Share your Captured Moments

When the twins were first born we did not send out any baby announceme
nts, life was just too crazy. But once life settled down I decided I wanted to send out Holiday cards and instead of opting center it around the Christmas season we used Shutterfly Thanksgiving photo cards. It was the perfect way to capture our lives and send them to our closest friends and family to stay connected. We had so many great responses and were able to reconnect with old friends. This is such a great time of year to catch up on each others lives and to remind those that are so dear to us that we are thinking of them even if our lives have taken us in different directions. I have found some great options for several different occasions!
ttp://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birthday-invitations
http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars
We all love to receive something in the mail from the ones we care most about, so take a second to share an imprint of you life that will ultimately stayed captured forever.
Click here http://bit.ly/sfly2010 to see how you can take part in receiving a special offer from Shutterfly.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

A couple of people have asked me for this recipe so here it is.....
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

From Jandee Anderson

Ingredients

· 2 cups creamy peanut butter (I sometimes use 1/2 crunchy 1/2 creamy)

· 1/2 cup butter

· 4 cups confectioners' sugar

· 3 cups crisp rice crispy cereal

· 2 cups milk chocolate (or semisweet) chips

Directions

1. Melt peanut butter and butter in saucepan, over low heat. In large bowl, mix crispy rice cereal and confectioners' sugar well. Pour melted peanut butter and butter over cereal and sugar and blend together thoroughly.

2. Form into 1 inch or smaller balls, spread on cookie sheets, chill till firm in refrigerator (over night is okay).

3. Melt chocolate in double boiler (or microwave) and keep melted while working with balls. A teaspoon is best to use in dipping the balls in chocolate. Dip good and place on cookie sheet, spray with pam to prevent sticking. As you dip them place them back on cookie sheet and keep chilled till firm.

PS
This makes 2 FULL large cookie sheets full.... I usually just make a 1/2 a batch (about 30 balls)

Free Fitness Classes

If you are an Alachua County Resident you can take free fitness classes! I don't know about you but free kick-boxing is up my alley. I've never burned so many calories!

Here is the link to view the calendar in more detail: CLICK ME!

And the Website for more information: WELLNESS

We should all go as a group!

Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce

I tried Jandee's crazy bread (posted earlier) and our family LOVED it! So I tried the recipe again since we were doing homemade pizza tonight. Anyway, I made some pizza sauce to dip the bread in. I normally use this sauce on my pizza, but tonight I doubled it so we would have extra for the breadsticks. It was DELICIOUS!

Pizza Hut Pizza Sauce

Two 8-oz cans tomato sauce

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp basil

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp groud pepper

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp lemon juice

Dash onion powder

Bring to a boil and simmer on low for 30 minutes.

Cook longer if you want a thicker sauce.

Couponing

Hello Ladies, does anyone have the first clue about couponing? I don't. I am always amazed how people buy $200.00 worth of groceries for half the price. If anyone out there is or knows of a couponing queen, please put me in touch with said queen. Thanks.

Tips on Air Travel with a Baby?

Hi friends!

Next week we are going out to Utah and I'm so excited (I've never been)! BUT...I'm also a bit nervous. Our son, Julian, is 8 months old and my husband will be taking him on his flight out there by himself, and then I will be riding back with Julian by myself. Any thoughts on how to make the trip as smooth as possible, and in particular, what I can do to help my husband be prepared to go it alone on the flight out there?

Thanks so much!! :)

Biggest Loser II

Hey Everyone!

Yes, the rumors are true. GAME ON!!! I am starting round II of the Biggest Loser. Open to anyone, so forward it to whomever you think may be interested. It will be set up much like the first one with a few minor changes. Here’s a link to the new blog: www.findingthebiggestloser2.blogspot.com. Like last time, the blog will go private to the contestants only at the beginning of the competition.

The race officially gets underway Monday, Sept. 13th. It will be a 16 week competition and the final weigh in will be on Monday, Jan. 3rd. That’s right, it will run right through Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It will be based on % weight loss, so 6% to one person may be 10 lbs while 6% to another may be 80 lbs. Because this is an open competition, weights will not be posted on the blog. However, because I need to calculate your % weight loss equally, you will be submitting you weight to me. I will NOT judge you and will keep your weight confidential. You will weigh in weekly, Monday mornings, on the same scale (using the honor system) throughout the competition and report that number to me by 10am your time zone via e-mail or text. If you are going to be gone during the weigh in, and don't have access to your scale, please let me know prior to the weigh in and we can work something out.

The percentage weight loss, however, WILL be made public through the blog set up for participants to access.

I will take the first 50 people. After that your name will be put on a wait list for those who don’t get their payment in on time, or a second group may be set up. Payment of $25 will entirely go into the pot for the grand prize due Aug 30th, and is non-refundable. Anyone who does not pay by then will be disqualified.

Want to know what you’re playing for? The grand prize is $800 for 1^st place, $300 for 2^nd place, $100 for 3^rd place and $50 for 4^th place. This will be based on your total percentage weight loss from your starting weight to your final weight on Jan. 3^rd.

As a heads-up, we will be holding weekly challenges. These challenges, while they are fun, motivating and encouraged, are not mandatory.

