G'ma's Simple Spaghetti Sauce

This is our favorite Spaghetti Sauce. Simple and OH so good, loved by all the grandkids and it's my moms ever so SIMPLE sauce. This is the sauce we use in our Homemade Lasagna, we make Spaghetti with it and we use for our Goulash too. We love this recipe SO MUCH more then a store bought jar.

G'ma's Simple Spaghetti Sauce

from my MOM (G'ma)

4 cans of Tomato Sauce

1 can Tomato Paste
1/4 can of water

1-2 lbs of Hamburger Meat

1-2 tbsp Italian Seasoning

1-2 tsp Gralic Powder (or Onion Salt, Onion Powder and/or Garlic Salt)

Cook hamburger meat on stove-top with a little bit of the seasoning until done. Add in the 4 cans of tomato sauce and 1 can of tomato paste with add'l amounts of seasoning (she just throws some in, never measures and it is never the same) simmer/cook until steamin' hot!

Link Up your favorite Crock-Pot recipes with
"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS BLOG PARTY #5 and Crock-Pot Lasagna

THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS Blog Party #5

Crock-Pot Recipes

I LOVE my crock-pot. There is nothing like putting all the food in there in the morning, going to work and then coming home and dinner is DONE! I have lots and lots of great crock-pot recipes, but this recipe is an ole' favorite but one that I have never tried it in a crock-pot, until recently. It is my moms Homemade Lasagna recipe. I was told you could make a Lasagna in a crock-pot and I didn't really believe them. So, I tried it and it totally works. WOW!!! (Thanks Laina for sharing the idea with me)

Homemade Lasagna

from Mom

2 Boxes of Lasagna Noodles

G'ma's Homemade Spaghetti Sauce (or your favorite sauce homemade or from a jar)

Lots & Lots of Cheese (yellow & white)

Parmesan Cheese

Noodles need to be cooked first (yes, I've tried without cooking them and it never turns out the same). Then just layer... NOODLES - SAUCE - CHEESE (sprinkle a little Italian Seasoning & Sprinkle a little Parmesan inbetween layers), then repeat NOODLES - SAUCE - CHEESE. Continue to repeat in the crock-pot over and over again. (The recipe is the same if you wanna make it in a pan; just find the deepest baking pan you have, the more layers the better). For the cheese use as little or as much as you want for each layer. REPEAT - REPEAT - REPEAT. 

Crock-Pot Cooking: Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
Oven Cooking: Cover with foil and cook at 350 for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on oven. (Last 15 minutes take the foil off)

Here is what the lasgana will look like in the crock-pot. And if you have ever seen these AWESOME Slow Cookers bags make sure to pick them up, THEY ROCK. And no I am not being paid to say this. I really really LOVE the bags and the NO mess in the crock-pot afterwards.

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I am so happy and can not believe we are already into our 5th week of THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS. I am so happy to be hosting this Blog Hop Party with two other great bloggers, who I have enjoyed getting to know over the last few weeks; From My Tiny Kitchen and Delightful Country Cookin'. This has been so fun reading other bloggers recipes and having a quick reference back to specific recipes. Here is a complete list of the past weeks and a list of what's coming up too!

Everyone is invited, if you don’t have a blog, then please post your recipe HERE in the comments for others to see.

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This week's theme

Crock-Pot Recipes

This is your chance to share what you do with your Crock-Pot? The holidays are here and the busy time has begun. So let's get some GREAT crock-pot ideas going so that we can all put dinner on in the morning and go about our day shopping and cleaning and enjoying this season instead of stressing over "What's for Dinner". I can't wait to hear all the cool ideas you come up with (I may be using a few of them in the next month). We are looking for any recipe you use in your Crock-Pot. Post any recipe you'd like just please stick to the theme, we don't want to have to delete your link. Please link directly to your post, NOT to your home page and you MUST include a link back to one of our hosts of "This Week's Cravings", using the button (or a direct link). NOT EVERYONE IS following the rules, please LINK back in your post (not on a separate page of linky parties), because then your readers can NOT click to find all these yummy recipes everyone is sharing! 

This Week's Cravings Past & Future Recipe Links

November 22 - Recipes for "What to do with Thanksgiving Left-Overs"

November 29 - Crock-Pot Recipes

December 6 - Christmas Baking: Sweets, Treats, Candies & Gift Ideas

December 13 - Eat, Drink & Have a Merry Christmas!!!

