Archive | August, 2013
the-last-chocolate-survival-kit

Chocolate Survival Kit

Last week I participated in a PinChat Live party about desserts in jars. It reminded me that I haven’t yet posted about one of my favorite “Survival Kits” in a jar! Here it is:

chocolate-survival-kit

This is the perfect little gift for anyone who is up against some tough trials. When I delivered one last night, my neighbor’s daughter said “EVERYONE needs one of these!” (I wish I could make one for everyone!)

I also made one for my husband, who was in a bicycle accident over the weekend. He loved it and keeps it close to his favorite chair to “help in the recuperation process.” He didn’t even mind that it was pink. 😉

I love that this is a great way to recycle those jars, too. This jar started out as a jar filled with peaches:

peaches-jar

I just peeled off the label and ran it all through the dishwasher. If there is any sticky residue, a little citrus (or lemon) essential oil should take that right off.
See that lid? Nothing a little gold spray paint can’t fix.

Then just fill it up with some of your favorite chocolate, tie a ribbon, attach the note and deliver. Everyone loves it.

two-survival-kits

A mason jar works well, too! I like to use a little washi tape on the lid, but fabric looks great, too.

trio-of-kits

I’m thinking this little note would look good in blue, what do you think?

choose-pink-or-blue

If you’d like the printable, like my page first here:

Then download the printable here:

8-13 chocolate survival kit pink

8-13 chocolate survival kit blue

Before I go, I just want to thank my neighbors the WHITINGS for bring me an entire giant container of chocolate…and they didn’t even know that it was just what I needed! 🙂 (You guys are the best!)

So you see, you never know who just might need a survival kit filled with chocolate. If you do give out a kit or two, please let me know. I’d love to hear!

the-last-chocolate-survival-kit

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8-13-love-the-way-it-is

Dose of Sunshine: Love the way it is

Hello! You may not have noticed, but this “Dose of Sunshine” is usually posted on Monday, and here it is Tuesday! We had a busy weekend. And my husband was in a bicycle accident during a race in Flagstaff this weekend. It was quite the accident: the handlebars on his bike broke right off! This was such a surprise and it happened so fast that he didn’t have time to react and he lost his balance.

He came home with battlewounds, road rash, pain. But the good news is, the doctor said his collarbone is NOT broken (it is quite common for cyclists to break their collarbone). But it’s still going to be a while in recovery and physical therapy for him.

So, I am late in posting this. It is a good reminder for me. I hate to see my husband in pain. I was not meant to be a nurse…I’m not great at changing the bandages, blood makes me queasy and seeing him in pain is not fun.

But I’m sure there is a lesson in all of this.

8-13-love-the-way-it-is

We will continue down the road to recovery. As we go through tubes of neosporin and boxes of first aid bandages and gauze, we will get closer to learning to love what is, right?

Have a day of blessings!

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Caprese-Chicken-Bake_Real-Housemoms

Back To School Recipe Favorites (a round-up) #BackToSchoolWeek

Wow! We’ve had an amazing week of all things Back To School, including crafts, crockpot meals, freezer meals, lunch ideas, and organization ideas. I have loved seeing all the creativity, and I am honored to be participating with such talented bloggers.

**The PinChat is today at 3 p.m Arizona Time, (that’s 6 p.m. EST). Click here to read how it works. I hope to “see” you there.

I want to shout out to all the great talent that contributed throughout the week:

Co-Hosted By: { {i love} my disorganized life } and { Miss Information }
Heather’s French Press }  { Kleinworth & Co.}  
Growing Up Gabel }  { Cook the Story }
The Tasty Fork }  { Amy’s Cooking Adventures }
 { Dukes and Duchesses }  { The Grant Life }
Real Housemoms }  { The NY Melrose Family }
 { Crazy & Cool With a Side of Crafty }
Lemons for Lulu }  { Chase the Star }  
Yesterday on Tuesday }  { Sweet Twist of Blogging }
A Night Owl Blog }  { Organized Island }  
Setting for Four }  { Sunshine In My Pocket }
 
Now, take a look at some of the amazing recipe ideas from this week. (I want to make ALL of these!!):


8-great-back-to-school-recipes

How am I ever going to decide which one to try first?




Peanut-Butter-Fruit-bars
Peanut Butter and Jelly Gluten Free Grain Bars from Heather’s French Press


southwest-chicken-tacos-small
Southwest Chicken Tacos from Sunshine In My Pocket


Crockpot-Pizza-Soup-20130821-4728-text


vegtarian-quinoa-fajitas
Vegetarian Quinoa Fajitas from Cook the Story


Slow-Cooker-Red-Chil-from-{i-love}-my-disorganized-life
Slow Cooker Red Chili from {I love} my disorganized life


Caprese-Chicken-Bake_Real-Housemoms
Caprese Chicken Bake from Real Housemoms

Don’t these all look so good? There were so many more delicious recipes! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Back To School Week…have a Great school year.

