Cinnamon Crisps

We made these one night for dessert. I accidently overcooked them a little, so they were a little more like cinnamon sugar chips.

When I was younger, my mom would make a similar thing... I think it was easier and tastes as good (or better). I'll go ahead a make a recipe for that (she always just made it... no recipe needed) - see below.

Cinnamon Crisps

Recipe from FamilyFun.go.com

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp butter
6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
2 to 4 Tbsp sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp cinnamon

honey

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 450º.
2. Melt the butter in a large baking sheet in the oven, about 2 minutes.
3. Stir together the sugar and cinnamon.
4. Place the tortillas in the baking pan (they may overlap a bit), turning each once to coat both sides with butter.
5. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the tortillas.
6. Bake the tortillas until golden and puffed in spots, about 7 minutes. (you may want to move the tortillas after a few minutes in the oven, especially if there is a lot of overlapping) * Do not overcook *
7. Serve them warm - we served with honey drizzled over cinnamon crisp.

Mom's Recipe

OurBestBites.com

Ingredients:

flour tortillas

butter or margarine

cinnamon sugar

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350º.
2. Cut each flour tortillas into quarters.
3. Spread some butter on one side of each.
4. Lay buttered tortilla quarters down on a baking sheet (overlapping just a little on some corners).
5. Sprinkle tortillas with cinnamon sugar.
6. Bake until hot and as crispy as you like. (to make them cinnamon chips, cook approximately 10-12 minutes - look for edges to curl and crisp up)
7. Serve warm.

I suppose you could brush melted butter and add cinnamon sugar on each side of the tortilla quarters, then cook at 400º for 6-7 minutes. 

The Real Me by Natalie Grant

This song is so relevant to me. My sister has always told me that I'm an oyster... that I have a hard outer shell, but hold a beautiful pearl within. I've always had trouble opening up and allowing others to see the real me... In some ways, I've gotten better with this... but, in other ways, I've gotten worse at it.

Living with an invisible illness can make this even more of a challenge. I find myself guarding myself much more around a lot of people. Many people don't know how to be around someone that lives with pain all the time. So, they may ask, "How are you?" but they're really just looking for a quick answer (i.e., "I'm okay")... and that's what they normally get. It really drains my energy to try so hard to let some people see the real me, especially if I don't feel like they really care. It's hard to open up and pour out your heart to someone, and then nothing happen.

To those in my life that I feel truly do care and want to know the real me, I'm an open book. Many (not all) of these people are friends that I've made online since the accident. We have an unspoken bond because we're each dealing with illness and pain in our lives.

But, our Lord sees the real me... "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). I'm so grateful that He sees and loves the real me!

http://youtu.be/i6RezoHKni0

The Real Me by Natalie Grant

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile
Don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break
How much will they take before I'm empty
Do I let it show, does anybody know?

[Chorus]
But you see the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask
Self-inflicted circus clown
I'm tired of the song and dance
Living a charade, always on parade
What a mess I've made of my existence
But you love me even now
And still I see somehow

[Chorus]

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into
A perfect tapestry
I just wanna be me

[Chorus]

And you love me just as I am
Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When you look at me

Rice/Tuna/Peas Casserole

My mom used to make this casserole for us... it's simple, quick, and great (especially on cold winter days and/or  when you're sick). We made it a couple weeks ago - so good! Of course, I forgot to take a picture (I'll try to remember next time I make it).

Rice/Tuna/Peas Casserole

Ingredients:

1 cup rice
1 (10 ¾ oz) can Campell's cream of mushroom soup
1 (5 oz) can chunk light tuna in water, drained and flaked

frozen peas

Directions:

1. Cook rice on stove.
2. Stir cream of mushroom soup into the cooked rice.
3. Stir in tuna and peas (as many as you'd like - I love a lot of peas).
4. Keep on heat until everything is warm - only takes a couple minutes.
5. Serve hot.

Held by Natalie Grant

This song is so powerful! It always gives me goosebumps. What an amazing God we have!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

This song reminds us that there is no specific promise of deliverance here on earth. Good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to good people - that is the nature of life in a world filled with evil. We must remember that there is a much larger spiritual battle that we cannot even begin to understand. Thus, we feel that God abandons us and allows us to experience terrible loss... when He could easily intervene on our behalf. But, we cannot even begin to fathom God's point of view of the circumstances and losses - they're part of something much greater.

What we do know about God is that

• He is good
• He is holy
• He is all powerful
• He created us
• He loves us unconditionally
• He sent His only Son to live among us and die in our place
• He accepted the blood shed by Jesus Christ as the price of redemption from an eternity in hell, once and for all
• He allows each and every one of us on earth to lay claim to that redemption by confessing the name of Jesus
• He promised us an eternity with Him in heaven

But, He didn't promise us heaven on earth. He promised that evil men would hate and seek to kill us... that persecution would be rampant... that the earth would crumble around us. He promised us that He would be coming for us, and that He will avenge us.