December 20 - Christmas Brunch Ideas

This is a BLOG HOP PARTY so please hop around

and read the other Crock-Pot Ideas!

Click for complete list of guidelines for This Week's Cravings

GUEST POSTING AT DELIGHTFUL COUNTRY COOKIN': Pineapple Crisp

You'll find this great recipe of mine over at Delightful Country Cookin',

as I am guest posting for her today! Please click on over and check it out!

We would love to have you link up your recipes (healthy or NON-healthy) for using your Thanksgiving leftovers ONE MORE DAY LEFT...

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

This post is linked to: Real Food Wednesday

Monte Cristo Sandwich

(UPDATED: 2/24/11 I have found the AWESOME, one of a kind Bennigan's Monte Cristo Sandwich recipe: Click here for the newest version and the ONE AND ONLY Monte Cristo Sandwich we will ever make!)

My twins experienced their first Monte Cristo Sandwich at Disneyland the other day and of course wanted me to repeat that awesome experience. And well, I tried, that's all I can say! I am still in search of an easier recipe and not so time consuming (so, if any of you readers have one, please leave me a link to the recipe). This recipe will be for "special treats" only, BUT it was an OH SO GOOD sandwich.

How about using your left-over Ham & Turkey from Thanksgiving and some cranberry sauce for the jelly and creating a whole new taste for this great sandwich. (YUM!!) Friday, November 26 is "National Leftovers Day", yes seriously there are National Food Holidays for every day of the year.

Monte Cristo Sandwich

from The Loopy Ewe, Sheri

4 large eggs

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

6 tbsp Dijon mustard (we skipped the mustard)

8 slices white sandwich bread, slightly toasted

8 slices provolone or swiss cheese

4 slices cheddar cheese

8 thin slices deli ham

8 thin slices deli turkey

Raspberry Jam

Vegetable Oil

Powdered Sugar

Heat oven to 450 degrees.  Whisk eggs, cream, sugar, salt, dry mustard and cayenne in a shallow dish.  Stir jam and Dijon mustard together in another small bowl.  Spread 2 tsp of the jam mixture on 1 side of each slice of toast.

Layer on top of 1 slice of toast:

1 slice swiss/provolone

2 slices ham, 1 slice cheddar

2 slices turkey

1 slice swiss/provolone

and then top with another piece of toast, jam to the inside.

Make sure that the meat and cheese are trimmed to fit inside the bread. Press down lightly to make it all stick together.

Pour 3-5 tbps oil into a rimmed baking sheet and preheat in the oven for about 5 min. (Just until it starts smoking lightly.) While it is heating, dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, making sure it is covered with egg on the top, bottom, and all 4 sides. Set on a plate until the baking sheet is ready.  Transfer the sandwiches to the hot baking sheet when ready, and bake until golden brown on both sides (about 4-5 minutes per side.) Sprinkle each sandwich with powdered sugar and serve immediately with extra strawberry jam.

This post is linked to Flaunt it Friday, Food on Fridays, Foodie Friday

There is still time to link up your recipes for using your Thanksgiving leftovers please click here

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

Pumpkin Smoothie & First Weigh-in for HOLIDAY HOTTIES

Holiday Tips to Get it Done from Better Homes and Gardens: A schedule/timer is key to not crashing and burning when getting your house guest-ready. Clean main rooms, a little each day. Look for progress, not perfection. (I do this a lot throughout the year, I pick one room per day and clean it. I may start on a Monday and clean living room, Tuesday bathroom, Wednesday bedroom, etc. etc.; then by the weekend or the day of the holiday/event the entire house is spotless. I LOVE IT!)

Watch for this logo for healthy recipes this Holiday Season here on MOMS CRAZY COOKING.

My Holiday Hotties Teams are going strong. We are checking in with each other daily on our facebook group and it really helps being accountable to a team. We are all on our way to loosing weight with encouragment from one another along the way. My weigh-in last week Wednesday was 159.6 and today I am at 159.4 (I am still excited because I am still down from when I began this adventure months ago). This week our challenge from The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans was exercise minutes. I did NOT do as well as I wanted. I do NOT have an excuses except for LIFE. But I am in the adventure for the LONG-HAUL, so I will just pick up where I left off and press forward.

