One of my good friends from Cornerstone keeps up a fantastic blog called "Life in the Off Season". I laugh inside because this season of life for me is definitely not "off" but rather full blown madness. I envy her a little bit in having some down time. :) I truly look forward to not being so busy with school, work, and internship in the not so near future (May 2013). As I count down the months till the end of all this, I think I will remember this to be a time in my life I found God's guidance and peace most apparent. He has orchestrated some great changes and opportunities for me to grow. My internship has been amazing. I'm working at a private practice in downtown Grand Rapids and I have the opportunity to journey with and assist high school aged students to post college women in all different places in life. I am humbled by the stories I hear, and how great our God is in the process of positive change. I'm also taking on a new role at Wedgwood in the outpatient counseling center as part of my internship. I'm loving the opportunity to partner with families of hurting teens in the Dialectal Behavioral Therapy program. I am able to co-lead two groups for parents and kids as well as coach and counsel teens individually. It's awesome!
Thanksgiving for Austin and I was spent with my dad's family in Kalamazoo. I also got to spend some quality time with my sister while she was home from school in Indiana, as well as get my Black Friday shopping on with my bestie, Kaycee. It was a lot of fun into the wee hours of the morning. Austin and I are looking forward to some more fun time spent with family in the coming weekends as the holidays approach for Christmas and we travel here there and everywhere. We have also been excited to become aunt and uncle for the 4th and 5th time in November as Austin's sister, Aubrey, welcomed her first two babies into the world. Aubrey and Josh are going to make amazing parents to twins, Brinley and Lane! I may be biased as an aunt, but these babies are quite frankly the cutest things I have ever seen :).
So with all the craziness and nights away at my internship and school, I'm not making dinner any more. Austin fends for himself 98% of the time. He's actually quite self sufficient. I've been impressed. On the weekends, I am able to cook and bake occasionally This weekend I was able to cook and make something that's one of my favorite things of course, PASTA. I freakin' love it. This spaghetti pie will blow your mind, and I just don't know if anyone can really hate this spaghetti.
The things you'll need for this dish include but are not limited to:
1 9X13 or 9X9 Pan
1 lb of ground beef or lean turkey
1 can of spaghetti sauce (I used Market Fresh Tomato Basil sauce from Target)
Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, red pepper flakes
1 can of stewed, Italian seasoned tomatoes
1 package of whole grain/whole wheat spaghetti noodles
1 bag of mozzarella shredded cheese (I recommend Kraft brand with Philadelphia cream cheese blend)
1/3-/1/2 of cream cheese block (I used Philadelphia Cream Cheese and 1/2 of the block) depends on how creamy you like your sauce.
4 egg whites
STEP 1: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees, if you plan on making it that day. You can pre-make this dish and refrigerate or freeze for future dinner times. Both ways taste great.
STEP 2: Brown your meat in a sauce pan. Season as you please. I add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drain off grease.
STEP 3: Add a pot of water on the stove to boil your pasta. Add pasta in to boil with a pinch of salt. Boil until pasta is tender.
STEP 4: Add sauce in a large skillet on Med-Low heat.
STEP 5: Add in your drained meat and can of tomatoes to the sauce.
STEP 6: Add in your cream cheese into the sauce. Stir to combine and melt completely.
STEP 7: Put drained pasta into a large mixing bowl. Beat egg whites and add in. I added about a tablespoon of parsley and a few shakes of garlic powder to the mix as well. Mix up well.
STEP 8: Once sauce is done simmering, add spaghetti noodles into your pan(s). I used two 9X9 pyrex dishes, which work well with these portions. You can also use a 9X13 pan as well. I've used either. I also used Reynolds Wrap Pan Liner for easy clean up. :)
STEP 9: Distribute sauce evenly on top.
STEP 10: Add your mozzarella on top. I also sprinkled parsley flakes on top.
STEP 11: Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
Just how many ways can you do spaghetti? I don't know, but I love testing the limits :) Enjoy!!
