Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Pasta Sauce

   Ok fingers crossed I'm pretty sure I've got the right combination for my pasta sauce. I made lasagna the other night and it was the best one I've ever made (the men folk were all in agreement!!) Now I'm not Italian, so it's not some fabulous sauce like you'd get if you were in some fancy restaurant, but it's good and pretty simple to make (which are the two requirements for me making something)

    I start with store brand tomatoes, (I tried the name brands, but I really like these the best) 1 can each of Giant brand 14.5 oz Diced tomatoes, Italian diced tomatoes (has basil, garlic and oregano) diced tomatoes with garlic and onion. Then a 12 oz can of tomato paste. I put this all in my nonstick pot and mash w/ the potato masher (a plastic one so you won't damage the pan). I use McCormick's Italian seasonings, not really sure how much, I just gently shake it over the pot so there's a light coating on top of the sauce. I then let is simmer for a couple hours, stirring maybe every 1/2 hour 45 minutes. I would think you could also do this in the crock pot if you don't want to "babysit" the sauce. And that's about it (see told you it was easy). I taste it with some bread about half way through. I might add a little more seasoning to it if I think it needs it.

   This makes enough for a pound of pasta or a 9x13 lasagna. Both of which are just enough for our family with maybe a leftover bowl for Hubby to take to work for lunch one day (if one of the twins don't eat it for a snack)

  So there it is, my "I'm not Italian, but I'm going to make my own sauce and have it taste better then out of a jar" Oh and the good part is, it's cheaper then a jar of sauce for us because it takes a jar and a half to cover the pasta properly. So it tastes better and it's cheaper, what more could I want out of a sauce : ) 

Friday, February 4, 2011

Why are we so hard on ourselves?

    I'm not sure if it's just moms or women in general, but why are we so hard on ourselves? Most of the woman I know are moms, so I'll just talk about the moms right now.

   I know women who have a kind encouraging word for all of their friends. They find a bright spot in a person's day, some little positive thing to tell a friend who's having a bad day, or just some way to try to cheer up a friend. They have no trouble telling you all the great things about their friends/family/etc, but when it comes to themselves, they only see the negative. Why is it we can find the good in everyone but ourselves? Why is it we don't want to believe our friends who have kind words for us. We feel like we must say thank you, but we don't really believe the truth our friends see about us?

   Is it the magazines that show us pictures of the "perfect woman"? Because we all know most of those pictures are photo shopped. Is it the movies where the women have it all? (I don't really watch anything that isn't drawn and has a musical sound track to it, so I'm no expert on the new movies) Is it because we see the "stars" out with their babies and they've dropped the baby weight so quickly? We know those woman have the money to hire a personal trainer and a nanny to watch the kids while they work out. So why do we make the comparisons?

    I don't know the answers? I wish I did. But I do know I have some fabulous moms for friends. They make craft projects with their kids. Some take them out to the playground everyday, weather permitting. Some have moved Heaven and Earth to get their child the special help they need to deal with a child's special needs. (and believe me that is no small feat!!!) Some of my mommy friends homeschool (those lucky kids have the best teachers ever). Some make home made meals every day, others married men who know how to cook a home made meal (go you!!!). Others are great just because they tell/show their children how loved they are every day.

   These are just a few examples of what makes them great moms, but if you were to ask them what's so great about themselves, they'd hem and haw, they'd be able to tell you 10 things they wish they were better at right off the top of their head. But they'd look at all the accomplishments I've just listed and say Well that's just what moms do.

   So to all my mommy friends, know that you are awesome!!! Know that you are doing great things for your kids, just by being there for them and enjoying their everyday antics. And please write down a list of all the great things you do and post it somewhere you'll see it everyday. Shoot put it in your undies drawer on the top so no one but you sees it. And know that you are fabulous women.