Breakfast BLT

If you are a veggie lover like me, and just happen to LOVE bacon, then this my friend, is your new favorite breakfast!!!

It is super easy to make. (Compared to some things I make for breakfast!) It fills you up well past lunch time, and it's very versatile - add what you want!

Ingredients:

Bread (English Muffins, Bagels & Buns also work)

BACON!! 

Eggs

Avocado Slices

Tomato Slices

American Cheese Slices

Salt & Pepper

First things first, fry your bacon. I do this on my George Foreman. (I then toast my bread on it after the bacon is cooked.)

While the bacon is frying, slice your tomatoes and avocado if you haven't already. 

Now, fry your egg/eggs. 

On one side of your bread, place avocado, a fried egg, and tomato slices. 

On the other a slice of cheese, and the bacon slices. 

(I keep this on my George Foreman to let the cheese melt)

Voilà!!!

You have yourself a super delicious and filling breakfast!

Enjoy! <3

Happy National Cheesecake Day!

Today is National Cheesecake Day!!

Best. Day. Ever.

You absolutely can NOT go wrong with these two recipes!

P.S. - The first one is my absolute favorite and has simply amazed the tastebuds of anyone who has tried it.  ;-)

This one is pretty good too! A bit easier and faster than the New York style.

Click on the images above for the recipes and have a wonderful cheesecake day! 

<3

Tropical Cilantro Smoothie

Oh the health benefits!! 

Cilantro is a super DUPER food!

-Aids in weight loss

-Makes your skin pretty

-Good for heart health

-Has anti-aging properties

-Internal cleansing properties

You Name It!

Now, I am one of those people who don't love a lot of cilantro. When I make guacamole, I add just enough to get that flavor but nothing close to what you're supposed to. 

In this smoothie however, I took my chances. 

Worst case scenario, I'll just dump it out and start over...right?

NOPE!

It was amazingly refreshing compared to the super sweet, super fruity smoothies I've made in the past. 

Here it is:

1 fair sized bunch of Cilantro. 

1 C. Pinapple

1 C. Peaches

1 C. Mango

Coconut if desired.

1-2 C. Coconut milk or Juice or Regular milk..

Your choice. 

These smoothies, as always are very versatile. Make it to your liking. Stick in there all of your favorite things. 

Avocados, Spinach, bananas...

The possibilities are endless. 

Blend until smooth and enjoy the benefits. <3

Enjoy!

Read more about the health benefits of cilantro HERE

15 Minute Baked Eggs

These are PURE genius. 

My husband and I have been trying to lose weight. My biggest  problem is not eating anything for breakfast and then scarfing down whatever is in reach as soon as I get hungry. 

Lets face it, cooking breakfast is, at times, a horrible chore. 

The minute I saw this, I tried it- and boy I'm glad I did!

First off, preheat your oven to 350 and get out your muffin pan. This is a "mammoth muffin" pan...but I'm sure any will do. Maybe NOT the mini one though. You'll end up with mini egg bites. No one wants mini egg bites for breakfast.

Just sayin'!

Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Crack your eggs directly into the pan for "yolk" eggs.

For my eight month old, I made 3 scrambled eggs.

Mix those in a separate bowl, one by one, and pour into the pan.

 Add a bit of milk to those if desired.

(Add spinach, bacon, sausage, cheese, or seasonings if you want as well!)

Now, bake them for 10-15 minutes. It took my oven every bit of 15 minutes to cook them. 

Serve them hot! They fit perfectly on english muffins or biscuits.

They can also be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen!

Super easy, pop in the microwave kind of breakfast! ;-)

Enjoy!

Pump up the Jams!

Nuf' said. ;-)

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Easy Potato Skins

I'm not even sure if there are words to describe just how delicious these were. I have tried time after time to make a good restaurant style potato skin but they just weren't great.

This one though, O-M-G!

Perfection!

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, top these puppies with whatever you like. 

