There are some nights during the school year when dinner needs to be easy.

Not takeout because everyone is starving and Mom is exhausted easy—although, let’s be honest, we’ve all had those nights.

I’m talking about the kind of easy dinner that gets everyone into the kitchen, gives the kids something they can actually help with, and still puts a homemade meal on the table before the evening gets away from us.

That’s exactly where this Italian Baked Chicken with Roasted Asparagus comes in.

With school, activities, homework, practices, and all the little things that seem to fill up a weekday evening, I love having meals that don’t require a complicated recipe or a sink full of dishes. This one is especially nice because my kids can help with so many parts of it.

One can trim the asparagus. Another can mix the seasonings. Someone can grate the Parmesan or tear up the fresh basil. And, of course, there’s always someone willing to help sprinkle the cheese—which may or may not mean a little extra cheese ends up on the chicken!

Italian Baked Chicken with Roasted Asparagus

Tender chicken breasts are seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic, baked until juicy, then topped with pizza sauce, Parmesan, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Served over roasted asparagus, this is an easy low-carb weeknight dinner that the whole family can help prepare. For those who want a heartier meal, simply serve it over your favorite pasta.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

5 lbs chicken tenders

3 tsp Italian seasoning

6 garlic cloves, minced

3 tsp salt

2 tsp ground black pepper

Olive oil spray

¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

For the Topping

1 (14.5-ounce) can Don Pepino pizza sauce

⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella

For the Asparagus

2 bunches asparagus, trimmed

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.

1. Place the chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Arrange the tenders in a single layer and spray lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken.
2. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
3. While the chicken is baking, prepare the asparagus. Trim the ends and arrange the asparagus on a separate baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 400°F until tender and lightly browned, about 15–20 minutes.

1. Remove the chicken from the oven and spoon the pizza sauce evenly over the chicken tenders.
2. Mix the Parmesan and mozzarella together and sprinkle over the sauce.
3. Turn the oven to broil and return the chicken to the oven for 3–5 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.

1. Remove from the oven and sprinkle generously with the fresh chopped basil.
2. Serve 2–3 chicken tenders over roasted asparagus. For a higher-carb option, serve alongside or over your favorite pasta.

The post Italian Baked Chicken with Don Pepino Pizza Sauce appeared first on Opera Singer in the Kitchen.

There are certain dinners that just work.

You know the ones. The kind you can throw together when everyone is hungry, the weather is miserable, and you have absolutely no desire to spend an hour in the kitchen.

As a mom of three girls, I’ve learned that quick dinners aren’t a luxury—they’re a survival skill.

I like to keep a handful of staples in the kitchen that can turn into a meal without much planning: store-bought pizza dough, a jar or can of pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and some kind of cooked protein. When those basics are on hand, dinner doesn’t have to be complicated.

And that’s exactly how this Chicken Parm Pizza came together.

The Rainy-Day Dinner We Needed

It had been one of those rainy days.

The kind where everything feels a little slower, the sky is gray, and by dinnertime everyone is ready to curl up somewhere warm.

I wanted something comforting, but I didn’t want to make a complicated meal.

Pizza sounded perfect.

But instead of ordering takeout, I looked through the kitchen and realized I already had almost everything I needed.

Store-bought pizza dough? Check.

Don Pepino pizza sauce? Check.

Mozzarella and Parmesan? Absolutely.

Cooked ground chicken? Yep.

And with a few fresh herbs and garlic, those simple ingredients turned into something that tasted much more special than the effort required.

Why I Keep These Ingredients on Hand

I’ve found that having a few reliable staples is one of the easiest ways to make weeknight dinners less stressful.

I don’t necessarily plan every meal days in advance. Instead, I try to keep ingredients around that can become several different meals.

Store-bought pizza dough is one of my favorites.

It can become pizza, flatbread, garlic knots, or even a quick appetizer. Add a little sauce, cheese, and whatever protein or vegetables you have available, and dinner is suddenly handled.

That’s exactly what happened with this pizza.

What Makes This Chicken Parm Pizza Different?

