MEXICAN TURKEY BURGERS

I have been crazy busy lately! Out.of.Control!  I haven't really made anything fun or special.

I know my 9 followers have been dying to follow my newest recipe....I say that in the most sarcastic voice ever spoken!

I picked up a box of turkey burgers from Sams recently and was extremely excited for the fact that you can cook them directly from frozen.  Perfect for a weeknight.  I had a green bell pepper that I needed to use so I decided to make them Mexican flavored.

 I seasoned with taco seasoning.  I also had the chived flavor cream cheese from the pork chops a few days ago, so I spread a little on top along with some green onions (since I grow my own :))

 Add Cheese, salsa, and blackbeans on the side!!

Results:

1) D gave it a 9!! It was perfect, however, he "can't just give away 10s". 

2)  RL demanded only black beans.

3) I gave it a 10!!! I LOVED the easiness and thought it tasted amazing.

A little extra....

I was so proud of my organization that I achieved last week.  So proud that is until RL decided she wanted a cereal bar (which she loves by the way).

She picked one out and brought it to her daddy.  He makes all things better! 

We tried out pretend play as our play activity this weekend!  Below is her princess Mardi Gras float.  She loved picking out her beads one by one and throwing them to her fans!

 We also used the big box from her convertible carseat for pretend play.  There were so many things that she found to use it for.  Below is a safe home for her big red ball!

On to the next day!!

EASY CROCK POT PORK CHOPS

It's Monday night which equals girls night!  We were able to fancy up dinner beyond our typical smoothies due to some yummy roast leftovers!! 

We were also able to upgrade our Monday night trash TV with Dancing with the Stars.  I have never been a huge follower based on the fact that I think the background music, set, lighting, and all things production equal super cheesy.  However, nothing could be worse than the last season of the bachelor.  Shivers.

Did I mention that my pretend boyfriend is a Star that is Dancing? Gavin, my love forever and always.  I will dream about your choppy stiff jagger moves all night long.

Moving on to the pork chops.  I used the below recipe (from pinterest)..

http://realmomkitchen.com/287/ranch-house-crock-pot-pork-chops-with-parmesan-mashed-potatoes/

I used two cans of cream of mushroom soup and four pork chops.  Low for 10 hours. 

I served over Lipton noodles (around a dollar at Walmart) and steamed brocolli with grated parm cheese!

Results:

1) D gave it a 9!  He said he couldnt believe how tender the "chicken" was.  Ummmm....it's a pork chop.  However, this is an important statement for those of you that do not like pork chops.  Apparently, it tastes like chicken.

2)  She is into eating everything at this stage in her development.  She just enjoys eating.

3) Definately a 9.  So very easy and so very good!!


Some added notes from the corner of all things RL.....we are having so much fun with our loosely based directive play activities.  Here are some things we have been doing....

Magnet sorting.

Perhaps she could have a bald spot.  Those curls seem to be misplaced in EVERY overhead picture.

Special place for story time.  She absolutely loves this.  She runs to it all day long!

Finally her favorite....diaper box derby.

As daddy pulled her though the house, mama got a little prize for herself.

Time to organize!! The little things, people.  The little things!!

CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE

I have two new challenges I have welcomed into my overstocked life.

1) One pinterest project a week (this includes recipes)

2) At least one directive play activity with RL a day.  I use the term directive play and activity very lightly.  Basically I want to hold myself accountable to take advantage of teachable moments and present her with a variety of learning experiences.  As a working mom, it is so so very easy to rush through all of the life essentials that must take place between 5:30 and 7:00 pm.  However, it IS possible to find time to do something fun and different every single day.  Some may say (Meredith) that I am setting my goals to high.  I say....go big or go home!

It doesn't have to be fancy, just something that simply has a teachable goal in mind.  Day 1 = coloring!  We did more of eating crayons than actually coloring with them, but we made a few beautiful and creative lines on a sheet.  Teachable moment = crayons are not for eating.  Wow...I feel like a better mom already!!

On to the food....from pinterest.  Weekly challenge = check!

Here is the recipe:

http://cleverlyinspired.blogspot.com/2011/02/angel-chickenslow-cooker.html

I followed the recipe with these ingredients + mushrooms and chicken:

I surprisingly had all but the cream cheese already stocked in my pantry!!  There are pros and cons to making this recipe on a work night. I had to make the sauce in the morning to get it ready for the crockpot.  I don't mind this at all and it took about 10 minutes. I am totally willing to give up 10 minutes of morning time when RL is asleep and have dinner ready for me when I get home!! However, if you have a packed morning it may be a little more difficult. 
I used one package of mushrooms and frozen chicken.  Set on low for 10 hours.

Once I got home, all I needed to do is make some rice and green beans!!  I shredded the chicken a bit over the rice.

Results:

1) D added some hot sauce and gave it a 7.  He liked the idea, but it was lacking flavor.

2) RL was not interested.

3)  It was definately lacking flavor.  I regretfully added nothing to the recipe and simply shredded and served.  I will make it again, but add seasoning and another package of mushrooms.  If you like mushrooms, it needs two packs.

Night two of chicken with mushroom sauce

I LOVE leftover night!  I need to do a better job of making sure to have more of these nights.  It's like having a night off and still getting paid!!

I cannot stand to have the exact same thing repeated (I'm like that with mine and RL's clothes as well), so I needed to make the meal look a little different.

