cafe rio salad update

This recipe makes a ton of food. We ate the meal with my aunt, borther, and sister-in-law and we still had leftovers for two days: )

Bon Appetite!!

Cafe Rio Chicken Salad

Dressing
1 pkg buttermilk ranch dressing (make as directed) or 3/4 bottle of dressing
2 tomatillos (they look like green tomatoes in a husk and you can find them in the produce isle)
1/2 bunch of cilantro
1 clove of garlic
juice of 1 lime (2 T)
Blend everything together in a food processor

Chicken
1 small bottle of zesty Italian dressing (about 8 0z.)
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves of garlic
5 lbs of chicken
Put everything in a crock pot and cook on high for about 4 hours. shred chicken and then let it cook for another 45min-1hr.

Rice
3 Cups water
4 tsp chicken bouillon
4 tsp minced garlic
1/2 bunch of cilantro
1 can green chillies
1/4 tsp salt
1 T butter
1/2 onion
3 Cups minute rice (or 1 1/4 reg)
Blend cilantro, onions, garlic, and chillies in a food processor. Boil water, add all ingredients. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Black Beans
1 Can black Beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 Cup tomato Juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
2 T olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 T fresh chopped cilantro
in a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving stir in cilantro

To make Salad:
Layer
A tortilla with melted cheese on top (we used ready-to-cook tortillas from the store. I hear it is really yummy to make your own)
chicken
rice
dressing
beans
salad greens (romaine lettuce)
pico de gallo (tomato, onino, cilantro, garlic, and jalepenos)
parmesan cheese and cilantro (for garnish)

cafe rio salad

This week I made some delicious Cafe Rio chicken salad! It was amazing. I got the recipe off a friends blog (thanks Kathlen!!!). It wasn't too hard so I think I will make it again soon.

I will post Pregnancy pic's soon. promise.

In my attempt to cut back spending in this economy crisis I have decided to dye my own hair. I haven't done this since I was 13 and my hair didn't turn out the best so I am a little nervous. But I am hoping that 10 years will have given me enough know-how to be able to be successful now.

Would any of you have any suggestions or thoughts about this? I am most worried about not getting the color right or about the highlights not being even enough. Helpful hints would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

gulp. . . Addictions

Confession: Over the last several weeks I have started several new never-ending addictions.

1. I can't stop eating chili paste. I don't know if you have ever tried this stuff, but it is HOT!! I keep burning, but it doesn't stop me. I don't know if it is some weird pregnancy thing or if it is just addicting stuff. You can try it on eggs, tortillas, burritos, fried rice, etc.

2. I don't feel that a day is complete unless I have spent way too much time reading political commentary. My fav website is now realclearpolitics.com. I justify this addiction because I reason I am educating myself and trying to stretch my political knowledge, but in reality I only like to read articles that I am predisposed to agree with. I have learned a lot, but because of the what I read the more I read the more right I think I am. It isn't really broadening my political base, it is just making me stubborn in the ideals i already had. I haven't concluded whether this is good or bad. any thoughts?

3. I am in love with every Jane Austen book. This is probably my most time consuming addiction because once I start a book I can't stop it. Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice was once my favorite Austen heroine, but now i think it is Eleanor from Sense and Sensibility. If I could choose to live any life of the heroines I would probably choose Emma Woodhouse from Emma. She is so lucky, she seems to get everything she wants. Do you have a favorite Austen Heroine?

happy times

This last week was amazing!

I got a free lunch at Tucanos on Tuesday b/c it was my birthday!!

Jeremy went to Fort Lauderdale, FL Wednesday and Thursday. I was miserable the whole time he was gone except when my amazing visiting teachers came over.

And his trip was actually a BIG success b/c he got a job offer from Ernst and Young the next day!!

Then that weekend Jeremy and I worked this amazing Kids Safety Show and we were able to book 23 tours + 6 tours we got at a theater shift. We haven't done that well in one weekend in a long time!!

Motto: Life is good