Easy Chicken Alfredo {Tasty Tuesday}

Back to School: a time of joy for many parents, but a time of intrepidation at the onslaught of chaos. The new school year brings back the crazy schedule, the homework, the practices, the games, the lessons.  So much!  How do parents keep up with the chaotic schedule and still get dinner on the table?

Easy dinners, that’s how!

One of my favorite Easy Go-To Dinners is Chicken Alfredo. The prep is minimal and the finished product is fantastic!  You’ve got flavor, protein and possibly even some veggies if you dare to throw in some broccoli! Just put these few items on your next grocery list, buy a nice crusty bread to go along with it, and you’ve got yourself a simple Weeknight Meal!

Again, sometimes the easiest meals are the ones so simple that we overlook them. Don’t knock the easy meals!

Chicken Alfredo

• 1 box of Spaghetti, cooked and drained according to package instructions
• 1 jar of Alfredo Sauce
• 1 package of Perdue Short Cuts Oven Roasted Chicken (or Steph’s awesome and easy Slowcooker Shredded Chicken – make it on Sunday and use it all week!)
• Pepper

1. Place cooked spaghetti in a serving bowl. Pour jar of Alfredo Sauce over the pasta, and toss to combine. Spread chicken bits over Pasta-Alfredo mixture. Sprinkle with pepper to taste.

Yep. That’s it!

Optional: Defrost and steam box of frozen broccoli and add to the meal for Chicken Broccoli Alfredo (one more way to get your 5 a day!)

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How simple is THAT?  To make your life easy, create a Meal Rotation, and rotate it every 2 weeks. Add this Easy Chicken Alfredo to keep it simple and sweet 🙂

Have a good Back to School Week!

Steph spends most of her days tripping along the road of parenthood, occasionally getting it right along the way. You can read more about Steph’s life and recipes at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom.

Chicken with Chiles Casserole {Tasty Tuesday}

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a Tasty Tuesday!  Our Summer has been a whirlwind of working, activities, working, a few day trips to fun places and working. Did I mention working?

But now that Hubby is officially back to school today, I’m ready to settle back into my regular routine. Part of my problem in the Summer is that my husband lifeguards (as he is a teacher during the school year). So many days are spent with him working until 8 or 9pm, and he misses dinner. So I choose simple dinners for the kids and I, but get out of the “trying new recipes” routine I am usually in.

But I’m back in the game!

Last week on my blog, I shared a recipe from my mother-in-law. It is a tasty, simple and filling recipe that even kids will love! My husband grew up on it, and our kids ate it up when we made it last week. Since Autumn is around the corner, I figured now is a good time to share it so you can put it into your Meal Rotations this Fall!

• 12 oz bag of No Yolks Egg Noodles, cooked, drained and cooled.
• 1/2 cup of onion, chopped
• 2 TBS butter or olive oil (for sauteeing the onions)
• 3 10-oz cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 small can of Green Chile Peppers (I might use 2 next time for extra flavor)
• 1 1/2 cups of shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 3 cups of chicken, cooked and cubed or shredded

{Preheat oven to 350 degrees}

Saute the onions in butter (or olive oil, if you so choose).  While they are sauteeing, combine the soup and chiles. Add the sauteed onions and mix well.

In a greased 2 1/2 quart baking dish, place 1/3 of the cooked noodles. Top with 1/3 the chicken, then 1/3 the cheese and 1/3 the Soup Mixture. Repeat.  If you have any of the cheese leftover, sprinkle some on top to make a nice crust.

Cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, serve and enjoy!

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I would love to hear how this turns out for you – so be sure to leave a comment!

Steph spends most of her days tripping along the road of parenthood, occasionally getting it right along the way. You can read more about Steph’s life and recipes at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom.