I made some Pasta Roni Parm Cheese pasta.  This pasta is very good and I believe it is only around $1 at Walmart.

I combined the chicken, green beans, and leftover sausage from the breakfast burritos into one dish.  Added grated parm cheese and french fried onions.  Seasoned with Natures Own and pepper and a few dashes of hot sauce.  Warmed in the oven for about 10 munites.

Results:

1) D gave it close to a 9!! Isn't it amazing how much the right amount of seasoning and toppings can completely change a meal?!?

2) RL could not get enough in her mouth quick enough!!

3) Total change from the night before...loved it!

RL helped me cook in her new Learning Tower!!

So far she is really enjoying it and it is soooo much easier for me to cook without her on my hip or hanging from my leg.  Warning: All real ingredients need to be out of reach.  Because of this mistake, I have learned that my child LOVES to eat butter....from the tub.



BREAKFAST BURRITOS!!

This idea came from a pancake mix that I had in the pantry that I needed to use quickly as the expiration date had passed a few days ago.  I found these cute little shake and pours at Brookshires for BOGO for a penny sale (you know it's my favorite!).  I can also wash them out and save them for pretend cooking as RL gets older!

The burritos are just made of sausage, eggs, and cheese.  Make sure to season your eggs well with salt and pepper.  I also like to add a little milk as well.  We love salsa with burritos even breakfast themed!

Results:

1) D rated it an 8.  He really wasn't feeling the idea when I presented it, but the reality is that he doesn't have a choice, unless he wants to prepare something for himself.  He was pleased with the results.

2) RL was interested in the pancakes and eggs.  She gagged on the strawberries. :)

3)  I thought it was excellent and stopped at one so I could bring one to work the next day!

**These are GREAT frozen.  Make extra and wrap them in foil and place in a zip lock bag.  They can be heated up straight from the freezer in the oven with the foil or remove foil, wrap in a paper towel and heat in the microwave.  It is so easy for a quick lunch!!

I received a big package today!! My learning tower I ordered for RL.  I am so anxious to see if she likes it!

http://www.littlepartners.com/

RL loves to be in the kitchen with me and is very interested in everything I do.  I thought this would be a great learning tool for her.  From a developmental stand point (sometimes I forget child development was my educational background based on the rapid amount of mommy mistakes I make on a daily basis)....as I was saying...from a developmental stand point, the opportunities are endless.  Being able to work in the kitchen with mom is great for independence learning and confidence building!!

Let's see how many meltdowns take place before the finished product emerges!

SPECIAL TIME.....SPECIAL PEOPLE

I am definately going to get back to posting some recipes SOON!  I have some coming up this week!!  I have been less creative lately and embarrassed by my cooking performances. :)

I was able to spend some amazing time with my absolute best friend in the world.  I am extremely blessed to have this friendship for the last 15 years.  God intentionally placed her in my life to laugh with, cry with, vent with, encourage with, and listen to every single thing I want to talk about!! And who else would make my little pumpkin head.....literally, a pumpkin head!!!

Now...you may wonder who this mystery best friend may be.  Why wouldn't this wonderful friend be a follower? Shouldn't she have been the first one? Yes she should have!!  Just sayin.  I bookmarked my blog to the homepage of her Ipad.  Let's see how long it takes her to be a follower.  The countdown begins now............

I will post some non-creative 7's (scored by D) in case you are looking for any boring quick meals.

Grilled Ham and cheese (it really wasn't black in person), sweet potato, and broccoli.

 Sauteed shrimp over steamed fresh rice with okra.  I posted the shrimp recipe a couple of weeks back.  I LOVE this shrimp.

And a little side note about the Bachelor Women Tell All.  (Monday nights = D at Vball = trash TV).  These women need to chill out and move on.  Do you think that you are so perfect that you have the right to tear down someone else?  It is a display of immaturity and self-centeredness, IMO.  Someone needs some Jesus in their life.  :) I could go on, but I won't.  I want to, but I won't.

NOTHING SPECIAL

No new or interesting meals to report, so I will post a couple that are not anything special but may spring some ideas.  Chili dogs!!!  We very very rarely have hot dogs.  Honestly, I don't think RL has ever had one? However, I picked some up at a sale a few weeks ago so I incorporated them into a rotation.  I made some chili for the crockpot in the morning to simmer all day.  The up side of this is that it literally took me 10 minutes after work to get it ready.  The down side is browning meat and mixing chili at 5 AM in the morning.  D was extremely confused and I am pretty sure that for a split second he thought I had COMPLETELY lost my mind.  I do that sometimes. Loose my mind that is. It's part of my charm.

 Clearly it is important to add a healty factor to the meal.  Carrots did the trick.  Bag of baby carrots, steamed in the microwave with a zip lock steamer bag.  Add a litte brown sugar for the adults.

There are many great things about living in Louisiana. Humidity and frizzy hair is NOT one of them, Mardi Gras IS one of them.  I have never really participated in many festivities, but I think the concept of throwing colorful beads off of "floating" trailors is fascinating.  RL thinks beads are fascinating.  Doesn't a daddy/daughter dress up party melt your heart??

 RL really doesn't have a bald spot as pictured above.  Her curls are just misplaced. :)


Next up....Zatarans Jumbalya.  Always on sale at brookshires and always coupons.  Same with the sausage. Super easy. Super fast.

And thats all for now!! Yay for a new follower.  Welcome, friend.