Recipe: Tortellini Pasta Salad

Perfect for your next BBQ. Quick and easy!




Tortellini Pasta Salad







Ingredients:
2 bags (19 oz each) cheese-filled tortellini (frozen, fresh, whatever!)
4 cups broccoli florets
2 cups cherry tomatoes, each cut in half
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 cup ranch dressing
1 lb bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Let pasta cool.
Mix together all ingredients. Let sit in refrigerator for about an hour. Serve cold!

Enjoy!

This post is linked to:

Tasty Tuesday
Homemaker Monday
Mouthwatering Mondays
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Check them out for more recipes!

Boobies Are For Babies

I'm not a very controversial type of person.  I'm a peace keeper.  I don't like to blog about stuff just to create drama or get attention.  But when my sister-in-law told me about an experience she had this weekend, I just had to say something about it.  If you follow me on Twitter, you've already heard me say a few things about it and I just want to say thank you to everyone who retweeted on my behalf and encouraged me to speak up about it.

My step-brother and his family attended King's Island in Ohio on Saturday.  He and his lovely wife are parents to two little boys and one adorable baby girl (no, I'm not jealous...much).  While at the park, baby girl got hungry.  The poor little thing was hot, hungry and tired.  So, naturally, my sister-in-law did what any good Mom would do and found a place to sit down and feed her baby.  She discreetly nursed her hungry baby in an outdoor pavilion where they hold shows and such.  The place was empty and there was no show going on at the time.

A woman who works for the park came up to my SIL and said, "I'm sorry, you are going to have to find somewhere else to do that. WE DO NOT ALLOW THAT HERE."

*deep breath*

My SIL is like me. Quiet. Keeps to herself. Doesn't like to rock the boat.  So she asked the woman, "Excuse me? What did you say?"  Thinking surely she misunderstood.

Nope. She didn't.  The woman asked her to stop nursing the baby and leave the area.

So she did.  My SIL now says that she regrets leaving and not dealing with it immediately, but she was so angry and upset that she just walked away instead of causing a scene.

Sorry.  BUT I'M CAUSING A SCENE.

BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC IS NOT INAPPROPRIATE!

I can bet money that there were boobs hanging out all over the place at the theme park that day.  I will also bet not one of them was asked to cover up or leave the area because of it.

Since when is letting it all hang out ok but discreetly feeding a baby is not?!

Did you hear about Kim Kardashian tweeting about being appalled at a woman breastfeeding her baby in public?  (Which I read about at Her Bad Mother, by the way, another great article about this subject!)

UM HELLO?!  Pot calling the kettle black much?  That woman has her stuff out for there everyone to see!

Now, let me just say, I don't think breastfeeding women should be whipping their breasts out for all mankind to see all in the name of breastfeeding.  I think modesty and discretion are important.

But when it comes to my boys being flashed with a booby so a woman can feed her hungry baby or the baby left for hungry so as to not "offend" anyone, I choose to feed the hungry baby.

WE SHOULD ALWAYS CHOOSE TO FEED THE HUNGRY BABY.

I'm not calling for a boycott of King's Island or anything dramatic like that (though I do believe they need to make this right with my SIL).  From what I understand, others have had no problem nursing their babies there and King's Island even boasts a Baby Care Center where Moms can tend to their little ones.

What I am doing here is taking advantage of an opportunity to EDUCATE.

BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC IS NOT INAPPROPRIATE!

 It is not always convenient for a Mother to "go find a different spot."  Do you think we like to nurse our babies in the glaring sun in 100 degree heat with a blanket wrapped around us?  Don't you think we would rather sit in an air conditioned room with privacy?

DUH.

When a baby is hungry, YOU FEED IT.

You have the right to a vending machine around every corner.  So breastfeeding babies should be allowed to eat whenever they like as well.

Does it make you uncomfortable to be around a breastfeeding woman?

SORRY.  TOO BAD.


BOOBIES ARE FOR BABIES.

P.S. - I didn't even mention the fact that it is ILLEGAL to ask a breastfeeding woman to stop and leave.  You can read all about that HERE.

*AHEM*

I rest my case.


Many thanks to my dear sweet sister in law for letting me rant about her injustices. :)

Recipe: Buster Bar Pie

Did I just hear a collective, "Oh, YUM!"  I thought so.  This recipe is from a family cookbook and it just screamed MAKE ME as I browsed for a Father's Day dessert.

It's the perfect summer treat!


