What's cooking . . .

If I haven't said so already, have your friends set up takethemameal.com. It was awesome! The meals came for about 3 1/2 weeks after Baby B was born. It was incredible helpful to not worry about cooking and not ordering out every night.

Now the meals have stopped (insert tear drop and pout face here). I LOVE cooking and baking, but figuring out the right time to do it can be challenging, as Baby B isn't exactly on a schedule. I have, however, started my meal planning again. This stops us from eating out during the week for lunch or dinner. We are big on leftovers in this house. :) So, what did I cook this past week as we settled into a schedule?

Creamy Chicken Casserole

This is one of my favorite recipes, which  my cousin Susan introduced me to about 10 years ago when I was living with her and Michael and teaching intersession. I double it for left overs (or to feed 4 - 6 people). It is super yummy warmed up and so easy to make. It has become one of my hubby's favorite meals!

Ingredients:

• 1 roasted chicken (the bigger the better - I cheat and buy mine already roasted from Costco or Giant - they have the best sizes)
• 16 oz of sour cream
• 2 cans of cream of chicken soup
• 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds
• 2 rolls of Ritz crackers (crushed)
• 1/3 cup butter (melted)

What to do. . .

1. Chop up the chicken into chunks
2. mix sour cream, chicken, cream of chicken soup, and poppy seeds
3. Pour mixture into 9 x 13 pan  
4. Combine crushed Ritz crackers and butter in a large Ziplock bag until all pieces are moistened
5. Pour cracker combination over mixture already in baking dish
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes 

I serve it with brown rice and rolls. Delicious! 

Chicken Club Braid 

This is Pampered Chef recipe and I love it!!!!!!!! Sometimes I substitute the tomatoes for bell peppers for something different. I also switch up the cheese. I like to use Monterey Jack.

Ingredients:

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped
1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
1 (5 ounce) can chunk white chicken, drained and flaked
4 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1 cup finely shredded Swiss cheese, divided
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper - See more at: http://www.recipegoldmine.com/pamperedchef/chicken-club-brunch-ring.html#sthash.lr8mZ31Y.dpuf
Read more at http://www.recipegoldmine.com/pamperedchef/chicken-club-brunch-ring.html#8Bl3y9Y0juiBgo0Z.99

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped
1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
1 (5 ounce) can chunk white chicken, drained and flaked
4 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1 cup finely shredded Swiss cheese, divided
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper - See more at: http://www.recipegoldmine.com/pamperedchef/chicken-club-brunch-ring.html#sthash.lr8mZ31Y.dpuf
Read more at http://www.recipegoldmine.com/pamperedchef/chicken-club-brunch-ring.html#8Bl3y9Y0juiBgo0Z.99

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped
1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
1 (5 ounce) can chunk white chicken, drained and flaked
4 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1 cup finely shredded Swiss cheese, divided
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper

What to do....

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Mix mayonnaise and mustard; add parsley and onion and mix well.

Mix chicken, bacon and 3/4 cup cheese with 1/3 cup mayonnaise mixture.
 

Unroll 1 package of crescent dough; do not separate. Arrange longest sides of dough across width of 12" x 15" rectangle baking stone. Repeat with remaining package of dough. Using roller, roll dough to seal perforations. On longest sides of baking stone, cut dough into strips 1 1/2 inches apart, 3 inches deep using a pizza cutter (there will be 6 inches in the center for the filling). Spread filling evenly over middle of dough. To braid, lift strips of dough across mixture to meet in center, twisting each strip on turn. Continue alternating strips to form a braid. Tuck ends under to seal at end of braid. Brush egg white over dough using pastry brush.

 Bake 20 to 25 minutes.

I serve this with salad and it also makes great leftovers. When I heat it up at work everyone would ask for the recipe :)

Italian Slow Cooker Chicken

This makes the whole house smell delicious and is my friend, Tristan's, favorite :) It falls apart like pulled pork and is great with rice pilaf or Parmesan couscous.

Ingredients: 

•   1 can of stewed tomatoes (I use two because I love tomato sauce and it makes everything juicy)

• 1 can of tomato paste (six ounce can)

•  1 package of sliced baby bella mushrooms

• 3 chicken breasts (you can cram four in there, but then you need to add more tomato paste)

• 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning (I use the salad dressing dry packet mix)

• 1 clove of minced garlic

• - You can also dice an onion, but I'm not a big onion fan. 

   

  What to do . . . 

