Trix on a Stick!

This is a fun and easy treat to make- perfect for a party, get together, or holiday gathering!  Its like a rice krispie, but with Trix instead- much cuter and funner...i know, i know, thats not a word! :)

Here is what you need:
1 box of Trix cereal (10.7 oz)
1 bag of small marshmellows
Stick of butter (you wont use it all)
1 pkg mini jumbo sticks (you can find these at Hobby Lobby in the wood section)

Make 'Em:
In a microwave safe bowl put 1 package of small marshmellows nnd 2 tbs butter.

Cook on high for 3 minutes (watch it, every microwave is different- the first time we made it we had a marshmellow mountain explosion)

Next, butter your spatula- this makes stirring the stickiness much much easier!

Add 3/4 of the Trix box to the bowl of warm marshmellow mix- stir well.

Let cool for 10 minutes. (This helps it stick together better)

While you're waiting, butter a pan to place the trix balls on.

When you're ready to make the Trix balls, butter your hands so the mixture doesn't stick to your hands.  Re-butter your hands after every few Trix balls.

Grab a handful of Trix mix, roll into a firm ball in your hand and stick a stick in the middle of it.

Place it on your pan, and you're done!

Enjoy your yummy goodness!!! :)

Crockpot Tortilla Soup

This was my first ever crockpot cooking adventure- and now I see why crockpot cooking is such a hit! It was so easy and this recipe is soooo good- perfect meal for some winter time weather!

Total calories (without chips, sour cream, or cheese):  192.5 

Makes about 8 servings

Here is what you need:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 Cans of Rotel (the lime & cilantro one is really good, but the regular works fine too)
1 Can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Can Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Can Corn
1 Onion, chopped
2 Cans low sodium chicken broth
1-2 cups water
1 tbsp garlic powder*
1 tbsp chile powder*
1 tbsp ground cumin*
1 tbsp dried cilantro*
1 package Ranch Dip Mix

Tortilla chips
Sour Cream
Shredded Mexican blend cheese

*Instead of these individual spices, you can use a packet of Taco seasoning

Directions:
Put chopped onions, black beans, kidney beans, rotel, corn, chicken broth, water, Ranch Dip Mix, and spices (or pkt of taco seasoning) in crockpot and stir to mix.

Put chicken breasts on top, make sure they are submerged in liquid.

Cook on high 6-7 hours or low 8-9 hours

Before serving remove chicken from soup and shred, if needed.  (Sometimes they will fall apart on their own)

Return chicken to crock pot, stir to combine.

To serve, spoon into a bowl.  Top with tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese.

Enjoy :)

ICE Date

This is the perfect weekend winter time date- All the activities and clues are themed around ICE!  Its a laid back date with some romance mixed in :)

I left this clue out in the morning for my husband to find:

We had some Saturday morning errands to run, so on the way home to eat lunch I gave him his first clue:

Can you figure it out??  Time for an Icee!  We went and got Icees and then went home and made lunch- we went with a simple easy to make lunch- hot dogs and pepperoni rolls, make whatever you have on hand!

After lunch he got his next date card- which was for the game Dont Break the Ice:

We had so much fun playing this game! My husband definitely dominated- yes, he won every single game.  But it was so much fun laughing and being silly together!  

After that game, came our 2nd game:

ICE Wars!   Each person gets a bowl of 5 ice cubes- the first person to get all their cubes in the other persons shirt or pants- WINS! Get ready for some major laughing :)

Up next??? Time for some romance:

Downtown OKC has an outdoor skating rink at this time of year- what is more romantic than that :)

Up next was our dinner clue! (If you're not hungry you can move some of the date cards after dinner to before, or take some time to do some Saturday errands you still need to do!)

Dinner was Chili's-  get it? ICE is Chilly so we went to "Chilly's'.  We had a gift card here, which is why we went.  However, if you dont have a gift card and are trying to save money, like us, you can make some Chili at home (still the same play on words effect)!

After dinner it was time to relax- and the next date clue was just for that!

The clue is an ice cube, and then I put a 28 which represented Brian's age-  for Ice Age.  Its a cute movie and a great time to just relax and cuddle up with your love.

One last clue on this date:

No words needed for this clue! Gotta end the date with some ICE cream :)

Cost of the Date?

