Lots more pix to come! We had Lettuce, Broccoli, Carrots, Corn, Pole Beans, Celery, Jalapeno Pepper, Green Pepper, Green Onions, 8! Cherry Tomatoes, Sunflowers, Basil, Cilantro, Oregano, Chives, …….and of course flowers!

Keep your eye on my blog to see more great shots of my garden!

I am going to give you the portions that I use for me and my honey. We get a couple days of lunch out of this also!

In a big pot I cook 2 cans Black beans (last night I used Kidney), 2 cans of Corn, and 2 cans of Stewed Tomatoes! Add (to taste) Salt, Pepper, and lots and lots of Cumin! I also chop a little Garlic and throw it in 1st to let it cook up a tad before adding all of the other ingredients. Last night I threw in a bit of Chili powder which worked well w/ the dish!

Now here is where it gets personal…You can add cooked chicken, tofu or other preferred meats. I serve it on a bed of rice w/ some cheddar melted on top.  I like it best with rice myself! You can have this as your main meal or leave it plain (no rice/meat) for a nice side dish!

Enjoy! Let me know what you and your family think of this one!?

This giveaway is only good through 2009 (3 more days!)

You can read more about these beads & see some earring photos in my last blog! ~ Happy Shopping and Happy 2010!

http://elementcreations.etsy.com

I have recently discovered and started working with Czech Glass beads. I know…I’m way behind! I love to work with Stones, Pearls, and other Nature made materials but when I saw the variation of colors and how they swirl together so magnificently in 1 little bead…I couldn’t resist! I had to have some!

I fell in love with a shop on Etsy who I would love to promote but I dont want to give away my secrets <3 But they always have such a beautiful bead selection! I started off with a small order (what I could afford) and went crazy making earrings as soon as I got them so I found myself craving more! If you are a fellow bead lover then you understand that it is not just a hobby….it’s a habit! So needless to say, I now have quite a few new earrings and even a couple of bracelets! I need to photograph more but I am sharing with you what I have so far. Keep your eyes on my Etsy page to get yourself or a loved one some of these beauties for the Holidays! They make a great “Under $20″ gift!

So here is the concoction that I threw together last night.  (Please pardon my measurement descriptions) I make this for 2 and we have a good amount leftovers!

Ingredients:

Lean Ground Beef (How much is your call!)

1) 28oz can Diced Tomatos

1) 15oz can Tomato Sauce (We use Hunt’s)

1) 15oz can Black Beans

2) 15oz cans Kidney beans

1Yellow Onion

1 Jalapeno Pepper

Salt

Pepper

Cumin

Chilli Powder

<3 secret mouth burning agent: Chilli Garlic Sauce by Huy Fong Foods, Inc. (Or as I call it “Rooster Sauce” because of the recognizable rooster on the front of the bottle) You will find this in the Asian section of your grocery store w/ Stir Fry and Teriyaki sauces.

~Cook your ground beef until brown. I add some salt, pepper, chili powder & cumin to the meat while it cooks so that all of the flavors have longer to get acquainted! Chop up your onion and pepper and add to the meat! Once this is all nice and cooked up, drain out any fatty juice (unless you want to keep it like my boyfriend does…I ditch it).  Now add in your diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, (well rinsed) Black and Kidney beans,  a bit more of each seasoning (Lots of Chili powder and Cumin), about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of the Chili Garlic  Sauce and Stir well! Let all of this cook for a while together on a Low/Medium heat for about 20 minutes.  For ultimate deliciousness, serve this bowl of chili with some shredded mild cheddar melted on top!

This dish is sure to warm bellies and comfort the soul this winter!

Just keep some heart burn medicine and a glass of milk at reach! Enjoy!

I call it Amy’s Whatever is in the Fridge Stir Fry

Here is where I start. Choose your protein! I usually go Tofu or Chicken. But you can get creative and go with beef, spam, whatever suits your fancy! So chop up your chosen protein to your desired stir fry size and fry it up in the skillet with some EVOO (yes I said it! lol) for those of you not hip to Rachel Ray, EVOO=Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Meanwhile: Chop up whatever vegi’s are in the fridge that you want to use! This is what I usually end up with (on a good day): Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Jalapeno Pepper, Chili Pepper,  Red<3/White Onion, 1/2 can Bok Choy, & Red Cabbage.

