No-Sew DIY T-shirts

I  found these easy no-sew 

D.I.Y T-shirt 

ideas on Pinterest 

So my daughters and I

gathered some old t-shirts

and created fun new shirts!

Here's How:

The first one is super simple

Just cut off the collar

and the cuffs of both sleeves.

Then cut a slit from top of the sleeve 

from the shoulder down.

Now take the cuffs 

and cut off the stitching.

Use the cuffs 

as string for the bows.

Pinch the top of the shoulder and the neck

and cinch it together in a bow.

Like this:

Next was my oldest daughter's

school t-shirt, 

which she wears as a

night shirt since it's a 

little too big.

But not anymore!

I started by cutting off the sleeves

in half oval shapes

creating a tank top.

Then I cut in triangles 

on each sides of the back.

Next I took some extra pieces

from a tank that I cut

(not pictured)

and tied bows 

around the middle of the back

and the shoulders.

Now she has a fun summer tank

which I think would 

be great as a swim suit cover!

For my youngest,

who is a little bit of a spitfire,

I decided to try the fringe bottom.

So I did everything 

exactly the same as the first t-shirt

but then I took it a step further

by cutting slits up the 

bottom of the shirt 

all the way around.

She loves her new fringe shirt

and the best part about it is 

this t-shirt had a hole at the bottom 

of the sleeve which is now gone!

This was a super fun and easy project.

For the first round we used old t-shirts that we 

didn't really care too much about.

Next I am going to try this

with some of my (mens) vintage comic book 

t-shirts to give them a "girly" look.

Will post more on that later.

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas Verde

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas Verde 

Step One: Poach Chicken

Season Chicken with Cumin, 

Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Fresh Ground Pepper

and whatever other seasonings you prefer

Place Chicken Breasts in a stock pot 

Cover with Chicken broth/stock

Add one lime cut in half

and half an onion cut in half

Bring to a boil.

Cover and reduce heat

Simmer 20 minutes
until chicken is fully cooked

Step Two: Mix Enchilada Filling

Shred chicken in large bowl

Add a big spoonful of cream cheese

and a big spoonful of sour cream

Half a can of green chile enchilada sauce

1 can of diced green chiles 

season to taste.

Step Three: Roll Enchiladas

Spoon 1/8 cup of filling in each tortilla

Roll enchiladas and arrange in casserole dish

Step Four: Top Enchiladas

Cover with remainder of enchilada sauce

Top with grated cheese

Step Five: Bake Enchiladas

Cover with foil

and bake at 375 degrees

for 20 minutes.

Remove foil

Bake for 10 more minutes

Enjoy!

Chicken Salad 3 Ways

 I love chicken salad

and I'm not talking about 

canned chicken and mayo

on a boring old piece of bread.

I am talking about 

beautifully poached chicken 

salad with the works! 

Here are three wonderful ways 

to serve up chicken salad:

In a wrap:

On a bun:

Over a bed of lettuce:

To poach your chicken 

You'll need:

Chicken broth

Half an Onion

Seasoning

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast

Put ingredients into a stock pot 
and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, 

and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Then let chicken cool.

While the chicken is cooling,

assemble "the works"

Chop fruit, veggies & nuts.

Suggested ingredients:

Green Apples, Red Onions, Celery, 

Carrots, Grapes, Walnuts, Pecans, 

Dried Cranberries, Dried Cherries, Raisins...

Next shred chicken.

Then whip up your dressing.

To cut back on calories use equal parts 

mayo and plain greek yogurt.

*I like to add about a spoonful 

of honey mustard.

Finally mix it all up and

season with dill weed, garlic powder

and fresh ground pepper.

Enjoy!

Let's talk Breakfast

I admit, 

I used to skip breakfast all the time. 

Until I discovered all the benefits
of eating a healthy breakfast.

Then I realized it's actually really easy!

Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas

Freezing your fruit ahead of time

makes breakfast a breeze!

Get my Purple Kale Smoothie Recipe Here:

http://homemadefoodtastesbetter.blogspot.com/2014/06/purple-kale-smoothie.html

This is my secret weapon for a 

guilt-free protein-packed breakfast:

Breakfast Taco

Caloric Breakdown:

5 Tablespoons of Egg Whites (42 Cal.) 

(Cooked with nonstick olive oil cooking spray)

1 Wheat & Black Bean Tortilla (100 Cal.)

Sprinked with cheddar cheese (approximately 60 Cal.)

Topped with a spoonful of Homemade Salsa (4 Cal.)

