I tried it, so you don't have to, recipe

 Breakfast Lasagna

(there are more versions of this online)

The recipe is found on a YouTube video.  It uses a lot of cheese to make this a "zero" carb recipe, but not low in calories.  You start by scrambling 18 eggs. 

Here is the video LINK for the YouTube video on how she makes the breakfast lasagna.

Gravy is made with breakfast sausage, cream cheese and beef broth.   Like I said, it uses a LOT of cheese.

I'm not a subscriber, so I could not get actual measurements from her recipe, so I "eyeballed" it.  I used a mix of mozzarella and pepper jack, and some Parmesan cheese.

The ham I used.  Honestly, didn't feel one 6 oz. package was enough, but I wasn't sure on the size of pan to use either.

Here is my review:  I used a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  It was too big of a baking dish, to get even layers.

It was very good, but I will use my own milk based sausage gravy next time, and will utilize frozen diced ham we saved from the last holiday season.  Overall, very good, but you could make your own changes to suit your taste.  You can cut it in half and make a smaller batch too.

The final look after it came out of the oven.  I heated it at 350°F until it was heated through out the dish.

I guess all of these "zero" carb dishes are full of cheeses, so we will cut the cream cheese out and use homemade breakfast sausage gravy next time.  I use very little flour to make mine anyway.

It's a great idea for a breakfast for a group, or gathering, and it re-heats nicely.  It's perfect for a brunch as well.

 It didn't last long here, but again way too much cheese for us.  

Toodles!

I tried it, so you don't have to, recipe © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

Do any of you own one of those box style choppers, that also work as a mandolin?  I have a hand chopper and food processer, but I'm thinking the box chopper would be easier to use, and wash and store.  It could utilize it in the camper as well.

I'm just thinking ahead for garden season, when we bring in tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and the like.  I need to replace my mandolin this year, so I'm curious about this type of chopper/mandolin.

I have been getting outside for fresh air as often as I can. I think this is mentally and physically important.  Whether it is to pick up trash thrown in the yard from people driving by, to muck the coop, pick up or clean up the porch/patio, or ...

...to simply put on a jacket and sip a hot beverage and sit and enjoy the sunshine.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . .

We still have a bit of snow on the ground, but we are to get up into the 50's again this week.

Right now I am . . .

Drinking coffee, and writing this post.

Thinking and pondering . . .

What project to do next.  We need to paint the master bathroom, and we also need to install a window in another room, with drywall repair work and a new electrical outlet.  We may be hiring someone for the window/drywall job.  Depends on if we are close to a finish on the hallway before the end of the month.

How I am feeling . . .

Terrific.  I did buy an elbow brace for my aching elbow (from slipping on ice while stepping out of the truck).

We make ourselves goals, we give ourselves rewards, and my husband said he hasn't felt this good in maybe 30 years.  

Last weeks pamper me moment?  Painted my nails at the end of a very nasty weather day.  Dressed up and went out for breakfast one day.

On the breakfast plate . . .

A new recipe!!  Breakfast Lasagna!  It's a layer of scrambled eggs, a different type of sausage gravy, applegate low sodium/no sugar ham, and cheeses.  I'll post my review on this later this week (to keep this post short, ha ha!).

On the lunch plate . . .

Leftovers.

On the dinner plate . . .

Not sure just yet.  It could be leftovers again.

On the menu. . .

Breakfast:  Einkorn Pumpkin Pancakes, maybe bacon to go with them?  Blueberries.  

-Mexican Lasagna, Crockpot creamed Corn (using frozen off the cob corn)

-Meatball casserole (using homemade frozen meatballs, that are made with oats vs. bread crumbs, home canned sauce, and some cheeses, Green Beans (also from the garden freezer goodies)

-Spaghetti squash pesto chicken, veggie side (maybe roasted rutabaga)

-Leftovers

On my reading pile . . .

I needed a break from reading the Leslie Meier series.   I am about half way into this book, and I am very much enjoying it.

On my TV . . .

Anything that looks good.

Looking around the house . . .

I'll have an update on the hallway progress this week.  It's coming along nicely.

One box of donations was packed and delivered.  We donated to a Habitat Restore, as the items were used light fixtures, switch plates and the like.  

I have another box started for donations, but it's not full enough to deliver.

To-do list . . .

-clean the washing mashing filter

My washing machine filter is not exactly easy to clean.  This is what it looks like after I remove the full bottom panel under the front loading door (some of you have a cute little access door).  You can see the filter is behind wires, and is back inside, making it much more difficult to get a bucket under it to catch the water that comes out.  I will be looking to see where the filter is when we ever do need to buy a new washing machine.  Did you know that you should clean your washing machine filter 4 times a year?  I don't clean ours that often.  There is just the two of us, and no pets, so the filter stays pretty clean.

