Redone Buffalo Chicken Casserole

I LOVE it when I change a recipe and it actually makes it better! :)

I have made the buffalo chicken casserole from this pin before. I ADORE buffalo wings. Like most people, I am trying to eat healthier. So wings are out of the question. I thought this would be an alternative that would be slightly better for us. So the first time I made it I did the recipe right. With frozen hash browns and all. Even with the whole baking time I felt like the hash browns were just slightly undercooked and had that crunchy potato feel. So, in short, I wasn't all that impressed.

Fast forward to last night. I thought I had all I needed, but as usual was missing a few key ingredients. I didn't have ranch. I didn't have hash browns. I didn't have panko. I ALWAYS have panko!

So in an attempt to make it EVEN healthier I made my own ranch from here.

I also took some of those awesome Albert Bartlett Rooster Potatoes, I washed them, poked holes with a fork, put them on a paper towel, into the microwave for 5 minutes they went. Halfway through I flipped them. At the end I cut them up into little pieces, then I threw those in instead of the hash browns.

Then I took a baggie full of corn flakes and had bitty girl smash them to pieces!

The result.....
 Super Yummy Goodness!

I haven't eaten the ranch on it's own yet, so I can't commit to anything there, but in the recipe you couldn't tell AT ALL.
The potatoes were a MUCH better choice than the hash browns!
And the corn flakes were perfect. Didn't miss the panko!

This was a recipe I would have given an ehhh rating. A few minor changes and it is going to be a regular!

Tomorrow I am going shopping. I am buying things to make some make ahead frozen meals that you toss in the crock pot. I am a little skeptical, but I will definitely be letting you know how it goes!

FYI I would totally do turkey breasts in this! Cut a few more calories, too much flavor to know any better!

Science Saturday! And Sunday!

Kids wanted some projects. I wanted to keep them busy while I did laundry. Here's what we came up with.....Science Saturday!
One of my favorite things about Pinterest is that I feel like a better mom. I am not creative like some of these moms out there on the web! But I am not ashamed to take their ideas and run with them!
First stop was Baking Soda Vinegar Fuzziness! (That's my official name for it.)
Here's the pin. Pin
This kept us busy for almost an hour and a half!

Then we moved on to Slime! Slime!
This only kept us busy for about 20 minutes at the time. But we are keeping it in baggies and have played with it lots since doing it! My only suggestion for this is when you get it all mixed together we had way too much water! Just dump the water out and keep squishing with your hands and it all comes together!

Then on Sunday little man asked for more science. We decided on baking cotton balls to smash. Here's the pin. pin
Here's the link. Play Create Explore
Here's us!

What a great scientific weekend!

Magic Shell

This is one of those posts that totally took me back to being a kid! Avery and I had fun making it, she did it all! All you need is coconut oil, chocolate chips, and a microwave!
Here is ours!

And here is the original recipe. Magic Shell

Didn't really change much to this one, but didn't really measure either!
I used semi sweet chocolate chips.
1/4 cup coconut oil.
Just poured chocolate in until it was mixed well!

Felt like pasta

The other night I felt like pasta. Like a good fresh garlic sauce pasta. No jar sauce. In search of a light fresh recipe, I hit up pinterest.
Here is the recipe link...Lemon Spinach Chicken Pasta

This is what mine looked like. If you know me at all by now, you know I didn't follow the recipe. Well, kind of.
Here's what I changed...
I used a rotisserie chicken.
I added pine nuts at the very end.
And voila! A light tasting, filling, fresh yummy pasta dish! I think this would be a great summer pasta, but I enjoyed it in the heart of winter here anyway!

Not a winner......

So I am pretty disappointed! This is my first www.skinnytaste.com recipe I have made that just didn't work out! I followed directions exactly, so it's not my fault! :) In theory the skinny cuban picadillo sounded yummy! It smelled AMAZING all day! And then we ate it. It was bland. The olives were the best part, but still couldn't redeem it.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/01/crock-pot-picadillo.html?m=1

I still took pictures. It looks good. But this one will not make our dinner rotation!

My other stuffed peppers are wonderful and I think I was hoping for these to live up to that! I will find and post that recipe!

Baked "Potato" Soup Deliciousness

Ok, I think this was a total winner. Creamy, rich, loved the green onions, and just the right amount of crunchy bacon on top! The hubs is not a fan of cauliflower. I couldn't even tell the difference! He said it was good. If I could get away with turkey bacon I would try it, but there's not that much and you could even omit it! I didn't think you needed both green onions in it and on top, but that's a personal taste.

Ok here's the recipe......http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/02/baked-potato-soup.html
Ingredients:

• 2 russet potatoes, washed and dried
• 1 small head of cauliflower, stem removed cut into florets
• 1 1/2 cups fat free chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups 1% reduced-fat milk
• salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 10 tbsp reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 tbsp chopped chives, divided
• 3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (you can use turkey bacon if you prefer)

Directions:

Pierce potatoes with a fork; microwave on high for 5 minutes turn over and microwave another 3 - 5 minutes, until tender. Or if you prefer to use your oven, bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender. Cool. Peel potatoes.

Meanwhile, steam cauliflower with water in a large covered pot until tender. Drain and return to pot. On medium heat, add chicken broth, milk, potatoes and bring to a boil. Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. Add sour cream, half the chives, salt and pepper and cook on low another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat. Ladle 1 cup soup into each bowl. Top each serving with 2 tbsp cheese, remaining chives, and bacon.


I actually did this recipe pretty much to a t. The only thing I changed was the potatoes. We have these potatoes here called Albert Bartlett Rooster potatoes. They are AHMAZING! They are a cross between a russet and a red. I used those. http://albertbartlett.com/
Just in case you want to see if you can get them in your area? Just Click the link! :)

Quick leg burn

So I did this quick leg toner on the beach. I definitely think that helped with intensity, but either way my quads and glutes were sore for 2 days! I say that's a win!
http://fitisthenewblack.tumblr.com/post/36354116881/sculpt-sexy-legs-in-15-minutes-plus-vegan-mac
I am thinking this will be a routine at work! I can easily to it in the nurses station without interrupting anything! :) And you can add weights later and reps!