Total: 206 Calories

Add a piece of fruit 

and you've got a balanced breakfast!

Enjoy!

Welcome Home Cookies

I bake these cookies

every time my husband returns

 from a business trip.

Sometimes I think he goes on

fakes trips just so that I will make 

these cookies.

So I suppose they don't 

have to be "Welcome Home" cookies.

They could just be, 

"Here have a cookie" cookies

or "Nice shirt, here's a cookie" cookies

or even,

"It's Wednesday, lets eat cookies" cookies

All I'm saying is,

you have GOT to try these cookies!

*Preferably with a big glass of ice cold milk

Here's what you'll need: 

1 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 package of butterscotch instant pudding

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 cup cream cheese

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups chocolate chips

Step one: Cream together the butter and sugar

Step two: Mix in pudding mix, eggs, vanilla, and cream cheese

Step three: Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl

Step four: Combine dry ingredients and wet ingredients. 

Step five: Fold in chocolate chips

Step six: Cover and chill in refrigerator for 1 hour 

*or freeze for 15 minutes.

Step seven: Form round cookie dough balls 
and place on baking sheet. 

Step between 7 and 8: Eat cookie dough 

(or not, because it contains raw eggs and raw eggs are bad,

 or do because come on, it's cookie dough

 it's super yummy. Hey, it's your call.)

Step eight: Bake for 12 minutes

Step nine: Cool on baking sheet for 90 seconds

Step ten: Let cool on cooling rack

Enjoy!

Celebrating a birthday? 
Skip the cake!

Make these "Birthday Cookies"

Happy Birthday

Here's a stack of cookies!

Zucchini Meatball Sub

Meatball subs are kind of my weakness. 

 So when my kids begged me 

to make them last night,

I admit I got a little nervous. 

Since I've been pretty "good" lately,

I didn't want to let those

gooey meatballs 

lure me into eating way too much

like those little temptresses always do. 

So I improvised,

skipped the bun, 

and created a zucchini sub instead! 

I have to say, 

I think I actually prefer it this way. 

Here's the recipe:

Homemade Turkey Meatballs

One Pound Ground Turkey

One Egg

1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs

Half an Onion (Diced)

1/4 Cup Fresh Grated Parmesan

Couple shakes of Worcestershire sauce

Splash of milk

Italian Seasonings

Garlic Powder

Red Pepper Flakes

Salt & Pepper

*I don't ever really measure seasoning.

So just be generous 

and you'll end up with tasty meatballs.

Mix everything in a large bowl.

Form your meatballs.

Place them on a baking sheet 

(After lining it with foil 

and spraying it down with nonstick spray.)

Bake in preheated oven at 375 degrees 

for about 25 minutes.

Of course you're welcome to make your own sauce

after all, Homemade is Better.

But I took the easy way out this time

and used a jar of whatever was in the pantry.

Now at this point go ahead 

toast your bun or hoagie

and serve it up old school

OR...

Skip the bun (and the carbs)

Grill up a few slices of zucchini instead.

Trust me, 

You won't even miss the bread!

Top with fresh parmesan. 

Enjoy!

Meatless Monday: Quinoa and Black Bean Tacos

Haven't tried Quinoa? 

What are you waiting for?!

There are so many benefits of eating this  

"supergrain" 

It's affordable, extremely healthy 

can be served hot or cold, 

and is darn tasty too!

 

Quick and easy
 Meatless Monday recipe
with Quinoa:

Ingredients:

Onion

Garlic

Olive Oil

Vegetable Broth, Black Beans, 

Diced Green Chiles, Diced Tomatoes

Quinoa

Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, Black Pepper, 

Frozen Corn, Fresh Cilantro

Directions:

Step one: In a large sauce pan

saute onion and garlic in olive oil.

Step two: Add quinoa and vegetable broth, 

diced tomatoes/green chiles, and seasoning.

Step three: Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover, 

simmer for 20 minutes.

Step four: Add frozen corn and 

simmer 5 more minutes.

Step five: Stir in black beans and cilantro

Serve with tortillas, 

cheese and sour cream if desired.

Enjoy! 

Greek Pasta Salad

This salad is super easy and super SUPER tasty! 

Here's what you'll need:

1/2 Box Bowtie pasta (cooked)

 1 Cucumber (chopped)

2 Roma tomatoes (chopped)

1/8 cup Banana peppers (chopped)

 1/4 cup Kalamata olives

1 Cup of Italian dressing 

Here's how easy it is: 

Mix everything,

and you're done. 

Enjoy! 

Adapted from Chef in Training