Local Staycations Review: Doubletree Resort of Lancaster, PA

Sometimes the best things in life are those simple things we overlook.  When it comes tov vacations, we often seek big adventures or tropical paradises to visit.  Living in the Philadelphia area, we have so many great and local Staycation opportunities! You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy some fun time with your family.  A fun vacation may be just a short trip down the road.  We have some great Staycation reviews lined up for you this Summer (isn’t that so nice? We’re doing all the research for you!), and we’re starting with Lancaster County, PA!

Chesco Mom Steph had a great chance to do a Staycation in Lancaster in mid-June.  Her stay was FANTASTIC, and she can’t wait to share it with you. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing her reviews of the local attractions: The Strasburg Railroad, The Choo Choo Barn and The Amish Village. Each review will also have a coordinating GIVEAWAY for admission tickets to these attractions, so be sure to check back!

What is a Staycation, though, without STAYING OVER?  We’ve got you covered.  Chesco Mom Steph and her family stayed at the wonderful Doubletree Resort in Lancaster.  Here’s her review of the accomodations and her Top 5 Reasons to Come Stay at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster!

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I’ve always found it to be a treat to stay at a hotel.  There are no home responsibilities to take away from your pleasure, no work to burden you.  Someone else will make your bed and clean your bathroom. And there are usually super fun attractions to keep things exciting.

I’ve never stayed at a Doubletree Resort before, but our experience at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster makes me want to plan a return visit!  The entrance lobby is classy and welcoming, and our room was exquisite (see the video at the end of this post for an impromptu tour).  I figured the best way to share with you why I enjoyed our stay at the Doubletree so much is to give you a Top 5 List.  So here’s my list, in no particular order:

Top 5 Reasons

To Stay at the Doubletree Resort

Cookies at Check-in

If you know me at all, you know I have a sweet tooth. So when we arrived in the lobby of the Doubletree, I immediately smelled beautiful baked things. I thought maybe it was all in my head, and brushed the thought aside.  But once we checked in at the front desk and got our room key, we were sent off with CHOCOLATE CHIP WALNUT COOKIES.  Free cookies. Freshly baked cookies. One for each of us. Gooey melt in your mouth best cookies I’d ever had.  Apparently, this is something all Doubletree Resorts do. Which I find amazing. Because if I had to choose between a Doubletree and a different hotel of the same caliber? I’d totally choose a Doubletree simply for the free cookies.

I tip my hat to you, Doubletree. Well done.

Accomodations
I’ve shared on my personal blog about navigating through reviews to find a good hotel (ie: nice accomodations that you don’t have to take a loan out for), only to be left severely disappointed once we arrive for our stay. My husband and I have really seen it all in terms of hotel accomodations: bad smells from being located over a hot deli, dirty bed linens, no elevators to the upstairs floors, etc.  So we are always a bit nervous and wary when we arrive for hotel stays.

Doubletree Resort in Lancaster did not disappoint! A beautiful lobby welcomed us, and a short elevator ride took us to our floor.  Upon opening the door, we knew we’d have a cozy overnight. 2 plush beds with fluffy comforters and pillows greeted us.  The room was clean, and well-appointed with a flat-screen TV and mini-fridge/coffee station.  There was a desk I could do some social media work work at while my husband and daughter played, as well as a comfy arm chair.  The bathroom seemed to have recently been renovated, with contemporary tiling and a nice large counter space to accommodate our small family. Every room has a nice view of the Lancaster countryside, which is a nice perk when you open the curtains to the large window.  

Indoor Water Playground
As the mother of two small girls (one of which stayed at home to enjoy a weekend with her grandparents), I appreciate any attraction that is family-friendly.  So when I was first doing my research on the Lancaster Doubletree, it was nice to see they had both and indoor AND outdoor pool.  Upon further investigation, I found that they also offer an indoor water playground for younger kids!

