Grown Up Grilled Cheese Sandwich

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• This delicious twist on grilled cheese went over great in my house. My youngest is a picky eater so any time I find a recipe that I can vary for each member easily I put it in the "keeper" pile. They can be a little messy, and I don't recommend cutting them in half, but over all a yummy summer meal!
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• Ingredients-
• 1 cup vertically sliced red onion
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheese of your choice
• 8 (1 1/2-ounce) slices hearty white bread 
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves 
• 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices tomato 
• 6 slices center-cut bacon, cooked 

1. 1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 1 cup onion and garlic; cook for 10 minutes or until tender and golden brown, stirring occasionally.
2. 2. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons cheese over each of 4 bread slices. Top each slice with 1/2 cup spinach, 2 tomato slices, 2 tablespoons onion mixture, and 1 1/2 bacon slices. Sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons cheese; top with the remaining 4 bread slices.
3. 3. Heat skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Place sandwiches in pan, and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cheese melts.

Jennifer Martinkus, Cooking Light 
JANUARY 2010

Chalk Board Stickers

My latest fun find- Chalk board decals. I bought an 8 pack in store at Walmart for about $10. I put 2 in each child's room, 2 on the fridge, and 2 in our master bathroom. You can leave your child encouragement, write love letters to your spouse, or even start a game of tic-tack-toe.

 I also bought a pack of color chalk for .47 cents. Get creative! The whole family is enjoying them, even my 14 year old son. They are a bit on the small size, if your budget allows, I would buy a bigger one for each room. 

They have a wide selection & design online at Walmart, link -http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?tab_value=all&search_query=chalkboard+square+wall+stickers&search_constraint=0&Find=Find&pref_store=2177&ss=false&ic=16_16&

Easy Summer Cucumber Salad

I had been buying a delicious Cucumber Salad from the deli at Vons. Last time I stopped in, they sadly told me they were no longer going to carry it... so I made my own. This is easy, keeps in the fridge well. You can get creative adding your own favorite veggies to it. Be brave, personalize it!

-Chop up 1-2 washed cucumbers, peeled or not

-Cut grape tomatoes in half (full or half container depending on how much you love them) 

-Olives I use Kalamata but black works well also, I use about 1/2 cup

-Dump in feta cheese, 1/2 cup or more if you like

-Little salt & pepper, some oregano if you are going to let it sit in the fridge for a few (1/2-1 teaspoon)

-Dump in some Olive Oil, start with 2-3 Tablespoons, if after mixing it is still dry add some more, or less if you are watching your oil intake. Vegetable or Canola oil will work if that is all you have.

Mix & Enjoy

Other ingredients to try- green peppers, red onion, zucchini

Left Over Dyed Eggs?

You know that stack of eggs is staring you in the face every time you open your fridge.. Why not make spring deviled eggs? Crack open your hard boiled eggs, cut in half (put the yoke in a seperate  bowl),  plop the whites in a cup full of dye. I just added  water, a few drops of dye, and a splash of vinegar. 5-10 minutes later Viola! Mix up the yoke with some mayo, mustard, & my favorite ingredient - apple cider vinegar. Top with paprika if you like & enjoy. They were a hit at my house.

Full article www.tablespoon.com  

My new Favorite Dinner

This dinner is yummy! I tweaked Rachel Ray's version of it to make it simpler. I made it a  few nights back, & the hubby was impressed.

Ingredients-
-1lb. flat fettuccine noodles (I use fusilli noodles)
-1 & 1/2 cups of Alfredo sauce
-ham steak diced
-1/2 cup frozen peas
-3-4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
-1/3 cup water

- Boil water, add noodles, boil until desired firmness
- In pan on low-medium heat add the water & peas. Once the peas are heated add the ham & Alfredo sauce. Salt & Pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
-Drain pasta, add noodles to pan & mix well. (you can add more water depending on how thick you like, if it is to thin turn up the heat & add a T. of flour. Top with Parmesan cheese & serve with your favorite garlic bread.

For Rachel's full version go her website & look for the recipe- Egg Tagliatelle with ham & peas
Image from www.RachealRayShow.com

Science Fun or Party Favor

Kool Aid ice cubes, in sprite=  colorful fun

We will be making this next week for Science liquids & solids. I know most moms run from sugar these days, but I say a treat (everything in moderation) can make a day extra special. I do try to stay away from all the new fade chemical sugars, that usually follow the products label of "lite". I am just not sure how my body processes them, so I really limit "lite" to hardly ever. Hope you enjoy this awesome idea from Mrs.HappyHomeMaker.com

Frozen blue berry treat

 
I love frozen treats. What a great idea from Chef Lisi Parsons who is the chef htttp://nataliefitness.com.
Me & my daughter made them. We did a strawberry also. Pictures of our creation below.
She loved putting the blueberries on & spinning it in the yogurt. We found going through the top of the berry was easiest. You can use frozen fruit to. We used vanilla bean yogurt. Waiting in anticipation for them to be ready for movie night.