Plain Chicken - Three Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake

Making my second dish from the Plain Chicken blog weekly meal plan this week.
 
Three Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake
 
  

 

The recipe calls for a 13x9 pan, but since it is only 2 of us I put it in 2 8x8 pans (with a little left over) 

 
I cooked one up tonight...

...and froze the other for another day.
 

 
And voila....here is our gorgeous dinner that tasted so good!!

The Hubs really liked it and wants it again....I said good, there is enough leftovers for tomorrow! :)

Plain Chicken - Crescent Pepperoni Roll-Ups

I made these Crescent Pepperoni Roll-Ups I found over at Plain Chicken Blog and let me tell you....fast...easy...and oh so yummy!!!

I used Kroger brand on everything except the pizza sauce. The pepperoni I used was a nice large size, the package said sandwich sliced. I put 4 - 5 pieces on each one. I did forget the garlic sprinkle on the top, but I loved that I could make these ahead of time, put in the fridge and cook later when The Hubs got home from work. I also loved that there was only one pan to wash up after.

Mini Frittatas

I am on a quest to drop carbs and sugar from my diet. Turning 40 was not an easy thing on my body and now I find it cannot tolerate all these things I have ate with no problem before. So in my quest to banish this belly bloat I think carbs and sugar are my worst enemies.

Breakfast is something I cannot skip, so what can I find that falls under my criteria...frittata appears to fit the bill. Basically it is a crust less quiche.

Here is what I did:

8oz cooked turkey sausage (I bought Kroger precooked patties and diced)

1/2 green bell pepper diced

1/2 red bell pepper diced

1 zucchini diced

1 cup frozen chopped broccoli

1/3 cup frozen chopped onion

Saute this in 1TBL oil of your choice...

Whip up 10 eggs with a 1/4 cup milk...

Add sauteed meat/veggies and one cup of shredded cheese...

Pour into greased muffin tins (or cupcake liners for easier removal)...

and Voila....12 gorgeous yummy frittatas for 6 easy premade breakfasts.

I froze some to see how they hold up and reheat, hoping to just be able to grab a baggie each morning and head out to work.



Ugliest Apple Pie

My family loves apple pie, but lately my pies have not been turning out....apples undercooked or overcooked...then it is such a pain to peel the apples and keep from browning while you keep peeling. UGH! I give up!

So this week I thought I would try canned apple pie filling. I have never tried this before...so here goes.

We went to Wal-Mart today and all they had was their brand....

As you can see the apples are quite lovely.

Even though the ingredients list cinnamon...I didn't see where it looked like there was any...which my family LOVES...so I was going to add some, but after a quick taste test I could detect some and I thought lets just keep it natural for the first time to judge it fairly. I can always add more in the future.

My pie crust is also store bought, Wal-Mart Great Value brand...and my package must have been dropped along the way because it was cracked up BAD! So...what to do. It was mangled too bad for a lattice trial...so yeah, this is what I went with lol...

So bad I know...but hey, taste is what counts on this test...lets not judge this book by its ugly cover...which by the way looks better cooked btw.

And the verdict is in....it got a thumbs up from the family, who wasn't aware it was canned pie filling until I said...and I let the cat out of the bag when they asked me where the cinnamon was. So I will totally make this again, with the addition of cinnamon! Yummo!!

Banana Pudding Fail

The Hubs was in the mood for some banana pudding. I bought the Jello brand, and all you do is add cold milk and whisk...well how hard can that be??

 

I drink Rice Milk...apparently this does not work in pudding...

 

...because this is what you get after it sits overnight. :(

So no pudding for The Hubs...he was quite disappointed. Note to self...buy REAL milk next time.

Sausage Tortellini

2 cups dried cheese tortellini
1 cup frozen shelled edamame
1 lb ground sausage
1/2 cup italian dressing

Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a boil. Add tortellini.

Cook sausage until no longer pink, drain.

Add edamame to tortellini and cook together the final 5 minutes.

When cooked drain tortellini and edamame and add to cooked sausage and toss with dressing.

 

 

**This tastes really good and The Hubs even loved it. I served with grands flaky bisquits.



Shark Tank Season 4 Premier

I love this show. I love the art of the deal, the creativity of the ideas, the drive of these inventors as they try to get their products out there...plus the Sharks can be very entertaining!

