Pizza Restaurant Style Breadsticks

Description:
These are so easy and taste so good, we'll never buy breadsticks from expensive Pizza Hut or Rocky's again. DH said they really do taste better than what you can get from the pizza chains.

I found the recipe doing a Google search for "Pizza Hut breadstick recipe" but I had to alter the recipe and add more flour to get the right consistency. They come out chewy on the inside, crunchy on the out.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 C hot water
2 T sugar
1/2 t salt
1/2 C non fat dried milk powder
1 T yeast
3-4 C of flour
1/3 C melted butter
Garlic powder
grated Parmesan cheese
oregano or Italian spice blend

Directions:
Dissolve the sugar, salt and dry milk in the hot water. Add enough of the flour to make the mixture a soupy consistency. When the mixture is warm, not too hot, add the yeast and the rest of the flour until a soft dough forms. * I use my Kitchenaid and watch for the dough to begin pulling from the sides of the bowl and ball up on the dough hook. Add flour as necessary to get a smooth, soft dough, just past the point of it being sticky. Knead the dough until is is soft and pliable.

In your baking pan, pour half of the melted butter and coat the bottom of the pan.

Press the dough into your pan, creating a rectangle. Pour the rest of the melted butter on top of the dough and add your seasons to taste.

Using a pizza cutter and or knife, cut your dough into strips.

Allow your breadsticks to rise for 15 minutes.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes until golden on top. Feel free to add more melted butter and seasons if needed when they're just out of the over.

Serve with hot marinara sauce.

My goal "word" for 2011, CHILLAX. As someone who tends to find stuff to worry about, I'm realizing I need to let that go and bring more relaxation into my life.

Christmas Weekend Notes 2010

I've just realized I took next to zero photos this Christmas. However, we will have plenty of video footage, thanks to DS15 testing out our new video recorder. He has quite a bit of editing to do though. The camera has crazy huge storage capabilities, and the boys shot video for hours.

Our Christmas was 99% most excellent! I loved having the extra time with my family and the bonus of having my parents able to share it with us. The 1% I won't mention except to say I'm still processing what happened and asking myself how I can ensure my family's safety the next time.

Christmas Eve we spent at my aunt's house. My brother and I both honored our Christmas Nerf War Truce. :) We feasted and had a White Elephant exchange in which we ended up with a cool Tapas cookbook, a veggie grilling pan, a book with a collection of short stories, and DS11 ended up with a Super Man T-Shirt.

When we arrived home Christmas Eve, a certain elf had already made some wonderful changes in our Sleepyhouse! Thanks to G-Ma we now have a water filter attached to our kitchen faucet. I love being able to drink water right from the tap. My Brita pitcher barely kept up with our drinking and food preparation needs.

Christmas Day we were spoiled with more gifts and more feasting. The day after, the grandparents left and we basically were in recovery mode, napping and watching movies for most of the day. The boys were in full out gaming mode and spent the entire day in the Mancave.

I began taking my blood pressure medication Sunday, and that night my reading was 128/71, which is much better than I had been. Could one dose really work that fast? I'll keep monitoring it and see what my week's average is.

My mind is shifting into 2011. We're planning to stay in for New Year's and enjoy a homemade fish fry. I think it's pretty cool the day will be 1-1-11! I want to sit down and think up some goals for the new year, not resolutions really, but inspirational ideas.

It's been so wonderful to have such a great holiday season so far. I really feel its going to propel us forward on good footing.

Getting Ready For Christmas & Blood Pressure

I've been away from the computer the past several days, except to squeeze in a little work. We've all been enjoying having the grandparents stay and visit. Last night, my mother made Christmas centerpieces for me and my sister. My sister and I both love birch trees so we're digging these candle holders. I actually have more like them somewhere in my basement storage. I'll probably have the boys drill the one log a little deeper so the candle fits in better, but isn't it pretty? It smells really good too!

