Tasty Tuesday: Yippee-Ki-Yay Spicy Southwest Chicken Chowder

Thank you Hungry Girl for another AWESOME recipe.  I am such a soup girl when the weather gets cold.  I usually need to be warmed up AND it is so easy to heat and make when dinner is just me while hubby is at work.  I like to create my own “concoctions” with things I have on hand so trying new recipes is always fun.  Hungry Girl helps us to spice up our life with a bowlful of this hearty soup!  Flavor, fiber, and all that protein — poultry power!!

1/10th of recipe (about 1 cup): 163 calories, 1.5g total fat (0.5g sat fat), 654mg sodium, 18.5g carbs, 3g fiber, 4.5g sugars, 18.5g protein. MAKES 10 SERVINGS.  Freestyle™ SmartPoints® value 2*

Ingredients:

2 – 14.5-oz. cans (about 3 1/2 cups) fat-free chicken broth
15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
14.75-oz. can cream-style corn
1 cup chopped red bell pepper (about 1 pepper)
1 cup chopped onion (about 1/2 onion)
2 tbsp. chopped canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (about 2 peppers)
1/2 cup plain light soymilk
1 tsp. chopped garlic
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 lb. raw boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved
1/2 tsp. each salt and black pepper
1/2 cup instant mashed potato flakes
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions:

1. In a slow cooker, combine broth, beans, corn, bell pepper, onion, chipotle peppers, soymilk, garlic, and cumin. Stir well.
2. Season chicken with salt and black pepper and place in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 – 4 hours or on low for 7 – 8 hours.
3. Transfer chicken to a bowl. Shred with two forks — one to hold chicken in place and the other to scrape across the meat and shred.
4. Stir shredded chicken into the soup in the slow cooker. Stir in potato flakes, sour cream, and cilantro. Enjoy!

NOTE:  HG Alternative! Skip the chipotle peppers for a deliciously mild chicken chowder.  Although I LOVE spicy, I will probably skip the peppers this time around.

This is an AWESOME hearty lunch on those chilly days…..What’s the perfect way to take your lunch to work?  That’s right – one of Thirty One’s thermal totes is the correct answer.  The Around the Clock Thermal is one of our most versatile thermal totes.  It is great for lunch or snacks anytime, anywhere—work, school, festivals, road trips, pool, beach, golf course, boating or sporting events. The water-resistant thermal lining keeps contents cool and makes cleanup easier.   If you need a visual for size – think a six-pack of soda!  Yes, it will fit in it and still have some room at the top for some more snacks.  A removable shoulder strap means you can carry it any number of ways, including as a crossbody for hands-free movement. An interior mesh pocket and exterior front zipper pocket provide separate storage options when needed. Makes a great gift for friends, neighbors, kids, teachers and everyone else on the go!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is another Thanksgiving filled with lots of emotions…as usual, I will be spending a lot of time crying.   Tears of gratitude for the blessings of this year mixed with tears of sadness.

This is our second Thanksgiving without my dad.  Since Belinda was a baby, we locked in two holidays which were always spent with dad – Father’s Day and Thanksgiving.  We will be spending the day with my step-mom and extended family but it will be a struggle.  Belinda is in NC celebrating Thanksgiving with her in-laws.  As I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, I struggle with memories of past years filled with high school football games, homecoming floats, dinner at Grams with the entire family.

Today I am counting my blessings….  Blessed to have a supportive hubby, it has been a rough year but he has been my rock.  I am grateful I was able to fix us a mini Thanksgiving dinner on Monday since he is working today.   I am grateful my family is healthy as mom and Sal head off on a cruise..

This Laura Story song is one of my favorites…

Thirty One continues to bless my life and be the thing which keeps me going on those bad days.  Who would have thought 7 plus years ago, a $99 kit would make such a difference in someone’s live?   Over the last 6 months, my business has grown beyond my wildest dreams.  I have an amazing team of women who inspire me with their strength, courage and friendship.  I’m grateful I am still able to earn an income despite the challenges of MS.  I have a multitude of women who have gone from customers and hostesses to friends.  The greatest blessing is the ability to share with those who are struggling by giving back to our community.

