How To Clean Your Cutting Board

Cutting boards: the jean jacket of the kitchen. Used regularly, but not really cleaned that regularly. I was a believer that soap and water was good enough, but as you can see, it definitely wasn't.

Yes, I set my wooden cutting board on a heated stove top. No, not even lemon will remove that. But you can still see how gross it is. I'm ashamed. And I'm actually going to be working on the other side of the cutting board, which I forgot to take a picture of.

Here's what you need:

• 1 lemon
• Kosher salt

Start by cutting the lemon in half. We'll use one half per side (if you use both sides of your cutting board and are planning on cleaning both sides).

Rub down the cutting board with one half of the lemon {pulp down} and set aside for future use.

Next, cover the cutting board with kosher salt and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Finally, we'll use the previous lemon half and rub the salt into the cutting board. If it starts getting dry, squeeze some juice out of the lemon as you scrub.

Go ahead and rinse with only water (no soap) and dry. This is a great way to disinfect and spruce up your wooden cutting board. Not to mention it's dirt cheap! For more ideas on how to clean your home naturally, check out this post by Homesation. 

Now go enjoy your squeaky clean cutting board!

Xoxo,

Taco Salad Casserole

I've been living in a bit of a new-mommy-fog lately.

Worth it.

We belong to an amazing church that spoils the heck out of us. We've had meals lined up for us for a few months now, and they've been absolutely amazing. Things I'd never make. Gumbo. Chicken pot pie. Taco salad casserole.

Wait. I can totally make taco salad casserole, even in this mommy fog. And so can you! Plus, because this is the first post of the New Year, I'm obligated to include lettuce somewhere (since half of you are vowing to eat healthier).

I've made taco salad before, but this casserole is amazing, because you can serve it quickly. With normal taco salad, you have to get all the different pieces out of the fridge and assemble it every time you serve leftovers: the sour cream, the cheese, the meat, the lettuce, etc. For those of us that are either a) new parents, b) completely and totally lazy or c) a normal busy human being with a social, familial and professional life (of which I am all three), this casserole makes it waaaaay quicker to serve.


Ingredients:

• Romaine lettuce
• Sour cream
• 1 can corn
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can pinto beans
• 1 lb. shredded Mexican cheese
• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 7.5 oz bottle of Taco Bell taco sauce
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• Tortilla chips
• Guacamole (optional)
• Olives (optional)
• Diced tomatoes (optional)
• Cilantro (optional)
• Red onion (optional)

Directions:

First we're going to cook the meat on the stove with the taco seasoning. Once this is done, congratulations! You've finished the hardest part.

I love this stuff. I breathe it. Confession: when I was little, whenever we'd go to Taco Bell, I would suck on the packets of mild sauce. I don't know-don't ask. But this adds some moisture and extra flavor to the meat.

After it is drained and fully cooked, pour the entire bottle of Taco Bell sauce on it and cook on low until completely heated.

Grab your canned goods. Pop 'em open and drain 'em. Now let's get to layering.

First the meat.

Then both beans.

Spread out the sour cream (easier said than done).

Then the corn.

Don't forget the cheese!

And the {only} healthy part...lettuce. Serve this with tortilla chips as a dip. Tim enjoys this cold, but I warm mine up in the microwave. It is SO.GOOD.

Here's to eating our vegetables in 2014!


Love,

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Nutella Hot Cocoa

I'll admit, I'm struggling with the Christmas spirit. Yes, my tree went up in October. And yes, all my gifts are wrapped and under a tree. I have, in fact, listened to Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith's Christmas albums an ungodly amount of times. I have five Christmas candles that are all lit in various rooms of the house. Heck, it's even cold outside. I can officially wear boots and scarves to my heart's content.

It's probably the sleep depravation. Having a baby really is as exhausting as they say it is, especially when you're the mom. And look, I'm sure being a dad isn't always a walk in the park. But at 2am, when the baby is screaming and needs some TLC, he wants one person: me. Mom. The queen of the castle. And the kingdom is falling apart because the queen isn't getting any sleep.

So back to the Christmas spirit. I decided that what was missing was the food aspect of things. Having a newborn means minimal time in the kitchen. That means no baking, icing or cute and totally impractical aprons. But if there's one thing I can throw together, it's hot chocolate. I found some Nutella in my pantry and went to it.

Now, whether it worked or not is still undecided, mostly because Tim drank my cup after I fell asleep feeding the baby. Results are pending. But I hope you enjoy this, because I really, really did. Now, excuse me while I go take a pathetic excuse of a nap while my son drools all over me.


Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/3 cup Nutella
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt

In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it's hot, but not boiling.

Add the Nutella, aka, "nectar of the gods."

 Whisk it up. Do yourself a favor and don't try to use a spoon.

Then add the cinnamon and whisk some more. Pour contents into the mug and top it with the sea salt and whipped cream.

That's it! Anything Nutella touches turns into gold, so I didn't hesitate to make this. And neither should you.

Love and cocoa,

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