Binding Help

Abby, thanks for letting me do this.

For those of you who want to make cute blankets, but need a little help with the binding, here it is.

Cutting the Binding into strips


How to piece and sew them together


How to sew the corners


How to finish it up

Dave Ramsey

I feel the need to share this with everyone, because within the next few years, if it hasn't happened already, you will all be making money.  Pete and I decided as soon as he graduated that we needed to start working on paying off what loans we have, plus adding to retirement.  Once we got to Tennessee, he started listening to Dave Ramsey.  He has a local talk show; he is from Nashville.  He has a few books that can be purchased anywhere, but we decided to do his Financial Peace University, which we bought online.  It has some books and CD's to listen to.  We love his ideas, and have started working on his plan.  It's easy and it makes sense; in fact, his website pops up frequently in the church.  So take it for what it's worth, maybe add some of his ideas to what you are doing already.  

You Need a Budget!

I would be talking to myself there. I found this great program for budgeting that I thought I would share, being resolution time and all. I was using Quicken and realized that I loved their register part, but the budgeting part stunk! Well really it was nonexistent. The thing I really like about YNAB (You Need a Budget) is that you don't have to buy a new one every time they have an upgrade, you get it for free. I also love their tutorials, they really help, unlike some other "help" programs. It was started by a BYU guy and has had great reviews. They also give you a free trial. If you want to check it out, click here.

baby steals

Hey, for all you folks out there having babies, this is a pretty fun site. One deal a day, posted at 9 a.m. Get 'em while they're hot.

Yummy Recipes

A while ago I bought the Biggest Loser Cookbook, and have been using it once or twice a week. Of course, we have developed favorites, and I wanted to share them with you. They are all super easy, otherwise, they would not be made at my house!

New Beef Stew:
These are the exact directions, however I just throw it all in the crockpot for a few hours. Then the house smells yummy, too!

1 TBSP whole-grain oat flour
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
pinch of black pepper, plus more to taste
1 lb. top round steak, cut into 1" cubes
2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
8 oz. button mushrooms, each halved
1 onion, cut into bite sized pieces
1 TBSP. minced garlic
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 cans (14 oz. each) low-sodium, fat free beef broth
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
1 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 " cubes

In a ziplock bag, combine flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the beef and shake until all the cubes are coated. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Set a large nonstick soup pot over med-high heat and add the oil. Add the beef cubes to the pot, and cook for about one minute or until all the sides are brown. Reduce the heat to medium and add mushrooms, onion, garlic, and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally. Cook until onion is tender.

Add the broth and carrots, increase the heat to high. When broth comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 45 minutes.

Add the potatoes, and simmer for another 45 minutes, until beef in tender. Season as needed.

275 calories, 31 g protien, 6 g fat

Picante Chicken:
I have made a few versions of this dish, and this is by far my favorite.

1/3 cup, plus 1/2 cup mild, medium or hot picante sauce
4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of visible fat
6 TBSP light cream cheese, from a block, softened
1/2 cup finely shredded, low fat cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread 1/3 cup of the picante sauce on bottom of 13x9 baking dish.

Lay chicken breasts on a cutting board. Use the flat side of a mallet to pound the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness.

Spread the chicken evenly with the cream cheese. Lay the chicken, cream cheese side up, in a single layer in the baking dish. Spoon the remaining 1/2 cup picante sauce evenly over the breasts. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until no longer pink.

198 calories, 30 g protien, 6 g fat

little night light thingies

These are outrageously expensive, but so cool. My sister picked me up a pair for half price at the trade show but I just thought I'd pass it on if you ever find a deal on them. They are little night lights that charge on this base and then you can take them off and they glow all night. Pretty cute I thought. They also have this cool little number:

It just sits in an outlet and doesn't glow until you pick it up then when you go to get your nursing baby at night you have a soft little glow to light your way instead of stumbling through the dark or turning all the lights on.

check it out at http://www.oxo.com/ (yep, the spatula people.)

speaking of ranger cookies...

I made some tonight with 1 C whole wheat flour and 1 C regular (+ some extra oatmeal and chocolate chips) and they were SOOOO good!