Next Sunday is Valentine’s Day and I was trying to come up with a recipe that both hubby and I would enjoy but didn’t want to spend all day in the kitchen.
Having seen this recipe online, I decided to give it a try with a twist and trust me it tasted better than it looked! Hubby wasn’t too sure about using uncooked lasagna noodles in the Crock Pot, but I assured him that they would be done without having to boil them first.
Ingredients
2 Jars Marinara Sauce
Lasagna Noodles (uncooked)
2 packages Turkey Meatballs
1 Medium Red Onion chopped
1 Container of Ricotta Cheese
1/2 Package Mozzerella Cheese
1 Package frozen Spinach
1 Container fresh mushrooms (washed thoroughly)
Cooking Spray
Directions
Coat Crock Pot with Cooking Spray
Pour a small amount of Marinara sauce onto the bottom of the Crock Pot
Break noodles in half and lay a few on top of the Marinara Sauce
Spread a little Ricotta Cheese on top of noodles
Add a few meatballs, onions, mushrooms and spinach
Top with a little more Marinara Sauce
Continue another layer of ingredients until Crock Pot is full
Pour remaining Marinara Sauce over all ingredients and top with slices of Mozzarella Cheese. Cover and slow cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours depending on the model of your Crock Pot.
Top with Crushed Red Peppers to spice it up a bit then pour yourself a glass of wine and relax until dinner time!
Do you have a special recipe for Valentine’s Day or will you and your sweetie be heading out to dinner?
You know, I should have taken offense to the guy at work who said I looked like a Construction Cone…no, he didn’t really say that but I know he was thinking it. Didn’t matter because I love this colorful vest from Old Navy and chose to wear it to brighten up a cold wintry day.
A few weeks before the Blizzard of 2016 made an appearance I was still wearing dresses and skirts to work, but I think I’ll stick with pants and sweaters for a few weeks or until the first signs of spring appear.
This work outfit is basic with a grey skirt thrifted from Goodwill, turtleneck from Walmart and the vest from Old Navy. Black tights and my suede booties from The Shoe Dept completed it.
You may recognize the Statement Necklace from Walmart and the multi-color bracelet I think was purchased from Burlington Coat Factory.
How do you brighten up an outfit on a cold or dreary day?
If you have a son or daughter who is a new or relatively new driver and you’re in the market for a safe vehicle, let me tell you about my experience with a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
Thank you Drive Shop for giving me an opportunity to test drive this vehicle and it was timed perfectly for me to review during my son’s winter break home from Bowie State University. However, before I list the specs and a few details on this vehicle, let me first give you an honest impression of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sportfrom a mother’s point of view.
Our youngest son is currently a sophomore in college who has been driving since he was a sophomore in High School, however, in just those few short years, he’s gotten a speeding ticket and has had two accidents, the last one not his fault but it did total his car.
As a family we agreed to wait before purchasing a replacement as this would allow him to save more money but when he comes home this summer that time will come. He and hubby have been bonding over the search of a new car sending each other text messages whenever they find something each of them like.
A week with the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has allowed me to put in my 2 cents when it comes to making a decision and I think it would be a perfect replacement for him. I found the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport to be a safe and sturdy vehicle with plenty of storage space for grocery shopping or returning to college with ample room for a Foot Locker, suitcase, dorm supplies, food and of course loads of laundry!
There are just enough bells and whistles but not too many to become a distraction to a new or inexperienced driver. With an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers including a large one in the rear it will give him enough sound making it unnecessary to put a stereo speaker in the trunk…yes, he has done that!
Large Speaker in the Rear
There’s a full size spare and not a donut; roomy enough for transporting a parent in the front seat and back but not too roomy which will keep the passenger count low; a full Panoramic Sunroof with LED Illumination and a front seat that fully reclines for sun or star gazing…as if!
Panoramic Sunroof with LED Illumination
The 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport would be a great vehicle for college bound students going back and forth to campus whether they are driving in the sun, rain or even in the snow as seen below.