Ingredients:

4-5 Baking Potatoes

3 tbsp Olive/ Vegetable Oil

4 Sliced Cooked Bacon- Crumbled

2 C. Cheddar cheese

Diced Green Onions (optional)

Salt

Pepper

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Preheat oven to 425

Slice potatoes as seen in the picture above. Make them a bit thicker so they are sturdy after cooking.

In a bowl, add oil and toss potatoes. Arrange them on a foil lined, greased pan. Sprinkle with salt & pepper. (Use your favorite seasoning as well for added awesomeness!) Bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, take one out and test it. They should be done. Top with cheese, crumbled bacon, green onions, you name it and sprinkle with a bit more salt/pepper/onion powder.

Bake until cheese is melted.

Let cool a few minutes, they will be HOT!

Serve with your favorite sauce & enjoy!

Om nom nom...

The Art of Upcycling (1)

The Art Of Upcycling

~(1)~

I have recently come to realize the beauty in everyday waste.

What wonderful things we can make from items we would normally toss out or send to the recycling bin!

I knew I should start saving all of these things, these wonderfully upcycle-able pieces of art!

Let's start with baby formula containers! I already have a TON of these saved, and many more on the way. 

Coffee containers may work as well!

For Crayons- Why buy a crayon box??

A mail center? This is something I NEED!

Chalk!

Storage! So pretty, so simple. 

(I'm obsessed with storage ideas! :-)

A medicine box too!

(Keep out of reach from children, though...)

Now, Tic Tacs. This is pretty neat!

Cute baby food jars turned into craft storage! LOVE!

UM...I go through a ton of these a week! 

I'm going to save them now!

(I'm going to turn into a hoarder...OH boy...)

COFFEEEEE!!!!

I love coffee, and I love organization/storage ideas!

Woop!

You can't have coffee without creamer! Right? 

So smart. So darn smart!

(Fill them with easy "get yourself" cereal for kids!)

I might have to drink more wine...

I mean, this is a valid reason right?

I'll go tell my husband. 

(Bahahaha!)

We go through Pace like its going out of style!

I think I can do this.

Oh the possibilities! 

And last but not least, 

TEAPOTS. 

Who doesn't love teapots?

OMG I need to go to garage sales and get more!

I have a lot more where that came from! Stay tuned!!

(Like me on facebook for instant updates!)

Have fun!

:-)

New York Style Cheesecake Recipe

It's not always easy to make a really good cheesecake. Each recipe is different in many ways. I have experimented with the best of the best on the internet and finally found the perfect recipe for a basic New York style cheesecake. This is a MUST TRY!!

What you will need:

1 9in. Springform Pan

1 Large baking pan.

INGREDIENTS:

4 (8oz) Packages Cream Cheese- Room Temp.

4 Eggs

1 1/2 C. White Sugar

3/4 C. Milk

1 C. Sour Cream

1 TBSP Vanilla Extract

1/4 C Flour

Pinch or two of Salt

CRUST:

2 C. Graham Cracker Crumbs

4 TBSP Butter

1/2 TBSP Vanilla Extract

Pinch of Salt

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees

Grease 9in. Springform pan.

Cover bottom and sides on the outside of your springform pan with aluminum foil to make it "waterproof".  Cooking a cheesecake in a water bath is an easy way to prevent cracking and browning of the cheesecake. 

In a medium bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, 4 tbsp butter, salt and vanilla. Spread evenly on the bottom of your springform pan. Press firmly.

Bake crust for ten minutes. Remove from oven to cool.

In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Blend in milk, vanilla, sour cream and flour. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just enough to incorporate. 

Pour filling over the top of the crust and let sit five minutes.

Place your cheesecake into a large enough pan or cake pan. Pour in one inch of water, careful not to get any inside the springform pan.

Bake in the oven at 350 for exactly 1 hour. 

DO NOT PEEK!

Once the hour is over, shut the oven off and walk away.

Let the cheesecake sit in the oven to cool to room temperature- about 5-6 hours.

Refrigerate after the 5-6 hours is done, and it should look perfect! (And TASTE perfect too!!)

