Grilled Chicken Quesadilla

Makes 4 Quesadillas

Ingredients:

1 chicken breasts (6 oz. each)

• 1 tsp. vegeta
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. cumin
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. hot chili powder
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder

1 large onion, sliced

• 1 tsp. vegeta
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, minced

1 c. monterey jack cheese, shredded
4 tortillas (8")


Directions:

1. Season the chicken breast on both sides. Grill on high heat for 7 minutes on each side. Cover with foil and let rest for 15 minutes. Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces.
2. In a large skillet on medium-high heat, saute onions for 6 minutes. Add vegeta, garlic, and jalepeno pepper. Stir often and don't let burn! Saute for an additional 15-20 minutes.
3. Add chicken to onions and saute for 2 minutes. Turn off heat.
4. In each tortilla add 1/4 c. cheese and a 1/4 c. chicken mixture. Fold over. Grill on high heat for 4 minutes on each side.

101 Reasons Why I Love You

This last Christmas I wanted to give Jared another present but I was already over my budget... You know how that goes I'm sure!

Chloe was napping and I was doodling with some pretty pens I had.

I have seen other posts on lists of proclaimed love for another but I wanted to do something just a little different....and something more personal.

So I took a regular piece of paper and folded it in half (like a hot dog), and then I folded it three more times in a way that it looked like an accordion.

On the outside page I wrote "101 Reasons Why I Love You." I took six different colored pens I had and started numbering the page 1 to 101.

Then came the easy part.

Under each number I wrote a reason for my love for him. The hardest part was keeping all of the reasons in my head. They seemed to be pouring in all at once!

It took longer because I wanted to keep the pretty colors in a certain order.

When I was done I wrapped it up in some scraps of Christmas paper and put it in his stocking.

I think it was one of his favorite presents... He still reads it at least every other day. It sits in his office on his desk :)

I think you could also make this list for a child, parent, sibling, etc... Anyone you love!
If you wanted to make it more fancy you could print it or write it on pretty paper and frame it for them!

Here is what was on my list:

1. You are my soulmate.
2. You put me first. Always.
3. You think my imperfections are beautiful.
4. You can always make me laugh.
5. Your touch is magical.
6. You are even more cheesy than I am.
7. You gave us a beautiful daughter.
8. You help me pick out an outfit every day.
9. You work hard for us.
10. You love time with me.
11. Your kisses are amazing.
12. I can talk to you about anything.
13. You know all of my secrets.
14. You are always there.
15. You have a sweet smile.
16. All I think about is you when you aren't with me.
17. You love PDA.
18. Waking up to you.
19. You never give up on me.
20. Love you look in a suit.
21. How ticklish you are.
22. You are honest with me.
23. Growing old doesn't sound so bad with you.
24. How your phone sounds on the phone.
25. How open we are.
26. The way you look at me.
27. We are running away together.
28. You always have good intentions.
29. You are strong in every way.
30. You aren't always gentle.
31. How you refuse to ever completely grow up.
32. Your elf voice.
33. You aren't afraid to cry.
34. You are smart.
35. You're an amazing dad.
36. The way you walk.
37. We are often thinking the same things.
38. You aren't a bully.
39. You make me feel beautiful.
40. You are willing to forgive.
41. You are a dreamer like me.
42. The first and last person I've ever really loved.
43. You always get the door.
44. You know when I'm not OK.
45. You are charming.
46. You give the best hugs.
47. The most amazing moments have been with you.
48. We just fit together.
49. Our life.
50. The sound of your laugh.
51. The way you dress.
52. You don't ignore me during UFC or football games.
53. How jelaous you can get.
54. That we shower together.
55. How others are jealous of us.
56. How much we cuddle.
57. You would do anything for me.
58. I'm always included in your plans.
59. How you love to annoy me.
60. That we talk all day.
61. We never have enough time together.
62. You love Christmas as much as I do.
63. Having drinks together.
64. I can be silly around you.
65. Wrestling with you.
66. Getting hot chocolate.
67. You're always there when I wake up.
68. You like trying new things.
69. You love chick flicks.
70. You're never bored with me.
71. You gave me a beautiful ring.
72. Love that we have a home together.
73. You always want to know what I think.
74. You respect me.
75. You never say bad things about me to others.
76. You are nothing like the typical guy.
77. Your massages.
78. Your tattoos.
79. How we always want each other.
80. You can make me smile without even being here.
81. You are giving me your last name.
82. The highlight of my day is you coming home.
83. I look forward to retiring with you.
84. All I think about is you.
85. All I talk about is you.
86. Private.
87. That I tell you I love you when you're asleep.
88. You hold my hair when I'm sick.
89. I'd rather you take care of me than the #1 doctor.
90. How you treated me when I was pregnant.
91. If I'm not sitting by you it's a catastrophe.
92. How you make fun of me when I use big words.
93. How easy it was to write this list.
94. Your soft lips.
95. Holding hands with you.
96. You never make me feel stupid.
97. You love my cooking.
98. You are my rock. Always.
99. You never want to hurt me.
100. You are OK with making fun of me.
101. I love you for you.

Free Printable

This is a worksheet I made up that uses dice to help practice multiplication.

I made it kind of quickly so I'm sure it's not perfect!

The worksheet will help with counting as well as multiplication. I think it's more fun to do math when it seems like it is a game.

Please feel free to print this off for personal use. Please do not sell it in any way. Also feel free to post it on your blog or share it, just link it back to me :)

Let me know how you like it :)

Elvira

Roll and Multiply

My First Giveaway!

I woke up this morning in a great mood! :) That's not like me. I am NOT a morning person.

The baby is still sleeping so I'm just sitting here on my laptop pretty much doing nothing. Soooo, I was thinking... I want to do a giveaway!! How fun!

The giveaway is for $50 dollars off of a custom order in my Etsy Shop.

All you have to do to be considered to win is COMMENT on this post. In the comment tell me how what kind of quilt you would put this towards. What's the occasion? Why do YOU want it?

This giveaway will be closed FRIDAY, APRIL 15TH AT 9PM CENTRAL TIME.


Again, this only applies to a custom order for a quilt. This would be an example listing.

Contact me for specific questions :)


The Rules

1. Please only comment once.
2. Make sure to include your email so that I can let you know you have won.
3. I will put all of the names in a "random generator" so it's a fair pick.
4. You must use your $50 dollars off before May 6th, 2012.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

You read about my shop on my blog as well as my Etsy page.

Have a great day :)

Elvira

Fried Rice

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 c. white rice
2 c. water
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. sesame oil
1/ onion, diced
3 green onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. vegeta
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. sriracha
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/2 c. frozen peas
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

Directions:

• Boil pasta in a medium saucepan. Add rice, reduce to simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
• In a large saucepan heat butter and oil on medium heat.
• Add onion, green onions, and carrots. Saute for 6 minutes. Add garlic and seasonings. Saute for 2 minutes.
• Move the veggies onto one side of the pan. Add eggs and let fry before you break them up into bite sized pieces.
• Adjust heat to high.
• Add rice, sriracha, soy sauce, peas, and sesame seeds.
• Stir well and saute for 2 minutes.

Orange Chicken

Serves 4

For the chicken:

1 lb. chicken breast, 1" cubes
4 eggs
1 c. cornstarch
4 tsps. vegeta, divided
1 tsp. black pepper, divided
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 c. panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. vegetable oil

• Season chicken with 1 tsp. vegeta, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
• Set up three stations for the chicken.
• 1st bowl- 4 eggs, 1 tsp. vegeta, 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 2nd bowl- 1 c. cornstarch, 1 tsp. vegeta, 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 3rd bowl- 1 c. breadcrumbs, 1 tsp. vegeta, 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• Dredge chicken in the egg mixture, then the cornstarch, then back in the eggs, then finally the breadcrumbs. Set aside and let rest for 10 minutes.
• In a large skillet heat up sesame oil and vegetable oil on medium heat. Fry in two batches until golden brown on each side. About 10 minutes total.

For the sauce:

3/4 c. water
1/4 c. orange juice
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. fresh ginger
1 tsp. sriracha
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. water

• In a small saucepan heat water, orange juice, rice wine vinegar, and soy sauce on medium heat. Blend well.
• Add brown sugar, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and sriracha. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Combine cornstarch and 1 Tbsp. water and pour into the sauce mixture. Stir until thickened.
• Pour over chicken and saute for 2 minutes.

Healthier Creamy Shrimp & Pasta

 Chloe turned 6 months old today :) It's unbelievable that she's getting that big! We bought her a sippy cup today and she loved banging it against the kitchen counter when I was making this.

Dinner was pretty delicious tonight. We try to cook healthy as much as we can. This seriously tricks your mind into thinking you're eating something naughty...

The majority of the sauce is fat free.... and each person is only getting 1/2 Tbsp. of cheese.

You can even leave out the butter and switch to whole wheat pasta if you wish. And since I cook with vegeta I don't add additional salt.

The lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley lighten this dish up even more. You could substitute chicken for shrimp if you want. If you are a vegetarian just leave the meat out.


Adapted from Never Enough Thyme.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. linguine pasta, cooked in salted water
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1/2 off an onion, diced
3 green onions, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 roma tomato, diced
2 tsp. vegeta
1/4 tsp. black pepper
zest of 1/2 lemon
3/4 c. fat free half-n-half
2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese
1/4 c. fresh parsley, minced

• Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain.
• In a large skillet heat butter and oil on medium heat.
• Saute onions, and green onions for 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and garlic. Saute 8 minutes.
• Season with vegeta and black pepper.
• Add lemon zest and parsley.
• Stir in half-n-half and parmesan. Simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add sauce to pasta and stir well. Add in cooked shrimp or serve on top.

For the Shrimp

1/2 lb. cooked shrimp
juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 tsp. vegetable oil
1/ tsp. vegeta
1/4 tsp. black pepper

• Heat oil in a large skillet on high heat.
• Toss shrimp in lemon juic. Season with vegeta and pepper.
• Add shrimp to pan and saute 3 minutes on each side. Since the shrimp are already cooked they just need a little bit of color.

ENJOY!