Easy Sheppards Pie Tips

For all you moms or anyone who doesn't always have the time to prepare a meal, here's a fast way to make sheppards pie. I won't be giving a full recipe just a couple tips to help prepare faster. TIP #1 Sometimes I pre-cook the meat adding the corn and peas and whatever else you like to add. Then I put it in a freezer bag and freeze it. The night before I want to eat it I take it out to thaw in the fridge. So when I am ready to make dinner I just dump the bag in a dish. TIP #2 Peeling and cooking potatoes take time you don't always have. So instead I use frozen hash browns and pour it on top of the meat. I heat the oven to 375 and cook for a hour.  Using those 2 tips you can get dinner ready for the oven in under 2 minutes.

Jenn

Beauty Reviews 2

Here's a few items I use on a regular basis.


AVANTI ULTRA CERAMIC STRAIGHTENER

This straightener has 1" plates and heats up to 430 degrees. You can purchase it at Trade Secrets and I paid $79.99. It came with a 2 year warranty. It works just as well as a Chi except half the price. I have owned 2 Chi's and within a year of each of them stopped working. It actually gets hotter then a Chi. The original Chi only gets as hot as 356 degrees. So far this straightener has lasted longer then both of my chi's combined and I still haven't had any problems. If your looking for a great straightener I really recommend this one.

L'OREAL TRUE MATCH SUPER BLENDABLE CRAYON CONCEALER 

This concealer crayon is great for cover blemishes and dark under eye circles. With 3 kids under 5 I often have bags under my eyes lol. It's a thick crayon so if you need to apply a lot it's easy or if you only need a little bit you can use the tip. You just have to twist the bottom so there's no need for a sharpener. I bought it at Walmart for around $8 The colour I use is Fair W1-2-3

QUO INSTANT ARTIST

This line of nail polish is great for making designs on your nails. It has a thin brush that allows you to make thick or thin lines depending on how much polish you have on the brush. I love that I can do my own designs on my fingers or toes instead of having to pay for it at a nail salon.  I purchased this at Shoppers for $4. Below is an example of how you can make thin or thick lines with the brush. This colour is Neon Pink.

COVERGIRL LASHBLAST 24HR MASCARA

I love all of lashblast mascaras from Covergirl. This mascara is waterproof and has really long wear. It gives your eyelashes lots of volume. I have been buying this brand for over a year now and used the regular lashblast (orange tube) for about 3 years before that. No matter how many mascaras I've tried ( I've tried many) for length I always go back to these ones. The colour I use is Very Black. I purchased it at Shopper for $12.99.

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If you have tried any of these products and either liked or disliked them please comment below and let me know what you thought, I hope any of these reviews are helpful if you are looking to try something new. Or if you would like to recommend any products for me to try I'd love to hear what other people like.

Please remember if you are commenting below and are not signed into google +  your post will come up as annoyomous.  Which is fine but if you'd like me to know who you are please leave your name. 

Hotdog Octopus

My kids are very picky eaters, so I decided to make their dinner more fun. I took a hotdog and cut it half way down to the bottom, and made another cut the same way on the other side. I know an octopus has 8 tentacles but I wanted them to be thicker so only made 4, but you can cut more if you'd like. After the cuts I boiled the hotdogs until the "tentacles" started to curl up. They thought this was the best dinner ever, and never complained once about not wanting to eat. I hope your kids will enjoy this as much as mine did.

Jenn

Oatmeal Fruit Smoothie

  I was looking for a smoothie recipe for breakfast that had oats in it. Every one I found used uncooked oats. I do like the taste of the oats uncooked in a smoothie, but the amount used made it high in calories. After some experimenting I figured out a recipe using cooked quick outs that is low in calories and filling.  A 1/4 cup cooked oats makes 1 cup when cooked, making the smoothie thicker. To save time in the mornings, I cooked the oats the night before and put it in the fridge.

Oatmeal Fruit Smoothie

-1 cup cooked oats (1/4 cup uncooked, cooked with a cup of water)
-1/2 tbsp liquid honey
-1/2 banana
-3/4 cup almond milk
-1/2 cup frozen or fresh fruit.

Mix all ingredients in blender and serve.

Makes 1 serving.

