I know I shouldn't but I can't help myself!!!

Heaven help me, I'm about to be bad; very, very bad. I'm under the influence of Jessica and her awesome blog, "How Sweet It Is" and find myself getting ready to make these...

Yeah, that's right people; take in the awesomeness that is an Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookie. Now I realize that this is something that could come back to bite me but it's Thursday, my light bulbs keep burning out and I'm too short to change them and I teach 7th grade so I kinda don't care.

I love baking, always have, but I have an INCREDIBLY tiny kitchen and well, I like to spread out when I bake so I don't bake as much as I'd like. For these evil bites of deliciousness I'm willing to make it work (on a totally unrelated note, how fantastic is Tim Gunn?)

Who else is drooling? Please say it's not just me because that would make me sad. Plus it would make me wonder what's wrong with you! Oreo. Stuffed. Chocolate. Chip. Cookies.

I'm not crazy or delusional. These are not healthy in any universe which is why I will keep a few for me and take the rest to school to share with my colleagues, because sharing is caring.

Alright, enough talking; it's time to bake. If you don't hear from me tomorrow I died because these were JUST THAT GOOD!!!

***These images come from the How Sweet It Is site.

Bring on the 'shrooms (and no, not THOSE 'shrooms)

This week I'm on my own since Ben is still in Arizona (lucky punk) soaking up the sun, spending time with his family and getting in lots of golf in gorgeous weather. This means several things such as, my feet will get a reprieve from being messed with, I get total control of the remote, I don't have to immediately put the shower curtain back in the tub after a shower AND I can cook things with mushrooms and olives and no one will complain!!! Can I get a woot woot!?! Now this might not seem like a big deal to many of you but I ADORE mushrooms and olives and it makes me more than a little sad to pass them by when I'm at the store or remove them from recipes in order to please my picker eater but I do it because a) it makes him happy, b) I'm incredibly thoughtful like that and (maybe most importantly) c) I don't want to listen to him complain about how gross they are.

As I sit here all snuggled up under two blankets (because Idaho Falls is not Arizona no matter how hard I wish) I thought I'd share some of the things that make my life easier when it comes to meal planning and grocery shopping.

First there is the most marvelous website ever created. I give you Tasty Kitchen, the brainchild of Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman. http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/ If you've never been to this site you really should make it a priority. Tasty Kitchen will change your life no matter what level of cooking expertise. The site was created as a place where everyday people could share their favorite recipes and you could expand your recipe box in a few simple steps. You can scroll through the recipes as they're posted or look at the featured recipes of the day; you can search for recipes using specific ingredients (like mushrooms) or by category (i.e. main course, cold dips, salads).

I searched "mushrooms" and found the following which I can't wake to make...
 http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/appetizers-and-snacks/crumbed-mushrooms/
http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/soups/beef-stew-with-mushrooms/
http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/special-dietary-needs/vegetarian/asparagus-and-mushroom-risotto/

Second is a little something that "The Project Girl" (Jen Allyson I believe) whipped up. It's a weekly meal planner AND shopping list. I've used this several times over the last month and have found that my frequent stops at the store for the ***insert food item*** I forgot have been reduced dramatically. I love that the shopping list is divided into categories, makes it so much easier when you're going down the aisles. It also gives you guidance and direction for the week; you know what you're going to make and when you're going to make it. Download and save your copy at http://theprojectgirl.com/downloads/theprojectgirl-mealplanner2.pdf

I swear to you, both of these sites will be time wasters (in the best way possible of course) and you'll soon come to find them indispensable! Enjoy my dears!!!

Favorite Thing #2 Your Body Better Pilates and Massage

Since I know I won't be blogging much while I'm soaking up the rays in AZ (deep, relaxed, luxurious sigh) I thought I'd take a minute to share with you another thing I love.

Since about this time last year I've been attending Pilates at least once a week and love it. So thing #2 that I love is Your Body Better Pilates and Massage run by the AMAZING Anna Larsen. Anna has several types of classes geared towards all different groups and levels of ability. Since beginning Pilates I've grown stronger in my core and can do way more push ups than I could in high school. I love Anna and our classes because I know I'm getting a work out but I don't leave drenched in sweat and feeling gross. If you're in or around Idaho Falls you need to check Anna out. In addition to Pilates, Anna is also a licensed massagae therapist. You can find her at http:/www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Body-Better/131495696881372.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Pilates and it's benefits, here is an article that you might find informative, http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/the-benefits-of-pilates.

