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YUM: Spinach, Tomato & Pepper Orzo with Slow Cooker Italian Chicken

I get a Bountiful Basket almost every week.  I absolutely love it.  Even though I don't like to cook, I do love to eat.  My spinach and red peppers were looking a little lonely and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with them.  I didn't want to make my usual and magically a friend on Facebook posted an awesome picture of this orzo dish.  (Thanks Marti!)I tweaked the recipe a bit....only because my cherry tomatoes were looking a little glum, too.  And because I am too lazy to follow a recipe all the way through.  The chicken was my own creation- but it is so simple I bet someone else has come up with it already.  Not to brag, but we were all silent at dinner....everyone scarfed this baby up.  Yes, even Ollie who NEVER EATS ANYTHING!  If you want to knock the socks off your taste buds, then make this tasty lick. 

**Pardon my lack of measuring, I just try and get the food out to the ravenous beasts before all hell breaks loose

Spinach, Tomato & Pepper Orzo
2 chicken bouillon cubes 
2 cups of orzo pasta
1TBSP of coconut oil 
1/2 TBSP (about) minced garlic 
1/3 of medium yellow onion, chopped
5-7 mini sweet peppers, chopped
1 3/4 cherry tomatoes
A handful of fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Heat water to a boil and add the bouillon cubes.  Cook pasta in that water- just like pasta.
While orzo is cooking, heat coconut oil in pan on medium heat. 
Add minced garlic and stir until lightly browned. 
Add onion and cook until translucent.
Add the red peppers, tomatoes and cover pan for about 4 minutes.
Drain the pasta and add it to the pan mixture.
Add spinach last and cover for about 2 minutes (that way the veggies don't lose too many nutrients while cooking)
Add the Parmesan cheese and stir.
Eat like you've never eaten before.

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken
3 frozen chicken breasts
1 cup of water
1 bouillon cube
2 TBSP Italian Dressing Mix Pack

Place frozen chicken in slow cooker and add water with bouillon.
Add the Italian Dressing Mix.
Cook on low for 5 hours.
Eat and go back for seconds, again. 

Our Valentine's Day

I know I know. Valentine's Day is over- but you guys should know by now I take forever to post stuff....next week will be Christmas photos :)

I designed several Valentine's Day cards so Ashton could have some cool options- little did I know that he would change his mind a gazillion times. Seriously- this kid is nuts.  I reeeeallly tried to convince him to do the dinosaur ones, but he thought the bugs were cooler.  YUCK. They seriously gave me the heebedy jeebedies. In any case, I gave in and I had to just close my eyes and touch as little as possible while tying them to the cards.  Ashton did a great job with the hole punch....and playing with the bugs.  He also wanted to make necklaces for his teachers (and his BFF) so he beaded these all by himself! How sweet is my baby?

For my love, I designed this card (freebie!) because we like being more silly than romantic.  You guys, my husband seriously loves maps.  Funny story: (and slightly embarrassing) One time we went out to eat at some restaurant with some friends.  Lorin had to use the bathroom- right as we were leaving, of course- and we waited FOREVER. Like 20 minutes. I totally knew he had gotten distracted by something. When he came out we all gave him a hard time and he was like "what?" like it was no big deal. Turns out there was a vintage map in the bathroom and he just stared at it and followed all the roads to see where they led and where the lakes were and blah blah blah. Sooo, now you all know how much I love my husband- as much as he loves maps.

 OK.....almost done. For their Babba, we made this hand print set that didn't quite turn out like I imagined in my over-thinking brain.  I thought the paint would be more distinguishable between each handprint....but alas, trying to force down the most defiant toddlers hand and an infant who wouldn't release her death grip made for this weak-sauce hand print of the 3 grand-kids in the shape of a heart. You see it, right?? Perhaps it would work better if we had pink paint or something.  Oh well, it is the thought that counts right? Always next year.

Valentine's/Galentine's Day Freebie for FB fans!

