Dressing

The salad could almost be a stand alone dish, but thought I would go well with a heavier main dish. Do you use whole wheat noodles, organic or the standard noodles? What is your favorite style of noodle?

Meal #5

Stuffed Zucchini

Roasted Potatoes with Polenta

Enjoy! I am so excited to try the stuffed zucchini. The Roasted potatoes could be used for a breakfast even.

WORTH TRYING

SOUP:

Fakes Soupa (Greek for Lentil soup)

BREAD:

Artisan Bread

SMOOTHIE:

Mudslide Smoothie (Raw/Living)

SNACKS (Holiday)

No Bake Vanilla Cake Batter Truffles 

(homemade cake mix link)

Sea Salted Honey Maple Shortbread

Festive Cheddar Tree

Holiday Baking Recipes

DRINKS:

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

Hot, warm, full-fulling, whatever you might describe these recipes, they are sure to make your home even hotter. Enjoy and let me know what you think on the private Helpful Recipe Group on Facebook.

Happy Holidays and many many best days ever!

Linda Jacobson

The Helpful Sister

Recipe Lineup: Dec 3-9 2011

Happy December everyone! Time is flying by. Since winter is officially here, more so in other parts of the country. This means the holiday season is knocking on our door. During this month you will see some recipes which tie into winter and the oh so much fun, holiday season.

I am going to be adding some recipes I have found which use some traditional ingredients (white/brown sugar, yeast, eggnog etc.)  Yes, some might have sugar added. I may not make them myself, but thought you might want to dabble. I will also be including more living, vegan holiday treats to try out. You typically find the recipes in the "Worth Trying" section, near the bottom. No stone will go unturned to find a wide range of recipes for each week. Maybe you want to try these recipes for a party, for a teacher, for a friend.

It is truly amazing how time flies.

Hopefully your time won't fly as much with these recipes for the week of Dec 3-9th.

Meal #1

Quinoa Burger with Zucchini Fries

This looks both light and yummy. Paired with some crisp, fries of the vegetable sort, I believe this will be a great dinner. The fries call to be made in a dehydrator but I believe you can do that same in an oven at around 200 degrees. Has anyone made these before?

Meal #2

Slow Cooker Caesar Salad Sandwiches &  Homemade Caesar Dressing

 with Italian Fries

So I was really wanting a Caesar salad but then found this recipe. Do what you will with the dressing. Use your favorite store bought, or the recipe I provided. If you have one that you love, do post. My computer was acting up (not a fan of PC's) so I had to run a quick search on dressings.

Meal #3 

My favorite friend Salmon cooked in coconut oil 

paired with (living food) Morton's Wedge Salad

Nothing wrong with this mixture. Light and fresh. Smooth and rich. Oh delicious just got even better.

Meal #4

Kale Waldorf Salad ( Living Foods, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian) 

& 

Eggplant, Provolone, Green Olive Pizza

Yes, we had pizza last week. I enjoyed how easy it was so I thought I would find something that might tempt the taste buds. This might do it. Plus, I  so love Kale so here is a great version of a classic salad. Make your tweaks or keep it the same.

Meal #5

Lentil and Sausage Soup 

 &

Reese's Peanut Butter (or whatever your favorite treat is) Banana Bread

Indulge after a week of work, driving, planning, traveling, scheduling. Treat yourself to a simple and tasty soup. Follow that with a delicious bread and your favorite cup of tea. 

Worth Trying

Eggnog Cupcake

Incredible Hulk Green Smoothie with Lime

Apple Zucchini Crumble (use any leftover Zucchini)

Focacia Bread (Yeast needed)

Come to Breakfast with my family. This is most likely my favorite breakfast, besides the Weyler Famous Buttermilk Pancakes. Enjoy!

Toast with coconut oil and avocado

Spread coconut oil on warm toast. Spread ripe avocado on toast. Sprinkle with a dash of Celtic Sea Salt. 

Scrambled eggs:

Tablespoon of Coconut Oil

Eggs

Cumin 

Sea Salt / Pepper

Coconut oil coats the pan. Mix eggs, cumin, salt/pepper. Cook until they are done to your liking.

So another week has passed. What did you enjoy about the recipes you tried? Did you share with friends? Make extra to take to work? Is this helpful to have some recipes to gander at during the week? Share with me how this helps you at Helpful Recipes group on Facebook. 

Connect with me also on Facebook and Twitter. I post about everything for the family. 

Namaste friends!

Linda Jacobson
The Helpful Sister

Kindle Giveaway! Be Kindle to Harper.

Tis the season for being grateful and appreciate all you have.

In the spirit of this holiday season, Harper from Hope4Harper is giving away a Kindle. Harper is a beautiful 18 month old little girl, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder called CDLK5. This giveaway is to gain more awareness for her and the research project.


Even if you do not want one, enter to win it for a friend. The more you share the more entries. 

