End of the year blues....

Teachers are tired.  Kids are tired.  Moms are tired.  Know who isn't tired?  The poeple who make the rules about how stupidly early testing is and how painfully late schools dismiss for summer.

*sigh*

Let's all laugh together, if only to keep from crying.  http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3378480

Healthier Enchiladas

So this recipe is based on my daddy's recipe that I grew up eating.  It's SO delicious the way he makes it that I don't dare even claim mine are the same.  I've made these for years, but I tried making them a bit healthier this time.

Ingredients:

Tortilla Shells (*see pic for brand I used this time... I used to use just corn ones though)

Organic Tomato Sauce (1 8oz can per 1 lb meat you use)

Organic Sharp Cheddar Cheese (1 block)

Organic Monterrey Jack Cheese (1 block)

Steak (*I used top round this time.)

Onion (1 medium)

Garlic (1-2 cloves)

Chili Powder (to taste... I use a LOT)

Organic Sour Cream

So- it's up to you about the organic stuff, but that's what we chose in order to make this an almost clean meal.  

Directions:

1. Dice the onion.  Grate your cheese.  Get the cans of sauce all open.  Cut the steak into bites (about 1/2 in by 1/2 in)  Have everything ready so that you don't have to do some of it in the middle.

2. Saute the onion and garlic in a large saucepan.  

3. Throw in your chili powder steak and cook over med-high heat until lightly browned.

4. Pour in your sauce.  (*Remember that it's 1 can of sauce per 1 lb of meat, so double if needed.)  Add some more chili powder to the sauce.

5. Let the sauce simmer on low while you get the rest going.

6. Hold your tortillas open in your hand.  Sprinkle cheese up the center of the wrap.  Add meat/sauce up the center.  Wrap up and place with the opening down in a 9x13 glass dish.

7. When you've wrapped them all up, pour the remaining sauce/meat and cheese over the enchiladas. 

8. Bake on 350 for 10-15 minutes (you're wanting a bubbly cheese topping).

*I add raw, diced onions between the meat and the cheese for my hubby. 

Serve with a dollop of sour cream on top!  Better yet- guacamole! Our store didn't have any good avocados, so sour cream was it for us! Let me know what you think!!

Clean Sloppy Joe Skillet Cassarole

Holy goodness, Batman.  Totally thought this dish looked gross start to finish.  I mean... who likes sloppy joes in the first place, much less when clean and in a cassarole?!  Proof I was a doubter... I didn't even bother to take pictures because I was sure I'd hate it.



I. Was. WRONG.

(RECIPE HERE)
This was delicious and it was very filling with just one slice (out of the eight he cut it into).  He ate two, of course, but I thought one was plenty.  (I was also surprised by that.)

I highly recommend you try this and keep an open mind whil you cook.

The only thing we did differently from the directions is he broiled it for a minute or two before serving (to get the cheese bubbly).

Thank you, Elana's Pantry, for a delicious dinner! (and lunch tomorrow... and probably dinner tomorrow night....)

Good news, bad news.

Good news first:  I just found out I'm getting to move up to 4th grade!  After 10 years in third grade, I'm SUPER excited to have the opportunity to try something new.  Bonus- my best friend teaches 4th, so I'll get to work with her!
Other good news- I've been writing for Kidding Around Greenville and I LOVE it!  I love writing so this is perfect for me!

Bad news:  I've gained back 7 of the 14 pounds I'd lost.  This is not a "Why?! Why me?!" statement.  I know why.  I've gotten off our plan for eating cleaner.  We tried Shakeology for a week, which had very strict daily intake rules.  Those are NOT for us.  We are not dieters.  We need room for the occasional soda or cookie.... or five.  So, we've determined to make May our month to get back on track.  Hubby, of course, has lost around 30 pounds and hasn't really regained much of it.  *stupid men getting it easy*  We're looking to expand towards baby 2 soon and I want to be solidly in our healthier lifestyle before getting pregnant again.  Plus- I'd love to stop cooking separate food for baby J.  lol  (aka- I'm lazy and/or tired.)

So- yay and boo and yay for getting back on track.