Uncategorized Archives • Page 18 of 55 • New Nostalgia

Cleansing Chicken Soup, Portable Puzzles & Lots of Kleenex

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign withPollinate Media Group™ and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #KleenexTarget http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO”

My little Avery has been blowing her nose and coughing for the past week now. I can’t tell if it is allergies or a cold, but it sure is messing with her asthma! She is our soccer player so she would say it is messing with her game! Usually her allergies are in the spring and fall, and once we have a freeze she gets better. Well, we have had our freeze and she still has an asthma cough and runny nose. I sure hope this doesn’t mean she now has indoor winter allergies. That would mean I have to dust. {grin}

I’m over her constant cough, especially when I hear her coughing during the night in her sleep. My poor girl!

I decided to dig out my super healthy and Cleansing Chicken Soup recipe. I made this often when I was going through cancer treatment, and it was always comforting to know I was filling my body with nutrients. It makes a huge amount and freezes beautifully!

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**I used a very large crock pot, and it barely all fit! I started it at 10:00 pm and it was ready the next day for lunch. I also pureed mine after removing the chicken and bones, I was not too into all the chunky vegetables, so I used my hand blender, then added the shredded chicken, peas, and parsley in at the end for texture.

Cleansing Chicken Soup

1 Whole Chicken (free-range, pastured or organic)
1 Tbsp, raw apple cider Vinegar
3-4 qts of filtered water
4 medium size onions coarsely chopped (I will only use 2 next time)
8 carrots peeled, coarsely chopped
2-4 zucchinis coarsely chopped (I used 2)
4 Tbsp of extra virgin coconut oil
½ c frozen green peas (I added these at the end after pureeing)
4 inches grated ginger
¼- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
6 celery stalks, coarsely chopped
1 lb green beans
1 bunch parsley
5 garlic cloves
2-4 Tbsp Celtic-Sea Salt (I added 2 tsp pepper)

Directions:

If using whole chicken: make sure to remove gizzards, and fat glands from cavity.
Place chicken or chicken pieces in large stainless steel pot (I used a large crock pot) with water, vinegar, garlic, ginger, salt, cayenne pepper, extra virgin coconut oil, and all vegetables (except parsley). Let stand for 10 minutes before heating. Bring to a boil, remove the scum that rises to the top. Cover and cook for 8-12 hours. The longer you cook the Stock the more cleansing it will be. **See my notes above about pureeing. 15 mins before finishing the stock, add parsley.(this imparts additional mineral ions to the broth)

Remove from heat, take out chicken. After it cools, remove chicken meat from carcass, discarding bones. Drop meat back into the soup.

In addition to comforting soup, I brought out our Portable Holiday Puzzle. I wanted to give little one something fun but low- key to do. Every November at the start of the holiday season we bring out a puzzle and keep it portable on a large bulletin board. The cork of the board helps keep pieces from sliding off to the floor. We love being able to move the puzzle from one room to another, but most of the time it stays at our dining room table. When it is time for dinner, we simply move the board. When company comes, we slide it under the couch out of site.

Another way we are helping my poor girl feel better is by keeping stocked up on super soft Kleenex tissues. I use boxed Kleenex tissues for home, but I especially love their little pocket packs. We keep them in my purse, in the car, in lil’ ones soccer bag…they are just so cute and handy. Avery loves the fun prints on the packages, and I am grateful for something soft to use on that cute little nose of hers!

Right now Target has a coupon for $1 of 4 packs or larger of Kleenex. Stock up and be prepared for the season!

Frugal/ Healthy Eating/ HOME/ How-Tos/ RECIPES/ Simplifying

How To Have A Friend Over For Lunch Without Cooking Or Baking

I’m slowly getting my energy back after 2 surgeries, but not so much energy that you will find me cooking and baking up a storm in my kitchen just yet! Thankfully, I have a great little market super close to my home. It is a little health food co-op grocer and they have a small deli in the back where they sell amazing homemade wraps, salads, etc.

I often use their food to help make entertaining a breeze. I love that they use ingredients that I would use here at home. They have lots of vegetarian, vegan & gluten free choices, so no matter who my company is, I can usually find something good for us to munch on from my local co-op.