This playground is perfect for families with kids in elementary school or younger.  There is a fun loopy slide for the older and more adventurous kids, as well as a small slide and climbing area for toddlers and preschoolers.  The water in most of the area is shallow, and for the little ones, there is a gradual walk in to the water (think of a small hill leading to the ocean). My daughter is almost 4, and could not get enough of the play area. The area is closed in, so it’s easier to keep an eye on your kiddos. It also serves to separate the other guests without kids so they are not disturbed while using the indoor pool.

Overall it is a WIN for everyone!

Customer Service
I still laugh when I watch Home Alone 2, when Kevin (once again) finds himself separated from his family. In the second movie, he is in New York City, and decides to take up residence at the Trump Plaza.  The conceirge at the Plaza is clearly stuck up and condescending, only wanting to cater to the most VIP of guests.

Not so at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster.  The staff was warm and friendly, even joking around with my preschooler.  They made check-in and check-out easy, and did not make us feel silly for any questions we needed to ask.  

At one point, I realized I forgot a few toiletries. We went down to the front desk, and the staff quickly took care of our needs, no questions asked.  There is something inviting about a hotel when the staff members are happy, welcoming and accomodating.

Area Attractions

There is plenty to do in the surrounding Lancaster area, some of which we’ll share with you over the next few weeks.  Aside from the 3 great attractions we’ll be reviewing in the weeks to come, the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster is close to mini-golf, the renowned Tanger and Rockvale Outlet Shopping,  Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, restaurants and more.  This is a great central location when planning a stay to Lancaster County!



And, as promised, here is a quick (and very impromptu!) view of the GREAT room:

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There you have it!  With 5 Reasons to Stay, the only thing left to do is start planning your Lancaster Staycation today!  The Doubletree Resort of Lancaster even has some great Summer Getaway Packages.  Check back next week for our first Lancaster Staycation Attraction Review and Giveaway: The Strasburg Railroad! (You might just win tickets for your family!)

Pesto Flank Steak {Tasty Tuesday Recipe}

We love to grill. And over the years, I’ve shared many great grill recipes here on Tasty Tuesday.  My favorite recipes are ones that are simple. So simple, in fact, that they are often overlooked. Recipes don’t have to be complicated to be good. 


A few weeks ago, we had a flank steak (or “london broil”) defrosted and ready for the grill.  We usually opt for our traditional marinade, but I eyed a container of pesto in the fridge and felt slightly inspired.  In a few minutes, I had the steak marinating and a few hours later, it was cooking on the grill.


End result? AMAZING.


Sometimes the best recipes are the most simple.

Pesto Flank Steak

• 1 2-3 lb flank steak (or “london broil”)
• 1/4-1/2 cup of pesto sauce

1. Spread pesto over the entire steak so it is well-coated.  Place in a ziplock bag and let the steak marinate for at least 2 hours.


2. Heat the grill, and let the steak cook for 7-11 minutes per side (depending on how rare or not rare you like your steak).  


3. Once the steak is finished cooking, take the steak off the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute.  Slice the steak into thin slices against the grain.


4. Serve with potatoes and broccoli for a yummy meal!

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Delightfully yummy and moist. We love this simple way to prepare steak – and it’s perfect for Summer Grilling!

Steph spends most of her days tripping along the road of parenthood, occasionally getting it right along the way. You can read more about Steph’s life and recipes at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom.

Local Staycations: LANCASTER (coming soon)

LANCASTER, PA

We’ve done some great travel reviews here on the Philly Burb Mom sites, with many more to come!  Our most recent adventure was to Peddler’s Village, where Chesco Mom Steph had a great weekend away with her husband.

This weekend, Steph will be whisking her husband, Bill, and oldest daughter, Lucy off to Lancaster, PA. They’ll be riding trains at the Strasburg Railroad and Choo Choo Barn, learning about the Amish Ways at the Amish Village, and enjoying a relaxing stay at Willow Valley Doubletree by Hilton.  And we know she likes yummy food, so check for pictures of her meals!

Do you have any questions you’d like Steph to answer on her trip?  Is there something you’d like her to challenge her to do while she’s visiting (take a picture with a horse and buggy? Drink a milkshake? Report on the toiletries at the hotel? Grab a picture with the train conductor)? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook page, and Steph will take on your challenges!

Follow their adventures this Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 on the Chesco Moms Facebook page, and Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom Facebook page. Steph will also be tweeting it up on Twitter (@donnareedsteph) using the hashtag #LancasterPAFun.

Starting next week for the next 4 weeks, we’ll post Steph’s travel reviews of the hotel (week #1), Strasburg Railroad (week #2), the Amish Village (week #3) and The Choo Choo Barn (week #4).  SPOILER ALERT: There will be some great giveaways to go with these reviews so be sure to check in!

Join in the fun – and take copious notes so you can take your own Lancaster Staycation this summer!

   

 








To see more of our Philly Burb Mom Travel Reviews….

{Tasty Tuesday} Pesto Chicken Packets

It’s June, and if you haven’t already, it’s time to break out the grills!


We LOVE grilling. And this season got ten times more exciting because we purchased our very first gas grill.  Not new, though. Our friends were (sadly) moving to Texas, and were trying to offload their very nice gas grill. We made out like bandits for $50.  We LOVE the gas grill.  Hubby used to have to wrestle with the charcoal, gathering papers to get it to light, and then wait for what seemed like eternity for the coals to be hot enough to grill over.


Nevermore.


Now we turn up the gas and minutes later our meals are roasting.  Yay!


Last summer, Hubby and I took to creating Grill Packets. Essentially, you take your meat, marinate it, throw in some veggies, and wrap it all up pretty in aluminum foil.  Once the foil is sealed, you toss the packet on the grill and let it cook.  After the food is cooked through, you take the packet off the grill, transfer it to your plate, and (carefully) open the foil and enjoy! 


It’s kind of like slow cooking, but quicker. And tastier.


One of the easiest packets we enjoyed were our Pesto Chicken Packets. Easy and the chicken came out super moist.  Check out how to assemble your Pesto Chicken Packets below!

Pesto Chicken Packets

(serves 4)

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded or sliced thin 
• 8 TBS Pesto
• 1 onion, cut into slices
• 1 green pepper, cut into slices
• 1 red pepper, cut into slices
• 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes
• Salt, Pepper for seasoning
• Aluminum Foil

1) Cut 4 14-inch long rectangles of Foil.  Grease with cooking spray.

2) Divide veggies into 4 portions.

3) Place 1 portion of onion, red pepper, green pepper onto greased foil rectangle. Spread with 1 TBS of Pesto. Top with chicken.  Season with salt and pepper.  Top with another TBS of Pesto.  Add tomatoes on top/around Chicken and veggies.

4) Bring 2 ends of foil together.  Fold together, and bring up sides to seal.

5) Repeat with 3 remaining packets

5) Throw on hot grill for 30- 45 minutes (Check after 30 – if chicken juices do not run clear, fold the packets back on and check after 10 more minutes).

6) Take off the grill when finished – and let sit for 3-5 minutes. BE CAREFUL when opening of steam.

7) Serve with crusty rolls and enjoy!

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There are many different ways to create a Grill Packet, and it makes Summer Dinners

experimentally fun!  I’d love to know how these packets turn out for you (or how you

tweaked the recipe!).  Leave a comment below!

Join Steph, a Chester County Mom, as she adventures through blogging, life, marriage, cooking, parenting and bringing sexy back, but not necessarily in that order. You can find her at Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom.

Tasty Tuesday: Southwestern Egg Rolls

I came across this recipe on the wonderful world of Pinterest.  What caught my eye? The words “Baked” and “Southwestern.”  Here in our house, we LOVE all flavors Southwestern. If it calls for Cumin or Chili Powder? We’re in.

But “baked” is what got me the most. Who doesn’t love Egg Rolls?  But let’s face it: they are deep fried pieces of fatty goodness. TOTALLY not part of a healthy diet.  I had NO idea that:

1) you could buy egg roll wrappers at the grocery store
2) that the actual egg roll wrappers were not bad for you – it is the frying that makes them unhealthy.
3) you can bake egg rolls instead of frying!

Reading this recipe was quite the learning experience for me.

Also? The recipe is meatless.  So you can serve them up to your vegetarian friends. But as one who eats meat, you’d never miss it!

The recipe comes from the inspiring food blog, Annie’s Eats.

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Baked Southwestern Eggrolls

(linked from Annie’s Eats)

2 cups of frozen corn, thawed

1 10oz pkg of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 15oz can of black beans, drained

1 4oz can of chopped green chiles

4 green onions, chopped

2 cups of shredded cheese (Annie recommends a Mexican blend. I use low-fat Cheddar)

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I don’t add this, incase Little Chica wants to try some)

1 pkg eggroll wrappers (I like the Nasoya brand)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly spray a cookie sheet (or cover with parchment paper).

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the eggroll wrappers.

Take an eggroll wrapper, and place it on the counter in front of you so it looks like a diamond (one of the points facing down toward you). Place 2-4 TBS of the filling in the center (Annie says 1/4 cup, but if you want to spread it further, you can use a little less).  Bring the bottom tip of the egg roll up and over the filling and roll slightly.  Then bring in the 2 side tips into the center and continue rolling.  When you get to the top tip, dip your finger in water and brush the edge/tip.  Bring the moistened tip over the top and seal.  Repeat with the rest of the filling and wrappers. 

Place on greased cookie sheet, seam side down.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15-17 minutes (until lightly brown), turning once.

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We eat these as a main meal. My portion is usually about 3, with a side of corn chips and salsa.  Serve this up with some salsa and sour cream, although they need no doctoring because they taste so good!  I’ve also made some of this chicken, and shredded it up and added it to the egg rolls.  

If you aren’t sure where to find egg rolls in your grocery store, check by the tofu in the produce section.  In my store, it’s in the organic aisle.  In other stores, it is in with the fresh fruit and vegetables.  

Once your imagination gets going, you find there are so many things you can stuff in egg rolls wrappers and bake. Next week I’ll bring you a recipe for Breakfast Egg Rolls!

Have a good week!

You can read more about Steph’s life and recipes at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom.

Tasty Tuesday: Spinach Salad with Gorgonzola, Pistachios and Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette

Summer is the Season of Salads.  Perhaps because the vegetables are more fresh, or salads just seem tastier when eaten al fresco. Either way, we’re all enjoying salads for lunch and dinner.  Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a salad rut, and it’s good to have a few unique salad recipes to keep things exciting.


I found this recipe in Cooking Light magazine a few years ago.  The Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette really stuck out to me, and I absolutely love pistachios.  It was a win-win.  I make the salad regularly.  One of the things I love about it is that it’s easy to make and is SO SO SO SO delicious.  Definitely a good salad to serve for guests!

Spinach Salad with

Gorgonzola, Pistachios 

and Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette

1/4 cup red pepper jelly

2 tablespoons (apple) cider vinegar

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/8 teaspoon of kosher salt (I just use regular table salt since I never have KS on hand…)

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

8 cups fresh baby spinach

1/4 cup (1 oz) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

/4 cup dry-roasted pistachios

1) Place jelly in a 1-cup glass measure. Microwave at HIGH 30 seconds. Add cider vinegar, oil, salt and black pepper, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cool to room temperature.

2) Combine spinach and cheese in a large serving bowl. Drizzle vinegar mixture over spinach mixture; toss well. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings (serving zie: 1 cup spinach mixture and 2 teaspoons of nuts).

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Seriously SO tasty.  Sometimes I make this salad and eat it as my meal along with a crusty roll.  The recipe yields enough for several people – so if you are making it as a side or for only a small family, I’d consider halving the ingredients.

Also? This would be a GREAT side salad at your Memorial Day Picnic!

