Happy 17th Anniversary! Chicken, Wine, Mushroom & Swiss Romantic Dish

Chicken, Mushroom & Swiss Romantic Wine Dish

Okay, I'm giving a recipe today, but I'm also giving you the beginning of an amazing love story:)

Today is my 17th Anniversary.

SEVENTEENTH!!

I don't feel old enough to have a 17th anniversary yet!

First things first.  Here is the recipe (the clean version of the recipe that my husband cooked for me on our first date when we were 19:)
Ingredients:
2-3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins
3 cups of mushroom soup
1/2 cup of white wine
6 slices of thinly sliced Swiss cheese
2-3 cups of whole grain bread crumbs

Directions:
Line a lightly oiled baking pan with the chicken

top with slices of cheese
Mix wine & mushroom soup and pour over the cheese

bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes
top with bread crumbs and return to oven for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

This tastes great with a baby spinach salad and a glass of white wine!

And for dessert... for the one who can't choose, a little of everything! (that's a tiny plate, btw:)

A slideshow of pictures from our marriage and life... all of my hair style & color changes (I have changed a lot over the years!!!:)  

Oh, and I'm singing the background vocals to one of our favorite songs to dance around the living room to:)

This was what we looked like way back when (1990)... although my hair often changed color weekly

My husband and I met when we were 19.  It was definitely love at first sight for him.  He still insists that he knew the very moment he saw me that I was his 'one true love' and that he knew at that moment I was the only one for him.

I didn't have quite that intense of a reaction, but then again, we met when he pulled up to a party on his motorcycle and I was a bit inebriated... so that might excuse it.  (No, I'm not proud of my partying days, but I'm not going to pretend they didn't happen either)

He sat and talked with me for a while and asked where I lived.  I had just moved, or rather I was staying with some friends and literally could not remember the name of the street I lived on.  I didn't have a phone and really had no way for him to get a hold of me.  I finally told him that I lived at the green house with the pink door.  Boy, did I beat myself up for that after he left.

All was not lost, because he was a pretty determined guy.  He hunted down the green house with the pink door and found me three nights later.  You might be able to imagine a hint of how shocked I was after spending three days mooning over this guy I'd just met, sure that I would never see him again, when he knocked on my door.

Ahhhhhhh!!!  I was so SO shocked.  I didn't have good luck with guys in the first place, and certainly hadn't expected him to go to all the trouble of hunting me down.  (Wow, that makes him sound like a creeper.  He wasn't:)

Anyway, we spent the next six weeks blissed out of our minds.  He worked at his dad's bar, so he came over at 2:30 every morning when he got off of work and we would go for walks for hours, just talking and feeling all those 'love bubbles' floating around.

On our first "real" date, he took me to his house and cooked me dinner... the same dinner I posted above.  He definitely stole my heart completely.  I had never had anyone treat me the way he did (and still does), look at me the way he did, or give me himself completely the way he did.

We danced to Billy Joel in the living room... and then he played the piano for me and our 'magic' song was born:

Clean Eating #142: Super Easy Spicy Hot Pico De Gallo

Spicy Hot Pico De Gallo

We cleaned out our freezer and had a few bits of peppers leftover, so in addition to some fresh tomatoes that my hubby found on sale, I made some Pico De Gallo.  I have a bunch of dried pinto beans to make "refried" beans with, and Jaedin made tortilla dough that's been soaking since yesterday, so I think we'll have burritos for dinner.  I need to go get some rice cooking as well.  It will seem like a real meal again!

Ingredients:
3 Pablano Peppers
1 Habanero Pepper
2 Sweet Red Peppers
1 Chopped Red/Yellow/Orange Bell Pepper
1 large Onion
12 Roma Tomatoes

Directions:
Dice all ingredients.
In a heavy pot, bring to a boil on medium heat.
Simmer on Medium-Low for an hour or so..

Serve!  My boys like really spicy stuff, and I took about a cup of this and added it to the water and 1 cup of salsa to the brown rice I have cooking for dinner.  I'll take a photo of our 'full meal' if I think of it.

Thanks for those who are still around reading.  Its been a big struggle to find things to post about lately... and I, for one, am really tired of scraping by financially!!  Let's get a break already!

And don't forget about the Father's Day Spotlight!

Clean Eating #135: Fresh Pineapple Jalapeno Poppers

Fresh Pineapple Jalapeno Poppers

My husband was craving jalapeno poppers and wanted to try out his own version of "clean" poppers.  He used fresh pineapple instead of the flavored cream cheese to avoid any extra additives and the result was fantastic!

Ingredients:

9 Fresh Jalapenos

4 oz of Cream Cheese (low fat)

Fresh pineapple (you won't need a lot, so the kids can fight over the rest:)

Directions:

Slice the jalapenos in half length wise and get rid of the seeds (keep some if you prefer the spiciness)

Fill with cream cheese

Top with a slice of fresh pineapple

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, or until the cream cheese starts to brown

Serve warm.

Oh, and take what you want before the teenage boys get downstairs, or you won't get any at all!

Verdict:  If you consider all the groaning around here, they must have been good.  Of course Kainan wanted bacon on his, but alas, he had to do without:)  A great, easy decadent treat.  Use nofat cream cheese or neufchatel cheese to keep it clean and pair it with some fresh veggies or as an appetizer to a super healthy meal so you don't eat too many!

Special Occasion: Fancy Prom Foods!!

For the past three years, my husband and I have put on a prom for the area homeschoolers.  There is always a good turnout and the kids have a blast.  I make most of the food and get some help from other moms.  In past years we had things like cheesecake squares, chocolate fondue dip for fruits and cakes, mini quiches, sweet and sour meatballs, etc.

This year our theme is "Hollywood" and its our last year here... before we move out to be closer to Hollywood (how fitting:)  So, I wanted to have some extra fancy things.  We don't really have a whole meal, just some finger foods and desserts for the kids.  Last year I bought a bunch of wine glasses at a closeout sale... this year I'm going to have my servers (younger kids) make trifles in those wineglasses, which the guests can then keep as one of their momentos.

I found some fantastic trifle ideas and I will be making some thick puddings on Friday, another mom is making shortcake and I'll be bringing ready to cut fresh and frozen fruits as well as whipped topping for those.  Now I'm stuck looking for interesting protein type things.

We usually have a photo scavenger hunt with groups of kids before prom, dance lessons and lots of fun.  This is a slideshow from some favorites over the years.

If you have any favorite recipes for 'fancy' protein finger foods type things, ideas to fancy up anything, let me know!:)  We are on teh last minute countdown now... three days to go!  I'll post updated recipes, ideas and whatnot after prom this year.

Blog Spotlight: Valentine's Day Recipes & Love Bubbles!

Let's celebrate this holiday by celebrating the love in our lives:)  Happy Valentine's Day Early! 

Thanks to all the bloggers who joined me in my first Holiday Spotlight!  I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into your lives and relationships.  LOVED the photos and the stories.  Thank you so much to Stephanie at The Loudmouth for the wonderful inspiration!

*I'll post my own story on Valentine's Day!

CLICK ON THE BLOG TITLES TO VISIT THESE AWESOME BLOGGERS!

Belle of Codependent Beauty & Twinkie!

My Valentine is my puppy Twinkie!

My husband bought me Twinkie on my 23rd birthday, Twinkie is my Valentine because he's a big cuddle bug, he loves to run around with me, eat watermelon and chase squirrels! Twinkie is the best Valentine!

This is mine and Twinkie's favorite recipe! 
 

David & Emily of The Happy Home Blog

We just got engaged about three weeks ago, and I'm over the moon. We met several times over the past few years, but I'm such a doofus, I never remembered him! Two years ago, though, he made quite the impression, and he took me on some of the best dates I've ever been on. Love at third or fourth sight, sure, but he keeps telling me that I've always been his dream girl.

For us, our favorite shared food will ALWAYS be dessert! Here's our recipe, Rocky Road Brownies
 

Danielle of Yeah, I Said it & Colby

My husband of 14 years is my Valentine. He's a good man, y'all. A great dad, a strong Christian, a forester, and he knows his way around Lowe's. What more could a girl want?

My husband loves to make authentic Mexican meals. And I let him... My contribution is this Hearty Southwest Chicken Soup.

Holly of Becoming Mrs. Allan & Bill 

I met my husband Bill 11 years ago. I was 21, a new college graduate and my sister brought me to Newport, RI for a weekend away to celebrate my graduation. We went to a bar called the West Deck. I met Bill, started talking to him and dropped my drink. He graciously offered to buy me another. I remembered he had on a black shirt and khakis. I went to tell my sister where I was, i looked up and saw a guy in a black shirt and khakis with two drinks and went over and thanked him for the drink only to look up and realize..it wasn't Bill. I then looked over and saw an angry looking Bill holding two drinks giving me a dirty look for talking to someone else!
I moved back to RI to start lawschool a month later and we started dating. 6 years later we bought a house together, 2 years after that, we got engaged, and 1 year after that we got married!
Here's my favorite treat to make him!  Barefoot Contessa's Carrot Pineapple Cake

Paris of "Fashionably Paris" & Susan AND Freddy Alfredo

Yep.  She named her spatula.  Her SPATULA.  I must admit, it is the most awesome spatula we own.  She's still pretty strange, though.  Her other Valentine is also part of their favorite meal... "Freddie" Alfredo.  

Her blog is coming along, she's participating in the 30 for 30 challenge, posting her own fashion designs and her upcycled T-shirts.  Check her out!

K.T. of Dontcha Wish You Could Blog Like Me? and her husband

*I must say, this was my favorite blog title EVER!

My Beau and I "met" about two years ago through my then work.  We both worked in different aspects of the IT field and he occasionally would drop off printers at my office to be repaired.  It wasn't until last spring (shortly after my husband and I had separated and I had filed for divorce) that he came to my office every week over the course of a month.  It seemed like every time I turned around, there he was.  And one day, he got the courage up to say the sweetest thing ever (he never knew how much it meant to me at that time), "Your husband is a very lucky man".  Yep...that was the line.  He didn't realize we had been apart for sometime.  I told him that day that I was going through a divorce, but thanked him for what I hoped was a compliment.  A few weeks later, he showed up AGAIN with the same printer to be repaired (I wondered then if we were doing THAT bad of a job or if he was just breaking it to see me!).  That day, he asked if I had plans that weekend...and seemed rather nervous...went to his car...then came back in with a note for me.  He'd written down his number with the silliest and cutest smiley face ever on the note and said if I ever wanted to do something to give him a call.  I waited a few minutes after he left and text him...we've been together ever since...and I can honestly say - I came from a horrible-very abusive and nasty marriage into the best thing God ever could have given me.  A man who loves and cares and accepts me..no matter what..and has stood strong beside me in the hardest days of my life.  I am VERY thankful for him.  Every day with my Beau is Valentines Day!

I knew I was head over heels in love with him the night a tree fell on my house, and he showed up with a carton of Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey to share with me.  Yes...he knows JUST what a woman needs when her emotions are all over the place:  Ice cream and chocolate!!!  

Shirley aka Black Swan of Luxury Haven, Ken & Jonathan

Ken & my Valentine's Day have been a threesome affair since the birth of our son, Jonathan.  They inspire me to create new recipes & make better food. The pix was taken @ Singapore Night Safari, where we'd celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary on Halloween Nite. The Peachy Chicken Roll is one of my fave recipes which I'd made in 2009. Here's bringing you happiness, with love from S'pore!"

Jamie & Chris

I chose my amazing husband to be my Valentine this year as well as for the past 13.

He works hard, is dedicated to his family and our relationship is one of unique design!

He is a true treasure and I am beyond smitten with this man!!!

'The smile on your face let's me know that you need me, there's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me.'

I chose this picture because it was completely spontaneous and our photographer snapped just in time to capture the moment!  I LOVE IT!!!

My husband will eat anything I cook but my salmon 'recipe' is probably his favorite dish.  We are having it tonight!  This year to celebrate Valentine's Day we will probably go to Olive Garden.  We have a gift card.  Our date night will be practical that way but that's what makes it nice.  We can enjoy each other no matter where we are and we are committed to our budget so I can stay home and school our 2 beautiful boys.  Boys who I love spending time with as do others.  That just proves they are awesome!

Thank you Byn for the opportunity to recognize different relationships and posting this so I would take a minute to focus on the blessing I have in my husby!

Keep an eye out for our Next Holiday Spotlight featuring you and your mom on Mother's Day!

Last Day to Submit to the Valentine's Day Spotlight!

Don't forget about the Valentine's Day Spotlight.  I will accept submissions until Midnight, Wednesday, February 9th.

Basically, here's the deal:  Send me a photo of yourself with your "Valentine" (It can be a spouse, child(ren), pet, parent, bff, anyone!) and then your favorite recipe to cook for them/romantic dsh, etc... comfort food, favorite meal at a restaurant for your date night...

Give me a brief description of your relaionship & why you chose them.  I'll link to your blog in the spotlight post.

my email is bynalways (@) gmail (.) com

On Valentine's Day, I'm going to post a photo of me and my hubby and our 'story' from 20 years ago when we met:)

Clean Eating #43: Bruschetta & Whole Wheat Bread Sticks Party Perfect Appetizer

Bruschetta & Whole Wheat Bread Sticks

Well, I made what I thought was Bruschetta, but I'm not sure it was.

Yesterday whilst cooking up a big batch of Homemade Marinara Sauce for our Pizza Pasta, Spaghetti Casserole,  pizza sauce, etc, I was looking at a whole huge skillet full of peppers and onions and thought, 

"Oooooh!  I should make a small pan of that Bruscheetta stuff to go with our fresh homemade bread for dinner!"

So, I threw some garlic in the oven for a quick roast... and separated some of the half cooked peppers out of my large skillet into a smaller one.