This isn’t quite traditional chicken Parmesan—and that’s the point.

Instead of breading and frying chicken, I used cooked ground chicken, which makes the pizza incredibly easy to assemble.

Then I added:

Don Pepino pizza sauce

Fresh basil

Fresh oregano

Garlic

Part-skim mozzarella

Freshly shredded Parmesan

The combination of mozzarella and Parmesan gives the pizza that classic chicken-Parmesan flavor, while the fresh herbs and garlic make the whole kitchen smell amazing as it bakes.

And let’s talk about that cheese.

When the edges start getting golden and those little browned spots appear on top?

That’s when everyone suddenly starts wandering into the kitchen asking, “Is it ready yet?”

My Favorite Shortcut: Store-Bought Dough

I am all for making things from scratch when I have the time.

But sometimes I don’t.

And that’s okay.

A good store-bought pizza dough is one of those shortcuts that makes homemade pizza completely doable on a busy night.

You get the satisfaction of making pizza at home without having to plan ahead for yeast, rising time, and dough preparation.

Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be homemade.

That’s something I’ve really come to appreciate as a mom.

How to Make It

Start by preheating your oven to 475°F. I like getting the oven—and my pizza stone or baking sheet—nice and hot before the pizza goes in.

Stretch your store-bought dough onto parchment paper.

Spread 1/3 cup of Don Pepino pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a little border around the edge.

Then add your cooked ground chicken.

For the herb topping, combine:

3 tablespoons fresh basil + 2 tablespoons fresh oregano + 3 minced garlic cloves + 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Drizzle that over the chicken.

Finally, add 6 ounces of part-skim mozzarella and 1/3 cup finely shredded fresh Parmesan.

Then into the hot oven it goes.

Bake for about 12–15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and beautifully browned.

Let it sit for a couple of minutes before slicing—if your family will actually let you wait that long.

The Best Part? Dinner Is Done.

This pizza serves four people, which makes it perfect for our family.

I served ours with a simple green salad, and it was exactly what we needed after a long, rainy day.

Warm pizza.

Crispy edges.

Melted cheese.

Savory chicken.

Fresh herbs.

And that cozy feeling you get when everyone is sitting around the table eating something you made.

Sometimes those are the dinners I remember most.

Not the elaborate ones.

Not the recipes that took all afternoon.

Just simple food, a tired family, and a rainy evening that ended with everyone happily fed.

And honestly?

I’ll take that kind of dinner any night.

—

Chicken Parm Pizza

Serves: 4

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 12–15 minutes

Ingredients

1/3 cup Don Pepino pizza sauce

1 store-bought pizza dough

5 oz cooked ground chicken

6 oz part-skim finely shredded mozzarella cheese

1/3 cup finely shredded fresh Parmesan cheese

3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cornmeal or flour, for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven while it heats.

2. Stretch or roll the pizza dough into your desired shape and transfer it to parchment paper.

3. Combine the garlic, basil, oregano, and olive oil in a small bowl.

4. Spread 1/3 cup Don Pepino pizza sauce over the dough.

5. Sprinkle the cooked ground chicken evenly over the sauce.

6. Drizzle the garlic-herb mixture over the chicken.

7. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.

8. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and browned.

9. Let rest for 2–3 minutes, slice, and serve.

A Mom’s Weeknight Tip

Keep your freezer and pantry stocked with “building block” ingredients.

You don’t need to have a perfectly planned dinner every night. When you have a few versatile staples on hand, you can create something delicious even when the day doesn’t go according to plan.

And on a rainy day?

Pizza is always a good idea.

Want to see more recipes using Don Pepino Sauce? Check out their socials and go on their website to find out where you can get their sauce.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/DonPepinoSauce/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/realdonpepino

Website: www.violetfoods.com

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I still cook almost every day. My girls are at least involved in 1-2 meals a day. If I could show you all that we do, you would say I was insane. I kind of been doing insane stuff all my life but not making money from it. Here is a recipe I have been perfecting in the sense that I do not spend a lot of time making but learning how to multi-task so that the meal is finished much quicker than expected. My husband was so impressed he even said I could make it during the week. Fat chance.

