TOP 10: EASIER THAN IT LOOKS RECIPES

     These are some of my favorite recipes from my blog over the past few years.  Just in time for the holidays. Here is 1 appetizer, Hot Artichoke Dip; 1 entree, Seafood Lasagna; and 1 (great) dessert.  Linda usually makes these, and they are easier to prepare than they look .  For more information about each 1 check the original printing (the date is provided).

HOT ARTICHOKE DIP

Ingredients:

2 15 Oz. cans unmarinated artichoke hearts
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 cups parmesan cheese (grated)

Preparation Instructions:
Drain the artichoke hearts and shred into small pieces. Place in a casserole dish. Mix in mayonnaise, then parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve hot with crackers or bread of your choice.

That was easy!

(reprinted from Jan. 24, 2011) 

 

SEAFOOD LASAGNA

INGREDIENTS:

1 (16 0z) pkg. whole wheat lasagna noodles (white noodles will work too)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 clove minced garlic

1 lb. sliced portobello mushrooms (I like mushrooms, but we chose not to use them in this dish)

2 (16 oz.) jars Alfredo-style pasta sauce

1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 lb. bay scallops

1 lb. chopped imitation crab meat (we used 2 6-0z. cans of crab meat)

20 oz. ricotta cheese

1 egg

black pepper (to taste)

6 cups shredded Italian cheese blend

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute garlic and mushrooms until tender. Pour in Alfredo sauce. Stir in cooked seafood. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes, or until heated through. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg and pepper.

3. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, layer noodles, ricotta mixture, Alfredo mixture and shredded cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ensuring that there is shredded cheese for the top.

4. Baked uncovered in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Cover, and bake 15 minutes.

Servings: 12

 

 

 

(reprinted from Mar. 3, 2009)

 

APPLE BROWN BUDGIE

 

Butter a deep baking dish. Put in it:

 

4 cups sliced tart apples (peeled)

1/2 cup water

Mix with a fork:

3/4 cup flour (we use whole wheat flour)

1 cup brown sugar (unless you prefer white)

1 teaspn cinnamon

1/2 cup melted butter

(optional: chopped walnuts)

 

Spread the mix over the apples. Bake for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees until the apples are tender, and the crust is brown. This recipe serves 6 to 8 people, but you're all going to want a second serving so plan ahead.

It's good, and it's easy

(Reprinted from Sept. 25, 2009)

EASIER-THAN-IT-LOOKS Recipe: MANGO OATMEAL COOKIES

It's mango season!  Linda has done some wonderful, tasty things with mangoes the past few years (see my Easier-Than-It-Looks recipe postings of 7/15/2010, Mango Avocado Salad; and 9/12/2008,  Mango Bread).  Her friend Cindy gave us mangoes from her trees again this year, and Linda didn't disappoint with these cookies.  You have got to try these, and she says they are VERY easy to make.

MANGO OATMEAL COOKIES

Ingredients

1  mango, peeled and mashed

1  cup packed brown sugar

3  tablespoons butter, softened

1  egg

2  cups rolled oats

1  cup flour (we used whole wheat flour)

1  teaspoon baking powder

1  teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1  teaspoon vanilla extract

(walnuts are optional, and suggested)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.  In a large bowl, mix the mango with egg, butter, sugar and flour.  Add the rest of the dry ingredients slowly while stirring constantly.  Mix the mango into the cookie dough.  Spoon the cookie mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes.  Allow to cool, and EAT.    

                                                  

These mango oatmeal cookies taste very good.  Try them.

BOOK REVIEW: Have A New Kid By Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman

          I just read this book Have A New Kid By Friday,  by Dr. Kevin Leman, and I liked it.  It was easy to read and understand, and will help you be a more effective parent especially if your kid can be difficult sometimes.  This is for parents of kids (young and old) who are still living in YOUR house. And his plan actually describes what to do each day of the week (Monday through Friday) to see dramatic changes in your child's Attitude, Behavior and Character.  Here is his "Top Ten Countdown to Having a New Kid by Friday."


10.  Be 100% consistent in your behavior.
 9.   Always follow through on what you say and what you do.
 8.   Respond, don't react.
 7.   Count to 10 ask yourself, "What would my old self do in this situation? What should the new me do?"
 6.   Never threaten your kids. 
 5.   Never get angry. (When you do get angry, apologize quickly.)
 4.   Don't give any warnings.  (If you warn your child, you're saying, "You're so stupid, I have to tell you twice.")
 3.   Ask yourself, "Whose problem is this" (Don't own what isn't yours.)
 2.  Don't think the misbehavior will go away.
 1.  Keep a happy face on, even when you want to ... do something else.


You're right if you are thinking this won't be easy for you.  It will mean changing some of your parenting habits.  Believe me, IT WILL BE WORTH IT!  This book uses a lot of examples of difficult situations, and solutions using this approach.  If you need for your child to change their behavior (and feel better about themselves), try this. 

