Chicken Tortilla Soup

I made this tonight and it turned out very tasty. I was please that it wasn't overwhelmed with sodium like most soups. It's actually pretty healthy. An original recipe of mine! This batch is pretty large and is great for a family and leftovers!

Ingredients
3 Chicken breasts
3 Garlic cloves minced
1 cup of onion chopped
2 14 oz cans of diced tomatoes, drained
1 can of green chilies, drained
10 corn tortillas
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
48 oz chicken broth ( I used College Inn Light and Fat free, 50%less sodium)
1 tablespoon olive oil
vegetable oil
Cheddar cheese
Cilantro
Optional toppings: sour cream, lime wedges, avocado

What you do...
1)Boil chicken breasts until cooked, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2)In a large pan saute onions, garlic with a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook until onions are tender.
3)Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chili, oregano, and cumin. Stir
4) In a large sauce pan bring the chicken broth to boil. Add the tomato mixture to the sauce pan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Shred the cooled chicken
5)Slice tortillas in strips. In a pan of hot vegetable oil, fry the tortilla strips, about 30 seconds until they get golden. Place on a plate covered with a paper towel.
6)After the soup has simmered for 20 minutes add the shredded chicken and heat through.

Serve with the tortilla strips and sprinkle shredded cheddar on top and garnish with cilantro. You can also add other toppings such as sour cream, avocado, and a squeeze of a lime wedge.
Enjoy!

Project: Wedding Shadow Box

I was looking for ways to display some of my things from my wedding. I wanted to use our invitation, program and some florals from my bouquet. I found this deep shadow box at a home goods store for 15 bucks! Heres what I was able to design. I used my pins from the bouquet to stabilize the stationary. I hot glued the dried flowers after careful dissembling of the bouquet and rearrangement. I was very pleased with the way it turned out and it is now hung on my wall next to our wedding portraits!

My little Rock Star!

I found these picture taken not that long ago. They make me laugh!

Taco Bread Casserole

Menu planning for the birthday fiesta!

I've made this dish before as a dinner one night and it was delicious! However, I think it is best as a party snack. I'm excited that I get to make this dish again! Here is where I got the recipe.

Taco Bread Casserole

Ingredients...
For the bottom layer you will need...
3/4 cup of flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 envelopes of yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt, I use sea salt
3/4 cup warm milk
3 tablespoons corn oil
1 egg

Other ingredients
1 pound of lean ground beef
I package of taco seasoning
I jar of salsa or you can use a can of diced tomatoes or cut your own fresh tomatoes
Shredded Cheddar cheese

What you do...
1)Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare ground beef as you would for tacos. Brown the meat and drain excess grease. Add taco seasoning.

2)Make the batter for the bottom layer. In a dish combine yeast, sugar and milk and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

3)Combine the remaining ingredients for the bottom layer. In a 3 quart greased baking dish spread the batter.

4)Add the taco meat on top of the batter, evenly coat the top.

5)Pour salsa or tomatoes, what every your preference, evenly over the meat filling.

6) Sprinkle evenly the shredded cheese over the salsa.

7)Bake in an oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese has evenly melted.

Enjoy!

Party favors!

I started planning Bella's second birthday party early this year... real really, like 4 months. I had a lot of ideas and didn't want to be overwhelmed at the last minute.

In preparation for the party, I created these aDORAble explorer backpacks! They fit on my daughter perfectly! I created one for every child attending as a party favor goody bag.

I created the whole thing with felt. I used the Backpack and Map Template to create the facial details. I designed the shape and straps myself on a piece of paper.

I hope the kids get a kick out of them!

Your never too old

Yesterday I was driving along on my way home. I had gotten off work and had just picked up my daughter when I came to a red stop light. Exhausted and frustrated with the day I turned to my left. There in the driver seat was an older man... I'd say 60's maybe even older. He was rocking it out in his car!!! Head bobbing, fingers drumming and singing at the top of his lungs!

Right then I saw was life was really about. I could help but laugh out loud and the entire way home I had the biggest grin on my face.

Thank you older man for showing me that life will always be exciting and fun!! I just wish I could have know what song he was listening to.

"I'm walking on sunshine"
This song does that to me!

New year resolutions a little late

There are so many posts that I started this past month that I never finished, or by the time it was I didn't feel as excited about it. It has been so busy.

December was busy and the Holiday's were pleasent.

The start of January I tried Martha Stewart's Action Plan and lasted 4 days. The light food based detox took all of my energy away from me. I decided to come up with my own plan that I felt was obtainable. This year I am really serious about my resolutions and have thought out long and hard about what they are. I'm committed to improving! I'm exhausted with the job hunt and the constant rejection of the business world. I think I'm gonna try something different.

My new year resolutions...

Lose 55 pounds (5 pounds per month)... so far I have lost 4 this month!!!

Be much more organized and on time with house duties... On Jan. 2nd I went through the entire house, cleaned and organized. I got rid of so much clutter and a massive pile for donations!

Give more then I recieve... the donations

Be more confident and assertive with myself. I am capable! I've already improved on this one!! Woo Hoo!

Focus on activities that make me happy, crafting!

Be more Eco and earth friendly on a daily basis.

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It's a pretty long list, but I've been working on implementing all of them on a daily basis.
I think this year will be my year!