Mexican Meatball Soup

Hello fellow mommies! Do you ever just get bored of the same old foods every night.. why not spice it up a little and turned some ground chicken into a Mexican fiesta full of flavour!



What you will need: (soup base)
2 tbsp EVOO
1 green pepper- chopped
1 red pepper- chopped
1 onion- chopped
3 cloves garlic- minced
3 green onions - chopped
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp chili peppers
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp basil
salt and pepper to taste
1 can of diced tomatoes with herbs
4 cups of chicken stock
1 can of chickpeas
3/4 cup of corn
2 tsp green chilies
1 lime
chopped fresh cilantro (1 palm full)


What you will need: (Meatballs)
1 pkg ground chicken or turkey
1 egg
3/4 cup bread crumbs
fresh chopped basil (1 palm full)
1 tbsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Meatballs:
Mix together all ingredients (using your hands is the best way to combine them), then form into 3/4 inch balls, set aside until broth is ready.

Start of by heating a pot on med-high heat with the EVOO. Add in your peppers and onions- cook until translucent. Add in garlic and spices, let cook for about 2 mins.Add in your tomatoes and broth, mix together. Add in the chickpeas, corn and green chilies- bring to a boil. Once boiling add in your meatballs and simmer for about 30 mins.

Once the meatballs are cooked and the flavours have combined squeeze the juice of 1 lime and add in the fresh cilantro (you can omit this part if you do not like cilantro). Enjoy :)

POST BY MOMMY OLIVIA

Smarties Blond Brownies

I made this recipe a few weeks ago, when I was craving something sweet and comforting... something really satisfying to those taste buds. I love blond brownies, my grandma always used to make them growing up but no matter how hard I tried my brownies would always come out more of a cake texture, rather than a dense brownie... so I thought to myself "well if this happen again I need something to amp up the flavour!" So rummaging through my cupboards I found Smarties, A LOT of them! Perfect.



What you will need: 
1/2 cup of butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups Smarties

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well. Gradually add in flour baking powder and salt while beating. Fold in smarties with a spatula until incorporated.

Empty contents in an 9x13 greased baking pan. Spread evenly. Bakes 20-25 mins. Should be golden brown, I like my brownies extra gooey, that's how I get them to refrain from turning into a cake batter, so I take them out a few minutes earlier... 19 to 20 mins.

Hope you enjoy this recipe! Brownies are so flexible when it comes to ingredients... switch it up by adding nuts, chocolate chips, or even peanut butter chips!

POST BY MOMMY OLIVIA

A Minion Birthday

Happy Birthday to my little minion who turned 3!

POST BY MOMMY OLIVIA

Soft Baked Sprinkle Cookies

I came across this recipe on Pinterest (of course) Noah saw it and immediately wanted to make them, but I told him if he was good I would make them special for his birthday party, and they were a huge success! I can't believe how delicious these turned out, and the recipe was so easy! You have to follow the recipe step by step, and it's crucial that you chill the dough for at least 2 hours before baking (this keeps there shape and makes them soft).

I am going to give you the website to find the recipe, there is a simple print button that makes it easy, and she does a great job at explaining the ingredients! Visit Averie Cooks for this amazing recipe!

Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

POST BY MOMMY OLIVIA

giveaway

GIVEAWAY!!!!

To participate visit our Facebook page and upload your best "elf on the shelf" idea! Just snap a picture of the what your elf has been up to and you could win a gift card to Tim Hortons!!! (Every moms favourite place) don't have elf on the shelf? No worries upload a picture of your gingerbread house, the person with the best elf on shelf or gingerbread house submission will win! All pictures must be uploaded by December 15th- winner will be picked on the 16th! Good luck!

Can't wait to see your submissions!

And the winner is.................................

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thank you to all the participants!

Christmas Picture Frame Ornaments

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? I'm having a hard time finding it, these past weeks have been so busy and on top of all the business me and my munchkin both caught the flu. But on the bright side, were better now and Christmas is only a week away! 

We made these cute things a few weeks ago. I just bought some colored Popsicle sticks and some Christmas pom poms had Noah decorate them, and I put the picture in just by gluing it onto some red construction paper and glue it around the back of the frame, then just tie a ribbon and your all set! I even let him wrap them up himself... he did a pretty good job for a 3 year old. 

We wish you Happy Holidays! 

POST BY MOMMY OLIVIA

Beaded Candy Canes

This idea came from a post I saw on Pinterest. Such a cute idea! You can either tie a ribbon to the top to make ornaments, or use them as little name tags to wrap up a present!

What you will need: 
Red and white beads (dollar tree)
red and green or white pipe cleaners (dollar tree)

Fold the pipe cleaner in half and wrap it around so it makes a sturdy line (this will keep the candy cane form and not flop around). Then fold or not one end and start piling the beaded on the other, leave about 1/2 and inch from the top free of beads so you can tie up the other end. Then form the candy came shape..that's all! It's a great craft for toddlers!