Archive for September, 2013

Weeknight Chicken Lo Mein

Monday, September 30th, 2013

weeknight_chicken_lo_mein_1 Chinese takeout is my weakness, but it is also a budget-buster, especially as often as I would like to indulge in it. Today’s recipe is an easy Weeknight Chicken Lo Mein recipe that fills that takeout void beautifully.

I am working with Walmart and for this month’s grocery project they wanted me to share the good news that their rotisserie chickens are now on rollback pricing at just $4.98, regularly $5.98 each.

rotiserrie_chickens_1 rotiserrie_chickens_2 You may not have noticed that they offer chickens over in the cooler of your store, in front of the Deli counters. When I discovered these, I started purchasing them weekly for our favorite Weeknight Chicken Noodle and Lemon Greek Chicken Soup. There are, of course, a million recipes you can create with these, but I thought this would be perfect for my Chicken Lo Mein fix this week and wanted to show you how I create this recipe at home.

weeknight_chicken_lo_mein_3 I keep an arsenal of ingredients in our pantry and fridge for cooking our Asian dishes. You will find most of these items over in the Asian foods aisle of the store. Sesame Seed Oil, Rice Wine Vinegar, Reduced-Sodium Soy Sauce, and Oyster Sauce are all components to many of the sauces that I make in my dishes. I don’t go through fresh ginger very quickly so I love to keep a tube of this in our fridge for our dishes, like our favorite Mongolian Beef recipe!

The star of the show in this sauce is definitely the Oyster Sauce. It takes this sauce to the takeout level with just a tablespoon or two. Once you taste the sauce in this dish, I bet you will agree!

weeknight_chicken_lo_mein_6

In my Chicken Broccoli Lo Mein recipe I simply use linguine noodles for the recipe. You can definitely do this if you want or you can head to your local Asian grocery store to get the real deal. The fresh noodles in the cooler are ideal, but since I make this recipe often, I keep the dried noodles in my pantry. This package has four pounds of noodles in it… or basically one serving.

If you are wanting to experiment with different types of Asian noodles, here is a handy Asian Noodles Cooking Timetable to help figure out how long to cook the noodles. My packaging didn’t have any instructions on it so I used this timetable as a reference for my noodles.

Other than the noodles, all the other ingredients can be found at your local Walmart including an Asian stir-fry blend of shitake mushrooms and even fortune cookies and egg rolls to add an element of fun to your meal.

I hope you enjoy this faux-mein knockoff recipe of my favorite Chinese takeout dish!

weeknight_chicken_lo_mein_5

Weeknight Chicken Lo Mein
Recipe Type: Main Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Author: MomAdvice.com
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
An easy weeknight chicken lo mein recipe that can be prepared with a rotisserie chicken.
Ingredients
  • 1 rotisserie chicken, cut into thin strips of meat
  • 2 teaspoons white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 12 ounces of your favorite Asian noodle or linguine (see suggestions above)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 8 ounces Asian stir-fry blend of mushrooms
  • 3 green onions, sliced diagonally into 1/2
  • inch pieces
  • snow peas or any variety of your favorite veggies that you would like to add to your stir-fry (consider what you need to use up in your fridge for this one!)
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken broth, sesame oil ground black pepper sugar, vinegar, oyster sauce, and soy sauce.
  2. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch with some of this mixture and slowly add to the bulk of the mixture, stirring well. Set aside.
  3. Cook the noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a wok or large saucepan over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic, mushrooms, any of your other favorite stir fry veggies, and green onions. Stir fry these for 30 seconds.
  5. Add the reserved sauce mixture and then the chicken. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Add the reserved noodles and toss gently, coating everything well with the sauce.

 

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Amy’s Notebook 09.25.13

Wednesday, September 25th, 2013

5-steps-to-the-perfect-front-porch

Source: Tatertots & Jello

 

Flowers, pumpkins, wreath, garland, and even a fun polka-dot rug – this porch decked out for fall is full of great ideas and tips!

Comfort-food casseroles like One Pan Unstuffed Bell Peppers full of rice, vegetables, meat and topped with cheese just seem perfect for fall. And the fact that it’s a one-dish meal means school nights just got that much easier!