Week 1: Mile Challenge

Week 2: Food Journal

Week 3: Exercise Journal

Week 4: Stay within Caloric Intake

Week 5: Strength Training

Week 6: Diet Curfew

Week 7: Core Work

Week 8: No Soda

Week 9: New Cardio Workout

BONUS: MILE CHALLENGE

Week 10: Fruit/Vegie

Week 11: Plyometrics Week

Week 12: Water

Week 13: Sprint Intervals (HIIT)

Week 14: Sweet Free

Week 15: Circuit Training

Week 16: Vitamin Week

However, if you want to be eligible for the weekly prizes you need to complete the challenges. Each week, we will take the person who has the greatest percentage loss for that week AND has also completed the challenge to pick a prize from the prize list. Prizes from the first Biggest Loser Game included: spa gift basket, sports gift basket, $15 cash, gift cards from: Subway, Lowes, It’s a sign, Nike, Crispers, Old Navy, Barnes and Noble, Target, and Bath and Body Works.

The challenge for the first week will be to run/walk/jog 1 mile every day (Sundays excluded). Whether you choose to do your mile indoors or outdoors it doesn't matter, though we will be following the honor system and expect all to cooperate.

If you are interested, please get me the following information:

1. Email address: to sign you up for the private blog

2. Contact number: in case you forget to get me your number and I need to get a hold of you

3. Introduction: A few lines about yourself for the blog

4. Picture: This can be a head shot and it does NOT need to be recent. It can even be edited!

5. Money: $25 Entry fee, this entirely goes to the money that you are playing for mailed to:

Rebecca Whiting

5727 SW 85^th St

Gainesville, FL 32608

Optional: donation to the weekly prizes, if you have a connection to a business that would like to donate, or want to donate yourself (Past prizes included: $15 Cash, Old Navy Gift Card, Subway Gift Cards, Spa Gift Basket, It’s a Sign Gift Certificate, Barnes and Noble, Sports Gift Basket, Nike Gift Card, Target Gift Card, etc.)

One thing I am particularly excited for, is this season will run the same time as the actual biggest loser on TV ;)…obviously I’m a fan. {Season Premier September 21^st}

Hope this gives you a good idea of what to expect. Don't hesitate to call should you have any further questions. (352) 672-4383

Good luck!

Rebecca

Crazy Bread

A couple of people in the ward asked me for this recipe. It takes 1 hour start to finish and is my kids favorite. Goes great with any pasta dish. Enjoy.

Crazy Bread (Jandee Anderson)

Put into bowl and stir:

1 ½ cups warm water

1 Tb. yeast

wait about 10 min or until dissolved

add:

2 Tbsp. Sugar

½ tes. Salt

3 ½ cups flour (little at time)

Knead dough

Let rise 10 min.

Melt 1 cube butter or margerine

Poor butter into 9x13 pan

Knead dough

Roll into 9x13 rectangle

Put dough into pan then turn dough over

so both sides have melted butter

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese,

garlic salt and seasoning salt or

Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning

Either combinations are great!

Let rise 10 min. in pan

Bake 20- 25 min. @ 375 degrees

Sloppy Joes

1 lb. hamburger
1 onion, chopped
2 t. mustard
2 T. Ketchup
2 T. flour
1 can chicken Gumbo soup
8 oz. tomato sauce
Salt & pepper

Brown hamburger, and onion cook until the onions are nice and tender. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 'til nice and hot.

Serve on buns, we like to toast our buns.
Serves 6

I grew up with this one and my kids love it too, so I thought I'd share.

Fantastic Green Chili

Cooked pork or chicken pieces.
5 cans White beans
2 cans diced green chilis
1 can green enchilada sauce

Cook in the crock pot for a couple of hours
or you can cook it stove top for one hour.

Sometimes I cheat and use canned chicken, makes it so easy!

Enchilada Soup


1 T. vegetable oil
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts (appox. 3 breasts), cooked & cubed
½ c. diced onion
1 garlic clove, pressed
4 c. chicken broth
1 c. masa harina
3 c. water
1 c. enchilada sauce
16 oz. velveeta cheese
1 t. salt
1 t. chili powder
½ t. cumin

In a large pot, place oil and diced onion; sauté until onions are soft and clear, about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth, garlic, salt, chili powder, and cumin; Bring to a boil. Combine masa harina with 3 cups water in a separate bowl; Stir until all lumps are dissolved. Add to hot cooked mixture and return to a boil. Once mixture starts to bubble, continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. This will eliminate any raw taste from the masa harina. Add enchilada sauce. After mixture return to a boil, stir occasionally and add cheese that has been cut into chunks. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese melts. Add chicken and heat through.
Makes approximately 6 servings.

Quick Breakfast Item

I often enjoy making recipes from The Pioneer Woman Cooks! I tried the following recipe this morning and loved it! I made the filling last night, woke up in the morning and it literally took 5 minutes to cook. Loved it!

