Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos and Skinny Margaritas

In honor of today I figured I would post a south of the border kinda meal :) Because it is Taco Tuesday I decided to do my salsa verde chicken tacos. They are SOOO flavorful yet so easy because all you have to do is put them in the crock pot and assemble them when finished. Easy peasy. 

Shopping List

Three boneless skinless chicken breasts

chicken stock

 salt and pepper

cumin

cayenne

smoked paprika

salsa verde

corn tortillas

shredded jack cheddar

cilantro

onions and bell pepper sliced

Procedure

six hours before you decide to eat ( or before you go to work) place your chicken in the crockpot with a few gluts of chicken stock to keep them moist. next sprinkle on a generous amount of S&P, and the rest of the spices. top with the verde sauce and cover on low for 6-7 hours. After the time is up you can shred the chicken and mix in all the spices..let sit for a few minutes while you prepare the veggies.  Slice your onion and place it in a pan on med-high heat with a few drizzles of olive oil and butter.  Add your peppers and cook until nice and caramelized..add a bit of seasoning to them as well. warm up the tacos and stuff with the veggie mix, chicken, and top with jack cheddar and garnish with cilantro. I know its ridiculously simple.. and SO yummy!!!!

 

Skinny Marg

in a martini shaker squeeze the juice of 6 limes, one orange, add two shots of patron silver or just a few glugs..we all know we don't measure our tequila!! Add a few squeezes of agave nectar and shake over ice. Serve and garnish with a lime wedge...so refreshing and light on the calories!

Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!

Today I am coming at you with a totally new spin on the boring old meatloaf...I have transformed the so called "loaf" into muffins!!!! This way they are portioned out and I can stick them in my lunchbox for lunch. They also freeze really easily!!!!!! I used turkey to keep things a little bit on the lean side however you can used 100 percent ground angus beef and they would be amazing. 

Shopping List:

two tubes 85 % lean ground turkey

one tube of regular pork sausage

fresh parsley 

1/2 cup shredded white cheddar

one egg

one cup breadcrumbs

1/3 cup ketchup

few gluts of worstechire sauce

salt/pepper

1/2 cup shredded carrot

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped zucchini and squash

1/2 cup chopped onion.

greased muffin tin

two sweet potatoes peeled and chunked

Procedure

preheat oven to 350

In a bowl combine your tubes of turkey and about a third of the tube of pork

mix in your egg ( this is your binder) cheese, and bread crumbs...you can go ahead and season the meat the way you would like as well. I generously salt and pepper it.

Wash your hands and start sautteeing the veggies. In a pan over med. high heat start by adding a third of a stick of butter to warm the pan up then pour all of the veggies in and coat with the butter... add some salt and pepper. Cover and cook for about 7 minutes... once veggies are soft add the ketchup and worstechire. Coat well. Pour veggies into the meat mixture and mix well. add the parsley and fold in with your hands. Next place the mixture into the muffin dish filling the cups all the way to the top. Squirt a little more ketchup on top for good measure :) Im a ketchup freak. 

Stick the meatloaf muffins in the oven for a good 45-55 minutes. Mean while boil your potatoes until soft..add butter and salt and pepper and give them good mashing. 

Once your meat loaf muffins are done pull them out and they should slide out of the tin relatively easy ....top with the mashed potatoes and serve with a side of veggies :) Done!!!! aren't they cute?? I love cute food! 

Friday Favorites!!!!!!

Happy Friday!!!!!

& Greetings from H-town :)

I am currently sitting in my Hotel room sipping a latte' and eating my pancakes in bed. #donthateme

It has been a very relaxing two days!!! Husband is here for business and I thought I would tag along for fun and then meet up with him Friday night at our beach house :) So far there has been lots of napping, eating, and laying out by the pool happening up in here and I'm lovin' it. Today I am linking up with Mix and Match Mama and talking about my FRIDAY FAVORITES.  I have quite a few so get ready.

There is no recipe post today since I have been out of town, but this weekend at our beach house I am going to cook up my fabulous grilled shrimp summer salad so I will post that next week!!! Onto the favorites

1. 

OPI CONEY ISLAND COTTON CANDY: Must have polish for spring/summer..it looks so fresh and clean on your pretty nails :) I am wearing it right now!

