Life. Family. Love.

Super Simple Swedish Meatballs

2017-03-06T21:22:00.000-05:00

Mmm...Swedish Meatballs has to be one of my favorite comfort foods. For as long as I can remember, my "tried and true" recipe was on the back of a Swedish Meatball seasoning packet, and I liked it that way. After a recent lunch at IKEA with my daughter left her begging for more, I headed to the grocery store to pick up what we needed. And that's when it happened - the store was completely out of Swedish Meatball seasoning packets! None. Nada. Zip. Zero. After standing in disbelief and wondering how I was going to fulfill my dinner promises, I whipped out my phone and did a quick search, grabbed a few of the basics and tweaked them to my liking. The result was a creamy, flavorful dish loaded with serious amounts of yum. The best part is, this method is not any more time consuming nor labor intensive than my old method, and it's MUCH more authentic. I guess you could say I won't be needing those seasoning packets anymore ;)

Ingredients

Meatballs

1 pound lean ground beef
¼ cup Italian Style Panko bread crumbs
1 tbsp. parsley, chopped
1 tbsp. brown sugar
¼ tsp. ground allspice
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ cup onion, minced
½ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. pepper
¼ tsp. seasoning salt (we use Meat Magic brand)
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 tbsp. olive oil

Gravy

5 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
2 cups beef broth
1 cup half and half or heavy cream
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. seasoning salt
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a medium sized bowl combine ground beef, panko, parsley, brown sugar, allspice, nutmeg, onion, garlic powder, seasoning salt, pepper, salt and egg. Mix until combined.
Roll into 12 large meatballs or 20 small meatballs. In a large skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil and 1 Tablespoon butter. Add the meatballs and cook turning continuously until brown on each side and cooked throughout. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil.
Add 4 Tablespoons butter and flour to skillet and whisk until it turns brown. Slowly stir in beef broth and half and half. Add Worcestershire sauce and dijon mustard. Simmer until sauce starts to thicken. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add the meatballs back to the skillet and simmer for another 1-2 minutes. Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

10 Delightful Saint Patrick's Day Treats to Make with your Kiddos

2017-03-05T19:18:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite parts of being a mom is the time I spend with my daughter in the kitchen. Now that she's in high school (and an aspiring chef) she branches out on her own cooking and baking adventures more often, but I will always cherish our time together laughing, creating and making memories that will last a lifetime. I hope these recipes for Saint Patrick's Day bring much joy to you and your littles.

Clover Crispies

Green Velvet Cake

Rainbow Fruit Tart

Shamrock Macarons

Saint Patrick's Day Chex Mix

Peek-a-Boo Cake

S'mores Snack Mix

Jell-O Parfait

Shamrock Cookie Cups

Mini Grasshopper Pies

10 Festive Fall Recipes

2015-09-30T19:52:00.000-04:00

My favorite season by far is finally upon us, so I've rounded up 10 Festive Fall Recipes to share with you:

This Autumn Chowder is packed with hearty fall veggies and is the perfect way to warm up on a crisp, cool day.

Munch on some homemade Cinnamon Apple Chips - the perfect healthy snack at home or on the go.

Soft, cinnamon-sugar coated Cider Donuts are a favorite of mine and were a fall staple while living in Vermont through my teen years. A trip to Cold Hollow Cider Mill still tops my list when we visit!

...and cider donuts without its sidekick of Fresh Apple Cider just wouldn't be the same.

Bacon Cheddar Potato Soup is the perfect comfort food for fall.

This festive Pumpkin Roll would be the perfect addition for a family gathering.

Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal at the end of the day.

This Crock Pot Pumpkin Spiced Latte is not only delicious, it's super simple, too!

...and for the littles in your life, have a go at this creamy and decadent Caramel Hot Chocolate.

....and it would be a festive-enough Fall season without a Good Old Fashioned Apple Pie, with freshly picked apples from your trip to the orchard, of course. (Try it warm with a slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese - you can thank me later.)

What's your favorite recipe for Fall?

Happy Fall Y'all!

Create your Own Family Memory Jar - FREE Printable!

2015-01-21T14:05:00.000-05:00

Our daughter is growing up before our very eyes. It feels like just yesterday I was getting excited about the milestones of my sweet baby walking and talking, and all of a sudden she's gabbing about boys for hours on the phone, going to her first school dance and taking frequent outings to the roller rink on Friday nights. It's so bittersweet, and lately I find myself really grasping at straws, trying to navigate a rapidly changing family dynamic with a daughter who is no longer a little girl, but a young woman.

In the blink of any eye the years fly by, the holidays come and go, and before we know it we're celebrating the coming of a new year while reminiscing about the good times and waving goodbye to the not so good ones.

