Microwave Popcorn-skip the expensive store brand and make your own

Thanks to Donna at http://www.createacan.net for sharing this with me. We tried it and the results were great! As much as my kids love popcorn, I can't believe we didn't do this much sooner. I'm excited to have a nice healthy snack the kids can make themselves in just a few minutes.

All you need are:
Paper lunch sacks
Bag of unpopped popcorn
tape

Low Carb Pizza Crust!

I am so excited. I had pizza again! For over a year I've been scraping the tops off and suddenly I could eat it. Even better, it was SO EASY to make. It passed my kids' test and my 15 yr old son who is so picky.. he took the toppings off and ate the crust! This is a keeper. Trevor and I are excited to have legal low carb pizza back in our life! It is filling as well.
Here's the recipe from Lowcarbfriends.com :
Mix 2 cups of mozzarella cheese
1 cup of cheddar cheese
3 eggs
Combine all together. I used parchment paper, otherwise use non stick spray on your pan. spread it thinly across your pan. I used a cookie sheet, it wasn't enough to cover it all but by the time it cooked up, it almost all reached the edges.
Cook at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Watch for it to be melty gooey and a little crisp on the edges. Let cool. I put mine in the fridge for 5 minutes and then it peeled right off the parchment paper and I carried it around, so proud that it worked! Then I put it back on the parchment paper (mistake), added my sauce and toppings and put in broiler for about 5 minutes. (I pre-cooked my toppings).Note: Parchment paper says not to exceed 425 degrees for a reason.. Luckily mine didn't catch on fire but it was "toasted". Take out and cool for a second. I cut mine into 2" squares and served. Everyone, kids included, loved it! A definite keeper and it was so fast and easy!

Broccoli cheese soup

2 tablespoons butter
3 Tbsp thicknthin/not starch
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
**2 1/2 cups water
3 cans chicken broth -- about 4 cups (I use one box of Swanson Organic Chicken Broth)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 ounces frozen chopped broccoli -- thawed and drained
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped -- finely chopped
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese -- sharp or extra sharp
2 tablespoons chopped chives -- or green onion tops

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add
flour; cook and stir 30 seconds or until bubbly. Add cream,
water, broth, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper; bring to a
simmer over high heat, stirring frequently. Add broccoli
and red pepper; return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer
uncovered 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add cheese; stir over low heat just until cheese melts
(do not boil). Top with chives if desired.

**For a thicker soup, cut back the water by one cup -
From Your lighter side.
Omit olives, bell pepper, chives

Taco Soup

Doing this one from memory:
Scrambled hamburger
Ranch seasoning
Taco seasoning
2 cans of beans
2 cans of red beans
2 cans or corn or frozen
1 can of rotel-not spicy!
maybe a can of tomatoes.
Simmer and stir
Kids love it, even Jordan loves it.

Crockpot cream cheese chicken

--1 can cream-of-something soup
--1/2 cup chicken broth
--frozen chicken pieces
--packet of Italian salad dressing mix
--2 cloves minced garlic
--block of cream cheese (to add later)


Sounds good, will try. Serve with wh. wheat noodles

Chicken cacciatore

Slow Cooker Recipe
1 1/2 c. marinara sauce (lo-sugar)
1/2 c. thinly sliced onions
1/4 c tomato paste
1/4 c red or white wine (alcohol cooks out)
1/2 tsp each dried rosemary and sea salt
8 small chicken thighs (skin removed)
8 oz mushrooms cut in half or quartered

Mix marinara sauce, sliced onions, tomato past, wine, rosemary & salt in 4 qt. or larger slow cooker.

Add chicken and mushrooms, toss to mix and coat

Cover and cook 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 5 to 8 hours on low til chicken and onions are tender.

Remove to a serving platter.

To Help in Joplin, Missouri

American Red Cross: Greater Ozarks Chapter
If you are not a Red Cross Volunteer but wish to help call 2-1-1 in Missouri to be connected to organizations needing volunteers

Instead of waiting for your family and friends to text you back (poor cell reception) check http://www.redcross.org/safeandwell. #joplin


Official updates coming from Responders on Facebook:
Page from those in/around Joplin
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joplin-Tornado-Info/