Holiday Peppermint Bark

Holiday Peppermint Bark is festive and can be a great gift if you wrap the bars in their own little bag or holiday tin. It's easy to make if you follow a few simple steps.

• 1 Package Dark Chocolate Chips (11.5- 12 oz.)
• 1 Package White Chocolate Chips (11.5- 12 oz.)
• 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil or Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 Cup- 1 Cup Crushed Peppermint 

Mustard Chicken

Mustard chicken is done a variety of ways. With my Mustard Chicken recipe, your chicken will stay extremely juicy while having a tasty sauce over top. This recipe is great to just throw together and leave in the oven. We all get busy, so prep time isn't always something we have time for. This can be thrown together really quick so you can accomplish other tasks while it's baking. You can serve the chicken with steamed veggies, salad, or any other side dish of your choice. 

Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce

Making your own enchiladas for that great fall and Winter weather should be easy. With this recipe it is! 

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 small package of corn tortillas
• 1 package of shredded cheese
• 3-4 chicken breasts cooked (with salt and pepper)
• 1/2 onion chopped (you can saute the onion for more of a caramelized taste)
• 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 Cups Chicken Broth
• 4 Tablespoons Chile Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Cumin
• 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1 Teaspoon ground Black Pepper
• Pinch of Cinnamon (brings the flavors together) 
• 3 1/4 Tablespoons Flour
• 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Halloween Pumpkin Carvings

It's that time of year to bust out the Orange, the black, the scary, and of course...the pumpkins! 
Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. Everyone gets to dress up (including my dog), eat candy, go to haunted houses, Halloween decorations and lights, and there's sooo much pumpkin! 
Pumpkin spice coffee creamer, pumpkin spice muffins, Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats, Pumpkin Waffles, Pumpkin Pie, etc...
Check out some pumpkin carving ideas and at the bottom there's a simple recipe for roasting the seeds that you take out for carving. 

Mini Pizzas

Mini pizzas- fun for the whole family. These are incredibly easy to make and fun to eat. They work for dinner, for appetizers, or for parties. 

My pizzas were healthier, but you can also do pepperoni, bacon, sausage, margherita etc. 

For the dough you will need Rhodes Rolls (the thaw, rise, and bake kind, 12 count). 

Turkey Meatloaf

Everyone needs a good meatloaf recipe. There's nothing better than some comfort food, especially once winter rolls around. What if you could have the comfort without all the guilt that usually follows? With this recipe you can. 
Using lean ground turkey instead of beef saves immensely on calories and is better for you. Also, kicking it up a notch with jalapenos and cayenne pepper will boost your metabolism. Not to mention the Panko bread crumb topping that offers the satisfactory crunch without all of the calories of regular bread crumbs. 

Tomatillo Salsa

In a food processor or blender, combine the following ingredients: 

1 28oz. can Tomatillos (drain half of the water) 

1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro

2-8 Jalapenos (depending how spicy you want it- I typically do 7 or 8- chop off stem) 

1/2 white or yellow onion

1 Tablespoon minced garlic

1 Teaspoon Sea Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt (I use low sodium) 

1Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1 1/2 Teaspoons Black Pepper

Blend ingredients until fairly smooth, making sure the main ingredients are chopped thoroughly. Here you have it, the perfect salsa for any occasion (or for Tuesday Taco night). 

Pumpkin Spice Waffles

Fall... the leaves change and the air gets crisp, but most importantly, there's Pumpkin everything! Nothing makes me happier than fresh pumpkin. Whether it be a latte, pie, cookie, or in this case a waffle. Yes you heard me...Pumpkin Spice Waffles. They're not too hard to make either. Basically just a twist on my regular "Waffles- light and Crispy."

Turn Your Cinnamon Roll into a Waffle

I found quite a few blog sites on Pinterest that did the cinnamon rolls made into waffles idea.
A few that have similar recipes/ideas are Little Bit Funky, Mrs. Happy Homemaker, Must Have Mom, Chef in Training, etc...
Everyone seemed to do it differently, including myself. A lot of people followed the trend of doing one cinnamon roll per quadrant. Whereas I did one at a time in the waffle maker. You still get a little bit of that doughy center we all adore in a cinnamon roll.

Cheddar and Herb Chicken Burgers

 

So do you ever crave a burger but don't feel like splurging the calories for some fatty beef?

Look no further. I promise this chicken burger is a winning recipe. I made it for my boyfriend and he ate two...and he's a big fan of beef burgers. He kept complaining about me using chicken, but he ended up liking them a lot. Go figure.

