#460 - Mango Pork Chops!!!

Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum!!!!!!

Ingredients

3/4 teaspoon chili powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 4 (4-ounce) boneless center-cut loin pork chops, trimmed 
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped peeled mango
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind 
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1. Preparation

2. Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over pork.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add pork; cook 4 minutes on each side or until done.
4. Combine mango, mint, lemon rind, lemon juice, sugar, and red pepper in a medium bowl. Serve with pork.

Thanks to http://www.myrecipes.com

#461- The Day After Finals End

I don't know about you but finals stress me out and it's so nice to just not have to deal with them anymore! Next week I get off school and I can't wait to kick back, relax, and NOT have to study my guts out!

#462- The smell of gingerbread

That one gingerbread smell is one to make ANYONE think of christmas. I love christmassy nights filled with snow and decor and gingerbread!!

Makes 2 dozen or 24 (1 cookie) servings.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Refrigerate Time: 4 hours

Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes per batch

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons 
1 teaspoon 
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon 

1. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.

#463- The Cold side of your pillow

Doesn't this just make you happy? laying on the COOOLLDD side of your pillow!

#464- When your headphones DON'T get tangled together

Have you ever had it where you wrap up your headphones and then when you want to use your iPod it's completely  tangled? That's the worst! So a little thing for me is when you DON'T have to untangle them!

#465- A Good Joke

Can February March?
No but April May!

Knock Knock
Who's there?
Panther
Panther who?
Panther no panths I'm going swimming!

Patient: Doctor, doctor my husband thinks he's a refrigerator!
Doctor: So what's the problem?
Patient:Well it's not bad but at night he sleeps with his mouth open and the light keeps me up!

Q: How did the shoe fall over?
A: It went head over heals

If you've gotta joke your willing to share, SHARE IT!! We all love a good laugh!

#466-FOOODDD!!

Yum! Happy thanksgiving!! Comment on what your thankful for! For me I am thankful for yummy delicious FOOD!!!!!

#467- School Breaks

Ah! It's thanksgiving break! no school for a whole week!!!!! I love not going to school!

#468- A Democracy

Today is a very special day! ELECTION DAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!! November 6th 2012! Obama vs Romney! And WE as citizens of this nation are allowed to vote for our next president! We have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness! So hold your heads high and say "I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"

#469- A good Change

Honestly I think change is a really hard way to life! Change includes finding a new school, a new house, or even something not quite as big! But A good change can impact you greatly and it can help you in SO MANY WAYS! Special Thanks to Amanda Miller!

#470- Pumpkin Pie!

Yummy Yummy Yummy! Totally makes you think about fall time!

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
• 1 piece pre-made pie dough
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for 1 hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about 2 pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to color.

For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.

Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

#471- A Night of Fright and CANDYYY!!

Halloween's coming up! Here comes the yummy candy! It's a little thing, but spending this season with friends totally makes it worthwhile!

#472- Finishing An Amazing Book

That moment of the perfect mix of delight and horror! You spent weeks of endless nights working on a book you love only to find another chapter lying ahead. Then. You finish it! I think that's one of my favorite feelings of all time. Then again.... I hate having to finish it! You know?

#473- A Good Pillow

Ouch... It's sniffles time! Here comes the fever, headaches, and stomach aches. The best part, other than staying home from school all day, Is a nice, cool pillow! Even if it's just after a long day. Pillows make ALL the difference! Special thanks to my mommy!

#474- Inspiration

Many things can be inspirational, people, pets, movies, books and many others! If you don't mind I would like to issue a challenge. Be the kind of person that others think of as inspiration. Some of you will look at this challenge and say "forget it" but some might actually take this seriously! If you take this seriously then post your stories or comments on this page or messege me on Facebook! I would love to know who does it for reals.

#475- Hot chocolate

I LOVE HOT CHOCOLATE!!!! Especially on a day like today where it's absolutely freezing and you have an awesome friend with you!!

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/3 cup boiling water

• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup half-and-half cream

 

Directions

1. Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

#476- Popcorn Family Movie/Game Nights

I love my family!!! THEY ARE THE BESTEST THING EVER!!! So nothing gives me more joy than family game and movie nights. It's a time to wind down! Sometimes, usually, people are super duper busy so we dedicate a special night for this. Fridays (or Saturdays if my dad isn't home Friday) And then every Monday we have a thing called Family Home Evening and no matter what happens! Like if my dad is out of town or we are busy we have to sit down and we get to be together and talk for about a half hour!


