Kickin' Kitchen!

My kitchen has been on fire lately! Okay, not literally. Figuratively.
I've spent the last few weeks of my "free" time cooking up some really yummy meals. I've even been baking! Yes, I said typed it. Baking! Unfortunately, I haven't been taking pictures of these masterpieces. I guess I'll be whipping up some more goodies in the kitchen so you can see what it all looks like when it comes together. It also gives me an opportunity to work on my photography skills. (Love a good 'ole point & shoot session)!

A few weeks ago (2), I decided to start a lovely love affair with my crock pot. Why on earth I have left this amazing appliance neglected for the past two years, I'll never know! I've set myself up with some tasty creations. So far, I've made a whole chicken (best idea ever) and chicken tortilla soup (very cheap & yummy)! 

Recipes are to come. I can't seem to find the originals to give credit where credit is due. However, here's a sneak peek of the chicken I made. Feed myself for over a week off of a $3.50 chicken. Who says you can't eat well for cheap?!?! 2 hands up for a happy budget (even if said budget doesn't actually exist)!

FYI: I've also made three cakes in 2.5 weeks! The first was a pound cake & not a complete disaster, but I can't really judge because I'm not a huge fan of plain pound cake. The second cake was a recipe of my very own! I LOVE cinnamon & sugar and decided to make a cinnamon & sugar pound cake. I couldn't find d recipe I really liked, so I looked at a few and created my own. Super yummy! Lastly, I made a lemon coconut pound cake. So simple. So flavorful. I'll definitely be keeping the last two desserts in rotation.
To answer your question....NO, I didn't eat all of that cake by myself! Thank the good Lord for co-workers!

Happy Eating!

Woo

Is it okay to back pedal?

Sooo...yeah, in my last blog I mentioned something about New Year Resolutions and how I don't make them. Well, I still don't, but I did find a great little read about resolutions for "twenty-somethings" online. I thought I'd share because I think these are things we should do already be doing. Granted, I am typing this instead of sharing this tidbit with you face-to-face, but I think you appreciate my effort. If you don't, I don't really want to know. Happy reading!

20 Resolutions for 20-somethings

*Eat MORE brussels sprouts!!! :)

Happy 2012!!!

Happy New Year! Cheers to new blog posts about my oh so awesome life! :)
I'm not one for resolutions so I won't bore you with the typical shallow claims of dieting, working out or change of hairstyle. (Disclaimer: If you make resolutions and see it through to the end, then the previous sentence doesn't apply to you)!
I do know of one thing I'll be doing more of this year and that's cooking!
Here's a quick and easy recipe that could be a dessert or breakfast...enjoy!

Sopapilla Cheesecake
16 ounces cream cheese (room temp)

2 cans Crescent Rolls

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

Using a 9 x 13 baking pan, unroll one package of crescent rolls and line the bottom of the pan. Mix together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Spread mixture over the crescent rolls. Unroll the other can of crescent rolls and place on top of cream cheese mixture. Pour melted butter or margarine over the top and sprinkle with  cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

*This is the "regular" recipe. I changed it up a little to make it slightly healthier.
I use reduced fat crescent rolls. Instead of cream cheese, I use neufchatel cheese. I believe I also only use 8 oz of neufchatel. I'm not a big fan of "stuffed" foods so you can be the judge. I also recommend cinnamon and sugar to taste...I don't think I use half a cup.

FYI: To get the "sopapilla" taste, drizzle some honey on top!