I Heart Cottage Cheese?

Yes, this is a question!

A few weeks back Corey picked up Olivia from daycare and Barb told him she gave OJ some Cottage Cheese with lunch and she gobbled it all up! So being the softy I am, I have my hubby pick up some cottage cheese at the grocery store so I can see this for myself...and you can see it first hand...we bought the WRONG BRAND!



So at my Grandma's house yesterday she had some cottage cheese...by Land O' Lakes (Sold at Cashwise) and Olivia LOVED IT! We buy Cass Clay (Sold at Hornbacher's). Now the only question is, do I switch grocery stores to buy Cottage Cheese...not a chance. Sorry baby, you will have to get your fill at Barb's or Grandma's!

Valentine Smile

On Valentine's Day we think of those
Who make our lives worthwhile,
Those gracious, friendly people who
We think of with a smile.

I am fortunate to know you,
That's why I want to say,
To a rare and special person:
Happy Valentine's Day!
By Joanna Fuchs

The Tuscan Table for a Valentine's Feast

Soup, Chicken Stock, Lindsay's Bacon for the Rissotto & Veggies

We recently went to a cooking class put on by Mosaic Foods in Fargo. If you havn't heard me brag about how much fun we had & how great the food was...your ears are lucky!

I wanted to post a few pics, but mostly I wanted to share some of the recipes...IN NO WAY, WEIGHT WATCHER FRIENDLY. Yes, every food has a points value, BUT...when the points values are above your daily limit, I consider them Non-Weight Watcher Friendly Foods! Watch out Rachel Ray, we are taking over your kitchen!

I thought if you are like me, you are trying to find a way to win your mans heart through his tummy and you just might enjoy a few of these recipes for this weekend! We will be recreating the brucetta for our Valentine's Day Feast. And I am thinking possibly the rissotto, but have not confirmed if I will be that ambitious. As our chef told us, making Rissotto is a 'social affair' meaning, you need more than one person stirring to lesson arm cramps & tennis elbow.


Joe, Me, Corey, Tanner, Lindsay & Cassie Hanging out in the kitchen


Cassie don't burn the rissotto!


Corey & I Enjoying some Vino


Lindsay, Myself & Cass Enjoying our food, YUM-O!

Bruschetta with Fresh Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil
Serves 12
4 ripe, medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 cup firmly packed, torn fresh basil leaves
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
12 slices fresh mozzarella
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
12 slices crusty bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl mix together tomatoes, basil, olive oil and vinegar. Add ¼ tsp of the garlic and blend well. Season to taste with s & p. Let stand at room temp for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours if possible.

Place the bread on a large pan in a single layer. Top each piece with a slice of fresh Mozzarella, then add a tbsp of the tomato mixture on top of the cheese. Place in oven until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Smoked Bacon & Pecorino Risotto
Serves 6-8
1 pound chopped smoked bacon or pancetta
10 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 shallots, chopped fine
Salt and freshly ground pepper
6 cups vegetable broth, kept on a simmer
¾ cup white wine
½ cup finely chopped onion
2 ½ Aborio rice
5 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp grated Pecorino cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

In a sauté pan over medium heat, warm 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Add the shallots and cook them until they are translucent. Add the bacon, cook thoroughly. Add ½ cup of vegetable broth. Simmer for another 3 minutes. Set aside.

In a 4 quart casserole over medium heat, warm 4 more tbsp of the olive oil. Add the onion and let it cook until it turns gold. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains. Add the remaining wine and stir until it has been evaporated. Add a ladle of the simmering broth to the rice and stir. When the liquid has been absorbed, add another ladle of broth. Continue this way, letting the liquid absorb before adding another ladleful, and stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.

Add the reserved bacon, stir well, season with salt and pepper, and continue with the ladle at a time process. When the mixture gets too thick to cook without sticking, use the broth again. The risotto should be done after it cooks for a total of 18 minutes. Each grain will be soft on the outside, but with a slightly chewy center. You will probably not use all of the broth.
Remove the risotto from the heat and beat in the butter, remaining olive oil, Pecorino, and parsley. Stir vigorously to make the risotto creamy. If it seems too dry you can add more stock or a bit of ½ and ½. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

*We also made: A creamy squash & sausage soup, Tiramisu, Goat Cheese Ravioli & Stuffed Pork Loin w/ Veggies & Pesto (If you want any of these other recipes, email me, I will be happy to share)

Warm your soul

Have you heard me? I have cabin fever, which has now turned to a 'cabin headache' too...sigh. Why do we live here? Well, all I can say is I'm living here for love. If I was single, with no children, this winter would have FOR SURE drove me to move ANYWHERE less intense than here.

Anyway, as I was reading one of my favorite blogs today she had a recipe for 'Chili Mac'. No I havn't made it, but really, how could it be bad!?

My Olivia loves, I MEAN LOVES black beans. Honestly, I have to cut her off and she has been known to cry about it. So I was thinking, w/ some minor adjustments I could make this recipe w/ Black Beans, less chili seasoning, and voilia = Baby Olivia Friendly! Enjoy!

Oh and for some extra fun, you could whip up extra beef/ground turkey & make some nummy nachos Hungry Girl Style (click link for recipe) one night.



Chili Mac
16 oz uncooked lean ground beef (with 4% fat)
1 large onion(s) diced
2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes chili style, undrained
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
13 oz dry whole-wheat elbow macaroni
28 oz canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed

In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain when done cooking. Return to pot.In a large skillet, cook beef, bell pepper and onion until meat is browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes, chili powder and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer & add kidney beans. In the pot with the drained macaroni noodles, stir in the meat sauce mixture. Mix well & serve warm. Try topping with 1/4 cup of fat free cheddar cheese to each serving for a value of 1 Point. Fat free cheddar cheese is a Filling Foods Friendly food.

Makes Approx. 10 cups 5 Points Per Cup

Thanks Weight Watchers Chic, LOVE your blog!!!

Eeeee Cheese

I took a few pics of Olivia eating this weekend & she was just hamming it up for the camera. She was saying something that sounded like “Eeeeeeeeeeee” (Cheese) and giving me the craziest smiles, LOL!

Thought you would all enjoy! This is it for my picture montage today! Just couldn’t resist!

Every girl needs a pink boa!

Say Cheese Olivia!


This girl LOVES black beans!


Eeee!!!

Beach Bum

So, since this Momma has a pretty serious case of cabin fever I took advantage of the warm weather (25 degrees) yesterday to take Olivia for a ride in her super cute sled Papa Steve & Marsha gave her for Christmas.

I honestly thought she was going to love this, really what’s not to love…but to my utter surprise & embarrassment (a LOT of our neighbors were out playing in the sun as well) the poor girl SCREAMED & SCREAMED & SCREAMED….

Here are a few funny pics of the ‘great time’ we had. Actually, Corey & I were laughing so hard at her because she was SO SAD, just sobbing like her heart was breaking. POOR BABY!

New in '09

Here are a few new pics of Miss. Olivia! Hope all is well!