Up first...
Derek...CoatChex

Sounds like a good idea but a bit flawed as it is basically a seasonal idea. A computerized ticketless coat check that takes your picture to match the face with the coat...but half the year we dont wear coats?? So as cute and energetic as Derek is...he did not get a deal...not that he wasnt offered one, he didnt like the counter offer Mark Cuban gave him...$200,000 for a 33% stake...so he passed.

Jay Kriner...The Bev Buckle

OMG this made me LOL. I am not a beer drinker or partier, but I think this is pretty ingenious!! It is a belt buckle that pops open to hold your beer bottle.
He went with Barbaras offer of $50,000 for a 51% stake in his company. I dont know that I would ever want to give up control of my company, but for some people that may be ok...I am too much of a control freak! :)

Tod Miller...Body Walking...Asking 100,000 for 10%

A massage mat that allows him to WALK on your body to "massage" you. I personally wouldnt care for this, although Barbara did lay down and have him walk on her and she said it was wonderful....for me I wouldnt care for this. No deal from any Shark.

Maria and Veronica...Buggy Beds...Asking $125,000 for 7%

A bed bug glue trap to collect and trap bed bugs...kinda like a roach motel. They have travel versions for when you go to a hotel. I have to say I love this idea...and so do all of the sharks. WOW they made a deal with ALL FIVE of the Sharks. $250,000 for 25%...so each Shark pays $50,000 for a 5% stake...these girls did good!!!!

Great season premiere...which product was your favorite?

Project Runway - Final 8

Mondo returns!

He won last years all stars. Tonights show is the HP Print Challenge. Sometimes this can be cool...and sometimes it goes so very wrong! Some designs do not translate well as an all over pattern fabric, but some turn out pretty fantastic...so how did tonights come out...

First their heritage...which is what they are to build their textile around...is delivered by family members, so tears all around the room. They all get slideshows of their childhood and begin planning...

Dmitry...Using a traditional ornament for his design, wild but may be cool.

Gunnar...a bird breaking free of abstract hands as a symbol of the bullying he endured.

Ven...using hibiscus flowers, a lil plain.

Christopher...whining already...having a hard time because "he doesnt work with prints"

Off to mood...how fun would it be to shop here...or even just roam the halls....now back to Parsons with their purchases to begin creating...

UGH Christoper is whining again...just WORK!

Now they are heading back to Atlas for dinner with their families. I am sure this is a great boost for their energy...a great emotional recharge.

The next day the textiles have arrived. Some are wild and colorful, some are...hmmm...very interesting!

Time for Tim's critique...

I cant believe how Christopher is so lost. He has 2 dresses made because he doesnt know what he is doing...oh wait...we now have a direction.

Sonjia...I am not a fan of prints on pants...will have to see what it looks like after a top is added.

I kinda like what Ven is doing...UNTIL...Tim said his dress reminded him of a mentrual cycle...WHAT?!?! Wow that is harsh...and weird!

I like Melissa's print...but then I love anything red...it is a cool print, hope she isnt staying that boring on her dress.

Elena's scrub top is gross! Hate the print and dont like the look of what she is designing...oh but wait I dont like her either.

Now Gunnar is whining. I liked his drawing, but not liking what he is ending up with...and Tim doesnt like it either.

So back to the drawing board for some. Amazing how they can pull this off in such a short time.

Day of the Runway Show....

I do not like the makeover part...just a way for the shows sponsor to hawk their wares I suppose, but it doesnt fit in the show for me...so fast forward time....oh and dont forget to use the Lord and Taylor wall "thoughtfully"!

So lets see what my thoughts compared to the judges are...

Sonjia...It is ok, better than I thought, but I am not a fan of patterned pants...or wide leg pants.

Elena...I think it is a jacket, I dont care for it.

Christopher...plain and boring...and that zipper is hugely flawed!

Ven...I like Vens style. I know he does that fan a lot, but it is his signature. Very tailored.

Fabio. Too dark for me, and again I am not personally a fan of wide leg trousers.

Melissa...I like it, but nothing WOW about it. a nice basic "safe" dress.

Gunnar...I like it. Super cute outfit. I love the jacket.

Dmitry...I love the peek-abo cuts in the jacket showing the print of the shirt.

Elena and Fabio are safe...they scored in the middle.

So now we have the highest and the lowest scores...

