From Storage Bin to Garden Box

This past week while perusing on Walmart and Target's websites for affordable garden gear, I came across a few garden boxes. What a cool idea!

Unfortunately, with our money-saving minds in full-gear, spending $150-$200 on a decorative garden box wasn't really on the top of our necessary spendings list.

So we decided to get crafty.

We have an old wooden storage box that sits in the living room. It currently serves as a place for shoes to sit on, garden tools to reside in, odds 'n ends... you get the picture. So we decided with a little TLC, it would make the perfect garden box.

It just needed to be cleaned out...

Stained...

Lined with a tarp so the box wouldn't mold...

And filled with a little potting soil and mulch...

Tada! Our very own garden box. All for a total of $44!

$15 stain
$3 mulch
$6 soil
$20 plants

Working Woman's Survival Kit

We are getting into the busy season at work, meaning long days and weeks filled with running around all day and into the night. In order to maintain appearances (and scents) I have put together a working woman's survival kit:

Contents Include: Bobby Pins, Nail Files, Statin Guard, Lint Roller, Hair Gel, hair Spray, Deodorant and Mouth Wash.

I am set for the season.

Since work is picking up and there is less time (and energy) for cooking upon arriving home, this week is dedicated to quick and easy recipes. Stay tuned!

Cream of Mushroom Round Roast

This is usually one of Mike's favorite things to cook (as are most beef products!) however, he had to work late tonight so I took on the challenge of turning a typical weekday recipe into something a little better.

The last time we made this we discussed trying to add something different. Beef roast is a pretty easy, basic dish (which is why we love it for a tired Tuesday night). So we decided to put Cream of Mushroom Soup in the baking pan...

It worked.

This was the most flavorful, moist roast we have ever tasted.
See for yourself!

1 2 lb beef eye of round roast
1 12 ounce can reduced fat cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water
1 tbsp Montreal steak seasoning
1 tbsp emerills essence
1 tbsp evoo
Dash salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
On a baking pan mix water and cream of mushroom soup
Baste roast with evoo and season with remaining ingredients
Place pan on a cooling rack on top of the baking pan, fat side up

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes then reduce heat and bake for 2 hours at 225, or until roast reaches 130 degrees

Jalapeno Cheddar Burgers

One of my favorite recipes to make for our friends and family are our Jalapeno Cheddar Burgers. They're quick and easy and full of flavor!

16 oz lean ground beef
1/8 cup chopped onion
1/8 cup chopped canned jalapenos
1/4 cup shredded Monterey jack/cheddar cheese
2 tbsps A1 steak sauce
1 tsp onion powder
1 tap garlic powder
1 tbsp Montreal steak seasoning
Dash salt and pepper

Combine the above ingredients in a medium mixing bowl
Form into medium sized burgers, pat together tight

Grill to taste!

Optional Toppings:
Lettuce, tomato, onion, reduced fat provolone, reduced fat mayo, ketchup, brown mustard

We served with a side of Yellow Zucchini Chips!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortelloni

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package cheese tortelloni
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup northern lite Italian dressing
1 tbsp emerils essence
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp pepper and salt
1/4 cup diced white onion
1 cup fresh spinach
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup diced tomato
1/4 cup part skim mozzarella cheese

In a slow cooker combine chicken broth, dressing, essence, garlic powder,  red pepper flakes and salt and pepper

Add Chicken and onion

Cook on low for 4 hours

Add tortelloni, spinach, mushroom and tomato

Cook for another hour or until tortelloni are done

Top with mozzarella !

Garlic Parmesan Wings

1 bag of Tyson frozen chicken wings, unseasoned
1 cup reduced fat parmesan cheese
2 tbsps garlic salt
2 tbsps fresh ground pepper

Place frozen wings in a large saucepan filled 3/4 of the way with water
Bring water to a boil and allow wings to cook in boiling water for 15 minutes

While wings are boiling, set oven to broil
Dump the pot contents into a strainer

On a greased cookie sheet, place wings and broil for 8 minutes

Take wings out of the oven and turn over
Broil for 8 more minutes

In a large mixing bowl (with a lid if available) combine dry ingredients

Toss wings in the bowl until covered on all sides

Serve! 

 If you want another sauce option, Ott's Buffalo is the best!

*Serves 3-4

Full of Flavor Crock Pot Turkey Meatballs

Cooking Time 8 hours  (4-5 on high)
Serving Size: 4-6
Makes 12 Meatballs

1 15 oz package of ground turkey
1 lb ground turkey sausage
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup diced white onion
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsps red pepper flakes
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 jar heart healthy tomato sauce
1 tbsp evoo
dash salt and pepper
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

In a large mixing bowl combine the above ingredients.

Place a tablespoon of evoo on the bottom of the slow cooker, and 2 cups of tomato sauce. Place half the meatballs in the slow cooker and cover with another cup of tomato sauce. Repeat with remaining meatballs and another cup of sauce. Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4-5. 

We like to serve the meatballs on toasted french bread with a little olive oil and garlic, top with Parmesan cheese!