Spaghetti Squash

I just recently came across the BEST TIP EVER for cooking a spaghetti squash. Normally, I would cut my squash lengthwise, turn upside down on a baking dish and bake. Once it was done, I would scrape with a fork and get the "noodles"

 

NOT ANYMORE!!!

 

This is seriously insane but, CUT YOUR SQUASH IN DISCS!

 

I was skeptical when trying this but it almost tripled the length of the "noodles"

 

I did everything else the same way I always did minus the cut.

 

 

 

 

Once they are sliced, I baked at 400  degrees until tender and pulled apart

  

Look how much longer they are!

 

 

 

 

 

I added it to my pasta sauce

(Get The Recipe HERE)

 

 

Look how wonderful this meal turned out!

 

Easy Pasta Sauce

I always say that I should have been born Italian with as much pasta as I eat. I seriously LOVE it. Most of my recipes might even end up being pasta because it is such a staple in my household.

 

 This is my basic recipe for tomato sauce with meat. As you can see, I like mine on the sweeter side. Normally, I can my own vegetables and use them all year round. But since my tomatoes aren't quite ready yet and I have used all of my veggies from last year I used a jar from the store. This is a really easy sauce when you are rushed for time or have company coming over. No peeling tomatoes! Just add into a big pot and simmer for 45 minutes.

 

 

What you will need

 

28oz can crushed tomatoes

24 oz jar of marinara (I like the kind with burgundy wine added)

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon salt

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon pepper

2 tablespoons sugar

1 cup water

2 pounds of ground beef

 

 

Brown your ground beef in a large skillet, drain

 

In a large pot, combine ground beef, garlic, crushed tomatoes and seasonings

 

cook together for 5-10 minutes

 

Add cup of water and deglaze your pan

 

add marinara

 

Simmer on low for 30-45 minutes until the flavors develop

 

add in fresh basil and parsley for an extra boost

 

 

 

 

I served over spaghetti squash and topped with grated parmesan

 

 

 

Hot Dog Chili

It's memorial day weekend and it seems like everyone around us is grilling on a daily basis. Today we decided to join in and add a cloud of smoke of our own into the atmosphere. Clayton grilled Hot dogs, Sausages and huge pieces of corn on the cob (YUM!) We topped our buns with all sorts of delicious goodies, one being my homemade hotdog chili. The interesting thing about this recipe is there is no browning or draining of the beef. Everything is done in 1 pot.

 

What You Will Need

 

1 pound ground beef

2 Cups Water

1 Tablespoon minced Garlic

3 Tablespoons Tomato paste

1 15oz Can Tomato Sauce

1 Tsp Onion Powder

3 Dashes Hot Sauce

Salt

Pepper

Cajun Seasonings

 

 

 

Start off by combining ground beef and water into a pot. Whisk together until meat has broken apart.

 

Add in Garlic, Tomato Paste, Tomato Sauce and hot sauce

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Season with Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper and Cajun Seasoning

 

Heat to a roaring boil

 

Cover

 

Reduce Heat

 

Simmer for 30-45 minutes until the chili is a beautiful, delicious and thick

 

Add more water if desired but I prefer the thicker chili on my dogs

 

 

We topped these beauties with mustard,cheese, relish, onion, jalapenos, kraut and this yummy chili!

Planting Avocados

I'm sure you guys have noticed from all of my posts that the Cooper family eats ALOT of avocados on a weekly basis. Aside from my compost pile, I've found yet another way to utilize this beautiful delicious green fruit, replanting them! I had no idea how to do this so I did a ton of research and found that the best way was actually very simple. Now I do have a garden, but my green thumb is anything but. (My husband calls it a brown thumb, so sad!) Yes, I am horrible at gardening. But this was an extremely easy process and I am hopeful that these will be sprouted and planted in June!

 

What you will Need

1 clean avocado pit (DO NOT USE SOAP, JUST WATER!!!)

1 Clean Jar

4 Toothpicks

Water

 

 

First, clean your pits. (Put your arms down, I'm talking about the avocado pit!)

Just rinse with water. Be careful not to wash the brown layer off, this is the seed covering

 

Now on to the piercing!

 

The tricky part of this is finding the "top" and "bottom" of your seed.

The top is more of a cone shape (Where the sprout will grow) and meets at a point, the bottom (Where the roots will come out) is the rounder of the 2

 

place 4 toothpicks in a downward angle around the circumference of  the seed, careful not to go to deep

 

Place the avocado seed halfway submerged into your jar of water. Round part in the water, Cone upright.