These are just a few features of this vehicle, check out the video below to see more and also check out their website:
2015 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
**** Government Safety Rating
10 yr/100,000 mile limited warranty
27 MPG (24 city/30 highway)
Electric Power Steering
All Wheel Control
Drive Mode Selector (2WD/4WD Auto/4WD Lock)
5 Passenger Seating
Tire Pressure Monitoring system
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Hill Start Assist
12 Volt accessories outlets
Rear view camera assist – wasn’t the best view so make sure to check your surroundings
Heated side view mirrors
Optional Equipment (MRSP $29,945)
Navigation System with High Definition Touch Screen
Leather Seating Surfaces
Premium Sound System
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
Power Driver Seat
Panoramic Glass Roof with LED Illumination
Black Roof Rails
Not only would a millennial enjoy this vehicle but it also made for a great ride for hubby and I during our latest “RoadTrip to Retirement”
Check out this video then come back and tell me what you think about the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
If you have a new driver looking for something sporty but you’re looking for something safe, check out the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE as I think you will both agree that it’s a great vehicle.
By the way, our son is celebrating his 20th birthday today!
We love Barbeque Chicken especially when it’s cooked outdoors on the grill, but when the weather is not conducive to firing up the backyard grill the Crock Pot is the next best thing.
Cooking in a Crock Pot is not only quick and easy, it is also very convenient especially when you are snowed in as we were last weekend. Chicken is by far my favorite meat to cook in a slow cooker simply because we do not eat a lot of red meat. I always tease my family, telling them that we eat so much chicken and turkey that I’m surprised that we haven’t sprouted feathers!
This 4 ingredient Crock Pot meal is not only one of my favorites but is also a standby because the ingredients are always in the freezer and pantry. Stopping at Shoprite a few hours before the forecasted #2016Blizzard I picked up these All Natural Pre-Cut Diced Chicken Thighs and decided to give them a try.
Added to the Crock Pot with 4 cups of frozen onions and peppers, a bottle of BBQ Sauce and a little seasoning made for a perfect Sunday meal which was served over Organic Brown Rice with a side of sautéed Kale.
Ingredients
2 lbs diced skinless chicken thighs, breasts or tenderloins
Make sure to coat the inside of the Crock Pot with Cooking Spray to keep the sauce from sticking. You can if you prefer, use a Crock Pot liner but personally I don’t like cooking food inside of plastics.
Add diced chicken, top with seasoning and frozen onions and peppers. Pour in entire bottle of Barbecue Sauce then add a little water to the empty bottle, shake and pour over chicken, seasoning and veggies. Adding a bit of water will provide more liquid and you won’t waste the remaining sauce that sticks to the inside of the bottle.
Cover and set Crock Pot to low and cook for 4 hours or on high to cook 2 hours.
Stir before serving over rice then enjoy!
If you can’t grill it, like our friends here did, slow cook it!
What is your favorite way to Barbecue Chicken when the weather doesn’t cooperate?
Another year has come and gone, and it’s time once again to make your New Year’s Resolutions. While you have probably thought about resolving to losing weight or saving money, you probably haven’t thought of resolving to make your life more secure. Security is a top priority these days, but it seems that not many people know how to actually make their lives more secure.
Below are a few tips to help you make your home and online presence more secure. (These tips are to help you protect yourself from identity theft. If your identity has already been stolen, visit this blog to help you recover your security.)
Secure Your Home
Securing your home against burglary is quite simple. Your goal is not to make your house impervious to attacks, rather make it look less attractive to potential burglars. Of course, you should always lock your doors and windows, but read on for additional tips to help you secure your home.
Make it look like your home is secure
Burglars are going to choose homes that look like easy targets. This means that they will go for homes that are dark, vacant, and have a lot of hiding places. Install a motion sensor floodlight that kicks on, alerting people that something is happening. Don’t plant shrubs or bushes right next to the door, as it is easy to hide behind them. Avoid putting glass next to the doorknob on decorative doors. Even if you put up a fake camera, it looks like your home is being monitored, dissuading burglars from attempted entry.
Hide your valuables
Don’t allow your valuables to be seen, even if you are home. If you have a nice car, make sure that you keep it in the garage. If you have a big, flatscreen TV in the living room, keep your blinds closed. When you leave, make sure you close your blinds as well as locking up to avoid broadcasting what is up for grabs in your home. If you recently got something expensive that came in a big box, hide it in your trash. Burglars often look drive through neighborhoods looking at people’s trash cans to see what there is to steal, so don’t give them any bait.
Get a dog
Dogs make a lot of noise when someone comes to the door, as annoying as it is. Small yappers are just as intimidating to a burglar as a large dog, as the noise attracts attention. If you are not a dog person, consider getting a bird instead. If you have a dog or cat door is secure, as someone could break in through that small entry.
Don’t advertise who protects your home
If you have a sign that says “Protected by ___,” you should get rid of it immediately. Knowing what system is protecting your house allows intruders to know exactly how to disarm your security system. Get a generic sticker instead.
