Free Recipe Friday - Orange Chicken

We LOVE Panda Express, especially the Orange Chicken. I found a copycat recipe on recipezaar.com and have adapted it. It is a staple for us now and DH says he likes it better than Panda! (Plus it's cheaper.)

Ingredients
Breading
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, chopped into bite sized pieces
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
oil (for frying)
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup flour
Cook with Chicken
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red chili pepper, optional
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1/4 cup water
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
Orange Sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 - 1/2 cup orange juice without pulp (we use Simply Orange - yum!)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons water
5 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon orange zest

(all measurements are approximate...I just play with it until it tastes good!)

1. Mix the egg, salt, pepper, and about a tablespoon of oil in a bowl
   
2. Add chicken pieces to the bowl and mix until coated.
3. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and flour. Then add to chicken pieces, stirring until all pieces are coated.
4. Heat oil for frying in wok or skillet.
5. Add chicken pieces and stir-fry (you can do small batches at a time and they cook more evenly, but I'm too impatient and I put them all in)
6. After chicken is mostly done, add garlic, ground ginger, crushed hot red chili pepper, and onion. (You can take the chicken out, clean the wok, then heat more oil and cook it that way. I've done it both ways and don't taste a difference. Plus, I'm lazy)
7. While mixture is simmering, mix together the orange sauce ingredients. I don't always use orange zest and it still tastes good. If you give it a taste, it should taste soy saucy with a mild orange flavor. This is because when you cook the sauce, some of the soy sauce cooks out and leaves the orange flavor more pungent.
8. Add orange sauce to chicken and bring mixture to a boil, stirring often.
   
9. Mix together water and cornstarch until cornstarch is dissolved. Add this to the pot and simmer until sauce has thickened. (Don't let it simmer too long or the chicken will get a little too soft)
10. Enjoy!

I am salivating writing this and we just had it last night! :) I usually serve it with white rice and stir-fry veggies. Sometimes I just cut the chicken into pieces and stir-fry it without the breading - easier and more healthy. But it tastes more like Panda Express if you bread it. I thought about taking a picture last night to post, but DH started eating before I got the chance! :)

Better Mom or Worse Mom?

I'm trying to decide if I'm becoming a better mom or a worse mom.

Child #1: Once I figured out the whole family bed I-can-feed-her-and-still-sleep thing, she slept with us every night. During the day, unless we were in the car or somebody else was holding her, I held her while she slept. At night, she turned in when we turned in and shared our bed. By the time seven months rolled around, I was ready and DH was ready to have our bed back. She cried it out, and has been sleeping almost perfectly by herself since.

Child #2: Decided I didn't want to sleep all the time with him. Attempted getting him to sleep in his bassinet, but almost always brought him to bed with me right when I went to bed. He spent a lot of time sleeping in the swing and in his carseat. He also took a bottle and I gave him one. A lot. Let him cry it out around six months. Overall, still sleeps great (naps a bit of a challenge...)

Child #3: During the big move, found out she loved sleeping in the car seat with it covered, with the bathroom vent fan running. Used mostly that method (+ coming to bed with us halfway through the night) until we moved into our house. Now she sleeps 90% of the time in her bassinet. When she wakes up in the night, I usually bring her to bed with us. Just turned five months and is sleeping longer on her own much earlier than the other kids.

So... does it make me a better mom to PJ because she is sleeping in her bassinet?  Or am I becoming a worse mom because I don't hold her all the time and just snuggle her?  Was I a better mom to the Simster because I got him to take a bottle?  Or a worse mom because I stopped nursing him around 7 months?  Was I the best with the Bubbs because I held her a ton or worst with her because she didn't sleep on her own for a long time?  Is it partially the personality of the kids that affects how they sleep (nature) or just my mothering (nurture)?  Just a conundrum I was thinking about.  I actually feel pretty good about all three of my kids and their sleeping (except when they're supposed to be taking a nap and they're doing this instead), but I do feel that conflicted-ness of giving all your kids the same amount of attention, love, boundaries, etc.

In other news, PJ laughed (a little one) for the first time yesterday!  And last night before I went to bed, I heard a light switch turn on, the pitter-patter of little feet, another light come on, and then, after a little bit, the sound of a flush.  Then the sink water running, the light turns off, pitter-patter, the other light off, and the creak of the bed.  I was such a proud mama!  The Bubbs is getting so old - she's going to the potty in the night without any assistance from me!  I can't believe it.  Before I know it, she'll be driving.  And probably hitting a parked car.  :)  It's so fun to watch my kids grow!