 

Place in a well lit area in your home so the seed can get sunlight

 

Wait for the seed to crack and sprout! Change water every 5 days

 

 

This process can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks before the roots are long enough for planting.

You need 2-3" roots before putting them in soil

Pound Cake

Being the true southern girl that I am, Pound cake is a staple in our household. Recently, I ran across a pound cake that is so light and fluffy it will make you wanna slap yo mamma!!! It is a recipe straight from that beautiful Paula D!  Find the Recipe HERE It is definitely worth the time and effort! I made 3 small loaves as opposed to a bunt and served it beside a delicious fluffy homemade whipped cream

Butternut Squash Pasta

That's it, I've officially lost my mind.... squash and pasta?? what?!?!?!? First, let me explain..... I recently did 1 week of veganism and I LOVED IT. I felt so good!! Let me tell ya, I never realized how many products that I used that I would have to give up. I was not prepared! I had to give up my favorite thing, heavy cream... (So sad, I know) So when you want a creamy cheesy sauce and cant have it, trust me, you get creative.  I liked it so much that it has stayed on our menu at home (with the addition of butter)

 

 

This was actually delicious and my son had TWO PLATES! Heres how I did it

 

What you will need

 

1 small butternut squash

1/2 pound spaghetti, cooked

5 tablespoons of butter

1 sprig rosemary

5 basil leaves

cinnamon

salt

pepper

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk

1 tablespoon sugar

 

 

 

 

 

Cover squash in olive oil, salt and pepper

Bake at 350 until fork tender

 

In a small pan combine butter, rosemary and basil leaves. Cook until the butter has turned a golden brown

 

 

 

 

 

once the squash is cooked, scoop out the flesh and add into the butter

 

 

Add coconut milk, sugar and cinnamon

 

whisk until combined

 

add cooked pasta and toss

 

TADA!!!!!

Garlic Honey Chicken thighs

Chicken is one of those items that my family eats multiple times a week. Lets face it, we all stock up when there is a sale on chicken. Recently I found a sale on chicken thighs for .77 per pound (Stock up price for me) and I got a TON. Seriously, I looked like a chicken hoarder.  With that being said, I've had to explore a lot of recipes to change it up and make each meal fun and exciting. Here was a delicious recipe I made this week!

 

Garlic Honey Chicken Thighs

 

What you will need

2-3 pounds boneless chicken thighs

3 tablespoons of soy sauce

5 tablespoons of honey

1 tablespoon garlic powder

dash of red pepper

1/4 tsp onion powder

dash of Cajun seasoning

olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

 

 

 

 

 

This was seriously so simple.

 

Wisk together all of the ingredients listed (minus chicken of course)

 

 

 

Slather chicken in this gorgeous marinade

 

 

 

 cover in foil and bake at 350 degrees until the juices run clear.

 

 

 

 Once it is just about done, remove foil and drizzle just a little bit more honey and let the chicken brown .

 

Serve with yellow rice

Mexican style couscous salad

Since it is getting hotter outside, we have been going on a ton of picnics. So I have had to get creative and make more than a ham sandwich and potato chips. I came up with this easy and delicious couscous salad.

 

 

What you will need
3 cups couscous, cooked
1 diced tomato
1 can of black beans, rinsed
1 can of corn, drained
1 avocado, diced
Juice of 1 small lime
2 tsp guacamole mix

Chopped cilantro

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
Top with extra cilantro

Let sit for an hour for flavors to combine

  Can be eaten at room temperature or chilled

Chocolate chip cake cookies

Yep, you read that right.  Cake cookies. Your 2 favorite things combined! These are so decant and chewy plus the chocolate chips add a little something extra. Feel free to add more ingredients and make this your own! I plan to add walnuts next time.

 

 

 

First preheat your oven to 350

 

 

What you will need

 

1 box of cake mix (I used butter flavor)
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup of applesauce
1/3 cup coconut oil, softened
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

 

Mix all ingredients  in a large bowl
Form into small balls of dough
Bake for 10-12 minutes and they should be a beautiful golden color

 

*bake times vary on these cookies so keep an eye on them*

My son absolutely adored these cookies

Leftover Herbs

I really dislike wasting food. Since it is spring time and all of my herb plants are blooming, I have an excess of them. Thankfully I've found the perfect solution for storing and saving them so they stay fresh for months! TAKE THAT WINTER! I can still have beautiful fresh basil even in the snow.

 

So this is how I do it!

 

Wash your chopped herbs.

 (I personally like to leave some whole and some chopped)

Place in an ice cube tray

Cover with Extra virgin olive oil

Freeze

Aren't these cute?!?! Perfect to liven up stews and sauces that have been cooking for hours. Or just add to eggs for a beautiful twist on a breakfast dish!

