The *everything but the kitchen sink* Casserole

Hellurrrrrrrr! Gurrrd Murrrning :)

I have had much too much coffee this morning, I apologize. I will keep my "speaking" to a minimum ;)
I would just like to a post a few things I ate yesterday, and a new casserole recipe I completely made up last night --- but it was so delicious for a nice fall evening. BTW~ Happy Fall!! My favorite season!! :) What is your favorite? and whats the best part of your favorite season? I love fall because of the scents and flavors AND the fact I can run outside again after a humid summa' !!

Ok loves, enough chatter from your hyper bloggin friend hehe, here we go...

Satisfies my lack of starbucks this season[Im not driving 45 min just for starbucks] ;) I havent tried the brown sugar one yet...

but the sugar cookie one is devine.



I found a new luna love... its not new, but its new to me, I lurvvve it. oh no, there I go again, haha.

Choc Dipped Coconut, my first love... upside down, too.

Lunch: Wrap (chix salad from yesterday) + Multigrain chips w/ a little r.fat mozz, homemade salsa and a little light natural sour cream ;) ... and some frozen pizza may have happened after this... oops.

I just had a really hungry day yesterday, hate those.

I got my hair done on Tuesday evening, this clearly does not do it any justice, I was just excited my "gym hair" for work was semi-cute/messy ;)

Now, who wants my everything but the kitchen sink casserole recipe? I dont know calorie counts but I used all near fat free/r.fat ingredients except for the topping -- which u could leave off and it would still be good, I am really not looking to lose more weight at this point, just tone and maintain, so feel free to edit my recipes and ideas to your liking, of course!! :)

Ingredients:

• 1 can 98-99% fat free cream of chicken soup(un-deluted)
• 1 small bag frozen mixed veg(steam entire bag, I use my microwave steamer)
• 2 cups brown rice (prepared according to the package)
• 1 package turkey kielbaza links(or you could get the kielbaza sausage round, the links were cheaper---I de-thawed them[I froze mine after purchasing] and then chopped them up)
• 1 small bag french fried onions
• about 1/2c + 1/4c reduced fat or fat free cheese of choice

Make It!:

• Prepare the rice, veg, kielbaza as I instructed above
• Spray a baking dish with non stick spray
• Combine meat,rice,veg,1/2 c. of the cheese,and soup(un-diluted) all into pan, stir well.
• Top w/ 1/4 c. cheese and the french fried onions(if you choose to use them)
• Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 min (or less, I just did about 20 because I didnt cook my rice all the way on the stove;))
• Let cool a little, then serve!!

Enjoy, it was delicious, and husband approved... although he wanted more french fried onions... go figure...

Have a great night ya'll, I will post tomorrow OR sunday on my little roadtrip ;)
xoxo





Salad-Lovin and Homework(outs)

Hello!! I know, I've been saying I was going to post for like a day and a half now...
I have no excuses, other than I'm trying to catch up on housework! :) Because I am roadtripping to......

chicago again! :) ... just for Friday though... my bestie here in A-Town needs to pick up her new car!!{its GORG} So excited to get some Chi-Town food and hang out with some pretty great company!!(this trip will be fully documented haha)

I did a RE-DONK-U-LUSS at home workout{Im trying to figure out more homeworkouts to do, since I have kettlebells and freeweights and resistance bands to use!!:D} yesterday, all strength with a little cardio (kettlebell swing-ups. google. now. dooo it) --- I will post the workout tonight... I am S.O.R.E. today, in the best way possible... my flabby bat-wings thank me. haha! Do you have any amazing at home workouts to share?? :D

I also wanna give a shoutout to my blog-friend Katie who is moving back to her hometown today!! I totally understand the bitter/sweetness that is going on right now --- I miss home everyday but I have laid many roots down in my new town, so I am sure it will be a tough/exciting time these next few days! Best of luck to her and her sweet family!

Sooooo; I've been on a tuna salad and chicken salad wrap kick this week... Shall we move onto the amazingness that has been happening in the tortiLL(L's pronounced,haha)a's in my kitchen??? LETS!!

The begining of the tuna salad delish-us-ness. haha {diggin the low sodium option!}

about a tablespoon of each for the "dressing" in each of my mixes:) [in love with the red.fat mayo w/ olive oil and cracked pepper, healthy fats nom nom nom]

2 packet low sodium chunk light tuna in water, red onion, green onion, green pepper and the "dressing" = amazinggggg... put it in a wrap or eat it on healthy grainy crackers, mmmm

ORRRRR...make a healthy tuna melt!!

used Walmart's fresh natural bread(2 pcs) w/ a half slice of reduced fat swiss on the panini maker, yum

Melty goodness w/ fresh green beans w/ a little light butter (made w/ canola oil, i love that kind.) w/ popchips too, I <3 popchips.

if you prefer chicken... 1 can of chicken shredded drained + the mayo from my "dressing" + hummus of choice + red onion + cucumber ... yum and yum

made into a wrap on lavash wrap + lettuce and a little r.fat cheese portable and amazing:)

whats your favorite "salad" ? :)

next post: what I ate today, at home workout that kicked my butt, and a topic (prob in 2 posts --- "forgiveness"...) --- Im still brainstorming;)

see you later darlings!!!

