Category: RECIPES

Foxy Easter Basket

Easter is the only time of the year when it’s perfectly safe to put all your eggs in one basket.

UNKNOWN

With the addition of Easton to our family, holidays feel a little more special. I know it will be awhile until he can remember celebrating, but that’s not going to stop me from going all out. Plus, it gives me an excuse to go shopping for things for me the baby. I love me some Dr. Seuss, so I knew I wanted to add a book to our collection. We already have Green Eggs and Ham, and using that as a theme for E’s basket would have been a little too obvious for Easter, so instead I picked up the Fox in Socks book. After scoring an adorable, super cheap Fox Basket at Target (I think it was $2.50), the plan was hatched for a…

Foxy Easter Basket - Sally Spins

While shopping, I got a pair of socks (that complete a dapper romper look from Uptown Kids), some aviators that the Beetles would totally rock, gooey goo for chewing (AKA chocolate for mom…which later makes a chocolate milkshake for baby), and some dish soap for washing bottles (which are typically for breast milk, but you could totally put a fox and some beetles in there). Unfortunately, the finger puppets could not be tied to the book. I just thought they were cute.

Easter Goodies - Sally Spins

1. Little Fox Easter Basket, 2. Circo Aviator Sunglasses, 3. Dr. Seuss’s Fox in Socks, 4. Easter Finger Puppet Set, 5. Petit Lem Romper and Socks Set, 6. Cadbury Mini Eggs, 7. Reese’s Peanut Butter Egg, 8. Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Dish Soap

I’m so excited to spend this weekend with my Little Easter Bunny!

Happy Easter - Sally Spins

What are you hoping for in your Easter Basket?

Diaper Bag

You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.

ZIG ZIGLAR

Deciding on a diaper bag proved to be a harder task than I had planned for. There were so many options and types to choose from, how could I narrow it down to one? During Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale, I thought I had found the perfect bag, but I just couldn’t commit. So for months I compiled a list of my favorites.

Diaper Bags

 

I was really tempted by the high end designs from Marc Jacobs or Tory Burch, since I know this bag will get some serious use over the years. At the same time, it would be hard to shell out so much money for a nylon bag. They also just offered the bag with little or no accessories.

The Petunia Pickle Bottom brand has always stuck out to me as the quintessential diaper bag. They seem to offer a lot of benefits, with their easy diaper changing pad accessories and backpack straps. I almost pulled the trigger on one, but I think I held off because I really wanted a bag that could duo as purse.

That’s when I discovered Timi & Leslie‘s line. All of their options have a purselike design. They also come with the most add ons. Since my husband has his own Diaper Dude Shoulder Diaper Bag, I knew I could get away with having a more girlie option.

diaperdude

In the end, I selected the Hayley bag from Timi & Leslie. I think it was a sign that I found it on Amazon for $60 less than what it was priced at Nordstrom. Who could resist?

size

The bag is large enough to hold everything I could possibly need, but it also can be folded over and used with a shoulder strap for my shorter trips out.

folded

The list of accessories were endless. It came with an insulated bottle holder, stroller straps, shoulder strap, handy key fob, changing mat, bag for soiled clothing, and a separate clutch just for mom.

accessories

Pockets were one thing I knew would come in handy. I have trouble finding things in my purse now, so when I saw that this had six pockets for storage, I was a happy camper.

pockets

After doing my research, I found a few bloggers who expressed how much they love this bag. I hope I’ll be one of them in the future.

How did you decide on a diaper bag?

Jalapeno Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.

ALBERT EINSTEIN

Election day is finally here, and as Effie Trinket would say, “may the odds be ever in your favour.” If you plan on watching every minute of coverage tonight, it is the perfect opportunity to throw an election themed party. Food choices can be as simple as honoring your favorite candidate’s home state. Barack Obama’s city of Chicago is famous for their pizza and hot dogs, while if you are a Mitt Romney fan, lobster rolls and clam chowder are right in line for Massachusetts. Patriotic cocktails are a nice touch, as long as you aren’t celebrating in South Carolina and Kentucky, where alcohol is banned for the day. Boo! I would like to keep things neutral on the blog today, since family members are at political odds, and go with safe choice of chicken.

