1/24/2012

Skinny Cow Dreamy Clusters Milk Chocolate..


Alright...
I will admit that I was very curious about these chocolate treats.
Dh and I were in our local Dollar Tree when I spotted them.
$1 - yeah, I would give them a try. 
Whoa.. 
These little chocolate treats were delicious!
Chocolate, caramel and crispy rice
*Drool*
There are five of these tasty little chocolate treats in the bag. 
If you have not tried them, you are missing out on these scrumptious chocolate treats.
Stock up on them because they are that good!




1/23/2012

Rembering Joe Paterno

RIP Joe Paterno | Tornoe Ink - Rob Tornoe



This cartoon made me smile through all the tears I have shed.
Once I pull myself together I will share my encounter and thoughts about JoePa.

1/18/2012

Anniversary Flowers


We had two surprises delivered today.
Anniversary Flowers!
Above this beautiful floral arrangement from my SIL & family.


Two dozen stunning red roses from my In-Laws.
You see, today was our 20th wedding anniversary.
It does not seem *that* long at all.
I would not change one single thing.
  We have had our trying moments but they have only made us stronger.
I hope we have 20+ more years together.
I could not imagine my life without my best friend.


1/17/2012

Crockpot Love


I turned in my old crockpot for this baby.
She was used tonight for the first time and I love her!
Grabbed a deal from Boscov's for $29.99 with free shipping!
My old one worked well but it had a bad habit of burning and then the well started to crack all over the place.
I can't wait to use this gal with all sorts of new recipes I have found. 
 This is my new love: Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker

1/11/2012

Cheese Enchilada Casserole Recipe


Back to trying recipes again to make sure we like then as I continue on my other journey of getting all those recipes that we like into a binder.
So, yeah, I made this for Sunday nights dinner and well let me just say one out of 4 really enjoyed it. 
Can you guess who that was?
Right. 
Me.
Spencer liked the corn tortillas since they became crispy and had the cheese on the.
DH liked only the tomatoes and onions.
Nate liked the tortillas, cheese and flavoring that it had. 
(I was not sure he would even touch it since he does not like tomatoes or onions.)
Me I thought the whole thing was good. I will say some of the onions were not cooked all the way through but honestly it was quite tasty. 
This is one recipe that I would use to make for my lunches since it is quick, tasty and fairly healthy. 
I was not sure about sharing but felt I would since someone else out there might enjoy it as much as me. 
                     
* Exported from MasterCook *


                        Cheese Enchilada Casserole

Serving Size : 4    
Categories: Main Meal

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  4            ounces  Reduced fat cheddar cheese -- extra sharp cheese
  1            cup  tomato -- chopped
  1            cup  cottage cheese, 2% fat
 1/3          cup  onion -- sliced
  2            teaspoons  garlic -- minced
  9            small  corn tortillas
  1            cup  taco sauce
 1/4          cup  monterey jack cheese -- shredded

Combine first ingredients in a medium bowl.

Arrange 3 tortillas in bottom of a 11x7 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking oil (Pam).*

Spread half of cheese mixture over tortillas.

Repeat procedure with 3 tortillas and remaining cheese mixture; top with remaining tortillas.

Pour taco sauce over tortillas; sprinkle with Monterey Jack Cheese.

Bake @ 375 degrees fro 20 mintues or until cheese is melted.

Yield:
  "4 "
                                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 290 Calories; 8g Fat (24.0% calories from fat); 21g Protein; 37g Carbohydrate; 4g Dietary Fiber; 17mg Cholesterol; 792mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 2 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat.

Serving Ideas : Side Salad

*Note:
 I used an 8x8 pan and cut the tortillas in half and placed them around the baking dish.


1/10/2012

Italian Bean Soup Recipe...



            I have wanted to make this soup since I first saw it early last year but for some reason it kept getting bumped from the list of "To Try Recipes."
This past weekend however I was finally able to create the soup.
This was a very tasty soup that was very filling. 
I did not use the pesto that was called for since I am not a big fan of it.
When I make soups I always use no sodium chicken broth because there is not need for all that extra salt.
Enjoy!

       
* Exported from MasterCook *

                            Italian Bean Soup

Recipe By: Taste of Home
Serving Size: 8  
Categories: Soups

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1              medium  onion -- sliced
  1              small  potato -- peeled and chopped finely
  1              large  celery rib -- chopped
  3              large  cloves garlic -- minced
  2              tablespoons  olive oil
  43            ounces  low sodium chicken broth*
  15            ounces  cannellini beans -- rinsed and drained
14 1/2        ounces  stewed tomatoes -- low sodium and undrained
 1/4            cup  parsley -- minced
 1/4            cup  orzo
  1              cup  spinach leaf -- fresh
 1/4            cup  Romano cheese -- grated

1. In a Dutch oven, saute the oven, potato, celery and garlic in oil until tender.

2. Stir in the broth, beans, tomatoes, parsley, and pesto.

3. Bring to a boil.

4. Stir in pasta.

5. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until pasta is tender.

