A Fun Food Week!

I am so not ready for this weather. I am getting absolutely nothing done because I am so cold I can't move! So I decided I will sit and write to you with a second cup of coffee, unless of course my frozen fingers break off while typing...then I will have to sit and do absolutely nothing. Which is NOT realistic because I have to decorate for halloween before it's over, and I have at least 12 loads of laundry to do and 6 closets to clean out! Blah Blah Blah.......

We had a fun food week in my house.....Click on the Titles or Photos to take you to the link....

1. Buffalo Chicken Chili from the last post.

 

4. Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies

3. Pancake Muffins from Michelle made with Strawberries and Apples instead, paired with.....

 Bacon Egg Muffins from Julia

I have always made these but chopped up the bacon and added spinach and cheese! Julia saved me a step! I use PRECOOKED bacon and it always turns out crispy and yummy!

 

 4. Walking Tacos...I am sure you have seen these! You take a Dorito Snack Bag, I cut it on the side, not the top. Smash the doritos. Add taco meat (i use pulled chicken). Add fixins such as corn, cheese, plain greek yogurt, salsa, olives, lettuce, etc. Stick a plastic fork in it and DINNER! My family went nuts! They usually only get these at sports events, but it was a huge hit for dinner. Make a double batch of the meat and freeze some for a super easy repeat dinner next month!

 

5. Fun Lunch Ideas for the Kiddos....they are getting tired of the sandwich! My kids are not big fans of buying at school (other than the slushy or cookie!) and I have been trying to pack some healthy homemade lunchables for them. I will get creative and post these when I do! The first 2 were a HUGE hit!

 

Have a Great Weekend!

 

Head on over to Posh Pouches for some awesome products to pack fun eco-friendly lunches!

 

 

New Adventure. New Title. New Design.

Moving on to my next adventure. I am bored. In a funk! On a mission. I am changing the theme, design and content of my blog. I have a lot to share but it's not all about food and being healthy. So here's to a new blog.....the old posts will stay the same, but the new posts will be a mish-mosh of food, fun, family, photos, ideas, questions, pinterest nails and fails, and whatever else I feel like sharing! I hope you follow, comment and suggest! What do you think about the new design? Title?

BUFFALO CHICKEN CHILI

Baby it's cold outside! This Chili will warm you up!

Buffalo Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

2 lbs all white meat ground chicken breast
2 large carrots, diced small
1 small onion, diced small
5 ribs celery, diced small
1 T smoked paprika (if you don't have smoked, just use regular)
1 bay leaf
1 T minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste, I don't use any
2 cups chicken broth
1/8th cup buffalo wing sauce (i.e. anchor bar wing sauce, not tobasco)
15 oz can tomato sauce AND crushed tomatoes (30 oz total, just use what you have if you don't have both making sure to total 30 oz)
4 oz low fat cream cheese, softened
bag white corn chips
bag shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
container crumbled bleu cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Place a large pot (such as a dutch oven) over med high heat and coat with cooking spray. Add chicken and brown it, breaking into little pieces. If you have this pampered chef tool that I have in the picture...use it, it rocks! Cook about 5 minutes.
2. Add carrots, celery, onions, garlic, paprika, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add the broth, tomatoes and hot sauce and bring to a boil. Turn to low heat and simmer about 30 minutes, longer if you have the time.
4. About 20 minutes before serving, add cream cheese and let melt and mix in. This will make it creamy. I wanted to get the recipe to you so I was not able to take a pic of the finished product. Sorry about that!
5. Place corn chips on a baking sheet and top with blue and cheddar cheese. Bake in oven until cheese is melted.

To Serve: Take out the Bay Leaf! Place in individual chili bowls and top with a handful of cheesey chips! Enjoy! Even better the next day.

 

UPDATE: Mine is done! Yummy!

 

 

Buffalo Chicken Chili....it's Chili, what else!

Freezing....can't believe I haven't posted the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Chili on this blog yet. Sorry about that! You are gonna love this! I am headed to the store right now for the ingredients. You go to and I will meet you back here in a few hours with photos and how to!

Here's what you need!

