Its that time of year again

Well it's that time of year again... chillier days, pumpkin spices, apples and cinnamon.  Love this time of year.  So when it rolls around I think of my trusty crock pot oatmeal recipe.  There is something about coming into the kitchen and having something cooked for you while you sleep.  This is one of those recipes.  When you don't have time for breakfast in the morning, try this.  It is so simple and it is such a great healthy start to the day!!

Before bed spray your crockpot with cooking spray or use butter, coconut oil whatever you have on hand.  Add 5 cups of water and 1/2 c milk, half and half, almond or coconut milk.  Again whatever you have on hand and if you have no milks, you can just use water.  To that add 1 cup steel cut oats. DO NOT USE INSTANT OAT AS YOU WILL HAVE A GUMMY MESS BY MORNING.  And that will make you mad first thing in the morning.

Then you can add or not add whatever you like.  Maple syrup, cinnamon, brown sugar, honey, raisins, apples, banana... whatever you enjoy.  I added some molasses sugar a friend gave me but use whatever you enjoy.

Turn the crockpot on low for 8 hours and when you wake up you will have a wonderful healthful pot of oatmeal ready for you to eat!!

How is that for easy?  And if you think you don't like oatmeal, you must try this.  It is SO MUCH more tasty than that packaged instant stuff that is loaded with sugars and artificial flavors.

this is what I came down to.  Perfectly cooked oats!!

bowl with added raspberries... yum.

Tip of the day:  Drag that crockpot out to try some new recipes!!!

Blessings,

Trish

John 14

Today I just wanted to share a little from my Bible reading this morning. It seems like I can read something many times but because the word of God is alive it speaks to us like we've never read it before sometimes, which is so awesome. 

It is a simple verse John 14:15 Jesus spoke saying, if you love me keep my commandments.

If you go down to John 14:23 and 24 he also says if anyone loves Me, he will keep my word; and We will come to him and make our home with him. he who does not love Me does not keep my words and the word which you hear is not mine but the fathers who sent Me.

We want to think that we can do whatever we want. God's word is simple and clear. If you love me then keep my commandments. Notice the word if... If we love God then we will keep his Commandments.  If we love Him we will keep his word.  

In today's world, there are many who do what they want to do, say what they want to say, go to church, say that they love God,  and yet do not follow his commandments. 

I want to be real. I do love God and I want to keep his word each day. I encourage you to do the same. Simple, yet profound words from Jesus. 

Today's tip is pick up your Bible and read it like you have never read it before. His word is life. It  is a living word and will speak to you right where you are.

Blessings,

Trish 

Quick tip of the day

My quick tip of the day to save some money is go to your local supermarket and buy whole cuts of meat and ask the butcher to cut it for you. I did this with my pork loin chops and saved a lot of money. Kroger has pork loin on sale for 1.88 a pound. I asked the butcher to cut them into 1 1/4 inch steaks and got nine pork chops out of them for 10 bucks. Their boneless pork chops were 299 a pound. So I saved over a dollar a pound for the same exact thing ! Extremely economical, healthy, and great on the grill.

You can do this with beef as well. Most supermarkets meat departments will cut this for free for you!! 

Blessings, 

Trish 

New grill...new recipe

So this weekend we finally got a new gas grill after 12 years! Yeah we were over do.  So today I wanted to try it out with a new meal that I could grill, be kid friendly, quick, and healthy. So I had some boneless pork chops that I had the butcher cut 1 1/4 inches thick. Perfect thickness.

Here's what I did.

4 boneless center cut pork chops

1/3 c soy sauce

1/4 c oil (I used olive oil) 

zest of one lemon or lime:  I used a lime because that's what I had

Juice of one half lemon or lime

Three garlic clothes chopped

2 teaspoons fresh ginger. I usually do not have fresh ginger on hand so I use this:

I love this product. I get it at Kroger. As you can see I got it on sale. You can leave this in your freezer which is what I do.

