Friday, August 17, 2012

Make Ahead Breakfast

My oldest son isn't the biggest fan of cereal everyday for breakfast. He will eat it but would rather not. I also love anything breakfast, but when school is in rarely make time in the morning to fix a hot breakfast. One of my goals has been to get up early and make breakfast for everyone, but I still find myself sleeping until the very last possible second.

So, to remedy that, I decided to make a big batch of breakfast foods and put in the freezer. That way we can have hot breakfast very quickly. I am going to be making these this weekend.

Breakfast Burritos   Preheat 450

1 lb. breakfast sausage
1 lb. bacon
1 lb. ham (I won't use this)
2 lb. red potatoes, cubed in bite size pieces
16 oz. shredded cheese (any kind will do)
24 soft taco shells
12 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1/3 c. olive oil
S&P and any other spices you prefer

~ Brown meats.
~ Toss potatoes w/oil and S&P. Roast 30 mins.
~ Scramble eggs w/milk

Layer meat, potatoes, eggs and cheese in shells and wrap. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Wrap each burrito individually in plastic wrap and place in freezer bag. Return to freezer.


Pancake Muffins    Preheat 350

Mix up your favorite pancake mix.
Brown breakfast sausage.
Mix together.
Spray muffin tin with cooking spray, fill with pancake mix.
Bake for about 13 mins.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Clean Up Clean Up

I know this is basically a food blog. However, cooking/baking makes messes, so it will also be a cleaning blog too. Thanks to Pinterest, I have removed "most" of the chemicals from my cleaning up. It saves money, and it is better for us. My absolute favorite so far has been the glass cleaner. It cleans so well, and doesn't leave streaks whatsoever.

Glass Cleaner
1/4 c. white vinegar
1/2 t. castile soap
2 c. water

~ Mix in a spray bottle and clean away!

My second favorite is the All Purpose cleaner. It works very well on stuck on food! I use it on, well everything. It is All Purpose, you know....

All Purpose Cleaner
 1/2 t. washing soda (found in laundry isle)
2 t. Borax
1/2 t. castile soap.
2. c water (I use warm to help dissolve everything)

~Mix in a spray bottle and clean away! 

In order to make and All Purpose cleaner into and Antiseptic cleaner is to add 1t thyme or lavender essential oil... Remember NOT the scented oil like you find at Walmart, it needs to be actual essential oil. I haven't actually done this yet, but will as soon as I remember to pick some up.

Now, onto floors. I. Hate. Cleaning. Floors. Seriously, it is my worst chore ever. I don't mind the vacuuming/sweeping part, but mopping. UHG! I hate it..... Because I hate it, I don't do it nearly as much as I should. My friend posted about a floor cleaner that she thought was just wonderful, so I thought I would give it a go. I basically have new floors! I could NOT believe how well this cleaned. I have a white tile floor, and my grout is well, disgusting. It's pretty dark, and I hate it. I am pretty positive that after a few mopping sessions, it will be completely clean. Even with no bleach! I was really, really amazed by this.

Floor Cleaner
1/4 c. white vinegar 
1 t. liquid dish soap 
1/4 c. washing soda 
 2 gallons tap water, very warm 

~ Place all the ingredients into a bucket and mix well until sudsy, and mop away.
*You will need to go over with a plain water mop after or it will leave a bit of a film. Worth it! Seriously clean!

I think that is it for now. Happy Cleaning! 

The Snozberries taste like Snozberries! (Reese's Peanut Butter Bars)

I was skeptical. I always am when someone posts a recipe claiming that "It tastes like the real thing!" Or "Tastes so good make you wanna slap yo mama!" I am especially skeptical when it comes to desserts with peanut butter in them. I like peanut butter, not the hugest fan of peanut butter in things. As far as Reese's go, I really only like the mini ones because I think they have the best peanut butter to chocolate ratio. My hubby, however, is absolutely gaga over anything choco/peanut butter. Reese's are his most favorite thing.

I came across this recipe a while back, thinking that I would make it for him sometime. I bought what I needed, but just never got around to it. He has just finished a  25 hour shift, that's right, 25 hours. Something broke, and it HAD to be fixed, and they had to stay until it was. After 25 hours, he came home for 5 and then was back to work this morning regular time. He is beyond exhausted . I thought it would be nice for him to come home to something yummy (besides me :).)

I whipped this dessert up for him. It was super quick and easy and no baking. It just needs to set in the fridge and it is ready to go. I just went in to take a bite just to see. And oh my. It actually tastes, like a Reese's. :) I really think it made his not so great day. My son said it was BETTER than Reese's! Not sure, but it's pretty close.. It's amazing how Jiff and Nestle chocolate chips can taste like Reese's.
This one is for sure going in the recipe binder.

"Reese's" Peanut Butter Bars

1 c. butter ;melted
2 c. graham cracker crumbs (bought or make your own)
2 c. confectioners sugar
1 c. plus 4 T peanut butter
1 1/2 semi sweet chocolate chips

~ In a medium bowl, mix melted butter, crumbs, sugar and 1 c. peanut butter until well blended.

~ Press into a ungreased 9x13 pan.

~ Melt chocolate chips and 4T peanut butter together and pour over the peanut butter layer.

~ Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

YUM!!