Recently I had a friend over for lunch. It took no time at all to set out a nice little lunch that tasted homemade. I stopped over at the co-op grocer, picked up a few things, and within minutes had my table set and ready to serve my sweet friend.

I kept the cost down by splitting the wrap in two. The cake and granola bar is made there at the grocer and are only 99 cents each. I got a salad mix, some organic corn chips, salsa that is made fresh by the grocer which is to die for, some curry quinoa & chickpea salad, & a couple kiwis.

I peeled a couple of clementines and tossed them into the salad mix along with slivered honey almonds and dried cranberries.

This huge burrito wrap was a little over 3 bucks and was plenty filling for the both of us.

Banana cake with cream cheese frosting & a granola bar cut in half for dessert. Perfect to eat with coffee! I bought one piece of cake and one bar and cut them in half.

Pretty is important…or at least it is fun!! Put food on pretty platters, add a little lemon to the water. Throw on a pot of coffee and make sure to have some cute napkins on hand to brighten up the table.

So easy, very delicious! My friend and I had a great time catching up over lunch & I know she felt loved and cared for by the food I fed her.

{Don’t forget to PIN IT!}

Do you ever buy pre-made food instead of making everything yourself?

What foods do you like to throw onto platters and pass as homemade?

Do you admit to your company that you didn’t make it? I do, as I like to show people that it is easy to entertain without spending hours in the kitchen. PLUS, the food is always so good that I always get asked for the recipe, so I might as well fess up ahead of time! Ha!!

HOME/ Homemaking/ Kids/Family/ Sponsored

Pumpkin Patch, Fall Allergies, & Kleenex Pocket Packet

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #KleenexAllergy #pmedia http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

August, September & October are the months of the year where my family suffers the most with allergies, thanks to ragweed season! My husband and 2 of my daughters are all on prescription nose spray right now because of allergies, and honestly the spray works GREAT! As much as I try to stay away from meds, I have been very thankful for this particular prescription, as it keeps my husband from sniffing constantly (sniffing is NOT sexy) and it keeps my youngest from asthma attacks. Her allergies and post nasal drip is what causes her attacks, so as long as we can keep her allergies under control, she can breath & so can her Momma!

Even though allergies are pretty under control now in our household, I still think I can benefit from having Kleenex brand tissues in my home. You all know I’m pretty frugal and if you are a close friend and have needed a facial tissue in my home, you often would get handed a roll of tp. Granted, it would always be a nice new roll, but still…I’m too frugal to buy a bunch of facial tissue…unless:

1.) They are the cute little Wallet Packet or Pocket Packet from Kleenex. Kleenex brand is so soft, and I love the small packet sizes. They are so convenient!

2.) My family is in the middle of allergy season or are sick. This doesn’t happen too often so I smile when my girls get excited about soft Kleenex tissue for their noses. I know when I do have Kleenex tissues on hand it makes them feel loved and cared for. If they get sick it is one of the first things I throw in my basket.

3.) When I have an awesome coupon like this one that I can use at Target, a store I frequent anyway, so an extra trip is not needed! The coupon offer? Buy 1 Kleenex 4 pack, get 1 free wallet pack (2-pk) or 1 pocket pack (3-pk) -bothe are $1.00 value. This offer is good while supplies last, so click here for coupon. Because of this offer, my friends are not going to get handed a roll of tp when they come to our home and need a tissue, as I will be able to stock up Kleenex and get free pocket packs to boot!

The Pocket Packet came in very handy just this last weekend. I took two of my girls to the pumpkin patch and they both ended up needing to use tissues. Between sitting on bales of hay (allergen), the smoke from the pit fire, and all the dust in the air from people walking around on dirt paths, it didn’t take long for my girls to start sniffing. Having Kleenex on hand helped make our day at the pumpkin patch one that was full of smiles and memories!

Uncategorized

Herb Chicken Skillet with Spinach & Tomatoes + Cooking with McCormick Spices

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of McCormick & Company for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Herbed Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes & Spinach

I recently made the best Herb Chicken Skillet with Spinach and Tomatoes, a recipe from McCormick using McCormick spices. I have been impressed with how McComick understands the busyness of the modern family, but also recognizes the importance of wholesome, homemade family meals.

