Jerk Pork - Taste of Jamaica -Dinner Travels

Hey hey!!

Man, this semester of school has really got me swamped! I have had at least three papers due every week for the last five weeks!! Can you believe that?!?!
But - there is a light at the end of the tunnel...today starts the last full week before finals! Woohoo!

If you are on my Facebook Page or Instagram, you have been able to see some peeks into our daily life. This week, we are travelling the globe right from home! I have different dinners planned each night that are from different parts of the world. Monday night, we had a little taste of Jamaica with some jerk pork. Monday's are soccer days, so I wanted to have something that was ready when the kids got home from school, so I prepared this in the crock pot.

Let me tell you a little money-saving secret of mine... I shop for spices in the International Foods aisle! The Badia brand of seasonings and spices is my go to. They come in large containers and are priced SO amazing. I picked up some of this jerk seasoning for around $2! You just can't beat that!

For the pork, I used a 3-4lb. pork loin (not a tenderloin), jerk seasoning, garlic, lime, & orange juice. I put the pork into my crockpot, and added about 1/2 cup orange juice, 4 cloves of crushed garlic, the juice from one lime, and 3 tablespoons of the jerk seasoning. That's it. Easy peasy. Covered and cooked on low for about 8 hours.

About thirty minutes before we were ready to eat, I made some brown rice. I didn't add anything to this since I know I would be putting the meat on top.

This is where things get crazy...I originally planned on making a mango salsa to go with this since I saw it in this post. However, there are no mangoes in sight at my local grocery store, and my family doesn't love them enough for me to want to hunt some down. Also,the avocados were looking really sad the day I shopped. I originally thought I would just skip the fresh salsa part, and maybe have a salad or something. While I was finishing up the rice, I remembered that we had one lonely corn on the cob leftover from grilling over the weekend. I also had some red bell peppers on hand for Tuesday night's dinner! I threw some canola oil in a pan and got it hot. Then, I cut the corn off the cob right into the pan and added half of my red pepper, sprinkled on some salt & pepper, added some cilantro, and squeezed one more lime into the pan.

Let me just tell you...this meal was DELICIOUS!!!
It  is going down in my permanent files, and will be made again soon! The entire family loved it!

Here is the full recipe! Let me know if you try it!

Pork

* 3-4 lb. pork loin
* 3 Tablespoons jerk seasoning
* 4 cloves crushed garlic
* 1/2 cup orange juice
* juice of one lime

Cooked Brown Rice

Corn Salsa 

* One ear of corn, scraped from cob (frozen could work, also!)
* 1/2 red bell pepper
* Salt & pepper to taste
* 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
* juice of one lime

Directions

* Place pork in slow cooker. Add crushed garlic, jerk seasoning, orange juice, and lime juice. Cover and cook on low 8 hours. Shred in pot.
* About 30 minutes before serving time, cook rice.
* About 10 minutes before serving time, heat pan with 1 Tablespoon oil. Add corn and bell peppers. Season with sale and pepper. Cook until tender-crisp. Add juice from lime and cilantro.
* To serve: add rice to center of plate, top with pork and salsa.
* ENJOY!

Menu Plan Monday - Getting settled

Every time we move, it takes me so long to get back into a routine. Especially when I have to mix starting a new school year, new job schedule for my husband, and all the other 'new' things that come with a move. We have had company more weekends than we haven't, and it doesn't look like that is going to slow down any time soon. ( Not that I mind that part!) Oh yeah...a hurricane also blew through! I'm just sad that I wsan't able to keep up with my weekly menu plan. I was doing so good! I thought this would for sure be the year that I made it through the whole year! I guess there's always next year. We have no moves and no babies planned! :D
BUT - I have a menu plan this week. The one thing that tends to stay on track. I just can't walk into a grocery store without a plan, or we end up with a bunch of junk and no meals! >.<
 So, let's get to it, shall we?

Eggplant parmesan

Spaghetti

Salad

(The only reason this is being made today is because my sister is visiting and requested it! I'm very excited because I love it, but nobody else in my house will eat it!)

Tacos with all the works!

( I am still sticking closely to my 21 day fix meal plan, so I will be having more salsa, lettuce, and tomato than cheese and sour cream!)

Mexican Cabbage Soup

I came across this recipe on Pinterest yesterday, and I have all of the ingredients already. BONUS: It's a diet-friendly soup!)

Potato & Corn chowder

(Totally appropriate to have the day after a diet-friendly soup, right??)

