Sweet Potato, Asparagus and Chicken Skillet

Finally going to start this blogging thing back up. Took a break after my daughter was born a year and a half ago because I've been on survival mode and haven't really tried anything new, and when I did, I just didn't have time to take a picture and write about it. This new recipe is definitely worth posting.  It's super healthy, fast, easy and just looks so pretty with these colors!

What you need:

1 lb boneless chicken,  cut into small pieces

1 Tbs olive oil

pepper, garlic powder and garlic salt to taste

1 sweet potato, peeled and diced

1 cup chicken broth

1 bunch of asparagus cut in halves

- Add olive oil to skillet, add chicken. Season with salt, garlic powder and garlic salt.  Cook chicken through and then set aside.

- In the same skillet, add sweet potatoes with chicken broth.  Cook for 8-10 minutes covered.  

- Add the asparagus and cook for another 5 minutes covered. (I like to add a little more seasoning and if the broth has absorbed, add more).

- Add chicken back into the skillet and serve.

   

Halloween Craft for your Littles

This Craft doesn't need any explaining but it sure is cute!
And yes, that is my daughters bum;)

Garlic Cheese Bombs

One day I'll get back to taking good pictures on my camera but for now you all have to suffer through iPhone pictures. With a 3 year old and 6 month old, my time is too precious to find the perfect lighting and getting a good shot. When dinner is ready I have about 2 minutes to eat before Emma wants out of the high chair so I've got to eat dinner fast or not at all.
These little rolls are delicious! Lots of flavor and can be paired with any meal. And it's filled with CHEESE.. Need I say more?!

What you need:

A can of pre made biscuits 

A block of cheddar cheese- cut into1/2" squares 

4 Tbs butter- melted

1 tsp garlic powder or more to taste

1/2 cup parmasean cheese

2 tsp dried oregano 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut the biscuits in halves and stretch out just a little.

Add a cheese cube in the middle and roll the dough around it making sure the edges are sealed.

Add garlic to the melted butter and roll the dough in it covering completely.

In another bowl combine cheese and oregano and roll in that.

Add to pan and bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

*I've made these using biscuits as a whole. Just double everything, make the cheese cubes larger and only cook a couple minutes more!

Healthy Chicken & Veggies

This is one of those recipes that I would highly recommend to anyone. So easy, cheap and HEALTHY! And it only took about 5 minutes prep and 20 minutes in the oven. Major win!! Most of my recipes obviously not on the healthy side so this is a big deal for me and my family! I ate two servings and wasn't even full. Plus I keep craving it so it will probably become a regular at my house!

What you need:

2-3 raw chicken breast chopped

Veggies 

(Peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, onion, pretty much whatever you want)

1 TBS Italian dressing seasoning

1 tsp Paprika

2 TBS Olive oil

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Add chopped chicken to a baking dish, add chopped veggies, add olive oil, Italian dressing seasoning, paprika, and salt and pepper. Mix it all around together and cook for 20 minutes. 

That's it! I served mine with brown rice. It's soooo good. And if your left overs are a little dry, I just 

added a teeny bit of soy sauce!

Spray Bottle Paint

I should've posted this at the beginning of the summer.. But since I'm so good at procrastinating I'll post it on the first day of fall. This is such a fun, easy and cheap activity for your toddler. Go to Walmart, grab some 99 cent spray bottles, washable paint and some canvas. Put the paint in the spray bottle and add some water and shake it around. Then let your kid go to town sparying the canvas!!

Healthy Chicken Caesar Wrap

Getting my body back after the second baby is sooo much harder than the first. Maybe it's because I have to keep sneaking off to eat chocolate so that I can get through the day of a crying baby and potty training 2 year old. I also don't have much motivation since we spend most days inside cause going out with two kids is HARD! People who keep having kids- you're crazy! But seriously I don't know how you do it! Also when the kids finally sleep I should try to work out right? No- I sleep too.. This momma needs sleep or I get called mean or mad mommy by Kayden. So eating healthier needs to start being a priority over here. These Caesar salad wraps are so good and by using these spinach green tortillas( found at Walmart) instead of white or wheat ones, it saves so many calories. But really these green tortillas only have 40 calories and wheat ones have 120-140! They're also light and thin. Sometimes I don't like wraps because all you taste is a thick tortilla. So go out and buy these!

                                  

 

What you need:

Spinach herb tortilla

Caesar salad dressing

Romane lettuce

Shredded chicken

Tomatoes

Avacado

Shredded parmasean cheese

Just build your wrap and enjoy!

