Universal Orlando in December.

For my 21st birthday my amazing boyfriend and I traveled 5 hours by plane to my happiest place on earth, Universal Studios Orlando Florida.

You may be thinking to yourself, wouldn't Disney World be considered the happiest place? To most, probably yes, or maybe it is something creepy that I do not want to think about, but the only thing I could think about for months was the new Harry Potter Wizarding World themed portion of Universal Studios Islands of Adventure.

It was everything I hoped and wished it would be. A romantic getaway with my sweetie, and a fantastic trip to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

We were lucky enough to be staying at one of the Universal Resorts and so in return, were able to enter the Wizarding World one hour before it opened to the public!! I was so excited the first morning, even after only getting 3 hours of sleep we woke up extra early to be the first guests in line. As soon as the park gates opened we jogged all the way to the back of the park and litterally WALKED ON the Forbidden Journey ride in the Hogwarts Castle.

Ron, Harry, and Hermoine talk to you from a projection in the Defence Against the Dark Arts Classroom.

The ride was absolutly incredible! I could not even believe my eyes with the awesome props, decor, and detail that was in line alone! The ride itself was a different story.

*Spoiler Alert*
First off, you are flying in a sort of rollercoaster motion to a huge IMAX like screen, then jolted over to a real propped scene. The ride flows from flying on a broomstick with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, you are trying to ditch a boring lecture from Professor Binns and with the help of Hermonie Granger, you are able to sneak out and start this flight.

From there you run into Rubeus Hagrid (the games keeper) in search for a Hungarian Horntail dragon that got loose in the school. Suddenly the the relaxing flight around the castle is now a rough and rigid ride trying to get away from the angry beast, running into everything in sight, ending by getting smoke blown very close to your face by a ferocious 12ft dragon head!

When you finally think you are safe, you are transported to the legendary Whomping Willow on the Hogwarts back lawn. Dodging and ducking at every turn, you are forced to enter the FORBIDDEN FORREST (ahhhhhh!) where you are attacked by furry and blood-thirsty spiders! The creepy and huge eight legged beasts drop and hiss at every turn, but once you think you are safe your flying contraption comes face to face with Aragog (the big daddy of Hagrid's pets,) who launches a water web on your face! Finally Hermonie comes to the rescue with a heroic spell of  Aronia Exumai, (which is super random because Hermonie was petrified when Ron and Harry fought off the spiders in "real life.")

Once you are safe once again, you are transfered to the Quittitch Pitch where Harry and Draco Malfoy are racing for the golden snitch. As the two boys are traveling higher and higher, what else could go wrong...but being attacked by DEMENTORS! (Seriously this part is wicked! I was honestly frightened, and swear one of them was made eye contact with me!) Hopefully before you have a freaking heart attack, Harry performs the infamous spell Expecto Patronum and sends the dementors flying away to their mommies.

The coolest part of this scene was that it actually takes your photo of everyone in your party and projects it in glowing mist as if it was your spirit that was helping Harry perform the spell!

Finally at last, you are soaring through the castle walls and can hear Albus Dumbledore welcoming you back from your journey and welcoming you to come back at any time. You then see a roar of Hogwarts students waving and cheering you goodbye.
Then, a tear comes to your eye, don't lie! and of couse, you are exited through a gift shop. :]






Later in the day, the line was completely wrapped around the gate on the left side and a 4 hour wait! 



Macaroni and Cheese with a nutritious twist

Macaroni and cheese has been an American staple in the kitchen for just about ever. Big time culinary minds have re-invented this home-style classic over and over throughout the years.  Ingredients from breadcrumbs, to hot dogs, to sugar are melted into a creamy casserole with cheese, cream, and noodles.

I prefer my macaroni and cheese to be extra cheesy and delectable. The creamy goodness that strings from the plate to the fork is a noticeable trait for a delicious dinner dish. This version was inspired by a Campbell’s Soup classic macaroni and cheese recipe, with a extra helping of cheddar and a secret ingredient.

Butternut squash adds heart healthy dietary fiber, potassium, and beta-carotene, which according to wholeliving.com is “identified as a deterrent against breast cancer and age-related macular degeneration, as well as a supporter of healthy lung development in fetuses and newborns.” Yummy!!

