Crock Pot Chicken Tacos....

I grew up on eating tacos once a week.  Every Sunday morning my mom would start her process of making homemade refried beans.  My dad would start browning the meat for tacos and fry up the corn tortilla taco shells.    My job was to cut the cheese...ha ha, yeah I really did just shred the cheese, but telling me to "cut the cheese" was always hilarious to my dad.  *MEN*  The smell of our little Sunday family dinner was amazing!! The neighbor kids referred to my dad as "Mr Taco" because it was our little tradition. 

We are such a busy family now, that we don't have traditions like that with the boys, but oh how I wished we did.  But when I do make tacos, I tell my little fellas all the funny stories about when I was little, it brings back such sweet memories.

My fellas love tacos and love my silly stories too!  So I try to make tacos as often as I can, but when it's football season, there isn't much time.  I have come to love my Crock Pot chicken tacos...and my fellas think that they taste better than their most favorite Mexican restaurant in town.  I love that and even love that they are so easy to make! 

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
6 frozen boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 package of taco seasoning
1 jar of salsa (My favorite is the Market Pantry found at Target...the one with the corn! YUM)

Toss in the chicken, seasoning and then the salsa on top)  Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours until chicken shreds up really easily.

I like to fry my own taco shells in canola oil if time permits, but serving on a soft warm corn tortilla is just as yummy.  We top our tacos with lettuce, shredded cheese (I cut myself! HA) more salsa and sometimes sour cream, depending on our mood.  Super easy!   I also serve with rice and refried beans purchased from the Mexican store in town during football season, or homemade on any given weekend in the winter!

Hope you enjoy our quick, easy and very inexpensive dinner!! 

My love....

Oh goodness, it's been a year and a half since I've blogged.  That can't be good...I'm not even sure what I've actually been doing in that year and a half.  I do know I spend 10 days of that year in a half in Maui.....but I can't really recall what else I did?  Oh well. :)

I have been inspired to blog again.  Blog about something I love to do...something that I never thought I'd love but I fell in love with it after becoming a mom 9 and a half years ago.  Cooking!!  I absolutely love cooking. I love the hunt of a good recipe either online or the old fashion way.....a cookbook.  I love gathering the ingredients, and mixing my concoction.  But must of all, I love the looks on my fellas faces when they try something new!!  I am very blessed with good eaters.....they'll at least try something once, but normally will eat every last bite.

The past few years my boys have been involved in sports.  Football during the late summer early fall.  Basketball in the winter and of course baseball in the spring time.  We get a small break in the summer....very very small break.  Right now we are in full swing in our football season.  Practice 3 nights a week and game day on Saturday.  Due to the boys ages, they aren't at the same level this year, so we are usually at the football field for 6 hours on any given Saturday!  It takes it's toll....but the boys just love it, and we really love watching them!! But spending so much time out of the house, my love of cooking has been put to the back burner (pun intended of course!).  I've always been the kind of mom that eating a healthy home cooked meal at home is important to me.  I know what my family is eating, it's healthier than the alternative and saves on money too!  So my new inspiration is to blog about my adventures in weeknight cooking.  I have dusted off my crock pot and are planning out my meals a week in advance!  I'll share with you my wonderful finds, and my not so wonderful recipes....you know they can't all be good.

This Real Housewife of the Central Valley is going to share great, quick and healthy meals with you so you can be inspired to have something yummy on the table for your little quarterback!    Stay tuned, I'll share with you my recipe for crock pot chicken tacos tomorrow! 

Home sick...

Oh how I looked forward to this weekend for weeks! Many plans were made, changed and upgraded. Friends were ready...and then BAM! The dreaded cold!! You see, my dear sweet husband took my rambuncious boys on a weekend fishing trip! Oh at the mere mention of this trip, fun girl plans swirled in my head....dinner and movies, drinks and giggles. All those fun things you do with your girlfriends when you get the opportunity to take a night (or two) off. But no....I'm sitting home with a sore throat, drinking hot tea and watching the Lifetime Channel. FAIL.....

American Girl Doll Fashion show models needed!!