Anyway, this is now long.  And it's late.  So on that note, good night folks. :)  Hope you're having a good one!

Uphill Battle & Book Review

So I'm reading again. Which is a good thing and a bad thing. I LOVE reading, but I try hard not to read much, because once I start a book, I can't put it down. Unless it's utterly boring. Like The Orangutan's Guide to Plumbing or something. Which actually could be quite interesting. But I digress, as usual. So now that I've been reading - several books at once actually - I am fighting an uphill battle with everything else. I usually feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle anyway... somehow one of my kids always needs something, and I still have house responsibilities, some work responsibilities, church responsibilities, etc. And one of my kids seems to always be awake! (PJ's awake as we speak..er..as I type) Then I spend the day reading and POOF! Even more of an uphill battle. Any suggestions on keeping that balance?


So, one of the books in question is The Da Vinci Code. I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I know that there has been a lot of controversy about the book & the movie based on the book. Well, once I started reading, I really couldn't put it down. It was extremely intriguing with plenty of twists and turns. And I wasn't as turned off by the basis of it as much as I thought I would be. It's an adult book for sure (a few mature themes), but I liked the characters and the constant riddles and codes. To me, no matter what the factual basis, it was obviously a fictional story. It gave me some things to think about, but mostly, just a fun read. I'm sorta surprised so many people seemed to view it so... well, realistically. In fact, I was almost a bit let down by the ending. I was looking for something a little more spectacular. I won't give it away for anyone who hasn't read it, but I'm curious... Have you read this? What did you think?

And now I'm off to read another chapter of Persuasion. And to remember it's 11pm and I'm getting up early to mow the lawn. Wish me luck on the whole going to bed thing. :)

Free Recipe Friday - Taco Salad

Thanks to an idea from CoolWhip, I am going to try and post a recipe each Friday. And for my first installment, I am posting my Taco Salad recipe. Since it's almost summer time when salads are a must, I thought I would post one of my favorites. I often get asked to bring this to potlucks and it usually ends up gone because it's yummy. Mostly because of the chips. Salad + chips = delish!

1 pound lean ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 head iceberg lettuce - rinsed, dried, and shredded
1 orange or red bell pepper, chopped
3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese blend
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 small can sliced olives, drained
1 small avacado
4 ounces crushed tortilla chips (Nacho Cheese or Spicy Nacho Doritos)
1/4 cup Catalina dressing (I sometimes make my own using ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, etc... but lately I just use the bottled stuff "lite")
1 can chili beans, undrained


Basically, cook the meat and add the seasoning according to package instructions. Wait for the meat to cool. Mix the other ingredients, adding the dressing and chili beans last. Serve. If you want to make ahead and refrigerate, mix together the meat, beans, and dressing in one container and the other ingredients (except cheese and chips) in another. Then when you're ready to serve, mix all together and add cheese and chips. I sometimes mix everything together but the lettuce and chips. Then I put lettuce, the salad mix, and then chips on top. This means that if you refrigerate the leftovers, you won't have soggy lettuce or soggy chips! Enjoy!

31 Cent Ice Cream Scoops!

Go to your local Baskin Robbins tonight between 5pm & 10pm and get each scoop of ice cream for only 31 cents! (I think there's a 10 scoop limit per person) Yummy!

Click HERE for more info!

Green Thumb

I always thought you had a green thumb because you were good at growing.  Not true.  You can also get it from excessive weed-pulling when you are glove-less.

Remember this lovely yard?  Yep, I was living in a dream world.

Dream #1:  A newly sodded yard will not produce ANY weeds EVER!

Dream #2:  A new backyard will not attract any bees, hornets, or other unsightly creatures (ie - fire ants).

So between today and yesterday?

Time spent pulling weeds: 3.5 hours

Number of weeds pulled: 50 billion

Number of weeds left to pull: 999 bazillion

Percentage of lawn left to weed: 65.343212%

Showing off my green thumb? Priceless!

And I also got to show the kiddos a caterpillar which they enjoyed.  And E even asked, "Can I see a snake now?"

And in other exciting news, our community pool opens on Thursday!  Yippee!

100th Post!

Well, it took me 2.5 years, but I finally made it to 100 posts!  And because I think it's fun, I wanted to post 100 things about me.  But I am categorizing it so it won't be completely random... Hope you enjoy!

