Chunky Vegetable Salad with Lemon-Cumin Vinaigrette

So this recipe made me have a few doubts but I decided to try it anyway. I was PLEASANTLY surprised it was de-lichh-ious. Perfect amount of crunch, sweetness, savoriness, and HEALTHY HEALTHY HEALTHY!! I've never made anything with jicama before so I wasn't sure how that would add to the mix but it taste like a milder apple and added the perfect texture & flavor.











1/3cp Chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
1/3cp Kidney beans (R&D)
1/4cp Shredded Carrots
1/4cp Chopped Jicama (I peeled off the outer skin)
1/4cp Chopped Apple
1/4cp Sliced Red bell pepper
1tbs Sliced Celery
1/4cp Chopped Cucumber
1Tbs Pumpkin Seeds

Dressing:
1/2 Lemon Juice
2tsp Olive Oil
1Tbs Red Wine Vinegar
1tsp Ground Cumin
pinch Salt & Pepper

Mix all Vegetables,fruit & Beans together. Whisk together all Dressing ingredients and drizzle on salad! Enjoy

**I didn't follow the measurements as per the recipe. I added a can of each bean and DICED up whole amounts of all vegetables/fruits, grated the carrots, equaling about 1cup-1.5cups of each. It turned out delicious! Heather face& Kristen, I thought of you! :) You must try!

$20= New ottoman and 4 decorative pillows!

I've finally got around to giving my living room pillows and ottoman a new look. Mike picked the last fabric for my homemade pillows and ottoman and my mom gladly covered them with care. It was fine for a little bit, but it started to remind me of "old man beach-towel" and felt it needed a new design.

I found these fabric options and couldn't decide for $35+ a YARD! So I was so excited when I came across some window panels for $20 that were very similar to the green pattern sample I had. I LOVED that I was getting 4 yard of fabric for less then 1 yard for the same look so "what the heck". I brought it home and gave it a try. I feel good about my deal and I think it turned out really cute! Now I wish I had some window panels in the same fabric! ha ha











**Tip- I used the long sides of the window panels for the pre-sewn 1" trim around the bottom of the ottoman and the 4" pre-sewn trim on the bottom of the panels for the front pocket on the pillows. This opening allows you to switch it out for a different look.
I also created the ties on each corner to cinch the bottom to fit a little more snug. It was a cute last minute addition!

Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal Pancakes/ Belgium Waffle

This was super yum. I woke up craving waffles but wanted a healthy version. I saw this pancake recipe in my borrowed Fitness Magazine. I put my own spin on it and made a Belgium waffle version!









1/4 cup Oats
1/3 cup Skim Milk
1/4 cup Grated Apple
1 Egg
2 tsp Wheat Germ
1/8tsp Cinnamon
2 Tbs Whole-grain pancake mix


In a med bowl, combine oats and skim milk and let stand for 5 minutes. Add grated apple and egg (I just used the egg yoke and reserved the whites for later) . In small bowl mix wheat germ (I didn't have wheat germ and I used flax seed), cinnamon, whole grain pancake mix. Slowly add dry ingredients to oat mixture. ** added step for waffles- in separate bowl blend egg whites until light and fluffy & fold into blended batter. If you are making pancakes this step is not required. The whole egg will be added into the mixture above.

Spray cooking oil in a medium skillet or waffle maker and cook until golden brown.

Mediterranean Pizza!

Okay.. so this is officially my new FAVORITE! I found it a few weeks ago, in a fitness magazine I borrowed from the gym! :) I couldn't wait to try it. I'm a sucker for hummus and especially experimenting with my own concoctions. I made the below hummus and could have eaten this for all 3 meals! I'm going to do this again for sure

-Picture to come- (I ate it so fast, there wasn't time for one)

Hummus
2 Cans of Garbanzo Beans (half liquid reserved)
2 Cloves of Garlic
1/4cp Chopped Red Onion
1Tbs Tahini (or Peanut Butter)
2Tbs Lemon Juice
2 Tbs Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper to taste

In a blender, Blend all ingredients until creamy and well mixed. Slowly drizzle olive oil in until desired texture is reached.

