insta-Wednesday #2

Welcome to another edition of insta-Wednesday!  I’m enjoying this weekly post!  I get to share bits of my life that might not be worthy of a complete blog post, yet nonetheless fun to share!

so here we go… enjoy!!!

-Kel

finally made it back to the gym!  not bad for an 8 month hiatus!

my BOMB.COM nephews and nieces

i mean.. can it get any better!  i love him :)

just another day in paradise

  

{eat me} FREEZER MEAL: Baked Oatmeal

In January I posted a recipe from Skinny Taste that I dubbed, Double B Baked Oatmeal (check it out).

ANYHOW - I couldn't finish the whole pan by myself, and Mr. Instant wasn't really into trying it.  I decided to freeze the leftovers in hopes of salvaging my hard work.  Two days this past week I zapped it in the microwave and it was PPPEEERRRRFFFEECCCTT!!  One morning I did it straight from the freezer to the microwave and zapped that bad boy for 4 minutes while I got ready.  Another morning I brought the frozen baggie with me to work (I ended up taking Mr. Instant to work as well, so that was maybe hour and a half defrosting time), then put the oatmeal square in a bowl and microwaved it for 2 1/2 minutes.

I enjoy my baked oatmeal with skim milk and a little extra nuts on top!

LESSON?  Don't have oatmeal lovers in your house, but want to make a batch!! Perfectly fine!  Once the oatmeal is set up (preferably in the fridge after you've baked it), individually bag them and freeze till ready to thaw and warm in microwave!

-Kel

Life Post #2

Happy Sunday ALL!!!

Welcome to another Life Post :-).  Quite a few things have been in the works this week.  Mr. Instant's birthday is coming up and so I am prepping for that!  Presents have already been ordered through Amazon.  Cupcake Toppers have been made through Publisher.  The Banner has been semi-made too.  I've kind of slacked on this, so I'm expecting next week (and especially the weekend) to be extremely busy!

Besides, the birthday - I've decided to open a store on Etsy.  I am in the process of selling my Dad's famous seasoning salt.  He passed almost 3 years ago, and this was something he and I had wanted to do before he passed.  Maybe a little more on that story a little later.  We always got encouragement from friends that he would give his special salt to, to market the salt and that it would be in high demand.  My goal is to start on Etsy.  Baby steps!  Today I'm actually in the process of converting the small batch recipe to a bulk recipe.  OH THE CALCULATIONS!  Once I get to selling it, I'll be sharing EXCLUSIVE recipes that include his salt to blog, FB and Twitter followers that purchase the salts!

On the health front - ugh, why do guys think we can eat like them and keep the same weight!  ON A GOOD NOTE - I got my booty into the gym finally again!  No membership yet, but that will be happening soon.  I feel like the Green Monster Smoothies don't fill me up as much as I'd like.  My mornings are so busy it is much easier to just eat breakfast once I get to work.  The hard thing is that by the time I get to work I've been up for 3-4 hours, and that isn't a good thing.  WHAT IS A GIRL TO DO??  Well - I've heard that eating fruits on an empty stomach is the best way to do that... that said...

I'M SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING A JUICER.

but until then, I'll stick to my little Oster Travel n Go blender.  Today I'll be picking up a whole bunch of frozen fruits and spinach, and blending them the night before.  Then once I get to work I'll have my baked oatmeal.  Let's see how that works out for this week.  

any TIPS, TRICKS, ADVICE?? send them my way!

-KEL

Pinterest Thursdays #5

WELCOME to another edition of PINTEREST THURSDAY!

I hope you all have been enjoying it, because I definitely enjoying posting favorite pins :-)
This week I'm doing things a little differently, there are just so many pins I've wanted to mention already, and I keep adding new ones each day.

This week I decided to feature some of my favorite HOME DIYs and SINFUL DESSERTS!

