Baked Spaghetti

"Satisfying" and "hearty" are great words to describe this one-dish wonder. But in addition to its heartwarming taste, casseroles also offer two things every busy cook can appreciate: convenience and speed.
This recipe is simple to assemble. You just pop them into the oven for baking. Add some fresh fruit in the side or garlic bread, and dinner is ready.
This yummy spaghetti casserole was requested by my daughters, who really love all the cheese. It's perfect, especially during this cold and snowy weather. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 jar (26 ounces) meatless spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 cups (16 ounces) small-curd cottage cheese
• 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1.) Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and seasoned salt; set aside.

2.) In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, Parmesan cheese and butter. Drain spaghetti; add to egg mixture and toss to coat.

3.) Place half of the spaghetti mixture in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2in. baking dish. Top the half of the cottage cheese, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Uncover; bake 20-25 minutes longer or unti cheese is melted.

New Year's Bash

We had a New Year's Eve party in our house with friends and family. I wanted the event to be grand and festive, so I chose the dining table to have the biggest, holiday decorating impact. Since it's the gathering spot for celebrations, it deserves special treatment. Our family's tradition for New Year is to have circular objects decorated around our house to respresent luck and fortune for the upcoming year.

Directions:
Tie glasses to the overhead light fixture with varying lengths of ribbon. Knot the ribbon to be sure the glasses are held securely in pace. To continue the theme, fill tall glass vases and wine glasses with fruits. To invert the vases, hold a flat plate on top of the vase and flip it over. Carefully remove the plate from underneath the vase. To flip the wine glasses, placing your hand over the top of the glass should do the trick. Adorn the tops of the vases with single pieces of fruit or clusters of grapes. Use pottery plates and serving pieces for a casual ambience.

Holiday Centerpiece

Ring in the holidays with this fantastic centerpiece your party guest will not forget.
Mix fruits and flowers to set the mood with a little seasonal splendor. Add easy embellishments, such as evergreen and sheet moss. Insert sprigs of bright red berries to fill in, and add a cheery color.

Place the arrangement into a crystal pedestal to add height. The best thing about this centerpiece? It will last long, up to two weeks. If the flowers fade, replace them with fresh cut of blooms or with pots of small evergreens, such as cedar and cypress. This will make your holiday dinner elegant and memorable!
Happy Holidays!

Orange Cream Cheese Bread

It has been cold and rainy so far. Winter is definitely arriving soon. Since there’s nothing much to do outside, I’ve decided to turn to my other passion, cooking. For this hobby, I specifically like to bake. When I am baking bread, I just love to smell the aroma of cinnamon and chocolate filling the house. 

The best reward for cooking is your family enjoying what you’ve made. Because of that, you become more inspired to experiment with more recipes. Also, it makes your family have a closer bond.

My daughters and I really loved the moist, creaminess of this bread. If you love nuts as much as I do, feel free to add them on! It’s really good, especially for the holidays.

Ingredients:
1-8 oz  package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup  shortening
1 2/3 cup  granulated sugar
2  eggs
2 1/4 cup  all-purpose flour
1 tsp  salt
1 Tbsp  baking powder
1 cup  milk
1/2 cup  chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp  grated orange peel
1/4 cup  orange juice

Directions:
1.) Combine cream cheese and shortening, creaming well.
2.) Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
3.) Add eggs, beating well after each addition.
4.) Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix well after each addition.
5.) Stir in walnuts and orange peel.
6.) Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 3 inch loaf pans.
7.) Bake at 375 degrees F for 55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
8.) Let cool in pan for 10 mintues. Then sprinkle orange juice over loaves. Remove to wire rack to finish cooling

Trick or Treat

Orange is the main color of the fall season. Pumpkins are everywhere, and many leaves are falling from trees, eventually changing into shades of orange, red, and yellow. Since it's starting to get chilly and cold out, winter is slowly arriving, and Halloween is coming up shortly. Whenever this holiday comes, it makes me feel excited because of the ability to transform into a character and the choices are endless. When I was growing up, we didn't have this tradition back at home.

This year, I couldn't decide what my costume would be, but I did do some Halloween decorations.

September Look

My youngest daughter and I share the same interest in fashion. So, we went shopping to purchase pre-fall pieces. She is my personal stylist and photographer.

What to wear:

Foldover Snakeskin Clutch

Wide Leather Belt

Colorful Shawl

Beige Blazer and Boots

Animal Print Cardigan



Wide Leg Trousers



Pearl necklace and Bracelet

Beige cropped Blazer

Black Blazer

Skinny Jeans

Food: Hummus w/Parmesan Pita Chips and Banana Bread

With the growing problem of obesity in our country, as a mother, it's my responsibility to educate my daughters on how to  provide our body with foods that are natural and healthy. Whenever possible, I try to avoid processed and calorie-laden foods. Instead I used honey, maple syrup, applesauce, as a sugar substitute. I also included flaxseed oils in my cooking.
I prepared these snacks in a recent outing.

Hummus with Parmesan Pita Chips
Makes: 1 1/4 cups               Prep: 10 minutes
Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes

Ingredients:
5  4-1/2 whole wheat pitas, split open and each side cut into fourths
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 can (15.5 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup baby spinach, finely chopped

Directions:
1.) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place pita pieces on rimmed baking sheet and coat with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until crisp. Remove from oven and divide Parmesan cheese ove pitas; return to oven for 1 minute or until cheese melts.
2.) Meanwhile, combine chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, olive oil, cumin, and salt in a food processor bowl. Process until a smooth paste forms. Spread chickpea mixture into a serving bowl; stir in spinach. Serve with warm pita chips

Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
Pinch of seasalt
3 ripe bananas, mashed with a fork
2 egg whites
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 cup flaxseed oil
1/3 cup chopped dark chocolate

Directions:
1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, flaxseed and salt.
2.) In a large bowl, with a hand mixer, beat bananas until smooth. Add egg whites and beat until combined. Gradually mix in applesauce, honey and flaxseed oil.
3.) Mix dry ingredients into banana mixture; stir in chocolate
4.) Mist a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan and bake for 25 minutes or until browned on top