Today is the start of our holiday weekend. DH is off from work until next Monday so we're all going to enjoy a nice, long weekend together. We'll finish up the last of the shopping this morning, and this afternoon we'll finish the last of the before Christmas errands, and we'll have supper at Mi Cocina. Our favorite Mexican restaurant.

I'm not getting as much work done as I had hoped, but its not often we get to share so much time with my parents so we've had to take advantage of that. I'll kick it into gear next week, and hopefully before New Year's, reach my goals.

Isn't it crazy how quickly Christmas creeps up on you? New Year's always comes up quick too.

I have been having trouble keeping my blood pressure regulated. Its up and down throughout the week. I've tried diet and exercise, but I just can't bring it down to a safe level on a constant basis. I'm feeling somewhat defeated, but I'm agreeing to try medication beginning after Christmas. (I waiting because I don't want to spoil my holiday with a potential allergic reaction.)

I'm bummed about having to go down this road, but I also know I don't want to have a stroke or heart disease, which run in my family on both sides. I'll be taking a diuretic to start with and hopefully that helps. If not, it could mean a beta blocker.

One plus is the doctor did mention my heart beat sounded really good. She said she could tell I've been exercising so that made me feel a little better. We also discussed how I'm probably not losing weight very quickly because I'm not lifting weights. She explained how especially in women over 40, weight training is critical. I hadn't really thought about weight training too seriously, but it's now on my list for 2011! Just one more piece to my health puzzle I'll eventually figure out.

My Sleepyhouse is starting to wake up, so I better get moving here. If I don't have another chance, let me wish you now a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and New Year. I hope its filled with family, love and laughter! 

Monday's Musings

I'm still having strange sleep patterns. Went to bed Saturday at 1:00am(Sunday), and woke up at 3:00am, unable to fall back asleep. My brain's been on overdrive.

Since I couldn't sleep, I read through the book, Wikis The Educator's Power Tool by Kay Teehan and now the autodidact in me wants to learn more about creating and using Wiki's. I should have been sleeping, not brainstorming.

Last night I got a little more rest, but had nightmares of aliens attacking the planet. I woke up thinking it would have made a great movie.

My parents are driving down a day earlier than scheduled trying to beat a snow/ice storm scheduled to begin this afternoon. I hope they are careful and stop and get a room if the road conditions get bad.

This rearranges my plans for the day. I have to get the guest room ready! I was thinking of driving to the pool - no joke - to take the boys for a swim and grab a few resources I need to work from home the next two weeks. I know I had just said how awesome it was not to have to drive anywhere, but after my Wiki brain storm, I now want to create a Wiki for work and I need a few things. Plus do I want to wait for my paycheck to be mailed? My checking account balance says no.

I had a discussion with DH about how the whole gift buying thing sucks the joy out of Christmas. Its stressful not having money and feeling the pressure to find just the right gift. I'd rather focus on being with family, enjoying tasty bites, playing games and creating laughter. I get now why some families take vacations this time of year and skip the whole material/commercial scene.

I should get moving here, open up the guest room and finish the before Christmas cleaning projects.

Maybe I Am Enjoying Winter....

These photos were taken when we met our posse for sledding last Thursday. We have a great sledding hill nearby at our local golf course. We try to go during school hours so we have the place to ourselves.

I've been noticing how beautiful the snow is this year. How it sticks to the trees, how it blankets the ground, it really is lovely. (Can you tell I haven't had to drive in it lately?)

I've enjoyed finding the bunny tracks in the yard, which have led me to their winter hiding spots. I'm feeding them some old, wilted carrots. I know the "God's raisins" they drop will fertilize my garden. That reference means something to my boss. :) I don't know if she'll read this, but after knowing her, I will always think of bunny poop as "God's raisins" now. Feel free to use your imagination as to why.

I was delighted to learn my parents have decided to make the trip down for Christmas! It will be awesome to have them here and share the holiday with them. DH will have short work weeks, so it will be great to have extra time with him as well.

