Sane Cooking ~ Pasta Fagioli

My Nanny was the greatest woman that I have ever known.  She was so direct and not withholding of any of her thoughts or opinions.  (I wish I were more like that.)

Even though she didn't think so, she was a great cook as well.  She liked to make what she called, "peasant food."  Italian dishes that don't cost a lot of money, but can fill you up and feed a lot of people.  One of my favorite dishes is pasta fagioli, which is essentially pasta with beans.  


This is one of those dishes that I like to make when I'm pressed for time or ideas.  Let's be honest, when it's 6 o'clock and I haven't even started thinking of what to make for dinner.  I keep the ingredients on hand for such cases.


Pasta Fagioli 
(a la Nanny)
 
Ingredients:

1 can cannolini beans (drained) 
1/2 can diced cut tomatoes
1/2 lb small pasta (I like Ditalini)
1-2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
2 TBL olive oil

Preparations:

Boil pasta according to the directions on the box.  Save some of the pasta water after straining.

Sauté garlic in olive oil.  Be careful not to let the garlic brown.  

Add the tomatoes and cook a few minutes in pan.  Then add the drained cannelini beans.  Cook for a few minutes longer to allow the beans to retain the flavor of the tomatoes and garlic.

Combine all ingredients in serving dish.  Top with some of the remaining pasta water.  

Serve with a drizzle of olive oil.  

Buon Apetito!




Alexis

Sane Cooking ~ Pasta with Chicken and Peppers

The other day for dinner, I defrosted some chicken breasts.  I wasn't sure what I was going to make, but I figured chicken was safe.  I started rummaging through the cabinets and fridge to find something, anything, to go with the chicken.  

I had some mini peppers.  They are sweet and really cute (I know that shouldn't matter, but it does).  I also found some shallots and rigatoni pasta.  Why not throw it all together? 

Here's what I came up with:



Pasta with Chicken and Peppers


Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
10-12 mini peppers (any color is fine)  
2 shallots
1 lb of pasta (I used Rigatoni)
4 TBL extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Preparation:
 
Place 2 TBL extra virgin olive oil in a pan.  Place chicken breasts, seasoned with salt & pepper, in pan and cook on both sides.  Put cooked chicken aside and let rest for about 5 mins.  

Prepare pasta according to directions on box.  Drain, saving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Wipe down pan.  Heat 2 TBL extra virgin olive oil in pan.  Sauté shallots and peppers until tender.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Pour the 1/2 cup of pasta water on top.  

Serve with grated parmesan cheese.  Buon Appetito!



What's your favorite "created" recipe that you have in your "bag of tricks?"

Alexis

BJs Wholesale Club ~ The Go-To Place For Back to School

Where did the summer go?  I'm not ready to leave "Summer Stay at Home Mom" routine to get back to the grind!!

With summer almost over, the back to school shopping season is upon us.   It's the time that the sales for pencils, crayons, and backpacks start showing up in the stores.  Did you know that I LOVE new school supplies?  A fresh notebook and cool pens are so fun!  I know I'm weird.


Having two school-aged boys in the house really takes a toll on my wallet at this time of the year.  They both need everything to get ready for school, so I try to save money and stay sane at every turn.  Not to mention being a teacher also hurts the wallet a bit because there are certain supplies that I need and want for the classroom. 

Crayons & pencils & pens, OH MY!

What better place to stock up on the supplies that we all need for school than BJs Wholesale Club?  BJs is a one-stop shopping destination for name brand, high-quality food and merchandise.  BJs has everything you need to cross off the items on your back to school list.  



Both boys need multiple pencils, folders and glue sticks.  Why not get it in bulk?  They also need tissue boxes, wipes and Ziplocs.  It's a no-brainer!

Everything we need to get ready for school lunches!

A pack of 3 bins?  Perfect for organizing my classroom!

You can't forget about school lunches.  BJs offers many of the lunch items that my kids love.  From sandwich items to snacks, I can get it all!  Check out this BJs Backstage Sandwich Palooza video on how to make-over your lunch using all items from BJs.  

Why didn't they have these when I went to college...so retro!

And don't even get me started on all the items for the college aged kids.  Wow!  They didn't have this cool stuff when I was leaving for college.  Maybe I should go back....

Don't forget to use the BJs coupons for extra savings!

