Our helping hands

{4.11.15} It's that time of year again when our Ward does some service for the community. This time we were to clean up this stretch of the railroad that runs downtown. Here's a shot of part of it BEFORE.

Little Levi in is "Mormon Helping Hands" vest. He did a great job helping us pick up a lot of trash, then he played with this railroad tie on a cement block  with some of the other little kids. They made piles with the little rocks and houses and kept themselves occupied and out of trouble so we could keep working. I really appreciate him being so good while we worked. He was the littlest one there!

Alivia and her good friend A. Work is more fun with a friend. :) They were so cute; they said, "This experience is helping us to be better friends." Well said!

The Elders found a little Garter Snake and the kids all wanted a peak. This is close enough for me. Thanks.

And here's an AFTER shot! Doesn't it look great?! Levi and his friend are in the yellow vests and we made a few piles of BIG garbage the city will come by and pick up.

We picked up JUST A LITTLE trash! Sheesh! We got done about an hour earlier than we expected because we RAN OUT OF BAGS! :P Next time we'll ask the city to give us more. :)

{family recipe} french toast

French Toast is something that probably doesn't need a recipe because everyone kind of does their own thing, but in case any of my children want to make "just like Mom did" after I'm gone, well here it is.

French Toast
1 loaf of sliced Italian Bread
1 dozen eggs
1/4 c milk
1 t. cinnamon
2 T. granulated sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat griddle or skillet to medium heat.
2. Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon and sugar. Dip one slice of bread in egg mixture and transfer to pan. Wait 2-4 minutes then flip. Continue with the rest of the pieces of bread.
3. Serve with (pure) maple syrup.

Freezer instructions:
Lay out pieces of french toast in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place in freezer. When frozen, transfer to a freezer gallon-sized bag or other container.

To reheat from frozen: Place 1 piece of french toast in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then move it to the toaster to finish warming up and it gets a little crispy. Perfect make ahead breakfast, ready to enjoy!

{our best bites} baked ham & egg cups

I have found that breakfast is a lot faster when you've got some of these in the fridge just waiting to be warmed up. They are tasty and I make them almost weekly. Enjoy!

Baked Ham & Egg Cups

Picture from Our Best Bites

Recipe slightly adapted from Our Best Bites

Ingredients:

8 eggs

3/4 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 c grated parmesan cheese

1/4 c cottage cheese

5 oz frozen spinach, defrosted, squeezed of water, and roughly chopped (opt)

1/3 c diced roasted red peppers

1 oz. finely diced ham, canadian bacon or crumbled bacon (1/4-1/3 c.)

1/4 c chopped green onions or 1/2 t. onion powder

1/4 t. kosher salt

1/8 t. freshly ground black pepper

1/2 t hot sauce

12 slices lunchmeat

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*.

2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients (except ham slices) and stir well.

3. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and place one piece of ham in each well to form a bowl.

4. Evenly divide the egg mixture between the 12 muffin  well (about 1/4 c. each), being careful to keep ingredients evenly distributed. You want them to fill right up to the top.

5. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. The tops should be puffed and just barely set on top. Eggs will sink after cooling.

Freezer instructions:

Store in an airtight container in the fridge, or freezer. If possible, remove from the freezer the night before to thaw in the  fridge. When microwaving set on a folded paper towel to absorb excess moisture.

{meal plan} March 2015

Here's what we cooked up in March. Find these recipes here (or coming soon).

Crockpot Chicken Teriyaki

{obb} pear pomegranate salad

Chicken DaVinci

{obb} sugar cookies

Garlic lemon orzo & broccoli with shrimp 

{paleo} grilled/baked chicken thighs

Zesty green beans

{obb} guiltless fettuccine Alfredo with chicken

French toast, scrambled eggs & bacon

Paleo Crab Cakes

Easy chicken cordon blue

PBBOCCC

grilled ham & cheese

Pap's baked chicken legs 

{obb} ham & egg cups 

{cafe rio salad} = Cafe Rio Chicken with Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing & romaine

Birthday request- Grilled hot dogs & Doritos

Alice Springs Chicken

Zesty green beans

Fiesta Fanitas

PB double marble swirl cake