This week is Thanksgiving and my boot camp trainer today sent an email with some good advise; "to help with the extra calories that may be consumed on Turkey Day try to take it easy the day before and the day after. Also control your portions and drink plenty of water." Thank You SHE ROCKS, I am going to take this advise and put it to use.

We had this delicious smoothie this week. It's the perfect time of year for pumpkin flavored everything, so why not have a Pumpkin Smoothie. This smoothie is so packed with nutrition that I felt stuffed all morning. I even skipped my morning snack, because I did not feel hungry at all. I estimated this only has about 225-275 calories, so I believe this is a perfect healthy breakfast. What a great shake for the morning of Thanksgiving. It's quick, easy to make and will definitely hold you over til' the big meal is served.

Pumpkin Smoothie

recipe author unknown (found on a torn piece of paper from a magazine)

In the blender whirl together 1/4 cup canned pumpkin with low-fat vanilla yogurt, a banana, a spoonful of peanut butter, a handful of ice and fat-free milk to thin as desired. Top with a little whipped cream and cinnamon.

We would love to have some HEALTHY recipes for using your Thanksgiving leftovers
please link up with

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

This recipe is linked to: Show & Tell, Toot Your Horn Tuesday, Lucky Linky, Sweet Sunday, Meatless Mondays and Gold Star Wednesday

The PERFECT Guacamole & TOP 5 THANKSGIVING RECIPES

I am SO EXCITED to share with all of my readers that not one, not two, but 5 of my Thanksgiving Holiday Recipes were featured on Hoosier Homemade from the Days of Thanksgiving on It's a Blog Party.

The links are above so please hop on over and visit these bloggers too! Here are the five recipes that were choosen. I hope you all take a look at these again, they may just be that perfect last minute menu item you need for your Thanksgiving table this year!

Sweet Potatoes and Apples
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Caramelized Onion Dip
Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
Easy Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

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Holiday Tips to Get in Done from Better Homes and Gardens: Set up a beverage station on a side table, or in a different room, so guests are not coming in and out of the busiest part of the kitchen to get drinks. (I have a separate great room with a very long counter and we always have the drinks out there, my kitchen is extremely small and there is no room for others to be coming in and out.)

We have made lots and lots of Guacamole recipes and this is "thee one". We will never ever need to try another Guacamole recipe. Ya, know the one. when you find that ONE perfect recipe, there is no more searching. This is another one of our favorite dips. My girls insist that we serve this at every gathering in our home and on the weekends too. If there is avocados in my refrigerator you can bet they are asking for this to be made (and now they have learned to make it themselves, that's how much they like it). This would be another great recipe to make for those hungry Thanksgiving guests. They can munch on this with chips or veggies while you are busy in the kitchen preparing the main Thanksgiving meal.

The Perfect Guacamole

4 Avocados

1/4 tsp Sea Salt

1 tsp Lime and/or Lemon Juice

1-2 Roma Tomatoes

Onion, chopped (as many or little as you'd like)

Jalapenos Chiles (we use very very little, but if you want spicy, add more)

1 tbsp Cilantro (fresh is better, but dried works too)

Slice avocados in half; scoop out the pit (and keep in the bowl), cut avocados in chunks and coarsely mash (do NOT mash until creamy). Season with coarse salt (go easy, use too much and it will overpower). Add in fresh lime or lemon. Mix in tomatoes (cherry or grape tomatoes work great too). Sprinkle in finely chopped onions, a few chopped jalapeno's and some finely chopped fresh cilantro.

The BEST Guacamole EVER!!!

We would love have you link up
your Thanksgiving LEFTOVER recipes:

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

This recipe is linked to: Tuesday Night Supper Club, Potluck Friday and Home and Family Friday

THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS BLOG PARTY #4 and Magic Sweet Potato Muffins

THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS Blog Party #4

Recipes with your Thanksgiving Left-Overs?

Did you know that Friday, November 26 is "National Leftovers Day",
yes seriously there are American Food Holidays for every day of the year?

