Baked Oatmeal with Berries, banana, and CHOCOLATE

OK...if you haven't checked out this Kirsten's blog, you NEEEEED to!  She is a wife and momma who, like many of us, is addicted to and pins away on Pinterest and rarely puts it use...I MEAN WHOA!!! SHE DOES!!! She runs a house, manages a toddler, and puts a pin to the test EVERYDAY!!!

So, I bet you can't guess where i found this pin??  HER BLOG! so i made it for breakfast this morning and um HELLO! amazingness!! and best of all...easy!!

I used her recipe tweaks:

PS... for some reason i didn't have baking powder... :-/ so a good alternate for 1 TEASPOON of baking powder:

1/4 teaspoon of baking soda

PLUS

1/4 teaspoon cornstarch

PLUS

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (i used the above alternate)
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice (I just used cinnamon.)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces, chopped (I left these out because i don't like them.)
• 1 cup sliced strawberries (I used frozen mixed berries. I would definitely recommend this!)
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups milk (i used almond milk)
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and generously spray the inside of a 10-1/2 by 7 inch baking dish with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet. ***NOTE: I do not have a 10 1/2 by 7 inch dish so i used my 8 x 8...came out fantastically***

2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, orange zest, Chinese five spice/Cinnamon, salt, half the walnuts (if you use them), half the strawberries/berries mixture and half the chocolate. (Save the other half of strawberries, walnuts and chocolate for the top of the oatmeal). 

3. In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract.

4. Add the oat mixture to prepared baking dish. Arrange the remaining strawberries, walnuts and chocolate on top. Add the banana slices to the top then pour the milk mixture over everything. Gently shimmy/shake the baking dish to help the milk mixture go throughout the oats.

5. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is nicely golden brown and the milk mixture has set. For an extra tasty top, sprinkle a tablespoon or so of extra brown sugar on top then place back in the oven under the broiler and broil for 20-30 seconds. Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of sugar or drizzle of maple syrup.

This smells REALLY GOOD when it's in the oven!!! it tastes UUUUUHMAZING!!! i just may make the dry ingredients as a staple on the kitchen counter because it's seriously really yummy!!!

Try it...check out Kirsten...HAVE A WONDERFUL TUESDAY!!!

-- LISA!

DIY Spider Repellent!!

OK...so i CANNOT be the only person who is scared of spiders...i don't care how big they are or how small they are or if they help kill other bugs or whatever...i DO NOT LIKE THEM!!!!

I've tried every spray out there and, yes, i step on them...i don't like them...did i say that already?

so i saw this on the all amazing...PINTEREST!!!

Source: streetarticles.com via Lisa on Pinterest

so i had to try it...mainly because there are spiders in the backyard where the dogs are and the kids go and the chemically stuff isn't so savvy with the pets and kids...

so the recipe calls for:

a spray bottle (i got mine at the dollar store)

natural soap (i just used the kitchen soap that is nice and thick)

pepperment essential oil

i added some water because the soap wasn't spraying great

um this stuff is AMAZING!!! i spray around my house and window sills once a month now...it kills the spiders and smells like christmas

i've read some articles that state lemon and other oils will work but i haven't tried them because most of the articles i've read say there is something about peppermint that they just don't like

AND another thing i've notice...

where there is a trail of ants (well unless it's from your trash can or some type of food)...there is usually a spider near by...yuck

this stuff does in fact totally work!! i don't know if my neighbors enjoy the smell but i don't have spiders so tooooooo baaaaaaaaaaad....MUUUUAHAHAHAHAHA <---that's my evil laugh ;-)

I hope everyone's weekend was wonderful!!!!

-- Lisa

Sweet & Sour Chicken

ok so...i think by now we've all seen this awesomeness on Pinterest:

Source: madeitateitlovedit.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

To start with, Made It. Ate It. Loved It. is a great blog with some fantastic recipes!  They are the masterminds behind the awesome chicken recipe.

The recipe calls for some things I did not have on hand so here is my modified recipe:

What I Used:

Chicken Breading:

5 chicken breasts cubed

salt and pepper

1 cup cornstarch

4 large eggs, beaten

1/3 cup Olive Oil

Sauce:

3/4 cups sugar

3 Tablespoons ketchup

1/2 cup white distilled vinegar

1 Tablespoon low sodium soy sauce

1 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions:

Breading the chicken:

Rinse and trim your chicken.  

Cube (about an inch) and put into a medium bowl. Salt and pepper those cubed chicken pieces and toss so their evenly seasoned.

Heat your oil in a large skillet.

While your oil is heating, grab 2 bowls and pour your cornstarch in one and beat your eggs in the other (i beat 2 at a time because the cornstarch gets pretty sticky in there).

Coat your chicken in the cornstarch and then evenly coat in the egg.

Sizzle that sucker in the oil until brown (about 3-5 minutes over medium-high heat and I flipped them).

