Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

Pic via google and Steamy Kitchen

Fall is here and with it comes some of my favorite things! One of those is spaghetti squash!! My mother in law gave us a couple from her garden and I figured I would make a family favorite.  Lasagna; but with a little twist.

The thing I love most about lasagna is you can make it so many different ways.  This version uses the inside of the spaghetti squash instead of noodles.

(Just a little warning making this does require a little time)(And you can add or subtract any ingredients you wish)

Here is how I make it:

First you will need to to get the spaghetti squash ready.
- pre heat over to 400
- cut ends off and cut in half.
- spoon out the seeds in the middle but don’t cut into the sides. That is the good part!
- put halves face down into 9×13 inch pan and add about an inch of water
- bake for 40-45 mins. Until SS is soft

Bake at 400 for about 45mins

While the SS is baking you’ll need to get the other ingredients ready.

- 1 large can of your favorite Sauce (set aside for later use)

- 8 oz of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (2 bags total, we like a lot of Cheese in this house)

Cheese Mixture Ingredients:

16oz Ricotta Cheese

8 oz Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

2 Tablespoons Parsley (more if you like)

2 Tablespoons Oregano (more if you like)

1/2 cup grated cheese

2 eggs

- Mix all the above in a large bowl and set aside ( I only had 1 bag so I used some shredded cheddar)

Meat Mixture Ingredients:

1 lb of ground beef or turkey

1/2 lb – 1 lb of sausage

– mix the ground beef and sausage together and cook until brown

I did not have any Sausage the round either

Veggie Mixture Ingredients:

1-2 Tbsp of Olive oil

1 small onion

1 bell pepper or (red,yellow, orange)

Several garlic cloves (as much as you like)

– saute Onion, Pepper & Garlic in Olive Oil  until they are tender.  (you can also cook this mixture together with the meat to save time and space)

Hopefully you get all this done before the Spaghetti Squash is finished baking!  If you do transfer into small bowls to make the next steps easier.

Once the Spaghetti Squash is finished take out of oven and scrape out the insides of each half.  (should look like yellow spaghetti)

Pic via google and Steamy Kitchen

**Turn the oven down to 350** This is the cooking temp for the Lasagna mixture

The insides will probably have a lot of excess water.  Try to drain as much as you can or it will make your finished product a little runny.  This is not a big deal so no worries if you can’t get all the excess water out.

Now the fun part! Putting it all together!

In a 9×12 glass baking pan pour in enough sauce to cover bottom of pan.

Add a layer of Spaghetti Squash noodles

Add a layer of the Cheese Mixture

Add a layer of Meat and Veggie Mixture (I forgot to in this picture)

Add some more of your favorite Sauce

– Continue to layer until you run out of “mixtures” or room in the pan.  You may have enough to make  a smaller pan too!

(This is where I realized I forgot the Veggie Mixture, LOL)

Add more SS Noodles

We like a nice melted layer of Mozzarella Cheese on top of ours (this is where that 2nd bag comes in) I also added a little extra grated cheese too!

NOTE:  if you pan is as full as mine was and you used a lot of sauce, it may be a good idea to adjust your oven racks and put a flat pan under the Lasagna pan

Bake your new master piece at 350 degrees for about 20 mins or until the cheese on the top is good and melted!

Now you can let the Lasagna set for about 10-15 mins while you cook some homemade garlic bread or dig right in!

Now I hope you guys like this one as much as we do.  And remember you can add and subtract anything you don’t want.  Like all the extra cheese.

Here are some links to a few other awesome Spaghetti Squash Recipes!

http://steamykitchen.com/11285-baked-spaghetti-squash-with-garlic-and-butter.html

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/1381

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Spaghetti-Squash-Boats

 

 

 

 

Awesome Carrot Cake & Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting

Here is my version of Homemade Carrot Cake! And its even somewhat Healthy!

This will make a denser heavier cake, more like a muffin.  But man is it moist!  If this is not what your looking for then use all White flour and leave out the wheat flour.

Awesome Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup unbleached white flour                                 1 cup white sugar

1 cup Wheat flour                                                        1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda                                            1 teaspoon Vanilla

2 teaspoons baking powder                                    1 cup applesauce (I use cinnamon)

½ teaspoon salt                                                            ¼ cup oil

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon                                 2 cups of grated carrots

½ teaspoon nutmeg                                                    1 (20 ounce) can of crushed pineapples

½ teaspoon allspice (optional)                                 (drained)

4 eggs                                                                                ½ cup sweetened flaked coconut

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1 cup raisins

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 10x15x2 inch baking dish or 10 inch Bundt pan with cooking spray. **If making cupcakes use cupcake liners** or use whatever pan you would like

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
2. In a separate larger bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar and vanilla by hand. Stir in the applesauce & oil; the mixture should resemble pudding. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, and then fold in the carrots, pineapples, coconut, walnuts and raisins.
3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and spread evenly.

1. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a small knife inserted into the cake comes out clean. **If making cupcakes bake 18-20 minutes**

NOTES:

1. You can use a grader or coffee grinder to get the carrots chopped.
2. Feel free to add more or less of following:  Raisins, Coconut, Walnuts/Pecans & Carrots**

**** LET THE CAKE COOL BEFORE ADDING HOMEMADE FROSTING/ICING****

Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredients

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar (CS) (more if you want it sweeter, less if you don’t)
• 1 – 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1% or 2% milk (1/4 -1/2 cup)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy.
2. Mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla (add 2nd teaspoon near end)
3. Gradually mix in 1/2 cup of the confectioners’ sugar (CS) until well blended
4. After about 2 cups of CS you may want to add very small amount of milk after each 1/2 cup of CS to keep mixture from becoming too thick
5. Blend in rest of confectioners’ sugar 1/2 cup at a time, or until desired sweetness is achieved.
6. Store any leftover in refrigerator (if you don’t eat it all that is)

Greenville Earth Market

 

My goal this year is to go to as many types of farmer’s markets and as I can.  So I went looking for some.  And I found out about a new type of market called “Earth Market”  This is the first of its kind in the United States.  http://www.earthmarkets.net/network/greenville  Most are held in Italy.  I was really excited to find out that there was one only about 45 mins from where I live.  They are held the 3rd Thursday of the month and I just missed the one last month.  But not this month I told myself, and having a flexible job I took the afternoon off and headed to Greenville.

I guess I was expecting some different, because when I got arrived there where only 11 tents set up.  So I was a little bummed.  But I really didn’t plan on buying much anyways so I guess that saved me some $$  (I did score some awesome Fresh Basil) As I walked around and took a closer look at the produce I did notice the quality was much better than I had seen at some other markets; that made me happy to see.

Here is a list of some of the people that were there.   http://www.earthmarkets.net/network/greenville/producer  There were also others there as well.

I got to meet Jim from Brick house Farms, Terry from Lime Stone Farms, and Daniel from Parson Organic produce and a cool guy named Russ Morin; he makes Ukuleles.  And there was a lady selling Honey. (I feel bad I didn’t get her name)

http://www.brickhousefarms1943.com/

http://www.facebook.com/limestonefarms

http://www.parsonorganics.com/Parson_Produce/Parson_Produce.html

http://www.russmorin.com/

 

Overall it was a good trip.  I found out about some new local farmers meet some cool new people and got some awesome Fresh Basil.  Win-Win I say.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65954166@N07/sets/72157627348484357/

Greenville Earth Market

Greenville Earth Market, a set on Flickr.

New to Vibram FiveFingers

Here is a starting place if your new to VFF’s , Here are a few links to get you started down the road to “Feet freedom”

http://birthdayshoes.com/what-are-they

http://birthdayshoes.com/why-toe-shoes

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/about_vibram_fivefingers/health_wellness.htm

http://www.justinowings.com/my-bare-feet-vibram-five-fingers-revi/

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/12/five-tips-for-breaking-in-your-fivefinger-shoes/

Join the club! Its Freeing.

 

http://wp.me/P1GGiT-E

Kingdom Come online

This is a great big shout out to my friend and brother in Christ Eric Rogers for the awesome work he is doing for the Kingdom of God.  It is amazing what happens when God gives you a talent and a passion and you trust him to make that vision happen.  If you enjoy comic books and have a passion for furthering the Kingdom of God, you are going to love what’s going on here!

Here is a little bit about Eric and his ministry!

Kingdom Come is a ministry that was established to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through the arts & entertainment media. God has blessed many of us with the gift of creativity but not many of us know how to use if for His glory. It is the mission of Kingdom Come to give those creative people an outlet to do so through comics and eventually movies and video games.

http://kingdomcomeonline.com/KC_thoughts2.html

The first book  was just released, Angel Knight “Hero’s Destiny”

http://kingdomcomeonline.com/KC_store_AngelKnight_books_AngelKnightHerosDestiny.html

Show him some love! Check out his site, like him on facebook, buy a book, spread the word because trust me this ministry is going to do GREAT things for the Kingdom!