          Icees: $1.50

          Game $5.00 (you could also ask around a borrow from a friend)

          Ice Skating $10 per person (includes skate rental)

          Dinner & Movie- Free  (you can rent this movie for $2 at Family Video)

          Ice Cream:  Free (made our own sundae at home)

Entire Cost of the date: $26.50-- Wow! Thats so worth an entire day of fun with your spouse!

      

Hope you enjoy this date as much as we did! We didn't stop smiling and laughing the entire day!

Skinny Quesadillas & Mango Twist Salsa

What is better than Mexican food??  HEALTHY Mexican Food!  Here is a wonderful recipe for Quesadillas with a "Mango Twist" salsa.  My husband has not stopped talking about this salsa- it is definitely worth making!


Mango Twist Salsa
This has a great combination of flavors, sweet and salty, with a tangy hint of lime!

Serving Size: 1/2 cups, Makes 5 servings, 120 calories per serving

1 mango, peeled and diced
1 avacado, peeled and diced
1 plum tomato, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 jalepeno, seeded and diced (I bought a can of diced jalepenos)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I just used the spice)
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (I used the store bought lime juice)
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and let marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes before serving

*This is great for chicken, over grilled fish, or a dip for chips!

(recipe adapted from Skinny Taste- Salsa)


Skinny Quesadillas:

Serving size 2 quesadillas, Calories: 387 per serving

4 oz chicken breast
cumin
oregano
garlic powder
salt and pepper
cooking spray
1/4 bell pepper cut into strips (green or red)
1/8 small onion, cut in strips
1/4 clove garlic, minced
3/4 tsp oil
1/3 cup Mexican blend shredded cheese
1/4 cup Mango Twist Salsa
2 whole flour tortilla

Season chicken generously with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder.

Lightly spray a skillet on medium heat with cooking spray and cook chicken on both sides until done.

Remove the Chicken from the skillet and cut into strips, set aside.

In the skillet, add 3/4 tsp oil and cook the peppers and onions- season with salt and pepper.

Cook 2 minutes, add garlic, and keep cooking until vegetables are soft (be careful not to burn garlic).  When cooked, set aside.

In another skillet,  lightly spray with cooking spray, and turn on medium heat.

Add tortilla,  fill half of the tortilla with 1/2 of the quesadilla makings: chicken, cheese, onions, peppers, and mango twist salsa. Fold over the tortilla to make a quesadilla.

When the cheese has melted and the bottom is golden brown, flip the quesadilla over.

Cook a little longer, until bottom is golden brown.

Place quesadilla on a plate, cut into wedges.

Serve with sour cream.

The Mango twist salsa is also wonderful as a dip for chips!

(recipe adapted from Skinny Taste- Quesadilla)

IT'S FATE- ILL NEVER BE BOARD WITH YOU!

I loved this date!  Its so simple and budget friendly- and so fun! It starts off with a dinner based on "fate" and then fun with board games that have a little marriage strengthening twist :)

Dinner: Fate Burgers!  

First, make a list of burger toppings- be sure to include some traditional as well as some fun & unique toppings.  We made 4 lists, with up to 6 options on each card-  we made one for cheeses, dressings, extras, and specials.

      Cheeses:  American, Pepperjack, Mozz, Swiss

      Dressings:  Mayo, Ranch, BBQ, Mustard, Chipoltle, Avacado

      Extras: Tomato, Bacon, Pickles, Lettuce

      Specials: Fried Onions, Fried Egg, French Fries, Mushrooms, Grilled      Pineapple, Fritos

Get as creative as you want!

Okay, now comes the fun part- Since the date is centered around board games, you roll for your burger toppings! This is what makes it a "FATE" burger :)

You will roll one dice for each card. The number the dice lands on is what you make your burger with- we played with one "do-over" and one extra roll of our choice.

(You will notice I don't make fancy printables,  I just write on paper with Sharpee- 1. I don't have the money &  2. I don't have the time to spend making them!  You can do these however fancy or simple you want!)

Once your Fate has been determined, write out your own burger on a card, name it, and cook it! :)
 -you can make turkey burgers for a healthier option!

After dinner we had some quality time playing Yahtzee- with a twist!  (You can get the game at a Target or Walmart for $7, if you dont already have it)

I made cards that corresponded to each category you can get points for.  As you write those points down, you grab the card, turn it over and do the marriage building activity on the back.

  We ended up playing more board games to finish out our date night-We had so much fun being silly together, laughing, and making memories!

Total cost of this date for us= $0 .... and we still talk about what a great night it was!