Raspberry Wheat Beer Bread

This bread is so wonderful. I made this as a side for dinner over the weekend. Can I say it is amazing & so so simple to make. It actually is sweet from the beer & could be used as a breakfast bread.  I hope you make it right now! & let me know how you & your family enjoyed it!



Raspberry Wheat Beer Bread:

3 cups whole wheat flour
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp honey
1 bottle of Raspberry Wheat Beer.( I used Shock Top)
4 Tbsp butter. (melted)


Preheat oven to 350, grease a 9x5x3 in loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, & salt, using a wooded spoon, stir in the beer and honey into the dry ingredients until mixed. I recommend putting your honey in the microwave for a few seconds to make it easier to mix into the bread.

Pour half the melted butter into the bottom of your loaf pan. then spoon the batter into the pan, level off and then pour the rest of your butter on top of the mixture. ( you can use a pastry brush to do this or your hand)

Bake for 50-60 mins, until top is golden brown & toothpick comes out clean.

Serve Immediately

Recipe adapted from:

Gimme Some Oven

Guest Post

I recently was approached to have a guest post to my blog. Her name is Emily Walsh & she is a Community Outreach Blogger for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. 

Here is her Link if you would like to follow & see more posts from her.

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance

I enjoyed reading Emily's post a lot mostly because my Hubby & I have started a life style change, which includes exercise & change in the way we eat. We are making changes to ensure that our children also grow up with our healthy choices for life.

For me I have about 60 pounds to lose since the birth of your 2nd child. I have started doing Calorie counting.  I use a great App on my smart phone, It helps me to stay in bounds and know what is going into my body.  It really is amazing when you start tracking it. 

I have also started a few different exercise Apps, like Map my Run & 5k running. MY goal beyond losing the weight is to finally run in a 5k. My handsome Sailor has also been on the track for a healthy life style & has encouraged me that If I get enough endurance he will also run in the 5k with me!! :)

What goals & lifestyle changes are you making?

THanks for stopping by to Read a great Post!

Tara

How Obesity Has an Impact on Veterans
Veterans often have to deal with some life-altering conditions. Mesothelioma, PTSD and depression are just to name a few of the conditions veterans may have to deal with in their lifetime. Unfortunately, there is an even bigger problem that veterans are now having to face. This problem has to do with their weight and the fact that they may be developing type two diabetes because of their new lifestyle as a civilian. Weight gain for veterans is incredibly common because of their change going from an active military serviceman or woman to a normal civilian who is disabled or works a normal, sedentary job.
If you're a veteran who's dealing with weight gain or weight-related problems, remember that your problem can be changed. Excess weight can be lost by following the right diet and exercise program. If you find that you're eating too much throughout the day or are eating foods that are high in calories and fat, you need to make changes to the way that you eat. The best way to do this is by making small and gradual changes that you'll be able to stick to. Changing afternoon sweets and snacks out for fruits or dark chocolate covered fruits is a great way to make a healthy change.
Another thing you should be doing to lose weight and become healthier is to simply exercise more. Many veterans go from living a very active lifestyle to one that is relatively sedentary. You do not have to work out as much as you did in the military, but it is a good idea to exercise a little bit each day. This could be as simple as taking a walk around the block to something more intense like joining a local gym or lifting weights on a set that you've purchased for the home.
One of the major reasons why veterans gain weight over time is also because of stress and anxiety. Many veterans also deal with major depression that often cripples them on a daily basis. The best way to take care of these issues is to speak with a therapist or to begin going to support groups. If you'd rather not attend a local meeting for veterans, there are quite a number of support groups online that you can definitely make use of. You will notice that this helps you tremendously when it comes to copping with stress and living a more care-free life.
You should also schedule regular trips to your doctor to make sure that you are doing well and that your health is in good shape. Your doctor will be able to run physicals and blood tests to ensure that you are as healthy as possible. Only your doctor will be able to recommend and advise you on certain programs designed to help you lose weight. It does not hurt to try to lose weight and become healthier. You do not have to be as physically fit as you were in the military, but you should at least be the healthiest you can possibly be at this point in your life.

Blog Hop

Come join Me as I explore some great blogs on a Share the Love blog Hop.

Here are the rules:

1. Please follow your host (number 1 below) & the co-host (number 2 below). Also follow Me & any other blogs that you that you enjoy.

2. Leave a comment on the blogs lettign them know what you are a new follower and found them on "share the Love" blog hop.

3. Link up your blogs home page

4. Copy & paste the code at the bottom into a new post on your blog.

5. Enjoy this great Blog Hop

Sweet Pork Burritos & Ranch Tomatillo sauce

This recipe is by far one of our family favorites. I do not make it very often because it is high in the calorie area, but it is so so yummy! We love when this is on the menu. I usually plan to make it when we have friends or family coming over for dinner.

