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So this will be pretty short. I'm going to try and have entries posted on Sundays and Wednesday*. Also in news is I'm thinking of going to a different server..who knows at the point. If I choose to do this, I will have a new name, but don't you worry...I will post the new website on here so I don't loose you all. Meaning all you have to do is click the link. It will take sometime to build up a new site - so I will probably post entries on here still just not every Sunday. I will alert you all in advance.

Thank you all for reading - Happy 2015

Sneaking veggies in ordinary kids dinners...

You were probably asking yourself how, how do I get veggies in my kids foods without them knowing. I have a solution for you, butternut squash and mac & cheese.

It's pretty simple all you have to do is boil the water for the noodles just like the package tells you. Then I took a smaller sauce pan mix the 4 tablespoons of margarine and 1/4 cup of milk with the cheese powder that they provide you. Then this is the fun part mix those together (if you have a child helping you cook I would have them put away dishes or put away the toys maybe set the table so they don't see you put the squash in)Put about a fourth of a cup of puréed sweet potato or puréed butternut squash is. (The reason why I chose those two is because they are both yellow and they will match the cheese sauce for the mac & cheese.) So just mix in your chosen vegetables. I also tweaked the seasoning a bit I added a little bit of onion powder, garlic powder, turmeric, salt and pepper. Of course you can add your own touches, lucky for me my daughter loves garlic and turmeric you can't really taste. Then you are done...in the picture below I added some topping for my husband.

Butternut squash topping 

• Four 1/4 inch slices of butternut squash
• tablespoon of butter
• salt
• pepper
• 2 tsp brown sugar (depends on your tastes, more or less - up to you)
• 2-3 Basil Leaves (optional)

Put butter in a pan on medium low heat, once the butter has melted place the slices down and sauté them 2-3 minutes on each side. Next sprinkle with some brown sugar, salt and the pepper on the squash. Turn them over a few times to coat in the glaze and you should be done. I chopped up some basil and topped it to make it look pretty. Got 2 thumbs up from my hubby for this dish.

*Update*
A variation of the cheese sauce is that you can do it with velveta.

• 1/4 Cup Milk
• 1/4 inch slice of velveta cheese cubed up
• 2 TBL Butternut squash 
• salt, pepper and any other seasonings you prefer.

Put everything in a pot and stir at low heat. Pour over whatever you like.

Butternut Squash Baby Food

So I bought this beautiful squash at one of the last farmers market of the holiday market...that was back in the beginning of December, just recently used it. It kept pretty well in the fridge, but you could tell it was getting old...
I read a few different sites about making your own baby food...with butternut squash. Some mention roasting it, while the other mentions boiling/steaming it. I chose the route of boiling/steaming. I usually go for the roasting because if you don't know it does give off a better flavor usually.
My squash wasn't huge but I still had to slice it three times, four if you count the top. So I took the first bigger chunk off and peeled it. Then I sliced that sucker into 3 medallions, sliced each medallion into "fingers", finally cubing them. Whoo. So I continued with the second chunk and cubed that as well, only leaving the nub I had cut in half. Placed the cubed in a medium sauce pan then covered the cubes with water. Place it on medium heat and let them go...i really didn't time it, you want it pretty soft since it's for your baby and all. I tested them with a fork after it came to a boil. Finally they are done and finally it's time to blend them. I took out my trusty nutribullet and it's extractor blade and put all the cubes into the tallest cup with most of the water that was left behind. Whirl that sucker then stop. When you unscrew the lid, careful you did just whirl everything hot so it may hiss and steam a bit. Once it's open you have yourself some butternut squash baby food. Pretty simple right?
Let me know what you all tried for your babies...

First Taste: Adult Strawberry Milk - New Years Eve!!

That's right..I said it adult strawberry milk.

So I wanted to start a new series on my blog, called first taste. So my first first taste will be about this strawberry milk. Now it's not ordinary strawberry milk it is adult strawberry milk meaning it has alcohol in it and the particular alcohol is a vodka.

So looking at this bottle if it looks like some retro glass bottle with the swing top closure. I picked this drink out for two purposes one adult strawberry milk, come on. Now, second the bottle, this bottle I am going to reuse when I'm done with the drink. Maybe some vanilla extract in the future? Alright back to the drink. I went to the website to check out other flavors and looking into this particular flavor their description of this drink fits it perfectly. 

"say hello to adult strawberry milk, a strawberry spectacular your mouth won't want to miss. With the taste of juicy, ripe strawberries, the refreshing sensation of a cold glass of milk, and of course, the kick of a little vodka, this tasty twist on an old classic is certain to liven up any occasion!

I can't say it any better than that. Explains it perfectly. I opened up a bottle of poured a little bit in a cup you know to test it and The first smell you get the vodka it literally smacks you in the face. If you can look past the vodka smell, you can smell strawberry milk. 

When you take your first sip that's also what you get. You can pick up the glass and smell it like a fine wine but just take a sip and as it goes down your throat it's very smooth just like ordinary strawberry milk, then there is a slight tingle, a burn from the vodka. To me when I get that burned my throat closes up not in a allergic reaction just have to drink it nice and slowly I can't drink it any faster or he won't go down.
On the back the directions for the drink state the following:

1. Flip Open
2. Pour over ice
3. Enjoy

No refrigeration needed...but you now it's much better in the refrigerator versus on ice. No one likes watery drinks. Plus I don't drink it fast enough.

If you visit the website (link below) you can go to the recipe page. It gives you three recipes I believe for strawberry. You should check them out.

Bottom line is go out and buy this drink, I bought it for $22 but I heard the retail is actually $18. And you can go out and try the other two flavors which is chocolate milk and adult limeade. If you pick those up please let me know what you think or tell me to buy it if you want I can do another first taste. I hope this helped you into making a decision next time you're in the alcohol section.

*Information by Adult Beverage Co. 

Happy Hanukkah 2014!

Hanukkah just slap me upside the head...where did the time go? Of course I'm shopping for presents and people wish me Merry Christmas...or tell me "you must be shopping for Christmas?" No...but when I answer them Hanukkah - they look at me like I spoke a new language. People should really brush up on other holidays besides Christmas. I ended up just smiling and nodded at the lady who spoke about Christmas to me again. I know I can't change her ways of the unknown.

So this post will be about my 8 Days of Baking. New tradition I'd like to start with my four year old daughter. I will try my best to get the pictures up for everything - if not, I will share where I got the recipe and tell you how it went. Fingers crossed? The 8 days should have started two days ago, but it's hard when my 6 month old doesn't want to let me go. It's only me, my daughter, my 6 month son and mother in the house most of the time. (Hubby works) My mother usually takes my daughter to entertain her and I have my son. Love him to death but I've become such a couch potato...not cool at all. So anyways I will extend this a bit past Hanukkah.

Cake Pops (balls)
I changed the pops to balls...only because I think I made them to heavy with frosting. I put them on a lollipop stick and the melts(melted of course) pulled them off the stick. So instead I kept them off the stick. Bummer - but they were my first, so it's okay for now. I will work on them. (semi smile face)

Buckeyes
For those who don't know Buckeyes. It's like a Reece but BETTER. You take a traditional peanut butter container. (equals about 2.5 cups) Some powdered sugar, butter and some vanilla extract. Mix it in your mixer, shape into balls..freeze them while you make you chocolate coating then dip them in. You want to leave some of the peanut butter showing and set it on parchment. So you want them to look like a traditional buckeye found in Ohio. Buckeyes Recipe

Sugar Cookies (Star of David shaped) x2 (Made them for Two Days)
Sadly I did not do this from scratch only because I had some mix from last year that I needed to get rid of. So I added the right amount of egg, flour and almond extract. Rolled them out and cut them with a star of david cookie cutter. Voila! I let my four year old daughter decorate them with my mother and we took them to the local library.

Strawberry Sufganiyot (Jewish Jelly Donuts)
I haven't tried these for like 10 years. Back then I was happy I got them done..but boy it was a pain. (I was still in High School) So it was a lot better this year. It was almost relaxing making them, got a bit of a work out as well. Only sad thing is I couldn't pipe out the jam, instead I made a hole and pinched it open so the hole was bigger. After that, I spooned in some jam then sprinkled some powdered sugar. I was fantastic. Yay me. Recipe: Sufganiyot

Oreo Balls

So I had something like this at my daughter Halloween Party for her ballet class. I can't believe I never had these. I've seen people make them on Facebook but jeez. Anyways super easy, I used Dollar Tree Faux Oreo's. So like a bag then took a second bag, using only 6 cookies. You can judge what you feel...then one package of cream cheese (8oz). Crush those oreo's - all of it..even that luscious filling. Then make sure that cream cheese is room temperature and the recipe tells me to press the back of the spoon to soften the cheese..well I'm sorry no patience..instead I put everything into my stand mixer and bam, did the work for me. (Winks) Take like 1 tablespoon or a cookie scooper and mold into a ball with yours hands. Place the finished balls on some parchment paper - I stuck mine in the freezer. In the meantime I melted the white chocolate. Now comes the dipping...I tried dropping the balls into the chocolate, coating the picking up with a fork. Didn't turn out well. Then a light bulb flashed in my head. 'What if I do the buckeye method?' So that is taking a toothpick, probing the ball and dip it, moving it around some to coat as much as you can. I softly set it back on the parchment waited a moment then took one of those corn cob probes..no idea what they are called as you can see. Took it to slide the balls off the toothpick. Why didn't I do this before?! Jeez. Comes out what I think is Purr-fect. Ha. Here is the recipe - if you want it that is. If mine isn't good for you. 