Get rid of your spare house key
Burglars know the typical hiding places for spare keys: under your mat, under a fake rock, in the mailbox, in the flower bed, etc. Instead of hiding your key in the typical places, give it to a trusted neighbor. If you’re afraid that they won’t be home, do a key swap; hide their key in your yard, and hide your key in theirs.
Secure Your Internet Life
You need to secure your internet life just as strictly as you would your home. If someone hacks into your email, they can easily access your banking information, credit card information, and more. Use the tips below to secure your internet life.
Use complicated passwords
Simple passwords, like those that only contain letters or are a word, are easy to hack. Make your passwords more secure by adding capital letters, numbers, and special characters. Do not use the same password across sites. A good way to make an easy to remember but secure password is to make a password based on the first letter of every word in a phrase, and adding numbers and special characters along the way. For example “I love my four kids, the dog is a child too” can become “ILm4ktDi@c2!” While that looks very complicated, it is easy to remember because it is based on a phrase. You can also use a password manager to create unique password for each website that you can access with one master password.
Disconnect from the internet
If your router is “always on” you should consider shutting down your internet when you go to bed, and various times throughout the day. Hackers are deterred by sporadic internet, and will be less likely to try to hack your connection. However, more and more appliances require constant internet connection (even some refrigerators!), so this tip may not be practical.
Update your software
Hackers are constantly trying to find ways to infiltrate computers and phones, and they have found that the best way to do it is through the software. Adobe is a common target, but other software such as Apple, Mozilla, etc. are often attacked. Each new update protects you and your computer from recent threats. Install updates as soon as possible.
Use a firewall and antivirus software
You should have a firewall on your computer (most computers come with them nowadays), but if you don’t have one, get one immediately. Make sure that you also have adequate and up-to-date antivirus software installed on your computer. There are many free and almost-free options that will secure your computer without damaging your pocket book. You should install antivirus software on your phone as well, especially if you have an Android phone.
Additional Tips
Remember, as you are setting your New Year’s Resolutions to set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic and Time-Sensitive. So instead of just resolving to make your life more secure, create a plan of how you will make your life more secure, when you want to accomplish it by, and how you will measure whether or not you accomplished your goals.
Good luck with your New Year’s Resolutions and thanks for reading!
Comment below as to what you do to keep your life secure.
If you are like me and have already started thinking about making plans for a summer vacation, I wanted to share a few of the top cities to check out. Actually, I am hoping that our first family trip of the new year will be back to the DR {Dominican Republic} however, in case those plans get derailed maybe one of these cities will fit the bill.
These top cities were chosen by the website Touropia.
1 – New York City
The largest and most populated city in the USA, New York City is often called the “city that never sleeps” because it is constantly buzzing with activity. Located in New York state on one of the world’s largest natural harbors, New York City is made up of five boroughs, which include, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. World renowned for its concentration of skyscrapers and famous attractions, New York City is what many foreigners visualize when they think of the USA.
2 – Grand Canyon
Attracting millions of visitors every year, the Grand Canyon is one of the best places to visit in the USA. Located in northern Arizona, this massive natural wonder was carved by the Colorado River over a period of several million years. It is not the deepest or the longest canyon in the world but the overwhelming size and colorful landscape offers visitor vistas that are hard to match.
3 – San Francisco
Best known for the Golden Gate, cable cars and steep, rolling streets, San Francisco is a beautiful city in northern California, set on the tip of a peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area. Undoubtedly, the Golden Gate Bridge is the city’s number one attraction. Tourists can drive, bike ride or walk across this famous suspension bridge to admire and photograph stunning views.
4 – Las Vegas
Springing up from the desert in southeastern Nevada, Las Vegas is a major US city world renowned for its casinos, luxury hotels, comedy acts, musical productions and extravagant shows. Most of the city’s main attractions are all concentrated within the area commonly referred to as the “Strip.” In addition to gambling, show girls and lavish performances, Las Vegas offers plenty more to suit people of all ages and interests.
5 – Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers and hot springs, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The most famous geyser in the park is Old Faithful Geyser which erupts every 91 minutes. Yellowstone is also home to one of the finest wildlife habitats in North America.
6 – Chicago
Nicknamed the “Windy City” and best known for its towering skyscrapers, sports teams and unique style of hot dogs and pizzas, Chicago is the third-largest city in the USA. Located on Lake Michigan in the heart of the Midwest region in northeastern Illinois, Chicago is also home to many notable landmarks that include one of the world’s busiest airports, O’Hare International, as well as one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, the Willis Tower.
