What if they rebel?

     The Yancey Plan is still going strong at the Jernigan house despite a "candy and soda" Halloween!  We enjoyed a house full of teenagers last weekend and had a few spend the night.  I cooked some fabulous homemade sloppy joes and served them with - what else - wheat buns.  Later that evening I heard the boys still up in the kitchen inhaling the leftovers.  As I went down the hall to tell them to head to bed (yes it was 3:00 in the morning) I overheard the boys talking about how it was the best sloppy joe EVER - except for the bread!!!!  FUNNY!!!!  Complaints - but they ate it!!!!
     My husband has been complaining LOUDLY that he misses bunny bread!  Complaints - but they are eating the wheat bread.  My children are complaining that we do not have soda in the house  LOUDLY - but they are drinking milk and orange juice.  See a pattern here?  I am holding firm - and they are eating what we have.  Chips?  They are eating banana's and grapes.  We are not buying chips.  If it is not there they will not have it to choose from.  Is it hard?  Yes!  Are they starving?  No!
     My husband said that today I should write about my family rebelling against The Yancey Plan.  I am writing about standing firm and teaching our children healthy habits.  We will still have fast food, candy, sugar, pancakes, and sodas.  These foods are in moderation and special TREATS!!!!  On a day-to-day basis I want my family to enjoy healthy and nutritious foods that will enhance their ability to succeed!  I'll take the complaints and continue to serve them what is best.  After all.......isn't that what mother's do best?

Blessings -

Emmie

P.S.  The sloppy joe was too good not to share.  I substituted ground turkey for the beef!

Makes 12 servings

11/4 sweet Italian link sausage, casings removed
1 lb ground chuck
4 Tbsp Olive oil
2 cups diced onion
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup diced carrot
1/2 cup diced celery
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 can tomato puree (28 oz)
1 can diced tomatoes in juice (28 oz)
4 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/2 cup dry red wine (If you won't drink it - you shouldn't cook with it)
3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown sausage and chuck in 2 Tbsp. oil in a large pot over medium high heat, breaking up any large chunks with a spoon, 10 - 15 minutes.  Transfer meat to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside.  Discard drippings.

Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in same pot over medium high heat.  Saute onion until just beginning to brown, 5 - 10 minutes.  Add garlic; cook 1 minute.  Stir in bell pepper, carrot, celery, and tomato paste; cook until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.

Stir in tomato puree, diced tomatoes, oregano, pepper flakes, nutmeg, Italian seasoning, and browned meat; simmer 10 minutes

Add wine, vinegar, and brown sugar, then bring mixture to a boil.  Simmer until thick, 10 - 15 minutes, stirring often.  Season with salt and pepper.