Top with whatever your little heart desires. I love strawberries myself! :-)

Enjoy! There really is nothing as good as a great cheesecake. Ahhh heaven on a plate!

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

My husband is OBSESSED with banana pudding. This was a genius idea for a birthday cake! 

INGREDIENTS:

1 Box White Cake Mix

1 tsp Vanilla

1 Package Vanilla Wafers

4 Bananas

2 packages Banana Pudding

1 Container Cool Whip

**Ingredients to make cake

PREHEAT OVEN AS DIRECTED ON CAKE MIX BOX

Set out Cool Whip Container to Soften.

I used three round cake pans to make a layered cake for this one. Simply mix up your cake mix by the directions on the box. Add the extra tsp vanilla. Separate evenly into 3 greased and floured round cake pans. Bake as directed. 

When done, let sit about 5 minutes. Tap pan on counter and flip cakes onto a lightly floured surface. Begin to poke cakes with a plastic "one use" straw all the way around, about an inch apart, throughout the whole cake, until all cakes are done.

Slice bananas, and mix up pudding packages. After mixing, I put the pudding mixture in a pourable measuring cup to make it easier to use.

Place one cake round on a serving plate or pan. Pour pudding mixture over the cake to fill the holes (carefully). Line with a layer of wafers and a layer of bananas. Do the same with the second layer. If it gets to thick to pour, add a bit of milk. 

Once the second layer is finished, place the last cake round on top. Pour pudding mixture into the holes carefully, and let sit five minutes. 

Stick cake in the refrigerator to cool for ten minutes.

Take the cake out, and frost with the cool whip. Crumble some wafers and sprinkle them on top of the cake and line the sides with whole wafers. 

Keep Refrigerated until you are ready to eat it.

Genius Life Hacks You Don't Want To Miss

HONESTLY...

Why haven't I thought of half of this stuff before?! 

I usually don't make too big of a pancake mess, but it isn't always pretty.

And I HATE this packaging!

For those of you who travel! Genius. Plain Genius!

I'm probably not the only one who has been tossing these in the trash AND buying fancy bag clips! :-)

"Who'da thunk?!"  ;-)

Maybe not two shelves, but one for sure! WANT

See, I need to start hoarding. It saves money. :-D

No one likes cold pizza...

I mean, I do, but not everyone. Definitely not everyone.

Paying too much for pool? You didn't hear this from me... ;-)

I paint a LOT! Unreal...

Sassy Kitties? Muahaha...!

Little Rollers? That'll do it! 

AND JUST FOR FUN....

We just bought a swing set, this might come in handy! :-D

And just in case you get tired of sweeping/mopping....

I mean, they are down there anyway right? LOL.

Awesome.

I Pledge Allegiance...

They may not allow this in school anymore, 

But that doesn't mean they can't learn it at home. 

Hope you enjoy!

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

It doesn't get much more comfort-foodie than this! 

This is what happens in my house when I have odds and ends that I need to use up. The brainstorming begins and ends with a big ol' dish of deliciousness. Well, most of the time anyway. Not all creations are created equal. But this casserole was a winner, hands down!

INGREDIENTS:

3 Large Baking Potatoes

8 Slices Bacon

2 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Jalapeño (optional)

2 C. Shredded Chicken (also optional)

1/2-1 C. Sliced Green Onions

2 C. Milk

1 tsp flour

2 tbsp Oil

1/2 tbsp garlic powder

1/2 tbsp onion powder

Salt-Pepper to taste.

Sour Cream for topping-optional.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 425

First off, cook your bacon. I baked mine while I was preparing everything else for about 15 minutes. Chop potatoes into one inch cubes and toss with 2 tbsp oil in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast for 20-30 minutes or until tender. Crumble bacon, slice green onions, and dice jalapeño (after removing ribs and seeds). Once potatoes are done, heat 2 C milk on stove until hot. Add 1 C cheddar cheese and mix well until almost dissolved. Now add 1 tsp flour and whisk. 