This year, I have come up with an idea to help me hold on to our precious memories for a little longer - a family memory jar. It's simple, takes very little time and is a wonderful way to keep the memories you hold dear not only for the coming year, but forever.

Throughout the year, we will be writing down some of our favorite memories along the way and placing them in the jar for safe keeping until the coming New Year's Eve, when we will take a walk down memory lane by reading them all and reminiscing as we count down to the big ball drop.

Once we're done, I plan on using the slips of paper to create a keepsake of some kind - a scrapbook, a memory tree...I'm still thinking on that one, but I'd like to preserve them somehow.

Want to create your own family memory jar? Here's how:

Create your own Family Memory Jar

Supplies needed:

Any size mason Jar
White paper or heavy card stock (to print your graphic on)
Paper of your choice (you could use plain white, colored, or even scrapbook paper)
Pens, crayons, or colorful markers (for writing down your memories, of course!)
Scissors
Tape

Directions:

1) Print and cut out your chosen printable Family Memory Jar graphic (below) on white paper or heavy card stock.
2) Place horizontally around the jar, about halfway up, securing with tape in the back
3) Start making (and writing down) some memories!

Click here to print the above directions --->

Download your chosen graphic below:

Did you create your own Family Memory Jar? I'd love to see your finished project!

Mini Ham & Veggie Egg Cups

2015-01-19T12:17:00.002-05:00

I made these Mini Ham & Veggie Egg Cups this past Saturday for a brunch I was hostessing and they were a total hit! Clean, simple and totally delicious, I plan on making up a few batches and freezing them for an easy breakfast on school days - just heat and eat! I was able to find a package of ham already diced small in the deli section at the grocery store, so that eliminated a step right away. These cuties are also super versatile, so I'm able to switch up which meats and veggies I use depending on what we're in the mood for (or more likely what I have on hand). The perfect healthy breakfast or snack!

Mini Ham & Veggie Egg Cups

Ingredients:

½ cup onion, finely chopped
½ cup fresh broccoli, finely chopped
½ cup yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
2/3 cup ham, chopped (about 2 ounces)
⅓ cup extra-sharp shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
4 large eggs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with clean cooking spray or a drizzle of oil (such as organic coconut oil spray or a teaspoon or two of organic coconut oil) and heat over medium-high heat. Add onion, broccoli and yellow pepper, and saute 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add ham and saute 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

Combine cheese, chives, thyme, pepper and eggs in a bowl and stir gently with a whisk. Add ham mixture, stirring with whisk.

Spoon mixture into 24 miniature muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until set.

To freeze:

Make sure egg cups are completely cooled before storing. Wrap each egg cup individually in saran wrap and store in a ziplock bag until ready to use.

To heat:

Remove desired number of cups and remove saran wrap. Wrap cups loosely in a paper towel and cook on 15 second spurts until heated through. Enjoy!

Love this recipe or want to see more like it? Let us know in the comments below!

Groundhog Day Fun plus FREE Printables!

2015-01-17T22:42:00.001-05:00

Kenzie is staying the night with a friend tonight, so out of boredom I whipped up some super adorable printable coloring pages for Groundhog's Day. I thought it would be a cute way leading up to this sometimes forgotten holiday to chart your children's predictions (as well as this year's results) for Mr. Groundhog. Just a cute little activity for you and your littles to enjoy together and a sweet memento to add to the growing stash of your kids' artwork. ;)

Download and print the coloring pages below!

Did you and your kiddos enjoy this activity? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

Clean & Healthy Chicken Tortilla Stew

2015-01-14T17:39:00.000-05:00

Clean and healthy, this hearty stew recipe could fool even the harshest of health-food critics. and the best part is that you literally dump a few ingredients in the crockpot and walk away. Easy peasy and totally delish!

Clean & Healthy Chicken Tortilla Stew

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 (12 oz-16 oz.) jar of your favorite clean/organic salsa

1 (14 oz. ) can organic black beans, drained

1 pound frozen corn, thawed

1 pound frozen, mixed bell peppers

3 organic, corn tortillas, ripped by hand

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. seasoning salt (I like Everyday Seasoning from Trader Joe's)

Sliced black olives and plain greek yogurt for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Place the chicken (either raw or still frozen) in the bottom of the crock pot. Pour seasonings and salsa over chicken. Add corn, bell peppers, and corn tortillas.
Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
About 15 minutes before serving, add black beans and use a wooden spoon to break apart the chicken and mix everything up.
Serve garnished with some sliced, black olives and/or a dab of plain greek yogurt in place of sour cream - and your kiddos won't even notice! (wink wink)

Wild Mushroom & Herb Chicken & Rice

2014-12-30T21:22:00.000-05:00

With Christmas this past week and my entire family recovering from the flu, it's been pretty hectic around here the past few days, and I'd be lying if I told you I'd been to the grocery store any time within the past two weeks. We're down to pretty slim pickings around here, and I've been surviving off of PB & J sandwiches for the past few days as I get the house cleaned up from the holiday tornado that came through it, disinfecting, and getting all of our stuff put away.