2 lbs all white meat ground chicken breast
2 large carrots
1 small onion
5 ribs celery
1 T smoked paprika
1 bay leaf
minced garlic
salt and pepper
2 cups chicken broth
1/8th cup buffalo wing sauce (i.e. anchor bar wing sauce, not tobasco)
15 oz can tomato sauce AND crushed tomatoes
4 oz low fat cream cheese, softened
bag white corn chips
bag shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
container crumbled bleu cheese (optional)

Super easy to make! Comes together in about 30 minutes! Meet you back here later!

Lunch and Tomatoes!

Look at this lunch! Yummie! About 300 Calories!

I took a Flatout and spread some Bolthouse Blue Cheese on it. I topped it with 2 slices of deli ham that I ripped into pieces, fresh spinach leaves and 1/4 cup of part skim mozzarella cheese. I toasted that in the toaster oven for about 6 minutes. Done! Yum! Easy!



Today, I bought 80 pounds of Organic Roma Tomatoes that I am going to turn into sauce and can! That is my project for tomorrow....I will update and post pics!

I also made these amazing frosted pumpkin cakes that i found on Pinterest...the kids LOVE them! I substituted an equal amount of applesauce in place of the Crisco. I also added a dash of cinnamon to the frosting.

 

More Tomorrow! Stay Dry!

 

Organizing 101 and Homemade Instant Oatmeal...

Getting Organized and Homemade Instant Oatmeal!

 

Well, with both kiddos now in school full day the house is too quiet. Whaaat??? Did I just say that! It is, it's the truth. I miss them making even the smallest of chores take double the time! I have to play music all day just to feel like someone else is here (other than the 2 guinea pigs!). Each day I leave the bus stop thinking what am I going to clean out today. I have 3 goals for each day.

1. Clean something out, get organized.

2. Exercise so I can reach my goal to lose 10 more pounds.

3. Shower!

I plan on doing those three things even on the days that I work the evening shift. I am hoping this blog (and the husband!) keeps me accountable.

 

I tackled the dreaded pantry Friday....

 

 



Not too bad. It doesn't look like all those fancy pinterest ones but at least it is organized. Let's see how long it lasts! Finally got rid of the leftover sandy half eaten beach/pool snacks, YUCK!

Today.....

 

Friends, I might not be able to come up for air during this tackle! My recipe books. Ugh....why does someone collect EVERY SINGLE RECIPE that looks remotely good even though she knows she will NEVER make it? Clutter, get out! I have so many magazine pages and recipe books I am running out of space. Who am I kidding, I have NO IDEA what recipes are even in those books.

 



Wish me luck! I will post pics! It might take a week, but I will nail this task and move on to the next....the cabinets!

 

Until next time, I will leave you with a recipe for Homemade Instant Oatmeal. It is much better for you than the store bought packets and it looks so cute sitting on the counter. I have made this for years, it is my daughters favorite anytime of the day!

 

 

Homemade Instant Oatmeal:

2-18 ounce containers of Organic Quick Cooking Oats

2-3.2 ounce envelopes non-fat Dry Milk

1.5 cups packed dark brown sugar

 

Directions:

In a large bowl mix all ingredients well. Try to smash as many of the brown sugar balls as you can. Transfer to an airtight container. I always put it in a large cookie jar on the counter with a one cup measuring scoop inside.

 

For Breakfast:

Scoop one cup of mix into bowl. Add a little less than one cup of hot water depending on how thin/thick you like your oatmeal. Let it sit for a few minutes....enjoy!

 

 

 

I hope you get at least one of your goals accomplished today! Please share!

 

 

 



 







Starting Again.....

 

Hello! Well, it has been quite some time....summer was very busy with a lot of vacations (see pics below!) and sports and fun! Kids are back in school and mama is back on track! I started the week off great! Exercising, setting new goals and purging and restocking the pantry and refrigerator. I made smoothie freezer packets, and salads in a mason jar! So....here I go again, ready to lost 10 more pounds and get back to blogging. Write ya soon!

 

 

 

Bald Head Island, NC

 

Niagara Falls, Canada

Poconos, PA

Corolla, Outer Banks NC