Spinach Mac & Cheese Casserole

Its the very last day of March and we will say farewell to the "What's For Dinner?" series. Tomorrow will bring a new series and the winner the Heroes of the City giveaway. I am so excited for all that "new"!!! I do have to apologize that there is no Bento today. The kids ended up not having "baby school" and things slipped away from me. However, I do have one last dinner to share... so enjoy!

Spinach Mac & Cheese Casserole 

Ingredients

• 1 can of spinach
• 2 boxes of mac and cheese
• milk & butter (to make mac and cheese)
• handful of crackers
• 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese

This is another simple recipe! First, boil mac and cheese as directed. While its cooking, drain the spinach. After draining, pour into a large bowl and set aside. Take crackers and put inside a plastic bag and crush. Pour into a small bowl and add Parmesan to crackers and set aside.

After noodles are finished, strain and pour into the large bowl with the spinach. I often like to use sour cream to replace milk. Remember, you will need a lot less milk because of the spinach.

Mix everything (including cheese packets) well. and pour into a casserole dish. Sprinkle with cracker mixture and place into oven for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

As you can see, my son gave me some lovely "flowers" to thank me for cooking dinner!

Through Benny's Eyes

Something very interesting occurs when you give a three year old a camera! The other day I let my fear be overtaken and allowed my son to use my camera. He instantly fell in love and began taking pictures of his very messy play room. (Which he just finished destroying!) He took pictures of the ceiling, toys, his brother, me... he had a blast! Over the past few days I've let him get a hold of it a few more times as well, just to see what comes of it.

Today I figured I would share a few of my favorites. It will be kind of cool to see through Benny's eyes! I have spent some time to lovingly name a few.

My brother

"I cant reach that"

Gold Doubloons

The Ba-ba

Mommy

My Beautiful Mess

The Hulk Hand

Batman

Shepherd's Pie Burgers

Shepherd's Pie Burgers, basically what is sounds like-it is. Shepherd's pie, made with a burger instead of ground beef. It was a popular dinner at my house so I figured I would share!

As many of you already know, I like to hide some extra veggies where I can with my cooking. My husband is not the biggest veggie eater, so its more for him than my children!

You will see how I used this technique in this meal especially!

Shepherd's Pie Burgers

Ingredients

• 4 cooked burgers
• 1 bag of mixed frozen veggies (or just peas would work)
• boxed mashed potatoes
• a handful of baby carrots (or one large carrot)
• sour cream
• milk and butter (for mashed potatoes)
• bacon/bacon bits

As I mentioned in the ingredients list, you must start with cooked burgers. I cooked these specifically for dinner, but it would be a good use for leftovers. Place them on a baking sheet. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

First, shred carrots. Make 6 servings of mashed potatoes, replacing a 1/4 of the milk for sour cream. It gives it a creamy, delicious flavor. Stir in the shredded carrots. Not only does this give it some color, it adds to the veggie intake!

Next, put a large spoonful of potatoes on each burger and press down the middle with a spoon. This should leave a little "bowl" in the middle of the potatoes.

Add veggies to the "bowl" and cover with more mashed potatoes.

After your burgers are covered, sprinkle them with bacon and place into the oven. Bake for 10-20 minutes until golden.

This is bested served with all the left over veggies you have from filling them! *wink*
It ended up being a hit at my house, which is always a pleasant surprise!

Two for Spring

So happy its spring! I made my sons' Bentos springy themed (although its not going to be very springy here tomorrow). I stuck with light colors. Fruits and veggies galore and simple finger foods. The boys both loved lunch. It would have been perfect for a picnic had it actually been spring like. haha!

I also had a Pampered Chef Party this evening. It was fun and I will have a recipe of my own creations to share at some point. So, keep on reading!

How was your Monday?

"The Chicken"

Without a better name for what I created today, I have labeled it "The Chicken" due to the fact it is so versatile. This shredded chicken dish can be used on toast, rice, salad, even as a sandwich. It is just that versatile! Since it was made in a crock pot, it was easy too!

"The Chicken"

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup of vinaigrette or Italian dressing
• 1 sliced pepper
• 1 bag of fresh mixed carrots and broccolli
• 1 can of Italian diced tomatoes
• 3 boneless chicken breasts, from frozen is fine.

In the morning place chicken, vinaigrette, and fresh broccoli and carrots in the crock pot on low.Stir so that the dressing covers everything. Add a little extra water or dressing if it seems dry.


