Best Damn Guac

Avocados.

You love them or you hate them. Until a couple of years ago, I hated them. Sometimes, when they're too mushy and I try to eat them any other way besides guacamole, I still hate them. GAG over that texture!!

Last night I had some leftover spicy chicken soup (I made extra last week and froze individual portions for easy dinners this week!) for dinner, but my problem is.. I love a CRUNCH. I normally top the soup with avocado slices but my avocado was a smidge overly ripe for me. So I threw some kale in the oven for kale chips & made some guacamole! I felt rather lazy so I didn't chop up all the fresh ingredients I normally would.

Lazy Lady Guac is what I should have named this. haha

For this super easy guacamole, I only used 1/2 an avocado (it was all I had leftover from the previous day).

1/2 avocado

6 grape tomatoes

1/8 tsp garlic powder (I didn't measure but this is approximate)

1/8 tsp onion powder (I didn't measure but this is approximate)

1/8 tsp seasoned salt (bet you can guess what I was going to type here)

1/2 tsp freeze dried chives

sea salt & black pepper to taste

generous dousing of lime juice (1/2 a lime)

Mix everything together and Voila! you have super fast, easy, still delicious guacamole. I normally add fresh cilantro but I was out, so I just went with extra chives. 

For my kale chips:

place on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil, seasoned salt, honey, and crushed red pepper. Bake until crunchy at 300 degrees.

Perfect snack for any time!!

xo

Verde Chicken & Rice (Crockpot Recipe)

I don't know about y'all, but my resolutions for 2016 are probably a little bit different than mine for last year. And the year before, and the year before. I have a couple of family resolutions and they include "eat more vegetables," "get Sophia to eat anything besides pretzels," and "try more new things," -- all as a family.

Last night I knew I would make chicken (We have FORTY pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in our freezer, thanks to ZAYCON!), but I'm definitely bored with the usual baked chicken, side of veggies, sometimes rice or quinoa or couscous. I know my husband is too, and my kids hate everything I just mentioned. At least in that combo.

We had just visited my grandparents and of course that meant the best ever homemade tequitos, tacos, salsa, beans. OMG SO GOOD. I'm always in the mood for mexican food anyway.. its literally my favorite food genre EVER. Mondays are also our late night for the week because of ballet, so I knew I'd want something super easy (sometimes we get Eureka pizza.... $4.88 for a large one topping, can't beat it!). Crockpot to the rescue!! One bowl meals are the best.

This is not the most attractive looking meal, which is why there's not a picture... but... its delishhhhuuuusssssss. Delicious! :)

You will need:
crockpot
electricity
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (get a zaycon account here)
2 cans of green enchilada sauce
1 can red kidney beans
1 can sweet corn
1 1/2 cups brown rice (uncooked)
1 cup water
1 orange bell pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
black pepper to taste

Chop the bell pepper into small bites. Add one can enchilada sauce to crock pot, lay chicken on top. Add the other can of enchilada sauce, the can of beans, the bell pepper, and spices. Cook on low 3-5 hours or until chicken falls apart easily when you touch it with a fork. One hour before you're ready to eat, add the rice and water. Just before serving, stir in the can of corn (drained).

This was an easy meal to make and my whole family enjoyed it.... even if Sophia whined the entire time, she ate it!

** Zaycon did not sponsor this post in any way shape or form. I just LOVE this company and the wonderful customer service I've experienced with them! As a business owner, I realize the importance of customer satisfaction and word of mouth. If you're local to me (Fort Smith), I really can't say enough about the great experience I've had at our drop off (CTK school).

Monday Funday

Well, we are all moved in to our new place in Fort Smith! I haven't exactly worked out the lighting yet (its so dark in the mornings.... roll on winter, roll on!) so please excuse the sloppy photo!

In the lunchbot you'll find

raspberries

cheese

salami

hello! panda cookies

little tomatoes

strawberries

UNREAL unjunked! candies

and an adorable lunchbox love card!

Halloween 2011

Halloween is my favorite time of year...
so I thought I would post last year's halloween lunches!! :)

Oh, and I wanted to link up with the BBF halloween linky! :)

wcw jackolantern sandwich, jackolantern babybell, jerky, olives, candycorn, pepperonis, Halloween Oreos, pine nuts, soy nuts, gummy caterpillars.

cheddar potato straws, turkey, pepperonis, almonds, animal crackers, string cheese, sweet petites, candy teeth, cupcake toppers, 1 thin mint.

wcw & strawberry preserves sandwich sushi, veggie chips, grapes, pepita trail mix, banana chips, Gouda Halloween shapes, balogna bats, candy corn, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, cupcake toppers, dried fruit. not pictured agave straw.

another 5 minute bento... I have to stop hitting snooze! strawberry cream cheese sandwich "sushi", strawberries, sweet petite grapes, mini pepperonis, tomatoes, laughing cow spreadable Swiss (under the gummy ear), 2 club crackers, a few football pretzels, one cupcake candy topper, one gummy worm, regular grapes filling in the spaces... & a few Halloween covered sprinkles over the sandwich.

salad, ranch, nutella sandwich sushi, animal crackers, cupcake toppers, sprinkles, beef jerky, veggie stix, goldfish, banana chips, gummy ear, grapes.

running super late... made this in 5 minutes! that's why the cheese isn't shaped or cookie cuttered. cheese potato sticks, football pretzels, turkey cheese & tomato kabob, babybel cheese, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, candy corn, gummy foot, cupcake candy toppers, grapes. there are more turkey slices under the kabob.

sandwich "sushi" white chocolate wonderful & strawberry cream cheese, goldfish, grapes, strawberries, mini pepperonis, pine nuts, Halloween cupcake candy toppers, candy corn, babybel cheese, gummy worm, gummy brain, candy teeth. Halloween :) love it!

last Halloween bento for 2011 :( mummy dog, gardettos, veggie chips, panda egg, banana chips, grapes, clementine, celery & peanut butter, a finger, an eye, sprinkles, candy toppers