Crockpot Thai Chicken & Potatoes

A few weeks ago for dinner I experimented with the crockpot. I had some potatoes that I needed to use up and so I decided to put them in the crockpot with some chicken. I didn't want it to be boring chicken and potatoes though so I decided to give it a Thai twist. Since I was experimenting I wasn't really sure how it was going to turn out. Well, hubby ate it all up, said he loved it and that I should put it on my regular rotation. Then I told him I made it up. He didn't  believe me. Ok, so I can cook but coming up with my own recipes sometimes doesn't work out, this time it did. Thanks hubby for your faith in my recipe making up skills, ha ha.

Here are some ingredients you will need:

I love using Coconut milk. Since I love Thai & Indian food I almost always have a can of this in my pantry.

The color of this dish is so vibrant!

Thai Chicken & Potatoes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs of chicken. Use whatever you like. I used chicken breast because that is what I had but chicken thighs would be very moist in this!
5 red potatoes; chopped into 1 in bite size pieces
1 bottle of Peanut Satay Sauce
1 can of Coconut milk, lite (full fat is good too, but use lite if you want to cut calories)
1 T fresh minced ginger
3/4 t garlic powder
3/4 t onion powder
1/2 t turmeric
1/2 t curry powder
pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt & Pepper to taste
1/2 C sour cream
Parsley for garnish

Place potatoes on the bottom of the crock pot. Salt and pepper the potatoes generously. Don't be too shy with the salt, remember that you have to salt the chicken & potatoes. Then place chicken on top of potatoes. Salt & pepper your chicken. Mix together all spices, peanut sauce & coconut milk and pour over chicken & potatoes. Cook on low for 5-6 hrs or until potatoes are tender. The last 30 minutes add sour cream. Serve and garnish with parsley on top.

ENJOY!

XOXO,
Whitney

New

The Kate Spade outlet supplied with two new rings. I'm as happy as a calm to be wearing these kate spade rings.

SnapChat. The newest phone App craze at BYU. I'm on the fence with this app. You snap a photo send it to your friend but before sending you deciding how long you're friend can view that picture before it is gone forever. Pick 5 seconds and bam 5 seconds and they can no longer see it. Kinda lame but its the newest craze since DrawSomething so I'll try it for a day, and never use it again.

And my favorite newest news... is that this cute girl can say my name now, and not only can she say it she knows who colie is. Me! Whitney texted me and let me know that last night on their way home from my house that she said "where colie go." She melts my heart and is the sweetest thing. 

nicole 

Easy Re-Do: Magnet/Chalk Board

For a while now I have really wanted to put up a chalkboard in my home. I see so many cute ideas on Pinterest with how I could use it. I thought it would be a cute way to make a grocery list, tell someone you love them, announce the weekly dinner menu, {when the time cames} take weekly pregnancy pictures, etc, etc. Nicole and I also wanted to make a Summer Bucket List, write it on a chalkboard and each time we completed a list item we would cross it off. So of course we went searching to make our own chalkboard. Our efforts were unsuccessful. Until one evening I was down in my basement looking for some pictures to hang up on my walls when I came across this lovely magnet board:

My mom gave this magnet board to me about 4 years ago. All I needed to do to it was paint it. Well, 4 years later and here it still sits. (Sorry Mom) But once I saw this I just knew that it was the perfect size that I wanted my chalkboard to be. So that is when I decided to re-do this magnet board and turn it into a chalkboard. So I bought some white paint and painted the frame.

I took the metal piece and sanded it down just to give it a smoother texture and so that the chalkboard paint would stick better. Well, actually, the hubby sanded it for me, using a 220 grit. After sanding it I used a tack cloth to remove all dust. Then I sprayed the metal piece. The chalkboard requires two coats of paint and to paint in opposite directions each time. So I started by spraying it horizontally, then for the second coat I sprayed vertically.

I let it dry for a day or two before putting it back in its frame.

I am so giddy with how it turned out. I absolutely cannot wait to use it. This was by far one of the simplest projects I have ever done. Plus it is multi-functional. It can be used as a chalkboard now but it can still also be used as a magnet board. THANKS MOM for giving this to me 4 years ago, it just took me this long to finally figure out what I wanted to do with it and now I'm in love with it. Mom's always know best!

XOXO,
Whitney

Memorial

Today we bought flowers, and went to my great grandparents grave to celebrate memorial day. Salt Lake Cemetery is quite big and nice to visit. We had a good day.

nicole

Homemade Red Velvet Cake Icecream

Ever since my hubby gave me my Cuisinart Icecream & Sorbet maker I have not purchased any store bought icecream. I now make all my own icecream because let's face it, once you go homemade you just can't go back to store bought. It's not the same, at all. My hubby is now spoiled with homemade icecream. He sure knows how to give gifts well, it was not only something I love but it also benefits him in a yummy way.
Have you seen the commercials for the new Blue Bunny "Duff" inspired Red Velvet Cake icecream?

