SHE Cooks: On The Go Breakfast Muffins

Morning friends!

Last week when I shared my meal plan I mentioned I was going to share the recipe for our new favorite breakfast muffins. 

We both are usually running out the front door at the last minute on week days, so having these ready to go and only needing 55 seconds in the microwave is such a relief!

You'll need 8 eggs, 6 large biscuits, 1 pound of sausage, 1 cup of cheese, and 1 cup of milk (not pictured, sorry!).

Whisk together your eggs and milk. Add any seasoning you want. I use salt and pepper, but I bet some cajun seasoning would be good too!

Add 1 cup of shredded cheese.

While you're mixing that, brown your sausage. I love using my micro cooker from Pampered Chef to cook in the microwave - much faster!

Tear 6 biscuits into small pieces. I either bake some canned or frozen biscuits real quick or grab a box of pre-cooked biscuits from the bakery section at the grocery store.

Mix the biscuits and cooked sausage into the egg mix and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

Dish the mixture out into your muffin tins. I typically fill up 24.

Bake at 350 for around 20 minutes. You'll know they're done when the eggs are set.

Enjoy!!

After they have cooled I throw mine in a ziplock bag and put in the fridge. On our way out the door I throw two in the microwave for 50-55 seconds and I'm ready to go.

Having a good and filling breakfast ready to go when I'm running late is such a life saver!

I hope you enjoy these as much as Hubs and I have!

xo Courtney

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SHE: Batters Up

Hey Y'all,

Here in the South, we tend to deep fry anything that sits still long enough. Personally, we have deep fried turkeys, corn, peanuts, veggies… you name it.  I bet you have too.  But my most favorite has to be shrimp!  We generally have fried shrimp on Christmas Eve with a low country boil.  The bonus for agreeing to deep fry food is that it can be cooked outside ~ no greasy smell inside the house.  A little tricky on Christmas Eve, but I can take one for the team to keep that smell away from all of my yummy Christmas season smells.

image via Google

I am sharing my go to recipe for batter that works great on shrimp, onion rings, corn. One of my Aunt’s shared it with my Mom 35 + years ago and it is still our favorite.  It is very light, so you don’t lose the taste of your food like sometimes happens with a thick batter.

                           Shrimp Batter

                             ½ c. flour      1 egg, beaten

       ½ c. milk   1 tsp. salt    1 tsp. sugar

Mix all ingredients together with a whisk.  Dip shrimp in mixture and fry immediately.

This is enough batter for 2 pounds of fresh shrimp.  It would be good to use on fish or onion rings too.  That’s it.  Doesn’t that seem super easy? It is easy and yummy.  Hope you enjoy!

Xoxo,

Amy

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Meal Planning for Two Weeks with $100

Hey y'all! So I don't know about you, but in this house we operate by our budget. 

We're saving up for a lot of things right now, so sticking to the budget is important. When it came to our grocery budget I was a little worried about what that meant we'd have to eat. I personally love Hamburger Helper, Ramen Noodles and some of the other "cheap college meals". But that doesn't mean I want to eat them all the time. I'm here to tell you that doesn't have to be the case. 

I love to meal plan. Well, I don't love to meal plan when it's time to sit down and think of two weeks worth of meals, but I love it when it's time to cook and I don't have to stare at the cabinets after a long day at work wondering what on earth I'm going to make. Today I'm going to share with you our two week meal plan so you can see that just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't enjoy delicious "normal" meals! 

This meal plan cost me $83.02! Some things to remember here - I had a handful of the things needed already. If you add those into the bill it comes out around $100. One thing I already had was all the hamburger meat we needed. I like to buy it in five or more pounds, divide it up and freeze it! It comes out much cheaper in the long run! This meal plan feeds two but all the meals are normal size, we just take leftovers for lunch. So you may need to add a meal or two.

Week 1:

Sunday - Kielbasa Sausage with Zucchini & Squash

Monday - Grilled Chicken & Pasta Salad

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Meatball Subs

Thursday - Leftovers/Kickball Night (usually means we eat out)

Friday - Leftovers

Saturday - Spaghetti

Week 2:

Sunday - Leftovers

Monday - Tacos

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Chicken Alfredo

Thursday - Leftovers/Kickball Night

Friday - Grilled Chicken & Veggies

Saturday - Sausage Tortellini Bake

Random:

Breakfast - Sausage, Egg, Cheese Muffins (sharing this recipe next Thursday so be sure to check it out!)