Combine potatoes, 1/2 of your crumbled bacon, chicken, jalapeño, and 1/2 of your green onions in a large bowl. Pour in milk mixture and stir softly.

Reduce oven temperature to 400

Pour into a greased 9x13in. pan and bake for 20 minutes

Take out and top with cheese, remaining bacon and remaining green onions.

Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted to your liking.

Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Top with sour cream. 

**We had this as a dinner, you can also make this as a side dish. 

Pepper Ring Fried Eggs

If there is one thing I love, its peppers. I could eat them on or with anything. I saw this recipe and just HAD to try it out. Delish!

You can really cook your egg inside any way you want, scramble it before pouring if you don't like yolk.

INGREDIENTS:

Eggs

Bell Peppers-any kind

Oil or Grease for frying

Salt/Pepper to taste.

Heat your oil on medium-low heat. Slice your bell pepper to desired thickness, trying to keep it as even as possible. Fry the peppers a couple minutes on both sides. Crack your egg or pour from a cup into your pepper rings and cook to your liking. You can flip it if you want, or cover with a lid to get the yolk the way you like it. 

Super Easy.

Super Yummy.

Enjoy!

:-)

Too Sick To Clean

Haha!! I love this idea! Why didn't I think of this?

Today I woke up feeling pretty icky. Flu-ish. I don't have any "get well" cards handy, unfortunately, so what did I do instead? Cleaned like a psycho just in case my condition worsened. Yep. In my defense, I would really hate it if I got even more sick and felt I had to clean the house after the little tornado I call a child gets through with it. 

I am really craving some chicken noodle soup today, but my husband doesn't love soup. Instead, I am going to give little mini chicken pot pies a try today. That might help me feel better! Stay tuned for the recipe! ;-)

Fully Loaded Guacamole

What could be better on fajita or taco night then a freshly made bowl of guacamole?! Nothing! That's what! Oh how I wanted to eat the whole bowl all by myself before the husband got home. I mean, It WAS right before dinner time. That might have been ok. 

There is no other way to eat guacamole. Make it fresh! It's SOooo much better. 

Here's how to do it:

Ingredients:

4 Avocados- Halved and pits removed.

2 tbsp fresh Cilantro -Give or take**

1 Tomato

1/2 Onion or 1/4 Red Onion- Finely Diced

1tbsp Minced Garlic

1 Jalapeno- Seeded and Ribs removed- Finely Diced

1/2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 tbsp Lime Juice (half lime)

Salt and Pepper to taste.

**I say give or take on the Cilantro because it has a strong flavor. I don't put too much in mine.

Directions:

Slightly mash your avocado's in a medium sized mixing bowl, just enough to break them up a bit. Chop up your cilantro and toss that in the bowl. Cut your tomato to preferred size and toss that in. Now add in your onion, garlic, jalapeno, oil, lime juice and salt and pepper. Mix gently but enough to really incorporate everything together. 

Serve with tortilla or pita chips or refrigerate asap. 

****

Other Possible Additions:

BACON-Who knew?! 

Black Olives

Feta Cheese

Corn

Green Onions

Etc...

The list literally goes on and on and on...

ENJOY!

Family Chore Chart

Unfortunately I do not have step by step pictures as this is an older project of mine.

I absolutely love this. My kids aren't quite big enough for this one yet, but I will make myself one in the future. I made this one for my sister and her beautiful little family. 

Super easy to do. I bought the wood piece at Hobby Lobby along with some cute stencils and colorful card stock. Picked up some small hooks, and got to work! (I already had paint)

I first painted the whole thing, then I stenciled on the letters and gave them a "shadowed" look, hand painted the small ones, and put my hooks on. This MAYBE took me one day to complete. Super cute gift!

Spinach & Pepper Jack Stuffed Pork Chops

We absolutely loved this recipe. I rolled mine, but you can fillet them and leave three sides on like a "pocket"and stuff them that way as well. I did not have that option as I took mine off of the bone and they were pretty small. The cheese would stay in much better if you fillet a "pocket"into your chops.

