Smoothies, tacos, and oreo dessert oh my!
Hello readers! Sorry I’ve been MIA the past 4 weeks. I got that new job, and don’t get on my computer NEARLY the same amount that I did before. Nor do I have the time to check my facebook, twitter, tumbler, etc. during the day. I know you’ve missed me. Today is your lucky day! I went to town and cooked 3 Pinterest recipes I’ve been wanting to try. So I’ll go over those and then do a BRIEF update on my life, and I’ll have to come back another time and write a more in depth blog post about my new job and my life now-a-days.
Here it goes.
Blueberry Smoothie
I love smoothies. And I always wish I were one of those people who made healthy smoothies for myself on a daily basis. Here is a recipe for a healthy smoothie, that I’ll for sure make again.
Ingredients:
- 1 can coconut milk
- 2-3 cups wild blueberries
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla
- A few frozen peach slices
- 4 frozen bananas
- Lots of ice
I have some changes to the ingredients. I knew this was going to make too much, so I really just used all these ingredients and Nolan helped me just put them in a blender (bullet) by our best judgment, and I actually bought a carton of coconut milk, because I figured I would have leftover fruit. So I literally poured some coconut milk. Put some blueberries, peach slices, bananas, vanilla, and ice in the bullet and hoped it tasted good. And it was really delicious.
Little C kept coming back for more, so even 2 year olds like it! I’d say that’s the best way to see if a recipe is good.
With a smoothie mustache.
Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
So I love tacos, and this is a good healthy recipe and I’ve gotta say I didn’t really miss the taco shell. I needed to make something on the healthier side for our main meal because of the dessert that is coming. I will DEFINITELY make this again, and it’s super easy. You make your own taco seasoning, because the package ones are full of sodium. So if you really want to, you can make this using the packaged seasoning in place of all the seasonings below, but then where’s the fun in that?
Ingredients
- 1 package 99% lean ground turkey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 small onion, minced
- 2 tbsp bell pepper, minced (We did use these)
- 3/4 cup water
- 4 oz can tomato sauce
- 8 large lettuce leaves from Iceberg lettuce
By the way, the getting the lettuce into perfect shell shaped pieces is SO much harder than I thought it’d be.
Brown turkey in a large skillet. When no longer pink add dry seasoning and mix well.
Add onion, (pepper), water, and tomato sauce and cover.
Simmer on low for about 20 minutes.
Wash and dry the lettuce and then when ready, place the meat in the middle of the lettuce and add toppings of your choice. We chose tomatoes, 2% cheese, light sour cream, and limes.
and bon appétit!
We served it with some black beans that Nolan doctored. He put lime juice and garlic. Little C ended up eating more black beans than meat…so apparently Nolan did a really good job making a can of black beans delicious. :) We also served it with some yummy cerveza.
Now comes the dessert.
Oreo Layer Dessert
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg of regular Oreos
- 1/2 c. of butter
- 1 lg box of instant chocolate pudding
- 2-8 oz cool whips
- 8 oz. of cream cheese, softened
- 1 c. powdered sugar
Ok here’s a little disclaimer. I was an idiot and read “2-8 oz cool whips” as 2-8 oz OF cool whip, not 2 things of cool whip, so I only bought one. When I got home and realized how dumb I am, I decided I would just half the recipe and put it in a smaller container. So the list of ingredients above and the directions below are when you are using a 9x13 dish (but the pics are of the half-ed recipe). It ended up working out because we did NOT need that much of this dessert. We would eat it all.
Crush the whole package of cookies either with a food processor, or in a bag and a rolling pin. Save a 1/2 c. to sprinkle on top of dessert when it’s done. Pour remaining crumbs in a 13x9 pan. Melt butter and pour into crumb mix. Stir it up good and press crumbs in bottom of pan to make a crust. Make chocolate pudding according to package directions and let it setup in the fridge. In a mixing bowl blend cream cheese until nice and smooth and then add powdered sugar, mix. Then fold in 1- 8 oz thing of cool whip.
Top oreo layer with cream cheese mix, then pudding, then your last 8 oz thing of cool whip, and then sprinkle remaining Oreo’s on top. Cover and refridgerate until ready to serve.
So this was really easy and no bake! So it takes no time at all. And serve it with some ice cold milk. YES, literally ICE cold.
And of course, Little C got some and loved it.
He’s pretty handsome, even with pudding all over his face.
So all in all it was a very successful meal.
Ok, brief update:
My new job is going well. I’m glad I’m at Lake Hills Montessori. I’m falling in love with all of the kids, even though some of them may or may not overwhelm me at times. I’m still learning my way around, and praying that I’m soaking in all that I need to in order to prove to my head teacher that she did the right thing in hiring me. I really like all of my coworkers, so it’s has ended up being a good change for me. I’m learning so many great things, especially things that I can end up teaching my own kids. I taught Caleb how to cover his mouth when he coughs. That may sound stupid to you, but I’m pretty proud! And Caleb is pretty proud every time he does it. He makes sure someone sees him doing it.
Other than that, my life has been pretty much the same. I’m so blessed. N and I are coming up on month 11, and doing well. I still can’t believe a guy as gorgeous as him would choose someone like me. It blows my mind. And Noah is absolutely perfect as always. And one of Little C’s favorite words is “woe-wah” (Noah). It makes my heart melt.
He’s a stud.
I hope all of you (maybe all 2 of you) have enjoyed this post. I appreciate you reading, and hope you try some of the recipes!