-laundry after the washer is put back together
-prepare a few days of breakfast
-dust

-sweep/mop floors

-sort more yarn totes

-prime side hallway entry door (the inside of it for now)

-pick up hallway floor trim

Deep clean for the week:

-finish cleaning the kitchen blinds/windows

From the camera . . .

What I am crocheting . . .

I posted an update on handiwork yesterday.  You can see the post HERE.  

I also started another lap afghan, but these will dwindle as the weather warms up.  I will switch to projects for me/us when the cold weather leaves.

On-the-go projects are baby wash clothes for gifting, an XL pot holder for our own kitchen (all these years I never made one for us), and eventually baby booties to gift.

Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses. . .

Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving."

Happy Homemaker Monday  © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

. . .from the handiwork journal

 

I had a bit of Red Heart's Bright Stripe leftover from a blanket I made for a daughter, so I wanted to use it up somehow.  I decided to incorporate it into another lap afghan, using up other scrap yarns in bright colors.  The blue is from the last lap afghan I made (using up almost all of that blue).

Here is an update on how it's going.  I'm not sure if the seniors will like the bright colors, so it may end up a gift to another person.  

Finished!

  It's probably the most "scrapy" of all my scrap lap afghans so far.

This is all that remains from that one skein of bright stripe yarn.  Saving that small scrap for the local art teacher (if they still use them).

I used about 3 balls of soft violet cotton yarn to make two night stand doilies for one of the kids.  I just used the traditional granny square, but with a solid look.  I had to use a slightly different shade (same name, but color lot was different) to finish the edge.  There is no more violet yarn in my stash now.  All for a good cause I guess.

The second doily for the living room.  Eye rolling, hands in the air moment for me.  I took a closer look, and I had made more than a few mistakes on this one.  It is bound to happen, when I leave a project like this sit for a year.  Unfinished.  I attempted to FROG it, and in the process, it became a knotted mess.  I just cut my losses and cut the thread and disposed of it.  Yes, yes I did.  Sigh.  I will revisit this project when I'm not doing any painting or other repair work.  I think I had took much going on, and let this sit way too long unfinished.

I finished the first one in May of 2023, in case you want to see what it should look like (and the pattern link).

. . .from the handiwork journal  © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Sunrise ~ Questions

Again, another beautiful sunrise that turned into a dull, cloudy, cold wintery day.  I did enjoy the sunrise though.

Desperate for some fresh air, and porch time, that is exactly what I did yesterday.  Of course it wasn't for long, but it was nice, even though the sky was cloudy.  Late afternoon, we started to get snow flurries.  Needless to say, the chickens were not happy.

We woke up to this stuff.  Not much, but enough to make you cringe, ha ha!  Poor Man's Fertilizer I keep telling myself.

 Has anyone cooked with Palmini Lasagna sheets?  I wondered if they are a good substitute for pasta or tortillas in any "lasagna" recipe.

Where is a good source to find whole psyllium husk?  Is it non-gmo?  I'm reading reviews on Amazon, and for the life of me, cannot find a good product (want to try a bread recipe that uses is).  

Has anyone tried a shaved Brussel sprouts salad?  I'm looking at one on Eating Well, but the reviews suggest there are better salad recipe using them.  

Sunrise ~ Questions  © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Sprouting Lentils ~ Blueberry Almond Flour Muffins (The Winner)

 

Do you ever look at the sky and just know what weather is coming?  Or somewhat what to predict yourself?  The sky started out with sunshine.  However...

Yesterday, moments later, the sky looked like snow or rain was coming (I did not watch the news).  

 It brought rain.  A cold, dreary, windy, wet winter day.  

Update on the lentils.  A week and a half went by and the green lentils I had been sprouting got dumped out.

Look at these?  They didn't expire for a few years, and were an off brand I normally do not buy.  I have no idea where I picked them up either.  Anyway, they went in the trash.

I then purchased this brand, and started sprouting them for the chickens.  To my delight, they were sprouting within the first soak (within a few hours).  Literally.  I'll have an update soon I hope.  The chickens have been waiting patiently.

Although it looks like there are not enough blueberries (I added about 1 1/2 cups vs. 1 cup) these were deliciously moist.  My husband took one bite, and said, "Wow!"  I used a different almond flour recipe, and swapped the "almond milk" for buttermilk.  The more "fat" in the milk the more moist the almond flour muffin will be.  I do not buy almond milk, so it was either try these with whole milk or buttermilk (and the buttermilk needed used up first).  I also added cinnamon and nutmeg.

 I used the recipe from Stay Snatched (online), called Easy Sugar Free Blueberry Muffins.  Again, I used monkfruit in ours (no artificial sweetener).  These are a winner diabetic friendly muffin for my husband.  Sorry if this is a boring post, but I wanted to share for those who where watching their sugar/carbs.  I also thawed frozen blueberries for these.  I have to say, we were both impressed, for having made them with almond flour.

Just curious.  What do you like to make with your strawberries you froze last summer?  My absolute favorite is strawberry crumble (obviously not sugar/flour free).

