4Squaremom's Family Blog - Homeschool Blogger

I am moving......

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 20:36:00 -0600

I am moving all of my blog entries over to http://lori.scottdomain.com/

Sorry for the inconvenience to anyone (in having to change your links, etc), but this has been our goal for a while, and my wonderfully talented hubby made it a reality for us this weekend.

Thanks for following me to our new blogging site.

a big bowl of YUMMMMMMM

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 21:44:00 -0600

Here is a picture of our dinner from tonight....it was so delicious! If my girlfriend gives me permission to post the recipe here I will, but it was basically a chicken and vegetable stirfry. I used 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts that I tossed in whole wheat flour that was seasoned with Chinese Five Spice Powder, and stirfried that in 1 T. Olive oil. Once that was browned and kind of crispy on the outside I added the veggies (about 5 1/2 cups total) and once those were beginning to soften a bit, I added the "sauce" (the recipe for that is what I'm waiting for permission for) and let it all simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce was thickened. I served it over a pound of spaghetti noodles that I cooked with some curry powder and salt (I was inspired by some Japanese Curry Udon Noodles that I got recently at Trader Joes). It was SOOOO good, so healthy, and the whole family loved it! The vegetables I used were, carrots, celery, baby bok choy, and shredded cabbage (leftover from last night's dinner).

Yes, that is steam rising from the bowl :)

Tonight's dinner.....

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 20:52:00 -0600

I just had to post about tonight's dinner. I LOVE LOVE LOVE fish, of all kinds (well, I'm not fond of catfish, but I really adore all other fish and seafood), my husband and oldest daughter are not big fish lovers. I have to really doctor it up for them to eat it. This afternoon I was really having a fish craving, so I decided to have D grill some mahi mahi for dinner. While I was thawing it out, and trying to figure out what I was going to do with it (I had half of a wonderful fresh pineapple in the fridge, and thought about doing a pineapple salsa.....hence came my inspiration). I went through the fridge to find out that I had all the fixings for fish tacos. YUMMMY :) My family LOVES mexican food!

So, I thawed the mahi mahi, and made a marinade with a little liquid from a can of jalapenos that I had, added some fresh lime juice, a little evoo (extra virgin olive oil), some garlic and cumin, salt and pepper. I poured that over my fish filets, and let it rest for 20 minutes until D was ready to grill. I cut the pineapple into chunks so that they could be grilled. I shredded some cabbage....had A LOT of cabbage, so made a slaw with half of it (I used a little vinegar, a little light mayo, some cumin, salt, pepper, and some salsa). Diced a tomato, and chopped some cilantro. I heated up some organic canned black beans, added some chopped jalapeno and a little cilantro and cumin and garlic. I heated/softened the corn tortillas in a teeny tiny bit of oil. Oh my goodness was this a YUMMY dinner! I served it with lime wedges....

So the dinner consisted of:
softened corn tortillas with grilled mahi mahi
cabbage, tomato, salsa, cilantro, lime wedges
grilled pineapple
black beans

My husband said "well, if I have to eat fish, this is the way to eat it" so I see fish tacos in our future probably twice a month. Going to have to find some other great fish "hiding" recipes to try on them as well :)

Black Bean Hummus

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:33:00 -0600

                            Black Bean Hummus

Recipe By     : my friend Denise

   16            ounces black beans, canned
2        tablespoons tahini
     1/4           cup lime juice -- (juice of 1 lime)
2             cloves garlic -- peeled and minced
1           teaspoon cumin
                        salt -- to taste

In a food processor, combine all ingredients and process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Source:
"Denise"

                                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 149 Calories; 5g Fat (30.2% calories from fat); 8g Protein; 19g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 359mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 Fat.

NOTES : 2.5 points per 1/4 cup serving

This recipe originally called for 3 Tbsp. olive oil, but Denise omitted to cut the points a bit.

Beef Broccoli Lo Mein Salad

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:31:00 -0600

                       Beef Broccoli Lo Mein Salad

Recipe By     :Lori Scott

1              pound sirloin steak -- thinly sliced
1              clove garlic -- minced
     3/4          inch ginger root -- minced
2               cups broccoli -- cut up
1                cup carrot -- sliced
1 1/2           cups cabbage -- diced
1              pound whole wheat spaghetti -- cooked al dente
                        For dressing combine:
1         tablespoon sesame oil
2        tablespoons low sodium soy sauce -- (or Bragg's Liquid aminos)
1         tablespoon rice wine vinegar
     1/2           cup water
                        honey to taste -- (I use 1 1/2 tablespoons)

I do all the cooking for this in the morning so that it has time for the flavors to meld.

In hot skillet or wok, stir fry carrots and broccoli in a small amount of olive oil (1-2 teaspoons), if needed add a bit of water (a tablespoon or two), until broccoli is bright green, but still crisp. Add cabbage for last minute. Remove all veggies from pan, and place pan back on heat. Add another teaspoon of olive oil and stir fry beef, garlic, and ginger until meat is cooked all the way through.

