Asian Peanut Pasta

So this recipe calls for than I normally use but are still extremely easy to find in your local grocery store or even dollar store. I was just tired of eating the same stuff I normally make and wanted to switch it up a little bit.

Marinade:
1 Tablespoon: Ginger
1 1/2 Tablespoons: Garlic powder
1 Teaspoon: Crushed Red Pepper
1 Teaspoon: Chili Powder
1/4 Cup: Soy Sauce (Low Sodium)


1/4 Cup: Rice Vinegar
1 package of Chicken tenders
3 Carrots sliced (I used a vegetable peeler to make them thin so they would cook fast)
1 head of Broccoli
Onion
Bell Pepper
1 clove garlic
3 Tablespoons: Peanut Butter
1 Tablespoon: Olive Oil
Pasta (I used enough for 4 people)

*Marinade your chicken for a couple hours.

*Begin cooking your pasta.

*Put your olive oil in your pan and sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper.  Place your marinated chicken in the pan and let cook. While it's cooking add your rice vinegar and a little extra soy sauce (about a shot worth)

*Once the chicken is fully cooked stir in your carrots and broccoli.  Add your peanut butter as well. Once the peanut butter has melted stir in your pasta.

Product Reviews

<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP98536824c68205810a33d8bce191199c" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" /></a>



I had the great opportunity to review this foot soak. http://www.amazon.com/Athletes-Toenail-Calluses-Irritation-Soothing/dp/B015GVI57W Not only does it have a great therapeutic scent but also helps relax tired feet.






<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM98536824c68205810a33d8bce191199c" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" /></a>

Product Reviews

<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOPe64977f6ea6d32e7d349ed7da91a32f1" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" />
</a>a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=TOP5f986a31c00bc044735f0634a8dfe68b" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" /></a>

I have begun doing product reviews for various companies through reviewing websites.  These are unpaid reviews in which I'm able to receive the product for free.

My first review for my blog is for

• Vitamin C serums for facial application is something I've newly discovered and truly love.  It makes my skin smoother and allows me to be able to apply my makeup quicker and more evenly.  It doesn't leave a sticky residue and has nearly undetectable sent. http://www.amazon.com/OZ-Naturals-Contains-Hyaluronic-Guaranteed/dp/B00DPE9EQO/ref=sr_1_2?m=AAV4VIJAUEOCB&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1439947215&sr=1-2

• Shower curtain rings a fairly common item. But these added a nice touch to my kids bathroom and do their function beautifully. I'm trying to switch from a boyish theme to something more neutral theme since I now have a daughter.  http://www.amazon.com/Shower-Curtain-Rings-Friction-Free-Unconditional/dp/B010C92YUW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1443830277&sr=8-1.

• This is the first time I've ever owned a nursing cover. Not only is the pattern adorable and neutral so it could be used for multiple kids. It's soft fabric breathes easily and I enjoy that I can see my baby while still being well covered.  http://www.amazon.com/Nursing-SavvyBaby-Breastfeeding-Reusable-Storage/dp/B010VZ021A/ref=lp_11746271011_1_8?srs=11746271011&ie=UTF8&qid=1443448820&sr=8-8 

<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOMe64977f6ea6d32e7d349ed7da91a32f1" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" /></a>

<a href="http://www.tomoson.com/?code=BOTTOM5f986a31c00bc044735f0634a8dfe68b" rel="nofollow"><img style="display: none" src="http://www.tomoson.com/images/front/pixel.png" /></a>

DIY Knights Costume instructional

First pick your fabric. I chose gray fleece since it would not need to be hemmed. I purchased a yard but really only needed half a yard.

I further trimmed the half yard to better for my son. And since I couldn't get him to stand still for me. I used one of his shirts to get the correct width.

Since the fabric is already doubled up when you purchase it just make sure it's even on all sides and mark a half circle in the middle for your child's head.

Make sure it will easily fit over your child's head.

I then cut a shield and cross out of felt and sewed it to the middle of the fleece where it would lay on my son's chest.

