Taco Pasta

I found this recipe thanks to supermom found here. I love pasta and tacos. This recipe was the perfect recipe of both worlds. Enjoy

1 pound ground beef
12 ounces medium pasta shells
1 small onion chopped
1 garlic clove minced
14 ounce can tomatoes
1 package taco seasoning
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. 
2. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Set aside.
3. In a medium skillet brown the beef, and onions over medium high heat.
4. Drain the grease and add in the diced tomatoes, garlic and taco seasoning.
5. Let simmer over medium heat 3-5 minutes.
6. Stir in the cooked pasta, cream cheese, sour cream, and remaining pasta water.
7. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended. 
8. Serve with fresh cilantro if desired. 

Detox Bath- A Natural cure for the common Cold

I found this on pinterest. It lead me to this site. I felt a cold coming on and thought I would see just how good this bath works. Let just say if me of any one else in my family gets a cold this will be the first thing I will have them do. It works wonders. 

1. Run a hot bath. It opens the pores and prepares the body for cleansing.
2. Add to the hot bath 3 pints Hydrogen Peroxide. This oxygenates the body and helps purge toxins. It's also antibacterial and antiviral. 
3. Add 2 ounces of ground ginger. A natural anti-inflammatory that increases blood circulation and helps promote the elimination of toxins through sweet.
4. Soak for about 30 minutes. 
5. Drink lots of water. You need to replenish what's being pulled out of your system. 

Within twenty minutes of soak I could also feel my entire body start to relax. Two hours after this bath I felt every pore in my body open up. I felt rejuvenated.  

"I slept like a baby that night, and to my surprise, woke up feeling more energetic and less achy than the day before. Miraculous! I only need that one soak to feel vastly better, but my aunt suggests repeating the bath for up to three days if symptons persist. "–Hannah

Snicker doodles

1 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar or brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cream the butter with 1 1/2 cups sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until blended.
• In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add to the butter mixture, mixing as you add the flour.
• On a plate or shallow bowl, mix the cinnamon and remaining sugar. Shape a tablespoon of dough into a ball. Roll the ball in the cinnamon mixture. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. 
• Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until set but not hard. Immediately move the cookies to a cooling rack. Makes 4 dozen.

source: Cool Cookies by scholastic books ( it was bought at one of the kids' book fair).

Classic Cupcakes

I found this awesome cupcake recipe on the family fun site. They baked up so nice. I bought them to my parents' house for a  conference day dessert.  Out of the 30 I baked there are now only 6 cupcakes left. They are a lot like a pound cake.

1/2 cup butter(softened)
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line your cupcake tin with paper or foil liners. 
2. Cream the butter and sugar together. 
3. Add the eggs beating well after each addition. 
4. Stir in the vanilla extract. 
5. Mix together the dry ingredients and add to the butter mixture one third at a time alternating with the milk.
6. Pour equally into the muffin tins and bake 18-20 minutes. 
7. Makes 15 muffins.

Let them cool for about 30 minutes and then frost with butter cream frosting. Enjoy.