Enchiladas anyone?

When I had Wren in June... we had so many people help us out with everything. Making dinners was one of the biggest helps that Jas and I completely appreciated. My cousin Brooke who had a little babe of her own and was pregnant at the time made us these awesome enchiladas that I had been craving ever since. Once I got the recipe from her I've made it quite a few times. It's so easy and super good. Oh and it's great for the next day when I send the left overs with Jason. 

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

1/3 C Honey
1/4 C Lime Juice (about 2 or 3 limes)
2 tsp Chili Powder
2 Minced Garlic Cloves
2 free range Chicken Breasts (cooked and shredded/chopped)
1 14oz can Green Enchilada sauce (mild)
1/2 C Cream or Half and Half

Cheese and Cilantro

Tortillas

Mix the honey, lime juice, chili powder, and garlic into a bowl and add the shredded chicken to marinate.  (I like it to marinate at least 1/2 hour to an hour-sometimes I even make it the night before and let it marinade all day so that I have one less thing to do.)

Mix green enchilada sauce and cream in another bowl and set aside.

Assemble your enchiladas as normal.  Tortilla, chicken mixture, cheese, and roll up.  Don't forget to spray the bottom of your 9x13 dish so that they won't stick.  Also add a little bit of the cream mixture to the bottom before you lay down the enchiladas.

Once you've rolled them - pour the remaining honey/lime juice to the cream mixture and pour over top of enchiladas.  Top with cheese, cover, and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes-1 hour..you'll have to judge.

Before serving I like to put a little cilantro on top

December

So I haven't had a lot of time to play around with the pictures and when I did it ended with frustration. Luckily the pictures on my phone are happily fitting on the blog..hopefully soon you'll see some pictures of Christmas parties and some real cute ones of the babes...she's getting bigger but she's still pretty teeny.

This past week we've been getting ready for Christmas, it's starting to snow a lot these days but before that big storm hit last night Jas and I went to my favorite Blue Plate where as usual I ordered my black bean breakfast burrito. Jas ordered chicken fried steak which I hadn't had since hot lunch in my elementary days.

It's been a good month so far..my yoga classes have ended this semester, we've had family in town and last night we had our cousin's girls night (more on that later).

This week will probably go by fast and Christmas will be here in no time. I can't wait..it's a great time of year. 

Happy Sunday

Steel Cut for the soul

Ever since we went to Tulie Bakery on that wintery morning... Jas and I have been dreaming of steel cut oatmeal and have taken upon ourselves to recreate this breakfast daily. We are now a huge fan of John McCann Steel Cut's and I have this meal everyday..sometimes twice a day. It's the best. Last night Jas and I ate some oats and started watching Lord of the Rings, it takes us a few weeks to get through all 3 since we are both exhausted and fall asleep half way through (jas made it 30 minutes in). Wren woke up as I was getting ready for yoga. She was way to happy for being so early and I envy that quality. It's hard not to smile at this happy babe so ready for the day. I left her with the sleepy dad and taught my only 2 classes this week. I spent the day at Abby's telling Nick, Jake & Sam stories and looking at fabric with Abby (she is one talented little lady.. more on that later). Wren is still asleep from her afternoon nap and when she wakes up I'm sure going to snuggle that little babes.

Tomorrow I'm preparing our stuffing which always reminds me of my Grandma DeSpain and I'll make another pan special for my dad (less carrots he says). I will also try and tackle homemade pie..crust, filling the works. Wish me luck since the pro at pie crust will be flying all day... Lets just say I'm a little nervous. 

Can't wait to spend Thanksgiving with my family and knowing this is Wren's first.. holidays are more fun with little kiddos even if the babes only 5 months and has no clue what's going on.

Happy Almost Thanksgiving

Food For Thought

Happy November

Since it's getting closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas.. food seems to be on my mind. I like to eat.. while I was pregnant I took advantage of my cravings and tried to eat out & go on dates with Jason as much as possible... Now with the babes.. I've been finding it challenging to get motivated to cook. Every once in awhile I'll make our kale lasagna and I found this goodie... French Toast with coconut syrup. Jason calls it our pina colada french toast (we add bananas in our batter & eat it with raspberries). But I still love a good meal and to go out or order in every once in awhile... here are a few places that I've been enjoying... go here to my other list 

