Oven-baked Doritos Chicken

My dad has made this recipe for a while now and it is one of my favorite recipes that he makes. I've made it for Josh and his friends a couple of times and they really like it too. It pairs perfectly with stuff like mexican rice and beans or biscuits and macaroni and cheese. It is an all around yummy dish.

1 2lb bag of chicken tenders

2 eggs

1 bag of cool ranch Doritos

1 bag of nacho cheese Doritos

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Crush the Doritos and put them into bowls. Put the eggs into a shallow dish for covering the chicken tenders. Take the tenders and dunk them into the eggs then cover them in Doritos. Put them onto a baking sheet.Cook them for 35-45 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Serve and enjoy. :)

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Baked Spaghetti

We have my boyfriend's friends over quite often because they all play video games together. I always cook and it is normally spaghetti or some kind of pasta because its cheap and fast. A couple of days ago they were all over and I had already planned spaghetti before I knew that they were going to be coming over. So I wanted to do something to the spaghetti to spice it up a bit. So I went to the grocery store and picked up some stuff to throw into the spaghetti. I baked it after the noodles cooked and it tasted amazing. I really never will make boring old spaghetti ever again. 

3 peppers( 1 of each red, yellow and green), chopped into small pieces

16oz. tub of ricotta cheese

cheese grated for the top

1/2 an onion minced up

1/2 a pack of mushrooms cut into small pieces

1 jar of spaghetti sauce(whichever one you prefer)

16oz of ground beef, cooked

1 box of spaghetti

Preheat your oven to 350F.

Cook the spaghetti to the instructions on the box. Take all the other ingredients in a big bowl and mix them thoroughly. Drain the pasta and add it to the rest of the ingredients. Put it into a 13x9 oven safe dish. Sprinkle the grated cheese cheese onto the top of the spaghetti. Bake it for about 30-35 minutes or until the cheese that is on top is slightly browned. Let cool for 5 minutes and serve.

Josh's friends really liked this recipe even though it was just spaghetti but it tastes so much better than regular old spaghetti. Another score for this girlfriend! :)

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Delicious Black Bean Brownies

So I was really bored today after having cleaned the whole house and done some laundry. Aubree and I have been outside almost everyday so I figured it would be nice to take a day of break and just spend the day in the lovely air conditioned house. So I went on Pinterest and decided to look for some new recipes. I came across this recipe for black bean brownies. I've seen these recipes on there all the time but I've never thought about trying it. I actually had some black beans though for once. So I thought hey what the heck. If I don't like them I know Aubree will eat them. She eats just about pretty much anything. But I really loved them! They are so yummy and they are so much healthier than regular brownies. 

Here's the recipe :)

1 can of rinsed and drained black beans

2-3 tbsp of peanut butter depending on how much you want in it

2 eggs

4 tbsp coconut oil

4 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 350.

Put the black beans in a blender or food processor and blend until they are smooth. Then add the rest of the ingredients and blend until thoroughly mixed. Put it in a 9 inch cake pan. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. 

Josh even liked them and he isn't the type to try new things. I don't know if I will ever make brownies from a box again now that I know this recipe.

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Hand Soap From A Bar!

Ok.  Now that I'm done with school for the semester I'll be able to put more blog posts up. I've been so busy with all my school work and trying to keep a household up and running with a 2 year old. It hasn't been easy. I commend teen moms they have it harder I do. Anyways, I got this thing off Pinterest of making hand soap from a bar of soap. I have a shopping addiction at Hobby Lobby. If I go in there I rarely come out with less than $50 worth of stuff. That store has the best stuff and really helps me with my new found creativeness. The last time I was in there I found a bag of glycerin squares. I was so excited, the project I was wanting to do called for glycerin but I haven't really been looking for it. And it was only $5! What a deal! 

All you need to make the hand soap is a gallon of water, a bar of soap( which ever one you choose), and some glycerin. I used my cheese grater to shred the soap and glycerin. I now need to buy a new cheese grater as mine was a cheap one from the dollar store and I broke it while making this! OOPS! You turn the stove on about medium heat and pour all the water into the pot. After a minute or two add the soap and glycerin shavings. Stir it until the soap and glycerin melt in the water. Let it cool for a few minutes and pour it into a gallon container. VOILA! 

A gallon can fill my hand soap dispenser in the bathroom at least 8 times! It is such a good money saver and I am so glad that I found it. I will never use store bought hand soap ever again. 