Clemson, SC Farmers Market

yummy peppers

My goal this year is to visit as many local Farmers Markets I can.  My first one is the Clemson Student Organic Farm (SOF) located at Clemson University.  http://www.clemson.edu/sustainableag/student_farm.html

I guess today was the first day of the season and by the time we got there most of the veggies and fruit were gone.  But we did score some peaches, garlic, red/green/yellow peppers, mini tomatoes, and some zucchini.  They also had some nice watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes, beats, okra, and some goat products!

Best part of the trip is we got to used the peppers in the yummy Garlic Chicken Fajitas I made for dinner!  The bad news is they will be closed until the end of the month.  I am going to try to stop by the Farmers Market in downtown Seneca in the morning.  Hope there open!

Here are some pics I took with my phone.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65954166@N07/sets/72157627227316525/

 

 

Garlic Lime Chicken Fajitas

That’s what’s for dinner!
Here is a simple yet yummy recipe:

1tsp Minced Garlic (or as much as you like)
1tsp Minced Onions
3/4 tsp Ground Cumin
3/4 tsp Oregano Leaves
1/2 tsp Cilantro Leaves
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper

1/4 cup lime and Orange Juice (I didn’t have lime so I used lemon)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 tsp salt

Bonless Skinless Chicken Brest
1 of each green, red, orange, bell peppers (I used the ones I just pick up at the local Farmers market, way better)
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
Flour Tortillas

Mix juices, oil, and all spices and salt in a small bowl
Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade
Place chicken in bowl with marinade or plastic bag and coat
Refrigerate for 30 mins if you have time, if not no worries just start cooking.

Cook Chicken in a large heated skillet on med-high heat until lightly browned. Remove chicken from skillet.
Add peppers, onion, and reserved marinade, cook and stir for 5 mins or until tender. Return chicken to skillet. cook for another 3-5mins or until heated through

Spoon chicken mixture into warmed tortillas. Serve with Mexican rice and black beans.

Don’t forget the sour cream, cheese, and salsa.

If you don’t have all the spices on hand you can pick up a McCormick Fajita pack. (This is where I got the recipe

 

Don’t be a Zombie

Don’t be a Zombie!

Probably the last thing you would expect to hear from the CDC.  But back in May the CDC released a Social Media artical about preparedness. http://www.bt.cdc.gov/socialmedia/zombies_blog.asp They poke fun at the whole ZOMIE-APOCALYPSE  end of the world as we know it thing.  The main focus for this article is to make you aware of some of the items you will need if you do (and you will)  face a REAL emergency.

Here is a list of a few items from the article.  Below are a few items you should include in your kit, for a full list visit theCDC Emergency page.

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
• Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
• Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.)
• Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
• Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
• Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
• First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado orhurricane)

The article is a must read!  It will get you thinking and hopfully get you to make a plan and be prepared when something does happen.  When the power goes out or “bubba with a backhoe” breaks the water main (JK bubba, you know your my boy!) wouldn’t it be nice to say “no worries” we got this.

Here is a podcast I listen to about survival & preparedness in everyday life.  (best part its FREE!)

Check out the moto:  Helping You Live the Life You Want, If Times Get Tough, Or Even If They Don’t

Disater planning:

http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tag/disaster-planning

Bug out Bag:

http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tag/bug-out-bag

Storing Food:

http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tag/food-storage

Economy:

http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tag/economic-collapse

Politics:

http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tag/politics

Survival Planning:

http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tag/survival-planning

And those are just a few topics Jack talks about.  Check out his website and Facebook for more info.

I hope you made it this far because the reason I made this post was to tell you about the free CDC Don’t be a Zombie Posters http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/phpr.aspx  You can order upto 5 and they will ship to you for free (well you taxes will pay for it)  You can also download the PDF if they run out of posters.

Growing some peppers update

So I am sitting on my tiny patio while my dog Cody lays in the sun. I keep the house around 70 so I guess he needed to warm up a little.LOL So I’m looking at my one test container and I think to myself growing some pepper plants and some herbs is not that hard. All I have had to do is put them in a big pot and water them. Who knew it was that easy. Well it is! And for you out there who have not started growing anything yet; now is a great time to start.

I have to give a shout out to Jack over at The Survival Podcast http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/  I have been listening to his podcast for a while now and he has really motivated me to do step up and start working on the plan and life I want for myself.

Here are some updated pictures of my plants!

7/21/11

8/2/11  (these peppers are going crazy!)