Ooey Gooey S'mores Bars

These S'mores bars are the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I can eat a whole pan by myself.. No joke, you can ask my husband.  This dessert is my favorite thing to eat and everyone needs to try it. I could really go on and on about these bars, but you should just make them yourself to see what the fuss is all about.

What you need:

9 graham cracker sheets- crushed 

(I put mine in a gallon zip loc and roll over them with a rolling pin)

6 Tbs butter- melted

2 Tbs sugar

1 1/4 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter- room temp

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 cup mini marshmallows

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray with non stick spray a 9x13 glass pan.
- Mix graham crackers, melted butter (6 Tbs) and sugar (2 Tbs) together and press it into the bottom of the pan.
- In another bowl, mix together the flour, salt and baking powder.
- In another bowl, beat the sugar and butter together for a couple of minutes.  Add egg and vanilla.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet mixture until well combined.
- Spread cookie dough over the graham cracker crust.  *Take a handful at a time and pancake it between your hands and gently put it over the crust so that nothing sticks and gets messed up.
- Spread the marshmallows and chocolate chips over the top evenly.  Then pour the sweetened condensed milk over top of it all.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Bars should cool for a couple of hours before eating.
To me, the bars taste the best the day after you make them.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

I've been wanting to make lettuce wraps for a long time and I finally got around to it and they did not disappoint! These were so good and we ate them up! This is definitely a recipe I will repeat often.

What you need:

1 lb ground chicken

1 Tbs sesame seed oil

2 garlic cloves- minced

1 small can water chestnuts- chopped

6 basil leaves

2 Tbs hoisin sauce

2 Tbs teriyaki sauce

2 Tbs soy sauce

1 tsp rice vinegar

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp cornstarch

1 head of bib or butter lettuce

2 green onions- chopped

Chow mien noodles

- In a large skillet heat up the the sesame oil and add the chicken. Cook until done, making sure it's crumbly. Add the garlic. Then add the chestnuts and cook on low for a few minutes. Add the basil leaves.

- In a mixing bowl, combine the hoisin, teriyaki, soy sauce, rice vinager, ginger and cornstarch. Whisk until well combined. 

- Pour sauce over chicken and heat on medium high for 2 minutes. Remove basil leaves and add green onions.

- Spoon into lettuce and top with chow mien noodles for some crunch. You can dip into soy sauce if desired. 

Enjoy!

Saltine Cracker Toffee

I've seen this toffee recipe all over the Internet for months now so I thought I'd finally give it a try and see if it's really as easy as it looks.. And it is! Takes just minutes and sure is a crowd pleaser. It's sooo addicting! I made this while my husband was out of town and ate half the pan in two days.. Oops! 

Also, I  put some cute valentines sprinkles on to make it festive!

What you need:

40 saltine crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 pkg of milk chocolate chips (11.5 oz)

Optional- nuts or sprinkles

- preheat oven to 400 depress 

-Line a cookie sheet with it foil and spray with non-stick spray. 

- line crackers on the foil evenly and touching

- in a saucepan, melt butter completely and add the brown sugar. Bring to a boil and stir for 3 minutes.

- pour evenly over the crackers, covering each one

-  bake for 5 minutes and take out the oven. Pour chocolate chips over the crackers and let sit for for two minutes then take a spatula and spread the chocolate all around. Add desired toppings

- put in the fridge or freezer until hard (I put mine in the fridge for about 2 hours). Take out and break apart.

Inside Activities for a Busy Toddler

I hate the month of January. I'm all for winter, snow and cold until December 26th, then I want summer. January drags on and on. There is nothing to look forward to, nothing to do and all the holiday stuff is over. This little boy and his momma have been going stir crazy. Thank goodness for my "mom" degree because it taught me a lot of fun things to do with little kids and a lot of them focus on motor skills. I might be that annoying mom that's always pushing education down my kids throat but guess what, he's 2 1/2 and knows his ABCs, can count to 15, learning to draw his shapes, and writing his letters and numbers so I must be doing something right.. Right?!
So here's some easy, and cheap activities to do to keep you and your toddler from going completely crazy during the winter.

1. Paint is awesome. Yeah I get that it's messy and people don't like to deal with it but it keeps kids occupied forever!  Kayden is always asking to paint.  I found this little train for like 2 dollars at hobby lobby.  Also, Walmart's craft section has a lot of little wood things that can be painted for under a dollar.

2.  Pom poms are the best!  So cheap, and you can do so many things with them.  I get out a muffin tin and have him organize them into colors, we do pictures (like making rainbows..), we count them, you can even get a straw out and blow them around through it.

