{I Heart Family Dinners}

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 Hello All! I hope you are enjoying the
 14 days of Love

A big thank you to Ashley from Cherished Bliss
for hosting this fun series!

I am so honored to be a part of this series with
some pretty amazing ladies.

Let’s get started…

What I love most about family dinners is the laughter that is sparked from the crazy conversations that the kids bring to the table. I love making each holiday memorable, so
today I have prepared a Valentine Family Dinner that is sure to make everyone feel the love in the air!
The inspiration for this dinner is the most popular
Valentine’s Day fruit…

Strawberries have a good source of Folate and Potassium, and a
very good
source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C and Manganese.

Who’s hungry ?

Appetizer-
Strawberry Salad Tossed with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Topped with Toasted Pecans

How to make…
Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:

Adapted from: Whole Foods Market
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 TBS olive Oil
1/2 shallot, chopped
1/2 tsp thyme (or 2 tsp fresh thyme, I often use lemon thyme)
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/8 tsp (or a dash) of kosher salt
1 TBS honey

Add all ingredients to the blender and blend for a few seconds and you have a wonderful homemade dressing. For the salad greens I used fresh romaine and baby spinach!

Don’t forget the…

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 TBS Butter melted

Mix chopped pecans and butter until evenly coated, then spread pecans on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350 for about 10 min or until toasty!
Sprinkle over the Strawberry Salads!

Now on to the…

Main Course:
Personal Heart Shaped Pizzas topped with
Heart Shaped Pepperoni

Click here for The best bread machine pizza dough and the most amazing pizza sauce recipe.
If you do not have a bread machine check out this five star pizza dough recipe.
To make personal pizza just divide the dough to your desired size!

To shape your pizza in to a heart all you need is a pizza cutter and your imagination of a heart!
It’s ok if you mess up just roll the dough out and try again!
I always keep my pizza dough on foil until the last 5 min. of cooking, then I remove the foil and allow the crust to become crispy!

To shape your pepperoni into a heart all you need is scissors! Fold your pepperoni in half and shape into a heart!
(I use Turkey Pepperoni)

Now this is what everyone has been waiting for…

Dessert:
Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Cheesecake Bites

How to make
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bites:

First wash and core 24 strawberries.

r
Then dip strawberries in melted chocolate.
(I recommend Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips)
Allow the chocolate to harden in the fridge.

While the chocolate is setting you are ready to make the…
Cream Cheese Filling
8 oz (1/3 less fat) Cream Cheese (softened)
1/2 cup Powder Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla

In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Set bowl aside, then make the…

Graham Cracker Crumble
1/4 cup of Crushed Graham Crackers
1 TBS melted butter
1/2 tsp sugar

Mix all ingredients and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 250 until toasty (5-10min)

Next, fill a piping bag with the cream cheese mixture and pipe the cream cheese in the chocolate covered cored strawberries!

Sprinkle the Graham Cracker Crumbles
on the top of the strawberries.
Now you have an amazing dessert that is like heaven in your mouth!
Remember- It’s just a Strawberry [

If you missed  Michelle’s adorable Lil' {Mustached} Men Valentines Holder @ Our Wonderfilled Life yesterday , don't forget to check them out! 
Then don't forget to come back tomorrow for
Southern Lovely
in the
Trail of Love

Happy Valentine's Day

There will be a huge GIVEAWAY
as we end our love trail on the 7th!
Follow along to see what the prizes are, and make sure to stop by, and take a look at all these fabulous shops, because ONE lucky person will win it ALL! That’s right, all of it! Just a little hint, you might want to start liking them all on facebook ; ) It might just come in handy down the trail!

 

This event is sponsored by…

   

   

  

Melted Crayon Hearts

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This project is so much fun for the kids. I highly encourage you to allow your kiddos to experience the process of making these fun Valentine Crayons.

I have been wanting to do this project with my family for quite some time now.
I have finally allowed enough time to complete this exciting Valentine!
We had a huge bucket of used crayons waiting to be transformed into
creative, family fun!

Fist step:

Peeling off the crayon paper is time consuming! In this process your kids will be a big help. Even my four year old helped! I set a big bucket of used crayons in the middle of the table and an empty tub for the peeled crayons. I left it there for a few days, so when we had down time we would peel off the paper. 

It was also a great conversation starter for all of the family.

* I did not use any brown or black crayons.
If you want a more softer look use less blues and purples.

Second Step:

Place cut Crayons in a heart shaped silicon pan and bake @ 250 degrees for 10-15 min.

Allow the melted crayons to completely cool before removing from pan. The top of the heart will look different than the bottom. Be patient for the heart crayon to dry because 
this mosaic look is at the bottom :)

After cooling you will have an awesome Heart Crayon Valentine! 

These cute Valentine's are going to my little man’s preschool class!

x

The Trail of Love Starts Today...Come Follow Along

The Trail of Love starts today!