December has been much colder than usual, and I'm concerned our truly cold month, January, will be brutal, but every week we get closer to spring. :)

I picked up the fish oil for Yumi, and she seemed to eat her kibble even after I dripped a capsule over it. Of course fish oil, I'm sure, is tasty according to cat taste buds. Hopefully it clears up her dry skin.

DH and I had a wonderful Friday fish fry date at Quivey's Grove. We sat in the converted barn, with its rustic, 150 year old, stone walls and wood beams and staircases. They had it decorated for Christmas with a very tall tree which reached high up the stable barn to the beautiful wooden roof. The lights made everything more romantic. I had almond crusted lake perch and DH had the battered cod. It was delectable! We've promised to try and do this more often. Its a perfect way to begin the weekend.

I wasn't planning on baking anymore Christmas treats, but after a wonderful discussion with a friend on the many different recipes available, I now will HAVE to make a batch of fudge for Christmas. Technically, it won't be baking. My favorite recipe is the sweetened condensed milk, melted chocolate chips, pecans and dried cranberries. I like fudge to be melt in your mouth smooth, not grainy.

My Brain Cloud Has Lifted

Fresh air and exercise really does work wonders. If the below zero wind chills would stay away, I could probably make it through winter without complaints. 

I slept better, but had stress dreams. Why is it the brakes never work when you're driving in REM sleep? And when do I ever drive through a crowded mall parking lot, pulling a trailer? I need to realize I can crash into anything bummer car style in my dreams, and my insurance rates will not go up.

Not all my dreams were stressful. I did dream of gardening, but waking up from the joy of having a hoe in my hand, and facing the reality outside the window, only made me want to fall back asleep.

I can feel I'm in the homestretch towards the weekend and the holidays. Tonight's my last night I have to physically be at the pool. Through the end of the year, I'll most likely work entirely from home! Yeah! With this weather, this is a huge relief.

I think today we'll call the posse and see if they want to meet us at the sledding hill. More fresh air and exercise is what I need.

Up Since 4:00 A.M.

I know when my boys begin to wake up, I'll want to go back to sleep.

I'm waking up hungry way before I should be, and having a before bed snack is not helping. I can't figure it out. I'm eating more protein, but the strange thing is, my fingernails are not growing very fast. Is this too much information for you? Seriously, I'm wondering if something is going on with my metabolism.

Do you know there is absolutely nothing on television worth watching early in the day? I would have gotten up and done something productive, but Yumi needed my warm lap. Poor kitty, I don't think she feels good either. She has a dry skin problem and is pulling out the fur on her back near her tail. I'll have to pick up some fish oil and see if I can coat her kibble in it. She won't eat wet food.

I'm without a car today. DH took mine, while we have his car looked at. I'm hoping its not an expensive fix. I'm grateful my co-worker will cover for me, and I can head into work late. I really am blessed with a wonderful job. I just wish the commute wasn't so far, especially during these winter months.

OH!! That reminds me, I saw a really cool meteor driving home last night! It burned a vibrant green. I guess there are perks to that commute.

I just wish I didn't have to share the road with morons. This time of year it only gets worse - morons on ice. Put your cell phone down please! I don't care if you have a 4WD SUV, black ice means you'll only slam harder into me.

Okay, do I want to try for a morning nap now, or start moving around and make a little noise? When I've gone back to bed and grabbed a few more hours, I wake up feeling off and the rest of my day feels rushed. If I stay up and don't nap, about the time I have to go to work, I will have to fight to keep my eyes open. I really hope I can figure out this body clock problem soon and get back to a normal routine. 

I've had to scrape the INSIDE of my car windows. This just doesn't seem right. Its technically not even Winter yet!

Saint Lucia Day Thoughts

Its very timely for me, having Saint Lucia Day arrive this morning, after I've allowed these cold, darker days to creep into my soul and dim my light from within. Today is the Swedish celebration of Saint Lucia, a symbol of light and hope. I'm not eating saffron rolls, setting a crown of candles on my head or singing, but I am taking time to reflect on how I can get back on track.

