Update to my post on Artificial Sweeteners

As I eliminated all artificial sweeteners from mine and my family's diets, I searched for something other than sugar as over use of sugar is not good for us either. I stumbled upon a natural sweetener called stevia leaf. They are selling it now it is called Only sweet. It is an all natural zero calorie sweetener. I found it at Krogers $5.99 for a box of 100 packets.

Angel Food Ministries

I thought I would write and let everyone know that I have been ordering food every month from the Angel Food Ministries. It costs $30 for the basic packages and they usually have other available boxes ranging from $16 to $20. They are either grill boxes, or chicken or this month they even offered a fresh fruit and vegetable box. They come with a variety of food in them. Last month I was able to provide all the meat for my family except for fish and shrimp for $70 for the whole month. This month I paid $86 as I ordered the fresh fruit and vegetable box as well for an exta $16. I am excited about it, as we are able to eat steaks and ribs which we ordinarily would never be able to afford to eat.

this months menu was:
40oz. marie callenders family crock pot dinner(meat included)
1.5lb boneless pork filet
5lb breaded chicken chunks
1.5lb meaty beef ribs
28oz meatloaf and gravy
1lb beef fajitas
1lb fully cooked meatballs
1lb all meat hot dogs
1lb broccoli
1lb peas and carrots
28oz pasta sauce
1lb pasta
32oz borden 2%red.fat shelf stable milk
32oz hawaiian punch
12ct. corn tortillas
7oz blueberry muffin mix
1 dozen eggs
1 dessert item
all for $30.oo, with the purchase of this you may also purchase
July Special #1-1.5lb new york strip steaks(2x12oz), 2.5lb boneless netted boston butt roast, 2lb meaty beef ribs, 1lb mild italian sausage $20.00
July Special #2-1.5lb kansas city strips(2x12oz), 1.5lb ribeyes(2x12oz), 1.5lb bacon wrapped chicken filet(4x6oz) $20.00
July Special #3-10lb breaded chicken tenders $18.00
July Special #4-6 ears corn, 2lb carrots, 2lb yellow onions, 1 cello wrapped lettuce, 1 pineapple, 1lb strawberries, 1 seedless watermelon, 6 russet potatoes $16.00
They are even approved by the government to accept link cards!!

Grilled Chicken Legs with Lemon and Pepper

8 chicken legs with thigh
1/2C olive oil
1/3C fresh lemon juice
1T chopped fresh rosemary
1t salt
1/2t fresh ground pepper

Arrange chicken in shallow bowl or baking dish, whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Heat grill to medium-high heat. Place chicken on grill until browned on all sides(about 10 minutes) turning once or twice. If using gas grill reduce heat to low and cook 20 minutes.

I placed this in a glass baking dish and baked it for almost two hours at 350 instead of grilling. I also doubled the ingredients because it was barely enough to cover four chicken legs with thighs let alone 8. I did not use fresh rosemary because I didn't have any on hand, but it was still delicious even with dried rosemary. Yet another fabulous find from recipezaar.com #28279

Zesty Grilled Tilapia

6 6oz tilapia fillets
6 T olive oil
1T grated orange zest
6 T freshly squeezed orange juice
1 T grated fresh ginger
1 t hot sauce, to taste
1 t salt
fresh ground black pepper

Place fish in a large nonmetal dish, whisk together remaining ingredients, pour over the fish. Cover and marinate in the refridgerator for 30 to 60 minutes. Grill until fish just flakes when tested with a fork, about 5 minutes per side for each inch of thickness.

I marinated overnight. I also cooked the fish in a disposable foil pan on the grill, which made it easier to manage. Another wonderful try from recipezaar.com #291446

Grilled Bourbon Salmon

1/4C pineapple juice
2T soy sauce
2T brown sugar
1t bourbon
1/4t fresh cracked pepper
1/8t garlic powder
1/2 vegetable oil
1lb salmon fillets

Combine ingredients in a bowl. Remove skin from salmon. Place salmon in a glass dish side by side. Pour some of the marinade over(reserve some for basting while grilling) refridgerate for at least 1 hour a few hours will be even better. Drain and grill over med. -high about 5-7 minutes per side or until fish flakes-basting with the reserved marinade.

I used olive oil instead of vegetable oil and I combined my ingredients in a freezer bag and put it in the fridge overnight. I also think it would be okay to omit the bourbon if you so choose as it was only a teaspoon, and I couldn't taste it not even in the background.

This is also a find from recipezaar.com recipe#548

Tequila Lime Shrimp

Tequila Lime Grilled Shrimp
1/2C Olive Oil
1/3C freshly squeezed lime juice(i used the little plastic lime found in the produce section)
3T tequila
2T chopped garlic
2-3T chopped cilantro
18 jumbo shrimp, raw, deveined and shells removed

Combine ingredients and marinade shrimp for several hours or overnight. Grill 2-3 minutes per side. Serve hot or cold.
recipe #276009 from http://www.recipezaar.com/

I doubled this recipe and used two bags of the frozen cooked jumbo shrimp from aldi's. Still turned out terrific!! We will definately have this again and again.

For Heather

My best friend of nearly 25 years lost her dear "Bagaw" Sunday evening. My heart goes out to her. I hurt so much for her, I haven't lost any grandparents myself, but to think that we are only 30 years old my best friend just lost hers is terrifying. I hope that in this poem she might find peace for a moment. I love you with all my heart Heather!!! I am so sorry for your loss, call me anytime day or night no matter what you need, if only someone to listen I am always here, if you need my shoulder my van is always parked right outside.

. . . REMEMBER ME . . .

I never meant to leave you,

Could I have only stayed;

We would be going on in life,

With all the plans we made.

Now all the hopes and dreams we shared,

Are but sweet memories;

For you to tuck inside your heart,

Now when you remember me.

Remember all the good times,

And all the joy we shared;

Remember how you touched my life,

And how I really cared.

Think back on all the laughter,

And wipe away your tears;

You still have many miles to go,

And still have many years.

Don't look back....look forward,

This day is a brand new start;

And as you travel on in life,

You'll take a bit of my heart.

I never meant to leave you,

But still you'll not be alone;

For as long as my love lives in you,

I'll never really be gone.

Allison Chambers Coxsey