Salsa Chicken & Spinach Pizza (for one)

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So why haven't I posted lately?!?!  No real excuse just being lazy and caught up in other "stuff"....You know the "stuff of life".  Anyway, I hired a couple of personal trainers, to help me get this body into shape!!!  With that, they came with a meal plan and workout routine.

The routine is AWESOME!  I have felt so good AFTER the workout is over. They really are getting me into gear for sure.

One of the areas they are also helping me with in nutrition. I have been following a 1500 cal. meal plan and it seems to be working.  They have not told me once, "No, you can't have that, or this." All I have to do is stay in the parameters of the 1500.

So, I have been trying to get creative with that directive and here is one of my many recipes.  I hope you like.  This pizza only comes to 187 calories!!!! I love it

Nakia's Salsa Chicken Spinach Pizza

• Maya's - Tortillas Whole Wheat 7" Taco Style, 1 tortilla
• Sabra - Salsa Medium, 2 TBSP
• Kroger Popeye - Raw Spinach, 1 cup
• Healthy Ones - Deli Thin-Sliced Rotisserie Style Chicken Breast, 6 slices
•  Provolone Cheese - Sargento Reduced Fat , 1 slice

Total of: 187 Calories!!!!!...I said that already, right? YUM!!!!

Cook: for 7-8 min. at 425 degrees.

Printable Lunch Menu Planners

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So trying to be better this year with the lunches for my boys and I think this will help. I designed these planners so that I could see it and shop better and not be running around the kitchen like a mad woman just before they are to leave.

My one suggestion is that you laminate these after you print them.  This will obviously allow you to reuse them each and every month. I am going to make a frame and show you that later on. But if you just want to print you one of these, leave me a comment and I will be happy to email you the PDF.

Happy New School Year!!!

Outdoor Livingroom Set

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This seems like it was long time coming, but honestly, it went by pretty fast.  I made these based off of the chairs from the book 2x4 outdoor living. The same book I used to make our porch swing that you can see here. I like the swing so much that I just basically did the same design as the swing but added legs and the bench/coffee table was just what I had in my head....so simple.

If you want the measurements of the the bench/coffee table leave me a message and I will get that to you.

This was so fun and well worth the time and effort....the wood was FREE!!  Gotta love neighbors!

UPDATE: Just moved the furniture into position and built a firepit for them.  So excited for the fall s'mores parties!!

Linguine w/ Buttered Almonds & Sage & Bacon ( in pictures)

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YUM-O-LICIOUS!!!!!

Thanks for havin' dinner with me!

NOTE: Cook your pasta according to the directions on the box.  I used a reg. sized box of Whole Wheat Great Value Linguine from Walmart. And it fed my family of 4 with leftovers.

Finally!!! A Porch Swing

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Ironically, Lemonade and Porch Swings, has neither a porch or a swing!!!  Up until NOW!!!!!

Funny as that sounds it is true.  I have what some call a "stoop." At least that is what I call the little landing in front of my front door.  I wish I had a wrap-around  porch, but I have am making due with the blessing I have.

Now with all that being said, I do have an arbor my gorgeous husband built for me.....about 10 years ago.  Under it sit an over sized picnic table, we inherited from an neighbor before they moved that needed some TLC and we have enjoyed it ever since.  But the space has needed something else and finally this is what we've decided on.

Most recently, I had the blessed opportunity to walk into my neighbors Eden.  It was the most wonderful, peaceful place I had been in a long time....and it was next door!!! I wanted it and I wanted it bad, but I knew I would not be able to go out and buy all or any of what he has.  Prayer came into play and wouldn't you know it....another neighbor was getting rid of about 30  8-foot pieces of lumber he had left over from a project he used them for.  He offered them for anyone to take... and immediately took Handsome (that's what I call the hubby) over and we took all he had.

Later I learned about this book call 2x4 Projects for Outdoor Living. I picked it up from my local library. It has great ideas and the one I settled on was the swing.  Handsome didn't think I could do it, but when he woke up this morning, well, he was pleasantly surprised and I was proud.

Now I am going to venture into  making an entire sitting set, with two chairs, and a loveseat.  

I think I am going to paint it all red!!

So what do you think?

Ottoman Outta an Ole' Tire

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Summer is here and the projects are coming full bore!!!!  And here is the first one of summer.  With the little guy home with me, I had to come up with ones that he could help me with and that he would be excited about.  I also am making sure that his little hands can get in on the action too.

No matter the age, all "men" love their power tools.

And now that Big A has a J.O.B. little A needed something to occupy all those lonely hours with mom.


So our first project was making this ottoman from a tire that I persuaded Big O Tires to let me have.  I saw this idea on pinterest and since I was planning on creating a secret garden patio and I thought this would be a great addition...that was if I could manage to do this right.


