This Week's Favorites

I was looking for some new dinner recipes and came across these three delicious dishes.
Can't wait to try them!

Biggest Loser Lettuce Wraps

Source: prevention.com via Erin on Pinterest 

Vegetarian Tamale Pie

Source: a couple cooks via Erin on Pinterest

Pesto and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken

Source: Kalyn's Kitchen via Erin on Pinterest

I am always intrigued by a new breakfast cookie!

25 Calorie Banana Bread Cookies

Source: Werk It! via Erin on Pinterest

Breakfast Cookies: no flour...

Source: Blueberry Girl via Erin on Pinterest

Holiday cocktails? Yes, please!

Source: What Katie Ate via Erin on Pinterest

And this just looks like it will melt in your mouth:
Lemon Pull-Apart Bread.

Source: The Whimsical Cupcake via Erin on Pinterest

I am linking up with Friday Favorites at Finding Joy in My Kitchen. 

Lunch: Easy Tostadas and more...

Lunch is not our favorite meal around here. It is kinda boring and usually has to be pretty quick with two little people running around all the time. 

Lately these are some of the more fun and easy lunches we have been enjoying. 

This is a great lunch for Abby to take to "lunch bunch" at preschool or a great lunch for us to take to the park. 

It is our healthier version of  a lunchable:

Wheat thins, cheddar cheese, turkey pepperoni, and grapes.

 

On the days we are home, making easy tostadas is one of Abby's favorite lunches. 

What you will need: 

fat free refried beans 

tostada shells 

low fat cheddar cheese

lettuce 

tomatoes

avocado, sour cream, salsa (optional toppings) 

What you will do: 

Heat the refried beans. 

Spread about 1/4 cup beans on a tostada shell. 

Sprinkle the cheese on top and either heat in the oven for a few minutes or pop in the microwave for a few seconds. 

Add all the toppings you like. 

I found this soup at Trader's Joes and it is low fat and delicious! 

I made a little side of nachos and have been eating this a little too much!

And this salad is my newest lunch obsession:

Mixed lettuces, carrots, grapes, chicken salad (cut up chicken with a little light mayo), and some sliced almonds.

 

Anyone else have any lunch ideas that are healthy, easy, and kid friendly?

Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

For dessert on Friday night we made cookies. 

Abby kept saying, "These are the funnest cookies we have ever made!"

They were not only fun to make but delicious too. 

The recipe made a ton so we had a lot to share with our family! 

Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

recipe from Scrambled Henfruit

Ingredients 

1 cup softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 box (10 packets) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink mix 

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups all purpose flour

1 bag caramels (I bought mine at Sprouts and used a box full)

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. 

In a bowl whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. 

In a mixer cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packets of cider. 

Beat in eggs, one at a time and add vanilla. Mix well. 

Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture and mix until combined. 

Refrigerate for about an hour. While in the fridge, unwrap your caramels (or make your kids to this! ;)). 

Using a small cookie scoop, or tablespoon, scoop out dough and slightly flatten in the palm of your hand. Press the caramel in the center and cover completely. Place on parchment  paper about 2 inches apart. 

Bake for 12-14 minutes (it took 13 in my oven). Once done, slide the parchment paper on to the counter to cool. Once slightly cooled and edges are slightly hardened, twist cookies off parchment, turn upside down and allow to cool on cooling racks. 

Makes about 4 dozen. 

Both Saturday and today we ate more of these cookies! We popped them in the microwave for about 10 seconds and the caramel melted once again, perfectly! 


I am sharing this recipe with: 
Sundae Scoop
Think Pink Sundays
Melt In Your Mouth Mondays
More the Merrier Monday
Simply Delish