With dinner looming over my head tonight and little desire to hit the grocery store, I knew I didn't have many options and needed to throw something together with the very few ingredients on hand. I grabbed a box of Near East Wild Mushroom & Herb Rice Pilaf from the back of the pantry and some chicken and this recipe was born. It was quick, easy, and really hit the spot. What I love about this recipe is how versatile it is - I look forward to throwing in some fresh mushrooms, some peas, and other goodies in the future to change it up a bit.

Add a bit of oil to your skillet and get it nice and hot (I use about a TBSP. of either Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Coconut Oil). Dice up the chicken, and brown it up nice and good until cooked through. I like to season mine with pepper, Trader Joes' Everyday Seasoning (it's my favorite, I put it on EVERYTHING) and a bit of Mrs. Dash Italian Seasoning Blend. Even though we're going to cook the chicken with the seasoning packet from the rice, I think seasoning the chicken itself gives it a nice depth of flavor you wouldn't get otherwise.

Now grab your second (and only other) ingredient (I love saying that - it's the simple things in life)

Toss in your water, seasoning packet, and rice...

Now bring that sucker up to a boil, stirring occasionally.

This is my favorite part: pour yourself a nice glass of wine...

and turn the burner down to LOW, cover, and simmer until all of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked through. Meanwhile, have a seat and sip that lovely wine of yours - you deserve it.

Once all of the liquid is absorbed, fluff up your rice and ~~chow down~~ serve it up.

See all that mushroomy, herby goodness? Mmmhmm.

Wild Mushroom & Herb Chicken & Rice

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 in. cubes
1 TBSP. Oil (Organic EVOO or Coconut is best)
1 box Near East brand Wild Mushroom & Herb Rice Pilaf
1 3/4 cups water
Seasonings to taste (for chicken)

Directions:

1) In a medium skillet, brown chicken and chosen seasonings until fully cooked through.
2) Add water, seasonings, and rice to the skillet
3) Bring contents to a boil. stirring occasionally.
4) Cover; reduce heat to low. Simmer 18-20 minutes, until water is absorbed and rice is tender and fully cooked.
5) Fluff rice with fork before serving.

10 Inspired Ideas for a Very Country Christmas

2014-12-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

There's something about an old-fashioned country Christmas that just warms my heart. I grew up in south Texas and then moved to what feels like the arctic circle (aka Vermont) when I was thirteen. After six long ~~winters~~ years living in what can only be described as the North Pole of New England, I moved back to the south at nineteen and eventually settled down and married me a good ol' country boy here in North Carolina. Country is in my roots. It's nostalgia reminds me of my childhood yet seamlessly merges with my present. With Christmas officially just around the corner, I'm happy to share with you 10 Inspired Ideas for a Very Country Christmas.

Pine & Berry Wreath

Handmade Wooden Snowman

Rustic Star Ornament

Christmas "Joy" Burlap Garland

Country Christmas Countdown

Beveled Glass & Copper Star Tree Topper

Ruffled Burlap Tree Skirt

Hanging Star Candleholders

Rustic Chic Embroidered Burlap Stockings

Christmas Sleigh Picture Frame

What is your Christmas theme this time of year? Share your favorites in the comments!

20 Hauntingly Healthy Halloween Treats

2013-09-25T13:43:00.000-04:00

Ah, Fall. The baking, the crafting, the treats - I look forward to it all year, but don't want to feed my kiddo a bunch of junk for months on end. So, I've put together a list of 20 Hauntingly Healthy Halloween Treats. Guilty pleasures are great and all, but it's all about balance. I hope you and your littles enjoy!

Apple Bites

Apple Monster Face Snacks

Bat Snacks

Black Bean Cat Crudités

Boo-nana Ghosts

Caramel Apple Monsters

The Pear Witch Project

Piled High Oven Baked Turkey Sandwiches

2013-05-05T12:36:00.000-04:00

This piled high oven baked turkey sandwich is made of so much win, I've had it for lunch for the past three days. I may or may not have be developing a bit of a problem. Fresh sourdough bread from a local Amish Bakery, hormone free turkey breast, deli provolone cheese (also free of chemicals and preservatives) and a smear of avocado in place of mayo is not only palate pleasing, but completely guilt free. You can find most of these ingredients in your local health food store. Have I mentioned you can throw it together in less than 10 minutes? That's my kinda meal right there.

