French Dip Crescent Rolls

    OK, so I'm addicted to Pintrest! I love, love, love it! I love the recipes, and the home decor ideas, the DIY crafts, and the hair & makeup advice...Pintrest is my Mommy escape! Well...not too terribly long ago I came across a recipe for Crescent Roll French Dips...I hit repin and forgot about it...Hey I have over 300 pins on my Food & Drink Board...Well, the other night when I was making the shopping list I came across the recipe again and got the ingredients (more or less) to make them. So tonight I made them for dinner, and I gotta say I'm a little disappointed in myself for waiting so long to make them. So...From table to yours here's the recipe I did:

2 pkg. Crescent Rolls
1 lb. of Roast Beef
Dubliner Cheese


    That's it! Roll the meat and cheese up in the rolls and cook for 12 minutes on 375 and enjoy! Now the recipe I had called for a lot more, but I don't like horseradish or Au Jus. I did use some Organic Potato Leek Soup which was yummy...I added some more cheese, fresh rosemary, pepper, and Trader Joe's Garlic Salt.

    All in All it was a very yummy dinner...even my super picky 17 month old gobbled it up. I will note that I didn't have enough roast beef so for the boys I just put 1 small piece of cheese and 1 slice of roast beef on a roll, and I did wind up with one plain cheese roll, but as I said they were all great!




ORIGINAL RECIPE:
http://www.mamalovesfood.com/2012/01/french-dip-crescents-with-easy-au-jus.html

Santa Claus is Coming to town...Just not to our house

...Christmas time is here. It rapidly approaches like a speeding train. Now, I'm not a grinch or a scrooge. I actually love Christmas, I mean the part of Christmas that's about family and tradition...not so much the thing Christmas has become...the thing that has people trampling one another for deals, or the one that tells people that if they don't have the biggest and best of everything that they're not really happy. The monster that the holiday has turned into is not what I love. I love the baking Christmas cookies with my kids, going to a farm and getting our own tree and then bringing it home and decorating it, the Christmas where we get together with our loved ones and even if no gifts were given it would still be wonderful. I love the old fashioned Christmas...which is the Christmas I'm raising my boys to love...with one change...No Santa. Now, don't get me wrong, I grew up believing in Santa. My Grandma and mom made a big deal out of Santa and I remember being sorely disappointed the day I found out he wasn't real. I know people who get seriously offended when they find out that you haven't told your kids about Santa and I'm not trying to encroach on anyone's traditions...it's just not for us.
...I want to state here that this isn't a religious thing. We're a Christian family, but that's not why. To be quite honest, Santa has just never been brought up. My boys are 3 and 15 months old and my husband and I talked about it and decided "why bother?". I know a lot of people are going to say that we're being scrooges, I've had people tell me that I'm ruining my children's  childhood by not celebrating Santa. That's their opinion...it's wrong, but they're my kids so there! Seriously though, my husband and I talked about it at length and decided that we want our boys to be thankful for whatever they are given, and we want them to thank the people who have given it to them. I think that's better than telling them that some fat guy in a red suit comes down our chimney (which we don't have) and puts presents under the tree. If that makes me the grinch then I guess that's fine with me.
...Anyway, I know this post will probably not be very popular. Santa has become an integral part of  Christmas, and if your family believes in Santa then that's great! I really have no issue with Santa!! I just hate what Christmas has become and I want something different for my boys. I want them to give thanks every day for the people in their lives, and the gifts life gives them. I want them to remember that they have family who loves and cares for them. I want my boys to grow up with the old fashioned values, that have become non existent in today's society. So, I guess my point is...no matter how you celebrate, or what holiday you celebrate...I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!


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Potty Training...Not for the faint of heart!

   My son Jeremiah turned 3 on Cinco De Mayo this year and he started using the potty last week. Yep, you read that right...My 3 year old is not completely potty trained yet. We've tried several times over the past few years, but it was to no avail. We tried bribing, punishing, and inevitably giving up. The fights, yelling, and tears were just not worth it!! I can live with diapers more then I can live with the heartbroken look on my oldest sons face whenever mommy and daddy got mad at him...like he had failed us!! 