188 calories


I hope you enjoy this quick breakfast smoothie. If you have any questions please comment below.
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Jenn

The Chocolate Race

Since I have been living a more healthy lifestyle and have started running I decided it was time to register for my first 5K. I'm not the best at running but I'm not horrible and I know that doing a 5K race I will feel like I have accomplished something and really show how much more healthier I have become. My friend had told me about The Chocolate Race. It is on May 12. 2013 in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada. There are 3 categories 10 mile, 10K and 5K. You don't even have to run as walkers are welcome. As a bonus they also feed you chocolate before, during and after the race. Chocolate strawberries, truffles, chocolate milk and more. They also have "mini" chocolate race for kids. There are 2 categories "Pint Size" 1 km Chocolate Race and "Adventure Kids" 2.5 km Chocolate TRAIL Race. I signed my 5 year old daughter up for the 1K race. I think it will help her self esteem participating and finishing a race. Even though it's at and earlier start time then mine she is so excited to be doing a race with me. There is also activity stations set up with activities for kids. After the race my family and I will be spending the day at the Chocolate Festival that will be running there all weekend. It is also Mother's Day that day so I couldn't think of a better way to spend my day.

If you are interested in registering or finding out more info click here. If you do decide to register let me know and I'll look for you!

Making Baby Food

When I found out I was pregnant with my 3rd child I was so excited to be able to make baby food again. With my first, I just made her meats. With my second I made all his food except I still bought baby cereal. I thought making baby food would be really hard and time consuming. But I watched some youtube videos and realized it was actually very easy. I really enjoyed making his food and the little guy ended up with a huge selection of food to eat. Here are some examples of how to make baby food.

The book I bought is called Blender Baby Food - Second Edition By Nicole Young.
This book is amazing. There are so many different recipes and instructions on how to make it.

With all the food I make, I spoon it into ice cube trays and freeze. Once frozen I transfer it to a freezer bag and date it with an expiry date of 3 months.  When steaming food I use the water from the steamer to blend it and if I'm boiling it I use the water in the pot. Some nutrients from the fruits/veggies go into the water so you want to try and put some of them back into the food. When adding water and milk to blend. Start with a small amount and keep adding until you reach your desired consistency.

OATMEAL WITH STRAWBERRIES OR BLUEBERRIES
-1/2 cup oats
-2 cups water
-1 cup frozen strawberries or blueberries, thawed

Bring the water to a boil and add oats. Let cook for about a minute then remove from heat.
Now I put my frozen berries in the fridge the day before so they thaw and are soft. Blend oatmeal and berries in a blender. Spoon mixture into ice cube trays and freeze.

You can also add a banana to it or use any fruit you want.

                                                         
                                                 

BANANAS

I do not make bananas ahead of time. When I want to serve some I take a piece of banana and mash it with a fork.


FRUIT

When making fruit, if frozen I put it in the fridge to thaw. There is no set amount just take out how much you think you'll need. If you take out too much or not enough you'll know for next time. If using fresh fruit and the fruit is not very soft yet I put it in my steamer until it gets soft.

Take your fruit and puree in the blender with water. Start with a small amount of water and keep adding until it is the consistency that you want. When blended spoon into ice cube trays.

Some of the fruit I have made are apples, peaches, pears, cherries, mango, papaya, strawberries and blueberries. For apples I use unsweetened apple sauce. I use the brands that contain just apples and water, There are also tons of combinations you can do. The book comes in handy with lots of ideas.

Here is a combination my kids loved.

Peach Pear Banana
-1 1/2 cups diced peeled peaches (about 2)
-1 cup diced peeled pears (about 1)
-1 banana sliced

In blender combine peaches, pears and banana and puree until smooth.




VEGGIES


When making veggies I peel if needed and steam the veggies until cooked and soft.  You can also boil or bake them. I use water to blend but you can also use breast milk or formula.

Whichever method you use when they are ready put it in the blender with water and puree until smooth.
Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze.

Some of the veggies I have made are sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, green beans and peas.



MEATS

The book an amazing recipes for all different meats and fish.
Here are a few I have altered or come up with on my own. Some of these I don't have an exact amount of each ingredient. I use the meat I have leftover and add the fruit to taste.

Pork with peaches/apples
-baked pork chop (I use boneless) cut into pieces
-apple sauce or peaches
-water (enough to make smooth)

Put in blender add water and puree until smooth. Spoon into ice cube tray and freeze.