Start making your way down the trail of love with the first blogger, Desiree, over at
The 36th Avenue! 

….and just keep going! 

And don't for get the huge GIVEAWAY at the end of the love trail on the 7th! 

Follow

 my amazing sister, Ashley @ Cherished Bliss

 to see what the prizes are, and make sure to stop by, and take a look at all these fabulous shops, because ONE lucky person will win it ALL! That’s right, all of it! Just a little hint, you might want to start liking them all on facebook ; ) It might just come in handy down the trail!

 

Tuesday's Kitchen Tip {how to disinfect kitchen sponges}

Hello All!

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

 

Today's tip is quick and simple :)

Need to disinfect your kitchen sponges and brushes?

 

Throw them in the top rack or utensil compartment of your dishwasher next time you start a

load of dishes.

 

Not only will this kill all the germs and odors, it will extend the life of your sponges and brushes.

Thank you for stopping by and have a fabulous week :)

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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

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Now this is what everyone has been waiting for…

Chocolate Covered Strawberry
Cheesecake Bites

How to make
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Bites:

First wash and core 24 strawberries.

r
Then dip strawberries in melted chocolate.
(I recommend Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips)
Allow the chocolate to harden in the fridge.

While the chocolate is setting you are ready to make the…
Cream Cheese Filling
8 oz (1/3 less fat) Cream Cheese (softened)
1/2 cup Powder Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla

In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Set bowl aside, then make the…

Graham Cracker Crumble
1/4 cup of Crushed Graham Crackers
1 TBS melted butter
1/2 tsp sugar

Mix all ingredients and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 250 until toasty!

Next, fill a piping bag with the cream cheese mixture and pipe the cream cheese in the chocolate covered cored strawberries!

Sprinkle the Graham Cracker Crumbles
on the top of the strawberries.
Now you have an amazing dessert that is like heaven in your mouth!
Remember- It’s just a Strawberry

Happy Valentine’s Day

 

Kale Chips

I have recently seen Kale Chips everywhere from Pinterest to Food Network and had to give them a try. I have always been a big fan of kale and all the nutrients this vegetable carries. I usually add raw kale to salads or throw in a couple of leaves while juicing.

Kale is low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamin E, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron and Magnesium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.

 

 

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You may not be able to tell by the picture above but this is crispy Kale. It literally melts in your mouth. I will have to admit I am not a big fan of Kale Chips, but I will continue to crisp this vegetable and crumble all the nutrients over soups, salads, sandwiches, and dips.

(shhhhh kids will never know)

The possibilities are quite endless!

 

This is how I made my Kale Chips:

It is really simple!

1 head of Kale (washed and dried)

Olive Oil

Kosher Salt

Fresh Ground Pepper

Shredded Parmesan Cheese

( I did not accurately measure any of these ingredients)

 

Cut or tear kale into bite size pieces.

Add kale pieces to a large mixing bowl.  Lightly drizzle olive oil over kale; start with a 1 TBS of oil and add more as needed. Then sprinkle salt and pepper to taste and add your desired amount of shredded Parmesan. Toss all ingredients until evenly coated. Spread kale evenly on a cookie sheet.

 

Cook at 250 degrees for about 30 minutes, tossing once half way through.

 

Enjoy :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

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A strawberry salad tossed with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette topped with toasted pecans makes for a wonderful summer salad!

How to make:

Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

 

Adapted from: Whole Foods Market
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 TBS olive Oil
1/2 shallot, chopped
1/2 tsp thyme (or 2 tsp fresh thyme, I often use lemon thyme)
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/8 tsp (or a dash) of kosher salt
1 TBS honey
(add a little more if needed, depends on the sweetness of the strawberries)

Add all ingredients to the blender and blend for a few seconds and you have a wonderful homemade dressing. For the salad greens I used fresh romaine and baby spinach!

Don’t forget the…

 

1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 TBS Butter melted

Mix chopped pecans and butter until evenly coated, then spread pecans on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350 for about 10 min or until toasty!
Sprinkle over the Strawberry Salad!

Enjoy!

 

Apple Tuna Salad

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Adding an apple and fresh lemon juice will create a refreshing spin to your tuna fish salad. This is a great, easy lunch option you with not be ashamed of. Try my tuna apple salad on a croissant roll with fresh green leaf lettuce and sliced tomatoes to compliment all the cool flavors.

 

 

Apple Tuna Salad
This large batch feeds my family of five with leftovers.
Please adjust to your liking.

4- 5oz cans Albacore tuna

1 gala apple finely chopped

3 TBS purple onion or a shallot finely chopped
1 TBS dijon mustard

1 celery stalk finely chopped

3 heaping TBS sweet pickle relish

1 hard boiled egg smashed well

2/3 cup of light mayo

juice of 1 lemon

( I also add a little lemon zest from the lemon)

a few sprinkles of garlic and herb seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

 

Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

 

Serve on a croissant roll with fresh green leaf lettuce and sliced tomatoes.