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Snowpocalypse of 2014

This has been some of the craziest! weather we have seen around here since I moved here in 2001! We have had snow for the last 3 days! And we have over 8 inches at our house! Our puppies love it and Aubree had a blast with her daddy and me. We tried to go sledding down our hill on a piece of cardboard but it didn't work out as it had in my head. We have a saucer but it is frozen in the kiddie pool next to our shed. We are waiting until tomorrow to build a snowman. And I am going to try to get out of our driveway to go pick up some groceries. We literally have like nothing to eat besides snacky type foods. But we made some snow cream as a super snack for Aubree today. She LOVED it. I added some chocolate chips to hers so it just wasn't plain.

Snow Cream Recipe!

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

1 tsp of vanilla

Mix all of that together in a bowl and add a cup of snow at a time until it gets to your desired consistency!

I made ours a little crumby instead of creamy so Aubree wouldn't make such a mess!

I told Josh we would have to go back out and grab a container of snow to put in the freezer to make some more of it later! The snow wore her out today so she was pretty cranky towards bedtime. But her going to bed on time is a nice break for once. Daddy and me get to spend a little quality time alone :)

This is our front yard and the driveway going thru the trees! You can barely see my car and our well cover!

Snow is my favorite thing in the whole wide world! I have been singing Do You Wanna Build A Snowman to Aubree and Josh since it started! Aubree starts shushing me now hahaha

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A New Year, A New Mommy

I think making a New Year's resolution is a stupid idea. No one ever sticks to them and they forget they even made one in less then a month. So I didn't make one. Instead, I'm making a life change. I'm going to be a better mom. I feel like I do a good job but then when I see everyone else being moms I feel like I could do better. I don't color, I don't read to her every single day. But I don't feel the need to. She preoccupies herself with her toys most of the time. I have homework to do and housework and laundry. I feel like I don't have time to do all of that and sit and play with her all the time. But I'm going to stop spending so much time letting my OCD with cleaning get to me and start spending more time making sure my sweet baby knows how much I love her. And I know I'm a good mom but I want to be better. Dishes will stay dirty a little longer, clothes will stay in the washer and dryer a little longer. I will be silly and play and color and paint and take Aubree to the park more. I love her. She is my saving grace.

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New Adventures In This Small Town

Hello my lovely followers. It's been a few months since I've written but I have been extremely busy lately. First off AUBREE STARTED WALKING!!!!! How exciting is that?! She wasn't trying and then one day, BAM!, she was sprinting across the room. She also says quite a few words and I'm extremely proud of the progress she has made in her vocabulary. We went to eat at my work the other night and I gave her a fork just for the heck of it and she knew what to do with it! She is such a smart cookie! 

I also have a boyfriend now. :) We started dating shortly after Aubree's birthday. His name is Josh and he is a medically retired Marine. He is the most kind, sincere and loving man I have ever met. He makes sure me and Aubree are ok and he does whatever we need without hesitation. We have moved in with him and it might seem fast to some of ya'll but for me it's not. He is in the process of purchasing a new house and hopefully we will be closing on it in the next month so we can start cleaning and painting and everything. 

I had my birthday a few weeks ago. It was just a blah birthday. Turning 25 isn't a big deal and I didn't really want to do anything like get drunk like most people my age. I have a child and need to be responsible. So like the dork I am, Josh and I stayed at home and watched Star Wars for my birthday. We did go to my dad's house that next weekend and had a cookout for mine and my sister's birthdays.

I start school tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous. I haven't been to school in about 7 years. I love school though so I can't wait to go. I decided to quit my job. The 25th of this month is going to be my last day. They haven't put me on the schedule except for maybe 1 or 2 days a week. My time would be better spent at home with Aubree and focusing on my school work.

We just got back from the beach on Thursday so I'll write a whole post on our beach trip with pictures! :) It was a blast lol. 

Love you, Mean It xoxo

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Aubree's 1 Now!

I can't believe it has been over a year since my precious baby was born and had surgery. I feel like just yesterday I was complaining about her feet in my ribs and how I was sooo afraid my water would break in bed. Which by the way did just that lol. I feel like this year has been such a blur. Her biological father still isn't in the picture and we have actually agreed that I am going to pursue a lawyer to get the ball rolling on his rights being permanently removed forever. I like that so that when the time comes and I get married I won't have to go to court to have his rights removed so that my husband could adopt and we can change her name.

She has been making so much progress in her actions and her understanding and speaking of words. She holds the phone up to her ear and says hey now. She thinks it's funny when you fake laugh and will copy you. She stands up and sits down without holding onto anything and will stand for a good while. I really hope she starts walking soon. Her grandad got her one of those little tikes coupe cars for her birthday and she absolutely loves it. She climbs in and shuts the door and then will proceed in the exact same moment to climb out and repeat it all over again.

This summer is going to be so much fun with her she loves the pool. We got to have it out the other day. Who'd imagine it'd be that nice out in April to have the pool out?!

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Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

This is seriously THE best ice cream I have ever had! And it's not even real ice cream! I would've given some to Aubree but I never remembered about it until she was asleep.