This is a recipe that requires some multi-tasking so that the family is not eating at mid-day. This will take some practice but eventually it will become easier. As you are boiling tomatoes for the salsa, you can heat the oil to fry the corn tortillas. If you want refried beans, you can use canned but I usually have a pot of beans from a previous meal ready in the fridge. Either way, you can also be warming the beans. The last thing to be prepped are the fried eggs that go over the chilaquiles.

Print

Chilaquiles with Fried Eggs

A popular Mexican brunch dish that is family-approved.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword black beans, corn tortillas, eggs, fried

Servings 5 servings

Author Noelle

Equipment

• Pots
• pans

Notes

24 corn tortillas, cut into triangles

2 cups vegetable oil, for frying

 

7-10 eggs (1-2 fried eggs per dish, depending on desire)

 

Queso fresco, crumbled

1 red onion, thinly sliced

½ cup cilantro, chopped

Crema

 

⅓ cup refried beans per person

 

Recipe

 

Heat vegetable oil in a large pot on medium high heat. Meanwhile, prepare the tomato salsa. Cut the tortillas into triangles by slicing 8 tortillas at a time in half and then slicing each half in quarters. Once the oil is heated, drop the triangles into the oil and fry for 5-7 minutes or until they look slightly golden. Stir the tortillas ever so often so that they do not clump. After each batch of tortilla chips is cooked, place them in a bowl draped with paper towels, in order to drain excess oil.

 

Red sauce recipe

 

6 Roma tomatoes

2 garlic cloves

½ onion

1 jalapeno, seeded for spicy, or deseeded for non spicy

 

In a medium pot, bring to boil 6 tomatoes, jalapeño,1/2 onion, 2 garlic cloves and 1 tsp salt for 10 min.  Drain water and place items in a blender and blend until smooth. Return the red salsa back to the pot and place on low heat.

 

Warm the refried beans.

 

Once all the tortillas are fried, start frying the eggs in a skillet. Meanwhile, toss the crispy tortillas into the hot salsa. Divide the chilaquiles onto each plate. Add the red onions, cilantro, cheese, and crema. Top them with 1-2 fried eggs and serve with a side of beans.

Enjoy.

If you would like to take a look at other Chilaquile recipes, check out these Veggie Mole Sauce Chilaquiles or Mexican Chilaquiles with shredded chicken. Either way, I think I have come along way with my cooking so I would stick to this current recipe.

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If you have been looking for amazing water enhancers with no yucky extras in there Vitapod is the machine for you. Imagine not having to buy flavored water or other chemical-ladened drinks that really do not effectively nourish your body. Thanks for Moms Meet, I was connected to Vitapod and our family has thoroughly enjoyed this machine every day!

Vitapod’s panel of doctors with over 100 years of combined experience developed each formula to contain up to 15 under-consumed vitamins and minerals without sacrificing flavor. The pods contain 90% less plastic than single-use water bottles, leaving less of a strain on our earth. Vitapod’s mission is simple: Healthy family. Healthy planet.

Vitapod’s multipass filtration system purifies water better than market leaders. Once the water is added, it is then purified and cooled to be accurately absorbed into the body.

There are currently 11 different flavors all made with natural ingredients. Each pod is 8 calories and make water drinking super exciting. A 17-ounce water bottle is included in the kit with then allows you to choose what water size you can drink. The machine allows 3 size options to maximize the flavor. I always used the 17-ounce option and it still tasted a little too sweet. I simply added double the amount of water and I was just fine!

Depending on what flavor pod ordered, they all have different benefits and some even have caffeine too. Here are a few of the categories:

• Hydra+ – Pineapple Coconut, Watermelon, Cotton Candy, 
• Energy+ – Orange Zest
• Beauty+ – Raspberry Hibiscus
• Sports+ – Green Apple ( My favorite!)
• Immunity+ – Blackberry Mint
• Iced Tea+ – Lemon and Peach

The Hydra+ includes a unique blend of electrolytes, essential vitamins and minerals plus powerful plant-based antioxidants. The Energy+ includes a 200mg proprietary blend of caffeine plus all the vitamins and minerals to boost metabolism. The Iced Tea+ (60mg), Sports+ (100mg), and Energy+ (200mg) pods contain caffeine and are recommended to drink in moderation if pregnant or breastfeeding. All other pods are fully pregnancy and
breastfeeding safe.

