Skillet Gnocchi with Spinach and White Beans

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 16-ounce package gnocchi,
1 onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup water
6 cups chopped spinach
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
1 15-ounce can rinsed white beans
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheesehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until plumped and starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and onion to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium heat, for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add or spinach and cook, stirring, until starting to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir in the gnocchi and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes. A variation could include adding chicken in addition to the beans or in substitution of. I love using this site for quick meal planning ideas!

Delicious flavor and very easy weeknight meal! A must make again!

Yummy....... On the menu!!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Pancakes

Ingredients

1/3 cup rolled oats
2 large eggs
1 tbsp peanut butter (I use natural chunky)
1 tsp maple syrup (will be omitting)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
¼ banana, quartered and sliced (use the remaining for topping)
Cooking spray

Directions

Combine all ingredients but your bananas. Once mixed, gently add into batter. Then make em'up! I love putting more peanut butter and banana on top, then drizzle with some honey or syrup. However, given my yeast free diet, I might top them with a little Greek yogurt for the time being. I am just waiting for some extra time in the morning to make the little treats! Cannot Wait!

What is your "breakfast of choice," time permitting?

"Starvation" Update #1

It has now been three days since I have started my yeast free diet. In all honesty, it hasn't been as bad as I was anticipating. I have had a headache off an on and a few spells of weakness. The most severe symptom has been my non-stop crying. I cry over everything. A friend's text, not having any cold water in the fridge, dropping my pencil under the couch.... The worst is that every time Bailey cries; I cry. :(. (Wouldn't be as bad if she weren't teething.) Caffeine and dairy are not permitted on the the recommended diet. However, I am including both, as well as some fruit, in my "Nursing mama with a caffeine addiction" variation. So, with the exception of excessive fruit, pasta, and my daily dessert, I am not changing my diet to the extreme. The most difficult adjustment has been not having creamer in my coffee. It has only been recently I have started using creamer. I think the difficulty in that sacrifice is the half full container of delicious Chocolate Caramel creamer in the door of the fridge....right next to the container of carrots and cucumber. Maybe I should move those??

Food Allowances on a Yeast Free Diet

Vegetables.
Beans.
Beef, Chicken, Turkey, Fish, pork.
Eggs.
Whole grains (rice, barley are the two I am eating).
Whole grain oatmeal.
Unprocessed seeds and nuts.

Using the above as a guideline, the past couple of days my meals have consisted of: Stir-fry, salads, omelets, scrambled eggs, beef, chicken and lots of vegetables. Snacks have included: raw veggies, an occasional apple, raw sunflower seeds, almonds, and plain oatmeal with walnuts.

Oddly, my evening hives have not gotten better, but worse!! After doing some research , I have been told that is normal. I am also anticipating that, with my non-recommended additions, it will take longer to eliminate the hives completely. So with three days under my belt, I am feeling hopeful that relief is around the corner.

Starvation......

Shortly after having Bailey, I developed a skin rash diagnosed as P.U.P.P.S. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it is a rash some women experience during the later stages of their pregnancy. Cure....delivery of a baby. I, however, was blessed to develop the condition after, yes after, the apparent cure. WHAT?? After many prayers, research, minimal medication (due to nursing) and several topical oinments, I finally found relief!!! I made a trip to a local mid-wife in the community where I previously worked (Amish Country). Her suggestion: eliminate yeast from my diet! In all honestly, I thought she was crazy! However, in my desperation, I made the sacrifice!! Amazingly, there was an immediate change. As each day progressed, my skin began to heal. I no longer had to cover myself in creams, lotions, and anti-itch ointments! I didn't have to cry myself to sleep each night because I was so miserable! And my skin wasn't red, blotchy and welty anymore! (if only those stretch marks would have faded away with them......) Yay!!!

Shortly after the rash disappeared, I occasionally splurged and ate bread, pastries, and crackers. So.... for the past 5 months, rather than the "prego rash," I have been battling hives.....every. stinkin. night. Fun.....right??!! So, I have stopped eating yeast. Getting better? Yes. Going away? No.

I am now working with a chiropractor (co-worker of the Mid-Wife) who is giving me a diet plan to eliminate this annoyance! He has suggested I forgo eating yeast, sugar, and starches. The idea is that yeast is fed by various foods. By eliminating those foods, the yeast will die. So by "starving the yeast" my hives will dissipate. Following? While I am unsure of the validity of the concept, I am willing to try. Omitting these from my diet will be beneficial regardless. This is a largely modified version of the typical "yeast starvation" diet. However, due to my nutritional needs as a nursing mother, my restrictions are limited.

After doing some brief research, I am expecting the next few days to be a bit rough: Headache, nausea, irritability, exhaustion, diarrhea, shakiness ...... and the list goes on. It sounds like the self-induced flu!! I am trying to remain positive. The worst is over in a few days, my hives will vanish, and I will get a few more recipes out of the whole thing. I will keep you updated as I progress!! :)

Springtime Supper!

