Thank God for Pop Tarts

Yep, I said it. I am NOT the mom making a big breakfast before school every morning. Nope. Never have been. Some of it can be attributed to the fact that while all of us love breakfast food, we don't really want to eat it until 10am, or better, at supper time. 

But also, the teenage boy just doesn't want to eat that much that early in the morning, which I can't say I blame him at all. His dad and I are neither one early morning eaters. We just can't eat as soon as we get out of bed. So, I'm satisfied if I can get a little something in him before he heads out the door. 

Oh and just so there isn't any confusion, the 2 year old? He has a nice breakfast every morning of usually oatmeal or cereal! 

I know so many of you do make breakfast every morning though, and you're always looking for quick, easy, yummy options. That's where today's recipe comes in. 

You can simply swap out ingredients to make these a hundred different ways, as long as you keep the base of eggs and milk the same. Plus you could make a big batch on the weekend, and keep them in the fridge to be reheated on busy mornings. I would guess they would last 3-4 days in an airtight container! Perfect for on the go too when the alarm doesn't go off on time!

We of course had these for supper one night, and the boys raved! Some hash browns, toast and fruit on the side and it was a full meal deal! So no matter what time of day you decide to serve them I bet your family loves them just as much!

Bacon Cheddar Egg Muffins

12 eggs

1/2 c. milk

1/2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese, extra for top

1/2 c. real bacon bits, extra for top

1/2 tsp. onion powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray. In a large bowl combine eggs, milk, onion powder, cheese, bacon, salt and pepper. Whisk well. Pour into muffin tin, filling each well about 2/3 full. Sprinkle with extra cheese and bacon. Bake for 25-30 minutes until eggs are set in the middle, checking with toothpick.

Shared at Weekend Potluck
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Welcome Fall

Yep, it happened. Autumn arrived. Officially. Summer. Is. Over. Excuse me while I go cry into my pumpkin spice latte.

Seriously though, I've said it before, and I will again. I don't hate fall. Sure, the rain gets annoying, and the drop in temps are not something I enjoy, but there are still warm sunny days and fun to be had. But to me, I know what comes after fall, and that is something I dread...so it becomes like a gateway of sadness. 

Two of the things I actually enjoy about this time of year came together in today's recipe. My Crock Pot and Game Day! Sure, I use my slow cooker year round, but not near as much as I do starting now all the way through winter. And September brought with it our family's favorite sport to watch...football! We love it all. High School (Go Cadets!) College (Go Irish) and NFL (Go Steelers) Just don't mention those choices to my husband or oldest son because we are a house divided on a couple of them! 

When we want to sit around and watch the game, I almost always plan to have a Crock Pot meal that day. Heck, I also plan those types when we are out enjoying a fun fall activity too. What's better than coming home after visiting a pumpkin patch or picking apples and having the smell of something warm and yummy fill the house? Plus, if you love to tailgate, this would travel beautifully to the stadium parking lot too!

So with this dish, I went a little retro. Called up on my inner child. It wasn't that hard because the 2 year old LOVES beans and weenies! Why not make a big batch for all of us to scarf on while yelling at the refs? Oh, and if you're not a pigskin family like us, it happens to make a terrific weeknight meal too!

Crock Pot Beans & Weenies

4 (15 oz.) cans pork n beans, extra liquid on top drained

1 lb. hot dogs, sliced

2 TBS butter

1/2 c. ketchup

1/2 c. barbecue sauce

2 TBS yellow mustard

1 TBS dried minced onion

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 c. brown sugar

Salt and Pepper to taste 

Diced onion

In a medium skillet melt butter over medium high heat. Saute hot dogs in butter until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Add to Crock Pot. Add pork n beans. Stir well. In a medium bowl combine ketchup, barbecue sauce, mustard, brown sugar, and seasonings. Pour over hot dog mixture. Stir to combine. Cook on LOW 3-4 hours. Garnish with diced onion, if desired. 

Inspired by South Your Mouth


Shared at Weekend Potluck 
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Cookie Sheets & Cabbage

A few weeks ago I read an article and it got me thinking. I can't remember where it was, and I literally read it in the 2 minutes of "free time" I had one afternoon, but basic gist of it was how an old, brown, beat up baking sheet should become the go-to gift at baby showers.