Pizza!

(As you know, we have pizza every Friday. I haven't decided yet if I will make it, or we will order)

Fish sticks

Mac & Cheese

Broccoli

(Sometimes you just have to give in to the kid's requests!)

Taco Soup

(Yep, more soup. It's cold here this week.I have a lot going on, and it's already made and in the freezer, just waiting to be put in the crock pot! Don't judge :) )

Breakfasts are pretty much the same here daily: eggs and toast
Sometimes I switch it up with oatmeal. On the weekends we have more time, and therefore, bigger breakfasts. The kids like sausage biscuits, home made egg mcmuffins, or bacon and eggs.


Lunches: My two oldest are in school, and usually request ham & Cheese. I have leftovers from the night before, and sometimes the littles have mac & Cheese. This week we have chicken salad!

Snacks: granola bars
              yogurt & fruit with cinnamon
              veggies & hummus
              celery or apples with peanut butter

I hope you all have an amazing week! I will be posting throughout the week on Instagram and I am always finding something new on Pinterest
This week, I am linking back up with I'm an Organizing Junkie!
See you soon!
xoxo

Menu Plan Monday

Welcome back! I hope you all enjoyed your Valentine's Day! 

 Our meal plan last week did not get executed like it was supposed to. I was not feeling well. At. All. I had a headache for days! It seems to be easing off a little now...I think the craziness of trying to get back to my routine after the kids were off school for two weeks caught up to me. The good news is, we have extra meals!

This week, I will also be sharing the 14 week home organization challenges that I haven't posted yet! Don't worry, I'm still hanging in with that! :)

Friday, I hosted my first Essential Oil Make and Take. It was a lot of fun! I had four stations set up - Citrus Sugar scrub, Headache/allergy roller, Peppermint Lip scrub, and Lavender room spray. Somehow, I only managed to get one picture while I was setting everything up. Next time, I promise to have more!! I am participating in a girl's night out pampering event this week, so I will be getting some there for sure, and doing a post about what we made.
That makes a couple fun posts headed your way soon!

 

Here is our menu for the week:

No school or work today!
Leftovers for dinner
Cupcakes for dessert

Tacos

Ingredients: Ground beef, Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream, tortillas

Potato Ham Bake (This recipe calls for fresh asparagus. It did not turn out well for me, so I use frozen asparagus. I just chop it up while frozen, and throw it right in. Works great! Every time!)

Ingredients: Yukon Gold potatoes, cream cheese with chives, ham, asparagus, parmesan cheese, milk

Pork tenderloin, rice, green beans

Pizza

Ingredients: pizza dough, spinach, mozzarella, feta, grape tomatoes

Chili & Cornbread

Ingredients: Ground beef, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato soup, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, your favorite cornbread recipe, or a box mix, cheese and/or sour cream for topping)

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole (A new one-pot dish I'm excited to try!)

Ingredients: Chicken, broccoli, rice, onion, garlic, cream of chicken, chicken broth, cheddar)


What are you eating this week??


I am linking up with Menu Plan Monday. You can find tons of menu ideas there! Lots of people even include their breakfast and lunch menus! Ours are usually the same, so unless it's something great, I just leave that part out.

You can also check out my other pages
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
 

Quick Snacks | 21 Day Fix

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I started doing the 21 Day Fix again. I think this is my most favorite workout routine ever. I love how simple the meal plan is, and Autumn is so motivational!

Today, I wanted to share a quick tip for prepping snacks. I know if I don't have these things readily available, I will be too lazy to take the time to prepare them when I'm hungry. That leads to reaching for already prepared, most of the time unhealthy, snacks. I always buy extra carrots and celery when I go grocery shopping. This way, I can come home and cut a bunch up and have them ready any time.

A few essential items to have:
*a good knife
*a vegetable peeler
*cutting board (you don't want to scratch up your counters!)
*food storage containers - I recommend Tupperware FridgeSmarts. I absolutely love them. I have been using them over 10 years. They are so helpful for keeping the fridge organized and extending the life of your produce!

 That's our Remy in the background! He's waiting on me to drop something! He loves his veggies, too!


I peel the carrots first and chop them up in to handy sized sticks. Then, I give the celery a quick rinse and dry and do the same. I'll be honest and say that this does NOT happen the day I come home from the grocery store! Usually I am rushing to get dinner ready or some other more important task. I just throw it all in the fridge and find some time in the next day or two to get it done. It really only takes a few minutes, and the results are so rewarding!