Words can’t express how grateful I am today and every day. My wish is each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving – enjoy the time with your friends and family. Cherish the moments for all the years to come.

A Thanksgiving Prayer by Gwen Smith…

Dear Lord:

We come with hearts of gratitude today to bless Your name and to ask that Your hand of blessing would be upon us. THANK YOU, Father, for loving us with an eternal love that stands firm, even when we are unlovable. THANK YOU for being faithful, righteous, holy and just, yet willing to see us, Your children, through divine eyes of compassion, mercy, forgiveness and grace. THANK YOU for being a God of restoration and renewal in the midst of a broken, pain-filled world. THANK YOU for providing for our needs, directing our paths, and establishing our steps.

We acknowledge Your sovereignty, Lord, and freshly submit to Your will today. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our children, grandchildren, marriages, families, and loved ones. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our country, president, governors, senators, representatives, and local officials. We ask Your BLESSING and GUIDANCE over our communities, churches, schools, work places, decisions, and opportunities. Please FILL US with the presence of Your joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, and self control today. HELP US to see as You see and to love as You love. HELP US to serve others humbly for the sake of Your name. HELP US to be light that shines in the darkness. HELP US to follow Your ways and continually seek Your leading.

You are our hope and our strength, Lord. We give you THANKS in all of this and ask for the fullness of Your BLESSING in all these things, according to the power of Jesus Christ who is at work within us through Your Holy Spirit.

Amen

Have a ThirtyOne-derful Thanksgiving!

March Is Roaring In Like a Lion

I know the weather forecast doesn’t show it but believe me, it is SPRING at Thirty One Gifts.  I love seeing all of the NEW spring prints and products with even more arriving in April but I don’t want to spoil any surprises!  You will just have to wait!

Let’s do a “flashback” to a time when you got new outfits for Easter.  Remember those new shoes, new dress, a hat and of course, the cute little purse.  My daughter may kill me but I actually love this picture of the two of us at Easter.  She wasn’t a “bag girl” but she definitely was a hat girl who loved to have her picture taken.  

Yes, I squirrled for a moment, the norm right?  Why am I talking about Easter and purses?The March Customer Special at Thirty One is all about purses……

I love the Studio Thirty One!!!!

But I will always be a Retro Metro Girl.. I have been having fun with the new Retro Metro Hobo Crossbody and the Super Swap It Pocket

  

Want to get your hands on a NEW Spring catalog?  Simply click the link below and fill out the form…

SEND ME A NEW CATALOG, PLEASE

With just a $200 party (6 orders), you can get the Studio Thirty One purse for half price!  Have a texting party or a 31-minute Facebook party, which one will fit your lifestyle?

Do you remember those AMAZING roller totes we had – the Away We Go Roller and the Rolling Cooler? Check out the video on how you can get one of them with a $600 party (or a fundraiser)!!!

Maybe, you want it all but would rather NOT have a party.  How about a monthly club?  Advance notice on sales, monthly happy mail and we will work out a budget plan which fits your needs.  Click the link below and fill out the form…

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE MONTHLY CLUB

Have you ever thought “I can do what she does”?  Of course you can!  Whether you are just looking for the discounts for you, your friends and your family or a part-time job or maybe you need a break for some girl time; Thirty One may be the answer for you.

Check out the TWO enrollment kit options with over $400 in products for just $99

I will do your launch party via Facebook (or a home party, if you are local).  Start making money as soon as you enroll.  One of my newest recruits earned a $175 commission check, $175 in business credits, $100 in free product, and the February product incentive with her online launch party.  The base commission is 25% but you could make up to 40% with the NEW Thirty One marketplace.  Lots of options to help you design a business which works for you.  I will be happy to answer any of your questions.