Ingredients 

(Vary amounts according to your tastes, this is what I used):

4 Roma Tomatoes, diced

1/2 each red, yellow, orange and green bell peppers

1/2 LARGE white onion

a few diced white mushrooms

1/2 cup EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

2 heads of Roasted Garlic *See here for instructions

Directions:

Sautee all chopped veggies in about 1 tsp of the EVOO (or coconut oil)

When they are soft, turn the heat down to med-low and simmer.

Remove roasted garlic  from skins, chop a bit

Add chopped garlic & the remaining oil to your pan.

Season as desired.

Serve in small bowls with homemade breadsticks.

This was a wonderful appetizer for everyone.  Even the picky bean liked it.  It makes a nice compliment to the bread sticks (We just baked extra skinny "loaves" of bread).  and made for a very nice "Italian" flavored taste.  We probably won't have this often, as it is pretty highly caloric, but it was a really nice extra to have sometimes.

I wouldn't change a thing!

Clean Eating #41: Super Bowl lower fat Guacamole & Easy Chips & Nachos!

Super Bowl Clean Guacamole & Chips!

Wow.  I've never been able to bring myself to try guacamole before... and I finally did.  Holy beans.  This stuff is YUMMY!!!  Paris and I ate nearly 1/3rd of this just mindlessly munching on it every time we passed the table!  I finally packed it away in the fridge, since I made it for Patrick and the boys anyway, I thought I should save some for them.

Ingredients:

• 3 avocado
• 1 medium onion
• 2 heads of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 lime
• 1 1/2 Roma tomatoes
• 1 1/2 Cups of frozen peas, cooked *Lower the fat!
• pepper

Directions: 

Cut the Avocado in half lengthwise and remove the seed.

Make a slice down the middle and just peel off the skin.

Squeeze lime juice in a small bowl.  Use half to coat the avocado.

Using a potato masher, mash up the avocado.

Add cooked peas, remaining lime juice, spices, chopped garlic and cilantro & puree in blender

Add chopped tomato and onion & Refrigerate until serving.

CHIPS!
Find some clean corn tortillas
Cut into triangles (I recommend cutting them larger rather than smaller so its less time consuming)
Spray lightly with oil and line a cookie sheet
bake under the broiler for just a moment until they start to brown, flip and toast the other side.  Viola!

OR
Clean Eating Nachos... with LESS mess if you cut them AFTER they're toasted with cheese (for Nachos)

Clean Eating #40: Super Bowl Nachos w/ Salsa w/No Mess!

When making our own tortilla "Chips" We prefer to just leave the (corn or whole wheat) tortillas whole, then chop them after cooking.  This makes for easier "nacho" type things as well, since the cheese doesn't get everywhere.  It works best with soft taco size rather than burrito size.  SO much easier and LESS MESS!

Ground Turkey Nachos and Homemade Salsa

Ingredients:

corn or whole wheat tortilla

spray olive oil

low fat cheese

lean ground turkey

chopped green onions

Directions

Lightly spray the tortillas with oil.

Place on a cookie sheet under the broiler on 450 for a minute or so (watch carefully! These will burn FAST)

Turn over when lightly browned and toast the other side.

Top with your favorite nacho toppings, toast until cheese is melted and serve with homemade salsa!

Holiday Recipe Spotlight: Your Favorite Valentine Meal... & who you share it with!

A blogger friend of mine The Loudmouth, who has an awesome style blog did a special Valentine's Day post where she asked her readers to send in a photo and brief description of them with their special Valentine.  She had some amazingly creative and wonderful contributors and it really inspired me to try a version myself.

*FYI:  The Loudmouth is a grown up blog:)  She sometimes posts, in my opinion, great, thought provoking posts about things in fashion such as nudity in advertising, body image, etc.  Its not a kiddie friendly blog in everyone's opinion, I'm sure, so, forewarned is forearmed and means you can't complain if you go and are offended.

So, between now and Wednesday, February 10th, I want my readers to participate in a little challenge. 

Send me via email bynalways (@) gmail.com:

• A photo of you with your Valentine (be creative, it doesn't have to be a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend situation, choose a person or even a pet... heck a HOBBY if you want in your life who is special to you.  The person that you love, who inspires you to be a better person and regularly brings joy into your days.)
• A brief explanation of why this is your Valentine
• A Recipe or Link to Your Favorite "Fancy" or "Valentine" meal. **It does NOT have to be 'clean' or anything, just your favorite.

I am joining in with a "Valentine's Day party on a fellow Blogger's site as well if you'd like to join us!

I'll make a Valentine's Day Food Post the Weekend before Valentines Day and Spread the love:)