Trying Out Something New : Coconut Oil

I have heard about coconut oil for quite a while. Friends are always talking about the extraordinary benefits that it has, so after coming across it on Pinterest a few weeks ago, I decided to look more into it and ask around. With just a little bit of research (and bugging my friends for info) I found out a lot about this stuff! The benefits are incredible...and there has to be close to 100 (if not more!) uses for it! I'll be straight forward with you... in the past, I haven't always been the person to use a product like this, but since becoming a mother I've been searching for more natural/organic things not just for my daughter, but for me, too. So, I decided to give in and give this coconut oil stuff a try.

I bought some a few weeks ago at the organic section of my grocery store (for about $10) and I am loving it! Seriously, folks, if you haven't already...invest in a bottle. It truly is great stuff. Word to the wise: buy the unrefined as opposed to refined. When I originally bought it, I went with the refined version (since I didn't really know the difference...) but after doing a bit more research, I realized the unrefined is what I want. It's gone through a lot less processing, and although it was a tad bit pricier, it seemed worth the few extra dollars to me.

I could swarm you with easily 100 great uses for this stuff, but instead just take a look at these few websites and read for yourself about all the benefits:

80 Uses for Coconut Oil 

Refined vs. Unrefined 

All the Wonderful Uses of Coconut Oil 

I've mainly been using it for skin and hair care. It's great stuff and has been working wonderfully!

Hair care: Coconut oil is a great natural nutrient for your hair. It's a great moisturizer for dry scalp, lice, damaged hair, etc. It helps for healthy hair growth. I've been applying some in my hair, leaving it in for a bit and then rinsing it out. I'm already noticing a difference - my hair seems a lot healthier and shinier.

Skin care: Coconut oil is a terrific moisturizer (for any skin type!) I tend to have very dry/flaky skin and it's terrific for my eczema. My daughter also has very sensitive skin, so I've been using it as a lotion on her, too.

I've also heard it can be great for a diaper rash cream -- I have yet to use it for that, but I'm thinking of giving it a try. I came across this to make a homemade natural diaper rash cream and lotion.

I know a lot of people that just eat a tablespoon or so each day - it has great health benefits as well. ^ Read the links that I posted above, it talks more in depth about them. :)


I'm definitely loving this stuff and recommend it to every one! Coconut oil for the win! ;)

Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Enjoy your day and eat tons of chocolate! :)

Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

I have to share yet another delicious recipe I found through Pinterest. I gave this a try tonight and it was so easy and delicious! My husband loves chicken and dumplings, but it's usually a lot more work. When I came across this recipe, I knew it was something we would have to try. Today was a freezing cold winter day and this recipe was perfect. :)

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What you'll need:
3-4 cups of cooked chicken (I use a rotisserie chicken)
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 can Campbell's cream of chicken soup


Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Melt the butter in the microwave and pour it into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Shred the chicken and spread it on top of the butter. Whisk together the milk, flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly pour it over the chicken. Do not stir. Whisk together chicken broth and cream of chicken soup. Pour the soup over the flour and milk mixture. Do not stir. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the dumplings look golden brown. 

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I hope you find this recipe as delicious as I did! :) 




thanks to Plain Chicken for the recipe! 

Penne Rigate with Mixed Greens and Pine Nuts

This is one of my all time FAVORITE recipes. I always joke with my husband that this is what my last meal would be if I were dying. ;) I found it maybe a year or two ago online, and ever since it's been a common meal at our house. This dish is absolutely delicious and very filling, so it's meant to be a main-course meal! It's quick, easy and I promise you'll love it!


It makes approximately 6 main-course meals...
Total time: apx. 25 minutes


Ingredients: 
1 pound penne rigate
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts (apx 1 1/4 ounces)
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
2 (8 to 10 oz) bags of mixed salad greens. (Choose any kind you would like...I usually use spinach and another kind that looks fresh while I'm shopping...pretty much everything is good with this recipe, just mix and match a few to see what you like.)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (plus additional for serving.)


A lot of the ingredients can be altered. If you're making for more/less use a half box/more then 1 box/etc. For the mixed greens, it says 2 bags and I definitely recommend using more then what they call for! It adds so much to the recipe and once they get cooked, you realize how little 2 whole bags makes! Side not: With this recipe, the more pine nuts, cheese and greens the better! I always add in more then the recipe calls for...you can use as little or as much as you'd like, really...)


Instructions: 
Cook penne in boiling salted water in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot until al dente or according to package directions, then drain in a colander. While pasta is cooking, in a separate sauce pan..on moderately high heat, combine butter, oil and pine nuts, stirring often until nuts are pale golden (about 3 minutes.) Add garlic and cook, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Stir in greens and cook, stirring, until they wilt, about 3 minutes. 

this was about 1.5 bags of greens...see what I mean about how much it wilts after the cooking? 

Add penne, salt, and pepper and mix. Stir in cheese and serve immediately with additional cheese on the side. 

I love to sprinkle some extra cheese on the top...and...

Voilà!