Get the details here (takes 5 minutes) 

Be Kindle to Harper Giveaway

Creating Holiday Memories. Craft Ideas Galore.

I am getting my craftiness back, which is a great thing. For many years I have been doing the standard "holiday shopping." I have been doing a lot of thinking about what this holiday season is all about. Came to a conclusion, I or our family, needed to get back to the what the basics. It might have to do with being a one income family and also digging deep and finding myself again. To me this holiday season is about being genuine. Giving a gift because I want or desire too. Giving a gift which then creates long lasting memories.

What is important? Memories or money?

This year, I am going to start a tradition of heart warming, long lasting, treasured,  gift giving. This means it is time to find the crafty part of my brain again. Find the bin of paints, ribbon, stamps and card stalk, then scan my collection of cool website, blogs and DIY sites and get going.

Who is with me?

Make your own holiday treats. Click on photo

I found some great starting places which I am sure will get you motivated. Look through, find a favorite, tell me about it, post your finished product on my Helpful Sister page. We are going to make this holiday filled with gratitude and life long lasting memories, all tied up in a hand-printed ornament or a popsicle Christmas Tree. 

First off, crafts for those little people to create from Happy Hooligans . Give them the tools then allow them to do whatever they want with it. 

What about this site, Everything Etsy which lays out 101 ornament ideas? Nothing like finding everything in one place. This is one example. An old puzzle piece used as a gift tag or ornament. So cute. 

or get more ideas here at Red Thread DIY. I think you might have enough to get started after looking at these. 

I love this idea. A footprint Christmas Tree from Craft Rookie Blog. Scroll a little bit to see it. There are not any instructions but I think I will figure it out. 

Martha always has to be included in any holiday crafting. Learn how to use any cookie cutters you no longer put to work and make an ornament. 

Another favorite is making hand-print Ornaments from Home Made Grits Blog. A few basic ingredients, a hand or foot pressed into your mold and poof your own little special gift. 

Those canvas prints get pretty pricey so Better Homes and Gardens made a DIY just for you. Why not make them yourself?

Was this year filled with big moment, like a new job, new house, graduation? Make it last with these great ideas from In My Own Style

Lastly but not the least. This super adorable hand print ball ornament from A Sort a Fairy Tale Blog.

Finally, what do you do with your stuff for the next craft hour, day or weekend? Store it with these ideas from Crafty Storage.

Well, did you find anything you liked? I hope so. Come find me on Facebook or Twitter. Share with me what you did. I am so excited to get going on my own crafty gifts. 

Happy Holidays to you and your family. Enjoy all the memories you have made this year. Cherish them. 

The Helpful Sister

A Christmas Tree is Speaking

Every year, families around the world, put up a Christmas tree. Each tree is different. Each family has their own tradition, their own way of decorating. Take a look at this tree and the two precious girls sitting in front of it. This tree was put up to celebrate them and when it comes down, it could quite possibly change their lives. 


Why do you think this tree is so important to these two little girls? 


Well, the youngest, Harper, has a rare genetic disorder, CDKL5. This disorder effects less than 300 worldwide. Children suffer from intense seizures, sensory issues, gastrointestinal difficulties, visual impairment, scoliosis, along with severely delayed developmental growth.


This tree is hugely important to them. When it comes down, December, 31, 2011, the project Harper is waiting to get started, needs to be fully funded. This project is funded through the Children Hospital of Boston and you can read more about it here. 


The project must have $40,000 before December 31st, 2011. 


But how can this be done? 


Not everyone can give to the project but some can give $5, some $100 and it all adds up. Some can not give money, but you can give your time. Share her story. Maybe a local business would like to give to her cause. Just maybe her story will reach someone, in this world, who can help.

Here is how a little goes a long way. 

31+ days to raise $40,000= $1290 a day

1290 a day= 1000 people a day giving $1.29

                   or   100 people a day giving $12.90

                   or   10 people a day giving $129.00

Why would you want to share Harper's story? Why would give your hard earned money to a cause that does not affect you? What makes this cause one to follow and help out?


It is truly simple. If your heart wants to act, then follow your heart. If not, then at least share her story and her cause on your page and let others make the same decision. 

Watch this video to see how sweet this little girl truly is. 

Life is worth living and worth living with an open heart/mind and a grateful soul. This child was put here to make a difference. She is here to help others just like her not suffer from seizures anymore. Yes, you might not be a part of the research,or know someone who suffers from seizures or even have $5 to spare. Do one thing while reading this, listen to your heart and go from there. 


The tree bring life to whoever looks at it, it is marvelous, beautiful and amazing. This too is Harper. She and the project just need a little help (whether it be your voice or by giving any amount) before December 31st, 2010. 


You can stay connected with Harper:
Facebook
Twitter
Website


Namaste,


Linda Jacobson
The Helpful Sister