Turkey and Veggie Egg Bake

Hi!  We're so glad you stopped by! 

I apologize for the lack of recipe updates.  To be honest, I didn't think anyone would want recipes of what I've been cooking while losing weight.  It turns out, people DO want more clean eating options, and asked me to share some of my menu staples. 

This is the egg bake that I meal prep.  It is ridiculously simple, quick, and healthy (bonus!)

INGREDIENTS

• 8 eggs
• 8 egg whites
• 1lb Turkey Sausage
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 orange pepper, diced
• 1 red onion, diced
• Large handful of spinach
• Roasted Garlic and Herb seasoning
• 1/4 Cup Cheddar Cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Cook your turkey sausage, lightly seasoned with the roasted garlic and herb seasoning.  You can use your preferred seasoning - this is just my go-to when I prepare turkey or turkey sausage to add more flavor since it can be pretty bland without. 
• In a separate pan, saute your peppers and onion.  You can add a few drops of olive or avocado oil, but I just use a little bit of water.  When the peppers have softened and the onion is nearly translucent, add the spinach.  Stir until the spinach has wilted.  
• In a large bowl, wisk together 8 eggs and 8 egg whites.  Add turkey sausage, pepper mixture, and cheese.  
• Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish, and pour ingredients in. 
• Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.  

Father's Day... On A Budget!

Hi there!  We're so glad you stopped by!

I really hope my husband will be okay with this post!  Not only because I am going to spill how little was spent on his father's day present, but also because I am going to share some private information. I am only doing so in hopes it could maybe help another family that is in the same boat we are in.

A few months ago we had our 4th child.  The week I was due, my husband was a casualty of a mass layoff at a company he has worked at for many years.  We have really had to penny pinch.  (Things are looking up, though!) He starts a new job with a FANTASTIC company next week!!  But, Father's Day is this weekend.  Obviously before paychecks start rolling in.

My creativity was lacking when I tried coming up with things the kids could make him this year.  Everything I thought of was something we have done in previous years.  I am entertaining the thought of homeschooling this fall, so the kids and I went to Dollar Tree today to get school material for a "trial run" of homeschooling.  While we were there, it clicked!  My husband loves to grill, and they had some pretty decent inventory for a gift basket.

The contents (including the basket) was $13.

I got 12 BBQ items, and the basket.

* Metal Spatula
* Foil Sheets (these are amazing, I will never buy the rolls again)
* Burger Baskets
* Corn Picks
* Metal Skewers for Kabobs
* Tong Flipper
* Grilling Fork
* Oven Mitt
* Matches
* Paper plates/Napkins
* BBQ Themed Dish Towel

They also had silicone brushes, ketchup and mustard bottles, burger press, grill cleaner, Metal Grilling Trays, etc.  To add to this gift (and for more than a dollar, but still budget friendly), I am going to add BBQ sauces, seasonings, charcoal, and a grilling plate that the kids will paint and customize themselves.  You can even get Dad a few steaks and beers to complete the gift!

I am NOT gifted when it comes to arranging things to make them look more appealing.  You have probably also noticed that my photography skills are seriously lacking.  But you get the idea :) The Dollar Tree I went to had very little in stock for plastic bins and baskets, so I am sure there are bigger and more sturdy choices at your local dollar stores.

If you are on a budget for Father's Day this year, I hope we have helped give you a few ideas!

- Tiffany

Turkey Sausage with Vegetables

Hi there!  We're so glad you stopped by!

I recently agreed to participate in a weight loss challenge.  I am not going to do any crazy diets, but I am certainly going to try to control my sugar and carb intake a little better.  Because of this, I have had to do an overhaul of our usual dinner night staples.  Trying to prepare something that is healthy, but also something 4 kids will eat has been quite the experiment around here!  But this meal I have been preparing has been a hit at our house!  Turkey Sausage with Veggies!

I am not going to pretend I know anything about dieting, calorie counting, and the science behind this meal (or any of the meals I will be posting in the future).  But I do know that turkey is a lean meat, and sweet potatoes, broccoli, and zucchini are acceptable when trying to lose weight.  That's the best expert advice I can give when it comes to these ingredients!  Now, I did serve this with rice for my kids because they are addicted to white rice. I usually need to make it as a side for all of our meals.  But for my plate I skipped the rice and just ate the turkey sausage and the vegetables.

Keep in mind, I have a family of 6, so I double this recipe.  But I am going to give you the breakdown for 2-4 people.  (Also, you can double this if you plan to meal prep, it will give you meals for the whole week).

INGREDIENTS

1 Turkey Sausage Rope

2 Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut in 1 inch pieces

1 zucchini, cut down the middle and sliced

2 C. Fresh Broccoli

Olive Oil

Garlic and Herb seasoning

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Lay veggies on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with olive oil, garlic and herb seasoning, and mix

3. Bake the veggies for 15 minutes

4. While the veggies are baking, slice up your rope sausage, drizzle a skillet with olive oil, add the sausage, and season with the garlic and herb seasoning

5. Remove your veggies from the oven after 15 minutes, mix again, and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes. 

6. Cook your sausage on medium to low heat so the veggies and sausage are finished around the same time.  

Like I said, this can be eaten as is, served with rice, or cauliflower rice.  You can also add red onions, peppers, or any other vegetables you prefer. 