2. LOFTS AMAZING SPRING SALE!!!! Everything is 40 % off right now and they have some seriously cute summer dresses.. I may have bought three..or six ...just saying'

seriously how cute..and such great prices!!!!!!!!! I am in love with the Paradise Henley Blouse paired with the cute emerald shorts. LOVE! click here to shop the sale :)

3. 

While on vacation here, I literally downloaded this book on my e reader and read it in four hours flat. This story is truly an amazing inspiring story of hope from three beautiful girls locked away like prisoners in a small neighborhood house by a man named Ariel Castro. The lifetime movie is premiering this Saturday and I for sure will be watching it. This story will bring tears to your eyes and will tear your heart to pieces but it encourages women and humans in general to never give up hope. No matter how dark your situation is, God is always with you and will never ever forsake you. The women that share this incredible story of faith are amongst some of the strongest humans I know and applaud them and look up to them for their courage. I strongly suggest everyone to read this!!!!!

4. 

The fact that I will be sitting here in a few short hours thrills me beyond belief. Although our beach in Texas is QUITE not this beautiful it's still a beach...and I am so beyond ready to taste that sweet salty air and sit in the sand with yet another good book :)

5. This magazine appeared in my mail box one evening and I have been getting their issues every month. NEW FAVORITE MAGAZINE ALERT. This magazine has 5 star restaurant quality recipes but are SUPER easy to make in the at home busy working person kitchen. I have cut a few clippings out and put them in my cute little self made cook book and plan to make my husband some FABULOUS dinners this summer while I'm not working :) OH I can just taste summer time :)

  

Spring Carrot Bundt Cake

This weekend was one of the nicest weekends I have enjoyed with family in such a long time!!!! I had an 80th birthday for my grandpa and all of the family came over to celebrate. I absolutely love hosting birthday parties ( or anything for that matter!) and  I got a little theme happy and customized special details like napkins that said "happy birthday pawpaw" in teal and silver, matching balloons, and special customized cookies from Lily's that went along with the theme. It was absolutely beautiful...however the one thing he insisted upon was his homemade carrot cake. I obliged to this request of course and created the perfect carrot cake!!! This is my own recipe so I hope you enjoy it!!!!

shopping list:

One box carrot cake mix

one box raisins

grated carrot ( about 1/2 cup)

one box vanilla pudding

one box cheesecake pudding

1/2 cup veggie oil

4 eggs

 1 1/4 cup water

1/2 stick butter softened

one package of creme cheese softened

almost two cups of powdered sugar

Mexican vanilla.

Procedure

In a mixing bowl combine cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and puddings...beat until smooth. Add in about 1/2 cup of raisins and fold in. Pour batter into a greased bundt cake pan and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Then in a separate bowl add the butter, creme cheese and mix on high until creamed and smooth...slowly add in the powdered sugar little by little to thicken and form a nice paste..add the vanilla during this portion of the process too.  Once cake is cooled invert onto a cake plate and frost with the frosting...garnish with the grated carrot. AMAZING!

Summer Fun!!!!

I can totally relate..

I am ready for SUMMER!!!!

So, because I am SO over the top ready for summer I decided to share some of my summer favorites! I think I just said the word summer way to much....

Here we go!

1. The number one item that is a must have for summer I THINK is a really great POOL BAG!! Unless you are an alien and do not spend time by the pool or beach this summer then this will not apply to you but a nice roomy summer bag is something everyone needs for summer! I bought this really cute Yellow one from Target and it is only TEN dollars!!!!! I already moved in and am ready for the pool. Here are some other cute options 

option 1.

option 2.

option 3.

2. Number two on my summer list is a pretty pink lipgloss that will work beautifully with your summer tan! I found THE greatest lipgloss ever at MAC this weekend and I will wear it all summer long 

MAC- Lovingly Yours

MAC- MODEST

They are SO pretty and fun for summer!!! 

3. Numero Three on the list is a FUN and colorful Sandal... I have a few options for you but my favorites are these 

I mean they are so much fun!! I would wear them with shorts, a cute color block maxi, black dress, white skinnies..whatever they are just cute!!!! Here are some other styles that I love for summer too!!

option 1 I just got these in gold and am living in them!

option 2 These are a less expensive option and just as cute I think!