Its bitterly cold outside. I call it death cold. Its the kind of cold that instantly freezes your nostrils and eyeballs. I know there must be a purpose to this weather, but its difficult for me to understand.

I'm finding it so easy to gravitate to the negative. I know this is a choice, but I don't understand why I'm choosing it. Is it the season? The weather? A combination of everything?

Although I haven't become sick with a flu or cold virus, my mood is off. I should be content my body is relatively healthy, but at the same time, it doesn't feel that way.

I think I need to stop being so emo, and count my blessings. There will never be total security to be found in this world, but if I look for them, I will find the stepping stones I need to keep me on the right path.

Blessing #1 - DH's toothache went away. He was so sure he had something seriously wrong and was in much pain. When we called our dentist, the recorded message said they were on holiday break until December 27th. I prayed for him and by the end of the weekend, the pain was gone. It must have been sinus nerves, but he knows he still will need to have it checked out after Christmas.

Blessing#2 - Our house is warm, there's food in the pantry/fridge, and everyone is healthy. Okay that's more than one blessing, but when you begin to count them, its easy to get carried away. I'll stop numbering them.

Blessings to come- direct deposit of DH's paycheck should arrive this week. In the mean time, it was a blessing the bills due now were able to be paid. I need to stop freaking out watching that balance fluctuate. This is always how it goes when you live paycheck to paycheck, something I've recently learned, most of America is having to do.

Blessing for today, I have the resources to buy soap. Sounds simple, but I'm grateful for even the small things today.

I may be feeling blue, and I may be unnecessarily beating up on myself, but I also know today I can stop and take a moment to plan for how to turn things around. I can light a candle and remember even one spark defeats total darkness.

I will have a Happy Lucia Day and reignite my light within, bringing warmth and comfort to myself and those I love.

I need to count my blessings. Cold, dark days are closing me in.

Friday Five 12/10/10

"For this Friday let's read about five of your favorite things to do with Christmas...with a twist....you know me I like to do that....I mean who of you would've thought you'd find a word search here last week! LOL Ok so Five of you favorite things...here's how it works ...1. A Food  2. A Song  3. A Movie 4. A Tradition 5. A Gift" - Friday Five Group


1. FOOD - Cookies :) Christmas wouldn't be the same without them. This year we're making soft gingerbread, spritz and rum balls. I miss my grandmother's pepparkakor cookies. I wish I knew how she made them so thin! 

2. SONG - I've actually been avoiding those radio stations playing nothing but Christmas carols this year, but I am enjoying Sarah McLachlan's version of Joni Mitchell's River.

3. MOVIE - The Polar Express - I associate this movie with my children. They always enjoy watching it several times during the season.

4. TRADITION - Getting together with family - Beginning with my childhood and continuing now, Christmas time has always been about family. I loved going over to cousins' houses, playing on beds piled high with coats, eating Swedish cookies, hearing laughter and sharing the warmth of the season.

5. GIFT - Now that I have children of my own, its definitely more fun giving than receiving. My gift is their joy.

For the record, its now been two nights where I thought I was getting sick, only to wake up perfectly healthy in the morning. I'm beginning to think there is something in my work place environment giving me headaches. We'll have to test this theory again tonight.

Efforts To Stay Well

My hunger has increased, and I think its because its colder than usual and I'm exercising. For me this is a Catch 22. I exercise to burn calories but my body's response is to want to eat more. Anyone have any advice for getting over this?

I'm trying to eat more protein and fiber and continue to try and drink more water, but it hasn't been easy. I'm not a big meat eater, and I'm running out of low calorie protein ideas. I keep wanting to grab for almonds, but I know I can easily go over the recommended portion when it comes to nuts. I try to keep the correct portion in a bag and limit myself, but eating nuts is like eating chocolate for me. I never reach the point of diminishing returns until its too late.

