Shopping for 2 weeks worth of food.

I figured it was best to get a jump start on grocery shopping for the next 2 weeks before pay day. Although I forgot a few things, didn't know we were out of others and couldn't find certain things in stores I was able to get 2 weeks worth of supplies for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

I normally do not have the time or patience to take pictures of our meals at dinner and who can blame me?! With a husband, 3 boys and a crazy dog running around I'm surprised I get as much as I do accomplished with them home. 

Shopping at the Commissary will save you about thirty percent off the bat but adding coupons to it makes the savings higher. I had a weak moment and bought candy bars and crackers for the hubster, little minions and I for the next few months, don't judge. ha!
Commi - grocery and couponing - $ 75.19

If we were not going to a BBQ this weekend and I didn't want to make a special dinner this week my cost would have been lower.

The hubster and I have been talking for weeks about what we eat, our family history of cancer and the long term. We've decided to drink Raw milk, incorporate less meat and more veggies (we'll never be able to give up meat really) and recently decided to start juicing for a 1 meal supplement.

Publix grocery - $ 61.44

The picture below is should be enough fruits and veggies for 5 days of juicing. I do have to hunt down some beets and kale around here but we're pretty set.

*we have meats and other things needed for each recipe from previous shopping trips*

Because I hardly have time in the evening to take pictures I will link each recipe. 

2 Week Dinner Menu: 

Tuesday - Chicken pulled sandwiches. with corn

Wednesday - Cheese Steak Sandwiches.  with homemade fries on the side and fruit as dessert. 

Thursday- Chicken and Avocado enchiladas  

Friday- Homemade chicken alfredo pizza 

Sat- Divisional BBQ - baking side dish, baked beans

Sun- Fend for yourself *mom is not cooking!*

Mon- Cobb salad

Tues- Mushroom and Barley soup 

Wed- Ropa Vieja served with rice, black beans and plantains 

Thurs- Fend for yourself

Fri- Homemade pizza

Sat- Sushi and miso soup

Sunday- Cranberry meatballs and rice (I normally make these with grape jelly and BBQ sauce but I'll try this) 

For lunches we normally eat left overs or come up with some creative ideas like bento lunches or lunches which look a lot like : 

egg or tuna salad sandwich or with crackers

yogurt or cottage cheese with a side of fruit

dried fruit and nuts for a snack

veggies with salad dressing

water

For the kids you can find some great ideas on pinterest. We only make the boys lunch 2 days a week and let them eat school lunch the other 3 days... which might change in the future. 

What's on your menu this week?

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Photo credit: cooking classy

Rainy cold winter days make me want good ol hot comfort foods and although this may not say comfort foods it certainly is good!

You can make this in a crockpot or stove top in a big pot, it's up to you.

for the soup:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 Tbs. olive oil, divided
1 large red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
1 lime, juiced and zested
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10-ounce) can green chiles
1 (14.5) ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup fresh corn
1Tbs. tomato paste
32 ounces low-sodium chicken stock
Salt & pepper to taste


for the garnish:
Sliced lime
Diced avocado
Sour cream
Tortilla strips
Salsa
Diced onion
Chopped fresh cilantro
Shredded cheese

directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, mix the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, kosher salt, oregano and paprika. Brush both sides of each chicken breast with a light coating of olive oil. Sprinkle a small amount of the spice mixture onto both sides of each chicken breast and transfer to a non-stick baking sheet. Roast the chicken in the oven for 20-25 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through. Allow the chicken to cool for about 10 minutes, and then shred.
While the chicken cooks, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Add the onion and garlic, along with a pinch of salt, and saute for 3-4 minutes until the onions are very fragrant and they begin to soften. Add the bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, lime juice and cilantro and stir well. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the peppers begin to soften. Add the remaining spice mixture, black beans, green chiles, diced tomatoes and the corn and stir well. Cook for about 6 minutes until all of the vegetables are tender. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
Slowly stir in the chicken stock and add the cooked & shredded chicken and bring the soup to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Inspired by The Pioneer Woman's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Snickerdoodle my dandy

I've have been very bad! With the start of my business I started slacking in my personal life and hobbies, who knew owning and running a business was such hard work?! One thing that has not slowed down has been my baking. I've been taking pictures I promise but have failed to post them so this is me posting {insert coy face} something from ..... 3 months ago.

I don't remember where the original recipe came from but over the years I've tweaked here and there and have come to this. Now when I bake this I generally am careless with the vanilla ext and butter. I will sometimes add more or less depending on my mood.

Sickerdoodles 

2 tsp Vanilla Ext
1 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp cream of tarter
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt


For Rolling:

2 Tbs granulated sugar
2 tsp cinnamon


Okay so let's get to baking!!

1) Preheat to 400
2)  Cream together butter, sugar,eggs & vanilla until fluffy (about 30 seconds)
3) Blend flour, cream of tarter, baking soda & salt. Add dry mix to wet mix 1 cup at a time.
4) Mix the 2 Tbsp+cinnamon in bow, set aside.
5) Using cookie scoop, make balls and roll each ball into the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
6) Place dough 3 inches apart on ungreased or parchment lined cookie sheet.
7) bake 8-10 mins or until set but NOT hard.
8) remove and cool on rack.

 BAM, there you go! These have got to be one of the easiest cookies to make besides sugar cookies. Also on a side note I seem to have lost my fav lil milk glass shown in the picture {major sad face}. How does a glass grow legs and walk away?

Drinks and Quality time.

As many of you know, I'm a mother of 3 very energetic and crazy boys. Time for me is precious and very limited when it comes to things I want to do personally. After a crazy week Val and I NEEDED ( can you sense the urgency of that?) to get away from everything, unwind and have some girl talk. We hit up the local 'Red Lobster' and ate and drank till our hearts were satisfied.

most yummy food ever!

This is Val.

 I often feel like I don't do enough for my boys, that the time spent with them is not quality time. I have set it in my mind to take at least 30 minutes from my day to spend with each individual child and spend another hour with all 3 of them doing something fun and enjoyable.

It was play day in Aiden's room.

 So far I have noticed an improvement in their overall attitudes and I get more smiles now ( AWESOME!!) so maybe there is something to this quality time,huh? I just hope I remember to bring my camera out .

reading books are a fav in this family.