A FOLLOW UP TO PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

If you have been following my blog you may have read a post a few days ago about my new personal development challenge........ working toward the goal of shutting my mouth.  Well, here is the update: I really feel like I am actually improving!!! Now if you see me on a every day basis, you may beg to differ.  However, what you don't know is that there are declarations of new discoveries that I am burying inside my soul and not speaking aloud! Shocked aren't you?  Some may say that the level of intense talking that I share with others has not decreased......but I tell you.......there is MORE.  It's been tough, but I have listened alot and learned alot in the process.  It will continue to be a challenge that I will man up and take every day.

Tilapia!!

I heart this tilapia recipe. I'm not sure where it originated from, but I have been making it for years. It's an easy go to meal when I forget to plan or defrost. You have to be a fan of garlic in order to enjoy this little piece of perfection.



In addition to the tilapia, below are the ingredients. I use a large bag of frozen tilapia from Sams. They are individually wrapped so you can just pull out the amount of filets you want and defrost them in a bowl in the sink. Let them sit in cold water for about 5 minutes.



Not pictured is the minced garlic that I use because I have it. Garlic powder will work as well. Most of the ingredients are not completely necessary. As long as you use the butter and garlic, it should be plenty flavorful. Once the filets are defrosted, place them in a greased casserole dish (spray some pam). I like to do extra filets for leftover lunch. Season the fish. I used Natures Own, Pepper, Thyme, and Toni's. Put about 1/2 a cup of butter in a measuring cup and add minced/powdered garlic and some chives. Melt in the microwave and pour over fish.Broil on high for about 10 minutes. It will be brown on the side and tender and white when cut with a fork. Make some extra butter sauce and pour over fish. Add some shredded parmesan cheese if you have some. I served with angel hair pasta this time, but rice is also a good option.
Perfection I tell ya! It was easily completed within my 30 minute timeframe (including defrosting) and could have been done in 20.........except for my little cooking assistance that rides in my back pocket slows me down a bit.

Straight precious.

Results:

1) RL is making progress with her dinner strike. I tried out some mac and cheese before D and I ever sat down for dinner. Fail. Once again...only food from mom and dad's plates. She alternates perfectly to make everything fair. When her head is turned toward her father, I try to gulp down as much as I can before she returns. Mama has gotta eat! At one point she forgot about her strike and ate a piece of fish off her highchair!! Of course mom and dad clapped loudly to encourage this behavior.....when we clap she responds with JAZZ HANDS!!

Next, she insisted on using a big girl fork. She ate some Mac N Cheese with the big girl fork!!!! My child is a cordination GENIUS! I'm pretty sure that is the ONE trait she inherited from me. FINALLY something emerges.
Everybody together..........JAZZ HANDS!
2) D loved it (there isnt much he doesn't love) Human garbage disposal. He rated it close to a 9 because it didn't provide any surprises, but he hopes it will continue to be a staple.


3) I give it an 8. ONLY because I typically sautee squash which enhances the goodness of the perfection.

An additional note today: I once saw a quote on pinterest (obsessed much?) that stated


"Cleaning while the kids are home is like shoveling snow when it is snowing".


Exhibit A - my kitchen floor once dinner is done - Apparently she was cooking naked. :)

Chicken Burgers!

Okay...so I have never made chicken burgers before so this will be a total trial and error attempt. A while back I noticed this pack of ground chicken at Brookshires and decided to see what I could do with it. It has been in my freezer for a while and I finally decided to let it step out into the great world and shine. Well lets hope.

I cannot provide a picture of the ingredients because I honestly had no idea what I was going to use. As always, I started rummaging around to see what I could put together for the benefit of the ground chicken debut into the Emory household.

I used the following:

2/3 package of Fiesta Ranch dip mix (hidden valley)
Tablespoon of Sour Cream
Tablespoon of Salsa
1/4 of a White Onion Chopped
Handful of Chives
Natures Own
Pepper

I mixed together in a bowl with the meat. At this point only use 1/2 of the Fiesta Ranch seasoning.
Next, I formed them into patties. I sprayed cooking spray in my skillet and turned it on Med heat.