I’m loving these simple, natural elements in this autumn living room – this will make it very easy to add a touch of fall to our house!

I’m happy to be reminded of Purl Bee’s classic super easy blankets – aren’t the colorful stripes so cool? I think it would be a great way to use up leftover yarn, too!

Not surprised you’d find pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on the Notebook today, are you? Yum.

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I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

Easy DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Tuesday, September 24th, 2013

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Halloween is just around the corner and today I want to showcase eight easy DIY Halloween Costumes you can create using items found at your local thrift store. This list of easy DIY Halloween Costumes will hopefully help you gather some great ideas for throwing together a great costume and save you money in the process, thanks to being able to find many of these items at your local thrift store.

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Baby Aerobics Instructor Costume

Holy cuteness! This easy baby aerobics instructor outfit looks like an easy DIY to put together and I promise, it will be a memorable costume. Create a baby headband from a thrift store t-shirt, cut the bottoms off of a pair of socks to create baby leggings, and use your baby’s onsie and leggings to complete the look. This mom created an adorable boombox out of felt to complete the look.  (via Homemade By Jill)

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Book Fairy Costume

A couple of hardback books from your local thrift shop can be transformed into a unique and adorable book fairy costume. Using a hot glue gun, book pages, and the covers of the books to create your fairy wings you can create an entire costume from simply rolling paper for an adorable skirt! You will love this one (via Lilliedale)

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Paper Doll Costume

Short on funds for Halloween costumes this year? This paper doll costume can be created using the free template provided, poster board, and a little foam core. Add your daughter’s laciest socks and a pair of Mary Jane and you have a real-life paper doll to trick-or-treat with. What little girl wouldn’t love that?  (via Family Fun)

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Mary Poppins & Bert Couple Costume

Couple costumes can be challenging, but with few things from your closet and a little help from the local thrift shop, it can be easy to create your look for less. My husband & I created this costume for less than $20 and had an absolute blast putting it together.

I think my favorite accessory that I am wearing is my husband’s bow tie from a prom we attended together. I found it in a box of mementos from our high school days and it was a fun memory to wear at the annual Halloween costume party. (via MomAdvice)

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Homemade Redbox Costume

I had to laugh at this adorable Redbox costume that this family created! The Redbox costume was created using spray paint, a box, and snagging some of the Redbox images from Google. I absolutely love this idea and it cost the family less than $5 to create. The best part is that the whole family can jump in on the creating.  (Coolest Homemade Costumes)

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Baby Cabbage Patch Doll

Looking for a costume that can work around pushing your baby in a stroller? This Cabbage Patch Doll costume is simply genius and wouldn’t cost a lot to create. Head to your local thrift shop to grab a green fitted sheet to cover your stroller, create the Cabbage Patch box, and then cover your baby in yarn pigtails. (Via Costume Works)

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Will Work 4 Candy Costume

The best part about the, “Will Work 4 Candy Costume,” is that you need not buy any supplies at all to create this look. Paint a beard on your child’s face, dress them in their most tired looking play clothes, mismatch their shoes,  and add a cardboard sign from your recycle bin. (via Coolest Homemade Costumes)

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Child’s Superman Costume

Leading a double life can be tough, but it doesn’t need to be expensive. Head to your local thrift store to pick up a tie, shirt, and heavy glasses for Clark Kent, and dress him in a Superman shirt underneath. This costume is adorable and affordable! (Via Think Geek)

WHAT IS THE BEST DIY HALLOWEEN COSTUME YOU HAVE CREATED? FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR LINKS AND IDEAS BELOW!

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Apron Full of Giveaways 09.24.13

Tuesday, September 24th, 2013

chevron-elephant apron

Source: By Kimberly Ann,  $34.00

 

Welcome to our Apron Full of Giveaways! I hope everyone is having a great week this week! As we do each week, here is our round-up of giveaways for our readers. We hope that this is beneficial to you and your family! Please let us know if you guys win anything- I love to hear the success stories!

