Category: Uncategorized

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · German · Recipes · Uncategorized · WLS

Pretzels 

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Another one of the German box mixes in the GermanFoodbox.com subscription was the German Pretzel Mix.  This one was more complicated but wonderful.

Prepared the mix per the instructions (mix flour and yeast with warm water, mix with a dough hook), and let rise.I kneaded the dough, and shaped.  This was the difficult part.  I was not schooled in making pretzels, and it was apparent! Baked, and this was the result.  The flavor and texture were good.  The appearance was lacking…but again, yummy!

Had two bites with unsalted butter – memories of Germany.  Loved trying this, but not sure that I want to make them again.   It was a fun trying to make them.

Blessings!

blog · bundt · Holiday · Uncategorized

National Bundt Day

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In honor of National Bundt Day…a re-post of my Nutella Marbled Bundt Cake from September, 2010.

Nutella Marbled Bundt Cake

I had this yellow cake mix, and wanted to make some sort of marbled cake with it.  I love my Mom’s bundt pan. So…

I used about 1 cup of Nutella, mixed together with an egg.  
Used 3 eggs, 1 stick butter, and 1/3 cup water per the cake mix instructions.

I used 1 egg and about 1 cup of Nutella, mixed.
I also added about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the Nutella mix.
I added 1 teaspoon of almond extract and about 2/3 cups of mayonnaise, yes mayonnaise!
My Mom used to use it–swore that it made the cake moist.  And, I believed her.  I mixed together the cake mix and mayo.  Took about 1/3 of the mix and mixed it with the Nutella and egg mixture.
Sprayed the pan, and coated it with flour.  (I always use too much flour.)
Pour the yellow mix in.  Drop the pan onto the counter several times to
make sure that it is even (and to release any air bubbles).  Spoon over the Nutella mix.
Take a knife and slice into the yellow mix (this should make your swirl).
Add the remaining batter. Drop pan again making sure all bubbles come to the top.
Follow the directions for a bundt pan on the cake mix (38-43 minutes) at 375 degrees
in the middle part of your oven.  Remove when done (use a cake tester).
Cool on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes.
Invert onto a plate.  Once cake is completely cooled, sprinkle some powdered sugar on top.
Not really swirled – all of the chocolate mix went to the bottom (or top) it was too heavy.
I will have to lighten this part up next time (although my family says NO).
It is really moist!  I sound surprised! ha.  It really is though.
You don’t have wait 3 days for this one to be really moist.
My family raved about it so much, David had seconds.  So much for this being for the entire week.  =)
Enjoy!

 

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · desserts · fall · German · Recipes · Uncategorized · WLS

Blueberry Streusel Pie

jachancellor4 Comments

David and I subscribed to the German Box monthly delivery for a couple of months to see what they would send.  We received some different items, but mostly box mixes of stuff I used to love when in Germany.

One of the items they sent was the Kathi German Streusel.   I had a can of blueberry pie filling, and wanted to give it a try.


I followed the instructions on the box.  Although it says to use a spring form pan, I used a pie plate.  But the mix came together really well.Sprayed the bottom with non-stick spray, and pressed in 3/4’s of the mixture to the bottom of the pie plate.I didn’t just want a blueberry pie.  I wanted something a little more German.  I used 1/2 cup of sour cream, an egg, and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar – mixed it together and poured in the bottom of the crust.Then I dropped the pie filling onto of the cream mixture.Again, followed the instructions to use the rest of the streusel mix to the top.Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean in the middle.Let cool, and enjoy.  (Refrigerate after completely cool.)

It was so yummy.  As like most German desserts, it wasn’t overly sweet.  The sour cream mixture made it creamy, and cheesecake like but without the density.   I will definitely make this again.  I have Googled where to purchase the cake mix, and hope to get it again before Christmas.

 

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Buffalo Chicken Dip · Chicken · football · Recipes · Uncategorized · WLS

Buffalo Chicken Dip

jachancellor1 Comment

My girlfriend Beth shared this recipe with me a couple of years ago on one of our couple trips.  I loved this!! It was game day on Saturday, and we have to have some sort of football food, right?  So I made this.

Ingredients:
1 can of chicken (large)
8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
1/4 Frank’s Red Hot Wings sauce
1 cup of finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Mix all of the ingredients (but not the cheddar cheese) in a bowl until blended and the cream cheese is thoroughly mixed in.Place into a baking dish, and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the mixture is hot and bubbly.  Place the cheddar cheese on top, and return to the oven until the cheese topping melts.Let set for about 5 minutes, and serve.  You can use tortilla chips or Frito’s – a chip that is sturdy to hold the dip.  Most of the time I use Scoops, but we didn’t have any.

My plate with a 1/4 of a hamburger as well, because I can’t just have buffalo dip.  This mixes up effortlessly, and everyone loves it.


What is your favorite game day food?

Blessings!

 

Beth Moore · friends · Random Stuff · Random Thoughts · Sunday · Uncategorized

Sunday Thought

jachancellorLeave a comment

Needs versus wants.  I really thought I had everything I needed, until I met someone without a home.  A friend from my past posted that they needed help, and I jumped.  I have gotten burned again, but it doesn’t stop me from giving.  Although would I do it again?  Yes.  I will always help but in a different way.  It is my heart that hurts to hear that someone might be sleeping in their car.

We live pay check to paycheck as I am sure a lot of people do.  We have over extended ourselves, and are surviving.  All I could think about was not having my home.  Just one more job loss, or tragic event and we could be in the same boat.

These friends just can’t seem to crawl out of their despair.  I was warned before I helped them, as apparently, they have done this to several friends.  They have gone to them over and over asking for help with no apparent way out.  Lost.  Stephen asked me why they couldn’t stay with family.  They had said they couldn’t go back to them.  I believe that they have exhausted themselves with most everyone here.

They wrote to me after an altercation with David (he came asking for more money) saying that they felt like scum, and ashamed.  That they wouldn’t be coming to us again, that we have helped enough.

I don’t believe we have helped them in the correct way.  Giving them money wasn’t the answer.  I am not sure how to help them at this point because it has gone on so very long, but my heart wants to help.  I continue to search for answers feeling lost.

“People need to know that Jesus set us free from cycles of destruction we’d been in for years.  People CAN change.  Give somebody hope.” – Beth Moore

Blessings.

 

 

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Chicken · Recipes · Uncategorized · WLS

Sheet-Pan Chicken with Chickpeas, Cumin and Turmeric

jachancellorLeave a comment

This is from The New York Times Cooking site.  I receive their weekly emails, and this one look really good, so I thought we would try it.  Sheet-Pan Chicken with Chickpeas, Cumin and Turmeric.  I followed the recipe with the exception of the chicken – boneless, skinless chicken thighs.

img_2523-1

I loved this.  The chicken was moist, and the chickpeas were crunchy.  The sweetness of the roasted onions and the contrast of the lemon soaked onions were refreshing, and really worked.  I will definitely make this again.

Blessings!

Carmen · Carmen's Thoughts · Craft · Knitting · Uncategorized

Carmen’s Thoughts – Knitting

carmensue233 Comments

I love hobbies that keep me busy. Kayaking, dancing, Nancy Drew (keeps my hands busy so it counts). This past summer, I helped out with a knitting class as part of the Kids on Campus summer youth program at Northwest Florida State College. I finally learned the basics of knitting!

I remember watching my family friends knit in awe, moving one thread around and making something bigger, like a scarf. After I learned the basics, I made a beanie. Once that was done, my ambitious self went to Michael’s, saw this magical soft grey yarn and the blanket pattern with it, and thought “next project”. It took me at least three times to count the 150 stitches to cast the darn thing, and I had to Google how to count rows because the pattern makes boxes within the blanket of 20 rows (I didn’t count correctly and my box looked like a scarf within a blanket). But now, I bought more yarn, and this blanket intended for a baby will probably be finished when the kid is three, but it’s keeping my hands occupied when I’m bored.


After this project, I might go back to something simple. Probably not. So if anyone wants a blanket, let me know.

If you ever wanted to knit or crochet but were too intimidated, just know – if a seven year old can figure out how to do it, so can you. Just remember to breathe, and don’t panic. Everything can be fixed.

Bacon · Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Recipes · Uncategorized · WLS

Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts

jachancellorLeave a comment

I found this recipe at Savory Tooth.  I had all of the ingredients (love), and made it for my dinner the other evening.I cleaned and prepped the Brussels Sprouts, cut the bacon in half and wrapped a half slice over each sprout secured with a toothpick.

Arranged on a sheet pan covered with parchment (really a best friend of mine – love parchment).

The dip – I varied it with much more balsamic vinegar than the recipe called for.  I like it with more zip – and this had more zip.  It worked out to be equal parts of mayo and vinegar.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the bacon is crispy, and the sprouts are soft.

My plate.  Perfect.  I love bacon, and the earthiness of the sprouts added a nice, meaty taste.  The dip was tangy, and good amount of balance for the salty, bacon.

I will be making these again, and not just for an appetizer.  I think you should try these if you aren’t sure about the sprouts.  They are a good way to ease your way into loving this vegetable.

Blessings!

 

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Bible verse · new habits · new routines · old · Quotes · Uncategorized · WLS

The Old

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“You’ve got to make a conscious choice every day to shed the old, whatever ‘the old’ means for you.”  – Sarah Ban Breathnach

This can mean so many things for me: staring a diet, a savings, or purging of stuff.  Every day I have to make a conscious decision to exercise, eat healthy, and not have chocolate.  Every day I have to remind myself not to get anxious.  So many “old” me’s most of the time I don’t know where to begin.

So today I will begin a new day with new opportunities to shed part of the old me.  Relying on God to guide my path.  (Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.)

What does ‘the old’ mean to you?

Blessings!

 

 

 

Appetizers · Bariatric Surgery - My Story · fall · football · Pork · Uncategorized · WLS

Sausage Cheese Balls

jachancellorLeave a comment

My supervisor brought in some of these sausage cheese balls to share, and oh my, I loved them.  Original recipe at Plain Chicken.

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
(Printable Recipe)
1 lb hot sausage, uncooked
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups Bisquick
4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 400F.

Mix all ingredients until well combined. (I use my KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook attachment)  Roll into 1-inch balls.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until brown.

Sausage balls may be frozen uncooked.  If baking frozen, add a few minutes to the baking time.

Plain Chicken’s advice to use the mixer with the dough hook attachment was the best ever!  It didn’t over mix making it tough.   They were blended, and completely mixed.

I froze half of the mixture.  These were creamy, moist, and had a bit of a kick due to the hot sausage (used Jimmy Dean’s Hot).  I loved the original recipe of the sausage balls without the cream cheese, but these are so much better.