Delicious Shredded Beef

So, I know in a post a while back I had mentioned that you would see a future blog post about simple, healthy school lunches but to my surprise my son has, more often than not, chose to eat hot lunch at school. When he does want me to pack a lunch for him he usually requests Rev Wraps, you know those protein packed, prepackaged meat and cheese wraps you buy in the cooler section at your grocery store. I have no problem with these, although I find them a bit dry.
Anyway, without school lunches to blog about I've decided to share a yummy shredded beef recipe with you that I've recently made for my family on two occasions now. First time I used the shredded beef in enchiladas and the second we wrapped the meat in tortillas with cheese and sour cream. Either way it was great.

What you need:

1 rump roast

2 cans beef broth

2 small cans of diced green chilies

1/2 white onion

McCormick Mexican Fiesta Marinade

1 small can of red enchilada sauce

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp black pepper

Mix all ingredients together in a crock pot and cook on low for 8-12 hours. 

Shred beef and put it back into crock pot for 1 hour. 

Use for tacos, burritos or enchiladas.  

*The meat will be in a lot of broth. Before you use it make sure to drain the broth off of the meat so it doesn't make your tortilla soggy*

This meat is extremely flavor packed and smells delicious while it is cooking! 

My favorite way to eat it is simply wrapped in a tortilla with pepper jack cheese. 

Let me know how it turns out for you! 

**Update**

I've found its hard to find the McCormick marinade all the time so in place you can use

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp salt

2 tsp chili powder

1 tbsp lime juice or juice from 1 fresh lime

The flavor of those combined ingredients won't be much different. 

-N

Cheeseburger Rotini

This is my version of Cheeseburger Macaroni. I wanted to play it up so I used Rotini. It's a fairly quick meal that can be prepared ahead of time for a busy week night. This is one of my favorite go to meals when I want a tasty, filling dinner that doesn't require much effort on my part.

Need:

1 lb hamburger

1 box of noodles (I used Rotini)

1 jar of cheddar cheese sauce (I used Ragu)

1 can diced tomatoes in tomato juice

1/2 C. Dill relish (optional)

2 tbsp ketchup (optional)

2 tbsp mustard (optional)

1 tsp season salt

1/2 C. Shredded cheddar

Brown hamburger over med/high heat.

Boil pasta per directions on box.

Drain diced tomatoes. 

Reduce heat once hamburger is browned.

Mix together tomatoes, relish, mustard, ketchup and season salt in a separate bowl.

(Keep in mind you can leave out those ingredients if you don't like them but it's much better with them.) 

Once hamburger is browned add the mixture to the hamburger and stir.

Add cheese sauce to hamburger and stir. 

Drain noodles. 

Mix together hamburger and noodles and put into a greased, oven safe baking dish. 

Top with shredded cheddar.

Put in oven on 350° for 15 minutes.

Enjoy.

Teaching your children values... are we doing it right?

Let's talk about kids.
There is no wrong or right way to raise your kids. If there were a specific way I'm sure 99.9% of us would most definitely fail. However, as parents we can all agree that our children need to be happy, healthy and loved. It varies, though, how parents keep their kids happy, healthy and loved. It takes a lot to raise children. Time, patience, tolerance and of course money. Money though, where should parents draw the line when it comes to the financial side of nurturing your children? Obviously children have necessities that require you to spend money on them but how do you differentiate the needs and the wants. If you have children I know you're familiar with the "I want, I want, I want". It seems you can't take your kids to the store without buying something they want or turning on their favorite cartoon without them seeing a commercial for a toy they just can't live without, but for you where do you put your foot down? Do you leave the grocery store with the name brand box of cereal that costed $3 more than the generic brand you usually buy just to avoid the tantrum that would result in not letting your child have the cereal with the cheap-o toy in it? I've been there, I've caved..... and I also haven't. I don't believe in giving your kids everything they want. I strongly stand behind telling your kids "no" because life isn't going to hand your kids their every desire on a silver platter and as their parents I believe it's your job to teach them that.
That brings me to another tough life lesson I think children should be taught early on. Life is not fair and you have to work for what you want.
In my household, sharing a toy, snack or anything that one child may have that the other does not is completely optional and up to my children. My husband and I agree that it teaches a horrible lesson. Granted "sharing is caring" but sharing also teaches your kids that they should be entitled to everything everyone else has. Which is great, but we all know life doesn't work that way. Once the lovely life of being an adolescent is over our children will have to work and earn the things they want.
That brings me back to buying your kids everything they ask for. I'm not saying you can't treat your kids or spoil them every now and then, but don't be THAT parent. You know, the parent that doesn't "believe" in saying "no" to their children. I'm sorry, but all you're doing is creating a spoiled rotten, ungrateful brat. People who think they are entitled to everything without putting an ounce of effort into obtaining it is about one of my biggest pet peeves.  

I want all of our children to understand the value of a dollar and that you don't just happen upon money, but you have to work hard, put in effort and sometimes have to put others before something you want before you can have what you desire. I want all of my children to appreciate what we do for them and be grateful for what they have. 

Teach your children the value of things, not only the dollar amount but the effort required to achieve it. Teach your kids that just because someone has something they want doesn't mean they are entitled to it. Teach your children the sacrifices you make to give them what they have. Teach your children to appreciate you and the objects in their life. Teach them to be a grateful person.

You will truly be rewarded with something priceless when your children grow to be self sufficient, responsible adults because of the decisions you made. 

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole is great in its original form but every now and then I like to put a twist on my recipes. I made this as a side for my homemade version of shake and bake chicken. Instead of cream of mushroom I used cream of chicken to compliment my main dish.

What you will need:

1 bag frozen green beans

1 can cream of chicken 

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 can of French's Cheddar French Fried Onions (FFO)

Preheat your oven to 350°

In a bowl mix together your green beans, cream of chicken, cheese and 1/4 can of FFO.

Spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray and evenly spread out your green bean mixture. Bake for 30 minutes or until it is bubbling and then top with as much as you would like of the remaining FFO and bake for 10 more minutes. 

Enjoy!