Depending on your size of bowls for dipping and skillet, you could probably do at least 5 pieces at a time.

Place breaded chicken into a 9x13 baking pan and set aside..try not to snack on them or snack away like i did hahaha

SAUCE!! 

MMMMM

Once your chicken is done, heat your oven to 350 F. 

Whisk all of the sauce ingredients together until smooth and pour over your chicken.

Toss the chicken so they're evenly coated.

Place in the oven for 15 minutes and then take it out, toss the chicken and put it back in the oven for 15 minutes.

This is so good...and we had a ton of leftovers since dad isn't home haha.  I made couscous and steamed broccoli and this was sooooo yummy!!!

I'm definitely trying their Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken!!! 

Enjoy!!!

-- Lisa

Broccoli, Zucchini & Mushroom Pilaf

Broccoli, Zucchini & Mushroom Pilaf

OK so today we decided to eat with a theme…GREEN!!!  Picked by Emma of course haha

So we brought this HUGE zucchini home from Nona’s house yesterday and I used ½ and Emma LOVES zucchini and mushrooms so…broccoli, zucchini (green done), mushrooms and orzo pasta.  Orzo is my go to, quick pasta and it’s small so the kids love it almost as much as the little macaroni haha and it is beyond easy to manipulate.

Here’s what you need:

2 teaspoons olive oil

1-½ cups of chicken broth or a 14 oz can

1 or 2 zucchini (we used ½ of a HUGE zucchini so, depending on how much you like zucchini…go bananas haha)

2 cups of broccoli

1 basket of sliced mushrooms

2/3 cup of orzo pasta

salt (I used garlic salt)

pepper

Steps:

Chop your zucchini, rinse your mushrooms, and trim your broccoli.

Grab a large saucepan and heat up the olive oil on medium high heat.  Once the oil is hot (toss a mushroom or zucchini in there to check the sizzzzzzzle)…Put the mushrooms and zucchini ONLY in the oil and toss around until tender…about 3-5 minutes

Pour your orzo DRY into the pan and mix…This is a rice a roni step… stir until the pasta is a golden brown.

 

Pour your chicken broth in and your salt and pepper and stir.  Grab your broccoli and stir that in last gently.

This is the kind of chicken broth i use so i used 1 1/2 teaspoons with 1 1/2 cups of water aka 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth aka a 14 oz can :-)

Cover and let it simmer for about 12-15 minutes.

Once it’s done simmering…LEAVE IT COVERED and let it sit for about 5 minutes so it gets nice and thick and yummalicious.

THAT’S IT! One pan, one bowl meal…easy clean up too!  Next time (not “green” eating day haha), shredded carrots, onions, even chicken would be good with this!!!

ENJOY!

Lisa!

Schedule

so i was chatting texting with my BFF, Nina, tonight and it got me thinking....how do you all juggle your time and still have time for life?

since starting school, here is my schedule:

5 am - wake up, do some homework (with my friend, coffee, of course)

6 am - Make lunches; get breakfast ready

615 - wake up the girls

645 - OUT the door

730 - E at school

8-12 - Mom at school

1230/1 - Pick up T; T naps, Mom does HW/cleans the house/does laundry/gets dinner together

3/330 - pick up E; any errands that HAVE to be done; head home

4/430 - cook dinner

530 - kids in the tub; relax time; read a book

7/730 - T is in bed; E is doing her "birthday fairy" list (more on that later)

8/830 - E in bed (this is a process...T LOVES to sleep; E not so much)

830 and on - Mom does homework; cleans up the house; checks her email; sits; i sit down

somewhere between 1130-1ish - Mom goes to bed; or at least I try to shut off my brain

along the lines, somewhere in there, I also shower and eat but i really just survive off of Lemon Luna Bars and coffee; lots of coffee.

I also plan my dinners for the month and eat leftovers for lunch if I remember, otherwise the hubs eats them :-). oh and the groceries get shopped for haha

so where does life happen? Emma turns 4 in September...lots to do and I know it's going to come REALLY FAST.  She starts soccer, ballet/tap, and gymnastics...she's getting so big :-(

No, i have not been watching the Olympics even though, with my schedule i've accrued, i'm sure i could catch them LIVE haha

My life is consumed with Mad Men and Advertising Blogs, websites, campaigns, etc which is super fantastical because i find it all AMAZING. but seriously, don't ask me about what's going on in the world right now, what headline was posted, what the new upcoming Facebook (i don't have one except for this page)...i am not connected except to school and the advertising world.