10 Things About My Childhood

1. I was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck.  It explains a lot.
2. I am child 3 of 5.
3. I used to laugh really hard when my dad would shake the pudding in the pudding shaker thingy.
4. One year on Christmas Eve, I was so excited about Santa, I threw up.
5. When my younger brother was potty-training, I used to stand on the toilet and reach the cupboard where his potty-treats were stored and steal them.  Because they were yummy.
6. We had a dog named Bonnie and we used to throw the leftover pancakes to her like frisbees.
7. I still have scars on my knees from trying to walk Bonnie by myself and her dragging me down the sidewalk.
8. My sister taught me (for the most part) how to read and how to ride a bicycle.
9. I loved school.  Pretty much everything about it.
10. In the third grade, my friend and I almost tried out for the talent show dancing to some New Kids on the Block song (but we chickened out).

10 Things About My Teen Years

1. I always had a crush on somebody.  Usually I had a top ten list.
2. I was in the middle school gymnastics show in the 6th grade.
3. I did OM (Odyssey of the Mind) in 6th, 7th, and 8th.
4. I did lots of extracurricular activities  - orchestra, student government, theater, colorguard, German club, some intramural sports.  I really enjoyed them.
5. I had some awesome friends.  They taught me a lot about myself and about others.
6. I participated in a summer youth theater group for seven years.  I was able to act, direct, build the set, work with publicity, and keep myself out of trouble during the summers.
7. I didn't mind asking boys out.  They pretty much always said yes and it was still fun that way.  And actually, most of them actually still paid for the date, so it was a win-win.
8. My junior year some guy friends used to say "Woman, go make me a pie" to me.  I finally told them if I made them all pies, they had to stop saying that.  I think I ended up making 5 pies (out of 10 or so they asked me to make).  And I don't think I told my mom why I was making the pies.
9. I worked as a soccer referee, softball scorekeeper and doing concessions at the local waterpark.  And I made enough doing that to earn enough money to go on the orchestra trip to Disneyworld and the Bahamas.  I really liked working those jobs.
10. I missed my high school graduation because I was in Germany.  I wasn't really too sad about it because Germany was so darn fun :)

10 Things About My College Years

1. I lived with my generous aunt & uncle my freshman year.  They charged next-to-nothing in rent and took care of me.  Even when I got in an accident driving their truck.
2. I worked as a lab attendant, TA, research assistant, CSR, and testing developer.  It's healthy to work through college.  I learned a lot and had great bosses/co-workers.
3. I participated in the oh-so-famous freshman Tunnel Singing.
4. I would have liked to major in being a student.  I loved almost every class (exception: Econ 110) and changed my major many times.
5. I ended up with a BA in German Teaching and two minors - Geography teaching and Computers in the Humanities.
6. I loved loved the dating scene.  So much better than high school and a ton of fun.
7. I embarrassed myself by playing my viola at the annual German Adventkonzert.
8. I dated a guy who went on a mission and who thought I was waiting for him.  I didn't think so and I was married before he got home...
9. I didn't do as many extra activities as I might have wanted (silly working and classes), but I did go swing dancing and latin dancing, stage manager-ed a play, volunteered in the ER and sang in German choir.
10. I loved football but worked a lot of nights and only went to ONE football game.  Wish I'd gone more.  GO COUGARS!

10 Things About DH & Me

1. We met camping up Hobble Creek.
2. I once tried to beat him at pool on a date.  I didn't win.
3. Sometimes we would fight argue.  Then he would bring me flowers to the testing lab of the JKHB on BYU campus where I was working.  It was very sweet!
4. We dated for 11 months, were engaged for 3 months and have been married for 5 years, 8 months, and 5 days :)
5. We were sealed in the Manti Utah temple because once driving home from my parents' house in Colorado, I didn't get off at Green River so we had to keep going on I-70 to hit I-15.  We drove by the Manti temple and all the lights were on and it was so beautiful and we decided that was where we wanted to be married.
6. I fit into the crook of his neck.  I love it and it's so cute.
7. Our song is "Arrested by You."  It's from the Better Off Dead movie soundtrack.
8. At first, my parents didn't like him much (he was a skateboarder with no job when they met him), but now if they had to choose him or me, I think they'd choose him.
9. We were first married, we were eating in the Wilk on campus and I started choking on my Teriyaki Stix.  He couldn't remember the name for the Heimlich maneuver, so he said "Do you want me to do the anything on you?"  I still tease him about it to this day.
10. My mom was actually at his mom's bridal shower.  Weird, but cool.

