Elle Is For Living!

Elle's Stovetop Mexican Chicken

This chicken dish is as easy as it gets, yet it never fails to impress. Just toss the spices together, pour them over the chicken, let it cook, add a little broth, and shred—it’s that simple. The result is tender, flavorful chicken that’s incredibly versatile. Serve it tucked into warm tortillas, scattered over a fresh salad, or as a star player in a Mexican Buddha Bowl. I often leave it simmering on the stove, and it practically serves itself while everyone happily digs in.

Elle's Stovetop Mexican Chicken

Mexican Buddha Bowls

Have you heard of “Build Your Own Buddha Bowls”? This is the Mexican-inspired twist, and trust me—it’s a crowd-pleaser. The beauty of this setup is in the freedom: line up all the fresh, colorful ingredients, and let everyone build their perfect plate. Some will pile them high into a crunchy hard taco, others will go for a soft tortilla wrap, and the salad lovers can toss everything together into a vibrant bowl. However they choose, it’s always flavorful, always fun, and—if my table is any indication—always worthy of seconds.

Mexican Buddha Bowls

Have everything on plates or bowls, smorgasboard style

Elle's Mexican Rice

Rice might seem simple, but with just a few pantry staples it can turn into something downright irresistible. This Mexican rice is fluffy, flavorful, and the perfect side to round out any meal. You can make it on the stovetop, but I love using the Instant Pot—it’s completely hands-off and comes out perfect every time. Whenever I serve it, the compliments start rolling in! It pairs beautifully with Elle’s Chicken and makes a delicious base for Mexican Buddha Bowls.

Elle's Mexican Rice

Ingredients

DIY Dishwasher Tablets: Easy, Safe, and Sparkling Clean!

Tired of chemical residues on your dishes? I was too—so I made my own dishwasher tablets, and wow, the results blew me away!

These tablets are quick, easy (just four ingredients!), and fun to make—the fizz from the lemon juice is oddly satisfying. And they CLEAN. Even better than my store-bought detergent! My silverware sparkled, glasses were streak-free, and my plates finally felt truly clean.

No more mystery film. No more powders spilling everywhere. Just safe, effective, and convenient tablets that I’ll keep making forever.

Pro tip: Double the recipe if your household goes through a lot—they store beautifully and work like a charm!

Review: The Woof Treat Ball – A Game Changer for My Golden Retriever

I recently bought our Golden Retriever a Woof treat ball (in large), and it’s honestly one of the best purchases I’ve ever made for her. I love the peace of mind that comes with making her treats myself, using nothing but whole, healthy foods. She absolutely LOVES them, and it takes her at least 20 minutes to get through one—meaning she gets great mental stimulation, and I get a more relaxed, content pup afterward.

Another bonus? I don’t have to worry about excessive calories. Each treat only uses about two tablespoons of yogurt or another base ingredient, so it’s actually less caloric than many store-bought treats.

Since we feed her a raw diet, I often use raw meats in the recipes below, but you could easily cook them if you prefer. The Woof treat ball is dishwasher safe, which makes clean-up a breeze.

The concept is simple: choose a liquidy base that freezes well, mix in dog-friendly fruits, veggies, or even crushed biscuits, then pop it in the freezer. Once frozen, it becomes an irresistible, time-consuming treat for your pup.

Here are some combinations to inspire you:

Yogurt + fruit or veggies (blueberries are her favorite)
Cottage cheese + fruit or veggies (again—blueberries win!)
Pumpkin puree + fruit, veggies, chicken, or turkey
Mashed bananas + crushed dog biscuits (we like Trader Joe’s salmon treats)
Cheese + yogurt + crushed dog biscuits
Dog-friendly broth + crushed biscuits (look for low/no salt, no additives)
Watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries slightly crushed with yogurt
Ground beef, turkey, or other safe meats mixed with dog-friendly broth

The best part is that the possibilities are endless. You can tailor each treat to your dog’s taste and dietary needs while keeping it healthy and fun.

If your pup loves treats and you’re looking for a way to keep them busy, mentally engaged, and happily tired, I can’t recommend the Woof treat ball enough. It’s a win-win for both of you.

Knit Christmas Stocking

This is a family tradition where each child got a stocking knit with their name on it. The full pattern including charts is available for free at:

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jumbo-santa-claus-stocking

Below is the pattern written out, meant to be used in accompaniment with the charts.

CHRISTMAS STOCKING

1 PAIR #6 NEEDLES OR 5 MM

1 SET OF 4 SOCK NEEDLES SIZE 6 OR 5 MM

2 BALLS WHITE YARN

1 BALL RED YARN

1 BALL PINK YARN

1 BALL BLACK YARN

1 BALL GREEN YARN

WITH LONG NEEDLES CAST ON 59 STITCHES.IN RED.