I got the recipe from my mom a few years back and have changed it a little bit to fit our liking.


Sweet Pork:
2 1/2 pounds pork loin
salt to taste
pepper to taste
garlic salt to taste
1 package 10ct tortillas
2 -15oz cans mild green chili sauce - I use el pato
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1- 15oz can black beans
1 bunch of cilantro
2 bags Monterey jack cheese


Place your pork into your slow cooker with 1/3 cup water , Season with pepper, salt & garlic salt. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8. Once it is cooked remove from cooker and drain if needed. shred trhe meat, place back into your slow cooker. Add 1/3 cup green chili sauce & brown sugar.
Turn oven on to 350.
pour 1/2 cup green sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Then start to prepare your burritos. place some of your pork down the middle, then add your black beans ( or pinto), a little cilantro & shredded cheese. place the seam down in the dish.
repeat until  all the burritos are assembled. Then pour 1/2 - 2 cups chili sauce over the top & cover with Cheese.
Cover with foil & bake for 25-30 mins, or until cheese melts & burritos are warmed threw.



My Husband also likes Tomatillo dressing to be used on top of the burritos after cooking as an extra sauce. Here is the recipe for that.

Tomatillo sauce:
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 package dry hidden valley ranch
2 cloves garlic
2 cups cilantro
3 tomatillos
1jalapeno

Husk & wash tomatillos. place all ingredients in your blender. mix well. place in your fridge until you are going to use it.



Enjoy!!
Tara

SAHM

As a SAHM of a 3 year old little boy & a 4 month baby girl I am constantly trying to think of new and exciting things to engage not only my mind but my little ones. My son is a busy body, On nice days we try to get out and do a walk ( for mommy getting fit) and then a stop over at the park for my little guy to release that energy.
Some other things that we really enjoy is play dough, cooking, playing cars, jumping on the trampoline & Dancing. He is such big character and loves to have my full attention. Lately I have been looking online at other was to engage his mind.
Here are a few really great websites that I have found to be so incredibly helpful they give you a lot of resources to help them learn things that will prepare them for school.


No Time for Flashcards
This site is awesome because you can search within your child's age group!

1+1+1=1
She has a great blog & also wonderful printables for holidays, color pages, etc.

Free Home School Deals
More great printables like, ABC 's

Classroom Jr
More great learning resources

3 Dinosaurs
She has wonderful printables for reading charts, ABC, numbers, shapes, counting.

LawTeeDah
More Printables


I sure hope that gives you a jump start on activities that you can do with your kiddos that is also helping them to learn in new & fun ways. My son has been enjoying them a lot. He gets so excited when we are trying a new thing.

Please let me know what you have been doing to keep your little ones entrained?  I would love to also hear about other amazing websites :)

Tara

Work ups & Deployment

 I knew that with us coming back to sea duty that this time would come eventually....and it has! In the spring my hubby starts back up on workups for his job. They do work ups in order to get re-qualified to go out on the ship (aircraft carrier).

I think it is going to be a rather tough one this time. In the 8 years that we have been married,  It seems each time he has to go out gets harder & harder. Probably because it is a different situation when you have kids. They grown & change so very much in just a short amount of time.  On my hubby's last one that  he went on it was just our son and Me. Our son was still small and it didn't really effect him. but fast forward to now, and he already cries when he wakes up and didn't get to give daddy a kiss before work. I can only imagine how this next deployment will go. I am anxious for it to come and then go, mainly because this will be my hubby's last one. Retirement is coming soon.

I am hoping to come up with some great ways to make the time pass quickly. If we are moved into a house in Idaho before he goes out on the ship, then I see a lot of remodel posts on my blog :) but as of right now we live in base housing & so I will keep busy with my hubby while I can & also our little ones.

Please feel free to give me your ideas of ways to help the time pass quickly.

Tara

Veggies & Ground Beef Stew

Let me just say this is a perfect dish for a cold day. So yummy & filling!

2 pounds ground beef
2 cups carrots- chopped
1 can green beans- drained
1 can peas - drained
3 cups potatoes- cubed
1 yellow onion- chopped
3 cloves garlic- minced
2 packs brown gravy mix
3 cups water
1 can beef broth
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon worshirechester  sauce
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1/2 tablespoon parsley



1. Brown the meat, onion & garlic on the stove in a pan. Once cooked throw in the crockpot.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the potato flakes. Cook on High for 5 hours or Low for 8.

3. 1/2 hours before serving add 1/2 cup potato flakes, it helps to thicken up the sauce.

Enjoy!!
Tara