Taco Soup

Here at the Irons Home we love soup.

Generally it is easy to make and the leftovers are even better.

As a bonus, most are pretty healthy too!

This is one of our favorites!

You will need:

1 can of corn, 4 cans of chili beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can tomato sauce, 1 pkg of taco mix, 1 pound of either ground turkey or lean beef, and 1 small onion chopped 

First, I cook up the meat. I prefer to use turkey.

It is lean and much better for us and you would never tell a difference!

As it cooks I add in the onion.

Once the meat is cooked add in all the "cans" and stir and add the taco mix with the water it calls for on the package. Let simmer for a short bit and that is it!

You could also cook the meat and toss everything into a crock pot and let it simmer all day on low. 

The house will smell amazing and the leftovers get better each day!

We like to top the soup with tortilla chips and some shredded cheese.

Yummy, easy, and a favorite of ours!

Weekly Menu

Weekly Menu

Well last week my menu went to hell  heck in a hand basket. 

Tuesday I came home not feeling well so Drew was sweet and picked something up. 

(much appreciated and mentally noted)

then we both ended up working super long on Wednesday so we just had salads and sweet potatoes

then for small group on Thursday we ended up having finger foods to use up some of the left over BBQ we had. Which was a pretty good idea cause everyone seemed to love it but it took forever to prepare because I was worried I wouldn't have enough. I have a hard time judging how much to make

when it comes to appetizers and finger foods for a group. 

So this week we will try again with another game plan. 

Side note: I shopped at Target where I have a debit card that always saves me 5% , a couple coupons (once combined with a sale scored me some hummus for less than a buck), and the Cartwheel app. If you shop Target you need this app, it has specials like coupons that you keep on your personal "list" and they scan your phone and your get the deals. It is amazing and really fun! Every can good I got I scored an additional 5% off using the Cartwheel app.

Sunday: Taco Soup (post to come, this is so easy,healthy, and hearty)

Monday: Mexican Casserole since we didn't get it last week

Tuesday: Pesto Stuffed Shells

Wednesday: Chicken Quesadilas

Thursday: we are going to my sister-in-laws graduation then small group so dinner somewhere in there

Friday: maybe homemade pizza or date night :)

We will play Saturday by ear, may be driving back to Nashville to get Drew's truck back.

We will be hoping for some days this week without rain so we can get some running and Frisbee (of course) in! Or if no sunshine, maybe a snow day?! Too much to ask? I think not!

Have a great week and follow on Instagram @ michelle_irons for daily pics!

Our Full and Festive Weekend

This weekend has been jam packed and I'm so thankful to be home now

in comfy socks with a cozy blanket watching Pioneer Woman on the Food Network.

Friday I took a personal day to follow Drew to drop his truck off in a small town outside of Nashville.

He drives a diesel and loves it but it needed a pretty major service.

Drew found this place online and did some research and it saved us nearly $2,000 going the extra miles.

The drive was three hours one way but it down poured the entire time.

Seriously, poured! 

We took Copper with us because we knew our Saturday was busy and didn't want him being home by himself all day Friday and Saturday.

I was thinking that 6+ hours in the car might be a bit much for him so I packed his favorite toys, treats, and a blanket. Little did we know, he loved the ride and we didn't use any of it. 

He was so good, just laid and stretched.

We took a few potty stops in the pouring rain but he didn't seem to mind, although we were soaked.

With the rain and some traffic we drove over 8 hours total and were exhausted.

So we picked up a Papa Murphy's thin crust meat loves and it hit the spot with my wine!

Saturday was one of my favorite Christmas events of the season!

Seriously, this is second only to the candle light service.

It's called the "Weigels Family Christmas" and Weigels (a local gas station) host area children for breakfast then they load buses and they get to shop at K-Mart for themselves with $150 to spend then have a celebration lunch afterwards.

The kids get all sugared up at breakfast as we wait for the buses!

Once we get to K-Mart we get paired up with a child. 

Drew and I do this together because it is so crowded with excited kiddos and Santa that I couldn't imagine doing this myself. This year we got a sweet 11 year old girl who knew exactly what she wanted and was very independent. On her list was a wax melt/warmer and boots and other crafty things.

 She really liked the shoes and enjoyed trying them on.

She decided on some purple sparkle boots and we picked out some matching gloves and a scarf to match.

Later Saturday evening we had a Christmas party.

Every year Drew's Dad host a "Dirty Santa" party.

It's always so nice to see everyone, enjoy good food, and get a good laugh at the tacky gifts.

Got to love Christmas parties!

Today is another rainy day! So tired of this dreary weather!

We went to church and enjoyed the awesome service and great music.

Afterwards we did a little shopping and had lunch at Pei Wei, one of our favorites!

Now I'm cuddled up (should be grading papers) and admiring the Christmas tree.

Tonight I'm making taco soup, one of our favorites!

I'll be blogging that later!

Have an amazing, stress-free week!!!!

Fabulously Faint {take-over Tuesday}

I am so excited for my first "Take Over Tuesday" with the amazing and inspiring Brittany over at Fabulously Faint! This blog really touches my heart as I follow her story about dealing with a chronic illness with so much optimism and high spirits. Brittany also rocks a "Foodie Friday" post each week with mouth watering recipes! I'm so grateful we have become blog friends and you should check out her wonderful blog too!