Food For Thought-A local Draper goodie... I've been here many times with my mom to lunch, but just the other day I enjoyed their oreo filled cake at my nephews birthday party... and I wish I was eating it right now
Moochies-I'm going to have a hard time getting back to being a vegetarian with this philly cheesesteak tempting me. It's seriously so good 
Greek City Grill-I eat here way to much... greek salad with a pita & their french fries are to die for
Speaking of Greek food... Mazza is the best along with their Toasted Labnah & Greens sandwich. You'll be happy you went there
Blue Plate-I put this on my other list, but I have to mention it here again because it warms my heart every time I eat their black bean breakfast burrito
Em's Restaurant is located by the Capital and is charming & perfect for a date night or out with the girls. I love this place
Tulie Bakery-This place has yummy danishes and pastries along with their tomato basil soup with grilled cheese
Cucina Deli-This has been one of my favorites... Everything that I've gotten here has been good, plus this place is pretty dang cute

Happy Eating

Banana Bars anyone?

Healthy Banana Oat Snack Bars found here were a hit in the Rasmussen household

Bananas, Pb, yogurt, honey, wheat flour, oats, rice krispies and chocolate chips

mix together

yummy healthy bars...enjoy

14 weeks and counting

There are a lot of things to be grateful for during this holiday season. One of my blessings has been being able to eat again. For those of you who don't know I am 14 weeks pregnant and I really couldn't be more happier, more grateful. Our little babe will be ready for the world around June 14th and I'm already counting the days, weeks and months to see this little one. Today we went to our nephew's blessing and watching Jason hold our adorable nephew made me get butterflies. He's already the best uncle to our family and I know he's going to be an amazing dad. Let's just say I'm filled with love and am very grateful.


So back to eating. It's been a few weeks of not feeling good. I've been craving meat which I found very odd. After a couple of years of not eating a cheese burger..I did it. I inhaled it like Michelle Rodriguez in Hawaii (remember Mullin fam?) and it tasted really good, then an hour later I threw it up, but I haven't given up. So now I'm really taking advantage of some food and date nights and date days. Here are a few of my favorite places, hopefully you can all agree with the list below or a must do on your date night list.


Blue Plate Diner: My favorite black bean breakfast burrito never gets old. I order it every time and our waiter even asks me if I'm getting my usual..should I feel embarrassed?
Red Rock: We ate there last night, Jas gets the french onion steak sandwich and it's delicious. I had a bite of his and it totally beat my black bean vegan burger. Pizza's are amazing there too!
Bohemian Brewery: If you're a meat lover..get the buffalo burger. It's the best along with their garlic french fries.
Ruth's Diner: There homemade biscuits are the best. I'm craving them right now
Red Iguana: I love my bean and cheese burrito smothered with enchiladas sauce..it's a Rasmussen favorite
Wild Grape: This place is only a few blocks from my house and I love it. I usually get the smoked portobello sandwich, but I gotta lay off soft cheeses for awhile. There grape salad is pretty tasty
The Pie: I'm going to have a lot of lay low date nights and nothing is better than a movie and a veggie supreme. 
La Frontera: Talk about smothered burrito goodness. I don't eat here enough, which is probably a good thing, but it's pretty delicious. 
Great Harvest: I'm still in love with my hummus harvest sandwich on savory bread. 
Royal India: There veggie masala is amazing


I know that I'll be cooking a lot at home..here are few favorites to whip up...this one, gotta make this and this one is super good and super easy.


Happy baby Happy eating

Spicy Peanut Noodles

ingredients 

Spicy Peanut Noodles
brought to you by 
Vegetarian Times & Whitney


Serves 6 & takes 30 minutes or less


8 oz. linguine
1/3 cup low-fat creamy peanut butter
2 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 Tbs. rice wine vinegar (I've used red wine vinegar still tasty)
1 to 2 tsp. chile paste with fresh garlic
1/2 tsp. sugar
1 med size red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
3/4 cup chopped cucumber
3 green onions, sliced diagonally (about 1/4 cup)
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
4 lime wedges (optional)


Cook linguine according to package instructions, meanwhile combine peanut butter, 1/4 cup water, soy sauce, vinegar, chile paste & sugar in large bowl; whisk until blended. If sauce seems too thick, thin it with a little water; it should have the consistency of cream. Add linguine, bell pepper, cucumber and green onions, and toss well. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve with lime wedges if desired.