The picture were all so easy to understand, the only thing is that they lead to thinking that all you need is a few hot glue sticks and some rope.  Nope!!!  I think about 40 glue sticks and it took about 5-6 spools of rope.  I guess it all depends on the size of your tire.  But nevertheless, it was well worth it. 


I did all I could with this little thing, but ended up buying a
bigger one with a lot more glue.  I started with 30 stick and
bought an additional 40 more.



Had to flip it over once it got wired gluing upside down.
It made it a whole lot easier and quicker.



Since this is just going to be sitting on top of gravel I opted
out of putting on legs. But you can, just add them to the circle
before you attach it to the bottom of the tire.

To make this weatherproof, I still have to cover it in polyurethane and for an added special touch our family monogram....just looking for the perfect font.

There she is!!! Now I just have to make three more just like her. 

I hope you are inspired to add a little joy to your world. Thanks for stoppin' by.

UPDATE:  Here is the ottoman with our monogram!!!  Don't cha' just love it!!!

Simple Blackberry-Raspberry Sorbet

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Guess what I had for breakfast this morning?!?  Sorbet!!!  It's good for you right?  At least I think  my version is.  Love knowing what is in my food and no preservatives.

Simple is as simple does....or something like that.  This is so easy and I can only think of the myriad of combos I can make with this simple recipe.  I see, Pineapple-Cantaloupe coming soon, after all I have some on my counter and all I have to do is freeze it...YAY bring on summer.

Blackberry-Raspberry Sorbet

• 1 bag of frozen blackberries
• 1bag of frozen raspberries
• 1/2 Cup of blueberry agave nectar (more or less to your taste, so make sure you taste along the way and you can use honey or another flavor or agave)

1.  Allow berries to thaw just a little....like about 10 minutes in a bowl on the counter.
2.  Add berries to the blender a cup at a time. Blend until smooth. (If you have one of those blenders that have the stick stirrer thing, this would be super helpful.)
3.  When berries are all blended add nectar while the blender is on.
4.   Pour into a plastic container, cover and freeze. 4 hours for a nice soft serve or overnight for firmer.  (If you do it overnight allow it to sit out for about 5 minutes before you scoop it up.)

This recipe filled up a quart sized plastic container.

Thanks for comin' over.

Browned Butter & Sage Sauce

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I will from now on through forever make this as one of my signature family dinner eats!!! 

One day last week I got the inch to make homemade pasta and I wanted to have a clear sauce on it instead of the traditional tomato base. Also, the week before I went to the garden shop and bought a lot of herbs.  I have been wanting to do more cooking with FRESH herbs and with some I had never tried before.

Fortunately for me, I had just watched an episode on some channel about brown butter and sage. The lady was in some euphoric state that I had to try this myself.... I GET IT!!! This was so yummy and I will continue to fry sage leaves and have them in my garden if not for any other reason, but this one and that will do for me.

Brown Butter & Sage Sauce

• 1 stick of salted butter
• 1 handful of fresh sage (about a cup)

1.  Wash sage to remove any dirt.
2.  Melt butter in pan on High heat. Swirl it around until it is a med brown color. This should happen fairly quick...5 minutes once butter is all melted.
3.  Add Sage leaves and watch them crisp up....30 sec to 1 minute. Remove and drizzle over cooked pasta and toss to coat the noodles. Serve immediately.

Note: Add some chicken or shrimp to this and WOW!!!  What a meal that everyone will love and enjoy.

Bon Appetite!

Curry Quinoa with Cranberries & such Salad

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Wow!!  Has it really been over a month!!!  SORRY!!!  Let's just cut to the chase.  My dad died and I had to go back east to handle a lot of things....but I'm back and boy is it hard to get back in the swing of things.

Well, I have a lot of stuff in my head that I need to get out on here and to start a little bit slow, I'm kicking off my return with a recipe.

Curry Quinoa w/ Cranberries & such Salad

• 1/4 Cup Quinoa
• 1/2 Cup water
• 1/2 tsp. curry powder

1. Bring the water to a boil, add curry powder and quinoa.
2. Turn heat down to low and allow to simmer for about 10-11 minutes covered.

• 2 Tbsp. Cranberries (I made the recipe again and used multi colored raisans, tasted wonderful)
• 1 green onion or scallion
• 1/2 red bell pepper or shredded carrots (the picture has carrots, but I used red bell peppers when I made it another time and it was great.)
• a few splashes of Nakano Rice Vinegar Basil and Garlic
• salt & pepper to taste.

1. Chop up all the veggies and place in a bowl.
2. Once the quinoa is done cooking, add it to the veggies and stir.
3. Add a few splashed of the rice vinegar and salt & pepper to taste.

Sooooooo good and health.  Quinoa is super high in protein. I think this would even be a great salad for my vegan friends.

Yum!!!  Eat up y'all.