Last night I thought for sure I was going to wake up with a head cold coming on. All of my upper teeth throbbed and my head hurt. This usually is my clue my sinuses are planning a revolt. This morning however, I'm feeling okay. I still downed for breakfast a pineapple, banana, blueberry smoothie for good measure. 

Maybe its the clementines that have been keeping me well? I was stoked to see them on sale at our local Pig. I love clementines! Easy to peel, no seeds, sweet and juicy, portable, what's not to love about clementines?

I know I have to watch my stress level too. It seems right around the holidays or just after, I get sick. I think this is due to the stress of the season, along with going off track with diet and exercise. Plus you tend to socialize more so there's more opportunity for germ sharing. I need to remind myself its okay to tone things down, take a step back, take a breather and let go. Doing so is less stressful in the long run when compared to becoming ill.

Crazy Dreams Start The Day

I woke up ravenously hungry at 4:00am. There was no drinking a glass of water and going back to sleep. I got up and ate two fried eggs.

I watched a few hours of early morning television, and when I actually started getting very tempted to call QVC and order a $100 dollar blender, I hit the power button on the remote and tried to catch a morning nap.

I fell asleep but had very bizarre, anxiety filled dreams, including naked tornado dreams. What exactly is going on in there brain? Who's poking around at those emotional folds? When I woke up at 9:30, I had this residue of stress cloud over me. Blah!

I know it my subconscious working on issues regarding change and vulnerability.

I'll stomp the "dreadmill", (love that name better), and commit to only one other goal today. Concerning the rest, I'll go with the flow and see where the day takes me.

Weekend Update 12/3-12/5

Filing away more wonderful memories in the fault. Friday we cut down our Christmas tree before the snow arrived. Its in place, and it now has lights and the star, but we still need to hang ornaments and garlands. Its been a work in progress while we squeeze in all the other fun.

Saturday morning we had to clear and play in the SNOW! We only got about 4 inches, not the predicted 9, but its more than enough given the fact our driveway drifts like crazy. I regret not building a snow person because the temperature dropped, and the snow became too icy to pack.

Saturday evening we attended my work's holiday party. I'm in trouble with my family because the white elephant gift turned into an embarrassing get up in front of a room full of strangers and open a gift that could be stolen from you event. I had told them I thought it was a just a gift exchange. At one point we had a cool light up necklace and wonderfully obnoxious jingling Santa hat, but those were stolen from us. We came home with dish towels, a village house and night lights. After the white elephant game, we all enjoyed bowling.

Once home from the party,  we stayed up late playing video games with DH. We gave him Grand Turismo 5 for his birthday. I read gardening books while they raced and started planning how I will turn more of my lawn into a productive food source next spring.

I've added the book, Starter Vegetable Gardens 24 No Fail Plans For Small Organic Gardens, by Barbara Pleasant to my Christmas list. I wish I had read it before last season. I love how she suggests building your garden over time, adding to it every year.

Sunday was DH's actual birthday so we took him out for a big mid-day meal at Outback Steakhouse. We eat there once a year, usually on his birthday. We all walked away more than full. Later, we skipped supper and just had birthday cake.

We watched the season finally of The Walking Dead. I have to say, I had higher hopes for this series when it began. We'll see what next season brings.

Today I have to get back on track with healthy eating, and I have to make friends with Mr. Boring, aka, my treadmill.

"Today for show and tell I‘ve brought a tiny marvel of nature: a single snowflake. I think we might all learn a lesson from how this utterly unique and exquisite crystal.. ..turns into an ordinary boring molecule of water just like every other one when you bring it in the classroom. And now. While the analogy sinks in. I’ll be leaving you drips and going outside." ~ Calvin and Hobbes

The Tree Is In The Sleepyhouse!

Its another huge Christmas tree for us this year! Every season we choose and chop down a Balsam Fir tree from the Winterberry Christmas Tree farm just a few miles from our home. I like Balsams because they are fragrant and native to Wisconsin.