Just another Meatless Monday, wish it was Sunday...

Happy Meatless Monday night! ... I dont really wish it was Sunday, I dont mind the weekdays ;) they keep me busy!
I'm glad today was a successful meatless monday, unlike last Monday! That was a major fail with a capital F. -- but I also felt horrid last Monday! Feeling much better these days;)

I had a genius idea (I must say) to make fake-out bruschetta (I am sure I slaughtered that word...) and meatless lasagna roll-ups! It was dee-lish.
Want the recipe? :) I thought you might!!

Ricotta & Pesto filled Lasagna Roll-Ups

 

Lasagna Roll-Up Ingredients:

• Part Skim Ricotta (you could buy a small container, I couldnt find one.)
• Prepared Pesto (or homemade)
• Reduced Fat Parmesean shredded or grated(a few shakes worth)
• Jar of favorite sauce (I used veggie)
• Reduced Fat Mozz(I just used a pinch on each roll-up)
• 10 Whole Grain Lasagna noodles(boiled,strained,cooled,dried)
• Garlic Powder & Italian Season to taste

Make Em'!

• Boil lasagna noodles according to package directions

Bottom of pan

Meanwhile, mix ricotta (about 1-1/2 C.'ish --- I just eyed it up, I ended up having to mix a little more to fill the last 2 roll-ups) & pesto together (I used just a couple dabs of pesto) -- set aside. Line pan w/sauce,seasoning,and parm cheese in the bottom of the baking pan -- set aside.

• 

  

  Ricotta/Pesto Mix

• Take a spoon full of ricotta mixture, spread across lasagna noodle, then roll it up.
• Place the roll-ups seam down, repeat until all noodles/ricotta are used
•  Pour the rest of sauce on top of roll-ups, season to taste and add a little parm and mozz on top
•  Bake at 350 degrees for about 20minutes(check it every so often)
• To make the fake-out bruschetta ~ Just take a few pieces of bread... I chose:

Lay flat in a baking dish, top w/ pesto, fresh tomato, mozz, parm, italian seasoning - throw in oven when there is about 7 min. left for lasagna. voila!! Italian nommy Meatless Monday! :)

Deeee-Lish!

What did u have for dinner??? have an amazing night ya'll ;) C U in the morn!

Move Over, Starbucks!

'Afternoon my loves!!!
How was the weekend for you all?
Amazzzzing here!!! We had two good friends get hitched, got a little relaxing in, some partying with great old & NEW friends... we are very blessed.
I also have a new drink recipe for you all... so lets get moving on this recap shall we? ;)

I clean up ok, right?! haha... ;)

[[dress/sweater-maurices/peebles, jewelry-peebles dept store & target, shoes-walmart($5. yeah.) pointy toe high heel black shoes. perfection.]]

Honey[no smiling.], I and my other honey...bud light;)

I want to see this everyday. Gorgeous sunset at the resort.

Room with a view! Gorgeous.

Sweet, Sweet couple <3 Congrats to you both!!

It was simply amazing... the entire wedding, party, etc. was!! -- unfortunately we had to cut out sunday before the reception began... but had an amazing time regardless. Can I say amazing a few more times? I bet I can;)

....Onto some eats/drinks! ;)

Small order shrimp nachos... still couldnt finish. So filling and delish (noshed on sat. before we left for wedding festivities;))

I honestly barely ate all weekend, I know thats horrible, but I wasnt very hungry (odd for me!) Im sure I will make up for it this week;)

Devoured Viking Apple[[I think they make me stronger! :D]]

My current fave granola bar, ate alone or crumbled into yogurt or oats

OH EM GEE! They're here! I basically had the guy rip into a box for the pumpkin one(p.mocha is out year round...so I picked that up last week) ~ I cant wait to go back for more flavors!! EEEEEK!

Because of the new flavored creamers, Im feeling fall-inspired!! Alas, Soy Pumpkin Pie Spice Chai Latte(say that 5 times fast!)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C. Soy Milk
• 1 C. Chai Tea Concentrate of choice
• 1 T. Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer
• Sprinkle of Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Sprinkle of Cinnamon

Make:

Mix all ingredients into large cup, microwave about 1-1/2 minutes (give or take depending on microwave) --- be CAREFUL! its hot! but delish!! CHEERS:)

Well, time to go figure out my recipe for dinner, its meatless monday (and again I havent ate a ton today so not much to photograph!) and Im making lasagna roll-ups ... Im pretty pumped;) recipe to come later if theyre good. haha ;D

xoxo

Woo-SAH.