 

 

What you'll need:

1 lb Ground Chicken

3/4 Cup chopped and sautéed onion

1 Cup Spinach

1/2 Cup Cilantro

2 Garlic Cloves

1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1 Teaspoon Seasoning Salt (Lawry's)

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1/2 Teaspoon  Cayenne Pepper (optional)

 

Corn Flake Chicken

That trusty old recipe from Kellogg's with crunchy corn flakes on your chicken...just got better.
A coat of flour and some extra spices to kick that recipe up a notch.

You will need three bowls of ingredients, 6 Chicken breasts, and 1/2 stick of butter melted.

Sweet Potato Chips

The other day, a friend of mine asked me to try some of these sweet potato chips she bought. Not the part flour, part ground sweet potato kind. The plain sweet potato ones that are super healthy, yet delicious. I tried them and needed to find a bag. I went to the store and was sad at how expensive they were. So instead I decided to buy some sweet potatoes and try to make them myself.
You will need a mandoline slicer, you can try it with a knife, but the cuts won't be as consistent.
3 Sweet Potatoes
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt

Veggie Lasagna

This Lasagna is a little messy, but very delicious. It's made with Zucchini slices instead of pasta. You can use just vegetables, ground turkey, or ground beef. In this recipe, I used lean ground turkey.
I also used a square Pyrex dish, since it's the perfect size for the zucchini.

German Chocolate Cupcakes

This frosting is fantastic! I got tired of corn syrup being in frosting recipes or too much sugar in the pre-made stuff. So, I created my own recipe using evaporated milk. I must warn you, it's delicious and you'll probably want to just eat it. This recipe is a big crowd pleaser amongst kids and adults.

Summer Pico Salsa

Super easy summer dish. Great for outdoor parties, a side dish with some tacos, or an afternoon snack.
In a large bowl, toss the following together:
1 15oz. can of no salt added black beans (drained)
1 15oz. can of no salt added corn (drained)
1 Small red onion chopped
1/3 Cup chopped cilantro
3 vine tomatoes diced
2-4 Jalapenos finely chopped (depending how spicy you want to make it)
1 Lime juiced

Now add your seasonings:
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
1 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Stir everything together and serve with chips or on top of your favorite meal (fish, tacos, chicken, etc...)

Margherita White Pizza Roll Ups

 

 

I had Homeslice Pizza a couple of weeks ago and thought, hmm maybe I should use this Pillsbury crust I have and make a Margherita Pizza. Even better make pizza roll ups that are easier to share and are great leftover. These can be made with all mozzarella cheese or, like I did, you can mix cheeses. This is a white pizza, so there isn't sauce. Although I created an Italian herb sauce that's pretty darn delicious. This recipe was completely trial and error, but it turned out fantastic and I will definitely make it again. Super easy!
*Note, I would roll out the pizza dough more than I did, it fluffs up quite a bit when you bake it. You can also make miniature roll ups by cutting the dough vertically in half then slicing 6 horizontal rows. This would make 12 roll ups instead of 6.

Servings: 6

Italian Herb Pasta

Pick your pasta- I like to use a mixture of whole grain, but you can also use one type. This sauce is super easy to throw together and amazingly tasty, but not too heavy.
*This recipe should make 4 servings (If you're like me 3 servings for my boyfriend and 1 for me).

Spaghetti and Meatballs with Sautéed Veggies

Make fantastic spaghetti easily with homemade meatballs and some fresh julienne style squash.

This is a three step process...

My favorite Guacamole

The best guacamole your taste buds have ever had....you ready for the secret?
Orange Juice...no, not Minute Maid. Fresh squeezed orange juice. Fresh squeezed is always the best, including the lime in the recipe. I've been making this for quite some time and it's always a recipe people remember and want to know why it's so delicious. This recipe makes enough to share with 4 people. You can also half the recipe if you would like to make enough for one- with a little leftover for a snack :). So here it is..

Best Mexican Martini

Simple Mexican Martini for that Friday night we all need and look forward to after a long work week. Let me start off with a few things...never use sweet and sour mix in a Mexican martini, it will ruin it. Also, using a crappy tequila will also destroy your drink. Use a good silver tequila 100% Agave (I love the Toro de Lidia tequila, it's reasonable and fantastic quality--very smooth). Last, but not least, use real lime, not the lime that's "squeezed" for you in a

Mexican Martini Ingredients:
2oz Silver Tequila 100% Agave
1oz Triple Sec or Cointreau
1oz Orange Juice
1/2 lime squeezed
1oz Sprite
Splash of Olive Juice (optional)
Martini Shaker and Martini Glass

Shake over ice and serve in a martini glass with or without salt. Garnish with lime or olives. Serves one person.

