Jalapeno Popper Dip

I love jalapeno poppers and am always looking for a new dip to try out for parties. I haven't tried this one out yet- but hope to soon!



1 8 oz package of cream cheese (at room temperature)
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano
1 4 oz can of sliced jalapenos (pickled)
2 jalapeno peppers (chopped- optional)
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano

1. Mix cream cheese, mayo, cheddar cheese, parmigiano reggiano, and jalapenos in a bowl and pour into a baking dish
2. Mix the panko bread crumbs and 1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano and sprinkle over top
3. Bake at 375 degrees until bubbling on the sides and golden brown on top (10-20 minutes)

Thanks to www.closetcooking.com for the recipe!

1 Year Subscription to Cosmo for $10.00

Normally $47.99 for a year of Cosmo- get it for 79% off!

1 Year of Cosmo for $10.00

Note that it is auto-renewal. It will automatically renew unless you cancel it.

Pita Pizzas

Looking for a fun dinner idea for the kids on New Years Eve?  Try Pita Pizzas!  I always forget about these.  Simply buy some pita bread (to act as the dough/crust), pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings.  Let the kids decorate their own pizzas (and load on the veggies!).  Bake in the over an 350 degrees until the cheese is bubbling!

Or even make cool faces:

Chili con Queso Dip

Perfect recipe for New Years Eve celebrations!

1/2 lb. pork sausage (mild or hot-I like hot)
1/2 cup onion diced
1 clove garlic diced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 lb velveeta cheese cubed
1/2 lb. shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz. can green chiles, diced
4 oz. taco sauce (hot or mild)

Brown sausage and add onion and garlic.  Stir in soup and cheeses until melted.  Add green chiles and taco sauce.  Serve warm with tortilla chips.  (I like to keep mine in a mini crock pot to keep it warm)

Bath and Body Works Coupon

Use code HELLOYELLOW to receive $10.00 a $40.00 purchase.  Offer good until 1/15/2012.

In stores use this coupon

NY and CO Coupon

Get 20% off a purchase of $50.00 or more!

Only valid until 12/31.

Thirty-One Outlet Sale

Go online to Thirty-One Outlet Sale and get bags/totes for 50% off! No personalization available.

It starts December 28th and goes into the New Year or until supplies last.  I love their stuff!

*Note: You may have to contact a Thirty-One consultant in order to gain access to the page.

Free Adorable Printables

Thanks to my sister in law, Chrissy, for finding these.  They are the most adorable FREE printable on Etsy.com

Click here for the free printables

Eye Spy Jar

What a cute idea! Perfect to entertain kids in the car!

All you need is rice, a jar, and a bunch of different tiny treasures.





Be sure to leave an inch or so of space between the top of the rice and the lid.



Thanks to themagiconions.blogspot.com for the idea!

Valentine Marshmallow Pops

All you need...

One bag of Strawberry Marshmallows

Chocolate

Sprinkles

Lollipop sticks

Small cellophane bags (if you want to wrap them up)

Directions

1.  Push a lollipop stick into each marshmallow.

2.  Melt some chocolate (chocolate chips are not recommended)  You will probably need 4-8 oz. of chocolate, depending on how many marshmallows you dip.

3.  Dip one marshmallow at a time into the chocolate.

4.  Allow excess chocolate to drip off, then sprinkle your choice of sprinkles onto the chocolate.

5.  Set the marshmallow pop (stick down) in a mug to allow the chocolate to set (you can put the mug of pops in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes)

6.  Once the chocolate is set, if desired, wrap each pop in a small cellophane bag.

7.  Share with friends

Thanks to glorioustreats.blogspot.com for the idea!

Salmon Patties

Thanks to Wing for passing this recipe along to me from one of her cookbooks!

1 can 915-16 oz) pink salmon
1 egg
1 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup oatmeal
1.5 tsp. baking powder
1.5 cups shortening
Tarter sauce, for serving

Drain salmon and set aside 2Tb salmon juice.  Mix the salmon, egg and onion until sticky.  Stir in oatmeal.  Add baking powder to salmon juice.  Stir into salmon mixture and form into small patties.  Fry until golden brown in hot shortening (about 5 minutes).

Breakfast Pizza

Yum! Pizza for breakfast!

Crust: 2 pkgs. of crescent rolls

Layer 1: 1 lb. sausage browned and drained

Layer 2: 1 pkg. hash browns o'brien

Layer 3: 9 eggs beaten with 1/2 cup milk

Layer 4: top with shredded cheese

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes

Heart Shaped Crayons

I love this idea from familyfun.go.com

Melt crayons into heart shapes to either color or include as a Valentine to friends!