Jalapeno Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts, halved

4 ounces cream cheese

¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

2 jalapenos, diced

¾ cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together cheddar and cream cheese.

2. Stir jalapenos in cheese mixture.

3. Dollop evenly on chicken breasts and roll up.

4. Roll chicken in egg.

5. Cover with breadcrumbs.

6. Place seam side down on baking sheet and cook for 1 hour.

7. Enjoy!

I love biting into a juicy surprise, especially when it brings a powerful kick!

When slicing into this chicken, the cheese literally oozes out. Now that is some chicken I could get used to.

I wouldn’t dare call this chicken a safe choice with the heat it packs…just a politically neutral one. I hope everyone honors their right to vote today.

Are you doing anything special for Election Day?

Caramel Popcorn Balls

The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.

UNKNOWN

The day kind of got away with me, which is strange since it was my first official day that I didn’t have to report in to work. I tried to cram in as much as possible with a doctor’s appointment, lunch with mom, appliance shopping, and getting my hair colored. Somehow blogging got put on the back burner? I have no idea why, especially with so many Halloween treats enjoyed yesterday. For my retirement party last day at work, we indulged in pizza and an adorable “Boo-Hoo, we’re going to miss you” cake.

I decided to bring in Monster Cookies with Reese’s Pieces swapped in for M&Ms for a peanut butter overload.

Then when a last minute craving for popcorn balls hit, I also made…

Caramel Popcorn Balls

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons butter

½ cup caramels (I used Kraft Premium Caramel Bits)

4 cups marshmallows

1 bag popcorn (about 6 cups popped)

Directions:

1. Place butter in a large saucepan. Cook on medium-low heat until melted. Stir in caramels and continue cooking until thoroughly melted.

2. Pop popcorn as directed on package. Slowly begin to mix in marshmallows.

3. Once everything has melted together, remove from heat and stir in popcorn.

4. Allow a few minutes for popcorn to cool. Grease hands and then form mixture into balls. Place on greased wax paper.

5. Enjoy!

I like to call these beauts Rice Krispies on crack because of their salty, caramel goodness.

Warning! They are so delicious you might be tempted to just inhale, but try to resist in caution of potential kernels.

What Halloween goodies did you indulge in?

Lighter Sesame Chicken

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

MAYA ANGELOU

While everyone in the east coast was battling Sandy yesterday, the biggest storm we had in Oklahoma was the loss of James Harden to the Houston Rockets. On the home front, I have been struggling with adding more iron to my diet. This means trying to incorporate a little meat into my meals. I tend to lean towards the breaded variety for its non-meaty texture, but when growing a child, the fried and sometimes sugar loaded version isn’t really the healthiest choice.  So when a craving for Chinese food hit, I need a lighter version.

Lighter Sesame Chicken

slightly adapted from mathastewart.com

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons agave nectar

3 Tablespoons soy sauce

2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 egg whites

¼ cup cornstarch

1 ½ pounds chicken, cut into 2-inch chunks

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

6 green onions, sliced

Directions:

1. Mix together agave nectar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and garlic powder. Set aside.

2. Combine egg whites and cornstarch in medium bowl. Toss with chicken. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

3. In a large skillet, cook half the chicken in one-tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Set aside and then repeat with remaining chicken and oil.

4. Return chicken to pan. Stir in sauce and green onions.

5. Serve with rice and enjoy!

Sweet, savory chicken is just what the doctor ordered. This dish is packed with mouthwatering flavors.

I love using agave nectar because it is much sweeter than honey, but it has a lower glycemic index, so it is less likely to raise blood sugar or trigger the body’s fat storage mechanisms.

My swollen feet appreciated how quick and easy this meal came together. When looking for healthy, high protein dish, I will be returning to this recipe for sure.

Have you tried swapping honey for agave nectar?

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