When looking for and trying to create a sweet potato recipe for Thanksgiving. We had another failed attempt to create Sweet Mashed Potatoes, that everyone hated. I went to my trusty recipe binder and threw all the other "mashed" sweet potato recipes away. My family just does NOT like them, no matter how I make them. They do however LOVE sweet potatoes if they are cubed or sliced like my Sweet Potato & Apples, but mash them up and forget it.  So, I went to throw the whole pan away and I just couldn't, so I put them away in the refrigerator and I am so glad I did. I was reading my newest edition of Food Network the very next day and came across Melissa's Easy Leftovers and found an awesome recipe. I will now be making these Magic Muffins again the day after Thanksgiving with whatever sweet potatoes we have left over (even though I wont make the mashed ones on Thanksgiving whatever recipe I do make, I will just mix up the leftovers in my food processor and make them mashed for this AWESOME recipe).

What do you make with your left overs from Thanksgiving? I can't wait to hear all the recipes you guys come up with. Please make sure to leave your recipe in the comments or if you have a blog then link up your recipe here. I have lots and lots of left-overs and I need some ideas!

Magic Muffins

from Food Network - Melissa's Easy Left Overs

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup applesauce

2 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup mashed sweet potatoes

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup flour

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup or more mini chocolate chips (we forgot these and they still tasted delicious, that's why I drizzled chocolate instead, oh well)

Mix sugar, applesauce, eggs, sweet potatoes and oil in a bowl. In another bowl whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spice. Mix the potato mixture into the flour mixture, then stir in some mini chocolate chips. Spoon into greased mini muffin cups (we used regular size muffin on). Bake 12-13 minutes at 375.

This post is also linked to: Hearth and Soul Hop, Just Something I Whipped Up, Meatless Mondays, Tuesdays at the Table and Tasty Tuesday Parade of Food

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I am so happy and can not believe we are already into our 4th week of THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS. I am so happy to be hosting this Blog Hop Party with two other great bloggers, who I have enjoyed getting to know over the last few weeks; From My Tiny Kitchen and Delightful Country Cookin'. This has been so fun reading other bloggers recipes and having a quick reference back to specific recipes. Here is a complete list of the past weeks and a list of what's coming up too!

Everyone is invited, if you don’t have a blog, then please post your recipe HERE in the comments for others to see.

<a href=" http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/search/label/THIS%20WEEKS%20CRAVINGS" target="_blank "><img src="http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k498/Hudgens6/Buttons/ThisWeeksCravingsButton.jpg" /></a>

This week's theme

Recipes with your Thanksgiving Left-Overs

This is your chance to share what you do with your Thanksgiving LEFT-OVERS. Do you just heat them up and eat 'em the next day? Do you create a new recipe? Do you re-do the entire Thanksgiving meal over the next day? I can't wait to hear all the cool ideas you come up with. We are looking for any recipe you making using your Thanksgiving LEFT-OVERS. Post any recipe you'd like just please stick to the theme, we don't want to have to delete your link. Please link directly to your post, NOT to your home page and you MUST include a link back to one of our hosts of "This Week's Cravings", using the button (or a direct link). NOT EVERYONE IS following the rules, please LINK back in your post (not on a separate page of linky parties), because then your readers can NOT click to find all these yummy recipes everyone is sharing! 

This Week's Cravings Past & Future Recipe Links

November 8 – Thanksgiving Cookies & Treats 

November 15 - Thanksgiving Dinner & Side Dish Recipes

November 22 - Recipes with your Thanksgiving Left-Overs

November 29 - Crock-Pot Recipes

December 6 - Christmas Baking: Sweets, Treats, Candies & Gift Ideas

December 13 - Eat, Drink & Have a Merry Christmas!!!

This is a BLOG HOP PARTY so please hop around

and read the other Thanksgiving Left-Over Ideas!

Click for complete list of guidelines for This Week's Cravings

Thanksgiving Turkey Treats & My Thanksgiving Day Menu

I attended my first candy making class this week and I learned a few new tricks (lots of things I already knew but a few new things too). One of the ideas I walked away with were these adorable Turkey Treats and of course I just had to make them. I finally know what I am doing for Thanksgiving, I am staying home. My parents will be coming over so there will just be a small group of 8 people I have to cook for. But I am excited; I wrote out my menu today and I will be sharing that with you too.

