Menu Monday

I tried a new recipe last week. 5 stars! (All five family members like it). I topped these lettuce wraps with Asian Slaw for a tasty crunch and an extra veggie boost.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

2 T. canola oil or peanut oil
1 T. toasted sesame oil
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and minced
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 T. honey
2 scallions, chopped
4 cups shredded cooked chicken
lettuce leaves (Romaine or Iceberg)

Dressing: combine oils, garlic, ginger and red pepper ina small saucepan. Heat over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until ingredients release their fragrances. Remove from heat and set aside. In a small bowl combine soy sauce, honey and scallions. Whisk in heated oil. Cook the chicken in the sauce until chicken is tender. Spoon chicken into lettuce leaves and top with asian slaw.

Linking up with I'm An Organizing Junkie this week. Great meal plans shared here every Monday.

Sweet Treat - DIY Sugar Scrub

I wanted to make something sweet for my 3 teen valentines this year. I decided on a brown sugar scrub for the shower!

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tablespoon honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla

I whipped til fluffy with my hand mixer.

Menu Monday

Since today is Tuesday, I probably don't have to tell you I don't have much of a menu plan for the week. I do however, have lots of veggies and fruits in the frig. so I am hoping to get some healthy, quick meals on the table (starting Wednesday)! I made this easy bruschetta for book club last night and it will make a healthy after school snack today!

diced tomatoes
diced onion
chopped cilantro
chopped basil
olive oil, salt and pepper to taste
toasted baguette slices

DIY -- Recovered Kitchen Chairs

We recovered our kitchen chairs last week.

When I say WE, I mean Steve. I picked out the fabric, cut it into squares and held it in place while he stapled. He did the rest from pulling a gazillion staples, cutting new foam and re-assembly. Thanks Steve!

We had recovered once  before (about 8 years ago) and at that time, just covered the existing seat with new fabric. This time we decided to take the seat apart, and start with new foam.

We did one chair a night until we were finished. The electric knife? the perfect tool for cutting foam!

Steve's loyal assistant sniffing out the new foam!

Stretching the fabric and attaching to the seat is definitely a two person job.  Here is a finished chair:

A Tote, A Tuesday

More Nesting Buckets this week. Love this print with the aqua and mustard on gray!

Menu Monday

My daughter had her wisdom teeth out today so we are focused on  smoothies and other soft foods this week.

Here are just a few "smoothie sites" I will be relying on for the next few days!

Flower Carole
Florida Juice
Smoothie Recipes Online

credit

Menu Monday

A break in the action at our house this week means comfort foods, and special requests being accepted from the girls - this week only!

Meatloaf with potatoes
Pasta
Broccoli Bake
Mac and Cheese

Pepper Jack Cheese Mac

2 cups (8 oz.) dry elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Pepper Jack Cheese, divided
1 can (12 oz.) Evaporated Milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 to 1 cup broken tortilla chips
1/4 t o1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

Preheat to 350 degrees. lightly spray a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish.
Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain, return to sauce pan.

Add cheddar, 1 1/2 cups of pepper jack, evaporated milk and pepper to macaroni. Stir to combine. Pour into casserole dish. Combine remaining 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese with chips and red pepper flakes and sprinkle over top. Cover tightly with foil.

Bake 20 minutes. Uncover, bake an additional 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

Linking up with I'm An Organizing Junkie

Fill 'er UP

I am filling buckets today! Everyone could use a little splash of pretty organization in their space - how would  you use a bucket . . . . or two . . . . or three?