I didn't forget!

I'm so excited to see new readers on the blog! I wanted you all to know I didn't forget about you all or the contest, I had minor surgery yesterday so I wasn't able to answer any questions. I wanted to pop on and than all of you for joining me and supporting my blog!
I will resume blogging ASAP!

*please forgive the awkward writing. Percoset is strong!

Pin of the Week!

4'x4' Cedar Garden Box from Home Depot

http://pinterest.com/pin/217087644508422230/

I haven't set it up or planted in it yet but the plan is to have it done by Friday!
I'm not a huge veggie person so i'll probably be planting fruit instead (or whatever can tolerate the weather here) Wish me luck so I don't kill everything off!

Blog Design Giveaway!

Not only am I super handy with knitting needles and cake pans I also enjoy dabbling in blog design.

My latest project was for a friend of mine, Sarah at Frugal by Choice, Cheap by Necessity.
Sarah's blog is great, she has tons of great recipes, DIY projects and a ton of pictures of her adorable super-hero loving son!

For Sarah's Blog I made her a custom header, blog button/grab me code, favicon and added pages and other gadgets including a "pin it" button for Pinterest.

The Rules for the Giveaway are as follows:
1. Comment here with your blog address and why you want/need a blog design. (1 entry)
2. Head over to Sarah's Blog and mention me in your comment. (1 entry)
3. "Like" our page on Facebook and leave a comment mentioning the giveaway. (1 entry)
4. Follow me on Pinterest * (1 entry)
5. Become a "follower" of this blog ------> over there (1 entry)


Using random.com the lucky winner will get hooked up with a Free, yes free, blog design. How kewl is that?!

*If you live under a rock and don't have a Pinterest account yet and need an invite, email me here.

**Entry deadline is 6/15**

Gourmet Chicken Quesadillas

This is by far one of the easiest meals to make and according to my husband "in the top 3" so here it is getting a shout out on the blog.

Ingredients:
Rotisserie Chicken (about 1 cup, shredded)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Red Onion (1/4 cup diced)
Artichoke Hearts (1/2 cup diced)*From a jar
Roasted Red Pepers (1/2 cup diced)*From a jar
Cumin (2 tsp)
Garlic Salt (2 tsp)
Cooking spray
Burrito sized tortillas

In a bowl mix together all inredients except for the cheese and tortillas (duh!)
or you could skip the bowl and do it all in your skillet, save yourself a dish.
Heat up everything in the pan until the oninons start to go translucent, and the chicken is warmed through.
Pile up the mix on your tortilla, sprinkle on the cheese.
Fold it up and throw it back in the pan to grill, only takes a minute.
Take it out, cut it up and ENJOY!

This is seriously a yummy dinner and only takes about 3 minutes of prep and 8 minutes total of cooking. And since most of the ingredients I had in my pantry (everything but the rotisserie chicken in fact!) it was super cheap!

Here are some pics!

Super filling and so good!

Back in the pan!

Get in my belly!

Taco Cornbread Bake

I decided to also start blogging about what I make for dinner. Not every night of course but probably once a week, highlight my favorite dish. The husband and I use Emeals. Basically for $2.25 a week ($15.00 every 3 months) I get a 7 day meal plan (ours is the low fat any store for 2 plan) complete with sides and a grocery list. Coupled with my local market's delivery service meal planning has gone from a chore and the bane of my existence to something I actually enjoy.
This week our meals included:
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Spring Salmon with a Wilted Salad
Creamy Pesto Pasta
Chicken BLT Salad
Fried Rice
Taco Cornbread Bake*
Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Sounds good huh? It's pretty easy to stick to a "diet" with food this tasty!* Emeals says this isn't a diet plan, and it really isn't. It's just eating low fat food, but for those of you on WW they also have plans that correspond with the points program and the points are listed with every recipe so it's easy to log your meals!

So onto today's featured dish.
Taco Cornbread Bake, one of the easiest and most delicious (IMHO) recipies I've made while using Emeals.
All you need is:
1lb of ground beef (we've been using ground turkey instead and it's just as tasty)
1 packet taco seasoning
(optional) 8oz can of tomato sauce (i use this instead of the water in the taco mix, much tastier especially when substituing the turkey for beef)
1 box cornbread Mix
Milk
1 egg (or egg beaters)
shredded cheese
(optional) can of refried beans, I don't eat them so I leave this out
Fat Free Sour cream for garnish

Preheat oven to 425
Brown your meat in a skillet, once browned add tomato sauce and taco seasoning, simmer for a few minutes.
meanwhile mix up the cornbread, let it stand for a minute or two.
once meat smells like tacos, put it in the bottom of a 8x8 pan, layer on cheese, then spread the cornbread mix on top.
Bake for 15 minutes and it's DONE!

So yummy and it definitely feeds more than 2 people!
Here are some pics:

Corn bread!

Cheese!

Ready for the oven!

All done!

Eat up!