March 2008
Monday, March 31, 2008, by Leigh Anne
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“The things that make you feel, think, laugh”
I have spent alot of time this weekend scrapbooking - trying to get my sweet high school senior daughter’s albums up to date (yes - I am behind!!) I was enjoying the pictures of all the things we have done as a family, the many things she has accomplished, amazed by how much she has grown. I was scrapbooking events that had already happened.
I realized that there is another way to scrapbook - what about scrapbooking forward by creating a vision of what you want your life to be - what you want to create with your life!?
A dream board or vision board is a perfect way to create that picture. In my office hang 3 magnet boards. On these boards I keep pictures, photographs, quotes, cards etc. of things I want to have in my life.
One one board are pictures of places around the world that I will visit one day - the Coliseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, etc.
On another board are pictures of things I will have one day - the red convertible Mercedes I have dreamed of since I could first drive, the house on the lake, my ideal weight. There is even a picture of red shoes because I love red shoes. I already own four pairs of red shoes but just looking at the picture inspires me!
The third board has various motivational thoughts and quotes that I read on a daily basis that help keep me stay focused on where I am going and what I want to accomplish.
Some of of my favorites ones are….
“When you pray, move your feet.”
“Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid”
“Remember you don’t have to get it perfect….just get it going!”
Create your own dream board by combining visual images and words that represent what you want more of in your life.
Get out your magazines or search the Internet for pictures of things that motivate you, inspire you, represent things you want to accomplish in your life.
Do you have a goal to travel to a certain destination, earn a certain amount of money, or own a certain kind of car like I do? Find a picture of it and put it on your dream board.
Your dream board can be made from a piece of poster-board, a bulletin board or a magnet board. Be creative - you can even just pin or tape things right on your wall or closet door!
The important thing is that you keep it fresh and visible. Put it where you will see it every day. As your dreams and vision for your life change - change the pictures!
So get out your magazines, scissors, glue and tape and get going!
Do you already have a dream board - I’d love to hear what some of the things are on your board.
If you don’t have one - create your future life by creating a dream board. Let me know how it goes or better yet - email me a picture of it, I’d love to see what you create!
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
Albert Einstein
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Categories: Goals, Inspire, Motivation
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Friday, March 28, 2008, by Leigh Anne
“Feeding the people we love”
One of my favorite restaurants is PF Changs and of course my favorite thing on the menu is their famous Lettuce Wraps.
I love playing around with Copycat Recipes and months ago I found one for PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps. I finally got around to trying it. Although the flavor was o.k. - the texture was strange and it didn’t taste like the real thing - what a disappointment. To top it off the recipe had about 20 different ingredients in it, several of which required major chopping - way too much work, especially when I have a PF Changs within about 5 miles of my house!
A few weeks ago I found another recipe for lettuce wraps at www.pickypalate.blogspot.com and decided to give it another try. I was not disappointed this time. Although it doesn’t taste just like the ones at Changs they are really good. This recipe is a keeper and the other went in the garbage! We loved it.
My girls are not generally crazy about leftovers but they ate these leftovers up the next day!
This version only has a handful of ingredients and there is no chopping involved - fast and easy.
LA Notes: The original recipe called for ground turkey but I prefer ground chicken so I used that. This recipe uses a bag of broccoli slaw which can be found in the produce section with all the bagged salad. It is yummy and there is no chopping! I also used iceberg lettuce leaves instead of butter lettuce but think next time I would use butter lettuce, it is a softer lettuce and doesn’t “crack” as easily as the iceberg and would be less messy. The recipe also called for Yoshida’s Teriyaki Sauce - I had their Gourmet Sauce so used it.
When you need a quick, easy and healthy dinner give this one a try.
Quick Weeknight Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 lb. ground chicken or turkey
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1 12 oz. bag of Broccoli Slaw
1 small can drained water chestnuts
1/2 cup Yoshida’s Teriyaki or Gourmet Sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
15 butter lettuce leaves
Place oil into large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add onion and cook for 5 minutes to soften. Add ground meat, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Cook until browned, crumbled and cooked through.
When meat is cooked, stir in broccoli slaw, water chestnuts, teriyaki sauce and sesame oil. Cook for another 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Reduce heat to low until ready to serve. Serve spoonfuls inside lettuce leaves. Enjoy!
