Hope you have been enjoying the holidays!

December has been such a busy month, thus, the lack of posts, but I wanted to share with you the book I did the photography for earlier this year! I had people tell me that I didn't blog about it. I mentioned it on my ShutterMaki Twitter page and my In My Element facebook page but not here on my own blog!

Last year I bought cute mini cookie cutters and I never got around to using them. The busy Christmas season will do that to you, as well as getting really sick. Yeah, last year sucked in terms of illness for me so that is why I bought all my christmas baking that year.

However, this year I may be busy but I made a point to pull out my never used, still in their un-opened package, cookie cutters! (Sorry, I really can't remember where I bought them - hanging my head in shame)

But aren't they darn CUTE! I actually quite like that they are small. Makes it perfect for children, young and old, and great for parties so that people can sample more than one variety of cookie without feeling gluttonous. Or if you are like me, the feeling of eating more than one cookie alongside my morning coffee feels like such a big treat!

Let the Christmas baking begin!

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For busy folks, I recommend baking up a large quantity of chicken breasts, one night of the week, and then using them up for weeknight meals. I do this at least once a month and that week will be "chicken monday, tuesday, wednesday and maybe thursday" nights :)

This was tonight's dinner. A quick and easy weeknight meal. I, personally, can sustain on sandwiches alone but the rest of the fam gets a little bored so I need to mix it up. Since I have been working more, I am noticing I'm boiling up pasta more often. I know pasta purists would only buy the white-flour based varieties but I am really loving the whole wheat version. If you were to compare how much more fiber there is in a serving size, you too would not go back to the white stuff for that reason alone. Makes me feel a bit "healthier".



I have also been making this bechamel sauce at least once a week this month. (Maybe not so much "healthier"). I probably "taste" half of it away before I even mix it in with the other ingredients because it is that good. Bonus part: it is ready in the same time your pasta is al dente.

Happy chicken & pasta week!

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Other easy weeknight chicken recipes by Shine Supper Club:

The Curious Country Cook: Lemon Pesto Pasta with Chicken
Feed Your Soul: Chicken Milanese Biscuit Sandwich
In My Element: Diced Chicken, Broccoli with Whole Wheat Pasta
Living Lou: Spicy Chicken Skewers
The Partial Ingredients: Lebanese Chicken Skewers
Sarah B. Weir: Chicken Braised in Tomato
Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom: Peanut Sesame Noodles with Chicken
Serena Bakes: Jalapeno Lime Chicken Alfredo with Cilantro
So says Sarah: Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders
Sushi and Stilettos: Easy Pesto Chicken Bake
Sweet 'n' Sourdough: Baked Mango Chipotle Chicken Tenders

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"Mom, I want one of those!" my son points at a yogurt drink in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.

"That is yogurt you can drink and it costs more than I want to spend" I tell him as I continue on with my shopping.

Later, it had me thinking to myself: Why don't I make some at home? It would be a great after-school treat for my kids and would help their grumbling tummies last until dinnertime. With all the good bacteria from the yogurt and vitamins from the fruit, this is a healthy alternative to many possible after-school snacks.

I have plenty of raspberries from my summer harvest in my freezer and who doesn't have bananas sitting on their counter? I really love simple recipes and with only 4 ingredients, I will definitely making this and other flavor variations more often.

I doubt my kids will be asking to buy the yogurt drinks at the store from now on!

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Sometimes, I go through some intense cravings.

Hot sauce. Yeah, I couldn't put that stuff on enough of my food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. I would have put it on dessert if my taste buds were into that combo.

Lately, it has been banana peppers. A large jar at the grocery store caught my eye and I succumbed. I've been finding all sorts of meals to add them to.



Last week was a busy, harrowing type of week and I came home with hungry kids and no dinner plans.

"Hot dogs children... we're having hot dogs". Chicken hot dogs actually!

While my children are more than happy to have the basic ketchup and mustard combo, I thought a step up to a more adult gourmet version was in order. One with banana peppers of course.

Melted Havarti cheese, dollops of pesto and lots of banana peppers.

I think my banana pepper craving has been met and can be filed away for a short while. (Though, the large jar in my fridge is saying otherwise).

On to the next craving.