Gluten-Free Dinner

You know I am always trying out new things as far as health and food go.
Tonight I made a gluten-free (as far as I know), vegetarian dish that was really much tastier than the original.

I switched up a few for me.  I made the "real" recipe for the fam and a small dish for me.

The original recipe: Well, the Christine version of the original with noodles.

Penne Bean (sausage) Bake
1lb. penne or medium tube pasta
1 small onion chopped
1 TBL olive oil
1 can cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed (or 1 lb. turkey Italian sausage, casings removed)
3 cups (or more) fat-free meatless spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan chesse

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.  In large skillet saute onion with oil, add sausage until no longer pink or beans.   Drain, in needed.  Add sauce and noodles.
  Transfer to a 3-qt. casserole dish coated with oil spray.  Cover and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.  Uncover; sprinkle with cheeses.  Bake until cheese in slightly browned.

Yields: 9 servings

The Gluten Free Version
Enough Quinoa to equal 1 cup pasta. 
(I just made a small amount and spooned the onions, garlic, beans, and sauce over about 3/4 cup Quinoa.)
1 small onion chopped
2 heaping tsp. crushed garlic
1 TBL olive oil
1 can cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed (or 1 lb. turkey Italian sausage, casings removed)
3 cups (or more) fat-free meatless spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan chesse

Cook quinoa according to package directions; drain.  In large skillet saute onion with oil, add sausage until no longer pink or beans.   Drain, in needed.  Add sauce and noodles.
  Transfer to a 3-qt. casserole dish coated with oil spray.  Cover and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.  Uncover; sprinkle with cheeses.  Bake until cheese in slightly browned.  For vegan, leave off cheese.

Enjoy!

Day Off for Date

Last week Hubby told me that he was taking today off so we can do something together.
Whatever I want.
That is a tough one...there are a lot of things I'd like to do.  My mind goes blank when given the choice! ugh!
So, due to homeschool, laundry, and a budget here's what we did.
After devotions and breakfast we walked/jogged at the Foot Hills.

We got a dusting of snow over night and I thought I was going to be pretty hard core going out in the "snow".
I think it only snowed in our neighborhood.  There was not a trace of snow at the Foot Hills.
I tried getting a photo of the Foot Hills, but it is too wide and well, hilly to show you what it looks like. 
We walked up the weaving, up and down path ran down from the top.  Probably about two miles together.

At the top we took these.

Here's an oops, I hit the button too soon, shot.

Never mind the band-aid...I cut myself shaving!  Not really, but it sounds good.
You can't really tell, but I was trying to do my Bret Michaels impersonation with the whole ear warmer thingy over my head that way.

After showering and getting some needed things done I ditched the bad rocker look and got ready for our actual date.  What a difference a shower and styling can make!

We went to the missile range to bowl.

Hubby won both games.  I knew he would.  It was like old times.  One of our first dates was bowling in a very small bowling alley in the California high desert.  There were two "older" gents, who were REALLY into bowling.  They analyzed every thing.  One had a thumb guard, something on his wrist and forearm.  They kept pulling out ball after ball.  I had to laugh at myself, nearly breaking the floor with every gutter ball I got.  We had many good laughs though.

LOVE dates with Hubby!  So glad he likes them too.

Some Layouts

Behind the scenes I have made a few layouts (credits go to sahlin studio).

for full list of credits go here.

Let's Talk - Running - Where You Go

To me where I go walking/running makes a big difference.  I used to go to a local school near our house until they closed it to walkers due to construction.  Having to find somewhere new to go helped motivate me to become a runner and keep going.  It is pretty, there are always others walking/running there.  Seeing others run, helps me want to run and keep going.

My usual run/walk goes like this...

...pink walk up to the water tower, green jog down.  Total 2 miles.  (Over the cars and everything...heehee!)