7 – Los Angeles
The second-largest city in the USA, Los Angeles is located in southern California surrounded by the Pacific Coast, mountains and valleys. Often regarded as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, the city is a leading world center for motion films, television productions and music recordings. A huge, cosmopolitan city comprised of many districts and ethnic neighborhoods, L.A. is known for its smog issues but remains a favored destination for its ample sunshine and year-round mild climate.
8 – Washington DC
The capital of the United States and seat of the federal government, Washington D.C. is located on the country’s East Coast. A cosmopolitan city that is home to many diverse cultures, Washington is widely known by its many iconic landmarks like the White House, Capitol Building, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Many of these monuments are all located within the beautifully landscaped parkland known as the National Mall.
I remember being a chaperon for my son’s class when he was in middle school and we had a great time touring this historic city.
Home to world famous theme parks like Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Studios, Orlando is no doubt a favorite destination for family vacations. Located in central Florida, Orlando is a place where dreams and magic become reality. With several amusement parks, visitors to Orlando can meet their favorite storybook characters, reenact live famous movie scenes, ride thrilling roller coasters and watch dolphins performing marvelous tricks.
Orlando was the city in which we had our first Timeshare and as a family would spend every summer vacation in Orlando at the Marriott Cypress Harbor.
(family picture)
10 – Honolulu
The gateway to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, Honolulu is the state’s largest and capital city as well as the entry point for most tourists. Located 3,800 km (2,400 miles) west of California on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu is best known for its top destination, Waikiki Beach, and for the historical Pearl Harbor.
Let’s Chat > Have you vacationed in any of these cities?
The Home Shopping Network is your source for savings on just about everything! With the top brands of footwear, clothing, jewelry, home goods, electronics and more—you are certain to find something to save on when you shop at HSN.com! This winter, save $20 off your online purchase of $40 or more from HSN.com! Stock up on your favorite brands or try something new during this promotional event from Home Shopping Network. Shop online at HSN.com today. This promo ends on March 31st, 2016.
If your new year’s resolution is to eat better, let Peapod help! This online grocery delivery system makes making the healthy choice easy and convenient. By shopping hassle-free online at Peapod.com you can shop for groceries without even leaving your home, and have them delivered directly to your doorstep. Try Peapod.com today and save by taking $15 off your first order with a coupon code from Imin.com. Some exclusions do apply. Simplify your grocery shopping during this promo at Peapod.com today and save. This offer ends 1/31/15.
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Cold blowing winds, snow, sleet and freezing rain are the least favorable parts of winter in the MidAtlantic area. But being inside toasty and warm with a big bowl of soup or chowder makes it more bearable.
Fortunately, we made it through November and December without a flake, but guess what…tonight’s forecast states that we are in for the first N’orester of 2016 which is a perfect day to make Crockpot Shrimp and Corn Chowder.
Crockpot Shrimp and Corn Chowder
There are many online recipes for Crockpot Shrimp and Corn Chowder and I found this one at CrockPotGourmet.net . I added a few additional ingredients and left out the salty seasonings and it didn’t turn out as pictured on the website but it was very tasty nevertheless.
Ingredients:
16oz bag frozen sweet corn
½ pound Baby Medley Potatoes
8 oz Baby Bella mushrooms
3 small Carrots diced
¼ cup Flour
4 cups Chicken Broth
½ cup Heavy Cream (for later)
12 oz Shrimp, small peeled deveined and tail-off (for later)
Green Onions (scallions) diced
1/2 Green Pepper – diced
Rosemary Sprigs (optional)
1 tsp Butter
Salt, Pepper and Cajun Seasonings are optional which I excluded due to high sodium counts
Directions:
Wash and dice potatoes and carrots then cut into bite sized chunks
Add potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and corn to slow cooker then toss to coat with flour
Saute green peppers in butter until soft then add to crockpot
Pour in broth
Add a few sprigs of Rosemary and diced scallions
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours
If on low, switch slow cooker to high
Add cream, shrimp and Rosemary sprigs
Cook for another 30-60 minutes until shrimp is cooked through and pink
My Shrimp and Corn Chowder turned out to be more of a soup/stew but when served with a crusty bread and a glass of wine then eaten while curled up on the sofa it doesn’t matter.
Hello friends, if you read Monday’s post with the review of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid then you will understand why I entitled today’s OOTD post “Wrapped in Luxury”.