3.  More paint, but this time you put it in a gallon size bag and tape it down so it doesn't move.  Bam non-messy fingerprint! Kayden is getting good with his numbers and letters with this one.

4.  A bag of marshmallows and toothpicks can sure keep this kid busy. Make shapes, snowmen, anything you want.

5.  Like I said, we like paint.  Buy watercolor paint for like a dollar at any store.  I just tear out pictures from his coloring books to give him. No need to buy "special" paint paper.  Just put newspaper or a mat under it.

6.  Our new favorite thing to do- go on a treasure hunt!  Kayden thinks this is the most coolest thing ever. A wipe container works great for a treasure box. Make a list of random stuff to read off to him. I put something random from each room in the house that he would have to think about before running and finding it.  Things like; a comb, a train, a sock.. and ended it in the kitchen with a treat for him.

8.  There is a lot that can be done with pipe cleaners.  I just get out a strainer and let Kayden do his thing.  It's fun to watch him figure out how to put them through the holes.

9.  Playdough  is always good.  No need to go into detail, we've all played with it.

10. Bathtub crayons.  Don't be hesitant about these, they wash off!  I let Kayden use them the first day we moved into our house on a brand new bathtub. It's a good activity during the winter when it's cold.  He draws pictures forever and is also learning his numbers, shapes and letters this way too.

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

You know you have a problem (or just really pregnant) when you dream up new dessert recipes in your dreams. But then I wake up and get depressed that they're not waiting for me down in my kitchen.. I seriously have such a baking bug lately, but I'm in the biggest cooking rut! I don't feel like cooking, trying new things or even eating dinners. I just make the same old things, my poor family. Can't a pregnant girl just eat cookies and chocolate without being judged?! I mean I am taking my prenatals.. So the baby's fine right??  Anyways.. In my non wanting to cook stage these days, I've come up with some really easy, simple and light recipes that I'll be sharing this week. Hope you enjoy! And stay tuned for the dessert recipes I've been dreaming up!

I know this the worst picture, but it gives you the idea.

What you need:

Shredded chicken

Lettuce

Corn

Black beans

Carrots

Tomatoes

Chrused tortilla chips

Bbq sauce

Ranch

All these are optional, you can also add whatever you want. Just throw it all together, mix in bbq sauce and top it with ranch. Such an easy dinner to throw together.

Banana chocolate chip cookies

This just might be my new favorite cookie. Made these for a bedtime snack and me, my husband and little boy couldn't stop eating them. These taste like banana bread but the best part about them is that they are easy! Every time I make banana bread, it takes forever and something always turns out wrong like a gooey middle or burnt ends. These cookies were fast, haf little ingredients and taste just as good. They came out so fluffy and light. I could keep going on and on about how good here at, but you all should just go try them yourselves!

Also- I'm so excited to wake up and have these for breakfast! It has bananas so it's fine right?

What you need: 

3 very ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups flour

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

- preheat oven to 350 degrees

- with a mixer, cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs, vanilla and bananas and mix well

- mix in flour, baking soda and salt. Add chocolate chips. 

*mixture will be wet and sticky and will not form into balls. Take a spoon and drop by the spoonful onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper or a silicon mat.

- bake for 12 minutes, until the edges turn golden

Let the cookies cool before storing them

Store in airtight container 

Makes 3 dozen

Hot Cocoa Cookie Cups

How cute are these hot cocoa cookie cups?! They're such a fun holiday dessert and goes great with real hot cocoa. The chocolate ganache in the cups is to die for! 

What you need:

Pillsbury refrigerator sugar cookie dough

3 tbs sugar

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tbs cocoa mix

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

White chocolate chips

Mini pretzels

Jet-puffed mallow bites

Optional- peppermint extract

- preheat oven according to packaging on cookies. 

- spray mini muffin tins with non-stick spray. Roll dough into 1 tbs balls (half the size of each muffin tin). Roll dough into sugar and place into the tins.

- bake for half the time the packaging says or until the edges turn golden. Cups needs to cool completely before removing. If the cups don't dent in enough, take the bottom of a teaspoon and press it into the middle of the cookie.