Chicken
-package of ground chicken
-2 egg whites
-1 cup oats

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients together. Form mixture into patties. Place on a greased baking tray. Bake for 25-30 minutes. When done cut into pieces and put into blender. Add water/breastmilk/formula. Blend until smooth. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze.

                                              uncooked patties and frozen chicken


Turkey with Cranberries
(this recipe I modified from the book)
-1 tbsp oil
-package of thinly sliced turkey breast
-1/2 cup water
-1/4 cup fresh/frozen/dried cranberries (I used dried)

In a frying pan heat oil over medium high heat. Add turkey and brown slightly. Stir in cranberries and water, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of pan. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until cranberries are very tender and turkey is no longer pink inside, about 30 min. Let cool.

Transfer to blender and puree until smooth. Spoon into ice cube tray and freeze.


If you have any questions about making baby food please comment below!

DIY Key Hanger

I was sick of looking at the plain key rack that hung in my front hall so I decided to create something that would add to the decor. To personalize it I made it with the monogram of my last name. With a little help from Pinterest this is what I came up with.

Here are step by step instructions on how to make this key holder.

This is what you need:

-picture frame ( I used a 5x7)

-scrapbook paper

-sticker of any letter you want or you can draw it ( I can not draw for the life of me so I found a "B" sticker)

-hooks

-paint (if the frame isn't the colour you want)

-paint brush 

-glue

-a decorative flower ( I found one in the jewelry section at Michael's)

1. cut your scrapbook paper to fit your frame

2. paint your frame 

3. while your frame is drying either draw your letter or put your sticker on the middle of the scrapbook paper

4. once frame is dry screw 2 hooks into the bottom of the frame

5. put the scrapbook paper in the frame

6. glue on the flower in the top left corner

Now you're ready to hang.

Jenn

Beauty Reviews 1

Occasionally I will review some beauty items such as makeup, hair, nail and skin products. Today there is only likes. There hasn't been anything lately that I disliked but that might change by next time.


L'OREAL MAGIC SKIN BEAUTIFIER B.B. CREAM

I love this cream. I use this in place of foundation now. The back of the tube claims "Beautifying beads: encapsulated pigments that instantly transform to your perfect shade for the look of a flawless bare skin finish" Well I can say that's definitely true. It comes out a white cream and once you rub it in you can see it turns to a shade very similar to your skin. It also makes your skin feel very soft. I like how you don't even feel like you have anything on your face. I'm not a fan of foundations because they make my face feel heavy. I tested out a few different B.B. creams before purchasing this one. I found some of them runny and already tinted a shade which I couldn't find a shade I liked. I use the shade 810 Fair. This retails as Shoppers for $18.99 or Walmart for $12.99.

PHYSICIANS FORMULA MINERAL LOOSE POWDER

As mentioned above I don't like  foundations. I found a powder that I could use in place, something light weight. This powder has great coverage. The brush it comes with is good for buffing it on. I wear this over top of the L'Oreal B.B. cream. The shade I use is creamy natural. I purchased this at Shoppers and can't remember the price but I believe it was just over $10,

CHI SILK INFUSION

Before I started using this my hair would still have a little frizz to it after I straightened it. After the first time I used it my hair was so soft with no frizz. You just apply a very small drop to your hand and rub it through your hair when wet.  This is my most favorite hair product. The first time I bought this was at a beauty supply store and cost $25 for a 2oz bottle. It's not cheap but since I wash my hair every few days it lasted about 2 1/2 years. So it's well worth the price.  I am an occasional ebay shopper so I decided to see if I could find it cheaper on there. I found a pack of 4 .5 oz bottles for about $12. So I saved $13. Only difference is I'll have 4 bottles instead of 1.

HARD CANDY FOX IN A BOX
I have tried other Hard Candy blushes and have really liked them. The ones I have had a little shimmer to them so I was looking for a more matte and warm colour. This blush has duo colours and has long wear.  I purchased it from Walmart. All hard candy products are reasonably priced. This cost me $6. It was a little more then their other blushes but it does come in a cute little box.

If you have tried any of these products and either liked or disliked them please comment below and let me know what you thought, I hope any of these reviews are helpful if you are looking to try something new. 

Please remember if you are commenting below and are not signed into google +  your post will come up as annoyomous.  Which is fine but if you'd like me to know who you are please leave your name. 


Jenn