Did you know that BJs is the only wholesale club to accept manufacturer's coupons?  That's one of the mains reason I joined.  Who doesn't love to save money?  You can also partner your manufacturer's coupons with BJs in house coupons as well.  OH YEAH!  Check out their coupon policy here.

And BJ’s offers discounts on gift cards.  Many of the major retailer $25 gift cards that they sell go for $23.99.  That’s right, you’re payling less than the value of the card.  Perfect gifts for your child's teachers....hint, hint!




If you like to save money & you’re not a BJ’s Wholesale Club member, you can get a free one day pass here and start shopping.




Disclaimer:  I was a guest blogger at a local BJs Wholesale Club for their Back to School promotion.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 Alexis

My Newest Meal Planner

So I was in my favorite store....Target (pronounced Tar-jay for the fancy folk).  I was wandering through one of my favorite sections...the dollar section.  


I'm always on the lookout for notepads that represent the next holiday or season.  I buy them as little gifts to show my kids' teachers appreciation.  As I was looking for Valentine notepads, I came across this one for myself:

You know I love making lists....and this one is no different!  I've already started my planning!!


How do you plan your weekly meals? 

Alexis

Staying Sane While Holiday Shopping

OH MY GOODNESS!!  It's 48 days until Christmas!  I haven't started shopping and I haven't even begun to make my list.  What's a girl to do?  

I absolutely LOVE to shop!!!  This time of year is my favorite time because it's an excuse to shop and my husband can't say no!!

I follow a few simple steps in order to move sanely through the holiday shopping time:


1)  Make a list.  Oh yeah, the lover of lists has a HUGE list for my holiday shopping!  I start with my easiest recipients:  the kids.  They are easy because they will explicitly tell me what they want.


2)  Set a spending limit.  I try ("try" being the operative word) not to go over a certain price limit per person. 


3)  Online shopping.  For some of my shopping, I go online.  Especially for those people who are hard to buy for.  
See Tech Savvy Mama's 7 Tips for Safe Online Shopping


4)  Slowly but surely.  Oh yeah, it helps win the race.  I try to do a little bit each week.  This way I'm not stuck shopping at the last minute.  (Can't stand the crowds...)


5)  Buy myself a little something.  YES I DO!  Just a little something.  How can you be surrounded by so many new things and not?  


How do you stay sane while holiday shopping?


Alexis

What Are You Wearing for Halloween?

I LOVE Halloween!!  I love the decorations, the make-believe, the haunted houses (even though they scare me), and I LOVE dressing up!!

When I was little, my mom made all of my costumes.  A witch, a lion, and Pebbles from The Flintstones...anything I ever wanted.

Now that I'm a mom of boys, they want very specific costumes and I can't really make them to their distinct possibilities.  My costume making skills are going to waste.

Luckily, my husband enjoys dressing up as much as I do.  That's where my creative juices get to go on Halloween.  Unluckily, he is the one with the ideas and he doesn't usually come up with anything until about a day before Halloween!  That only gives me 24 hours to pull together a costume!

Here are some of our costumes from past Halloweens...

Lucy and Ricky (2002)

Shrek and Fiona (2009)

Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl (2010)

I take our personal clothes and mix it with some magic to create our new personas!  Not to mention I always try to do something a little cruel to my husband....like wear make-up or tights!  He's a good sport, though!

This year, we are going to be Megamind and Minion....can't wait!  Pictures will follow soon!!

Happy Halloween!


Alexis

Some Things to Keep Me Sane....

If you can believe it, I am exhausted pretty much all of the time....
Just when I'm feeling overwhelmed and insane with all that is going on in my life, I look to some things to keep me sane....


1)  My computer.  I can lose myself on this thing....


2)  Guilty Pleasures.  I am obsessed with teenage drama TV.  I'm particularly fond of "Gossip Girl," "Vampire Diaries," and "Pretty Little Liars."  Yes, I'm aware that I am 30+ years old.....


3)  Real Housewives.  I know what you're thinking..."real?!"  But come on, it's awesome! New Jersey is my favorite! The craziness is the best part!  (I apologize to any fans, but the Miami cast is anything buy Miami....not to mention most of them don't even live here!)


4)  Starbucks Chai Lattes.  MMMMMMMM!


5)  Ice cream.  Yeah, I said it.


6)  SHOPPING!  They don't call it "retail therapy" for nothing!  I've asked my accountant if I can place this therapy under medical bills.  He wasn't amused.


What keeps you sane in this insane life?


For more ways to stay sane, check out Staying Sane With Housework.




Alexis