Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tasty Tuesday!

On Tuesdays I am going to share my favorite recipes, meal plans, food ideas etc. Here is my meal plan for the week. Complete with shopping list for you! Enjoy and Happy eating!

Monday
Mango Chicken and Rice
4-5 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
2 Cups Cooked Brown Rice
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups mango salsa (I buy it at Costco)
Cumin to taste
Lemon Pepper to taste
Cilantro (garnish)

Put chicken breasts in crock pot. Add spices. Cover with water or chicken stock and cook chicken on low for 6-8 hours. Drain and Shred chicken on a plate and return to crock pot with corn, beans and salsa .
Serve over rice and Garnish with cilantro.

Tuesday
Pesto Pasta Caprese and Salad
1/4 cup prepared Pesto ( Costco)
1 Box Whole Wheat penne pasta
1 Package Cherry Tomatoes
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Ground Basil
Shredded Parmesan cheese
1 Package Frozen Italian Blend Steamers Veggies

Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente. Just before draining the pasta into a colander, remove 1/4 cup of pasta water; set aside. Drain the pasta, put back in the pot, and then stir in the Pesto and the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to create a sauce. Add diced tomatoes and toss to coat thoroughly. Salt and pepper to taste. Transfer onto individual serving plates and garnish with basil and Parmesan cheese. Serve with Veggies.

Wednesday
Fiesta Sandwiches and Grapes
1 Package Hormel Natural Choice Turkey or Ham(or other Nitrate Free Deli meat)
1 Whole Wheat Baguette (or whole wheat bread)
1 Tomato Sliced
1 Avocado Sliced
1 Jar TAMED Jalapeno Peppers (found by the Pickles)
8oz. Fat Free Cream cheese
Taco seasoning
Reduced fat Mexican Blend Cheese

Slice Baguette and then Mix Cream Cheese with Taco Seasoning to preference. Spread a layer of cream cheese on bread. Top with Meat, then, Tomatoes, and Cheese. Broil in oven until cheese melts. Slice into servings and top with avocado slices and Jalapenos. Serve Grapes on the side.

Thursday
Peanut Stir-Fry Salad
1/4 cup Light Catalina Dressing
2 bags Steamers Asian Blend Frozen veggies
1 lb.boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1/2 cup chopped Peanuts
2 Tbsp. lite soy sauce
1 pkg. (8 oz.) torn mixed salad greens

Heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry 5 min. or until done. Cook veggies according to package and add to skillet. Add nuts and soy sauce to skillet and stir-fry 2 min. or mixture is heated through. Serve over salad greens.


Friday
BBQ Chicken Pizza with Feta
1 ready-to-use whole wheat pizza crust (12 inch)
1 cup low fat Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
6 oz Grilled Chicken Breast cut into strips
1/4 cup Stubbs BBQ Sauce (or other low cal sauce)
1 pkg. (4 oz.) Fat Free Crumbled Feta Cheese
small red onion, halved, sliced and separated into rings
Romaine Lettuce.

Preheat oven to 450 Place pizza crust on baking sheet and sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella. Mix chicken with barbecue sauce and sprinkle over top. Top with feta, onions and remaining mozzarella. Bake 10 to 12 min. or until mozzarella is melted and crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 min. before cutting to serve. Serve with Salad.


Shopping List
3 Lbs Chicken Breast
1 Package Nitrate Free Deli Meat

1 Prepared whole wheat pizza crust
1 whole wheat baguette
1 Package Instant Brown Rice
1 box whole wheat penne

Lite Catalina Dressing
Lite Soy sauce
Taco Seasoning
Pesto
Mango
 Salsa
Cumin
Lemon Pepper
Salt Pepper
Ground Basil
Stubbs BBQ sauce

Fat free cream cheese
Low Fat Mexican Blend Cheese
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Fat free Feta Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese

1-2 Avocados
1-2 Tomatoes
1 jar TAMED jalapenos
1 Package cherry tomatoes
Cilantro
1 Can Corn
1 package Frozen Asian Blend and Italian Blend Steamers
1 purple onion
2 packages bagged lettuce
Grapes

Monday, May 30, 2011

Improvements!


So I have been on a quest to remember who I am and be my best self. It has been an AMAZING journey! I have been blessed with many miracles and blessings along this road! SO many things have just literally fallen into place and I am so much happier and content in my life. I am choosing to be in love with my Husband, My kids, and Life in general. I try to see the good instead of looking at the bad all the time. There is so much junk and garbage in the world why marinate in it? Here are a few of the wonderful things I have been blessed to be a part of the last few months! Check them out they will CHANGE your life!
This is a program for mothers. All mothers! If you think you are on top of your game or if you feel like you need an overhaul THIS PROGRAM WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE! Please Check it out!!

Also
This is the Brave Girls Club Soul Restoration. This opened me up in ways I didn't even know I could be. Life changing, inspiring, tool building and FUN!!! I truly suggest this for everyone! I am so proud to be a Brave Girl!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Fit Fabulous Friday!

