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Quick and easy Stuffed Peppers

Quick and easy is my kind of meal.  Lately, I haven't been the best at meal planning.  I keep lots of healthy staples in the house and make a grocery list, but I have failed to plan out my meals.  Usually, it is 5 p.m. and I'm trying to figure out what I can quickly whip up for my family.  My stuffed peppers are quick and easy, and loved by all in our family.  You could even add brown rice, although we prefer them without.

I hope you enjoy my stuffed peppers. What are your go to recipes for  a quick meal?

Goals...

Do you set goals? Lately I have been pondering the importance of setting goals. Goals help keep us focused and give you direction. I don't know about you, but if I don't write something down chances are I will forget it. The same goes for our goals, when we write them down we are proclaiming them and making them real. In May I wrote down my business goals for the first time ever. I wrote short-term and long-term goals and hung them in my closet. By placing them in a visible place I look at them at them multiple times a day. It was scary writing down my goals. What if I didn't meet my goals? I didn't want to feel like a failure, but I found that writing down my goals and looking at them every day gave me drive to accomplish my goals and work harder. When I wrote them down, they became real, they weren't just in my head so I could no longer ignore them. Whether you are wanting to set fitness goals, nutrition goals, business goals or just personal goals, it important to write down your goals. Your goals need to be specific and realistic. Don't limit yourself to just short-term goals, but think about your long-term goals. Where do you want to be next month, next year or in five years? It may seem hard to write down your goals for five years down the road, but it forces you to sit down and think about where you want to be in the future. In my case, building a business takes time and it gives me long term goals to reach for. Take a few moments and think about your goals for this month. They can be personal or business, but write down your goals for this month. I am sharing my goals for this month with you. They are my own personal goals for myself. I will check back in next month and let you know how it went!

What have we been up to......

Summer is quickly passing! We finished up softball with closing ceremonies Saturday and I am glad to finally be done and have that off the schedule.  My daughter did really well and made a lot of progress.  She loved it and is looking forward to playing next year.

We are looking forward to finally being able to relax and enjoy summer!  I see a lot of days relaxing by the pool and I have a couple other fun things planned. What fun things do you have planned for your kids this summer?


I don't know about you, but I am always looking for the perfect nail cream/oil. I have hard nails, but they will get dry and start to split and peel. I put this recipe together a couple weeks ago and I have been using it every night since. I have noticed a huge difference in my nails and so far no splitting and peeling. It will be a great addition come winter when the cold, dry air depletes the moisture from my nails. Give it a try and let me know what you think? What do you use to keep your nails and cuticles in tip top shape?

I am looking forward to hear how you will be spending your summer.  I am always looking for great ideas and activities. Happy Wednesday!

Chobani's #BreakYouMake

Did you know June 3 was Chobani Flips National Break You Make Day? Well, it was and Chobani is challenging everyone to participate in their #breakyoumake campaign to nominate someone they think deserves a break.  When it comes down to it, everyone needs a break every now and then.

It wasn't hard to think of someone, however, I wanted to take a moment to talk about someone special to me who I think deserves a break, my mom.

My mom stayed at home and took care of us. She spent her time raising us and growing up, I never realized how much of a sacrifice that was. She was always there for us when we needed her. Now that I am grown with kids of my own, I realize just how much she did for us. Now that I am grown, she has turned into a friend. She has always gone out of her way to help others.  She now spends time watching her grandson and helping out with her other grandkids. Thanks for all you did and do for us mom! Take time for yourself and enjoy a much needed break!

Click HERE for a $1 coupon on a Chobani Flip.

Sugar Scrub...

I love this sugar scrub!  I use it a couple times a week.  It keeps my skin feeling soft and smooth.  It is also great on your feet to keep them nice and smooth, especially during the summer months when you are wearing sandals.  I like to switch out the oils for endless possibilities.  Take a few minutes to whip it together and let me know what you think!  

Hair Rinse

I first made this hair rinse a couple years ago.  Since then, I have revised it just a little. I had ran out and just didn't take the time to make more.  When I finally did a couple weeks ago, I had forgotten how much of a difference it made in my hair. It cuts down on the frizziness and my hair is also softer.

Chicken Hash....

I can't believe we are already on the second week of June.  I hope the second week brings nicer weather than the first!  We had rain and dreary weather all last week and I am looking forward to some sunshine.

A couple months back, I was looking through a cookbook in Costco and saw a recipe for Chicken Hash.  I took note of the ingredients and then came home to recreate it myself.  It turned out amazing and my girls loved it!

