Time to retire...

Thank you to all those of you who have contributed in any way to this blog. We've decided to retire it. This blog has had its phases of success, but I think that time has passed. Families have grown and life has become progressively busier. Thank you again and goodbye to Sugar and Spice!

Product Review

Okay Ladies, I'm just wonderin'...

What bath & body (not necessarily the actual store) item do you just love that you are willing to splurge on for yourself?

Lip Gloss? Shampoo? Foot scrub? Mascara...the ideas are endless.

Please share.

Wednesday Weekly

Name one thing that has gone well for you so far this week.

Wednesday Weekly

What creatures did you have to disect when you were in school?

Frozen Dinners

I have been horrible with making dinners. I decided to get together with a friend and make a bunch of meals to freeze that I can use later. I am wondering if people could share some ideas and recipes of meals that freeze well. Thanks ladies!

Do you have a Wii?

What are your family's favorite games for Nintendo Wii?

Cutest Halloween aprons ever!

If you or someone you know loves Halloween, you've got to check out these adorable aprons my Mom has made and is selling on Etsy. Check out her new shop by clicking here!! Sooooo cute!

Anyone up for another round of "Biggest Loser"?

It has been awhile since our last Sugar and Spice Biggest Loser and I was wondering if anyone is up for another round. I am really struggling to stay motivated to exercise and eat healthy and lose the last 10 or so pounds of baby weight. I had so much fun doing Biggest Loser with you girls and it was helpful to me to report to someone each week. If you would be interested in participating, let me know!!

Continuing the "best ofs"...

What has been your favorite TV show of 2010 so far?

My Me time

Have any of you seen that commercial where different people say "My Me time is when....." I think it might be a McDonald's commercial, but I'm not sure. I guess that tells you how effective advertising is on me.

Anyway, I was thinking today how different my "Me" time has become since I've had children. My Me time tends to be when my baby is down for a nap and my preschooler is in the bathtub. (I don't just leave her unsupervised in the tub. Our house is small and I can hear her splashing and playing away in there!) Anyway, I actually get excited to have uninterrupted time to do a workout video, read some emails, or today-mop the floor. Not exactly what I would have considered Me time 5 years ago!

So I'm curious, what's your Me time???

Wednesday Weekly

Have you completed any Christmas shopping yet for Christmas 2010?

My best 2010 creation

I don't create crafts, art, etc. I totally admire it, but it's not my thing. But I did create something pretty darn cute this year:

Best 2010 creation

What is the best thing you have created so far in 2010? Post pics if you wish!!

Wednesday Weekly

What are two of your favorite sports teams?

Best advice

What is the best piece of advice you have received so far in 2010?

Favorite 2010 Recipe

This one is YUMMY! We look for any opporunity to share it with friends and neighbors too.

BAKED CREAMY CHICKEN TAQUITOS

1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken
1 C grated pepperjack cheese

small corn tortillas (and actually, flour ones are really good as well)
kosher salt
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it's soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge. Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or are coming unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Then roll it up as tight as you can.

Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister and sprinkle some kosher salt on top.

Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.

Wednesday Weekly

Do you consider yourself more of a cat person or a dog person?

Turkey Tortilla Soup

This was a great recipe to use with leftover turkey. The tomato and avocado garnish really made it super tasty. Tortilla chips too. Here's the recipe from allrecipes.com

Best of 2010 Jerk Chicken

My Mom tried this for a Sunday dinner and it was an instant classic!!

1 cup bottled jerk sauce, DIVIDED

2 cups sliced yellow onion

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper

6 cloves of garlic, chopped

8 skinless chicken breasts (with bones)

8 skinless chicken thighs (with bones)

vegetable oil cooking spray

1 cup beer (we used grapefruit juice-get creative! :)

6 Tbsp. ketchup

2 Tbsp. tabasco

garnish-green onions

Combine 1/2 cup of the jerk sauce with the onion, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic in a large plastic bag and add chicken. Marinate chicken in fridge 8 hours to overnight, turning occasionally.

Remove chicken from bag, discarding marinade. Lightly spray both sides of the chicken with cooking spray. Combine remaining 1/2 cup jerk sauce, beer/juice, ketchup and tabasco. Grill chicken until no longer pink, turning several times, frequently basting with sauce.

This was so tasty!

We served it with Cilantro Lime Rice

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 cup basmati rice

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Saute 2 minutes on medium heat

Add:

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. lime juice

Bring all to a boil.

Cover and cook on low 15 minutes. Serve with zest of lime and 1/2 cup cilantro chopped.