husband's in the kitchen

Actually, Mark is an outstanding cook, made even better over the last year as he was a stay at home dad aka "house husband."

This dish has been in my family for generations. We make it all the time, because it tastes good, duh. But also because it can go in the slow cooker and make the house smell so damn good all day long. That's the only drawback if you're not in school/work all day-you have to smell it's deliciousness and practically take out the cabinets finding a plate when it's finally time for dinner.

With that being said, here's the recipe.

Red Beans & Rice:

what you'll need:
-1 lb pkg dried red beans
-water (easy 'nuff)
-salt pork, ham hocks or sausage, cut into small chunks
-2 tsp salt
-1 tsp pepper
-3-4 cups water (didn't I just say this?)
-6oz can tomato paste
-8oz can tomato sauce
-4 garlic cloves, minced (the jar of minced garlic works just fine-Hain tested :)

what you'll do:
1. Soak beans for 8 hours.
(We do this the night before, just put beans in a covered dish with water that is 1-2 inches higher than the beans)
2. Mix together all ingredients in slow cooker (morning of).
3. Cover. Cook on low 10-12 hours or until beans are soft and sauce is thick. Serve over rice. (White rice works best. Take a chill pill all you whole grain people-it won't kill you. Do you know how many people die from white rice a year? Like one, maybe. I don't know the statistics, but ridiculously low).

other quick option:
Using canned red kidney beans. Cook 1 hour on high, then 3 hours on low.

Calorie count: makes 8 cups. 375 for 1 cup red beans mixture with 3/4 cup cooked rice-and that's filling!
Gluten 0 (check your sausage to make sure it is gluten free-wow 5th graders, that was hilarious)

This is also a very filling meal. And it makes for a ton of left overs. You can freeze them as well for another week.

You have to use this...not even an option.

new series

Since the spice of life includes variety. So will my posts. There, said it.

I think I've told a lot of you of my new lifestyle experiment with gluten-free. Now, I'm not saying it's for everyone. Let's start out with that. But I think trying to let go of more processed foods and cooking with a healthy conscience is a good goal for us all. I don't know, just cause maybe I see a lot of heart attack's come through my path.

I'm going to start littering my blog with healthy meals, recipes, tips, ideas, ramblings. Oh wait, I always do that :)

So, to kick us off how about what our family ate last night for dinner (or some call it supper, whatever's on your table at 6 o'clock...ish).


Stuffed Green Peppers

what you'll need:
-6 large green peppers
-1lb ground beef, browned
-2tbsp minced onion
-1tsp salt
-1/8 tsp garlic powder (or I just do a few shakes, for our simplistic readers)
-2 cups cooked rice
-15oz can tomato sauce
-3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

what you'll do:
1. Core-cut peppers and remove seeds. Combine all ingredients except peppers and cheese. Stuff peppers with ground beef mixture. Place in slow cooker (or if time is crunched in the morning, it can go in the oven that evening-at 375 degrees).
2. Cover. Cook in slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours. Sprinkle with cheese during last 30 minutes.
Or oven timer set for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and set in oven for 5 more minutes.

And this is what it looks like...

...on left-over day.

Sorry, we were so busy eating it that I didn't dare make everyone wait to snap a picture before diggin' in! And they are super filling. Mark and I thought we'd have seconds for sure, but it is filling with just one. You've got all of the basic food groups...meat, grain, vegetable, dairy. Pair it with some baked peaches for dessert and you have yourself a healthy well-rounded meal. And for all those calorie counters out there...360 calories per pepper. And 0 gluten.

Makes a very happy family.

so this is what it feels like...

I can't believe how fast time flies when you're having fun.

And the kids are in school.

When they were teeny, tiny, adorable tots I dreamed of  peaceful reading, going solo to the grocery store, eating a meal in more than a few bites. The day has arrived, my friend. And I am basking in it's wonderful light.

Without going into too much detail,
insert: my average day includes reading, writing, watching the Today show, pinning on Pinterest, learning how to crochet, ya-da ya-da ya-da
I've been taking full advantage :)

I promise I've not been on a total picture-taking hiatus. Close, but not completely. I figure everyone would just like to see pictures of the kids...and now that they're in school. Well, you get the idea.

Here's a few random shots to close out this very random post.

A little bit of childhood nostalgia with this antique store find-fruit and tea not included.

And on that note...gluten free just keeps gettin' better.

New haircut. Anytime I go to a new person I'm always a little hesitant. But he did great :)

Mark and I are insanely proud of our kids. Both got "caught-ya's" for good behavior!

What do I love about Georgia...hmm, lemme count the ways. Blooms in August? Yes, please.

Vine love.

I guess that's all for now. 

Oh, wait. Let's end on a quote.

"If you make listening and observation your occupation you will gain much more than you can by talk."

-Robert Baden-Powell

Have a great week y'all!