Archives for January 2016

C’s Picks – week of January 24th.

January 24, 2016 / By Courtney / 4 Comments

Another week, another kitchen line up! I so hope you are finding these, along with the grocery list, helpful. I try to keep things fresh and applicable to the seasons and, let’s be honest, the frigid temps. Hope you are finding a recipe or two that can bring some comfort into your own home! Let’s do this.

A friend mentioned Ree Drumonds mexican casserole to me while the boys were jumping away on an inflatable octopus. Ah, mom life. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since so it’s so happening today. She warned me, as delicious as it was, it took some time to prep hence why it’s perfect for cozy Sunday cooking.

That brings us to Monday and to one of M’s favorite soups: split pea. This Curtis Stone recipe is perfection, I mean homemade croutons on the top? Fantastic.

A staple in our home, homemade tostadas for a quick cooking dinner on Tuesday night.

I’m a total sucker for a skillet recipe. Can’t wait to try out this italian chicken skillet on Wednesday night. How good does it look?

Another delicious quick cooking staple in our home: philly cheesesteak sandwiches. Always like to make extra for my parents up the road.

And that brings us to Friday. Off the boys go to a sleepover at Mimi’s as mama is headed downtown, woohoo!

What do you think – anything sound good? Let me know what you’re making this week. I’d so love to hear!
C

To buy at the store:

4 fresh tomatoes
lime
carrots
celery
garlic
cilantro
green pepper
sliced mushrooms (2 packs)
2 zucchini
thyme
12 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast
1 lbs chicken tenders
1 italian saute express starter (if your store doesn’t have, italian herbs and/or seasoning is fine
16 ounce jar salsa verde
1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce (red)
1 15 ounce can refried beans
tortillas
11 oz can corn kernels
2 15 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
1 lbs bag split peas
shredded cheddar cheese
parm
1/2 sliced provolone
1 lbs deli roast beef
1 4 ounce smoked ham hock, or ask deli if they have a ham bone to use
rotisserie chicken
sour cream
sundried tomatoes with herbs
good sandwich rolls

Pantry items (check to make sure you have at home):

olive oil
balsamic vinegar
butter
4 onion
garlic
italian seasoning
chili powder
paprika
cumin
4 cups chicken stock
15 oz pinto beans
15 oz kidney beans

Winter crushes.

January 22, 2016 / By Courtney / 4 Comments

I love writing these crush posts! It’s so fun to think about what keeps me happy throughout the seasons. I have to admit, winter is always a tough one as most days I’m pretty much day dreaming about when I can be back in my flip flops and a summer dress but there is some good in winter if you look really really hard. Here’s what is making me smile this season.

I finally found my daily go to leggings and boy do I live in them. Tall girls, they go all the way down and stay in place – amazing! And check out that price. Stock up.
Life. changing. My skin doesn’t seem to mind the dry winter air all that much but my lips? Super sensitive. M gave me this night lip remedy from C.O. Bigelow in my stocking and I’m hooked.
It took me quite awhile to find my daily planner soulmate. I’ve tried a few but after a month or so the appeal would sort of fizzle. Not this one. To start, it’s larger. Some people may find that off putting but we need the space. The weekly view is wonderful, with a dinner box for each day, a to do list, top priorities, a gratitude box, and goals for the next week. All for $16.99? Obsessed.
If you haven’t caught on to the poncho trend by now this is a great place to start. The chunky knit is so flattering and looks way more expensive than it is. Score.
I have a love for so many candles but when you really boil it down, this Aveda one is simply the best. The scent is so calming and the simple clear votive adds such a beautiful soft glow to the room.
Addicted. We use this Honest Company hand sanitizer spray daily: on shopping carts, after school, just for fun. They are wonderful for traveling – I spray down the arm rests, seat belts, and tray tables before we sit down.
Can’t be winter without a mention of our favorite pinot noir: Meiomi. It’s sort of tradition now to be gifted a case from M’s dad (so nice) so we are officially stocked and ready for hibernation.
‘Let’s Stay Home.’ Ha. Pretty much how I feel about Jan – March. Waiting for this darling sweater to go on sale.
This print is everything. Love the message and the dreamy ocean is the perfect thing to get lost in on a snowy afternoon.