Jeremiah making faces at me

   Now, my son is extremely bright, he's also very stubborn!! To put it simply...he is a 100% testosterone filled, dirt covered, truck loving, worm digging boy!! He wants what he wants, when he wants it. Do we give in...sometimes yes. Let's be honest though, most parents give into their kids wishes sometimes. It's not spoiling them, it's called picking your battles!! Potty training is one battle that the parenting community is torn on. I know some people who have their kids potty trained by a year and a half...while other's, like us, didn't even actually start until our kids were 3. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the super-duper mom's who do it early...I also have nothing but wonderful things to say about the other half of us super-duper mom's who wait. Because in the end it's YOUR decision. 
   My husband and I had to learn that. Jeremiah is our son, so we'll potty train him when HE'S ready. You know what...we've had a lot less frustration because of it!! Jeremiah loves using the potty!! We cheer him on like a pepped up cheerleader on speed!! If someone were to see us jumping up and down, clapping and cheering like a crazy person they'd probably have us committed. That's OK, because Jeremiah loves it! He tells me whenever he has to use the potty and then when he's done, he jumps out of the bathroom with a big smile on his face and exclaims "I DID IT!!" which is then equally met with the enthusiastic "WAY TO GO BUDDY!! I'm so PROUD of you!!" and then we do the potty dance. It's turned an otherwise pain in the ass (no pun intended) experience into a fun one. Does he have accidents? You bet! Do we get mad at him? No. I've come to a place where I refuse to shame my son for having an accident. Is it frustrating when he has an accident? Yes it is. He knows when he has to go, but for some reason when he gets underwear on or even pants on, he has a hard time holding it. At home he does awesome, no accidents!! Of course he's running around in his birthday suit, but it's getting results. 
   I know this isn't going to be a quick experience, but I've also come to realize that the reason for that is because it's new. A person who has never played the piano isn't going to be able to play a complicated piece of Beethoven...unless they are freakishly talented (Crazier things have happened though) the same goes with using the potty...now Jeremiah isn't doing rocket science, but it is still a new experience...and new experiences can sometimes be scary. 
   Is our approach for everyone? Probably not. I still get snide remarks from people who think he's too old to be in diapers. Maybe he is, but forcing him wasn't working and this is, so I honestly don't care. Everyone has to decide for themselves what is right for their kids. For us letting our opinionated, bull headed, wonderfully sweet 3 year old decide for himself when he was ready was the right decision for us to make.


~Savannah~

Ode to Salmon

  My family is a HUGE fan of fish!! Salmon, Cod, Tilapia, Tuna...Fried, Baked, or Barbecued...Give us a good fish and we'll turn it into an awesome meal! Tonight was no different!! Tonight I made a Salmon Teriyaki that is to die for!! I amazed myself it was that good!! Don't worry I'm not here to make you jealous, I'm here in my supermom cape to bring you the wonderful recipe that graced our table this evening!!

NOT YOUR USUAL TERIYAKI SALMON

This is AMAZING Teriyaki Sauce!!

4 Salmon Fillets (or however many you happen to be using)
Kona Coast Spicy Teriyaki Sauce
1/2 stick of softened butter
1-2 cloves of minced garlic
1 green onion
A few mint leaves
Rosemary
Pineapple 




First off grease your baking dish...I used Olive Oil because it tastes the best and helps the fish not dry out so fast!! Place Salmon Fillets in dish and cover with Teriyaki sauce..turn over a few times so that both sides are covered in the sauce.
Next mix butter, minced garlic, chopped onion, mint leaves (chopped), and rosemary. (I used our teeny-tiny food processor and it worked great!) Take butter mixture and place on top of the fillets. Also at this time place pineapple pieces randomly around the dish.
Cook on 450 degrees for 6 minutes (uncovered)..check at 6 minutes for doneness...We had to cook ours an additional 2 minutes, but it's always best to check because you don't want to overcook the salmon or it will get dry!!
ENJOY

I gotta say the bags of frozen Salmon at Winco have been a lifesaver!! They thaw out super fast and they taste great!! Anyway, try it out...make it your own and see what you come up with!!