Buster Bar Pie



Ingredients:
25 Oreo cookies, crushed finely
4 tbs butter, melted (for the crust)
1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream
1 cup Spanish peanuts
2 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter (for the topping)
1 tsp vanilla

Mix crushed cookies and 4 tbs melted butter.  Press into a pie pan or cake pan or whatever ya feel like. I used a cheesecake pan so I could see all the pretty layers.  Stick in the freezer for a few minutes until it's nice and hard.

Let the ice cream sit out for just a few minutes so it is soft enough to work with but not melting all over the place.  Press it down onto the hardened crust.

Press the peanuts into the ice cream.  Place back into freezer while you prepare the topping.

Boil the powdered sugar, chocolate chips, evap milk and 1/2 cup butter for 8 minutes, stirring constantly.  Don't let it burn!  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Cool.

Spread over ice cream.  Put back into the freezer.  Let the topping harden before you cover it or the cover may stick to the ooey-gooey topping!

Just look at those layers!

 Make no mistake, this is a super rich dessert and you only need a small slice to satisfy you.  Enjoy!

Oh, and by the way, if you do cut yourself a big slice like I did, you will get to the end and think, "Oh boy, I can't finish this."

Just kidding.  I totally finished it.  And whether I licked the plate or not is none of your business.


This post linked to:
Tasty Tuesday
Homemaker Monday
Mouthwatering Mondays
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

:)

Mr. Wonderful

Sometimes I wonder if he notices.

The fact that there are always clean underwear in the drawer.

A nice hot dinner on the table when he gets home from work.

Leftovers from dinner placed ever so carefully into a container for his lunch the next day.

Fresh sheets to climb into at night.

Does he know how many times I think about him during the every day busyness of life?

Will he ever comprehend just how much he means to me?

And then, I see it...

Amongst the song singing and dancing on a bacon and pancake filled Saturday morning.

During the endless hours of catch played until it's too dark to see the ball anymore.

With every single kiss he insists on giving me before we go to sleep.

Oh, he notices all right.

The same way I notice that he goes to bed early every night, not because he has to, but because he wants to. The earlier he gets to work, the earlier he gets home to have dinner with us before the baseball games that consume our Spring evenings.

The way he catches himself when all he really wants to do is yell but responds gently with love instead.

The way he keeps the budget ever so perfectly in his Excel spreadsheet. Not because he is a nerd, ok, yeah he is. Not JUST because he is a nerd, but because tracking every single penny in and out is his way of providing for and protecting us financially.

The magical way my gas tank is always on full.

The cup of coffee hot and ready before he has even had the first sip of his own.

The way he hugs our boys like it's the last one he'll ever get.

I guess that's why I love him the most.

We both quietly notice the love and sacrifice we freely give for one another and our children.

And we don't have to say it. We just know.

But I think today it deserves saying.

Thank you, my love, for being my friend, my provider, my protector, my personal comedian and serenader, the man who can kiss a boo-boo one second and show a little boy how to throw a mean spiral the next.

Thank you for being the father to our children that I could have only dreamed of and for making me quite possibly the happiest woman on the face of the Earth.

Thank you for being my Mr. Wonderful.

This post was inspired by The Mr. Wonderful Contest at www.fivecrookedhalos.blogspot.com.

I don't have to win the contest though, I really already won.


xoxo

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken and Potatoes

This is a recipe I found from Betty Crocker.  My husband loves all things buffalo chicken. This was a good one, even the kids ate a good sized helping!


Buffalo Chicken and Potatoes



Ingredients:
1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce
6 cups frozen (thawed) southern-style hash brown potatoes (I used fresh potatoes, cut up myself!)
1 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)
1 can (10 oz) condensed cream of celery soup
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs (I used homemade bread crumbs mixed with a little wheat germ and flax seeds)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup chopped green onions (3 to 4 medium)

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, stir together chicken strips and wing sauce.

In large bowl, stir together potatoes, dressing, cheese and soup. Spoon into baking dish. Place chicken strips in single layer over potato mixture.

In small bowl, stir together crumbs and butter. Sprinkle in baking dish.

Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender and juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Sprinkle with green onions.

Spicy and crunchy and extra yum with a little blue cheese dressing on the side!  Enjoy!

This post is linked to:
Tasty Tuesday
Homemaker Monday
Mouthwatering Mondays
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Recipe: Tacoritos

I found this recipe in a Taste of Home magazine and knew I had to try it!  My boys love anything wrapped up in a burrito shell or with the word "taco" in it so I knew they'd love it.  It turned out super yum too so it's now in my keeper binder!



