Pizza Popcorn

Today I thought I share with you another popcorn recipe. You can check out my first popcorn recipe, Ginger Snap Parmesan Popcorn here.

Pizza Popcorn

Pizza Popcorn

Ingredients
1/3 c.     Popcorn Kernels
1 tbsp.   Butter, melted
1/4 tsp.  Salt
1/4 tsp.  Dried Oregano
1/4 c.     Mozzarella. finely grated
1 or 2     Sun-dried Tomatoes, finely chapped
2 or 3     Fresh Basil Leaves, finely chopped or torn
              Cayenne Powder, to taste (optional)

Pop your popcorn using whatever method you prefer. My personal preference is to use an air popper because it is easy and there are no additives.

While the corn is popping, melt the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Next grate the cheese and chop the basil and sun-dried tomatoes.

Once all your toppings are chopped, pour the melted butter over popcorn and sprinkle the salt, dried oregano and cayenne powder on top. Tip: I find putting the butter on first allows for the spices to stick to the popcorn.

Now it's time to add the mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and the basil. Give it a good toss and ta-da you now have pizza flavoured popcorn.

Try this recipe at your Oscar party this weekend. It will wow you and your guests.


What's your favourite way to spice up your popcorn?

February Beauty Box 5

Last week my Beauty Box 5 arrived and I was excited again to see what I got my second box.
{You can read about my first beauty box here. }

Beauty Box 5 - February 

Inside this month's box were:

1. Rockstar Nails - Nail Polish

2. Rockstar Nails - Nail Sprinkles

3. John Freida Luxurious Volume - Touchable Full Shampoo and Conditioner

4. H20 Plus - Spa Hand and Nail Cream

5. Elizabeth Mott - It's So Big Volumizing Mascara. 

Bonus: $10 off Gift Card for MyNameNecklace.com


Not sure what to think about some of these products for me. The nail polish and nail sprinkles are in a bubble gum pink which is not my favourite shade of pink. I also haven't been really into the nail art scene but they will make a nice present for my nieces. I liked the H2O body wash from January's box but this hand cream is a little too strongly scented for me. I am super excited to try out the shampoo, conditioner and mascara. I am always looking for new volumizing products.

One Year Blogging Anniversary + Cheesy Green Chile Polenta

I can't believe this past week was my one year blogging anniversary. It has been, and continues to be, a great adventure. I have learned so much about the blogging world and myself.

So to celebrate, I thought I would share one of my favourite comfort, celebrating dishes: Cheesy Polenta with Green Chiles. It's great on it's own, served with Chili, or with a dollop of sour cream on top.

In my neck of the woods, it's been extra cold lately so I have been craving cheesy, comfort food. With that being said, I have a funny story to tell you. Last week, during one of those extra cold days I thought it would take out of the freezer some cheddar and broccoli soup for lunch. I pulled it out in the morning so it would be ready for around noon. Well....when I went to heat up my soup, I found out that it was not cheddar and broccoli soup it was cheesy green chile polenta. Boy, was I surprised! Note to self: Label you food when you put it in the freezer. LOL. It wasn't a terrible mistake because they are equally delicious. I was just a little disappointed which happens when you crave a particular item. Then when you go to make it you realize you don't have the chocolate that you needed to make those cookies. Anyways, I had a delicious lunch and was glad it reminded me how much I like this polenta recipe. So I thought I'd share the recipe with you.

Cheesy Green Chile Polenta

Ingredients

3 c. Stock (Chicken, Beef or Vegetable)

1 c. Yellow Cornmeal

2 tbsp. Butter

1 can Chopped Green Chiles (like Old El Paso brand)

1 ½ c. Grated Cheddar Cheese

Directions

Bring stock to boil in a sauce pan. Sprinkle slowly in cornmeal and stir constantly. Reduce heat and cook the polenta mixture until thickened. It will take around 10 minutes depending on the coarseness of your cornmeal. Turn off heat and add butter, cheese, and chiles. Serve immediately.

Tip: You can also stir in sour cream to give the recipe a little tang.  