Top to Bottom; Left to Right

1.  VHS Display Storage - by Heidi at Sisustuskarpanen
2. Easy DIY Shelves - by Whitney at Shanty 2 Chic
3. Instagram Gallery - by Kevin at Kevin Hail Photography
4. DIY Crate Shelving - by Holly at My Sister's Suitecase

Top to Bottom; Left to Right

1. Cake Box German Chocolate Bundt Cake - by Crystal at Mrs Happy Homemaker
2. Red Velvet Cookies with Cream Cheese Swirl - by Jenn at Eat Cake for Dinner
3. Banana Nut Bread - by Lindy at Itsy Bitsy Paper
4. Oreo Pudding Poke Cake - by Brandie at The Country Cook

I hope you've enjoyed these collections!! Next week I'll be featuring some favorite St. Patrick's Day pins and probably my favorite Kitchen Tips... you'll have to check back to see!!

Have an amazing day all!!

-Kel

insta-WEDNESDAY #1

I have ended the What in the World Wednesday series because I - just wasn't feeling it.  But I have a new replacement that I am absolutely excited about.  

...say hello to...

insta-WEDNESDAYS

Once a week I'll post up some of my favorite instagram pics that I uploaded from the previous week...

lets get started!

Valentine's Day - This is what welcomed me home!! :-) Isn't he the best!

Our hands into hearts! It was the best Valentine's ever!

New Elephant exhibit at the Zoo (took lil instant on President's Day)

Yesterday's sunrise - coming home after dropping off Mr. Instant to work.

 

 

Why don't you all share some of your favorite pics from the last week!! Or link your posts in the comments below! Have a great hump day!!

-Kel

{eat me} Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Dream Cupcakes

 

Mrs. Happy Homemaker is a GENIUS!!!  I seen her post last week for Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cupcakes, and my sweet tooth jumped for JOY!!  Perfect timing - I had a dinner this week with my family, and I figured it would be the perfect dessert.

I really wanted to do a Raspberry Dream, but the store I went to didn't have any Raspberry JELL-O, so I bought Strawberry and Cherry - and Mr. Instant chose Strawberry!

As Crystal mentions in her post, this is more of a method than a recipe!  

As shared in my Skinny Valentine’s Brownie post, I have some Ghiradelli Brownie mix.  So I mixed that according to package directions.  Then I mixed (according to package directions), a white cake mix.  I sprayed my muffin tins with Bakers Joy (its a nonstick spray with flour, iLove)!  

Then I layered a spoonful of brownie mix on the bottom and then about two spoonfuls of white cake mix.  The cake mix called for it to be baked at 325 for 18-23 minutes.  20 minutes was perfect for me!  I yielded about 30 cupcakes.

After the cakes cooled, I poked the top of them with a fork.  Then I mixed Strawberry JELL-O mix with 1 cup of boiling water till it dissolved and then added 1 cup of cold water.  After the JELL-O mix cooled a little, I ladled them over the cupcakes on a cooling rack with a pan underneath.  (I ladled each cake twice with the JELL-O, then once I did all the cakes, I ladled the JELL-O liquid again over each cake twice.

Let them set in the fridge for 1 1/2 to 2 hours and then frosted them with cream cheese frosting.

{print me} An Irish Proverb

Since re-entering the blogging world at the beginning of the year, I've seen tons of printables throughout the blogs I follow and on Pinterest.  I figured I'd start creating my own - so here is my VERY first printable.  I hope to publish a whole bunch more!!  I seen this Irish Proverb at my local Murphy's Bar and Grill - doesn't every great city have a Murphy's????  Me and Mr. Instant - instantly fell in love with it, so I figured I'd share it with the rest of you! :-)

To download, click the picture of the color you want.  These print out on 8 1/2 x 11 (letter) sheets.

Irish Proverb in Green

Irish Proverb in Grey

Irish Prover in Pink

Irish Proverb in Turquoise

Enjoy!! Please do not distribute as your own work, or commercially sell it.

Thanks!

-Kel

{eat me} Homemade Fat Free Ranch

I cannot stand FAT FREE RANCH DRESSING.  I think it is disgusting, and I don't even know why it is marketed!!!  Well I know why, but I don't know how people can eat the stuff.  I think it is .. ugh - MOVING ON!!!

