Chicken Lombardy

8 oz package(s) sliced fresh mushrooms

2 tablespoon(s) butter melted
6 skinned and boned chicken breasts
1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup(s) butter
1/2 cup(s) chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/2 cup(s) shredded mozarella cheese
1/2 cup(s) parmesan cheese
2 green onions chopped

Cook mushrooms in 2 tbsp butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or just until tender. Remove from heat; set aside.
Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise. Place chicken between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/8 inch thickness, using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Dredge chicken pieces in flour. Cook chicken in batches, in 1 to 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden. Place chicken in a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish, overlapping edges. Repeat procedure with remaining chicken and butter. Reserving pan drippings in skillet. Sprinkle mushrooms evenly over chicken.
Add broth to skillet. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken. Combine cheeses and green onions; sprinkle over chicken.
Bake uncovered, at 450 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes until cheese melts.

Valentine's Day FREE Printable

I have seen an increase in non-candy Valentine's Day cards, especially for toddlers and preschoolers.  My favorites are the goldfish and playdoh.  Here's another great idea for small children - squeeze pouches!

Want to give these out this Valentine's Day?  Easy!  Simply download the file below (right click, save image,) print enough for all the kids, cut them out or use a Fiskars 2" Round Squeeze Punch (available at any craft store).  Then just create a hole towards the top to tie a ribbon or string around the pouch.

Get Organized in 2014!

If you're like me, you need a list to keep you on task throughout the day.  It can be very overwhelming, especially when you have little kids, to look at the mess in your house and knowing what you need to do but don't know where to begin.  I started this schedule last week and it's helping me be accountable for what I do (I placed it on the fridge so I can see it often) and it also feels great when I can check something off my list.  

Here's an example of mine from this week: 

I just found this great option on my washing machine: "delay start."  Before I go to bed on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights I throw in a load, add soap, and hit 'delay start' for 7-8 hours (the options are 1 hour increments all the way up to 9 hours).  So that means at 7am as I'm getting the boys dressed to bring my oldest to preschool, my washing machine is automatically starting a load for me!   By the time I return home from dropping him off, the load is already done and I can switch it over to the dryer.  Then I fold it as soon as I put the boys to nap (that's what the "finish laundry" check mark is on Monday, Wednesday & Friday).  I'm hopeful that this will help me keep up with all the laundry from five people.   This can work even if your washing machine doesn't have this setting - just put the clothes and soap in the night before, and take 10 seconds to turn it on and start it in the morning.  If you need to set an alarm on your phone.

I used to have a separate page for my meal planning and grocery list, but I added it on here so I can see it all in one place.  As I cook meals each day, if I use the last of an item I can add it to the "Purchase" area so at the beginning of the next week I have my grocery list already started!

My weight loss battle continues in 2014 and I'm really trying to be better at drinking water.  I bought a large 20 ounce water bottle from Walmart (the Dollar Tree also has them) and so this motivates me to drink at least two of those each day.  As I finish one and go to fill the second, I put an X through the water bottle on the page which is right above the drink dispenser on the fridge.  

So there you have it.  I can't say this is a fool proof way to stay organized and on top of things because I haven't been using it for long, but I think it'll work.  

Click on this picture to download and print a blank template!

(Click on the picture to bring up the larger version, right click and select "save image as")

Post here if you have any helpful tips or tricks you use in your house to get the housework completed. 

Car Seat Poncho

It's annoying when you have to take off coats to put your kids in their seats, then at your next stop take the kids out of their seats and put their coats back on.  I know it's for safety; I'm a rear-facing advocate (all of my boys were rear-facing until 2) and my oldest is 44" tall and still in a 5-point harness.  I'm still annoyed, especially when it's raining and cold.

So thanks to a friend who mentioned the car seat poncho, I looked into it and fell in love right away!  However, being the frugal mom I am, my second thought was, "I can make that for a lot less."

I looked on Pinterest and Google for a tutorial, and found one: Prudentbaby.com

If you are wanting to make your own, I suggest printing the instructions (clicking the image will open it larger, then print) and watch the video posted from PrudentBaby.com

They are very easy to make.  It took about 6-8 hours to make all three.

Buttercream Frosting - THE BEST!

South of the Border Loaded Sweet Potato

This is a featured recipe taken from The Biggest Loser episode on 1/29/13

 
1 (8-ounce) sweet potato
4 ounces extra-lean ground turkey
3/4 teaspoon all-natural salt-free fajita or Southwest seasoning
Olive oil spray (propellant free)
1/3 cup fresh salsa, drained (from the refrigerated section)
2 tablespoons jarred all-natural roasted green salsa
2 tablespoons fat-free Greek yogurt

Using a fork, poke the potato 5 times on all sides and place it in a microwave-safe bowl or dish. Cover the dish loosely with a paper towel. Microwave it on high for 3 minutes. Carefully flip the potato (it will be very hot) and continue microwaving for 2 to 4 minutes longer, or until cooked and tender.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the turkey and seasoning.

Place a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, lightly mist it with the olive oil spray. Cook the turkey for 3 to 4 minutes, or until no longer pink, breaking it into bite-size chunks as you do.

Cut an opening in the potato that stretches 1 inch from each end of the potato and deep enough to open the potato completely without cutting it in half. Put it in a medium shallow bowl. Stuff the potato with the fresh salsa, then the turkey, then the green salsa. Top it with the yogurt. Serve immediately.

Makes 1 serving for just about $4!

Per serving: 342 calories, 35 g protein, 47 g carbohydrates (13 g sugar), 2 g fat, trace saturated fat, 45 mg cholesterol, 8 g fiber, 304 mg sodium.
 

 

Family Wall Art

Check out my Facebook page, Designs for Moms, to get your custom 

family wall art print for only $7!  Customize your print with personal colors.

Digital file is also available for just $5