Ingredients:

4 Pork Chops

2 Cups Fresh Spinach

2-4 oz Pepper Jack Cheese

1 Egg- Beaten

1 Container French's French Fried Onions-crushed

Season to taste. 

*I rubbed mine down with barbecue maple rub before stuffing*

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400. 

On a cutting board, fillet your pork chops. Cut a "pocket" to stuff or fillet all the way to one end for the roll. Place your spinach on/in the pork chop first. Then crumble your pepper jack and add that. If you made the pocket cut, you can try covering the opening with a bit more spinach to keep the cheese in better as it cooks. Roll your pork chop if you cut it the long way. 

Dip each stuffed pork chop into your egg and fully cover with your fried onion crumbles and place on a sprayed/greased baking sheet. 

Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes.

** Keep in mind, you can coat these with any kind of breading you choose and also switch out the cheese for your favorite kind as well! I'm just super duper obsessed with french fried onions. 

YUMM-alicious! 

Serve hot and enjoy! 

Garlic & Parmesan Roasted Red Potatoes

These are so quick to prepare and will impress anyone. (Yes, even your really picky husband!) Chop, coat and bake. It doesn't get any easier than this. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 lb Red Potatoes (or baby reds)

3 tbsp Olive Oil

2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese

3 tsp Garlic powder

(Can use 1 tbsp Minced Garlic instead)

Salt/Pepper to taste.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425

Cut your potatoes into cubes, approximately 1 inch pieces. In a large bowl, add your olive oil, and minced garlic. (If using) Mix the potatoes around in the bowl until evenly coated with oil. 

On a baking sheet or pan, spread the potatoes out and season them with your garlic powder, salt and pepper. 

Bake potatoes for 25 minutes or until they soft. Take them out, flip them with a spatula and sprinkle on your parmesan cheese. Return to oven for 5-10 more minutes. Serve hot.

Double Banana & Blackberry Smoothie

What's better than a banana in your smoothie?

Two Bananas!

This was one delicious, vitamin packed lunch for me. 

I always put spinach and an avocado into my smoothies to pack in some extra vitamins.

Ingredients:

2 Bananas

1 Avocado (cut and scooped out)

1 C. Blackberries

1 C. Plain nonfat yogurt

1 C Juice-any kind

2 C Spinach

1 C. Ice- unless you are using frozen fruit

Liquify all ingredients in your blender and off you go! So delish!

Churro Cheesecake Bars

Is it bad that I instantly chowed down on two of these right after I took this picture? 

No, my friends, it's not. They are THAT good. 

My Mom has a recipe almost dead on to these delicious squares of heaven and they are always a hit.

Enough jibber jabber! Start baking them! ;-)

Ingredients:

• 2 8oz Cans of Crescent Rolls
• 2 8oz Packages Cream Cheese- Softened
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 tbsp Cinnamon
• 1 C. Sugar- Divided
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 9x13  Baking Dish

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grease your baking dish and unroll one can of crescents. Place on bottom of baking dish, pinching the seams together. 
3. In a medium sized mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, 1/2 C. Sugar, vanilla and your egg.
4. Blend (with a blender/stand mixer) until smooth. It would be hard to mix by hand.
5. Spoon cream cheese mixture onto your bottom layer of crescents as shown, and spread around to cover the bottom. 
6. Unroll your second can of crescents and place on top of cream cheese mixture, again pressing the seams closed. 
7. Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top.
8. Melt 2 tbsp butter across the top of your bars.
9. Mix remaining 1/2 C. sugar with your cinnamon.
10. Sprinkle (or pour) your cinnamon sugar evenly over the top.
11. Let sit until cool, slice, serve and enjoy!

Or you can just shovel one into your mouth right after you snap a picture of it like I did. I have no self control...it's not my fault.

Hope you Enjoy this recipe! Follow me on Pinterest and Facebook to see what I come up with next! :-)