Ch Ch Ch Chia....

So, last night, oldest daughter and I are sitting there watching the news and I hear the familiar tune, "Ch Ch Ch Chia" blaring from the TV.  I block it out as I've always done it the past, only to realize somewhere in the dark recesses of my brain that the commercial is not for the vast array of available Chia Pets....it's for....get this....an Omega 3 supplement.   What???  Well, I had to rewind it and watch the commecial to let it fully sink in that the people who are selling this

and this

and this

Okay, I have to confess, I totally missed the Chia Mr. T experience...

what rock was I living under???

and even this....

Disclaimer:  I'm not endorsing any particular political party here, but I mean, every president should be enshrined in the form of a Chia, don't you think???

Seriously....the people who have brought us Ch Ch Ch Chia Pets now want us to INGEST these seeds for our health?  How can this be?????

I'm quite sure a billion dollars have been spent on scientific research and that they're perfectly healthy and good for you (of course, I googled Chia seeds and apparently they are quite good for you...even Dr. Oz  says so...and if Dr. Oz says it, then...), but I just can't muster the courage to swallow anything that is even remotely associated with the above images and/or has a catchy jingle that goes along with it.  Sorry, just can't do it.  Maybe another brand....if it's a miracle supplement...and it'll make me 20 lbs. lighter and 20 years younger.  Heck, if it promised that, I'd even sport the green vegetation hair!  In the meantime....Ch Ch Ch Chia.....

Disclaimer: 

The opinions expressed herein represent my own....they may be crazy, but they're mine.  Also, I have not been paid for this "endorsement"...seriously. 

Meatless Monday - Shrimp Quesadillas

Loved this recipe.  I confess, I stole it straight from The Pioneer Woman's blog.

Ingredients

• Flour Tortillas (I used whole wheat)
• 12 whole Large Shrimp, Peeled And Deveined (I used 1 lb. of smaller shrimp)
• 8 ounces, fluid Mexican Red Sauce
• 1 whole Large Onion
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper
• 2 cups Cheese, Grated (Monterey Jack Is Best)
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• Salt to Taste 

Preparation Instructions

Pour red sauce over shrimp. Set aside.
Chop vegetables into large pieces. Heat skillet over high heat and add olive oil. Cook vegetables over high heat until they start to get brown/black. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Return skillet to high heat, then dump in the shrimp with the sauce. Cook, stirring only occasionally, until shrimp is opaque. Add in a little water if the sauce gets dry. Remove from skillet and chop into bite-size pieces.
In a separate skillet, heat butter. Place a tortilla in the skillet, then layer on ingredients: cheese, vegetables, and shrimp. Top with a little more cheese and a second tortilla. Cook on both sides, adding butter before flipping to the other side so the tortilla isn’t overly dry.
Remove from skillet and slice into wedges

Serve with sour cream, guacamole, red or green salsa...whatever you like.

This is a definite keeper!!

Funny Friday

Yikes....thank goodness for barriers!!

Chocolate anyone?

I have been very lazy with my blogging lately.  It's summer, it's hot, I'm lazy....pick an excuse.

Anyway, I whipped up this quick dessert for my husband, dad o' my children, on Father's Day.  He's a simple man....he only wants one thing in a dessert...chocolate...on top of chocolate....with a little chocolate sandwiched between the layers...maybe some chocolate sauce on top....you get the picture.

He's been working so hard, that we decided to just take it easy on Father's Day.  I cooked him a big ol' meatloaf and some baked macaroni....a hunk of meat and a slab of cheese with some macaroni wedged in there for show.  A perfect "Man" meal.  Now I needed a perfect, easy dessert.

Did I mention he likes chocolate?

This couldn't have been easier

Ingredients:

1 baked Devil's Food cake

2 boxes chocolate pudding (instant, cooked...whatever you like)

1 ginormous tub of whipped topping

semi-sweet morsels

toasted pecans, walnuts...whatever

1.  Bake the cake according the directions on the box....yes, it was a box recipe...I said I was lazy.  Allow it to cool and then cut into 1" cubes.

2.  Prepare the pudding according to directions just before you're ready to assemble.

3.  Layer 1/2 the cubed cake into your trifle dish (or bowl).

4.  Pour on 1/2 the pudding

5.  Throw in some semi-sweet morsels and toasted nuts...however much you want.

6.  Layer on 1/2 the whipped topping.

7.  Repeat steps 3-6.

8.  Garnish with sprinkles if you like.

Can I just say that this is really good if you heat up some hot fudge sauce and pour it over your individual serving....I'm just saying....

This can be altered however you wish....use different flavors of cake, pudding, maybe put some fruit in between the layers...the possibilities are endless.  I think it'd be really good with lemon cake, vanilla pudding and maybe some blueberries/strawberries.  But this was all about Dad...and chocolate.

Enjoy!!

Funny Friday - in honor of all the Dads out there

Because Father's Day is coming up next weekend, I thought I'd include this one....this guy is definitely up for "Father of the Year".

...and while we're speaking of Dad's....and since I have a daughter who is engaged....here's an idea...

"Sangria....I just had a glass of Sangria....

and suddenly that name, will never be the same to me...."

Okay, no I didn't literally just have a glass of Sangria...and it has absolutely nothing to do with West Side Story, but Sangria/Maria...get it?  No...well, after you've had a pitcher or two of this Nectar of the Gods, you'll be making up your own theme music.

Believe it or not, up until a few weeks ago I had never had Sangria...I know...shocking even to me.  Found this wonderful recipe for White Sangria  and, just like that, a new favorite was  born.

I used a magnum (1.5L) of Barefoot's Sauvignon Blanc. 

I know...big spender...but I had it and I figured it would be doctored up with peach schnapps, and all the other goodies.  I used lots of sliced oranges and lemons.  Also added frozen mangoes and peaches. 

This is best if you can make it the day before (just don't add the ginger ale until the last minute) so that the fruit can get adequately tipsy. 

It's perfect for summer....cocktails and dessert all in one!  Mix up a batch and soon you'll be singing show tunes, too.

Meatless Monday - Slow Cooker Corn Chili

I know it's summer and nobody's thinking about chili, but hey, if a recipe includes the words "Slow Cooker"...which in my mind means lazy, throw it together in 10 minutes, fuggedaboutit the rest of the day... then it's fair game anytime of year.

Got this recipe off of the Meatless Monday website.

I pretty much followed the recipe, except I added Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and Tiger Sauce (you can substitute Tabasco) right at end.

 I also used red onions and shredded cheese for garnish...I DON'T do cilantro.  Yuck!

  This was super easy and we all really liked it. 

Slow Cooker Corn Chili

Give it a try....

Funny Friday - ain't that cute

Okay, I know it's not funny, but if this doesn't elicit a big ol' "awwwww" from you, then you have no heart.

And just so you don't think I've gone all soft and cuddly on you....boys will be boys. 

Are they filming Caddyshack 2 in my front yard??

 

No, even though my front yard looks like a pack (is it a pack, a herd...that just sounds weird...anyway...) of gophers have taken up residence in my front yard, it's nothing as glamorous and Hollywood as that.   

We...and by "we" I mean my sainted husband...spent the entire 3 day Memorial Day weekend installing a sprinkler/drainage system in our front yard. 

When we built our home 9 years ago, we did the sprinklers in the back yard and it was our intention to do the front yard as soon as we got settled in.  As oftentimes happens, life got in the way and we kept putting other projects first.  The recent droughts have made us push this one back to the top of the list.  I guess that means we're as "settled in" as we'll ever be. 

Now I have visions of redoing parts of the landscape....digging up underperforming shrubs, replacing them with pest free, disease free plants...yeah right...flowers, vanquishing weeds FOREVAH....I said it was a "vision" people....play along with me.

Never thought I'd be so happy to see my yard torn to shreds....all in the name of progress and a beautiful lawn!!!