(Hey you mormons! Recognize the picture? It's from the Friend!)

#477- Fall Time

For me Fall time is perfect. It's colorful and bright and sunny but with a cool breeze! So take this in while you can! Right now! Right this second! Walk outside, inhale, and count the blessings of Fall!

#478- A Shoulder to Lean On

The friend thats always there. They are there for you and It makes you always want to be there for them! I love my friends and I hope they know how much I do! :) Go out there guys! Go get 'em! Try to jump to the moon, but it's ok if you don't make it because you'll always land on the stars. Your there for me so I'll be there for you! :D Special thanks to all my friends and Sela Mafi, Aubrie Cardon, Savanna Moody and Amanda Miller

#479- A Feeling Of Accomplishment

No matter what your doing everyone loves the feeling you get when you accomplish something, especially if originally you felt like you could never complete this task. I will add an example and you can too if you want...
Well It was another day of cross country and since our meet got rained out our team had to run a 5k. I am not a very good runner, but i had to do this anyway. When we first started out I was huffin' and puffin' and it hurt! Then I caught up with this kid who I didn't know super well. His name was Mckaffery. Mckaffery and I stayed together the entire way and we paced ourselves off of each other. Finally, we finished and it turns out that I took 10 mins off my original time!

So you CAN accomplish the impossible! Try It! And make new friends along the way!

#480- Brave Warriors (11th anniversary of 9/11)

A tribute to our brave warriors fighting for our country! Thank you fire fighters, police men, military, navy and army! And might I say thank you!! Comment If you are grateful for their help and respect them! Hats off to the friends and family of the people of 9/11. Thank you to our country! I am proud to be an american! I won't forget the men who died and gave their life for me! God bless the USA

#481- Friends That Are Happy No Matter What

When your having a bad day the last thing anyone needs is an attitude from your friend! I just LOVE that friend that is happy no matter what the world throws at them!!! It's fantastic! It makes you happy too! One person can really make a huge difference soooooo be thats positive friend! It's not hard! Do one of the things on this blog or recommend a little thing to me and you'll feel better and you'll also be the friend people look forward to seeing!

#482-When You Hear a Song You Haven't Heard for a While and You Still Know the Words

Just think... Your searching around your cd case for your new favorite album and then  you find your old, favorite songs. You pop in the cd and the songs you hear start to make you sing along! I've had this happen before and I found a cd with my old favorites on it, and I popped it in and I burst out laughing!! The music I used to listen to when i was 10 was all 80's music!!!! Hahahaha! Special Thanks to Amanda Miller!

#483- Simple Recipe, Good Food!

I love simple, few step recipes! They are always Extra, Extra good! I'll try to put good recipes on this blog, but if you really want scrumptious recipes visit atasteofhome10ley.blogspot.com!!!

#484- When A Friend Tells You How Much You Mean To Them

 Yes... yes... yes........ I love this little thing!!! Has this ever happened to you because it has to me! And I love the warm feeling you get! Special Thanks To Amanda Miller and Hallie Gosch

#485- When You Get "Surprises" in Your Pockets

You know that FANTASTIC moment when you  put on your "lucky jeans" and you find a prize in the pockets? Especially if it's money and you really, really needed it at that time! Like you just needed one more dollar to pay for your soda and WHAM! Out pops a dollar from your pocket! Then you think to yourself.... wow I must be able to tell the future!! I'm a genius to put this dollar in my pocket and then forget about it!! Special thanks to Aubrie Cardon!!!!!

#486- Glue and Tape

YES!! GLUE AND TAPE! It's actually a huge thing!!!!!! Glue and Tape.... We've used those things since preschool! They're probably the most helpful things ever!

#487- A Giant Glass Of Cold Water

I don't know about all my viewers out there, but I for one I LOVE WATER!!! Especially those days when you are just dying of thirst! So you don't have to agree with me, but I sure agree with Savanna when she says a giant glass of water is the best! Special Thanks to Savanna Moody!!