What you'll need:

2 slices fresh sourdough bread
deli turkey breast, about 2 oz.
1 slice provolone cheese
1 TBSP. mashed avocado

Instructions: Pre-heat oven to 425°F. Place both slices of bread on a cookie sheet, and spread 1 TBSP. mashed avocado between the two slices. Pile 1 oz. of turkey on each slice. Top with 1 slice of provolone cheese. Bake 7-8 minutes or until turkey is heated through, cheese is melted, and bread is toasted.

Amazing Chicken Parmesan for under 400 Calories!

2013-05-04T22:02:00.001-04:00

As I've mentioned previously, our family has been on a journey to health for awhile now. It's taken some adjusting, but has been such an amazing transition into creating a healthier home environment and a new family dynamic.

One of the many changes, and also one of the most important ones, is the food we put into our bodies. We've eliminated most processed foods and are now eating a diet full of whole, healthy options. I've been sprucing up our family's favorite recipes, and this next one has instantly become a new favorite. I've replaced our usual spaghetti with spaghetti squash (even my daughter LOVED IT) and baked the chicken instead of frying it. I did use full fat provolone cheese (didn't have any mozzarella), because well, I LOVE CHEESE, and because of the replacements made, I feel there's plenty of wiggle room in this dish for just a few extra calories. ;) I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!

What You'll Need:
Main Dish
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 6 oz. each (cooked weight)
4 slices deli provolone (or Mozzarella) cheese
1 packet Shake 'n Bake
1 jar Mrs. Miller's Chucky Italian Pasta Sauce (all natural/low fat/no preservatives/cholesterol free)
4 TBSP. grated parmesan Cheese, separated

Side Dish
1 medium-large spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise

Instructions:
Spaghetti Squash
Pre-heat oven to 375°. Place spaghetti squash face down on a cookie sheet. Bake for 40 minutes until squash is easily removable with a fork. Use a pot holder to remove squash from pan (It will be VERY hot!), then use a fork to first gently scrape out all seeds, and discard. Using the same method, shred out the middle of each half of spaghetti squash until only left with a "shell" of the outer skin. *NOTE* This should be an extremely easy process - the squash should practically fall out as you scrape. If your squash is difficult to remove, place it back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes until fully cooked.

Chicken Parmesan
Shake 'n Bake your chicken breasts as directed on the package, following cooking directions. Once chicken is fully cooked, place one slice provolone cheese over each breast and return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Warm pasta sauce over medium heat until heated through.

Top each dish with 1/2 cup pasta sauce and 1 TBSP. grated parmesan cheese.

Each serving includes 1 cheesy chicken breast, 1 cup spaghetti squash, 1/2 cup pasta sauce, and 1 TBSP. grated parmesan cheese.

Typical Chicken Parmesan: 1,090 Calories/49g Fat/79g Carbs/3,390 mg Sodium
*based on nutritional data for Olive Garden's dinner portion of Chicken Parmesana

Amazing Chicken Parmesan: 362 Calories/8g Fat/17g Carbs/4g Sugar/478mg Sodium
*Based on nutritional data from myfitnesspal.com. Nutritional values may vary based on varied brands or amounts.

Who's Ready for a Giveaway? TIME'S UP!

2013-03-13T15:10:00.000-04:00

The time has come once again for another giveaay - and this one's the best yet! I'm completely in love with this beautiful Catappa two-piece serving set from Hometrends:

So much so, I wanted to share it with you! Check out the giveaway below to enter. You can enter anytime between now and midnight EST on 3/21/13, and the best part? You can come back and enter each and every day!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Once chosen, the winner will be announced on my blog, so don't forget to check back and see if you won!

****EDIT**** Be sure that upon completion of each of the above, you choose it from the drop down menu and click the "enter" button to submit your entries! Thanks for participating! :)

TIME'S UP! Congratulations Jennifer P.S.! You're our winner! I'll be contacting you soon so you can claim your beautiful 2-piece serving platter set!

Decadent Chocolate Mug Brownie

2013-03-02T21:16:00.000-05:00

In the midst of all the "Mug Brownie" madness on Pinterest, Mackenzie convinced me it was worth a try. I was very skeptical (a real Brownie in less than 2 minutes? Ha!). I'm a Brownie lover through and through, so if this was just a lump of cakey-chocolate disguising its self, I'd be the first one to know. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was really good, a genuine Brownie. It was incredibly rich, and totally busted my Brownie craving - and the best part is, there wasn't an entire pan left to ~~devour~~ taunt me over the next few days. A great alternative for a once-in-awhile treat, and it pretty much rocks with a scoop of ice cream on top. (Personally, I cut the sugar in half when I make it.) Be sure to pin this recipe (below the picture)!