When bad things happen in our lives, when our hearts are broken and cold with grief, when we feel farthest from Him... we are called to remember that He never promised a life without heartache, but He has promised to be there. What comfort that brings to those who have placed their faith in God's promise of eternity - there is more to life than life here on earth. 

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

One day, we will experience pure joy and security without the presence of evil, death, and fear of loss. Until then... His arms are enough.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

http://youtu.be/tRrQp47CYPk

Held by Natalie Grant

Two months is too little, they let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling

Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair

[Chorus 1]
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive

[Chorus 2]

This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held

This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2]

If hope if born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour
Watching for our Savior

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 1]

Meatloaf Muffins & Sassy Mashed Potatoes

© 2012 Jamie V.

We decided to try out a few new recipes, and they turned out pretty good. I've never made meatloaf before, I've never eaten parsnips before... so this meal involved several firsts for me.

The original reason I chose meatloaf muffins was because we were looking for something to cook quickly, using some ground turkey that we had already thawed out. I didn't have any oats, so I used breadcrumbs. I didn't use parmesan cheese (I forgot... but we really like them without it). I used tomato sauce in the meatloaf, and then topped them with ketchup (I'll put more on the tops, next time I make these).

The sassy mashed potatoes was just something that I saw one day on the Rachael Ray show. I didn't even know what a parsnip was. The show was talking about sneaking vegetables into dishes, so that kids will eat more vegetables... I don't have kids, but I have a problem getting enough vegetables into my diet (I just don't really like a very wide variety), so I thought it'd be worth a shot.

Overall, everything turned out very tasty. The meatloaf muffins were delicious! The sassy mashed potatoes were pretty good, but they need something because the flavor is very bland (we're going to at least use more garlic, next time we make them). When I had leftover potatoes, I melted some cheese into it... I think I liked it better that way.

Meatloaf Muffins

Adapted from here

Ingredients:

1 tsp olive oil

© 2012 Jamie V. 

1/2 small onion, minced (we used 1/4 cup frozen minced onion)

1.3 lbs ground turkey or ground beef

1/2 cup breadcrumbs or oats
1/3 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
1 egg

1 tsp marjoram
1/2 cup tomato sauce or ketchup (plus some for the top)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
Whatever other veggies you have on hand (onions, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, spinach, lentils…)

Directions:

1. Saute onions in a skillet with olive oil. Set aside (cool down).
2. Heat oven to 350ºF.
3. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
4. Press the meat into ungreased muffin cups (you should be able to get 8 to 12 out of this amount of meat).
5. Top with tomato sauce/ketchup on each one. (we used ketchup on the top - we'll be more liberal with it next time)
6. Cook for 30-35 minutes.
7. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
8. Serve two per person.

(Using 1 egg, 93/7 Ground Turkey, 1/2 cup of ketchup and dividing into 10 meatloaf muffins, the calorie count is about 110 per muffin)

Sassy Mashed Potatoes
Adapted from RachaelRayShow.com and DrWeil.com

© 2012 Jamie V.

Ingredients:

2½ to 3 lbs red or white new potatoes, washed and cubed (we used red potatoes)

2 (or more) parsnips, peeled and cubed

4 to 6 cloves of garlic (we only used 2, but will use more next time), crushed
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter

black pepper
salt

cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Put the potatoes, parsnips, and crushed garlic cloves in a large pot with water, making sure that the water completely covers them.
2. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium, then cover and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spoon.
3. Test the tenderness of the potatoes with a fork; they should pierce easily and be tender, yet firm.
4. Drain any remaining liquid and mash the potatoes with a potato masher until there are no visible lumps.
5. Add the milk and butter and continue to mash until the potatoes are smooth and creamy.
6. Stir in seasonings, and beat thoroughly with a wooden spoon until all the seasonings are completely mixed in. (stir in cheese - optional)
7. Cover and serve warm.

Her Diamonds by Rob Thomas

I don't actually remember how I came across this song, but it struck me. It's so powerful (both the video and the lyrics)!

I tried to find some background on this song because it obviously stems from someone's very personal experience. This song was inspired by Rob Thomas' wife, who battled with an auto-immune disease. I think the song speaks to how difficult it can be to watch someone you love fight a battle - you don't know what to do to help them through it, so you just be there with him/her.