#488- When your Favorite Song is on the Radio

The radio isn't exactly the best thing ever.... Or at least in my opinion because whenever you turn on the radio there's always a TON of commercials! Some of them don't even make sense!!! However there is always that FANTASTIC time when you hear your favorite song and you crank up the volume, roll down the windows, and ROCK OUT!!!! Special Thanks to Amanda Miller!

#489- Seeing Your Best Friend Somewhere Unexpected

FOR SURE a little thing.... but don't you think it's a good little thing? It's like your just walking around Walmart or something and you go around the corner and you run into your best friend!! Special Thanks to Amanda Miller for her Comments!!!

#490- Fresh Baked Bread

Special Thanks to Danielle Rasmussen for the recipe!!

(Sorry for the recipe change this is for basic mixers not just Bosh It will be more helpful)

Welllll..... Let's be honest.... Store bought bread is NOTHING compared to your own, homemade bread. This is sooooooooo delicious!!!!! Wanna know the best part?? This bread and grandma's strawberry jam.... YUMMMY!!!!! Anyway if you have the appliances for it you should defiantly try it!!

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

THIS BASIC BREAD RECIPE IS ALSO GREAT FOR PIZZA CRUST.

3 cups hot tap water
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup honey
1 T salt
2 T Kitchen Specialties Vital Gluten
1 T Kitchen Specialties Dough Enhancer
2 T SAF instant yeast
7-8 cups freshly milled whole wheat flour
Pour all ingredients into Bosch Compact mixer bowl. Turn mixer to speed 2 and allow to knead for 8-10 minutes, adding additional flour or water if needed.(The Compact Bosch makes better bread if all ingredients are add at the first) Shape into 2-3 loaves and let rise until doubled. Bake at 350E for 30-35 minutes. 

In the Bosch mixing bowl, combine water, oil, honey and lecithin (optional). Next add 4 cups of freshly ground wheat flour. On top of the flour, add Vital Wheat Gluten, Dough Enhancer and SAF instant yeast. “Jog” off and on using the “M’ side of the switch so that flour won’t rise out of the mixing bowl. Then mix on first speed until smooth. Then add the additional freshly milled whole wheat flour. Add it slowly as to not over flour. Stopping periodically to test it (we add the flour until the dough doesn’t stick to your floured finger when you “tap” it lightly) The amount of flour you add will depend on the moisture and protein levels in your wheat. Look for spots on the walls of the bowl that are clear of dough momentarily. You might stop the mixer and tap the dough gently with your finger to see if it sticks. It shouldn’t stick to you, if it does just add a little more flour. These are some of the signs when there is enough flour added. At this point turn your mixer to speed two and mix for about 5 minutes. The dough that was stuck to the sides and the floor of the mixing bowl will completely clean off. Form dough into 3-4 loaf pans. When they are fully risen you should be able to put a small dent in the side of one of the loafs with your finger and the dent will not come back out, or it will come back very slowly. Place loaves into a cool oven (not preheated). Bake at 350E for 35 minutes.

*For first time Bosch owners we suggest you use the “sponge” method for your first few batches of bread. First, add the water, then the oil, honey and lecithin. Don’t mix. Then add 8 cups of freshly milled flour. Don’t mix. On top of the flour, add the Dough Enhancer, gluten and yeast (no salt). “Jog” in mixture using the “M” switch so that the flour doesn’t rise out of mixing bowl. Then mix on speed one until smooth. Let stand for about 10 minutes. The dough should rise to the spur gear in the middle of the bowl. This is sponging. This process allows the wheat bran to absorb the moisture, thus making the dough “dryer”, it also improves the texture. Sponging gives you a little advantage in terms of flour to water ratio, because the dough is dryer you add less flour hence the bread is lighter. Next, on speed one, add the salt and the rest of the flour as described above. Once you know how much flour you need, you may add everything at once, including all of the flour, set the timer for 5 minutes and you are finished!

There is a bigger recipe for more loaves at http://www.mykitchencenter.com/recipes.cfm

#491- Bite Sized Chocolates

These chocolates are the kind that make your mouth drool and the moment you pop one in you get a sweet sensation that spreads through your entire tongue! Yes... Bite sized chocolates are defiantly one of my little things... I love the ones that come with no flavors the same. The ones that just make you want to stuff your face!!!