I love to create my own, FAT FREE RANCH... and recently I've been able to create it completely from scratch!!!  Before I used to use ranch packets from the store and mix it with 1 cup of fat free sour cream (or sometimes lite) and 1 cup of fat free greek yogurt.  But now, I've read up on a couple of ranch seasoning recipes and have come to create my own ranch seasoning mix.  Let me tell you - I haven't eaten this many veggies in a while!!!

Homemade Fat Free Ranch Dressing
2 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp celery salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried dill
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp freshly cracked pepper

6-8 ounces fat free Greek yogurt
8 ounces fat free sour cream

My parsley was a little bit chunky, so I decided to run all the herbs (parsley, dill and basil) through my spice grinder for a smoother seasoning mix.  Then I mixed in the rest of the dry seasonings (celery salt, garlic and onion powder and pepper).  In a bowl combine the Greek Yogurt and Sour Cream, add the ranch seasoning and stir.  Let set up in the fridge (if you can wait that long!)  As is – this is more like a dip; but to stretch it out and use as a dressing thin it with either skim milk or water.

{eat me} Chili Cheese Potato Skins

This recipe completely screams LEFTOVERS!  And it is a perfect "in between" dinner.  Meaning - use your left over chili, and get a head start on tomorrow's dinner!

You'll Need:
Potatoes

Chili (Leftover, Fresh or Canned)

Cheese

I used two jumbo russet potatoes for this dinner (for me and the Mr.).  First you poke holes with a fork on all sides of your potato.  Then I nuked them in the microwave on a plate.  You want the potatoes to be soft so that you can easily scoop out the potato.  For my jumbos it took about 8 minutes, but it could take as little as 5 minutes, depending on your potato!  Trial and error works best.

Once the potatoes are cooled enough to handle, slice lengthwise.  Scoop out the potatoes and save for tomorrow night's dinner (possibly! maybe some pork chops and garlic mash - or even some ribeyes).Again, pending on your potato, you may want to quarter them (I did, for the jumbos).  Foil and spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.  Place the potato skins on the sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

Take the skins out of the oven, and top with left over chili and cheese.  Put it back in the oven for 5 more minutes until the cheese melts.  (SIDENOTE:  I forgot to warm up my chili, so I left it in a little longer).

Enjoy with a light beer and a good comedy with your hubby or loved ones!

PS:  If you don't want to go through the hassle of making chili - but really want these skins - hello STAG's!! Canned chili would be a perfect substitute for this too!!

-Kel

Linking Here: Menu Plan Monday

Life Post #1

Last week, Mr. Instant and myself had quite a SERIOUS conversation about where we are headed in life, where we want to be and things of that nature.  

Back in 2006 and 2007 I lost a good amount of weight and was pretty healthy.  Life took a turn on a road I never thought I'd be on and it ended up effecting my health (maybe I'll share that story another day).  For the past year I've been trying to get it together and always stumble.  At times I'd stay on the ground a little longer than others.  This current stumble is going on three weeks and it needs to be over... Once and for all.

I don't have a BIG PLAN OF ACTION.. MEAL PLAN.. EXERCISE PLAN.. etc.  I do have a Weight Watchers online subscription (the iPhone apps to boot) and Pinterest.  I'm just going to take this one step at a time, instead of going all GUNG HO (is that just a local phrase?)

First Step - New Breakfast!  Two weeks or so ago I came across a pin from Iowa Girl Eats for a Green Monster Smoothie.  Now peanut butter and spinach - I know (disgusting).  BUT .. I have to say.. the smoothie is pretty darn yummy and quite filling.  Its not to LATE to start on those month and half late New Years Resolutions... anyone want to join me?!

-Kel

Pinterest Thursday #4

BEFORE I get into this week's Pinterest post - can I just say I LOVE posting these!!! There are so many crazy, fun, unique, genius ideas on Pinterest I can't stand it! Well I can, but you know what I mean.  So Valentine's is finally over - and though I'm sad I "shouldn't" post anymore Valentine Pinterest ideas - I can now share all the other wonderful pins I've come across - or posted myself!

by Jenny at Plum Adorable

Today's pin is from Jenny over at Plum Adorable, who I've (just so happened) featured before :).  CLICK HERE!  Before her post, I did see this type of project done before - but using a bleach pen, opposed to watered down concentrate just seems so much more cleaner and fuss free! Go Jenny GO!  Recently I've been on a Fitness board kick, where I'm just posting a ton of Fitness "to do's".  What have you been pinning lately!?!