Now are you ready for these CUTE ADORABLE Turkey's that will be on everyone's place setting at my house this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Turkey Treats

from Classic Cake Candy Class (November 2010)

1 lb of Milk Chocolate

8 Round Cookies (we used Mother's Iced Oatmeal Cookies)

8 Large & 8 Mini Marshmallows

24 Orange Chocolate Melts (the round disks)

1/2 lb of Butterscotch Chocolate Melts

Chow Mein Noodles (the dry kind)

Leaf Sprinkles

Candy Corn (I found a brown candy corn, but the yellow would work too)

beaks & eyes (you can get from a local candy/cake store)

Step 1: Dip Cookie into Milk Chocolate and put Candy Corn in place. (let set up)
Step 2: Dip Large and Mini Marshmallows in Milk Chocolate. (let set up)
Step 3: Place 3 Orange Melts in a triangle. Place a small amount of Milk Chocolate in center and then set cookie standing up making sure two orange feet are facing the front.
Step 4: Dip large marshmallow end into melted chocolate (to use as your glue) then place marshmallow against cookie in between two front orange feet. (see photo above)
Step 5: Using chocolate as glue dip the mini marshmallow side and place on top as the head.
Step 6: Using melted chocolate again with a tooth pick place eyes and beak on Turkey.
Step 7: For the haystack, melt butterscotch and mix butterscotch with chow mein noodles. Place in a small stack and then dip the feet of the put-together Turkey in chocolate and place on the mound of hay. Sprinkle with leaves right away before haystack dries.

And here is my plan for Thanksgiving. Most of these recipes are new, so I don't have all the recipes posted yet (check back as I will update the links). Sorry, you'll have to just wait til after Thanksgiving and use some of these great recipes for your Christmas menu.

Pumpkin Apple Cinnamon Cake Donuts
Deviled Eggs
Turkey with Apples & Butter
Ultimate Mashed Potatoes

Macaroni & Cheese
Sweet Potatoes & Apples
Sausage & Cranberry Stuffing
Cranberry-Pomegranate Sauce
Panko-Crusted Green Bean Casserole
Grandma's Homemade Rolls

Snickerdoodle Cupcake
Pumpkin Crunch Cake

This post is also linked to: Sweet Sunday Blog Party, Made by You Monday, Making the World Cuter, Meal Plan Monday, Commercial Break Thursday, Market Yourself Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Delicious Dishes It's a Blog Party, Get Your Craft On, Lucky Linky and Mouthwatering Monday

We would love have you link up
your Thanksgiving LEFTOVER recipes:

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

Breakfast Potatoes

Holiday Tips to Get it Done from Better Homes and Gardens: Do whatever you can in advance. For example, set the Thanksgiving or Christmas table a few days before; that way you won't have to think about tending to a wrinkled table cloth or spotty glasses the day of the holiday dinner. (I am totally gonna try this, this year. I have never set the table this early. But what an awesome idea)

Nothing like some warm, crunchy breakfast potatoes. We made these while we were camping and right now (as I start my diet, boy would these taste good). But I have the great memory and that is all I need for now! I know these will be a permanent recipe for many many more mornings to come. I found this great recipe over at Lick the Bowl Good. This is one of my very first blogs I started reading, this one and one other, Your Homebased Mom. Without me stumbling across these two blogs, my blog would maybe never of came to be. So, I thank these two ladies for there AWESOME blogs and the many recipes my family has enjoyed because of them!

Breakfast Potatoes

from Link the Bowl Good

4 medium sized Russet potatoes

4-6 tbsp Vegetable or Olive Oil

Seasoned Salt (see recipe below)

Preheat non stick skillet on stove top over medium high heat. Put enough oil to coat the pan (about 1-2 tbsp). Meanwhile peel the potato and wipe it off with a clean paper towel. DO NOT rinse the potato because it absorbs water and takes longer for the potatoes to crisp up. Cut the potatoes into a 1/4 inch diced pieces.

Put the potatoes in the pan and coat them evenly with the oil so they don't stick to the pan. Leave them alone for the first couple minutes until the cubes turn a golden brown. Don't toss them too much or the potatoes will cook through without browning and will become soggy. Toss the potatoes around a few times until they're evenly browned on all sides.  

When they're completely cooked through and crispy around the edges, sprinkle a little seasoned salt over the potatoes until they're seasoned to your liking. Mix well and eatthem while they're still hot.