Um, what? I know that's what you're thinking because I was too. But the author's point was a baking sheet like that was reliable, still did the job, it was her "safe" one, and while it was ugly, it was still 100% okay. She went on to say how she has new, shiny, pretty ones, but things like that tend to make her nervous; and all of this was related to parenting.

Being a mommy (or daddy) is HARD. And some days it is ugly. It isn't shiny or new. But in the end, we get the job done. There is soooooo much pressure out there to be the perfect parent (Thanks, social media) and we need to know it's okay to not only realize it's hard, but there will be times when it isn't picture perfect and not only do we need to admit that, but also embrace it.

Well, the whole thing got me thinking and I decided I needed to start being more okay with the "ugly" in my life. My kids love me just as much on the days when the house is clean, I'm in nice clothes, my hair and make up are done, as on those that it looks like a tornado just went through the living room, my clothes are wrinkled and I was lucky to comb my hair let alone put make up on. They. Do. Not. Care.

So fast forward to when I made this recipe. Yep, as you can see in the pic, there is my old, brown, worn out baking sheet. If I'm keeping it real, I will admit the photo wasn't supposed to be taken on it. I tried to transfer those beautiful cabbage steaks to a spotless white plate, but they started to fall apart.

Now as a food blogger, of course I always want appetizing photos. Pretty ones that will catch the reader's eye. The "perfect" shot if you will. So, there I was panicking a little, getting overwhelmed, and almost ready to scrap the whole thing. Then I remembered that article. It doesn't have to perfect. It will be okay. I took out the camera, and I think captured just how yummy the food can be, no matter what the background looks like.

 I am a perfectionist, so it is a daily battle for me to accept things that aren't. I live with 3 boys. I have a husband who likes to "collect" things, I have a teenager and a toddler. My life is going to be messy. There are days when I am going to be in comfy clothes, messy hair and no make up...and then realize I have to run to the store. You know what, it will be okay.

Oh, and by the way, if you love cabbage as much as we do, this is about the easiest side dish you will ever make, and it's absolutely delicious, regardless if you cook them on a pretty baking sheet, or one with character like mine!

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

1 large head cabbage, outer leaves removed

1/4 c. vegetable oil

Salt and Pepper, to taste*

Preheat oven to 400. Coat a large baking sheet with nonstick spray. Slice cabbage into 1/2 inch circles. Brush oil on both sides. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven for 30-40 minutes until tender, and brown around edges. *NOTE* We like lots of black pepper with cabbage, so I use lots!

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Po-Tay-Toe

When Alex was little, he was a fantastic eater, just like now. About the only thing I can even remember him not being a huge fan of was potatoes. Gasp! I know. It was a little confusing for him spud loving parents. Well, and let me be clear, he might not have been thrilled with them, but he ate them anyway. Why? Because that's how we roll. 

But I can distinctly remember his dad trying to get him to eat mashed potatoes and him crying! Seriously...who was that kid? Then all of a sudden, he began eating them more and more, and found his love for them, and has never looked back. In fact, we can always tell when he is ready for a growth spurt because he craves them. Wants as much as he get. 

We don't have this problem with Max. He has been a potato lover since he could chew. And he will tell you.. "Po-tay-toe" yummy!"

 It's so funny because as much as they look alike, and many times act alike too, there are definitely differences too. 

Since Max is such a fan of all things potato, it keeps me on my toes even more to make sure he gets a variety. Sweet potatoes were one of his favorite baby foods, and now he loves them mashed, baked, and roasted too. 

I make breakfast for dinner so much, it would be easy to fall into a rut, so when I thought of these, I was pretty proud of myself. Time for home fries. Put the russets down and grab the sweeties instead. 

They are perfect with eggs and toast, but would be just as tasty as a side to any protein too! I can see these on our table a lot this fall and winter; and maybe next to a holiday ham as well! 

Sweet Potato Home Fries

6 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 1/2 TBS vegetable oil

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. dried parsley, extra for garnish

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Salt and Pepper 

In a large bowl combine potatoes, oil, and seasonings. Stir well to combine. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. Preheat oven to 400. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place potatoes on it, spreading evenly into one layer. Cook for 30 minutes, turning the tray (bring the back to the front) half way thorough, or until fork tender. Sprinkle with extra parsley before serving. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck