4 Meatless Monday Meals & Recipe

As many of my readers know, I am not adding as many meat dishes to my meals. As I once used to. In the above photo I added yellow squash and broccoli.

Ingredients :

yellow squash (sliced)

broccoli (chopped)

Sea salt

Black pepper

Butter

Directions :

Place all in a pan on medium, to medium low. Place cover over pan. While periodically checking and stirring to make sure the food does not stick to bottom of pan. Done when food is thoroughly cooked through.

Salads are delicious meatless meals to eat on Mondays. You can add anything but meat. Some ingredients you can add to make a salad : lettuce,kale, spinach, onions, shredded cheese, boiled eggs, cranberries, raisins, sunflower seeds, tomatoes etc.

Cream of potato soup is a hearty meatless Monday meal. This dish would taste yummy with any kind of veggies added. Skip the ham please and chicken stock, please! I want it meatless. The key to making potato soup meatless is by making it with a vegetable stock, not chicken stock.

Pizza is another food that can be made meatless for meatless Mondays. Whenever I order pizza, I always order a veggie pizza. You can add any veggie, cheese or fruit to get a scrumptious tasting pizza. The possibilities are endless.

Last night my boyfriend and I enjoyed a pizza with two toppings that paired well together. Green olives and pineapple. I love to order a spinach, mushroom and onion pizza. Or a onion, mushroom pizza.

What kind of "meatless" meals do you create on Monday's?

An InLinkz Link-up

Chicken, Potatoes, and Mushrooms Recipe

Oh how I love to cook in my crockpot. Yesterday, add a seasoned chicken roast to my crockpot. I added potatoes and mushrooms. When done. I drained the chicken, potatoes, and mushrooms. I used the broth to make a gravy withthe mushrooms. (Recipe below) Doesn't that picture look yummy?

My boyfriend decided to place gravy over his potatoes and chicken. He cleaned his plate. He said he really liked that meal and wants me to make it again soon. My daughter really liked the meal and did the same with her food. Covered it in gravy. My teen son liked the meal. He did not cover hsi chicken in gravy. He did his potatoes.

Chicken Roast Rub mix

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Sea salt

2. Black pepper

3. Italian herb

4. Garlic

Mix together. Rub all over the chicken roast.

