Brown Bagging It Today!

If you don't care where I'm going or where I've been then scroll to the bottom for an awesome homemade cocktail sauce!

Come Saturday, I am going to be chilling out  here!

For how long? Well, for 21 ziploc bags worth of dog food = 63 cups of food = 7 days

'Cuz this little guy is going to his own pet resort while Tucker the Lhasa Apso goes to my parents.

Now, on to show you some overdue 20 year high school reunion pictures in NY a couple of weeks ago. I haven't posted pics of myself in quite some time so it was about time as well. 

One of my favorite people from high school ~ Frankie (that's me on the left)

Good friends, especially the one next to me. We were BFF's in 8th grade.

Great times were had by all!!! Not bad when everyone tells you so adamantly that "OH MY GOSH, YOU TOTALLY LOOK THE SAME."

Now on to the saucy stuff:

COCKTAIL SAUCE

2 tblsp ketchup
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp horseradish
3-4 drops tabasco
1/4 tsp worcestershire

Mix it all up & serve with shrimp! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Not So Fat Fridays - Peach & Pepper Fajita Chicken & Creamy Garlic Dressing

Today I bring you a dish I made for dinner this week as well as a creamy but low fat dressing made with non-fat yogurt!!!

The chicken dish couldn't be any healthier but I do warn you, it is not a saucy or even slightly wet dish. But it is a nice change of pace especially when your body might be craving goodness after being bad for a few days. I loved the natural sweetness of the red pepper & peaches alongside the fajita seasoning of the chicken. And if you're careful not to overcook your chicken, the moistness goes a long way in this dish. This is simple & Not So Fat Friday!

~ Peach & Pepper Fajita Chicken ~

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Fajita seasoning
2 tblsp olive oil
1 1/2 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
2 medium fresh peaches, cut into thin slices

Pound chicken in between wax paper or saran, to flatten a bit. This will tenderize it and make it so moist & delicious. Sprinkle both sides with fajita seasoning. In a large skillet cook chicken in 1 tblsp of hot oil over medium high heat for 8-10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle, turning once. Transfer chicken to a serving platter; keep warm.

Add remaining 1 tblsp oil to skillet; add bell pepper. Cook & stir for about 3 minutes. Gently stir in peach slices. Cook & stir for 1 to 2 minutes more until heated through. Spoon over chicken.

{Click Here to Print Recipe}

~ Creamy Garlic Dressing ~

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/3 cup bottled Italian salad dressing
1 clove garlic, minced

For dressing, in a small bowl stir together yogurt, salad dressing & garlic. Serve over your favorite salad.

{Food for Thought}

I used Paul Newman's Light Italian & this was incredible. I tried non-fat Italian & didn't like it at all. Top this over your favorite salad & add a little freshly grated parmesan cheese. It goes so well with this dressing.

{Click Here to Print Recipe}

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVERYONE. I WILL BE AROUND TO SEE ALL OF YOU, CATCH UP & SAY HELLO!

Beer & Cream Cheese

I'm so happy it's Friday. It's been a rough week with getting over the flu, getting back into the swing of things & most importantly, my father in law has been in the hospital since Sunday night. Since then, he has had many tests & scans, 2 stent surgeries & now gall bladder issues. I want to send prayers his way.

On to other things, I hope to cook a bit this weekend & get back to some real recipes. Although I have so many yet to share that I've already made, I don't like to post them until I have my own picture to accompany it. Oh, I already set up the printing option as well. Thanks for voting.

I made some vegetable cream cheese last night that was awesome & I wanted to share it. It rivals any cream cheese I have had, store bought or otherwise.
Vegetable Cream Cheese
1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Veggie Soup Mix
2 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened
2 tblsp milk

In medium bowl, combine all ingredients; chill 2 hours. Makes 2 cups. It's nice you can make this as lowfat as you'd like.

Click Here for Printable Recipe (the recipe is on the back of the Lipton box) :)

I also wanted to share a beer I bought & tried yesterday evening. It was like pumpkin & spice in a bottle, but subtle. Perfect for this season!!! I loved it. If you like ales & Blue Moon I think you'll really like this.

I wanted to tell you how Tristan is keeping tabs on my progress with the Twilight series. He sweetly asks me each day how far along I am as he calls the book by its name. I tell him once which one I am reading & he always remembers it. Yesterday, he says "mommy, you're almost done with Breaking Dawn." Yes, I am. I can honestly say I'm a little nervous about the emotions that will take over me on that last chapter. But there'll be Midnight Sun, Edward's perspective of Twilight, that will keep me from having withdrawals. UPDATE to clarify: Midnight Sun is an online draft version of a book that got leaked. It's not another book though. It tells of Twilight from Edward's perspective.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!

Labor Day & Burger Sliders

The holiday weekend was great! Started out with some Kenny Chesney on Friday. While I had a great time hanging out & tailgating with hubby, it was a reminder that concerts are just not my thing unless the circumstances are perfect. Meaning, good seats & actually being able to SIT in them. We did have good seats (bottom left pic) but I was so disappointed that everyone stood from the very 1st song to the very last.

The rest of the weekend was relaxing. Quality time with just Terry & Tristan as we swam together while listening to some good music. Terry surprised us when he came home with a beautiful new guitar. As he walked in the door, Tristan said "daddy, you're in a band?" No, he's reviving a hobby from long ago & I'm really glad for him. And while I finally bought the Twilight book everyone is raving about, the only reading I did was of an entire Goosebumps book yesterday with Tristan. He is not even 5 but loves this series.

Saturday, we enjoyed family & friend time with our BBQ. Tristan had a ball with Tammy's girls, Tiffy & Tori, as well as his cousins as they enjoyed their last day in Florida. We caught lizards on the patio & hung one from my ear. I won't even mention & post the pic of me trying to hang him from my lip but it was so cool to see Tristan & the kids amused. 

We played superheros (above right of Tammy, me & sister Andrea) & when it finally stopped raining we watched the kids play in the pool until I jumped in clothes & all. Good times! My heart swelled a bit watching the kids (middle pic), ages ranging from 3 to 9, as they sat & put a puzzle together & played a board game. The clouds & rain did not stop us from having a beautiful day!

SlidersThese little burgers were great, inspired by a recipe from Emeril. They were fun to make & a nice change from the regular sized burger. One was a bacon cheddar mixed in with the meat & the other was regular. I didn't feel like mixing up my own meat so I re-shaped store bought pre-made patties into 3 inch patties & just sprinkled them with some garlic powder & salt & pepper. They only took 5-6 minutes on the grill. I served them on little Hawaiian rolls & topped them with some creamy horseradish mayo.

Creamy Horseradish Mayo from Emeril

In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and horseradish and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Place in a nonreactive bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 days in advance.