Great Year In The Kitchen

2010 was one of the best years in my kitchen.
I experimented with all kinds of foods but for the most part stuck close to home with a little spin on some traditional favorites. I found several websites for online recipes that I fell in love with and stocked up on my spice cabinet so as to never shy away from a recipe with too many ingredients! It was also the first year in a long time that I have had another mouth that I could feed and was worth cooking for. It’s hard to get motivated to bust out a new recipe when you are the only one eating it. “Charleston” was my guinea pig and he was good at the job. He is easy to please and I feel like he appreciates me cooking for him which makes the world of difference since he knows how much I love doing it!
Overall, 2010 brought several recipes that have become staples in my kitchen and will be for years to come:

The Best “Large Group” Dinner
Chicken Spaghetti

Find it Here: Chicken Spaghetti

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Best Snack
Rustic 5-Spice Potato Chips (served with a side of homemade ranch!)

Find it here: Chips

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Best Breakfast
Baked Cinnamon French Toast

Find it here: French Toast Bake
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Best Homemade Steak House Dinner : AKA - Man Food
Grilled Ribeye Steak with Onion-Blue Cheese Sauce

Find it here: Steak and Cheese Sauce

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Best Mac and Cheese
Fancy Macaroni

Find it Here: Mac and Cheese

and runner up…
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese

Find it Here: Chicken Mac and Cheese

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Best Simple Quick Dish for Girls Night
Baked Lemon Pasta

Find it Here: Baked Lemon Pasta

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Best Sandwich
Homemade Chicken Patties with Chives, Ginger and Garlic (make these babies and put them on a Sesame bun with a THIN spread of Mayo, lettuce and onion!)

Find it Here: Chicken Patties

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Best Appetizer
Stuffed Mushrooms

Find it Here: Stuffed Mushrooms

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Best Mashed Potatoes
Three Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Find it Here: Mashed Potatoes

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Best Biscuits
Corn Muffins with Bacon Bits and Cheddar Cheese

Find it Here: Biscuits

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Best Tacos
Tyler Florence Crispy Fish Tacos

Find it Here: Fish Tacos

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Best Side Dish
Stuffed Tomatoes

Find it Here: Stuffed Tomatoes

It's Moving Week

Moving has begun.

I had everything packed up before going back to Kernersville for Christmas this past weekend.
As soon as I got off work yesterday, I started carrying stuff over by the car full.
Well, for Christmas, Santa brought me a solid head and chest cold. (I must have been on the naughty list!)

The process of moving and and having a cold simply do not go together! Let’s just say this has not started like I had imagined; my enthusiasm is a little short as well as my patience.

But then again, maybe my luck is better than the poor person who owns this car:


New York City Sanitation Worker Wrecks Ford Explorer - Watch more Funny Videos

So, long story short. It’s moving week.

Christmas updates and many many pictures will come next week when I have my desk and internet back up and running!

Happy Holiday and New Years Friends!

Gumdrops and Antique Oval Mirrors

The living room in my new place is a fairly small room so I have been looking around for some sort of mirror to put on the wall and hopefully “open” the place up a bit! I want something fairly large to take up some wall space but I want the mirror to also be a decorative piece. At this point, I don’t mind putting a little extra $$ into it if it is something I fall head over heels in love with!

While shopping around, I DID fall head over heels in love with something totally wrong for me and my needs. (Before “Charleston”, this seemed to be the ongoing concept of my life :) I thought I had grown out of it!)

Anyway, I HAVE to have an oval antique mirror! The thing is, where in the world do I put it?! I feel like you have to have one of those “fancy” rooms or a well put together space to throw one of these gems up on the wall (and that right now, I do not have).

I even thought it would be cool, one day, to possibly make a collage out of several of them instead of one large mirror. If I had some sort of entry way it would be perfect! But right now, in my Christmas slumber I will dream of gum drops and antique oval mirrors like...

this:

or this: (maybe with a fresh coat of paint!)
or this:

or this:

or this:

"Oh Benny Benny Boo Boo Boo Boo"

“Charleston’s” sister and brother-in-law have gotten “Charleston” and I addicted to the show The Sing Off. I was over American Idol 100000 seasons ago so this is my new REALITY music drug. As with any reality show addict, I don’t ever miss an episode and the only thing I forward through on DVR are the commercials.

Anyway, one of the judges on the show is Ben Folds…..and….I have a crush.