Toss pasta, veggies and meat together with dressing , refrigerate for several hours. Serve with crusty bread or egg rolls.

Variations: You could substitute chicken or tofu for the beef.

Kids are so cute!

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:53:00 -0600

Yesterday morning r got up as D was leaving for work and curled up on the recliner....I went back and looked at her a few minutes later, and this is how I found her.....sound asleep

Well, as I was posting the last picture, she changed positions Here's the new one.... I think she is just too adorable

She is so proud that I posted these pictures of her here for all of my friends to see She thought that was so cool! And she laughed hysterically at her sleeping positions

Here's a picture of her sister, H (my 8 year old) helping with lunch....

Friday, March 24, 2006

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:29:00 -0600

Oh I SO love mornings! I love getting up and spending time alone with God, exercising, serving my husband by preparing his breakfast and lunch, our quiet (most of the time) breakfast time with one another, and then sitting here at the computer chatting with all of you as my darling children emerge one by one from their bedrooms and sit on my lap (yes, all 4 of them, but not all at once :)) and give me hugs and morning snuggles. This is my FAVORITE time of day!!!!!

I also discovered this morning that the little pot that I have in my kitchen window sill that is going to be a little "herb garden" is sprouting with life! The basil, oregano and chives are all sprouting! I can't wait to have that giving me yummy herbs in my kitchen......I am longing to get another herb garden going here at this house. So far everything I've planted here has died.....I WILL get this figured out :)

Today in our house, we will be:
doing our schoolwork (need to catch up on unfinished assignments from the week with the two older kids...)
making bread
making brownies
homeblessing
laundry

I think that is about it, I pray that you all have a blessed day! :)

Another cooking lesson for tomorrow.....

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:29:00 -0600

One of my favorite guilt free pleasures.....

No Pudge Brownie Clone #116219 from recipezaar.com

recipe by Anka

This recipe comes the closest to the ones that are sold in the stores. Do not substitute Splend or other sweetner, the sugar in the recipe carmelizes as the brownies bake, making them more sticky (when I used Splenda, they felt like rubber. On the box vital wheat gluten also appears, I learned that it helps the brownies rise as the batter is rich in sugar. I figure about 1/2-1 teaspoon is enough

16 servings

40 minutes 5 mins prep

1	cup sugar
3/4	cup flour
1/2	cup cocoa
2	egg whites (this is for cake like brownies and is optional)
2	teaspoons cornstarch
1/4	teaspoon baking soda
1/4	teaspoon salt
2/3	cup non-fat vanilla yogurt (a 6 oz. container, Dannon works best)
	nonstick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350�F.
Mix all dry ingredients.
Add yogur and mix well.
Batter will be very thick.
Spray an 8x8 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread batter evenly.
Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Remove and cool.
Dip a knife in warm water and cut into 16 squares.

I will be making this with Rachel tomorrow afternoon....again there will be pictures.

Today's cooking lesson.....

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:26:00 -0600

This afternoon, R and H and I will be making our dinner together. On today's menu will be arabic meatballs in tomato sauce over linguine. We will also have some steamed carrots, green salad, and roasted beets.

Here is the recipe for the Arabic Meatballs, I got it from my friend Wardeh.

Arabic Meatballs ~ Kifta ~

Makes 2 dozen meatballs

2 pounds ground beef or lamb (grass-fed is preferable)
1 onion, diced very fine
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1/2 tablespoon dried mint
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all ingredients together well. Form into 2 dozen 1-1/2 inch balls. Brown all sides and cook thoroughly in a frying pan or under the broiler. Eat as is or incorporate into sauce.

A sauce idea: Put all meatballs in a 4 to 6 quart stockpot. Add:

1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
1/2 tablespoon dried mint
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Let simmer for 10 to 20 minutes. Serve over warm brown rice.

edited to add: checkback tomorrow afternoon for pictures....I will make sure to take pictures :)

From my kitchen window......

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 07:21:00 -0600

I spend a goodly amount of time each day at my kitchen sink, and my window is above my sink. Before we moved into this house, my view from my kitchen window was out over the hundreds of acres of pastureland that were to the North and to the East of our home. It was a GORGEOUS view, and one that I miss very much! But that is one of the few things that I miss about our old house. I miss the view, I miss the birds and the wide open spaces, and I miss our neighbor, but I really don't miss anything else. Yesterday I was standing at my current kitchen window looking out and I was really missing the views from our old house. Then I noticed, that even though the view from my kitchen window isn't the same as it was, it is still very pretty, and I am thankful for the flowers that the Lord provided on my violets and rose plants that are in the kitchen to remind me of His provision! And His loveliness! Even in the bleakest of times, He is there for me, and He will provide just what I need to get through my current situation, whether it be a day of depression, or a financial blow, or an emotionally exhausting day, whatever, He is there with me, beside me, with me in His hand....EVERY step of the way. Those are the things that I think about as I look through my kitchen window...... What happens at YOUR kitchen window?