The ultimate B.L.T

Every household in America has had a B.L.T.  It's the same boring bacon sandwich with lettuce and tomato. Let's amp up your idea of this drab lunch item and make it into the ultimate experience.

 

 

 

First thing is first. Amp up that mayo!!

 

 

 

Mix 1/2 cup of mayo with 1 tsp of fresh dill, 1 tsp of fresh parsley,  the juice of half of a lemon, salt,  pepper  and a dash of garlic powder. Ziinngg! The perfect  tangy herb spread!

 

 

 

 

Next TOAST YOUR BREAD
no other info needed on that right?

 

 

Skip the curly shrunken bacon with a huge delicious crispy slice of bacon by running your bacon slices under cold water, pat dry and fry in your pan! (Trust me!)

 

 

 

 

Season your tomatoes with salt and pepper for an extra dimension and added flavor

 

 

Next, add more veggies! I love avocado on my sandwiches!

 

 

 

Dont forget your lettuce.  I prefer iceberg for that extra crunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yes this is the ultimate sandy!

Cutting Watermelon

As a mom, I'm all about easy. I love this option for dicing an entire watermelon in just a matter of a couple of minutes. No mess and no fuss (and don't get me started on easy cleanup!)

 

 I hope you guys enjoy my first video!!! Thanks for all of your support!
 

Baked eggs

I love breakfast. I think I have emphasized that enough on my page...
My least favorite breakfast item?
EGGS
 But I have found a delicious recipe that has changed my perspective for the better.
The eggs steal the show and I actually LOVE this dish!

 

 

 

What you will need

1 pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 can diced tomatoes
1 Jarred marinara
5 Eggs
parmesan
Salt
Pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Sugar

parsley
basil

 

 

 

Preheat your oven to 425°

 

 

Brown ground turkey, set aside

 

 

Cook down 1 can of diced tomatoes.

 Season to taste. I use onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, salt and pepper

 

 

Once thickened,  add browned turkey

 

Pour in 1 jar of marinara (The good stuff not the cheap pizza sauce)

 

 

Once cooked it has cooked for about 15 minutes,

  Stir in 1 tablespoon of sugar.

 

(After a sauce is cooked for a long period of time, you need something to bring it back to life and brighten the flavors back up. For tomatoes, I always use sugar.)

 

Gently Crack 5 eggs into your skillet

 

Cover with pepper and basil leaves

 

 

 

Bake at 425 until the eggs start to set
 (About 8 minutes)

 

You want the egg whites to set and cook through but the yolk to still be runny

 

Cover with parmesan cheese

 

 

ENJOY!

 

 

 

Serve with a bread of some sort so u can sop up that delicious sauce

I served with coconut oil biscuits and let me tell you, this breakfast is absolutely amazing

Sensory activities and popsicles

 

 

Today during learning time, Baby C and I went outside for a little fun in the sun!!!

 

 

 

 We love doing sensory activities and today was so simple

 

 

What you will need

 

Soapy Water

Plastic Container (I used an old coffee can)

Whisk

 

 

 

I knew I wanted to do something water related since it was so hot so I added a few drops of dish soap to a container of water and we got to make bubbles! It was so adorable watching him eagerly whisk the water and seeing all of the bubbles form.

 

 

He loved to check the whisk and make sure it was still covered In bubbles

 

Then it was back to stirring!

 

 

 He shrieked, he smiled, he laughed!

 

 

He switched hands and tried to experiment using both

 

 

 

 

He also decided to try feeling the bubbles with his hands.

This was extra fun!!

 

He definitely enjoyed this activity and it didn't cost me anything since I already had everything for it!

 

 

Play time doesn't have to be expensive!

 

 

 

Afterwards, we put our new whisking skills to the test with HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY POPS!

 

 

We made our own concoction of soy milk, Greek yogurt, agave, vanilla and of course blackberries!! We LOVED how they turned out but you might want to tweak the recipe to your families taste

 

 

What you will need for THREE pops

 

1/2 cup greek yogurt

1/4 cup soy milk

 splash of agave

splash of vanilla

blackberries

 

 

 

Mix ingredients together in a medium sized bowl,

add to popsicle mold and freeze

 

Don't they look delicious?

 

He doesn't mind eating healthy popsicles!

 

 

 

He loved these and they were extra special because he got to mix them himself!

 

 

Who doesn't like cooling off with yummys!?!?

 

 

Happy baby!

 

 

 

Afterwards, he gave his daddy a high five for picking such a cool mommy!