Salad Kits by Rubbermaid

I have been prepping my lunches ahead of time. Let's be honest, otherwise I would eat off my kids' plates, feel hungry later and gorge on chocolate. I also send a prepped salad off with my husband when he goes to work.

Found these great containers by Rubbermaid called Salad Kits.

There are cup measurements on the side, comes with an ice pack (not pictured), a removable tray with small container for dressing and two dividers and lid.

I found mine last week at Target, with a coupon and Cartwheel discount. 

Sanity Saver:

Make extra protein at dinner and use it in your salads and add roasted vegetables like butternut squash.

No Ifs...Jiggly Butts

I ignored my Fitbit alarm two times before I dragged myself out of bed. Just thinking about this dragged my (slightly less jiggly than a few months ago) booty.

Copycat Ikea Vegetable Medallions

Image is the recipe before baked.

For someone who doesn't particularly like baked potatoes, I found myself the night before trash night head in the fridge staring at a bag full of cooked baked potatoes and wondering what to do with them. My conscience would not allow me to throw them away. Then, I remembered the vegetable medallions from Ikea and my Copycat Ikea Vegetable Medallions were born.

Copycat Ikea Vegetable Medallions

Yield 6

1 Cooked baked potato

2 c. Frozen broccoli florets

1/4 c. Chopped onion

1/4 c. Parmesan, shredded or grated

1/4 c. Panko

2 Egg whites

Salt and pepper

1 T Paprika 

1 t. Garlic Powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mash the cooked potato in a large bowl, put to the side. Parboil the brocoli florets, rinse in cold water then chop. Add broccoli to the mashed potato along with all the other ingredients to combine.

Put the mixture inside a 1/4 measuring cup to shape, packing down. Flip over onto a parchment lined cooking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. 

Note: For a finer texture, you can pulse the potato and brocolli in your food processor. Also, if I had leeks on hand I would have added them.

Brocolli Spinach Pesto

Here's another take on the traditional basil pesto. It is a great alternative during the winter months when you you may not have a pot growing of fresh basil.  Truth be told, I actually prefer this version. I find it filling and satisfying. My kids gobble it up too. 

Served on top of a rice cake and filled in a hard boiled egg.

Broccoli Spinach Pesto

2 c. frozen broccoli florets

1 c. fresh baby spinach

1 clove garlic

1 c. shredded parmesan cheese 

1/4 c. olive oil 

Koscher salt and pepper to taste

Parboil brocolli until brocolli is just soft. Drain and rinse in cool water. 

Using Vitamix (or food processor) add broccoli, spinach, garlic and parmesan cheese. Slowly add olive oil until a paste forms, adding less olive oil for a thicker pesto and adding more for a thinner pesto. Generously season with S and P.

Sanity Saver-

Use throughout the week in different recipes. Try it as a dip, pasta sauce or baked on fish. Freeze unused pesto in ice cube trays to use later.

Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower Rice is oh-so-simple to make. With its mild taste and texture, cauliflower rice can be used in many types of recipes as an alternative to grain rice. Two of my favorite recipes I like to use cauliflower rice is in stuffed cabbage and chicken lettuce wraps.

Oh-So-Simple How To:

I used my favorite kitchen appliance, my Vitamix. If you don't have one a food processor works ( minus the water). 

Add rinsed fresh cauliflower florets in small batches into Vitamix and add cold water to almost cover. Run for a few seconds on level 7. 

Drain in a sieve. Press excess water out using the back of a spatula. 

When ready to use, heat on the stove top with or without oil, on medium heat for 5-8 minutes or until warm. Season how you like your rice. I use salt and pepper and garlic.

Sanity Saver-

Make a large batch over the weekend and use in recipes throughout the week. Store in an air tight container.

The Only Person

Pop Top Can Valentines

Over the last year I have been looking for ways to reuse and repurpose items I might otherwise throw away.  So, when I learned about reusing cans to hold small gifts and treats I knew I wanted to make Pop Top Can Valentines.

Kids will love opening up their can to find Valentine treats. 

What you will need:

• Empty, clean 4 oz. cans with pop top lids
• Good quality can opener-I used Oxo Smooth Edge Can Opener. This can opener cuts around the outside rim instead of cutting on top of the can. It leaves a smooth edge, hence the name. I researched can openers after the one I initially used for this project made rough cuts along the can. I was unable to use the cans I had been saving to make these. I broke down, spent the $19 for the Oxo can opener to finish this project. The other can opener's fate is in the garbage dump.
• Assorted candy
• Hot glue gun
• Craft paper or wrapping paper 
• Stickers, glitter, markers, etc.
• Crinkly paper or paper grass
• Ribbon
• Gift tags

How to:

Remove manufacturer's labels and save one to use later.

Remove bottom of the cans.

Drain contents and clean can, let dry.

Using the manufacturer's can label, trace label on craft paper or wrapping paper. Cut out new labels and attach with hot glue.

Fill cans with candy and top with crinkly paper or paper grass. Tuck in any loose ends.

Attach bottoms with hot glue. 

Decorate labels and attach gift tags.

Tips:

Try to keep the bottoms of the cans matched with their respective cans for seamless attachment.

Don't overfill the can with crinkly paper or  paper grass, too much padding makes it difficult to seal the can. 

Download free gift tag labels online.

If you do not have enough cans on hand, buy some more. If you can not eat the contents right away, like diced fruit, then freeze them in popsicle molds.

Have your little ones help.