We've decided to set it up in the kitchen this year. We didn't want to worry about spilling water on the new laminate. I'll have to wait now to install our new kitchen floor until after the season, but that's okay. I think I'm going to love having the tree here. Its very cozy! You can still see the tree from the family room as well. I'll take another photo after we finish decorating.

I thought we'd be the only family at the farm on a Friday afternoon, but there were several of us trying to get our Christmas trees ahead of the snow storm heading our way tonight. We could have up to 9 inches tomorrow. The boys are really looking forward to it. They love snow. I only love it when I don't have to drive in it.

I had trouble falling asleep last night. My headache returned, loud and proud. Why is this only happening when I try to go to bed? I eventually did fall asleep thankfully, but slept in too late this morning. Today will feel rushed.

Sleepless In The Sleepyhouse

My brain is experiencing a chemical crazy. Migraine on the right side, I'm actually thinking if I put my head through the wall it would feel better. Don't worry. I won't. I'll let my diarrhea of thoughts flow out and onto this fabulous white, electronic glow staring back at me.

I think I'm experiencing a hormonal shift due to the lack of sunlight. I think you call it "SAD" - seasonal affective disorder. I'm going to make an appointment to check my vitamin D levels. Its been so gray and dark, this has to be what's going on with me. Rationally I can't justify feeling depressed.

Although tonight, its not depression that's keeping me up, its anxiety. Again, rationally, I have nothing to feel anxious about, so this must be a chemical imbalance in my noggin.

I'm sipping Sleepytime, wrapped up in a giant hoodie and that is helping. Trying desperately to stay away from the kitchen area where chocolate is kept. I think I'd try eating cocoa powder straight if I go near the pantry. Its that bad. This craving for chocolate must mean I'm low on those feel good brain chemicals including serotonin.

I'm extremely uncomfortable. It began with my bed not feeling right, then my clothes, then I could feel every little movement and sound DH was making as he blissfully slept. Frustration turned to anger, then to tears. I could not think of a place to escape. I was left without sanctuary.

Freaked myself out thinking about how I needed sleep for so many different reasons, but wasn't getting one wink. Where was my sandman?!!! I have responsibilities tomorrow and people have expectations of me. I can't pass out tomorrow when this all calms down.

I don't even have a baby to cuddle and rock- the one reason I can think of right now worth not getting any sleep for.

Maybe I'll be okay. I can recall other sleepless nights where I still was able to function the next day.

The night before my wedding. Made the mistake of sharing a hotel room with bride's maids who snored. No sleep what so ever. At one point, thought of sneaking over to fiance's room to see if I could crash there, but decided I didn't want him to see me until at the alter that morning. Somehow I made it through my wedding day. I'm buying my future daughter-in-laws a hotel suite with a room all to themselves.

Strep throat Christmas Eve - Too much pain and difficulty breathing - I couldn't ruin Christmas for my family.

Chest cold last month - constant coughing all night long, yet I didn't miss one day of work that week.

Laboring with my second child - 43 hours no sleep due to contractions - still pushed him out in less than 20 minutes when I finally reached that required 10 cm.

I should put a foreign film on, preferably Japanese or Chinese, and try to read subtitles. This usually knocks me out as I try to keep up with reading subtitles, while trying to read also the actor's faces.

If I read anything else, it won't work. I'm an autodidact, addicted to non-fiction.

If I could make noise, I'd clean and purge, but my nest mates would not appreciate being awoken by my freak fest. Awoken? Awakened?

Surprised my essential oil trick didn't work.

Feeling guilty about not having money for DS11's braces. Like I can solve this at 4:23 in the morning? 

Tomorrow, I mean, later today, I will have to be good to myself and try to remain as relaxed as possible. Even when the cable guy is here for the 4th time in 2 weeks. Can we just drop Charter already? Will Dish or Direct TV work for us? I don't know and I shouldn't care right now!!

My Sleepytime tea is gone.

Yumi wants the computer chair back.

I think I should try again, even if DH's alarm will be going off shortly.