Enjoy!

- Tiffany

Tater Tot Hotdish

I apologize for my lack of recipes.  I have been meaning to post this one since February!  

Reason behind this recipe choice: 

We are from Minnesota.  This year, we hosted the Super Bowl.  Jimmy Fallon did a segment on his show where he visited a family, and they were going to cook Jimmy a popular Minnesota recipe.  

Obviously everyone was going to make the same thing.  Tater Tot Hotdish.  Apparently nobody outside of Minnesota and Wisconsin knows what this is!  I asked a number of friends who reside in other states, and none of them had heard of this.  Insanity! 

I mean, this stuff is so good... my husband proposed to me after I cooked this for him (I'm dead serious...)

But you're not here to read! You're here for the good stuff!  

(There are many variations to this Hotdish, but this is mine...)

WHAT YOU NEED:

1.5lb - Ground Beef (You can use 1 pound for this recipe. We prefer ours with more meat)

1 Bag - Frozen vegetables (Green beans, Carrots, Peas)

22oz - Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 - Medium/Large Onion, Diced

1- Bag of Mini Tater Tots

2C. - Shredded Cheddar Cheese

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Brown your hamburger with the onion.  While I brown my hamburger, I follow the microwave instructions for the frozen vegetables.

In a large bowl, mix your hamburger with onion, frozen vegetables, and cream of mushroom soup.

Once evenly mixed, spread it out on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

Layer your cheese over the burger/veggie mixture.  Some people claim its sinful to add cheese to their hotdish... but I think it's sinful NOT to.

Layer your tater tots over the cheese.  You most likely won't need the whole bag. I usually only use 3/4. 

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or under tater tots are golden brown.  

This hotdish doesn't photograph well... but it is delicious!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Tiffany (and Kelly)

Easter Bunny Banner

Hi there!  We are so glad you stopped by.

Today I want to share an easy spring craft with you.

An Easter Bunny Banner.

Here is what you will need.......

Paper, bunny template, and ribbon.

I chose a springy print for this project.

I considered using music pages with black ribbon, 

but I wanted to stay with my spring colors for this project.  

I do love the simplistic look of black and tan though.

I also used my hole punch for the holes to thread the ribbon through.

Lastly, buttons for the bunny tails.

I started by printing a bunny template.  

I found mine on Pinterest, but if you search on Google 

you will find tons of options for the look you are going for.

I cut out the template and traced it on the BACK of my paper.

I do that so that if I don't cut exactly on the lines, you don't see it.

Cut out your bunnies.  I decided on 6 for this project.

Next, I hot glued a button on each bunny to create a tail.

Thread your ribbon.

I brought the ends together to make the bow, 

which is how I attached it to the lamp shade

I couldn't decide if I wanted to hang them on my lamp or my hutch.

I do love to decorate my lamp shades.  

I just think it adds that extra touch when decorating.

I finally decided on the hutch.

Honestly though, I do think I like them better on the lamp.

I hope you will try this out.  It is so easy and inexpensive.

You probably have all of the materials in your house right now.

Happy crafting!

Kelly and Tiffany

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Decorating for Spring

Hi there!!  Thank you so much for stopping by!

I don't know about you but I'm over winter. Seriously over it. 

What's a girl to do when she has the winter doldrums, decorate for spring.

This post is going to be heavy on the pictures, light on commentary.

If you're like me, you just came to see the decor anyway.

I'm experimenting.....If I have place settings at the island,

will it not be the catch all when we walk in the door?

We shall see!

I went with lime green for my accent this year.

I love the brightness of it.

Add a bunny and a bird's nest. Simple and cheap, but makes a statement.

Add color with ribbon by wrapping it around flower pots and crocks.

Don't forget to decorate the top of your refrigerator.

It keeps your eye moving around the room. 

I like to call it candy for my eyes!

Brighten up your hutch with white dishes. I love the pop of color.

Add apples, bunnies and lots of greens to make it feel springy.

I love to layer. Again, candy for the eyes!

Also, keeping things in odd numbers is another trick I use.

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a little tour of my "gathering place".

My your days be sunny and the snow be light.

Kelly

Taco Chili

Hello! We're so glad you stopped by!

My husband HATES chili, but the kids and I love it, so I am always trying to figure out a way for us to eat it while tricking Trey!

Last nights Chili Creation: Success! 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

2lb ground beef (or turkey)

4T. Taco seasoning, divided

1 Can Corn

1 Can Black Beans (rinsed)

1 Green Pepper, Diced

1 Yellow Onion, Diced

1 Can Diced Tomato

1 10oz. Can Red Enchilada Sauce

2C. Chicken Broth

1/2T. Cumin

4oz Green Chiles (optional)

1. Brown your hamburger (or turkey) with 2T. Taco Seasoning.

2. Combined all ingredients (including the remaining 2T. of Taco Seasoning) in a slow cooker.

3. Cook on low for 6 hours.

This could also be done on the stove.  Before combining all the ingredients, cook the onions and green peppers with 2 tablespoons of olive oil until tender, then add to the soup.

I serve it with sour cream and cheese!