Enjoy!

 

Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful, blessed day!

-Audra

 

 

 

 

Tuesday's Kitchen Tip {how to prevent your cutting board from slipping}

Hello All! I hope everyone is having a fabulous day :)

I am starting something new today;
every Tuesday I will be posting helpful tips for you to stay more peaceful in the kitchen!

Here is today's tip :)

Do you have a cutting board that slides while in use?

If so, here are a few tips to keep your cutting board in place!

 

1. Place a damp paper towel or a thin dish towel under the cutting board. This will allow the cutting board to stay in place while you finish preparing your meal. When wetting your towel  ring out as much water as possible.

2. Non-slip shelf/drawer liners also work well and allow your cutting board to stay put.

Hope these tips help you in the kitchen this week!

Here is a look at a few cutting boards I would really enjoy in my kitchen!

Bamboo Crumb Board
Totally Bamboo's Crumb Board is ideal for cutting and serving breads of any type. The Crumb Board has an open pattern that allows crumbs to fall into tray underneath, keeping your workspace crumb free!

 

 

Dexas Popware Over-the-Sink Collapsible Strainer Cutting Board

I love how this cutting board frees up and cleans up valuable counter space with this versatile over-the-sink strainer and cutting board combo. Rinse fruits, veggies and more in the collapsible and removable two-and-a-half-quart silicone strainer on one end and then chop them on the other end. The durable poly board is nonporous and will not dull knives. And since it rests over your sink all the mess just falls right into the basin and it is dishwasher safe.

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 K. Adams Artisan Cutting Board - Mirror

This maple wood cutting board is treated with food safe antique stain so you can use it for serving, cutting or simply collecting. Convenient cut out hole and elongated handle let you carry or hang the cutting board with ease. Lightly distressed to add character .

Have a wonderful day!

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Garbanzo Bean Salad

Tired of eating lettuce salads or looking to inspire your diet?

Try this colorful Garbanzo Bean Salad!

Garbanzo beans are high in protein, fiber, and low in fat. I use canned garbanzo beans in this recipe, so be aware of how much sodium is in the can you pick up at your grocery store.

 I choose low sodium 5% or less.

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What you need:

2 cans of Garbanzo beans (low sodium)

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

2 salad or pickling cucumbers, finely chopped

1 carrot, finely chopped

1/2 red pepper, finely chopped

1/4 purple onion, finely chopped

the juice of a half of lemon

 1/2 cup or less of your favorite Vinaigrette

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate!

I use Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette made with extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Enjoy :)

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

This recipe is on the back of the Ocean Spray Craisins Original Dried Cranberries package. My family and I absolutely love this cookie recipe. I would not change a thing! Perfect for an after school treat, in lunches, or a simple dessert.

Click here to check this recipe out today!

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Grilled Chicken Caesar Wraps

Hello All! Hope you are having a fantastic day.

 On today's menu is Grilled Chicken Caesar Wraps and I am going to share my very own balsamic chicken marinade.

 My family has grown quite fond of this marinade and I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does.

These wraps are excellent for lunches, picnics, or an easy dinner option. 

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Check out my sweet potato fries for an excellent side to these refreshing wraps. I recently discovered by soaking your sweet potato fries in ice water before frying cuts the starch and allows the sweet potato not to burn as quickly and become more crispy. If you soak your sweet potatoes fries drain and dry the fries on paper towels before frying.

What you need:

Chicken Wraps

Flour Tortillas

4  Grilled Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breast

Green Leaf Lettuce (washed and dried)

Shredded Parmesan

Sliced Black Olives

Chopped Tomatoes

Sliced Avocados

Sliced Cucumbers

Bell Peppers

( I love to pack mine with all the veggies, but my kids disagree)

Lite Caesar Dressing

Salt and Pepper to taste

Balsamic Vinegar Marinade

1/4 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

2 tsp garlic and herb seasoning

3 TBS Olive Oil

2 TBS Balsamic Vinegar

2 TBS Water

Directions

1. Whisk together all ingredients for the Balsamic Vinegar Marinade. Add the marinade to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast. Marinate for about 10 min. 

2. Heat grill  to 400 degrees and spray with Pam grilling spray. Place chicken breast on grill and turn chicken occasionally. Cook chicken until the internal degree reaches 170. Place in foil and allow to rest for about 5 minutes before slicing.

This grilled chicken is also a great topper on salads, in soups, or in quesadillas.

3. Now you are ready to put your wraps together. Place a whole green leaf on a tortilla and layer with grilled chicken, Parmesan cheese, olives, any vegetable of your choice, dressing, and salt and pepper to taste. Now fold and enjoy a refreshing light salad wrap.