Chicken Hash

2 TBSP coconut oil

2-3 chicken breasts, cubed

1/2 t salt

1/2 t black pepper

1 sweet potato grated

1 Granny Smith apple (I used Gala since that 

what I had in the house) chopped and peeled

1/4-1/2 t red pepper flakes

1/4 c apple cider vinegar

baby spinach or arugula (optional)

Cook the cubed chicken in the coconut oil on medium heat.  Once it is browned, add the sweet potato and apple.  Add remaining ingredients and saute for another 10-15 minutes. 

This was a quick and simple recipe on a night when I needed something quick!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Happy Monday!

Sinus Bomb...

This spring has been hard on my sinuses.  The weather has been up and down and with it I ended up with a lot of pain and pressure in my sinuses. I used this sinus bomb several times a day to help open up my nasal passages and keep me draining.  Give it a try the next time you have sinus pressure and pain.

Eyelash Serum...

Are your lashes short?  Are they looking a little thin?  Breaking?  This eyelash serum is just what you need.  It nourishes your lashes while you sleep at night.  This serum is a blend of lemon, lavender, and fractionated coconut oil.  The fractionated coconut oil stimulates new growth.  It is also nourishing and moisturizing to your lashes. Lemon oil cleanses and stimulates the lashes. The lavender provides nourishment to your lashes and follicles. I apply this nightly after removing my makeup.  It didn't take long after I first started using it for me to notice a difference in my lashes.  They are longer and much healthier now.

Friday Favorites.....

Happy Friday!!  I am linking up with Erika, Narci, and Andrea for my Friday Favorites.

{ONE}  School is OUT!! We are officially done school!! Summer is here. We wrapped up testing last week and celebrated during the holiday weekend.

{TWO}  I was able to go home and attend the graduation of a girl whom I used to babysit.  Man, I this really makes me feel old.  I was in high school when she was born and I can't believe she is graduating.

{THREE}  The Bachelorette is in full swing.  Do you watch??  What do you think of the season this far? Are you happy with who the guys picked? I have to say, I am happy Kaitlyn is the bachelorette.  I didn't care for Britt on Chris's season.

{FOUR}  It is pool season!!  We made it to our pool for the first time yesterday!  The water was refreshing and my girls had a blast playing.  Looking forward to many more pools days this summer!

{FIVE}  These yummy Vanilla Granola Bars I made this week.  I've been slowly working to come up with the perfect recipe.

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend!  Take some time and do something fun with your family.

Vanilla Granola Bars

I love granola bars.  They are great to keep on hand for a busy day and a quick snack.  However, finding one that isn't full of preservatives and sugar is really hard.  It is even harder finding a recipe that doesn't contain sugar or flour.  I decided to put together a simple granola bar that I could quickly whip up to have on hand.  

Vanilla Granola Bars

2/3 c All-natural peanut butter

2/3 c raw honey

1 tsp vanilla

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

3 cups oats

1/4 c unsweetened coconut

1/4 c raisins

Combine peanut butter and vanilla in a pan over low heat until combined.  Remove from heat and add vanilla and protein powder.  Add in remaining ingredients.  Spread in an 8x8 pan.  Place in fridge until set.  Cut and enjoy.  Store in the refrigerator.

Top 5 Nutrition Tips.....

Nutrition is something I think most of us struggle with daily.  We have good intentions, but then life gets in the way and we get off track quickly.  I started a 12-week fitness and nutrition challenge Monday called TERRAfit.  Leading up to this week, I have been slowly finding replacements for things like my coffee and finding more nutritional snacks.  Our family has slowly been making changes over the last few years.  It is easier to make one or two changes at a time verses 20.  We get overwhelmed when we try to do too much at once and end up quitting.  My biggest challenge this time is eliminating sugar.  Sugar has such a strong hold on so many of us, I am excited to finally break-up with sugar!  While eliminating sugar may not be something you are ready to do, try a few of my nutrition tips.

1.  Stay Hydrated.  Drink at least half your weight in water every day with a maximum of one gallon a day.  It can be hard to drink water so try spicing it up.  Add a drop or two of citrus essential oil (make sure it is pure) for example lemon, lime or grapefruit to your water.  Cut up fruit slices and add to your water.  Boosting your water intake can boost your energy levels, aid in digestion, and it's good for your skin.