Driving the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited was definitely a luxurious experience, one that I do hope to duplicate in the near future. A few hours before the driver from DriveShop was scheduled to pick up the Hyundai Sonata, I starting thinking about how I would spend the last few hours wrapped in luxury both inside and outside of the vehicle.
This faux fur from Chadwick’s has been hanging in my closet for several years now and it very rarely makes an appearance because it never really gets cold enough to wear it. However, I have a funny feeling that is going to change very soon.
Although we have been blessed with a very mild winter, not a snow flake in sight, I know that it is just going to be a matter of time before we get slammed with something close to, but may not exactly be another Polar Vortex so I am getting prepared now.
I have begun sorting through my thrifted sweaters and I found this one as well as few other turtlenecks; pulled out my booties and suede boots, then checked the hall closet for my hats, gloves and scarves, now I think I’m ready – BRING IT ON!
How about you, what’s the weather like in your neck of the woods? Are you ready for “ole man winter to make an appearance or has he already or maybe it’s warm and sunny where you are, leave me a comment below.
Thank you Drive Shop for delivering yet another great vehicle for me to review, it was great having another Sonata in my life. I previously had a 2005 Hyundai Sonata that lasted until 2014 with over 185 k miles and I really miss her!
Normally whenever I ask either of my sons if they want to go shopping with me they run in the opposite direction after a quick, “NO”! However, this time knowing that we would be rolling in a Hyundai Hybrid Sonata Limited they jumped at the chance to hang out with their mother.
Not only was the Hyundai Hybrid Sonata Limited a very roomy vehicle that fit our family of four quite comfortably but the quiet interior made for a pleasant trip to the grocery store as well as down to the shore which is where the mini men and I ended up on sunny Saturday afternoon.
Malik was quite interested in the features under the hood as well; a fully parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) system which provides optimum power, with engine and battery power supply working simultaneously. The Sonata Hybrid switches seamlessly between a gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver efficient power. The engine actually charges the battery so there’s no plug in power cord.
The Parking Brake Button and Auto Hold were also two other nice features on this vehicle. You no longer need to “pull up” a parking brake when parking on a slope – just press the button, and you don’t need to keep your foot on the brake at long stop signal or at railroad crossing, just push the Auto Hold button and the car stays in place. Oh and it also keeps a tight grip on a large 1 litre bottle too!
According to the specs, the gasoline engine delivers the primary charge energy for the lithium polymer batteries while the regenerative braking system provides supplemental energy. The engine is 2.0L 4-cylinder that runs on regular gasoline and a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) for smooth acceleration and efficient cruising resulting in improved fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 41 Highway MPG.*
This model included the Ultimate Package for Hybrid Limited with a $35,765 MSRP and included the following features:
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Automatic High Beam Assist
Rear parking sensors
Panoramic sunroof
High-gloss window surround
Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
LED interior lights
Infinity® premium audio system (400 watts)
8-inch navigation system
HD Radio™
SiriusXM Travel Link® (complimentary trial)
The manual sunshades for the rear windows help cut the sun’s glare on passengers sitting in the rear and is perfect for kids and babies in car seats. The panoramic sunroof brings the sunshine in giving you a better view of what’s outside.
Five side and curtain airbags surround the driver and passenger including a knee airbag. The Sonata Hybrid’s high voltage battery pack is stored below the trunk floor so there is ample room in the trunk to fit in lots of bags as evidenced by this weekend grocery shopping trip.
I don’t know about you, but as a boomer, when I first heard the term “Hybrid” it took me back to the “Save The Planet” 60s and I thought the Sonata was going to a slow moving, Putt Putt of a car, boy was I wrong. The Sonata Hybrid not only had me riding in style down 202 and 95 North listening to Real Jazz on SiriusXM Radio but the Lane Departure Warning signals gave me an additional sense of security especially with cars on either side of me during rush hour traffic.
The sound of the turn signals is loud enough so that you don’t forget to turn them off after passing another vehicle. Doesn’t it drive you crazy being behind a driver who leaves his/her blinkers flashing for miles and never changes lanes?
Hubby especially liked the dual temperature controls because even at home we fight over the thermostat, he is always cold and I am always warm so this made for a comfortable ride for both of us.
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited is definitely a much better and more spacious vehicle than my Bloggy Buggy and I will miss the roomy interior, the Blind Zone Mirror detectors winking as other cars passed; the Hands Free Audio/Bluetooth controls in the steering wheel, the Rear Parking Assist Camera and most especially the Smart Trunk which detected the key in my hand 20-40 inches away then popped the trunk so I could load it up with ease.
Which of these features would be of great value to you?