What you'll need:

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar ( I use 1/8 cup)

2 tablespoons cocoa

pinch of salt

1 tablespoons chopped nuts (optional)

2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil (do NOT use olive oil as it is too strong)

3 tablespoons water

Preparation:

Add all dry ingredients to mug, then all wet ingredients. Mix well to combine. Microwave for 1 minute 40 seconds. Top with ice cream if desired. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Life. Family. Love.!

2013-02-18T16:20:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it? Yep, my baby is now 1 year old! Geez, that went by fast. Honestly, I never imagined in a million years (or especially just one) that this blog would become not only an integral part of my life, but yours as well. This little baby of mine has blossomed into a beautiful part of my life, one that I look forward to each and every day. Thank you SO much for coming on this amazing journey with me. Thank you for believing in me and my blog that went from one viewer (me) to over half a million (567,257 to be exact) page views in just 12 months. Thanks for growing with me, learning with me, and supporting me along the way. Thanks for e-mailing, commenting, conversing, and coming back day after day. You guys are such rock stars!

Mackenzie's Turkey Pepperoni Bites

2013-02-15T14:50:00.000-05:00

My daughter, Mackenzie, absolutely loves to cook and bake. Sister child would be in the kitchen every waking hour of the day if she could. I have no idea where she gets it from. One day while looking for a snack, she made up this recipe and it's been one of her favorites ever since. It's simple, kid friendly, healthy, and quick. We love to eat it with a side of carrots or fruit. P.S. They'll never know it's good for them. ;)

What you'll need:

15 slices turkey pepperoni

1 laughing cow light cheese wedge, (we like swiss and garden veggie)

Preparation:

Spread a small amount of laughing cow light cheese wedge onto pepperoni. Fold in half and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Nutrition info is based on 1 serving.

Calories: 96 Fat: 6 Protein: 10 Carbs: 1 Fiber: 0 Sugar: 1

*Calories calculated using My Fitness Pal. Nutritional values may vary based on varied brands or amounts.

Homemade Bisquick

2013-02-14T19:54:00.000-05:00

If there's one food item in particular that I'm known for, it's my pancakes. People love them, and I'm pretty sure my husband proposed to me based solely on my pancake preparation skills. ;) I'm always complimented on how thick, fluffy and perfectly round they are. I beam with pride. But I have a secret....there isn't one. I use Bisquick. So what makes my Bisquick pancakes any different than everyone else's? Well, if I told you it wouldn't make mine so special would it? BUT, what I do have for you, my lovely readers, is exactly what you asked for: more frugal living tips. So here ya go: a recipe for Homemade Bisquick! The best part? It measures cup for cup to boxed Bisquick, and since most people don't have a box of Bisquick just sittin' around, I'm going to provide you with the measurements to go along with it. I hope you enjoy!

What you'll need:

10 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups shortening

1/3 cups baking powder

1/4 cups sugar

4 tsp. salt

Preparation:

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except shortening. With a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Makes 12 1/2 cups.

Store-bought Bisquick: $6.38

Homemade Bisquick: $2.80

Total Savings: $3.58 or 44%!

Homemade Bisquick Measurements

Pancakes Waffles

2 cups homemade mix 2 cups homemade mix

1 cup milk 1 1/3 cups milk

2 eggs 1 egg

Yield: about 14 pancakes 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Yield: About 12 (4-inch) waffles

Bisquick

2 cups homemade mix

1/2 cup milk

Yield: 10

Recipe adapted from cooks.com. Measurement info adapted from bisquick.com

Slimmed Down Cheesy Mexican Rice

2013-02-13T19:39:00.000-05:00

Remember awhile back when I posted that absolutely amaaaazing recipe for The Pioneer Woman's Mexican Rice Casserole? It was soooo freakin' good, man. Now that my family and I are making a transition into health, I thought it fitting to create a slimmed down version of this Mexican must-have that is so incredibly delish. Now, you might notice that there's an ingredient in my version of this recipe that seems....well, a little out of place. See, what had happened was, I was cookin' up the rice, jammin' to some tunes, singin' at the top of my lungs when I grabbed for the cumin. I just needed to add a little sprinkle more. I opened it, shook it onto the rice and noticed there was quite a bit more in the pan then I intended. I looked down at the cumin in my hand and realized............it wasn't cumin after all. No, it was an imposter! It was...cinnamon!? My stress level went through the roof as I realized I'd used my very last bag of brown rice....so I had to make a decision. Either dump the whole thing (since the entire batch was covered), or mix it in and hope for the best. I chose the latter, and to my surprise...it was excellent. In fact, it let the other spices shine and really added that extra something to the dish. I can't wait to hear how you like it.