When I saw this commercial I was literally salivating. Red Velvet icecream with cream cheese icecream swirls? I have never heard of such a thing but it sounded amazing and I wanted to try and make my own. I found a cake batter recipe and just substituted yellow cake mix with Red Velvet Cake mix. Then for the cream cheese icecream I found a decadent recipe. I decided not to swirl them together in fear that they might just get muddled up. So I left the two icecreams separate but then serve them side by side. I can't believe how much it tastes like I'm eating Red Velvet Cake with Cream cheese icing...only it's icecream, not cake! Which makes it that much better!!

Hope you are all enjoying your Memorial Day weekend!

XOXO,
Whitney

Here are the recipes!

Red Velvet Icecream
Adapted from Cake Batter Icecream recipe from Kitchy Kitchen

1/2 cup Red Velvet Cake mix
3/4 cup sugar

Pinch of salt
3 egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups milk

Over medium heat, bring 1 cup of heavy cream, sugar, salt, and cake mix to a simmer. Separately, beat the egg yolks lightly in a medium sized bowl. Add a 1/4 cup of the simmered cream mixture to the egg yolks and mix. This is to temper the eggs and prevent them from curdling when added to the whole mixture. Add a bit more and mix, then add the entire egg mixture to the simmered cream. Stir with a whisk until the mixture forms a thin custard, about 5 to 10 minutes (or it reaches about 175 on a thermometer). Take off heat and add the remaining milk and heavy cream. Stir, then chill in the fridge.

Once the mixture is completely chilled, add the mixture to your ice cream machine and chill accordingly.

Cream Cheese Icecream

Recipe courtesy of Epicurous

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup milk

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

3/4 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup heavy cream

Blend cream cheese, milk, lemon juice, sugar, and salt in a blender until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, then stir in cream. Freeze cream cheese mixture in ice cream maker. Transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, at least 2 hours. Let ice cream soften 5 minutes before serving

sytycd

I was more than thrilled to be able to watch sytycd dance thursday night. It is by far my favorite tv show. And Dare I say my favorite time of year. I took notes last night and I'm going o share my thoughts and feelings about the competition as it goes on.

First hour I felt like had way more crappy dancer that they showed than good. So with that being said let me begin.

New York
Amelia Lowe- first performer of the day. I feel like she was good and fun but that the judges loved her more than I did. Tyce obviously was a fan which doesn't surprise me. She could do well on the show.
Shafeek- Phillie street performer. That was sick, loved his music, his moves, and choreography. Super strong. I think he will be one to watch.
Leo Rayes- great dancer, and some swag. one to watch as well.
Chenon Tschoop- the last performer of the day. Okay he was sick, and amazing. I can't wait to watch him in Vegas.

Dallas
Stefan- purple shirt gray pants.. super creepy faces they kept showing throughout the show. He was really entertaining, just didn't think he should have gone through to Vegas. I would have sent him to choreography but whatever
Hampton Williams- exorcist dancer. Creepily amazing, every millisecond! Straight to Vegas kind of performance.
Daniel- Ballet dancer. Pretty much had me at ballet dancer. Really Amazing. He can jump so high.
Jarell Rochelle-Suspenders. He is such a fun dancer to watch. One of my favorites so far. I feel like he would do well in all styles.
Can't Wait Till Next Week!!!!

nicole

Last Things Thursday

It's THURSDAY. Which also means it's time for me to link up and do a LAST THINGS post! Yippee!

 

 

The Last Thing I:

Bought for someone as a gift:

Monday it was my friend/running partner's birthday. She is always doing something thoughtful for me so I decided to get her an adorable Sweaty Bands head band. Oh my gosh. Have you seen these? I WANT one so bad. I had to refrain from buying one for myself. They are so cute and hey, who doesn't want to look stylish while they are out running?

Cried About:

 

Well, there was this thing last weekend.. OH YA. I ran a marathon. I knew I was going to cry during the marathon, it was just a matter of when. I really only teared up 3 times. That's good right? First when I saw some spectators, second when I saw my uncle at mile 25 cheering me on and last when I saw my family at the Finish Line.

Made for Dinner:

Last night I made Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches in the Crockpot. So simple. Definitely one of my hubby's favorite. I love cooking in the crockpot because I can usually just throw everything in and know that it is going to turn into something delicious.