P.S.  This is about a 2 serving recipe....Feel free to double or triple.....I did.

Roasted Tomato & Egg Salad Sandwich....For One.

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I have really been focusing on my health and healthy eating lately and with my recent slip on the ice, I haven't been able to do a whole lot of crafting.  With that said, I have been really paying attention to my yummy food intake, especially since I have made a commitment to myself and weightwatchers.

So now you know why you have been seeing so many recipes.  No worries, I will be back in the swing of crafting things in a month or so...hey I might even sneak in a craft or during my "down time."

Anyway, I have a great recipe for a 6 PP egg salad sandwich w/roasted tomatoes and it is SUPER EASY to make.

Roasted Tomato & Egg Salad Sandwich- FOR ONE

Ingredients:

• 1 hard boiled egg
• 2 tsp. spicy brown mustard
• 2 slices roasted tomato (recipe to make your own below)
• 1 slice of Great Grains Multi-grain bread with flaxseeds.

Instructions:

1. Chop up the egg and add the mustard; mix well.
2. Cut 1 slice of bread in half.
3. Assembly sandwich as seen in the photo.

...now as for the roasted tomatoes

Roasted Tomatoes

Ingredients

	1 large fresh tomato(es), Sliced
	1 Tbsp olive oil
	1/8 tsp garlic powder
	1/8 tsp dried oregano
	1/8 tsp ground cumin
	1/8 tsp onion powder
	1/8 tsp dried dill weed
	1/8 tsp dried thyme salt to taste

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
• Slice tomato into eight slices & put in to a bowl. add the remaining ingredients to the tomatoes.
• Using your hand mix together, be sure to coat each tomato.
•  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• Place each tomato on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool.

Enjoy!!  Thanks for visiting!!

Roasted Tomato Tart w/ Balsamic Glaze

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Summer can't get here too soon for me.  I have been craving the taste and feel of summer all this winter. 

So today, I needed to have it.  Not even sure what to call this dish, just having Summer Lovin' withdrawal.

This dish is really simple to make, but a little time consuming, but if you do the tomatoes and glaze ahead of time, you can whip it out pretty fast.  It is great as an appetizer or even having a slice for lunch with a nice salad, is sure to please.


Roasted Tomato Tart w/ Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients:

• 2 vine ripe tomatoes
• olive oil (just enough to coat the tomatoes)
• dry herbs (Add all that you like, this is a very forgiving dish.  You can add or omit whatever you like.  These are the ones I used for my tart.)
• Crescent dough

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven to 450 degrees.
2. Slice tomatoes just over a 1/4" thick. Place in large bowl.
3. Add all of your herbs and oil and toss, using your hands. Be sure to coat the tomatoes well.
4. Place tomatoes on parchment paper prepared cookie sheet. Single layered (close, but not touching).
5. Place in hot oven, cooking for about 30-35 minutes until caramelized and looks dry.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
7. Reduce heat to 375 degrees.
8. On a pizza stone or pan, lay crescent triangles in a circle, points out.  Using a rolling pin, flatten the dough, be sure to fill the center.
9. Place the cooled tomatoes in a spiral pattern on the dough. 
10. Lift each point and twist and tuck around tomatoes
11. Return to a oven, cooking for 11-13 minutes.
12. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes before serving.

Makes about 8 single slice servings.

Sauce:
NOTE:  I make my own.  It's not hard, you just have to watch it and stir occasionally. But I would recommend just heading to the grocery store and getting a bottle (I will make a video, because it's a little hard to explain in words).

• Drizzle the sauce all over the top of the tart. Sprinkle with a little dry parsley flakes.

Yum!!! 

Thanks for visiting!! 

"A" Picture Perfect Craft

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Trying to redecorate our master bedroom is a monumental task, but I for one am up for the challenge.

First things first, are the walls. Our walls are grey (or gray, I really don't know the difference in the wording, but I do like the spelling of the first one better, therefore, that's what I'm using) and white. Which I love, but finding pictures and other items to complement them has been a challenge.

One of the items I have always wanted to do was decorate with the letter of our last name "A".

Here is a step by step....I might have missed one.  Sorry if I did, but I'm sure you can figure it out.

I would usually use a higher number than 14...maybe a 16 or even an 18 or 22.  But this is what they had.  I like it in the oatmeal or even darker color  (would be cool on black with white?....hmmmm).

 Cut out the letters and numbers with an exacto knife.

 Using a craft roller or even a pizza dough roller (that's what I could find) and really get the paper stuck to the fabric.

 Acrylic Paint

 Dab. Dab. Dab. Dab......

Still dabbing until all of the opens are covered well.  Be careful not the go over the edges.



Such an easy and fun project.  I'd suggest to do this with you kiddos and have them make one for over their bed with their first name initial and their est. date as their birth year.