My brother is also getting married in September so lots of family and good times to be had will be coming up...after finals of course and then 1 week off...WOO

anyways...i'm trying to get organized as well but school leaves little time for the extra stuff like:

my garage is a DISASTER...i know what i want done it's just getting it done...the hubs is gone and when he gets back, he will start school also...so yeah

i have taken over the kitchen table because i don't have a desk...i need a workspace...

and of course the un-loved, un-touched backyard and front patio...so neglected but, now, they'll have to wait, again, until next spring

my weekends are FLYING by and i feel like i'm missing life instead of living it...i know i'm gaining the experience and degree to LIVE life to it's absolute FULLEST and it's only 3 short years away so i'm staying focused and, sort of, organized....that i'm working on...in my spare time hahahahaha

ok rant over....i'm super glad i have this to go to...i've done some projects, cooked some really yummy food, I'm getting E organized which is sooooooo awesome, so now i just need an assistant or a CLONE!!!! A CLONE WOULD BE PERFECT hahahaha

I hope everyone had a good start to the week...now we have Hump Day!!! LET'S DO IT!!!!

- Lisa

PHEW...

TIME FLIES!!!

So...school is going great...things I have learned...

1. i now watch every advertisement (I'm majoring in Advertising) and find the brilliance in the really good one's and the not so brilliance in the not so exciting one's

2. i can draw...not well..yet. but it's getting there.

3. FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM...it's the new cool thing and photos are so fun plus you meet some really awesome people and find some really cool blogs... @3girls_and_a_boy (i like to take photos of my food...just a warning)

4. i am learning to be more patient.  drawing takes a lot of patience...especially from a person with close to none

5. i still have issues with time management...homework is getting done but i need a schedule and school is done in Quarters so the weeks FLY

I think, so far, that's all...PS...my brother is getting married in 2 MONTHS!!! so super excited!!! I'm headed to the bachelorette party in Palm Desert this coming weekend! soooooo excited!!!!

I feel this is very neglected and, in my time management managing hahaha, i'm trying to figure it out...anyone have any good planners out there!!?? I have about 3 of them and it drives me nuts...for now...catch me over on Instagram!!! I've been doing A LOT; finally made Quick Mix (which has saved me A LOT of time with muffins, pancakes, etc), I made the four less peanut butter chocolate chip cookies on Pinterest, and thanks to Desirée over at the 36th avenue, Emma is getting organized...anyhow...now i'm off to make a menu for August!!!

I'll be back!!!

Peace, Love and Chicken Grease!!!

Lisa

"Rough Day Chicken" aka Chicken Milanese

yummmmmm...this is the easiest chicken you could ever make...lots of photos so i'll put the instructions first :-)...you're welcome

ROUGH DAY CHICKEN! you know...those days where you just wanna hit something haha

ingredients:

A freezer ziploc

4 chicken breasts

salt

pepper

2 cups plain bread crumbs (pour it on paper plates...easy clean up!)

1 cup of milk in a bowl (any milk...i use Lactaid since I am lactose intolerant and the hubs can't tell the difference anyway)

Olive Oil

A pan big enough for 2-3 pounded out boobies hahaha <-- my immaturity hahaha

An extra serving dish

ok so:

Grab your freezer bag and put one breast in (little trick of mine below).  You can zip it up if you want just leave a little air in there

POUND THAT SUCKER!! You want it thin...almost see through...mine alway burst 

Place/slide your chicken onto a pan and if you want/need to, slice it up (i always slice mine up...small pieces for the kids...larger for the adults)

Put your pan on the stove...cover the pan in olive oil...HEAT YOUR OIL FIRST

Grab a fork...dip a piece of chicken in the milk and then thinly, evenly coat the chicken in the bread crumbs...give it a little wiggle/shake

Place your chicken piece on top of the sizzling oil! sssssiiiiizzzzzllllleeeee for about 4 minutes (golden brown)

Flip it and cook for about 2 minutes...place in your extra (clean) serving dish

Continue with the rest of your chicken!  You should be able to do 2-3 big slices in your pan and a bunch of littles at a time.

I cook rice and a veggie (we had broccoli tonight) and bread!  THIS would also be amazing topped with an arugula tomato, avocado salad as I read in Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook aka my go to book now...so awesome!

OK...here are my photos...step by step and a little freezer bag "i don't like touching raw chicken" trick :-)

Fold over the top of your bag and then insert your chicken...

Fold the top bag over..NO MESS AT THE TOP!

POUND IT OUT!!!!

In the bag...this is what mine looks like

Then, fold the top back over and just slide it onto your "raw chicken" platter/cookies sheet...staging area? haha

See...thin...ish :-)

 4 Chicken breasts gave me allllllll this!!!!

mmmm...raw chicken.... 

The dippppppp!

 Oil into the pan!

My production line!

 AND they're in!! sizzle sizzle siiiizzzzzle...

 Golden brown yumminess

 Rice, chicken, broccoli, garlic bread via Instagram...hit me up :-) @3girls_and_a_boy!!

This takes no time at all and you most likely have it all on hand...if it isn't breakfast for dinner it's this on a lazy or rough day ;-)

ENJOY!!!!

Lisa