Do you have a little girl in your life between the ages of 6-12? Are they fans of the American Girl Doll? Modesto is hosting the only California fashion show and it's coming up soon! This weekend is the model call, so click the link below to get all the details! Model call is this weekend January 15, 2011 so if you are interested be sure to arrive on time with your application and 2 photos (head shot and full body.

The fashion show is an fun event for moms and girls, and there are 3 shows on Saturday March 26, 2011. Showtimes are 10:30, 2:30 and 6:30pm. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance, this is a fun event that always fills up fast!!

See you there! American Girl Doll Fashion Show -Modesto

Have you heard the news...

...it's not a rumor, I saw it with my own peepers! The pumpkin spice latte's are back at Starbucks! Oh yes, yes it's true, would I lie to you? (don't answer that)

There is also a new addition...they've added the Toffee Mocha, and boy, is that yummy! The adorably sweet barista gave me a sample! And wow, I'll be adding it to my regular drink rotation.

What's your favorite Starbucks drink?

Color the Skies!

If you've never been, this is something you must see at least once in your life! It's amazing. Lucky for us we can wake up and look out our bedroom window bright and early and see the balloons lifting off. But you need to get up close and personal at the Color The Skies Hot Air Balloon Festival in Ripon next weekend. You have to see the beautiful balloons, the kites and the amazing Blue Angels as they fly through the skies of Ripon.

Last year, the boys were so stoked to go, we woke up early (as in 5am...too early) to check out the festivities. We had so much fun, and although it was too windy for the balloons to launch, there was still plenty for us to do and eat! The early morning pancake breakfast is a must!! I hear there are jet rides, balloon rides, a 1 mile and a 5k run, which we didn't partake in, but there are lots of other activities and vendor booths for the whole family. All proceeds go to the Children's Hosptial of Central California, a truly amazing cause.

So do your part, spend the day with your loved ones having fun and supporting the Children's Hospital.

What: Color the Skies
Where: Ripon's Mistlin Park
When: Bright and Early Labor Day weekend

This event gets a two freshly manicured thumbs up from me!!

Start cleaning out your closets!

Alright ladies, if you are anything like me, your closet is in need of a little sprucing up! A little purging and organizing is needed! Well, start pulling out those old prom and bridesmaid dresses that you'll never wear again, and give to those who need them. There's an amazing foundation called Marissa's Closet, it's in Ripon, so you are helping out local girls in need!!

Marissa's Closet was founded by Marissa's mother in her daughters honor. She was a bright, sweet and giving girl who unfortunately took her own life last year. Read her story on her website, and follow them on Facebook.

Share those dresses girls! :)

This is our last big weekend before the kids head back to school, so we're heading to the beach! Capitola is our favorite, but of course you can't head that direction without hanging out at the boardwalk! They are still hosting concerts until the first Friday of September, so it's always fun to check that out. Tonight the Spindoctors are performing....I vaguely remember them, but for the life of me can't remember what they sing. I guess I'll be Googling them before we leave! Check out their list of concerts to see what's happening in the next couple of weeks.

There's a lot to do in a short little weekend, build sand castles, hang out at Margaritaville, and of course ride the Big Dipper!


See you when we get back!

Gone Nuts.....

To me, summer is all about baseball! And what better way to spend an evening with friends at a Modesto Nut's game?! Always a blast, and if you're lucky to get tickets for a week end game, you'll get fireworks too!

The season is coming to an end, so if you haven't gone yet, you should, it's good old fashion hometown fun! There are always great deals and promotions, and be sure to sign the kids up for all the fun contests too...over by Guest Services! Your little one could get a chance to run the bases with Wally Walnut!!

Check out the list of dates available and get your tickets now! You can't go wrong with $1 hot dogs! :) Modesto Nuts!!

Got Skaters?

Tomorrow, July 17th, is the last of the series of skateboard competitions. So if your little (or big) skater is looking for something to do this weekend, check it out. The Central Valley Am Jam was started by a local skate mom, so kids in the area could compete, show off their skills and win some pretty cool prizes! It's fun for everyone, and if you've never seen a competition, you need to check it out, some of the tricks are amazing! Lots of fun to watch and if you're feeling a little daring, even compete in!!

So if you're in Ceres swing by the Smyrna Skate Park, be there by 9am if you're going to compete! :)

For those of you questioning my sanity....

(ha ha) YES! Wine really does come in a juice box, would I lie to you? I've had several emails (you know who you are) along with a few comments on my Facebook page! So I did it, I picked up a variety of wine in little boxes just to show you. We're going out of town soon, so they'll come in handy very soon! I found these at Target, thanks to a tip from a wine drinking friend ;-) and I found 3 different varieties. Pinot Grigio, White Sangria and a Cabernet. They were reasonably inexpensive, and think of how convenient they are! :) So, now, who's joining me for the free movies in the park now?!

Taste of the Delta

How does live music, wine tasting, and food sampling sound to you?! Sounds like a dream come true to me!

The 9th Annual Taste of the Delta will be held on July 17th from 1-4 in Stockton. Tickets are $35 per person, and that includes a free round trip cruise on the Delta.

What a way to spend the afternoon, sipping wine from local wineries and sampling yummy treats from Delta restaurants.

You can purchase your tickets by visiting their website at Taste of the Delta.


If I didn't already have plans that day, I would be there! If you are planning on attending or have in the past, leave a comment and let us know! :)

Movies in the Park

Now doesn't that sound fun? Grab your picnic basket filled with snacks, a big ole blanket and watch a movie in the park with your family and friends!!

Well, that's what will be going on at Mancini Bowl in Graceada Park on Friday nights. They have a great list of family friendly movies that everyone will enjoy!! Best of all, it's free!

The schedule looks like this....
•Fri, Aug 20, 7 pm: Imagine That (PG)
•Fri, Aug 27, 7 pm: Astro Boy (PG)
•Fri, Sept 3, 7 pm: Shorts (PG)
•Fri, Sept 10, 7 pm: Planet 51 (PG)
•Fri, Sept 17, 7 pm: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (PG)
•Fri, Sept 24, 7 pm: Aliens in the Attic (PG)

Mark your calendars and be sure to leave me a comment if you are planning on going, maybe we can meet up! :)

Oh, and don't forget the wine in the juice box!!

10 Tips for staying cool in the Central Valley

If you've lived in the Central Valley a year or a lifetime, you know how extreamly hot and unbearable our summers can be! You have to do what you can to keep cool, and here's my top 10 list for staying cool this summer!!

1. Find a pool! If you don't have one, find one! Friends pool, city pool, pool at the gym....even your neighbor on vacation's pool. (Just be sure to put their newspaper on the porch, it's the least you can do)

2. A cold beverage is a necessity. Before noon, lemonade, iced mocha, you name it. If it's got ice, it works. After 12, it's pretty much a free for all...grab what you can find in the fridge and chill.

3. Splash parks are great! Ripon has a fun one at Mistlin park, the kids love it, and there is a decent amount of shade, so get there early to claim your spot! :)

4. Wear the kids out at Pump it Up in Manteca. They have a few days a week where they have open play, bring a book or better yet, a friend with kids and chat! The kids go wild for 2 hours and you can catch up with your mommy friends. It's always nice and cool in there, it's well worth the $6 per child cover charge.

5. Shop! Well, even if you don't have the money to shop, window shopping is an art! Take the kids through the mall, keep cool and promise them a quick trip to the playground after. Don't forget to pick up a pretzel while you're there! Costco is always great too, shop around and eat enough samples to fill the kids up for lunch!

6. Stay in and play video games....this is what we did this morning. The kids loved it, and well, I broke a sweat playing Wii boxing! So much fun and such a workout too!!

7. Wash the car. Get the kids involved, and start scrubbing. Next thing you know, you'll all be soaking wet and the car will be clean too! :)

8. Super Soaker fight...okay, so my kids LOVE this idea! Guns and fighting are never allowed in our house (okay, so not never, but hardly....) Everyone grabs their weapon of choice and lets loose. The only rule is...there is no complaining! This is a highly requested activity in my home!

9. Grab a popsicle! This will seriously bring you back to when you were 7! Love this!

10. Take a nap! Turn on the AC, trick the kids into playing the quiet game, and catch a few Zzzzzz's!


What do you and your kids do to keep cool in this heat??