He is not cute. He is small and short with shaggy hair. He has big glasses and funny teeth but…he is musically talented and I am totally smitten. Give a man vocal cords, a piano, and raw creativity and I am grinning ear to ear picturing myself being some crazy groupie following this dude coast to coast and one day being his back up vocals at his next show. I am in love. Muisical talent (of that kind) is just that attractive!

Anyway, so I love The Sing Off and Ben Folds and as you can see below he has been incorporated throughout my new playlist!

“Drop A Beat” Playlist:

The Show Goes On – Lupe Fiasco
Grenade – Burno Mars
Wash Away – Joe Purdy
Brick – Ben Folds
Office Music – Lil Wayne
Marry Me – Train
Made For You – One Republic
Kyrie – Mr. Mister
The Luckiest – Ben Folds
Dog Days Are Gone – Florence & The Machine
Middle Distance – Sea Wolf
Sunshine – Matt Costa
If I Die Young – The Band Perry
Come on Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
Body Language – Jesse McCartney ft. T-Pain
Fred Jones – Ben Folds
One Day – Matisyahu
Why Wait – Rascal Flatts
Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z
Friday Im In Love – The Cure
Annie Waits – Ben Folds
Rockin’ The Suburbs – Ben Folds

Anticipation

My Christmas shopping is done.

It’s already wrapped and laying around one of our end tables because a Christmas tree is nonexistent this year.

I am counting down the days until Christmas when I can have a little vacation and catch back up with the important things in life.

I am also counting down the days until I move into my new place. The anticipation is seriously killing me.

I have been picturing over and over again in my head what my living room will look like; how I will lay out the furniture in the master bedroom and what colors I should use in the bathrooms. Ok so I will admit it, I am SUPER excited!

I have tried my hardest to get everything I need to complete the place so that on Dec. 29th when the moving truck and my family troops are here in Charlotte, I can let them run free getting the place together.

“Charleston” keeps telling me I am jumping the gun with a lot of things but…if I go ahead and buy the curtain rods for the living room and bedrooms then while my dad is here on move-in day, I can give him the task of putting them up while he has his tools with him. Otherwise, if I wait to buy them after move-in day and my family is gone, I end up having to do the instillation myself with my handheld screwdriver. Way harder than it looks! Trust me ;) I am just trying to plan ahead.

I have to be prepared to utilize all free labor when it’s going to be available; capitalize on the opportunities. I already bought a shelf to go in the pantry which will give me much needed storage space. Again, to some people (“Charleston”) I might be jumping the gun but…if I don’t have the shelf the day of move in, how am I going to get Sister and Mom to set up the kitchen so that night I can possibly make them a “Thank You” meal that night. I want things set.
When I move in, I like to get in and get it done. Be ready to wake up the next morning and go about life as if nothing has changed.

But the anticipation of moving has me counting down the days until it’s a reality. I am counting down the days till Christmas anxious for a break but bypassing that in my head for my move-in. Once I move in, what will I be counting down to then?

I almost feel like I am wasting the days waiting for the next “event” and thinking finally I will be satisfied and happy. I really have to learn to live for today because at this very second I am satisfied and happy and need to appreciate every bit of that and what I have.

And on a side note….if I were not spending money on my future residence, I would be checking the tracking number for these little puppies that I would have sent my way! LOVE THEM!

Hair Clip, Earring, Ring Set

Rings

Find them on etsy.com

What Makes Me...Me (Part 1)

Last night before bed I asked “Charleston” to tell me one thing I don’t already know about him. Every now and then I ask him this question because I want to truly know who “Charleston” is and what makes up that personality of a person that I have fallen in love with.

Many of us define ourselves by our occupation, age, gender, marital status, children and the place we live. What does this really tell you about them; who they are as a person? This simply classifies you; A single, 26 year old, brown haired, engineer who lives in Charlotte, NC. That classifies me. But this could also be the classification for some random girl named Mary who works next door.

I am more than that….

I am a total extrovert that gets a natural high off of pleasing people; somewhat of a suck up.

I am a purple loving "closet" decorator who, if the money where there, would change the linens and style of my bed every month. I am in love with fabric and its textures.

I am someone that could easily eat at Taco Bell (I know, grade "F" but edible) everyday.

I love children and look forward to having my own but...I look forward more to the time when they are in middle/highschool then when they are babies. I look forward to enjoying their sporting events and the excitement of watching what direction and path in life they choose that I will have no control over except for the hopeful satisfaction that I have gotten them off to a good start.