Later that day use a fork to shred the chicken. An hour before serving stir in the can of tomatoes and the peppers. When ready to serve, stir once more.

See, easy!

I made some extra crunchy, baked and buttered toast to go with it. I also tried it on my salad, both delicious.

Happy St. Patty's Day

Another Monday has come and gone! Sadly, both my children and I didn't have work/school today, so I only have one bento to share. Even still, at least its something! I hope you all had a wonderful day. I really love St. Patrick's day. Its the only holiday I know that celebrates a missionary with drinking and bagpipes. haha. No, really. I think its just so neat that a missionary did so much for the Lord that he has a holiday around the world!

Heroes of the City Giveaway

As I promised, I am ending this week right! My sons and I have had the awesome opportunity to test and enjoy these Heroes of the City products, prior to the giveaway. Before I get to the giveaway information, I would love to share a little more about it and our experience so far.

First, let me share a little bit about it in general.

"Heroes of the City is a television cartoon about rescue vehicles in a small town where everybody gets to be a hero!
Follow the fantastically exciting adventures along with friends in town.  Meet Pauli Police Car and Fiona Fire Engine as they help the townspeople find thieves, put out fires, and solve one of the many mysteries that happen in the otherwise quiet town. You will also get to know Calamity Crow, the most misunderstood bird in town.
Emphasizing friendship, Heroes of the City contains a great deal of warmth and what may be accomplished by helping each other. The cartoon is primarily targeted at children age 3 – 7."

If you would like even more information you can check out their website here. You can also learn more via

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeroesOfTheCity 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeroesOfTheCity 

Now, off to some fun and a few reviews!

Heroes of the City App

This fun little interactive app has just about everything in it! It has both movies and games. The age range was just right for my oldest who is three. It would be a good fit for kids ranging from 2 or 3 to 6. There a just a few games that were still a bit challenging for my little guy. He loved watching the episodes right on the ipad as well! You can download a free version below, or pick up the additions or full app as well!

Availableto download for free here:
Apple device:  https://itunes.apple.com/app/heroes-of-the-city-movie-app/id602592310
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rutaett.HeroesMovie&hl=en

 

stock photo

 Heroes of the City Show

My son was glued from the second I put it in the DVD player. The animation is cute and its absolutely appropriate for preschoolers. Its definitely based on kindness and friendship, all skills they are learning at that age. The episodes are not lengthy, so they are perfect for a preschooler's short attention span. However, my son watched 3 or 4 before moving on to other things. (Which say he really enjoyed it!)

Heroes of the City Book and Toys

It was just so much fun to have a few of the extra items with the movie and app. My son enjoyed looking at the colorful pictures. He made me read it to him during bedtime reading. The book and toys are well made a sturdy, perfect for little boys!

I have to give a big thanks to them for letting my family try the products for free. We have really enjoyed them and I know we will continue to do so.

Would you like to try the products with your youngsters?

Well, first I would recommend downloading the app, next I suggest entering my giveaway and you can get everything above.

The have kindly offered one set for for one of my lucky readers to try! Entering is SIMPLE!

1. Follow my blog!
2. Like me on Facebook
3. Like Heroes of the City on Facebook
4. Comment below that you did all 3 and you are entered!

Thats all it takes! This giveaway will end March 31, 2014, so please share it! 

Chicken and Dumpling Turnovers & Broccoli Casserole

This one came completely out of my head, so my ingredient measurements are estimated. This is probably the dinner I'm most proud of this month!

Chicken and Dumpling Turnovers

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups of flour
• .5 cup of butter or margrine
• 1/3 cup of milk
• tablespoon of olive oil
• cream of chicken soup
• can of chicken breast
• 1 cup of shredded cheese
• season to taste ( I used basil and oregano, onion powder, and salt)

1. Preheat oven to 375. Mix flour, butter, milk, and seasoning in a bowl. As if firms kneed with hands, adding olive oil until the dough can be rolled.

2. In a bowl mix cream of chicken soup, chicken, and shredded cheese.

3. Roll the dough into 2 inch balls and flatten into larger circles.

 4. Place a spoonful of the chicken mixture onto each one and fold over.

5. Push down the edges of the turnovers with a fork.

6. Bake in oven for 10-14 minutes until bread begins to golden.

Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients

• Leftover mixture from the turnovers
• bag of frozen broccoli
• 1tablespoon of butter or margrine
• breadcrumbs

Mix the broccoli and chicken mixture and place in casserole dish. Lightly cover with breadcrumbs and drizzle with butter. Bake.

 Enjoy!