Well, that’s my winter crushes round up. I’d love to hear what is making you smile this winter season!
C

Take that, January.

January 20, 2016 / By Courtney / 6 Comments

Anyone else feel it’s been a rough start to the year?

Let me back up a bit here. The last three months of 2015 were a little, well, rocky over here at the ol’ ALFS home. I always have a hard time figuring out exactly how to explain rough times on here. The blogging world can be completely deceitful. It’s not all brand new kitchens and homemade food and smiling happy well mannered kids 24/7 here, although that should be obvious to most. Yet there is also a sense of privacy I do want to maintain for myself and my immediate loved ones. It’s a balance I’m still struggling to find as I continue to grow as a writer: what to say, what not to say. Yet what I have learned about myself is that I’m much more prepared to write about it all once it’s in the past.

When you’re in something things are hazy and confusing and tearful and why for some it may feel great to just blast away at the computer and get it all out I internalize. It feels safer that way. Even reaching out to friends can be difficult for me. For awhile the only one that truly knew what was going down is the one phone call I make each morning: mom. And I told her this.

Mike is sick.

Like, kind of scary they don’t know what is wrong sick.

Deep breath.

It’s a long story with many layers that can be summed up best like this: he is pretty darn allergic to ammoxicilian. Like, not in way where your throat closes up and you die, but a sneaky it’s shutting down your liver ever so slowly yet effectively kind of way. Obviously, he did not know. And over the course of the last three years many pieces of the puzzle have now been linked together and eventually solved.

So, October through December was spent getting him well. That involved a lot of rest, a lot of quiet, a lot of unknown, a lot of patience, and a lot of holding down the fort so to speak. Our lives were spent week to week with testing and waiting for the doctor to call with the results. Anticipating news, elated when it was good, tears and frustration when it was not.

Yet guess who got better just in time for Christmas? Heck yeah, M was on the upswing.

It took a lot out of me though. Way more than I thought when I was living it. And then Christmas hit and obviously, was amazing, but it was not exactly the calmest of times. The 26th came and I just……crashed. Like, napped everyday for a few days really didn’t get out of pajamas crashed. No regrets there.

Yet after a few days my OCD kicked in and it was time to get the house in order and the family packed up and off to Florida we flew. The sunshine felt great and the time with family was divine and M was on his feet, all good things.

And then January hit. To be honest, I was viewing January as sort of a recovery period for our little family. Coming off of three months with a sick husband, December crazy in general, and another trip I was so looking forward to the structure. The routine. The boring.

Please be boring. I love boring.

It has not been boring.

L’ s best friend had a scary sledding accident. Another dear friend’s mother had a life threatening fall. Another friend’s mom is fighting breast cancer. Just when I thought enough is enough my iphone lights up with one of my dearest friends husbands name.

Uh oh.

Never a good sign when the husband who never ever calls you is calling you. And it wasn’t. Like hospital worthy news for multiple days.

This has meant a lot of unboring things. A lot of kids to be watched, a lot of meals to be made, a lot of phone calls and texts checking in, flowers to be delivered, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I thrive on these things. These things are what I truly desire to fill my days with and they are one of if not the most important reason I structure our family schedule in a way with room to breathe. We refuse to overbook because I want to fill my time with things such as these. These moments are what matter.

As good as they are though, it’s a lot. The worry alone is enough to drain you. I want all my dear friends and family in one piece, please. And I can handle the bumps here and there but this sure was feeling like a lot all at once. Just when I was thinking about it all and pondering if I could possibly fit in a 10 minute nap I was hit with this text:

Tears, really. It didn’t even occur to me to make that connection. I can get so caught up in teaching my kids to say please and to be kind over and over when in reality the crazy days of rotating kids in and out of our home and delivering meals and phone calls to the florist with them in the car on the way to baseball, well, they were living it. No amount of boring or sleep would be worth giving that up. None.

So bring it on January. Hit me with all you’ve got because we are not backing down here. I’m not stopping until everyone is back together in one piece, safe, at home, and eating this roasted tomato and white bean soup. Hands down, best soup I’ve made in years. So good I almost, just almost, didn’t want to give it away.

Be Well Soup

2016-01-16 15:35:32

Serves 6

A super healthy and flavorful vegetarian soup!

