Summer Salads

Ok, ok...so I know I have been pushing fall for weeks now, and it's officially here, but because there are a few hot ones still to come, I urge you to take advantage of what's left of all that yummy summer produce out there. Juicy watermelon, berries, sweet corn and buttery avocados, to name a few, are just at the end of their season so why not use 'em up and enjoy them one last time? A great way to do that in one fell swoop? In a big old salad! Lately, I've been working on getting my kids (and hubby, let's be honest) to eat a larger variety of fruits and veggies and this is a great way to load their plates of with an assortment of healthy and delicious foods. It's easier to get kids to try things if you don't make a big deal out of it and just simply add it to their plate with foods they already like. You don't only have to use lettuce for a base; you can use rice, pasta, potatoes...anything!! So what perfect timing for a delicious dressing recipe from Ellen, our in-house pastry chef and sister extraordinaire! I know for me, some of the ingredients are a little exotic (you can tell I'm a simple cook!) but keep them on hand and it will force you to use them more often and get creative!! They will last forever says Ellen, and you will find use after use for them! What will you make??

  3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  2 tablespoons peanut butter
  2 teaspoons brown sugar
  3/4 teaspoon hot chile paste
  1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or powdered)
  3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  1 tablespoon sesame oil

This dressing was great with a salad made of romaine, chicken, mandarin oranges and cashews. Oh, and I threw in some crunchy noodles in there for good measure!! Enjoy!

Pallet Perfect

The time had come for me to revamp the kitchen wall above my table. It was blah and boring and I couldn't stand looking at it any longer. A couple collage style frames and a large letter and it just needed...something. I had been toying with the idea of using a pallet as a shelf for a while and after browsing Pinterest a bit, I decided it was time. Although it would be bulky and heavy, I knew it was just the change I needed. So my darling hubby was able to find one lying around and he was sweet enough to hang it for me. With my blank canvas, I started to place items and decided a few frames, the large letter and a few of the kids crafts would be a good start. I love the way it looks and love the character it adds to my house. It is definitely a statement piece and one that I will leave for a while. Sometimes you have to step outside the box and do something a little different, a little daring and for me, that came in the form of a pallet...free, easy and full of charm!! What will your next DIY project be??

The Rotisserie Chicken

 I've never been one to buy a rotisserie chicken but I had a couple of recipes in mind that would be perfect with that slowly cooked, fall-off-the-bone flavor that the rotisserie chicken is known for. Sure, I could just throw a few chicken breasts in the crock-pot and let it do all the work for me but I figured for around the same price, I could have instant gratification. My chicken was $7.99 at Vons but I've seen them on sale for as low as five bucks so stock up when they are on sale. Throw a salad and veggie or potatoes with it and you've got yourself a quick, healthy meal. It's better than fast-food and super tasty.
So with my chicken in hand, I got crackin'. First, I wanted to make a chicken salad. At least once a week, and usually on karate nights when we are rushed, I make a simple supper of soup and salad or sandwiches and chips with fruit. So this would be perfect. I like mine with a little crunch and texture so I combined about two cups of shredded chicken, a handful of pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and a big scoop of cranberries. I mixed it all with about a half a cup of mayo and a little salt and pepper and my salad was ready! Served on soft-baked ciabatta rolls from the bakery, I had created a delicious sandwich that blew my typical, boring, ham and cheese outta the water!
For the next dish, I made a creamy lemon garlic pasta with the rest of the chicken. I boiled a box of Barilla callentani pasta and set aside. I browned two chopped garlic cloves, a teaspoon of butter and the juice of one lemon then added two cups of heavy cream and let it come to a slow simmer. I then added oregano, basil, salt and pepper to taste. Once combined with the chicken and pasta, it made a perfect, comforting meal!! Of course, no pasta dish is complete without garlic bread! So what will you make with your rotisserie chicken???

                                             Tangy, crunchy and delicious chicken salad!!!

                                                  Mix the cream sauce, chicken and pasta...

viola!!

Mom Jeans

While shopping with a girlfriend recently, we couldn't help but notice we were continuously drawn to all things...mom. You know what I mean...we all have our "uniform", our go-to outfits for day-to-day. Mine is jeans, a tank and flip-flops. Or if I'm feeling especially ambitious, sneakers and sweats in hopes that I might get a quick walk in. But either way, each outfit is undeniably boring, boring, boring. Oh, and slightly frumpy when you add the ponytail and day old makeup to the mix. Now, I'm not saying I can't pull it together when need be, but my attire usually falls by the wayside in light of all I'm trying to accomplish during the day. Getting my kids dressed, fed, and entertained with unending messes to tend to, I just don't have the motivation to take it up a notch. Us moms are usually the last to eat, the last to sit down at the end of the day and the last to go shopping for ourselves. Somehow our family budget never seems to allow for frivolous shopping on my part. Shoes for the kids? Check. Tires for the car? Money to pay the sky-high electric bill?? Yes. We somehow manage for those necessities but mommy gets put on the back burner.
So with coupons in hand, my cohort and I decided it was time to shop. You don't have to break the bank to freshen your wardrobe either. Places like Old Navy, Forever 21, Target and Kohl's ALWAYS have sales and coupons available. Without spending a ton, we chose a few great pieces to add to our closet. Over and over, we picked out things in dark colors to camouflage spit-up, stains and snot, items with elastic and anything under ten dollars. After consulting the mirror in the dressing room, we decided enough was enough. Time to spruce things up a little. Without spending a ton, we chose a few great pieces to add to our closet.
The cute boat neck top with stripes would be just as comfortable as the plain, boring t-shirt so into the "keep" pile it went. Stretch jeans comfy enough to hang around the house in, sit on the floor and play in and wear for the rare night out were keepers. We figured we could easily trade the boring, tired pieces for things with a bit more personality without sacrificing comfort. Live in sweats and yoga pants?? No problemo. Maybe try a fresh pair in a bright color or with a splashy pattern. Can't part with the tanks you have in every color? Fine, but try them layered or under a plaid shirt or yes, I'm going to say it...a blouse. We are adults and so we figured it was time to start dressing like them (or at least try). We don't intend to toss our favorite sweatpants or warm-ups any time soon but little by little, we are bringing "grown-up" back. I vow to lose the ponytail from time to time and break my jewelry out of cobwebs once in a while. It just takes a few touches to look better but more importantly, feel better. We are moms first and there's no reason we can't feel great while mastering the toughest job in the world. How do you dress it up?