Are you my fan on FB?? If so, click on "goodies" and download this sweet card (in 2 colorways) to give to your spouse, kids (I think they will TRULY understand how much you love them if you fill in the blank with "Spiderman" or "Strawberry Shortcake")parents or your crush. Feel free to share the love!  Click here to go to my FB page.

My Winter Must Haves

Winter in Utah is soooo sooooo looooong! Like painfully and depressingly long.  I remember it snowed on Lorin and my graduation day....April 24th! And it also snowed that Halloween.  So, here are some of my winter must haves to make my (and my kids') winter bearable.
1. For chapped lips with a pretty tint  (get the scrub, too!) 2. To keep us warm and toasty similar  3. To remind me of my heritage (and the best hot chocolate we have ever had 4. To keep my cheeks nice, rosey and pretty 5. I know I am naturally tan but this makes me feel a little tanner and reminds me of my summer "glow" 6. To keep us moisturized (my kids have really sensitive skin) or you can use this- (I use it to cook, too!)  7. To help with the dryness of this state 8. To keep us entertained and in shape....and to laugh at each other's moves

Yummies: Salad Savoy Chips (kinda like kale)

I have a child that eats everything (sweet baby hah), a child that eats mostly everything and a child that eats nothing.  I have a minor freak out at least 3 times a week that my middle child is going to starve. After about 2 weeks of making him green smoothies (which he loves!), I just wanted him to eat something NOT blended.  My friend told me about these kale chips she makes her boys and they love them.  This past week I got salad savoy, which looks like kale, so I gave it a go.  All I had to say was "chips" and they dug their chubby little hands right in.  I really don't give my kids junk so they 

saw this as a sweet treat! Muahah- silly children. I actually loved them. I couldn't stop munching. And better yet, the kids ate them. Point for me.

Most kale-ish chips have the same recipe so I remembered one that I saw somewhere on the internet.  And it is so easy that any kiddies can help.  I had mine pour the oil and stir.  I put them in and took them out of the oven because I am a safe mom- and my child is 4.

Salad Savoy Chips:
1. Wash leaves and tear stems.
2. Once leaves are dry, put in a bowl and mix in about 1 tbsp. of olive oil and sprinkle salt.  I used sea salt.
3. Preheat oven to 350.
4. Line cookie sheet with tin foil and spread leaves so that they form a cup.
5. Bake for about 16 minutes.  I took them out at 15 minutes but should have kept them in longer as I like crispier chips. 
6. Eat and eat as many as you can before you have to share! Just kidding.....this snack was for the kids....

DIY: Valentine Ribbon Bunting Garland & A Revelation

I love crafts. I haven't crafted in quite a while because whenever I tried, a little child would wake up or need me or just mess it up.  So...I stopped.  My house has been looking a little bare since Christmas was put away, so I decided I should make a little something.  THEN I realized that I should just involve my kids in the crafts I make.  I can get my creativeness out whilst playing with and teaching the little ones.  Why oh why hadn't I thought of this before? I mean we've made crafts before but they've all been kind of kitschy and childish.  Of course, I still want to make those sorts of projects because little kids can only do so much, but I want them more involved in my forte. Does that make sense to anyone else? Anyway, by the time I gathered my supplies and set up, my youngest 2 were out.  Just me and Ashton were left to take on the easiest project ever.....and it was free.  You guys can try and tackle it:

Cut some string. Cut some ribbon. Tie them on in whatever random order you choose. Hang up. And voila.

Yummm. I love the different textures!

Look at this face!! He is so proud- as am I! He did this one on his own!

I organized them for those of you with OCD.

 

 For more detailed instructions, here ya go:
1. Cut string to your desired length. I cut about 9 ft.
2. Cut enough ribbon to spread out through string (I cut 37 total using 7 different materials: ribbon and fabric about 4" long).  I spaced them out about 1.5".
3. Tie them on- a single knot will do. At this point I taught Ashton how to tie so if you are doing this project solo it should take you about a million years faster....but you won't get that proud grin from your lovely (and stubborn) little one!
4. Hang wherever you please.