If it were fashionable, I would wear every single piece of jewelry that I own everyday. It means THAT much to me. As frugal as I am on most things that cost money, I don’t mind spending money on jewelry. Jewelry makes me feel beautiful because no matter what, it ALWAYS fits.

Again, I am frugal and have been since high school. No, I don’t wash and re-use plastic zip-lock bags but I do ponder EVERY expense.

I have five birthmarks. Four on my leg in the shape of a puppy paw print and one on the inside of my left forearm.

My favorite morning activity is brushing and flossing my teeth- usually a 10 minute ordeal.

I am hungriest in the morning and would have no problem waking up and eating dinner at 6am. Lasagna anyone?

I suck my bottom lip when I am tired. I fall asleep the easiest on my back and ALWAYS have to be covered with a blanket or sheet no matter if it is 100 degrees in the room.

My gut tells me that it would be the best adventure in life to move to the middle of nowhere, (Colorado or something) and experience an entirely different lifestyle, but, my heart tells me I will never be far from home.

I have no desire to ever pick up a book and am not ashamed to admit that I love television – reality TV sucks me in.

I chose red wine over white and Coke over Pepsi.

I fluctuate between a size 4 and size 6 and am absolutely ok with that. The part of my body I am most self-conscious about are my arms, therefore, I prefer winter clothes over summer.

My closet is organized in sections by pants, tops, and dresses and within those three categories they are organized like the rainbow. (And of course only on white plastic hangers!)

My lucky number is 2 and if I could be a professional athlete in any sport it would be golf. (Where I wouldn’t need to use my favorite number! Bummer)

I never listen to my voicemail; I prefer just to call ya back.

My father has always been the number one person I look up to in life.

My absolute favorite childhood memory is of Camp Tekoa.

If I could afford any car I would be rockin’ a 2011 Cadillac Escalade 6.2L V8 Platinum in the Silver Lining Metallic Color.


That’s me; the real me. These are the kinds of random things I love to know about others – what really makes them tick….

What makes you who you are and makes you tick?

Christmas Bummer

Total Bummer.

I am not decorating for Christmas this year.

I am moving to my new place between Dec. 27th and Dec. 29th and will hopefully have my old apartment packed up before I go home for Christmas on Christmas eve, therefore, why drag all my decorations and ornaments out just to have to pack them right back up again? A huge headache.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving Sister let me help her decorate her Christmas tree so I got that part out of my system. I have now moved onto living vicariously through online decorations and just picturing what they would look like covering every inch of my new apartment.

Thanks to Caroline over at My Pretty Little Thoughts, I have become addicted to the online store HORCHOW. I swear, EVERYTHING, at this place is beautiful….and the price reflects it. Therefore I guess it’s a great year to live vicariously through online pictures instead of purchasing any of these treasures myself!

A few of my favorites that maybe one day will decorate my house:

**click any picture to view larger**

Embellished Ivory Stockings ($160)

Natural/Sage Ruffled Christmas Tree Skirt ($650)

Royal Holiday Tabletop Topiary ($95.00)

Janice Minor “Snowflake” Candle Rail ($350)

Golden Filigree Christmas Tree ($185 each)

Regency Dinnerware

Juliska Dinnerware

Snowman Salt and Pepper Set ($45.00)
The prices on some of these items were a little high but nothing that just blew me out of my Christmas socks until I came to this:

A 7.5 foot Jersey Frasier Fir for $985.00 (plus $40 shipping) Seriously? Lets say, on average, you spend $50 on a real Christmas tree. It would take you almost 21 years for this thing to pay for itself compared to going with the real deal every year. (Oh yeah, and I forgot the extra $40 you would spend every year on two Yankee Candles in Christmas Tree scent to go the extra mile and have your house smelling like tree!)

Jersey Frasier, 7.5’ ($985.00)

Boyfriend Gets Brownie Points

“If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice.”

It is the little things that mean the most.

I got home from spin last night at 9:00pm, scarfed down a gourmet meal of Campbell’s condensed Chicken Noodle Soup and slung myself in bed. As “Charleston” and I laid there and discussed our plans for the next day and everything else that hits your mind as your head hits the pillow, he quickly blurted out for me not to forget my lunch in the morning; he had packed it for me and left it in the fridge.

Right before walking out the door this morning, I went to the fridge and on the top shelf were two grocery bags – one for me and one for him.

At my lunch break in the office, I started unpacking my grocery bag and found a fabulous lunch made just for me by boyfriend. It was the cutest thing.

