• Life Simplified: Meal Delivery

    Dessert tray we delivered to a family!

    Every new year we set goals, challenge ourselves to reach new heights and to focus on what’s really important in life.  In 2011 I have made it a goal to simplify my life more by enjoying the blessings and not wasting what God has given me.  I will be sharing with you the successes and challenges on those specific areas in my life as I go through them.  I have already shared with you my 1st Life Simplified Goal of No Grocery Shopping for the month of January.  One of the most rewarding blessings in life is sharing what you have with others.  My second Life Simplified Goal goes along with that piece.

    My 2nd Life Simplified Goal:

    • Deliver 1 Meal a Month to a family outside of our household

    Explanation of the Goal: In 2010 I signed up to deliver meals to new Moms after they came home from the hospital, people who had surgery and various other volunteer opportunities.  There were a couple months I didn’t do any meals and other months I had several extra meals to prepare.  For example, in December I had 4 extra meals to prepare and deliver outside of our home before the week of Christmas, some of them being over an hour away, plus we had a Christmas Eve party at our house and guests staying with us for a week.  While I enjoy the blessing of helping others I need to work on saying “No” once I have met my limit.  After much prayer and talking with my husband we have decided it would be best for our family if I would stick to 1 meal delivery a month.  Once I have delivered a meal in a month I will have to say no to any additional inquiries.  There are so many people out there that need help, however, I have to decide what is best for our family too.  I want the girls to continue participating in these amazing acts of service and having a limit will give us the freedom to continue to do it without putting our family in a spot we are over our budget. I think with all the people in our church and community that if everyone did just one meal a month for someone needing a meal there would even be extra to go around.

    I will continue to deliver meals for people once a month.  Below are the opportunities that I am currently and will continue to be involved in:

    • Moms with Newborn Babies
    • People coming home from Surgery
    • Death in the Family
    • Other Volunteer Needs for Meal Delivery

    I have a hard time saying “no” to someone in need but in order for me to have the opportunity to continue ministering to others in this way I need to stick to the goal as well as respect my husband in his decision to help me with this area I love to volunteer.  I will share with you the challenges, successes along the way so you can keep me accountable or you can even go through the journey with me by participating  and sharing your story.

    Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others.  Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff”  and if you are like us we just have too much.  I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives.  When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.

  • Recipe: Veggie Beef Soup

    We made this soup recently when friends came over.  I was trying to use up some fresh vegetables that we had in our refrigerator and came up with this recipe.  It was super easy and tasted delicious.  We have been trying out a variety of different soup recipes during the cooler winter months.  All of us have enjoyed the leftovers too!  The items that we put in the Veggie Beef Soup were ones we had on hand.  Feel free to add more or substitute with the veggies that you have in your refrigerator.  Today is a snowy day in SC so we are loving the warm meals.  The kids have been in and out playing in the snow today.

    Veggie Beef Soup

    • 1 pound Beef Stew Meat
    • 1 cup potatoes (cut into 1/2 inch)
    • 1 cup carrots (cut into 1/4 inch pieces)
    • 1 can stewed Tomatoes
    • 1 can Beef Broth
    • 1 cup frozen Green Beans
    • 1/2 cup Snap Peas
    • 1/2 cup Onion (chopped)
    • 1 tablespoon of McCormick Grill Mates 25% Less Sodium Montreal Steak

    Put all ingredients in the crock pot turn it on low and cook for 6 to 8 hours. If you want a slightly thicker soup you can add a tablespoon of sifted flour.

  • Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Soup

    It is winter and we are having a snow day here in South Carolina so I have been thinking about warm weather meals such as soup.  I have been debating which one to make for our family but thought I could share them with you.  If you like veggies and cheese you’ll enjoy this soup.  You can add in other vegetables that you have on hand in your fridge.  The girls like Cheesy Broccoli Soup just as much as we do.  Glad both girls love eating veggies!