Season Salt

1/4 cup salt 

2 tbsp black pepper

2 tbsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

 

Store in an airtight container.

2 more days to link up!
We would love have you link up
Thanksgiving Dinner & Side Dishes at:

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

This posted is also linked to: Show & Tell Saturday and Lucky Linky Tuesday

Olive Garden Alfredo

Friday's on MOMS CRAZY COOKING is "Recipe Only"

We would love have you link up
Thanksgiving Dinner & Side Dishes at:

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

MOMS CRAZY COOKING was featured today on Presto Pasta Nights Round Up

Thank You Debi Does Dinner Blog

  This post also linked to: Show & Tell Saturday, Show & Tell with Blue Cricket

Nest Egg and HOLIDAY HOTTIES "Healthy Recipes for the Holidays"

We are starting another diet/healthy eating in our home, yes around the Holiday's! It's usually just me and the girls and the boys just tag along and eat whatever they want. But since I am in charge of cooking, I get to cook whatever I want. So, we will be trying to be a little bit healthy for the next few months. I joined a great group a few months ago Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and they have just begun another challenge Holiday Hoedown. It's a wonderful place for motivation, meeting new people and lots and lots of ideas and encouragement along the way with challenges to keep you on your toes. Read here about the past challenge called Shrinkvivor and this time my team is called Holiday Hotties.

Don't worry though, I still have LOTS of treats to share with you! I will be baking and giving away tons of candy & cookies to family and friends (just like always). So, there will be plenty of recipes shared here healthy, non-healthy and lots and lots of treats too. I will also be doing a 12 days of Christmas Goodies Blog Hop Party, so make sure you watch for that starting December 11, 2010.

Here are some great healthy recipes we've made in the past.

Peanut-Butter Breakfast Banana Split
Healthy Cobb Salad
Cucumber Chicken Salad
Grilled Chicken Salad
Peach-Strawberry Morning Parfait
Strawberry POMegrante Smoothie
Banana Chip Yogurt

Onto today's healthy breakfast, that my twins just love. It's fun, easy and delicious.

Nest Egg

1 egg

1 piece of bread

sprinkle of Grandma's Seasoning Salt

Heat a skillet and spray with Pam. Cut a circle out of a piece of bread and lay in the pan; crack the egg into the middle of the toast, sprinkle with Seasoning Salt (while cooking not after) and cook. If you like over-easy cook more on one side then the other, if you want the yolk cooked through, cook a little longer on each side.

Watch for this logo for healthy recipes this Holiday Season here on MOMS CRAZY COOKING.

I am on Team A for the Holiday Hotties and I can't wait to LOOSE weight this holiday season and share my experience, struggles and joys as I try and loose 10 lbs over the next 8 weeks!!! Wish me LUCK! This is NOT going to be easy! I weigh-in every Wednesday and plan to report here on Thursdays.

We would love to have some HEALTHY recipes for Thanksgiving, so don't forget to link up with us your
Thanksgiving Dinner & Side Dishes at:

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

This is linked to: Food on Fridays, Foodie Friday, I'm Lovin' It Fridays, Friday Potluck and Family Friendly Fridays

Monster Cookies

Monster Cookies

3 large eggs

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp corn syrup

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1-1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

4 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup flour

3 cups of fun stuff; whatever you've got left (chopped nuts, chocolate chips, toffee, raisins, m&m's, chocolate chunks and white chocolate chips or whatever cookie type of candy you have) 

Preheat oven to 350. Grease or line baking sheets with parchment paper.  In a large bowl, combine eggs, both sugars, vanilla, corn syrup, baking soda and salt. Stir til combined. Next add melted butter, then peanut butter, oats and flour. Mix thoroughly. Stir in 3 total cups of add-ins. Let the dough rest for about 30 minutes to allow the oats to absorb the butter.  Drop the dough onto baking sheets by the rounded tablespoon full. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes about 4 to 5 dozen.

Also don't forget to link up with us

your Thanksgiving Dinner & Side Dishes at:

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

This post is linked to: Inspiration Friday Party, Flaunt it Friday and Friday Favorites

Family Meal Planning (11-15-10)

Click here to see previous week's Family Meal Planning!

