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!