Well good morning friends!!! :)
How is it going?!
Going amazing here, I woke up withOUT a sinus headache!! Success!! I then brewed a pot of Hot Butter Rum coffee and splashed in some peppermint mocha creamer... this will have to do until pumpkin and fall amazingness arrives;)

Soooo, my good pal Katie has been posting some breakfast noms lately... I got inspired to make her oat pancakes and throwing a few of my own things into the mix :)

clearly im a "Great Value" shopper. haha ;)

Ingredients: (Pancake)

• 1 packet better oats "muffin" oats apple w/ flax
• 1/4 c. quick oats
• 1/2 c. egg whites
• 2-3 T. no sugar added applesauce
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 packet fuji cinnimon apple crisps
• 2 truvia packets (or sweetner of choice)
• Ground Cinnamon to taste (you could use pumpkin pie spice, ground nutmeg, etc.)

Ingredients: (Topping)

• Light Vanilla Soy Milk mixed w/ Vanilla Protein Powder to make "frosting" consistency (via Katie as well!)
• Nutella Hazelnut Spread

Make it!: (Pancake)

• Combine all ingredients for pancake into bowl, mix well.
• Pour into sprayed pan on medium heat --- flip when bubbling (this was tricky, mine ended up in two pieces....)
• Flip again until cooked throughout
• Put toppings up top of the pancake... serve. Enjoy. Chow it. ;)

I had such a relaxing morning with my coffee and nommy pancake and my boys ;) (woooosahhhh)
... now, time for some wedding festivity fun w/ some besties... Have a GREAT weekend ya'll!! xoxo

Inspiration, Puppy Love, and Food Love

Goooooood FRIDAY Morning my fit and healthy loves!!!

How is it going? Its goin over here this AM... Work is good, Coffee was amazing, stepping in dog doo-doo NOT so amazing, BAHAHAHA! :(

Sooo my good pal over @ Healthy Diva Eats posted a Friday Four photo post, its sooo adorable, so I got inspired to do it over here as well ;)

Mine will be a little different, but thats what makes it fun!! ;D --- are you all excited for the weekend?? I sure am!!

Now, onto my four photo friday extravaganza... :D

Four Inspring Photos {you know I need to throw the USMC in here!!}



OOO RAH, Dakota Meyer. I know it was a difficult day for this Sgt. but most inspiring as well.

Hugging my (then fiance) for the first time after 7 months. That inspires me daily. He is my personal hero. Although he will tell you (as all Marines do) he is not a hero.

I've never inspired myself before, til that day... I crossed a finish line. Big Deal, my friends!! Do it!

[[ Im in the pink shirt... running for an amazing cause, as well. Double bonus ]]

The scenery in Colorado is so inspiring, it brought tears to my eyes. If you ever question God's existance, you should probably go there... because its breathtaking, definitely no question that is God's creation in the background...

4 pictures of the cutest puppy ever (my doggie!!;D) ....

chillin in the sun <3

We rub da' belly... hahaha



His "Whatchu Lookin At" look ;)



Seriously, another picture? hahaha

4 Foods I am lovin' on this week....

Local Viking apples, I clearly cant control myself. bahaha

Dinner for 1 last night. Wine, Pita bread pizza w/ pesto/feta/veg. and a monster salad w/ more feta;) this counts for two foods im obsessed w/. Personal pizzas and Feta!!

and of course, I aint mad I have tons of taco soup leftover... nom!!!!

OK, time to get back to work... what are your Friday Four?? ;)

See you next post, my friends!! xoxo



My name is Amy and Im a FALL fanatic;)

Good Afternoon my loves!!!
Who doesnt love fall? Im sure some people... but I adore it!! Pumpkin, Apple, Spice, etc. MANY more crock pot recipes and fall-like flavors coming soon ;) ... head over to Jessica & Katie's blogs there is a whole lotta fall-lovin goin on there too!
Our trees are starting to change colors as well. Which is another huge reason hubby and I got married in fall. The weather and trees and... well everything;) Cant wait to head up north further for our anniversary! Its going to be GORG!

What is your fave. season??? Its def. a toss-up between fall and spring for me.

Im hoping by next week to be back at my normal workout routine, my sinuses and allergies have really thrown me for a loop this year.
Enough w/ the randomness here are pics of my eats over the last 24 hrs;)

Love these granola bars.

Lunch yesterday -- toasted sub just like on Tues. night + bbq popchips (my fave.)

Taco Soup - dinna' last night. Winner Winner Taco Soup Dinner![[also will be lunch today!]]

eats today... thus far;)

0% Blueberry Oikos + 1/4 C. Fiber One Honey Squares + 1 Nature Valley Granola Thin

Locally grown nommy apple (seriously like candy I couldnt wait to bite it! HAHA!), CAWFEE (I just wish it was fall flavored, go figure! Im IMPATIENT! :D), and Nature Valley Oats & Dark Chocolate. MMMM.

Taco Soup Leftovers topped w/ multigrain chips, light "simply" sour cream(krafts new stuff),red fat cheese, and green onion...sooooo good.

I ran more errands, getting ready for the weekend, I wanna just kick back and relax tomorrow and maybe go out for a couple cocktails... I feel like I've been on the go the last month, it will be nice to do whatever my heart desires:) thennnn wedding fun! YAY!

How R U all this afternoon???

Time to finish watching real housewives;) Ta-Ta!