Tacoritos

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups water
3 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk pork sausage (I just used 2 lbs hamburger cause it's what I had!)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup refried beans
8 (8 in) flour tortillas, warmed
3 cups shredded cheese

In a large saucepan, melt butter.  Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add water.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.  Stir in chili powder and garlic salt.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered, for 10 minutes.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the hamburger (and sausage if using it) and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain.  Stir in refried beans; heat through.

Spread 1/4 cup sauce in a greased 13x9 in baking dish.  Spread 1 tbsp. sauce over each tortilla; place 2/3 cup meat mixture down center of tortilla.  Top each with 1/4 cup cheese.  Roll up and place seam side down in prepared dish.  Pour remaining sauce over the top; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.  Serve with toppings if desired.  I topped with fresh chopped spinach leaves, salsa and, of course, sour cream.

It sounds like a lot of work, but honestly, the steps go really fast!  The end result is so worth it!

This post is linked to:
Tasty Tuesday
Homemaker Monday
Mouthwatering Mondays
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Why You Shouldn't Do The 30 Day Shred Workout Video With A 5 Year Old

Do not do the 30 Day Shred Workout Video by Jillian Michaels with a five year old.

Seriously. Don't. Do. It.

Why?

Mommy, are you going to do your workout now? Can I do it with you?!!!

Mommy, why are your armpits fuzzy looking?

Jumping jacks? These are piece as cake! (not a spelling error, he always says piece as cake instead of piece of cake and I will not be correcting him until he is 25)

Mommy, why do your knees make noise when you bend like that?

I follow Natalie, Mommy.  She is better. (For those of you who have never had the pleasure of self torture via Jillian Michaels, Natalie is the "advanced" girl and Anita is the girl you follow if you are needing a "low impact" work out.  I follow Anita quite often. SO WHAT.)

Here, Mommy, let me hold your head while you do those sit ups.  You look like you need help with your head.

Um, Mom, THAT is NOT how you are supposed to be doing it. *eye roll*

Sorry my arm is bumping you Mom, but you are kind of in my way.

Mommy, don't you wish there was a level FOUR?!  You'd be SO strong.  (yeah, or dead)

Whew, this is hard work, I'm going to take a break and get a snack! (NO FAIR)

That one girl is as tall as the ceiling!

Shouldn't you be on Level 3 by now?

Did you know that this is exercise too Mommy?

You hear that Mom? Jillian said, "CHOP, CHOP!"

Two minutes of cardio Mom! Can you handle it?

What is cardio?

Do you need me to pause it for you?

If I was a girl, my hair would be shaking back and forth right now!

She said NOT to do that Mom.  You are disobeying.

Don't you dare put that video on Facebook, Mom!

(What, you mean this video? I wouldn't dare!)



(Or this one?, Not me! I would never!)



Now that we're done with easy Level One, I'm gonna do Level Three by myself!

(And he does...and kicks Level Three's butt, by the way.)

Mommy, you look like you need a hug!  Ewwww, nevermind, you smell funny.

And THAT my friends, is why you should NEVER. EVER. Do the 30 Day Shred workout video with a five year old.  (Besides the fact that you spend the whole time writing down all the funny things he says and taking pictures the whole time, thus nullifying the affects of the workout.)

This post is linked to Not Me Monday hosted by MckMama!





*Amazon Affiliate Links* Um, obviously.

Meal Idea: Taco Salad

Most of the meals I make do not have a recipe.  I make stuff up...often.  But that shouldn't keep me from sharing my meal ideas with you, should it?!  Here is one of our favorites, Taco Salad. Or Tostada Salad. I don't know, meat and salad that tastes like a taco in a little bowl that you can eat.

So, basically, I take anything that I have on hand that is "Mexican" (ish) and throw it in one of those taco bowls you buy at the grocery store.  I get the kind that come flat and then you bake them on a little silver thingy to make them curl up like a bowl.  (so helpful, aren't I!)  I have these yummy little bowls on my "make my own recipe for this so I don't have to buy it in the store" list. Along with eleventy-billion other things.

In ours: taco meat, black beans, pinto beans, corn, raw spinach leaves, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream.

Delicious, and the kids love it, which is why I will save some to put into Chandler's lunch for school.

Because, unlike the rest of America, our kids still have two more weeks of school left!  The rest of you can enjoy this for a light summer dinner.  While we will still be doing homework. :)