Banana Muffins

I've been on a muffin kick lately! I think because the girls really love them and I can make them one morning and eat on them the rest of the week;) Here's a new banana muffin recipe I tried this morning that was so so so tasty!!!!!

Banana Muffins

by: http://allshecooks.com/2013/03/05/perfect-banana-muffins-2/

3 bananas, mashed

¼ cup butter or margarine, melted

¼ cup milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup sugar

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together mashed up bananas, melted butter and milk. Whisk egg, vanilla and sugar into other ingredients. Add dry ingredients and stir until everything is just mixed together. Do not over-mix. Spray a muffin pan and fill each muffin cup. Bake for 20 minutes. Makes 12 standard size muffins.

Salmon Tacos

My mom made these for us after I had Marlee and I've been making them alllll the time since then! They are so yummy and sooo easy!!!! 

Salmon Tacos:

by: Mama Blaser

2 Salmon filets

one avacado

corn tortillas

coleslaw lettuce

a lime and lemon

cilantro dressing (a must!!) 

Squirt a lemon all over the salmon, season with salt, pepper, lemon pepper and throw on a baking sheet at 350 for 15-20 minutes. You just want to bake it long enough for the salmon to flake off  (my mom is so pro at this) Then throw it in some corn tortillas, put some avacado slices in it, some coleslaw, a squirt of a lime and top it with the yummy cilantro  dressing and enjoy!!!!! delish!!!!!

( this is the yummy dressing) 

One Pan Meal

Those nights where you want to make a thoughtless but delicious meal you will be thanking me for this recipe! This meal is soo good, soo easy and so so adaptable! 

One Pan Meal:

by: paleomadepainless.blogspot.com

(this made enought for Chris, Marlee and I plus a little little leftovers for the next day) 

3 skinless, boneless chicken breast-cut into chunks

3 red potatoes-cut into chunks

2 sweet potatoes- peeled and cut into chunks

asparagus (I will be honest. I made this one with asparagus and I didn't LOVE it, they were too soggy for my liking-although my hubs liked them-. I would suggest green beans or even Brussels sprouts ;)

Olive oil

Spices: I used an Italian blend for the chicken, Rosemary for the chicken &red potatoes, salt and pepper for the asparagus and cinnamon for the sweet potatoes 

Directions: Arrange the Ingredients like the picture above. Lightly drizzle olive oil over the top. Season to your liking. Cover with aluminum foil and cook at 350 for an hour. 

-adapt any way you would like and enjoy!!!:)

Zaba Bowl

While we were in Vegas I went to this place called Zabas and got a "Zaba bowl" it was sooo delicious that I decided to try and make my own tonight which turned out sooo bomb!!!

Ingredients:

(this served two people so adapt to your family)

1 sweet potatoe, peeled and cut into little half moons

1 uncooked cup of brown rice 

1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained

2 skinless chicken breast cut into little pieces 

half a yellow onion cut into half moons 

1 bell pepper (any color would work) sliced into thin pieces

The brown rice is what takes the longest (45 mins) So I would cook that first-just follow the instructions on the box. While that's cooking preheat the oven to 350. Toss the sweet potatoes in Olive oil and salt, pepper and garlic salt (or whatever seasoning you prefer) Bake in the oven for 30-40 mins depending on how soft you like yours. While the sweet potatoes and rice is cooking, cook your chicken. I put some fresh lime juice on mine with some salt and pepper and cooked it on the stovetop with a little bit of Olive oil,but you really can cook it however you like or even use leftover chicken from earlier in the week. Toss the onions and peppers in the same pan you cooked the chicken in. When everything is done you'll put the rice on the bottom, black beans, cooked chicken, sweet potatoes and onions and peppers!! yummmm! I squeezed a little bit of lime all over mine. Also makes great leftovers for a healthy lunch!

Texas Cavier

This dip is super yummy to make at the beginning of the week and munch on all week!!

Ingredients:

1 can of shoepeg corn, drained (11 oz)

1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained 

2 Roma tomatoes,diced

1 bunch of green onions, thinly sliced 

1/2 bunch cilantro, finely chopped

1 avacado, chopped-I usually add more everyday 

Dressing:

1 garlic clove, minced 

1-2 T of hot sauce (I use franks hot sauce) 

2 TB red wine vinegar 

2 TB olive oil 

1 tsp of salt 

1/2 tsp pepper 

Mix all together and pour over veggies. Mix well. delish now and later!!

Serve with chips!

Green Smoothie

Brooke made this for me when the kids and I were visiting over Spring Break. My favorite smoothie by far! I know green smoothies are not "new" by any means, but all the ones I have tried taste like straight veggies. The secret ingredient she uses is unfiltered apple juice. I have to make it at least 3 times a week, so yummy! Jay (18 months) fights me for it.

