Broccoli Cheese and meat of your choice Casserole

So, for many years at Easter at my Aunt's house we used to have this broccoli and cheese casserole with the Easter dinner. Recently, I added turkey breast from a deli turkey to the recipe and it became a main course casserole not a side dish, It was absolutely yummy, and one dish that I would serve again so I thought I would share it.

1 stick of butter
1 onion, chopped
1 c of rice uncooked
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bag of frozen broccoli flowerets, unthawed
1/2 of a block of medium sized velveeta
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
any meat of your choice - however much you want for the casserole

Melt the butter in a fry pan and add the onion and garlic. Cook until tender.
Cook rice according to package directions.
When rice is done mix with the onion, garlic and the remaining ingredients.

Place ingredients in a 13x9 and bake in a 375* oven until the casserole is brown - about 40-45 minutes. Enjoy!

Black Bean Chili

So, I know a few of you have wanted my chili recipe - want no more because here it is!

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
2 cans of black beans undrained
2 large sweet onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans of chopped tomatoes
2 TBL of chili powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 TBL red wine vinegar
1 bottle of beer

condiments for chili

Heat oil in a skillet and brown the beef. Add the onion and garlic; cook until they are tender. Add tomato and juices to the pan. Add chili powder, salt, paprika, oregano, cocoa, cumin, and cinnamon. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add beans and some water, tomatoes, vinegar, and beer to the meat mixture. Simmer 30 minutes more or until the beans are very tender and the chili has thickened. Serve with the condiments of your choice and enjoy!

On my way!

I have been on my migraine medicine since the beginning of September, and it has jump started my weight loss, but it is not the continued catalyst that has brought me to my 32 pound weight loss so far.
I still have a ways to go, but the difference this time more than any of the times before is I can smell it. I can see the ending, and I can taste it!
My goal is to lose 40-45 pounds by Christmas. I am starting to fit into my smaller clothes again. Although they aren't technically small clothes - they are small for me, and I will take that. That is a triumph. I have not seen them since Noah was in third grade - before I got pregnant with Amelia.
So, perhaps my migraine medicine is helping, but I have also changeed the whole way that I eat. I eat SO much healthier now than I did before. I am so nervous about the diabetes that i knocking on my door. With both Toby and Amelia (and I am sure Noah too - although it was too early to have been tested) I was insulin dependant. My family has a history of type 2 diabetes, and if I can keep it away even for a small amount of time with my diet I will.
Last night was the first time in a LONG time that I ate anything with flour and or sugar in it. Even when we were in Las Vegas I skipped on dessert. I will have a bite now and then, but not a whole amount of something. And, you know, I find I am not missing out on it one bit. I made raspberry almond muffins. I ate one - was happy eating it, and sent the rest to my moms. It was good. I was happy, and I don't miss or want them.
I am not craving things like that either. Chips, no thanks. If I want them - I'll take a handful, but then I am ok and done. Honestly, I am enjoying it, and I feel so much better for it!

Sea Turtles and such....

At the end of this summer we were fortunate enough to goto Fort Lauderdale on a business trip with Todd. While we were there, we saw the tape marking off the sea turtle nests. How exciting to see.

We watched one morning as a four wheeler moved to a nest and stayed there. Noah and I ran down out of the hotel to see what was going on. During the night the nest had hatched and the volunteers were helping the turtles that were alive get out of the nest. It was an amazing experience to see these amazing turtles start their journey.
Also amazing, because you don't think of it until you see it for yourself is the amount of turtles that do not make it at all. So very sad.

Welcome back!

Today was the first day of school for my two guys. Noah, minus part if his tooth, is in the seventh grade. Toby, is now in second! Amelia, I get to hold onto her a bit longer. Lucky Mommy.

OUCH!

This is Noah on August 3rd, 2010. He had only been at his friends house for about 20 minutes when I got the call that he had hit the diving board and knocked out one of his permanent teeth.

I thank God for being with him that day as it could have been SO much worse than what it was. He could be paralyzed right now.

His friend and his friend's dad were able to get the tooth, and the dentist was able to stick it back in. Noah was WAY better at handling this whole mess than I was. I was a wreck. I probably said a few things that I shouldn't have. (O.k. make that definitely!), but I was scared, nervous, and shocked. Our regular dentist was away on vacation, and the dentist that helped out was wonderful. He really put me in my place. When I walked into the room with Noah he said to me, "Mom, either get yourself together, or get out!" Of course, I pulled it together!

We have had afew dentist appointments through these past three weeks. Noah had to have his real tooth bonded to his other teeth to try and help it stay in. He had a root canal without novocaine. (Brave boy!), and he just recently got the bonding off. He is nervous because the tooth is loose, but our dentist said it is like a broken bone once the cast comes off. Weak. In two weeks we take him back for another appointment and hopefully that will be when they can build the tooth back up.

Fingers crossed that said tooth stays in!

5 pounds and counting

So, I to buy some clothes for myself for when we go on our big trip - I looked like a beached whale. I became so depressed and upset with myself that I decided to take action. I joined south beach diet online and week one i am down 5 pounds. I feel good about my dieting this time. I am doing it for myself, i am doing i for my kids.

I know that I am not going to have more kids, and it is time for me to do something for myself. I am happy to stat this new phase in my life, and i really feel like thistime is going to be the time. I am finding south beach easier this time around - thankfully, and i am happy with it for me.

I am not beating yself up if i have a slice of pizza - i just don't overdo it. I will get there, and i will be happier when i am!