Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups cooked sweet potatos

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup butter

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1 cup chopped pecan

1/2 cup butter

Cream butter and sugar. Mash sweet potatos and add butter to sugar. Add eggs vanilla and milk. Stir until smooth. Pour into a buttered casserole dish.

For topping: Cream butter, sugar, and add flour. Add pecans. Drop in small pieces over mixture until covered. Cook at 350 for 45 minutes.

Rosemary Potato Chowder

2-14 oz cans chicken broth

1 28 oz package of O-brien style hashbrown potatoes

13 oz jar real bacon bits or 1 cup diced ham

1 15oz can of corn

2 tbs cornstarch

1/4 cup water

1 pint half and half

2 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 tsp pepper

Bring chicken broth to a boil in a large pot. Add potatoes and bacon or ham. Cook about 10 minutes until potatoes are tender. Stir in corn. Mix cornstarch and water until it is a smooth paste. Stir mixture into pot and continue stirring until it becomes slightly thickened. Stir in half and half and rosemary. Add pepper. Serve and enjoy!

Postpartum baby weight!

To you mothers struggling with the post baby weight like me. Here are a few suggestions and ideas that I am doing.

1. Start a food journal. Yes it can be annoying, but it is a good way to make sure you are cutting out what you shouldn't be eating. After a few days of documenting everything you eat, it is easy to analyze what choices should be changed.

2. Breastfeeding is said to help shed the pounds, but don't eat less. To keep up the milk supply you will need approx. 2500 calories. Even if you are not breastfeeding, don't eat less. It is important to eat good small meals often. It is not good to starve yourself no matter what.

3. Start walking. It is difficult to take your baby to the gym, so start walking. Not only will your baby enjoy the outing and new things to look at, but the excercise is great for you.

4. Some gyms will let you take your baby to their daycare once your baby is 3 months old.

5. Eat good proteins to keep your body going. When I feel myself craving some sweets such as chocolate I grab a boiled egg and scarf it down. Not only does this take away the bad craving, but it lasts longer.

6. Give it time. Internally it takes the body about a year to recover from childbirth. Don't be discouraged if you are not satisfied with your outside appearance for a while. It takes time.

Easy Crockpot Porkchops

26 oz can of Campbells cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom

8 lean porkchops

26 oz of milk

salt and pepper to taste

Brown Pork chops in skillet on both sides. Place pork chops in crockpot and cover with soup and equal amount of milk. Add salt and pepper. Turn on low and cook for 6-8 hours. When done pork chops should be so tender they fall apart and mixture should become gravy like. Best when served with mashed potatoes. Serve and Enjoy!

Great for your wallet, great for you!

The 20 Healthiest Foods for less than a dollar!

1. Oats- high in fiber and complex carbohydrates.

2. Eggs- great source of protein.

3. Kale- loaded with vitamin C, caratenoids, and calcium.

4. Potatos-eaten with skin on they provide almost a whole days worth of vitamin C. Potatoes are also a good source of potassium.

5. Apples- good source of vitamin C and pectin.

6. Nuts-packed with "good for you" fats.

7. Bananas-high in potassium and fiber.

8.Garbonzo Beans- another great source of protein and fiber.

9. Broccoli- contains calcium, vitamins A and C, potassium, folate, and fiber.

10. Watermelon- source of potassium, vitamin C, and lycopene which is a great antioxidant to help prevent cancer.

11. Wild rice- better than white rice. High in protein and fiber, complex carbohydrates, potassium, and is loaded with B vitamins.

12. Beets- may not be your favorite but is great source of folate, iron , and antioxidants.

13. Butternut squash- fiber, Vitamin A and C.

14. Whole Grain Pasta- high in protein and B vitamins.

15. Sardines- not the most popular little treat, but they are packed with nutrients.

16. Spinach- lots of vitamin C and iron.

17. Tofu- an inexpensive protein source.

18. Lowfat milk-rich in vitamins A and D, protein, potassium, and niacin.

19. Pumpkin seeds- great for magnesium, protein, and trace minerals.

20. Water- too many benefits to list!

Omega -3s for your Baby!

You need DHA in your breastmilk! www.aboutseafood.com has great recipes for the seafood you need to eat! DHA is great for brain and eye devolpment.

Corny Salmon Cakes

2 6oz cans of skinless pink flaked salmon

1 cup dried bread crumbs

3/4 cups of shredded cheese. Chedder or Colby

3/4 cups frozen corn kernals, thawed

1/3 cup light canola mayonaise

3 tbs ketchup

1 large Omega -3 egg beaten

1 tbs canola oil

Combine all of the ingredients except the oil and with 1/2 of the bread crumbs. Form the mixture into 8 patties. Heat skillet with oil over medium heat. Coat the patties with the remaining bread crumbs and cook for 5 minutes or until golden bron on each side. Serve and enjoy!

Food Storage food buckets

I found this great website: www.thereadyproject.com that offers 27 day food supply buckets. The foods to choose from are tasty and just need water to cook. The shelf life for these buckets are up to 20 years and are easy to store under beds, cupboards, and other small spaces.

Tasty Hot Cocoa for the winter months!

Ingredients:

1 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 soft banana

pinch of cinnamon

pinch of salt

3 oz semi sweet chocolate, finely chopped

3 oz bittersweet chocolate finely chopped

1/2 cup marshmallow cream

Directions: In a blender combine milk, cream, banana, cinnamon, and salt. Puree until very smooth and thick. Pour the milk mixture into a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Warm the mixture, whisking constantly until it just barely comes to a simmer. Add both chocolates and marshmallow cream. Whisk until melted and smooth. Fill into two mugs. Serve and enjoy!