Have you ever had a freezer mix up? 

Valentine's Day Love in the Kitchen

I have always been a bit crazy when it comes to Valentine's Day and I love to decorate my kitchen with all things red, pink, and hearts.

When my brother and I were in elementary school, my mom would bake us a heart shaped cake and decorate it with cinnamon heart candy and pink icing. It was always such a nice treat and a fond memory so I like to continue the tradition.

Here are some of the things I like to decorate with:

1. KitchenAid kitchenware dining, 225 CAD / 2. Wilton steel cookware, 15 CAD / 3. Sur La Table tea mug, 10CAD / 4. Jessie Steele frilly apron, 34 CAD / 5. Chicago Metallic heart shaped cookie cutter, 22 CAD / 6. Sweetly Does it cake mold, 10 CAD / 7.Tovolo Balloon heart spatula, 12 CAD / 8. Crate and Barrel heart bowl, 11 CAD / 9.Sur La Table kitchen linen, 10 CAD / 10. Sur La Table kitchen linen, 11 CAD /

Do you do anything special for Valentine's Day?

Easy Spiced Pita Chips Recipe

One of my favourite snacks next to popcorn is pita chips and dip. I make my own since the store bought ones are high in both calories and fat.

Spiced Pita Chips

2-3 pitas (my favourite are high in protein and about 2 WW PointsPlus Value each)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion salt
cayenne powder, to taste (optional)

I like to use a pizza wheel to cut the pita bread into triangles. It makes it really easy and fast.

Tear your pita bread triangles into halves and spread onto a aluminium foil lined baking sheet. Next take the spices and sprinkle them over the pita chips. Toss with hands to ensure even distribution of spices.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit  for about 10 minutes or until crispy.

Bonus Recipe: Herb & Garlic Sour Cream 

1 c Light Sour Cream
1/2 tsp Epicure Herbed Garlic Salt
squirt of Lime or Lemon Juice


These are also delicious with hummus and tzakiki. Be careful because these won't last long.

What is your favourite snack?

My First Beauty Box 5

Happy Weekend!!

I'm back from my three week road trip! I have so much to share with you but I want to make sure I don't leave anything out so it will have to be my next post.

Since it is the weekend, I thought I would share some beauty fun for my first post for 2014.

As a little treat for myself for the new year, I thought I would try one of those beauty box subscriptions that seem to be all over the blog world. I was unable to subscribe to my first choice, Birchbox, sadly because they do not ship to Canada. My very close second choice was Beauty Box 5 and I was so excited that they do ship to Canada for free. I signed up at Beauty Box 5 back in December and received my box a few days ago. Needless to say I was super excited to see what was in my first box.

Inside were these great goodies: 

•   H2O Plus Spa Sea Lotus Body Wash
•   Nubar Cuticle & Nail Oil 
•   Swissco Bath & Shower Exfoliating Gloves
•   Jergens Daily Moisturizer
•   Epic Blend Hemp Coconut Lip Balm 
•   Bonus Product: That Awkward Moment Mirror Compact

I can't wait to try these new products. Like a lot of people right now, I suffer from very dry skin in the winter and these sound like they will fit the bill.

One Last Road Trip Adventure for 2013

So you are probably wondering where I have been two weeks well were invited on a road trip to the south with my husband's parents. They were planing on this trip for about a month now and we just happened to have two weeks off over Christmas so we jumped on the offer. We didn't have anything planned for these two weeks and an adventure in search of the sun sounded great. Because this was such a last minute decision for us we only had one day to pack which was completely exciting and chaos for me. The chaos part being trying to pack everything we need for three weeks, for both cold and warm weather, and for these weeks on the road. Once all packed we headed to my in-laws where we all piled into the truck with a travel trailer attached headed on the road for the sun. We are having a great time and still in search of the heat but the weather is much better than if we were at home with frigid temperatures.

I don't have great access to internet in the State Parks so I will share my stories of our adventures as soon as I can.

Here's a little friend we found on the beach.

Have you every gone on any adventures on a whim?