Pod is placed upside down and enclosed. Video will show more BELOW!

The machines takes 10 minutes to warmup. After it warms up I choose the size of the water dispensed and I press the blue water drop and it activates the pod and the powder is released in a chamber where it is then mixed with water and then dispensed into the water bottle. It is truly a fun process and quite the entertainment for my girls.

Each pod uses 90% less plastic than a single-use plastic bottle and pods are recyclable. I placed all my empty pods into this return envelope. I think this is so wonderful!

My daughters enjoyed the cotton candy flavor very much!

I even enjoy some mocktails with selzter water. I mix flavor of choice on the smallest setting then I add it over ice and add either diet tonic water or my choice of seltzer water with a dash of lime. It is absolutely delicious without sabotaging my eating and drinking choices.

Where to Purchase?

Vitapod is available to purchase exclusively at vitapodworld.com and retails for $349.00.

Save $15 on a Vitapod Machine or Vitapod Machine Starter Pack at vitapodworld.com when you use code MOM15. Expires 9/30/21.

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Sleep time with 3 girls

My girls are great sleepers and beaten the 3 of them, they know how to get ready for bed pretty quickly. 

Sleep has never been an issue so when it comes to getting ready at night, choosing pajamas is important for each girl. 

Pact as a Company

I am not new to Pact. Ever since I ordered stretchy pants and underwear for me and my husband, we realized how lovely the material felt on our skin. 

Pact is made of organic cotton and is Fair Trade Certified which means they do their best to take care of this planet. Did you know that Organic cotton uses 91% LESS water than conventional cotton to be produced. So, by choosing certified organic cotton from Pact, you’re supporting water conservation efforts, too!

I totally didn’t know this fact so this totally changed my mindset on what I’ll be purchasing in the future.

Pact Dream Big Pajamas

The girls had a chance to try Pact’s pajamas.  While we received 2 orders of pajamas, I learned that each order comes as a 2-pack with 2 varieties. 4 pairs of pajamas in all which worked well since we have 3 girls. 

Pact carries Dream Big Pajamas in kids’ sizes 18 months through size 10. My youngest is almost 6 years old so even though she’s still wearing 5T, I decided to order size 6 in the Jungle Floral and Elderberry design. 

My older girls are closer in age so I ordered the same size for them. They got excited to choose the Oceans and Stellar Blue option. They like sharks so while blue isn’t always their favorite color, they decided to go with this theme. 

These pajamas are prewashed and shrink resistant and really fit snug around the girls’ waists.  They loved the designs they chose and the fact that these pajamas don’t have tags. If I could tell you the amount of times that these girls asked me to cut or remove tags from clothing. 

I loved the feel of the pajamas for each girl. Now I wished Pact made pajama shorts as an option since these pajamas will work best for the fall and winter. We have no air conditioner in the second floor so these long sleeves and pants make them a bit unbearable and hot. 

Thankfully the girls were able to use the last month when it was still cold in Pennsylvania. 

Where to buy

Pact Dream Big Pajamas for kids typically retail for $50 for a 2-pack at wearpact.com.

Save 20% on your first Pact purchase at wearpact.com with promo code MomsMeet20. Offer is valid until 12/31/21. (Note: Offer valid on first purchases only. Does not apply to sale items. Cannot be combined with other offers.)

Follow Pact on Facebook @wearpact and on Twitter @pactorganic.

The post Pact Dream Big Pajamas {Review + Discount} appeared first on Opera Singer in the Kitchen.

Olive oil is such a lovely addition to any meal but what I did not know much was the process that olives go through in order to offer a supreme product. Flavor for Life introduced me to Le Stagioni d’ Italia 100%  Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

Le Stagioni d’ Italia 100%  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

What makes this 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil unique? It is col-pressed which means that no heat or chemicals are added to produce this oil. It is basically the juice of freshly pressed olives.

