Strawberry Shortcake Muffins

I make breakfast 2 times a day on weekdays & once a day on weekends.  I get up at 5:30am to make my husband some before he has to go in to work, and again a few hours later for my children & myself.  Sometimes I don't feel like cooking a hot breakfast twice a day so, muffins have surely become a huge staple in our house, and I am always trying to come up with new & different ones.  

With strawberries being so plentiful right now, I decided I wanted to come up with a strawberry one.  But, not just your standard blueberry muffin recipe with strawberries replacing the blueberries.  I wanted something more unique than that.  

So, after a couple trial & errors - I came up with Strawberry Shortcake Muffins.  My family loves them, and I even tested them out on a few friends - and they definitely proved to be a winning recipe.  I hope that you all will enjoy them just as much as my family and friends do!

Strawberries Shortcake Muffins

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Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 heaping cup of diced strawberries

Instructions:


Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium sized bowl.


In a medium bowl, beat the wet ingredients together.  Then mix in the dry ingredients.  
Fold in 1 heaping cup of diced strawberries.


Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  


Makes 1 dozen muffins.  You can serve them as is, or slice them in half & top with a dollop of whipped cream.  

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National Geographic Explorer for Kids - As low as $10.80!

As a homeschooling mother, when I saw the deal on this, I jumped right on it.  But, it's a great educational & fun magazine for those who don't homeschool too - and it's a super great deal!  


Currently through Mamapedia, you can get a 1 year subscription to National Georgraphic Explorer for just $12!  It usually goes for $24.95 - so that's more than half off.  And it gets better!  If you use the coupon code NATGEOKIDS you will get an extra 10% off if you are one of the first 1000 new buyers to do so!

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Year of the Staycation!

Yesterday, I brought you a list of my favorite StayCation destinations for the Greensboro, North Carolina area.  For those of you that do not reside in that area of the country, here is a huge list of over 85 other locations in the country, so you are sure to find something just for you here!  


Also, make sure you check out Eat at Home's post on frugal vacation tips at the bottom of this huge linky list!

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Menu Plan Monday 5/23/2011

I have been busy decluttering my house almost all day today, so the menu planning for the week got put off until the last possible minute.  I planned this week's menu from everything that I already have on hand, and with all these great coupon double & triple events at Harris Teeter..that wasn't hard!  Speaking of - I'll be posting a weekly wrap-up on how I faired over at Harris Teeter this past week during their triple coupon event.  (I did good!)


Breakfasts

• Eggo Waffles (I got several FREE this week!)
• Sausage Gravy & Biscuits
• Eggs & Bacon
• Omelet Kits

• Pancakes

Lunches

• Leftovers
• Sandwiches
• Lunchables (free too!)
• Soup & Crackers
• Chicken Fingers & Sweet Potato Fries

Dinners

• Pizza Pasta & Italian Bread
• Beef Cheddar & Potato Pie
• Chicken Strips & French Fries
• Baked Fish, Macaroni & Cheese, Zucchini 'Crab' Cakes

• Crispy Tuna Mac

• Sirloin Steak, Rice, Green Beans, & Deviled Eggs
• Tangy Bacon Hot Dogs with Chili Lime Chips & Baked Mexican Cheese Strips

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Year of the Staycation - Greensboro, NC Area

The cost of living keeps getting higher, & the price of gas makes most of us lightheaded.  More & more of us are looking for places close to home these days when it comes to taking family vacations.  


If you live in the Greensboro, North Carolina area - there are a number of fun & budget friendly options just waiting for you & your family to take advantage of.  Of course, there are so many, it would be extremely hard to list them all, so I'm just sharing my ultimate favorites


If you don't live in the Greensboro area, check back tomorrow.  I will be sharing over 75 links to StayCation articles written by bloggers all over the country.


(Make sure you look at the very last destination on this list for my ULTIMATE FAVORITE place to go complete with photos of my family there!)

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Pineapple Casserole

For the past week, I haven't been here.  First was the problems with blogger & then came lots of work outside.  I have been working alongside my hubby to get the chicken coop ready by this coming weekend as the chickens are getting pretty darned big faster than I expected!  Good news is that we are pretty much done - just a few more things to do.  When it's done, you better believe I'm going to post some pics to share with all of you!  :)


A few weeks ago, I posted our menu plan for the week (which I didn't get a chance to do yesterday...blame it on the coop!) and under the lunches, I had listed Pineapple Casserole.  Well, I got a few curious comments & emails, so I figured it was about time to share this awesomely delicious recipe with ya'll.


Here is what you need:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and butter a 2 quart casserole dish. Blend together 6 tablespoons of pineapple juice, sugar, flour, & melted butter in a mixing bowl.

Add in the pineapple & cheese; mix well & pour into your casserole dish.  Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven.  Mix the crushed crackers & melted butter together; sprinkle on top.  Reduce the heat of the oven to 300 degrees, and bake the casserole for an additional 20 minutes.

Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving. 

Pineapple Casserole

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Ingredients:

• 2 (20oz) cans Pineapple Chunks, juice reserved
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 single pouch of Ritz crackers, crushed
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (for the topping)

Instructions:


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and butter a 2 quart casserole dish. Blend together 6 tablespoons of pineapple juice, sugar, flour, & melted butter in a mixing bowl.

Add in the pineapple & cheese; mix well & pour into your casserole dish. Bake for 20 minutes.


Remove from the oven. Mix the crushed crackers & melted butter together; sprinkle on top. Reduce the heat of the oven to 300 degrees, and bake the casserole for an additional 20 minutes.


Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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Pampers Easy Up 108 Count, Shipped for $18.80!!

If you have a toddler needing some Easy Ups...now is certainly the time to pick some up.  If you hurry over to Amazon before they are gone, you can get a box of Pampers Easy Ups Trainers for Girls Value Pack, Size 2T/3T, 108 Count or Pampers Easy Ups Trainers for Boys Value Pack, Size 2T/3T, 108 Count for just $18.80 shipped.  

Here's how:

• If you are not signed up for Amazon Mom yet, go do it.  It's free!
• Clip the $1.50 coupon on either the Girls Easy Ups or the Boys Easy Ups (it's on the page)
• Place the product in your cart using the subscribe & save option
• Go checkout - your total will be just $18.80, making it $0.18 per easy up!

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Skippy Natural Peanut Butter - $1.54 a Jar!

Amazon currently has a pretty great deal going on peanut butter right now.  You can get 6 jars of Skippy Peanut Butter, Natural Super Chunk, 15-Ounce Jars for just $1.54 each.  Here's how!

• Add the Skippy Peanut Butter, Natural Super Chunk, 15-Ounce Jars (Pack of 6) to your cart using the subscribe & save option
• Enter coupon code TOTALUNI at checkout
• Pay only $9.27 for 6 jars, including shipping!

After your peanut butter has been delivered, you can cancel the subscribe in save by going into your account & clicking on Manage Subscribe & Save Items.  Click on the Cancel Subscription button & that's it! 

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Menu Plan Monday - 5/09/11

This week, I am attempting to gain some more room inside of my freezer (and deep freezer), so all my meats are coming through there.  My goal is to be able to open my normal freezer without being injured with an avalanche of frozen goods.


Breakfasts


Crockpot Oatmeal
Sausage & Eggs
Bacon & Eggs
Waffles
Cinnamon Rolls

Bacon French Toast

Lunches


Leftovers
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches & Tomato Soup
Corn Chowder
Ham & Cheese Sandwiches
PB & J Sandwiches


Dinners


Baby Back Ribs, Stuffed Potatoes, & Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Pot Roast with Carrots, Potatoes, & Onions, Black Eyed Peas, & Cream Biscuits

Garlic-ed Up Spaghetti & Cheesy Italian Pull Apart Bread (my recipe that's published on AllRecipes.com)

Jalapeno, Avocado, & Bacon Burgers (recipe coming soon!), Homemade French Fries


Chicken Spinach Alfredo Lasagna (recipe coming soon!), Salad

Southern Fried Chicken Fingers, Macaroni & Cheese, Green Beans, & Deviled Eggs

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Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Cream Pie

I absolutely love strawberries, and I have ever since I can remember.  So, when strawberry season hits around here, I buy bunches of them.  Here in the area of the country that I live in, I head over to Whitaker Farms where I can pick my own, or buy them just picked that morning if I'm running short on time.  You better believe that I am there at least once a week buying 4 quarts at a time, at the very minimum.



I take full advantage of those fresh berries.  I have so many recipes that I adore for them though, it's hard to decide which one to do first.  However, this Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Cream Pie is always the very first thing that I go to make, and I try to make as many as I can before the season is over.  I could not envision spring without this pie being part of it.  I really think that I have developed feelings for it.

And, guess what?  You don't even have to heat up your kitchen to pull this one off!  Yep, that's right.  No cooking what-so-ever!  Just assemble it, pop it in the fridge, and wah-lah!  Mission delicious complete.


So, you interested yet?  I just ate the last slice of the 2nd one of these pies I have made so far this season, and I'm certainly already interested in making another one!


Here's what you need:

Melt 3/4 cup of of the white chocolate chips in the microwave for about 15 seconds, being careful not to burn.  Set aside.

Beat the heavy cream, vanilla extract, & 1/2 cup of the confectioners sugar with an electric mixer in a bowl until it becomes thick.


In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, the other half cup of confectioners sugar, & a cup of melted white chocolate.  

Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.

Spread the cream into the chocolate pie crust.  Then, press the sliced berries into the mixture ALL over it.  Find every single available nook & cranny, and shove a berry in it!

Melt the remaining white chocolate in one bowl & melt the milk chocolate in another.  Drizzle the melted milk chocolate on first...

Then the white chocolate

Refrigerate until set.  Make sure you eat this within 2-3 days (like it could actually last that long!) since it is made with fresh berries.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries & Cream Pie

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Ingredients:

• 1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 (8oz) package of cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 1.5 cups white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 chocolate pie crust (like Oreo)

Instructions:

Melt 3/4 cup of of the white chocolate chips in the microwave for about 15 seconds, being careful not to burn.  Set aside. Beat the heavy cream, vanilla extract, & 1/2 cup of the confectioners sugar with an electric mixer in a bowl until it becomes thick.

In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, the other half cup of confectioners sugar, & a cup of melted white chocolate.  

Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.  Spread the cream into the chocolate pie crust.  Then, press the sliced berries into the mixture ALL over it.  

Refrigerate until set.  Make sure you eat this within 2-3 days since it is made with fresh berries.

Melt the remaining white chocolate in one bowl & melt the milk chocolate in another.  Drizzle the melted milk chocolate on first and then the white chocolate.

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Awesome Savings on Organic Olive Oil!

If you are like me, and go through a lot of olive oil in your home - but hate forking out the dough for it....This deal is certainly right up your alley, as it is mine!


Currently, Amazon has Zoe Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil,  25.5-Ounce Tins (Pack of 2) on for just $13.43 shipped.  That is a spectacular savings!  If you want it, I would jump on it as a great deal like this is sure to not last long.  

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