What You'll Need:
2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice (I used minute rice microwaveable bags)
7 1/2 oz petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 small can diced green chiles, undrained
1/4-1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp black pepper
small pinch tumeric (less than 1/8 tsp)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Preparation:
In a medium skillet over medium heat, mix cooked rice, diced tomatoes, green chiles, and vegetable broth, stirring constantly until all liquid is absorbed. Add black pepper,cumin, garlic powder and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Mix in 1/4 cup of cheese, stirring until melted. Turn heat to low and top with remaining cheese. Cover and let sit until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

*Click below to PRINT this recipe!*
Printable Version

Nutrition information:
Slimmed Down Cheesy Mexican Rice
(calculations based on 4 servings)
Calories: 189 Fat: 6g Protein: 9g Carbs: 24g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 13g

Regular Mexican Rice Casserole
(calculations based on 6 servings, as this recipe makes more)
Calories: 265 Fat: 9g Protein: 11g Carbs: 37g Fiber: 2g Sugar: 6g

*Calories calculated using My Fitness Pal. Nutritional values may vary based on varied brands or amounts.

Tip: This recipe goes great with Slimmed Down Sour Cream Enchiladas!

Slimmed Down Sour Cream Enchiladas

2013-02-11T20:32:00.002-05:00

Awhile back, I posted a recipe for one of my all time favorite dishes, Sour Cream Enchiladas. As much as I love the dish...that's how much my hips don't. So I decided to try a healthier version. I substituted the flour tortillas for whole wheat, the ground beef for lean ground turkey, used low sodium taco seasoning, used less cheese etc. The difference? I couldn't even taste it! It was still oh-so-amazing, which was a very unexpected surprise. I did use regular cheese, because...well, I love regular cheese. It melts better than reduced fat or fat free, but you're more than welcome to substitute if you'd like. The moral of the story? You don't always have to sacrifice taste for health!

What you'll need:

1 pound of 95% lean ground turkey

8 burrito size whole wheat tortillas

1 packet of low sodium taco seasoning, or homemade taco seasoning

1 small onion, chopped

8 oz. light sour cream

1/2-1 small can green chiles (undrained)

1 small can sliced black olives (drained)

1 can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup

1 can 98 % fat free cream of chicken soup

1 cups cheddar cheese (may used reduced fat if your prefer)

Preparation:

In a large skillet, brown ground turkey with onion - drain if needed. Add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Set meat aside. In a medium sauce pan, add sour cream, green chiles, creamed soups and 1/2 cup cheese, melting just until thinned and warm. Evenly cover bottom of a greased 9x13 casserole dish with a thin layer of sauce. Tear four tortillas into quarters. Lay tortilla pieces in bottom of pan, covering all surface area. Evenly spoon half of the taco meat onto the tortilla layer. Pour half of the sauce mixture on top of meat, spreading out evenly. Repeat each layer, beginning with tortillas and ending with sauce. Top with remaining shredded cheddar cheese and black olives. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350° for 30-40 minutes or until enchiladas are bubbly and cheese is melted and golden.

*Click below for a printable version of this recipe!*

Printable Version

Nutrition Information:

Slimmed Down Sour Cream Enchiladas

Serves 6-8 (calculations based on 8 servings)

Calories: 306 Fat: 15g Protein: 21g Carbs: 33g Fiber: 4g Sugar: 4g

Regular Sour Cream Enchiladas

Serves 6-8 (calculations based on 8 servings)

Calories: 418 Fat: 18g Protein: 22g Carbs: 36g Fiber: 4g Sugar: 4g

*Calories calculated using My Fitness Pal. Nutritional values may vary based on varied brands or amounts.

Tip: This recipe goes great with Slimmed Down Cheesy Mexican Rice!

Country Supper

2012-12-27T17:00:00.000-05:00

This recipe is another one of my momma's, and is the perfect comfort food for a chilly day. It's long been my best friend Krystal's favorite dish, and she requests it every time she comes down from out of state for a visit. It's a one-skillet meal, easy to prepare and is flexible enough that it has tons of variations (different veggies, using chicken instead of sausage, etc.) I usually prepare mine with broccoli, however I didn't have any tonight so I substituted sugar snap peas instead. It was still delish! I hope you enjoy!

What You'll Need:
1 Polish Kielbasa sausage, sliced into bite size pieces
1/2 cups chopped onion
2 tbs. olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped carrots
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen sugar snap peas (or other veggie, such as broccoli)
3 cups hot water
1/3 cup milk
1 box Au Gratin Potatoes
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preparation:
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage and onion in olive oil. Add the hot water, milk, powdered cheese and potatoes (from Au Gratin box). Cook and stir until boiling. Add chopped carrots, cover and cook 10 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are tender. Add sugar snap peas, cover, cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Top with cheese, reduce heat and cover to allow cheese to melt.

Click below to download and print this recipe!