1. Heat the oven to 250 degrees.

2. Fill each mold with broken crayon pieces and bake until the crayons melt (about 10-15 minutes)

TIP: Place a sheet pan under the crayons in case of any drips

3. Let cool and then remove the hearts from the molds and smooth any rough edges by rubbing them on a piece of scrap paper.

4. Either use them as crayons for your kids OR... use small pieces of foam tape to stick each heart to a 3 inch circle cut out on card stock.  Then add a message such as the one below:

Leap Frog Leapster2 Deal

On Amazon.com right now they are selling the Leap frog Leapster2 Learning Game System for $39.88.  It is normally $69.99.

Homemade Valentine

OK so it isn't even New Year's yet...but I guess it's not too early to think about Valentine's Day.  Look at this super cute Valentine's Day card idea I found:



Found at http://poppiesatplay.blogspot.com

LOFT Deal!

Online and in stores...50% off everything (excluding new arrivals).  Use code TAKE50 online.

Happy shopping at loft.com

Mexican Chicken

Another favorite my Mom always made...

4 cups shredded, cooked chicken
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can Ro-tel
1 pkg. flour tortillas
2 cups shredded cheese

Mix the canned ingredients together and add the shredded chicken.

Layer the tortillas and chicken mixture in a 13x9 pan- begin and end with the tortillas

Top with 2 cups of shredded cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

I like to put sour cream and cilantro on top!

Teriyaki Chicken

Thanks to my Mom again for this recipe!

4 boneless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons of flour
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. sugar

Roll chicken breasts in flour to coat.

Melt butter in a skillet- brown the chicken over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.  Turn chicken over and brown for another 5-7 minutes.

Add garlic powder and sugar to teriyaki sauce- stir.

Pour the sauce over the chicken and simmer for 15 minutes turning the chicken a few times.

I like to serve it with rice and veggies!

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

This one is from my Mom. No clue where she got it- so we will just credit my Mom!

3-4 boneless chicken breasts (cooked and cut up)
1 bunch fresh broccoli (or you can use 1 bag frozen)
3/4 cup shredded cheese
Rice (white or brown)

Combine for sauce:
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 cup mayo
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. curry powder

Lay cooked frozen broccoli OR just raw fresh broccoli in bottom of a 13x9 casserole dish.  Then pour in 1/2 of the sauce.  Then place the layered chicken on top. Then pour the rest of the sauce and cover with 3/4 cup shredded cheese on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes uncovered.

Serve with white or brown rice.

Homemade Granola Bars

1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup oats (not instant)
2 tablespoons wheatgerm
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips


1. Melt the butter, peanut butter, and honey in a pot over medium to low heat. Stir constantly!  Turn off the burner when melted.


2. Pour in the cup of oats and what germ.  Stir to combine.


3. Wait until it cools and then stir in the chocolate chips and coconut.


4. Pour into a foil lined 8x8 pan and put in the fridge.


5. Once cooled, flip out the bars onto a cutting board and cut them into the size you would like.


Thanks to themarathonmom.com for the recipe!

Baby Food

I have had many inquiries about how I make my own baby food. It is SO easy!

I use organic, frozen veggies and fruits most of the time. Frozen is just easier. For pears and apples and items that generally don't come frozen, I use fresh. This takes an extra step of peeling/cutting. I really like the selection of organic, frozen foods at Jungle Jim's and go there to stock up.

Cut up/dice the food in small pieces and cook it in the microwave with a little water. Don't boil the food as it will lose nutritional value. I either cook the food in steam bags or a microwave safe dish with a lid (corning wear).

After the food is cooked and soft- just blend it! You don't need a fancy blender- I use a magic bullet.

Then pour the food in fresh baby ice cube trays. They come with lids. I am sure there are other brands out there or you can just use a regular ice cube tray. I store them in the freezer and then once the food is frozen, I pop out the cubes and put them in labeled zip lock bags. The cubes of food are so cute!

There are a lot of brands of containers/storage/ideas for baby food.  Here is the one I like to use:
http://www.freshbaby.com/

Marvelous Mini Meatloaves

Shout out to Kelly who first introduced these to me. Thanks to kraftrecipes.com for the recipe! My favorite is the Mexican one.

Base:

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg (6 oz) Stovetop Stuffing Mix

1 cup water

Mix and match this base with these options:

Italian

1 tsp. Italian seasoning (I use oregano)

Spaghetti sauce

Mozzarella cheese

Mexican

2 tsp. chili powder

Salsa

Shredded cheese

Greek

1 tsp dried oregano leaves

Chopped, roasted red peppers

Crumbled Feta cheese

American/BBQ

1 tsp garlic powder

BBQ Sauce

Shredded Cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees. mix meat, stuffing, water, and the seasoning of your choice until well blended. Press into 12 muffin cups (sprayed well with cooking spray first).

Make an indentation in center of each with the back of a spoon. Fill evenly with 3/4 cup of add ins (listed above).

Bake for 30 minutes then top evenly with cheese and bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese in melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Shaving Cream Bath Paint

What you'll need:

foaming shaving cream - I got the stuff for sensitive skin
food coloring
container - try silicone muffin pan!
paint brushes

How to make it:

1. Squirt some foaming shaving cream in each of the 6 compartments of your muffin tin
2. Add food coloring to each one to make whatever colors you want. Mix them up well.
3. Give to your kiddo in the tub and let them have a blast!

Thanks again to meetthedubiens.com for the great idea!

Kool Aid Play Doh

What You Need:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup salt
1 pkg.(6 g) Kool-Aid Unsweetened Drink Mix, any flavor
1 Tbsp. Cream of tartar
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 Tbsp. oil
wax or parchment paper
small airtight containers

Make It:

MIX first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add boiling water and oil; stir with fork 3 to 4 min. or until cooled, then mix with hands until well blended.

PLACE on waxed or parchment paper; knead until no longer sticky, adding additional flour 1 tsp. at a time if necessary.

How to Store:

Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

I have seen this recipe in main places- but thanks to meetthedubiens.com!

Easy Crock Pot Chili

Here is the easiest and yummiest chili recipe. Thanks to my Mom for passing it along to me!

1 lb ground beef

1 small onion (diced)

1 can crushed/diced tomato

1 can chili magic (I like the Texas Medium)

Sometimes I add a finely diced green pepper too

Brown the ground beef and saute the onion. Drain access fat. Add beef, onion, chili magic, tomato (do not drain) to crock pot and simmer on low all day.

I like to serve it with shredded cheese and crackers. I also double or triple it for guests. Enjoy!

Great Deal on Elf on a Shelf

You can get the Elf on a Shelf Bookset for $10.13 on Amazon.com right now. Not sure how long the deal will last. That is 66% off the normal price!

Thanks Savings Lifestyle for the tip!

Chicken Tortilla Soup (Crock Pot Recipe)

This is my favorite chicken tortilla soup recipe ever! I like to add new things all of the time like black or pinto beans. I serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream, and even more cilantro. AND....it is made in the crock pot. So easy!

• 1 pound shredded, cooked chicken
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
• 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups water
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Directions

Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth, and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours

Thanks to http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup/ for the recipe!

Baked Ziti

Baked Ziti

• 1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta
• 24 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 (32 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse.
2. In a medium bowl, mix ziti, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg and 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish and spoon in ziti mixture. Top with remaining spaghetti sauce, followed by Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes; let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Thanks to http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-ziti-ii/ for the recipe!

Vegetable Dumpling Soup

Every week we have a meatless meal. This is a great one that tastes like a potpie- minus the meat!

Vegetable Dumpling Soup

2 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 4 ribs celery from the heart, chopped
• 2 onions, cut into half-inch dice
• 4 carrots, peeled and cut into half-inch dice
• 1 potato, peeled and diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 fresh bay leaf
• Salt and pepper
• 2 quarts vegetable or chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 rounded tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 box Jiffy biscuit mix, prepared to box directions
• 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves, chopped
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

Preparation

Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot with a lid over medium heat with EVOO. When oil is hot, add celery, onions, carrots, potato, zucchini, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Stir and cover, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add stock, raise heat to bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low to keep a rolling simmer.

Melt butter in microwave or small pot and combine with flour and Dijon mustard. Whisk the roux into soup.

Prepare the biscuit mix according to package directions, adding parsley to the dough.

Stir peas and tarragon into soup. Use 2 teaspoons to drop small, walnut-sized dumplings into the soup and cover pot with lid. Cook 6 minutes then uncover and check that the dumplings are firm. Ladle soup into bowls and serve immediately

Thanks to Rachel Ray for the recipe!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

This one is great when you have lots of ham leftovers!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

• 4 cups chicken , cooked and cubed
• 3 cups ham , cooked and cubed
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese , shredded
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 375.
2. 2
   Spray 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3. 3
   Combine cooked chicken, cooked ham and mozerella cheese in a large bowl. Set aside.
4. 4
   In a large sauce pan, melt butter. Add flour to make paste and cook for 2 minutes.
5. 5
   Add 2 cups milk, heat to a boil, stirring constantly.
6. 6
   Remove from heat and add ground mustard and nutmeg.
7. 7
   Pour sauce over chicken mixture, coat well.
8. 8
   Transfer into prepared pan.
9. 9
   Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until top is bubbly and brown.
   
   
   I served it with white rice and a veggie. Next time I may put peas in the casserole too.
   
   
   Thanks to: http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-cordon-bleu-casserole-411270#ixzz1hfu5PCKW for the recipe!