SIMPLE CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Curry is one of my husband's favorite meals to eat. I'm always excited when I can find a new way of changing it up for him. For awhile now, I've been wanting to make tikka masala (aka creamy tomato curry) and recently found this simple recipe that didn't involve grilling or 10 different spices. With a few minor alterations, I was absolutely pleased with the results! 

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. chicken thighs (bite-sized)

1 T honey

2 T ketchup

4 T Greek yogurt

2 T salted butter

1/2 medium-sized white onion (thinly sliced)

1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes (undrained and split into two parts)

3/4 C water

1 tsp salt

2 cubes of curry sauce (S&B Golden Curry-Medium Hot)

1/2 C whipping cream

2 tsp reduced sodium soy sauce

salt to taste

*optional: hand blender 

DIRECTIONS

Marinate the chicken thighs in ketchup, honey and Greek yogurt. Set aside.

Using a blender, combine one part of the diced tomatoes, water and salt until fully liquefied. Set aside. 

In a large saute pan, melt the butter on medium high heat. Toss in the onions and cook until soft and lightly browned.  Add in the chicken with the yogurt mixture and stir well.  

Once the chicken starts to turn color, add in the tomato mixture along with the remaining tomatoes. Add in the curry cubes and stir until fully dispersed. Simmer for about 5 minutes. 

*If you're not a huge fan of biting into onions like my husband, remove the chicken at this point and set it aside. With a hand blender, puree the sauce directly in the pan until smooth and then put the chicken back in.  

Slowly pour in the cream and then the soy sauce. Stir well and cook until it comes back to a boil. Remove from heat and serve over rice or naan. Enjoy!

SPICED ALMOND HOT CHOCOLATE

Sipping on a large mug of hot chocolate is one of my favorite things about winter. E loves it so much that he has a cup every night after dinner (we may or may not use it to bribe him into finishing his dinners). Lately, I've been trying something different than our usual Swiss Miss mix that we've been drinking for years.  A good friend recently gave me a few cartons of chocolate almond milk and I've been heating that up with some regular milk and cinnamon sticks. Not only has it been a healthier alternative, we found ourselves loving it more! It's much lighter and smoother. The richness is still there, but you don't feel like your hips and rear just gained 5 pounds after a cup. ;) 

The above picture includes all the ingredients I had planned to use. The only item not shown is the cardamom that I decided to add at the very last minute. 

* This recipe makes enough for two!

INGREDIENTS

2 C chocolate almond milk

1 C 2% milk

2 cinnamon sticks

a pinch of cardamom

marshmallows

1/3 C semi-sweet chocolate or your favorite dark chocolate (optional)

1/4 tsp ancho chili powder (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, mix together the almond milk, regular milk, cardamom and cinnamon sticks on medium high heat.  Right before it starts to boil, turn the heat down to medium low and let it slowly simmer for another 5 minutes.  If you like your drink richer/sweeter, melt some semi-sweet chocolate morsels or your favorite dark chocolate (yummm) on a double broiler and add it into the milk mixture as well. Once the cinnamon becomes fragrant, remove from heat and pour the drink into your mugs. Serve with some toasted marshmallows!

I decided to try making marshmallows this week. My first effort was a total and utter FAIL. Went out and got a candy thermometer this time and tried again tonight. Will find out tomorrow to see how they turned out! 

WINTER UPDATE

It's been surprisingly cold for us already here in Texas. We went from a week of being in the beautiful 70s to an icy cold 24 degrees all in one night. Most of us spent the last few days being iced-in; luckily we didn't lose power. Although we've been stuck inside, it's been nice to slow down for a change and the boys are LOVING having daddy at home. :) 

Homemade chili and cornbread with cardamom honey butter... perfect comfort food for this kind of weather.



Spiced almond hot chocolate with marshmallows... E's daily request ;)

This is a repeat, but still enjoying this hymn as much as ever...

My God, my Portion, and my Love,
My everlasting All,
I’ve none but Thee in heav’n above,
Or on this earthly ball.
What empty things are all the skies,
And this inferior clod!
There’s nothing here deserves my joys,
There’s nothing like my God.