Oreo Truffles

Russian Tea Cookies

So some people might call these Mexican Wedding Cookies. I read that depends where you live? Who calls them Russian Tea Cookies? Who calls the Wedding Cookies? So again I didn't get to take a picture. They were a big hit. Maybe I will update this later when my mother requests them again. (need a break) Sorry I don't have much to say but one thing: They are easy. There are no eggs..just butter, flour, vanilla, nuts (any) and powdered sugar oh and salt. So this recipe calls them Russian Tea Cakes...betty crocker why?? Anyways here you go: Russian Tea

Peanut Butter Brownies

So this recipe is pretty simple. You will need to get that box of brownies sitting in your pantry. Follow the directions. Something like 2 eggs - 1/4 cup water? In my case I added coffee. (Inside tip: You don't have to add water. It can be milk, tea, juice..coffee?) Then the oil, however much it is. Mix everything together pour into pan. Heat up some peanut butter, for 30 seconds but in intervals. You will need approx. 3 Tablespoons.  Drop it over the brownies before you put it in the oven, then swirl it with a knife. Make it beautiful. Now the oven should be preheated to 350 degrees, pop it in. Still you will want to follow the directions from the box. So if the degree is different don't take my degree...and the time should be around 15 minutes. Viola! 

So this is the end of my 8 days of Hanukkah Baking. Let me know if you tried any of these how it came out. Let me know how your Holiday was, Hanukkah, Christmas or even Kwanzaa.

Freezer Meals

So hey anyone out there. This will be a short post, but I was wondering what are your favorite freezer meals? I've takin a liking into them recently. I have don't some recipes...though I haven't tried them yet. So we'll see when I try them..and I'll post them up here. So again...anyone out there? Comment below of your favorite freezer meals.

Tang Dynasty Authenic Chinese Food

Chinese Pork Steamed Bun

So this Saturday...(last) my family and I went to Champaighn for their Farmer's Market. (Going to miss the markets ) Now everytime we go inside the Lincoln Square Mall we pass this chinese restaurant. Inside reminds me of the chinese restaurants I had been to when I was younger. You know those huge round tables with a lazy susan like thing in the middle. Mainly so when your large family (usually) gets large meals you all can share it by turning the "lazy susan" (if its called something else, please let me know). So back to the main topic - We went passed this sign they had outside. I kept telling my hubby that I wanted some steamed buns. Never had them made fresh. He said next time (hate those words) Well luckily my daughter was hungry and pointed to some broccoli and chicken menu item and my hubby threw his hands up. "Guess were going in" HA! Girl Power.
So we go in and greeted by what I think is the manager - maybe owner? She was very nice and welcomed us made sure we were taken care of. My daughter accidently hurt her leg on the table and told my hubby to take her to get a piece of candy at the front. Checked on her as well. I knew what I wanted but still looked. I got two things. One was a steamed pork bun then a chinese hamburger. Yum.
The Chinese hamburger was pretty spicey...the good kind of heat. Made me take a deep breath in a few times and my water of course didn't help much. Instead I drank my daughter strawberry soda/milk thing. Not sure what it was but it was so good...This hamburger wasn't an american burger...it was like beef and onions..peppers I think and it was served with some vinegar in a little tin. Now my hubby don't like vinegar but I do and it was really good with it. I wouldn't say it killed the heat, it may have enhanced it a bit but I wouldn't have it any other way. (Winks)
The steamed bun was just so good and moist and...*mouth waters* ...I would eat some right now. It had what seemed like a little pork patty inside. It seemed like I mostly had steamed bun, but really I am not complaining.
The prices at this places wasn't so bad...$5 for my "chinese hamburger" and I think $1.50 for the Steamed Bun. I'm not talking about my hubby's lunch or my daughter as they got pretty usual chinese take out. I will say this - my daughter ate it..most of it so that is pretty big. Must have liked her chicken and broccoli. My hubby got fried rice and well shoot, I don't remember. Orange Chicken maybe? It was pretty standard. When we got done he said maybe next time he will get something new. I'd like to try the peking duck wraps...not a duck person...but I'd try it for the heck of it.
So that was my trip to the Tang Dynasty in Urbana, Illinois. If you are ever in the area, should stop by and take a look. 

Egg Drop Soup

Chinese Hamburger

More inside my Chinese hamburger