K1,P1 FOR 10 ROWS

STOCKING ST IN WHITE FOR 4 ROWS

CONTINUE IN WHITE STOCKING ST & BEGIN WHITE IN RED - 10 ROWS TOTAL (10 ROWS HIGH AND 7 STS WIDE FOR EACH OF THE LETTERS)

CENTRE NAME

AFTER LETTERS, STOCKING ST IN WHITE FOR 4 ROWS

THEN DO GREEN & WHITE THEN DO GREEN FOR 4 ROWS

BEGIN SANTAS PATTERN AS PER GRAPH

AFTER SANTAS, DO 12 ROWS OF GREEN STOCKING STITCH & THEN 4 ROWS OF WHITE STOCKING ST.

bEGIN CANDY CANES AS PER GRAPH

AT THE END OF THE 13TH ROW DIVIDE WORK ON 3 NEEDLES. PUT 15 ST ON NEEDLE 1, 29 STS ON NEEDLE 2, 15 STS ON NEEDLE 3

CONTINUING ON CENTER 29 STS, COMPLETE THE CANDY CANES.

DO 4 ROWS OF WHITE STOCKING STITCH

PUT 30 HEEL STS ON ONE NEEDLE

WORK IN STOCKING ST IN WHITE FOR 2" ENDING ON KNIT ROW

1) P1, P15, P2TOG, P1, TURN

2) K3, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

3) P4, P2TOG, P1, TURN

4) K5, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

5) P6, P2TOG, P1, TURN

G) K7, SL1, K1, PSS0, K1, TURN

7) P8, P2TOG, P1, TURN

8) K9, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

9) P10, P2TOG, P1, TURN

10) K11, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

11) P12, P2TOG, P1, TURN

12) K13, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1, TURN

13) P14, P2TOG, P1, TURN

14) K15, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1 - 16 STS ON NEEDLE

CUT YARN

CAST ON 13 STS. K THESE 13 STS & 16 HEEL STS AND CASE ON 13 MORE - TOTAL 42 STS

1) K1, PURL TO LAST ST K1

2) K1, K2TOGH, K TO LAST 3 STS, SL1, K1, PSSO, K1

REPEAT THESE 2 ROWS TO 26 STS ON NEEDLE

WORK IN STOCKING ST TILL FRON IS SAME LENGTH AS BACK

CHANGE TO RED YARN & PROCEED ON 4 NEEDLES

3RD NEEDLE - K13, 2ND NEEDLE - K29, 1ST NEEDLE - K13: (55 STS TOTAL)

WORK IN STOCKING STITCH FOR 2"

CHANGE TO GREEN YARN & WORK 6 ROWS IN STOCKING ST.

SHAPE TOE

REARRANGE STITCHES 1ST NEEDLE: 14 STITCHES, 2ND NEEDLE 27 STITCHES, 3RD NEEDLE 14 STITCHES

1) 1ST NEEDLE - KNIT TO LAST 3 STS, K2TOG, K1,

2ND NEEDLE: K1, SL1, K1, PSSO, KNIT TO LAST 3 STS, K2 TOG, K1,

THIRD NEEDLE:K1, SL1, K1, PSSO KNIT TO END OF NEEDLE

2) KNIT ACROSS ALL NEEDLES

REPEAT THESE 2 ROWS TILL 15 STS REMAIN

KNIT THE STS OF 1ST NEEDLE ONTO THE END OF 3RD NEEDLE.

BREAK YARN LEAVING A 12" STRANGE

GRAFT TOE

PRESS

SEW HEEL TOGETHER

SEW BACK SEAM

SEW ON 3 JINGLE BELLS ON GREEN POINTS

Below are charts that my Mother and Aunt did that help for placement but you can just use the original pattern if you prefer. You can see how old these papers are!

The Simple Morning Drink / Tonic That Keeps Me Slim and Regular

Jumpstart Your Gut Health with My Morning Breakfast Drink

Support digestion, reduce bloat, and even lose weight—naturally

Have you ever woken up feeling sluggish, bloated, or just “off”? For years I battled with gut issues, and through lots of research (and a little trial and error), I’ve found one simple, natural practice that has made a huge difference in how I feel all day long.

It’s my go-to morning breakfast drink—a natural tonic you sip first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Trust me, it’s not just about hydration. This drink helps your gut become more acidic—which is exactly what you want to properly digest food, reduce bloating, ease constipation, and even support healthy weight loss.

Let me walk you through what’s in it and why it works.