2. Take a multivitamin and fish oil.  I believe food is the best place for us to get our nutrition, however, it is extremely hard to give our body all the nutrients we need through food daily.  While supplements are not a replacement for good nutrition, they play a big role in our overall health and prevention. Choose a high quality vitamin supplement and fish oil.  Research and make sure there are no additives added to the vitamins.

3.  Eat more vegetables.  Vegetables are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.   Add some spinach to your smoothie.  Branch out and start trying new veggies, you might be surprised and like one or two!

4.  Choose healthy fats.  Avocado, seeds, and nuts are all healthy fats.  Cook with healthy fats such as coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil or even REAL butter.  Our body needs fat, we just need to make sure we are eating healthy fats.

5.  Read ingredients.  If it didn't come from the ground, a tree or an animal, don't eat it.  If you can't pronounce it, then you probably shouldn't eat it.  I know this is a big one and can be an adjustment, but your body will thank you for it.  Our body relies on us for nutrition and we need to feed it real food.

We often get busy with life and let our nutrition go.  Plan ahead.  When you come home from the grocery store, wash all your vegetables and fruit.  Cut up your veggies and store them in easy grab and go baggies for a quick snack.  Enlist the help of your family.  My kids love to help in the kitchen and will happily volunteer to cut up veggies or make a healthy snack.

Friday Favorites....

I am so glad the temps are starting to stay above freezing!  I am so ready for spring and warmer weather.  Here are a couple favorites from the last few weeks.

{ONE}  Baby Showers.  I knitted this blanket for a friend.  The pattern is now a favorite of mine and I will definitely be using it again.  Oh, and check out the cool cake!  I loved the book theme.

{TWO}  I love pulling out my diffuser every morning and putting in a blend of essential oils that just lifts my mood and gets me moving for the day!

{THREE}  Time with friends.  It has been so wonderful to spend time with amazing friends.

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!

Broccoli and Cheese Soup...

It's been a couple weeks since I posted.  We've had way too many snow days and below average cold temps.  I am thrilled it is March and looking forward to spring fast approaching.  I thought I would share a couple of my time saving kitchen tips and a soup.

When it comes to meal time, it can be so hard to find the time to prepare a meal, especially if you are a working mom or a mom to young kids.  So I want to share a couple tricks that I have used over the years to make meal time much less stressful and easier.

1.  When preparing a casserole or soup, make double and freeze the extra.  This gives you a quick meal to pull out on a busy night.
2.  I buy a huge package of chicken and break it down into individual meals.  If I am using a marinade, I add it to the bag.  I throw it in the freezer.  I just pull it out that morning and as it thaws, it is marinating all day.
3.  Prepare meat in advance.  I will brown a bunch of ground beef (or turkey) and separate into individual servings for tacos or spaghetti.  I will also cook a bunch of chicken and shred it for casseroles or soups and freeze in individual servings.  This way my meat is all prepared and I just have to throw it all together.
4.  Simplify.  At least once a week we have a meatless meal.  Usually it is salad and baked potatoes, but sometimes it is something different and quick and easy.  We also clean out our fridge and have a leftover night.  If we did not eat the leftovers for lunches, I will forgo a planned meal and we will clean out the fridge.
5.  Frozen veggies are always great to have on hand and can quickly be turned into something as easy as stir fry on a busy night.
6.  Meal prep on the weekend.  Spend an hour or two on Saturday or Sunday prepping for the week.  Cut up all your fresh veggies when you bring them home from the store so they are ready for the week ahead.

These are just a couple tips of mine to help simplify a busy week night.  I used to have a freezer full of meals when my kids were younger.  I would always double what I was making or split it in half and freeze part.  I would then be able to pull a meal out of the freezer one or two nights a week.

I picked this recipe up a couple years ago.  I have changed it to make it gluten free for me, but you can still make it the original way.  My family loves this soup and requests it frequently.

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

5 cups broccoli florets (I use frozen)

6 cups chicken broth

1-1/2 cup milk or half and half (half and half will be creamier)

1/4 cup cornstarch (or 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour)

3 cups grated cheddar cheese (we prefer sharp)

Steam the broccoli till tender.  Chop and set aside.  Combine milk and cornstarch and whisk until combined.  In saucepan, combine broth and milk.  (If using flour combine broth and milk, then slowly whisk in flour).  Cook over medium heat stirring occasionally.  Cook until it starts to thicken, not too thick.  Add chopped broccoli.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  Cook about 5 minutes.  Add cheese, stir until it is completely melted.  Serve and enjoy!  