Did you know that olive oil tastes differently when pressed from unripe or ripe olives? 

In order to pass the test before going into production and labeling, the oil goes through an expert panel of taste testers that are a part of the International Oil Council in Europe. This is for real! They taste for the presence of specific qualities needed like its fruitiness, bitterness, and spiciness.  If it does not meet these qualities then it does not pass as extra virgin.

I hope you learned something because I certainly did!!! My whole experience in enjoying this 500ml bottle of 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been completely different based on the information I read on Flavor for Life.

Taste and Use for 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil

This olive oil is harvested in Italy and is vegan, gluten free, and contains no additives or  preservatives.  While this olive oil can be heated up to 400 degrees F, I decided to use it only as a garnish or to make a simple dressing for my Zucchini Tomato Salad.  It has a robust flavor of artichoke and almond, with a medium bitter and spicy aftertaste, as well as a green, ripe, fruity aroma with a leafy feel. 

In addition to learning about the process of quality extra virgin olive oil, I also did not know that I needed to be vigilant on how to store or even protect my oil. Between use, I learned that I should store my oil somewhere dark and cool (around 57°F, if  possible), not on the counter or near a stove, and never in the refrigerator.  I am totally also making sure to keep the lid screwed on tight, and to use my oil within six months of opening.

Fresh Zucchini Tomato Salad with Simple Vinaigrette 

I always tend to make simple recipes because we have a busy schedule so in this time, I decided to try my hand at risotto with the Le Stagioni d’ Italia Carnaroli rice that was sent to me along with the olive oil. Well, I know my husband gives me a hard time making fancy meals for my kids, but I love exposing them to dishes they normally would not be given. One of my three kids enjoyed my risotto which is okay. At least they tried it and enjoyed my simple fresh salad. 

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Zucchini Tomato Salad with Simple Vinaigrette

A simple fresh and summery salad that compliments risotto.

Course Salad

Cuisine Italian

Keyword dressing, olive oil, salad, tomato, zucchini

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Equipment

• cutting board
• Knife

Ingredients

• 2 small zucchini, cubed
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp 100% Extra Virgin Olive oil
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan sea salt
• 1/4 tsp crush black pepper

Instructions

• In a class bowl, add chopped zucchini, tomatoes, onions, and parsley.
• In a small dish, mix ingredients for vinaigrette and mix well.
• Pour over veggies and toss well.

Where to find 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Le Stagioni d’ Italia products are available to  purchase nationwide at Grocery Outlet. 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil typically retails for $19.99 for a 500 mL  bottle.

Learn more about Flavor Your Life :

flavor-your-life.com 

facebook.com/flavoryourlifena 

twitter.com/flavor_yourlife

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Hemp clothing

Are you familiar with hemp clothing at all? I was introduced to hemp clothing a few years ago because I learned I have a sensitivity to synthetic clothing. I would break out and feel really uncomfortable. Fast forward many years and I saw myself hardly purchasing new essentials. Here is where WAMA underwear comes in.

Not only do I only wear cotton clothing, I really have had a great experience with hemp and hemp and cotton blends.

WAMA underwear

Have you been introduced to WAMA? There are a tiny startup in a super tiny niche so I was excited to learn more about this company and to share with you how much I enjoyed trying a few items.

Did you know that hemp fabric is naturally anti-bacterial, with anti-odor properties? It is super comfortable, breathable and gets softer with every wash. Hemp is also organic, eco-friendly and can help save the planet.  Perhaps you did not know that there was such thing as hemp underwear but I believe it is much more comfortable and durable than cotton or other textiles.

WAMA Styles

When it comes to small underwear companies is the fact that there are not enough options to wear. It is either hipster or high waist. With WAMA underwear, I had TOO many choices! It was really hard to choose but since I AM a female with a high waist, I was excited to see how their high-waist underwear fit without feeling like grandma underwear.

I ordered 2 others styles along with the high waist pattern. I ordered the thing and the hipster style along with the triangle bralette.