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Categories: Nourish, Recipes
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Thursday, March 27, 2008, by Leigh Anne
This week is Spring Break and the girls and I have been hanging out with sweet husband in Seattle, Washington where he had business. We have had fun at the Space Needle, a Blazer-Sonics game (o.k. that was sweet husband’s idea), shopping and pretending to be a rock band at the Experience Music Project.
We stayed at a lovely hotel right on the Pier overlooking the Puget Sound. Our room was very Northwest-ish - complete with a fireplace.
The problem was - the bathroom! Don’t get me wrong, it was a beautiful bathroom but I am sure that this particular hotel had to have been designed by a man because NO WOMAN would have ever made the mistakes that were made with this hotel bathroom.
Mistake #1 - A clear glass shower door.
When you are traveling with teenage girls - there is no way they are going to allow anyone else to be in the bathroom when they are showering when there is a clear glass shower door.
Now this wouldn’t be as big of a problem if Mistake #2 hadn’t been made …
…the ONLY MIRROR AND SINK was in the same room as the glass shower door!
So only one teenage girl could be in the bathroom at a time and when one of those teenage girls is a Makeup Maven and only has one speed - SLOW - it takes a LONG time to get everyone ready in the morning.
What were those hotel designers thinking!
So the moral of this blog post….when traveling with two teenage girls always check the configuration of the bathroom first!
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Categories: Family, Humor
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008, by Leigh Anne
I think you know by now how I feel about lemons - I love them! You may have also picked up on the fact that I love white chocolate too and my favorite all time cookie is a chocolate chip cookie - today’s recipe is a twist on the traditional chocolate chip cookie - combining three of my favorite things - lemon, white chocolate and chocolate chip cookies!
The combination of lemon and white chocolate is one I had not tried before - but it did not disappoint. The lemon in this cookie recipe is subtle but it’s there.
I found this recipe on a fun blog I visit on a regular basis - Cookie Madness
I hope you enjoy these as much as my family did. After eating one, my sweet husband came up to my office and said, “These are really good!”
Try them and let me know what you think. Happy cookie baking!
PS - this dough has to be refrigerated so allow yourself some time.
Lemon White Chunk Cookies
1 stick of unsalted butter, at room temperature (I used salted)
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar (I used regular brown sugar)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 cup plus 1 1/2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. salt (I only used 1/4 tsp. since I used salted butter)
3/8 tsp. baking soda (this is not a typo - it is really 3/8 tsp. - just use slightly less than 1/2 tsp.)
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. lemon extract or lemon oil
2 cups white chocolate chunks (You can also use chips. I bought a block of white chocolate at Trader Joes and chopped it up)
Place the butter in a large bowl and cream at high speed until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt and baking soda. Add to the butter mixture at low speed until just combined and add vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed, scraping bowl down, until blended. Do not over-mix.
Add white chocolate chunks and mix till thoroughly combined. Refrigerate batter until cold, preferably overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop heaping spoonfuls of batter 2 inches apart on lined baking sheet and bake, turning tray once, until golden brown around edges and soft, about 12 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
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Categories: Cookie Jar, Recipes
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Tuesday, March 25, 2008, by Leigh Anne
After sharing with you my Easter Outfit Issue I thought I would share with you a few pictures of my girls in their “coordinating” Easter outfits. I posted these on my family blog this week but thought you might like to see them too.
When the kids were little I would get them all dressed in their matching/coordinating outfits and take their picture. I remember what a frustrating and sometimes exhausting ordeal it was as we would try to get them all to sit still, look at the camera and smile - all at the same time. With no digital photography you never knew until they came back from the developer if you got a good one or not!
I use to think - “When they are older this will be so much easier!” Well - I was wrong.
It’s a lie - it doesn’t get easier - it only gets different!
Here’s the proof!
Even mom got in on the act…
Thank goodness for digital photography and the ability you have to waste dozens of photos trying to get a good one.
Finally…….
Aren’t they cute!
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Categories: Connect, Motherhood
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Monday, March 24, 2008, by Leigh Anne
“The things that make you feel, think, laugh”
One of the ways I have found to help keep myself focused during the day, focused on the things that are important and that I am working on, is through words of inspiration.
