Pinterest is turning me into a cook!

I totally can not stop laughing when I look at the title(If you know me then you know what I mean)

It's no secret that I am totally in LOVE with Pinterest! I mean what's not to love about a site where you can find the most awesome ideas for anything you can imagine and you can organize them so they are easy to find!

It is also no secret that I have never been much of a cook(TheHandyman totally did not marry me for my cooking). However, Pinterest is in the process of changing that thanks to the fantastic recipes I am finding there.

I wanted to share a few that I tried out on the family recently. Some in the family are extremely picky but I have been able to cook meals that each and every person has enjoyed. This makes me very happy!! 

*Click the names below the photos for the recipes/how-to

~ 1st Place ~

Chicken Squares from Plain Chicken

 Oh My Heavens this babies are YUMMYLICIOUS!! The topping of crushed croutons is the perfect balance to the soft bread and creamy chicken inside.
I added a little minced garlic and Lawry's Seasoning Salt to my chicken mixture for a little added spice.

If you have not checked our the recipes over at Plain Chicken then you need to go there now. Fabulous, Simple, and Oh-So-Good!

~ 2nd Place ~

Bacon Ranch Crock-Pot Chicken

This recipe basically fights for 1st Place in our house. When I make there it is gone in a flash. I have learned to double the recipe so that TheHandyman and I can enjoy it for leftovers the next day.

*I have also used the Spicy Ranch Mix and it is awesome as well!

When I found this recipe from Kelly's Healthified Kitchen I thought I could die on the spot. I have a major weakness for anything "alfredo" but since I am attempting to eat healthier I have been staying away from it. Now, thanks to Kelly, I can have it without feeling guilty! I may be in love with her thanks to this. hahaa

~ 3rd Place ~

Joyful Momma's Kitchen: White Chicken Enchiladas

I kept seeing this bad boy on Pinterest like 500Billion times - literally, so I figured I might as well try it and see what all the fuss was about. Well let me tell you - I totally added a Pin to bring the total 500Billionand1! It is THAT good and even better the next day after the sauce as set.

Thanks to Lexi over at Joyful Momma's Kitchen for this fabulous recipe! I can't wait to share this one with my MIL. :)

So there you have it. My families top 3 recipes(so far) found on Pinterest.

Yes, I am aware they are all chicken and yes we do eat things besides chicken.

In fact here are a few things I will be trying out soon and I will let you know how they turn out :)

Thanks for stopping by today. I am attempting to get back to posting more as I have been majorly slack the past few months. Also if you have any fave recipes I would love for you to share them with me. 

Stay Sweet :)

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with Family, Friends, Love, and Laughter.

Be Blessed and know that our Lord is with you on this Thanksgiving and each day throughout the year!

Channeling Popeye

Since it is the day after Thanksgiving and I am sure most of you are still feeling like you just stepped away from the table and that 3rd piece of pecan pie, I thought this would be the perfect day to post about my new obsession.

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I have a confession to make. I am an extremely picker eater have very sensitive taste buds! Yes, Yes I know this is hard for my family and close friends to believe. *So laughing here* I admit I have always been picky. I am pretty sure I was born that way otherwise how would I just all of a sudden be picky? I guess you could call me D.W. :)

The ONE thing that seems to make people look at me funny when eating out is that I do not eat lettuce or anything leafy for that matter. I can't really tell you why but I do not like it AT ALL! My Mom always says "There is no taste to it." Hmm helloo yes there is and it is g.r.o.s.s!

How does all this relate to Popeye as the title says you may be asking yourself? Well last month I made a vow to get healthy. I have been very unhealthy for way too long and now that I am closing in on the big 40 I knew I had to do something about it.

Since I not the best eater I decided there had to be some way to get the good stuff without actually having to bite into it. I know I could simply smother the lettuce and other green stuff with salad dressing but since I really only like Ranch and Bleu Cheese I know that would not be helpful in my quest to healthiness.
I started looking around online and I have found the solution to my problem --- I now DRINK my greens!!

Whhaatttt??? Yep you are reading that correctly. I am drinking the good stuff now and it is in the form of a smoothie! What's not to L~O~V~E about getting the vitamins and nutrients you need via a freaking Smoothie? I say it is a win-win situation!

Here is the original recipe I found on Pinterest: Green Smoothie for Weight Loss.

Yes it is bright green but it is ohh soo yummmy and I am in love with it!

I changed up the original recipe slightly after a few taste tests to find what works best for my uber sensitive taste buds(snort) and here is what I have most mornings now.

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 cup pineapples
• 2 handfuls spinach
• ice and water 

Mine is not as green because of the strawberries but it is so good! I still will not eat spinach in a salad but I will drink one of these babies each and every morning!

Notes:
~ There are many variations you can do with the fruits as long as you have the spinach and the banana as a base.
~ You can use two bananas if you want but I am not a huge banana fan so I only use one.
~ I use fresh bananas but frozen strawberries and pineapple.
~ The color will not always be bright green as you can see in my photo above. The color depends on the fruits you use.

I dare you to try your own version! You may be surprised at how much you like it and your body will thank you!