RECIPE:

*12 oz whole grain elbow noodles

*1, 8 oz can of Cheddar Cheese Campbell’s Soup

*8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated

*4 oz nonfat milk

*1, whole butternut squash

*1 cup water

*salt and pepper to taste

First, set the oven to 350 degrees.  Slice the butternut squash in half length wise, and scrape out the seeds and excess strings as you would a pumpkin. Place the squash face down on a cookie sheet and slowly pour a half of a cup of water onto the pan. Allow the squash to cook for 15 minutes before adding the second half cup of water.

Take the squash out of the oven after about 30 minutes, testing with a fork to ensure tenderness. Next, scrape the orange meat of the squash out of the skin with a spoon and place into a blender. Pulse the cut up pieces together until it reaches a smooth consistency.  Set aside.

Meanwhile, start boiling water in a pan for the whole grain noodles. Cook noodles according to package directions, drain and place in a casserole dish. Open the can of Cheddar Cheese Campbell’s Soup and empty it into the hot noodles. Fill the can half way with the nonfat milk and add to the mixture.

Stir together until creamy, gradually adding in the grated sharp cheddar cheese and butter nut squash puree. Add extra cheese and/or breadcrumbs to the top of the casserole if desired. Place in the 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until heated all of the way through.

Rethinking America's Favorite Burger, at Home.

These juicy burgers are a real family treat. Dig into a full flavored bacon burger without

the guilt on your wallet or your waistline.

This recipe was inspired by the Classic Bacon Burger from the Big Mouth Burger collection offered on the Chili’s menu. This burger cost $8.39 per order with fries and contains 1140 calories! The fries add another 380 calories. My version is approximately 660 calories and cost around $16 to buy enough for five people.

Recipe: serves 5

• 5, ¼ lb extra lean hamburger meat patties
• 4 oz Monterey jack cheese cut in slices
• 5, whole grain hamburger buns
• 10 slices of turkey bacon
• 1 California avocado
• 1 tomato
• ½ white onion
• 1 head of lettuce
• 5 tbs. spicy Dijon mustard
• 7 tbs. ground cumin
• 5 tbs. ground black pepper
• 5 tbs. garlic salt
• 5 tbs. garlic powder
• 2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil

Step 1: mix all of the dry spices together in a small bowl. Generously sprinkle the dry spice mixture over the hamburger meat and mush together with hands. Divide into 5 even patties.

Step 2: place the burger patties on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until the inside is no longer pink.

Step 3: remove turkey bacon from package and prepare the same as pork bacon. Fry until no longer pink and is crispy.

Step 4: slice the avocado, tomato, lettuce, onion, and cheese into slices.

Step 5: when the burgers are cooked, turn off the oven and immediately place the sliced cheese on top of the hot burger patties. Place the tray back into the oven and allow cheese to melt.

Step 6: mix together the olive oil and any remaining seasonings into a bowl. Spread evenly on the insides of the bun and place in the oven for 8 minutes on broil setting.

Step 7: create your masterpiece. Pile your burger high with spicy Dijon mustard, onion, bacon, avocado, and all of your other burger favorites. Use remaining lettuce and tomato to make a side salad, and add slices of apple for a more complete meal.

Easy Peasy Chocolate Dessert. Come and Get it!

This recipe is comparable to a delectable chocolate cream pie. It's a homemade, low calorie, absolute treat that can be assembled in less than an hour and is so easy a child can help. 


I found this recipe in a Richard Simmons' diet dessert cookbook called "Sweetie Pie" that I bought at a thrift store. It is hilariously put together, but definitely worth a second look. 


My slightly modified recipe is as follows:

• 1 chocolate gram cracker pie crust. I used an Oreo crust.

• 14 oz worth of dark chocolate bars broken into pieces. 60% dark Ghirardelli was the best quality for the most reasonable price.

• 1 packet of unflavored gelatin. I could not find any unflavored Jell-O, so let me know if you do. I used a brand called 

• 1/4 c water. Sink water is the cheapest option :]

• 4 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder. I use my Nestle all of the time, I encourage an investment in this product.

• 2 Tbs sugar. Don't splurge on anything fancy.

• 12 oz condensed fat free milk. I used Equate, and it was enhanced with the same vitamins as the name brands. 

• 16 oz container of frozen fat free whipped topping. Cool Whip is not expensive. 

With all of the ingredients including chocolate, this recipe came to about $11 but is only around 200 calories per slice. Compare to Marie Callender's chocolate cream pie which is 600 calories a slice! 


Directions:


The first step is to bring the water to a low boil and then remove from heat. Stir in the gelatin until it is dissolved. Do not let it sit for too long or else it will stick to the bottom of the pot!