#492- Sleeping in

It's been a LLLOOONNNGGGG school week and you are finally home!!! That night you watch a movie until really really late. Then you go to bed. It's awesome waking up to your own rhythm! Even if it means waking up at noon!!! The feeling you get after a good sleep is THE BEST!! Don't you agree??

#493- Finishing Your Homework

The school day is done.... Your so excited to get home! Then you realize.... homework... that dreaded, rotten thing that teachers give you. Some days the homework is piled higher than a skyscraper!! But there's always that moment where your sitting there and you finally finish the very last problem... FREEDOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#494- Grandma's Strawberry Jam

Special Thanks to Grandma Norton for her recipe!!!

Delicious for any meal!!!! Rolls, toast and.... whatever you put your jam on!!!

Strawberry Jam

2 pints of Strawberries

4 cups of sugar

3/4 cup of water

1 cup of Pectin

Containers with a sealable lid

Wash strawberries. Then discard stems and crush in a bowl. Add the sugar. mix and then let it sit for 10 minutes. Put the water in a pot. Let it boil. Add pectin and stir constantly for 1 min exactly. Mix everything together until the sugar is no longer grainy. pour the mixture into the container, but leave 1/2 and inch from the top because the jam spread when it cools. Let it cool for 24 hours then put it in the freezer. Freezer jam lasts for 1 year

#495- A Cat and the Rain!

Don't you just love those days when your just sitting' around and your warm cat cuddles up to you, purrs, warms you up.... Then as you sit stroking the Cat you can hear a soothing drum on your roof. The rain.... So melodious!! Special Thanks to Melissa Engeseth!!!

#496- Minty Christmas'

ok you know that smell you get waking up on Christmas morning? That minty smell? The one that just makes you say... "Todays Christmas!!!" Holy Cow!!! I can smell it!!!"

Special Thanks to Amanda Miller for her comments

#497- Hot Baths

 Ok... We've all had those days! The days where you are super duper stressed out and you just need time to sit and relax... So sit in relax in a soothing bathtub!! One thing you can do is bring in your speakers and listen to your favorite songs! Try these how to make your own bath salts for a warm, relaxing ending to a stressful day!

Lavender Bath Salts!

for the stressful days

3 cups of epsom salt

2 Cups of sea salt

1 Cup of baking soda

1/2 ounce of essential or fragrance oil

Measure out the salts and mix them together well. Make sure to break any clumps. A wide stainless steel bowl works for mixing best. Then add fragrance or essential oils.

#498- Fresh Baked Banana Bread!

I love this!!! Banana Bread?! Believe it or not it is delicious! And when especially when it's fresh baked!!  You can add ingredients too!! For example, raisins, chocolate chips, nuts.... It works!! And you can bake the bread in muffin pans!! Just bake as directed!

Fresh Baked Banana Bread Recipe!

Takes up to 1 hr and 30 mins

1 stick of butter

1 Cup of sugar

2 eggs

3 bananas

1 tablespoon of banana extract

3 Cup of flour

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of baking soda

1 Cup of whole wheat flour

1/3 Cup of hot water

Preheat oven at 325 degrees. Mix the butter, sugar and eggs together until all mashed. Add Bananas and banana extract. stir through. Add 2 cups of regular flour mixed with salt and baking soda. Add whole wheat flour and hot water. Add the last cup of regular flour. Put in greased loaf pan.

Let It cook 1 hour (with checking) or until it's non-doughy inside

#499- Toothpaste

Wow!! yea!!! ever thought of this?! TOOTHPASTE!!! Believe it or not this is one of my little things because i hate waking up in the morning, smacking my lips, and grossing out completely...  Sometimes it grosses me out so bad that I do what this kid did!!

----------------->

#500- Warm Jackets just out of the dryer

Don't you all think so? I mean imagine this... It's snowing or raining 

outside and you are freezing! The normal hot chocolate is out of stock in your pantry... Then the very moment your about to freak out completely from cold the dryer beeps. When you look inside there is the softest, warmest, most comfortable jacket just begging and waiting for you to put it on and snuggle up!!!