Hamburger Macaroni

This recipe is something I made up off the top of my head a few days ago when I was at a loss for what to make for dinner. At first I was afraid it would be too much like a boxed dinner, but the whole family ended up loving it, even the pickiest eater out of the bunch.

1 lb ground beef
1 onion
2 tbs butter
1 can diced tomatoes, sodium reduced
2 tbs red wine
2 boxes Mac N Cheese (21oz total)


Cook the ground beef, drain and set aside.
Dice the onion and saute in the melted butter.
Add the red wine. Cook for five minutes on medium-low heat.
Drain the tomatoes. Add to the onions.
Cook the mac and cheese according to package directions.
Add the cooked mac and cheese to the other mixture.
Finally, put the ground beef back in with the mixture. Heat until warm.

It's as easy as that!

I used Annie's Organic Wheat Mac and Cheese because it has real cheese. I served it with fresh broccoli from the garden.

Today Is a Brand New Day

"All our dreams can come true,
if we have the courage to pursue them."

-Walt Disney

Today I am going to remember I have dreams.

Today I am going to pursue those dreams.

Today I will not be afraid of failure.

Today I am going to take care of myself.

Today I am going to do what I need to do AND what I want to do.

Today I am going to exercise despite the rain.

Today I am not going to worry.

Today I am going to live for today, not tomorrow and certainly not yesterday.

Today is a brand new day.

Bad Day Blues

Have you ever had a day where (almost) everything goes wrong? You say the wrong things, make the wrong choice, and feel crummy for the whole day. On days like those I just want to crawl back into bed and wait until the sun goes down and comes up again. Today was one of those days. A lot went wrong. I was late to work and forgot my lunch. I accidentally gave my students a paper with an inappropriate phrase in it because I forgot to white it out. I'm still behind on lesson plans. I staid home from my brother's scout meeting to go out with friends and they had to cancel. In the morning I tried smiling to myself and saying it was going to be a great day, but my mind was set. So I decided all day to eat poorly. I deserved it after all. High fat? Bring it. High sugar? Hand it over. I can't even tell you how much I ate. I watched hours of t.v. I surfed the internet until my eyes hurt.

Let me tell you how this day could have gone. Last night I could have decided what I was going to wear today and packed my lunch. I could have chosen to not sit down and watch t.v. with my brother and I would have gone to bed early. Then I would have set my alarm for my normal wake up time. I wouldn't have gotten in an argument with a family member because I would have already been at work and completely unstressed. I could have called my friend earlier to confirm plans and then I would have gone to my brother's scout meeting. When I did get stressed I could have exercised. Get the picture?

Now I am getting read for bed. Tomorrow, I am going to do what I need to do. Thank goodness the Bible says:

Lamentations 3:22-23

²² Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Here's to a better tomorrow.

Five Reasons to Smile Today

Just in case you don't have enough reasons to smile, here are five reasons I smile.

1. People look more attractive when they smile.
Seriously. I look better when I look happy, even on my worst day.

2. Generally you will have a better outlook on life.
I tend to be less of a pessimist when I smile and say "This is going to be a good day."

3. You'll be less stressed.
I am a high stress person, but when I smile I feel like it's going to be ok.

4. You will look more approachable.
Most people (not all) enjoy it when you smile at them. It helps people feel like you are a person they want to get to know or be around.

5. Physically you will feel better.
Sometimes when I feel sick, all it takes is a smile and saying "It's not that bad; you're fine." and I end up feeling a least a little bit better.

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

I love cooking. I love the smell of garlic, red (cooking) wine, onions and such. I came to love cooking in an odd way. My mom hates cooking and when I was younger I was sooo tired of tuna fish casserole and boxed meals, so I decided to learn how to cook. I started out fairly young. My mom helped me out with the basics and my grandmother stepped in with some help as well. I still love cooking with my grandmother. I was also raised in a healthy family. You know, the kind that thinks excercising is fun and white bread tastes funny. Eating well is a certain part of living well. I'm not saying you have to eat whole wheat everything, but I know I feel better when I eat healthy foods. With that being said, let me share my first recipe with you. In this recipe I tried to watch the sodium and add a lot of vegetables.

2 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. butter
1 lb. chicken
1 link sausage
1 tsp Slap Ya Mama*
1 small yellow onion, diced
1/2 large bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, reduced sodium or no sodium added
2 tbs. white cooking wine
1 pack 12 oz. okra
1/2 c vegetable broth
1 c. cooked rice

Cut the chicken into chunks, whatever size you prefer. I like them about one inch. Rub the Slap Ya Mama onto the chicken.
Cook the chicken until thoroughly done in about 2 tbs olive oil.
Pour the chicken and its juices onto a plate and set aside.
Melt 1tbs butter and cook the onions, bell pepper and garlic until the onions are translucent.
Add the white wine and cook for a minute or two.
Then add the the diced tomatoes followed by the okra and vegetable broth. Let them simmer for about five minutes.
Finally, add the chicken and sausage. Simmer for ten more minutes.
When you are ready to eat, serve the gumbo over a warm rice. I prefer brown rice that takes longer to cook, it has a more earthy flavor.

*Note Slap Ya Mama may not be available in all areas. It has salt, red pepper, black pepper and garlic salt in it. It's the best.

As I sit here on my bedroom floor I can't help but think about what I've accomplished in my twenty three years here on planet earth. You see I'm a big dreamer, but I always seem to put off happiness until I accomplish my dreams. In the past I told myself life will be great when I turn (insert age here). Or life will be amazing when I go off to college. Then it became life will be amazing when I graduate from college and actually have money! Now it's life will be even better when I have my own house, MORE money and get married. Well I'm tired of it. My high school principal used to always tell us "Don't wish your life away." Up to this point I've done exactly that and it is exactly that which I am now refusing to do. I am going to enjoy my life now in this very station. My name is Melissa, I am single, I live with my parents, I make very little money and I am happy.