Recipe: Cinnamon Tortilla Chips & Fruit Salsa
I recently made Cinnamon Tortilla Chips & Fruit Salsa to bring to a friends house. The sweet chips and fruit salsa are a wonderful combination. I received my inspiration for this recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything. My Fruit Salsa had a different blend of fruit in it (mainly because I used what I had on hand) and I cut the recipe in half. The recipe was a hit!
Cinnamon Tortilla Chips & Fruit Salsa:
Fruit Salsa
- 2 diced Red Delicious Apples
- 1 peeled and diced Orange
- 1 cup diced Strawberries
- 1/2 cup halved Cranberries
- 1/2 cup Pomegranate Seeds
- 1 tablespoon White Sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Fruit Preserves (I used half Peach-Raspberry Jam and half Pear Honey made by my cousin Renelle)
Cinnamon Tortilla Chips
- 10 (10 inch) Flour Tortillas
- Melted Butter or Cooking Spray
- 1 cup Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Cinnamon
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside. Coat both sides of a flour tortilla with melted butter or butter flavored cooking spray. Dip the buttered tortilla into the sugar and cinnamon mixture (or sprinkle the sugar / cinnamon mixture over the buttered tortilla). Use cooking scissors to cut the tortilla into wedges and place in a single layer onto a baking sheet. Spray the top of the tortilla wedges with cooking spray and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat until you have finished the tortillas.
- Wash, peel and dice all the fresh fruit. Place the fruit in a bowl and mix. Add the white sugar, brown sugar, and fruit preserves and stir thoroughly. Cover the fruit and chill for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Serve the Cinnamon Tortilla Chips with chilled fruit mixture. You can use this salsa with cinnamon graham crackers, cinnamon pita chips, or any type of cinnamon chips.
Box Tops for School
The girls are always on the look out for Box Tops for their school! A couple months ago I spent an evening with the girls gluing all our box tops onto the sheets. Every full box top sheet (50 box tops per sheet) gave the girls an entry into a drawing and a little special toy.Since I have two kids I wanted to fill at least two sheets. Each box top gives $0.10 cents to your child’s school so by filling up two pages our family would be helping the school get $10 to use. Since it takes our family awhile to build up our stash of box tops I typically do this activity once a year, but when the girls went to bed we only had 88 box tops, we were still 12 short of filling up 2 sheets (100 box tops). They were disappointed that we didn’t have enough for both sheets but went to bed hopeful.
After the girls went to bed I went through the pantry looking for all the extra box tops still on the boxes of food. And guess what!? I found 12 more to put onto the sheet for them to take to school. The girls were so excited to see the completed box top sheet on their bar stools at breakfast the next morning. Love being able to make my girls smile, even if it means removing the box tops off the items still in the pantry.
To get more information on Box Tops and how you (and your school can participate) can be found at Box Tops for Education.
Versatile Blogger Award!
I was excited to receive the Versatile Blogger Award from Save Green Being Green. Thanks! Please check out Jessica’s great blog when you have a chance!
The rules for this award are:
1. Thank the person that nominated you with a link back to them. (see above)2. Tell 7 things about yourself. (see below)3. Pass this award on to 10 newly discovered blogs and let them know that they’ve received an award.Seven Things about Bridgette:1. I started my first business Junior High School and second business in College.2. I grew up on a farm in Kansas (the closest Walmart was an hour away).3. I saw ocean for the first time in Aruba when I got engaged to my handsome man!4. I love traveling around the world but my favorite place is to be home with my family.5. I have fraternal twin daughters who light up my world.6. I know how to drive a Combine Harvester.7. I love playing board games with family and friends.10 Blogs that I have awarded the Versatile Blog Award are….
Confessions of an Overworked Mom
Take a minute to check out these neat blogs!
Tips on Making Lunch Box Meals Fun & Healthy!
School Lunch – PB&J, Chocolate Milk, Yogurt, Jello, Strawberries, Banana Pepper and Tomatoes
This year we made the decision to pack school lunches for the girls in effort to make sure they are eating a well balanced meal at lunch and to save a little extra in the budget. Since Jake and I have pretty much as taken lunches to work the girls thought it was a great idea. They now take their lunch bags to school every day but Friday, on Friday they eat the school lunch (usually it is a special meal like pizza or hamburgers or something else). Brina and Karlie have enjoyed being able to bring a lunch and most days they pick out the majority of the items they are going to take.