I also agree they are delicious in strawberry pie, but our favorite is strawberry/rhubarb pie (I have zero rhubarb in the freezer).  We love strawberry/blueberry muffins (again, not sugar free, a recipe from long, long ago).  On super hot days, I like to use a mix of our frozen fruit for smoothies.

I have more strawberries in the freezer, and would like to use them before this coming strawberry season.  Any ideas?  The healthier the better. 

Speaking of pie, for years I have used King Flour pie crust crumble recipe.  You make up the dry ingredients with organic shortening and organic butter, and only add the ice water when you are ready to make them.  The crumbles are frozen for easy use.  For the first time last year, my husband complained about the pie crust, saying it was not "flaky" enough.

With that said, do you have a really good, "flaky" pie crust recipe to share (tired and true)?

Sprouting Lentils ~ Blueberry Almond Flour Muffins (The Winner)  © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

I tired it recipes, so you don't have to. . .

 

First, here is the link for the Pumpkin baked oatmeal with toasted pecans (The Real Dietitians). 

One of my biggest challenges has been to cook and bake without white flour, sugar and pasta.  Per my husband's doctor's strict instructions (for the last 7 years), I am trying my best, but as a baker and cook from scratch gal, it's been a huge challenge.  Hence, the new recipe trials.

I found this recipe on social media, but have no source for it.  I'm thinking someone just tossed stuff together.  Anyway...

  1st - I added cinnamon and nutmeg, and I'm glad I did.

2nd - they are a bit on the "dry" side, any ideas on what to add that is healthy?

3rd - they need more blueberries

Notes:  I used 1/3 cup monkfruit (I feel monkfruit is sweeter than real sugar), and used homemade vanilla.

I tried this recipe first, as I had frozen (vs. fresh) blueberries, and plain greek yogurt.  Oven bake times may vary, as you see mine are a bit toasty on top.

Mix 3 cups of almond flour with 1 Tbsp. baking soda.

In another bowl, whisk 4 eggs, 1/2 cup Greek plain yogurt, 2/3 cup swerve (or your choice of sweetener), 1 tsp. vanilla.

Mix wet with dry ingredients, and fold in 1 cup of frozen blueberries.  Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

I have another recipe that calls for milk and fresh blueberries to try soon as well.

Southern Beefy Skillet.  Delicious.  Uses beans vs. pasta.  Recipe is online with Eating Well (previously Diabetic Living).  Be sure to read the instructions first, as they left out the tomato sauce in the ingredients list.

I didn't quite follow it 100%.  I added a bag of frozen thawed, diced yellow squash to it as well.  I used home canned tomato sauce, the oregano came from the herb garden, and the bell peppers and jalapenos also came from the freezer (from last year's garden).  Sadly, I am out of freezer garden tomatoes.  Other than the addition, and using my homegrown sources, it was very good.  I will be saving this recipe.  I keep cans of organic butter beans on hand on a regular basis.

Butter beans, sausages and kale pesto.  A nice wintery dish. There are a few different recipes online for this, and they never specify exactly what type of "sausages" to use, so I decided to slice and cook turkey sausages (original recipes say to cook whole sausages).  It was delicious.  Next time I will serve a side vegetable too.  I have some kale pesto leftover, so I'll either be freezing it into cubes, or using it for a chicken dinner.  

My blog has once again compromised (or was anyway).  Why?  To annoy me?   Most likely the same person, however, did you know you can report an "issue" on your Google account?  You can. 

Enjoy!  The sun is out again today!

I tried it recipes, so you don't have to . . .  © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Bits and Pieces

Good morning my blog world readers.  The cold weather is still lingering, to remind us that winter is not over just yet. 

Happy Valentine's Day!  Hard to believe we are at mid-February already.

Each trip upstairs, I try to pull open craft drawers, and pick anything that needs to be donated.  It feels good to get things organized again, after all these repairs/renovations.  

I'm being pretty successful at purging books.  Funny story.  I was reading a book and realized I had already read it.  I then went to flip through my book journal, and found not only did I read it, but I read two books that my Mom had given me (obviously books I had read, and gave to her).  I had read one in 2004 and the other in 2007.   Those are going to be passed on to a sibling.

I'll be doing better at rotating books out, as they come in. 

I've been busy in the kitchen, more than other work lately.  Pumpkin Oat Breakfast bake.  I love this too!  Not only does it use up that delicious frozen pumpkin puree from the garden, but it's a one bowl mix recipe.  I'll be making some more egg/sausage and cheese cups to go with it.

I also took some blueberries and strawberries out of the freezer to thaw for future dishes.  I have more butternut squash in the freezer I need to use up too.  Not sure what for yet.  

The first recipient (senior center trivia winner, who receives meals on wheels) of one of my crocheted lap afghans and jar openers this winter.  I'm so glad I can make someone happy, and comfortable.

Bits and Pieces © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart