Spice:The Name of the Game

This week, I'm on a bit of a mission to liven things up everywhere: projects with my kids, in the kitchen testing new recipes and, most importantly, with my hubby. I strongly believe that the foundation to a happy, healthy family starts with mom and dad. If we are not communicating, spending time together and putting our marriage first, it trickles down and nobody is happy. So first order of business?? Date night! Thanks to our sweet babysitters, we were able to have a weeknight happy hour date followed by a little cruise on my hubby's motorcycle. Absolute perfection.
Next up? Testing out some yummy recipes for dinner and making homemade granola with my kiddos. As we all do, I get stuck in a cooking rut from time to time...nothing thumbing through recipe books can't cure. I've got some great dinner plans for the week and can't wait to serve the granola in the morning with yogurt. It's a quick and healthy breakfast for us all.
Lastly, crafts! October is a great month to get crafty with the kids. Pumpkins are the perfect ingredient for activities. Teach the kids how they grow, what you can do with the seeds (roast and eat, of course!) and how to make the perfect jack-o-lantern. I like to buy die-cuts from Michaels and let them decorate to their hearts content. Whatever the season, there are always fun projects to be had so get crackin' and add a little spice to your day!
Here are a few recipes to get out of your cooking rut:
Asian beef w/steamed broccoli and brown rice- Place a five-pound roast in your slow cooker on low for about six hours. Once tender, shred and add 1/2 cup soy sauce, two sliced green onions and 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce. I just threw a bunch of my condiments in and it was yummy! Just make sure you add at least a cup or so of liquid or it will be dry. Serve over brown rice with steamed broccoli.
Chicken tortilla soup- Bring six cups chicken broth to a simmer and add one can corn, one can black beans, one can crushed tomatoes and one cup shredded chicken and heat through. Add tortilla chips, shredded cheese and green onions on top before serving.
Homemade granola- Mix five cups oats, one cup cranberries, one cup slivered almonds, one cup honey and one cup unsweetened applesauce until coated. Pour onto baking sheet and bake at 350-degrees for twenty minutes. Serve over yogurt.
What are you doing to liven things up at home??