Thursday, September 27, 2012

Crock pot Teriyaki chicken

So this recipe came together this Monday when I realized it was 1:00 and I didn't have all the ingredients for these Asian chicken tacos I wanted to make ( but I will make soon!). Pintrest + my crock pot to the rescue again! I browsed through several recipes, looked in my pantry corner, gathered what I had and came up with this! Crock pot chicken goodness that's what it was =) I served it alongside my favorite weelicious side dish Israeli couscous salad (only change I make is I use whole wheat Israeli or pearl couscous) Crisis averted, family fed, mission accomplished, take that Monday! =)
 I've linked up to weekend potluck! check it out for more kitchen inspiration!

Crock pot Teriyaki chicken
Family pack boneless chicken breasts or thighs
2/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Mirin ( if you don't have Mirin just use more brown sugar, I had it and wanted to try it)
6 Tbs apple cider vinegar
3/4 tsp minced ginger 3/4 tsp minced garlic
salt n pepper to taste
4 tsp cornstarch mixed with 4 tsp water

* Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and put in crock pot ( I use kitchen shears, I hate chopping chicken)...
Then whisk the sugar, mirin, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and s&p together and pour over chicken..
Cook on low for about 2-3 hours untill chicken is cooked through...
Remover chicken and keep warm..
Pour liquid into a sauce pan and bring to a boil..
Then add cornstarch water mixture to liquid and stir untill thickened. Serve sauce over chicken with rice or couscous. Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Oh Snaps...

 I am counting down the days untill we are in our own little space! Its almost here! As usual our days have been filled with happy little moments which lucky for you I snapped a few =) Happy Tuesday!
County fair y'all

Package from nana!! I love packages

Sweet gift from Konkie's cruise

Gorilla art...

Cute fabric that will be in our home soon!

Spinach pesto grilled cheese star

Looking for "yellow"

latest art project


Friday, September 21, 2012

"Pre-school" @ home

I go back and forth with whether or not I want to home school my children. Sometimes I think middle school age other times I think elementary age, and then there's times I wonder if I should send them to pre school. Good thing I have a few years to decide =) For now I am trying my best to make sure Jyselle (Aaron too when he can ) is getting the most out of our days together. She is getting smarter and smarter every day and I want to use every opportunity I can to help her little mind and imagination keep growing. I do my best to involve her with everyday things like cooking, cleaning, and gardening and she loves it. We have so much fun together even with the occasional tantrums. I recently got this book too that has excellent ideas and resources. Montessori Schools and the teaching method in general appeals to me the most because it seems to focus so much on these important developmental years.Whether we decide to take the home schooling route or private or public school is undetermined, but for now I am concentrating on making sure I am doing all I can to enrich this little one. Its hard at times but when I see her smile and light up and see her little mind working its one of the best feelings ever! =)
morning nature walk and crafting our findings

making strawberry milk (which soon became called super juice!!)

shapes, stacking, and dancing
making pb n honey heart sandwiches n asian pears with fruit crisps


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Fall Garden

Fall is here! Its our first in Georgia and I am so excited! One of the things I miss most about our place in California is our little garden. Some of my happiest moments with Jyselle were in that garden.(side note: my awesome neighbor and her little ones graciously took over for us when we moved and if you're reading this we miss you!) So I am so excited to get a jump start on ours now. The great thing about container gardening is I can start now and in a few weeks when its time to move to our place we can just pack em up to there new home =) My mom (who is a pretty great gardener herself) showed me the coolest site that will tell you what to plant and when for you area its so helpful! Sproutrobot.com. So according to my area we are starting with carrots and turnips! I cant say enough how rewarding it is to garden with your little ones. Its not only fun but it teaches appreciation for Gods beautiful creation and inspires more willingness and excitement to try new fruits and veggies when they see they grew it themselves! This is my first try at a fall garden so here we go! I will be sure to document our journey! Happy gardening =)










Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Happiness is...


 Every moment I get with these two. I could never have pictured my life this way a few years ago, I am so grateful to be able to spend my days with them. Children truly are a blessing. Even with tantrums and tears they have given me a happiness I never could've dreamed of . I am a very happy mommy : )




Monday, September 17, 2012

The perfect Lil snack

Happy Monday! Been so busy this week getting ready to finally move into our Lil place! We've been treasure hunting n DIY'ing all week! Very excited to share in upcoming posts!

Meanwhile my absolute favorite food blogger weelicious has her first cookbook coming out 2mrw!! The excitement is literally through the roof! This is a must for families!! Especially mine lol. This is one of my favorite recipes of hers...Chewy granola balls! Perfect to pop in your mouth for a healthy Lil pick me up. Coolest part is like most of her recipes you can adapt them to what you have on hand or whatever your feeling that day. Sometimes I like to add chocolate chips and dried cherries or butterscotch chips and dried apricots for a sweet treat you can feel good about giving your little ones : ) hope you enjoy these as much as we do ! I plan to enjoy a few while I dive into the cookbook!!!
                                     also linked up for another awesome weekend potluck!

Ingredients: 
1/2 cup any nut butter you prefer ( the organic or natural ones work the best here)
1/2 cup brown rice syrup
1 cup rice crispys
1 1/2 cups granola
1/4 cup dried fruit chopped

Mix the nut butter and syrup in a small saucepan over low to medium heat and warm for 2 minutes or until it smooth and together..
Then put the remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix..
Then you pour the warm nut butter mixture into the bowl with the granola mixture and stir it all together..
 And now you roll about a tablespoon into a ball.. Enjoy!
(This isn't necessary but I like to freeze the balls on a plate for an hour n then store them in the fridge we like to eat them cold. =))






Monday, September 10, 2012

Our Weekend's happy little snaps






 Date night on the taverns rooftop. Splashing jumping and face painting at a kiddie party. This was a good weekend. =)










Friday, September 7, 2012

TGIF!

Thank Goodness its Friday!! We were planning on going to the big park today but life called and said not so fast. My breast pump broke ( n its a necessity for date nights n a lil free mommy time!) So that meant a Target run. Thankfully my sis had the morning off for us so to Target we went and I got a new pump, but of course in this Georgia weather it was too hot outside so we played in a tunnel at the "indoor park" =) that's Jyselle's translation of McDonald's... I know I know but it was hott! We shared an oatmeal n played, made it back home in time for homemade chicki chicki and berry applesauce. I even had to time to whip up a new dish for tonight's dinner, meat lover pizza pasta with a bell pepper sauce! I will so be sharing soon if it comes out good! She even pooped in the potty!! Man if that's not a great Friday I don't know what is! =) Nap time is here and Pintrest is calling! Have a happy weekend =)




Thursday, September 6, 2012

Toddler Time!

Today was a big day! Jyselle's first toddler story time! Not just first time in Georgia but first time as a toddler! I loved taking her to baby story time back in California. It's a great way for her to interact with little ones, listen to stories, dance and play. It's also great for mommies n daddies too : ) Most libraries offer them for free so if you haven't already you've got to try it! I was a little nervous since its our first time in Georgia but she did great! I was a proud mommy snapping pics of course : )
So as one chapter closes another opens.. My little girl is growing up she's officially a toddling toddler.
I am looking forward to more days like these watching her little mind develop and I'm getting more daily activities together so we can start our "home pre-schooling" there's so much information out there but I've gathered some great ideas from other mommy blogs and this book I'm excited to try. Time really flies so I'm doing my best to enjoy every little moment I get with my little ones. I truly am blessed and so happy to have them :)