Meat 'Cupcakes' with Sweet Potato 'Icing'

 Don't be afraid. I know the pairing of 'cupcakes', 'icing', and 'meat', sounds extremely questionable, but I can ensure you they are yummy!

 For those of you who don't already know, our family is living a paleo life style, so I am trying new recipes as often as I can. It can be hard to find good paleo recipes, so I have decided to start collecting them here!

 *you don't have to be paleo to enjoy these recipes!!

Please keep in mind, i take recipe ideas, and make them up as I go along. so you can do the same and skip/decrease/increase the ingredients if you like.

Meat cupcakes with sweet potato icing:

•  1 lb ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/2 an onion finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery finely chopped
• 2 clove garlic finely chopped

* Next time, I will pop the onions, celery, and garlic into the bullet (or food processor) and make a paste. We(Cody especially) are not a huge fan of having the little chunks of veggies in our meat.*

Okay, So like I said, I winged this recipe, so I don't have exact measurements. I just gave the following a good shake into my meat mixture according to my taste preference. (for those of you who need measurements, i will give you my best guess.)

• sea salt (abo 1 tsp)
• black pepper (abo 1 tsp)
• thyme (abo 1 tsp)
• oregano (abo 1 tsp.. maybe slightly over, because I like it.)
• a good squirt of ketchup (close to 1/4 C)
• 1 tbs butter

 You can also add Worcestershire sauce, a tad of honey, chili pepper flakes. (since I cook for a  toddler, I didn't add these.)

 **Basically, this is just a meat loaf recipe, so if you have a favorite meat loaf recipe, you can just use that!**

Mix all ingredients together with clean hands until well combined.

 pre-heat oven to 350F

Place meat mixture in non-stick muffin pan, or use paper liners (NOTE: I don't recommend greasing the muffin tin. I have a very good/new non-stick pan, and I greased it anyway. they were swimming when the came out! (still yummy, but needed a good pat and drip off.) )

Pack your meat mixture into the muffin tin very well. (I only filled them basically, and the sort of shrunk. which was fine, but i suggest packing them a little more.)

Bake for 20 minutes, or until meat loaf is done.


Sweet potato icing:

• 1 large sweet potato

While meat loaf is baking, peel and cut your sweet potato into small chunks  (about an inch and a half both ways.- they will cook faster.)  add water to cover sweet potato, and boil until soft when poked with a fork.

 When Sweet potato is done, drain water, and mash. Add abo 2 tbsp butter, and a splash of your milk of choice. (we use almond.) -Just like you're making regular mashed potatoes!

 If you'r fancy, place mashed sweet potato in a plastic baggy, cut a small part of one of the corners off, twist up the top, and ice like a cupcake. -If you'r not, grab a spoon, and slap some sweet potato onto you'r meat muffin.

EAT IT. They are really good! I served ours with broccoli.

 I ended up needing a really quick dinner two days later, and I couldn't use our stove or microwave( i hate microwaves anyway haha), these made a really yummy cold dinner later! Or snack!

From our family to yours - Enjoy!!

Recipe I got inspiration from: HERE

Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring

**Sorry this is an old post. photos are unavailable now**

   If you are one of those people who look at recipes, and collect them, but never get around to making them, make this one! Its so easy, and so worth it! It's just one of those things you just need to try at least once. It's not healthy in the slightest, and if you count calories, you should probably close your eyes, but man this is a seriously yummy dish.

 I made this for Christmas morning brunch. I didn't want to spend hours slaving away at the stove, when i should be spending time enjoying my family. It was a big hit with everyone, and my father in-law said 'It's a great break from pancakes etc.'.  I loved it so much, i made it again yesterday, when I hosted our baby and me group. Again, it was a big hit. So let me share this little piece of ooey gooey heaven with you.

You will need:

• 2 small tubes of Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits.OR 1 (and only one.) tube of Pillsbury Grands buttermilk biscuits. (it takes too long to bake if you use two grand size tubes.) OR you can just use 2 small tubes of regular Pillsbury biscuits. (country style I think? This is what I used, because they didn't have either of the above options at the store. It worked out perfectly, both times.)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (pure is best, but regular pancake will do.)
• 3Tbsp melted butter

• 3/4C brown sugar
• 1/2tsp ground cinnamon

You can also add chopped nuts if you like.

 Grease a fluted pan with some softened butter. You can use a cooking spray too, but in my opinion, butter works better. (and is better for you!)

In separate bowls, combine melted butter, and syrup. set aside. In your other bowl, combine your brown sugar and cinnamon. (mix it well. you don't want to be eating random clumps of cinnamon.)Add your nuts here, if desired.

Pour half of your syrup mixture into the bottom of your pan. Then sprinkle half of your brown sugar mixture on top of it.