Be back tomorrow to share the recipe for the hot chocolate. Stay warm, everyone!

QUICK AND TASTY STEAK SALAD

I never could have imagined how tiring different it'd be going from one child to two. For those of you who have two or more kids - major hats off to you! :) Before the days of little brother, I use to get excited about looking for new recipes and prepping for meals. These days, I'm just happy if there's something edible and healthy on the table when my husband gets home. 

Lately I've been adding a lot of salads into our rotation. I forget how simple and delicious they can be. They're super versatile and can be made with so many combinations. Last week I made this yummy steak salad with a side of Trader Joe's organic tomato and roasted red pepper soup.  I don't really have a recipe to share, since it was pretty much thrown together with whatever was in our fridge.  But basically I use one source of protein (shredded rotisserie chicken, steak, beans, etc) and then add nuts (almonds, pecans, cashews), fruits (mandarin oranges, apples, craisins, tomato, etc.) and cheese (cheddar, parmesan, blue cheese, etc.) to the lettuce. Here's the combination I used that night in case you're curious...

INGREDIENTS
skirt steak
romaine lettuce, chopped
Roma tomatoes, sliced
honey roasted pecans
mandarin oranges
some type of sharp cheese (I used Trader Joe's Unexpected Cheddar), crumbled or shaved
green onions, sliced (optional)

Sauce for Steak Marinade
1/4 C reduced sodium soy sauce
1/3 C grapeseed oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1 clove of minced garlic
1/2 tsp minced ginger

***Set aside about 3 T of the sauce to drizzle on the salad (this can vary due to how much dressing you like on your salads).  

DIRECTIONS
Combine and whisk together all your sauce ingredients into a small bowl. Set aside some sauce to dress the salad. Toss the marinade and the steak into a ziplock bag and let it sit for about an hour before cooking. Once it's ready, sprinkle on a generous amount of black pepper and a light sprinkle of salt on both sides before cooking. Since I don't have a grill, I just cooked it on my cast iron pan for about 3-4 minutes on each side. 

Meanwhile place the lettuce and tomatoes into a salad bowl. Drizzle in the sauce and toss well. Add the remaining ingredients and lightly toss everything together. Top the salad with the steak and enjoy!

COFFEE TALK

It's been unusually cool here in Texas and we're totally loving it. :) Although I know it's going to be short-lived, it's been a nice treat and I'm going to enjoy it for as long as I can! One of my favorite things about this time of year - besides getting to bundle up in sweaters and hoodies - are all the hot drinks that I get to enjoy again. Flavored coffees, hot apple cider, hot cocoa, hot tea, tea lattes, etc.  My mouth's watering already. 

So for today, I thought it'd be nice to "grab a hot drink" with you all and connect on a more personal level for a change. Shall we? :)

First off. You would see me walking in with E while carrying little brother in his car seat on my other arm. A little frazzled, but I would smile, wave hi and put in my order before coming over to you. I'd most likely be coming back with a large tea latte of some sort (probably blueberry pomegranate if we were at Coffee Bean) and a chocolate milk and banana bread for E. If we were at Dunkin' Donuts, it'd be coffee with coconut flavoring. If we were at neither, then it'd be a white chocolate mocha instead. Haha I told you I get excited about my drinks. ;)

I would put the boys down, give you a hug and ask you how you're doing. I'd tell you what a weekend it's been and how I'm still a little sore from having my wisdom teeth pulled.  

E would be trying to get over his shyness and peer over to you every once in a while. Then he'd eventually get comfortable and start interrupting us so that I could help him with his banana bread and milk. Little brother would probably be asleep in his car seat. 

I'd tell you how these days, I'm finding myself stopping to enjoy my boys a lot more - putting my laptop away and not taking my phone everywhere I go...

Because Facebook and most social media and I have been in a complicated relationship...most of the times I'm annoyed by them and the amount of time I waste on them.

ALTHOUGH recently a friend did introduce me to these local online garage sale groups on FB and I've been selling items on it left and right! I told you I like purging hehe. 

How everyday, my husband and I are just amazed at the two little human beings we've created together and how thankful we are to the Lord for giving them to us.  