Country Supper

Starbucks Giveaway {Winner Announced}

2012-12-13T11:17:00.001-05:00

The Starbucks gift card giveaway was a great success! I'm so appreciative to all that entered, and glad to have the chance to get to know all of you. With that being said, I've chosen Random.org to select the (random) lucky winner of the $10 Starbucks gift card!

And the winner is........

Congratulations, Ashleigh! I'll be contacting you soon so you can claim your gift card!

P.S. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered my Starbucks Gift Card giveaway! I love all of my readers, and it is all of YOU that continue to inspire me to write each and every day. YOU'RE THE BEST! That's why you deserve coffee...or lattes...or chocolate chip cookies! Thanks, lovlies!

Sausage, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

2012-12-10T21:05:00.001-05:00

We had the first of many Christmas get-togethers this weekend, and since we were hosting, we decided to do brunch in place of a traditional Christmas dinner. I tried many new recipes, but this one was the biggest hit by far. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm in love. I'd tell you I've been eating leftovers for breakfast, lunch and dinner ever since, but that may make me sound like a weirdo. ;)

And the best part about this recipe? You make it ahead of time and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. This gives the same affect to the English muffins as it would with a bread pudding, and everything just kind of collides in a beautiful mess of the-best-thing-that-ever-hit-your-taste-buds. Long story short, this recipe is the perfect ratio of fluffy eggs, perfectly seasoned sausage, soft, buttery English muffins, and melty cheese. YUM!

What you'll need:

3-5 English muffins, split

2 TBS. butter

1 Pound bulk sausage, crumbled, cooked, and drained on paper towels (you can use regular, or half regular and half spicy depending on your taste preference - I used Jimmy Dean Country Mild)

7 oz. can chopped green chiles, drained

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1¼ cups Sour Cream

12 eggs

Spray a 9"x13" casserole dish with cooking spray. Split English muffins in half and butter the inside of each slice. Lay slices buttered side down in casserole dish, covering the bottom of the dish. (Break up an extra English muffin to fill in gaps if need be).

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until combined. Add sour cream, whisking until combined. There may be some lumps at this point, but after a minute or so of whisking everything should combine just fine.

On top of English muffins, layer half of the sausage, half of the green chiles and half of the cheese. Pour entire egg mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle remaining sausage, chiles and cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, remove casserole from refrigerator at least 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Download and print this recipe below!

Sausage, Egg, ad Cheese Breakfast Casserole

It's a Giveaway!

2012-12-07T17:17:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! I've got a giveaway for ya! It's super simple, so today is your lucky day!

Here's how you can enter:

FOLLOW this blog (3 points)
LIKE our Facebook page (1 point)
SHARE this giveaway on Facebook (2 points)
LEAVE A COMMENT on this post (1 point)

Do any or all of these between today at 5:30 pm EST and Wednesday, December 10, 2012 at midnight (12 am) EST for a chance to win a $10 Starbucks gift card! I'll announce the winner on Thursday.

So, how about a cup o' joe on me? Or some hot chocolate? Or even a cookie? Everybody likes cookies!

Don't forget to come back and tally up your entries below! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Super Simple Skillet Lasagna

2012-12-06T18:19:00.004-05:00

Can we have a moment of total honesty? Ok, good. I've never...ever... made lasagna before. *gasp* I've never even tried. And let me tell ya - I love me some lasagna. I've always looked up to a woman who can prepare the perfect lasagna, but the process looks long and I just picture myself spending hours preparing a gorgeous lasagna just to have it fall apart into a goopy mess when I cut into it. Lasagna...well, it intimidates me.

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of recipes around for Skillet Lasagna, and they all look so dang good. I figured this would probably be my safest option, so I started scouring the internet for the perfect one. They all looked amazing - but I had this picture in my head of how easy this process needed to be. I didn't want to add eggs to the ricotta, cook the noodles, drain the noodles, add the noodles and still have another 20 minutes 'til meal time. I'm more of a "one-pot meal" kinda girl. Or maybe you could call me a "dump-everything-in-a-pan-and-pray-it-turns-out-well kinda girl. Either way, I decided to wing it. And folks, it turned out soooo well. It may not *look* as pretty as classic lasagna, but it is every bit as decadent. It's simple, saucy, cheesy, ooey, gooey, and just...well, heavenly. *sigh*

What You'll Need:
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I like Ragu Chunky Garden Veggie)
1/2 cup water, divided
5-6 no-boil lasagna noodles, broken in half
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
Season and brown ground beef and onions over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and add 1/4 cup of water and 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce to skillet. Stir to combine. Layer half of the lasagna noodles and top with another 1/3 of spaghetti sauce. Layer the rest of the lasagna noodles. Pour remaining water into spaghetti sauce jar and swirl around, then pour over the top of noodles, being careful to cover all surfaces. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until noodles are cooked. Evenly dollop ricotta cheese and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Cover and continue simmering until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

