In honor of my Airman's first day of Basic Training: Taco Casserole

If you follow me on facebook (which I assume you do, since you're on my blog), you probably know that my boyfriend left recently for Air Force basic training. Today is his very first official day of BT. 

Well, this post is for him.

Two years ago, I wouldn't touch Mexican food. I hated anything other than a cheese quesadilla and there was no way you'd find me anywhere near a Taco Bell, which I now know isn't really Mexican. In October of 2010 (WOW! long time ago), I met a guy at a bar and though most thought nothing of it, I knew this guy was different than anyone I had ever met before. After several days of talking on the phone into the wee hours of the morning, he came to see me and we went on a date. The rest was history. Here we are one year and eight months later, and a lot has changed. We've together through finals, tough times, study sessions, one bad perm, I graduated from college, he joined the Air Force. But probably the biggest change since we've met is that nowadays, I could eat Mexican food every single day of the week and never tire of it. Here's a recipe, that actually has potential to be really good for you (or even vegetarian-friendly) with the right ingredients, and I know he'll love when I get to cook it for him one day. It's also really easy, one of those that I mentally store away for years from now when I'm a momma and need a quick and easy "go-to". 

Taco Casserole! 

You will need: 

• 1 lb ground skinless turkey breast 
• 1 pkg taco seasoning mix 
• 8 ozs taco sauce 
• 2 c fat-free sour cream 
• 1 bag tortilla chips, whole or broken up 
• 1 c low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded 
• 3/4 c salsa (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray your casserole dish. I used this round casserole dish, but I think any shape and size will work. 

In a skillet, cook the ground turkey (or chicken or beef, if you prefer). I took this time to season the meat with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder. 

Add the taco seasoning and the taco sauce and set the meat mix aside. 

Break up some chips and place them in the bottom of the casserole dish. 

Put the meat mix over the chips. 

Then put the sour cream on top of that. 

Then the cheese...

Then more chips. I added some fun and fancy whole chips around the edges to make it look pretty. 

Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered, at 400. You can top it with salsa, if you like. Here's what it looked like all finished, sans salsa. 

And here's the finished, plated project! 

I also made some fun green sprinkle sugar cookies for dessert, but they we're store bought, so that's cheating, right? 

And finally, a cute picture of our dogs, because they're cute. Do I need a better reason? 

Have a good week! 

recipe found at: http://shine.yahoo.com/shine-food/weight-watchers-points-plus-taco-casserole-2447472.html

Yoga-t to be kidding me!

This week, I've been waking up with my friend Cara to do yoga to begin our day. I'm no pro and sometimes I really want to sleep in, but I really love yoga. I've been practicing by myself and have just recently begun this ritual of waking up to start my day with yoga and a friend.

Not only does this practice help me get my lazy butt out of bed every morning, it makes me feel more alive. I know some of you are thinking "I hate yoga! It's so boring!" but to tell you the truth, well, my truth, I don't exactly do yoga to excite my every cell. 

I practice yoga to soothe and calm my body, soul, and mind.

You know that feeling of having so much to do that you can't focus on anything?

Or how about that feeling you get about mid way through the day 

where you can barely hold your head up?

Or when you get so frustrated about something going on in your life that it's all you can think about? 

When I practice yoga, I'm not focused on what I'm making for dinner, or what I need to do when I get to the office, or the fight I just had with a friend. I'm focusing on my breathing and trying to strengthen each of my poses. I'm focused on the calming music that I play from my iPad, and trying to clear my mind. It's not always easy. I don't always have a clear mind. But that is my goal. 

Yoga releases stress, tension, stiffness, pain, and fatigue. 

It makes me stand up straighter, sit tall, and hold my head high. 

It makes me feel focused, and happy.

It rids me of anxiety, and it's one of the few things that actually can. 

It gives me confidence. 

It makes me more aware of my body and my connection with my body, and when I practice yoga outside, my connection to nature. 

If you're competitive, you may not think yoga is right for you. Well, you may be right. But yoga is is a practice, which means that you are practicing every time, not that you are performing or exercising (though it is). You try to obtain your personal best. 

So, if you're going to start, start slow. I can't stress this enough. You can get hurt if you try to advance before you're ready, or if you don't do a pose correctly. 

Listen to your body! Yoga is not supposed to be painful! 

Know your own limits [advice not just for yoga, but maybe even for life!]

Yoga has been healing bodies, spirits, and minds for over 5,000 years! Its one of the oldest practices in the world. Some studies have even shown that people who practice yoga in groups emit oxytocin, know as the trust and bonding hormone. Here's some yoga lingo, just for you

 [when will you ever need these? who knows?! Maybe one day you'll be on jeopardy and you'll be able to tell Alex Trebek "What is *insert yoga term here*?"]:

yogini: a female who avidly practices yoga and subscribes to the lifestyle and philosophy of yoga

asanas: the poses that you move in and out of while practicing yoga. Ex. downward facing dog, tree pose, cat stretch.

power yoga or ashtanga: also called "gym yoga"is a form of yoga that it a little more rigorous than what you might think of as yoga. It's meant to get your blood pumping

lyengar: yoga using things like block, bricks, and straps to work on precise poses

meditation: I'm sure you know what this means but some people think that if they are Christians, meditation is sacreligious. But i'm here to tell you that you can meditate on anything!  Direct your meditation towards your Lord, be that Jesus, or Buddha, or Allah. Or if you're irreligious, meditate on the blessings you've received in your life, meditate on finding a release of your soul. Just meditate on something. You'll feel better.

mantra: another word you know! I find it helpful to have a mantra or some kind, something you repeat to yourself over and over as you practice yoga, so that you're focused on saying your mantra and breathing and actually doing yoga and not what you need to pick up at the grocery store later. I usually say something like "Breath, Taylor", just so I don't forget. But you can say whatever you want! You can say "I am powerful and beautiful". You can say "I was born this way!". You can say "All good things come from above". Say whatever you want! Whatever makes you happy, inspired, focused, anything! Make your mantra yours.

So try it! you're not too old, or too stiff. There's no such thing! 

Again, it's a practice. You are not "good" or "bad" at yoga. 

You don't have to go to a class. You can buy a video and a mat and do it at home where no one can see. You can do it with a friend who doesn't care if you look stupid. Or you can go to a class! There's a yoga class in just about every town, at the YMCA or local gym.

references: http://www.webmd.com/balance/the-health-benefits-of-yoga?page=2 

Beer! Beer! Beer! for the Good Ole Green Knights!

Beer! Beer! Beer! For the Good Ole Green Knights!

Shake out the cocktails! Bring on the rye! 

Send those freshman out for gin and don't let a sober G.K. IN!

We never stumble, We never fall, We sober up on wood alcohol!

We won't die! We'll rise and fight for the glory of the Green and White!

FIGHT KNIGHTS! FIGHT! CHARGE! 

FIGHT KNIGHTS! FIGHT! CHARGE!

FIGHT KNIGHTS! FIGHT! CHARGE!

If you're not familiar with the above listed "Good Ole Green Knights", you probably don't know me as well as others. My Alma Mater, and now, my place of business, is home to a rich heritage of sisterhood. Some of you may have been in a sorority, well, this is similar. The Wesleyan Sisterhood is unique in that every one chooses how involved they would like to be or not to be. If you attend Wesleyan, you're automatically placed into a class. I am a Grand Green Knight, but other classes include Powerful Pirates, Perfect Purple Knights (my sister class!), and the Glorious Golden Hearts! These classes work together and sometime even compete in various events and traditions around campus. This was literally the main reason I chose Wesleyan, apart from its outstanding education and prestigious reputation. 

After graduating, I moved into a house with two of my Grand Green Knight sisters and...

let the adventures ensue! 

Our most recent adventure has been gardening. Maybe my housemates are more used to this than I am, but all I know of gardening is that my Memomma knows every plant indigenous to South Georgia and sometimes we think she makes up names when she doesn't because my mom and I would never know the difference. That's it. I've never planted or learned to care for plants because my mother has the opposite of a green thumb. So this is yet another journey I'm walking into with a blindfold on. 

This plants are something my mom gave me, because she said, and I quote "you can't kill them even if you try!". This is advice I took to heart since I don't think my mother has ever had a plant for longer than a week. I promptly planted them in the pot on our stairs of our front porch, and, believe it or not, THEY ARE STILL ALIVE! 