Okay... now for the rest! SUPER EASY

Mediterranean Pizza
Sm Whole Wheat Pita Bread Rounds
Homemade Hummus
1 Chopped Avocado
1 Chopped Tomato
1 Chopped Cucumber
Crumbled Feta Cheese

Top Pita bread with Homemade Hummus and sprinkle with chopped vegetables and cheese!

Sew What... it's just a pillow..

My mom & Dad surprised me this year with a SEWING MACHINE! I was so excited! It's been SEVERAL years since I used one and figured it would be as easy as riding a bike.
BoY wAs I wRoNg!
After realizing this, I thought I would start off small, and make two king size pillow shams for my master bedroom. I got home with fabric and severely underestimated! So I made this lonely pillow for starters. It's hard to tell, but it folds over in the front like a sham and has three ties down the middle. I used an old pillow that I was no longer using so it saved me $$! What's not to love about that?

Hyrums Chicken Cacciatore

Another recipe from my Grandpa's kitchen! I find this recipe makes me salivate like no other! It's delicious and I never get tired of it! I crave the leftovers!

Poppy's Chicken Cacciatore

4		Chicken Boneless Breasts
2		Medium onions (minced)
2		Cloves of garlic (minced)
1	Lb	Can tomatoes (diced)
1	8oz	Can tomato sauce
1/3	Cup	Green pepper (minced)
1	Tsp	Salt
2	Tsp	Oregano
1/2	Tsp	Basil
1/2	Tsp	Celery Salt
1/4	Tsp	Pepper
1		Bay leaf
		Egg Noodles Parmesan Cheese

Combine in crock-pot. Cook for 6-8 hours or High for 3-4 hours. Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve hot over rice or egg noodles. Top with parmesan cheese. *Crushed red pepper optional

Grandpa's TACO SOUP!

This recipe was introduced by my Grandpa and has been something I've loved for years! My mom shared it with us and the soup just keeps finding new fans. It is super easy and feeds big crowds. It's healthy and hearty! Everything a soup should be! :)

Taco Soup

2	Cans	Chicken Broth
2	Cans	Whole Kernel Corn
2	Cans	Red Kidney Beans
1	Can	Diced Tomatoes
1	Can	Tomato Sauce
1	Lb	Hamburger
1		Onion (Chopped)
2	Pkg.	Taco Seasoning
		Shredded Cheese
		Bag of Fritos

Cook hamburger with chopped onion until brown. Drain. Combine all ingredients in large pan or Crockpot. Stir well. Heat until slightly bubbly. Serve hot sprinkled with grated cheese and Fritos.

White BEAN Chili

This was introduced my my sister Heather. She always seems to find crowd pleasers!

This recipe is really yummy! It's become a favorite in my home!

White Bean Chili

1	Lg	Onion (Chopped)
5	Cans	White beans (drained) (15oz. +liquid from 1)
1½	Cans	Chicken Broth
2		Chicken Breast (shredded)
1	Can	Green Chilies (Chopped)
2	Tsp	Oregano
4	Tsp	Cumin
1	Tsp	Cayenne Pepper
6-8		Garlic Cloves (minced)
1	Cup	Sour Cream
3	Cups	Grated Monterey Jack Cheese

Combine beans, onion and broth. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken and simmer for 20 minutes. Add chilies, seasonings and garlic and simmer for 30 more minutes. *Preferred Method: Combine first 9 items and cook in Crockpot for 4-5 hours. Top each serving with sour cream and grated cheese, just before serving.

Corn & Black BEAN Salsa

This is a Party favorite and really easy to make! It's fresh, crisp, healthy, COLORFUL and Oh soooo good!

Corn & Black Bean Salsa/Salad

2	Cans	Kernel Corn (drained)
2	Cans	Black beans (rinsed & drained)
½	Cup	Red Onion (minced)
1/3	Cup	Red bell pepper (finely chopped)
1	Large	Jalapeno (finely chopped)
3	Tbsp	Vegetable oil
2	Tbsp	Fresh lime juice
1/4	Cup	Fresh Cilantro (Finely chopped)
1	Tsp	Salt
	Drops	Tabasco (optional)
		Tortilla Chips

In large bowl, combine corn, black beans, red onion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Stir in vegetables oil and limejuice. Add Cilantro, Salt, and Tabasco. Toss well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Season with more limejuice, salt or Tabasco, if necessary. Serve chilled or at room temperature with tortilla chips!