A recipe... finally

When I decided to join the blogosphere (is that one word, a hyphenate? Help me out English peeps) it was because I wanted to share my (let's be honest, not so adventurous) adventures in cooking. I've been at this for a week now and I haven't posted a single thing about cooking. Instead I've let you in on ONE of my dirty little secrets (my inability to walk without falling) and exposed you to some cabin fever/work stress induced moodiness. Well, today we're getting down to brass tax. I'm going to share a couple of recipes and my favorite thing #2! Are you so excited? If you aren't you can fake it, it's not like I'm there to see you!

The first recipe I'm going to share is a family favorite; a sauce that has been perfected over the years and is something for which we often beg my mom to make. If you haven't figured it out by now (I'm sure Leah knows) I'm talking about my mom's AMAZING spaghetti sauce! I won't pretend my is as good as her's, because I've only recently started to make it but it's definitely close. So here it goes.

List of ingredients:
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 15oz can of tomato sauce
1 6 oz can of tomato paste
1 package spaghetti seasoning
1 1/2 cups red wine (I use cabernet sauvignon)
2/3 cup water
1 bullion cube
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon sugar
sliced mushrooms and olives (optional)
oregano, basil, italian seasoning flakes (to taste)
garlic and onion powder (to taste)

Brown the beef and drain.

Heat water and dissolve bullion cube to make beef stock.

In a large pot over medium heat combine tomato sauce and paste, spaghetti seasoning, bay leaf, sugar, wine and beef stock. Stir together well and begin adding herbs and garlic and onion powders. I never measure them I just go by taste. When you've got the taste you like add in the mushrooms, olives and ground beef and give one final stir. Let it come to a bubble and turn the heat down to just above low and cover. Stir occasionally.

*** A couple of notes
#1 At first the taste will be fairly intense because the alcohol in the wine hasn't cooked off yet; you'll want to check your seasoning after a couple of hours and add more herbs/powder if necessary.

#2 The longer this cooks the better it will taste so don't be afraid to leave it on the stove for most of the day, just remember to stir it from time to time.

#3 The Bens in my life (brother and BF) hate mushrooms and olives so we alternate between traditional and naked (sans mushrooms and olives) sauce. Both versions delicious and while you can't go wrong do yourself a favor and add the veggies. You'll thank me!

#4 If you don't want to use wine replace that liquid with more beef stock. But really, give it a try with the wine at least once. All the alcohol cooks off and the depth of flavor is so amazing.

The second recipe is something I came up with when I found myself face to face with an "oh crap, I NEED to go to the store" situation. It doesn't really have a name per se but for our purposes we'll call it Smothered Fries.

List of ingredients:

1 can cream of chicken soup
4 oz (or half a block) cream cheese
1/2 bag of frozen mixed veggies
1/2 cup milk
1 handful of shredded cheese
french fries

Pre-heat your oven to 425 (or whatever temp the fries bake) and line a baking sheet with tin foil. Spread out your fries and pop them in the oven when the oven is ready.
In a sauce pan over medium heat combine cream of chicken and milk. Stir together until soupy.
Dice up the cream cheese and add to the soup mixture; stir together vigorously till melted and combined.
Stir in the mixed veggies and combine. Turn the heat down to medium low and let everything come together. You'll want to stay close so you can stir this together, if you leave it unattended the bottom can begin to burn.

Pull the fries out of the oven, plate them and top with the shredded cheese. Pour on the sauce, watch the cheese melt and then dig in!

*** More notes
#1 You can substitute low fat soup and cream cheese for a healthier version
#2 You can use whatever type of frozen veggies you want
#3 You can season the sauce mix with whatever you want, salt/ pepper and Lawry's seasoned salt are tasty
#4 Plan on going for a run or a long walk after eating this

Alright, who's excited to get cooking!?! I am!!! Since I've made both of these today I think I'll get started on a beef stew.

Enjoy the first day of Spring!!!