Highest...
Melissa
Dmitry
Sonjia

Lowest...
Ven
Gunnar
Christopher
WOW I have no fashion sense at all! LOL

The winner of this challenge is Dmitry...and Gunnar is going home.

Real Housewives of Miami

The new season started tonight. This is the second season...I watched the first season...eh, it was ok. The new season has some new girls...hmmm...not so sure here.

Wow first of all I cannot imagine this kind of lifestyle, the clothes, the homes, the plastic surgery the egos...eye yi yi!!!!

Ana...Interesting relationship with her soon to be ex. Great they can get along, but odd to eat dinner together almost everyday...while he has a girlfriend...somewhere...odd to me.

Lisa...she is sure proud of her boobage...and wow does she have some, but what caught my attention is her housekeeper Daysy. So Lisa's husband is a plastic surgeon...and they are gifting a breast lift and lipo to Daysy...but she is 2 years into her 4 year training to be a pastor...what?? A pastor? Should they be so vain and have plastic surgery??

Marysol...sad to hear she and Phillip didnt work out, hopefully she finds love again. I like her, I think she is sweet.

Mama Elsa...oy vay...her face is plastic surgery gone bad...poster woman for when you should stop....enough is enough! :( Very sad because I lover her sassyness!!

Audriana...umm, I dont know about this yacht idea...live on a yacht without touring the world? Who lives on a yacht and stays in one town?? And a baby grand piano and walk in closet??

Karent...a dentist? Interesting. Not sure I would go back they way she was waving the needle around in the patients face as she talked. Rudolfo her boyfriend...not sure how loyal he can be.

Joanna...wow, prima dona or what? Quite full of herself. Yes she is beautiful, but to throw such a fit about not being on the cover...you said you have been modeling for 10 years...be thankful they still want you. Her sister Marta is a saint to put up with her!

Lea...she was my fave last year, just felt she is the most real and down to earth.

So these are my first impressions of the season opener...lets see how it all plays out. The New Miami/Old Miami ego war is on....this season looks explosive!

Honey Balls

The Hubs grew up with a "candy" he calls honey balls...and I came across a recipe I thought might be it. He enjoys it and I find it quite tasty myself and I love that it is super easy to make....


1 c. creamy peanut butter
1 c. nonfat dry milk powder 
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. honey


Blend together the peanut butter and honey...add in the dry milk powder and the sugar...mix until it forms a dough. 


I then pressed into an 8x8 dish and popped it into the fridge overnight.

Now the only problem is I find if I roll them into balls they lose shape if not kept refrigerated, so next time I am going to try and dip them into chocolate.

I have to say The Hubs and I dont make it out to the movies very much...in fact we dont take any free time for ourselves at all. I have decided this must change, life is too short right??


So we actually had a date night and went to the movies. We saw The Hunger Games. I wasnt sure what to expect as I seem to be among the few living under the rock where this book was never heard of and by the previews I saw I likened it to The Running Man from the 80s.
I heard reviews about not letting kids see it...although they play violent video games and watch adults killing people...not sure why they would now edit their kids watching this...but anyway yes it had a couple of brutal moments but I go to the movies to escape reality...I go for the entertainment knowing this isnt real life. So all in all The Hubs and I really enjoyed it

Now we move to the other end of movies...last night we saw The 3 Stooges. I was raised on the Stooges and quite enjoyed them...as for the movie, I have to be honest...I found it hilarious! I dont normally go for slapstick humor, so maybe I enjoyed it because I grew up watching them? I found it to be true to who they were and it was downright histerical on some parts. For sure not a movie for everyone, but we enjoyed it...and hey even if it wasnt a good movie, how can any night out and about with The Hubs be bad?

Big Brother 13 – 7/13/11

How will things change in the Big Brother house after Evel Dick’s departure? And why did he leave??


Those are my burning questions after last nights’ show. They didn’t answer why he left, but this has to be unsettling to Danielle. Even though they don’t get along they are family. Although his emergency must involve family not related to Danielle…lots of unanswered questions there.


Now how will it change? Well it knocked down the vets’ number by one, and they were already short in numbers from the start, so they will have to scramble to get some rookies to their side.


Keith and Porsche are nominated…now who will go home tonight??


It is so early on in the game that I don’t have any favorites yet, so I am not sure who I want to stay, but based on what I see now…I am going with Keith to stay…Porsche flipped sides, and quick!


