Quick and Easy Corn Casserole

Quick and Easy Corn Casserole

The holidays are right around the corner and one of my favorite traditional holiday recipes is a good old corn casserole!

With only six ingredients, ten minutes to prepare and an hour in the oven – your entire family is sure to love this recipe.

It’s so easy. SO EASY. Just take the five ingredients below and mix them all together in a mixing bowl, then spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray (or muffin tins with liners work too for mini casseroles) and then pour the creamy corny goodness into the dish.

Pop it in the oven for one hour at 350 degrees.

BAM… it’s done.

  • 1 can of corn, drained
  • 1 can of creamed corn
  • 1 cup of sour cream
  • 1 stick of melted butter (1/2 cup)
  • 1 box of Jiffy Corn Muffin mix
  • 2 eggs (beaten)

Enjoy!

Mandy

The Best Lesson You’ll Ever Learn: Just Listen

The Best Lesson You’ll Ever Learn: Just Listen

I dare you to spend an entire day of your life silent. TOTALLY. FREAKING. SILENT. I bet just thinking about that is making your toes curl. If you’ve never tried it – you don’t know what you’re missing out on.

I read that the average person spends about 4 hours of their day talking. That’s four hours of your day where your brain is primarily focused on the output which means that it’s not focused on the input. You are missing so much because you are trying to control the situation using your voice. Can you imagine how different your life would be if you just shut the heck up!

When I was in college, one of my professors told me that the smartest person in the room is typically the quietest. Weird – right? Being vocal seems to convey dominance, but dominance is different than intelligence. I firmly believe this to be true. Quiet folks spend their time absorbing the information, processing it, and watching how each person in the room reacts and takes in the information. They are 100% in the moment. They don’t feel the need to sway the conversation in one way or another. They are there to learn and then make decisions only after they have a good grasp on the material or the task at hand.

If you listen to a lot of people talk, they tend to talk through their thought process out loud – that’s a lot of what communication in business is. People talking out loud to solve a problem. Listeners internalize their thought process and then assert themselves by taking a firm stance based on all of the inputs.

Listening is more than just shutting your mouth. It’s also learning how to shut your mind. I don’t mean going to sleep – I wish I did – wouldn’t we all love a good nap right about now? What I mean is having enough control of your mental thoughts to turn off your inner dialogue and really focus on what you are hearing. If you are anything like me a normal meeting goes something like this:

  1. Walk into the room.
  2. Say hello to each person and introduce yourself if you don’t already know them.
  3. Notice that you really like one of the other ladies’ outfits.
  4. Find a seat.
  5. Discuss where and why you are selecting the seat and what you see out the window.
  6. Work through getting your technology set up.
  7. Make sure the conference line is dialed in.
  8. Think through the presentation and realize you might have missed a slide or see a grammar error.
  9. Welcome everyone to the meeting and give some background about why you are there.
  10. Meeting starts.
  11. Notice you get an email.
  12. Check-in with what is going on in the meeting.
  13. Notice you are hungry – check on what time it is.
  14. Take a drink of coffee, notice how good it tastes.
  15. Notice you get an email.
  16. Check back in with what is happening in the meeting.
  17. Phone buzzes – discreetly flip it over to see who texted.
  18. Check back in with what is happening in the meeting.
  19. Write down your follow-ups.
  20. Notice you got an email. Respond to said email.
  21. Meeting closes.
  22. Check the time.
  23. Say goodbye and thank everyone for coming.

Think about every second you spend in an average meeting not tuned into the materials. Think about every time you go out to eat with anyone and you are on your phone. What are you missing out on? You have to learn to turn everything off. Your mouth, your mind, your phone – all of it.

It used to be that when we said we were listening, it just meant that we weren’t talking but these days you must really learn to quiet the noise from technology, your mental to-do list, and your surroundings.

Listening might be one of the hardest skills to learn. It’s something you must practice and work at daily. Try to listen to 15 minutes of an audiobook every day and not do anything but listen. Count the number of times your mind starts to do or think about something else – you are going to be so surprised! Everything you hear is a trigger that gets you started on something else. When I started this exercise, it was too hard for me to make it through the whole 15 minutes, so I started with five. When I was able to get through five minutes of solid listening, I added another five. I can’t say that I have mastered more than 20 minutes but I’m at least conscious of when I need to pull myself back in. I have heard a lot of people say that meditation helps you develop this skill but I’m not quite there yet.