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the-finished-taco-2

Southwest Chicken Tacos (A Favorite Crockpot Recipe) #BackToSchoolWeek

Sometimes life is hectic. Some days require a little dinner help…from your crockpot. I love coming to home to the smell of a delicious dinner that has been cooking away all day!

I first got this recipe from my sister. She loves the spice cumin. I have never been a real big fan of cumin. But when I added a few ingredients and cut down on the cumin, I found this recipe became a FAVORITE quick crock pot dinner with my family. (Thanks, sis! *wink*)

southwest-chicken-tacos

I love that I can take a few cans of ingredients from the pantry and some chicken from the freezer and throw them all together in the crockpot and Voil’a…dinner!

easy-ingredients

I will post the complete recipe in a bit. But first, a note on that Herdez salsa. The Herdez salsa pictured above is the one I like to use, but I’ve tried the Ranchero salsa, too and it adds a bit more heat. You could use your favorite salsa if this brand is not available in your area.

Put the chicken in the crockpot, then add all the remaining ingredients. Turn the crockpot on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours. Beautiful. Then shred up the chicken using a couple forks and stir it all together.

When you are ready to eat, just assemble your toppings (shredded cheese, lettuce, homemade salsa, sour cream, guacamole…whatever you like!) and put your taco together.

building-your-taco

Oh…please do use those tortillas that you cook up yourself (find them at most grocery stores and Costco). These tacos taste SO much better on those fresh cooked tortillas.

fresh-cooked-tortillas

Easy, delicious crock pot dinner! It has a smoky Southwest flavor from the cumin, and a little added heat from the chiles and salsa. If you like more heat, you can increase the heat in the salsa or add some chipolte chili powder!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:11]

Enjoy!

the-finished-taco-2

Did you enter the giveaway yet? Enter the Back To School giveaway here!
There are some amazing prizes: like a $75 Pick Your Plum prize (I love them!), a Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cooker (perfect for this recipe!), a smoothie maker, cooking supplies, a Pack-It lunchbox cooler…and more! I hope you win!

There’s a whole lot of Back To School Ideas this entire week:

#BacktoSchoolWeek Graphic

And just a reminder, there is our back to school PinChat coming up:
Join us on Sunday, August 25, 2013 for a PinChat! For more information on how it works, click here

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Back-to-school-snack-ideas-SMALL-page

After School Snack Ideas (and free printable) #BackToSchoolWeek

I love creative Back To School snack ideas! But I don’t always have time to make amazing snacks that will win creativity contests. Instead, I love to have snacks available and get the kids involved.

The kids love putting their snacks together and they tend to eat healthier, too, if they have some ownership. My own kids are now grown and have moved away, but that doesn’t stop me from having snack parties with my nephews!

To make things easy, I always keep some basics on hand so they can build snacks like:

Mini Peach Parfaits for after school snacks! The kids will love this. | Sunshine In My Pocket

*Peach parfaits are simple with yogurt, granola, and peach slices. Have you tried that Honey Vanilla Greek yogurt? It’s so good! (I got mine from Sprouts and Trader Joe’s). The kids LOVE to layer their own….it might get a little messy, but it’s fun! I like to keep that granola cereal on hand just for this parfait. And kids love those mini dessert glasses!

fish-and-birds-on-a-log

We started building fish (or birds, or bears, or worms) on a log because I don’t care for raisins. I never buy them or keep them around for the kids. But I will get Goldfish or gummy treats for this fun after school snack.

When I have some extra time, I love to make a “special” snack that is quite a treat. Like Apple Cupcakes with worms! The kids love to add the worms and apple “stems” (pretzels).

worms-in-cupcakes

And you can build an easy After School Snack Board, see instruction and download a printable *here!

apple-cupcakes-with-worms-sign

I put together a list of snack ideas for you, dear readers, that includes a list of some Basics to keep on hand for easy snacks. It also includes a list of “special snacks” that take a little more time and preparation.

Back-to-school-snack-ideas-SMALL-page

 

This list can be downloaded here so that you can print it and keep it at-the-ready!
Click here to download: Back to school snack ideas page

If you liked these ideas, be sure to check out our Back To School Snack party here to see:

*watermelon sundaes

watermelon-sundae-with-fruit

*ham and cheese picks

the-snack-table

*fresh fruit kebabs

fruit-skewers

And check out this idea that your kids will LOVE: *MonstersU cookie decorating

monsters-u-snack-party

And don’t forget to enter the Back To School giveaway here!

There’s a whole lot of Back To School Ideas this entire week:

#BacktoSchoolWeek Graphic

And just a reminder, there is our back to school PinChat coming up:
Join us on Sunday, August 25, 2013 for a PinChat! For more information on how it works, click here

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