Foodie Friday-Chicken Pot Pie

Whew. It has been a busy few weeks since I have been able to blog, and I am very, very behind. The start of school has been hard on this mama-to-be. I was spoiled over the summer. 

I can never get my camera ready before my husband swoops down and gobbles up my dishes. I got a two thumbs up...and two big toes as well. (lol). I almost never follow recipes, as I am one of those create as I go kind of girls. It is funny that I live my life by schedules and rules and regulations and list after list but the kitchen is the one place that I don't. It is like I have more of a creative license in the kitchen. I can turn up the music, pour a drink and dance around the kitchen barefoot while I am creating a dish. This is just one of those that I threw together for my husband. I already had all the items in hand and also had a few cooked chicken breast that I needed to do something with. So I will show you what I used. 

Ingredients

2 cans of crescent rolls

3 big cooked chicken breast

1/2 cup -3/4 c of fat free cheese

a big bag of classic mixed veggies (carrots, corn, green beans, and peas)

A can of cream of mushroom with roasted garlic

A can of cream of chicken with herbs

sour cream (probably 1/2 cup to a cup) 

chicken bouillon mixed with water (probably 3/4 c)

a little fat free milk (probably 1/2 c)

spices from the pantry-black pepper, Italian, garlic powder, minced onion (I like a lot of flavor so at least a tablespoon, probably more of the black pepper)

and because we like a little kick-some shakes of Tabasco sauce

Mix everything together except the crescents. Put the one roll of the crescents on the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan. Pour the chicken-veggie mix over the rolls. Then, put one roll of the crescents on top of the mix. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 for about 45 minutes. 

Side Note-pull off the aluminum foil for about 10 minutes if you want a brown topping.

Montague Mondays-Freezer Meals

I love Sams. We got a big container of ground beef for a little over 15 dollars for a little over 4 and 1/2 lbs. (We always get the leanest meat we can so it is a little more pricey). We also picked up a big package (over 6 lbs) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts for almost 11 dollars (about 1.77 a lb).
The ground beef was divided into two sections. So I took one section of the ground beef (2.25 give or take lbs) and browned, while we took the other section to make meatloaves. The browned ground beef made 3 big gallon bags of chili and 3 big bags of sauce (for spaghetti, ziti, etc). I also kept some out to make a tray of lasagna or ziti to go in the freezer.
The chicken breasts are HUGE. When we get them and just freeze them we do only one breast per bag because it will feed both of us. So we always butterfly the breast and sometimes cut them in half in addition to the butterfly.
With the chicken, we did-BBQ dump chicken (1 bag) and Chicken Teriyaki (2 bags-which includes vegetables). Both of these meals can be put in the crockpot.



So How Many Meals Did I put in the freezer (but that is not all...wait for part 2)

1. BBQ chicken
2. Chicken Teriyaki
3. Chicken Teriyaki
4. Chili
5. Chili
6. Chili
7. Sauce
8. Sauce
9. Sauce
10. Meatloaf
11. Meatloaf
12. Lasagna

Now onto round two! Still using the same packages (sauce, and baked chicken to finish out this round).

Soul Sundays- Letting Go

I am flat out a control freak. Sorry. But, I am. I have to be in control of situations at all times. I don't like loosing control or not being able to have input on the outcome of a situation. It is funny because my husband is also a control freak. You would think with two of us in the house we would always be trying to get it "our way." However, that is not how it is at all. It seems like we are control freaks when it comes to our jobs but not so much with our relationships, friendships, and lives. I have to admit this teacher is having serious issues about leaving her "babies" for months in someone else's hands (even though she was my professor in college, has a doctorate degree, and has substitute many, many times). While I am glad that I have a veteran to come into my classroom and take over for my maternity leave, I am still worried. I like things done my way. I want to know that my kids are getting all the knowledge they need to have for the 8th grade. Quite frankly, I don't trust anyone else to do what I do with my students. For years, these kids have been my life, no matter what was going on in my day to day personal life, those kids helped to keep me grounded. They never saw me loose control, or cry uncontrollably as my marriage fell apart. They always saw just me-their teacher-there to do her job at teaching them to the best ability. They were my "babies". Now, I am having to have a slight shift in my thought process. They are no longer going to be my "babies." That is no longer going to be my number one priority. My number one priority is this little guy kicking around in my stomach right now trying to create more room for himself-and breaking my ribs at the same time (lol not really). My problem is I don't know how to let go. I keep trying to plan out every day for my substitute just so things go a little more my way. For years, I have been a teacher. I have been the job. I am the job. Now, I have a new job-a mommy to my little one. I guess I am having a hard time because I know how to be a teacher, I have never had to be a mommy before.
 

VS

Spotlight Saturday-Yogurt Parfaits

You have heard me rave about parfaits for months now. They really have become my favorite meal, snack, and all over feel good comfort food-so glad it wasn't something really terrible for me. I really think that I could eat a yogurt parfait for every single meal. (Except here lately  the fruit is causing "burns" on my tongue. But I still eat it anyway because it is soooooo good)!
My parfaits consist of :
Vanilla yogurt (usually, sometimes I'll go a little different)
Strawberries
Blueberries
Naked Granola or a crushed up granola bar
on occasion I will use a sprinkle of nuts of some sort-almond, walnut or pecan



Most of the time I just throw it all into a bowl but when I want to seem indulgent, I will layer in a pretty glass (like an ice cream bowl, or martini glass) for a little extra pizzazz.

