Super Bowl 2017

Hey y'all! What did everyone think of the Super Bowl?! Tyler and I had some friends over to watch the game, and we had so much fun together! I loved the half time show, and we couldn't have asked for a more exciting game! Tyler and I were technically rooting for Atlanta since they are a southern team, but I was happy for the Patriots when they won. I have family that lives in Massachusetts, and they are huge fans. I was tickled for them that their favorite team won! 

Y'all know I couldn't have a get together without whipping up some yummy snacks! We only had three people over, so I didn't go overboard. I made smokies, chocolate covered strawberries, jalapeño poppers, spinach and artichoke dip, and pasta salad. There wasn't a bit of food left by the end of the game! We ate like little pigs all day long LOL

Tyler surprised me with this huge crate of strawberries he got from The Strawberry Lady. She brings fresh strawberries to WV from Florida. They were so delicious! I cut some up to keep in the fridge to snack on, froze some for smoothies, AND used some to make the chocolate covered strawberries.

I use this spray called FIT to wash all of my fruits and veggies. It is an organic spray that removes pesticides and any residues left on the food. I just spray it on, rub it in, then rinse off the fruit/veggies. It is easiest to do this in a colander so the water will just drain right out of the bowl. 

Red, white, and black (well chocolate brown) strawberries since we were rooting for The Falcons!

This is Tyler's absolute favorite snack. They're called jalapeño poppers, and they're super easy to make. All you need is a can of diced jalapeños, a block of cream cheese, a can of original crescent rolls, and a smidge of sugar. 

Little smokies in the crock pot.. Kelly's favorite!

Spinach and artichoke dip - y'all I can't lie.. this isn't homemade LOL Walmart has the best spinach artichoke dip in their deli. I live off of it. All you have to do is heat a little up in the microwave. The chips we use are Wheat Thins Toasted Pita Chips. I prefer the original, but I think the ones pictured are the garlic and herb flavor. 

I always think of my cousin Taylor when I make pasta salad because she absolutely loves it! I used whole wheat noodles to make this dish a little healthier. Whole wheat noodles and chocolate covered strawberries - it's called balance y'all LOL

Tyler says that weekends are his "cheat days." LOL We have been trying to eat a little healthier (with the key word being TRYING). Tyler has definitely been more successful than me. I just can't quit Cherry Coke, y'all! Last week I meal planned and prepped, and we had several dishes that I really enjoyed. My favorite was blackened chicken, roasted garlic asparagus, and sweet potatoes. My parents got me some new mixing bowls and measuring spoons that match my KitchenAid mixers and food processor. I was able to put those to good use during my meal prep sessions! Tonight I am going to throw some chicken and salsa verde in the crock pot for dinner. I bought romaine lettuce boats to use as a tortilla when I make the chicken tacos. It is actually a delicious alternative!  

Y'all know my ice blue KitchenAid mixer is my prized possession. My maw maw got it for me when I got married. My mom got me the matching hand mixer and food processor for Christmas, and then recently she and my dad found the matching KitchenAid mixing bowls and measuring spoons! I love them so much, and I've been putting them to good use with all this cooking I've been doing!

This was my favorite meal we had last week. I just sprinkled blackened seasoning on the chicken and made it in my cast iron skillet. I didn't use any grease or oil besides some cooking spray to coat the skillet so the chicken wouldn't stick to it. I baked the asparagus and added some olive oil, pink himalayan salt, black pepper, and a hint of garlic powder. If you're craving something cheesy, parmesan is your best option. Asparagus is delicious with a little parmesan sprinkled on it! Tyler ate his sweet potato plain, but I couldn't resist adding a little cinnamon to mine. My mom likes to put nutmeg on them as well. 

I have to say that the one thing I've done with this "new healthy eating" thing is drink more water. I have limited myself to one Coke a day, and when I go to work I take a huge thing of lemon water. I use half a lemon every day, and it gives it just the right amount of flavor without being overbearing. I was never a huge water drinker, but this has really helped me drink more of it. Now I sometimes actually crave an ice cold lemon water. Just like I did with the strawberries, I always wash my lemons off with the FIT spray before I use them. I also pick out any seeds so I don't choke to death by sucking one of them up through my straw LOL 

I'm not sure when my blog shifted from a lifestyle blog to a cooking blog. I guess all I really do anymore is cook, clean, and go to work. Since I'm sure y'all don't care to hear about me filling prescriptions and doing laundry, I guess cooking posts is what you'll get. Although, I do have a few hilarious work stories... we'll save those for another day. Until next time, take care y'all!