Patiently Waiting When Necessary!

Spring in Minnesota doesn't always mean that we have green grass and birds chirping. No, today we woke up to snow on the ground. Now I don't get too razzled by that because I know it'll melt soon. I do realize that it puts a hamper on any outside activities, but living here all my life has made me a "roll with the seasons" kinda gal. So instead of focusing on whether or not the snow is there, I'm looking ahead to next week. I'm sure you are wondering why on a Sat. morning am I looking forward to next week. Let me explain. See I'm a part of the Real Women of Philadelphia online cooking contest that Paula Deen (Food Network star) & KRAFT Foods PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese began last March. (www.realwomenofphiladelphia.com) Season 1 has come & gone and we are now into season 2. This is really an audition to be a "HOST" of the site, an audition where personality,energy, creativity in the kitchen and understanding of how cream cheese works in a recipe helps you move one step closer to being a "HOST" of the site. However, I do realize that the 'judges' know what they are looking for so no matter what I do or who I am I may not fit their idea of a host. This is very important to remember otherwise, one tends to get upset or frustrated when all that hard work doesn't earn them a spot. All I can do is my very best, come up with ideas that are creative and delicious in the hopes that this incredible opportunity would be presented to me. Next week is the week that the first 2 winners are announced for the "Appetizer Category" and like everyone on the site it would be an honor to be given a finalist postition in this category, but I just get excited to see who will win because you see I've made friends with all the ladies on the RWoP site. Friends that I wouldn't have if I hadn't joined RWoP last March. So whether or not I win a finalist postition, I'm ok with that because chances are I have friends who will be finalists and who will win the spot of "HOST"! So even if next week, my name isn't listed as a finalist for week 1, I keep in mind to do my best and be myself and leave it in the hands of the judges. Being patient in waiting for when my time will come, knowing that all that I do yesterday & today helps me for what lies ahead tomorrow! There are 7 more weeks in which I can present my best recipes, my heart for cooking and sharing that love of cooking with cream cheese with others. To check out my recipes go to these links: http://www.realwomenofphiladelphia.com/user_recipe/view/11524/10777/1 http://www.realwomenofphiladelphia.com/user_recipe/view/11524/10776/1 There are so many great recipes in the gallery so check it out if you are looking for new dishes to put on your dinner table. Link to the gallery: http://www.realwomenofphiladelphia.com/recipes-gallery?section=Season+Two So until next time, from my heart to yours, have a great day, Kirsten

Great Deal - MOA Nick Universe - Free Wristband

Ok Ok - I know I haven't blogged for a while, but I was told last night at our Mom's group from a friend of mine that she really liked the Cub deal I posted about in March....so JA - This deal is awesome and I wanted to share with everyone because it's just too good to pass up.

A few months ago my sister-in-law sent me an e-mail letting me know that I could register my kids for a FREE, UNLIMITED WRISTBAND for their birthday @ MOA Nickelodeon Universe....good only on their actual birthday. So I signed up...posted the confirmation e-mail to their birthday months and alas October came and it was one child's birthday. I grabbed the birth certificate and we headed to the MOA. Once we checked in at the guest services desk we headed off for a ride extravaganza. By the end of the night I was pooped...but we made it. She was able to go on any and every ride she wanted as many times as she wanted with such ease....now we wait for the next birthday in November.

**The bonus was a coupon book we got along with our wristband (make sure you ask for the coupon book) full of free things like Nestle cookie, Dip n Dots, a meal at the new Mexican Rest on 4th floor, Free kids drink at Caribou...there are 12 coupons in all...(we'll save them for Christmas break and that'll give the kids something to look forward to).

So for all you moms and dads who are looking for a wonderful activity for your kids ON their birthday, go to the link below, register your kids and you are on your way....This is a wonderful deal.

http://www.nickelodeonuniverse.com/birthday-details.html

Have a great day, until next time..
Kirsten

I Love My Cub (Foods that is)

I wanted everyone to be aware of the deal that Cub is doing right now...I've done this before and it's a great thing.. It only goes through April 15th so act fast

Buy a $300.00 gift card and you get a $30.00 gift card free
Buy a $250.00 gift card and you get a $20.00 gift card free

Here is a meal idea using some of their items on sale this week.

Hot Turkey Bacon Cheddar Pita Pocket
8 Servings (1/2 a pita each serving)

Grand total is $12.57 ($1.57 per serving)*not including the tomatoes

Deli Style Turkey Breast (1 pound) $4.99
Cub Bacon ( 1 pound) $2.99
Damascus Low Carb Pita (4 ct.) $2.59
Crystal Farms Cheese Chunk (8 oz) $2.00
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
A slice of tomato if you'd like

Cut each pita in half so you have 8 pockets. Place 2 slices of cheddar cheese in the pita, followed by some turkey then some bacon and the tomato if you desire, then 2 more slices of cheese. Spread the dijon mustard on the cheese slices. Place in a panini press or in a large skillet and place a heavy pan on top of the sandwiches to "press" them. Cook until both sides are toasted and cheese is melted.

Have a great day friends,
Kirsten

Today's The Day - My 34 New Goals

Ok - I'm so excited, I had to finish putting these new goals in my composition notebook and got all my little detail items filled in so I can now share my new goals for Dec 2008 - Dec 2009.

So last year I created 33 goals for myself. Some I carried over from the previous year that I was unable to complete for various reasons. When I sat down and looked at my list yesterday, I figured out that I crossed off 16 goals from my list. YIPEE! That is so exciting. I have a realistic expectation that I cannot do everything on my list, but am determined to complete these goals before they get off the list.

SO - DRUM ROLL PLEASE! My new goals are as follows!

1. Complete 2 - 5K races, one in the spring (with my PriorFatGirl cousin) and one in the fall
2. Complete the LTF Triathlon, doing better on my biking time - My finish time goal 2 hours
3. Finish putting together my empty photo albums (8 of them)
4. Date each child alone 2 times a month
5. Write two encouraging notes a month to family and friends
6. Go Skydiving
7. Go to NOLA to help with clean-up that is still needed
8. Go camping up north with the kids (haven't been yet)
9. Have all special event cards done by February
10. Build one house for Habitat for Humanity in MN or NOLA
11. Have a Bunco game night, proceeds going to a local food shelf
12. Read 8 chapter books to the kids *Seperate from regular reading times
13. Write grandpa 2 times a month
14. Read the Narnia Books
15. Volunteer 18 hours this year *Seperate from party room volunteer, Kiosks at church, ect.
16. Go to New York City with Cy for a long weekend
17. Read the Bible in a year with the kids each day
18. Read 3 self-improvement books this year
19. Start the food shelf at church or continue progress towards opening it.
20. Save $$$ each month for all knows presents (b-day, Christmas, Mother/Father Day ect.)
21. Finish putting all recipes into 3-ringed binders *Compelted 1/2 last year
22. Make 4 new recipes a month
23. Finish the new table and cover the chairs with new fabric
24. Paint or varnish the bookshelf downstairs
25. Donate to a food shelf each month - food or financial donation
26. VOlunteer at Feed My Starving Children with Sophia 6 times
27. Learn a magic trick
28. Get a pedicure (haven't had one for 6 years)
29. Bless one neighbor a month with a note and some baked goods (we have 13 neighbors)
30. Teach Austin how to ride a 2-wheeler
31. Create my new hutch area, sell old hutch to antique shop
32. Enter the Pillsbury contest (3 recipes this year)
33. Get all Christmas cards done by October 31st.
34. Cross off 18 goals this year (crossed off 16 on the previous list)

So, again, these are things I want to make a serious effort to do, some are simple and easy, some a little more challenging. Several are things I have not been consistent at or haven't done in a long time. All are very important to me because they are things I find very important for healthy, happy living. If you see one you want to do with me, let me know and we'll do it together. I hope you find in the year to come a list of goals no matter how big or small that you want to make sure you do this coming year. Type them up, post them on your fridge and in a notebook and make sure you take pictures or keep momentos to tape into your goals book.

Now I'm hungry after all that work....here is a super duper brunch recipe. This is again a Skoglund family favorite, one we've eaten for over 20 years and usually on my birthday. Looking at the ingredients, you might think it's different and might not taste good together, but you would be mistaken. These flavors all go so well together. Make a 1/2 batch and try it, you just might like it.

Breakfast Lasagna
8-12 servings

Special Sauce *Mix these 2 ingredients well and chill until use.
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup brown sugar

12 slices of French Toast (freshly made or frozen)
8 ounces sliced ham
2 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can apple pie filling
1 cup granola (*plain, no raisins)

In a 9x13 greased pan, place a layer of french toast (6 slices) on the bottom. Layer the ham, 2 cups of the cheddar cheese then the rest of the french toast. Spread the apple pie filling over the toast and top with the granola. Bake for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove and sprinkle the last 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the granola and put back into the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Cut into squares and serve with the special sauce drizzled over each slice. Enjoy!

I hope this post helps you find those things that are important to you this coming year and make sure to do them.

Until next time,
Kirsten

One Week Until My 34 New Goals Get Posted

Ok - So as I mentioned in my previous post, every year on my birthday I make a new list of goals for that next year, things I actually cross off when I complete them. So I'm down to one last week and then I get to see how many of the 33 goals I crossed off from 2007 - 2008. Then I put the goals I didn't cross off from last year on my new list for 2008 - 2009. I have come up with some new ones so I'm pretty excited for that. I am also looking for anyone who wants to participate in some of them with me to join on in.

So here's my recipe for this week. This is a favorite of mine. When my mom would buy frozen bread dough and let it set out EVERYONE in our house growing up knew what we were in store for. These delicious breakfast rolls are perfect during the holiday season for a special sweet and gooey treat.

Breakfast Sweet Rolls

2 loaves frozen bread dough, slightly thawed (I use Rhodes)
1 package instant butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar

*Cut dough into 1-inch wide slices and then cut each slice into 4 chunks. Place into a buttered bundt pan evenly on all sides. Sprinkle the butterscotch pudding over the top of the cut up dough pieces. In a small pot over medium high heat, melt butter and brown sugar together until it comes to a gentle boil, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from stove and pour over the ingredients in the bundt pan evenly. Place the bundt pan on a cookie sheet and let it rise overnight. In the morning, bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes. To serve, invert the rolls on a serving plate and pull apart. Enjoy!

Until next time,
Kirsten

It's Almost Time For Setting New Goals, Not Resolutions

Hello friends - Today I'm long winded, so keep with me and you'll get an awesome recipe below as your reward!

In the fall of 2006, I was watching Rachael Ray and she had a guest named Toni Eicher on who was about to have a birthday and had made 30 goals for herself to accomplish in that year proir to her 30th birthday. I thought that was a great way for me to refocus my life to do those things that are important to me while making great accomplishments in the process. So that year, from 2006 - 2007, I was able to cross off 12 of my 32 goals. So in 2007 when I turned 33 I sat down at a coffee shop and wrote out my 33 goals for the year.

Below is my list of goals and the status on each of them. Some of them I've carried over from last year as they are things I want to do every year, but I have increased the goal a bit from the last year. Some of these are new for me. Not everything is deep and full of meaning, but things I don't generally do for myself as a busy wife and mom of two beautiful kids. So I've added things I'd like to do at least once this year. Again, if I don't cross off those I'm serious about doing, I will put them into next years goal list. Some won't get crossed off until the end of the year due to the nature of the goal.

My 33 Goals from Dec. 2007 - Dec 2008

1. 2008 Lifetime Triathlon - Short Course
*Completed July 12, 2008, 2 hours, 7 minutes and 36 seconds.
2. Go Skydiving
3. Have a Bunco Game night, proceeds for charity
4. Organize my closet - Take out old clothes that don't fit or I don't wear
*Completed 5/13/08
5. Run 5K race - beat prior year's time
*Completed 9/20/08 - 7 seconds better than last year
6. Learn a magic trick
7. Memorize 1 Bible verse a month
8. Clean out oven once a quarter
9. Go through kid's toys and organize for garage sale
* Completed 1/1/08
10. Save $$ every month for all gifts (Birthday, Christmas, Mother's and Father's Day)
*Completed 9/15/08
11. Date each child alone once a month
12. Decorate all Christmas Stockings
13. Premake all special event cards for 2008
*Completed 4/1/08
14. Read 6 Chapter books to my kids this year
15. Write to my grandpa 2 times a month.
16. Knit a scarf
17. Read the Narnia books, all of them
18. Make 4 new recipes a month
19. Volunteer 16 hours this year (outside of normal church, school or other normal activities)
20. Read book on helping/guiding mebe a better parent for my children.
21. Get a pedicure
22. Go to New York with Cyrus for a little trip
23 Organize my recipes into 3 ringed binders
24. Go to New Orleans and help with clean up
25. Read a chapter a week in my mom's devotional.
26. Get a manicure
27. Take kids camping for 3 nights - 4 days
28. Send 2 encouraging notes to a family member or a friend each month.
29. Build a house with Habitat for Humanity.
30. Go through boxes in the garage
*Completed 9/25/08
31. Send an audition tape to Survivor
*Completed 6/5/08
32. Finish mom's crosstitch.
33. Cross off 15 or more goals this year.