10 Things About My Kids

1. I was planning to get a PhD when I found out I was pregnant with E.  It was the best thing that could have happened to me and my priorities!
2. My biggest baby was 7lbs 5oz and one week past the due date.
3. DH has decided the name and spelling of both the Bubbs and PJ.  And they are both daddy's girls.
4. I have three kids under 4.  It's a party every day at my house.
5. The Simster is left-handed, like me.
6. I really wanted PJ to be a girl.  I told DH before the ultrasound that if it was a boy, the baby was going to the pound.  Lucky for DH, she's a girl :)
7. I love watching my kids learn new things.  It is a proud moment for a parent and they are so excited to master something new.
8. E loves to draw and S loves to play sports.  And PJ loves to snuggle with me and eat.  And I love that they love these things.
9. PJ's middle name comes from her Great-Grandma's name.  S's middle name is DH's name. E's middle name is.. well, I just liked it.
10. My kids are perfect for me.  I have been very blessed!

10 Things I Miss Since Moving

1. My friends & my kids' friends.
2. My family members.
3. Living next door to the Stevens.
4. The basement.
5. The vaulted ceilings.
6. Already having a shed on the property to store stuff.
7. More space between houses.
8. The option to go to Jazz games/BYU football games.
9. Church a five-minute walk instead of a twenty-five minute drive.
10. Borrowing church books from the library.

10 Things I Am Grateful For

1. My Savior who loved me enough to suffer for my sins and die for me!
2. All of the blessings and direction of the Gospel
3. My family and their unconditional love for me.
4. A healthy body and doctors to take care of it when it's not so healthy.
5. A wonderful house to live in.
6. Food to eat.
7. Clothes to wear.
8. Good friends that build me up and support me and make me laugh.
9. That DH can provide for all our needs and many of our wants (and I can be a SAHM).
10. The Internet (when it is used for good and not evil).

10 Things I Like

1. I like wearing black but my favorite color is green.
2. I like curling up under a blanket and drinking hot chocolate when it's cold.
3. I like taking a bath in the jetted tub.
4. I like programming and geeking out with DH.
5. I like reading books out loud with DH.
6. I like vacuuming and mowing the lawn.  I like that the noise drowns out the world and leaves me time to think.
7. I enjoy cooking, especially trying out new recipes.
8. I like playing basketball and soccer and wish I got to play them more often.
9. I like relaxing on the couch right after the kids have fallen asleep.
10. I like reading, especially mysteries and historical fiction.

10 Things I Say Often

1. I'm going to kick you in the nuts!  (Actually, I don't say that much anymore.)
2. That's so romantic.  (Mostly about non-romantic things.)
3. Can I ask you a personal question? (Usually it's not so personal, I just like asking that.)
4. You are so darn cute! (To my kids. And DH.  But not usually to myself in front of a mirror)
5. Holy Schping-goaly Batman!  (There's no explanation for this.  Sorry.)
6. Are you kidding me?  (Learned it from DH.  And he usually yells it at the refs during a Jazz game)
7. Can you please stop fighting? (To the cashiers at the grocery store...yeah... that's it...)
8. Whatcha talkin' 'bout Willis?  (from Different Strokes)
9. Kay, so... Queso?  Cheese?
10. Ya honkies!  (Often used while driving.)

10 Things That Are Really Random

1. I've had my ears pierced twice.  The second time was without parental consent.  But I took them out.
2. I can't roll my tongue and I'm not double-jointed.
3. I'm a sock-sock shoe-shoe person.
4. I've worn either glasses or contacts since I was 8.  And I'm rather blind without them.
5. I dislike sushi.  And most seafood.
6. I love music but can rarely tell you who the artist is.  DH is great at this.
7. I love playing games, but I can be a sore loser.  But I'm getting better at this.
8. I am a list maker.  I feel naked if I go a day without having made a to-do list.
9. Pretty much whenever I open my mouth, I end up putting my foot in it.
10. I am long-winded.  Which you can tell from this post!

And to those of you who made it through the longest post known in the history of mankind, that's 100 Random Things About Me!  I actually really enjoyed this and I'm excited I made it to 100!  My favorite thing about blogging is that it is a unique journal.  Some of the things I post I would never have recorded in my journal, because they seem too miniscule or silly.  But I love having a record of these things!  And I love getting to know other bloggers!