I'm Back!!

Well friends, I have taken some time off from blogging, but I have certainly missed it! So, I'm back!!  I have a plethora of ideas to blog about and can't wait to get started!  First things first...I have some exciting news to share!!

 

There will be another pair of boots beside the back door in January!!

 

Although Cooper isn't showing his excitement...he truly is excited! He has loved 'sniffing' all the new things are making their way into the house!

Therefore, you can probably expect my blog to begin containing baby things also...this could get crazy - crazy fun!!

Thanks for reading!

Spinach and PepperJack stuffed Chicken

So, we all know that I absolutely love to cook!  Sometimes I wonder why I chose to get a degree in education?  Then, I remember how much I love my little angels in my classroom also!  So, I teach for a job and I cook for fun! :)  I have been working during the past year to grow my small cake/baking business and I have had so much fun with cake decorating!  I will try to post some pics of the cakes later.  For tonight, we'll talk about what I just ate for dinner!  Ohhhh my!  It was delicious!  This is another recipe that has been put into the 'rotation' by my sweet Mountain Man.  I found this recipe via Pinterest, and the actual recipe can be found here. 

The first time I made this...it looked horrendous!  However, it did taste very good!  So, I decided to make it again.  Of course, it seems nothing I make ever goes exactly as planned!  I thought that I had pepperjack cheese in the fridge - well, not so much!  So, I combined some cheddar and mozzarella with some red pepper flakes to use instead of the pepperjack cheese.  I also chose to cook my own spinach because it was cheaper than buying the frozen. 

So, the recipe with my modifications is:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded (you can use up to 6 oz)
• (Cheddar Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes)
• 1c cooked and drained spinach (I did not use exact measures here)
•  olive oil
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp breadcrumbs (I use my own - see below)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lots of toothpicks

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Flatten the chicken

In a medium bowl, combine the pepper jack cheese, spinach, salt and pepper.

Combine the Cajun seasoning and breadcrumbs together in a small bowl.

Spoon about 1/4 c of the spinach mixture onto each chicken breast. Roll each chicken breast tightly and fasten the seams with several toothpicks. This part requires a tiny bit of skill and I typically use about 8 toothpicks in each roll to ensure none of the filling seeps out. Be sure to count how many total toothpicks were used!

Brush each chicken breast with the olive oil. Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning mixture evenly over all. Sprinkle any remaining spinach and cheese on top of chicken (optional).

Place the chicken seam-side up onto a tin foil-lined baking sheet (for easy cleanup). Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Remove the toothpicks before serving. Count to make sure you have removed every last toothpick. Serve whole or slice into medallions.

I left her directs the same because I really didn't do any of that differently.  I noted that I did not use exact measures on the spinach - I have a difficult knowing how much to put into the pot for it to cook down the exact amount, so I fill up my littlest pot and just hope for the best - so far this has worked wonderfully!  As far as bread crumbs - I learned from my wonderful Mother that there was no sense buying something I already had!  Whenever I make biscuits or bread there usually ends up one lonely piece or one lonely biscuit.  So, I crumble up that leftover bread.  I keep a Ziploc bag in my freezer and as I have leftover bread I add it to the bag.  I also have a bag for the little cheese cracker crumbs!  They are great for breading chicken fingers - but that is a different blog! 

Here is what my chicken looked like the 2nd time:

 

And the inside...

 

 

I promise you this was delicious!  And, my Mom had the wonderful idea of substituting broccoli for the spinach...may have to try that!!!

 

Let me know how this works for you!



Chicken Caesar Pizza!

I have another healthy recipe favorite!!  This is one I learned when I was selling Pampered Chef.  I actually used it for a show and everyone loved it!  I have also made it several times at home and it is a big hit!  Not only is it healthy but it is also quite easy!

You will need:
Pizza Crust                               Caesar Salad Dressing
Romaine Lettuce                      Grilled Chicken
Shredded Cheese                      Bacon (chopped/diced)


I actually use a pizza crust mix to make this.  I added some shredded mozzarella and some oregano to the mix. You can use any type pizza crust you would like and there are may variations (wheat, pita, etc...)

 

The first thing to do is to rinse the lettuce and let it drain. (I also added a little Kale) Shred it by hand, and toss it in a bowl with just enough Caesar dressing to lightly coat the leaves.   I used a homemade Caesar dressing that I made with my Pampered Chef Measure, Mix, and Pour.

 

Bake the crust until it is a nice golden brown.  After it is baked, brush a light layer of Caesar dressing over the top.

 

 

While the crust is baking you can cook your chicken. I took a whole chicken breast and chopped it up and cooked it in a skilled with some olive oil, garlic, and real bacon bits (not the fake kind!).



 

 



Layer the lettuce, chicken and shredded Cheese on the pizza crust and enjoy!!

 

 

If your family likes tomatoes they would make a great addition to this pizza, as well as any other salad topping you enjoy!

 

Let me know if you have any suggestions!



