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{Katie’s Baby Blog} Lily Turns 1!

Turning one is a big deal! Not just for our little ones, but for the parents, too!

WE MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

That was a cause for celebration in our household. So we did on Saturday, two days before her actual birthday. We invited our family and close friends and threw Lily the girliest pink and gold bash ever. We did a charcuterie board for appetizers and then had a taco/nacho bar for dinner. Dessert was cupcakes, cookies and a beautiful “smash cake” for Lily.

I’m not sure that Lily knew exactly what was going on at her house on Saturday, but she wore her special birthday dress with a pink bow in her hair and played with her cousins all afternoon.

When it came time for cake I put her in her highchair and we all sang Happy Birthday to her…she looked a little confused, but she went ahead and scooped a big chunk of icing off of the top of her cake anyway and put it in her mouth and said “Mmm Num Num.”  She only says that if she really likes something!

She didn’t eat too much of the cake, she just licked a lot of the icing off!

After dinner we opened presents and she played with her new toys until bedtime!  It was such a fun day.

On her actual birthday, Monday, November 18th, my husband and I gave her the rest of her cake (which Tim and I ended up eating the rest of) and sang to her again and then played in her playroom all afternoon.

At the end of the day, after she went to bed, Tim and I sat and looked at all of the pictures and videos of Lily that we had saved and it was a little emotional for me.

My baby is one!!! It went THAT fast….in the blink of an eye. One year has past and it blows my mind how much she has grown. She’s officially walking, talking and copying almost everything we say and do. Knows some animal sounds and is smart in so many other ways. She has a ton of hair! Almost 4 teeth, and weighs 20 lbs.

My little baby that weighed 7 lbs 5 oz one year ago…is a toddler now and it happened so fast. All of the nights we didn’t sleep, all of the exhaustion throughout the long days of working and taking care of her, and all of the fun that we had over the past year have been the best moments of my life. I wouldn’t trade it all for the world!

<3 Katie Ryan

{Katie’s Kitchen} Fajita Chicken Casserole

Brought to you by Catoctin Mountain Orchard.

This is the easiest recipe ever!!! Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees and start chopping!

I used a red, yellow and orange pepper and sliced them along with an onion.

Then, place your chicken breast in a casserole dish and season with paprika, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Place your vegetables on top of your chicken evenly and add more of your fajita seasonings to the peppers and onions then drizzle with olive oil.

On top of everything add the cheese. The recipe calls for mozzarella, but you can use anything. I used Mexican style cheese– it tasted great!

Place it in the oven and cook for about 25 minutes. Scoop our you chicken and peppers and eat with steamed vegetables or over rice.

Ingredients: I got the recipe here

{Katie’s Kitchen} BBQ Chicken & Roasted Sweet Potato Bowls

Brought to you by Catoctin Mountain Orchard!

Easy, hearty and healthy! This bowl is delicious and will will you up!

Grab your sheet pan and preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Start out by preparing your vegetables. Chop two sweet potatoes into one inch cubes and drizzle with olive oil then, season with salt, pepper, chipotle chili powder and then place on your sheet pan and cook in the oven for 15 minutes.

While that is cooking, chop your onion and broccoli (or brussel sprouts in my case) and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.

Prep your boneless skinless chicken breast by seasoning with salt and pepper and then covering each breast with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Take out your sweet potatoes and push to one side. Add your chicken breast to the middle and then your broccoli to the other side of the pan.

Place everything back into the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes.

Remove your pan from the oven and shred the chicken breasts using two forks. Toss the chicken a little more BBQ sauce. Add to bowls along with the roasted vegetables. I served mine over quinoa, which was delicious!

A protein packed, healthy meal that I LOVE!

Ingredients: I got the recipe here! 

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil divided
  • 1/2 tsp. salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. chipotle powder or chili powder
  • 1 head broccoli
  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 c. BBQ sauce divided
  • salt

Sorry I accidentally deleted my pictures of the making of this dish!!! Check out the link above to see how it should look!

🙂

 

{Veterans Day} Deals and Where to Eat for Free!

We have a HUGE list of Veterans Day Deals for today!!! Check them out below…

Great Clips:  Anybody who gets a haircut at Great Clips on Monday will get a free haircut card to give to a military member of any branch, including the National Guard.  And veterans who visit a salon on Monday will get either a free haircut that day or a free haircut card redeemable through December 31st.

Retail stores:  Kohl’s is offering a 30% discount on purchases now through Monday.  Home Depot and Lowe’s are offering a 10% discount.  And Target is giving a 10% discount on one purchase in stores and online through Monday.

Amazon: They’re offering current military and veterans $40 off the regular price of Amazon Prime through Monday.  That’s $79, compared with the regular price of $119.  And it works even if you’re already a Prime member.

FOOD DEALS:

Bob Evans: Veterans and active-duty military members are eligible to receive a free meal (breakfast is served all day, by the way) on Veterans Day at Bob Evans. Choices include the Country Biscuit Breakfast, Brioche French Toast, Stack of Hotcakes, and many more.

Bonefish Grill: This year on Veterans Day, Bonefish Grill is honoring all active and retired service members a complimentary appetizer, such as Mussels Josephine, Calamari, Imperial Dip, or Bang Bang Shrimp.

Bruegger’s Bagels: Grab free bagels and cream cheese on Veterans Day with no other purchase necessary.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: Military personnel and their families will receive 20% off their meals and retail purchases on Veteran’s Day.

Buffalo Wild Wings: Chicken wing-loving veterans can stop into BWW for a free order of small boneless or traditional wings and a side of french fries as part of their annual Veterans Day deal.

California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans and active U.S. military members will be able to choose a pizza, pasta, full-size salad, and beverage from CPK’s special Veterans Day Menu when they dine-in. Participating diners can also receive a “buy one, get one free” card to redeem during a return visit from November 12 through November 20. The restaurant chain will also hold a nationwide fundraiser in partnership with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) on November 7 to support essential programs and services for veterans and their families.

Carlo’s Bakery: The bakery from the reality TV series Cake Boss will honor veterans and active-duty military members a free large cannoli — plain or chocolate — on Veterans Day at any Carlo’s Bakery location.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Starting Friday, November 8 through Monday, November 11, Carrabba’s will be offering a free order of calamari with any purchase to all veterans, active military, police officers and firefighters with a valid military ID. All restaurants also offer 10% off to all active and retired service members anytime they visit their local Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Chili’s: The fast-food chain will be giving away free meals to all active military members and veterans this year. Throughout the year, Chili’s also honors our nation’s veterans and their families by partnering with organizations including Veteran Jobs Mission, Snowball Express, and Wreaths Across America.

Chipotle: The Mexican chain restaurant will be offering its annual Military Appreciation BOGO deal to honor military servicemembers around the country. The promotion will be valid on burritos, bowls, salads, and taco orders, and it will be available for all active-duty military, reserves, national guard, military spouses, and retired military.

Cicis: The pizza chain is offering veterans a free adult buffet on Veterans Day. Cicis Veterans Program also offers veterans the chance to have no franchise fee for their first restaurant and two years of no royalties.

Condado Tacos: This taco joint will be offering two free tacos for military veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day, and no other purchase is necessary. Condado Tacos will also be offering one free taco with food purchase to veterans and active military, valid year-round.

Cracker Barrel: This Veterans Day, Cracker Barrel will be honoring military veterans by serving complimentary slices of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake or Pumpkin Pie Lattes at all 660 Cracker Barrel locations nationwide. From October 28 to November 11, they will also offer $25 off all U.S. military branch-themed rocking chairs and 25% off all other military licensed products in retail stores and online. Plus, 10% of the retail sales price from eligible online and in-store purchases of wooden rocking chairs will be donated to Operation Homefront, a national military non-profit organization that aims to build strong, stable, and secure military families.