Just a few pictures of our last few weeks.

Have a great Monday!

Chicken pot pie

We are still recuperating from an extremely busy weekend.  Yesterday was just a cold dreary day and the perfect day to cuddle up on the couch and just enjoy some down time.  This winter has been so cold and dreary, I am really missing the sun!  On Monday, when I saw what the weather was going to be like, I decided I need a comfort food on the menu and Chicken Pot Pie it was.  I used the crust from one recipe and then just created the filling myself.  The crust is grain free and gluten free.  Click HERE for the crust recipe.  

Chicken Pot Pie

Crust:

1 cup blanched almond flour

3/4 cup tapioca starch

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon finely ground sea salt

1/4 teaspoon gluten free baking powder

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

1/4 cup very cold butter

1 large egg

3 Tablespoons ice cold water

Pot Pie Ingredients:

2 cooked, shredded chicken breasts

1-1/2 Tablespoons butter

1 bag mixed veggies

2-3 small potatoes, diced

1 small onion, finely chopped

homemade cream of chicken (recipe below)

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme (or use the spice from your pantry)

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary (or use the spice from your pantry)

Crust Instructions: 

1.  In the bowl of the food processor, combine almond flour, tapioca flour, paprika, salt, baking powder, and white pepper.  Pulse a couple of times to get rid of any lumps and combine.

2.  Using a cheese grater (I just cut mine into small cubes), grate cold butter into flour and spice mixture.

3.  Add egg.  Pulse 5-6 times so butter and egg are just incorporated. Don't over mix. 

4.  Add cold water and use a spatula to mix in until combine.

5.  Transfer dough to a bowl or piece of parchment paper.  Place in freezer for 1/2 hour.

6.  Remove dough from freezer. It should be hard and not sticky. Place between two pieces of parchment or wax paper and rolls out to desired size or just your fingers to push into shape you want. I used a single baking dish to cook my pot pie so tried to shape my dough to cover it. You will want to do the same or shape the dough to cover individual dishes, however you plan on baking the pot pie(s).Once you have the shape(s) you need, leave the dough between the parchment paper, place on a flat dish or tray to keep its shape and place back in the freezer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes or until ready to use.

Pot Pie Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350.

2.  Saute onion and potatoes in butter.  

3.  Combine shredded chicken, mixed veggies, potatoes, onion, spices, and homemade cream of chicken.  Put into 11x7 baking dish.

4.  Remove rolled out dough from the freezer and gently remove from parchment paper from one side.  Flip dough onto baking dish and carefully remove remainder of parchment paper letting the dough fall onto the pot pie.  Scrap the edges a little so that there isn't too much overhang.  Remove any excess dough from the dish and discard.  Use a small knife to cut 2 to 3 slits to allow some steam to escape while cooking.

5.  Bake uncovered for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until crust is beginning to brown all over.  Allow to rest 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

Homemade Cream of Chicken

10 oz milk (dairy free or regular)

1 Tablespoon cornstarch, tapioca starch or arrowroot starch

1/2 Tablespoon butter

1 Chicken boullion cube

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan.  Cook on medium-high heat until thickened.  Remove from heat and use.  This is equal to one can of soup. 

I have been using this recipe for years.  I love how creamy and easy it is!  I can quickly make this to use in any recipe and I always have the ingredients on hand.  

Friday Favorites

I am linking up with my Friday Favorites again this week.

I am just so grateful it is Friday.  I am looking forward to a weekend with my family and friends, and hopefully some warmer weather.

{ONE} I knitted this blanket for my nephew and mailed it out last week.  It was a lot of fun making this pattern.  I was so excited to finally see the finished product.  I enjoy knitting for friends and family!

{TWO} Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes  Mascara.  I am a mascara snob and extremely picky.  I picked this up the beginning of January and I LOVE it!  It is my favorite mascara I have ever tried!  It is free of paragons, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium laurel sulfate, and gluten free.  It goes on so smoothly and is not the least bit clumpy.

{THREE} Coffee and friends.  I was able to get out with a few friends last night.  I forgot to take a picture, but it was so nice to get away and just spend the evening with some friends.

That is all for this week!  I didn't try a new recipe this week, I repeated several of the new recipes I've tried.  It's been an extremely busy week working on school and work.  We didn't get out or get many pictures this week.

Happy Friday!!!!

P.S.  For all my Bachelor fans, check out my favorite Bachelor recap.