Parmesan Encrusted Salmon & Tilapia

 It's no secret that, sometimes, toddlers can be picky eaters. My oldest is no exception, however I will say that I can't complain too much because, thankfully, he'll eat pretty much whatever we put in front of him with few exceptions. So tonight I wanted to give my family a dinner we all would like, that would fill us up and something that would be healthy. I think I nailed it!
 After scouring the internet for fish recipes, and coming up short, I decided to combine a few. What I came up with this:

PARMESAN ENCRUSTED SALMON & TILAPIA


Grated Parmesan
Spices (I used garlic powder, pepper, and fresh rosemary...thank goodness for our plant!) 
Salmon/Tilapia Fillets (I had 2 Tilapia and 3 Salmon Fillets)
1 to 2 Eggs (For dipping)
Olive Oil


Mix Parmesan and Spices (if using fresh rosemary, don't mix with the cheese) in bowl big enough to dip fish in. Dip both sides of fish in egg and then in Cheese mix. Place in baking dish, place rosemary sprigs on top and drizzle with Olive oil. Bake at 450 for 6 minutes. Check for doneness and enjoy!


All of the above measurements are what I used for 5 pieces of fish. If using less fish cook for about 4 minutes and check.


 I know that fish can be expensive, especially Salmon. I got both the Tilapia and the Salmon at Winco in the bags. They come frozen, in the bag and they are vacuumed sealed and individually packaged and they aren't horribly priced.. definitely cheaper then buying from the meat counter and since they come in their own packages, they're pretty darn good...not slimy. Besides fish is so good for you, especially Salmon and the fact that my 3 year old was excited for "Cheesy Fish!" was a major plus!! I served it with Corn on the Cob (another favorite of my 3 year old) and I must say it was one of the best dishes I've made!!


**I was going to add a picture, but I was really hungry and it looked incredible...so I ate before I remembered the snap shot! Instead, hears a picture of my son who loved his cheesy fish!**

My oldest baby boy

Just Me: JUNE 21st

Just Me: JUNE 21st: I'm a hosting a fundraiser with a friend of mine to help support Exodus Cry. We'll be *hopefully* showing clips from the movie nefarious...(...

NOT FOR SALE

    I recently watched a documentary called "nefarious." It's done by the group Exodus Cry and it's about the TRUTH of Human Sex Trafficking. It broke my heart, the kind of broken that makes you stop and say "this needs to stop and I need to do something about it!" I know that I'm not equipped (yet) to go into these countries and try to single-handed rescue these girls, boys, women...I'm 5'1 and 103 lbs, it would be foolish. However I do feel a calling on my life, and my families life to be directly involved. Whether giving money, or maybe even some day joining exodus cry. I know that I can't do nothing, and my husband agrees with me 100%.
   As a mother the thought of these children and women being ripped from their homes, away from their families is heart wrenching...worse though is the very real hurt the girls whose parents sell them must feel. I can't comprehend how a parent could choose to sell their girls. This post could easily stretch out and be extremely wordy, but you know...I'm not going to do that. I am going to strongly suggest that you go to www.exoduscry.com and check out their blog. I also strongly suggest that you watch nefarious, they have it for sale at exoduscry.com and all proceeds go to combating human trafficking. We can do something!! Raising awareness and learning the facts is just the beginning. I've started a pin board on pinterest.com called NOT FOR SALE, I figure that if even one person looks at the board and starts doing research then that's one more person who can make a difference.
   This is not a hopeless cause! I have a big God who does BIG things, and I believe that HE can put a stop to this. 






DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER,


I PRAY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING. I PRAY THAT YOU HOLD THEM IN YOUR HANDS AND COMFORT THEM. LORD, I PRAY FOR THE MEN INVOLVED, CHANGE THEIR HEARTS FATHER. LET THEM SEE YOU, AND LET THEM SEE THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS WRONG. HELP THEM REALIZE THAT ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD IS NOT WORTH WHAT THEY ARE PUTTING THESE VICTIMS THROUGH. I PRAY FOR THE "JOHNS" WHO PAY FOR THE SERVICES OF THESE WOMEN THROUGH PROSTITUTION OR ESCORTS, CHANGE THEIR MINDSET GOD. I KNOW THAT YOU CAN PUT AN END TO THIS HORRIFIC PRACTICE,I PRAY THAT PEOPLE WILL WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN PUTTING AN END TO THIS. THANK YOU FOR BEING A BIG GOD, WHO HAS NOT LIMITATIONS. 

AMEN