Pour the condensed milk into another pot and bring to a boil, later stirring in the sugar, cocoa powder, gelatin, and chocolate bar pieces. Stirring with a wisk will create the best results later on. :]


Next pour the chocolate mixture into a bowl and and place it in the refrigerator to set, about every 15 mins. for the next 45 mins. Remove the cool whip topping from the freezer and let it start to defrost.


After the chocolate mixture has hardened to about pudding consistency, gently fold in the whipped topping. Give the new mixture a few good stirs with a wisk removing all lumps from the whipped topping.


Transfer the chocolate mixture into the chocolate gram cracker crust and set in the refrigerator over night. The original recipe calls for only 2 hours but I rested it for about 4 and it was still pretty soft. 


Decorate with whipped cream and strawberries for a special occasion and to impress your guest.


My five year old soux chef Zachary stated that the pie was "freaking da bomb!"

Mashed Potatoes with a Secret Weapon: A Delicious Dinner for Under $10.00!

Cooking for a family of five is not an easy task.

Everyone has different tastes, different time schedules and with picky eaters – forget about it!

Trying to save money and eating healthy is more important than ever these days, and shopping on a budget is hard work.

Luckily, in California, fruits and vegetables are reasonably priced and really fresh.

Unfortunately, not everybody enjoys the taste of healthier food and some people refuse to even try new things—especially kids.

If you would like to make a delicious home cooked meal, but also sneak some unheard of healthy ideas into the mix, then this is definitely for you.

A Delicious Chicken Dinner For Up To Five People:

Skinless chicken breast – almost two pounds                                                 $3.22

Potatoes- almost two pounds                                                           $1.49                   

Garbanzo beans – one can                                                                               $0.89

Baby carrots – small bag                                                                                 $1.49

Weber White Wine & Herb Marinade – one packet                                        $0.89

This recipe only cost $7.98 and was quite delicious if I do say so myself.

I shopped at my local Albertsons grocery store. I kept my eye out for sales, used my “preferred card,” and was even tempted to search online for coupons. 

Cooking this meal took less than forty minutes, and left my kitchen with minimal mess.

To save time, add the chicken to a one-gallon plastic bag with the marinade the night before.

Step 1: Wash and cut the potatoes and get them into boiling water.

Though I peeled off the skin because of the picky children I was cooking for, most of the nutrients are really in the skin so keep it attached if you can!

Potatoes are a very low-calorie food filled with vitamin C, vitamin B6 and potassium.

Step 2: Remove marinated chicken from baggie and cook your favorite way. For example, you could barbeque, broil or grill it.

I simply placed the raw chicken inside of my stoneware casserole dish and put it in the microwave for 20 minutes on high.

This will result in a very tender chicken breast.

I highly recommend investing in a stoneware casserole dish if you love to cook easy and delicious meals.

Step3: Drain one can of garbanzo beans and pulse in a blender until it reaches the texture of a paste. Set aside one cup.

Garbanzo beans are also referred to as chickpeas and contain high amounts of dietary fiber and protein.

Step 4: Add the carrots to boiling pot of water and let simmer until soft.

Carrots have an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin K.

Try adding a few teaspoons of brown sugar to the water to change the taste for a sweeter palette.

Step 5: Drain the soft potatoes in a colander, and place them into the bowl they are being served in. Begin to mash together with one cup milk and 2/3 cup butter or margarine.

For a creamier texture try adding a few tablespoons of sour cream, but beware of the high saturated fat value now added to the meal.

Step 6: Gradually add in the blended paste of garbanzo beans to taste.

I added the entire cup and had no complaints from my family, but remember, the point is to use the mashed potatoes to mask the taste of the garbanzo beans, so don't over do it for yourself.

Step 7: Serve plates of appropriate portions.

Consider that meat should not be the most abundant item on your plate. Load up on the carrots and any other seasonal vegetables that your heart desires.

Realize that potatoes are healthy, but are considered to be a starch, not a vegetable.

Garbanzo beans were added to the potatoes for important nutrients not normally taken in with a typical dinner.

And most importantly enjoy!

these are my two picky eaters enjoying their scrumptious supper

Something Fun

Hello, my name is Alex and I LOVE to cook. Buying old cook books at garage sales is my idea of a fun Saturday morning. This is why I am starting this blog, to bring a good sense of easy, cheap, and delicious cooking to anyones home. Please follow my blog for great tips on all different kinds of food. I would love to hear your input on the recipes as well. :]

Hope to talk to you soon,

Alex~