Got Excited About:

Can I name two things?? First of all, don't judge. I know I am a 25 year old momma but yesterday I heard on the radio that Justin Bieber will be coming to Salt Lake. So it doesn't necessarily mean that I am going to get tickets and go but I might, because how fun would that be? If you think I'm crazy watch Never Say Never and then you'll like Justin Bieber just a little.

And the other thing I'm excited about?? My most favorite TV show of all time starts up again tonight. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. In love with this show.

Hope you are all having a fantastic Thursday!

XOXO,

Whitney

My face went red

First let me define two terms for everyone.
date/dating- you go on several dates but are not boyfriend or girlfriend nor are you exclusive.
Relationship- you are exclusively dating one person, and are boyfriend or girlfriend with that one person.

This is what my I looked like, but with better hair, obviously.

This is what I wanted to do.

Now onto the story. I used to date this one kid. We "dated" (refer to definition above) for probably about, I'd say 7 months. We are not dating anymore. Lucky me I ran into him, and when I say ran into I mean I had to be in the same building with him for an hour. We didn't have any nasty breakup because we weren't ever official but we just suddenly stopped talking. I'm completely fine with it and don't really care.... The only problem with a run in is that I tend to go bright red anytime I am in situations like these as well as many others. The problem I have with turning red is that it comes across as embarrassed, and even if I am.. I don't want people to know that. I mean who would! I just would rather not see people. sorry, not sorry.
Anyways when I ran into him yesterday, yep you guessed it I went bright red. I had been thinking about it all day and I thought I'd be so nervous that I'd for sure go red in he face. Which therefore gave me more anxiety because blushing would make him think I sill care, and I don't. Well the anxiety built and like I said I turned red. Well awesome nicole way to play hard to get and the I don't care card. He had to have known how awkward and uncomfortable I felt by just looking at me even though I was in fact talking quite cool and calm to him. So in the end my dang face let me down. No matter what I do I just turn red and blush so easily.
How do I make it stop, Anyone? Does anyone else ever turn red? How do you make it stop? I mean I did consider standing out in he sun and giving my face a sunburn to be red, but I decided against it. So how do I stop this problem. I mean for goodness sake I then saw his dad this morning... and there isn't any reason to wonder what happened then, of course I turned red! What is the secret! Because I need it quick.


nicole

26.2

I cannot believe that my marathon has already come and gone. I registered for it back in November and had 6 months to prepare which felt like a lifetime. I was already running quite a bit before but I followed an 18 week training schedule to help keep me on track. All last week I was nervous as can be. I tried to keep myself busy by running errands, working on a bunch of DIY projects, and baking! When Friday (Marathon Eve) came, I could not distract myself. I could hardly eat lunch and had to force myself to eat dinner because I knew I needed the carbs and protein. The marathon was up in Ogden, UT. I live about an hour and a half a way and there was NO way I was wanting to get up that early and drive that far. Conveniently my Aunt who lives about 15-20 minutes away was also running the marathon with me and she lovingly let me stay the night at her house. (I blame her for making me sign up in the first place!!) I was worried about not being able to sleep because let's be honest I NEVER sleep before races, even when I do half marathons that I feel comfortable doing. My nerves and anxiety just keep me up all night. Luckily I took a 1/2 of a sleepy pill {best decision ever} so that I was able to get some sleep. We woke up at 4am, got ready and headed up to the buses. We stood in line waiting to load the buses and nervously made friends with two older men/seasoned runners. I think the worst part was waiting. I just wanted to start already and get it over with. Once we got up to the top of the canyon the sun was already starting to rise. It was absolutely gorgeous. I was so glad to get going. I absolutely thought that the first 13.1 was going to be a breeze. It wasn't. My knee starting bothering me around mile 3 which was so odd because I never have problems with my knee but I just had to push through the pain. At miles 14-16 there was a pretty good uphill section that was killer. Just when you are really starting to get tired you have to run uphill!! The rest was pretty much downhill, which you think is going to be easy but it really isn't. You have to control yourself and you are using different muscles. At mile 19 I was ready to be done, I tried to occupy myself with the beautiful scenery but my tired legs were screaming at me. Then mile 22 came and I started seeing more and more spectators. Every time I saw some spectators it would give me a little boost to keep going. I also might have teared up a little when I saw people cheering me on. I knew the end was near and people rooting for me was just what I needed. I saw my Uncle at mile 25, he encouraged me to keep going and I got another push to keep going. JUST KEEP RUNNING!!! When I started coming down the main street in Ogden I knew I only had about 1/2 mile to go and I could see the finish line. Just as I was about to cross the finish line I saw my amazing family cheering me on, holding up posters. It honestly means so much to me to have had that support. I am not sure they understand how much I needed that. While I was running I had to keep telling myself I could do it and was fighting the voice in my head that was telling me "You cant't do it, Just quit, this is TOO hard." To see my family there supporting my craziness really meant the world to me. Once I finished I walked through the runners station then found a shady tree and practically fell down onto the ground to rest and wait for my family to come find me. I SWORE up and down that I would NEVER EVER EVER do a full marathon again. My stomach was killing me and my legs were so tired. WHY would I ever want to put myself through that misery again? I have heard everyone says that after they finish their first marathon. It really was the hardest thing I have ever done and now I know that I CAN DO HARD THINGS. I am so glad it's over and for now I will just stick to my half marathons. It was a great experience overall. You really learn alot about yourself, how to persevere and just keep going.