*I've attempted getting pictures of the finished product. However my son has so far succeeded in making that impossible. So I'll update this when I get a non blurred picture lol.

Yummy Turkey Burgers

I'm not a big turkey fan but it's cheaper than beef and you can still make some pretty delicious meals.

1lb ground Turkey
2 green onions chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 cloves garlic diced
1/2 onion sliced
1/4 red bell pepper sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon black pepper

Add the chopped green onion, diced garlic, black pepper and chili powder to your ground turkey. Then leave that to the side for a few minutes.

Add your sliced onion and  red bell pepper to your pan with olive oil. Sautee these for about 5 minutes then add your turkey patties on top of the onion and bell pepper.

Let this cook until your patties are fully cooked.

Top with cheese or any of your favorite toppings. These have good flavor while still being able to be paired with pesto and spinach or taco bell taco sauce.

Potato Soup

So this recipe is one of my husband's favorite meals. I created this recipe to feed three adults and have some leftover. But the amounts can easily be adjusted from a large family meal to a meal for one or two.

4 russet potatoes (peeled and cubed) (or one potato per person)

1/4 of a green bell pepper diced

1/4 of a red bell pepper diced

1/4 of an onion diced

2 or 3 green onions

4 cloves of garlic diced

32oz chicken broth

1/2 cup shredded cheese

1/4 cup of cream or milk

1 tablespoon olive oil (any other oil, butter or bacon grease can be used as well)

3 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon chili powder

* black pepper to taste

*If you happen to have bacon or ham on hand feel free to add that as well. You will only need 3-4 pieces finely chopped.

Fry the bacon strips then let cool. Chop them up as small you prefer.

Put the olive oil in your soup pot and sautee all your vegetables and garlic except for your green onions. If you already added them to the pot don't freak out it will still taste great just go ahead and cut up another one.

Once your onions are almost see through add your cubed potatoes. Add your chicken broth until the potatoes are completely submerged. If you are using bacon add it and your green onions now. Let this cook until the potatoes are soft.

Once then potatoes are fully cooked add your butter, cheese, black pepper, and chili powder.

Once the cheese has fully melted add your cream or milk. Let cook for about 5 minutes then it's ready to servee.

Taco Pasta in Verde sauce (sounds fancy huh lol)

Last night I got home and my husband said he didn't know what to make for dinner because we had ground beef but no tortillas, bread, or cheese. So it was mommy to the rescue lol. What I came up with was actually pretty tasty (my 3 year old asked for seconds). a little cheese and cilantro would have made it awesome but I was working with what we had on hand.

2 carrots sliced or diced

1/2 onion (I don't care for it so I cut it as small as feasibly possible)

Garlic (I don't measure it cause it's a personal choice)

1/4 red bell pepper

1/4 green bell pepper

1 can green enchilada sauce

1/2 bag of noodles

1 lb ground beef

*spices: cumin, garlic, chili powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire.

Sautee the veggies in olive oil, butter, or whatever oil you have on hand.

While the veggies are sauteeing season your meat. I don't measure seasoning so add a teaspoon of each to start with.

Once the carrots have begun to soften and the onions start to become see through. Add your meat. Cook until your meat is browned.

Once the meat is cooked taste it.  Be careful it will be very hot. ( I know it's silly I have to say it but I have to remind my husband a lot lol) Anyways if it's bland add another teaspoon cumin and a tablespoon of garlic.

You probably noticed I don't use salt there's reasons for that and you'll thank me later I promise.

Begin cooking your pasta.

Add the enchilada sauce to your meat. Let it cook on low heat till the pasta is finished. Add cilantro if you'd like.

 Taste it again before serving it. If you're happy with it dish it up. Add your cheese to the top.