Again, I dare you to leave your phone and email behind and attend your first meeting with only your ears (and a notebook for notes of course).

Honey Butter Oatmeal Balls

Honey Butter Oatmeal Balls

Recently I have been CRAVING peanut butter and for someone with a peanut allergy this can cause BIG problems. I was determined to find something that would cure my craving and after trying about a thousand different crackers, ice creams, snacks and more I have finally found something that provides the peanut butter flavor I was looking for that’s also pretty healthy!

Ingredients:

  • Rolled Oats
  • Honey
  • Peanut Butter (I can’t eat peanut butter so I used a peanut butter substitute)
  • Chocolate Chips

These are so easy to make.

First I poured the whole package of rolled oats into a mixing bowl.

Next, I added about a quarter cup of honey.

Then I added all of the peanut butter.

In my opinion it’s easier to roll them when the mixture is warm so I stuck the mixing bowl in the microwave for about 45 seconds.

Then I add in the chocolate chips. Sometimes I add a lot and sometimes I only add a little.

The fun part of this recipe is that you can add in a lot of things – you could add sunflower seeds, flax seed, chia seeds, nuts – the sky is the limit!

You can make as much or as little as you want which is what is great about this recipe. You just need to add enough honey and peanut butter to create a “sticky” mixture you can roll into balls.

If you don’t want to roll it into balls you can just pour it into a baking pan and compress the mixture by laying a piece of wax paper on top of it and squishing it down (like you would do if you were making Rice Krispie treats).

ENJOY!

The Best Broccoli Salad

The Best Broccoli Salad

I love my vegetables but sadly, broccoli is not high up on my list of veggie favorites.

I don’t like the way it smells when you cook it and I don’t like the soggy texture when it’s cooked.

I LOVE raw broccoli. I love it even more in this tasty broccoli salad.

It’s a super-easy way to get in some extra veggies.

Dressing:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

Salad:

  • 2 heads of broccoli (or two bags of frozen broccoli)
  • 3/4 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 small red onion
  • 12 slices of bacon (you can skip the meat if you don’t want to include it)

Note: You can add in nuts (peanuts or almonds) but I have a nut allergy so I skip this step.

How to Make It:

  1. Mix mayo, sugar, and vinegar. Set aside.
  2. Cook bacon so it’s good and crispy and chop into bits.
  3. Cut broccoli, chop onion, and dressing.
  4. Boil 2 cups of water and quickly “dunk” the broccoli into the water (I do it in the strainer for no more than 30 seconds)… this makes the broccoli a little softer.
  5. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
  6. Let sit in the fridge overnight so all the flavor mixes and soaks into the broccoli.

My Four Favorite One-Dish Chicken Dinners

My Four Favorite One-Dish Chicken Dinners

Summer is almost over and our weekday routines are back in full force.

Here are five of my favorite one-dish dinners so you can avoid turning on the hot stove, get out of the kitchen and spend the spare time that you do have with your loved ones.

ONE: Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup 

This is one of my favorite things to make because it’s so easy and it makes SO much!

I get a rotisserie chicken for dinner. After we are done eating the bulk of the chicken, I take the leftover chicken and bones and toss them into a crock pot and cover it with water. I let this cook down for a few hours so the chicken falls off and it makes a nice broth.

After 3-4 hours I pull out the bones and toss in frozen vegetables, grains and noodles.

Let that cook until the noodles are tender an you’re done!

I really like a lot of seasoning in my soup so I add salt and pepper at the end.

For the picture below I did save some of the chicken breast and cut it up into cubes to dress it up a little.

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TWO: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

This is SO easy. I like to purchase the Taco “Kit” that comes with the shells and seasoning. I use the amount of chicken listed on the seasoning packet and just put the chicken, seasoning and double the amount of water into the crockpot and let it cook for 8 hours (or a full work day) on low. Then when I get home it’s usually so tender that I can just stir the meat and it pulls apart.