Green Smoothie

Recipe from Brooke

makes 2 servings (for 1 just cut it in half)

1 1/2 cups raw unfiltered apple juice

2 BIG (heaping over) handfuls of spinach 

1 BIG handful of kale

1-1 1/2 cups of frozen fruit mix (strawberries, pineapple, mango, peaches) 

Start with your apple juice in the blender followed by the spinach. Mix until it's pureed, then add the kale. Mix until pureed really well. Then add your frozen fruit mix and blend until smooth. If you like it more liquid, use 1 cup of fruit. If you like it really thick use 1 1/2 or more cups of the fruit. Enjoy!

Stuffed Red Peppers

Okay, are you guys ready for the most delicious, easiest meal ever! Because these are definitely them! They are soo soo simple yet so fantastic!!!! Plus they are on the healthy side which is a bonus for all you health nuts;)

Stuffed Red Peppers

by: www.dashingdash.com

Ingredients:

(This made 6 Bell peppers halved, Chris and I ate 2 each, plus a huge scoop for Marlee who loved the turkey mixture) 

1 lb lean ground turkey (you could always do ground beef too but the turkey tasted just the same, and healthier so why not right)

3 Red Bell Peppers

2 Cups of Spaghetti Sauce (I like the Newmans brand and the "Cabernet Marinara" worked really well with this recipe.

1 tsp of Basil and Oregano

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Salt and Pepper

1/2 Cup of Frozen chopped spinach (or whatever other veggie you want)- I LOVED this!!! 

2 TBS Grated Parmesan cheese plus some to garnish over the top of each pepper

Directions: Preheat oven to 450. Line the baking sheet with foil and spray with some cooking spray. Wash the red peppers and cut around the stem to remove. Cut peppers in half length-wise and remove seeds and ribs inside the peppers. Cook the ground turkey, add the sauce and seasonings to the mixture. When the turkey is completely cooked add the spinach and Parmesan and stir until everything is well combined. Scoop 1/2 C of the turkey into each pepper. Sprinkle some Parmesan over each pepper and bake for 20-30 min or until cheese is melted (ours were good at 20 mins!) Remove from oven and gobble it up!!!! delicious!!! 

Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza

I'm usually not a huge fan of BBQ chicken pizza but this was super tasty!!!! And even better it took like 5 minute to make, perfect for those nights you don't have a lot of time. 

Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza

by: Lauren Elvidge 

Ingredients:

Pita bread (I just bought mine but you can always be super woman and make your own:))- 

BBQ sauce

Cooked diced chicken 

Diced red onion 

Pitch of Rosemary

Cheddar Cheese-or whatever kind you like 

Preheat oven to 350. Spread BBQ sauce on the pita bread, add chicken, onion, rosemary (and whatever else you want to add) Top with the cheese. Bake for 10-20 minutes depending on how crispy you like yours! Enjoy!:)

Turkey Lettuce Wraps

These yummmmmy Turkey Lettuce Wraps are soooo simple, easy and fantastic!!!!! They've become a must have for our homemade Asian dinners. 

Turkey Lettuce Wraps:

by: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/turkey-lettuce-wraps-recipe.html#!

12 ounces ground turkey

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

8 ounces white mushrooms, chopped

3 scallions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

One 6-ounce can water chestnuts, chopped

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

Drizzling Sauce:

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or spicy mustard

1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

8 to 12 large iceberg lettuce leaves, cleaned and dry

Directions: Brown the turkey in the oil in a large saute pan until no longer pink. Add the mushrooms, scallions, garlic and water chestnuts,cook until the mushrooms soften. Then in a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar and vinegar, pour over the turkey mixture and cook 1 minute. Remove from the heat.

For the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, mustard, Sriracha, sesame oil and 1/4 cup water.

Put the turkey mixture in the lettuce wraps and drizzle the sauce over. Seriously delicious!! Side note: these make really good leftovers and are on the healthy side so are perfect for lunch the next day:)

Black Bean Sweet Potatoes

I wasn't going to post this recipe because it's so simple it's silly. BUT this is my second time making it and my husband has really loved it both times!! You can make it as a side or as a meal like I do on our meatless nights:) Pair it with some veggies like the picture or my favorite is to pair it with the Kale salad(found on our blog)

Black Bean Sweet Potatoes:

Recipe (& pic because mine some how got deleted) from: http://naturalvitalityliving.com/sonnet-lauberth-recipes/

Ingredients:

3 sweet potatoes (or however many you need for your family)

1 can of black beans rinsed 

Half of yellow onion chopped 

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

shake of chili powder

Red pepper flakes

Bake the sweet potatoes at 350 for 1 hr 15 min (or however long it takes for those suckers to bake). When the sweet potatoes are about done, sauté the onion in some olive oil (for about 3-5 min) add the cumin, paprika, and chili powder and sauté for another minute. Add the black beans and sauté for another couple minutes. Take the baked sweet potatoes out cut them in half and atop them with the black bean mixture. Add some red pepper flakes for garnish. Sooo yummy!!! 

*The black bean mixture only feeds about 3 people so if you need more just double the recipe. Also in the original recipe it calls for 1 cup of vegetable broth, I didn't think it needed it so I opted out both times. 

Garlic Chicken Spinach Pasta

This dish was super Delish and super easy!!!!! just what I love!!! 

Garlic Chicken Spinach Pasta

by:http://recipeshoebox.blogspot.com/2010/03/garlic-chicken-pasta-with-spinach.html?m=1

6 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 

6 tablespoons olive oil

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Salt and pepper to taste

1 pound penne pasta

1 (5-ounce) bag baby spinach

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried

6 tablespoons juice from 2 lemons

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

Boil your water for the Pasta (directions on the package)

Combine garlic, pepper flakes and olive oil in a microwaveable bowl and microwave for about 1 minute

Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and season with salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium-high heat put 1TB of the garlic mixture into it and add the chicken and cook until the chicken is done.

While the chicken is cooking, put the pasta in the boiling water with 1TB or so of salt and cook the pasta according to the package. (about 11 mins)

When the pasta is done, drain and return back to pot. Add the remaining of the garlic mixture, lemon juice, basil, cheese, spinach, and chicken. Stir and serve immediately! Yum Yum!!

Waffles

This is definitely my go to recipe for waffles. They are so simple to make (and I always have all the ingredients) and they are delish!!!! 

Waffles

by: allrecipes.com

2 eggs

2 cups of flour

1 3/4 cups of milk

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

1 TB of white sugar

4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

Preheat waffle iron, beat eggs in a large bowl with hand beater until fluffy. Beat in rest of the ingredients until smooth. Pour mix into waffle and cook until done and enjoy!!! Plus don't forget the toppings! Some of our favorites are fruit, honey instead of syrup and cinnamon  YUM! 

Cashew Chicken

My family really loves Chinese food!!! Unfortunately we don't have any good Chinese restaurants here except Panda Express haha. So I've had to learn to find some yummy Chinese recipes and this has easily become our fav!! Plus it is SOOO stinkin easy to make!! 

Cashew Chicken:

recipe by: www.eclecticrecipes.com

2 TB olive oil

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken, chopped 

8 cloves of garlic, minced (I just used some garlic salt and powder)

1 cup of cashews

1 bell pepper diced

3/4 water or chicken stock (I just used water)

2 TB corn starch

4 TB Hoisin Sauce

2 TB white wine vinegar

sliced green onions (for topping)

steamed rice

Preheat a large skillet and add the olive oil. Salt and pepper the chicken. Add Chicken, garlic, cashews, and bell pepper to skillet. Cook until the chicken is done (20 minutes or so). While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl combine cornstarch and water and mix well. When chicken is done add the cornstarch & water. Then add hoisin sauce and vinegar. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, until sauce has thickened. Just before serving add green onions. Serve with or on rice. Enjoy! 

Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa

Hello deliciousness!!!! This Mango Salsa is DELISH!!! not even joking. I could eat it up with a spoon. I didn't have all the ingredients so I had to improvise and it was still bomb. Hope you love it as much as I do! 

Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa:

adapted by: americanfood.about.com

Salmon Filets (however many for your family) 

Salt & Pepper

Olive oil

For the Mango Salsa:

1 ripe mango, peeled, seeded, and diced small (about 1 1/2 cups) I threw my slices of mango in the blender for just a quick sec and that seemed to work great! 

2 tablespoon red bell pepper, diced fine (I used green and it was still yum)

2 tablespoon red onion, finely diced (I used yellow onion)

1 tablespoon finely diced jalapeno

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro 

1 tablespoon rice vinegar (I used 1/2 TB of apple cider vinegar instead)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon cumin

pinch of cayenne, optional

salt to taste

lime wedges to garnish

Combine all the Mango Salsa ingredients and mix in a bowl. Let it sit outside in room temp for 30 min. (toss before serving) Brush Salmon with Olive Oil and salt and pepper. Grill Salmon on grill for 5-7 minutes on each side until it's done to your liking. Top with the mango salsa and enjoy!! 

Chicken Baked Burritos

Alright peeps! These puppies are pretty pretty bomb!! They are easy, convenient, adaptable...etc etc... They are tasty and you will love them! (sorry NOT the best pic;) )

Chicken Baked Burritos

adapted by a recipe from: iwashyoudry.com

makes about 8 tortillas 

Tortillas (any kind you prefer) 

2 Skinless Chicken breast. sliced into strips and cooked 

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup frozen corn kernels thawed

1/4 c diced green onion

1/4 tsp of each: garlic powder, salt, cumin, paprika 

1 avocado, peeled pitted and diced 

1/4 cup of cilantro finely chopped
a can of Embasa Medium Salsa Verde (I did one burrito with just guacamole on it and it needed an extra kick so i topped it with some of this Salsa Verde that I just had in the pantry and I am soooo glad I did! I would definitely recommend doing this!)
-I also added some chopped jalapenos (for a yummmy kick) and you can add or omit whatever you wish!
-toppings: guacamole, sour cream, cheese, whatever else you want:)

Preheat oven to 400. Combine all the ingredients (minus tortillas) in a large bowl and toss. Lay out each tortilla and place 1/2 to 3/4 cups of chicken mixture to the center. Fold up the burritos enclosing both ends. Lightly spray a foil lined baking sheet and lay the burritos seam down on the tray. Lightly brush olive oil on the tops. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the outsides of the burrito are lightly browned and crisp. Put some toppings on them and gobble gobble!!

Honey Mustard Chicken

Of course, I found this recipe on Pinterest and let me just say that I am more than thrilled I did. It was sooo delish and so stinkin easy! Definitely one of my new favs.

Honey Mustard Chicken

by:http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2013/03/easy-honey-mustard-baked-chicken.html

1/4 c of grainy/course mustard (so I didn't have this nor did I know what the heck it was so I opted out, which is a big deal because 1/4 c is a lot but this was still really yummy! Instead I sprinkled ground mustard in it) 

1/4 c of Dijon Mustard

1/2 c of Honey

3 tsp of Olive Oil

1/2 of a Small Onion-diced

2 cloves of Garlic-minced

2 1/2 pds of Skinless Chicken tenderloins (I used about 3 Chicken breasts and sliced them in half)

salt and pepper

4 small Springs of Fresh Rosemary

-Combine the mustards, honey and 2 tsp of olive oil in a small bowl. In a skillet with 1tsp of olive oil saute the onion for about 3-4 minutes and then throw in the garlic and saute for another couple minutes. Put the onion/garlic in the bottom of a pan (I used a 9x9) salt and pepper the chicken and place the chicken on top of the onions. Then pour the honey mustard mixture over the chicken. Place the fresh rosemary around the chicken and cover it with tin foil. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes, remove the tin foil and baste the chicken with the sauce and then bake for another 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy! 

Tuesday Tip

The first time I cut a Mango it was honestly thee messiest, worst experience ever. Then Nicole showed me this video on YouTube. This is so much fun for the little ones and totally awesome!! Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTVAdS0D1Bc

Tuesday TIp!!!

I decided to start doing a "Tuesday Tip" every Tuesday. Just something little to help the every day cooker to help make their life a little easier. So today's tip is brought to you by my sister Nicole Riggs!! 

The easiest way to clean a crock pot after a meal is to fill it full of dish soap and water and turn the crock pot on warm. Let it soak for a few hours, or I've even let it soak over night. Scrub all the edges, dump the water out and tada good as new:) 

Kale Chips

I have been bugging everyone about some healthy snacks for Marlee because I have just been running out of ideas. Well I bought some Kale to throw in our smoothies and I thought why not make some kale chips!!! So I texted my friend Aubrey and tada. These were soooo easy to make and they are pretty fantastic!!!! Marlee loved them. 

Kale Chips:

by: Aubrey Vick

Some Kale (either comes in a bag or just in bunches like normal lettuce)

Olive Oil

Sea Salt (I use Real salt) 

Rip off the kale, or cut it, wash it and throw it in a large bowl. Drizzle some olive oil over it and sprinkle salt over it and toss... Sorry to be so vague, but it really just depends on how much olive oil you want and salt you want. Chris said I put TOO much salt (who could have too much salt right? lol) So maybe be a little cautious of that. Cook at 400 for 10-15 minutes watch carefully you just want them to be a little brown so they're crunchy. and enjoy!!! 

Almond Butter

Our health nut sister Bre got me hooked on almond butter a few years ago and she was telling me how easy it was to make and BAM I made some. SOOOO delicious!!! You can eat this on crackers, toast, Marlee even loves an almond butter and jam sandwich! Yum. Plus it takes two ingredients and is healthy.

Almond Butter:

recipe by: Bre Hamideh

Coconut Oil (about a cup)

Almonds

-You melt about a cup of coconut oil on the stove. You don't want to do it TOO hot, you don't want it to boil or anything, you just want to cook it on low until it's melted. In your blender (we both have Vitamix blenders which are bomb) put in the raw almonds- you want to fill it a little under halfway. And pour in the coconut oil while you're mixing a little at a time. Keep doing this until you get the consistency you want. It usually makes about 2 pint fulls. Delish! Thanks Bre :)