Quick Tortilla Soup

If you ever need a QUICK base for tortilla/taco soup, just mix equal parts chicken broth and mild enchilada sauce (this is another one of my father-in-law's creations). I did this last week when we were all sick because we wanted soup, but didn't at all feel like cooking. The base is great, full of flavor and zest. Really anything would be good to add here....shredded chicken, zucchini, pinto or black beans, corn, onions, ect. And of course, top with avocado, cilantro, lime (it's really a must, lime really brings out so much flavor), cheese, sour cream. You know. The basics.

Just 1:1 broth and sauce







It will look like this:



Then just add whatever you like. We did avocado, cilantro, lime, hominy, and shredded cabbage.

Note: be sure to use mild enchilada sauce because it even has a kick! The hot is too spicy in my opinion.

Enjoy!

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Thankful

The book pictured below is changing my life. It's called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp.

Go get it.

So all three of us have come down with viral pharyngitis. Yesterday wasn't awful but today, Lila and I both have fever and are feeling pretty yuck. This is the first time I've really been sick as a mom, and let me tell you, it's a little different! My head is throbbing, throat is excruciating, chills, ect. Sweet little Lila cried all night, and all I wanted was to make her better.

It's so tempting to feel sorry for myself. I'm tired. Hurting.

I'm trying however, to look at this situation with gratitude, a concept that comes anything but naturally to me. I'm on a search for beauty, for treasures.


1.) Rain that helps everyone rest.

2.) Piping Hot Chicken Soup that really does make you feel better.

3.) My sweet baby girl who comes to me for comfort, crawls up my legs, and lays her head on my shoulder.

4.) A husband who still goes to work to provide for us, even when he isn't feeling great.

5.) Lila's four toothed grin that still manages to poke through when Daddy comes home.

6.) The Elmo video that has been on repeat.

7.) Zinc lozenges

8.) Zane's relentless sense of humor.

9.) The fact that we will be feeling well soon, and we are all generally in great health!!

How much have I missed in my life because I have been ungrateful, angry, or frustrated? How much beauty could I miss in the future if I don't readjust my eyes to finding goodness and God in the present moment? This way of choosing to see beauty in everyday moments is changing my life.

Ann writes in her book, "life is not an emergency." She says even things that are unexpected to us, are not unexpected to God. So life is not an emergency. I refuse to frantically rush through it and miss the gifts, even when we don't' feel well :)

The Evil White Cardboard Circle

It's the evil white cardboard circle at the bottom of the ice cream carton. When your spoon comes in contact with it, just say to yourself "Ooopsie"!!!


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Mexican Pot Roast Tacos!!Sorry it's late, but here is the amazing recipe I promised from my chef of a sister-in-law, Bennett. She got the idea from a Tyler Florence recipe, made it her own, and then taught me. Make these. Please?! They are so incredibly delicious. You can also use this shredded beef in other concoctions too, like enchiladas or burritos! I use a crock pot to do them. You can also use a dutch oven or another heavy-bottomed pot (on low-longer cooking time). I highly recommend the crockpot though for it's ease. If you don't own one, go buy one because it will quickly become your best friend. So just let the beef simmer all day, and then roll up in a tortilla with some cool cole slaw on top (recipe for this is below too)!

****So I made these yesterday (for the yummy thousandth time) and took notes to share with you. The two pounds of beef shoulder roast took exactly 8 hours in the crockpot (fresh, not frozen), but a good rule of thumb here is just to let it go until it's fork tender. Also, a tablespoon of cayenne is ALOT and makes the tacos/sauce spicy. Don't use this much if you don't like heat or if you have kids! The last note I have here is that after I take the beef out, shred it, and spoon over some sauce, I sprinkle more salt over the whole thing. I think a little dash helps bring out all the flavors even more. Enjoy!!! :)*****

Ingredients:

2 lbs. Beef Shoulder, salted and peppered

1 large can crushed tomatoes (28 oz), plus can of water (28 oz.)

A sliced onion

Bay leaf

1/2 - 1 ish teaspoon salt

A tablespoon or palm full of each:

Cumin

Ancho Chili Powder (or regular)

Cayenne (or LESS if you don't like heat/are serving to kids)

Garlic Powder

Directions:

Throw it all in the crock pot. Really that is all. I threw mine in FROZEN the other day, and I actually think it came out more delicious. Set the crockpot on high, and let it go for about 6-8ish hours (if yours is frozen it's going to be more like 10-12 hours, so you basically need to get up at the crack of dawn. Which if you have a tiny baby, isn't really a big deal. If you don't have a tiny baby, however, just use fresh beef so you can be normal and sleep until a decent hour.) Make sure the beef is fork tender, if it's not it needs to cook longer. Take out the roast and transfer to a serving dish, reserving some of the cooking liquid. With two forks, shred the beef. Though it will probably be so tender that it practically shreds by itself. Spoon some yummy sauce on top of the beefy goodness. Serve in corn or flour tortillas (we use corn) with this cool lemony-garlic cole slaw*

Lemon- Garlic Cole Slaw:

1 package thin shredded, white cabbage

cilantro (if you like)

diced avocado (who doesn't like?)

