Homemade Taco Seasoning

I found this recipe online many years ago and tweaked it a little to my family's taste. You can use red pepper flakes in place if the cayenne pepper and alter the amount depending on how much you like to sweat while you eat. I make mine in large amounts and store it in a mason jar so it's always on hand. I make mine in large amounts and store it in a mason jar so it's always on hand.

What you'll need:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:
In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients. Store in an airtight container. When ready to use, add 1/4 cup of water to 1 pound of  browned ground beef, steak or chicken. Immediately sprinkle with 2 1/2-3 tablespoons of seasoning. Stir to combine. Simmer until liquid is absorbed. 


Serving size: 2 1/2 - 3 Tablespoons per 1 pound of meat.

Servings: 4
Nutritional Information* (per serving):

Calories: 12  Fat: 0g  Protein: 0g  Carbs: 2g  Sugar: 0g  


*Nutritional information is based on exact measurements above. Results will vary if the recipe is altered.

Menu - Week of 6/10/12

Breakfast
Breakfast Burritos, Fruit Salad
Strawberry Pancakes w/Syrup x2
Cereal w/skim milk, Fruit Salad 
Bagel Thin w/ Light Cream Cheese, Strawberries
Oatmeal w/Blueberries
Egg & Cheese Bagel Thin, Fruit Salad


Lunch
Pizza Bagel Thins, Salad
Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese, Apple Slices
Egg Salad Sandwiches, Pringles, Mandarin Oranges
Turkey Sandwich, Pickle, Pringles, Applesauce
Low-Fat Cheese Quesadillas on Whole Wheat Tortillas, Fruit
Leftover Spaghetti, Salad
Leftovers or Sandwiches, Fruit


Dinner
Crock Pot Chili over Rice, Saltine Crackers, Watermelon
Spaghetti, Green Beans, Italian Bread, Salad
Chicken Nachos, Watermelon 
Cheeseburgers, Baked beans, Pringles, Fruit Salad
Chili Dog Casserole, Pringles, Baby Carrots, Fruit Salad
Tacos, Rice & Beans 


You may have already caught onto this, but I try to plan my menus so that we use up most/all of what I buy each week. For example, if we have bagels for breakfast, we're having pizza bagels for lunch one day, and the leftover chili from supper one night will be used for chili dog casserole another night. I try to keep the menu as kid friendly as I can while still keeping it somewhat healthy. I use low-fat cheese, turkey hot dogs, whole wheat tortillas and pasta, etc. I also have a rule that veggies/fruit must be finished if you want seconds/dessert (which is rare anyway). I don't force vegetables but I do try to make sure I'm incorporating what Mackenzie likes - we don't eat a lot of corn because she is not a fan of it, but she loves carrots, green beans and broccoli. I do keep a stock of healthy snacks and the occasional treat as well. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section!

Pizza Bagel Thins

What kid doesn't love pizza? Especially pizza...on a bagel. Maybe not the most sophisticated of meals, but it's a quick, easy lunch and it's very kid friendly. This is always a hit with my kiddo...and I'd be lying if I didn't say I sometimes make extra with some veggies just in case I get hungry ;)

First, gather your ingredients (it's pretty complicated, y'all):

What you'll need:

2 Bagels, Sliced (we use Bagel Thins to keep it a little healthier)

4 Tablespoons jarred Pizza sauce (or if you like it fancy, you could make your own ahead of time.)

1/2 Cup Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese 

Mini Pepperoni (I used 16 slices per bagel half, 32 slices total)

Sprinkle of Dried Parsley and/or Basil 

Preparation: 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Separate your bagel halves. On each half, spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce.    Distribute 1/2 cup of cheese in equal amounts over each pizza bagel half. Sprinkle dried parsley and/or basil on each pizza half. Top with mini pepperoni - a smiley face is design is always a hit. :) 

Place bagel halves on a cookie sheet greased with Pam and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until bagels are crisp and cheese is bubbly. 

Servings: 2
Serving Size: 2 bagel halves

Nutritional Information* (per serving):

Calories: 235   Fat: 9g  Protein: 13g  Carbs: 27g  Sugar: 4g  

*Nutritional information is based on exact measurements above. Results will vary if the recipe is altered.

Perfectly Shredded Chicken

Once upon a time, I hated touching meat. Okay, I still do, it just gives me the heebie jeebies. I loathed any recipe that required me to make a hamburger patty, a meatball, or heaven forbid shredding chicken with my bare hands.Yuck. I literally avoided making some of my favorite foods because of it. Luckily, I don't have to worry so much about it, because I've found the key to perfectly shredded chicken - every time. The chicken comes out juicy and tender, perfect for any recipe calling for chicken. It's easy, super fast and won't leave you feeling greasier than Uncle Jesse's hair on Full House. 

What you'll need:
1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast
Salt and pepper to taste
Aluminum foil
Cookie sheet
Electric mixer - I use my Kitchen Aid


Preparation:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Season uncooked chicken with salt and pepper to your liking. Lay breasts on aluminum foil and fold to make a pouch. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes - 1 hour. When chicken is done baking, drain liquid out of packet and immediately transfer cooked chicken breasts to your mixing bowl. Using a whisk or paddle attachment, beat chicken until shredded, about 1 minute. Store in an airtight container until ready for use. 

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Outside

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge

Boy at Sunset

This is one of my favorite photos from our beach trip:

Myrtle Beach: Day 3

Today was our final day at the beach. We decided to return to Boardwalk on the Beach for a relaxing day of  more shopping and a trip to the aquarium. We enjoyed seeing the sharks, the arrays of tropical fish swimming in their brightly colored schools, naming "Lizzy the Lizard", picking our favorite color of Poison Dart Frogs, watching a diving show where we learned the names of each type of fish, what they eat and what countries they're from, exploring the interactive area where you could crawl underneath and  "into" fish tanks, holding a Horseshoe Crab (My Momma was the only one brave enough), and even petting the Stingrays. 

I hope you're enjoying the beginning of Spring. Remember to stop to enjoy the little things: the cool, crisp mornings and the perfectly warm days, the smell of BBQ wafting through the yard as you watch your little one(s) catch fireflies in the evening light, the scent of the fresh flowers in bloom, the softness of the cool grass between your toes, the freshly hatched baby birds chirping for their mothers, and the realization that summer is just around the corner.