-Kel

{eat me} Milk Chocolate Cake Cookies

Chocoholics REJOICE!  I finally found a chocolate based cookie, that has great taste!!  The great thing is that its a cake mix cookie recipe which means its an easy, quick no-brainer to whip up in a jiffy :-)!  These cookies are firm to the touch, but soft when you bite into them!

A note on cake mix cookies - you need to shape them in the way you want them to bake, they don't expand like regular cookie recipes.  After I dropped my cookies, I flattened them with the back of a spoon.

Milk Chocolate Cake Cookies:

1 box of Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Cake Mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

Optional:

Frosting

Sprinkles

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  In a mixing bowl combine the cake mix, eggs and oil.  Spoon cookie dough onto a dark, un-greased cookie sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes.  I waited till I could smell the cookies and then I knew they were ready.  Let cool as decorate to your heart's content!  For my cookies I spread cream cheese frosting over them and sprinkled red sprinkles on top!

What in the World Wednesdays #3

I am a total fan of Japanese food.  I love sushi, love tempura and LOVE soba noodles.  About five years ago I was introduced to this AMAZING Japanese dessert called HONEY TOAST!  I don't think it is a traditional dessert, but I've only had it in Japanese restaurants.

The first time my college best friend visited me, I took her to have this great dessert.  When I oodled and praised the Honey Toast, she thought I was out of my mind.  Who gets crazy over bread, butter, honey and ice cream... Nevertheless, on her next visit - it was the first thing she ate after she got off the plane!

I've never tried to replicate the dessert at home, but for those that would like to try, if you can't find a restaurant that serves it, this recipe seems pretty on point.  Um - now I think I know where I'm going for dessert tonight!!

Apartment Gardening

Finally, I started gardening! 

For years I've wanted to garden.  I love the idea of fresh herbs and produce, all at your finger tips.  Thanks to Mr. Instant, he helped me get started and I'm loving it! 

Since we do live on the second floor of our little complex, it is a patio pot garden, but nevertheless, I have one!!  I thought I share pictures of the what we have and take you on my first gardening adventure :) 

So send some good gardening wishes my way and lets hope for the best!!!! Any patio gardening tips out there??? Please, please please please send them my way!! Happy Monday all!

{eat me} Bacon Ranch Potatoes

I mean, come on!  WHO DOESN'T LOVE RANCH?!?  I love finding different ways to use seasonings, and this recipe is the most comforting little side, I could eat it all by it's self!  A year or so ago, I made cornflake potatoes, and it was there that I learned the whole "cream of whatever" trick with cheese and ooey gooey greatness!  So I flipped the switch, turned up the heat, and did quite a variation on it.

I served this with pork chops and a side of brussel sprouts cooked in the chops drippings and some I Can’t Believe It's Not Butter!

 

Bacon Ranch Potatoes

3 Large Potatoes (more like Jumbo, I got mine at Costco)2 Cream of Mushroom, 98% Fat Free2 Ranch Packets1 pkg Turkey BaconCheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Cook up a package of Turkey Bacon (you gotta munch on some while you’re making this concoction right!) Boil almost diced, but roughly chopped potatoes (or zap um in the microwave for 2 minute increments).  Spray a baking pan with non-stick spray and add potatoes.  In a bowl mix cream of mushroom with the ranch packets.  Pour over and mix with potatoes.  Sprinkle cheese over potatoes and mix in.  Top with crumbled bacon.  Bake for 25-30 minutes uncovered.  As soon you take the pan out of the oven, sprinkle with extra cheese and let it melt.

TUTORIAL: iPhone 3D Valentine Cards

1. SNAP IT

Take a photo of your lovely lil one sticking their fist out at an angle.  I suggest using strictly a camera app, versus an editing app so you can take multiple pictures at once and then choose the best one.