6. Add spinach and cook just until wilted.

7. Sprinkle each serving with cheese.

Source:
  "Taste of Home  February/March 2011"
Copyright:
  "2011"
Yield:
  "8 servings"
                                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES:

1 cup is equal to 7 WW Power Points

I use no sodium chicken broth and no salt diced tomatoes to keep the sodium level low.

Original Recipe called for 1 Tbsp of Pesto (prepared) not a fan so I omitted.



1/09/2012

Pac Man Cookie Cutters


Fun cookie cutters everyone can enjoy.
Now you can have fun when you eat.
Check out heliotrope if you would like to order some.

1/08/2012

Funky Monkey Applemon Cinnamon Dried Fruit

So, I bought these today at Publix to try.  I am not by any means a fan of dried fruit (except for strawberries). I am turning a new leaf this year and really giving it a try. The apples in the bag are just that dried apples with the skin and cinnamon. They are pretty good though I could do without the skin. Nate really enjoyed them. Looks like we will be keeping a few bags in the house.
Oh, they also count as 1 fruit serving.

1/05/2012

Favorite New Christmas Decoration


I wanted to share these fun spoons before I put them away until next Christmas.
I went out on a limb and purchased these as a new decoration for this year.
Pleased as punch that I did.
They are sterling silver handstamped spoons. 
Not the best picture but each one has a different word. 
Noel. Merry & Bright. Joy
I tied a nice cherry holiday ribbon to them and had them tucked on the side of a poinsettia.
I purchased these through GroopDealz but check out Etsy for some very nice designs.

1/04/2012

King Arthur Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix


I actually made these last year for a player on our local hockey team.
This was a simple straight forward recipe and I figured that I could not goof it up.
I did make sure that I cleaned all the items I used so I would not cross contaminate the cookies.
I must say these were very tasty.
The family could not tell that they were gluten free!
I would highly recommend these if you need to make a special treat for someone who is GF.
King Arthur has a nice line of Gluten Free mixes for you to select from and GF flour.
Give them a try you will not be disappointed. 

Mmm...cookie

1/03/2012

Cute Glass Cupcake Candle Holders


I stumbled upon these really cute glass cupcake candle holders.
Perfect for anyone celebrating a birthday or just to add a bit of cheer.
I do not they will last very long since they are on clearance.
Head on over to Lillian Vernon if you want to pick up a set or two. 
Cupcakes make everyone smile. :)


Holiday Almond Bars..


Oh my!
These holiday almond bars are out of this world.
They have a semi moist center, a slight shortbread texture and a totally fabulous almond taste. 
I made these as a test for us to see if they were good and uh, yeah they were.
 I then made them for a Christmas Party and they were a hit. 
I used slivered almonds from Oh! Nuts
They were nice and thin, perfect for this recipe.
Even though the holidays have passed you can make these anytime you like. 

                      
* Exported from MasterCook *

                           Holiday Almond Bars

Recipe By: Cheryl Newendorp
Serving Size: 54    Preparation Time: 15min
Categories: Desserts

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1              cup  butter
  1              cup  almond paste
  2 1/4        cups  sugar -- divided
  2              large  eggs
  1              teaspoon  almond exract
  2              cups  all-purpose flour
 1/2            cup  slivered almonds


  • In a large bowl, cream the butter, almond paste and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. 
  • Beat in eggs and extract. 
  • Gradually add flour just until moistened.
  • Spread into a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with remaining sugar; top with almonds.
  • Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • Cool on a wire rack. 
  • Cut into squares.Store in the refrigerator.


Source:
  "Taste of Home.com"
Copyright:
  "2011"
Yield:
  "54 "
                                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

NOTES : Great with a hot cuppa tea or ice cold milk.



1/02/2012

Organizing....



I spent the first day of the new year finally getting some of my recipes organized.
 Shh... it only took a year.
I have been printing out the recipes we enjoy but never organizing them. 
With my pile looking like Mount Everest it was time to take action. 
I did buy page covers and place the recipes inside of them back in October but.....
Today I decided to take the plunge and get some put away.
I was able to place all the baking recipes in one binder. *grin*
Now with some luck I will have the rest of the main meals organized by the end of the week. 
*crosses fingers*

1/01/2012


Happy New Year!!!!

Wow.. 2012.
2011 zipped by a bit too fast for my liking.
Wishing all the best for you and yours this year. 

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