Fast, Cheap, and Easy.

When it's hot out I like to keep the cooking to a minimum to keep from heating the house up. Anything that can be cooked on a small appliance is a real winner.If it's a quick fix, doesn't cost a lot, and is easy, I'm even more on board. One of our absolute favorite fast, cheap, and easy small appliance meals is chicken quesadillas. They can be made on/in several appliance. Indoor electric grill, toaster oven, sandwich press, electric griddle, or even a waffle iron. We've also made them on a campfire and an outdoor grill, which makes them great for camping too.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Jennie-O

Jennie-O as some great recipes for Cinco de Mayo!  I am especially pleased with these Miami Steet-Style Turkey Tacos .  I was pleasantly surpised to find out that there are made with Lean Taco Seasoned Ground Turkey from Jennie-O and topped with a mango citrus slaw.  Each taco contains only 180 calories.

You can eat guilt free for Cinco de Mayo with this great recipe from Jennie-O.  This is easy to make in under 30 minutes(HELLO!) and is a low calorie meal!  What are some of your favorite meals to make with Jennie-O products?

Jennie-O provided me with coupons in exchange for this post.

Stuffed Jumbo Shells

Tired of the same pasta meals? These stuffed jumbo shells will make you mouth water. They are sure to please any crowd.

Who Wants Guacamole?

Avocado season is in full swing and the price of these delectable fruits has come down to a price that makes it friendlier to making guacamole. I do make guacamole year round, regardless of price, but from April thru September when the prices are down, we have guacamole in the fridge pretty much constantly.

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

This simple, yet elegant salad is paired with a poppy seed dressing.  Feta cheese, strawberries and pecans, never tasted so good.

Lavash Pinwheels Recipe

Now that warmer weather is upon us, a lot of us will be starting to spend our weekends outdoors. My family loves to be outside doing things. We spend many weekends visiting state parks, and camping.

Because of our fondness for camping and all things outdoors, we love food that can be made ahead, stores well, and travels easily. Most people would say, "SANDWICH!", but not us. Oh no. We require much more delicious than your standard run of the mill PB&J or ham and cheese.

Enter: Lavash Pinwheels.

Easter Brunch with Jennie-O

Image courtesy of Jennie-O

If you are searching for some great Easter recipes and menu ideas, I have quite a few for you, thanks to Jennie-O, I was looking for some inspiration beyond the traditional Easter dinner,  I found this incredible picture with ALL RECIPES on Jennie-O for an Easter brunch!  Can you say candied bacon?  Check out all the menu ideas HERE and let me know your favorites in the comments! 

Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Trifles are so easy to make and look elegant on your table. This decadent dessert is always a hit at my family gatherings.

Items needed:
1 box Fudge Brownie Mix
1 (5-ounce) box Chocolate Pudding & Pie Filling
3 cups Cool Whip

6 Heath Candy Bars

Bake brownies according to package directions, let cool completely and crumble, set aside. Make chocolate pudding according to package directions, then place in fridge to firm up. Combine pudding with 1 cup cool whip, stir together and set aside. Crush heath bars into small pieces, reserve 1 tablespoon of bars and set aside. Spread ½ of crumbled brownies in the bottom of a trifle. Layer with ½ of chocolate mixture. Layer with ½ of heath bar. Layer with 1 cup cool whip. Repeat process. Top with remaining 1 tablespoon heath bar. Place in fridge to chill.

Shamrock Rice Krispies

I love these cute Shamrock Rice Krispies treats.  It is a festive way to celebrate St, Patrick's Day!  Kids will love these in their lunchbox.  Adults will devour them. 

Turkey Breakfast Sausage Chilaquiles

If you have been following  The Biggest Loser you know they have partnered with Jennie-O to make delicious low-calorie meals with the contestants.  I am a big fan of the show and Jennie-O.

The recipe featured on the show last night is made with Jennie-O Turkey breakfast sausage.  Making a delicious and healthy  meal can be challenging.  But, I have a great recipe for you to try.

Turkey Breakfast Sausage Chilaquiles is packed with flavor and on 200 calories.   Take a look at this recipe by clicking HERE.  Created in collaboration with Biggest Loser RD Cheryl Forberg, the recipe puts a tasty, low-cal spin on a favorite south-of-the-border dish. 

Thanks to Jennie-O for providing me product coupons .

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

These are perfect for the class parties or gatherings.  Easy to make, Drop in a treat bag or on a serving tray and they are ready to servve! 

Items needed:

Valentine M&M Cookie Bars

If you are needing a treat for your child's classroom or for any family gathering this Valentine's day, these Valentine M&M Cookie Bars are perfect.

Items needed:

2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour

½ teaspoon Baking Soda

½ teaspoon Salt

2 sticks Unsalted Butter (softened)

½ cup Sugar

1 cup Light Brown Sugar

1 large Egg, plus 1 large Egg Yolk

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 cup M&M’s, plus additional

2/3 cup M&M’s (for topping)

Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray, set aside. In a large mixing cup, combine all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt, stir together with a fork. Sift into a mixing bowl. Place butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat butter while slowly adding sugar. Beat in light brown sugar. Beat in egg and egg yolk. Beat in vanilla extract. Stir in 1 cup M&M’s and blend together with your hands, then press evenly into pan. Sprinkle the additional 2/3 cup M&M’s on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 325 degrees on the 3rd rack for 24 minutes. Remove, let cool completely and cut into bars.

Looking for more Valentine's Day treats? Check out the Valentine's Day Cake Pops HERE.