I was encouraged to order the large size because the underwear runs small.

WAMA underwear review

I actually loved the feel of the underwear as well as the color. It is available only in black and the label is green. Each item is a blend of cotton, hemp and spandex. After every wash the material gets softer which is truly my ideal. Here is what I thought of each style:

• Hipster: This was my favorite style even with a high waist, it sat at my hips pretty comfortably without running down at all. This was perfect in a LARGE size whereas in order brands I would normally wear a medium.
• Thong: While I am not usually a fan, I loved the feel and the option of wearing with workout pants.
• High-Waisted: This was probably the only style I would have ordered my normal MEDIUM size as they stretched out a little too much.
• Triangle Bralette: This bralette is designed for every day wear. I mostly enjoyed at home if I was not going out anywear or during the evening as I was winding down for the day. I loved the feel of this bralette because I usually prefer bras with no underwire.

Discount code

Want a chance to try this brand? They also sell in womens and mens packs so you can save a lot more. Give it a chance and start feeling good in your own skin while knowing you are supporting a small business!

Use my link https://bit.ly/3rMGDeM to order and save 20% on your order and receive FREE US shipping as well! Give it a try and you’ll fall in love.

The post WAMA Hemp Underwear {Review + Discount} appeared first on Opera Singer in the Kitchen.

Homeschooling and Reading

Between homeschooling and our every day schedule, the girls enjoy reading a variety of books. During the day, the girls read books focused on their school work. In the afternoons and evenings they enjoy reading other books of their choosing, for their own enjoyment.

When we all started Book 1 of the Explorer Academy series called The Nebula Secret, my 8-year-old started it but really couldn’t get into it. My 9-year-old definitely caught on and started reading a little every day. Meanwhile, I started reading on my own as well. There is something fun about reading the same books with your kids. This book definitely had its challenges for my middle daughter, but then I realized she did much better listening to this particular book than reading it herself. I will share that later.

National Geographic Kids

Do you know much about the National Geographic Kids?

National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through its award-winning books, magazines, website, television series, apps,at bu
games, and more. It is the only major kids brand with a world-class scientific
organization at its core. National Geographic Kids brings its brand of powerful,smart storytelling to the fiction world under its Under the Stars imprint, which launched in 2018 with the first book in the Explorer Academy series, The
Nebula Secret.

If you have kids that love mystery, suspense, adventure and more, they’ll love this series. I actually enjoyed reading the book myself because I like adventure and mystery too. My daughter and I had a great time talking about the story in itself.

She also had a chance to read out loud to her sisters, which they really enjoyed. I loved the fact that there were challenging words in the book that allowed my girls to ask questions. It also helped them with pronouncing but not only that, the book defined some of the words for them too!

Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret

The Nebula Secret is the first book in the Explorer Academy series by author Trudi Trueit. It is about 12-year-old boy Cruz Coronado who leaves his home in Hawaii to join the prestigious Explorer Academy where he and 23 other kids from around the globe are being trained to be the next great explorers.

Right off the bat we get drawn in by some unknown mystery that keeps us drawn into the book. Who is out to get him and why are this mystery person trying to sabotage Cruz’s future at the Explorer Academy? The book is filled with wonderful colorful drawings that make this book such a fun book to read. Not only that, but the author has added some codes for readers to crack in order to find out the mystery behind the book.

Here is what the author says about them:

Cracking the codes and solving puzzles will help reveal to readers more about what Cruz and his friends are  up against as they try to complete the mission Cruz’s mom left for him. A secret message might tell readers  what to watch for, be wary of, or even give a hint about what is going to happen in the story. Readers will  even find subtle messages embedded in the illustrations. All of the codes are meant to point readers to the  truth but I have to say that many of the messages aren’t easy to find. So, look carefully!  

We are having such fun trying to find them out and little did I know how much fun I would have as well with my daughters too!

Are you interested already? After you finish reading Book 1 there is The Falcon’s Feather (Book 2), The Double Helix (Book 3), The Star Dunes (Book 4), and The Tiger’s Nest (Book 5, the latest installment, released on January 5, 2021).

