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Healthy Salad

Healthy Salad

This is a super easy, super healthy, fast and fun salad to make at home for lunch.
For something that has next to nothing salad dressing, I have to say it was pretty tasty, but if you're looking for great and wholesome taste, you may use your favorite salad dressing.

Grill some chicken breast and cut up half a cup of it to add to your salad, if you want more, add some in.  Make sure it has no oil, we want this to be as healthy as possible, right!  Okay you may use Pam.


Next, take leafy green lettuce, fresh parsley, bell pepper of your choice and chop it all up and mix.

Healthy Salad

Add the grilled chicken to your greens and a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar with a pinch of sea salt or your favorite dressing.  Remember the goal is HEALTHY.


There you have it, simple fast and easy lunch salad.
Enjoy!

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Chicken & Apple Salad

Chicken & Apple Salad
The above photo by Lara604

I love chicken salad in many variations and I know that other folks prefer theirs differently, but here is a recipe that my family and I enjoy and you may tweak it according to your preferences.
The great thing about chicken salad is that you may have it as a side dish, main meal, in a sandwich or a wrap.  The variations also keep it interesting.

Are you ready to start cooking? 
Let's get started shall we!
  
What you will need first is to have some already cooked chicken breast; I boiled mine, but you may cook yours differently, I do not recommend canned chicken for this recipe.


Unlike me, use a large bowl, mix in the mayonnaise, lemon juice, cider vinegar, mustard, salt, sugar and pepper.  Stir well. (See recipe below.)


In another bowl, add your chopped cooked chicken, red apples, sliced or chopped almonds, walnuts, cranberry raisins, golden raisins and regular raisins.  (This is a salad nut mix sold in supermarkets)


To your chicken bowl, add fresh chopped parsley.  If you do not have fresh parsley on hand you may add dry parsley to your mayo mix instead.
You also have the option of adding celery.


Add the chicken mix to the mayo bowl.


Stir well to coat everything and chill for 2 to 4 hours. 


Voila chicken salad!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1  Tablespoon cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp real mustard
2 Tablespoon fresh parsley 
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp pepper
3/4 cup sliced almonds & walnuts
3/4 cup mixed raisins, (cranberries, golden and regular raisins)
1/2 cup chopped celery (optional)
1 cup red apples
3 cups cooked chicken, cut up.

We love this for snacking with crackers and my son loves this for lunch at school.
Remember, you may adjust this recipe to your liking.
What do you like in your chicken salad?
  
Happy Cooking!

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How to Make Cupcake Stands

INSPIRATION
I was looking through a magazine recently and
came across individual cupcake stands.
These are just too cute not have around.
They are great for parties and other entertaining events,
but the price did not fit the budget, so I made my own.  
Remember this tutorial
I applied the same method to make the cupcake stand/ pedestal.

Here's what I did:  
I used glass tea-light holders and unfinished circle wood plaques purchased from a craft store.  
The wood circles were in the craft department for only 50 cents each 
and the glass tea-light holder in the candle department for only 99 cents each.  
Now there are candle holders out there that look just as adorable, 
but you cannot beat this price to make your own.

1. You may use other materials to make these stands, 
but I personally chose the glass holder for its weight and balance
 and the wood plaque for thickness and sturdiness,  I don't want my cupcake to tip over.

2. I gently sanded the edges of the wood plaques to give it a smooth finish.
*Not all the plaques needed sanding.

3. I got my glue gun, you may also use E6000. 

4. Using my glue gun, I quickly spread the glue around the edge of the glass.

5. I then quickly pressed the glass on the wood plaque.

6.  Let the glue dry for 24 hours.

7.  After the glue was dry, I spray painted it with primer.

8. I let the primer dry and then spray painted it in white. 

You may use any color you like, I wanted mine white.
How to Make Cupcake Stands
Add caption
9.  I wanted to add a little decor to mine, nothing fancy, 
so I pulled out my E6000 glue and some dollies.

10. I cut off the scalloped edges, then cut that into four pieces.

11.  I used the E6000 to attach the scalloped edges onto the stand 
by using one drop of the glue on each end of the paper lace 
and gently pressing it on the side of the stand, let it dry.
You may do the same or use other materials 
for decor such as ribbon, buttons etc...
How to Make Cupcake Stands
How to Make Cupcake Stands
You can recreate the look by using fun colors and other 
finishes to make your pedestal stand out, think of Fall Harvest!
I hope that you have as much fun as I did making these!

Happy Crafting!


Decorative Push Pins are Back!


Look at these lovelies!  I've been a busy bee making these push pins and let me just tell you, it is a waiting process.  Before I can complete each step, I have to wait for the adhesive to dry completely and that takes a full day.  These are not like others you have seen, oh no.  These are sealed in the back to prevent the pin from coming apart and it gives it a finished look.

Decorative Push Pins

The colors available are blue, greens and pinks and reds.  Remember, it is available for a limited time so stop by the Inspirations by D shop now!

Decorative Push Pins

Decorative Push Pins

 Take a sneak peek at our Christmas Push Pins.

santa claus push pins

Christmas Push pins



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I Spy in the Garden

I spy with my little eyes fruits, vegetables, flowers and many butterflies!


This is the first year that I have grown raspberries.  My son and I love it!  They are so tasty and rich in flavor. I also couldn't believe how fast it grows and how quickly it sprouts, it's amazing how the fruits and vegetables vary in growth.  


The peppers are growing at a slow rate this year, I'm not sure why, perhaps it's the heat, the soil, the bugs? 


Now this little tree had been fruitful this year and for that I'm so grateful.  I love key limes!


This summer has been brutal.  Many of the plants, grass and flowers this year have been burned by the sun, no matter how much I water them, they still get dried out. Nothing beats a good rain fall.  Rain is so good for the plants, so I can't wait for the storm to arrive and bring on some rain, we need it!


We have loads of these gorgeous butterflies, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtails and we just love them!



The garden comes alive with the beautiful butterflies.  I don't see one, nor two, but many all at the same time.  It is magical and beautiful.  Can you tell I'm a city girl?  I can't get enough of these beautiful creatures.


 I spy three butterflies, can you?  These are called Gulf Fritillary.


 Aren't they amazing?


During this time of year you will also see Monarch Caterpillars around your plants.  If you have Monarch Caterpillars in your area, now it's the time to head outdoors and check them out.  I shot a few pictures of a caterpillar and will post them later on.
Enjoy!

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