In the song, the man is trying to help a woman who is crying. He "don't know what [he's] supposed to do, so [he] sits down and [he] cries too," because her tears falling are as precious to him as diamonds. Neither of them know what to do to get through this struggle / battle, but he's trying to stay strong for her... even if there's nothing else he can do for her, he can be there with her.

I also think that there is a paralyzing fear in not knowing what to do... being frozen by helplessness is like being encased in ice.

I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it is for my loved ones (especially my husband, who sees me day-in and day-out) to see me (or even know that I'm) in so much pain, so much of the time. To watch someone you love so much constantly battle an illness that he/she can't control must be so painful. But, I'm so grateful for my loved ones. I'm so blessed that God gave me such an amazing husband. He loves me, and he takes care of me. I couldn't ask for a better partner in life.

http://youtu.be/mNCgfrjKcqs

Her Diamonds by Rob Thomas

Oh what the hell she says
I just can't win for losing

And she lays back down

Man there's so many times

I don't know what I'm doin'
Like I don't know now

By the light of the moon, she rubs her eyes

Says it's funny how the night can make you blind
I can just imagine

And I don't know what I'm supposed to do
But if she feels bad then I do too
So I let her be

[Chorus 1]

And she says ooh I can't take no more
Her tears like diamonds on the floor
And her diamonds bring me down
Cause I can't help her now

[Chorus 2]
She's down in it
She tried her best but now she can't win
It's hard to see them on the ground
Her diamonds falling down, way down

She sits down and stares into the distance
And it takes all night
And I know I could break her concentration
But it don't feel right

By the light of the moon, she rubs her eyes
Sits down on the bed and starts to cry
And there's something less about her

And I don't know what I'm supposed to do
So I sit down and I cry too
But don't let her see

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2] 

She shuts out the night
Tries to close her eyes
If she can find daylight
Then she'll be alright, she'll be alright
Just not tonight

[Chorus 1]

[Chorus 2]

Ooh, I can't take no more
Her tears like diamonds on the floor
But her diamonds bring me down
Cause I can't help her now

[Chorus 2]

I can't take no more
Diamonds on the floor
No more, no more, no more
Diamonds falling down (repeat)

I can't take no more
Diamonds on the floor
(No more, no more)
Her diamonds falling, all her diamonds
Diamonds falling down

I can't take these diamonds falling down

Fettuccine Alfredo

I decided to give this recipe a try last night, and we were quite impressed. Of course, I made a few minor adjustments. I absolutely love Fettuccine Alfredo, but I'm also trying to make sure we eat better. I was a bit unsure about trying a low-fat version of this creamy dish, but it turned out really amazing. We'll definitely be making this again soon.

Fettuccine Alfredo

Adapted from Cook's Country (found here)

Standard recipes contain 1½ cups of heavy cream, a stick of butter, and 2 cups of cheese. Many low-fat Alfredo recipes cut calories by switching out the cream for lower-fat dairy products such as half-and-half, whole milk, or evaporated milk. Instead, this recipe called for just 1 Tbsp of butter and 2 tsp flour) to thicken the sauce, without heavy cream. 

*** Make the sauce while the pasta water is heating up. Once the sauce is done, you should be ready to cook the pasta.

Low-Fat Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients:

Pasta

1 (9 oz) package fettuccine noodles

Alfredo Sauce

1 Tbsp unsalted butter 

2 tsp all-purpose flour
¾ cup heavy whipping cream (the original recipe called for ¾ cup whole milk and ¼ cup half-and-half)

¼ cup 2% milk
1 to 2 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
1/2 tsp salt

1/4-1/2 tsp pepper
Pinch nutmeg (a pinch is 1/16 tsp)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

Pasta

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot over high heat.
2. Stir salt and pasta into boiling water and cook, stirring constantly, until al dente, 10-12 minutes.
3. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.

Alfredo Sauce

1. Heat butter over medium heat in large saucepan until foaming.
2. Whisk in flour into foaming butter until mixture is smooth and golden, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Whisk in milk, half-and- half, garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and bring to simmer.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Stir in Parmesan, and remove from heat.

After reserving some pasta cooking water and draining pasta...

1. Return sauce to low heat, add ⅓ cup pasta water and cooked pasta; toss until evenly coated.
2. Cook until sauce has thickened slightly, about 1 minute. Add more cooking water as needed to thin sauce to proper consistency and adjust seasonings.
3. Serve hot.

The original recipe (using whole milk and half-and-half) ends up being much better for you than Traditional Fettuccine Alfredo... the above, adapted recipe would differ, but it's still healthier than the traditional.

Traditional Fettuccine Alfredo
Calories: 580
Fat: 43g
Saturated Fat: 27g

Cook's Country Low-Fat Fettuccine Alfredo
Calories: 320
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 6g