🌿 My Morning Breakfast Drink Recipe

Ingredients:

¾ cup filtered water
½ to 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (with the "mother")
½ to 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
¼ cup magnesium water (optional)
A good splash of kombucha (optional)
A pinch of sea salt or sole water (optional)

🧠 Why This Drink Works

Apple Cider Vinegar: Supports stomach acid production, helps with digestion, balances blood sugar, and may curb appetite.
Lemon Juice: Alkalizing effect on the body post-digestion, helps detox the liver, and is a great source of vitamin C.
Magnesium Water: Excellent for muscle function, bowel regularity, and calming the nervous system.
Kombucha: Natural probiotics to support a healthy gut microbiome.
Sea Salt/Sole Water: Rich in trace minerals and helps the body absorb water more effectively.

🕰 How to Use It

Drink it first thing in the morning, before coffee, tea, or food.
✨ Do not eat or drink anything else for at least 30 minutes.
This gives your digestive system time to wake up and get to work before anything else enters the picture.

💡 A Few Notes:

Start with less ACV or lemon juice if you’re new to this. You can always work your way up.
Use a straw to protect your teeth from the acidity. This has never been an issue for me but some folks like to do this.
Warm (not hot) water is great if cold is too harsh first thing in the morning. Personally, I love ice in my drink during the summer and warm in the winter.

👏 What I’ve Noticed

Since making this a part of my routine, I’ve noticed:

Better digestion (no more feeling heavy after meals)
Less bloating
Clearer skin
Improved elimination
Even a bit of gentle weight loss—without changing anything else

It’s such a simple practice, but it can have powerful effects over time. And best of all? It’s completely natural.

✨ Try It and Let Me Know

If you try this drink for a week or two, I’d love to hear how it works for you! Everyone’s body is different, but sometimes the smallest habits lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

Here’s to healing from the inside out—naturally. 💛

Sunday Chat: Good Works or Not?? What the Bible Really Says About Salvation

God saved you by his grace when you believed.

And you can’t take credit for this;

it is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things

we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Ephesians 2:8-9

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.

Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven

belongs to those who are like these children.”

Matthew 19:14

That even though we were dead because of our sins,

he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.

It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!

Ephesians 2:5

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.

He did this through Christ Jesus

when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Romans 3:24

We believe that we are all saved the same way,

by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”

Acts 15:11

But if it is by grace, it is no longer

on the basis of works;

otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 11:6

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life.

He did this, not because we deserved it,

but because that was his plan from before

the beginning of time to show us his grace

through Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:9

Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law,

does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!

Romans 6:15

In the same way, let your light shine before others,

so that they may see your good works and

give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

And as God’s grace reaches more and more people,

there will be great thanksgiving,

and God will receive more and more glory.

2 Corinthians 4:15

This same Good News that came to you

is going out all over the world.

It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives,

just as it changed your lives from the day

you first heard and understood the truth

about God’s wonderful grace.

Colossians 1:6

And you yourself must be an example to them

by doing good works of every kind.

Let everything you do reflect the integrity

and seriousness of your teaching.

Teach the truth so that your teaching

can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us

will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

Titus 2:7-8

I have given you an example to follow.

Do as I have done to you.

John 3:15

In the same way, let your good deeds

shine out for all to see,

so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

These are my Mom's chocolate chip cookies and are delicious! They turn out perfectly. When I make up a batch, I bake up a cookie tin of cookies and then scoop the rest of the batter into balls, flatten them slightly and freeze on a cookie sheet and then transfer the frozen balls to a bag and freeze. So easy to grab the little frozen dough balls and cook whenever you want a fresh batch of cookies.

Elle's Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 C butter

! C sugar

½ C brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 C flour

1 ½ tsp salt

1 tsp soda

2 C Chocolate chips

Bake 375 F for 10 to 12 minuteds

Mix butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla

Add flour, salt and soda (I usually sift over the wet ingredients)

Add chocolate chips and stir till mixed

Elle's Everything But The Kitchen Sink Celery Salad

If you’ve ever thought of celery as just a background player, this recipe will change your mind. It’s fresh, flavorful, and completely customizable—Elle's Everything But The Kitchen Sink Celery Salad is perfect for using up what you have on hand. Packed with crunchy texture, and a bright punchy dressing, this dish proves that celery can absolutely shine on its own. Whether you serve it as a side, a light lunch, or part of a bigger spread, this easy, forgiving recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again.

Elle's Everything But The Kitchen Sink Celery Salad

1 bunch celery, sliced into ½-inch thick slices

2 apples, chopped (gala or honeycrisp are nice)

½ English cucumber, finely chopped

1 shallot, quartered and thinly sliced

1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans or sunflower seeds or almonds or ???

cranberries or raisins

sliced grapes, optional

chopped dates, optional

¼ cup chopped or shaved Parmesan cheese

subheading: Dressing:

1 ½ cups finely grated Parmesan cheese

¼ cup lemon juice

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

¼ cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon honey

1 clove garlic, grated

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For salad, add celery, apple, cucumber, shallot, dates, walnuts, and chopped Parmesan to a large bowl and set aside.

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