Foodie Friday: A New Year and a project

So, we started back to school yesterday. A whole new school year, filled with a whole new group of students (which I dread leaving-hey they have been my babies up until Baby Boak). So I have been back at the work game for two days now after a whole summer of easy breezy living. Hence my need for a little nap today.


My husband and I visited Sams to stock up on some needed essentials (you cannot run out of toilet paper or tissues in this house-lol). While there, we picked up a big thing of lean ground beef and also some boneless, skinless chicken breast. My project of choice for the weekend while he is working-FREEZER Cooking! Yes that is right, I plan on making some dishes to go into our freezer before our little one gets here.

For the hamburger meat I was thinking of doing a spaghetti sauce-so I can freeze the sauce but also could make stuffed shells and lasagna, or even roll ups. I also thought about doing chili or taco meat/enchiladas.

For the chicken the first thing I thought of was marinated chicken or something for the crockpot but also thought of white chicken chili, or tortilla soup, or stir fry.

I have a lot of ideas bouncing around in my little head right now...I guess my cravings and my husband's will help guide me on what would be the best meals to put in our freezer.

 

Foodie Friday

Blueberry Pie Pancakes



















OMG these are seriously the best. I got the recipe from a site I love called Chocolate Covered Katie. I also did the blueberry compote as she suggested but it was a little tart. I added a little sugar free maple syrup to it and some stevia but maybe needs a little more next time.

I even made some for my "non health food" husband who loved them! They are very, very filling....I am thinking I may have to use up some of the blueberries in my fridge in the morning.

The Great Baby Bag Debate

One of the most important items that I will get is a diaper bag. I am an over-packer, over-planner, over-organizer, and over-achiever. So the bag that I pick must have lots of room but still be able to maintain some sort of organization. However, I don't like baby-ish looking items-I wouldn't be caught dead carrying a Pooh bag or something of that sort. So the challenge begins-a functional, practical, fashionable bag that will double as my purse without costing me my son's college tuition. lol. 

Olivia by Storksak $198

This is probably the one I love the best in terms of the way it looks. I also love all the little gizmos and such that comes with it. 

• hidden front zipper pockets 
• branded Storksak rings
•  light-weight diaper bag 
•  faux leather trim
• Comfortable padded shoulder strap and detachable long webbed shoulder strap
• Five outer pockets 
• multi inner storage pockets
•  insulated bottle holder 
• padded changing mat 
• an inner zipped detachable bag 
•  wipe-clean linings throughout

Canvas by Nest $220

I really like the look of this bag. I like the zippered bottom and the outside pockets. I like the features that this one has. 

• Vegan
• Cotton canvas and faux patent leather
• Custom hardware 
• Exclusive lining

Price:

Annette by Timi and Leslie $150

For the Annette and Marilyn- for both of these I love them both. Especially for being PVC free and all of the gizmos and things that comes with it. 

• easy to clean faux leather (PVC free) 
• custom hardware in a gold finish (the gold is a negative)
• A cross body, adjustable detachable strap
• Changing pad with a front mesh pocket where you can store your diapers, wipes and creams when you need to make a quick diaper change trip
• A zippered sac to put away soiled clothes.
• A  clutch that you can use as your purse with interior credit card slots and an inside zipper pocket (LOVE THIS)
• An insulated bottle tote 
• Stroller straps
• Three exterior pockets and Seven interior pockets 

Marilyn by Timi and Leslie $170

swag by JJCole $80

This one is so cute! I love the look. It looks like a regular purse and is PVC adn Phthalate free. It can attach to my stroller. It has bottle pockets that are insulated. It has a great price point.

•  hobo-style diaper bag 
•  rich patterned fabric complemented 
•  soft, animal-friendly faux leather top. 
• multiple organizational compartments 
• exterior offers easily-accessible open and zippered pockets
• includes grips stroller attachments, coordinating changing pad, and wallet
•  insulated side bottle pockets
• adjustable shoulder strap
• pvc and phthalate free (HUGE PERK FOR ME)

Satchel by JJCole  $70 for Canvas; 

                                                                                                                            $90 for faux leather

I love all the color choices available for this bag. I love it for the same reasons I love the one above. I guess this one is the best of  both worlds-a nice price with lots of features. I am sad it doesn't come with a little purse type thing for me. If this one or the swag had the accessories like the timi and leslie or storksak then this choice would be so easy.

• spacious interior 
•  multiple organizational compartments 
•  exterior offers easily-accessible open and zippered pockets
• available in canvas and faux leather
• 7 exterior, 4 interiors pockets
• bottle pocket
• removable, padded shoulder strap
• includes grips™ stroller attachments
•  coordinating changing pad included
• pvc and phthalate free

NOW THE QUESTION IS WHICH ONE?????