On a separate burner (from your cooking protein)  in a wok or big a** skillet, heat some EVOO and a drop or 2 of Sesame Oil. (Trust me you don’t need much!) Throw in your Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Carrots. Cook on a Medium heat but make sure they don’t burn! (If you are eating this with rice disregard the next step). Once the vegi’s are approx. 80% cooked, set them aside on a plate. I usually keep these in the oven on warm.

So these aren’t the healthiest way to go but I am weak for Yakisoba Noodles which I get in a 3 serving pack at my local Winco near the TOFU! 1st off, throw away those flavor packets that they give…nothing but sodium! Salt and Pepper to taste rather and we will talk sauce later! So in the same Wok or skillet that you cooked your vegi’s in, heat some more EVOO. Throw in your Yakisoba noodles once your oil is hot and turn down to a medium heat. Stand by to toss these babies around in the oil a bit. I find tongs very helpful. This is when I throw in my chopped peppers! Once your noodles are pretty loose and seem cooked, get that plate of vegi’s out of the oven and toss them in with the noodles. Now we add those fast cooking vegetables such as the cabbage and onions! Mix everybody together really well and bust out your soy sauce (which I recommend sprinkling on your cooking protein also!). You don’t need a lot. About 5-6 shakes! Then I bust out my favorite, Aloha Teriyaki sauce. Add to your taste! Also if you happen to have some Oyster sauce and Hoisen Sauce, add a bit of that too ! Okay so let everyone cook together for a bit allowing all of the flavors to marry. If you want to thicken your sauce a bit, add a teaspoon or 2 of Corn Starch to it and stir it in really well! For some reason I always leave the meat/tofu separate. I add it on top or on the side of the dish.  Now I think all there is left to do is dish up and grub! Enjoy!

Follow my blog for more upcoming dinner creations!

]]> http://elementcreations.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/some-of-my-favorite-recipes/feed/ 3 elementcreations 100_0613 http://elementcreations.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/my-1st-headband-creation/ http://elementcreations.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/my-1st-headband-creation/#comments Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:11:54 +0000 elementcreations http://elementcreations.wordpress.com/?p=60 ]]> So! This summer my hunny and I had the great pleasure of attending the Dave Matthews Band Concert at the Gorge Amphitheater in Gorge, WA. (Beautiful place and best live show I have ever experienced!) We stayed at the near by campground where some artists were selling their creations! This where I purchased my 1st couple of  flower head bands! Needless to say, I love them! And well, being the crafter that I am I thought…..”I can make these!!!” So, I present to you my 1st headband which is available for sale in my Etsy store. (see link to the side or go to http://elementcreations.etsy.com)

Made with a Tan (kinda Orange-ish) headband and a beautiful Pink and Orange flower…oh and I cannot forget to mention the little button in the center!!!

Thanks for looking!~ This will be the 1st of many I am sure so keep your eyes on my shop this Holiday Season!

I absolutely love making custom jewelry for weddings! It is such an honor to be a part of someone’s special day and I have had the pleasure of working with awesome, artistic, laid back brides! (no bride-zillas! lol)

So far I have done 3 weddings in which I made a custom necklace for the bride and the bride’s maids! All of the brides chose for their pendants a real Pud flower in white on a strand Pearls and Swarovski crystals.  Each Bridal necklace is different and every bride gets to pick her design and special touches (such as clasps, colors, etc.)

BUT…..I would like to announce that I have finally made a pair of  “wedding” earrings for my Etsy store! www.elementcreations.etsy.com I call them “Bella Bridal Earrings“. Bella meaning “beautiful” in Italian. These earrings dangle down with tiny Freshwater Pearls and Champagne toned Swarovski Crystals & at the end of their vine is a round white Freshwater Pearl with an embedded Swarovski Crystal. (I have posted a pic. for you )  Check them out on Etsy!

I would love to make custom jewelry for your wedding day (or any special occasion)!

Contact me @ beachbumm514(at)gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions regarding custom jewelry!

www.elementcreations.etsy.com

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