    Cheesy Broccoli Soup

    • 1 (16 ounce) package of Broccoli
    • 1 can Chicken Broth
    • 3 medium Potatoes (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
    • 1/2 onion (chopped)
    • 1/2 tablespoon Butter
    • 1/2 package Velveta Cheese
    • 1/2 cup Milk
    • 1/2 teaspoon Chives
    • Pinch of Salt & Pepper
    • Shredded Cheddar Cheese (optional)

    Put butter and diced onions in the crock pot on high for about 30 minutes.  While that is cooking prepare the remaining ingredients.  Turn down the crock pot to low then add the cut potatoes, broth and broccoli to the crock pot.  Stir in the cut up pieces of the Velveta cheese, milk, and chives.  Cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.  Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese to the top before serving!

  • Thanksgiving Recipe: Hugs & Kisses Cheesecake

    The best for last…..yes dessert!  I love dessert, pretty much any type of sweet is good with me!  I started making this chocolate chip cheesecake about 10 years ago.  Not sure where we got the recipe from but it has been a hit at many events.  If you are looking for something delicious but different for the Thanksgiving dessert try this one out.

    Hugs & Kisses Cheesecake:

    • 2 – (3 ounce) packages of Cream Cheese, softened
    • 1 (14 ounce) can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • 1 Egg
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1 cup mini Chocolate Chips
    • 1 teaspoon Flour
    • 1 prepared Chocolate Graham Cracker Crust (8 or 9 inch) OR make your own with 2 cups of Oreo Cookies and a tablespoon of melted butter.
    • Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses (optional on top as decorations)

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix cream cheese until fluffy; slowly beat in the Sweetened Condensed Milk until smooth.  Add egg and vanilla and mix well.

    Toss chocolate chips with flour and stir into cream cheese mixture.  Pour into the crust.

    Bake for 35 minutes or until the center springs back when lightly touched.  Cool completely.

    Optional – Chocolate Glaze:  Heat 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips and 1/4 cup whipping cream in a saucepan over low heat.  Stir until thickened and smooth.  Immediately spread over cooled cheesecake.

    Optional – Decorate the edges of the cheesecake with chocolate shavings and / or Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses.

    Once complete refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serve chilled.

    Picture courtesy of Tastebook!

  • Thanksgiving Recipe: Hendrich & Kejr Family Dressing

    My Grandma Willa gave me the family recipe for the Hendrich & Kejr Dressing for our first Thanksgiving together as a couple.  You can do several steps the night before to save you some time on Thanksgiving day.  We have enjoyed a lot of wonderful meals and created many memories at Grandpa and Grandma’s.  Thankful for a family that celebrates together.

    • Cook Giblets with a little salt and pepper, 1/2 cup of onions, 1 stalk of celery in enough water to cover, until tender. (It works well if you do this piece the night before Thanksgiving).
    • In a large bowl put 12 cups of crushed dry bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning, 1 teaspoon sage, 2 tablespoon of caraway seed, add 1/2 cup melted butter.  Pour over the bread crumbs and stir.  (This can be done the night before as well).  If using seasoned bread cut back on seasoning all but the caraway seed.
    • Add 1 to 2 cups of hot broth and stir together. (You can use giblets for gravy use water or canned broth) stir together all of the above and add 4 eggs beaten lightly with 1/2 cup milk and stir into the above.  If dressing seems dry add more liquid. (You want it to be soft yet hold together slightly).
    • Sprinkle turkey inside and out with caraway seed.  Stuff bird and cook according to directions on the bird.  (You can bake separately as well if you choose).
    • A 10 to 13 pound young bird usually takes 3 1/2 to 4 hours to cook.  For gravy use chicken broth and drippings or Giblet broth and pan drippings.  I go either way.