My VBAC birth story

My son was born two weeks early via c-section due to concerns about his size. So when I discovered I was pregnant the second time around my best friend was getting ready for her VBAC and mentioned I should look into it. I had recently moved and needed to find a new doctor anyways. I was lucky that I easily got into a pro-VBAC doctor. I wish I could say my pregnancy had been that easy lol. First three months I actually had to go vegetarian because just the thought of meat or slight glimpse made my stomach turn. Although over all except for pain and discomfort that apparently is a given for many second pregnancies. My water broke first as a trickle but steadily increasing as my contractions began to pick up on February 8th. Three hours passed and by this point I had gone through four pair's of shorts and we decided to call my doctor and go to the hospital. I was sure that something was going and I was dilating. But sadly when I was checked into triage they discovered I hadn't even started to dilate but I was almost fully effaced. They also confirmed that my water had in fact broken. That was at 11am Feb 8th. I was moved to L&D where they checked me a few hours latter with very little chaneg I agreed to start pitocin. Around that time I also requested an epidural. Around 8 pm I finally started to show real progress and had dialated 4 cm. By 2:30 my nurse checked me again and said I was fully dilated and in the next 30 minutes I would begin pushing. Due to having to increase the epidural I was unable to feel any of my contractions. But this was also tricky because my contractions never became evenly spaced out even this far into delivery. delivery. After pushing for 30 minutes my baby girl was born at 3:30 am. A healthy 8 lbs 9 is. I wasn't done yet as I needed to be stitched up. However I got to blissfully hold my baby on my chest. My nurse later told me that she had written me off as going to need another c- section because my contractions never became evenly spaced. She said your body knew what it was doing even though it wasn't "normal". I'm glad she didn't try to persuade me into a c- section and I'm glad I had my families & doctors support.

Shopping on an EXTREME Budget 1

Ok so I know the word extreme is highly over used.  But I'm serious I have an extremely tight budget of $400 a month for food/paper products/ and cleaning products. This includes diapers, wipes, dog food, and pretty much anything else we need. I normally try to stay under that budget.  Here are the ways that help me stay under my budget.

• Shopping the sale ads!
• This is extremely important if you don't know what's on sale you can't make the best purchase for your money.
• Look for coupons
• I'm horrible when it comes to actually bringing coupons with me. When I found out my favorite grocery store lets you download them to your rewards card I was game.
• Look for coupons that will further discount what's on sale
• This is the time consuming part
• Also good to use if you shop at WalMart and price match
• Find a grocery store where you spend the least.
• Ok so here is the thing if I go to WalMart I get suckered into stuff that I really didn't need to buy. 
• Make a list
• stick to the list
• Don't bring the husband and kids
• Yeah seriously! They make me go over my budget every time.  So I try to leave them at home as much as possible.
• Shop Manager's Special's for meat and or shop at dollar stores.  
• 99 Cent only stores often have decent produce it's 99 cents a pound or 99 cents for a pint of strawberry's or blueberries.  
• Buy Meat you can use for multiple meals
• Whole chickens often are on sale for as low as 70 cents a lb. While roasts are normally more expensive can also be found for under $6 and make multiple meals.

I've been shopping this way for years now and it's saved me a good amount of money.  I will be offering more helpful tips and recipe ideas to keep your grocery bill low and ways to possibly cut what you are spending in future posts. 

Blueberry Pancakes

My son love love LOVES!!!! pancakes. So Saturday morning I decided we where going to make a yummy breakfast.

Truthfully I normally cheat and use a boxed mixed however I didn't see it so figured we ran out (only to later discover it was hidden on the top shelf behind the syrup).  But this time I made them from scratch. And they became blueberry pancakes when I realized the blueberries I bought a week before were about to go bad.

So I followed this recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/pancakes-recipe.html

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups milk, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more as needed

Once you've mixed all your ingredients add the blueberries.  The trick with the blueberries is that your heat has to be high enough to not burn the pancakes but also get the blueberries to "lose their juice" so to speak.

 

My secret grocery spot is the 99cent only store (guess it's not so secret now). They have super cheap produce especially for strawberries and blueberry's you just have to carefully examine what you are purchasing.

Let me just start off by explaining why I chose the name of untraditional mom. I'm a full time working mom with a husband who currently stays home with the kids. I enjoy craft beer and the occasional rock out session with some hard core metal music. However most people see me as a girly girl. So here's to all the mom's who like to kick back, cook good food, and occasionally rock out!