So I have a YouTube Channel Where I do Fit Fabulous Fridays! It is just a little piece of What I do to be healthy! Check It Out! Watch all my Videos if you want I don't mind! Anyway I will be doing Fit Fab Fridays here too! They may not always be the same as the videos so check back often to see what is new and exciting!!!

This is  last week's video because it was week one of my healthy eating outline!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqoJAFQD-5Y

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tips on Thursday


So on Thursdays I am going to share some ideas to make life easier!!! We can all use a little less stress right??? Here are a few things pertaining to LAUNDRY the never ending story! I used to be one who was SUPER picky about how my kids looked. I still like them to look nice and put together, but for heavens sake, they are 3 and 2 and kids get dirty! So I save their really nice things for special occasions (birthday's, Parties, Family Functions, Family Fun day, Holidays etc.) The rest of the time as long as its clean, matches, and their hair is combed I am happy. I used to change them every time they spilled, took a bath, ate a meal etc. That is a LOT OF CLOTHES!!

So now, We put on Tomorrow's Clothes as "Jammies" right out of the bath. Most of their clothes are soft enough and who made the rule we wear "Jammies" to bed anyway? They are clean and ready to go in the mornings and one less thing to wash. I know sometimes that isn't practical like they are wearing a dress or jeans the next day. In that case I would just put on a shirt and leggings or a pair of Jammie pants and change them the next day. It has helped a ton!

The other thing I do is treat the stain as soon as possible. I know it sounds dumb but it really helps. I use Simple Green as a stain treater it works like a charm. It is found in the automotive section.

Lastly, I fold and put away clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer. I used to dread the MOUNTAINS of clothing waiting for me at the end of every week. If you do it as it happens it is much easier and usually takes less than 10 minutes. And who doesn't love folding and smelling warm laundry???

Good Luck!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

What's Up!? Wednesday





So on Wednesdays I will do family updates. Here are the happenings of this week!

This little Lady likes to do naughty things and blame it on her brother. I don't doubt he had a heavy hand in the mischeif also but it is a litle crazy. This incident was after she poured out the entire container of sugar on the floor. I made her sweep it up.  

Ava LOVES to sing. I inherited these song cards from my job at the preschool. We have singing time everyday and she insists we sing every card.

I finally got around to taking pictures of the kids in their Easter Duds. Aren't they precious!?

Usually Ladybug gives a fake smile when I ask her to pose. This one seems pretty normal!

His Guilty look!

She LOVES flowers and smelling them! She also makes sure to bring some to her Mama!

My Sweet Monkey cuddling Mama!

Monkey covered in Sugar from the sugar incident! This was about five minutes after he pulled all the books off the bookshelves, all the clothes out of Ladybug's dresser, and spilled an entire glass of milk. Good thing he is cute!


P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Wonderful Dad! Thanks for all you do!!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Family Snapshot

I am going to write this blog as if you don't know me or my family. If you already do, maybe somethings will be a review. I am going to introduce you to my loves! Here is a little snapshot of each of us!
The Daddy and My Hot Hubby!
 This is my partner in crime Rob. He is a sweet, kind, caring, give-the-shirt-off-his-back, computer game loving, gentle, sci-fi movie, book reading, kinda guy. He is an excellent Daddy and loves teasing and tickling. He is my best friend and accepts me for who I am and loves me anyway! He should be given an award for putting up with my shenanigans. I love him with my whole heart and am the luckiest girl to call him mine.
The Mama
This is me! Annie is my name don't wear it out! I am a fun, outgoing, happy, girl. I love my family, popcorn, anything polka-dot, animal print, and lots of color. I love to read, dance, sing, and live life. I have a passion for helping others remember who they are and live their GREATNESS! I love to shop, put outfits together and eat healthy all on a budget! I love finding a good deal for something I love. I am LDS and I am SO grateful for the gospel and Jesus Christ in my life!
This is the Princess
This is my Ladybug! She is almost 3 and so fun and sweet! She is energetic, full of life, and outgoing! She is tenderhearted, quick to forgive, and loving. She love to sing, and loves Disney anything. She also has a great memory! She loves her brother and always says he is her best friend. She can be sassy and bossy both qualities I hope makes her a great example and leader someday. She is my sweet girl and I am SO grateful to be her Mom!
The Prince
This is my Monkey Boy. He is almost two. He is silly, loves to be the center of attention, and loves to dance. He is sweet and loving. He gives the best hugs and kisses complete with a "muah". He is my Miracle being born at 29 weeks. You would never know it now as he is quickly catching up to sister in both weight and height. He is full of energy, happiness, and forgiveness. He can be boisterous, mischievous, and curious at times, all things I hope make him an excellent problem solver and team player someday. I love this little guy and am so blessed to have him as my son.

'

Welcome!

This is my blog about my little family and our quest to live a beautiful multi-colored, happy life. I will share my insights on everything from my quest to be a present and deliberate mother, being healthy,  simplifying motherhood, my love for feeding my flock, and finding joy in the journey. I hope to document our most precious times, memories, and inspire others to live life to the fullest! Make your life beautiful!