Insta-Me: The latest snaps

Happy Friday, everyone.  I think we all are looking forward to the 3-day weekend, no?  There are a lot of events going on in Atlanta this weekend, so I'm preparing for some fun!  Anyway, this Friday's post is just an Instagram recap....


1.  Me and the high bun--how I've been wearing my hair a lot lately.  The fuzzy roots prove that I'd worked out!
2.  The awesome burger I'd had at Grindhouse Killer Burgers.  It was slathered with blue cheese and topped with bacon.
3.  The boys at the park.  Check out Max's face--is it obvious that he's reluctantly sharing that ball?
4.  The September issue.  It's massive!

Have a great weekend!  Can't wait to see/hear about what all of you have planned!



Insta-Me

Just a quick picture post.  Follow me on Instagram -->@NikStarWasHere


1. Two-strand twists I put in today. They're still damp here and should plump up a bit more once dry.

2. Watermelon sorbet mixed with Kiwi-strawberry sorbet with fresh strawberries from Yogli Mogli (the rogue gummy bear is my kid's.) So yummy!

3. Healthy eating! Cooking your own dried beans is healthier than canned beans. Canned goods contain BPA.

4. The owner of this Smart Car decided to customize it a bit. lol



1. Pinot Grigio is one of my favorite white wines to drink in the warmer months. Decided to try this brand because I have two sisters--can you guess which one I am?

2. My I need coffee face.

3. Chillaxing on the bed with my boys.  They always have to be right up under me. *sigh*

4. Yep, I still make Kool-Aid.


Have a great weekend!




Insta-me...

I've been bad with the posting, so just thought I'd make a quick post showing some of my latest Instagram pics.  Hope your Monday is going great!

Keeping it Tight on the elliptical.





Having a spa day at home.

One of my favorite things:  My ebay cat-eye sunglasses.

Me and my smallest munchkin.

One of my favorite things: Green Tea Frapp


I'm not THAT much of a dessert person, so this is the only red velvet cupcake I'm really interested in. ;^)

Currently reading.


In the Kitch: Mexican Chicken Chili

Just thought I'd share with you all this Mexican Chicken Chili dish that I make about a couple times a month.  It is actually made in the crockpot, so it is easy and ANYONE could make this.  It's a perfect dish to make regularly during these soon to be cooler months.  I'd gotten the recipe out of this mini-cookbook of slow cooker recipes I'd bought a few years back from the grocery store.  You know how when you're checking out, the magazines are usually right there in your face?  Well, they usually have these little cooking pamphlets/mini-cookbooks for sale right there along with them.  They usually have a specific theme.  Anyway, if you're someone who likes to try new recipes, I suggest you pick one of those up from time to time.  The recipes are usually pretty simple, and it's a great way to discover new dishes!



SLOW COOKER MEXICAN CHICKEN CHILI

Ingredients:


 1 ¾ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
2 medium stalks celery, sliced (3/4 cup)
2 cans (14.5 oz each) stewed tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained
2 cans (15 to 16 oz each) pinto beans, undrained
1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso® enchilada sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 scoop-shaped corn chips, if desired
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, if desired

Directions:


1. Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix all ingredients except sour cream and cilantro.
2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours.
3. Stir mixture to break up chicken. Top each serving with sour cream and cilantro.




Tips & Mods:
-If you can't find stewed tomatoes with garlic & onion, just use a regular can of stewed tomatoes and mince a clove of garlic and throw that into the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients.

-You can find the Old El Paso Enchilada sauce in your grocery where all of the taco kits and paraphernalia can be found. 

-Sometimes I switch up the beans. This time instead of 2 cans of pinto beans, I used a can of pinto and a can of black beans.

-I add about a teaspoon or two of salt.  Make sure to salt this to taste.

-And lastly, I also buy a package of corn tortillas (the authentic kind) from the Mexican section of the grocery (not always in the same place as the taco stuff).  I cut them into triangles and then fry them up to make homemade chips.  Tastes 10 times better than bag tortilla chips.  I top it with those chips, sour cream, shredded cheese and avocado! Yummy!

Recipes like this and more like it can be found HERE.

Enjoy!

In the Kitch: Today's Breakfast



Spinach & Cheese Egg Scramble:

This is so easy, I doubt I really need to explain how I made it--but I will, just in case....  Basically, I put little butter in a skillet that is heating on the stove, throw in a handful of spinach and sautee for about a minute or two.  Next crack 3 eggs and throw them in and scramble it all up with a spatula.  When the eggs are almost done, toss in a handful of shredded cheese (whichever kind you like or have) and cook until eggs are done and cheese is melted.  Now you have a healthy breakfast that happens to be low-carb, if you're into that kind of thing.

Have a Happy Monday!

xoxo,
-Nik

HOTD: French Braids!



I've been trying to find some styles that I can put my hair in that I can (1) wear a few days at a time, (2) throw a hat over if I want (because I luv hats), and (3) doesn't require me to re-wet my hair constantly.  So at a whim, this morning I took my hair down from it's usual bun that I've become quite bored with, and stretched my hair further (from it's already slightly stretched state because of the bun) with a warm blow dryer using the tension method, and then proceeded to put my hair into two french braids.  I instantly loved the look.  So, I think I will wearing my hair like this or some other variation regularly throughout the summer.  It's perfect for the summertime heat.  Also, these can easily be taken down and worn in a stretched/loose braidout if decide I want to get "cute", which is important to me as well.

I did a search of french braid pictures and see that french braided styles are quite popular.  For your inspiration:






xoxo,
-Nik