Did you know?

After we finished the book, we noticed that there was a section called “Truth Behind the Fiction.” This section focuses on the many ideas that were discovered by real National Geographic explorers during their research. A lot of the story line behind the Explorer Academy series lies with fact-based fiction that is inspired by real-life adventures! I think that is fascinating!

When I have my girls read books, I have them realize the importance behind what they are reading. The beauty of this book series is the fact that they are learning and having fun at the same time. Each book integrates STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), geography, and other subjects into an action-packed story line. They also get to go ONLINE to Explorer Academy where they get to research the character profiles and see real explorers.

It also teaches my girls about great values such as friendship, loyalty, family, and trust. They are introduced the diverse cultures and it shows them a whole new world just by reading these adventures.

Where to buy?

I am all about additional reading material that supports my girls education so please take advantage of the amazing savings when you purchase this series. In addition to that, book purchases help support the vital exploration, research, education,and conservation projects of the National Geographic Society. What a great cause!

Save 50% on The Nebula Secret by using the promo code 50OFFEA1 when you purchase on Amazon. Click here or visit momsmeet.link/ExplorerAcademyOffer. Offer valid 1/18/21 through 3/19/21 or while supplies last.

Watch the book trailer on the website to get even more of a sense about the book series. So fun!

Learn more online
exploreracademy.com
facebook.com/natgeobooks
twitter.com/natgeobooks

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This Pizza omelette is a delicious one serving recipe for low carb and low glycemic eating lifestyle.

I really enjoy eating pizza but we we have a bad relationship with each other. ha! I have found alternatives to enjoy the delicious flavors of pizza while maintaining and focusing on creating a healthy eating lifestyle.

While many talk about intuitive eating and not denying ourselves of eating our favorite foods, I’ve learned about the fact that one can have food triggers.

Do you know that how we relate to food can create unhealthy habits in our life? When I’m in stressful situations I used to reach for food but not just any food.  I’ve learned in the last year that my “comfort foods” are fatty foods but then it would make me gain excess weight and even more so because I didn’t have a gallbladder.

My point is, we need to know ourselves and what we run to in stressful situations and that in essence and in the long run,  it will prove to be more harmful than anything else.

Print

Pizza Omelette

Low carb goodness using egg beaters

Course Breakfast

Cuisine Italian

Keyword breakfast, low carb

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1 serving

Ingredients

• Ingredients
• 1 cup baby bella mushrooms sliced
• 1/2 cup zucchini sliced
• 1 cup egg beaters
• 1 teaspoon pizza seasoning
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup fat free mozzarella cheese
• 16 slices Turkey pepperoni chopped

Instructions

• Ingredients
• 1 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup egg beaters
• 1 teaspoon pizza seasoning
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup fat free mozzarella cheese
• 16 slices Turkey pepperoni, chopped
• Recipe
• In a 8 inch non stick pan, spray with olive oil and add veggies and cook on medium high for 7 minutes. Remove from heat and prepare pan for eggs. In a bowl, add seasonings and egg beaters and whip. Add the chopped turkey pepperoni and add to greased 8 inch omelette pan. Cook for 5 minutes, using a spatula to allow uncooked egg to go onto pan. Flip omelette over when the middle is mostly cooked. Add cheese and veggies and fold and cook for 3 minutes and serve.

Notes

Comments

1 leaner / 3 greens / 2 condiments - need to add 1 fat

Nutrition

264 calories / 8.4 grams carbs/ 4.1 grams fat/ 45.5 grams protein

Enjoy this recipe and let me knowhow you like it.

The post Low Carb Pizza Omelette appeared first on Opera Singer in the Kitchen.

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Continental and Fusion Foods

One of the important things for me when it comes to raising my kids is making sure that they have a developed palate. I definitely knew I did not want to have picky eaters so I made sure that early on, as toddlers, they would experience all kinds of cuisines. As a Latina, everyone immediately assumes that I make Mexican and Chilean food all the time, but it is not how I grew up. My mother cooked and created dishes that incorporated different cuisines. I know some chefs do not like the term “fusion foods,” but it is what makes sense to me.

