Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

I made these for an after dinner treat this week and it was a huge hit with the family.

Ingredients:
20 whole large strawberries, hulled
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
2/3 cup chopped pecans or crushed graham cracker (if using graham crackers, crush up and put a few crumbs and place in the bottom of the strawberry then add the cream cheese filling. It looks better that way then to have a bunch of crumbs on top of the strawberry).

Directions:
Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each strawberry so the berries stand upright. Place berries, cut side down, on a serving platter. Carefully cut the berries into 4 wedges, cutting almost to, but not through, the bottoms with a criss-cross cut. Fan wedges just slightly, taking care not to break them. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until combined but still stiff. Using a teaspoon or pastry bag with decorative tip, fill the strawberries with the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top of the stuffed strawberries. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

This recipe and the picture were adapted from FoodNetwork.com.

Community Helpings Co-Op

Over the past few months My Sweetie and I have been discussing joining a produce co-op. To feed our family with the freshest food available was our main reason that began our search to find a local co-op.

We were thrilled to find that the St. Louis Area Community Helpings Co-Op was right down the road from us.

This week we just ordered the typical fruit and veggie box that is pictured above. However, next time we will be ordering fresh eggs and other fresh food available.

If you live in the St. Louis area, click on the link above and check it out! The best part of being a part of the co-op is you never know what is going to be in fruit and veggie box from one week to the next. This week I was surprised to find little wonderful apricots! How fun!!

Meal Plan Monday

Good Monday Morning. I took a small break from blogging to tend to my sick little family. Our house should have been quarantined for at least a week. This weekend I started sanitizing everything so the sickness wouldn't continue to spread! Today's big chore will be to sanitize all the toys in the house. Oh the fun and joys of being a Mommy. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Here is the menu for this week:

Monday: Turkey Burgers on the grill with a chickpea salad with lemon and Parmesan

Tuesday: Tomato Bisque and Toasted Cheese

Wednesday: Beef Roast with Iceberg Wedges with Tomato Vinaigrette

Thursday: Turkey Legs and White Bean Mash

Friday: Macho Nachos

Saturday: Dinner out to celebrate my anniversary

Sunday: One-Pan Sage-and-Onion Chicken and Sausage

My Extreme Couponing

Here is the number one reason why I like to use coupons:



Everything I purchased in the above picture was FREE! You read that right, FREE!

Recently Similac had a $5.00 off any formula coupon. So I used several coupon clipper sites and ordered quite a few of these coupons.

The coupon was for $5.00 and the formula Missymoo uses only cost $3.84. Meaning Wal-Mart pays me to take it off the shelves! So that I don't get cash back, I used the remainder of the balance to purchase other items I need.

I also had a free coupon for the coffee creamer!

There is nothing like walking out the door and not having to pay anything for two cart fulls! LOVE IT!

What the Lady Loves this Wednesday

Years ago, the best cook in my church came up to me and handed me a knife. I thought to myself, well this is a strange gift. But then she went on to tell me that this is the best knife she ever used and that I would have to give it a try. I thought well if it is good enough for this fabulous cook, I should give it a try.

Nowadays, if there is one thing in my kitchen that I can not live without, it is my Rada Paring Knife. I use it for everything, everyday. So when several weeks ago my knife went missing, (I assume it is in the trash after I cut up oranges) I felt almost helpless in the kitchen. This knife is so easy to use, so light weight and do I dare, say a joy to use.

Not only is is light weight, super sharp the best part is, it is extremely inexpensive. At $5.10 per knife, I have now stocked up on several.

So if you are looking for a good everyday knife check out Rada Cutlery. I even have my Mom hooked on them.

Toddler Tuesday: Peanut Butter Play Dough

In my home, my kids love play dough. The problem however, is Double D always eats it! There is nothing I hate worse then looking over at him with a big mouthful of green play dough. While I know all kids eat it, I wanted to make my own edible play dough. This way it wouldn't hurt them if they took a bite or two or in Double D's case a handful.

Here is a recipe I found for peanut butter play dough:

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 cups powdered sugar

Mix together and let them have at it!



The play dough looks sticky and gooey, but it doesn't stick to anything.


Here is Double D, doing what he does best! Eating the play dough!

Meal Plan Monday

(This is one of the gorgeous tulips I purchased for my Easter table centerpiece.)

What a wonderful warm and sunny weekend we have had here in the St. Louis area. We were finally able to get out doors and work in the yard and gardens. I was able to plant my tomato plants and one rogue eggplant. Sissyboo was helping me pick out vegetables at our local nursery and she put an eggplant plant in my cart. So in the midst of quite a few tomatoes will grow one lonely eggplant.

My Sweetie picked the entire menu this week which includes some of his favorite meals.

Monday: Cream of Chicken Soup

Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner which includes Ham, Eggs and Biscuits with hollandaise

Wednesday: Chipotle Tamale Pie

Thursday: Oven Roasted Chicken Wings

Friday: Cobb Salad with homemade Ranch Dressing

Saturday: P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps

Sunday: Beef Mushroom and Onion Tart

Have a glorious week.