Name:Brittany but my friends call me Britt 

Blog name : Fabulously Faint

where are you from?: I am lucky enough to live in the beautiful state of California! Yes, Im a Cali girl through and through:)

Favorite Quote: "Ive learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,but people will never forget how you made them feel"-maya angelou

How'd you pick your blog title: Fabulously Faint was derived from my main symptom ....and what girl doesn't want to be fabulous ?:)

Why did you start a blog:I was diagnosed with a chronic illness last year and I had alot of friends and family mention the idea of blogging but I wasn't quite ready to expose myself. Finally i decided that it would be a good way to bring awareness and share my story in a positive light. I wanted to show that it is possible to enjoy life even if it wasnt the same life you once lived.

Where do you finding inspiration for blogging: I love fashion, cooking, and crafting. I follow other bloggers with similar stories and interests 

Do you have any special weekly posts ?: This post is part of a blog swap that I do every week called Take-over Tuesdays. I love it because it allows me to share bloggers that I love! Let me know if you're interested in participating! I also have a post called Foodie Fridays which is a collection if favorite recipes :) 

Why do you read Sugar,Spice,&Newlywed Life: I love reading Michelle's stories about being a teacher as well as checking out her recipes !

Three favorite blogs and why : 

1.Living in Color Mom - Tearsa is the mama of an absolutely adorable little man .i love her DIY ideas and of course recipes (if you haven't figured it out yet ,I'm a food junkie) Www.Livingincolormom.com

2.Defying gravity -She has POTS as well ( the same condition I have) and she is very positive and has great tips for dealing with issues particular to people living with chronic illness 

http://defygravity321.blogspot.com/ 

3.A beautiful mess - They blog about just about all of my favorite things ; recipes, fashion, crafts,and beauty! whats not to love? I also love their app which you can find on iTunes 

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/

5 random facts about you

1. None of siblings have kids but I'm called Auntie by many (friends babies and cousins babies)

2.I was a back up dancer for Danity Kane during their Showstopper days 

3. I love tattoos but most people don't peg me as "the tattoo type "

4. I love finding Pinterest ideas and putting a twist on them 

5. I swam with a pod of 75 dolphins in the ocean in Hawaii 

 Thank you Michelle for having me on your blog today :)

Thank you for reading and if you would be interested

in doing a blog swap or take-over leave a comment below

or e-mail me at mkirons13@gmail.com

Have an amazing night!

White Chicken Chili {crock pot}

This recipe hit the spot on this misty Monday!

I've made this soup once or twice before and honestly can't remember why I've waited so long to do it again.

It was so delicious, mildly spicy, and overall pretty healthy.

It is the kind of soup that you just throw it all in the crock pot, stir, set the temp, and when you come back goodness awaits. My kind of dinner!

I don't have any pics of everything in the crock pot in the morning because I was running behind but it is a very simple recipe to follow.

First I cut into chunks about a pound of chicken.

(it was left over from another recipe so give or take a few ounces)

2 cans of white beans

1 15oz of white corn

1 onion chopped

1 package of taco seasoning mixed up in water

1 7oz can of green chilies

1 can of low sodium chicken soup

1 14oz of chicken broth

I set my crock pot timer on low for about 10 hours and it was boiling when I got home and smelled the house with hearty goodness.

I stirred and mixed up everything well before we dug in.

We are both love green onions so I cut a few up and a heaping spoonful of salsa on top!

Will be cooking this again very soon!

Our Weekend

This weekend we had an awesome long break together.

School for me was only 2 days and Drew got off around lunch on Wednesday.

We kicked off our long weekend with lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and a trip to the beer garden!

Our long weekend started with a slight dusting. Even though it wasn't much snow is always exciting and it sure was pretty and a great morning to enjoy an extra cup of coffee!

 Although I know the creamers aren't healthy at all, I'm a full blow creamer addict.

I don't use much per cup, but I love the hint of flavor my coffee gets!

Peppermint Mocha = Me Very Happy

Saturday Drew smoked some bbq and it was amazing! 

We had a few friends over to watch the Vols beat Kentucky and enjoyed some yummy food.

We love watching our Vols and love having our friends over.

Sunday I guess Drew had regrets that he didn't go Black Friday Shopping.

After lunch he said casually lets go by HHGreg.

I knew he had looked at some TV's  but didn't realize he was that serious.

Not that I minded but it will take a bit to get use to, 60 inches is alot of t.v.

Last but not least, we celebrated a wonderful year of K9 bliss!

I baked up some homemade doggie treats for Copper and the little guy got a new toy...or two.

As silly as it is, this little guy brings us so much joy everyday and we love him very much!!

Here's a little flash back to Copper's first day home one year ago :)

Have a great week!

Weekly Menu

Can't believe our first full week in December is here.

Truly, where is time going?!?!

We have a pretty busy week and I have only 14 school days till break, woohoo!

This is what will be on the Irons' table this week!

Monday

Smoked BBQ leftovers (bbq nachos anyone?)          

   With salad and baked sweet potatoes

Tuesday

White chicken chili with tortilla chips

Wednesday

Grilled meatball subs (the most amazing thing, ever!) I’ll attempt a veggie on the side to make it a bit healthy…

Thursday

Small Group @ our house—baked ham, green beans, mashed potatoes (other sides being brought

Friday

Out-2-Eat

Saturday

Drew  and I will be at a charity event in the morning and a Christmas party in the evening so we will eat there J