4-5 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup lemon juice

2/3 cup extra light virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

Throw the cabbage in a bowl. Add chopped cilantro and diced avocado. In a separate small bowl, add minced garlic and sprinkle salt over the garlic, let sit for 15 minutes (you must do this). Whisk in olive oil and lemon juice. Pour vinaigrette over cabbage mixture, toss and done! Now it's ready to be spooned over the shredded beef in tortillas. So the final product goes like this: tortilla, shredded beef, and cabbage on top. YUM!!! Enjoy!!!

Ok lets be honest. I completely made up the cooking temperatures and times. Just get up in the morning, when you're still cracked out on coffee, and throw everything in the crockpot, probably on high. By evening time it will be fall-apart deliciousness.

Sorry if this is scattered!! I've made this so many times, that I kind of just "do it" now, feel free to ask me if something is unclear. Oh and....

*NOTE: you MUST make the Lemon-Garlic Cole Slaw!!! These tacos just aren't the same without it!!

ANOTHER NOTE: the lemon-garlic vinaigrette is amazing on lots of things (my father-in-law introduced it to me). We just call it the "good dressing" around our house. It's the perfect salad dressing. It's incredible on fish or as a marinade for poultry. Really put it on anything and it will be delectable. I'm serious. Just FYI.

Have a great day friends!! :)

Bath time

Pumpkin!!

Lila recently started sitting up in the bathtub like a big girl!! She is so precious when she splashes and plays in the water. She LOVES water! I can't wait for baby pools and floats in the big pool this summer :)

Baby Things

In an effort to escape the monsoon yesterday, I went to Target. I happened to need a lot of baby products, so I decided to take pictures and share with you my favorites. We have gone through many, many baby things in the almost eight months of having Lila. I like to get the most bang for my buck. I would love your feedback about things you like and/or comparable items for a cheaper price. Categories include: diapers, wipes, diaper cream, lotions, shampoo/washes, breast pumps (sorry), bottles, pacis and formula.




Diapers

I like Luvs. When you first have a baby, you have to use Pampers Swaddlers I think. They are just "blankie soft" like my sister says, and smell like baby powder. Then you get over it. Luvs keep wetness away from Lila's skin and absolutely don't leak. AND...108 diapers for $17? Can't beat it. My hand looks big and weird in this picture.

Others I've tried: Pampers, Huggies and Target Brand

Wipes

I don't skimp here. Pampers Sensitive "Thick Care." Lila is so prone to diaper rash that the wipe we use is important. They are super moist an hypoallergenic. , you don't have to press very hard on their little bottoms to get all fresh and clean.

Others I've tried: Huggies and Target Brand


Diaper Cream

I like Burt's. It clears up diaper rash fast, is free of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and has a nice lavenderish scent. I also like Dr. Smith's.

Others I've tried: Desitin, A&D

Baby Wash/Shampoo

Umm I kind of just use whatever soap I want but I do like this Peter Rabbit Organics. I do have an issue with it not lathering very much. I use Johnson's as well.



Pacifers

MAM is the best. Babies love them and they're super cute.

Other brands I've tried: all of them

Breast pumps

This topic may frighten you if you've never had a child. But all I can say to you, in the most loving and kind tone possible, is...get over it!! Breastfeeding is the most nutritious and natural way we can feed our babies. We should be a society that encourages and accommodates women feeding their little ones the most perfect (and free) food. After talking with my sister, we think the Avent is the most comfortable and efficient pump. It's expensive but worth it. That being said....

Other brands I've tried: Lansinoh

Formula

Breastfeeding is unfortunately not always possible! There are many reasons why it may not work out - and that's ok! Lila's has severe milk, soy and peanut protein allergies, so we had to stop nursing after four months. At first she was on a prescription formula. But her allergies eventually improved and we were able to move on to OTC stuff. I was a little freaked out to move on to formula so soon, so I went on a hormone induced rage and incessantly researched the best brands. My findings: all formula is about the same. I will say, that Similac is the ONLY brand that does not contain high olein palm oil, which has been shown to block calcium absorption. Organic formulas are another option, but every brand I have found uses hexane to derive the fatty acids DHA & ARA. Yuck.
So Similac wins!

Bottles

Dr. Brown's are what we eventually stuck with. Great for acid reflux. Playtex Nurser bottles are also great for breastfed babies (Lila would only take these at first!)

Other brands I've tried: all of them


SO Lila is up from her nap!! Back to Life!! I'd love to hear what your experience has been like in land of baby things :)

Starters!!

So here is my first post on my first blog! Not sure if there will be a central theme here as far as topics go, but I'm sure some reoccuring happenings will be food, music, faith, books, babies, beautifying spaces and maybe even my attempts at organic gardening. Someone please teach me how to grow a garden. Anyway, I have a recipe I want to share to kick things off! It's just a little yummy appetizer my sister-in-law Sarah shared with me at an impromtu dinner at our house. I like it number one because it's easy, two because it's absolutely delicious, and three because it's pretty! Also, I love it because you get that dirty, cheesy, garlicky smooth taste but on a lighter note, because sweet green peas take up the body of the pesto (versus tons of olive oil, though tons of olive oil is always delicious as well!) Enjoy!

"Pea Pesto Crostini"

Get the recipe here!!!!!