• 1. 1. Put chicken breasts in slow cooker 

     2. Mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl

     3. Pour mixture over chicken

     4. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours (I like how it turns out on low better)

      

      

   

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped
1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
1 (5 ounce) can chunk white chicken, drained and flaked
4 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1 cup finely shredded Swiss cheese, divided
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper - See more at: http://www.recipegoldmine.com/pamperedchef/chicken-club-brunch-ring.html#sthash.lr8mZ31Y.dpuf
Read more at http://www.recipegoldmine.com/pamperedchef/chicken-club-brunch-ring.html#8Bl3y9Y0juiBgo0Z.99

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped
1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
1 (5 ounce) can chunk white chicken, drained and flaked
4 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1 cup finely shredded Swiss cheese, divided
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper - See more at: http://www.recipegoldmine.com/pamperedchef/chicken-club-brunch-ring.html#sthash.lr8mZ31Y.dpuf
Read more at http://www.recipegoldmine.com/pamperedchef/chicken-club-brunch-ring.html#8Bl3y9Y0juiBgo0Z.99

Having Fun with Some New Goodies

Large Utility Tote, Single Thermal Organizer, and Pocket-a-Tote - Great for the beach or pool!

I decided to share some of the ways I am going to use my new bags and accessories from Thirty-One. I am only showing the patterns I currently have for my own personal use, but all of the items are available in a wide variety of patterns (especially good for those who aren't big fans of pink). :) 

 Organizing Utility Tote with wipe-able interior! Easy way to tote all of my cleaning supplies!

















Organizing Utility Tote, Rosette, and Thermal Zipper Pouch.

I love this smaller set for the pool. The Thermal fits water bottles and snacks. All items are wipe-able and they come in MANY colors.


















The Keep-it Caddy is great for stationary, crafts, supplies, teachers, student bags, or gift bags! The stationary pictured can also be personalized through Thirty-One. It is super cute! Great teacher gift or for an engaged couple.















This is a fun new purse/tote. It is SUPER roomy. Great option for people who don't want to carry a diaper bag or who like bigger purses. It is the Retro Metro Bag. The scarf adds a pop of color, as does the key fob, and soft wallet. The purse and accessories have several color/pattern options.
















The Organizing Utility Tote being used for dog toys and supplies. It makes it easy when we go away for the weekend and need to bring her. It is also great for the dog walker to access easily.

Top: Large Utility Tote & Single Thermal Organizer







Left: Large Utility Tote and Blanket




Right: Organizing Utility






Top: Zipper Pouch (fits iPads, Books, and More)








Left: Organizing Utility Tote, Fold N' File, Wristlet, and Key Fob

Right: Organizing Utility Tote, Rosette, and Lil' Expressions Zipper Pouch (get any character and personalization on this cute zipper pouch)

This is a teacher's dream! Fold N' File (great to keep in the classroom or inside the Organizing Utility Tote), Thermal Tote for lunch, Wristlet (great to keep your phone, teacher ID, and credit cards/cash - I love bringing this to school instead of my entire purse; easy for field trips and recess), and a key fob. 

I will be using this set the remainder of the school year. This would make a fun end-of-year gift for your child's teacher. 


Hope you enjoyed some of my new goodies! So many fun things to chose from!

Jenna Myers

www.mythirtyone.com/jlmsophisticatedaccessories/

A New Adventure

A few weeks ago I hosted a Lia Sophia Show and a Thirty-One party. I ended up loving Thirty-One products so much I decided to become an Independent Consultant. I am super excited (and a bit nervous). It is just something fun for me, as I LOVE   am obsessed with all things organization and bags. Purses, totes, bins, you name it and I will have to find a use for it in my house or in my classroom.

Right now my pantry has the Home Hang-Up organizer in it. I love it! Our family binder has a place, so does the mail, and other documents.

Here is a great special for May and some ideas for teacher appreciation week! 

If you are interested in hosting a Thirty-One party with me just email me: mrsjennalynnmyers@gmail.com

I have a Facebook group that will give you great updates! Just email me and I will add you! :) 

You can visit my consultant site here: https://www.mythirtyone.com/jlmSophisticatedAccessories/

Jenna Myers
Independent Thirty-One Consultant

Changing My Plan Book

I am one of those teachers that needs things to coordinate. A simple plan book that has black lines and is just plain boring won't do it. Sounds silly, but I know MANY of you relate! What did I decide to do? Create a planner for this year.

This year, I made a planner based on my new owl theme. It has the following elements:

• Month at a glance (birthdays for the month, important events, students to focus on, etc)
• Monthly Calendar
• Weekly Plans (one one page or over two for a binder) 

• This way I can print the pages I need each month and put them in my binder. If you want to buy it, visit my store: OWL PLAN BOOK

Take a peak!