  • Thanksgiving Recipe: White Cranberry Brined Turkey

    The turkey is a great part of the Thanksgiving dinner.  There are so many different ways to cook a turkey……smoke, bake, or fry.   If you are looking for delicious new way to cook the turkey try this one out.  We have tried several great recipes for the turkey.  I found this several years ago in a Ocean Spray booklet.

    • 128 ounces of White Cranberry Juice
    • 1 gallon of Water
    • 2 cups of Kosher Salt
    • 1 cup of Sugar
    • 2 tablespoons Whole Black Peppercorns
    • 8 cloves Garlic (crushed)
    • 8 Bay Leaves
    • 8 to 12 pound Whole Turkey

    Mix together all ingredients (except turkey) in a 13 to 14 quart stockpot until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Place the turkey in the brine.  Refrigerate turkey in the covered stockpot for 12 to 18 hours.  Discard brine.  Dry turkey with paper towels. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Roast unstuffed turkey for 2 3/4 to 3 hours or until internal temperature of the thigh reaches 180 degrees.

  • Date Night on a Budget – Dinner

    Going on a Date Night with your spouse can be just what the whole family needs.   It is important to take time to relax and be a couple, whether you have little ones or not.   Your kids may enjoy a night away too.   One way to open the door of communication is by having a quiet meal together.

    Here are a few ways to save on the cost of eating out so you can relax when you go on your date:

    1.  Free Dinner Options

    • Gift Certificates – if you have a gift certificate to a restaurant use it when you go on your date.  Occasionally we get gift certificates for our anniversary so we save them for Date Nights.  It may be something you want to ask for your birthday or anniversary as well.   You can earn gift certificates by doing surveys or through accumulating points too.
    • Coupons – use a coupon to a restaurant that you and your spouse are wanting to go to.  If you plan ahead you can often find discounts or coupons online prior to going to a restaurant.  We have even shared a free dinner at a nice restaurant by using a coupon.  Sometimes you have to pay but if you look you can often get a meal for free.
    • Join the Club – many of the large chain restaurants offer special discounts if you sign up for their emails or newsletters.  You may get free food when they introduce a new menu item.  Even your local family owned restaurants give you special offers when you join their club.  Many restaurants offer free meal if you visit them around your birthday. If you have a favorite restaurant check and see they have a club you can join for extra savings.

    2. Discount Dinner Options

    • Restaurant.com – you can get discount restaurant certificates.  We have tried many new restaurants using Restaurant.com that have since become our favorite.  You can often get the certificates at a discount.  The best is when you can get them at 80% to 90% off.  We stock up when they are at a deep discount and it allows us to have plenty of options to chose from for Date Night.  The certificates last for one year so you have plenty of time to use them.  Try it out and see how you like it!
    • Barter – there are many barter programs available such as Tradebank or you can work something out with the owner of a restaurant or chain.  If you have services or products that they can use.  We have friends that provide a service for a restaurant and they get coupons for free meals. It is worth checking out.
    • Groupon – has daily deals that you can get between 40% to 90% off.  Many times Groupon will offer great discounts on restaurants.  When you purchase a certificate you have up to a year to use it.  Select the area closest to you to find out the  deals in your area.
    • Pack a picnic for a nice dinner at a park together.  You can pack a really wonderful romantic picnic for a great price.  Pick out a favorite food you know your spouse will like for an extra special treat.  It shows your love.  Some of our best Date Nights have been relaxing over a picnic at a park.

    You can have a wonderful dinner with your spouse without breaking your budget.  It is important to take time to talk, relax, and enjoy each other.  Take turns planning where you are going.  One month you plan the meal the next month your husband plans, it allows for some great surprises and extra romance!

    Jake and I try to have at least one date night a month because it is important to us to maintain and grow our marriage.  Communication around the typical family meal is more about the kids and the events of the day then on us as a couple.  Although we may be in a season when the finances are tight we can still have a terrific date night together.  The laughter, deep conversations, and a time of relaxation is worth finding ways to make it work logistically and financially.