McCormick.com is a great place for getting inspiration for a quick, family-friendly & wholesome meal. The site is well laid out with tons of ideas. I especially am drawn to their spices. If I’m going to take the time to cook a meal, the flavor needs to be spot on and spices are a great way to do just that. This recipe uses McCormick Oregano leaves, McCormick Pepper, McCormick Garlic Powder & McCormick Basil leaves. These spices make this recipe sing!

On to the recipe. I made a fun little Instagram video of me making the recipe. Click through below to see how delicious it turned out. I wish you could smell my kitchen right now…delish. My family loved it and asked me to make it again.

@McCormickSpice #McCormickHomemade Herb Chicken Skillet with Spinach and Tomato from amy_newnostalgia

This recipe took me just 26 minutes to make and that was with stopping to record the video and make sure my table was extra pretty for all of you! That is AMAZING that you can have a healthy, homemade dinner in just minutes. Herb Chicken Skillet with Spinach and Tomatoes was so easy, but so good that I would make it for company.

I’m having a “Homemade In America” Giveaway sponsored by McCormick. Enter to win a McCormick Gift Set by answering one of these questions in the comments…know that when you submit your comment it won’t be seen right away, until approved by me, which helps keep away spam.
“What’s Your Favorite McCormick spice?”
“Which McCormick recipe are you interested in trying from McCormick.com?”

Healthy Eating/ HOME/ How-Tos/ RECIPES

The Perfect Vegetable Tray-Keep It Full In Your Refrigerator & Watch Your Kids Devour Their Vegetables!

This vegetable compartment carry along tray has been one of my most favorite recent purchases. I just LOVE IT! I was keeping cut up vegetables in mason jars in my refrigerator, and they were pretty and great for creating salads, but I didn’t like that I had to grab one at a time, open all the lids, grab the dip and then set them out for the kids to eat. Too many steps, and I found we were not eating raw veggies as often as I liked.

I thought about how my girls devour their raw veggies when we are at parties with veggie trays. I thought about why that is, and a light bulb went off as I figured figured out a few reasons why that is.

1. Easy to grab veggies.

2. Dip right there ready to go.

3. It is pretty

4. It is convenient.

5. They can choose the veggies they like and leave the rest.

I decided to search Amazon and the perfect vegetable tray, one with an area in the middle for dip, and one with a lid so I could store it in the refrigerator easily.

I found this one. The perfect one. I love it. It is easy to clean, easy to carry, easy to snap the lid right on and take it off. It is not too tall to fit on my refrigerator shelf. It takes up a bit of refrigerator space but boy, it is worth it! What else would I want taking up space in my refrigerator other than healthy, beautiful vegetables ?

I pull it out every afternoon when the kids walk in from school and set it out on our table. They come by, grab a veggie and gobble them up. If it is out and in sight, with dip available, they will eat their vegetables.

I fill it at the beginning of the week and usually once more mid week. I love grabbing it when making a dinner salad and adding veggies that are already chopped or just need a bit more chopping. So easy!

The handle on it is a plus. I have grabbed it and gone to the park and taken it to my inlaws pool house. The perfect healthy snack that is always ready to grab and go!

Get this! You will love it.

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Healthy Eating/ Meals/ RECIPES

Menu Plan For The Week – 28 Healthy Family Friendly Recipes

Breakfasts:
~Breakfast Burritos
~Toad In A Hole
~Chia Oats
~Whole Wheat Pancakes
~Glazed Cinnamon Scones {Special Sweet Saturday Breakfast}

Lunches:
~Black Bean Soup
~Broccoli Soup

Dinners:
Sunday:
~Spinach Tortellini Salad
~No Knead Dinner Rolls {make before church}

Monday:

~Chili Corn Bread Pockets
~Maple Cinnamon Butternut Squash

Tuesday: {kids have Bible Club & eat there…a serving of veggie orzo will make a hearty after school snack and get some nutrients in them}
~Orzo Pasta With Caramelized Fall Vegetables

Wednesday:
~Brown Butter Spaghetti With Baby Kale & Roasted Butternut Squash
~Easiest Homemade Wheat Bread

Thursday:
~Popcorn Chicken
~Sauteed Green Beans With Honey Almonds

Friday:
{We order out for family night}

Saturday:
~Hawaiian Ham & Cheese Sliders {Special Weekend Saturday Lunch or Evening Dinner, depends on schedule, will use turkey or chicken instead of ham}

~Honey Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts