Fridays are sooooo sweet!

Not just because it's finally the freakin' weekend, (aka sleeping in, chill time with my hubby and fun for all!!!) but because you can now pat yourself on the back. Congrats! You survived another work week!!! How 'bout celebrating with a sweet treat that's easy on the waistline?

I give you Pumpkin Pie Mousse, a super delicious, insanely easy, bowl-licking treat that's perfect for the end of a long week. Sweet with a hint of spices and Pumpkin, and so rich no one will believe it's low fat! Now, I have to thank my mama for this recipe. She is always finding healthy but delicious recipes to try out, which then get passed down to me for what I like to call "tweaking", also known as me adding my own little twist with extra ingredients and such. She served this recipe at Thanksgiving this year, and everyone was obsessed and begging for the recipe by the end of the meal, so I thought I'd pass along the fabulousness to all of you!

Pumpkin Pie Mousse

2 packages of sugar-free Vanilla pudding mix

1  29oz can of Pumpkin Puree

1  16oz container of sugar-free Cool Whip topping

3 cups of cold Fat-Free milk

3 tsps of Cinnamon Plus Spice (Pampered Chef blend, includes cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger and orange peel, look for a comparable blend in your local store)

Make the pudding mix using only 3 cups of cold milk. Stir in pumpkin puree and Cinnamon Plus Spice (or comparable spices) and mix until well blended. Carefully fold in the Cool-Whip and chill until set.

Serve in small dishes, sprinkle with a little cinnamon-sugar and add a ginger snap for a fabulous treat. It can also be made as a Pumpkin Mousse Pie by pouring the mousse into a graham cracker crust.

Enjoy!!!

~KG

Thankful Thursday - Give Back and Feel GREAT!

Photo credit to www.values.com

You know how it goes. You sit down, flick on the TV, and within 2.5 seconds it's like the TV is literally trying to jam Christmas down your throat. The loud commercials screaming about all the sales, sending you running from store to store for this gift or that. It becomes so easy to forget what the holidays - whether Christmas or otherwise - is supposed to be about.

Which made it an easy decision for me to turn Thankful Thursdays in a whole new direction. From now until Christmas, I will feature a charity I love every Thursday as a reminder that giving back can be the best kind of giving during the holidays!

Todays feature - an organization close to my heart for all the help and hope they gave my cousin when he was diagnosed and undergoing treatment - The Maine Children's Cancer Program (MCCP). Located in Scarborough, Maine, the Maine Children's Cancer Program is a part of Maine Medical Center and focuses on providing treatment to children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders. Besides providing some of the most comprehensive treatment options, MCCP also has an amazing research program, is a part of the Children's Oncology Group, the premiere childhood cancer research organization, and works with the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center to provide inpatient care so children can get the care they need closer to home.

The Maine Children's Cancer Program has so many ways that you can give back. During the holidays, businesses have the opportunity to adopt a family with a child undergoing treatment to help give them the Christmas they cannot afford on their own. Each child makes a small wish list, and the business that adopts their family purchases the gifts, wraps them and prepares them for pick up by the MCCP staff. The staff at MCCP work diligently to match up families in need with the right business depending on how much the business can take on or spend. It's a great way to give back and an excellent way to get your business name out there in a very positive way! For more information about family wishlist adoption for the holidays, call the MCCP office at (207) 396-7565.

If you are looking to donate individually, you can visit MCCP's donation page and make a tax deductable donation that will go towards future cancer research and treatments that are making such a huge difference in so many lives.

If you would rather give your time, visit MCCP's Events page for a list of fundraising or MCCP hosted events that you may volunteer at. Whether it's a minute, an hour or a whole days worth of your time that you can give, I can guarantee that you won't be able to walk away from your volunteer experience with the MCCP without a huge smile on your face.

It's so easy to make a HUGE difference in someone else's life. This holiday season, remember those who may be less fortunate and be grateful enough for all you have to give back just a little.

What charities or volunteer organizations bring a smile to your face?

~KG

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole with Honey-Maple Glazed Ham...it's what's for dinnah!

Yeah, you read that right: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole with Honey-Maple Glazed Ham. Yes, it exists...and it's so simple, anyone can whip up this amazing, one-pan meal.

I'm no Betty Crocker, but I come up with some pretty kickass meal ideas every now and then. My hubby is a huge Chicken Cordon Bleu lover, and after going through the process of making it from scratch the traditional way, I thought, there has GOT to be an easier way! What could be easier than tossing everything in a pan, shoving it in the oven and waiting 'til it's all cooked? Ummm...nothing!!!

Ready to get cookin'? Well, preheat your oven to 350 degrees, grab your apron, a giant glass of wine (obviously necessary when cooking!) and the following:

13 x 9 pan, coated with non-stick spray
1 ham steak (Regular or Maple Glazed, available at most grocery stores)
1 package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3-4 good sized breasts)
1 packet of Peppered Country Gravy (aka White Sauce)
1 1/2 cups of water
1 15oz container of Part-Skim Ricotta cheese
1 Garlic & Herb Saute Express square
Onion powder
Garlic powder
1/4 cup Parsley flakes
Sargento 6-Cheese Blend
Salt & Pepper

First things first, coat your 13 x 9 pan well so you won't have to scrub for hours after the meal is done (cause a meal really isn't simple if it entails a billion hours of clean-up!).

While the oven is preheating to 350 F, dice your chicken breasts and ham steak and put into your 13 x 9 pan.

 

 

 

 

In a large bowl, combine the entire container of Part-Skim Ricotta, the Garlic & Herb Saute Express square, the 1/4 cup of Parsley flakes, and onion and garlic powder to taste (I give each one a good 3-4 shakes into the bowl). Mix to combine the ingredients well, then add the packet of Peppered Country Gravy and the 1 1/2 cups of water. Carefully mix all ingredients in the bowl until well combined then pour over the diced chicken and ham, mixing until all the meat is covered.

 

 



Pop the pan in the oven, grab your wine (if you have any left in your glass. If not, fill 'er up!) and park your buns for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven and check it by stirring carefully to look for any uncooked chicken pieces. If you still notice some chicken pieces are slightly pink, pop it back in the oven for another 10 minutes.

 

Now for the extra goodness. We all know that traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu is made with Swiss cheese. I happen to looooove cheese (and I mean LOVE), so I the executive decision to nix the Swiss in favor of a delectable 6 Cheese Italian blend from Sargento. Let me just say, you won't be disappointed

 

 

Once the chicken is cooked through, sprinkle 1 cup (or more if you feel like it!) of Sargento 6 Cheese Italian blend over the top and pop it back in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Take the pan out of the oven and set on stove to cool for 5 minutes, then serve up the deliciousness with bread and butter or a veggie side for an amazingly unforgettable meal. Voila!

 

 

 

Serves at least 4 (with leftovers)...just double the recipe if you gotta feed more peeps (or just want more leftovers to share!).

 

Remember, cooking is supposed to be creative and fun, so don't be afraid to add your own crazy delicious touches and change up the recipes every now and then. What recipe concoctions have you come up with by tweaking? 

 

 

~KG

 

 

 

 

 



A Super-Hostess cocktail recipe to ease the mood this Thanksgiving...

Everyone knows how the holidays go. You prepare a big, involved meal, have guests over, are stressed to the max, and have to be a gracious hostess with the mostest while maintaining your sanity. Insert collective, hair-pulling scream here in anticipation of the quickly approaching holiday(s)! 

Now, while I'm not saying you should whip up a cocktail that will lay out your guests (and you) before the meal makes it to the table, I can't deny that having a cocktail available at your gathering may help everyone (inlcuding you) relax a bit and enjoy the day a little more. And, if you can find a cocktail that is not only delicious, but also low-calorie on such an indulgent day, well I suppose that may just make you the Superwoman of hostesses.

Enter the Spiced Pumpkin Martini.

Are you drooling yet? I certainly was after seeing the first photo when I came across this recipe on eat-yourself-skinny.com: an amazing foodie blog I have absolutely fallen for. Made with sake, which has way less calories than both vodka and rum, this martini has less than 150 calories per serving and still has a deliciously creamy pumpkin pie flavor that will have your inner Pumpkin lover squealing "OMGeeee!"

So, how do you prepare this perfect little treat? Nope, you don't have to be a trained bartender to bust out this creamy cocktail, but it will still taste like a pro made it!
Saaa-weeeet!

Here's what you'll need to make 2:

2 oz Sake
2 oz Vanilla vodka
1/4 cup fat-free half and half
1 tbsp Pumpkin Spice syrup

Fill up your cocktail shaker halfway with ice, add all 4 ingredients and shake it like it's hot! Set aside and rim your martini glasses with a cinnamon-sugar mixture, then strain the cocktail carefully into the glasses.