Here’s what I pack:
- Meat or Protein – PB&J, Soup, Sandwich or something easy to eat)
- Diary – Yogurt or Cheese Stick
- Fruit – Fresh Fruit or Applesauce
- Vegetable – Fresh Vegetable
- Snack – Pretzels, Teddy Grahams, Jello, etc…
- Drink – Water, Chocolate Milk, Milk, Juice, Box / Bag
School Lunch – PB&J, Cheese Stick, Jello, Fresh Strawberries, Juice Bag, Fresh Tomates & Banana Pepper
It is important to me that the girls get a well balanced meal at lunch time. One of the fun parts about packing lunches for your spouse and kids is you get to add in what our family calls a “special surprise”! Typically the girls / Jake do not know that the surprise has been added because they were not there when I was putting the finishing touches on the lunches or I put it in later that evening.
Special Surprises for lunch boxes:
- Something Sweet – about 1 or 2 times a week I will put in a homemade cookie, piece of candy or something sweet.
- Love Note – usually on a sticky note and sometimes written on a bag or sandwich container
- Random Shapes – sandwiches cut into shapes (squares, triangles, hearts, etc…)
- Special Drink – occasionally I will get a special drink (like one that fizzes when they add it to their water, chocolate milk, or something Jake enjoys)
- Mystery Smiles – I try to sneak mystery smiles into their lunches by using food, sometimes a random smile on a bag or other ways of sharing a smile (see picture below)
The key is to let your family know that you are thinking about them. Special surprises do not need to take up a huge amount of extra time. I keep a dry erase marker on the fridge and a sticky pad in the kitchen so they are handy for writing a quick note. If I make cookies I just bag some up when putting them away to stick in their lunches. Or if you find a special drink on sale stick that in the lunch box for them to enjoy. The girls express great joy in discovering and sharing their goodies. It doesn’t take me long to do it but it makes them feel loved and appreciated.
A banana pepper and two small tomatoes in a snack bag make the perfect mystery smile for a kids school lunch.
What items do you put in your spouse or kids lunches (food or special surprises)?
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of January 25 – 31, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Port Side Polluck Fillets (16 oz) – $2.99
Port Side Salmon Fillets (16 oz) – $4.99
Curly’s, BBQ Beef or Pork (18 oz) – $3.99
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Mr. P’s Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (6.5 oz) – $0.79
Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt (4 pack, 24 oz) – $1.79
Take ‘n Bake Pizza, Supreme or Pepperoni (33 to 36 oz) – $5.99
Take ‘n Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) – $5.49
Save A Lot Today Pizza Rolls (7.5 oz) – $0.99
Mantia’s French Bread Pizza (11 oz) – $1.99
Morning Delight Buttermilk Waffles (12.3 oz) – $1.69
Snack-A-Tizers Cream Cheese Jalapenos (8 oz) – $2.39
Household
Wrightware Foam Plates (100 count) – $2.49
Grocery
Chex Mix Snack Mix (5.5 oz) – $0.99
Use $0.60/1 printable coupon from Eat Better America
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
As low as $0.39 each after couponBetty Crocker Fruit Snacks and Fruit Roll Ups (4 to 5 oz) – $1.99
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/3/12)
As low as $1.49 each after couponKeebler Town House or Club Crackers (11 to 16 oz) – $2.49
JJ’s Pies, Cherry, Apple or Chocolate (4 oz) – $0.50
Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce, Assorted Variety (26.5 oz) – $0.99
Budget Gourmet, Fettuccine Alfredo or Mac n Cheese (7.5 oz) – $0.69
V8 Vegetable Juice, Regular or Low Sodium (64 oz) – $2.99
Use $2.00/3 printable coupon from V8 Juice
Use $1.00/2 printable coupon from Campbell’s Kitchen
Use $0.75/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 1/1 Smart Source (2/12/12)
As low as $2.33 each after couponSweet Bunz Big Honey Bun (7.5 oz) – $0.88
Sun-Maid Raisin English Muffin (15 oz) – $1.49
J Higgs Potato Chips, Assorted Varieties (8 oz) – $1.29
J Higgs Pretzels (12 oz) – $1.19
J Higgs Tortilla Chips (11 oz) $1.49
Senora Verde Salsa (16 oz) – $1.49
J Higgs Cheese Bit Crackers (9 oz) – $1.69
Ginger Evans Pudding Cups (14 oz) – $0.89
Mantia Spaghetti (16 oz) – $0.99
Mantia’s Pizza Crust Mix (6.5 oz) – $0.49
Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (16 oz) – $0.99
Wylwood Stems and Pieces (4 oz) – $0.69
Kaskey’s Chicken Noodle Soup (10.5 oz) – $0.59
Morning Delight Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix (32 oz) – $1.89
Morning Delight Syrup (24 oz) – $1.79
Bramley’s Honey Bear (12 oz) – $2.89
Ginger Evans Muffin Mix (4.5 oz) – $0.69
Maruchan Ramen Noodles, Chicken or Beef (6 pack) – $0.99
Port Side Sardines – $0.99
Save A Lot Today Cereal, Assorted Varieties (7 oz) – $1.00
Chef’s Finest Croutons (5 oz) – $1.19
McCormick Bacon Bits (4.4 oz) – $1.49
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
What Do You See – a Mess or a Race Track?!