I'm already looking forward to leftovers for tomorrow's lunch! Download and print this recipe below!
Super Simple Skillet Lasagna

'Tis the Season

2012-12-06T09:20:00.000-05:00

We decorated for Christmas last week. Have I mentioned yet that I love Christmas? Well in case you missed it the first time, I love Christmas. By July I'm making a list of everyone I need to buy for, setting a budget, and planning out which goodies we're going to bake. In late September, as the weather starts to get chilly and fall rolls in, I start itching to get my Christmas bins (all twelve of them, heh heh heh) out of storage and start rummaging through them. I manage to hold off, though, because I like to stop and enjoy each holiday as it comes. I'm not the one who start decorating for Christmas the day before Halloween, but once Thanksgiving comes and goes, it's on.

Like many others, I feel that Christmas has been over-commercialized, over-sold, and the hype around material goods can easily take away from it's magic - but only if you let it. My reasons for loving Christmas don't come from any of those things. I don't go crazy with excitement over receiving and opening presents (although I do love giving them and watching others open). Christmas to me is about Christ, His love, our love for one another - and sharing and celebrating that.

Christmas-time is very sentimental to me in other ways, too. Dusty and I fell in love over Christmas. During this season of spirit, generosity, and giving, I got one of the greatest gifts - someone who not only loves me so very deeply, but also walks by faith in Christ.

Dusty and I met in October of 2007, at a Halloween party. We had great conversation and lots of laughs, and for the next few weeks we talked on the phone for hours every night. I kept wondering if this guy was ever going to ask me out on a date! So, finally after about three weeks of waiting, I asked him out. Of course he said yes (he was just too shy to ask), but he wanted to plan (and surprise me) with the details of what we would be doing.

By the end of that (amazing) first date, it was like my soul was overcome with a peaceful feeling. Looking back now, I realize that I already knew that this man was going to take me somewhere beautiful in my life. I knew I never wanted to be without him, and from that moment on we were completely inseparable.

By the time early December rolled around, we were crazy about each other. We would sit and talk for hours, laugh, and just be silly. This gave us an amazing foundation of friendship that is incomparable to any other relationship I've ever experienced. It wasn't about a physical attraction (although it was definitely there!) - we talked about the deep stuff. We had both been through a lot of hardships and pain in the recent years, which gave us a deep understanding of each other and only strengthened our bond. I found out that Dusty had nearly stopped celebrating Christmas all together. He hadn't even put up a tree the past few years because he was in such a dark place. It made me incredibly sad that this wonderful man, who had so much life and kindness in his heart, had nearly stopped believing in the magic of Christmas altogether.

Then one evening, as I showed up at his door, he announced with the biggest smile I've ever seen that he had a surprise for me. I didn't know my way around his neck of the woods, so I had no clue where we were going or what we could possibly be doing. After what seemed like forever, we pulled off the road and into a parking lot. I looked at him with curiosity as he pointed behind us. I hadn't been paying attention as we'd passed it, but it was right then that I realized there was a huge billboard that read "Kiser's Christmas Trees". And there they were - there were hundreds of them.

I could hardly contain my excitement as we walked hand in hand looking for the perfect tree. We found one, loaded it up and headed back to his house to set it up. It was short, stout, and extremely cock-eyed, but it was ours, and it was perfect. We strung the one strand of lights we had, but we didn't have any ornaments. I took the Christmas tree tag, wrote our names and the year, and hung it by it's twist tie onto our tree. It was our only ornament, but I remember so vividly as we stood together and looked at our tree exactly how full my heart was that night. We sat by the tree, a fire in the fireplace, just talking. He kissed my forehead, and all at once I knew what this meant to him - it meant Christmas was worth celebrating again. I also knew what it meant for me - I was in love with this amazing man.

To this day, we still have that tree tag, and it is proudly displayed on our tree every single year. This is why I look forward to Christmas. Christ's love is amazing. It brought me a beautiful daughter, and then to the man who is my forever and is the best Daddy to our daughter.

Decorating the tree has become such a wonderful way to not only celebrate Christ's love for us, but also our love as husband and wife and our love as a family.

Here's a picture of our family tree, compete with Kenzie's many hand made ornaments, both mine and Mackenzie's "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments, and yes, that beloved tree tag.

Mine - 1984 Kenzie - 2002

We also have a decorative tree in our living room, which has more "grown up" ornaments and a rustic theme.

I hope this Christmas fills you with the spirit of the season this year just as it has me. Merry Christmas.

Life. Family. Love.

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Country Supper

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Sausage, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Casserole

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Super Simple Skillet Lasagna

'Tis the Season

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