Enjoy

Delicious Easy Dish

smoothie of the day

blueberries, 1 red delicious apple, vanilla yogurt

bunch of spinach with a few leaves of kale mix with 1 kiwi 

juice from a fresh orange and some almond milk

voila super easy, super healthy smoothie for 2

Tacos

My cute little sister in law Dorothy called and asked about a quick veggie meal and these veggie tacos popped into my mind.

Saute your favorite veggies with olive oil & garlic...


the veggies in this dish contain yellow squash, tomatoes, zucchini, red peppers, green & a white onion. 


Heat up some black beans and corn tortillas. Cover it with some fresh tomatoes, cilantro, jack cheese, avocados & juice from a fresh lime. 


Easy, quick, healthy & good. 




Enjoy!

stuffin'

I came home tonight tired and a little weak. the hubby surprised me with homemade stuffing that we only tackle once a year,

i still can't believe how fast he whipped it up. it sure was delicious. can't stop thanking my boy. happy turkey tuesday

Salmon & Rice

After a long day of teaching, I came home to this guy making this dish. He made his own salmon marinade and topped with garlic beans & rice. Made my stomach happy.

Happy Friday

Carrot Cake anyone?

Carrot Cupcakes
1 1/4 cups shredded coconut
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for pan if needed
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream Cheese Icing
8 ounces cream cheese at room temp
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat over to 350. Spread 1 cup of the shredded coconut out on a baking sheet, and toast in the oven until golden brown, about 5 mins. Transfer the coconut to a small bowl and set aside to cool.
In a bowl, combine the suger, 1/3 cup oil, orange juice, vanilla, and eggs. Stir in the baking powder, baking soda, allspice, and salt. Add the flour; mix. Stir in the shredded carrots, walnuts, and the remaining 1/4 cup shredded coconut.
Oil muffin tins or line with paper liners, distribute the batter evenly.
Bake until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let the cupcakes cool before frosting with cream cheese icing. Garnish with reserved toasted shredded coconut.

These are really quick and super delicious!! Give them a try.

Tomatillo Disaster

Just make sure when you are using your blender that the bottom is on tight or this will happen to you. After an hour of making our favorite dish..I checked the clock & thought to myself, "Jason will be home in 20 minutes, this will be done in 25...Perfect timing." Or so I thought. Not a moment after that I lifted my sauce for completion & this happened. I should have taken a picture of myself because I was covered from shoulder down in tomatillo sauce. I stood in shock for about 30 seconds & called Jason kindof mad kindof laughing to pick up some ingredients to finish the dish. After this disaster the meal turned out pretty good & now I'm going to bed. Day light savings always messes me up somehow. Happy Monday to all..lets just hope this isn't how the rest of my week is going to be.

Greek Salad

Greek Orzo Salad

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups uncooked orzo pasta

2 (6 ounce) cans marinated artichoke hearts

1 tomato, seeded & chopped

1 cucumber, seeded & chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 (2 ounce) can black olives, drained

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon lemon pepper

Directions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Drain artichoke hearts, reserving liquid.

In large bowl combine pasta, artichoke hearts, tomato, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, parsley, lemon juice, oregano & lemon pepper. Toss & chill for 1 hour in fridge.

Just before serving, drizzle reserved artichoke marinade over salad.

Meatless meatballs

Nothing beats zesty Italian meatless meatballs, homemade sauce and cream soda. I'm a happy girl.

Spicylove

This little spicy mix has been mine & Jason’s new favorite dish, one that has been requested to be a regular meal at our dinner table. For those who loves spicy…I’m talking to you Becky… this will make your tummy happy. If you love enchiladas, red peppers and tomatillo you will fall head over heels in love with Roasted Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce brought to you by Vegetarian Times…Enjoy

Eating in

For Christmas my brother Nick gave us a subscription to Vegetarian Times and I must say that I lalalove it. Making a start to the new year with home cooked meals has always been my goal..it looks like it has been a few of my cousins goals as well…check here and must see here.

So far so good.

Last week I challenged myself to making this Indian creation & on Sunday shrimp curry..tonight it’s pasta with double tomato bruschetta.

Pasta lovin'

Angel hair pasta, veggies, olive oil, red hot peppers with strawberry walnut salad. Easy quick & delicious

Fall

Nothing like pumpkin chocolate chip cookies to bring in the fall. Happy weekend.

quick & easy

My favorite quick meal..

veggie patties, fresh basil, tomatoes, homemade guacamole. It's the best if you are ever looking for something easy, good and quick.