After lunch one Sunday the girls were instructed to pick up the newspaper after they were finished looking at it while Jake and I worked for a few minutes on our schedules for the upcoming week. After about thirty minutes or so I came back into the kitchen and this is what I saw…..my first thought was “seriously, what a huge mess!” Instead of picking up the papers they had spread all of them over the kitchen and dining room floors. When asked as to why they didn’t pick “up” the newspaper they told me “Well we decided that it would make a great race track!”Although the mess was big I had to hold back from laughing. It was a pretty cool looking race track even if it was a mess. They were quite proud of their “track”. So despite the fact the kitchen and dining room looked like they were carpeted with newspaper and ads I decided to let them enjoy it for the afternoon as long as they would pick it up before we left for Awana that evening.
The silly part is that they had a blast with the newspaper. Who would have ever thought that a newspaper could provide so much entertainment. They rebuilt the roads several times, added new vehicles, used it as a walking track, and several other silly things all in that one afternoon. In a matter of hours that newspaper got more love and provided more entertainment then all the other newspapers we have ever received put together. And the best part, when asked to pick it up (the second time) the girls did it happily and in a matter of a couple of minutes.
So was it worth me having to endure a messy house for a few hours? Absolutely! The girls had fun, they used their imaginations, were creative, and played well together. The problem is I don’t always “react” well when I see a mess someone in my family has created whether intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes I am more worried about the mess they are making that I don’t allow them to just have fun. Yes, having a clean has is important but if the house is always perfect then a race track would never happen.
It was worth a temporary messy house to hear the girls giggling together over a silly newspaper converted into a race track. Thankfully this time around I gave into just enjoying the fun moment and waited to clean up the mess later. What do you see – the mess or the race track?
Song: “Come, Now is the Time to Worship” by Phillips, Craig, & Dean
How much of my day do I spend in worship? Some days the blessings are easier to see and other days they are more difficult. Worship should be more then just a few minutes on Sunday morning in church. I like the phrase “Come, just as you are, to worship” you don’t have to be perfect to come before his presence and worship. Here is the chorus of the song:
Come, now is the time to worship.
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are, to worship.
Come, just as you are, before your God.
Come.What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
The menu is a little off schedule this week since we’ll be busy at the conference. A couple nights will be later with everything going on so for simplicity sake we just did the first half of the week. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef Entree): Vegetable Beef Soup, Bread
- Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree): Ham & Grilled Cheese, Fresh Fruit
- Wednesday (Chicken Entree): Special Event
- Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree): Special Event
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
I made some progress last week on my goals! Thankful for the opportunity move forward on my goals despite a busy 2012 first quarter. Since I have a conference for part of the week the list will be shorter.
Here is the update on last weeks goals:
Family Goals
Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everydayRead a book to the girls everyday- Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week – the girls were sick this week
- Go on my Date Night with Jake (we got free movie tickets so excited to enjoy some time away together) – We gave away our free movie tickets because we had to cancel our Date Night, the kiddos got sick. 🙁 I am hoping to get it rescheduled soon.
Get the girls Birthday Party Details Started
Personal Goals
Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week– I did it again (victory dance). It has helped give me more energy throughout my days too!- Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday – was bad about this one, it was after 1 am one night
- Finish reading Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk – still working on it
Read and listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).Get my Travel Visa Application Sent
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned and written by MondaySpend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house- Dinner ready by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday) – it was closer to 6 pm a couple of days
Spend time re-organizing and de-cluttering the officeUpdate Family & Friends Contact Information– glad to have this information updated 🙂
Business Goals
Pay all bills that come in the mail this weekWork on ideas for upcoming blog postsSpend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my deskPlan new implementations for blog- Start working on 2011 business taxes – gathered the information and paperwork but nothing more yet
Ministry Goals
Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requestsMeet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – moving forward on this goal
Start working on our personal 2011 taxes
Here are my goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
- Read a book to the girls everyday
- Spend some time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Read and listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
Business Goals
- Attend the Pro Ag Conference
- Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
Ministry Goals
- Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results
Your life is your message…..