Denny’s: The diner-style restaurant chain is inviting all veterans and military personnel into participating Denny’s locations nationwide from 5 a.m. to noon to receive a complimentary Build Your Own Grand Slam. This dish is one of Denny’s signature breakfast entrées and includes a choice of four options from a list of more than 13 choices from fluffy buttermilk pancakes and eggs cooked to order to bacon strips and hash browns.

Freddy’s: All veterans and current military personnel who visit Freddy’s on Veterans Day will receive a combo meal card that can be redeemed through November 30, 2019.

Friendly’s: Veterans and active military members will receive a free Veterans Day breakfast, lunch, or dinner when they dine-in at Friendly’s. The breakfast meal consists of the Big-Two-Do, which includes your choice of Brioche French Toast, two buttermilk pancakes or two slices of toast, two strips of crispy Applewood-smoked bacon or two sausage links, and a side of two made-to-order farm fresh eggs, and a coffee. For lunch and dinner, veterans and active service members get the All-American Burger (with or without cheese), served with fries and your choice of soda, iced tea, or a hot beverage.

Golden Corral: From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Veterans Day, Golden Corral will be offering free meals and beverages for any active or former military members as part of their annual Military Appreciation Night.

IHOP: The pancake house chain will be giving out complimentary red, white & blue buttermilk pancakes or breakfast combos to active military members and veterans on Veterans Day this year. The pancakes will be topped with glazed strawberries, blueberry compote, and whipped topping.

Kneaders: The bakery & cafe chain is offering free, unlimited slices of Chunky Cinnamon French Toast breakfast to veterans and active military until 11 a.m. on Veterans Day.

Little Caesars: Veterans and active military members are eligible to receive Little Caesars’ $5 HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day. The deal includes four slices of Little Caesars Detroit-style DEEP!DEEP! Dish pizza, plus a 20 oz. Pepsi product.

Outback Steakhouse: The steakhouse has partnered with Operation Homefront to give all military members, police officers, firefighters, and first responders 10% off their entire check all day every day.

Red Lobster: The seafood chain will offer veterans, active-duty military and reservists a free appetizer or dessert on Veterans Day from a special menu. The appetizer menu includes items like sweet chili shrimp, seafood-stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, and mozzarella cheesesticks, while the dessert menu includes dishes like key lime pie, vanilla bean cheesecake, and warm apple crostada.

Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty can check out Red Robin on Veterans Day for a free Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries.

Starbucks: The giant coffee chain is offering free coffee for veterans, active duty service members, and military spouses on Veterans Day.

Texas Roadhouse: Active, former, or retired military members can receive a free meal at Texas Roadhouse on Veterans Day. The chain restaurant also donates 10% of all gift cards purchased to Homes For Our Troops, which builds homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

7-Eleven: The convenience store chain is offering free coffee of any size for Veterans Advantage members from November 8 through November 11.

 

(People / The Wise Brother Media)

{Katie’s Kitchen} Southwest Salad with Salsa Verde Chicken

Brought to you by Catoctin Mountain Orchard

Yesterday was “National Men Make Dinner Day” so I let Tim cook for the night! I did help with the recipe, but he did all of the work!

This recipe is extremely easy. The “prep” is where you spend most of your time with this meal.

I used a pack of boneless skinless chicken breast and placed it into a bag. Season with ground cumin, salt and pepper. Then, pour in your favorite brand of salsa verde over top of the chicken and let marinate for about an hour.

We grilled the chicken, but you can also bake or sautee the chicken in a pan on the stove, too.

The rest of your recipe is just putting together your salad with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, corn and black beans! I also added salad crunchy tortilla strips to the top and used my favorite ranch dressing.

Your quick and easy southwest flavored salad will be a great “go-to” recipe when you’re short on time for cooking!

Ingredients:

  • 2-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup salsa verde
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 can reduced sodium black beans
  • 1 can corn
  • chopped tomatoes
  • 1 avocado
  • Your favorite southwest dressing

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