Been MIA

Ughhh I deleted everything off my phone cause it said I used up all the photo space. I thought I had all those pictures in my computer. I like to take all the pix of my meals then post them when I get a chance. Grrr now I have to start all over again!!! But I really enjoy sharing my meals now I just need some more followers!! :)

Spicy Chicken Burrito's

Yum yum, I'm not a big meat eater and don't really ever eat chicken but this came out so good even I loved it!!!

You don't have to make this spicy at all but we enjoy a little spice sometimes so I added jalapeño's. Also you can use chicken breast cut up or any kind of chicken you have! I had 6 drumsticks so I boiled them earlier in the day and put them in the fridge. I removed the skins and shredded the meat.

What you'll need
Shredded Chicken
1 onion chopped
1 pepper chopped
1 large can of crushed tomatoes
1 small can of corn drained
1 package of Taco seasoning
About 1/8 of a cup of jalapeños or to your taste

In a pot add with a little olive oil cook onions and peppers. At about half done add the chicken and cook a few minutes then add crushed tomatoes. Then add corn and taco seasoning and jalapeños and cook about medium heat till sauce is hot and ready or simmer for a bit while you cook rice.

Rice
Minute rice or any rice of your choice
Black beans
Cilantro
2TBSP of butter
1/2 tsp of cumin
1/2 tsp of paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Handful of fresh cilantro

Cook rice to directions. When done add butter and then all other ingredients except cilantro. Cook on low till beans are warm. Remove from heat and add cilantro.

Now you're ready to roll up your tortillas. I warm mine in the microwave with a damp paper towel on top. Sprinkle some cheese and add chicken and roll up. Serve with rice!!!

Hope you like this recipe. It's easy to make and taste super yummy!!
-Lisa

Schools Out... Here starts out Summer

Today was my last day of work!! Yay I'm so excited to enjoy the Summer. I'll miss a paycheck but it'll be fun to be home with the kids and have some Summer Fun.

Our pool is open and ready for the Sun to come and stay. We can't having rain here and it stinks I want hot sun.

My sons Birthday is on the 20th so we'll be having a party the weekend after. He wants a pool party and sleepover. The boys will be sleeping in a tent. We did this last year and it was so much fun. For a few years we were taking them to the campground but now we have a pool so we do it at our house.

Also I started my Summer reading!! I don't take much time any other time but Summer to read. I read the same other every year, Elin Hilderbrand. I'm reading The Blue Bistro right now. She's an amazing author if you like good summer books most of all her books take place in Nantucket and are all just fantastic reads.

Well I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of their Summer!! Hope I can survive the next couple months with the kids!! Hehe
{Lisa}

Home Made Orange Cleaner from Pintrest

This idea came from Pinterest!! I had to try it and OMG is it lovely!!

I'm always looking for homemade things and I love anything organic! My favorite cleaner is Mrs. Meyers. When I saw this I just had to try it out. It's very simple and I'm telling you you'll love it. Great for cleaning almost anything even hard wood floors and your bathroom.

Eat some oranges and save the peels!
Put the peels in a jar, I like to save spaghetti jars. Fill the jar with white vinegar. Let sit for 2 weeks. Remove the peels and transfer to a spray bottle. You can also add cinnamon sticks. I tried one like this and liked it a little better for smell.

I'm absolutely in love with this cheap homemade cleaner that I can even give to my kids to clean with!!!

What are your favorite homemade house cleaners??
{Lisa}

Healthy Banana Freeze Pops for kids

Happy Monday!!
Summer is on its way and I have a delicious treat for you and the kids. My banana went brown very quickly this week. I guess because of the heat. I always buy a lot of banana at once to last cause we eat a lot of them here!! But my kids refuse to eat them when they get brown spots. So what better then some freeze pops!!!

I used my Ninja for this but you can use any blender or food processor that you have!! But the ninja is awesome!!

Ok here's what you'll need
About 4-5 Ripe Bananas
About 4 cups of Coconut milk or any milk of your choice!!
A little sugar or honey! I used 3 packages of Sugar in the Raw

Blend everything together and put into little cups or a pop maker. I used plastic little cups that we use for brushing teeth. We always save our Popsicle sticks too!!

Just pour and freeze!! Super yummy. I really love the coconut milk for this it just makes is Summery but go ahead and use what you like!!
Enjoy and stay cool!!
{Lisa}

Pasta with Olives & Caper Sauce

Happy Friday!! Hope everyone has been enjoying their week?!

Here's a yummy Italian dish that I just adore!! This is just a great comforting kinda dish. I try to make a few meals a week without meat so this is just perfect if you love vegetarian dishes or Italian food for that matter.

Let's get started!

6 TBSP of EVOO (some Rachel Ray term for ya!! Hehe)
6 Cloves of garlic sliced
1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes
1 28 oz can of stewed or crushed tomatoes I used stewed ones and cut them up! I also cut up some cherry tomatoes
2-3 large celery sliced thinly
1 cup of black pitted olives put removed and cut in half you can also add green ones but I didn't have any in the house
1/3 cup drained capers
1/4 cup of Basil chopped
1 lb of pasta
About a 1/2 cup of grated parmigiano-reggiano

Boil salted water for pasta.
In a large skillet heat up about a 1/2 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add garlic and sizzle till golden about a minute or 2. Then add crushed red peppers, cook for another minute. Add Tomatoes and celery also a little salt and pepper if you'd like! Just remember the olives and capers are salty so be careful. Fill tomato can with pasta water and add to skillet. Bring sauce to a boil. Add olives and simmer.Let thicken about 10 minutes. Add capers and basil, simmer for a few minutes. Add pasta and stir till well. Drizzle with EVOO and stir. Remove from heat and add cheese and serve!!

Love this dish so much! Great for leftovers too!!! What's your favorite Italian dish??

Thanks so much for checking out our Blog!! Have a wonderful Weekend!!
{Lisa}

Follow my Instagram for some more food ideas LisaLuvsMac

South West Summer Salad on i heart nap times blog!!

OMG I just have to try this salad it looks sooooo Yummy & would fit right into TACO TUESDAY!! Which I will be posting every Tuesday for now on :) This salad just looks so fresh and delicious! I'm always looking for something new to try for Taco Tuesday it's our Families Favorite day in our house!! Just Tacos can get pretty boring!!! Here's her page you must go check the recipe put and the great pictures to to along with it. South West Summer Salad  also the girl who wrote the recipes is Brittany and you can check her blog out at http://32turns.com/

Thanks for the great recipe ladies!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their start to Summer!

Lunch Lady Mommy Chit Chat

Hello Bogging World!!! So it's official yesterday was my first day a REAL lunch lady!!! Hehe I've been subbing in the cafeteria for a few schools in town all year and a job opening came up at the High School!! I'm so excited to have a steady job instead of subbing! I liked subbing this year cause it was my first year back to work in many years of being at SAHM. So that eased me into working again.
Yay!!! :)

So this kids last day of school is on June 20th. Which is also my sons 12th birthday! I think this is the first year he's ever been in school for his birthday!! He's off to the middle school next year!! I just can't believe how big he has gotten and he's 2 inches taller than me now :( omg crazy!!!

The girls will be going into 2nd grade next year! Which seems impossible. I feel like they were just babies!!

I'm super excited for summer and to kinda be off routine for a bit!! We'll enjoy the pool and I have some painting projects to do!! I'll be sharing those with you! Also so much to do around the house! I feel like there's always something to do and redo! I can't wait to share my home with you!!

Well thanks so much for checking out my blog and please feel free to leave comments I'd love to chat.

Here's some recent pictures of the family I wanted to share.

Summer Salads

It's finally gotten hot here! We kept having a lot of rain and still chilly weather!! All a sudden it warmed and I mean warmed up to 95 degrees!! Good New England from freezing to supper hot! I'm not complaining one bit though. I love warm weather and I love the heat and sunshine!! Perfect time to cook on the grill and make cold salads!!

Ok first salad is my Favorite!! This one is for my BFF's 3 year olds birthday party tomorrow!! I have 2 salads that everyone requests I make for parties and this is one of them!! It's also I one of those salads that you can just add what you have in the house as long as you have some Kale!!

KALE SALAD
I'm sorry that most all and I mean all my recipes lack measurements, I like to just eye ball things!!

What you'll need
Kale - one single bunch that comes at the store will do. Rip into small pieces
1 small onion
1 container of cherry tomatoes
1 big cucumber diced
1 can of chick peas
1 can of black olives
About 2 to 2 1/2 cups of apple cider vinegar mixed with a handful of sugar! Mix well before putting into salad
A couple tbsp of lemon juice or slice up one lemon and add in and just take out before you serve I love it like that
About 1/4 cup of olive oil
Mix everything together and let sit over night!!
Also taste great with fresh green beans!!


Next salad
POTATO SALAD with GREEN BEANS
3lbs potatoes diced and boiled
1 small onion
Handful of fresh Cilantro
Handful of fresh dill
About 2 cups vinegar
About 1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder to taste
Shake of paprika
Canned green beans

Mixed everything together!! Let refrigerate for at least a few hours!!!

Cucumber Salad
This I came up with today and it was super yummy!! Also would taste good in a wrap!!
1 large cucumber diced small
1 red pepper diced
1/2 can of chick peas
1/2 can of black olives cut up
1/2 onion chopped
Handful of cilantro chopped
Adobo seasoning to taste or salt and pepper
About 1/4 cup of lemon juice maybe a pick more
About 1/4 cup olive oil or less
toss and refrigerate for a couple hours!!

Hope you enjoy some summer salad ideas!! I had some with a veggie burger for dinner!!

Oh and I found out today I got the job at the cafe at the high school! I was just a sub but now I'm gonna be a real lunch lady! Yeah I'm so excited !!!
Have a Fabulous weekend!! I have more food to share!! Also I think I'm gonna star sharing other things like the kiddies and stuff!!!

Homemade Pizza with Kale & Sausages

I make homemade pizza all the time!! It's so easy and fun!! I make on the weekend and most of the time use our leftovers from the week, if there's any?!

It's a fun dinner to make with this kids cause they love adding the toppings!!

So here's the dough recipe I use! I've tried many different ones and this is my favorite!

4 Cups of flour
1& 1/2 cups warm water
1/4 tsp of salt
1 envelope of yeast
2 pinches of sugar
Add flour and salt to mixer and stir. Make a well in the middle. Pour in water add the yeast and sugar. Let sit for 15 minutes to active the yeast. Then put the mixer on with the dough hook. Blend till it starts forming a ball around the cook. Take out of bowl and add a little olive oil to the bowl and I like to smear it all over bowl with my fingers. Ball up the dough and add it to bowl! Let rise for about and hour or so. It will rise really big poke it with your finger to deflate it. Kneed it on the table a little then add back to bowl for about 1/2 hour to hour. Then it's ready!!

Put a little olive oil on cookie sheet and roll out dough, you'll have to use your hands to help too!!

This recipe will make a thick crust for a regular size round cookie sheet or a regular to thin crust for a big rectangular cookie sheet!!
Add your sauce, cheese and toppings!! Yum :)
Enjoy!!
Xoxo LisaMarie
E

Hubby Lunches

Hello Welcome back to my Food blog!!
Today I got to work at the kids school again!! I love seeing them and all their friends!! Everyone always says hi and gets all excited when they see me!!!
My son is taking the CMT's this month. The crazy thing is he likes it!! Haha when I was younger I hated any kind of tests!!

So I wanted to share some of Hubby's lunches I made him. I like to make a few days at a time sometimes even the whole week depending on what I'm making him!! I made some egg salad sandwiches for a couple days!! One I put on ciabatta bras and the other on this really yummy whole grain bread!!! Over the weekend I made him chicken salad sandwiches so the leftover I put in a salad for him!!

I mainly pack him cold lunches because its easier but somedays he'll get leftovers from the dinner before! Like on Sunday I made homemade sauce and meatballs!!

I eat some type of salad everyday for lunch!! Unless I'm really cold and want something nice and warm, salad it is!! I just love salad so much :)

What do you pack for lunches??

Rustic Pasta

I love making this pasta!! I sometimes make it different than other times! Just depends on what's in the house!!

I sadly didn't write down exact measurements but I think it's ok!! It's just one of those dishes you kinda through together and it tastes amazing!!!

What you'll need
Olive oil
Pasta I used penne
2 - 3 carrots
Cauliflower I used about a 1/4 of a head or more
Spinach I used about a half of a container I'd say about 3 cups
Spaghetti sauce I used about a 1/2 of a jar
3 garlic cloves

Start by putting a little oil in pan just enough to cook up your cauliflower and carrots!! I cut the cauliflower small and used my potato peeler to peel wide pieces of the carrots. Cook till almost tender add garlic and if you want some salt and pepper and parsley or Italian seasoning! Cook for a minute then add sauce and about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of olive oil!! I love doing this it makes it less tomato sauces but yummy!
Cook pasta! Add to veggies and sauce.
Now add in spinach and stir in let cook for a couple minutes! Spinach cooks super fast!

That's it ready to serve!!!!

I love this its yummy and feeling and you won't miss out on not having meat.

Hope you guys like it!

Also instead of olive oil butter tastes good too but the olive oil is much better for you.

Today I got to work at my kids school it was so nice. I've been working at the middle school for the past few months.
I kinda forgot how it was to work with the little ones. The middle school kids are louder but they are so much more dependent.
Right now I'm just a sub but hopefully ill find a full position for next year. I like subbing for now.
Have a great day!!
Lisa

Pasta with Pesto and Zucchini

Hey guys Welcome!!

I love Pesto sauce and during the summer we cook a lot with zucchini cause I grow it in my garden! I of coarse had to go get done at the store cause its so cold and snowy here!! Sad face for real!! I want summer back!!!

Anyways this is one of my favorite dishes to Su around with. You can add chopped cashews or red pepper flakes or chert tomatoes! Whatever you have in the house!! This is what I did though!

Box of pasta
Small jar of pesto sauce
1 green zucchini
A couple baby carrots sliced thin, I feel like a should have used a few more
A few TBSP of Parmesan cheese
Pepper to taste
2 garlic gloves
1 TBSP of butter and olive oil

Cook pasta. Cook zucchini and carrots in a pan with some olive oil add pepper and garlic. Once cooked add in pesto sauce. Add cooked pasta a 1 TBSP of butter and Parmesan cheese and. Cook a minute or so till nice and hot. Then ready to serve!! Super easy and Super tasty :)

Health Food Store Goodies

I have a really nice health food store by me! Most things are pretty pricey and its a small store but I find all I need there. Though I don't shop there every week it's still one of my favorite stores to buy food. Because I rarely eat meat and I'm sensitive to eggs like to buy Vegan products.
I have a cold and been working a lot lately so I needed some premise easy lunches and something organic and healthy to get me feeling better!!!

The Vegetarian Chicken Salad is great to put on a wrap or sandwich or even to top a quick salad with! It's made with Tofu and vegan mayo! Has parsley, celery and other spices!! Great sub for a tuna salad.

The Mexican Bean Salad is so yummy to make a taco salad with!! Top it on a salad with some vegan shredded cheese!

Sesame Noodles!! A yummy quick lunch to eat and it's big it lasts me a few days!!
I love to eat it cold.

Quinoa Salad is a great lunch to or just to have on the side with dinner!! Who doesn't love some Quinoa!! I also bought some Quinoa to have in the house to cook.

Every time I go there I get a single packet of Almond Butter or sometimes Cashew Butter! Tastes great on an English muffin for breakfast!

For a snack I bought some all natural fruit strips!! They are so good if you have a sweet tooth!! Also some granola to snack on or maybe put in yogurt!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!!