Lunch - Leftovers or Sandwich (the $100 includes a pack of lunch meat and cheese)

Other - I also bought a container of lemonade and some doggy ice cream that a friend told me about and I knew my sweet pup deserved some!

Hope this helps you realize that it's easy to stay within your budget if you meal plan, and that it also helps you realize you can eat good food too!

If you want me to share any of my recipes just let me know!!

xo Courtney

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SHE: Is Not Anxious... Well, Maybe a Little

Hey Y’all,

What a crazy few weeks we, as a nation, have had.  I am by no means a “news junkie” but it is really hard to avoid the violence that is all over the TV, radio and internet.  And this ugliness is going on in our cities… Such heartbreaking sadness.  If you know me, you know I like to live my quiet little Pollyanna life and all that yucky stuff? It happens “somewhere else”…. Well, it seems to be getting closer and closer to my world and I readily admit, it is starting to make me a little anxious. 

image via google

This week 2 of our SHE’s will be traveling with family. They should be excited and looking forward to getting away. One group is celebrating a well-earned accomplishment and the other, a joyous family wedding.  But I know they are wrestling with an uncertainty. Should we go? Will we be safe?  This makes me sad and angry. They deserve these trips and should be able to travel with a light heart.  But the ugliness is stealing that from them.  Do you have family or friends in similar situations? 

The foundation of my Pollyanna world is that I know the Lord is in control and truly believe everything will be okay, and to quote Lisa, “or it won’t be”… (She will probably share her reasoning for that at some point.)  Either way, I know the Lord has got it and I should be thankful; anxiously waiting to see how he guides the circumstance I am “fearful” of.  Now I also know that this does not mean that the situation will always turn out the way I think it should…bad things happen to good people every day. But I do know that I will be blessed abundantly more than I deserve whatever the situation’s outcome.

As the decision is made to go or not to go, I will stay in my Pollyanna world, I will pray for their safety and wait in anticipation of hearing all about their exciting travels.

Xoxo,

Amy

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SHE Loves Dips

Hi Friends!

So a little bit about me – I’m a HUGE dip fan! Like not even kidding, I almost always have to have something to dip whatever I’m eating in. French onion chip dip, ranch, queso, salsa, guacamole (recently learned I like this one!), I’ll even dip my roll into gravy if I have it. I guess you could call me a dipoholic. 

Today I’m going to share with you two of my go-to dip recipes that I love to whip up if I need something.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

(I’m going to start by saying there are a lot of different recipes of this out there. This is the one I go by and have adapted to my likes!)

16oz cream cheese, softened

2 cans chicken

½ Frank’s buffalo sauce

1 cup ranch

I like the dump my chicken into my KitchenAid mixer with the paddle attachment before putting anything else in. Let it run on low for a few seconds to help shred the chicken up. Then I add the remaining ingredients.

I have a cute 9x9 casserole dish that I usually make this in, but you could use a variety of things. I bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or so. 

Helpful Hints:

 If you’re in a hurry (and the dish you’re using fits) this can be made in the microwave – I’ve done it and it tastes the same!

 One of my favorite things to do with the leftovers (if you have any) is to make quesadillas! 

Baked Potato Dip

This dip is so good! And like the other one, is so easy to make! Recommended chips to serve with are potato skins or plain potato chips! This recipe can also be found in our cookbook!

16oz sour cream

Ranch dip mix (packet)

Bacon bits to taste

1 ½ cups Grated cheddar cheese

Chives to taste

Combine all ingredients together and mix well. Add the bacon bits and chives to your liking. I personally usually leave the chives out.

Do you have a go-to party dip? I’d love to hear about it and add to my collection!

xo Courtney

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Sometime SHE Stops!