Below are the contest links-if you are hosting a contest please link it up below. Sorry, we are not giving away the aprons just showcasing them! Please put your site name and then what type of contest you are hosting. For example, “MomAdvice (Kid’s Movies).”

Good luck to each of you!

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Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Chili weather makes me oh-so-happy and today I am featuring a Pumpkin Chili recipe that you just have to try this year in your slow cooker. Yes, you heard me right, Pumpkin Chili is my new favorite chili and once you try this pumpkin chili recipe, you will be singing its praises too.

I am one of those people that gets settled into her old routines when it comes to recipes especially recipes that I just don’t think they should be fooled with. Chili is one of those types of recipes, yet, I have found myself on the hunt for fresh new pumpkin recipes and just knew that I had to try out this idea for Pumpkin Chili.

After stumbling upon a recipe, trying to take it completely apart, playing with spices, and then switching out the ingredients until they pleased me, I now have a version of Pumpkin Chili that is all my own.

Don’t be scared of the pumpkin because chances are that you won’t even notice the pumpkin flavor. No, all the flavor for this one comes from the pumpkin pie spices that are incorporated within in it. Much like my Creamy Pumpkin Pasta recipe (you MUST try that!), it just leaves everyone going, “Hmmmm…What is that?!”

Basically, when you lean in to smell the chili in your slow cooker, it will smell like pumpkin pie, but you will see chili in there and get super confused. And then it will all work itself out when you taste it, and then might be a tiny bit confusing, but then you will realize that it is perfectly genius together.

And all will be right with the world again.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have. In fact, I am making my second batch of that this week along with another batch of Slow Cooker Stuffed Green Pepper Soup, another slow cooked wonder that I highly recommend.

If you are looking for another great chili recipe, be sure to check out my White Chicken Chili for another fun variation!

Happy slow cooking, friends!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
Recipe Type: Slow Cooker
Author: MomAdvice.com
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
Once you try this chili, you will never make any other type of chili again. Pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice are the secret ingredients that make this chili a standout recipe and make your guests go, “Hmmm…What is that?”
Ingredients
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (46 fluid ounce) can tomato juice
  • 1 (28 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder (or adjusted to your own level of heat)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook beef and ground turkey until brown; drain.
  2. Stir in onion and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes. Transfer ingredients to your slow cooker.
  3. Add in beans, tomato juice, diced tomatoes and pumpkin puree.
  4. Season with pumpkin pie spice, chili powder and sugar.
  5. Put lid on slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
  6. Serve in bowls with a variety of your favorite toppings.

 

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All Knitted Up: Dovetail Cowl

Sunday, September 22nd, 2013

All Knitted Up: Dovetail Cowl

When Fall comes along, I love to be prepared for those cool temperatures with a fresh new scarf or cowl for the season. Today I am sharing my Dovetail Cowl that I knitted up for this season’s cooler temperatures.

The Dovetail Cowl pattern by Carina Spencer is a beautifully written pattern that breaks down a complex-looking pattern into smaller sections thanks to stitch markers. The pattern is only knits and purls, making it a perfect pattern for a beginning knitter who is looking for something a little more complex to tackle.

All Knitted Up: Dovetail Cowl All Knitted Up: Dovetail Cowl

The stitching on this cowl is completely reversible and is textured. The pattern is written in a smaller version (not pictured here) and the larger version (shown above) and can be worn several ways thanks to it being completely reversible.

All Knitted Up: Dovetail Cowl All Knitted Up: Dovetail Cowl All Knitted Up: Dovetail Cowl

Poppy Dovetail Cowl

Pattern: Dovetail Cowl

Needle Size: US  7 (40″ circulars work well for this project so you can spread your knitting out and keep an eye on your stitches)

Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton in Poppy Red (2 skeins)

Notes: 

I was excited to create a cozy cowl for Fall. I purchased this Dovetail Cowl pattern and paired it with the Cascade Pima yarn for a beautifully textured cowl that would not be too itchy.

This pattern is beautifully written. Using the guidance from the pattern for marking each section off with stitch markers, it makes it very easy to follow and to stay on track with your knitting.