And, just like that, all the produce is ready for the week!

I am not a Beachbody coach, but if you would like to learn more about the 21 Day Fix, I recommend getting in touch with my friend Jennifer at Jennifer Medeiros Fit! She's is my awesome coach, and would be able to answer any questions you might have!


I will be sharing my meal plan for this week soon, along with a printable calendar for tracking meals and snacks!

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 7 | Lunch | Salad

Hi again!

Today, we're having lunch! I really enjoy eating a salad. It's a great way to get in lots of veggies. Today I added some protein, and it was delicious!

Salad with Ham:
2 Green
1 Red
1 Orange

For my dressing, I used this Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette. It's has all natural ingredients, and goes to profit! How can you beat that?! ( I know it's not homemade, or out of the book, but this is what I chose. My choices, my journey, right?? You can certainly use the recipe in the book instead!) :D 

My  salad consisted of romaine lettuce, red onions, tomatoes, carrots, and some deli ham that I shredded. I think this is one of my favorite ways to eat salad!

See you tomorrow with another great meal idea!! :D

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 5 | Snack

Snack time is my weakness. I would much rather grab a bag of chips than take the time to make something. Sometimes, I am able to plan ahead. This was the case this week. I made up a batch of hard-boiled eggs to eat throughout the week.

So easy for a quick morning snack to hold me over until lunch time. And it's only 1Red!

 I don't really like eating the yolk all the time, so I usually just take one of them out.

I like to eat my hard boiled eggs with salt. Lots of it. I know this is not good. To modify, I add pepper, and just a little salt. Yum!!

This could also be added to some bacon and fruit for a delicious breakfast!

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 4 | Breakfast

Today's post is all about breakfast! Do you remember when I shared about the Roasted Saigon Cinnamon I found at the grocery store?? It's back! If you haven't tried this stuff yet, you should really find it and try it already. You will not be disappointed. I promise!!

Today, I filled my red container with some plain vanilla yogurt, dumped it into a bowl, and added cinnamon. I did this all while I was waiting for my waffle to toast.

That's all! Easy peasy. No excuse breakfast.

1 Red
1 Yellow

What are you eating today??

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meal and Snack Ideas | Day 3 | Snack

I have another delicious snack for you today!!

Last month, I found a recipe for this honey whole wheat bread. I add flax, sunflower seeds, and oats to mine. It is SO good, y'all! I like to eat it toasted the best.

Today, I just added some of my teaspoons of peanut butter onto a toasted piece of this bread. All the grains are so filling. It definitely made a great snack!!
I used
1 Yellow
3 Teaspoons (You can definitely use more/less depending on the rest of the day's meal plan!)

I think any kind of nut butter or seed butter would be good on this bread. I may try it with sunflower butter next! :)

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meals and Snack Ideas | Day 2 | Shake

Shake, shake, shake....

Okay, seriously. I love having shakes. Especially chocolatey ones! It's like a daily dose of chocolate that doesn't make you feel guilty afterwards!

The shake I am sharing today is my go-to. I always know it will taste good, no matter what.  I like to use a half of a banana, some frozen strawberries (I buy fresh when they are in season!), some kind of nut butter (today I chose Almond Butter), a handful of spinach, and my shake mix. This all adds up to

1 Purple
1 Green
1 Red
3 teaspoons

Today I chose to use the GNC Total Lean Shake 25. If I am out of Shakeology, this is my substitute of choice. I love it. The taste is amazing!! (The packaging does not lie!)

I also found this little sample packet of almond butter at a local natural market down the road form our house, so I decided to give it a go, too. There were lots of different options, so I grabbed some different ones, also.

 Just throw everything in the blender, and give it a whirl! It's so good, it just might become your go-to drink, too! :)

21 Day Fix | 21 Days of Meal and Snack Ideas | Day 1 | Snack

This month I will be sharing recipes!! 21 of them to be exact!! :)

Are you doing the 21 Day Fix? I love it. I have to admit, I don't do the workouts everyday. Life just gets in the way, and  I really suck at making sure I make time for me. That hasn't stopped me from trying to stick with the meal plan, though. Because of that, I have decided to share some of my favorites with you. I will be sharing a variety of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and shakes! I hope you enjoy!!

The first snack I want to share has become one of my favorites! It is something I have multiple times a week. It's so delicious, and if you make enough of it, it could be a small meal. It could also be added to a dinner as a side dish. I have definitely eaten it all three ways! Are you ready to know what it is???