My cute little cheerleaders

The Finish Line

Just about to cross the finish line

 26.2. DONE&DONE. Thanks for the poster Nicole! Ha ha.

XOXO,
Whitney

Chalk

For f.h.e tonight we headed down to main street to see all the Chalk Art that had been done over the weekend. My favorite was the avengers, thor looked just like thor... shocking I know. Anyways we walked the streets and enjoyed the lovely art. Good f.h.e in my book. It's definitely a personal goal of mine to become an amazing chalk artist, put it on the summer list.. done and done.

nicole

Support

We came out today to support Whitney in her marathon! We made some awesome posters and gave her tons of support so we are basically the best family around. Congrats Whitney you did it, and we are so proud of you!!!! 26.2, you are an animal... in a good way.

nicole

35 hours

In approximately 35 hours (give or take a few minutes) my Marathon begins. Yep, I'm officially freaking out a little bit. I have been training for so long and know that I am prepared but I guess I am getting cold feet. I just have to keep thinking positively. I can't believe it is here already.

I THINK KNOW I CAN DO THIS. Since I needed a little positivity and motivation I found a few quotes to keep me going and laughing too:

On Saturday I am sure I will feel this way:

And then I will join the:

Wish me luck. Oh and to all my family/friends, I could use all the support I can get. So if you are free on Saturday please cheer me on! Here is the marathon info.

XOXO,
Whitney

Tray {DIY}

This is kind of a DIY post but it wasn't really difficult nor did it take much effort. I found this tray in my grandmas basement, she was going to throw it out. I stopped her from doing such an awful thing. It was all the color of the bottom as shown below { I forgot to take before pics because I got so excited to start on it... sorry}

I sanded the tray down the tray at first with medium course sand paper. Then I painted on my first layer of paint. With the first coat of paint comes lots of unevenness and not perfection. Don't worry though. I let the paint dry. And next I sanded the one coat painted serving tray with very fine sand paper. Then I painted it again and this time the paint went on smoothly. I was liking where it was at, but I've heard that you at least want to paint with three coats. So I let that layer of paint dry. After it was dry I took the fine sandpaper to the tray yet again. As a side note you don't want to sand off all the paint with the fine sand paper. I just sanded the tray so that it was smooth. Anyways I then added my third layer of paint and I love how it turned out. It has been great for pictures and serving! Love this find from grandmas house.


nicole

Cookies & Cream Cup[cheese]cakes {Martha Stewart Recipe}

So what do I do when I am trying to fill my time and deny the fact that my marathon is in 4 days? I bake! This weekend for Mother's day I was in charge of bringing salad & cookies to our family get together. Well, I love cookies and all but I wanted to do something different and a little more fancy if you will. So I made these Cookies & Cream mini cheesecakes. Thank you Martha Stewart! These are delicious, creamy and filled with America's Favorite Cookie: The OREO! Such a simple recipe. Instead of making a crust for each cupcake you just place an oreo cookie at the bottom of each cake.

You can WOW your guests and make them think you spent hours and hours making these when really they are a cinch. {Thats our little secret though}

XOXO,
Whitney

Cookies & Cream Cheesecake Cupcakes
Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Makes 30

Ingredients:
42 cream-filled sandwich cookies, such as Oreos, 30 left whole, and 12 coarsely chopped
2 pounds cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
Pinch of salt


1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Place 1 whole cookie in the bottom of each lined cup.

2. With an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat cream cheese until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Gradually add sugar, and beat until combined. Beat in vanilla.

3. Drizzle in eggs, a bit at a time, beating to combine and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in sour cream and salt. Stir in chopped cookies by hand.

4. Divide batter evenly among cookie-lined cups, filling each almost to the top. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until filling is set, about 22 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Refrigerate at least 4 hours (or up to overnight). Remove from tins just before serving.