(no) Fork You Nachos Recipe

If you know me, then you know that I am a no nonsense type in the kitchen. I want to know the exact measurements, the exact temp. for baking and the EXACT everything so that I can actually make what I am trying to make! But sometimes there is no need for that and you just go with the flow and create something yummy, like some nachos that are delish and bite size and perfect for a party with your gal pals ( yes, I just used that term) or an at home party night with your hubby or bubby (Nacho Libre comes to mind as a good movie choice). Did I mention it's reduced calorie and fat, also vegetarian? But my super hunky cook book buddy Rocco Dispirito, came up with the most of this, so now eat this!
1. Preheat oven to 425.
2. Line baking sheet with foil, place the Baked Tostitos Scoops chips (scoop side up, makes sense) on the sheet.
3. Use a spoon and put some vegetarian refried beans in the scoops (fill only about 1/3 of the way) then sprinkle a small handful of reduced fat Mexican style grated cheese.
4. Bake in oven about 5-8 min. or until cheese is melted.
5. Now add the following according to your preferences: diced tomatos or salsa, nonfat greek yogurt, cilantro, hot sauce (tapatio!!!) and sliced pickled jalapenos.
       No fork necessary, just bit sized goodness. P. S. A big thanks to Zach for lots of help in the taste testing and naming and picture process.

Want a new necklace for free?

Well, me too, but we have to make it ourselves, that's why it's free (duh). But it's fun! And easy! Did I mention free? This crafty inspiration is straight out of this months issue of Bust magazine. Jeez they rock.
1. Basically you cut up 3 or 4 old t-shirts to make strips about 1 inch thick and as long as possible.
2. Tie the ends, pin to a secure place and braid the strips. Make at least 4 finished braided strands. Make sure to leave some extra long pieces at the ends to use in the fastening together process.
3. Get creative and fasten them together with one strand for the top neck part and three for the hanging down part. Some times directions are helpful but in my case I had to improvise.
4.  Hopefully you have something that looks like a cool, braided, necklace. Now you can add feathers, beads and whatever you want.

Would Mother Approve?

Creo que si. (I think so.) This Dia De Los Muertos number was lovingly fashioned out of a painting of my dear mama. She was between the ages of eight and ten at the time, so cute with the face of a cherub. Her mother had portraits of each of her four children done in the same fashion and hung them proudly in her fancy sitting room. I inherited the picture years ago when my grandma passed, and alas, it was not to my taste to hang in my home. Seriously, I do not own a touch of beige or neutral anything, and it just did not sit well with my decor. So now, before it was completely ruined I reused/ up-cycled (?) the portrait. Que bueno, just in time to scare the crapola out of my kids before bedtime.

The Bounty of Easter

This is some of the stuff my kids got from the Easter bunny: peeps, Pokemon cards, beyblades, DSI games, cadbury eggs, reese's peanut butter eggs, jelly beans, salt water taffy, ring pops, lolly pops, toothbrushes (that bunny is a clever one), quarters in eggs, and probably some other stuff. The coolest stuff came from their grandparents and they felt so special knowing that they had been thought of even though they are far away. They also had an egg hunt with all of the children of the complex and that was sweet.

This is what I got for Easter: a bunny flower pot, a chip shaped like a boot and a glass of wine. I shared my bounty with the Easter bunny.

Recipe~ Thai Lettuce Wraps

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 iceberg lettuce heads, cut into quarters and leaves gently removed to make the lettuce cups
• 1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 handful basil, chopped

Preparation

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with one turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook in the pan until golden brown on all sides.

Add in the red pepper and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add in the chili sauce and honey and simmer to reduce it and coat the chicken.
To serve, lay the lettuce leaves on a platter, then scoop some of the chicken mixture onto each leaf.
Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts, lime juice and basil.

Good Night Formula

1. Dinner at the table as a family, if you can it is so worth the effort and burnt food
2. Homework (boo!)
3. Bath time, don't forget to brush teeth
4. Yoga or watch the Simpsons (many times both, because it is awesome to laugh and do downward dog and almost barf up your dinner.)
5. READ, in my opinion it is more important than bath time ( for at least 30 min a day, serious, don't be lame and skip it)
6. Lights out, cuddles, back scratches, "how was your day?", made up stories, a few songs...
7. That's all, what else am I supposed to do? Jeez.

Is There Any Mommy Out There?: Crowdsourcing parenting: Screen time

 I have followed this marvelous lady for a long time now (hers was the first blog I ever actually looked at). I really think she puts all of our collective mommy worries, hopes, dreams, fears and everything else into words. So if you are a mom, or just want to enjoy some really amazing writing, check her out.
Is There Any Mommy Out There?: Crowdsourcing parenting: Screen time: "A few weeks ago I tweeted: @anymommy The longer I have children the less I care about how much TV they watch. That is called *surviva..."