4. A GOOD SUMMER READ is a huge must have for my summer list. I love love LOVE to read books and literally will finish them within a few hours because I'm obsessed so I have to have a good list going. These are a few that I bought and hope to delve into once school is over. I will do a book review after I have read them all but I have heard things about 

The Husband's Secret

The Time Travlers Wife- 

(I am currently reading this and am in love. I saw the movie but the book, of course, is so much better!!! )

Tigers in Red Weather

I saw this book while browsing in Barnes and Noble and it just LOOKED interesting... sounds dramatic.. sounds romantic...thought I would try it :)

5. Last but not least...

A BEACHY HAIR PRODUCT

I love the beachy wave thing..and really loved it when my hair was longer. I still can do the beach look but have to work a little harder at it since my hair is shorter...I have worn this hair product for YEARS!!! I got it one day at Walmart ( seriously ) and swear by it. It has actual sea salt so your hair is amazingly beachy <--- not a word but whatever.  Its five bucks and will change your life. Promise. 

Here are some other options though that I have tried and really and truly like

option 1

THIS IS AMAZING 

( This technically is not a hair product it is a fragrance but you will feel as though you are in Hawaii when you put this on. It smells SO SO SO Good.) 

Okay back to business

option 2

option 3

Well there ya have it...just some fun summer inspirations for you :) 

Our life through pictures

Tonight I am hosting my first

Stella & Dot Party!!

I am so excited!! So my post is going to be short and sweet because I need to go prepare and get pretty for my girls!!!! I will leave the link at the bottom of this post so that you can view all of the adorable spring collection!!! I am already eying a specific yellow statement necklace...check it out!!!!

We have been doing LOTS of home updates lately...maybe because we are anticipating a few changes we decided to go ahead and up our game for this house.. we may be selling it in a year or two!! 

I apologize in advance for the plethora of pictures....

here is life lately...

A trip to ATX ..my favorite city in Texas!!!! Starbucks in hand I am a happy camper!

 On our way... but first a selfie :)

Ahhh....we are here and happy...popped a bottle and got to partyin

WHOO!!!

Heading to the pool

My golfer taught me a little something' about golf...Top Golf was SO fun!!!

 :)

 My quiet time...I seriously recommend this book if you are looking for a new bible study or quiet time book. It is optimistic and amazing...

A little more Austin...this was us at my favorite restaurant Eddie V's

 They have the best Martinis...

Just fun on sixth with my man!!!!!

Representing Stella and Dot!!!! 

On another date:)!

 Dad and mom came in to visit and took us to chuch and brunch

My Gardener potting my plants  for me

Hanging with the bestie...and little bestie :)

Cute new pillows for our bench!

Pulled pork citrus tacos...recipe found on the blog!

Thinking everyone should own a pair of these Sam Edelmens..right now they are 50 percent off!!! I paid a whopping 35 bucks for them and I love them! 

And now for the Stella and Dot Trunk Show...

Shop all summer items on the website listed on this e-card.

Next post will be all about my Party Hosting tips and tricks :) I love a good party!

Citrus Infused Pulled Pork Tacos

Citrus Infused Pulled Pork Tacos

OH....My....

GOSH.

These were good.

I made a HUGE batch so I had both my neighbors and my mom come for dinner..  everyone had seconds and thirds and everyone asked for the recipe. It felt amazing to know I thought up and cooked this wonderful recipe and everyone loved it!!! I should write a book!! JK..
Kind of.


Shopping List
*** CROCK POT

1 large Pork Butt ( aka Boston butt, pork shoulder roast)
one large naval orange
sea salt and black pepper
BBQ sauce
one cup water
green onion
Mexican blend cheese
cayenne
cumin
smoked chili powder ( this was a specialty item found in the health aisle of HEB)
one large yellow onion -sliced
one package of corn tortillas

Procedure

Before placing your pork in the crockpot you will want to vigorously rub the meat down with all of the above spices. Start with your salt and pepper, then add the cayenne, cumin, and chili powder...rub it all over so it has a nice coating.
Place in crock pot and add one cup of water
slice the Naval orange in half and then squeeze the life out of it all over the pork. Place the rinds inside the crock pot. Next add your sliced onion and gently lay it all round the pork...layer the top with BBQ sauce and set the lid on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. 

Once the pork is finished cooking you will want to drain all excess liquid from the inside. Shred the pork ( "pull the pork) until you have the desired amount you wish. Inside a warm corn tortilla add a scoop of pork, green onion, shredded cheese, and maybe some avocado and top with a dollop of BBQ sauce and you will thank me forever and ever and ever for this recipe.