It took about 10 minutes total and a couple of flips in between. I also added some of the Fiesta Ranch seasoning packet on each side.

In the mean time, I smashed my left over potatoes from Sunday to serve with the burgers. They were only able to hibernate in the oven for about 10 minutes so they were not nearly as good, but we will live with it. I also served some kidney beans. I put my hamburger buns on the cookie sheet with the pots and melted some cheese. It only takes around a minute since the oven is so hot with the pots.

Dinner is served in 30 minutes!! I could have done it quicker if I wasnt fumbling around trying to figure out what to use......so next time I can wreck shop with this!!

Insert cute child at this point.......

Yes...I know. Her hair is Ah-mazing. So much body. Like a tornado.

Results:

1) RL is currently in the middle of a dinner strike. She will only consume bites that come from mom or dads plate. She liked the potatoes which is wierd b/c she also hates pots. She liked the chicken, but didnt get much.....it was good.....call us selfish parents. :)

2) D loooooooooooooooved it. Rated it a 9.99!! He requested chicken meat from now on (I'm not sure that is going to happen). He loved the flavor and the health option it provided.

3) Ditto.

I have additional information to post in todays entry. Sooooo.....about a week and a half ago I decided to attempt a notion on pinterest that green onions will grow back if placed in water. My husband evicted the project from the house and they were cast off to a garage window. You will never believe.........Its true!!

Is that not crazy!! Now granted, green onions are not expensive right now (I think I just saw them in a circular for 79 cents)...but how cool is that. Mama likes anything for free!

Weekend DIY

I HEART pinterest and I love what it has inspired me to do, to make, to think, to read, to embrace and to share. I am not sure if this is an unhealthy obsession or just my 30 something brain embracing the new age ways of the world. Whatever it is.......healthy or not.....wasteful or not........I love it!!!!

"I Love You Because" is all over pinterest and I wanted to make one for RL's room. I bought a picture frame at Goodwill for $.99. I got the scrapbook paper and the glitter letters (with a 40% coupon) from Michaels. I was super happy with the turnout and all for under $5!! I am not great (or good even) at taking pictures....so the flash is terrible!!




Michaels had alot of awesome scrapbook paper that I wanted to find a way to use. Scrapbooking is against my beliefs (no reason....just is) so this is how I used it.



I cut big hearts and little hearts and taped them together. I cut a hole in the top of the heart and threaded some twine through it and hung it up!! Super easy and super cheap. I think it looks so fun in her room! I cant take credit for the idea.......it originated from my super crafty friend Brandy. So thanks friend!

The "I Love You Because" looked so good in her room, I wanted a little more. So...the below was created. $1 frame from Michaels painted pink, taped the scrapbook paper on the frame and stick on the letters. Love it!


And a final note..........is anyone (of my four followers :) )watching the bachelor? Total disgust.

Smashed Potato

I feel like I have been checking alot of things off my mental list lately which is one of my favorite things to do in life!! (Insert nerd alert here). This weekend I tried out a pinterest recipe that I have been eyeing for a while. I had a bag of small russet potatoes that I got at a Buy One Get One for a Penny sale at Brookshires that I needed to use. I pretty much followed the recipe as stated.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/crash-hot-potatoes/




I added some green onions because I had some and Natures Own b/c I use it on everything.
I smashed with the bottom of a glass.........I have never even considered that I would actually need a potato masher? Who really has one of those?

Yum! Yum! Yum! Dont they look wonderful and crisp! I added some cheese when they came out of the oven. I thought they were absolutely delicious. Here are my tips: dont be afraid to season!! They NEED salt, pepper, and olive oil.

Important: They were not so great the next day.