4th of July Cheesecake

 

 

I love making this 4th of July Dessert, it's super easy and always a crowd pleaser. 

Patriotic Cake Balls

 

4th of July is around the corner, and of course I had to come up with a clever dessert to take to the office. Cake balls are always popular and delicious. So I thought, red white and blue cake batter and turn it into an American flag by coloring the chocolate. I also decided that I would go light on the food coloring for the red and blue cake by doing blueberries and strawberries. Now you do not have to do this, but I thought it was a fun idea. The recipe will work just fine with white cake mix divided into three amounts so food coloring can be added to two of the pans. I've also done homemade cake mix and icing, but it's time consuming and not exactly necessary for cake balls.

You will need:

3 cake pans greased (round or square)

3 Bowls for separating the cake/frosting

1 box (16.25oz) White Cake Mix

1 container (14oz) of Cream Cheese Frosting

Food Coloring

1 package of any white chocolate of your choice (I use the melting bark blocks)

*1/2 pint of Blueberries (too many blueberries will make it turn more of a purple)

*1/2lb of Strawberries (make sure they are ripe)

Sprinkles (preferably some with stars or at least patriotic colors)

Toothpicks or bamboo skewers for dipping

I also used a box lid and an empty egg carton for drying the cake balls.

*I did not make these into cake pops, but you can easily do so by buying some lollipop sticks at a craft store, dipping the tip in some of the melted chocolate and then pushing that into the cake ball before freezing so they stay in place.

*Optional

 

Rainforest Cafe Drink Recipes

Have you ever gone to a place, had a drink, and wanted to be able to recreate that drink at home? Well, to me, Rainforest Café is one of those places that has great tropical drinks that can be made at home for a fraction of the cost. Now you can...

Easy Pina Colada

If you're looking for the perfect Pina Colada recipe for two people (or two of your own drinks), look no further. I've tried different ingredients and played around with recipes until I found my own mix. You'll feel like you're on a tropical island (well use your imagination), but it will at least taste like you're on one.
For my birthday, my sister bought my the new Kenny Chesney Blue Chair Bay Spiced Coconut Rum. What better way to try it out than to make some Pina Coladas!?

What you'll need:
Spiced Coconut Rum (or just plain coconut rum, but I prefer the spiced, it brings out the pineapple and tropical aspects more. The easiest way to do both pineapple juice and pineapple chunks is to buy one medium sized can of pineapple chunks.

• 2 1/2 oz. Spiced Coconut Rum
• 3oz. Pineapple Juice
• 2 1/2oz. Cream of Coconut (I love Coco Real- best flavor- can be found at most Specs, HEBs, and Walmart)
• 1/2 Cup Pineapple Chunks
• 2 Cups Ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth in a blender. Serve in your favorite glasses (with a pineapple chunk for garnish). You can even top with whipped cream.

Dark Chocolate Pie

You'll need: 

2/3 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Cornstarch

2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

6 Egg Yolks

2 Cups Fat Free Milk

1/2 Cup Evaporated Milk

6oz Extra Dark Chocolate Chips

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Whipped Cream Topping:

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract 

2 Tablespoons Sugar

8oz Heavy Cream

Waffles- Light and Crispy

So you have a waffle maker and you want a recipe that will turn out right, that's quick and easy. Not something too heavy where you feel like you can't move after you eat, but something light, yet filling. I've got just that. I'm big on a crispy waffle that doesn't take me forever to put together.
The key to the crunch is cornstarch. the key to light and fluffy is beating your egg whites until they're stiff. Yes, almost like you're making a meringue.

Boy Meets World Reunion

Yes you heard me correctly...!!! The cast of Boy Meets World reunited this weekend in Austin, TX! First time since 2000, when the final episode aired. This occurred during the ATX Television Festival on June 7, 2013.

The Cast of Boy Meets World walking in on the Red Carpet- June 6, 2013

The Opening night (displayed in the photo above), featured a screening of Arrested Development and a red carpet with the stars. Along with an after-party at the end of the night where we got to mingle with actors and some musicians (Teddy Geiger).  

Salmon Croquettes

This is a recipe that brings back childhood memories...for the kid that would not eat salmon any other way but this way. Now, I love it, but back then my mom would make salmon croquettes to satisfy the taste buds. Overtime I have tweaked the recipe a bit. 

Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls

In need of an appetizer, look no further. These are great for parties or just a simple dinner addition to keep everyone running back into the kitchen for more.
What you'll need:

• 1 Tube 8 oz. Crescents
• 1 Package 8 oz. Reduced Fat Cream Cheese
• 2 Fresh Jalapeños chopped finely- you can leave the seeds in, take some out, or take them all out. Your call.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Garlic and Parsley salt for sprinkling (optional)
• Flour for sprinkling on cutting board
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup bacon bits (optional)

Easy Caramel Sauce

• 1 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 14oz can of Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 2 Tspns Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup 2% Milk (don't use fat free it will be too runny) 
• 1 Tspn Sea Salt

Crock Pot Pot Roast

Pot Roast made in the crock pot. An easy fall or winter meal that you can cook while your at work or on the weekend when you're out an about.


Ingredients:

• 1/2 onion chopped (sauteed in olive oil)
• 2-4lbs Chuck Roast, Shoulder Roast, etc
• 1/2 a 1lb bag of baby carrots
• 3-4 Red Potatoes Chopped into quarters (or smaller if desired)
• 1 Tbsp Corn Starch mixed with 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 Cups of Beef Broth 
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup red wine (cooking or regular)
• 1/4 cup white wine
• Salt, pepper,and garlic powder for the roast (season as desired- coat both sides)

               Seasonings for Crock Pot

• 1 Tbsp rosemary
• 1 Tspn  Herbs de Provence
• 1 Tspn Salt
• 1 Tspn Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tspn Garlic Salt
• 1 Tspn Onion Powder
• 1/2-1 Tspn Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 1/2-1 Tspn Cayenne Pepper (optional)

Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 Tsp. black pepper
• 1 Lb. Chopped stew Beef
• 3 Potatoes (chopped)
• 2 Cups Water
• 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 Tsp. Fresh Garlic
• 1 Tsp. Bay leaves
• ½ of an onion chopped
• 1 Tsp. Salt
• 1 Tsp. red pepper flakes
• 1 Tsp. Cayenne pepper
• ½ Tsp. Ground Ginger
• 1 Tsp. Garlic powder
• ½ Tsp. Onion powder
• 1 Tsp. Tony C’s
• ¼ Tsp. cinnamon
• Sliced Carrots- ¼- ½ of bag
• (optional) 1/2 cup each frozen broccoli and frozen squash (or fresh, I just find frozen easier to keep around).
• ½ cup Celery chopped
• 2 Tbsp. Corn Starch and 1/4 cup cool water

Mix ¼ cup cool water with 2 tablespoons of corn starch until smooth, add to crock pot mixture and stir (this will thicken the stew). Cook on high for 6-8hrs

Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies

I was in Keystone, CO recently and the resort gave out cookies when you checked in. One had cranberries and white chocolate. It was so good, I knew I had to go home and make my own recipe for it. I added macadamia nuts to mine, but the recipe would be okay without them if you're allergic, don't like them, or don't have any around.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups White Whole Wheat Flour

1 Tspn. Baking Soda

1 Tspn. Corn Starch (*key ingredient to a great cookie)

1 stick unsalted butter (room temperature)

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Sugar

1/2 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract

1 Egg

3/4 Cup Dried Cranberries

1/2 Cup chopped macadamia nuts

3/4 Cup White Chocolate Chips or chunks

My Life Example of the Notebook

My Grandparents were the epitome of lasting love. They set the example for what I can only hope to have. 

Frank and Lena Ensign

Easy Apple Turnovers

I've always heard of people doing crazy things with the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. So I figured, what the heck? I'll give it a go. After this attempt I will definitely experiment with the crescent rolls more often. This recipe can honestly go for Breakfast or Dessert. They are melt in your mouth delicious. Apple Turnovers made simple.

Grandma Lena's Infamous Thanksgiving Stuffing

This recipe is my Grandma's stuffing. She used to make it every Thanksgiving until it got to the point that she couldn't. One of her favorite things was cooking. I'm glad to have shared that with her and now that she is gone I am glad to have the memories and recipes in her cookbook. This stuff is a family tradition and is well worth sharing. Incredibly moist and full of flavor. Melts in your mouth!

Saving Money and Having Fun With Your Dog

I love my dog and want her to live a long and healthy life, that will keep her active. Going natural and doing the extra little steps to insure your pet gets the best quality care is what matters to me. I'm not saying sacrifice all your money for it, not all things healthy have to be expensive. Just like these "pup" cakes, much more reasonable to make them than buy at a specialty shop.

Food Recommendations:
Blue Buffalo has been phenomenal for my dog's digestion and coat.
It is pricy, so an alternative is Diamond Naturals, just as healthy and high in protein, but $20 less per 30lb bag.
I also do greek or probiotic yogurt. 2 Tablespoons each day in my dogs food.
Another thing for bigger dogs is adding glucosamine to their food (buy any tablet and crush one up in their food). This will really help them stay active down the road, which will also save you on vet bills for hip problems.