2. SPICE IT

Cut the photo to a 4x4 either using the Instagram app or Photo Studio app.



Add filters, effects and text to your heart’s desire.  I used the Vignette 5 effect in Photo Studio, then the Dynamic preset in Photogene 2.  Lastly, I added text using Phonto.

3. SEND IT

Sent it to a printer.  You can use the PostalPix app to have high quality pictures delivered to your front door, or you could email it to yourself and print it through your computer.  SEE NOTE AT END OF TUTORIAL FOR COMPUTER PRINTING TIPS.

4. STICK IT

(Prior to sticking, I backed my photo with a 5x5 piece of red cardstock).  Using an exacto knife, cut a slit at the top of the lil one’s fist and at the bottom.  Stick the lollipop through

AND YOUR DONE!!

NOTE:  If printing through the computer, make sure to resize the pic to a 4x4 or 5x5.  Two programs I like to use are Microsoft Publisher and IrfanView (you can download IrfanView for free!)  You can even add it to a Word document so you can print multiple photos on a sheet of paper.

Pinterest Thursday #3

Well - this is the last Pinterest Thursday before Valentine's Day.  With that in mind, instead of showing just one project, I thought I'd do a round up of my most favorite pins on my Valentine's Board!  Check out Pinterest #2 and Pinterest #1 for other favorites.

by Rachel at Simple Girl at Home

This was one of the first Valentine projects I fell in love with.  I seriously considered doing this for my co-workers, but decided against it since I work with mostly men.  Now that I think of it though, maybe I can make them for my girlfriends and have them over for a girlie movie night!  A cook can never have enough wooden spoons!  I think I'll use silicone spatulas though.

by Rae and Jane at ARMOMMY

These little cards are genius!  So many crafts play up on words, and I love that genius creativity!  I don't have it :( .. but at any rate, these are super cute!  And you can print these off as Rae and Jane generously offer these as a free printable!

by Alison at Oopsey Daisy

SCRATCH OFFS!!!  You don't know how excited I was to learn that you can create your own scratch offs at home.  And oh-boy, have the ideas been churning.  I want to do this for Mr. Instant.  I'm thinking "10 Ways You Melt My Heart"! Since he is a construction worker, maybe instead of my usual napkin notes, I'll send one with him each day for 10 days!

And that's all she wrote!

What in the World Wednesday #2

Today I'm featuring a Moroccan inspired pattern.  I love Moroccan decor, and at one point fell in love with a pattern at Thibaut design ($$$) and wanted to purchase the wall paper and fabric to makeover my bedroom - but that did not work out quite so well.

via Jen Jones on Pinterest

Seeing this pattern on Pinterest reminded me of that, and my love for Moroccan decor.  I thought this series would be the perfect opportunity to talk about it.  I still would like to put a little Moroccan flavor into my bedroom!  Maybe I could incorporate large printables and such.  Any ideas out there? Let me know!

Has anyone ever had Moroccan cuisine?  I, for one, love it!  I was first introduced to it in Portland, Oregon at a restaurant in the Alphabet district on NW 23rd, called Marrakesh.  A five course dinner for less than $20 - yes please!  Anyhow, please be sweet and leave a comment below and tell me what cultures have been inspiring you lately!

Next week I will be featuring my FAVORITE Japanese dessert :), stay tuned!

{eat me} VALENTINE'S SKINNY BROWNIES

This idea had been churning in my head for quite some time.  The first time I heard about baking with diet soda was through Hungry Girl.  Lately, I've been seeing many different cake ideas using soda, even "cakes for one", so I decided to give it a GO!

One day, I was rummaging through my pantry when I found a Costco box of Ghirardelli Brownie Mix that was given to us.  When we first received it we thought we'd just donate it to the food pantry because, "we didn't need it."  However, that day I found it, skinny personal brownies came to mind.  So I tried it out using the 3-2-1 method, and it worked like a charm!!