Have you started your "Thanksgiving" Meal Plan, I have been collecting recipes for a while now and I have a whole stack of new recipes to try (I will be posting them next week, for you to see). I am just the opposite of creature of habit, I do NOT want the same thing we've had over and over each year. I want every item to be NEW, EXCITING and DIFFERENT. I know this is NOT the norm, but I love it and I hope my family will too!

And believe it or not I still do not know where I will be for Thanksgiving. With my husbands busy work schedule and limited days off, we are unsure yet where we will be. I do know for SURE I will be cooking a Thanksgiving meal (just not sure if it will be on the traditional Thursday of Thanksgiving or it will be on the Saturday after). Either way I have already bought a Turkey (for only $5 BUCKS at Vons grocery store, what a steal, I picked up two) and then I WON, YES, I WON another thing in this tiny little blog world, I WON a $15 certificate for a Butterball Turkey. And I could not be MORE thrilled, Thank You, Thank You Mommy's Kitchen. So, not only will I be cooking one Turkey this holiday season, I will cooking a few other Turkey's during Christmas. Good thing since I have over 20+ people staying at my house for 10 days at Christmas time.

I am so excited this week of THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS all the links will be Thanksgiving Dinner & Side Dishes, plus if you need some ideas for Thanksgiving Cookies & Treats check out these 39 great recipes and if you are in the mood for Pumpkin Recipes then just follow these 41 recipes specifically for anything with Pumpkin. 

Well, now for this week of Family Meal Planning...and me starting a DIET. Yes, you heard right a DIET for the holidays. I am ready to shed a few pounds during the holidays and make sure not to gain an extra pounds while enjoying all these delicious treats. So, wish me luck!

Check back at the end of the week and we will link the actual recipe!

(not all recipes will become reality so if there is not a link, we haven't made it yet)

Nest Egg

Pumpkin Smoothie

Mushroom Egg Salad

Super Stuffed Potatoes

Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich (just bread, peanut butter, banana & honey)

Olive Garden Alfredo

Chicken Crescent Rolls

Blueberry Top Muffins

BBQ Pizza

Crunch-Berry Pancakes

Homemade Lasagna

This post is linked to: I'm an Organizing Junkie: Meal Plan Monday

Also don't forget to link up with us

your Thanksgiving Dinner & Side Dishes at:

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

Monroco (aka Taco Burrito)

This recipe has been in my family for years. I have asked and asked and tried to find out where the name came from "MONROCO" (pronounced mun-ro-ko). We do not know where the name came from but it's been in our family for forever, passed on from my great-grandma (who is no longer around and who I never meet) to my grandma (who can not remember where the name came from) to my mom (who has no clue where it came from), my mom has just been making them forever and now I make them for my kids all the time. And my daughters LOVE to make them. This is such a fun thing to pass recipes down from generation to generation.

I have created TWO scrapbook/cookbooks sharing my recipes with my family and friends. I have extra copies of the scrapbook printed so that when my kids move out they can take the cookbooks with them and they will have all our family favorite recipes no matter where they go to college and to eventually live (which I secretly hope they stay right here by me).

Monroco(pronounced mun-ro-ko)

created by my great-grandmother

6 Flour Tortillas

1 can Refried Beans

1 to 2 lbs of Ground Beef

Taco Seasoning (of your choice)

Grated Cheese

Shredded Lettuce

Tomatoes, diced

Sour Cream

Avocados

Taco Sauce and/or Salsa

Cook beef on stove until done; with Taco seasoning. Mix beans and beef together; heat all the way through. Heat up a flat skillet with butter or cooking spray. Fold flour tortilla in half and fill with meat mixture and cheese. Fry on both sides of the tortilla, until crisp and cheese is melted.  Once it's finished add in your desired condiments; lettuce, tomato, sour cream, etc.

Serve with rice, chips and salsa for a quick and scrumptious meal! Enjoy!

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don't forget to link up your favorite 

Thanksgiving Dinner & Side Dish recipes at:

"THIS WEEK'S CRAVINGS"

This post is linked up one, two or all of these FABULOUS Linky Parties!

This post is linked to: Works for Me Wednesday, What's on Your Plate, It's a Blog Party Delicious Dishes, Tuesday Night Supper Club, Tuesdays at the Table and Tasty Tuesday Parade of Food