The Glass Is Not Empty (reprinted from 3/11/2008)

As you know, I like to look at the glass as being half full, rather than half empty. I am an optimist. I want to focus on what I've got, rather than what I don't. Think positive. That's me. Nowadays that gets difficult. In addition to my Miami Heat losing all the time, there's been some really bad things happening in the world lately. First of all, the war, the bad economy, and the other things that need to be fixed in our country, seem to be taken for granted. That's sad. Also very sad is that people are leaving their houses, maybe to go to a Wendy's, meeting misfortune, and never returning home. And college students are going to class, and randomly being shot dead. I'm sorry that this brings you down. It makes me sad too. Unfortunately, there's too many of these stories, daily. How do you keep from getting depressed about this state of affairs? How do you stay positive and optimistic when there's so much sadness that we seem to have no control over?

I think that part of the answer is that we have to make happiness happen in our lives, daily. Make the relationships work that are supposed to be loving and happy. Stop tolerating behavior from people that is unacceptable (this includes family and friends). Do good things, big and small. The fact is that there is actually more good happening in the world than there is bad. The bad gets more publicity, and bombards us daily through the media. But there is good out there, even close to us. See it. Feel it. At least be aware of the good stuff enough to balance out the bad. After all, the good is really more important and meaningful than the bad. If you can't allow yourself to see that the glass really is half full, at least acknowledge that it's not totally empty.

Don't Text While Driving

PLEASE don't text while driving. OMG !! I'm sure many of you have heard of the train crash that occurred last week in California. Reportedly the conductor was text-messaging when he blew through the red light, which resulted in the crash. Twenty-five (25) people died, and many other people were seriously hurt. The worst train crash in California history. You may be wondering what this has to do with mental health. Well, as a mental health expert, I can tell you that it is bad for you (and your family) if you die or get hurt in an accident because you weren't paying complete attention while you were driving. And it's not just texting. Too many people are talking on the phone, or doing other things that distract them and are causing accidents. Now I'm not too old-fashioned. I know how important it is to have those phone conversations while driving around town; or eat that slice of pizza; or check the Internet on your laptop (or I-phone!). But you gotta keep at least one hand on the wheel and one eye on the road.


I am all in favor of multi-tasking. I think people don't realize that driving itself requires multi-tasking, though after a while it seems to become something that you can almost do without thinking. Too many people do that. And then you throw in there other activities that do require your attention, and before you know it someone else makes a mistake that requires your attention and quick reflexes and it's OVA. My suggestion when you have something else to do when you're driving, is to pull over to the side of the road, stop the car, and do what you gotta do. That would be safer for you and me. Now if you get a text that you have to answer (of course if it was an emergency they would have called!), pull over and quickly text them: IDN (I'm driving now) TTYL!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

I think mothers are some of the most important people in the world. So it's great that there's a Day to celebrate them. They do so much for us, and have throughout life. So I thought that I would try a little poem to help commemorate their day. (Also as a reminder. My Mother's Day blog of May 6. 2007, reminds us to cut out the drama this Mother's Day.)

Mom's Day

Becoming a Mother is a dream come true for many people today.

Those who have had their kids for a while, have mixed views they say.

Moms start out with unconditional love, for the infant that they have.

They'll love and protect their child. Cuddle them as they cry and laugh.

Their flowers blossom. The child grows.

Mother's love and compassion flows.

Then the kid becomes a teen. What was once cute can be less so today.

You learn you have to change the way you relate to your kid. Okay.

Nothings "changed" except their age, but they seem to act so weird.

Uh-oh! My son's not only telling me "No," but he's now growing a beard.

All I'm saying is that we all had Mom's. We need to show the right appreciation.

And every year, we get this chance to offer them celebration.

The things they've done. The things they do.

Mom, we're much better off because of you.

You deserve the Day. You deserve a year

Of love and gratitude you deserve to hear.

So roses are red, and violets are blue.

Mom, you ARE the best. Happy Mother's Day to you!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

I'M RAISING A TEEN,... HELP!!

Help is on the way.  Mom's, do you ask these questions about your teen or young adult?

• How come my son doesn't want to talk?
• Could my daughter be depressed?  Suicidal?  What are the signs?
• Even if their over 18, don't they have to follow MY rules in my house?
• I want my child to finish school.  Get a job.  How do I help?
• How much privacy should I give my daughter?  
• Should I limit their internet time?  What about Facebook?
• How do I get my son to be more motivated?  Improve my daughter's self-esteem?
• Do I have to agree with their dad?  What if Dad's not around? 
• How can I tell if my teen is using drugs?

          We will be starting a Women's Parenting and Support Group next month.  A lot of parent's have asked about getting more help and support while raising their teen or young adult. Parenting a teen is a very difficult job.  This group experience will help you learn everything from managing crises, to helping your child develop career goals and a life plan, to requiring respectful and responsible behavior from them.


          This is an opportunity to overcome some of the obstacles that exist between you and your child.  Two groups (1 for mothers of 12 to 17 year-olds, the other for mothers of 18 to 25 year-olds) will begin in February.  Call or e-mail me soon to sign up.