Couscous Salad

couscous salad

:: Couscous Salad ::

With or without chicken, now that is the question?  I would like to take a moment to be honest about meal planning.  Sara and I do love a good week of planned out meals and maybe that is something that you would love to see, but our lifestyle is not conducive to full planned out meals.  With both of us being married to firefighters, we are often on our own with the kids for dinner a few times a week.  This Couscous Salad is the exact type of last minute meal planning that I like to have on hand.  Simple and savory, chicken can be added last minute should Shane be home. This Couscous Salad also makes for the perfect Meatless Monday.

couscous salad [Read more…]

Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake

Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake

:: Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake ::

My milkshake brings all the kids to door {that’s right you know the Missy Elliott Milkshake tune}….hum along and you will get the picture!  This Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake is pretty tasty and a fun family treat, made even better with the addition of Chocolate Scottie Dogs from Walkers Shortbread.  I made this fun shake as an ode to a Valentine’s shake that we missed having.  I promised the kids a fun homemade treat for Valentine’s, but as a family we went away for a couple nights {a fun mini trip, while we were doing a little work around the house}, so I wasn’t able to fully get into the Valentine’s Day spirit with our usual dine in tradition.  This shake would have been the dessert I would have enjoyed with my sweethearts.

Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake
Aren’t these the cutest little cookies you have ever seen?  Sara and I love that Walkers Shortbread made a special cookie that gives proceeds back to the ASPCA.  I thought these buttery chocolate chip infused Scottie Dogs would be the perfect ingredient to my milkshake, or should I call it malt? Oh my if I was working at Ruby’s, I might be corrected, as I combined my family’s favorite flavors of; malted vanilla ice cream, caramel, milk, and these little cookie gems. Homemade ice cream or store bought…you pick because this Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake is tastalicious! [Read more…]

Chicken Avocado Salad

Chicken Avocado Salad

:: Chicken Avocado Salad ::

This healthful Chicken Avocado Salad comes together quickly making it an instant favorite! Have you been running around too much lately? Not thinking logically on what you are consuming because the kids are busy and you haven’t had time to think?  Well, that describes my family to the T lately.  We have been anticipating some minor changes to our house.  We just revamped our flooring throughout the downstairs.  It’s funny because it was a choice or an elective situation that we had been planning to do since we moved to our home three years ago.  In that time frame we had some water damage, minor repairs, and life in general so it got put on the back burner.  But just like having a baby, we forgot the labor pains, and thus are trying to catch up from the mess. 

That mess caused a ripple effect like life does, and we have been eating quick thoughtless meals, or dining out.  It’s time to get back to the basics, and that means eating mindfully and enjoying it as well.  This Chicken Avocado Salad is rustic and fresh. Oh and by the way….. it’s healthy so that is a plus!

[Read more…]

Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff

Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff 2

:: Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff ::

I don’t know about you, but this long weekend allowed for ample time to start thinking away about Thanksgiving and the holidays.  No… it wasn’t just me thinking about them, but my family as well.  “What would you like to bring to Thanksgiving?” Well for starters, my first choice will always lean towards dessert {obviously I have a sweet tooth}. I also like to think of simple recipes that I know will be an easy addition to my traditional dishes {that can be found here and here}.  This Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff is simple, yummy, and can be either an appetizer or a dessert {whew… a two-fer}! It is a great sweet appetizer for family waiting for the turkey to be done, or a wonderful dessert for those who like pumpkin pie, but maybe aren’t fans of the crust.  This dip is similar to pumpkin pie but with the twist of cream cheese and marshmallow fluff.

Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff [Read more…]

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Salted Caramel Ice cream

:: Salted Caramel Ice Cream ::

It’s September, and fall is just around the corner for most of the country. In Southern California, it often ends up being one of the warmest months of the year, bring in the Santa Ana’s and there you have a completely hot day.  It’s not the autumn we would like to envision with toasty sweaters and boots, but thankful nonetheless for little fall changes we get to experience.  With the up and down spike in temperature, ice cream is still an enjoyable and welcomed treat.  I know I have posted a few ice cream recipes, but I truly can’t help it.  My Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is a cinch to use, added with the convenience of weekly milk delivery from Winder Farms, I have been able to brain storm an array of ice cream flavors.   

[Read more…]

Crock Pot Spaghetti

 

:: Crock Pot Spaghetti ::

Welcome, Back to School!  That being said, things are about to get crazy around here… time to pull out the crock pot and make a little plan ahead Crock Pot Spaghetti for dinner.  Whew! With the kids in soccer, school, and therapy we have a busy Fall season.  Meal planning is something Sara and I are really trying to add into our weekly schedules.  It helps to run a smooth household, as well as, fewer trips to the grocery store.  This Crock Pot Spaghetti Recipe is one that I created based on my favorites… pasta, chicken sausage, and turkey meat.  These little gems from my neighbor’s backyard, inspired me to think of a sauce that, though canned {tomatoes}, can be full of flavor over a slow cooking process. [Read more…]