Hi friends!!!

Many of you are here from Facebook or Instagram, and are looking for my meal plans and recipes. I decided to just utilize my blog I started about 5 years ago- what a blast it has been to read those few posts! If you have a few minutes, they are certainly entertaining. Otherwise, I hope this blog can help you with your endeavors into feeding yourself and/or others.

This week has been a bear for us! The temps in Georgia are extreme, and the air quality has not been much better. What does this mean for a family with asthmatic kids you may ask?? Well let me tell you, it is an all insurance paid few days of nebulizers and no sleep! It means days home from school and your beloved family members looking extra…. punchable. It means quick, comforting meals that are easy and affordable. It also means extra time for our little comedians to shine.

I have said before that life with George, now 6, is like riding a mechanical bull that you don’t realize has a jet plane style ejector saddle. It is a ride like no other and although rough at times, a ride I never want to get off of. Earlier this week Abbey was getting in our shower after George had finished scrubbing the little boy grunge from his little meatball hoagie body. She stood there for a minute as the wheels were spinning in her mind.

“Georgie? Did you pee in the shower”

George ran out of our closet in one of my tank tops, backwards of course, and did his best ninja kick landing in a convincing power stance. With his right tan, chubby, confident fist thrust into the air he proudly yelled….

“Not today, sister!!!”

In that moment, he unknowingly created a chant that has gotten us through the week and is certain to be used for a while.

However, that is not the here. You are here because you want to know what I cooked for dinner. Did you think I would give you dinner without entertainment??

Not today, sister!!!!!!

But here is what we had for dinner tonight, with the grand total of ingredients, purchased from Aldi, coming in at $16.49!!!

Oven Baked “Houston’s” Chicken, corn, Steakhouse seasoned green beans, and cheddar biscuits.

Growing up my mom would make “Houston’s” chicken. I believe it is based on a dish my parents had at one of the restaurants years ago, but it is basically BBQ chicken with ham and Swiss on top. Fancy💁‍♀️

“Houston’s Chicken”

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts ($5.99 for a 3 lb bag- extras!!)

Favorite BBQ sauce (we used Aldi original tonight that was a whopping $0.95 a bottle)

8 oz honey ham ($1.99)

Slices Swiss cheese ($1.79)

Pound thawed chicken breasts out so that they are even in thickness. Place in a Pyrex dish and season as you want. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350. After 30 minutes, check with a knife to be sure the juices run clear. If not, add a few more minutes of cooking time.

Remove the foil and top with BBQ sauce, 3/4 slices of ham, then a slice or two of Swiss to smother it all. Place back into the oven for 10-15- more minutes!

Corn on the cob

Shuck your corn, getting all the little strings out you can, and cut about a 12″x12″ square of foil for each ear. Rub an ear with a stick of butter (just unwrap one end and pretend you are coloring😂) and season with salt and pepper or your favorite blend. Wrap each ear in its own cozy little flavor pack and toss in the oven (350) when the chicken goes in for 30 minutes! Once the 30 is up, remove them and place on a pan or the counter until you are ready to eat!

TIP: Dollar Tree sells little boxes of foil squares that are perfect for this!

Green Beans are frozen and just need to be zapped and the cheddar biscuits are from a box mix ($1.49).

Just remember when you are tired and want to order pizza instead of this super easy meal, just picture me in your face with a cheesy grin chanting….

“Not today, sister!!”

-C