I start the day in my bathroom - there on my bathroom counter is a small ceramic stone with the word “focus” imprinted on it. You may remember from an earlier post my need to stay “focused” while putting on my makeup or I end up out in public with only half of it on!
Hanging in my office, on the wall, is the following word of inspiration, reinforcing my desire to be a more calm mother and wife.
Also on a shelf in my office is a brick with my favorite word - one that reminds me to try and be an inspiration as well as seek inspiration in all I do.
Next, is the laundry room (a room the whole family hopefully visits on a daily basis) where I have hung a board with the following counsel provided by the late, dear prophet of our church, President Gordon B. Hinckley
On the wall of my daughter’s room are the following words of inspiration, words I hope she will remember and internalize as she reads them daily. I want her to know that whatever she wishes and dreams can be hers if she just moves forward and does the work!
In our kitchen nook, above our table, are some words of inspiration I hope become a mantra for my children…
Do you have any favorite words of inspiration? Are there words or sayings that inspire you and keep you focused on the things that are important to you? Please leave a comment below and let me know what they are. (remember if you are reading this in an email update or a RSS feeder you will need to click through to the blog in order to leave a comment - thanks! I’d love to hear from you.)
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Categories: Inspire, Motivation
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Friday, March 21, 2008, by Leigh Anne
I have issues, in fact I have shared one of those issues before.
According to my children though, I have a lot of issues. One particular issue that I have only manifests itself three times of year - Easter, Christmas and the Week of the Family Photo.
This issue is - the need to have my children’s Easter/Christmas/Family Photo outfits match or coordinate. Now you would think that with children ages 14, 18, 22 and 24 I would be way beyond that - but I’m not. In fact I spent a fair amount of time at the mall today trying to find “coordinating” Easter outfits for my girls.
We are going with a yellow, black and white color scheme if you’re interested.
Several years ago they put their foot down and refused to wear matching outfits - go figure!
My excuse for this issue though is that it is in the genes. Look at this picture of my sister and I from 1970….
And then there was this one from Easter of the same year…
You see my mother had the same problem - the “Matching/Coordinating Outfit” gene. So of course it was only natural that when I got married and started a family that the gene would kick into gear….
Yes, I made these cute little linen suits for my sweet boys. Then baby #3 arrived and it was a girl so we branched out into coordinating outfits…
And Baby #4 arrived….
Aren’t they cute!
As soon as Baby #4 got a little older and I could find matching dresses for the girls - guess what?
Soon the boys got older and their standard Easter outfit became a white shirt and tie but I still had the girls….
I guess eventually, one day when the children are all grown up and gone from home, I will have to overcome my “Matching/Coordinating Outfit” issue but until then I’ll keep making those trips to the mall.
And then - someday- there will be grandkids!
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Categories: Family, Humor, Traditions
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Thursday, March 20, 2008, by Leigh Anne
Nourish - “ Feeding the People We Love”
Today I thought I’d share our menu for Easter Dinner. It should be a fun Easter this year. My parents will be joining us and then a family from church who is in the middle of moving - from a house to an apartment while their new home is built. They have 5 of the cutest little girls you have ever seen and their mother is 8 months pregnant with another girl!! We are going to have fun.
So here’s the menu.
Honeybaked Ham - I am not a big ham fan but my family likes it so we have it once a year - on Easter.
Fresno Potatoes - this is a nice alternative to scallop potatoes or what we call “funeral potatoes’. You know the recipe - frozen hash browns, lots of sour cream, cream of chicken soup and cheese. It seems ham and potato dinners are a popular thing to do at funerals - thus the name.
Strawberry and Spinach Salad - a perfect combination, spinach and strawberries with a yummy dressing.
Parmesan Roasted Asparagus- this is a Barefoot Contessa recipe and my favorite way to eat asparagus.
Roasted Tomato Tart - this recipe is from Gourmet Magazine and will be one of my experimental recipes this Easter. Want to try it with me?
Mom’s Orange Rolls - my mom will be bringing these and they are wonderful. Everyone loves them and Easter dinner would not be complete without them.
Grandma’s Jello Salad -mom will also be bringing this staple of our Easter Dinner.
