Snow Day Warmth

If you're in the Northeast you're more than likely snowed in and {hopefully} enjoying a snow day.  I didn't manage to get a full snow day but did managed to get off early yesterday and a delay this morning.  I had grand plans to clean, organize and declutter our house but I'm just thankful we didn't lose power, many in ARL did, and I got to sleep in a little. 
Here's one of my newest favorite song, by two of my all time favorites, the perfect pick-me-up to beat the winter blues.

Knee Deep

Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett

And a hearty, easy recipe to warm your belly.

Chicken Pot Pie

(adapted from Bisquick's recipe)

2 cups frozen veggies, thawed

1 cup cooked chicken (I cheat & buy a rotisserie chicken from the store)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup milk

1 egg, beaten

3-4 potatoes, washed, peeled & diced

For veggies: I use 1/2 can of corn, 1/2 can green beans, frozen peas, frozen okra, fresh (cooked) celery and carrots, 3-4 medium potatoes

Instead of using the Bisquick, which is good, I use 1 can of Pillsbury Grand bisquits bc they're more flavorful than Bisquick.

*if you're not using Bisquick you don't need the egg & milk.

Cook chicken & fresh veggies, if using.

Drain veggies.

Place the chicken and all veggies in large bowl.

Add cream of chicken with 1/2 can of water and mix together.

Pour mixture into a casserole dish to bake.

Seperate/peel apart the bisquits (I seperate 1 bisquit into thirds) and layer on top of the veggies & chicken.

Bake at 400 degrees for 35-45 minutes.

*You may need to cover w. foil towards the end to avoid burning/browning the bisquits/Bisquick.

DC Ladies - I didn't think it could get any better but Fornash is having an even better sale, this week only, the entire store is 40% off!
Stay warm & cozy.
cBv

Amazon Deal Alert

Living Social is offering a $20 Amazon gift card for only $10! And it doesn't expire. Get it before it's gone.
cBv


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Sale Alert

One of my favorite local boutiques, Fornash, is having a big sale this week (through Saturday).


Fornash is having 30% off everything, including sale items.


It's one of favorite stores for cute and fun jewelry, handbags, accessories and gifts. Check them out and while you're there grab a Georgetown Cupcake. Happy Shopping!
cBv

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Cleaning Out the Pantry Part 2

After taking inventory of our ‘pantry’ this weekend, which is really one cabinet and shelves hanging on the inside of our teeny coat closet, I realized one imporant thing: I buy way more gallon-sized Ziploc Freezer bags than we could EVER use.

Here’s the inventory:

Pasta
2.5 boxes whole wheat spaghetti
1 box whole wheat rotini
1/2 bag egg noodles
1 box manicotti
2.5 jars Ragu Sauce

Veggies
Black Beans – 1 can
Black Olives – 1 can
Green Beans – 4 cans
Corn – 2 cans
Cream Corn - 1 can
Chicken Broth – 3 cans
Mandarin Oranges – 1 can
Chestnuts - 1 can
Green chiles - 1 can
Rotel - 4 cans
Cranberry Sauce - 1 can
Pumpkin - 1 can
Cream of Chicken Soup - 4 cans
Stewed Tomatoes - 3 cans
Velveeta Mac & Cheese


Freezer/Fridge:
Ricotta Cheese – 2 containers (manicotti)
Venison Roast – hello, crock pot recipe!
Ground Venison – Lasagna? Meatballs? Burgers?
Chicken Tenders – easy, lazy weekend lunch
Lean Cuisines – lunch @ work
Sweet Potato Fries – 2 bags, easy, lazy weekend lunch
5-Cheese Tortellini – easy, quick weeknight dinner
Frozen Shrimp – Shrimp tacos, of course!
Frozen Okra – Brunswick Stew
Frozen Peas – Pastas
Frozen Green Beans – Soup
Whole Wheat Tortillas - shrimp tacos
T. Joe's Organic Brown Rice
Chicken Breast (3)

Sauces, Etc.
T. Joe's Pineapple Salsa - 1 jar
T. Joe's Bruschetta
Hooter's Wing Sauce
T. Joe's Tapenade
BBQ Sauce
Spicy Dijon Mustard

And here’s the breakdown of how it'll all be used:
Gina’s WW Baked Chicken w. Dijon & Lime
Gina’s Chicken & Pineapple Quesadillas (tortillas, pineapple salsa)
Mom’s Brunswick Stew (okra, corn, chix broth, frozen green beans)
Spinach, Tomato & Mushroom Manicotti (manicotti, ricotta cheese)
Shrimp Tacos (shrimp, black beans, pineapple salsa, tortillas)
Tortellini w. broccolini & peas (5-cheese tortellini, frozen peas)& salad
Venison Pot Roast w. potatoes & carrotsShrimp w. Spaghetti (spaghetti, shrimp)
Chili (black beans, stewed tomatoes)
Chicken Pot Pie (cream of chicken, canned & frozen veggies)
Shrimp Stir Fry (shrimp, chestnuts, mandarin oranges) 

Saturday we had chili for dinner. 

Sunday I made chicken salad for lunch and tomato, mushroom & spinach manicotti with Greek Salad for dinner. 

Recipes will follow.  Look at this adorable craft room I stumbled upon this weekend at Ikea. I want one!

I'm praying the snow makes its way to DC tonight and gives me a snow day tomorrow!

cBv

Cleaning out the Pantry Part 1

With every New Year comes resolutions, cleaning, organizing and simplifying, and re-establishing healthy eating goals. And so in keeping with the theme I thought now was as perfect a time as ever to clean out the panty {and fridge & freezer}. This means only grocery shopping for the necessities; produce, milk, meat & eggs and using, cooking and eating everything we have on-hand, with the exception of the bulk-sized containers of sea salt, spices and the like. I’ve wanted to do this for a while now but every time the thought crossed my mind it was just wasn’t good timing. Now that things have calmed down, I finally have the time to actually go through our pantry and take stock of what we have and choose recipes to get rid of eat all the food.

Enter the 3 ‘family size’ jars of pasta sauce, that were buy 2 get 3 free at the store, that have made a permanent home on the counter because they don’t fit in the pantry.

I’m curious to see just how long it will take us to clean out and start afresh. I’m hoping to buy even more organic this year and eventually transition to all organic. Thanks to Trader Joe’s (love that place), this will be pretty easy and even easier on my wallet.
  Stay tuned for the inventory and some recipes; who knows what random foods we’ve accumulated.

cBv

What's for Lunch?!

In an effort to get back on the healthy train, post-Christmas, and keep my resolutions, I'm wondering what y'all eat for lunch? Do you leave the office for lunch everyday or pack your lunch?

My lunches are pretty boring and semi-monotonous. I'm limited to a Subway, Perfect Pita, or deli within walking distance from my office. And lately I've been on a Subway kick.

If I pack my lunch it's either a Lean Cuisine or a turkey sandwich, occasionally I'll eat tomato soup. For snacks I usually pack carrots, cucumber slices, goldfish and Greek yogurt.

Is there anything fun, easy AND interesting I'm completely missing out on?! Suggestions welcome!


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