How I've been intentionally using these six words with E lately and what a difference it's made...

And I'd share this article with you if you've been feeling down about motherhood.

How I've been considering lately about our state of living and how much I rather live in a small well-thought-out space with minimal items than in a large house...

And how I've been desperately needing a change and praying to the Lord about it. I know some people really don't like change and like to stay with what's comfortable, but I'm one of those people who crave change... even major changes. Can any of you relate?

But then how this verse in Philippians has been on my mind a lot lately: "Rejoice in the Lord always..." How I need to learn to be happy in the Lord and not by my circumstances.

I'd comment on how depressing TV and current news has been and reminding me just how much we all need the Lord and His mercy and grace these days...

And then on a lighter note, how hard it's been clothes shopping for all of us! For the boys, everything seems to either have skulls or monsters on them. For me, everything's either too thin, too short, too low or too much crazy bling on the tops.  For Danny, it hasn't been as bad...

Where do you all shop??

How much I'm looking forward to watching Pride & Prejudice (BBC's adaptation) with a friend of mine soon... it's been at least 10+ years since I've last watched it.

I've also been in a cooking+creative rut again. Haven't been super-inspired to do much of either - which could explain the lack of posts lately. Although I'd rather have something worth reading for you all then posting fillers... You all agree?

And of course in between all this, you would be filling me in on all that's been going on in your life! What you've been up to, what's been occupying your mind or heart these days, your kids or other important people in your life,etc. :)

Finally we'd say our goodbyes and hopefully have arranged to get together again soon. I'd gather up the boys and will probably take a quick glance over at the mugs/thermoses section of the coffee shop before leaving...because I'm kind of obsessed with collecting mugs haha.

Miraculously one of the boys will start whining and it'd be the Lord helping my husband out so that I'd hurry up and leave without adding another cup to our kitchen. ;)

Hope you all enjoyed our time together!

Until next time,

IKEA STEP STOOL MAKEOVER

So today's post is mostly a show and tell. I'm here to show you this IKEA Bekvam stool that I recently made over and to tell you how excited I am about it now! I can't take any credit for this look though. I completely "borrowed" it from these adorable stools that I pinned awhile ago. It had my two favorite colors and the crisp clean look that I love. 

All it took was a can of Rustoleum Glossy White spray paint, Martha Stewart's craft paint in Surf, Miniwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane, some painter's tape and paper. (I would also recommend using a primer first. Since I didn't have any on hand, I skipped this step and later regretted it when I had some uneven white patches appear...)

Not bad for a $15 solid wood stool, huh? :) If you like the "dipped" look that's everywhere now, make sure to check out Michelle's version.  I love projects like this!

SIMPLE ORGANIZATION FOR KIDS' LEARNING SPACES

Happy Monday everyone! With the start of the new school year, E and I have been starting our own "school" at home. Since he's only three, ours is on a much smaller scale but we both have been enjoying this time tremendously. It's nice to wake up to some sort of schedule instead of the usual, "What should we do today?"  I also love seeing how excited E gets about "doing school."  It makes my teacher-heart very happy. :)

Since our family spends most of our time in the living room, I wanted to keep our activities there. Some of you may remember this corkboard makeover from last year. Normally we've been using it to display E's many artworks. You recognize these right, moms? ;)

We're now using the corkboard to display our morning activities.  I managed to keep most our supplies hidden so that it wouldn't completely take over our living room.  Here they are in these three areas: 

Area 1:  This is where E and I (plus baby brother) gather after Dad leaves for work.  We spend the first part of "school" enjoying the Lord together - calling on the Lord's name, praying for each other and our day and singing a song or two to the Lord.  I would usually play my guitar and E would accompany me with his maraca. Then we'd read and pray over our Bible verse for the week before moving on to the other activities.  

Area 2:  This shelf is where we keep all of our books and resources.  

Binder 1: My Resources

Binder 2: E's Binder (Will elaborate below)

Area 3:  This fabric bin stores all of our other miscellaneous supplies (ie. math manipulatives, flash cards, dry-erase markers, etc.).