The nitty-gritty on the Spiced Pumpkin Martini:

Serving size: 1 Martini
Calories:        143
Fat:                0 g
Carbs:            8.5 g
Fiber:             0 g
Protein:         1 g

Serve, enjoy, and feel the stress begin to melt away! 

What other drink recipes make you go "Yum!" and calm your holidays down? Comment below with your rowdy cocktail suggestions!

~KG
  

A Rowdy appetizer for a unique turkey day treat!

With Thanksgiving just a few days away, the race is on to find unique, delicious recipes that will have your family begging you for the recipe and regarding you as the new-age Betty Crocker.

Why not surprise everyone this Thanksgiving with an out-of-the-ordinary turkey day treat like Mini Shrimp Tostadas with Wholly Guacamole, recipe courtesy of Gorton's Seafood? With a little kick, a little protein, and a whole lot of flavor, these little bite-sized appetizers pack quite a punch, and are way simple to whip up!

You will need:

1 8oz package of Gorton's Classic Grilled Shrimp, Shrimp Poppers or Popcorn Shrimp

1 7oz package of Wholly Guacamole (or any of your favorite guacamole)

10-12 mini tortillas (about 3" diameter), toasted or round tortilla chips

 

To make 'em:

 

1. Prepare the shrimp as directed on the package. While the shrimp are cooking, arrange the tortilla rounds on a plate or serving platter.

 

2. Add a dollop of guacamole to each tortilla round until all are covered.

 

3. Top each tortilla round with a cooked shrimp and push down slightly so it sticks to the guacamole. If the shrimp have tails, be sure to cut them off before serving for easy eating.

 

You can also add the following to give these your own special twist:

 

Add a small sprinkle of shredded Mexican cheese to each tortilla round before topping with shrimp and toast in oven or toaster oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted slightly.

 

 

Cut a jalapeno into thin slices and add one slice of jalapeno per tortilla round before topping with shrimp.

 

Have a safe and happy holiday, and be sure to check in tomorrow for another turkey day treat suggestion!

 

~KG

 

Thankful Thursday...cause Rowdy girls are thankful too.

With so much craziness in life, I have always felt it's important to keep it real and be greatful for all I have. What better time to really express how thankful you are than during the month of November? Already the 15th...boy, I have some catching up to do! Here goes! 

I am thankful for:

1. My husband, best friend and lover, who is also essentially my rock and happy place.

2. My family and friends. (Aka the Rowdy support system.) LOVE them all!!

3. My creative talent, which brings me both peace and happiness.

4. My ability to return to school full-time this spring, an opportunity not everyone gets.

5. The numerous opportunities I have been given in my life.

6. Food. Such a simple thing, but there are so many still without.

7. Heat. Another simple commodity, but one many still suffer without.

8. Having a reason to smile - any day.

9. Living in a state that finally opened it's mind to marriage equality! LOVE!

10. My clunky POS car, that might be old as shit, but still runs like a champ.

11. Change. It may not be easy, but it's certainly necessary for growth.

12. Having a reason to laugh - pretty much every day.

13. Income. Some people struggle just to have a little income. I am grateful for every penny.

14. Every new day. It gives you the chance to reinvent yourself every single day. Take it!

15. My new blog. One part awesome, one part creative outlet, and ALL rowdy!

~KG

Wordless Wednesday...

Photo Credit: AndreeBelle.wordpress.com

The first step...

They always say that the first step is the hardest, and making life-altering decisions that cause you to say "Oh shit! What am I doing?!" in the private silence of your own brain is certainly no exception. But life is short, which is why, after 9 months of working at an advertising firm at about a million miles per hour every single day, I decided to step away and explore the ever-growing world of blogging.

Excited? Hell yes! Fearful that my decision may be the utter and complete end of my sanity? Abso-fuckin-lutely! But at 30 years old, my husband and I both decided that there is more to life than killing yourself at a job you don't completely love, so I took the leap, gave my notice and embarked on the path to my "new life" just this week. I hope my blog delivers creative and helpful tips and tricks to people, that it provides me with a creative outlet that will make me happy and that it gives people a place to cut loose, speak their mind and just be real for 5 seconds.

Ready or not, here I go!

"Leap, and a net will appear. If it doesn't you'll fall, hit the ground hard, brush yourself off while swearing about how much it sucked, then conquer the world with your determination"

~KG