Salad Time!

Wow... I haven't written in WAY too long! I will try and do some catch up, but no promises!

This is a salad that is one of my FAVORITE salads.

lettuce: 
spring mix and baby spinach
fruit:
strawberries
raspberries
mandarin oranges
craisins
toppings:
Gorgonzola cheese
glazed pecans
raspberry vinaigrette

Can add some grilled chicken if wanting the protein. I typically don't add it. Geez... I love this salad.

Crack Crackers - Cuz they are addicting like crack! ;)

These crackers are ADDICTING so I am letting you know in advance!

They are extremely easy to make and you can decide how spicy you want them.

In a XL bag (I have three gallon freezer bags in stock so I used one of those), or a large container of any kind....

1 cup canola, olive, or vegetable oil (feel free to add up to 1/2 cup more oil if you want to do more crackers)
2-3 Tbsp red pepper flakes (I use about 2 tbsp since my parents and kids eat it)
1 packet ranch dressing mix

Place these items in the bag and mix. Then add about 4 sleeves of crackers*. Shake, turn, whatever to your container until the crackers are covered. Lay down for about 20 minutes, then flip to other side. I just continue doing that until the crackers eventually suck up all the oil. 

They are instantly ready to eat, but taste a bit better after some of the oil is gone.

*Here is where you can really get creative. In the pic I used one sleeve of multigrain crackers, one whole box of mini saltine crackers, and half a box of four cheese cheese its. You really can use just about any type of cracker out there and it is going to turn out great.

(I also just made a pineapple cheese roll and they are perfect to eat with this. The spicy cracker really goes well with the pineapple cream cheese. I will post that recipe soon too.)

Now... I just want to end this by saying DON'T make these crackers if you are alone. You will sit and eat the entire thing over a few days and it isn't healthy. haha ;)

They are addicting like crack which is why I call them Crack Crackers!!!

M&M Christmas Story

I helped Jacinda make these bags for her class. She had fun making them and even more fun eating them!

As you hold these candies in your hand and turn them, you will see…

The M becomes a W, an E, and then a 3.

They tell the Christmas Story, it’s one I am sure you know.

It took place in a stable a long, long time ago.

The E is for the East where the star shone so bright.

The M is for the Manger where baby Jesus slept that night.

The 3 is for the Wisemen bearing gifts when they came.

W for worship, hallelujah, praise His name!

So, as you eat these candies, or share with your friends…

Remember the meaning of Christmas

It’s a love story that never ends!

Merry Christmas from Jacinda Lundy

Homemade Baby Food ? ? ?

I bought this nifty little thing on amazon. Click here if interested to buy   Holds 2 oz of baby food in airtight containers and you can take them on the go or stick them in the freezer.

I used my recipe for Shredded Chicken and then I put some of the chicken and some water in the bullet blender thing. (Mine isn't really a bullet, it is an "off brand" of that, but works great!)

I just added enough water until I thought the consistency matched the stuff I am feeding him now from the store.

And there you go... homemade chicken baby food. That was so easy and such a success I am now going to try veggies and fruit. :) Yay for homemade baby food!

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti (crockpot) feeds 8-10

This one was ultra cheesy and, if you haven't already guessed, my family loves cheese!

When I first heard about this recipe I was under the understanding that you could cook it in the crockpot without cooking the spaghetti noodles first. This time around I decided to cook them first. I didn't have time to make something else if it turned out bad. ha  I promise to make it again and not precook the noodles to see if it works and I promise to post my findings! (If any of you do it before me please please post a comment!) I also had onions in this one and I will leave them out next time. I don't think they really added much flavor, and not one of us will eat them so it seems like a waste.

Heads up: I should have used my crockpot liners for this meal... it wasn't fun cleaning it.

I made this for my family of five eaters (the 5 month old doesn't eat yet duh). I also delivered a large helping for our two elderly neighbors. And STILL have enough left over for two more people. The total cost was around $8.

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti (serves 8-10)
2 to 4	shredded chicken	$1.81
1	can of diced tomatoes	$0.99
1	small can of diced green chilis	$0.99
1	can cream mushroom soup 98%FF	$0.99
1	can cream chicken soup 98%FF	$0.99
1/2	lb velveeta 2% cheese
1/2	cup water
16	oz spaghetti	$1.75
	TOTAL COST OF MEAL	$7.52
	Cook spaghetti according to directions, except
	cook it for 2 minutes less than what it calls for.
	Add ALL ingredients to crockpot.
	Cook on low for 2 hours.

Shredded Chicken (NOT on a bone!)

I decided to use my crockpot and cook up a bunch of chicken all at one time so that I could shred it and use it for multiple meals later. (It is always a good idea to have some cooked shredded chicken in the freezer!)

Most of the time you read about people doing this and they cook the chicken on the bone. That is definitely a cheaper way of doing it because chicken on the bone is a lot cheaper than boneless skinless chicken breasts. But, let me be honest with you, I HATE to pick meat off a bone. Seriously. Hate it. Gross. On the occasion where I buy a rotisserie chicken from the local store (geez those things are good!) I have my husband pick the meat off for me. He only does it because he loves me and knows how much I hate it.

So I decided to make the chicken with my boneless skinless chicken breasts. I bought a pack of 6 (though now I know to go ahead and get about 12 since I still had plenty of room in my crockpot). 

Place the chicken in the crockpot like so:

Add 1/2 a cup of water.

Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Cook on low for 8 hours.

After 8 hours remove chicken from the crockpot. It will start to fall apart when you pick it up. I got one piece out a time because I decided to freeze mine by the piece. If I want to make a lunch for just me I can get just one out, if I need more for a recipe I can take out as many as needed.

Use a fork to shred the chicken. It shouldn't take but a minute... like so:

You have a couple of different options on how to freeze the chicken. You can use an airtight container. I used normal sandwich baggies and then wrapped that with my precious Press N Seal.

Don't forget to write what is inside and the date you made it. Like so:

Now you have you some yummy, juicy shredded chicken. You can use it for tacos, casseroles, spaghetti (our meal for tomorrow night so stay tuned!), salads, sandwiches, etc.

Thanks and hope you enjoy!!

Puppy Chow Dessert

I have had this dessert from other people and, just being honest, NONE of them compare to the way my amazing mother taught me to make it.

Here is the recipe for the yummy deliciousness that we lovingly call Puppy Chow.

Ingredients

1 stick butter or margarine

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter

powdered sugar

crispix cereal

++ and yes that is a massive container of peanut butter... we go through a lot of peanut butter!

In large stock pot melt butter, choc chips, and peanut butter.
Remove from heat and slowly add box of crispix while mixing good and slow until all are well covered.
Take a paper grocery bag and cover bottom of bag with powdered sugar.
Pour crispix mix on top of sugar. Generously cover that with more powdered sugar. (This is the step where I think people just aren't generous enough. And that is what makes ours so good.)
Roll down bag and slowly shake contents of bag until all is covered.

Now enjoy the amazingness of it. And share if you can. :)

If you know what this is but have a different name for it leave me a comment and let me know what it is!