Its Been A While....

Wow I can't believe its already September. This year has been a crazy world wind and I haven't accomplished many of my goals. I will give you a recap of the year so far.

- Bought my dream Car
- Moved to my own place
- Officially have been working as a nurse for a year
- and mostly recently adopted my new baby kitten Oliver

My weight loss hasn't really happened and my mental health it just all depends on the day.

Career wise - besides finishing up my first year. I am currently looking for more advanced positions to further my career.

I feel very rambly tonight so excuse that. Having a mentally crappy evening.

Now that I have moved I don't do much but work, shop and hang out at home. I still haven't finished unpacking and setting up. I need to get working on that to feel more at home here. I have been reading more which is great for me because I really enjoy it. I have a whole stack of books to read.

I need to get back into meal planning and actually eating what I cook. I keep shopping and buying things to cook and just not doing it.

Hmm.....What else... OH I thought I was finally starting to make a friend at work but she is now getting married and changing jobs so guess I really will not be seeing her anymore. But, its my life and I will just move on.

I am really wanting to write more just for myself honestly but if anyone wants to read welcome and leave any topics you want talked about in the comments.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

2015 Making it a Great Year.

Well 2014 has come and gone and what a crazy year it was. I graduated nursing school, passed the nclex, and began my first job as a registered nurse. I often think back to everything that has come of this last year and feel its all been a dream. Not being in school right now is still so unreal to me. I rang in the New Year at work surrounded by some amazing people and I am looking forward to what this year has to hold.

     So now on to 2015 I don't want to make resolutions as they are just something to be broken but I have made myself some goals for the new year.

My first goal is for my health. I want to continue working on my weightloss and getting back into the gym on a regular basis. I am going to give lower carb a shot for the time being.

My second goal is in organization. This one takes on multiple pieces. So part one is getting better at meal planning and prepping which will start this weekend I hope and I planning on writing about it. The second part is organization in my life so my plan is to spend at least an hour or two each week accomplishing a task around the house and getting rid of clutter. The third piece is organization in my time. Since begin on nightshift I often find myself watching TV rather than accomplishing the things I need to do so I purchased a new planner so I can keep up with what I need to do. The final piece of this goal is for this blog I want to hopefully blog once a week whether it be an update, meal planning, or a recipe(I am always up for new ideas as well).

My third goal for 2015 is focus. I want to focus on advancing my career. This also comes in 2 parts. Step 1 is to take classes offered by my hospital and part 2 is to begin doing overtime so that I can cross train in other areas.

My last major goal for 2015 is happiness. I focus so much on the negative in my life and I need to change. No one is going to make me happy I need to do that for myself. I need to put myself out there more and focus on making new friends and finding new hobbies.

Another kind of more fun plan for 2015 is to buy a new car!!!!

I hope you all continue to follow me along this journey. Remember to find me on Instagram if you want to see me post more frequently.

            Happy New Years,
                  Jenny

Love With Food Box November 2014

Yesterday I received my first love with food box. I am very excited to try all these new snacks and treats. 

A little about Love with food they are all natural or organic snacks delivered to your door each month (10 dollars for the box pictured considered a tasting box). When you purchase a box they donate a meal to a hungry child in the U.S. If you find a snack you love you can order it from their website. 

The products I received this month:

- Dried mini figs by fruit bliss 

- 2 - milk chocolate peanut clusters by Jers Chocolate (heavenly btw)

- All purpose seasoning salt by Whole Spice 

- Midnight soft baked biscotti by Marlo's 

- 2 truffles by Guylan 

- States and Capitals educational snacks by Dick and Jane Baking Company

- Laiki red rice chips by Grains of Health 

- Cinnful sweet heat tortilla chips by Chipz Happen

- then for non food items a 25 dollar gift card to Le Tote and an EveryDay by Rachel Ray little magazine. 

I am planning on using most of these snack size portioned items for work. I love that this box gives me a variety of new items that are more natural than most snack items I purchase in stores. 

Now since I love ya'll so much I am including a link for you all to get a free box!!!! You cancel easily after you get your box if you would like. Let me know if you guys try it.

                                            http://lovewithfood.com/invite?m=r&ref=25Yi 

                                                                                                   Jenny 

Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

Ingredients: 

- Sauce 

1 stick melted butter or margarine 

1 tablespoon mustard (from the good old yellow stuff to fancy mustard)

1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon dry onion soup mix 

1 tablespoon sesame or poppy seeds

-For the Sandwich 

1 pack sweet rolls 

1/2 pound deli ham

1 package sliced cheese of your choice I used provolone 

Cooking spray 

Let's get cooking:

1) Preheat your oven to 325 degrees 

2) Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray and slice the rolls in half sandwich wise while still leaving them connected. 

3) Place the bottoms of the rolls in to the baking dish. Layer the ham, cheese, and half the sauce on top. 

4) Place the top of the rolls on top and drizzle on the rest of the sauce. I know it looks like its to much but I promise all will be ok

5) Place them in the oven for 15 mins or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown. All the sandwiches to rest for a few mins before slicing around each roll. 

These can be eaten hot or cold and are even more delicious left over. 

Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake

Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake 

serves 4-6

Ingredients:

• Olive Oil 
• 1 Medium diced onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
• 1 1/2 cups diced tomato 
• 1 jar of Pasta sauce 
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 box of pasta cooked according to package directions
• 1 cup of shredded Italian cheese
• Salt and Pepper (Italian seasoning if you choose)
• Fresh basil 

Let’s get cooking:

• Start by sautéing the diced onion in a small amount of olive oil over medium heat  
  
                                                                                
• Once the onion starts becoming translucent add in your minded garlic  
  
• Next add in the diced tomato and continue to sauté for just a few mins 
  
• Once the tomatoes start to soften add in your pasta sauce and ricotta cheese and stir stir stir to make sure it is all incorporated together (I taste and season at this point) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
• After your sauce is completely incorporated add in your cooked pasta and minced basil 
  
• Pour into a greased baking dish and top with shredded cheese 
  
• Bake in a 350 degree ovens until it is bubbly and the cheese is melted 10-20 mins. 
  
  
  
  ENJOY!!!!!
  
  
  
  

Pizza Pasta

Pizza Pasta

Makes 4-6 servings 

Ingredients:

-         Pasta of your choosing (I used ½ box whole wheat rotini) cooked according to box directions

-         1 tsp olive oil

-         1 medium onion diced

-         1 tomato diced

-         1 Jar pasta sauce

-         2 tablespoons fresh basil

-         Sliced pepperoni (I used about 30 pepperoni total)

-         1 cup shredded mozzarella

-         Salt and pepper

Let’s get cooking

-         Pre heat your oven to 350

-         Heat up a skillet with your olive oil over medium heat

-         Add your onions and sauté  until soft then throw in your tomatoes and toss together       

-          Stir in your pasta sauce, chopped basil, cooked pasta, and quartered pepperoni into the onion and tomato mixture. Season with salt and pepperoni to taste                                    

-         Pour into a baking dish and top with shredded cheese and whole pepperoni                    

-         Place in the oven till the cheese is melted and bubbly 10-20 mins.