Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Asian Chicken 
Lettuce Wraps

2 chicken breasts

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. rice vinegar

2 Tbsp. sesame oil

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

4 Tbsp. soy sauce
4 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. sweet chili sauce

1/2 c. bean sprouts

                3 green onions, chopped

      1 small yellow onion, chopped

1 head Iceberg or Romaine lettuce

Slice chicken and cook in pan with 1 Tbsp. sesame oil, vegetable oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  When the chicken is done, chop it finely and put back into pan. Mix in bean sprouts, minced garlic, and onions. In a small bowl, mix together rice vinegar, remaining 1 Tbsp. sesame oil, red pepper flakes, chili sauce, and soy sauce...mix well and add to chicken mixture. Cook on medium heat for another minute or two to warm through. Let cool until just warm. Serve rolled in lettuce leaves.

healthy breakfast option...

I have the hardest time in the mornings...I hardly ever eat breakfast because I can't think of anything yummy to fix...and cold cereal for 4 days in a row gets old fast...the other day I ran across a recipe for some baked oatmeal breakfast bars...I tweaked the recipe a bit to make them extra healthy. Husband likes them with his morning protein shake!

Healthy Peanut-Butter & Banana 

Oatmeal Bars

1  1/2 c. quick-cooking oats

1/4 c. packed brown sugar

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 t. ground cinnamon

3 T. ground flax seeds (flax meal)

2 t. vanilla extract

1/2 c. milk

2 medium eggs, lightly beaten

1 large banana, mashed

1/4 c. creamy peanut butter

1/4 c. applesauce

Dark chocolate chunks(optional)

Mix together the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground flax meal. Add in the vanilla extract, milk and eggs. Mix the ingredients together. Then add in the mashed banana and peanut butter and applesauce. Combine all of the ingredients. If the mixture is too runny, add either a little extra oats, flax meal or flour. (I had to add a few tablespoons of flour)...Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 8x8 inch glass baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate chunks on top. Bake at 350 F degrees for 20-30 minutes...(check by inserting knife into middle, when knife comes out pretty much clean, they are done)... Cut into squares and enjoy!

birthday boy...

happy birthday!!!

the last couple of days have been crazy busy...but super fun! We went to Chipotle for D's birthday dinner...(and we brought C. along as well! Can't celebrate your birthday without your best friend...)

I have been getting things ready for my man's birthday. Lately his favorite candy has been York peppermint patties... WELL... I found the coolest recipe. Yep that's right, HOMEMADE peppermint patties. They were super easy-peasy too! (click here to get the full step-by-step instructions...)

Peppermint Patties
2 1/4 c. powdered sugar
2 T. softened butter
2 t. peppermint extract
2-3 T. cream
12 oz. Melting chocolate

aren't they pretty??

Since I already had melted chocolate on hand, I couldn't help but dip some strawberries as well :) They made for convenient and classy cake toppers (and so were the peppermint patties!)

Husband's favorite cake is German Chocolate. However, I only had one chocolate cake mix on hand, and that meant the cake wasn't going to be tall enough...so I got creative and put a yellow-cake layer in the middle...it helped tone down all of the chocolate, the coconut pecan icing, and fudge frosting (which is delicious by the way!)

Fudge Frosting

1/2 c. butter

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 T. vanilla extract

3 1/4 c. powdered sugar

2-3 T. heavy whipping cream

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in cocoa and vanilla. Place confectioners' sugar in a large bowl. Pour in cocoa mixture. Beat well (mixture will be extremely thick). Beat in cream a teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is achieved.

 D's birthday was a success! Yummy food and great company.