Put all ingredients into a Ziploc bag or a glass dish and marinate boneless pork chops for a minimum of one hour or a maximum of overnight. I marinated mine for about five hours.

Preheat grill. I actually got this baby up to 650°. Oh yeah.

Grill the pork chops until the internal temperature is between 158 and 160°. I use a thermometer because I can never tell when the meat is done. 

While they were grilling, on the other side of the grill I had fresh cauliflower  with a little olive oil salt and pepper grilling on a piece of foil.

I rounded out the meal with some basmati rice which I love.

Here is the final dish: 

So so so good!  This meal was light and delicious and healthy! Everyone in the house loved it, which isn't an easy task. 

Today's tip: while it's still really nice out and not too cold fire up your grill and experiment with some different things. It doesn't always have to be meat. Try grilling up some fresh vegetables from the garden!!

Blessings, 

Trish

I know it's been like forever…

😄So I haven't blogged in over a year because the app that I have for my blog refused to work and every time I would compose a blog post it would disappear on me. I've been so frustrated over it that I just stopped at blogging. I have now downloaded a Nother blogging app and I'm trying it now. If this works I will start blogging again.  Sorry for dropping off the blog earth. Hoping this works and I can get back to some healthy tips and recipes and just some fun stuff!!😄

Pineapple Jam

I had some left over fresh pineapple chunks waiting to be used and I usually throw them in the freezer for a smoothie, but today I thought... I wonder if I could make jam with it?  So after googling pineapple jam,  and seeing yes it does exist, I did my own thing.  LOL.

Pineapple cooking on stovetop

So I took the pineapple and blended it in the food processor and added 1 cup of water.  I then added 2 very small peeled grated apple.  (I felt I needed the pectin in the apples)  I also added a squeeze of lime juice and 1/4 C pure honey.   I then boiled this for about 40 min on medium heat until nice and thick.  Leave in pot to cool off.
I then put it in this nice jam jar that I found in my cupboard!  Isn't it pretty?
It was so easy and something really different and a good way to use up some pineapple that was on its way out.

Finished pineapple jam all pretty in the jar.

 Blessings,

Trish

Eggs...

So, I have been shying a bit away from the oatmeal this summer... just because, well... it's summer. (yes I did have oatmeal a few days ago)  I don't know why we just change our habits according to the season.  Take baths.  I love love love baths.  In the winter I take one almost every day.  I just realized that for the past 3 months I maybe have taken 10 baths...only because I was sore from a workout and needed a good soak.  Weird.

I guess the same with food.  We like to eat comfort foods for fall and winter like chili, stews, soups etc... and in the spring and summer veer towards the fresher foods like salads and grilled meats and veggies.  Kinda interesting we do it without even realizing it.  

Of course lately even though it is still August, for the past week I have been feeling like it should be fall making apple cakes, oatmeal... putting scented candles on.  Just strange.  

Today I ate what I have been eating most of the summer.  I can go all winter without eating... the simple... the perfect... EGG!!

These are God's perfect food in a shell.  It is so good for you.  It has everything except Vitamin C so add an orange and you are good to go.

Eggs are a very good source of both selenium and iodine.

They are filled with vitamins, minerals and of course a great source of protein.  I have been easing off my protein shakes and having 2 eggs post workout. 


So, here is how it went down this am:

This is where our chickens live.

Here they are hanging out and eating. 

2 eggs that were layed this morning!! Can't get any more fresh than that!!!!

Look how much more yellow the yoke is with a farm fresh egg!!  So much healthier!!

Also, don't be afraid of the yokes!  I always was afraid of all the cholesterol and calories and that is just garbage.  God made chickens to lay eggs.  They are natural and good for you.  Just don't eat 10 a day!! LOL.  Eggs can and are a healthy addition to your breakfast, lunch or supper!!!  Can be so versatile...quiches, frittatas, add to fried rice... possibilities are endless!!

This is the final product.  I decided against toast this morning so I had to break the yolks.  Can't eat my eggs runny without toast!!



Blessings,

Trish