Puppy popsicles

If you don't already know... I have the world's most spoiled dog.

But, that's because he is the world's best dog. :)

Anyways, Frankie had a weekend sleepover with his "girlfriend," Ollie. And what sleepover would be complete without treats?!

I have had my eye on the "doggie ice cream" at the grocery stores, but they are pretty expensive. Plus, who knows what's in there. So, I found a recipe on Pinterest that I knew would be perfect for Frankie. They're healthy, simple, and he loved them.

The ingredients - peanut butter, plain nonfat yogurt, honey, and banana baby food.

Blend it all up in the blender...

... pour into small cups and stick in a dog bone "handle."

Freeze overnight...

... and enjoy! The plastic cups come right off. They were the perfect treat after a long afternoon of running in the yard. 

Recent favorite things

Best part about snow days and extra days off? Lots of time for baking and sewing! Here are some of my recent favorite things...

Insulated Casserole Carrier

I made this as a birthday present for a friend over the weekend. I had to talk myself out of keeping it. :) Turned out beautiful, and the best part? She loved it. I'll definitely will be making these for everyone on my Christmas list!

Check out the tutorial at 2 Little Hooligans.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

These are sinful. So good. They take up the whole morning, but it was the perfect recipe for a snowed-in day. Amazing without frosting... but the cream cheese frosting is to die for!

Check out the recipe at Six Sisters' Stuff.

P.S. -- use heavy duty thread to cut the rolls! They keep their shape this way!

Simple Shredded Chicken

We eats tons of chicken in our house. But, I seriously hate shredding chicken breasts. I recently saw somewhere that you can use your Kitchenaid mixer to shred hot chicken. Worked perfectly! I literally threw the hot chicken breasts in, turned it on for 1 minute, and it was perfect.

Honey-cinnamon roasted almonds

I'm back!! :)

So, today, I had a bag of raw almonds burning a hole in my cabinet. I bought them on sale a while back, thinking I would do something great with them.

Well, I didn't.

Until today! I love this snack -- healthy, barely sweet, and quick. Plus, throw in some dried fruit and/or M&Ms, and you have an awesome trail mix.

I think you'll love it!

Honey-Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

Adapted from Shawn Can Blog

2 cups raw almonds

1/4 cup honey (a bit more if you want them sweeter)

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 TB sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Sprinkle of salt

1. Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.

2. Mix almonds with honey until coated evenly. Add cinnamon, sugar, vanilla, and salt -- mix until incorporated.

3. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and store in airtight container.

Enjoy! :)

Thai Chicken and Noodles

Comfort food (n): Food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being; typically with high carbohydrate content and associated with childhood.

This recipe is one of my comfort foods. It fits all the above criteria. 

• It makes me feel good -- and just makes me happy when I'm eating it.
• Carbs. Yum.
• I visited my aunt every summer when I was a kid, and every time she made this dish for me. It always reminds me of her.
• My only copy of the recipe is on a faded piece of newspaper... and there's soy sauce spilled on it.

See? Comfort food.

It is soooo good, and super easy. Plus, it proves you CAN make something delicious with Ramen noodles!

Keep reading below for the recipe and more pictures...

Better, faster stuffed peppers

I absolutely LOVE the idea of stuffed peppers... but most stuffed pepper recipes pose several problems:

1. They take forever to bake.
2. They have a weird ketchupy paste on the top (yep - ketchupy).
3. They are stuffed with rice. And I don't like rice (my hubby either!)

I wanted a healthier, faster, better recipe that fit our tastes. So, I ended up with this version. I love this recipe. It is a hodge-podge of many recipes. I tweaked it and perfected it until it was just right for me.

Better even -- it's more of a method than a true recipe. You can substitute as much as you want -- just use the method. Use a different grain, add different vegetables or seasonings. 

Stop reading -- and go buy some peppers (Trader Joe's has the best!). You won't regret it! This dinner is always a pleaser! Keep reading below for the recipe...

Crock Pot Apple Oatmeal

This recipe is kindergarten-approved! Every year, we do a unit on apples. Each student brings in an apple and we sort and graph them. Sometime during our unit, we make Crock Pot Apple Oatmeal.

It's adorable. We read the recipe together, measure, count, mix, discuss, etc. It's a great natural lesson. We let it cook all day -- and at the end of the day, we eat it! 

This year, every single one of my students asked for seconds. They couldn't get enough! It's a healthy, delicious, and in the crock pot. Could you ask for anything more???



I always send home the recipe with parents -- and I thought I'd share it here, too! 
------------------------------------------
Apple Oatmeal
2 cups oats (use the old-fashioned rolled oats)
4 cups milk
4 packed TB brown sugar
2 TB vanilla
2-4 apples - skin on, rough chop
  
- Mix and cook 1-2 hours on high or 2-3 hours on low.
- Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top (my kinders love this part!)
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I usually double this recipe for my class, but this recipe with be plenty for a family. Enjoy!

*10 minute* fish tacos

I love this meal. Definitely in my "Top 10." Why? Well, let me count the ways I love this fish taco recipe:

• It's light -- perfect for a summer dinner. 
• It's FAST -- 10 minutes.
• It's easy -- only a few affordable ingredients.
• You don't feel guilty after eating it. I never knew Mexican food could taste good without cheese! 

My hubby and I love these. You will too. Make them. Now. :)
Keep reading below for the full recipe and photo tutorial.

perfect taco soup

This is my favorite soup. It's perfect. It's everything a soup should be... easy, cheap to make, delicious, and can be ready in an hour on the stove - or left all day in the crock pot. I make it year-round, and I've never met anyone who doesn't love it!

  

I got this recipe from a dear woman, and I always think of her when I make it. I've adapted it over the years, but it's still simply wonderful.

  

Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 onion (chopped)

1 red pepper (chopped)

1 packet taco seasoning (I use 2 TB homemade taco seasoning)

1 packet dry Ranch dressing mix

1 can black beans (do not drain)

1 can pinto beans (do not drain)

2 cans fire-roasted tomatoes (do not drain)

1 can corn (do not drain)

Sour cream and shredded cheese for serving (optional)

THREE SIMPLE STEPS:

1. Brown the beef with the onion and pepper. Drain and pour into a large soup pot OR a crock pot.

2. Add both seasonings and all of the canned vegetables. Remember, do NOT drain the cans!

3. Mix it up and let it simmer for 1 hour in a soup pot OR leave it on low in a crock pot. DONE! (gorgeous, huh?)

-- Don't worry, there will be plenty of liquid! -- ENJOY!

Poblano pork chili -- our favorite chili!

Don't get me wrong... we like chili in our house. But, we've just never LOVED it. Until now! We absolutely love this Poblano Pork Chili recipe. It's surprisingly light for a chili, has no tomatoes, and is nice and spicy. We make this recipe several times and month... we just can't get enough!


Keep reading below for pictures and this awesome recipe!

Homemade taco seasoning

This is one of those things I always make homemade. Here's why:
1. It's ridiculously cheaper.
2. No salt! I just add a small amount when cooking instead.
3. I feel cool. (Possibly the most important reason).
Homemade Taco Seasoning

Simply mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container:

• 4 TB cumin
• 4 TB chili powder
• 2 TB garlic powder
• 2 TB onion powder
• 1 TB paprika
• 1/2-1 tsp. cayenne pepper (depending how hot you want it)

For taco meat, simply cook and drain meat. Add 2 TB seasoning mix and 1 cup water. Simmer until most of the water is absorbed.
Simple as that. Enjoy!
(Adapted from: Annie's Eats and 5 Dollar Dinners).

Best. Salsa. Ever. (seriously)

The title says it all. I love this salsa. It's easy, quick, and dependable. It's always a hit at parties - and goes great on quesadillas and tacos. 

People are always asking me for my recipe. So, here it is. Enjoy! (Adapted from Annie's Eats.) No photo tutorial today, friends... just a great recipe. :)
Ingredients:

• 2-3 jalapenos, seeded and chopped (if you like it really hot, leave the seeds in one)
• 2 tsp. minced garlic (the kind in the jar - love this stuff)
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 TB red wine vinegar
• juice of 1 lime
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes (yes, must be fire-roasted!)
• 1 TB cumin
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 scant tsp. cayenne
• 1 small handful fresh cilantro
• (Equipment) - food processor. I use my "Ninja." Do not use a blender. Blenders only have a blade at the bottom, so it will not get the job done!

Okay, here we go:

1. Put the jalapenos, garlic, onion, vinegar, and lime juice in the processor. Pulse a couple times until finely chopped.
2. Add remaining ingredients. PULSE... do not run the processor. You want the salsa smooth, but not pureed. Pulse a couple times, and then check. Repeat as needed.
3. Do not taste for seasoning yet. Refrigerate overnight, and then check for seasoning. The salsa will get hotter as it sits in the fridge.

ENJOY!

Spicy Dr. Pepper Pork -- AMAZING!

STOP what you are doing and make this! Seriously... it is THAT GOOD! I do not like leftovers (I know, I'm crazy), but my husband and I ate this for 5 days straight. Each meal, after the first bite, one of us would say, "Oh my god, this is so good." This recipe (from the wonderful, inspiring Pioneer Woman) will now be a staple in our house.

Plus... it's in the crock pot. I'm not saying it again - make this now! Keep reading below for a photo tutorial and more details.