There was a plastic container of lettuce, a zip-lock bag of green peas, a zip-lock bag of sweet corn, a bag chic peas, and a baggie of left over Thanksgiving ham; all my favorite ingredients for a salad! It was perfect!

I love “taking care of him” in the kitchen but every now and then it is so nice to know that he can and will take care of me when I don’t have time. The best is…I don’t even have to ask, he just already knows.

A Taste Of Home

My house has a certain feeling.

It’s the comforting feeling of waking up on a Saturday to find dad piddling around in the garage and mom in her PJs in the kitchen feeding Lily Cat. Walking into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee and curling up on the couch with momma, the Winston-Salem Journal and TLC on TV. My house is Dad coming in with his jacket and boots on with a crisp air from the outside surrounding him as he sits down on the computer to browse. It’s a feeling of familiarity. My house is opening and closing the front door over and over and over again so that Lily Cat can come and go as she pleases as her cat curiosities kill her. And all of this happening simultaneously before 8:30am.

Its home.

It’s a Saturday morning or a holiday like this past Thanksgiving.

It’s what I love.

It’s what I miss.

It’s the simple feelings of life that I will cherish forever.

It’s the one positive aspect of not permanently living Kernersville.

It’s the opportunity to go back home on a weekend or holiday and truly LIVE in my house again just like I did eight years ago; Experience all those morning sights and sounds just like I did for 20 some years. You really take for granted that when you wake up in the morning the house is always clean, there are always groceries in the fridge and the yard is always mowed. It’s comforting to be at home and in many ways still be able to be the “kid” and have mom and dad take care of you; make your cup of coffee with exactly the right amount of sugar and cream.

This wouldn’t be so if I lived in Kernersville. I would have my own house and would never need to stay at my parents again. Where is the fun in that?

People ask me over and over when I am going to move back to Kernersville and over and over again my answer is the same: no time soon. I like it here in Charlotte and I love the life that I have built. I do miss so much about Kernersville but mainly it’s not the town, it’s the people. It’s Mom and Dad, Sister, Sam and Olivia. It’s Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob. Its Grandma and Paw- Paw. It’s Chad, Tara, Landon and Addie. It’s my house and the experiences and history it has inside of it. But by not living in Kernersville, I get to truly experience going home. Getting to take a step back every time and sleeping in my room and waking up to everything familiar. It is like this past weekend where I was reminded exactly what it was like to live at home…and it was perfect! More than I could have asked for. I will ALWAYS know where my true home is and it is on Gehring Drive.

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Many things have stayed the same in my home for the past 20 years but there are so many things that have changed that remind me everyday that life is good and it goes on. My room is now Livi's room for when she stays with Mom and Dad. There are baby toys everywhere and little girl clothes in the dirty laundry. I guess its like what our house used to be like 26 years ago with Blair and I. It reminds me that life is good

Here is the little turkey herself in her Thanksgiving outfit!

And I couldn't resist snapping one of her in the bathtub! Those little eyes staring up at me melts every bit of my heart.

It was a perfect Thanksgiving!

"I Got A Sofa, I Got A Sofa, I Got A Sofa HEY HEY HEY HEY!"

When I get something stuck in my head I am going to get it done and I will focus on it 100%. Sometimes it is a good thing and sometimes it will drive others crazy. It is my personality and I can’t help it. I am blaming it on my father; I am definitely his child.
Two weeks ago I decided that I wanted a new sofa-couch-love seat-sectional-something for my new apartment. My original plan was to use the couches that “Charleston” had at his old apartment in Greensboro but, after further investigation, they have been living with boys for the past five years and they might be hazardous to my health ;)

Mom and I started shopping in Winston-Salem and Greensboro last time I was at home and I found several things that I really enjoyed! Some were cute, smaller pieces with dainty fabric. Totally my style! I was thinking “chic” apartment with lots of fun soft colors. But then at the next store, I would fall in love with an elegant “library/study” dark leather sofa that screamed sophistication and reading a novel by a roaring fire with glasses hanging from the crease of my mouth.

There were sooo many choices……

But then again….

There were sooo few choices…..

My opinion on furniture is that you truly get what you pay for. You go cheap and you get cheap material and cheap fabric/foundation. You go expensive and you get a very nice piece that will withstand the test of time (but would you ever want to change your style a little?)

Therefore, for the past week I have been on a shop attack for the perfect couch. Serious crazy person shopping from the second I leave the office to the second my head hits the pillow. I questioned myself at times. My butt has felt every available couch in the Charlotte region.

