September 29, 2014

MEATLESS MONDAY: PIONEER WOMAN TACO PIZZA!

Posted by Lori~

First up, I need to apologize for my lack of posts recently.  I have been busy getting my law school application together and then it hit me.  A really bad cold, soar throat, etc.  I was finally feeling better and then it hit AGAIN!  Don't you hate feeling sick.  It sucks!

Saturday night, I was feeling better (before dinner) and I whipped up this delicious pizza.  I mean, this pizza was DE-LICIOUS!  And healthy.  And meat-free!   It's crazy.  

First up, you need to make pizza dough.  I of course forgot the yeast and so I did a quick Google search for a pizza dough recipe without yeast.  I came up with several options, but opted for the recipe that includes baking powder, flower, salt, water, and olive oil.  

 
Spread out the dough on a well-oiled pan (or I chose to use parchment paper).



Next up, you need to prepare your beans.  Heat them up on the stove and add taco seasoning.  You can even make your own taco seasoning to make this recipe completely Paleo friendly!

The Pioneer Woman used a potato masher to mash the beans, but we had to get creative, because we do not own a masher!  Steve whipped out the mortar and pestle.  Not the greatest solution, but it worked.

Continue to heat until it is a re-fried bean consistency.

Spread the bean mixture on your pizza dough and add shredded cheese.

Bake at 400 degrees for around 10 minutes (keep an eye on it).

Now, it is time to add lots of veggies.  Even better, they came from my garden!

The Pioneer Woman recommended making your own tortilla strips; however, we already had these in the cupboard.  You could also skip this step to make your pizza healthier.


Finally, mix sour cream with hot sauce, and drizzle it onto the pizza (for me it was more like drop it in spoonfuls onto the pizza).

It turned out GREAT.  Mur-Man scarfed it down! 

September 18, 2014

Baby L has arrived!

Posted by Ethne~

Hey everyone!  Guess what?  It's raining babies!  Grizz and her husband Cor had their little boy, L, on Sunday and Slags and I went down to visit them last night.

He is so cute!  It never fails that I forget how tiny 7 lbs, 13 oz is!!

Snug as a bug with Auntie Ethne!

We think he looks like Grizz's dad, Shorty, so we have been calling him combinations of Shorty, Jr., and Shortstuff - that's what you get when you're a twin to your grandpa and the friends making the observations have known your mom and Shorty since 1st/2nd grade! :)  Even Grizz's mom, Claire, thought that her new grand baby looked an awful lot like her husband.  So funny.

Big sis, L, just wanted to play with Daddy, but since Grizz and Cor had only been home from the hospital for a few hours, I don't think anything had quite settled in.  She was just glad Mom and Dad were home.

Congratulations you guys!

September 11, 2014

VERDICT WATCH: Oscar Pistorius!

Posted by Ethne~

Today is the day the judge in the Oscar Pistorius case reveals her verdict!  

So far, she's found him NOT GUILTY of pre-meditated murder and murder, but could still find him guilty of culpable homicide (like our negligent homicide).  Fascinating!

According to the news, though, she didn't believe everything presented by the defense and the prosecution.  Who knows what will happen?!  She said his actions were negligent when he killed Reeva, then she adjourned trial till tomorrow.  Come on!!

Keep watching for the rest of her decision.

September 10, 2014

FRESH PEAR SALAD!

Posted by Lori~

I haven't stepped on a scale lately, but I still think I am dropping some pounds (and I am thrilled!).  Steve and I are looking to sign-up for a wellness program through our clinic, which will hopefully motivate us even more.  I am feeling good.  

You haven't seen a photo of me lately, but I am also growing my hair long (and I went blonde)!  More blonde than my typical hair color!  And, I like it.  I feel younger.  And...I am using hot rollers every day.  I forgot how much I loved those curls.  I should do a hot roller tutorial very soon for you WOMS!  I swear by them.

Now, onto my fresh salad I created!  We have an abundance of delicious fruit in our house right now.  And, I wanted to do something with the fresh pears.  




Mur-Man picked the lettuce straight out of the garden.  FINALLY, I AM EATING OUR PRODUCE.  I can't exactly show you a photo of our garden, because it is in rough shape!  Full of weeds, but also full of produce.



I diced up the pears as well as 1/2 a red onion and added it to the lettuce.




The dressing was easy and delicious:  olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard.  So YUMMY!  AND SO HEALTHY!


For dessert we had peaches and fat-free half and half. 


September 9, 2014

The cat has 9 lives!

Posted by Ethne~

Hey everyone!  Good news!  Theodore's weight loss wasn't due to his kidney disease - it was due to a new disease...something that affects his potassium levels and appetite.

But it's treatable.  And not life threatening.

What a relief!  He's getting the meds for it and he's already started gaining weight back.

I'll tell you the tale of Theodore one day.  He's a lucky little scrapper.