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Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

45 min

Total Time

55 min

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

45 min

Total Time

55 min

Ingredients

6 celery stalks, cut into 1 & 1/2 inch chunks
3 carrots, peeled, and cut into 1 & 1/2 inch chunks
1 large onion, cut into 1 inch chunks
6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 TBS fresh rosemary, minced
salt & pepper
olive oil
6 roma tomatoes, cut in half vertically
1 TBS fresh thyme, minced
6 cups chicken stock
1 15 oz can cannelini beans, drained, rinsed, and smashed with a potato smasher or back of a spoon
1 15 oz can cannelini beans, drained, rinsed and left whole
3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
fresh basil, roughly chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
On one baking sheet lined with foil, toss your celery, carrots, onion and garlic with salt, pepper, olive oil and the rosemary.
On another baking sheet lined with foil, line up your tomatoes and sprinkle with salt, pepper, olive oil, and thyme.
Roast both trays for 30-40 minutes until tender and slightly browned. Allow to cool.
Process all vegetables in a blender or food processor and dump into a large soup pot. Add in your chicken stock, smashed beans and whole beans. Bring to a simmer.
Stir in your fresh spinach and basil and continue to simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Adapted from Kate Geagan

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

Help Your Family Fight the Flu With These Natural Remedies

January 18, 2016 / By Courtney / Leave a Comment

As the temperature continues to dip, the sounds of sniffles and muttered coughs can be heard throughout the house. That’s right, everyone. In case you forgot, we’re right smack dab in the middle of flu season. As our bank accounts are slowly recovering from the onslaught they took over the holidays, I wanted to put together a piece that will help you avoid going out and buying pricey (and let’s be honest, not always effective) over the counter flu medicines. I so hope you’ll find these natural flu remedies quite helpful for you and your family!

Dietary Adjustments

The easiest way to naturally boost your body’s ability to fight off the flu is to adjust your diet. Things like garlic, ginger, turmeric, and plenty of Vitamin C from fruits and leafy greens will go a long way in building up a strong internal defense. I’ll admit it, the last thing I want to do when I’m battling a fever is spend time preparing a meal for my family. Not to mention the fact that eating any solid foods while sick with the flu is nothing short of gag-worthy. Yet I have put together some recipes that will satisfy even someone with zero appetite and are super quick and easy! Promise.

‘Cure A Flu’ Chicken Noodle Soup http://www.a-life-from-scratch.com/cure-a-flu-chicken-noodle-soup

I’m pretty sure that chicken noodle soup is literally always a good idea when you are sick. In fact, I think there’s actually scientific proof that it’s the most soul-soothing thing that you can put into your body. Ok, while that might not be entirely true, one thing is certain: chicken noodle soup is excellent when you’re feeling under the weather.

‘Cure A Flu’ Chicken Noodle Soup

2016-01-14 15:27:31

Serves 8

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Prep Time

30 min

Total Time

30 min

Prep Time

30 min

Total Time

30 min

Ingredients

2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 onions, 1 halved and 1 chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 fresh bay leaf
2 TBS good olive oil
4 medium carrots, thinly sliced
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced
Salt and black pepper
1 quart good chicken stock
1/3 lbs whole wheat noodles
4 scallions, thinly sliced on an angle
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
Zest and Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

In a sauce pot, combine first 4 ingredients with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then down to simmer for 15 - 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a soup pot or dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender, around 8 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
Remove the poached chicken from the liquid and add about 2 cups of the cooking liquid, pouring through a strainer, to the soup pot. Dice the poached chicken, then stir in the noodles along with the chicken and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add all the fresh herbs along with the lemon juice and zest. Season with salt and pepper, if needed.

Notes

I do not like soggy noodles in my soup, so if you are going to let the soup simmer on low all day I would advise to keep the noodles separate and add to cook a bit before you dish up.

By Courtney

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

Sick Day Orange Smoothie

Oranges, clementines and other citrus fruits are jam packed with vitamin C, which is known to help with shortening the recovery time from the flu. Plus, who doesn’t like smoothies? This recipe includes ginger, which is very soothing to the stomach and helps with digestion. Huge. The bananas will also help with, um, issues, and the honey and coconut are also well known for their healing properties. Long story short, this is basically a secret weapon against the flu virus and it is absolutely delicious. Everyone in my family loves this recipe!