Overall the verdict: there are a TON of overpriced, uncomfortable, ugly couches out there. If it doesn’t fall into this category then it is a ridiculously expensive 100% leather sofa way out of my price range.

On my very first day of shopping I fell in love with a beige/brown/tan sectional at Ashley Furniture. I didn’t want to jump the gun on the first day which I think is what sparked my shop attack (maybe this attack was more of a need-to-make-sure-there-is-nothing-else-out-there kind of shopping but…I was trying to stay as open as possible!) This sectional was not at all dainty like I thought I originally wanted but very traditional and strong enough to withstand boy.

Well…this first love has become my final love and I am going to purchase my very first big girl piece of living room furniture today from Ashley Furniture Home Store. I am excited! It is going to look perfect in my new place and I can’t wait to get a good movie and curl up in the corner with a cozy blanket!

The moral of the story: My persistence and stubbornness paid off because my urgency got me a fabulous BLACK FRIDAY discount!

*Click pic to view larger*

I can't wait for this to be in MY living room!

Stuffed Mushrooms AGAIN!

I am obsessed with stuffed mushrooms. I have tried many many recipes and so far the one I posted last year around this time (click right here) has been my FAVORITE! Well the Pioneer Woman has done it again and provided me with a new stuffed mushroom recipe that I can not wait to get my hands on this weekend! It includes one of my favorite ingredients ~ ONIONS!!! And lots of them....

French Onion Soup Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Butter
2 whole Large Onions, Halved And Sliced Thin
¼ cups Beef Broth
7 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
Splash Of Red Or White Wine
½ cups Grated Gruyere Cheese (can Use Swiss)
Kosher Salt
24 whole White Or Crimini Mushrooms, Washed And Stems Removed
Minced Parsley

Preparation Instructions
In a medium skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very soft. Splash in wine, broth, and Worcestershire. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until liquid is cooked down. Set aside.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Throw in mushrooms and toss around for 2 minutes, just to start the cooking process. Sprinkle mushrooms with salt.

Place mushroom caps face down in a baking dish. Heap cavity with sauteed mushrooms, then sprinkle Gruyere over the top. Bake at 10 minutes on 325 degrees. Turn on broiler and broil for a couple of minutes, until the top of the Gruyere starts to bubble and slightly turn brown.

Sprinkle minced parsley over the top and serve.

YUMMMM I can't wait!

Halloween Weekend

There are two activities that I have never been that interested in. The first, Halloween. The second, UNC football games.

I love the concept of Halloween. I LOVE the decorating aspect, pumpkin carving and little kids running door to door saying “tick-or-treat.” I HATE being 26 years old and having to dress up. I know that no one is twisting my arm and holding a gun to my head until I step into a stupid looking outfit but… every year it’s inevitable that I am faced with a costume party to attend.

When it comes to college football, why would I have ever been interested in any team other than NC State? This was true up until a UNC alum walked into my life and became someone very special. Therefore, I have and will continue to try my hardest to respect UNC sports and cheer them on when the time is right.

Anyway, all in one weekend I faced these two activities head on. On Saturday October 31, “Charleston” and I headed to Chapel Hill for UNC’s homecoming and football game against Gardner Webb and then to Raleigh Saturday night for a Halloween party at our friend Carter’s house.

“Charleston” and I could not decide what we wanted to dress up as and of course we didn’t want to break the bank in doing so …therefore, after a hot shower one night before bed I had a genius idea:

What do you get when you combine white scrub pants, a white t-shirt, a white hard hat and 5 bags of cotton balls?

Well…..

Q-tips of course!

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Q-tip costumes handmade by ME with a little hot glue, cotton balls, and blue paint!

"Charleston" with Carter, Kristen, and Brian
With our friends Mason and Melissa Hurley

"Charleston" and I in the stands at UNC Chapel Hill! Happy Homecoming Tar Heel Fans!

I tried my hardest to find ANY Carolina blue in my closet. This little tank and necklace came to the rescue!

It's Almost Official...My New Home

A little while ago I told you all that I was moving out on my own; putting my big girl panties on and braving the world by myself. I have had roommates since the womb and I am finally ready to take this leap of faith. I have searched high and low across the Charlotte area in hopes of a reasonably priced, two bedroom condo/apartment in an area I am comfortable with. I still want to be close to Uptown and work, but love the Myers Park, Dilworth, Selwyn and Elizabeth areas around Charlotte. The problem with these areas is that they are SO expensive. For the past several weeks I have shopped online and put more miles on my car then it has seen all year driving around checking out FOR RENT signs in the front yards of many houses. After endless hours of number crunching and soul searching I have finally made a decision (lease isn't signed but deposit is down; cross your fingers!).......Drum Roll Please.....