I have eight things on my To Do List that really need to be done today!!  Dinner won't make itself.  The house looks like a toddler had free reign (and she did).  Laundry.  No, let's not go there!  But this sweet little niece of mine, fell asleep on me.  I could have put her down.  But, I was afraid she would wake up.  I am keeping her this week while her mommy is on a business trip.  My baby is 9. Babies are wonderful.  They smell good...most of the time!  They are so full of wonder.  They make the cutest faces!  But a baby falling asleep on your chest.  That is like a slice of heaven. And honestly, I just stopped!  I stopped and enjoyed every minute.  I soaked it in.  Reminiscing about each of my babies.   Loving each second.  I will admit I thought about all of the things I needed to be doing while she napped.  And then I let it go!  There was nothing on my lists that couldn't wait.  Today I enjoyed stopping and loving on the baby!  Do you know how many times you can kiss a sleeping baby?  Not near enough!  Life is too busy.  Life is too crazy!  But life is best if enjoyed!  

I had forgotten how much work it takes for babies.  My house is not baby/toddler proof.  She keeps finding things she shouldn't.  She keeps me on my toes.  I also forgot how tired trying to keep up with something so small can be.  But, I am having the best time!!  

Moms of babies and toddlers, stop!  Stop and enjoy them. I know your days are busy and you have to clean and cook or your house will be condemned.  Seriously, every now and then just stop!  Stop and play or stop and hold a sleeping baby.  Because all too soon the baby will be 9 and want to do Musicallys or be 14 and need a ride to a friends house or be 18 and headed off to college or be 25 and married and thinking about babies of her own!  I know because those are my babies!  Sometimes SHE needs to stop and just enjoy.  Trust me the laundry, house and dinner can wait.  It won't do itself.  It will be there when you are done enjoying that little one.  

So please find a way to stop and enjoy your life today.  Whatever makes you stop.  I sure enjoyed my day and I can't wait to make memories tomorrow!

Lisa B

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SHE: Plans Ahead for Lunch

Hey Ya'll! I am a planner - always have been, probably always will be. I like to get all of my ducks in a row on Sunday afternoons to make for a less stressful week. That includes meal prepping for dinner, as well as lunch. Today I am going to share with you my go-to lunch prep that I've been loving lately.

I tend to get in a routine with lunches, and will eat the same thing for weeks at a time. For example, the whole year of Kindergarten I ate a plain bologna sandwich on white bread. Today the thought of a bologna sandwich makes me want to gag. But I digress. Lunches can quickly become boring, so I try to mix things up a little, while trying to stay moderately healthy. Recently I started cooking one pound of boneless, skinless chicken on Sunday afternoons. I will either boil or bake it, then shred it up. At this point you could easily turn your chicken into Amy's chicken salad. I however, have simply been adding 1/4 cup of my favorite salad dressing (think caesar or an Italian vinaigrette) to season it. You will notice the dressing only adds flavor, not a lot of creaminess or texture at all to the chicken, which I love. You could certainly add more salad dressing to make it more of a "chicken salad" texture.

Once I have the chicken seasoned, I divide it into 3 or 4 servings and put them in the refrigerator for the week. Usually, I will pack a basic salad (greens, cucumbers, cheese, bacon, and croutons) and top the salad with the chicken once I'm ready to eat. Since the chicken is already seasoned with the dressing, I don't find it necessary to add more. It cuts calories, and still remains flavorful! I've also eaten it with crackers or on a croissant. The options are endless! It's super quick and easy, and takes the stress and hassle of work week lunches! If you find yourself running out of ideas for lunch, make sure to try this out.

xo ~ Brittney

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SHE: Saves the Date

Hey Y’all, 

image via www.lillypultizer.com

With all the activities we have to keep up with for work, school, church, sports, family… days can get a little crazy.  How do you keep everything straight? I have always used a planner of some sort.  I think it is fair to say that planners are a definite obsession of the SHE Degree ladies, even our “littlest” SHE has her own Happy Planner.  

My planner is functional as I generally get all my events in the calendar.  But when it comes to making my planner pretty, I am definitely not too skilled.  And I will freely admit, I get envious when I see you ladies with your Happy Planner or Erin Condren planner  and your perfectly coordinated washi tape and lettering. Do you???   And don’t even get me started on the adorable stickers!!  I am great at purchasing planners and all the accessories (and yes I generally have a great coupon to use for them), but I am at a loss on how to turn it into a beautiful “spread before the ink”.  That is getting ready to change for me and it can for you too!!

image via www.erincondren.com

SHE Degree is hosting our first class!!  Planning 101!!  It seems like the perfect place to start. Learning to plan and be organized is so important no matter where you are in your SHE Degree life. I cannot tell you how excited we are about this event.  (Loving!! these Flamingos!)

image via Riflepaperco.com

I have a love for stationary of all types, journals, note cards, planners….  There are so many beautiful papers. Whatever you are writing can be pretty, even "to do" lists. The tips we learn can be used for all your stationary needs.  SHE's know a handwritten note is not only a must, but such a nice touch.  Join us at Planning 101 and learn some great tips to make your days a little prettier too.   

xoxo, Amy

 

I may have a few planners... but SHE doesn't judge :) 

 

The link is so easy to find on our website!    