Healthy New Year

So, I have started running - I actually started (purposefully) before the New Years! :)  I didn't want it to be just a 'New Year's Resolution' kind of thing.  I am certainly starting slow, because I have not run since high school....unless you count running late! :)    I knew I needed to do something.  I have gained weight in the two years that I have been married and am starting to get frustrated at my limited choice of clothes!  I don't really want to sink money into a gym membership, and everyone around me is all about running...so, I figured, why not?  So far, I am enjoying it.  I think it will enjoy it more when the weather is not quite so close to the freezing temperatures! 

So, since I wanted to get to a healthier me, I also spent a little of my Christmas money and purchased a fancy pedometer.  I bought a fitbit.  You can purchase a small one at your cellular store, or the larger version online.  They now offer one that will automatically sync with your cell.  I am enjoying it!  It has definitely made me more aware of my level of activity (or inactivity) throughout my day.  I also like that it syncs with my food tracker app - My Fitness Pal.  It keeps up with the distance I have traveled, the steps I have taken, and the stairs I have climbed.  It also tracks my sleep and the number of times I wake up!

Along with running and trying to keep myself active, I am trying to be a healthier cook! :)  I found an amazing soup recipe!  Olive Garden has a small history with my husband and I.  Our first date was to an Olive Garden and we stayed until the place closed and the staff was ready to leave!  We have been back each year for our anniversary.  So, when I ran across a copy-cat recipe for their Zuppa Toscona, I HAD to try it!!!!  and Wow! So, here is the link to the recipe I originally found.  Below you will find the recipe with a few changes that I made to make it more like the restaurant!

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana (Potato Soup)

1 lb. ground Italian sausage
    (if you are like me, I had never looked for 'Italian sausage' before - it is in the fresh meat section of 
      your local grocery store - sold in links.  You will have to cut open the casing of the links and
      remove the ground sausage to cook it)
1 tsp. crushed red pepper                    1/2 c. bacon - diced
1 c. diced onion                                  3 potatoes (I made slices,
2 garlic cloves                                        like potato chips)
1 quart (4 cups) water                         2 cans chicken broth
2 c kale, chopped                               1 c heavy whipping cream

Brown Italian sausage with crushed red pepper in pan.  This is where I added the chopped Kale.  I simply rinsed it in the sink, and then took my kitchen scissors and cut it into smaller pieces before adding it to the sausage.  I did not add it until the sausage was almost browned.  It will cook down and resemble the green stuff you would see in the soup at the restaurant. (You can use the soup pot if you don't want to mess up multiple pans.) Drain excess fat and set aside.

Sauté bacon, onions and garlic until the onions are soft. (You need to do this in the soup pot) Mix in the chicken broth and water.

Add potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.

Add the sausage, and the heavy cream, and  heat through.

This was so delicious, that after the last bowl was eaten, my Mountain Man asked me to make another pot, as soon as possible!!  If you have any suggestions please let me know!

Enjoy!

Taco Seasoning - Home made!

 

I am all about making things myself, as opposed to buying them.  They are usually better than what you can buy in the store, and also much cheaper!  It is my goal to spend as little money as possible - We are working very hard to have everything paid off and to get ahead on the house - it doesn't happen overnight, but I figure every penny helps!!

 

 

This week I made my own taco seasoning - I used a recipe from Pinterest (Taco Seasoning).  However, as I usually do, I adapted it a little.  I also quadrupled the recipe!

 

The recipe, as I made it, is as follows:

 

4 Tb Chili Powder

1 tsp Garlic Powder (plus a little extra shake or two - I like garlic)

1 tsp Onion Powder

2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper

2 tsp Paprika

6 tsp Ground Cumin

4 tsp Salt

4 tsp Black Pepper

 

 

I placed all ingredients directly into my jar that I would be storing the mix in.  I also used an old lid from a Parmesan Cheese jar - also a tip from Pinterest!!!  After all the ingredients are in the jar, screw on the lid, and shake shake shake!! :)   

 

As I made tacos I just season to taste.... 

  

So far, it seams to be a big hit!! - Enjoy!

Coffee Mug Cozy - #2

 

I really liked the first coffee mug cozy I made, but I saw this one and had to try it as well!!  Oh my!  I cannot tell you how much of a hit this has become! I sold a dozen in a day!  They are also not terribly difficult to make!  I found the pattern on Pinterest of course!  Also, it was a FREE pattern.  If you like to crochet, but want a quick project you need to check this out!!  It takes me about 30 minutes to make one, and I love the stitch pattern in it - this will be appearing in some of my future projects!!

 

 

The pattern can be found here.

As always, if you would like to purchase one or more of these please message me for details!!  They can be made in colors of your choice!

Ruffled Purse

I pinned this purse on Pinterest just because I thought it was cute!  Then, awhile later I had someone send me a message asking if I could make it for her. So, I told her I had not made one yet, but I would try it and get back to her.  I absolutely loved the pattern as soon as I looked at it.  It included pictures and step by step directions!  It is made up of very simple stitches and could easily be done by someone who is still learning!  However, this project did take me a couple days (spent mostly crocheting - with breaks to eat, clean and such).  Check this out and let me know what you think!!