Make-Ahead Muffins Melts from The Pioneer Woman 

Ingredients

• 12 whole Hard-boiled Eggs, Peeled And Chopped
• 2 cups Grated Cheddar Cheese
• 1 cup (real) Mayonnaise
• 12 slices Bacon, Fried And Crumbled
• 1 Tablespoon (heaping) Dijon Mustard
• ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• 3 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
• 6 whole English Muffins Split

Preparation Instructions

Combine eggs with all other ingredients. Fold together gently. Cover and store in the fridge overnight.
Spread on English muffin halves, then broil for 3 to 5 minutes or until hot and bubbly. (Don’t set them too close to the heating element.)
Serve immediately!

Our Mexican favorites

Ok, so here are 2 of our favorite meals, we pretty much have them once a week. Hope you like them!

Weeknight Enchiladas
1 lb ground beef
sm onion
1 can tomato soup
1 can mild enchilada sauce
8 oz flour tortillas
2 C cheddar cheese

Cook beef and onion til brown. drain. stir soup and enchilada sauce into meat. spread 1/4 C meat mix onto each tortilla. sprinkle tortillas evenly with 1 C cheese. Roll up tortillas and place seam down in greased 9X13 dish. pour remaining meat mixture over tortillas. cover and bake at 350 F for 20 mins. uncover and sprinkle with remaining 1 C cheese and bake 5 mins longer.


Chimichungas
1 lb ground beef
3/4 C chopped onion
3/4 C diced green bell pepper
1 1/2 C corn
2 C taco sauce
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp cumin
16 oz refried beans
8 flour tortillas
shredded cheese
1 TBS butter

Brown beef and drain. add onion, bell pepper, and corn. cook about 5 mins. stir in taco sauce and season with chili powder, garlic salt, and cumin, stirring until blended. cook until heated through and set aside. Open beans and spread a thin layer of beans onto each tortilla. spoon beef mixture down center then top with shredded cheese. roll up tortilla and place seam side down onto baking sheet. brush with melted butter. bake 30-40 mins or until golden brown.

I enjoy serving both these dishes with mexican or spanish rice.

Chicken and Rice

I am sure most of you have this recipe or something similar but I thought I would post it anyway. This is always my back up meal and my kids never get tired of it.

1 1/2 cup minute rice (uncooked) (you can do whatever amount of rice just match the water)
1 1/2 cup water
chicken breast (3-4) (cook however many you can fit in your pan)
2 cans of any cream soup (I use 1 can of cream of chicken and 1 can of cream of mushroom but again use what you like)
1 packet of onion soup mix

mix water, rice, soups and half of the onion soup mix. Place in 13x9 pan....then put chicken on top and cover chicken and rice with the rest of the onion soup mix. Cover with foil and cook for about 11/2 hours to 2 on 325 for glass pan, or 350 for non glass.

Note.....I find that it usually takes about 2 hours to bake but it depends on each over. Check to make sure chicken is cooked and that water is mostly dissolved and rice is not crunchy.....you really cant ever mess this up!!! I love to serve this with steamed green beans or broccoli.

GET YOUR GAME ON!

Starleigh sent me this link and I think it sounds like a lot of fun, so we are going to do it! You have to pair off in twos but it would be fun to get a group together and head over there and then maybe get a bite to eat after or something, just an idea for a fun girls night!
http://web.me.com/thecityscramble/The_City_Scramble/Gainesville.html

Nursery Items

{Hey Ladies! So yes, I put this out there on MadisonCove a week ago, but with the constant influx of the ward I am pretty sure the MadisonCove list is no longer up date. If you already read this you are getting a repeat...lucky you...and if not...happy reading.}

As many of you probably know, we split the nursery. Sadly, it was time. Our sweet little ones are in need of some extra love right now as so many of them are facing some transitions. Our older kids have been moved to the other side of the church (some of the YW rooms...thank you YW). Due to the limited storage space in that room (none) we have put together a 'smart' bin for the children. As you probably know, kids this age are really engaging in pretend play for long spouts of time. They are grasping the concept and running with it. Here's where you come in. We are looking for a few specific items to complete our bin-o-pretend-fun:

Plastic Dishes

Cookie Cutters for play doh

large mega blocks

dress up accessories (necklaces, crowns)...non-choke-able of course

simple cd player for music

Email me at rebecca.whiting78@gmail.com if you have any of these items you'd like to donate. And I'll try not to take so long to say so little in the future...promise.

Anyone interested in this!

Click on link for information on the 10k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day. I will be participating, anyone else in?
http://www.lloydclarkesports.com/tt.pdf

SAUSAGE GRAVY

1/2 lb of turkey sausage (or regular)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
pinch of salt and pepper

Brown your meat, then cover the meat with flour and pour the milk in. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5-7minutes. Serve over biscuits or mashed potatoes.

Quick and easy BBQ Chicken

1 whole fryer chicken (thawed)
1 bottle of bbq sauce

Cook in your crock pot on high for about 4-5 hours....when chicken is cooked, cut all the meat off the bone and place back in the crock pot, turn on low or even off and let sit in there for about 30 mintues.

I like to serve these sandwiches with a can of baked beans or corn on the cobb! Makes for a very easy meal.

You can also use chicken breasts to make it even easier, but I think the fryer chicken tastes the best!