Bathing: 
Use hot water (not too hot, but where your dog can still stand it). Why? Hot water will kill any fleas, but will dry out the skin quicker so make sure to use a dog conditioner. I add a few drops of tea tree oil in the conditioner, this keeps fleas away and aids with continued moisture....

DIY Snow Globe

So I've always loved snow globes and figured why not make my own?!

Super Simple. First make a run to Dollar Tree or Family Dollar (Hint: Dollar Tree is cheaper).

Buy Yourself a couple of Mason Jars there if you don't have any. Also buy village figurines and the fake Christmas trees with the white base. You will also need glitter (silver or gold- I like the big glitter) and fake snow. 

One snow globe will hold 1 tree, 1 or 2 figurines of your choice, 1 teaspoon of glitter, and 2 teaspoons of fake snow. Glue objects to inside of the mason jar lid. Let dry for 30 min-1 hour.
Fill with water (you can add a couple of drops of glycerin if you have some, if not it still works. Glycerin just slows down the falling process). Now shake and enjoy!

Turkey Crockpot Chili with Beans

Super Simple Recipe, much healthier than regular chili, but just as good if not better!

What you will need:

• 16 oz Tomato Sauce
• 16 oz Diced Tomatoes (with garlic) Undrained
• 15 oz Can Kidney Beans Undrained
• 15 oz Can Pinto Beans Undrained
• 15 oz Can Black Beans Undrained
• 1 Pound Lean Ground Turkey
• 1/2 Small Chopped Onion
• 3 Garlic Cloves
• 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 3 Tablespoon Chili Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Cumin
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon (Brings out the flavor of the other spices)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Lawry's Seasoning Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 Tablespoons Cooking Sherry

Combine everything in the crock-pot except the ground turkey and the 1/2 small chopped onion. Cook the ground turkey and chopped onion in a skillet until fully cooked. Put the turkey in with the rest of the ingredients in the crock-pot and let cook on high for 3 hours. 

Quick Homemade Granola

This isn't your typical store bought granola with a ton of fat and sugar. It's much better and healthier! It's incredibly easy to make, takes around 20-25 including prep and bake time. Don't trust me? Try my recipe for yourself!

Mini Egg Breakfast Muffins

I came up with this recipe as a different breakfast food item. It's similar to a quiche just without the crust. Which also makes it healthier. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 Eggs
• 1/8 Cup Almond Milk
• Shredded Cheese for sprinkling on top (Optional)
• 1/4 Cup Chopped Spinach
• 1/8 Cup Finely Chopped Red Onions
• 10 Chopped Turkey Lil' Smokies
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Avocado Egg Salad

If you like Avocado, this way of making egg salad will change your life. The greatest thing is you can follow this exact recipe and add a can of natural chicken to it and make Avocado Chicken Salad. 

Ingredients:

• 2 Hard Boiled Eggs
• 2 Tablespoons Light Mayo
• 1 Tablespoon Spicy Mustard
• 1 Small Avocado
• 2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Red Onions
• 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper 
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

A New Year is only the next chapter

It's funny because so many expect New Years to change their lives or to erase the past. The truth is New Years is just one night, just like any other.

Telling yourself to make a change and move forward is what makes a new year. Growing with the changes and taking on new challenges. The past can't be erased, but it can be made better. There comes a day and time where we all just need to sit down and breathe. Life keeps going with or without you. If you spend it working and ignoring everything and everyone outside of work, the moment you turn around and realize, it might be too late. Everything that was a true life will be gone. This year and every year going forward, don't take for granted the ones who stick around for you. 

The thing about New Years is it brings unrealistic expectations to the surface. Don't set goals for yourself that you know you don't want to achieve but you feel like you have to, to make some sort of 'resolution.' Set goals that you would want to complete, that challenge yourself to be the best possible version of who you are. Don't change yourself into someone you're not.

 A new year doesn't guarantee a blank slate to start over. It does offer 365 new pages to the book that is your life. Every page offers something new, but only you can fill in the blanks. Write your story how you would want it to be read. For the possibilities truly are endless, if you keep your mind open. Don't flip back to the past. No one wants to read a book backwards. Moving beyond the past to get to the future requires acknowledgement of the present. Live the present and slowly you will flip forward to the future and what it holds for you.  Everyone has a story to write and journey that begins somewhere. Don't be afraid to get carried away or to do something out of the ordinary. Those tend to be the best pages of the book.