Every once in awhile you come across a recipe that you simply must share. You know, one of those, every time you make it people rave about it, type recipes?! Well, I have one and I want to share it with you. It's so super easy to make and it tastes amazing. Plus, you can make it low-fat/cal (only way I make it) and it still tastes wonderful. When I made it for school, my teenage students swore it was the best dip ever! My favorite part of this is that you make it in the crock pot. You simply add your ingredients, let it simmer, and go. Now, I've had other versions of this dip, but I promise you this is the best one out there. So go on, try it, you will l-o-v-e it too ;)
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients:
2 (10-12oz) cans of chicken. I use Wal-Mart brand chicken, but you can use any type.
2 (8oz) packages of cream cheese. I used the 1/3 fat cheese to save on calories
3/4 cup of hot sauce. I used Frank's Red Hot
1 cup ranch dressing. I use Hidden Valley low fat ranch
2 cups mild cheddar cheese. Once again, low fat works
I mixed the ingredients in a sauce pan on the stove until everything melted then added it to the crock pot; however you can simply dump it all in and go, if you wish.
I like to make it the night before. Let it simmer a bit in the crock pot then refrigerate it overnight to soak up the flavor. I then let it simmer for a few hours on low heat before serving. However, if you are short on time, you can make it right before your event and I'm sure it will still taste fabulous :)
I served mine with celery (no fat) and chips. I've also her baguette bread is good. I crave buffalo chicken quite often so making this low fat and serving it with celery is a great way to enjoy it, without the crazy calories!
Happy Dip-Making!!
XOXO
Ash
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
I'm On A Boat...
Cruising is fun, but it can be expensive, IF you don't know how to do it cheap...However, if you play your cards right, you can cruise at amazingly cheap prices!
The first key to doing this is to cruise during off-season...The months of October, early November, late January and February are your best bets to getting some amazing deals. You can and will cruise for at almost half if not more during these times than you will do during the rest of the year...Most school districts in KY have gone to a full week fall break in October, which allows us teachers to take advantage of the crazy deals. I have yet to cruise during the summer months, simply because I refuse to pay the double price of what I pay during October! Unless you can only go during the summer, don't....you're bank account will thank you :)
The second key to cruising cheap is to shop around and look and wait for deals....There are several sites that I use, and have used in the past to book cruises. Those are: http://www.cruiseonly.com/ http://www.vacationstogo.com/ and http://www.cruisecheap.com/ When beginning my cruise search, I start here, see what I can find then compare those rates with those from the actual cruise line's site. This year, for example, we found our best deal by booking directly through Carnival's website. However, in years past, we've saved around $100, per cruise, by using an alternate site.
The third key is to sign up for the website emails...This is good for any travel, but especially great when cruising because you get alerts of sales, on board credits, room upgrades, etc. I received an email in November about Norwegian offering a 7 nigh cruise for $425 a person during spring break! Crazy, huh?! Cruise only also sends out a magazine every few months with offers and deals.
The fourth thing to remember is to know which cruise lines to sail on. Carnival is usually the cheapest, Disney is the most expensive. When it really comes down to it, most ships are the same and offer similar amenities on board. When you sail on Disney, for example, you are paying for the name and it runs about 40% higher than most cruise lines. I've personally, only sailed on Carnival, and I have zero complaints about it! I've been on older ships to one that is almost brand new, and each time I've had a blast. The food is always amazing, and the service you receive on-board is second to none. You are treated like royalty from the moment you walk on until the moment you leave. Carnival, as I'm sure other ships do, offer past guests discounts on future cruises. Ever since cruise #1, I've received a discount for being a past guest. You just have to make sure to tell them when booking so that you receive the discount!
And finally, once you are on your cruise DO NOT BOOK SHORE EXCURSIONS DIRECTLY THROUGH YOUR SHIP. I did not know this on my first cruise and forked out $30 to hit up a beach that I could've done for free had we simply hopped a taxi and went their on our own. Many local companies offer excellent things to do on the island for half the price. These excursions are not only much cheaper, but usually better, longer, and full of more local flavor! I first start by using the cruiseexcursions.com as my starting point. For example, when going to the Bahamas you simply type in http://www.bahamascruiseexcursions.com/ and it provides a list of whats offered. Mom and I used this site to book a jet skiing, Sting Ray City excursions in Grand Cayman and it was amazing! We paid half of what Carnival was asking, our excursions lasted double the time, and we had a blast!
You can also google the island you are going to and shore excursions and find other sites listed that offer fun things to do while there. It's amazing how much money you will save and you really will get more of a local feel for things!