Cucumber, Tomato, Mozzarella Salad.
This snack used:
2 Greens  (I used my purple container to hold the tomatoes, but I measured them in the green!)
1 Blue (The cheese stick fit perfectly in here once it was all cut up)
1 Orange ( You could really get away with only 1/2 orange of the dressing on this. The whole thing was a lot!!)

If you only use half of the dressing, you could also add some olives in here. I keep forgetting to buy some when I'm at the store, so I haven't tried it that way. Yet...

I get one cucumber, one or two roma tomatoes (depending on how big they are), and a Sargento cheese stick. I dice everything up, throw it in a bowl, and top it with some Balsamic Vinaigrette. YUM!!! Just like that. Super easy! Now go make your own to enjoy!! :)

12 Days of Christmas Crafts | Day 8 | Cookies

Who doesn't love cookies?? K and I made some delicious sugar cookies. The dough came together pretty effortlessly, there was no time waiting around for it to chill, and when they came out of the oven...perfection!!

I found the recipe on THIS site. I am going to share the ingredients and directions here, but I highly recommend heading over to that link as soon as you can. There are bunches of great cookie recipes there!! :)

Let's get started! We gathered all of our ingredients:
1 Cup butter, softened
1 Cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking powder
3 cups all purpose flour

And then got to work following the directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In the bowl of your mixer cream butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in extracts and egg.
4. In a separate bowl combine baking powder with flour and add a little at a time to the wet ingredients. The dough will be very stiff. If it becomes too stiff for your mixer turn out the dough onto a countertop surface. Wet your hands and finish off kneading the dough by hand.
5. DO NOT CHILL THE DOUGH. Divide into workable batches, roll out onto a floured surface and cut. You want these cookies to be on the thicker side (closer to 1/4 inch rather than 1/8).
6. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet until firm enough to transfer to a cooling rack.

K always likes to have his own dough to play with while I am doing the hard parts. I think he could sit and play with dough all day!

Once all the dough was rolled out, we cut as many shapes as we could until there was not enough dough left to make another cookie. The extra was added to K's pile. :)

 K really enjoyed painting on all the cookies with the cookie markers!

 This one was my favorite!

 Can you tell which ones were decorated by K? :)

 At the end, we squeezed a big pile of the white frosting on to the last cookie and added some sprinkles.

 Of course, we had to do a little taste test to make sure they were good! I think they passed! What do you think?

We really enjoyed making these cookies, and we will probably be making them again soon since they were so easy!

Organization | Pantry | Spices

Today I want to share a little about pantry organization. this may end up being a multiple part post, so today I am just going to talk about spices.

I love having things organized! I love how everything looks when it all has a home. What I don;t like is when I can't find a way that is functional to organize something that I use regularly.  Spices are a great example. I have seen and tried so many different ways to keep these little containers in order. It wasn't until my mom gave me this old plastic Coca-Cola crate thing that I had no idea what I would use it for that I found the perfect solution!When we lived in Rhode Island, one of the cabinets had the perfect shelf for it. It fit the height and width of the crate perfectly! I was able to pull it out and easily find whatever herb/spice I needed at the time. then, I took it to the next level. Instead of pulling out each container to see what it was, I wanted a way to easily identify them. For the last few years, I would write on the cap and find them that way. This was really hard with the black lids!
One day, while I was in the office, I found this pack of Avery labels. Do you see where I am going with this??

I got to work labeling each and every jar. I used a fine point sharpie so it wouldn't bleed and smear everywhere. I am in love with how easy it is to find everything now!

This month, I am also participating in A Bowl Full of Lemons' 31 Day Purge. Day 20 was spices. We recently moved, so most of the challenges I did before we packed. Or so I thought. I didn't do the spices until a few days later when I was looking for something else and realized one of the spices has passed its 'best by' date. That got me curious, and so I went through them all. I had a few that were past their prime! (luckily they all expired this year within the last few months, so it wasn't THAT bad!)

Just a few!

When putting everything back and organizing it all, I realized I have a lot of cinnamon. Like A LOT! I remember buying it frequently over the summer thinking I was out all the time. Must have been the new mommy brain! I have two containers of regular cinnamon, a Roasted Saigon Cinnamon, Roasted Cinnamon, and two containers of cinnamon sticks! (One of them is almost empty, thankfully!) I think I should start using some of it up!

Here is my container in all its glory! What do you think? How do you keep your spices organized??

Follow along the challenge on Instagram