Create Inspired: New Deck

Inspired by a Target mailer

We had our old patio cushions for fours years and you could tell.  The sun is so bright on our deck that they had faded and just were not very comfortable anymore.  As soon as I got that Target ad I new that was exactly what I wanted for our new deck.

Deck Cushions - Target, same

Everything else you see came from the Christmas Tree Store.  My favorite is the starfish table.  

Besides a slightly scary moment with the Tiki Torches, we are enjoying our deck again! (Nothing caught on fire.)

Be Inspired.

-With Love, Alli

Food Inspired: Egg Roll In a Bowl

Inspiration: Dani Stout and Gluten Free with Southern Charm

My family loves egg rolls but I'm not always a fan of the deep fried greasy wonton.  I came across these recipes on Pinterest and new it would be a hit.  I did a little combining and threw in some of my one flavors for my version of Egg Roll in a Bowl.

Ingredients

1lb Ground Pork

1 - 10oz bag of Asian Slaw (Napa Cabbage, Carrots and Celery)

1 tbsp Sesame Oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped

4 tbsp tamari or low sodium soy sauce

1 tsp rice vinegar

sea salt

Directions

1. Cook the pork in a sauté pan.  Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

2. Remove the pork from the pan.

3. Add the sesame oil.

4. Add the onions.  Cook for 2 mins then and garlic.  Sauté until the onions are cooked. (I like to give the onions a head start so the garlic does not burn.)

5. Add the slaw mix and ginger.  Cook for 10 minutes, stirring often.  The slaw will cook way down.

6. Add the ground pork back to the pan.

7. Pour in the tamarin or soy sauce and vinegar.  This is a great time to scrap the bottom of the pan for great flavor. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Serve over brown rice or lo men noodles for a heartier dinner.  

Side Dish Idea

Quick Broccoli Slaw - Combine broccoli slaw with a ginger sesame dressing.

Be Inspired.

-With Love, Alli

Meal Plan: May 17th - May 24th

One way I have learned to trick get my kids to try new meats is by making it look like a hamburger or meatball.  There really isn't a meat that my oldest doesn't like now but the only meat my youngest gets excited about is a cheeseburger or chicken nugget.  She will eat it but it...takes...forever.  This Ode to Ground Meat week.  If it looks like a cheeseburger maybe she will eat it like a cheeseburger.

This is what we are having this week:

Sunday:  Ribeye steaks, Asparagus and Baked Potatoes

These steaks were left-over from a church fund raiser dinner.  We decided to just recreate the whole meal.

Monday: Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole and Broccoli (Ground Chicken)

Recipe from Buns In My Oven

Tuesday: Egg Roll in a Bowl (Ground Pork)

Recipe Inspired from Gluten Free with Southern Charm - I add some extra flavors.

Wednesday: Chicken Carne Asada

Recipe from Cooking Light

Thursday: Cheesesteaks Burgers (Ground Beef)

Recipe Inspired from Cooking Light - I liked the thought of this burger but plan to make it closer to the original.

Friday: Pita Pizzas 

Recipe Inspired from Fits Simple - I added sausage, made the sauce less chunky and added arugula on top.

Meal Plan: May 3rd - May 9th

I took a week off last week.  Work has been crazy busy and when I sat down to write my brain just couldn't do it.  Most of ours meals were pretty regular except we did have Kentucky Hot Browns in honor of the Derby.

Here is what we having for dinner this week:

Sunday: Chicken Scaloppine With Pesto and Cheese and Roasted Asparagus

Chicken Recipe from Weight Watchers  
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup marsala wine
2 tablespoons pesto
4 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese

Monday: Turkey Bacon Ranch Wraps

Wrap Recipe 

Cinco de Mayo Tuesday: Baked Chicken Chimichangas with Guacamole

Recipe from Six Sister Stuff (minus the green sauce)

Wednesday: Sesame Ginger Pork Tenderloin with Brown Rice

This was originally a chicken recipe put we were on a poultry roll so I changed it up.

From Weight Watchers

Ingredients

2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled, minced
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Cooking spray
sliced green onions (optional)

Notes / Directions

1. Prepare Grill
2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. 
3. Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or heavy skillet. 
4. Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until chicken is done, basting occasionally with sesame seed mixture. Place on a serving platter; garnish with green onions, if desired. Serve immediately. 

Thursday: Crock Pot Cheesy Ravioli Tortellini (The store was sold out of the ravioli I wanted)

Recipe from Life in the Lofthouse

Friday: Grabbing dinner after dance recital pictures.