Gravy

~~~~~~~

I took the broth from the crockpot that the chicken, potatoes, and mushrooms cooked in. I place in a pan on the stove. I added the mushrooms. I added a teaspoon of sea salt and black pepper. Heat : medium. Bring to slow boil.

In a separate bowl, I added a cup of flour. Mixed with water to be a running but thick paste.

I added the flour mix to the pan of broth on the stove. I used my whisk to mix it altogether to it thickens like a gravy. Remove from heat.

An InLinkz Link-up

ABC Emotional Challenge "U" - Understanding, Unique

For this week's ABC Emotional Challenge, the letter is "U". It is the 21st letter and the last vowel of the English alphabet.

Some of the words I wish to use on my blog today are : Understanding, unique, and unusual.

Understanding means to have the ability to understand something. 

Unique means one of a kind, unlike anything else.

Unusual means something not common in occurring.

Sometimes in this world of ours. People are born we perceive as unusual and unique. Those type of people need a little extra patience and understanding. My daughter is one of those people. I can't say I have all the answers because I don't. I have made many mistakes along the way being a parent. 

Having a special needs teenage daughter, with a teenage son who is smart enough to take honor classes at school makes parenting hard. As neither child is the same. Both are unique. As unusual as the situation is in my household. I know others out there somewhere are going through the same thing. 

I have not found any support groups for both my childrens needs. One will have the attitude your son is older and smarter. He needs to have more patience and understanding. I get that part, I really do. However, my teenage son has needs he needs met as well.

Another one will say I need to find someone willing to take on responsibility of my daughter. So, I can focus on my teen son's achievements. That way he doesn't get left behind in going to college to become a prosecuting attorney or lawyer. As she is too distracting to the group.

I am having a hard time dealing with meaning both of their needs as a whole. The teens are not going without. They have what they need. My daughters special needs usually takes precedent over my teenage sons. With that being said. I feel he gets left out more often. As she has daily meltdowns that needs attended to. These aren't the typical 10 or 15 minute tantrums a 2 year old does. More often or not it is a couple hours long.

By time I am done with her, I am exhausted. I don't want to have to think about something in dealing with my teenage son. I know I have to. Even if my brain has already started to shut down from dealing with my daughter.

I literally feel like I am going crazy. As I get pulled back and forth between the two. My life isn't easy but I am happy to be  a mother to both of my teenagers. They both teach me as much as I teach them. Being unusual and unique makes me want to try harder understanding their needs as a mother.

Have you felt like you were being pulled in to many directions with your children? Do you have children that are polar opposites? If, so how do you handle it?

If You Could See Through My Eyes

I am thinking about finding the stuff where you can put words on the walls that easily come back off. Adding the words above to my daughters bedroom wall. I thought about using bold colors. Or doing it in black with stars. Plus,other bright and pretty things to surround the words.

I think it is important for my daughter to know how much she means to me.

This posts links up with: Noner says....: Coffee, Yummy : A Wordless Wednesday

Gevalia Mocha Ice Coffee Review

The other day my local grocery store I seen Gevalia Mocha Ice Coffee on sale. I quickly grabbed two of them up to try and see if my boyfriend and I liked them. As we both have tried other Gevalia products and enjoyed them.

After I got home I chilled the Gevalia Mocha Coffee in the fridge for a few hours. Afterwards, I got two glasses out. I added ice. I poured both containers of the Gevalia Mocha Ice Coffee over the ice in the glasses. I served one to my boyfriend. I drank the other glass.

I like the idea of one serving in each container. It makes for a quick pick me up drink when traveling or going on a trip to the park. I can throw it in the ice chest among the other products I want to keep cold.

I also love the fact the ice coffee is made with almond milk instead of cows milk. As I have issues digesting cows milk. It is a win win for people like me.

I asked my boyfriend what he thought of the Gevalia Mocha ice coffee. He said it would be something he would drink more often if it was found in gas stations, truck stops, and convenient stores. It has a strong coffee taste that he enjoys. I mentioned it was made with almond milk instead of cows milk. He was really funny and let out a loud,"Woo hoo!" As he has issues with cows milk too. Finding another product we both can enjoy is a win win.

If I had to rate this product from 1 to 5. 5 being the highest rated. I would rate it a 5. There was nothing disappointing about this product. I like the taste, the smell, that it is made with almond milk, the flavor was delicious, and the price was great.

Have you tried Gevalia Mocha Ice Coffee yet? If not, what's stopping you?

An InLinkz Link-up

Do Dogs Really Need Toys?

One thing I enjoy is buying my dogs different toys. I had the opportunity to pick two new toys from the local Dollar Tree for only $1 a piece. I picked up a rope and a flying platypus. The flying platypus has a spot underneath that is used like a rubber band. Which allows me to fling the toy through the air. To make it look like it is flying. It is a great toy to teach a dog how to fetch. Or chase certain animals. Like a duck.

Rascal was curious about the rope but really has no interest in it. Unless he sees Moose being played with.

Moose loves the rope. He has been playing with ropes for a few years. I had to stop using a rope in play for awhile. For another dog I had before, would attack Moose whenever he tried getting near it or seen playing with it.

Rascal seems to really like the flying platypus. He started playing with it right away. He likes the squeaker inside it. He also had no issues chasing it and bringing it back to me when I to make it fly in play.

While I was at the Dollar Tree, I also managed to pick up a size small harness for Rascal. It has the rainbow color. He doesn't seem to mind the harness or try to take it off. Like he does a collar. Now that he has a harness that fits and he likes. I can take him to the local parks and places for a walk. He already loves to go for rides. I do have a leash but need to buy new ones. If you seen the ones I have, you would understand.

Rascal has decided to grab each toy and place them on the rug I have laying on the living room floor by the computer desk.

The rug is a place both dogs enjoy laying on together when I am on the computer.

Do dogs really need toys? 

Some people would answer no. That I spoil my dogs. However, I know toys are more than a way for me to have interaction with my dogs. 

Toys are great for dogs to chew. Puppies and older dogs with issues such as anxiety or separation issues tend to chew alot. 

Toys are a great product for them to chew on. Without them trying to find something to chew on and tear up your house. 

A toy will give a dog something to do when I place them in the cage when I need to leave them home alone.

Do you give your pets toys?

An InLinkz Link-up

ABC Emotional Challenge "T" - Tantrum

This weeks ABC Emotional Challenge is with the letter "T".

I am sorry I have got this blog out later than usual. My daughter had a tantrum. One of her melt downs. My fingers and toes were tingling. Not with spider sense. Instead it is my sugars being out of control with all the added stress.

One of things my daughter does in her tantrums is throw things. Thankfully she is no longer using violence to hurt me when she is having a mood swing. She has learned to keep her hands to herself. That or it is the fear of calling the cops and her risking to go to jail. Either way, it is working.

She decided after screaming, fighting with words, (She thinks you can't fight with words, it is only talking loud), trying to boss her older brother around and myself to throw a container of milk on the floor. What a mess! Not only did I make her clean the mess up. Which she used a towel instead of a mop. Than threw the towel in a pile on the kitchen floor by the back door. Instead of in the washer. She thought the towel was enough. I made her get the mop and cleaner out and clean her mess up the right way. Not the quick and easy way that would draw bugs inside the house. Can you imagine the smell if I would not had her clean properly?

For those that are unaware, my daughter is special needs. Not the typical sense where you can tell by looking at her. Hers are more mental in her brain. She has been diagnosed with ADHD, ODD (oppositional defiance disorder), and cognitive issues. She does not think or respond like what most people think as normal. Some days are terrible. Others terrific. Her cognitive issues cause her to have a hard time socializing among her peers.  As someone will say school. She will hear the word cool instead.

I never know from one moment to the next what she will do. She is very unpredictable. I have noticed if anyone raises their voice slightly, it will send her over the edge and she will start yelling. Almost like she thinks we can't hear and will repeat herself louder each time. repeating the same words over and over. Even after we have told her we have heard her.

My family is very sensitive to her needs. As she has a hard time controlling her emotions. At times it is hard to take how she acts. She can be embarrassing in public. Espically when someone doesn't understand what is going on becomes nosy. I have realized my daughter does better under a structure environment, where she knows what she and can't do. If she thinks she can get away with someone. Like most kids, she will do it. She will push buttons and see how one will react. My biggest issue is teaching her how to take responsibility for her actions. So, she screwed up. Right? I get it everyone does. She needs to learn how to take responsibility for her actions and stop blaming others. How does one do that when she doesn't care what she does or how it affects others? I'm still working on that.

I keep telling myself everything will work out in the end. That she is going through a rough phase. Between her womanly hormones, her mental issues, and going into highschool her emotions are in over drive. She is being a  typical teen acting out. I love my daughter with all my heart. I am one mother who will do anything I can to help my daughter to come the truly amazing woman I know she will be. Even at my own sanity's cost.

If you enjoyed reading this ABC Challenge. You may enjoy the rest of the alphabet. Which can be found from A - S. Click : HERE

Jewell Cafe Review

For my birthday, my boyfriend decided to take me out to a local restaurant called the Jewell Cafe. It is located in Jewell, Ohio.