This morning I did NOT want to go, but I knew that I would feel better afterwards.  It was cold, bitter cold.  I usually end up taking my jacket off at the top of the pink line. This time I didn't take it off until I was almost done.  By then the gloves came off, the jacket off and my headband/ear warmers got folded up like a bad 80's style.

Off to home and the shower, feeling good that I came out.  I think I am finally getting runner's high.  This morning as I turned around to run I actually felt my body relax.  I am liking the sound of the gravel under my feet, the rhythm of it.

Let's Talk - Running - Gear

When I first started out jogging I went in what ever I had in my closet.
*the closet thing to running/yoga pants that I had, which kept falling off.
*the only sneakers I had...toners.  Not ideal jogging shoes.
*cheap, cheap exercise bras.  Can someone say, "I am not running until I get a better bra?!"
*t-shirts

Let's just say I have upgraded a bit since I made jogging a habit.
I bought:
*better exercise pants (that don't show the sweat!  Which is great, because I sweat...a lot!)
*actual running shoes.  I would recommend them, but really shoes are truly an individual thing.
*exercise-sweat whisking shirts, okay I sill run in regular shirts, but the whisking ones are great.
* and most importantly an REAL exercise bra.  Let me tell you the girls thank me every time I put it on!  Won't going running without it!  The one I bought is pricey BUT so worth it.  So comfortable I could wear it all day.  Really, go buy one!

Next I want one of these:
* a flip belt.

As of right now I hold my  keys, pepper spray and whatever else in my hands.  This would be great!

If you run/jog, what is your must have gear?

Random, just Random

Life has been different lately, and that isn't all that bad.
*Son is bustin' his boo-tay  (and I mean bustin') to finish 9th grade homeschool so he can go to public school next school year.
*We didn't get matched for the boy we REALLY were hoping to get.  So, more inquiring and waiting.
*Daughter bought me this after her work the other night!  So sweet!

*I ran a mile yesterday!!  Walked two.
*Hubby's beard is growing on me.
*I actually sang a line of a song in tune the other night!!  The WHOLE line!  Too bad I didn't have it recorded or I would play it for you!
*Daughter is busy car searching...mustang, car searching!  She test drove one and is going to make an offer.
*Made this for a fellowship.  YUM!  I will have to post the recipe.  (I always say that and then forget.  Remind me!!)

 *Made these and this the other night for dinner.  The potatoes look better than they tasted.  (this is before they are cooked.)

 The fish was caught by my step-dad.

Hope you have a great (long) weekend!

To Be Fair

A few weeks ago son came home from riding around with this swollen lip.  The next morning it was even bigger. ****IF YOU SEE HIM...DON'T TELL HIM I POSTED THESE!!!**** ;)

He is NOT sticking it out in this photo.

He is, a bit, here.

I took him to the Doc who didn't say much, except it should go away.  Which is pretty much what Dr. P always says.  He was right the next day it went way down.

To be fair Son took this photo of me.

Instead of Flowers

Don't get me wrong, while I L.O.V.E. flowers anytime of the year,this Valentine's Day I asked for something different.

My grandparents would always sing this song and it always brings a smile to my heart.

It also completes my wall...

 
I spent a good deal of time today arranging and rearranging the wall decor.

I think I finally have it...(I am working on something to put in the blank frame.)

I just need a little something to go between the map and the photo of C.

I may try to paint one or more of the frames to make it look more uniform...this is REALLY stepping out of my comfort zone here...all of these colors!

Since it is Valentine's Day, I have to share the card I found for Hubby...it is so us.

Hope your Valentine's Day was a good one. ♥♥♥

Seriously good!

 In attempts to make more of our food by hand and to provide healthy food for my family, I try to reproduce the main food items we eat.  We eat a LOT of granola bars!  While this is not the healthiest, it sure beats store bought any day.  The only down side is that they go so fast.  I seriously have to limit the kids (and myself)!

I replace the wheat germ with Ground Flax Seed all of the time.
I need to make these again this week!

What is something you regularly make homemade for your family?