Water, Water, and more Water!

Confession time....I have a hard time drinking plain water! After so long, I just cant take it anymore and I tend to crave either very sweet tea (we call this Tallahassee Sweet Tea) or a soda. But, when I was diagnosed with Pseudotumor Celebri (optic nerve swelling) in May, I began to notice that when I would drink sodas, the vision loss would progressively get worse. Of course, we all know that sweet tea isn't the best for us but, I would dare to say it's definitely better than a coke. I've tried over and over to drink unsweet tea and I just can't. I do not like the taste, GIVE ME MY SWEET TEA!! Haha! I have done the half sweet, half unsweet....But again, I just have to make myself drink it. 

A few months ago, my mom and I went to visit my sisters at college in West Palm Beach. The hotel we were staying at, had ice cold "spa water" in the lobby for guest. So I thought...Wait, I could make these in a beverage dispenser and keep it in my fridge to drink from all day long. Great Idea, I know...I'm giving myself a pat on the back. Just Kidding......Well, maybe! 

This recipe is for the Lemon Lime Mint water, but the possibilities are endless. I have made spa water with strawberries, watermelon, mixed berries. Whatever your taste, go for it!

Lemon Lime Mint Water
3 Lemons
3 Limes
several sprigs of Mints

You will chop the mint.

Slice the Lemons and Limes

Then, muddle (crush with wooden spoon) the mint leaves and few slices of lemon and lime together.

Add everything into the dispenser and fill with water.  

YUM!! Now, what would be some of your favorite fruits to make spa water with?

Much Love, 
Chas

Potato Sausage Soup

I have always love Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana Soup. So I made a few changes to the recipe so I could enjoy it without all the extra calories and unnecessary additives. 

4 Slices of Turkey Bacon
1 pound of Mild Turkey Sausage
1 small yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
7-9 organic potatoes
48 ounces Organic Chicken Broth
1/4 -1/2 cup of Organic Heavy Whipping Cream
1 TBSP of Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

• In large pot, add olive oil, bacon, sausage and onion to brown. 
• Once browned add garlic and let simmer for about 2 minutes.
• add Potatoes and Chicken Broth, bring to a boil and let simmer until potatoes are cooked through. 
• add whipping cream and turn heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.   

You could add some parmigiano-reggiano cheese to make it more authentic to Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana. 

Enjoy!
Chas

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

This past weekend, my sweetie and I took a drive to Gainesville to Trader Joe's. This was my very first time to Trader Joe's and I loved it! Do you have a Trader Joe's in your area?

I made this recipe from http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/easy-chicken-pot-pie-real-food-dollar-menu and it was delish! I made a few changes listed below:

• I used frozen organic carrots, peas, corn and green beans.
• organic chicken broth
• Once the veggies, chicken and potatoes were cooked,  I added a little organic heavy cream to the chicken/veggie mix, just to make it a little more creamy. 
• To the crust, instead of milk, I used unsweetened coconut milk.

My Sweetie, myself and two kiddos loved this. We even had enough for lunch the next day.

I am learning, just a little more work and you can have healthy and wholesome meals prepared for your family. 

With Love,
Chas

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! First, let me tell you a little bit about myself, my name is Chasity. I am 30~something, have been married to the love of my life Joe for over seven years. We have three adorable kids: Joshua 6, Landen 5, and our only girl Lydiann 4. My husband is the children’s pastor at our church here in Ocala, and I am blessed to be a stay at home mom/wife. 

After dealing with a couple health issues this year, I have began to drastically change the way my family and I eat, and exercise. I will be posting the recipes I try and what we thought about that recipe. Come along for the ride, we’d love to have you join us! 


With Love,
Chas