I have not killed them. AND I've remembered to water them every day! I don't know what kind they are or how big they are supposed to be or what season they're best for. 

I just know I haven't killed them. 

And I'm proud of myself for that. 

Yesterday, we planted knockout roses, there are some herbs planted to the right of the picture, and I also have a hanging plant that I've managed to keep green. 

Onto this week's recipe...

I hate beer. Just about the only thing beer-related that I can stand is Woodchuck, and that's a cider. Beer is just so gross to me, like, if I had to imagine what horse urine tasted like...well you get it. 

However, I will try things made with beer. For instance, during a trip to Washington D.C., I tried a lovely Guinness Beef Stew, and, as a true southerner, you can deep fry anything and I'll eat it, which led me to various beer battered delicacies. The point here is-I will try new things to see if I like them before saying I do or do not like them. 


This week, I tried the Beer Mac & Cheese that I've seen all over Pinterest and I have to admit, I wasn't crazy about it. Though it didn't taste bad, it was a little bland and it just wasn't for me. I changed some of the cheeses the recipe called for and, for once, this spark of creativity turned out to hurt, not help, the recipe. But if you try it, and it turns out good, please post your recipe and let me know what you did differently! 

Beer Mac & Cheese

• 2 ½ cups uncooked small pasta (I just used macaroni noodles)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 8 ounces milk
• 8 ounces beer (I used Yuengling)
• 8 ounces freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces gouda, grated (I used mozzerella)
• ½ cup romano cheese, grated
• ¼ teaspoon paprika (left this out!)
• pinch of black pepper
• pinch of nutmeg (left this out!)
• ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
• handful chopped parsley, for garnish 

Preheat the oven to 375.

Boil pasta, but let cook a few minutes less than usual, since the pasta will continue to cook in the oven. 

Heat up a saucepan over med. high heat and add butter. Once the butter melts and is sizzling, whisk in the flour to create a roux. (I had to look up what this means! Shame on me!). Cook the roux until it's bubbly and golden. This will take about two minutes. 

Add milk and beer and whisk constantly! The add gouda (or mozzarella in my case) and cheddar. Mind you, these are shredded. Stir them in until melted. 

Turn the heat down to medium and keep whisking, for about 5-6 minutes, to thicken the mix. It will look like this...

or this, with flash :)

It will not thicken to anything that looks like regular mac & cheese because of the beer, but it will thicken a little bit. 

Stir in pepper, paprika and nutmeg.

Drain your pasta and add it to a casserole dish. 

Pour the cheese mix over top and mix it gently to combine. 

Top with bread crumbs, some more pepper and sprinkle with romano cheese. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.

 

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, top with fresh parsley.

Let me know if you followed the recipe exactly and it worked really well! Or if you changed something and it worked! Or if you kept it just like I did it and you loved it! 

Happy cooking! 

This recipe is from:  http://www.livelovepasta.com/2011/09/beer-mac-n-cheese/

Let the Domestic Goddesshood BEGIN!: Chicken Broccoli Bundles

It is finished. 

As of May 5th, 2012, I am a college graduate, with a degree from Wesleyan College in Psychology. It was a rough four years, but from it I gleaned an eternal thirst for knowledge, an ability to intelligently question information handed to me in my surroundings with a critical eye, and friendships that will last me the rest of my entire life. I look back and can feel nothing but grateful for the opportunity and thankful that I grabbed that opportunity by the horns and made the best of it. 

Now, before the waterworks begin, lets catch up....

My graduation party was a ladies only "T" party for Taylor. We all worn big fun hats, much like we were attending the Kentucky Derby instead of a party, and we sipped tea and sangria. It was lovely. And my momma is about the most hardworkin' party planner you'll ever meet. Parties are really her forte. She is amazing. 

Here's a fuzzy phone picture of my sister, Abigail, my mother, and me. 

This is my sister Abigail and me with my mother's mother-Memomma-and my father's mother-MiMi. 

I was so happy to have them there! 