Anyways, freeze a couple bananas. It only takes about 10 minutes for them to freeze depending on your freezer. When they are frozen out them into a food processor or blender and blend until it is smooth and creamy. Then add however much peanut butter you want to. I put about 1 1/2 tbsp. I also added my body fortress chocolate peanut butter protein powder in it to make it a great post workout snack. You blend it all together. Put it in a freezer safe container and you are done! :)

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Super Healthy Banana Pancakes YUM!

These were so easy to make which is perfect for me as Aubree never sits still. She is always on the move!

All they are is 1 banana and 2 eggs. Mash the banana then mix it with the egg. I added cinnamon sugar to Aubree's and my body fortress chocolate peanut butter protein powder to mine. You just cook them on the skillet for a few minutes, making sure to turn them over.

And there is it! A super easy and healthy breakfast. It 's the perfect way to sneak in a fruit serving into a kid's meal. Especially if it is hard to get them to eat them in the first place :)

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First Valentine's Day

Yesterday was my first Valentine's Day with Aubree. I didn't go all out and buy her a ton of stuff because I knew she wouldn't remember. All I bought her was a stuffed animal. She made valentines for her aunties and grandma though. I found the idea for them while browsing Pinterest(of course lol). They turned out so much better then I expected.

All I did was Modge Podge a piece of scrapbook paper to a piece of canvas then paint her feet prints onto another piece. Add some buttons and a quote and it's so adorable. :)

We had such a good day and I can wait for the next holiday! :)

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Pictures Transferred to Wood Was A Success!

I'm obsessed with Pinterest. I go on it all the time. I look at all these really delicious recipes that I know I will never make and all these adorable crafts. The other day I decided to feel crafty and try one. :) I was afraid it was just going to be another one of those Pinterest fails. But it wasn't and I am so happy because it has to be one of the cutest things I've ever made!

It's super easy to transfer a picture to wood. First you need to print the picture off your computer onto normal printer paper. Find a piece of wood that you like. Get Modge Podge lol. Apply Modge Podge to the piece of wood and place the photo upside down onto it. Make sure you press firm and get all the bubbles out. Let it dry over night and put it under the faucet and rub the paper off gently with your fingers. Modge Podge it after it dries to preseve the picture onto the wood. And VOILA! It's an adorable picture on wood! I think this would be adorable for wedding decor, if you put pictures of the couple on them at every table or something.

I choose to use on of the newborn photos of Aubree because the picture's colors are so vibrant and pretty and they turned out amazing!

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Month 1 of My Diet

Ok, so I have been on my diet for exactly a month now. And I am very pleased to say that I have lost 10lbs. It might sound like much but I am using the Lose It app for my Iphone and according to it I will reach my goal by my birthday if I lose just 2lbs. a week. And I've lost more then was expected for the first month. 

Me and Aubree went to the grocery store today and everything I put into the cart was healthy. With the exception of teddy grahams and such for her. I have had temptations sitting around the house. Right now there are mini cupcakes sitting in the fridge that I bought for Aubree. I keep thinking ehhhh it won't hurt just to eat one. But I keep resisting the urge. 

I let myself have one bad day a week. And only for one meal. I normally go out to cookout or get chicken tenders from my work. So its really not that bad I still have all that protein in the chicken, its the sides I get with it that are bad like the macaroni and cheese and the fries lol. 

I'm really proud of myself for sticking on this diet so far. Normally I don't make it this far. But I am determined to keep this up because I don't want Aubree to have the fat mom that can't run around and play with her.

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Lost Glasses!

A few months ago after leaving Planet Fitness with one of my friends, I paused outside the car to put my sweatshirt on. I took my glasses off and set them on top of the car. I forgot them! When I went back I searched the whole parking lot and traced my way back to everywhere I went after to see if I could find them. There was nothing. I was so upset because those were the first pair of glasses I've ever loved on me. I kept asking for the next couple of weeks if they had any glasses when I would go into the gym. Surely someone had found them and had been a good citizen and returned my glasses. There was nothing. I gave up hope. 

Today I ordered new glasses and only had to pay $15 for them! I'm so excited. I don't have insurance so it is really hard for me to just walk into the eye dr. and get new ones. This website has really cool glasses and I love the wayfarers that I will be getting sometime next week. :) 

So go, look, and save :) if you use the discount code freefirstpair all you pay is the shipping and handling :)

http://www.coastal.com/refer/10597794726

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Planning for the 1st

In less then 2 months my precious baby girl will be turning 1. I'm probably going to ball my eyes out that day. I mean it feels like just last week I was sitting in the hospital with contractions. I can't believe how fast this past year has gone by. I'm trying to plan this party and it is so extremely hard for me. 1. I'm not that crafty; 2. I've never planned one before and; 3 the only party I've ever planned included a million jello shots and a beer pong table. 

I've decided to change her theme after almost a year of being glued to the idea of a mermaid theme. It's going to be a princess theme now. When we went shopping with Aubree's aunt Erin today at Target, we saw these invitations and thank you cards with the cutest little unicorn on them. I have no clue where to start. I don't know how many people will actually show up because these days no one RSVPs. I gotta make goodie bags. Which are actually gonna be the easiest part for me because that is my favorite part of any party lol. I even made goodie bags for my sister's bachelorette party. 

This will probably be the hardest thing I'll have to do. After this parties will be a breeze because they get older and they can do more.

I already know one year we will be doing her birthday party at Lazy 5 Ranch. haha.

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It Was Beautiful Today!

The weather lately has been really crappy! And we had a ice storm on Friday. BUT today it was 70 degrees out! So after Aubree ate lunch we went to the park :) it was so nice and she had a lot of fun. I can't wait until the weather is warm everyday. And this summer when she can float in a tube in the pool and lake :)

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Lemon Garlic Chicken with Red Potatoes and Green Beans

Trying to make this with 2 dogs running around the kitchen and Aubree screaming for my attention in her play pen turned out to make this recipe take almost 2 hours for me to make. I had to run back and forth to the living room to give aubree her pacifier and toys. I had cookies baking in the oven that I had to keep checking on. It was a crazy couple of hours.

2 lemons, 1 thinly sliced and 1 juiced

6 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp pepper

3/4 lb trimmed green beans

8 small red potatoes, quartered

4 chicken breasts

1. Preheat the oven to 450F. Coat a large baking dish with 1tbsp of olive oil. Arrange the lemon slices in a single layer in the bottom of the dish.

2. In a large bowl, mix the remaining oil, salt, pepper, garlic and lemon juice. Add the green beans and toss to coat; use tongs or a slotted spoon and layer them over the lemon slices. Put the quartered potatoes in the bowl and coat them too. Arrange them around the edge of the dish. Place the chicken in the bowl and coat them and arrange them in the center of the dish.

3. Bake in the oven for 50 minutes. Remove the chicken and place the dish bake in the oven for about 10 more minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

4. Serve and enjoy :)

picture credit to http://samantha-greg.blogspot.com as I completely forgot to take a picture of mine.

It was just me and I was so full, so I gave away a big chunk of it to my sister to take home lol. Make some biscuits with it and you have a great dinner planned. :)

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Diet Week #2

I really need to get my butt exercising more. I've lost the required amount of weight to reach my goal by my birthday but I haven't been working out. I know if I start working out everyday I will lose more then what I need to. And that is exactly what I want. I want to exceed my goals and everyone's expectations. I don't even think some people think I can do it. 

I made this amazing dinner last night and it was pretty healthy :)

I even made some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and resisted the urge to eat them all lol. I only have 3 yesterday and they weren't that many calories.

When I get paid next week, I am getting a gym membership so I hope that I will be able to go at least once a day 5 days a week.

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Diet Week Numero Uno

This is the end of the very first week of my new diet. It has been so incredibly easy for me to stay on target. And I'm not quite sure why. Maybe it has something to do with being a new year and all. Anyways, I've been eating super healthy and working out almost everyday of the week. I've lost 5lbs this week and even though it does not seem like alot, I am so stoked that I've lost it. I never plan on being this big ever again. I'm not sure how I really got this big without creating some concern in my head. If you have a hickory tavern near you, I suggest you go there and get the fiesta salad. It is sooo yummy. I went Friday and Saturday to eat it. lol. I work out at home for the most part playing zumba videos that I've found on Youtube.com. I have a treadmill at home but it doesnt work most of the time or it'll cut off 2 minutes in. I need to buy a gym membership to Planet Fitness so I can go while Aubree is taking a nap or after I put her to bed at night.

I really hope that soon I can begin to start posting pictures of me skinnier. That would make me the happiest person in the world :)

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My New Years Resolution Isn't Working Out Well

So I made that resolution to post everyday on here. But I have just been to busy so far already. Aubree has started doing this crawling thing. So I'm constantly having to move her away from stuff and try to get her attention back to her toys. I've been hanging out with more friends. I'm really trying to get into the swing of things and be more outgoing and go have fun more. I only go after Aubree goes to sleep though. I don't want to miss any of my time that I can spend with her.

As I sit here trying to think of stuff to write, I've had to move Aubree away from my DVDs half a dozen time. and she found a plastic wrapper that she rather play with then her toys. This child is forever on the go, but i wouldn't change anything for the world. 

Gotta go stop her from eating the plastic. :)

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