Fun Friday

 This fun friday is southwestern style! Here are some spicy recipes that will have your family begging you to make it again! Have a great weekend.



Chicken taco chili...only about 200 calories a serving and made 8 servings! 1 can black beans, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can corn kernels, 16 oz tomato sauce, 28 oz diced tomatoes, packet taco seasoning, 1 tbsp chili powder, 3 boneless chicken breasts. 6 hours high or 10 hours low in the crock pot.

Rachael Ray's Southwestern Chili Con Queso Pasta Bake1 pound penne rigate (ridged penne)
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 tablespoon ground cumin (1 palmful)
1 tablespoon roasted ground coriander (1 palmful)

2 tablespoons chili powder (2 palmfuls)
Coarse black pepper
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3-5 garlic cloves, chopped (we really like garlic so I put in more, the recipe calls for 3)
1 jalepeño
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (2 palmfuls)
2 cups milk
3/4 pound cheddar cheese (about 2 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves (a generous handful), chopped
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (a few handfuls) chopped
1 14-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

Preheat the broiler to high and position the rack 8 inches from the heat.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the boiling water and cook the pasta until slightly undercooked--a little chewy at the center.

While the water is coming to a boil, preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the hamburger. When the hamburger is almost finished, but still a little pink, throw in the garlic, jalepeño, and onions and finish cooking until the burger is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain the grease from the skillet and mix in the cumin, coriander and chili powder. Take off the heat or turn heat down low.

In a medium sauce pot (and you can do this while you're browning the hamburger), melt the butter and add the flour to it. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes over moderate heat and then whisk in the milk. When the milk comes to a bubble, stir in the cheese, cilantro and parsley with a wooden spoon. When the cheese has melted, stir in the tomatoes.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it back into the large pot. Add the contents of the hamburger and all of the Cheddar sauce, and stir to combine. Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with a bit more cheese if you wish, and place under the broiler to lightly brown.

It says it makes 4 servings, but with a salad, can easily feed 6! It was another hit in our house! I also think it would do well in a crockpot to take to a potluck. Just add a bit more milk to the cheese mixture so it doesn't get too dried out. I'm going to try it for the next potluck we have and we usually have plenty of potlucks throughout the year!




Tex-Mex Chicken Salad

                                           

6PointsPlus Value

Prep time: 20 min

Cook time: 25 min

Serves: 6

               

Ingredients 1 1/4 pound(s) uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast(s) 1/2 cup(s) fat-free mayonnaise 1/4 cup(s) fat-free sour cream 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/4 tsp chili powder 1 small sweet red pepper(s), chopped 1 small green pepper(s), chopped 2 medium uncooked scallion(s), sliced 15 1/4 oz canned yellow corn, drained and rinsed 1 cup(s) canned black beans, drained and rinsed Instructions Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place chicken in a glass baking dish and bake until juices run clear, about 25 minutes. Chop into bite-size pieces; set aside. (Or save time by purchasing already cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast.) In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, cumin and chili powder. Stir in chicken, peppers, scallions and corn; mix well. Gently fold in beans; cover and chill at least two hours. Yields about 1 cup per serving. Chili Rellenos Casserole 1 lb. grass-fed beef 1/2 onion, chopped 2 cans whole green chilies 1 can green chilies, chopped longhorn cheese 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups milk 1/4 cup flour red pepper ~ Directions: Preheat oven to 375. Brown meat and onion. Add salt and pepper and about 1 T. of red pepper. In a casserole dish, place whole green chiles on the bottom. Top with cheese, then meat. Add another layer of grated cheese and then the can of chopped green chilies. Mix 4 eggs and milk. Add flour, mix well and pour over dish. Bake at 375 for about 50 minutes. Cover with foil halfway through cooking if it gets too brown. Content Credit: http://greencattlebeef.com/blog/index.php/must-make-casserole/ -Denea Duran 

National Blueberry Muffin Day!

Today is National Blueberry Muffin Day

The closest you can get to eating a cupcake for breakfast, the blueberry muffin is a healthy-ish way to start the day and much more portable than a bowl of oatmeal. The people of Minnesota like them so much, they made the blueberry muffin their official state muffin. So, in a way, when you treat yourself to one today, you're celebrating the muffin and Minnesota. Kill two birds with one muffin.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups fresh blueberries, (may use frozen)
• 2 tablespoons sugar, for topping

Preparation:

In a medium mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well; stir in milk. Combine dry ingredients and add to the mixture; stir to combine. Gently fold in blueberries. Fill greased muffin cups about 2/3 full. Sprinkle tops with a little sugar. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Makes about 12 muffins.

 

 

 Content Credit: http://delicious-cooks.com/blueberry-muffins.html

 -Denea Duran

Tips for a Heat Wave

With the temperature in the triple digits, it almost seems impossible to stay cool! Here are some great tips with dealing with this heat wave!

What should I do during a heat wave?

• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
• Eat small meals and eat more often.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities.
• Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
• Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
• Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.

-Denea Duran
Picture Credit: Google Image

Things you should know about body scrubs

Instead of paying big bucks for the "top of the line" products here are some great facts about the main ingredients that you find in these expensive products. The best part is you can make these scrubs yourself. Everyday this week I will release a great scrub! So come back for more!

Strawberries: Teeth whitener. Decreases appearance of dilated pores.

