Italian Mozzarella Meatloaf

Today was one of those days that I'm so lucky to have Homemade Gourmet. I was so busy at work today and ran almost an hour late. Fortunately, I prepared a meatloaf a couple weeks ago. Yesterday I pulled my Italian Mozz Meatloaf out of the freezer to thaw. Little did I know I would be getting home almost at 7:00 today! Well, when I left work I called my husband so he could put the meatloaf in the oven. By the time I picked up Joseph and got home, it was in the oven with 10 minutes left to go. I quickly made mashed potatoes and warmed up green beans. Homemade Gourmet to the rescue again! If I hadn't prepared meals ahead of time I would have picked up dinner in a drive thru.

Why not make things easier for yourself? Homemade Gourmet has saved me time and money with our easy meal solutions. Plus as a bonus, my kids ate their meatloaf and I've got left overs for lunch this week!

The Italian Mozz Meatloaf seasoning comes in a Pantry Staple size. It's like getting 6 smaller mixes and you save $7.00 with the kit and when it's time for a refill you will save $$15.00! You also get 15 recipe cards with the kit to make other easy meals such as: Mozzarella Sticks, Parmigiana Chicken, Rigatoni and Cheese, Baked Italian Chicken nuggets and more!
Which reminds me....I need a refill!

Recipe of the Day...

Caramelized Baked Meatballs
7 TBS Old Fashioned Meatloaf Pantry Staple or 1 Homemade Gourmet® Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf Mix
2 lbs. ground meat of choice
1/2 cup ketchup2 cups shredded cheese (I used 1 cup cheddar and 1 co-jack)
2 eggs
2 lbs. bacon
2 cups water
2 cups brown sugar
1 small onion sliced

Mix meatloaf mix, meat, ketchup, eggs and cheese. Form into balls.Cut bacon slices in half and wrap a slice around each meatball, use a toothpick pushed through the meatball to hold the bacon on. Bake in a cake pan for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven and drain grease. Putinto a crockpot and add sliced onion. Put sugar and water in a smallpot and bring to a boil. Pour over meatballs and let simmer for a fewhours. The longer you let sit the crisper the bacon gets.

National Family Day

September 24, 2007 is Nationa Family Day! Go to the link below to make a pledge that your family will eat together.

http://www.casafamilyday.org/

Easy Spaghetti

For dinner one night last week we had a Spaghetti night. I got home and grabbed one of the Garlic Basil ground beef bags. I ran hot water over it. I got my spaghetti going and poured spaghetti sauce in a pan. Then I dumped the meat in the sauce. Drained the noodles and opened a bag of Ceasar salad. Dinner didn't take very long and the kids love spaghetti. I made the entire package of spaghetti so I had extra that I froze for an even faster dinner later!

Another 5lbs of Ground Beef....

I took out another 5 lbs of ground beef Monday and pulled out my Italian Mozzarella Seasoning and Taco Soup Seasoning Pantry Staples and went to work.

First I put about 1 lb of beef to brown. I did not use any seasoning for this. While that browned, I made an Italian Mozz Meatloaf. I put 1 1/2 lbs of the meat, 1 egg, 1/2 c ketchup, 8 TBS of the Iatalian Mozz seasoning, and mixed together. I put this mixture in an 8X8 Glad plan-I love these...they can go to the freezer to oven to microwave to dishwasher! I covered it with foil and wrote on it 'Italian Mozz Meatloaf'-the date and the baking directions. Then I covered it with the lid and put in the freezer.

I drained the 1lb of meat and put it all into a quart size freezer bag-labeled. Then I browned the remaining meat. I added about 5 TBS of the Taco Seasoning. I divided this into 2 freezer bags. Now I have a meatloaf that can go frozen into the oven and be ready by the time I get home. I'll only have to make quick mashed potatoes and green beans to complete this yummy meal. My kids will eat this up.

I can make beef tacos and an enchilada casserole (or a western meal casserole) with the Taco seasoned meat.

The unseasoned meat....well, its for Sloppy Joes! With 5 lbs of ground beef I have 4 meals waiting in the freezer!