Sooooo....I needed to find a way to incorporate these wonderful and fabulous potatoes into a meal. Shredded chicken is always a great go to for me as is anything I can throw into a crock pot. I covered the chicken breasts with BBQ sauce and placed in crock pot. Poured chicken broth in with about a 1/4 of the top of the chicken showing. And then threw in some chives....b/c I had some!

Layer - pots, chicken, shredded cheese, BBQ suace.

FANTASTIC!!!! I added some bell peppers that I sauteed in butter and worch.

Results:

1) RL only wanted leftover baked beans....lots of them.

2) The H absolutely LOVED it!! He gave it a 9 because he says he doesnt want to over use 10s. His only issue was that he wanted more of the crispy skins from the potatoes. I'm not sure how he wants me to perform that miracle.

3) My review is that it was soooooooooo good!

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

A random note on personal development - asking God to shut my mouth!!

Inspired by a nameless lady that we will call Ruth........

Soooooooo........I talk ALOT......mainly about things I'm excited about or things that I am passionate about - but note to self - not everyone cares to hear that "I made it home in 14 minutes instead of 15" or "there is a rocking new sale that makes toiletries 3 cents cheaper than Wal-mart" or even that "I racked up 25 dollars worth of items for free on my lunch break" (although I'm not sure why anyone would NOT want to hear about that). The point is - sometimes I just need to check myself before I start spouting off my numbered list of information that I am soooo sure that everyone NEEDS to hear. God, I ask, shut my mouth!!

On the flipside - sharing things you are excited about is a part of relationship development. For example, my ability to over talk can certainly help you quickly decide if you are interested in pursing a friendship with me. See? I'm just trying to help YOU out!

So maybe I should ask God for balance?
I'm going to test it out in the next few days to see what I learn - I am challenging myself to be quite. Crap.......this is going to be hard.

GARLIC SHRIMP

Yum! Yum! Yum! This is one of my absolutely favorite meals. My dad use to make it for me growing up and I couldnt get enough. I have been making it for over 15 years, so I am going to do my best with explanations. It is super and easy and super fast to make in under 30 minutes on a week night.

What you will need:

Shrimp (I use frozen)

Garlic Powder and/or minced garlic

Green onions

Rice

Seasons of choice

Veg of choice

I start by defrosting my shrimp under cold water. I have always used the frozen shrimp from Wal-Mart, but this time I purchased a bag from Sams. Sooooooooo much better. It was a definate signifacant improvement in the "freshness" taste of the shrimp.

As the shrimp is defrosting - boil the rice. I am a devoted fan to rice in a bag. I have absolutely no idea how to cook rice in other way.

Once the shrimp is defrosted, place in a skillet with a handful of green onions, a couple of tablespoons of minced garlic (if using), a couple of tablespoons of butter (I cant believe its not butter is the bomb.com), 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, seasons of choice (I use Natures Own and Pepper).

Cook on on medium for about 3 or 4 minutes. Okay.....this is where it gets kind of tricky. Once the butter is melted, you will want to drain out the liquid (if you used frozen). It gets kinda of thin and watering and is hard to flavor without this step. I simply hold the shrimp with my spatula and tip it over the sink.

Saute for another couple of minutes until the shrimp gets a brighter pink (remember that we are using cooked shrimp...so you dont want to overcook).
Next you want to add ALOT of butter and ALOT of garlic powder. This will be our sauce (which is the best part). I would estimate a 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup garlic powder. Re-season with your seasons of choice. Taste and then make adjustments.

Another couple of minutes to let the sauce coat the shrimp. Once you are happy with the taste, simply serve over rice. Make sure to get plenty of sauce over the rice....its the best part!

RESULTS:

1) RL demanded to be fed at 5:30 and I just cant work miracles (today anyway), so she got a banana and mac and cheese

2) D scored it a 8.5. The rice was overcooked and I forgot to season my veggies. MY BAD....I think I have created a monster

3)I agree with D......and I looooooooooove the shrimp.