So as you can see, some are things that might seem silly, but things that I wanted to be sure that I kept track of this year. Some might take time to cross off, but they are things I for sure want to keep on my radar. I'll update right before my birthday as several of these are in the process of being completed, but won't be checked off until my birthday and I review what I've done for the year. This has been a great source of balance for me to make sure I'm doing those things that are important to me so I don't lose "me" in my life.

Now 33 is a lot of goals, but it's my way of doing it. Maybe you want to start small so here are a few steps to doing your own goals for the next year.

*Find the right amount of goals for you to cross off for the next year.
*Type up your goals and paste them into the front cover of a composition notebook.
*Number each page of the notebook and write down one goal per page.
*Take pictures or put evidence on the pages you can to show you completing that goal. Write the date you completed it as well.
*Give a copy of your goals to someone who'll help you stay focused and ask you how you are doing on them.

I have the pleasure of writing new ones soon so stay tuned!

Here's today's quick and easy recipe, it's delicious. I wrote it down for my # 18 goal.

Mexican Crock-Pot Meat
Makes 12-16 servings
8 - 10 hours on low

3 pounds chicken, beef or pork roast
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 4-ounce can chopped green chilies
*enough water to cover the meat
1-2 cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Place meat in the crock pot and add all the ingredients in order except the pinto beans. Cook on low for 8 hours. Remove meat and shred with 2 forks. Place shredded meat back into the crock-pot and add the pinto beans. Stir and cook one more hour. Remove meat and use on nachos or in tacos or burritos with all your desired Mexican toppings.

Until next time,
Kirsten

Politics and Popcorn

For me Politics is like popcorn!

*There are many different flavors and colors of popcorn, but when you strip all the flavors and look past the different colors it's all still bland little pieces of popped corn.

*It's fun when you hear it popping and it smells so good, but it doesn't take long for the action to stop happening and can get burned if not done properly.

*It tastes great with butter and salt, but the greasy butter gets a little too slippery after a while and the salt sticks to your fingers and you just want to wash it off quickly so you can change the channel on the remote.

*Popcorn is great and crunchy right away, but gets soggy pretty quickly.

*It tastes great, but the leftover hulls in your teeth are a PAIN to clean out.

That's my comparison and how I am currently feeling about the politics going on right now. Only 2 more weeks and we are DONE! Whatever that will look like.

GO VOTE!

Here's a great recipe I created for a contest that is a new twist on an old favorite. Just what we all need right about now, politically speaking.

Chicken, Zucchini and Arugula Quesadilla
With Creamy Piquante Pepper Dip
Created By: Kirsten Shabaz
4 Servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25minutes

INGREDIENTS
½ cup sour cream
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 Peppadew® Piquante Peppers
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 large chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, sliced in strips
3 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
3 tablespoons butter
1 large red onion, sliced in 1/8 inch rings
8 flour tortillas, taco size
1 12-ounce package Cacique® Queso Quesadilla cheese, shredded
1 large yellow zucchini squash, julienne
1-5ounce package pre-washed baby Arugula

COOKING DIRECTIONS
Place the sour cream, softened cream cheese and piquante peppers in the blender. Blend on high speed scraping down the sides as needed until the mixture is smooth. Put in a bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Next, place the extra virgin olive oil in a 5-quart non-stick sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the sliced chicken breasts and garlic to the pan and cook for 6 minutes stirring a few times until chicken is no longer pink. Remove and set aside. Add the butter to the pan, when melted add the red onions. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are caramelized and a light brown. Remove from pan and set aside. Wipe out the bottom of the sauté pan with a paper towel to remove leftover butter and onion pieces. Place a tortilla shell on the bottom of the sauté pan. Sprinkle the tortilla with 2-3 tablespoons of the shredded quesadilla cheese, 1/3 cup of cooked chicken strips, 2-3 tablespoons of red onions, ¼ cup julienne zucchini squash and about 12 arugula leaves. Sprinkle with 2-3 more tablespoons of cheese and place a tortilla on the top of the ingredients. Gently press the top of the quesadilla or place another skillet on top of the quesadilla to press it together. Cook over medium heat flipping after 4 minutes. Cook another 4 minutes and remove from the skillet and place on a cutting board. You can also use a Panini press or George Foreman grill. Using a large knife, cut quesadilla into 6 wedges and serve with a ½ cup of the creamy pepper spread.