Save the date...September 15, 2007

Hey Moms call the babysitter because this one’s just for you!

Mom’s Retreat

Saturday, September 15th

4pm – 6pm$10.00 per mom

Monkey'N Around

17304 Hwy. 3 in Webster, behind the Valero

Spa Style Lunch and Mocktails will be served
Desert provided by Pastry Chef, Kristi Paul

Goodie Bag for all Moms Attending(RSVP no later than September 10th to guarantee yours)

Spa Style Foot Treatments with Gina, The Body Shop at Home

Mini Facials with Christie, Mary Kay

4 Meal in 4Minutes Demonstration presented by Mary Lou, Homemade Gourmet

Wine tasting along with food pairing suggestions with Cheryl, The Traveling Vineyard

In order to ensure accommodations for all momsPlease R.S.V.P. no later than Sept. 10th
281.316.2490

Mary Lou Garcia, http://www.cafemom.com/group/easymeals

Freezer Meals

Sunday is my grocery day. That's when the new sales begin. I use http://www.thegrocerygame.com/ and the Houston Chronicle(for coupons) for maximum savings.

The boneless chicken breast was on sale, so we got a large size pack. When I got home I immediately pulled out 4 of my Pantry Staples: Tortilla, Garlic Lemon, Chipotle, and Chicken Enchilada. I also grabbed my small jar of Picante sauce, oil, and a can of low sodium chicken soup. I grabbed 4 gallon sized freezer bags , labeled them, put 4 pieces in each, and went to work! Each meal calls for 3lbs of meat-or 4-6 pieces. You can even make the exact meals with steaks or pork chops.

Meal 1: Creamy Tortilla Chicken

4 TBSP Tortilla Soup seasoning

1 can low sodium chicken soup

1 can water

Seal bag and smoosh.

Meal 2: Garlic Lemon chicken

3 TBSP Garlic Lemon Seasoning

2 TBSP oil

1/4 c water

Seal and Smoosh!

I cubed the chicken before putting it into the bag. I plan on using this meat with salads for lunch.

Meal 3: Chipotle Chicken

2-3TBSP Chipotle steakhouse rub

2TBSP oil

1/4 c water

Seal and Smoosh!

Meal 4: Chicken Enchilada Chicken

3-4 TBSP chicken enchilada soup seasoning

1 small jar of pace picante sauce

half jar of water

Seal and Smoosh

This didn't take me very long. Now I added 3 meals to my freezer. I kept one out.

SALES

Kroger has roast on sale. Ground beef is $.99/lb. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is on sale for $1.99/lb.

Stock up and grab your Pantry Staples and FILL your FREEZER!!

Have a delicious day!

Teaching Meal Solutions

I just got this e-mail from a guest at the meal solutions class I held on Saturday. I though I would share it with you. This is why I love Homemade Gourmet so much!

Thank you so much for coming to the party. This was so not what I expected, it was so, so much more. This will make my life much healthier and simpler! When is your next day to put together meals?

Thanks again!

Becki R.

This is the exact reason why I chose Homemade Gourmet as my business. Helping other busy moms and dads to learn how easy meal time can be.

Meal Soultions Class

I presented a meal solutions class this morning and what a great group of ladies! Thanks Krisit for inviting me into your home to meet your friends and family. I really love doing this! On the menu today was Margarita chicken using the Garlic Lemon seasoning, apple crisp, cranberry almond pasta salad, mock spinach dip, chocolate pecan pie cheesecake. Kristi put the chicken mixture in the crock pot on high for 4 hours---The aroma floated out the door. As I was walking up to her door I could smell the garlic lemon-yum! Everyone really loved it! It was such a big hit almost everyone either ordered the Garlic Lemon individual mix or the Pantry staple.

Margarita Chicken:
2-3 lbs chicken breast (or pork chops)
2 TBSP of Garlic Lemon Seasoning
2 cups of Margarita mix

Serve with rice or pasta of your choice.

