Saturday, May 15, 2010

Apricot or Plum Chicken & Rice

Here's an easy & quick dinner that is very good!

Ingredients:
  • 4 Chicken Breasts
  • White Rice (you can use Minute Rice (Store brand) which cooks in 5 minutes) **Need 6 Servings**
  • Jar of Apricot or Plum Jam
Directions:
  1. Season Chicken (use spices i.e. salt, pepper, chicken rub etc.) as desired
  2. On stove top cook chicken, once fully cooked add a quarter to half of the jar of Apricot or Plum jam and simmer.
  3. While chicken is simmering, begin cooking he rice.  Follow the directions on box.
  4. Serve chicken on a bed of rice.  Salad & Crescents go really well with this dish!
Approximate prep time: ~10 minutes
Approximate cook time: ~10 minutes

Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

The Circus is coming!!


When was the last time you have been to the Circus?  Well the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to Phoenix starting on June 23 through June 27!

Now I'm not too sure how a baby under 1 would really enjoy the circus but if this is your babies 1st time at a Circus they have a pretty good deal...

Free Ticket for Baby’s First Circus


"Parenthood brings many wonderful firsts - your baby’s first tooth, your baby’s first steps... and of course, your Baby’s First Circus!  That’s why we created the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Baby’s First Circus program for parents of newborns (up to 12 months old and living in the continental United States)."

When You Sign Up You'll Receive:

•A ticket voucher, which will arrive by mail, that can be exchanged for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance, anytime, anywhere. No expiration date!
•You'll also be able to print a very special commemerative certificate, that you can personalize with your child's name!

For this and other great deals, visit Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and click on "Special Offers" located at the top of the website!

It's been so long since I've been to the Circus and my daughter has never been so I'm excited it's coming to Phoenix!! The Circus will be held at the US Airways Center.

Jewelry Organizer

I came across this idea on my nieces blog and I just absolutely love it!

I have gone through so many different jewelry boxes and I can never seem to get them organized how I like them.  Either there's too much space or not enough, but this idea is just perfect!!


To find out how to make them exactly as picture shows click on the following link: Cork Board Jewelry Organizer .  To make it a little easier, is to purchase an already put together board from Target. Don't forget to purchase push pins of your choice!

I can not wait to do this and hang in our room, I have the best location in mind!

Write it down...

Sometimes being a parent and/or wife can be very stressful, but we don't always get to say how we really feel.  Whether it's to be nice or not start an arguement etc...we sometimes hold it in.  Whatever that reason may be, it's not good to keep it in so, I have a solution!

A Journal...
I have been using a journal for quite some time now and I have to be honest, even if I tell my husband or friends how I'm feeling sometimes I don't get it all out.  So I write it down and I feel so much better!  No matter what I write, I don't have to worry that I'll be told I'm wrong for feeling that way or feel judged in way! 

 It's a great way for me to relieve a lot of stress and I hope it can help you too!!

Banana Walnut Pancakes

So Yummy!!
We absolutely love going to Wild Flower Bread Co. for their amazing Banana Walnut Pancakes, but going their so often gets expensive so here's how you can make them yourself!
Now there are ways to make your pancake mix, but with 3 kids I'm all about fast & easy! So I use the pre-made pancake mix :o)
Ingredients:
  • 2 Cups of Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete pancake mix
  • 1 & 1/2 Cups of water
  • 1/2 Cup of mashed Bananas
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped Walnuts

Toppings:

  • 1 ripe Banana, sliced (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup chopped Walnuts

Directions:

  1. Heat skillet/pan over medium-high heat. Grease pan.
  2. In medium to large bowl, mix together pancake mix & water until smooth.
  3. Stir in mashed bananas and 2 tablespoons of chopped Walnuts.
  4. Pour about 1/4 cup of mix onto skillet/pan. Cook until each side is golden brown.
  5. Serve pancakes topped with syrup, sliced bananas and chopped walnuts & Enjoy!!

If you're looking for good side dishes try potatoes, bacon or fruit! Oh my gosh, it's 11pm and I could go for a big plate of these!

Yummy, Yummy!!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Make your own Lip Balm!!

I was watching Martha Stewart and I fell in love with this project!!  I think it would be a great activity to do at birthday parties, put in gift bags for "goodie bags" or to give out as gifts etc...I haven't tried it yet, as I need to order the materials, but I had to pass this along and when I prepare my own I'll let you know how they come out!! 

Girls of all ages will just love doing this!!

Ingredients

•2 teaspoons grated beeswax
•5 teaspoons carrier oil (such as castor, sunflower, or jojoba)
•1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
•1 teaspoon carmine (natural red) coloring oil
•6 or 7 drops essential oil (such as vanilla) **optional**

Note: To make colorless lip balm, substitute carmine coloring oil with an additional teaspoon of carrier oil.

Tools and Materials needed:

•Double boiler (use pot on stove and pyrex measuring dish inside)
•Mixing stick or spoon
•Lip balm tubes, pots, or tins
•Pouring tray with plastic scraper
•Decorative paper
•2-inch-wide clear packing tape

Homemade Lip Balm How-To

1. Melt beeswax, carrier oil, vitamin E oil, and coloring oil together in a double boiler, stirring to combine. Add essential oil right before removing from boiler to pour.

2. Pour mixture into lip balm containers. Let cool for about an hour. If using a pouring tray, scrape away excess and smooth tops with plastic scraper.

3. To make labels, cut a scrap of decorative paper to the size of container. Place paper facedown on a piece of clear 2-inch-wide packing tape. Cut packing tape to width of paper strip, and trim so tape is about 1/2 inch longer than paper on both ends. Wrap tape with paper around tube or pot.

Where to purchase the items needed:
-Lip balm ingredients available from TKB Trading
-Lip balm tubes, pots, tins, and pouring trays available from SKS Bottle.
-Essential oils and vitamin E oil available from your local drug stores (such as Walgreens etc.)

Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Fun Spring & Summer Drink!!

My mom found this recipe and we had it at my baby shower...it is so yummy and refreshing that I have to pass it on! For months after my shower, I drank this all the time! 

And now that it is starting to warm up outside, the kids would just love it and they'd have a blast making it!  It's a great drink for parties too!




Here's what you need:

-Hawaiian Punch, Berry Blue Typhoon
-Sprite
-Vanilla Ice Cream (if using for a party)


**If you are looking for a "red" drink use regular Hawaiian Punch**