Many more graduation activities went on, like Candlelighting (a Wesleyan tradition where seniors are inducted to the Alumnae Association), Move-up Banquet (another Wesleyan event), and Baccaulareate. My mother spoke and of course, due to an immense bias, I think she was the best. However, most everyone in attendance will tell you she was also the longest of all the parents' speeches. What can I say? We're talkers. 

I adore my family, the blood relatives, the ones I have found along the way, the family Wesleyan gave me. I love them, and I cannot emphasize that enough. But having all of them surrounding me at one time on the day of my graduation was both a blessing and a curse to this little Southern Belle who was brought up to be a hostess in all occasions. I was torn between loving on my mom, dad, and sister, spending time with my man, with whom my days were numbered (he leaves for Air Force basic training in two weeks!), my grandparents who are as sweet as can be and I love to be around, my Wesleyan little sisters who generally just light up my life and make me giggle constantly, and my wonderful "in-laws. It should be noted that "in-laws" is in quotations because they are not "officially" my in-laws but I believe they will be one day. My "sister-in-law" is quite pregnant and boy has she got the glow! Just gorgeous! But, Lawd help, she did NOT want to be in pictures! I guess there may be a time in the future where I will understand that. But until then, I have this fantastic picture to enjoy...

Me with my "sister-in-law" Margie and "mother-in-law" Ely.

They are a hoot and I just LOVE them! 

Before graduating, I moved into a quaint little house, with two of my Wesleyan chums. We have really enjoyed the space this house has provided and the charm it holds. I love being on my own, and when my first big girl paycheck comes  in on June 25th, you'll probably find me dancing in my front yard. I'm sure the driver's on Tucker Road would just love that! This house has allowed me the luxury of bringing my dear sweet pup from home, Hercules. He's about nine and I've had him most of his life. SPOILED ROTTEN. But he's my spoiled rotten dog, my protector, my cuddle buddy, and he will surely be my comfort once the man leaves for basic. He loves having his belly rubbed, coming to work with me, and hates the dog park. I mean, he loathes it! He sits at the gate and begs me to take him home. 

My roommate adopted an adorable little pup named MaKenna. She is a little rough but is so much fun to play with and BOY is she a lover! 

She wants to just cuddle you and kiss you all day long! 

I mean! Just look at that hunk of love! 

In our house, we have nights where each of us are responsible for making dinner. My night is Sunday, so hopefully this will mean weekly recipes and fill ins about life as a college grad, pet owner, working girl, and girlfriend of a Airman! 

So, onto the recipe! Chicken Bundles is a recipe I found on Pinterest and thought it looked fancy. This would be great for a dinner party or if you're taking dinner to someone sick or who has had a family member pass away. It's quick, easy, and delicious! Plus, it left room for me to experiment, which I'm getting better at! which turned Chicken Bundles into....

Chicken Broccoli Bundles

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1-13 oz. can chicken (or equivalent cooked chicken)

1/4 tsp. parsley

2 cans Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - leave in fridge until ready to use! 

1 brick of frozen broccoli, thawed (or a veggie of your choice!)

scoop of sour cream

I did change a few things here. I took out the onions and sesame seeds the original recipe called for. 

So first, I combined all of the ingredients (except for the crescent rolls) and this is where I threw in a scoop of sour cream. The mix just wasn't as creamy or "chicken-salady" as I wanted it to be. The scoop of sour cream made it much easier to work with and, let's be honest, when is it ever a BAD idea to add sour cream?

 

After that's all mixed, open up a pack of crescent rolls. Don't make triangles like normal. Instead, make long rectangles by keeping the triangles together in pairs. This will make four rectangles per pack of crescent rolls. Press the rectangles out as big as you can make them. And press close the seams! 

Put a scoop of your mix onto each rectangle and bring the opposing corners up to meet and pinch them together. There is no technique to this; all I did was make sure I couldn't see any of the mix on the inside and that all the seams were closed. 

Place on a greased pan or one with tin foil, sprinkle some parsley on the top, and bake at 375 for about 15 minutes. 

And thats all. Super simple and really delicious! 

The leftover mix makes a really yummy chicken salad, and I HATE chicken salad! 

Let me know if you tried this and if you changed or added anything! 

Have a lovely week! 

recipe from: http://www.quick-and-easy-dinner.com/chicken-bundles.html