Next, layer your biscuits on top of each other. you will want to lay them quite close to each other, since you need to fit two tubes in.

Pour the other half of the syrup mixture on top of the biscuits. (I used a spoon so it was even.) Sprinkle on the rest of your sugar mixture.

Bake at 375F for 20 minutes. (Mine took about 20 mins, maybe 22 or so, and i have a very hot oven. To be safe, set your timer for 15 mins, and check them then. then you can judge how much more time they need.) They should be a nice golden brown, and if you pull one apart a bit, the biscuit shouldn't be sticky and doughy.

 Once it's done, let it cool for about 5 minutes. Flip it upside down onto a serving plate, and serve while its still nice and warm.

Pull apart, and enjoy your amazing ring of awesomeness.

 These actually re-heat really well too. Just pop them in the microwave for 12 seconds, and you have left over breakfast to go with your morning beverage.


Sorry for the poor picture quality. They had to be taken on my phone.
             For the original recipe click HERE

Homemade Finger Paint

This holiday season, we (Mackynzie) are painting for some of our gifts. Since I'm me, of course I needed to find some non-toxic baby/planet safe finger paint. And since I'm also cheap, I figured I would make my own!

 I went to my go-to place for crafty-ness -pinterest- and found a recipe to try out!

 It was really easy, and I had all the ingredients on hand (not that it took many ingredients!).

Since many of us are stuck inside this time of year, and need things to do, I wanted to share this with you!

Homemade finger paint:

• 3 tbs sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 2 cups water

Combine ingredients in saucepan. Warm until mixture thickens. Cool & pour in containers. Add food coloring to create desired colors. Enjoy!

*Recipe from easiepeasie, via Pinterest.*

(Really cool blog! check her out!)

 The consistency is a bit jelly, but that was okay with me. I found (I used mine right away), that the warmer it is, the smoother it is. So, when we painted with them on a later day, i just popped them in the microwave for about 12 seconds and gave them a good stir. They were smooth, with a creamy texture, and Mackynzie had a blast painting with them!

I think I'm going to start accumulating my favorite recipes and crafts from pinterest, that I actually do, on here, so that I can share them. I have a lot of friends asking me for the recipe, or how I made something, so it makes sense! Plus, then I may be on here more! ;)

Happy Painting!

Feel free to follow me on pinterest too!

A random post of video of us during dinner.

   Its fun to see how other people go about there days, sometimes. isn't it?

Here are a few seconds from a regular Wednesday night dinner at the Miller's. (Cody is sick, and was being sneaky filming :) )

Its completely random, and very boring, but enjoy non the less! (Dont mind me... i have a facial on haha)

Your Invited!

 Our baby girl is one! Man, did we have fun celebrating her first year.

 The weather was great, and even some family we have never met before flew down to be there!

So without further ado, I invite you to Mackynzie's first birthday.

Her invitations made by me.

Cody made her 'one' for the front porch.

These are the pom poms I made. We hung them over the table. Now that I'm thinking about it, I guess her theme was 'lemonade'.

Cody already had a collection of these bottles (he works close to a place that sells them.),  I thought they were super cute, and would match nicely!

I made pink lemonade cupcakes for the party guests. These are seriously my favorite cup cakes. So yummy, and easy to make!

We hung a photo banner with a picture of each month, over the table. It was great to have all the pictures together like that, so you could see her grow.

Cody worked hard making every one of the hats himself. He did such a great job!

We decided to do a time capsule for her birthday, so that she could look back on this wonderful day, and read all the things her friends and loved ones had to say. 

 Every one started arriving shortly after noon. Mackynzie was curious to know why there were people coming into her house!

I love how Cody is just staring at her in this picture.

We kept the atmosphere relaxed and calm, and just hung out until everyone got there.

Mackynzie's friend, Anna, from baby group came.

She socialized with everyone, and was great entertainment while everyone ate lunch. Cody made burgers for everyone, and we had yummy sides- like grandmas homemade pickles.

Mackynzie's aunt, and great grandma(who we met for the first time.)

mackynzie's grandma (Cody's mom)

After everyone ate, it was time to open presents. Boy, was she a lucky little girl.

                                                          

Some of her gifts before she went crazy on them. (we forgot to take a picture of all of them once everyone was there. Not a big deal though, we were celebrating her. :) )

We had to put on our party hats first though!

She was really good at ripping off the paper, and it didn't take her long to start handing every piece to daddy, and know there was something different under each wrapping.

When she opened this monkey, she immediately started making monkey noises, and bouncing. (she had seen this monkey at the flower shop just days before the party and wanted it so bad. so we recommended one of her Guncles (great uncle.) get it for her. )

This desk was her daddy's when he was young, and her aunties too. Grandpa refinished it and passed it down to her. She loves it!

These are the fabric magnet letters, i made her for her birthday.

After we finished opening presents, It was time for her birthday 'cake' and cupcakes for everyone!

Once she had her fun with her 'cake', we handed out bubbles for everyone (First time with bubbles!) and played with them, while we put away cake mess and made sure everyone had there fill of cup cakes.

 To end the party, we gathered everyone into the living room, to watch a special video Cody made for her on her first birthday.





 Of course, we cant forget that it was Cody's birthday too!

 I surprised him, by taking him to a bazillion steak house that he really wanted to check out. Friends and family met us there two hours after Mackynzie's party. He thought we were going to his parents house for dinner, but as we passed it, i gave him an invitation to his own party. We had such a great time, and he was good and embarrassed when we all sang happy birthday to him.

 We had an amazing day. The loves of my life had so much fun; I really couldn't have asked for anything better. I am one grateful, blessed mama and wife!

My Thorn Bushes Have Roses. Do Yours?

 

   I know I'm blessed. I am beyond thankful for my beautiful family, and there isn't a single thing i would change.

 Something that really bothers me though, is people who complain about their kids or spouse.

 I understand that we all have moments where we can be forgetful of how truly blessed we are, but there are some who seem oblivious to the fact that they are blessed.

 Life is a challenge. There is no doubt about that. But its also incredibly rewarding. Throw a family in the mix, and the rewards are unbelievable!

 There is never (and i say never honestly.) a time where i don't remember how blessed I am to have my family. Even during frustrating times, where i haven't slept, the house is a mess, and the dogs are barking, what keeps me calm and thankful is the fact that i have my family with me.

 I know there are families out there who would give ANYTHING to go through sleepless nights, cleaning up puke, being hit, picking up work clothes, etc, if it just meant that their child or spouse was with them.

 I have been fortunate enough to be deeply touched by one of these families. More so then i could ever explain. I will never forget what they have taught me. (even from so far away.) And in being touched with such an unexplainable force, i have learned (and continue to learn.) some great lessons about life. Great values. Great realizations. And I feel its the least i can do, to share the things i have learned with everyone I can.

 When you are having a moment when you are at your wits end, or you feel like pulling your hair out, really take that time to think about what you appreciate about that moment. Find the positives, in what seems to be a negative situation.

 I know people say things like this all the time, and sometimes it can be hard to relate to something so general. But imagine how lost you would be, if the person on the other end of your frustrations wasn't there anymore. I can guarantee you would give the world and more, to have the exact moment that was frustrating you back.

 Instead of taking these situations as negative experiences you think you could live with out, think of them as opportunity. Opportunity to reflect on why you couldn't live without times like these. Opportunity to turn the negative situation into a positive. Opportunity to grow as a person, become humble, and know that frustrating situations work both ways.


'We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.'
- Abraham Lincoln

Teething and Bum Rash Tips and Tricks

 I figured since we are going through some crazy teething, and a vicious bum rash, its a good time to share some of the advice i have received and the things I have done to help my sweet girl. Hopefully it will help others going through the same thing! Because really, why learn something new if your not willing to share it?

 Teething:

• Ice cube in a mesh bag. I don't have a mesh bag, so i use a baby cloth, and tie it with a hair elastic.
• Small cubes of frozen breast milk.
• Frozen Carrot.
• Chamomile tea. (soothes gums)
• Baltic amber teething necklace.

 Bum Rashes:

• Breast milk (works on everything. Cuts, scrapes, bum rash, acne, eye infections, ear infects, hives (really any rash)*Except yeast. Never put Breast milk on a yeast infection*)
• Air time/Naked time. There is nothing that beats off a rash better than airing it out. (you will probably have to clean a pee or two off the floor, but its just pee. Besides, pee is sterile ;) )
• Coconut Oil. (most moms swear by coconut oil-aside from breast milk.)
• Olive oil
• Baking soda bath. (followed by coconut/olive oil/breast milk/etc applied to bottom)
• lavender(apply to bottom)
• Wheat Germ.
• Chamomile tea rinse.
• Cool water rinse.
• Sleeping Naked on towels/pee pad. (we did a pee pad between two towels last night. Worked great)

 * Disposable diapers and wipes can definitely make a bum rash worse due to the chemicals in them. So if your not a cloth mama, naked time is key.*


 Please feel free to add what has worked for you, or other things you have used that are not already listed. The more the merrier! (I will add it to these lists!)

Note, that all these things are natural and 100% safe for babies. You can literally eat these things if you want. (actually, a cup of chamomile tea to relax through a stressful teething day is a fabulous idea!)
 * Cheeky balm is also great, though not 100% natural.*

  Thank you to all my dear Mama friends who gave me some of these wonderful tips and tricks! Your awesome <3

 I hope this helps make your rough days a little smoother- And rash free!-