- place chocolate chips in a bowl and set aside.  In a saucepan, bring whipping cream to a boil. Add the cocoa and mix well. If desired- mix in 1/4 tsp of peppermint extract. Pour over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 2-3 minutes. Stir until the chips are melted.
- use a teaspoon to scoop the chocolate ganache into the cups.  Top with marshmallows. Break the mini presents to make handles.  Melt the white chocolate and use it as glue to stick the pretzels to the side.
Yields 2 1/2 dozen

Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

Okay, this is by far my favorite holiday treat and it takes like 10 minutes to make! Salty, peanut butter and chocolate are my weakness and I could eat dozens of these. It might seem like a simple, boring treat but it seriously is the best! If you don't try these I will be very disappointed!

What you need: 

Ritz crackers

Peanut butter

Wilton's chocolate melts- I made a lot so I used almost 24 oz

Holiday sprinkles

Place a good amount of peanut butter on a ritz cracker and sand which it with another cracker. Place in a bowl of melted chocolate (melt according to pkg) and use a fork to move it around and remove it. Place on wax paper and quickly add sprinkles. Let it cool, completely before eating.

Oreo Cookies Balls

I spent most of my day baking in the kitchen yesterday, and the best part was that I never even turned my oven on! These cookie balls were so easy and fast and tasted so yummy. Plus you can always decorate them fancy so that it looks like it took a lot of sweat and tears to make this dessert.

What you need:

36 Oreos- finely crushed (best way is put Oreos in a gallon size bag and roll with a rolling pin)

8 oz cream cheese- softened

Wilton's chocolate melts- I used 8 oz chocolate, 8oz white vanilla and bought a small bag of red for decorating

Holiday sprinkles

Combine Oreos and cream cheese. Stir together until mixed well. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet lined with a silicon mat or wax paper. Place in freezer for 10 minutes. Take out and roll each ball into melted chocolate (melt according to pkg). Quickly add your decorations. Place in fridge for at least an hour or until ready to eat. They taste the best when they're cold!

Makes approximately 40 balls

Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

I'm usually not a big fan of gingerbread, but this year it's all I want! It must be this pregnancy, it's got me all mixed up. These are the best gingerbread cookies I've had because they're so soft and chewy. I can't stop eating them.. I think my baby is going to come out part gingerbread girl!

What you need:

2 1/4 cup flour

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup softened butter

1 cup sugar 

1 egg

1 tbs water

1/4 cup molasses

3 tbs sugar

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees

-In a medium bowl, mix together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves,mane salt.

- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg. Then mix in water and molasses.

- Gradually stir in flour mixture until all ingredients are mixed well.

- In a small bowl, add sugar.

- Take the dough roll in 2 inch balls and roll it into the sugar then place on a non-stick cookies sheet.

- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let it cool for a few minutes before transferring over to a cooling rack.

*makes 3 dozen*

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

This is Hawaiian chicken, or as my family likes to call it- Deacon's chicken. Deacon is my cute little nephew that has horrible food allergies. There are very few things the poor kid can eat and he loved this so I think we were all happy with how this dinner turned out.  And let me mention that you throw chicken in the crockpot with just 3 ingredients! It's so easy and flavorful!

What you need:

2-4 chicken breast

1 cup pineapple juice

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup soy sauce

Cook on low for 6 hours, shred and serve over rice

*if you use more chicken then I would double the juice 

Energy Bites

These energy bites are healthy, yummy, and fills you up. And who doesn't need a little pick me up in the morning, middle of the day or even at night? Because I always do!  Yay for something that gives you energy!

What you need:

1 cup dry old fashioned oats

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup ground flax seed

1/3 cup honey

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla extract

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.  

Roll into balls.

Keep in fridge, makes approximately 20 balls, stays good for about a week.

Ritz Chicken Casserole

This casserole is the best fall comfort food!  It's just a few ingredients and it's so delicious!

What you need:

a package of egg noodles

3 cups cooked shredded chicken

8 oz sour cream

can of cream of chicken soup

a package of shredded cheese

1 stick butter

1 sleeve ritz crackers

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 glass pan with nonstick spray.

- Cook the egg noodles and place them on the bottom of the pan.

- In a bowl, mix together chicken, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and cheese.

- Layer chicken mixture over egg noodles.

- In a ziploc bag smash the ritz crackers into crumbs.  Melt butter and add into bag and shake around.

- Sprinkle over the casserole.

- Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Apple Pie Crepe Filling

Crepes, apples and fall! Yum!  This crepe filling is so good that I'm tempted to go make crepes right now!

Peel and chop two green apples.  Put in a saucepan.  Add 3 Tbs brown sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cinnamon sugar (optional).  Stir all together and let the spices soak in together for at least 10 minutes.  Turn on the stove and cook on low for a few minutes until apples soften.  Serve warm with crepes, powder sugar and vanilla ice cream.