Missed the veto competition, but see that Brenchel won it, glad they kept the nominations the same.


I guess we will have to wait for tonight’s show and see who the first evicted houseguest is…although I have to say with Evel Dick’s early departure how will they work this into the show?? Maybe he will return later? Maybe another evicted houseguest will get to return? Or maybe the vote won’t go through tonight?? Hmmmm find out in a couple hours.

Meatloaf Meltdown….

…of epic proportions!!! This weekends Celebrity Apprentice showed us a very angry side of Meatloaf.

This episodes task was to create art to sell to raise money for the project managers charity. It started with them in the art store gathering supplies for their art….this is where Meat starts to lose his cool. Gary Busey simply asks Meat…are you buying the canvas’ for everyone. Meat translates this somehow as Gary having entitlement issues and almost half assuming half demanding Meat to buy Garys supplies. Now unless this was poor editing I did not hear this or even find it implied in tone.

Now cut to them at the gallery ready to create their art, wowzers this is where Meat loses it. He cannot find a bag of supplies and next thing you know he is screaming at Gary that Gary stole his supplies. Poor Gary looks clueless as he stands there are takes this awful verbal assault. But the more I watch the more I realize…Gary is not clueless at all…. but very smart to stay calm and cool and just let Meat blow.

Someone then finds the missing bag of supplies, and I am offended at how Meat blames Gary for the outburst…but then I was pleased when later after things had calmed and cooled Meat gave a very tender apology to Gary who very generously accepted.

Meatloaf said he has been to anger management...I think he needs a refresher course!

So I think…would I have stayed as calm as Gary while someone was screaming profanities and accusing me of theft? Would I then be so humble to later be able to accept an apology? Before seeing this, my answer most likely would be no and no….but now after watching this…I really hope that I could. Of course I hope to never be in such a position, but I really found it to be a fabulous learning experience.

Great Giveaway

Follow "This Link" and Enter to WIN a Karmin G3 Salon Pro Hair Styling Iron.

American Idol Judges

What?!?!

J-Lo and Steven Tyler?

I guess I can see Steven Tyler...not sure what to think about Jennifer Lopez....thoughts??

Snake in the house???!!

My daughter just called....there is a snake INSIDE our house. Sounds like just a baby king snake...but still...a snake IN the house.

She had to go off to work...Hubby is working...so I will be the first one home tonight. YIKES!

She said it went in the bathroom and disappeared, so she shoved towels under the door....lets hope that works to keep him cornered when he resurfaces.

Interesting Observation

On Day 9 is when my daughter hit her plateau....I had day 9 over the weekend....plateau'd that day, and this morning weighed the same as Friday. I then went back to our chart to see if they were within the same time frame, and discovered BOTH were DAY 9.

I find this interesting because I know somewhere in my reading I read there is a plateau period...do you think I can now find this anywhere to read again??!! lol

I had my craft fair over the weekend...and I am proud to say I stuck to it the entire time. Didnt even try the handmade caramels....and I LOVE caramel!!! But I stuck to it!

So even with a plateau, all in all I say it isnt bad. So today is Day 10 and I am down 4.5 lbs. For DD it is Day 14 and she is down 11.5 lbs. Pretty darn good!!

Diet Day 5

I woke up and I am down a half lb making it 4 lbs total for me…and Baby Girl, not taking the cough syrup, is back on track and down a pound and half giving her a 9lb loss so far. I am soooo proud of her and how she is sticking to this, even when others around her eat and drink things she loves…she has not cheated.

This weekend will be a test for me. We have a craft fair….oh how I LOVE craft fair food! But I will be packing my salad and apples and be very good….I know I have it in me.

The Eleventh Of September

We mourn their loss this day this year
Those now with God, no danger near


So many loved ones left do stand
Confronting loss throughout our land

My heart goes out to those who do
No one can fathom what they view


I firmly pray for peace of mind
Dear God please help each one to find

And to our soldiers now at war
God guide above, at sea, on shore


They are the best, I have no doubt
Our country’s pride, complete, devout

The finest force you’ll ever see
All freedom grown through liberty

One final thought comes clear to me
For what must live in infamy


Absolutely - We’ll Remember
The Eleventh - Of September



©2002 Roger J. Robicheau

Kitties and their Napping Spots

Here is one kitty....where is the other??

Ah of course....he is INSIDE the box....they just love their boxes.