Brown Sugar: Excellent exfoliation for sensitive skin.

Lemons: Natural disinfectant, deodorizer and astringent is a natural body cleanser and skin lighter.

Oats: Relieve dryness. Restores natural moisture balance to help heal minor irritations.

Brown Sugar Lemony Body Scrub

This particular scrub has lemon, which works as a natural disinfectant. It will open up and cleanse clogged pores. The oils from the mixture will leave you with soft, healthy glowing skin.

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sea salt
2 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
1 tbsp of honey
2 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp of your favorite essential oil (I recommend bergamot for energy, eucalyptus or spearmint for stress relief and lavender or jasmine for something more relaxing.)
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until it turns into a paste. Apply to moist skin in circular motion using your fingertips to help skin cells slough off faster. Rinse off with warm water. Apply your favorite moisturizer. Results: smooth, soft glowing skin.



-Denea Duran

Fun Friday

Here are some great DIY projects that are cheap, and most of the tools you have laying around your home! Enjoy!


This punch was AMAZING … so good. Very refreshing, very crisp … perfect for a baby shower! I found the recipe on Pinterest, but here it is for y’all as well:
1 cup Countrytime Lemonade mix {or the likes}
2 cups cold water
1 can of chilled pineapple juice {46 oz}
2 cans chilled Sprite {or the likes}
Mix together and add lemon slices to make pretty … FIN.

Content Credit: http://www.froggyandthemouse.com/events/you-are-my-sunshine-a-baby-shower

Here's the method: All you need is a sharpie (any color) and a porcelain dish that you want to permanently alter. You can even use super cheap mugs from the dollar store to create gifts or party favors. Just draw on the surface of your mug and bake it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow them to cool completely before washing or using.

Photo Centerpiece How-To... Disassemble three like-sized frames, setting aside their fronts and discarding their backings. Paint or stain wooden frames desired color; let dry. Upload or scan photographs into a computer. With editing software, make the images black and white, and resize them to fit your frames. Print them onto vellum paper with an ink-jet printer. Slip the images into the frames. Using cloth tape, hinge frames together to form a triangle. Stand frames around a candle in a protective glass holder. Content Credit: http://www.weddingbycolor.com/soontobekelly -Denea Duran

Red, White and Blue Pet Contest

Does your pet have what it takes? In honor of America’s birth, we are holding a special contest. Dress your pet in RED, WHITE AND BLUE and post the picture to our Facebook wall. All photos must be submitted between July 4th and July 6th to qualify. The photo with the most “Likes” will win a $25 Visa Gift Card! Now how patriotic is that?

** Due to Territorial Policies you must live or work in Lexington County to participate to win**

Post your pictures to our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/servprowestcolumbialexington

Marvelous Monday

If you thought I forgot about Fun Friday you are wrong. Thought I would give you recipes for the Holiday right before the day! With 4th of July in 2 days here are some recipes you can make to bring to the lake, beach or pool party! Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 boxed chocolate cake mix (I used sugar free)

1 small can of pumpkin puree 15 ounce

6 ounces of chocolate chips

**MAKES 48 mini cupcakes**

I made large ones.

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix together cake mix and canned pumpkin. It is best to use a mixer for about 2 minutes on medium speed to get fluffier cupcakes.
Add in almost all of the 6 ounces of chocolate chips
Put in a muffin tin with liners. Batter is dense and does not rise much so these can be filled to the top.
Add a few tiny chips to the tops.
Bake for 22-25 min until a toothpick inserted comes out clean!
**ENJOY!**

Brownie Kebabs

*Makes 16-20 kebabs (depending on how big you cut the brownies and how many brownie pieces you thread on the skewer)
INGREDIENTS:
9X13-inch pan of Brownies (chilled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
1 pint blueberries, washed
1 pint strawberries, washed and hulled
Large marshmallows
Hot Fudge Sauce for drizzling, if desired
Bamboo/wooden skewers
DIRECTIONS:
Alternate threading brownies, fruit and marshmallows onto wooden skewers. Drizzle with hot fudge sauce, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Content Credit: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2012/06/brownie-fruit-kebabs.html

Red, White ‘n’ Blue Jello Salad

• 1 package (3 ounces) berry blue gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water,divided
• 2-1/2 cups cold water, divided
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced

1. In a bowl, dissolve the berry blue gelatin in 1 cup boiling water; stir in 1 cup cold water. Pour into a 3-qt. serving bowl or divide between clear plastic cups (I used 8 (9 oz.) cups that made large servings – more like 2 servings per cup). Carefully add blueberries. Refrigerate about 1 hour until firm.
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water; let stand for 1 minute.Then mix in the cream and sugar; cook and stir over low heat until gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature. Whisk in sour cream and vanilla. Spoon over the set blue layer. Refrigerate until firm, again for about 1 hour.
3. Once the white layer is firm, dissolve raspberry gelatin in a bowl with remaining 1 cup boiling water; stir in remaining 1 cup cold water. Pour over a spoon over cream layer. Pouring the gelatin over a spoon prevents making a hole into the white layer as you pour. Add the diced strawberries. Chill until set for about 1 more hour. Garnish with whipped cream and additional berries if desired. Yield: 14-16 servings or for me it was 8 of the 9 oz cups.

Content Credit: http://realmomkitchen.com/7351/red-white-n-blue-jello-salad/

-Denea Duran