I did the Large size pattern which took me about six weeks to complete in the evenings. Although the pattern is easy to do with just knits and purls, it does require some attention to it to stay on track with your pattern.

I am awfully pleased how this turned out. Two skeins was just enough yarn for me to complete the project, even doing the rolled edge!

If you do the advised yarn on this one, I would just do the shorter version otherwise it might be too much bulk to wrap this scarf twice, unless you are looking to leave the scarf unwrapped. Thanks to the scrunchy cotton yarn I used, I am able to wrap this two or three times around my neck.

You definitely want the longest circulars you have for this one because of the amount of stitches and having enough space to knit this in the round. I used my 40” bamboo circulars, which worked perfectly for this type of yarn and project.

I am in love with this cowl and would highly recommend this cute pattern for a fun holiday gift or for a gift to yourself. I look forward to wearing this a lot this Fall!

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Disclosure: The links to the knitting supplies are affiliate links and are provided so you can locate what you need quickly and easily. Feel free to order your supplies elsewhere, but we always try to highlight the best deals when we see them.

 

What craft projects have you been working on? Feel free to share any links to what you are working on and be sure to friend me on Ravelry if you happen to be a knitter too! Access all of our craft fun on MomAdvice by visiting our Craft Section. Happy crafting, friends!

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Amy’s Notebook 09.18.13

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

Source: Skinny Taste

 

These healthy chocolate chip oatmeal breakfast “cookies” are amazingly made with just three ingredients – yum!

Honey chai-flavored roasted almonds just might become our new favorite snack.

I’m seeing a lot of pumpkin crafts, but this rolled-paper pumpkin tutorial was new to me and is so clever and cute!

This airplane themed boy’s birthday party is so fun and would work for lots of ages – I love the adorable favor bags and could see this with vintagey colors like grey and red as well.

Thinking of hopping on the gold bandwagon in home decor? Here’s a glimpse of 10 homes that get using gold right.

 

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I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

Apron Full of Giveaways 09.17.13

Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

black-and-green apron

Source: Apron Addict,  $24.95

 

Welcome to our Apron Full of Giveaways! I hope everyone is having a great week this week! As we do each week, here is our round-up of giveaways for our readers. We hope that this is beneficial to you and your family! Please let us know if you guys win anything- I love to hear the success stories!

Below are the contest links-if you are hosting a contest please link it up below. Sorry, we are not giving away the aprons just showcasing them! Please put your site name and then what type of contest you are hosting. For example, “MomAdvice (Kid’s Movies).”

Good luck to each of you!

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Amy’s Notebook 09.11.13

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

Pumpkin-Spice-Latte-Cupcakes

Source: Inside BruCrew Life

 

It’s no secret around here how much I love my Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes, so you’re probably not surprised that these Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes would catch my attention, right?

How about some easy shopping and meal planning help? 20 Meals from Costco for $150 includes recipes and printable shopping lists to make your busy weeknight menu planning go more smoothly. I love articles like this!

And 39 Ways to Use Leftover Pickle Juice? Brilliant – even if there are only a few of these ideas I’d actually use, I love having options rather than throwing it out (most interesting use: PMS remedy!).

Okay, you absolutely have to check out this $10 thrift store cabinet makeover – the before and after is truly amazing!

These DIY Wordy Hairpins are really cool – think of all the fun sayings, names or monograms  you could choose – but the fact that they’re made from alphabet pasta? Awesome!

Finally, I love this article on Choosing Cheerfulness, including this great quote: “by making other people feel good, something wonderful happens to us, too.”

amys_notebook

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

Apron Full of Giveaways 09.10.13

Tuesday, September 10th, 2013

ruffled apron

Source: Krista’s In The Pointe,  $20

 

Welcome to our Apron Full of Giveaways! I hope everyone is having a great week this week! As we do each week, here is our round-up of giveaways for our readers. We hope that this is beneficial to you and your family! Please let us know if you guys win anything- I love to hear the success stories!

Below are the contest links-if you are hosting a contest please link it up below. Sorry, we are not giving away the aprons just showcasing them! Please put your site name and then what type of contest you are hosting. For example, “MomAdvice (Kid’s Movies).”

Good luck to each of you!

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