My mother’s Asian food might have a certain twist, and her Mexican food would be her own version with her flair. That is how I have started cooking as well. I love traditional international cooking, but sometimes the way my brain works, I go outside the box and fuse different cuisines.

Egg Rolls

Egg rolls are probably one of my girls’ favorite appetizers when we go to an Asian restaurant. We usually do not order enough and well, we end up making a dinner out of it. It is easy though because we can feed our kids between egg rolls and spring rolls. HA!

When I was given the opportunity to create my own, I decided to make a fun version of my own. I do not usually make a lot of fried foods but I opted to go authentic on the way egg rolls are usually prepared. I had my 5 year-old help with the preparation and the results ended up being very positive!

Black Bean Egg Rolls with Smoked Tomatillo Salsa

This is a quick and delicious recipe that can be made basically with pantry items. What can you do with a can of black beans? Many things, but this egg roll recipe will make everyone in your household pretty happy.

My husband smoked 6 tomatillos while he was making other dishes so that I could have my tomatillo salsa to make this dish complete. If you love smoking, this can really add additional dimensions to your salsa!

My kids loved this recipe and enjoyed it after playing the in the snow for 2 hours!

Print

Fiesta Egg Rolls with Smoked Tomatillo Salsa

Easy vegetarian egg roll recipe approved by kids and adults alike.

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Asian Fusion, Continental, Tex-Mex

Keyword black beans, Egg rolls, vegetarian

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Equipment

• Cast iron skillet
• Baking sheet
• Knife
• Smoker for tomatoes
• Blender

Ingredients

For Egg Rolls

• 1 pkg Twin Dragon Egg Roll Wrappers divided
• 1 15.5 oz canned black beans drained
• ½ cup green onions chopped
• ½ cup red bell pepper chopped
• ¼ cup jalapeno deseeded and chopped
• ¼ cup cilantro chopped
• ½ cup zucchini diced
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp cumin powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp oregano
• ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• ¼ cup vegetable oil for frying

Smoked Tomatillo Salsa

• 6 tomatillos husked and washed
• 2 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup cilantro
• ½ lime juiced
• 1½ tsp salt
• 1 whole jalapeno
• ½ onion

Instructions

For Tomatillo Salsa

• Place 6 unhusked tomatillos on a pan into a smoker filled with cherry and hickory wood and smoke for an hour. If you do not have a smoker, Roast tomatillos in oven on broil for 10 minutes.
• Place smoked tomatillos into a blender and add the rest of the ingredients and blend.

For Egg Rolls

• In a bowl, add the black beans, chopped veggies, spices and cheese and mix well.

  Add ¼ cup oil to cast iron and heat on low.
  
• Unwrap egg rolls and remove one wrap and place on a cutting board. Add 2 Tbsp. of filling in the middle and wrap according to packaged directions.
  
• Place each completed egg roll on a baking sheet until you have about 16 egg rolls. Increase heat on cast iron to medium heat.
  
• Add 3 egg rolls to the pan and fry for 2 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Remove and place back on the baking sheet. Meanwhile, turn oven on to 425F.
  
• Once egg rolls have all been fried, Place baking sheet into oven and bake for 5 minutes until perfectly crispy.
  
• Serve with tomatillo salsa and a side of shredded lettuce.
  

Notes

Kids eat 2 egg rolls. Adults eat 3-4 egg rolls.

 

Where to find!

You can purchase Twin Dragon Wrappers at Walmart, Albertsons, Shaw’s, Von’s, Stater Bros, Fred Meyer, QFC, Safeway, Associated Stores, Giant Stores, Shop N Shop, Winco, and Price Chopper! If they are not in your local store, ask them to carry Twin Dragon Wrapper products!

Follow Twin Dragon for more inspiration:

1. Website: http://www.jslfoods.com/
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSLFoods/
3. Twitter: https://twitter.com/JSL_Foods
4. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jslfoods/

The post Fiesta Egg Rolls with Smoked Tomatillo Salsa appeared first on Opera Singer in the Kitchen.