Kristi's show reached over the $400 level!!
She will recieve:
-1 pantry staple at 40% off
-over $40 in FREE mixes-she still has orders out so it will really be much more!!
-She has 6 awesome meals in her freezer--she split 2 of her meals
-A Harvest Time Bundle, $26 retail value for only $15.60!--That’s 40% OFF!!!
-Free Meal of the month: Homestyle Spaghetti Sauce Mix, Italian Mozzarella Meatball Mix, PBJ Crumb Bar Mix
-FREE August Kitchen Connection Magazine

Schedule your meal class now to get your share of FREE meals/mixes!!

Keep the kids busy making meatballs or cookie dough balls for the freezer.

"It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up."
-Vince Lombardi

In a hurry? Make any Homemade Gourmet dinner bread as mini muffins-prep time is still less then 5 minutes, and baking time is cut to 12-15 mutes! Makes great snacks or for school lunch.

"Remember the tea Kettle. Though up to its neck in hot water, it continues to sing."
-Unknown

Food For Thought

-Expand your Family's palate by trying one completely new meal each week. Create a list and let them pick!

-"Four Steps to Achievement: Plan purposefully, Prepare prayerfully, Proceed positively, Pursue persistently." William A. Ward

-Keep cooked and seasoned ground beef and chicken in freezer bags in your freezer. These are great meal stretchers for last minute dinner guest.

-Save space by freezing items flat-even spaghetti sauce-in quart or gallon freezer bags.

Food for Thought

Homemade Gourmet is not just a food comapany, we are a MEAL SOLUTIONS company!

"What an opportunity we have! We can touch lives and influence families for generations to come." -Tami VanHoy

Children are more likely to eat something they have helped to choose or prepare. If you chose tonight's entree, let your kids choose the side dish and help you make it.

Fundraisers

Need a fundraiser for your school or group?

Mineral Girls will give you your own website to sell mineral girl products. you can have the fundraiser for as long or as short as you would like, even year round!Your School or group will earn 25% of all sales from your website. If you are interested please contact me or go online to http://www.mineralgirlz.com/members/marylou/ then click the fundraiser tab.

You can also have a Homemade Gourmet fundraiser and earn 30% of all retail sales. Contact me for more information.

Mineral Girlz

Check out my new venture:

www.mineralgirlz.com/members/marylou

Do you Smile as you open your Freezer Door?

It's a great feeling to know that I've help others with the meal time monster. Below is a picture of my friend's freezer, Laura Odom. She got her 4 meals in 4 minutes collection and rolled with it. I even remember how excited she was to show me her freezer shortly after getting her collection. I still get a big smile on my face when I open my freezer and see many meals ready to grill, bake, or go in the crock-pot!

Below is Laura's recent picture of her freezer.

Photo by: http://lauraodomphotography.blogspot.com/

Did I mention she's an awesome photographer?

http://www.lauraodomphotography.com/

Send me your tastemonials and/or pictures! I love hearing back from everyone!

What to do with 5lbs of Ground Beef?

I had 5lbs of ground beef -that I got on special-and needed to do something with it today. Well, I took 2 lbs and put in a bowl. Then I took the remaining 3lbs and put into a large pot to cook. I sprinkled a little Garlic Basil seasoning and left it alone. Then with my 2lbs I sprinkled 4 TBS of Kansas City Rub and about 4 oz of tomato sauce to make KC Burgers. These were really great! It gave the meat just enough flavor. Jose grilled them and they were nice and juicy, not one bit dry...way to go Jose! kathryn ate her entire burger!!

By the time I finished shaping my burgers the Garlic Basil meat was done. I drained it and let it cool off while we ate. I put 2 cups of meat into 3 different quart sized freezer bags then labeled them as Garlic Basil-2c-8/8/07. Now I have quick and easy meals for a later time!! Have I mentioned how much I love Homemade Gourmet? Oh, almost forgot, I also had 2 burgers left that I froze-great for a quick lunch, just crumble on a salad with your favorite dressing.

*As you can see in the picture, these bags lay nice and flat and don't take up much space.

August Fill Your Freezer day!!

