Homemade Taco Yumminess

This weekend I made a fantastic pantry stocking staple which I am very excited about!  In our home, we are often busting out a packet of taco seasoning to go with our ground turkey or ground beef for many different recipes: tacos, black bean soup, Mexican jambalaya, etc, etc.  Although I always purchased the 'low sodium' kind, I didn't stop to think about all of the fillers in that small little packet...until I found this on pinterest.  As the pinner said, it's "Simply Spices!"  The result, pre-shaking, was like a beautiful {edible} sand art, reminiscent of 3rd grade.  

I wanted more than one serving, so I made a whole jar full with the following: 
4 TBS chili powder
4 TBS ground cumin
4 TBS garlic powder
4 TBS onion powder
2 TBS crushed red pepper (although it called for less, we like it hot in our house, so I doubled it)

I also saved a few bucks on this by purchasing the spices at Aldi in larger containers, making the 2 whole jars cost just $5!  That is at least 20 servings (depending on how much you use each time) for less than $.25 each...a fraction of what those little packets would cost you.  I do love a good bargain ;)

Spice it up, friends, and make it a great day!

....to Pinterest or not to Pinterest

I *heart* Pinterest.  

Perhaps in an unhealthy way, in fact.  

The picture ideas, colors, decor, baby ideas, useful hints, recipes, quotes....you name it.  Do you Pinterest?

A few weeks ago one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Sherry from Young House Love challenged her readers to actually make what they pinned on Pinterest.  What, you're not just supposed to drool over the pretties you find?! While I cannot show you the beautiful crafts or decor projects I have tackled thanks to my 'pins', I can share with you my most favorite recipe of the summer.  

Iced Coffee

I actually believe the recipe came from Pioneer Woman originally [don't all good recipes start with Pioneer Woman?!], but I linked over to the Craving Comfort blog to get the details.  I have to be honest - it's a little time consuming, but it is WORTH. EVERY. MINUTE.  Within both PW and CC, you will find another recipe for sweet cream, but I will go ahead and give you a delicious shortcut... Coffee Mate Natural Bliss - Sweet Cream.  This makes the iced coffee even better!  I promise if you invest a little bit of time making this over the weekend, you will be thanking me over the next few weeks as you savor your hard-earned yummy goodness :)

Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Cake....yes, please, I'll take a BIG piece!

Before I begin, I would like to apologize for the photos...apparently I have forgotten how to use my camera & just go straight for the BlackBerry.  I am lazy.

Do you have a go-to recipe?  One that is always a crowd pleaser, and (even better!!) easy to make?  This is my go-to.  I am sharing it with you now because is it just too darn easy and too darn yummy NOT to share!  I originally came across this gem when browsing through a Kraft Food & Family magazine, but have changed it only slightly to make it more yummy, and less calories.  So what they call "Gram's Best Brown Sugar Cake" I call "Chrissi's Best Brown Sugar Cake"! Haha :) OK, so I don't call it that, but I should. 

Here is what you need:

1 - box yellow cake mix (moist deluxe is my choice)

1 - 3.5 oz package french vanilla instant pudding

1 - 6 oz cup of non-fat plain greek yogurt

4 - large eggs

1/2 C - oil (I use veggie, but use whatever you prefer)

2/3 C - water

1 C - packed brown sugar 

1 C- chopped pecans

step 1 - Preheat oven to 350, spray your bundt pan with cooking spray and then sprinkle with a generous coating of sugar (yummm!)

step 2 - Blend the first 6 ingredients together for two min or so, until smooth

step 3 - Add the nuts and sugar, mix on low until well-blended

step 4 - Pour this delicious mixture into your pan and place in the oven to bake for an hour (I like to say an hour-ish because ovens vary), or until a toothpick (or like object) comes out clean

step 5 - Enjoy!!!

Some additional tips:

*You can also drizzle caramel topping over the cake before serving which creates a nice glaze

*Serve with vanilla bean icecream or freshly made whipped cream

*This pairs oh-so nicely with a cup of coffee :)

PS, special thanks to my sister Elizabeth who showed me how to add pics via FLICKR.  Thanks Ster....now go vote for her on Top Mom Blogs (she is at #3 now) :)