We have heard many good things about this place over the years. We also heard not so good. We asked some friends about the steaks. As we hear they are the best around our area. However, what we heard was disappointment. Some friends of ours has gone in recent weeks, to say their steaks were fatty. It was good to their personification. However, hearing they steaks were fatty automatically turned me and my boyfriend off. Never of us like fatty meat.

The good thing I noticed about trying to decide what we wanted to eat. On the menu it tells you what the Wi-Fi password is. Free Wi-Fi yeah!! Whomever is addicted to their smartphones, I am telling you this restaurant offers up their password right on the menu and place mat.

My boyfriend decided to get sprite to drink. As he has been having issues with dark soda's.

I opt for the raspberry flavored sweet tea. It lived up to its name. It had plenty of flavor. It was sweet made with alternative sugar, sweet and low. As I am a type 2 diabetic. I try to find an alternative between water and soda's that are offered at restaurants. Sometimes that can be a real feat.

My boyfriend order the Cod fish and fries with tartar sauce on the side. Along with macaroni and cheese as a side item. He was not happy with the way the Cod was prepared. However, the outside he said had a great taste. Only thing he liked about the was the crust.

As for the macaroni and cheese, it was made with a twist. It was not the normal mac and cheese most people are used to. It was made with mozzarella cheese. We both tried it. However, it was left sitting. As the waitress never warned us it would be prepared different. If boyfriend would of known. He would not of ordered it. As he thought it would be made with cheddar cheese. You would think the waitress would of warned him when he ordered that the restaurant mac and cheese was made different. My boyfriend is like a typical little kid when it comes to his food. (No offense babe, if you are reading this.) If it is not prepared the way he thinks it should. He won't eat it. I believe that was a big mistake on the waitresses part by now telling my boyfriend it was made with a  different cheese.

I ordered the Cod platter as well. I did not like the Cod fish either. The first piece was soaked with grease. Yuck! The second piece tasted a little better but didn't taste like it was completely cooked. I am not sure if they put the fish down at different times. Or pulled them up before they were fully cooked. Either way I will not be ordering any fish from them again. It really surprised me that the fish portions were smaller than both side items. Even McDonalds fish portion was bigger than what was served. My boyfriend had the same complaint. The coleslaw tasted awesome. It was the best tasting thing on the plate. The curly fries were good. No complaints there.

We decided not to try for dessert. We paid for our meal and left. The place were cute and inviting. However, my boyfriend and I were both disappointment with the fish was prepared. My stomach was bloating for a couple days afterwards with a slight stomach pain. My boyfriend had issues as well.

I don't think I would recommend the "Jewell Cafe" to anyone. If I had to rate this experience from a 1 to a 5. 5 being the highest rated. I would rate this a 2. As the fish was not cooked properly. My boyfriend and I both had stomach issues from it. The waitress did not warn the mac and cheese was not a typical recipe.Plus, the portion size for what we paid for the meal did not match up at all.

Have you went to a restaurant based on reviews from family and friends to be disappointed? Is there a restaurant in your surrounding area that you would not recommend?

Ruffit Dog Carrier Giveaway

Ruffit Giveaway

You can earn this dog carrier too. Enter to win a Dog carrier. Enter to help your friends. The more people who enter under your link, the closer you get to earning a dog carrier. You can also earn a $20, $30, and $50 gift card.

I am need of 35 people to enter this giveaway.

©rusty2rusty

Can you help? 

I have a Chihuahua mix that loves to travel anywhere I go. His name is Rascal. A dog carrier would be perfect for him to travel with me.

http://giveaway.ruffitusa.com?ref=1eec22633e

Please click on my link above to enter. Make sure to share on Facebook and Twitter to help promote the giveaway.

Turkey Meatballs Recipe

I have decided to indulge my family by making turkey meatballs in the crockpot. With my family being picky, I try to add in veggies when I can. It makes the meal with a twist.

Turkey Meatballs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2 lbs of turkey sausage
2 c. mozzarella shredded cheese
2 c. finely chopped broccoli
2 eggs
2 c. bread crumbs
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 steak sauce
1/2 ketchup

Directions : Mix all together. You can either make each meatball yourself by rolling in your hand. I used a small cookie scoop to form each meatball. Place all meatballs in crockpot. Cook on high 3 to 4 hours. Low 6 to 8 hours.

Sauce 1 for turkey meatballs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1/2 jar of honey BBQ sauce
4 tablespoons of grape jelly

Directions : Whisk together. Pour over meatballs. Or set aside to dip meatballs in.

Sauce 2 for turkey meatballs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1/2 jar of honey BBQ sauce
4 tablespoons of strawberry preserve.

Directions : Whisk together.  Pour over meatballs. Or set aside to dip meatballs in.

Either sauce will work. Or you can mix the sauces together and pour over the meatballs in the crockpot. Enjoy.