Rainbow Cookies

My youngest loves rainbows. She colors EVERYTHING in rainbows. So, when I went to bake treats for her classroom for her birthday, I knew just what to do:

Playing along with Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday on parenting By dummies:-)

Chinese Hot Pot with Three Sauces

This was an awesome interactive dinner to celebrate the Chinese New Year! My daughter wants to do this every year:-)

Chinese Hot Pot with Three Sauces
Ingredients:
•For the Broth:
3 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
1 clove garlic, sliced
3 slices fresh ginger root
1 tsp dry parsley
1 tsp cinnamon
•Meats and Vegetables for Dipping:
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast (raw), thinly sliced
1/2 lb tilapia fillets
3 package ramen noodles
1/2 cup mushrooms
1 each carrot, thinly sliced
1 each onion, thinly sliced
•Sesame Dipping Sauce:
1/4 cup water
2 tbs low sodium soy sauce
1 tbs rice vinegar
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp peanut butter
1/2 tsp ginger, chopped
1/2 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
•Garlic Dipping Sauce:
2 tbs low sodium soy sauce
2 tbs water
1/2 tbs garlic
1 1/2 tbs fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp sugar

Directions:
1. Bring broth ingredients to a boil in a medium pot. Pour into a fondue pot to keep warm.

2. Dip the sliced meats and vegetables in the simmering broth one at a time or in small batches; chicken and fish should cook for 30-60 seconds. Serve with the dipping sauces.

3. Sesame Dipping Sauce: Toast the sesame seeds and puree all ingredients in a food processor or blender.

4. Garlic Dipping Sauce: Stir together all ingredients until the sugar is dissolved.

Servings: 4

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 of a recipe (22.3 ounces).
Percent daily values based on custom values.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients. 4 of the recipe's ingredients were not linked. These ingredients are not included in the recipe nutrition data.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 500.61
Calories From Fat (19%) 96.64
% Daily Value
Total Fat 11.1g 19%
Saturated Fat 3.64g 33%
Cholesterol 90.15mg 45%
Sodium 1098.4mg 46%
Potassium 1184.91mg 34%
Total Carbohydrates 54.62g 25%
Fiber 3.31g 11%
Sugar 5.23g
Protein 48.81g 77%

Recipe Type: Chicken, Chinese, Chinese New Year, Healthy, Light Meal, Main Course, Seafood

Source
Web Page: http://www.thespicehouse.com/recipes/hot-pot-with-three-sauces

Playing along with Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .

Poached Chicken

Poaching is a great way to cook chicken breast so they don't try out and, it is much healthier than canned chicken which can include a lot of salt which promotes inflammation!
Pick N Save has chicken breasts on sale and I am pairing it with coupons and coming up with the tastiest money saving around! It is normally $4.79/lb. and I got it for $1.99/lb. So, I grabbed a bunch of both to make my featured recipe today:

Poached Chicken
Ingredients:
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 sprigs parsley, optional

Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan on medium heat, combine broth and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add chicken and, if desired, parsley. Cook for 6 minutes, adjusting heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and let stand until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Servings: 4

Cooking Times
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 21 minutes
Inactive Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/4 of a recipe (6.1 ounces).
Percent daily values based on custom values.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 134.53
Calories From Fat (12%) 16
% Daily Value
Total Fat 1.75g 3%
Saturated Fat 0.47g 4%
Cholesterol 65.77mg 33%
Sodium 264.81mg 11%
Potassium 343.71mg 10%
Total Carbohydrates 0.26g 1%
Fiber 0.02g 1%
Sugar 0g
Protein 27.41g 43%

Recipe Type: Chicken, Healthy
Source Web Page: http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Recipes/Recipe/Poached-Chicken.aspx

Recipe Cost: $5.21 ($2.41 on sale)
Serving Cost: $1.30 ($0.60 on sale)

Search for Coupons

I am posting this menu plan along with I'm an Organizing Junkie and $5 Dinners .

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

Everytime I plan a remodel project, I need inspiration to make a vision board. I did this when we remodeled our bathrooms, when we redecorated our living room and even when we did the outside remodel that we completed this fall. It is most helpful to get your ideas out of your head on an paper and, when you start to purchase items, you will know what fixture will go with what color or what pattern will work in your design. It really brings confidence to the design process.

Now, even though our kitchen remodeling is another 10 years off, I am starting to collect some ideas. If you dream it, it will come. Check out the kitchen remodeling inspirtion I found:

mediterranean kitchen design by miami architect Don Stevenson Design

I love the mediterranean look. And I really like the lighter cabinets and the dark island. I am just not crazy about the counter tops.

mediterranean kitchen design by austin architect John Allen

I love these floors!!

mediterranean kitchen design by charlotte kitchen and bath Designer Glass Mosaics

I MUST have this backsplash!!!

With a little bit of time invested, you can get the kitchen remodeling of your dreams!

Playing along with Wordless Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Mom and Wordful Wednesday on parenting By dummies:-)

Flip Your Mattress

Now is the perfect time to flip your mattresses. Doing this every quarter helps to extend the life of these investments in good sleep. But don't do linear flipping from side to side. Don't forget front to back too. To help keep track, label your mattresses thusly:

Put one set on the sides and one set on the ends. This will ensure that each side gets its turn on top:-) While you are at it, wash your bed skirt, mattress pad and comforter too!

A fresh start feels so good! Playing along with Tackle It Tuesday with 5 Minutes for Mom .