For E's binder, I put together our schedule and a few activities that I made for him to work on. They are all laminated so that we could write over them and re-use them as much as we needed to.  

Here are a few examples:

How do you all organize your kids' learning spaces? :)

FAUX CHENILLE BLANKET #2

I recently made another baby faux chenille blanket for a good friend of mine. I found this beautiful fabric at Joann's called the "Vivienne Daisy" from the Alexander Henry Fabrics Collection. It was girly and fun without being too over the top. For the chenille side, I used a mix of mint, baby pink and a slightly deeper green flannel to pull in all the colors.  Since I've already shared the process in detail here, I'll just leave you all with some photos.  :)

Have any of you completed any fun projects lately? Leave the link in the comment section for us all to check out! :)

Until next time, 

THE HONEST COMPANY - PRODUCTS REVIEW

When The Honest Company first reached out to me to review their products, I was silently jumping up and down. This had to be one of the most anticipated items that I've been wanting to try out. I first heard about this company when Jessica Alba, the co-founder, appeared on The Nate Show (so sad when it got canceled). I was very impressed with the company's commitment to making safe, effective, bio-degradable and non-toxic products affordable and not just a luxury that only a few can enjoy.  All products are proudly made in America and made for the whole family to use. 

Also with every product purchased, The Honest Company donates product, money, time, and effort to addressing critical health & social issues affecting children and families. This year they are partnering with a nonprofit organization, Baby2Baby. 

As you read on, I will show you what I received and my ratings based on my impression of them after using them for a week. 

So this is what showed up at my doorstep...

How cute is the packaging?

Ok let's start off with the diapers...

Diapers (rating: 4 out of 5)
The Good: Cute designs, non-toxic, chlorine-free, super-absorbent and made with a stretchy band in the back for extra security (you know, for those poop explosions up the back).
The Bad: Found these to be a little stiff compared to Pampers.

Healing balm (rating: 4 out of 5)
The good: This was great for soothing my son's eczema.
The bad: The formulation was a little greasier and stickier than I would like, but it may be due to all the organic oils.

Hand soap (rating: 4 out of 5)
The good: It washed off easily and had a nice clean scent of lemongrass.
The bad: It left my hands a bit dry afterwards.

Face + body lotion (rating: 4 out of 5)
The good: The formulation was very lightweight, absorbed well, and left the skin incredibly soft.
The bad: The initial smell reminded me of barbie dolls for some reason, however it did eventually wear off. I'm not sure if I just got a bad batch, because most reviewers loved the smell...

Laundry detergent (rating: 5 out of 5)
The good: Cleaned very well and did not leave our clothes feeling stiff (even without fabric softener).  
The bad: None



Shampoo + Body Wash (rating: 5 out of 5)
The good: We love this product! Our longtime favorite's been Burt's Bees Shampoo and Body wash for our boys and we found this one to be very similar. The scent is a little sweeter and the consistency is a little thicker as well. I've been finding myself reaching for this more than the Burt's Bees.  
The bad: None

These are some other items that I'm interested in from their beauty and cleaning line:
sunscreen, multi-surface cleaner, and fruit+veggie wash. 

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   

I think it's great that the company's constantly introducing new products and improving on old ones based on their customers' feedback. If you are still skeptical or hesitant to buy their full-sized products, they also offer free trial kits (just pay $5.95 for shipping and handling). 

*Please note that when you sign up for the free trial, you are automatically enrolled to be a member of the Honest Company. You have 7 days to cancel, for any reason, if you choose not to be charged monthly to receive their different bundles sent to your home.  

For more information, check out these links:

• Cute and Eco-Friendly Diapers from The Honest Company
• Non-Toxic Home Cleaning Products for Your Family
• Eco-friendly Beauty by The Honest Company
• Honest Company Bath & Body Products

Have any of you used their products before? What did you think of them? I would love to hear from you!

Disclosure: As part of The Honest Company's affiliate program, I was sent these products to review for my own use. I was not asked to write this review nor will I be paid to do so. All opinions are 100% mine and these products were shared/recommended because our family really like them. This post does, however contain affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission based on any purchases made.