If there is still some extra water in the crock pot I turn it up to high and let it sit for an hour and it usually evaporates.

THREE: Grilled Chicken 

My favorite way to make grilled chicken is to soak it for a few hours in Olive Garden Italian Dressing!

Then just place it on the grill and cook! I like to cook mine until it has some burnt spots (I think they make it taste the best!

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FOUR: Mom’s Chicken Pot Pie 

This recipe is something my mom has made for years! You can use anything you want for the crust – Phyllo Dough, Pie Crust, Crescent Rolls or Crushed up Crackers!

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Apple Cake

Apple Cake

Every fall my family heads out to Patterson Fruit Farm for our yearly apple picking trip.

While I would like to say the goal is to pick the most delicious apples, we actually just end up stuffing our faces with hot apple fritters, cider, and of course apples straight off the tree.

My mom always gives us a limit on how many apples to pick and then, of course, we end up picking about 50 pounds more.

What to do with all the apples?? Apple cake!

Items Needed:

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 cups light olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup of sugar
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 cups flour
  • 3 cups chopped apples
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans are a great choice)
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Frosting Recipe:

  • ¼ pound butter
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 cup brown sugar

Cake Directions:

  • Combine items in the order listed.
  • Spread in a 9″ x 12″ pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Frosting Directions:

  • Frost while hot
  • Bring frosting ingredients to a boil
  • Cook for 2 1/2 minutes
  • Pour over cake

GOBLENDZ TROPICAL CARROT SMOOTHIE

GOBLENDZ TROPICAL CARROT SMOOTHIE

I had the opportunity to work with a local brand to develop smoothie recipes for them. Test this one out and let me know what you think! You can find the recipes on their website. The blender is amazing! It’s portable, easy to use and clean and comes in a variety of colors.

Every bunny is going to want to try this recipe packed with delicious and nutritious ingredients.

10 baby carrots (chopped into small pieces)

1 tbs turmeric

¼ cup pineapple

¼ cup mango

Splash orange juice

Water

Ice

GOBLENDZ SPICED PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE

GOBLENDZ SPICED PUMPKIN SMOOTHIE


I had the opportunity to work with a local brand to develop smoothie recipes for them. Test this one out and let me know what you think! You can find the recipes on their website. The blender is amazing! It’s portable, easy to use and clean and comes in a variety of colors.

The most BASIC smoothie recipe you will find out there…

¼ cup pumpkin puree

½ cup milk

¼ cup frozen banana

2 Tbs nut butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, allspice)

Ice

GOBLENDZ MARGARITA

GOBLENDZ MARGARITA


I had the opportunity to work with a local brand to develop smoothie recipes for them. Test this one out and let me know what you think! You can find the recipes on their website. The blender is amazing! It’s portable, easy to use and clean and comes in a variety of colors.

Did you know your GoBlendz can do more than just make smoothies? Make a mean margarita with this quick and easy recipe.

Tequila

Lime

Triple Sec

Sour

Salt

Ice

Blend (strain through opening on top of blender over ice for rocks or pour straight from blender for frozen)

Please enjoy responsibly. 

GOBLENDZ WATERMELON SLUSH

GOBLENDZ WATERMELON SLUSH

I had the opportunity to work with a local brand to develop smoothie recipes for them. Test this one out and let me know what you think! You can find the recipes on their website. The blender is amazing! It’s portable, easy to use and clean and comes in a variety of colors.

Packed with ingredients fresh out of the garden, this light and refreshing smoothie is best served ice cold.

¼ cup watermelon

3 mint leaves

3 Tbs lime juice

Tito’s Vodka

Ice

Water

GOBLENDZ CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY SMOOTHIE

GOBLENDZ CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY SMOOTHIE

I had the opportunity to work with a local brand to develop smoothie recipes for them. Test this one out and let me know what you think! You can find the recipes on their website. The blender is amazing! It’s portable, easy to use and clean and comes in a variety of colors.

Nothing says winter like a chocolate covered cherry. You’ll feel full and festive for hours with this protein packed treat.

1/8 cup chocolate protein powder

30 whole pitted cherries

1 tsp cinnamon

3 tbs beet juice

1 tsp cacao nibs

Water

Ice