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Removing Ink Stains From Clothing

I was sitting on the couch and my husband was doing laundry (lucky me, I know!). I hear him open the dryer followed by a bad, bad, "oh no...." Not looking forward to what I was going to find, I turn the corner to find him standing there with a sheepish smile and a busted pen.

The good news is - your clothes aren't ruined! And really all you need to fix them is some hair spray and patience.

The process is really simple. Lay your stained clothes out flat and soak the ink stains in a cheap aerosol hairspray.

And I mean it when I say soak them! Then let them sit for a good 10 minutes. Don't be impatient like me and try too soon. You must wait!! Then take a white rag and start blotting the stain. Follow up by blotting with a white rag dipped in cold water. 

See the stain starting to come off the shirt and onto the rag?

Once you've worked on the stains, spray them one more time and throw them in the washer in cold water. 

Now this process may take a couple of times, but it works! The lighter ink stains will typically come out in one try, but if you've got darker stains you may need that patience I was talking about. 

Hope this tip helps keep you as calm as me next time you hear (or find) an "oh no...."

xo Courtney

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Christmas in July

5 months

24 weeks

172 days

UNTIL....

     

CHRISTMAS!!!!

  

Why?  Why would I bring this up so soon?  Why would I start the craziness in July?  Because I want you to enjoy Christmas this year.  Because I don't want you to stress out about spending.  Because Christmas is expensive.  There are goodies to bake. Presents to buy.  More dinners and potluck to go to each week.  And stocking stuffers start to add up!!  I started getting my Christmas list together and thought I would share some of the ways I spread the love/expense over the next few months so I can enjoy and not stress during the holidays.

1.  From now until Christmas every time I go to the store, I buy at least one gift card usually more.  Gift cards are nice to have on hand for quick gifts.  You always need them at Christmas.  

2.  Anytime I am shopping I try to find at least one or two items for my stocking stuffers.  Stocking have always been a favorite thing to open so it is fun to keep an eye out. (I alway put a flashlight in the guys stockings, so I can go ahead and find that now).

3.  I make a lot of candies and cookies throughly the holidays.  So I made a grocery list of items I need.  It is long!  It would be quite an expensive trip if I did it all at once.  But I can start picking up the spices and extracts I need now.  They won't spoil.  I can also start buying toffee bits and chocolate chips.  I can add a little each week to my grocery list and spread it out over 5 months.  

4.  While I am buying school supplies I am going to buy tape. (Because I wrap every little item)!  I will also pick up tissue paper while I am in stores like Target or Walmart.

5.  Am I going to make any gifts this year??  I am trying to decide. If so, now is the time to make them!  Get that done so you can do other things closer to the holidays.  

6.  This is from one of my friends.  She bakes a lot of cookies at Christmas.  She will start mixing up her cookie dough and freezing the dough so all she has to do is bake.  (If I mix cookie dough, I will bake and eat them)!!  

I am sorry to interrupt your summer with Christmas!  Personally because our family is so big and I have so many goodies and meals to prepare this is what works for my family.  The holidays can be stressful enough without the worry of the expense all at once.  I hope this helps!  Now I am going to lay by the pool or go see a movie!  It is hot!!!

Lisa B

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Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!!

Oh my goodness, Can you believe it is the 4th of July?  Summer is going way too fast for me. How about you?  I love a reason to celebrate and when we get a long weekend - that's just more days to spread out the celebrations. 

I hope you get to enjoy the holiday with all the ones you love.  Between cookouts and swimming and the fireworks extravaganza take a moment and remember those who made this celebration possible.  How fortunate we are to live in a country where we are free to worship and celebrate without fear. 

America is the home of the free because of the brave!

 Happy 4th of July ~

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