A (Separate) Date Night

Since our anniversary, my hubby and I have had a pair of movie passes burning a hole in...my wallet. So we decided the time had come to use them. Now, this is a big deal for us. Because movies have become outrageously expensive, they are more of a treat these days. So the sitters were in place. We just had to decide on a movie. This was no easy feat considering there are so many good ones out right now and we both wanted to see different ones. I was leaning towards Hope Springs and my hubby wanted to see Avengers so we had a choice to make...or did we??
Both movies happened to be playing the SAME time at the theater we wanted to go to. Coincidence? I think not. Why couldn't we go out together and see different movies? What was stopping us? Nothing, that's what. Why should either of us sit through a movie we didn't want to see, bored out of our mind?? So we got in line, purchased our tickets and headed inside. Large popcorn, please, split for two. A quick kiss and we were off to our movies. As I settled in and enjoyed all the was chick-flick-esque, I knew Mike was enjoying some action packed adventure of his own. A couple hours later and we were reunited. Off to dinner we went, hand in hand, to catch up. It was the perfect date night and although it may not sound like the most romantic outing, it worked for us. Quirky? Perhaps. A little weird? Maybe, but that's just how we roll.

Fall Crafts

Every mom I know enjoys (or at least endures..) doing crafts with their kids...and the kids?? They love them! Getting their hands dirty, playing with beads, sequins, glitter, glue, buttons and ALL things messy is not just fun for kids, but a way to learn as well. Yes, you will have to sweep (again!) and your kids will probably need a bath but why not whip out the craft box and let 'em at it? I know, it takes effort but really, you are doing them a service by expanding their activities and letting them strengthen their creative muscle.
This week, I had my kids make place mats with puffy paper and stickers, face masks, and fall wreaths out of some old cardboard and glued-on plastic leaves. (It's safer to use white school glue but I hate the stuff and usually opt for hot glue. Just be VERY careful!!!) Your projects don't have to be over-the-top or expensive to make. Most were a dollar or less and honestly, our crafts take less than half an hour but the kids get so excited to show Daddy when he gets home! Oh, and don't forget nature walks and trips to the park to collect pine cones, sticks and other FREE materials for your crafts! What will you make for fall??

 

 Place mats... 

 

 Painting...

 ..and masks!!

 

 

Don't forget...fall wreaths!! 

Let 'Em Dip!

Got kids who are picky eaters? Me too. It's super annoying and frustrating, isn't it?? After preparing a healthy and delicious meal only to have my kids turn their noses up to it is...disheartening. But lately I think I've gotten to the bottom of it. Here are a few things I've tweaked in our day that seem to have helped and get my kids to eat more:

-First of all, I don't make my kids a separate meal anymore...I did this for waaaay too long before just getting irritated but if they have a willing parent who will make the grilled cheese, chicken nuggets...etc. every night, why not ask for it?? I don't even give them the option. I always serve a little of whatever I'm making that night and add a fruit or veggies with ranch. I give them several different things on their plate, along with something familiar that I know they already eat, and they are more likely to try it.
- Next, I stopped letting them graze all day. My kids would snack too much and not be hungry for the meal. Now, if they are hungry close to dinnertime, I offer fruit or something light to hold them over.
- If dinnertime squabbles arise, I simply suggest they take a couple bites to taste what I've made then back off. If by the end of the meal they still haven't tried it, I  leave it at the table. Later, when they ask for a snack or dessert, I take them back to the plate and offer it again. That's it. My kids would rather get through a couple bites during dinner than have to eat it cold later. The point here is to get your kids to try new things, not join the clean plate club. A couple bites is all we're looking for.
- Lastly, let them dip! I often serve little cups with ranch, BBQ sauce, ketchup...whatever your kids favorite dips are and let them eat their meal while dipping. My son has been known to dip his turkey into peanut butter...strange, but he finished it!! It gives them a little independence and any time there's an opportunity to let them help with a meal or pour on their own sauce, let them. They will be more enthusiastic to eat something they had a hand in. Good luck!!
What are your tricks to get your kids to eat??

          Apples with peanut butter (I also served whole-wheat crackers..) is a typical breakfast

                                          

 

 

****Disclaimer...if your kids have special nutritional needs or struggle with their weight, speak to their pediatrician before following these tips!