Sick Day Orange Smoothie

2016-01-11 19:01:49

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Ingredients

1 c. orange juice
Juice from 3 clementines
1 ripe banana (peeled)
½ c. coconut milk
1 tsp ginger
4 T. raw honey
2-3 c. ice (depending on how thick you want it)

Instructions

Blend oj, clementines and bananas until smooth in blender.
Add remaining ingredients, adding ice slowly until desired thickness.

Notes

Clementine and oranges are packed with vitamin C, known to shorten the length of the flu
• Ginger is soothing to the stomach and helps with digestion
• Bananas are easy to digest and help with bowel issues (common with the flu)
• Honey and coconut are known for their healing properties

By Courtney Glantz

A Life From Scratch. https://a-life-from-scratch.com/

Rest Up Recovery

It’s no secret that catching up on sleep and getting plenty of rest will help your body reset itself as your cells work to fight off infection. Having sick kids at home can be exhausting and sometimes overwhelming, but using the dietary suggestions above and some super simple at-home methods can help make this process a little less painful.

Even though the kids might not want to take a bath while they’re running a fever, it can be super helpful to add Epsom salt to the warm bath water. This is a proven method to reduce muscle pain that are common with the flu and help the body detox. Baths will also help the body hydrate itself.

Using a cold/warm compress on aching parts of the body during the flu will help a lot with long nights of tossing and turning. Not all of us have those pre-made ones sitting around at home, so I found a method to make one with stuff you probably have at home!

Check out this video for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hC-CzsY1GM

You’ll need a clean tube sock (we all have one sitting around that doesn’t have a match), some string, a funnel, a scooper (cup measurer), scissors and rice. Put the funnel over the opening of the sock, and start to scoop the rice in. It’s really up to you how much rice you want to add. Once you reach the amount you desire, Then, use a small length of string/yarn and tie it around the sock to seal it up. Toss it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and BAM. A homemade hot pack. Be careful when giving this to the kids because while it might not feel all that hot, it could need to cool down for a few minutes.

Nobody wants to get sick, but sometimes it’s just unavoidable. I hope these methods help you and your family save a bit of time and money on the road to recovery this flu season. Be well, friends!

C’s picks – week of January 17th.

January 17, 2016 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

Another winter week – another cozy line up! Anyone else planning out their meals for this week? As always in winter, I’m keeping it healthy(ish) served up with a whole lot of comfort. These are meals to eat in your pajamas, by the fire, as the snow falls. Let’s do this.

Sunday I’m going to make M one happy guy and make this chicken alfredo ziti bake. (Big) salad on the side. Heidi? We’re running tomorrow.

Monday night let’s shift gears a bit: a super healthy and comforting soup chock full of roasted vegetables and fresh basil. Perfect for bread dunking and pinot noir drinking.

That brings us to Tuesday and to one of my family’s favorites. This recipe is in serious rotation in our household. Have you made it yet?

Another oldie but goodie – this cheesy chicken pot pie gets seriously rave reviews and we can’t get enough. As in, don’t count on leftovers.

Thursday night sounds perfect for our new tuscan minestrone. I think I discovered this recipe two months ago and have already made it five times. So healthy. So good. So perfect for a chilly winter night.

Let’s end the week with a family date night. Boys, where do you want to go?

Stay warm friends!
C

To buy at the store:

onion (3)
red pepper
green pepper
celery
carrots
zucchini
garlic
1 lbs fresh tomatoes
4 cups fresh baby spinach
avocado
cilantro
rosemary
basil
thyme
sage
12 ounces ziti

1.5 lbs flank steak
rotisserie chicken, or chicken breasts to cook and shred for pasta bake (need enough for chicken pot pie and chicken alfredo bake)

mozzarella cheese
shredded cheddar
parmesan
milk

Pantry items: (check to be sure you have at home)

cannelini beans (2 15 oz cans)
28 ounce diced tomatoes
14.5 diced tomatoes (no salt added)
butter
brown rice
olive oil
garlic
flour
bisquick mix
chicken stock (3 boxes)
salt
pepper
oregano
cumin
2 cups frozen veggies (this is for the pot pie, you could also use fresh veggies. I typically do two cups of frozen and add in fresh broccoli)