Would love to hear how this turns out for you – so be sure to come back and let us know in the comments section!

Have a great week!  More yummy Summertime recipes to come!

You can read more about Steph’s life and recipes at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom.

Get Pinspired: Mother’s Day

Now, I know most of you reading this ARE mothers, and therefore should not have to lift a finger for planning Mother’s Day. I hope all the loved ones in your lives are feverishly planning all the ways to celebrate and pamper you this Sunday with lots of love!

We still have mother’s in our lives to celebrate, though. Moms, step-Moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, friends, mothers-to-be…and those special women in our lives who may have no genetics in common with us, but had a special hand in nurturing us in motherly ways.

We must celebrate those women.

 We must celebrate ALL mother’s!

 So I turned to Pinterest for Mother’s Day inspiration, and I found a great many pins to get me excited about Sunday’s celebrations!

Pinspirations: 

Mother’s Day

Gifts

There are lots of fun gifts to give to the special Mom’s in your life. I love love LOVE this necklace. I’d want 2 little blue eggs – one for each of my girls.

Source: etsy.com via PhillyBurbMoms on Pinterest

Kids Crafts

Kids don’t have to be left out!  There are quite a few gifts they can make on their own. And, really, is there anything better than a homemade craft from a child you love?

Source: hummingbirded.com via PhillyBurbMoms on Pinterest

Brunch

A brunch is a fantastic and fancy way to celebrate Mom’s.  Keep it light, but tasty.  I love these Muffin Tin Eggs.

Source: marthastewart.com via PhillyBurbMoms on Pinterest

And Baked French Toast? YES PLEASE.

Source: nutritionfor.us via PhillyBurbMoms on Pinterest

What is brunch without Mimosas?

Source: tastebook.com via PhillyBurbMoms on Pinterest

What to Wear?

If I could show up to Mother’s Day brunch wearing this dress, I’d be in heaven!

Source: goo.gl via PhillyBurbMoms on Pinterest

I’ll most likely don something more along these lines, though.

Source: blogs.babble.com via PhillyBurbMoms on Pinterest

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How are you planning on celebrating Mother’s Day?  Have you found any good pins to get you started?  Make sure to share them with us by leaving a comment or heading over and sharing on our Facebook Page!

Find more Pinspirations by following us on Pinterest and checking out our Mother’s Day Board.

Tasty Tuesday: Asparagus Roll-Ups

One vegetable that really finds it’s prime in Spring is asparagus.  You’ll find it might be slightly less expensive at the grocery store, since it’s in season and not as difficult to find or farm.  The local farmer’s markets may even showcase it over the next few weeks!


Spring also brings lots of events and parties.  Graduations, Mother’s Day, Spring Fetes. You can’t, of course, show up empty handed.  Today’s recipe is the perfect asparagus appetizer to serve to guests or to bring along to a party.  They are easy to make and SO tasty (seriously – try hard not to eat them up yourself!).

Asparagus Roll-Ups

• 1 block of cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons of fresh chvies
• 8 slices of bacon cooked and crumbed/cut up
• parmesan cheese
• butter
• 16 asparagus stalks
• 16 slices of bread from a loaf 

Put asaparagus onto skillet with water for 6-8 minutes.

Mix cream cheese, chives, bacon into a bowl.

Use a rolling pin and flatten the bread completely. Remove crusts.

Spread cream cheese mixture onto bread. Top with asapragus (if too big, cut in half, and but both pieces onto the bread), and roll up.

Melt butter and drizzle over asparagus roll-ups. Finish by sprinkling with parmesan cheese.

Bake at 400ø for 12 minutes until crisp/golden.

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If you are trying to watch calories and healthily your meals, use fat free cream cheese, 100% whole wheat bread and turkey bacon!

Would love to hear how these turn out for you – so feel fee to share your experience!

Have a great week!

You can read more about Steph’s life and recipes at her blog, Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Mom