Have you Discovered Pinterest?

Does anyone besides me engage in the daily, “Oh dear, what on earth am I going to make for dinner” battle? I have NEVER been a good meal planner. I rarely know at 9 am what I’ll be making for dinner in the evening. That’s me. Planning meals bores me.  Does that make me a bad person?

Several months ago, my daughters introduced me to Pinterest and all the sudden I have a new lease on life. Well…maybe that’s just a bit over-the-top, but the truth is, Pinterest HAS become my new favorite cookbook. My “Dinnspiration” pin-board now holds all those awesome looking recipes I’ve found online that just have “must try” written all over them. Here’s a few of the recipes I’ve discovered and tried over the last several months:

Hungry yet?

But it’s not just the food I love on Pinterest! I’ve also found some awesome craft ideas (we’ve tried a few of those too!), home decorating ideas, outdoor gardening ideas, and much more! And following my daughter’s pinboards has given me FANTASTIC Christmas gift ideas!

So, have you discovered Pinterest? If you need an invite, let me know!

Serious YUM!!

I made a much needed trip to my two favorite grocery stores this afternoon…Aldi and Trader Joe’s!  I’m extremely fortunate to live less than five miles from both stores, so my trips aren’t usually all that infrequent.  But I’m also fortunate enough to have three daughters who can grocery shop for me when I’m busy (and I’ve been pretty busy the last few weeks), so it seems like ages since I’ve been to my own little grocery shopping paradise!!

One of the things I love about TJ’s is the little Tiki Hut near the back of the store…at least that’s where it is in my store!  Of course,  during the winter months, the hut always serves coffee…and anyone who knows me, knows that coffee is definitely one of my favorite things.  Here’s one of today’s purchases…

Then, there’s the monkey.  They always hide a stuffed purple monkey that kids have to find.  And when they can tell the cashier where they found the monkey, they’re treated to a free goodie…and of course, because it’s Trader Joe’s, it’s always an artificial ingredient-, preservative-free treat!!

But I digress….the Tiki Hut also usually offers some type of food to sample…often a recipe that can be completely (and easily) prepared from Trader Joe’s items.  Today’s offering was simply scrumptious!  So much so, that I just HAD to make it for dinner!  I’m gonna grill some chicken and have this salad as a side dish!  Mmmm….can’t wait till dinner!

SALSA, CORN & BLACK BEAN SALAD
1 bag organic Super Sweet Corn
2 cans TJ’s Cuban Black Beans
1 tub TJ’s Party Size Salsa (this is fresh salsa…not in a jar!)
1 tsp. Cumin (or to taste)

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Makes 9 cups.  This is great served with tortilla chips and avocado!

Salsa, Corn & Black Bean Salad....yum!!