Heirloom Tomato Salad!

How easy this was to make! 

Purchase from Trader Joes a carton of Heirloom Tomatoes.  Wash with Trader Joes Vege Wash, slice all the different colors of tomatoes!  Thinly slice a little bit of purple onion and finely mince some green onions. Layer tomatoes and purple onions.  Sprinkle Red Wine Vinegar over everything and use your favorite Italian Salad Dressing!   Sprinkle with green onions and parmeasan cheese.  Serve with some specialty Crackers and Cheeses!  (note:  Plain and boring won't due! )

Enjoy!  Luv2U!  <3 Monica's Munchies!

A View From the ICU Waiting Room! (or any hospital waiting room!)

Monica's Marvelous Spiritual Makings (dubbed by Jeffrey!)

Man, this is a hard place to be, with long, long days to get through!  Don't just sit there, keep yourself and others occupied! 

Something to understand:  Unless your case is an considereed stat, the Dr.'s don't come by the ICU til 8-9pm!  They are busy with their practices, surgery and rounds during the day!  So the following tips are  necessary!

(Please don't hesitate to use your gifts of hospitality at this time...it will bless your friends and family!)

Bring your favoite hand bags, small igloos and backpacks with essentials for the wait!
Having your own Bible and the Devotional Streams in the Dessert are a must!
(Having your bible study there to do is very helpful to keep you focused on the Lord and ready to be used.)

1.  We found having some puzzle books to pass the time really helps.  2-3 people can work on cross word puzzles together, others can do individual puzzles. 
2.  Water bottles, Capri Suns, Sprite are good for the wait.
3.  Bring simple snacks to share such as: nuts, chips, homemade Amish Bread pre-sliced w/small plates and forks! 
4.  Little bit of candy keeps everyone going!  Bring them all in zip lock baggies.
5.  Be willing to make a food run or a frozen yogurt run! 
6.  If you are a large family don't be afraid to get there early and save seats! 
7.  I have 3 movies on my IPOD, one is my favorite That Thing You Do!  I watch it over and over!
8.  Remember there is alot of stress, fear and unsure feelings at this time so be willing to pray at a moments notice as the Lord leads. (Be ready in season and out to apply Gods word to every situation for strength and wisdom!)
9.  Be sure to go for walks with different family members to let them talk and for encouraging them!

These things helped us to unite as a family, to have great fellowship, trusting in the Lord during the worst of circumstances.


I hope this will bless you if you ever find your self in the Twighlight Zone of a hospital waiting room!
(cue the music)

LUV2U! <3 Monica's Munchies!

Save a Buck Chicken!

Monica's Marvelous Makings! (dubbed by Jeffrey!)

I love buying a precooked rotisserie style chicken from the store!  It's simple, easy to shred for an instant marvelous making!  Yet cooking your own chicken is so simple!

Right now we all need to save a buck where we can, yet I do not believe in being cheap! 
Frugal is the key word here! 

Jeff and I have both been watching for whole Fresh and Easy/Foster Farms whole chickens to go on sale!  When we find them we purchase 2-3 of them.  Throw them in the freezer 'til your ready to use 'em

Jeff cuts them up for me if I want or I cook them whole. 

I clean out the undersireable inward parts and rinse 'em well. Don't forget to wash your sink out with soap afterward for safe keeping from salmonella!

Next pat it dry with a paper towel, this helps the oil/seasonings have a stick to it attitude!
Rub olive oil on the out side and sprinkle it with Garlic Salt, that's it! 

No fancy seasoning needed for a shredding chicken!

Place it in an aluminum foil lined pan for easy cleaning.  Cook at 350 degrees for about 1 -1 1/2  hours.
(It is done when juices you can see just inside the chicken are clear) 
Take it out, tent it with aluminum foil till it is cool enough to shred! 

This is so yummy, easy and perfect for shredding! 

Don't forget to share a few bites with the puppies!  You will not be able to hold back yourself!

Use in my Chicken Chile Verde Enchilada Casserole, Barbcue Chicken Sandwiches or Chicken Quesadillas!

Enjoy!  LUV2U! <3  Monica's Munchies!

Chicken Chile Verde Enchilada Casserole!

Monica's Marvelous Makings!
(dubbed by Jeffrey!)
I make my Enchiladas Casserole Style:

 2-3 Rotisserie Chickens (2 if they are Costco brand)  Shred them while warm.

Heat tortillas in microwave to soften approx. 2 mins.

Heat Las Palmas Green Encilada Sauce with a jar of Green Salsa!
Lightly pour sauce over and under 1st layer of corn tortillas!

Not too much! No drowning the tortillas, you can top with sauce later! hahah!

Next:  Layer the chicken, shredded mexican cheese,
Lightly sprinkle w/ sliced green onions,chopped purple onions and  1/2 can Ortega Chilis, chopped

(You can add canned chopped jalepenos here if you like it spicy!!)

Add a little more sauce, and repeat!

Start with Corn Tortillas!

The very top layer has no chicken, but it does have Tortillas, Cheese, Onions and Ortega Chilis.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 mins. When you remove it let it sit for a few minutes to let cheese set!

Cut into squares.

Serve with extra sauce, Rice a Roni Spanish Rice and Crock Pot Black Beans made with Salt Pork,
Guacamole, Shredded Lettuce and Sour Cream!  Yummy!

Truffle!

Monica's Marvelous Makings     
(dubbed by Jeffrey!)                        This Truffle was full of amazing decadence!

You heat 4 cups milk (I used soy milk)

Add 2 lrg. pkgs.cook and serve vanilla puddings.

Stir until thick, don't take your eyes off of it!

When thick, pour over 1 bag any flavored chips you like..dark choc./white/butterscotch! Mix till melted! Then put in pie crust; make a choc. pie!

Or just eat it... See More!!!!

 Sandra Lee divided it over 3 pkgs and flavores of chips, (1 whole Pkg. ea.) I divided it over 2 different bags and flavors~!


Then in a clear glass bowl I layered Chocolate Pudding, lemon Amish bread torn up, Butterscotch pudding! Top with whip cream! It was a hit!