Which option will you pick – joining my team, hosting a party, the monthly club/ budget plan or just shopping?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Tuesday: Sweet Potato And Buffalo Chicken Casserole

I LOVE spicy food (hot Mexican is my favorite) but I honestly am not  big fan of “buffalo” or hot sauce.  Weird, right?

Serves: 4      Prep: 20 min      Cook: 50 min

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes;
5 sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes;
1 tbsp. paprika;
2 tbsp. garlic powder;
6 tbsp. hot sauce;
½ cup olive oil or melted ghee;
1 cup bacon, cooked and cut into pieces;
1 cup green onions, sliced;
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste;

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 400 F.
• In a large bowl, combine together the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the sweet potatoes and chicken, and stir to coat.
• Empty the bowl into a casserole dish.
• Bake in the pre-heated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes.
• Add the green onions and bacon to the dish and place back in the oven for another 5 minutes to let all the flavors combine.

This would be a great casserole to take on the road or to the next pot luck supper.  Keep it hot in Thirty One’s Perfect Party Set Thermal.

The Perfect Party Set expands to hold two 9” x 13” casserole pans inside 2 interior water-resistant thermal compartments. Handle grips make it easy to carry, while the exterior zipper pocket can keep additional items like utensils, baking instructions and additional ingredients secure during transport. It’s the most convenient way to take your favorite casseroles, desserts, appetizers and more to your next family picnic, neighborhood cookout, celebration or camping trip! Monogramming and personalization options available.  Approximate size: 4”H unexpanded, 7”H expanded x 16.25”L x 10.25”D

  

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Thursday: Egg Rolls for Breakfast!

I know it is Thursday but since it was a holiday, I decided to change things up a bit.  This is another YUMMY Hungry Girl recipe.  Do you want to be the talk of your potluck brunch? Show up with a platter of these egg-scramble egg rolls, and you’ll achieve legendary status. Of course, they’re also excellent for weekday mornings at home…

Prep: 15 minutes   Cook: 40 minutes     MAKES 3 SERVINGS

1/3rd of recipe (2 egg rolls): 290 calories, 8g total fat (4g sat fat), 833mg sodium, 34g carbs, 2g fiber, 3.5g sugars, 19.5g protein.  SmartPoints® value 8*

Ingredients:

2 frozen meatless or turkey sausage patties with 80 calories or less (like the kind by MorningStar Farms or Jimmy Dean)
1/3 cup chopped bell pepper
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup (about 8 large) egg whites or fat-free liquid egg substitute
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. each salt and black pepper
1/3 cup light/reduced-fat cream cheese
6 large square egg roll wrappers (stocked with the refrigerated Asian items in the supermarket)
Optional dips: salsa, ketchup

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
• Cook sausage in a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray. (Refer to package for temp and cook time.) Transfer to a cutting board.
• Clean skillet, if needed. Re-spray, and bring to medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and onion. Cook and stir until slightly softened, about 4 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add egg whites/substitute and seasonings. Cook and scramble until veggies are soft and eggs are fully cooked, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer egg scramble to a medium-large bowl.
• Chop or crumble sausage. Fold sausage and cream cheese into egg scramble.
• Lay an egg roll wrapper flat on a dry surface. Evenly distribute about 1/6th of the egg scramble (about 1/3 cup) in a row a little below the center.
• Moisten all four edges by dabbing your fingers in water and going over the edges smoothly. Fold the sides about 3/4 inch toward the middle, to keep filling from falling out. Roll up the wrapper around the mixture and continue to the top. Seal with a dab of water.
• Place on the baking sheet, and repeat to make 5 more egg rolls.
• Spray with nonstick spray. Bake until golden brown, 23 – 25 minutes.

HG Tips: Make these in advance, and reheat in the toaster oven for 3 – 5 minutes. They’re also oddly delicious straight out of the fridge!

Now, remember we suggested taking them to the potluck brunch?  What better way to do it then in a Thirty One Perfect Party set.  It will keep things hot or cold!  

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!