Celebrate Life · Cooking · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Pumpkin Spice Latte

YUMMY!!!!!!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for sprinkling

1 1/2 cups whole milk

2 to 4 shots espresso or strong coffee (1 shot for normal strength, 2 for strong)

* Whipped cream, for serving

Directions

  1. Add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice to a medium saucepan and whisk to combine. Put the saucepan over medium heat and slowly whisk in the milk to combine. Bring the pumpkin milk mixture just to a boil.
  2. Pour the mixture into a blender and whiz on low to medium for 30 seconds or until frothy.
  3. Pour 1 shot into each mug (2 shots if you want it stronger) and top with half of the pumpkin milk mixture.
  4. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Cook’s Note

To make the recipe vegan or dairy free you can use almond or other plant-based milk and top with coconut whipped cream.

Enjoy

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/fnk/recipes/pumpkin-spice-latte-7936633

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-Blues Brothers: Soul Man -SNL 1978

What a great classic tune. Their physical style of humor is still the best.

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

 I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Celebrate Life · Cooking · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Apricot-Glazed Chicken with Spring Vegetables

  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 35 min
  • Active: 35 min
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Nutrition Info

Ingredients


1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 4)

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces

12 ounces snow peas, trimmed (about 2 1/2 cups)

3 tablespoons apricot preserves

4 teaspoons dijon mustard

4 scallions, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions

  • Cut each chicken breast into 4 or 5 large chunks; season with salt and pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Add the chicken and cook, turning, until browned on all sides and almost cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove to a plate.

  • Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots and 1/2 cup water. Cover and simmer until the carrots are crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover and increase the heat to medium high. Cook until the water evaporates, 1 minute.

  • Reduce the heat to medium and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add the asparagus, snow peas and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet along with the apricot preserves, mustard, scallions, tarragon and lemon zest. Simmer, tossing, until the preserves are melted and the chicken and vegetables are glazed; season with salt and pepper.

Yummy!

Melinda

Reference:

Food Network

Celebrate Life · Cooking · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Overview

Nutritious vegetables and chunks of lean meat simmering in their own juices come together to create a simple yet hearty slow-cooker dish that’s perfect for chilly weather.

Ingredients

2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed

1 cup low-sodium beef stock1/2 cup red wine

One 15-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, in juice

2 russet or Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

2 celery stalks, diced

2 carrots, diced1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 bay leaves1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Tools

Measuring cups

Liquid measuring cup 

Measuring spoons 

Chef’s knife Cutting board 

Can opener Vegetable peeler 

Resealable plastic bag 

Large skillet 

Tongs

6-quart slow cooker

Wooden spoon

Directions

Working in 2 batches, combine the beef and flour in a resealable plastic bag; seal and shake until the beef is completely coated with flour. Set aside.

Heat the 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (see Cook’s Note). Working in batches and adding more oil as necessary, add the beef in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until the beef is nicely brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer the beef to a 6-quart slow cooker.

Add the stock and red wine to the skillet and bring to a boil, scraping up the browned bits with a wooden spoon, and continue to boil until slightly reduced, about 1 minute. Transfer the liquid to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 6 hours. The beef and vegetables should be tender. 

Cook’s Note

Alternatively, use a slow cooker that can be placed on a stovetop to sear the beef.

Yummy! Perfect cold weather meal.

Melinda

Reference:

Food Network

The link takes you the recipe.

Melinda

Reference:

Food Network

Celebrate Life · Fun · Holiday · Medical

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments! 

The wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles was watched by 750 million people worldwide in 1981; sadly, 2.5 billion watched her funeral in 1997. (bbc.com)

With 3.572 billion viewers, half the world’s population watched the 2018 FIFA World Cup of soccer (or football, as many international fans call it), which is held every four years. That number is on par with the 2016 Summer Olympics; but only a quarter of the world watched the less-popular Winter Olympics in 2018. (fifa.com)

There are no muscles in your fingers: Their function is controlled by muscles in your palms and arms. (assh.org)

The hardest working muscle in your body is your heart: It pumps more than 2,000 gallons of blood a day and beats more than 2.5 billion times in a 70-year life span. (heart.org)

 Enjoy! 

Melinda

 

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-John Mayer, Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud – 2019 – Live in Tokyo

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

 I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Vibrant Colored Floral Arrangement

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Daily Wring Prompt

Daily writing prompt
Name your top three pet peeves.

Just three?????? At 62, my peeves have changed as I age, thank goodness. Peeves are what I call my last nerve and there are more than three but the top ones are: being told what to do or think, abuse of any kind including animals, arrogance.

Outside of the three are: people who wallow in their problems, liars, are unkind and rude, and people who do not help others. Oh, I can’t forget, someone constantly reminding me of what I need to do and the ones who won’t take responsibly.

I’m far from perfect but no one is, my attitude has changed along with what I think is important. I shake the thoughts off after they happen but they pop-up the next time.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Looking for the Light