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and here she is...

**CLICK ANY PIC TO VIEW LARGER**

I have chosen this little two story brick townhome with 2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 baths. It sits in a perfect location that is close to work and a wonderful neighborhood not far from Freedom Park!

Rhonda Honda has already made herself at home as well. She looks so cute sitting out front!

It is an older townhome but all utilities are included so I know exactly what my payments are going to be each month. For a type A planner personality like myself, that is right up my alley! I can run the air or heat all I want and not fret over every little degree! (hand wash dishes..ha..yeah right! use that water!) (Just kidding. I do love the environment and will still keep these resources in mind and not go crazy!)

Oh yeah, and boyfriend and I went to the NC State vs. Clemson game last Saturday at Clemson. This was "Charleston" and I before the game when I was pumped and excited to experience Death Valley and how silent it was going to sound when we kicked some tiger butt....

Too bad it was this Wolfpack's butt who walked out in silence. Man what a game. I was not a happy camper on the ride home. At least I was in good company of the Atkins family!

It's Just One Of Those Days

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Yesterday Was The Start Of Fall.....For Me

It officially became fall yesterday.

Well…officially in my book for three reasons:

1. I wore my coat on my walk to work and my walk home from work. Lately it’s just been worn once during the day but…not yesterday! I snagged this little puppy at Old Navy last week for $20.00 with a lovely sale price and a coupon!

2. Harris Teeter started carrying Coffee-Mate Pumpkin Spice Creamer again! Tis the season!. A drop of this magic will go in every cup of coffee until February when they pull it off the shelf again. Whoever said pumpkin shouldn’t be enjoyed year round is seriously disturbed.

3. I made my first crock-pot of chili for dinner tonight and to freeze for several lunches next week! I used a new “heathier” recipe I got from the Crockpot cookbook my momma gave me for Christmas last year. (Plus I already had all the beans in the pantry as well as a pound of ground turkey in the fridge intended for turkey burgers! It was just meant to be!)

Fall has been kicked in the butt and it’s finally here with fun coats, pots of chili and pumpkin spice! Bring it on!

Three Bean Turkey Chili
Hands-On Time: 10 minutes

Ready In: 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground turkey

1 small onion, chopped

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1 can (4 ounces) diced mild green chiles

1 to 2 tablespoons chili powdersalt to taste

Directions
1. Cook and stir turkey and onion in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until turkey is no longer pink. Drain and discard fat. Transfer to 4 1/2-quart CROCK-POT® slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover; cook on HIGH 6 to 8 hours.

Along with my chili tonight I am making these corm muffins I saw Rachael Ray make Monday night on 30-Minute Meals. (Hey, if the Chili is “healthy” my caloric intake can withstand a little bacon and cheddar!)

Corn Muffins with Bacon Bits and Cheddar Cheese
Serves:
6 to 8 muffins depending on tin size

Ingredients
A drizzle extra-virgin olive oil
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 box corn muffin mix plus ingredients according to package directions to make 1 batch muffins
1 rounded teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
3 to 4 tablespoons finely chopped chives
1/3 pound brick sharp yellow Cheddar, chopped into 1/4-inch dice

Directions
Preheat oven to muffin mix package directions.
Drizzle a little extra-virgin olive oil into a small skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add bacon to hot pan and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel. Set aside.
Prepare the muffin mix and muffin tin to package directions. Stir in paprika, chives, chopped cheese and crisp bacon bits. Fill muffin tins and bake until golden brown.

Odwalla

I am always looking for new things to try for breakfast. It’s hard to have a breakfast food that is healthy and can be enjoyed at my desk at 5:30am. Omelets and anything that has to be cooked are obviously out of the question and any kind of pastry or bread is just loaded with calories and carbs. Therefore, last week “Charleston’s” sister brought home some of these little puppies below from the cafeteria at CMC hospital and told us to help ourselves to breakfast! This little shake was AMAZING! I put it into the freezer as soon as I got to work and let it “chill” for about 30 minutes and then enjoyed it as a slushy. It kept me full until lunch and the flavor was outstanding. I’m headed to the grocery store today to see if I can pick up some of these bad boys to have for breakfast for the rest of the week!

ODWALLA

Pictured below is the Strawberry Banana Fruit Smoothie Blend