Miss Bailey and I were home alone this evening. In all honesty, I. WAS. POUTY. I have been craving a Bummie Burger since Christmas. Bummies has been open for two days and I have yet to make a trip. It could possibly be because the estimated wait time was "only" about an hour. Who has time with an almost 9 month old, at her almost bedtime, with an almost ravenous women to wait an hour for the most delicious, fattening, and satisfying food in town???!!! I wish I did. Truly, I do!!

In light of the beautiful yet Bummieless evening, I thought I would post a "Townehouse" summertime favorite. We have paired this with grilled hamburgers, grilled chicken, and even eaten it as our entree. It is most delicious with freshly picked cilantro, parsley and tomatoes! Yum..... Cannot wait!


Tomato and Cilantro Pasta

1 ½ lbs fresh plum tomatoes, large dice
½ cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
black pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic, diced
6 oz shredded blend cheese
1 lb ziti
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tbsp. Chopped flat-leaf parsley

1.Cook pasta until al dente, drain
2.Combine tomatoes, oil, vinegar, salt, garlic, jalapenos and cheese in large bowl.
3.Pour drained pasta over tomato mixture and toss, allowing residual heat to melt the cheese.
4.Toss in the parsley and cilantro and serve.

Christmas Cookie

What a beautiful afternoon to stay home, cuddle, drink hot cocoa (with homemade whipped topping...yummy) and make Christmas Cookies! We use a simple, quick and tasty recipe that my mother-in-law passed to me. This would be Michael's favorite holiday cookie.....In the four Christmas's we have been together, I have yet to make them without him anxiously checking on the progress! :)

Dough:

3/4 cup of shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder


Mix together the shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour, salt and baking powder. Cover and chill for one hour. Roll dough to 1/2 inch, cut into desired shapes. We currently have an assortment of Christmas trees, bells, and one Mickey Mouse. Transfer to cookie sheet and bake in a 400 degree oven for 6-7 minutes. Remove to wire rack and cool before icing.

Icing:

1/4 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla.

Mix until smooth, add food coloring until desired color. Spread onto cooled cookies....Enjoy!


What is your favorite Christmas dessert?

Leftover Turkey Potpie

As most of you, I am planning my weekly meals around the abundance of leftover turkey. Tomorrow, I am going to make turkey potpie using the recipe below! Yummy!!

2-3 c. mixed vegetables
5 c. turkey
1/3 c. butter
1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed thyme
1/4 tsp. rosemary
1 c. milk
2 c. broth

Pie crust - I usually use the pre-made crusts but will try to make my own tomorrow, time willing.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix ingredients together in a large pot on the stove. Stir until broth and milk are thick and bubbly.

Cover bottom of round baking dish with 1/2 of the crust, set the remaining half aside. Pour vegetable/turkey mixture in dish carefully, then cover with the remaining crust. Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until crust is nice and brown.
Can also be made and then frozen, but baking time will need to be increased.

What are your plans for your leftover turkey??

Crock Pot Pizza

Today at Mom Life, our topic of interest was Freezer Cooking. We discussed the best and most efficient way to freeze meals ahead of time for quick cooking later. I left feeling very motivated and excited to get started.

I decided, in the spirit of motivation, to share with you Michael's new favorite meal. This is one of the many yummy meals I found in an old cookbook. Thanks MOM! :) I did this in the crock pot, but it is a must to my list of freezer meals.

Crock Pot Pizza
1 ½ lbs ground turkey/beef
1 onion
1 can mushrooms
1 green pepper
1 pkg pepperoni
2 8oz cans pizza sauce (I used 32 oz of sauce I had in the freezer)
½ box rigatoni noodles (I used a whole box of whole wheat)
10 oz mozzarella
10 oz cheddar cheese

Brown meat, pepper, and onion – drain. Cook noodles as on box.
Make layers beginning with meat mixture and pepperoni. Top with sauce and cheeses, repeat. Cook 3-4 hours in crock pot or until cheese is bubbly or bake in oven 1 hour at 350 in 9x13 pan. If you choose to freeze: prepare as directed, allow to cool, and then freeze. When ready to enjoy, defrost and bake.

Oatmeal Pumpkin Pie Muffins

To me, fall means football, scarves, long walks, bonfires, apple cider, crocheting, cuddling on the couch, and finding new tasty recipes!! After taking a leisurely walk to the library, I decided to tackle a newly modified recipe. YUMMY!!

Oatmeal Pumpkin Pie Muffins

2 cups pumpkin pie mix
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup water
4 eggs
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup oatmeal
4 teaspoons baking powder
2-3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cinnamon chips leftover from a previous recipe.

*Heat oven to 375*F.
*Grease and flour muffin tins, or use paper liners.
*Mix together all ingredients except cinnamon chips, blend until just combined.
*Stir in chips.
*Fill muffin tins three fourths full.
*Bake for 20 minutes, or until muffins test done.
*Cool in pan or on a wire rack.
*ENJOY THE DELICIOUSNESS