burrito bowl

Burrito Bowl

adapted from a recipe by Food Network’s Melissa d'Arabian

Yield: 6-8 servings

photo: Food Network's Ten Dollar Meals

Ingredients:

5 cups cooked brown rice

1 tablespoon orange zest

4 cups shredded pork, recipe follows

1 can black beans rinsed and drained

1 can shoepeg corn drained

1 jar Pico de Gallo or salsa

2 avocados cut into small cubes

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

2 green onions, chopped

Directions:

Toss the cooked rice with orange zest.

Divide the rice evenly among individual serving bowls. Add warm pork.

Let your guests top their own bowls with black beans, corn, pico de gallo, and avocado.

Sprinkle on cheese, and spoon a dollop of sour cream on top.

Finish with the chopped green onions.

Shredded Pork: (I make the shredded pork a day ahead)

3-4 pounds pork shoulder or Boston butt

2 tablespoon olive oil

coarse salt

coarsely ground black pepper

3 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 onion, coarsely chopped

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno, seeded and ribs removed, chopped

1 orange cut in half (zest removed and saved for the rice)

Place the pork shoulder/butt in a slow cooker.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle on salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin.  Top with onion, garlic, and jalapeno. Squeeze the juice of one orange over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 hours.

Once the meat is tender, remove from slow cooker and let cool slightly before pulling apart with a fork. Strain and de-fat cooking liquid. Reserve the liquid to use when reheating.

If you cooked the pork earlier, reheat it in a large sauté pan with the reserved juice.

Original recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/burrito-bowl-recipe.html

where the magic happens

We recently discovered {thank you Jim and Cathy} that we qualify for 

Florida resident discounts on rooms and tickets at Disney World.

After a little help from AAA we will be off to Disney on Wednesday.

Wishing you could join us at . . . 

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

I don't think it really is the"happiest place on earth"

but it sure will be a fun filled three days.

Mark your calendars for next year  and come along !

Sochi 2014

This week we headed to the Southwest Florida Figure Skating Club to see two Olympic skating pairs wrap-up training at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.

Now we have a horse in the race – well actually a skater on the ice

Won’t that make watching the Olympic skating competition all the more fun?

Endurance, dedication, devotion and practice every day . . .

Felicia Zhang and Nate Bartholomay {USA}

Felicia Zhang and her partner Nathan Bartholomay have finished their training at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex and look forward to their trip overseas. The figure skaters’ flight leaves Saturday from Tampa International Airport. The couple was practicing in preparation for their Olympic in front of a packed house. Fridays are "simulations", meaning full costume with music.

Zhang will be accompanied by her dad, and Bartholomay will be joined by his mother, sister and two friends.

Zhang says the moment she looks forward to most…is not their own event. “The Opening Ceremonies; I mean, I have watched them every year. I am so excited to walk and be a part of it and be on TV wearing American gear.”

Stacey Kemp and David King {United Kingdom}

Stacey Kemp and David King now train in Ellenton Florida with their primary coach being former Worlds Bronze Medalist in Pairs, Lyndon Johnston. After last season ankle injuries and torn ligaments, club members Stacey Kemp and David King are competing for Olympic Gold in Sochi. They have won 10 consecutive British Pair titles, Novice and Junior then 8 senior. They were the first British Pair team in 16 years to qualify and compete at a Winter Olympic Games for Pairs back in 2010. Next big goal: the Sochi Olympics in 2014.

The Ellenton rink has trained 10 Olympic Pair Skaters from 3 countries
Good luck Felicia, Nate, Stacey, and David  – we’ll be watching

 

Also taking the ice that day were Cirinia Gillett and Maximiliano Fernandez

 {Novice Pairs Nationals Silver medalists winners}

{Article quotes from: mysuncoast.com / lambcoskating.co.uk / heraldtribune.com}

walk along the shore

The Soothing Power of the Ocean

{by the editors of Prevention magazine}

There is something magical that happens when we walk along the shore. Our cares lighten; our perspective lengthens. Scientists are trying to put their finger on exactly why that is . . .

A new study confirms that being outdoors, especially near water, helps us de-stress.

But do we really need proof?

Just head to the beach and let the sand and waves soothe body and soul.

cheese broccoli soup {lite version}

Cheese Broccoli Soup {lite version}

Serves 2

Simmer for 8-10 min

6 oz broccoli spears (steamed for 2 minutes - partially cooked)

13 oz chicken broth

10 oz Rotel Mild Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles,

Stir in until melted

4 oz Kraft Velveeta Pasteurized prepared cheese  

Amount Per Serving

WW PointsPlus 6

Calories 242

Total Fat 13

Total Carbohydrates 16

Dietary Fiber 3

Protein 18

Sugars 9g

Next time I may puree 1/2  the soup with an immersion blender and stir it back in for a smoother soup.

Ginny Owens

Church is always more fun when we host musicians from the previous night's concert.

This week we were treated to the amazing talents of Ginny Owens.

Ginny Owens was born in Jackson, Mississippi, with poor eyesight and has been blind since the age of three. She became a household name as the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year. Growing in notoriety as both a singer and a songwriter, winning 3 Dove awards and multiple ASCAP Awards along the way, Owens has sold close to a million records over the course of her career. A top performer on the Christian radio charts with hits like “If You Want Me To,” “Free” and “I Wanna Be Moved” among others, Owens’ music has also impacted mainstream audiences at Lilith Fair, the Sundance Film Festival and the White House.  {ginnyowens.com}

Say Amen {we bought this cd}

2011 – Get In, I’m Drivin’ {amazon.com}

The Missing Picture {Cambodia}

Since my daughter and her family live in Cambodia

This was of particular interest to us . . . 

2013 Oscar Nomination: Foreign Language Film 

The Missing Picture {Cambodia}

{photo credit: filmfestival.be}

This is the first Academy Award nomination for Cambodia.

Trailer for The Missing Picture

We are now wondering where we can see this heartbreaking film.

vaporub

I recently went to a dermatologist for a small rash on my foot. While treating it the doctor told me a hint that he gives to all his patients.  He says painting your toenails with menthol Vick's Vaoprub ointment everyday will keep them from drying out and help them stay healthy. 

Have you ever heard of such a thing?

Guess I will give it a try until my next pedicure and see what happens.

recipe analysis

I found this free tool when trying to figure out the calorie count of some of my recipes.

To see a nutrition facts label for your recipe enter your recipe. here . . . 

caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php

Here are two samples

tomato, cucumber, feta salad

squash soup

Tada !

caramelized ham & swiss buns

Caramelized Ham & Swiss Buns

15 Sandwiches

{adapted from a Taste of Home Recipe}

Ingredients

15 slider rolls, split

3/4 cup horseradish sauce or mayonnaise

15 slices deli ham

8 slices Swiss cheese, halved

3/4 cup butter

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoon spicy brown mustard

3 teaspoons poppy seeds

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Spread roll bottoms with horseradish sauce. Layer with ham and cheese; replace tops. Arrange in a single layer in a greased 10x14-inch-baking pan.

In a small skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour over rolls. Refrigerate, covered, several hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Bake, covered for 25 minutes.

Bake, uncovered for 5-10 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Taste of Home Recipe