Lemon Angel Pie - Yum!
White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake - my favorite cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory is their White Chocolate and Raspberry. When my new friend Theresa sent me this recipe I knew I would have to try it for Easter. Theresa is also where the Lemon Cheesecake Bar recipe came from so if that is any indication how this recipe is going to be- it is going to GREAT! The original recipe she sent me called for strawberries but hopefully I’ll be able to find some raspberries that don’t cost a fortune and use them.
If you are interested in copies of the recipes that don’t have links just leave a comment below and I’ll email them to you. Happy Easter!
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Categories: Family, Nourish, Recipes, Traditions
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Wednesday, March 19, 2008, by Leigh Anne
This week’s Lovely Lemon recipe is one that has been a favorite of mine for a long time - about 20 years! It combines two of my favorite things - lemons and a meringue crust!
I first had Lemon Angel Pie when my oldest, sweet college boy who is now 24 was only 4 years old! I was at a Preschool Board Meeting and the woman hosting the meeting served this as dessert. As soon as I took my first bite I knew I had to have the recipe.
Our family has been enjoying this as our favorite Easter dessert ever since. There is just something about Easter that says lemon to me! It just wouldn’t be Easter without our favorite lemon dessert - Lemon Angel Pie.
The great thing about this recipe is you can make it the day ahead - in fact you need to make it the day ahead thus making it a perfect dessert for Easter dinner! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
LA Notes: You will bake the meringue crust first - the recipe says to beat the egg whites until stiff, but not dry. I have NEVER in the 20 years I have made this been able to get the eggs to beat until stiff. It always ends up somewhat thick and shiny but definitely not stiff but that’s o.k - just pour it into the buttered pie pan and I promise it will be o.k. It will puff up beautifully.
The other thing - when you remove it from the oven - don’t worry when the beautiful, puffed-up, golden brown crust begins to crack and fall. It is suppose to do that.
Lemon Angel Pie
4 eggs, seperated
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. grated lemon rind
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups whipping cream.
Beat 4 egg whites, gradually add 1 cup sugar and cream of tartar. Beat until stiff, but not dry. Spread on bottom and sides of buttered 9 inch pie pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes.
Cool.
Take 4 egg yolks and beat slightly. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1 Tbsp. grated lemon rind, 1/4 tsp. salt. Cook until thickened in microwave for 4 minutes (stir every 30 seconds) Cool.
Whip 2 cups whipping cream and fold 1/2 of whip cream into lemon mixture. Pour into cooled meringue shell. Top with the remaining whip cream. Chill for 24 hours.
Popularity: 34% [?]
Categories: Nourish, Recipes
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008, by Leigh Anne
Easter is sneaking up on me this year - it’s next Sunday!
One of my favorite things about Easter is Easter Brunch/Breakfast. Because of our church schedule this year (we go from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) we will be having breakfast before church and Easter Dinner after church.
Whether we are having Easter breakfast or Easter brunch - a good coffeecake is a must-have on the menu.
I recently found a Copycat recipe for Starbucks Coffee Cake on a food blog I like to visit http://pickypalate.blogspot.com/
This is a simple and easy coffeecake that uses a yellow cake mix. I don’t know how it compares to the real Starbucks Coffee Cake because I have never had it. If you give this recipe a try and you’ve had the real thing - let me know how it compares.
Starbucks Coffee Cake will be part of our menu for Easter breakfast. I’ll share what’s for Easter dinner on Thursday!
Starbucks Coffee Cake
1 box yellow cake mix 9plus ingredients on back of box)
2 sticks cold, salted butter
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla
Powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 350
Prepare cake mix in large bowl according to directions on box. Spray 9 x 13 pan with non-stick spray. Pour batter into pan. bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until center is just barely set.
While cake is baking, prepare crumb topping. In large bowl of electric mixer combine butter, flour, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla until all crumbly.
Immediately after cake is removed from oven, break crumb topping into marble size pieces with fingers, sprinkling over top. Put back in oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes (topping will begin to look a less less wet/raw) let cool fully then dust with powdered sugar using a sieve.
Cut into squares and serve.
Popularity: 52% [?]
Categories: Nourish, Recipes
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