Our Go-To Meals

So most people who know me, know I'm no whiz in the kitchen.

Let me preface this post with the fact that just the other night I burnt eggs. Eggs.

Ok, so I should probably tell you that the eggs I burnt? They were hard boiled. Have you ever burned hard boiled eggs? Me neither...well, until that night.  I actually didn't know it was possible.

We were sitting down to dinner so I threw in some eggs to hard boil for breakfast the rest of the week. Of course water was spattering all over (remember this, it isn't a first-time occurrence) and Nick was b*tching at me telling me sternly that I was going to ruin the stove top and I wasn't listening. Then we finished dinner and all went outside to work on Cruz's hitting (baseball, not actual hitting), then came back into the house, Cruz & I colored a page in his new coloring book, put on PJs/got ready for bed, went downstairs to get some books to read before bed, read three books in his teepee  AND THEN I heard a pop...and another. I had no idea what it was.

Then it clicked. I hadn't taken the eggs - that I started at dinner time roughly 1 1/2 hours ago - off the stove. I walk over, there was no water, eggs exploded everywhere, and they were completely burnt brown on the bottom.

See, I burnt eggs.

It's no wonder Nick always tells me I could "eff up a lettuce sandwich," because it's true. Obviously.

Anyway, if my utter and complete failure in the kitchen trying to boil eggs isn't something that attracts you to read a post about my fave recipes, then I don't know what will. Am I right?

The following are staples in our household for our weekly breakfasts, lunches and dinners. In that order...

And Cruz is the absolute best helper in the kitchen and always wants to be in there when I am - which isn't often - but if I have to be in there, it's nice to have the company.


Breakfast Smoothies

Ingredients:

• Handful frozen Peaches
• Handful frozen Blueberries
• Handful frozen Pineapple
• Handful spinach leaves
• 1 or 2 fresh Bananas
• Cup of Orange Juice - we use Simply Orange Pulp-Free
• 1/2 cup Oikos Vanilla Greek Yogurt (or however many spoonfuls Cruz tosses in)
• Scoop V-Core Vantage Orange Creamsicle Protein Powder (it's Nick's & it's delicious)
• Ice

Throw all of the ingredients in the blender, blend until a smooth consistency, serve in your cutest smoothie jug.

We would generally include strawberries, except the Boss - aka Cruz - is allergic, so I only throw them in if I make separate batches.

John Deere Camo PJs (here)

Crock Pot Chicken
Ingredients:

• Three large, boneless chicken breasts - we use Smart Chicken
• One packet Ortega low sodium taco seasoning
• One jar of salsa - we use World Classics Corn & Black Bean Salsa (delish!)

Throw the defrosted chicken breasts into your crock pot, cover with salsa and taco seasoning packet. Stir taco seasoning and salsa together, then make sure the chicken is covered with salsa/seasoning mixture. Cook on low heat for 6 hours - give or take. You can stir randomly throughout, but it's not necessary. After six hours, the chicken will start to shred. Put contents of crock pot into a strainer to get rid of the juice and voila. Chicken for daaaays.

We use this shredded chicken many ways.

• On top of a bed of rice or quinoa
• Over salads
• Inside quesadillas, tacos, & burritos 
• Or eat by itself (I generally just throw it into a tupperware container and take to work)

It's literally so easy and so delicious.


Sam Sam's Chicken, Red Onions & Rice
Ingredients:

• Three large, boneless chicken breasts - we use Smart Chicken
• Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Sauce - you could use a teriyaki of your choice
• 1/2 of a medium red onion, sliced (we prefer bigger chunks, but you could dice it)
• 3 cups rice of choice - we use Uncle Ben's Brown & Wild Rice

Defrost the chicken breasts and cut into chunks. Cut your onion. Heat the wok to medium and toss in the chicken and onions, top with the sauce (don't go crazy with it) and stir until chicken is fully cooked through. Cook the rice according to the directions, top the rice with your chicken & onions. Serve and enjoy!

We eat this roughly three times a week. It's so good. We also add other veggies sometimes, just steam them in the wok in the same sauce we use on the chicken (not while you are cooking the chicken), but I really prefer just the onions.


Side Note: The other day I was at Cruz's school and his teachers must've asked the kids their favorite food - I saw a bunch of pizzas, chicken nuggets, and candy written next to the other kid's names - and then there was Cruz's response. "Chicken and Rice." Don't get me wrong, he loves all that other stuff but he really loves chicken and rice.

So this is a look into the Mango's weekly breakfast, lunch and dinner staples. What are some of your go-tos? And, just to clear things up, I only cook what's easy and quick, so no multiple step recipes please. =)


Fortunately this guy has always loved my cooking.  I mean, if that isn't a convincing face, I don't know what is...

Make My Day Bib (here) // Bumbo w/ tray (here)
Both are major faves of ours and guaranteed gifts to friends expecting babies

Linking up with Ashley and Jess.