Saturday, August 18, 2007 @ 11:00am....RSVP by Friday, August 10, 2007 to mlgkng24@sbcglobal.net or 832-640-4324

1922 Oak Shire Dr, Pearland 77581 in Oakbrook Estates.


With the beginning of school comes many time consuming activities/schedules. A little preparation now will be VALUABLE time saved in the next month!! I know, with Kathryn's softball practicies, games, and now Kindergarten I'm going to be pressed for time. Make it easier on yourself and get your Freezer Filled!

Back to School Special!! All meals are $4.00 each!!

Advantages of attending a Freezer Day.
No shipping on any mixes you purchase that day (in stock items only) that's a 10% savings.

Can't make it? I'll prepare the ingredients for you...simply pick up your meals at your connivance then add your meat at home....

Partner up with a buddy and shop at Sam's for your meat. If you have frozen meat in your freezer now, you can still add the ingredients to it...you just don't want to give it any time to defrost or you will have to cook before freezing.

Did you know that a family of 4 dining at Chili’s 8 times spends around $250?
8 Pizza Deliveries cost about $200!
8 trips to McDonald's run about $150!


What I’m offering is a fabulous deal!
Plus it’s a great chance to save time, money and have lots of fun!

August Menu

1. Awesome Steaks/Awesome Chicken=6 steaks (3-5 lbs) or chicken breast
soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, oil, Homemade Gourmet Southwest seasoning


2. Orange Vinaigrette Chicken=6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breast(3lbs)
prepared Homemade Gourmet Orange Vinaigrette dressing(oil, white vinegar)
*use left over for a quick and easy orange chicken spinach salad

3. Lemon Poppy Seed Pork Chops=3 lbs or chicken
oil, lemon juice

4. Kansas City Orange Chicken=3lbs or 3lbs boneless Pork Ribs
orange marmalade, HG Kansas City Rub

5. Chipotle Fajitas= 3lbs beef or chicken
oil, HG Chipotle Steakhouse Rub

6. Creamy Tortilla Chicken=3lbs
cream of chicken soup, HG Tortilla Soup seasoning

7. Kansas City Brisket=2-4lb beef brisket (cut to fit slow cooker)
ketchup, can of coke, HG Kansas city rub

8. Garlic Basil Chicken=3lbs or pork chops or roast
diced tomatoes, HG Garlic Basil seasoning

9. Enchilada Chicken=3 lbs or pork chops
rotel tomatoes, HG Chicken Enchilada seasoning

*Please bring your meat already distributed into zip lock freezer gallon bags in an ice filled cooler. OR, you can add your meat to the ingredients once you get home...just bring the correct amount of Ziploc double zipper gallon sized freezer bags.

*You may make as many or as few meals as you choose and its fine to make 2 or 3 of one that’s a favorite

*Please review the menu and pre-determine your choices. I review your list and purchase only the products needed to assemble what has been selected; therefore in most instances you will not be able to make extra meals at the event.

Please email me your menu selections by Friday, August 19, 2007.

New Distributor Freebies...

Get your 4 Meals in 4 Minutes collection FREE when you join in August!

Purchase your Homemade Gourmet® Starter Kit for ONLY $79.00** (a $137 retail value!)
Includes: Pantry Basics Collection, 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Audio, 4 meals in 4 minutes™ Planner, Catalogs (pack of 10), Product Flyer (pack of 50), Blank Customer Order Forms, Sponsoring Brochures (pack of 50), Policies & Procedures/Basic Training Guide CD, Homeshow Invitations (pack of 50), Personal Webpage, Customer Newsletter, Kitchen Connection magazine.

I can show you how start your new business for FREE!

Earn a FREE spa trip to New Mexico! Earn points to go shopping from a catalog of over 1,000 items...such as designer handbags, TVs, spa gift certicifates. Load of other incentives throughout the year.

If you know of anyone that needs to earn an extra income and would like to learn more about the business oppurtunity with Homemade Gourmet, please let me know.

HGP..It's Homemade Gourmet YOUR way....

Cynthia is the first customer to sign up this month! Here's what she had to say....

I have already placed my first order. It was so easy. I am excited. I hope all of your customers do this.

Thanks again,

-Cynthia
www.ccchomedesign.com