Skinny Brownie (for One):

Baker's Joy (or PAM)

Brownie Mix

Diet Soda

In a small glass prep bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of brownie mix with 2 tablespoons of diet soda.  After it fizzes, mix till combined.  Pour into another small glass prep bowl, that has been sprayed with Baker's Joy or PAM.  Microwave for 1 minute and enjoy!

NOTE: You can skip using two bowls and just mix, then microwave.  But to get the glass to come out clean, use a nonstick spray.

{eat me} Turkey Sausage Egg Muffins

I got the idea to make these from Kayln's Kitchen and her Phase 1 recipes she featured in January.  These ended up working out great for Mr. Instant and I, as we tend to be rushed in the morning.  Is it just us, or is everyone like that!?!  Anyhow - on to the recipe!

Turkey Sausage Egg Muffins

1 pkg Jennie-O Frozen Turkey Sausage, cooked

12 Eggs

Veggies (I used: 1/2 Green Bell Pepper, diced; 3-4 Asparagus, chopped and 2 stalks Green Onion, sliced)

Reduced Fat Cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  I would either use silicone muffin liners or just spray the muffin tins because the paper liners didn't do so well.  Kalyn actually recommends the silicone ones (you can purchase it from Amazon).  Spray your tin or liners with nonstick spray.  Whisk the eggs.  Place sausage, veggies and cheese in the muffin tins.  Fill with egg mixture, 3/4 way.  Top with a little bit more cheese and green onion.  Bake for 20 minutes!

Store these babies in the fridge and have 1 to 2 for breakfast in the morning :-)

How I: Declog Your Kitchen Sink

HOUSTON, HOUSTON – WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY!

Thursday night, Mr. Instant (as I’ll now refer the DB to) decided to help me out in the kitchen since I needed to run to the grocery store after work to pick up a few items for him.  I made Pork Chops with Bacon Ranch Potatoes (recipe coming soon!) and Sautéed Brussel Sprouts.

Source: Arm & Hammer Website

After Mr. Instant sliced off the skins of the potatoes, he mounted it over the garbage disposal, and ran those skins down through all at one time.  NEEDLESS to say, we had a majorly clogged sink.

Once we made sure the disposal was fine, he then proceeded to drain the water from the sink.  He found the part of the piping that was clogged, and luckily we could get the water that had built up in the sink to drain out (messily, with potato skin bits EVERYWHERE).

Source: Heinz Vinegar Website

Next, was to tackle the POTATO CLOG.  iPhone Savvy Instant Mom to the Rescue!  I googled how to unclog drains and came up with a safe, toxic free solution from USAPlumbing.

We mixed equal parts of baking soda and vinegar in a large tub, and let it fizz, then poured it down the drain.  We did it a couple of times and let it sit.  Next we ran hot water through the pipes for a good 3 minutes.  And VOILA!  DRAIN UNCLOGGED!

Very thankful to have a handy Mr. Instant around! Team Instant did well!

NOTE TO MR. INSTANT: Just throw those darned potato skins in the trash!

Pinterest Thursday #2

I am absolutely in love with these 3D Cards that have been making their way around Pinterest for Valentine's Day.  I found two different blog posts on them and am featuring them both today for Pinterest Thursday

by Heidi at The Frugal Girls

by Eighteen25

I really want to do this with my DB's son or nephews for them to pass out in their classes for Valentine's Day!  I'll probably just use my iPhone to take the pictures and probably adjust them with one of my many, fun photo apps!

What projects are you interested in doing for Valentine's Day?

What in the World Wednesday #1

This week I'm starting a new series, What in the World Wednesday!  WWW is all about recipes, crafts, decor and everything else from around the world.  Mostly things that I've never heard of before, from different countries and cultures all around the world.

Carne Guisada from Gina at Skinny Taste

Today I am featuring Carne Guisada.  This recipe was introduced to me by the Skinny Taste blog.  Guisada is "stewed meat" or "meat and gravy", and is a Latin dish.  I've seen Mexican recipes as well as Puerto Rican versions of Guisada around the web.  Google it!

When I read the ingredients on Gina's blog at Skinny Taste, my mouth pretty much salivated with all of that goodness.  This recipe is definitely on my list of recipes to try and I hope you try it too!