Here is one final site that is a great resource for cruising overall. It provides message boards where you can post questions and receive answers, reviews of every cruise line and every ship, pictures, etc. When hitting up a new cruise port that I'm unfamiliar with, I visit this site to get the scoop and advice for what to do, where to go, etc. Its fantastic!!! http://www.cruisecritic.com/
If you've never cruised before, I highly recommend it! Once on board, your only expense is alcohol, soda, and shopping. Meals, lodging, and entertainment are included so you really could get on board and not spend a dime if you didn't want to! I mean, how else can you spend $475 for 5 days and 3 Caribbean islands? You simply cant....So, as Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg say...."Get your flippie floppies and Get On A Boat!" ;)
Much Love,
Ash
The first key to doing this is to cruise during off-season...The months of October, early November, late January and February are your best bets to getting some amazing deals. You can and will cruise for at almost half if not more during these times than you will do during the rest of the year...Most school districts in KY have gone to a full week fall break in October, which allows us teachers to take advantage of the crazy deals. I have yet to cruise during the summer months, simply because I refuse to pay the double price of what I pay during October! Unless you can only go during the summer, don't....you're bank account will thank you :)
The second key to cruising cheap is to shop around and look and wait for deals....There are several sites that I use, and have used in the past to book cruises. Those are: http://www.cruiseonly.com/ http://www.vacationstogo.com/ and http://www.cruisecheap.com/ When beginning my cruise search, I start here, see what I can find then compare those rates with those from the actual cruise line's site. This year, for example, we found our best deal by booking directly through Carnival's website. However, in years past, we've saved around $100, per cruise, by using an alternate site.
The third key is to sign up for the website emails...This is good for any travel, but especially great when cruising because you get alerts of sales, on board credits, room upgrades, etc. I received an email in November about Norwegian offering a 7 nigh cruise for $425 a person during spring break! Crazy, huh?! Cruise only also sends out a magazine every few months with offers and deals.
The fourth thing to remember is to know which cruise lines to sail on. Carnival is usually the cheapest, Disney is the most expensive. When it really comes down to it, most ships are the same and offer similar amenities on board. When you sail on Disney, for example, you are paying for the name and it runs about 40% higher than most cruise lines. I've personally, only sailed on Carnival, and I have zero complaints about it! I've been on older ships to one that is almost brand new, and each time I've had a blast. The food is always amazing, and the service you receive on-board is second to none. You are treated like royalty from the moment you walk on until the moment you leave. Carnival, as I'm sure other ships do, offer past guests discounts on future cruises. Ever since cruise #1, I've received a discount for being a past guest. You just have to make sure to tell them when booking so that you receive the discount!
And finally, once you are on your cruise DO NOT BOOK SHORE EXCURSIONS DIRECTLY THROUGH YOUR SHIP. I did not know this on my first cruise and forked out $30 to hit up a beach that I could've done for free had we simply hopped a taxi and went their on our own. Many local companies offer excellent things to do on the island for half the price. These excursions are not only much cheaper, but usually better, longer, and full of more local flavor! I first start by using the cruiseexcursions.com as my starting point. For example, when going to the Bahamas you simply type in http://www.bahamascruiseexcursions.com/ and it provides a list of whats offered. Mom and I used this site to book a jet skiing, Sting Ray City excursions in Grand Cayman and it was amazing! We paid half of what Carnival was asking, our excursions lasted double the time, and we had a blast!
You can also google the island you are going to and shore excursions and find other sites listed that offer fun things to do while there. It's amazing how much money you will save and you really will get more of a local feel for things!
Here is one final site that is a great resource for cruising overall. It provides message boards where you can post questions and receive answers, reviews of every cruise line and every ship, pictures, etc. When hitting up a new cruise port that I'm unfamiliar with, I visit this site to get the scoop and advice for what to do, where to go, etc. Its fantastic!!! http://www.cruisecritic.com/
If you've never cruised before, I highly recommend it! Once on board, your only expense is alcohol, soda, and shopping. Meals, lodging, and entertainment are included so you really could get on board and not spend a dime if you didn't want to! I mean, how else can you spend $475 for 5 days and 3 Caribbean islands? You simply cant....So, as Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg say...."Get your flippie floppies and Get On A Boat!" ;)
Much Love,
Ash
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Life Lesson's from Memaw
Yesterday, we celebrated my Memaw Cooper's birthday. If you've ever met my memaw, you are a lucky person; she is magnificent in every way! I am oh so blessed to have her in my life and I wanted to share some of the things I've learned about life from her, and hopefully you can too :)
1) Keep God #1 in your life at ALL times. My memaw is a true woman of God and it shows. She is graceful, patient, kind, loving, a servant, and a friend to all whom she meets. God has always been her #1 man and even through the tough times, she has never once doubted his love for her and for us! Church and God have always been a top priority in her's and papaw's household and it's such a home full of love! She has always been a Godly example to me and for that I am ever thankful! She is a true Proverbs 31 woman and its my prayer to become a woman like that!
2) Always keep snacks handy in your home. Memaw used to babysit my brother and I when we were younger. Every day, without fail, we would enter the house and she would get out her pastel colored Tupperware bowls and fill them with Mike Sells potato chips from the big tin can. Holy stinkin' cow were these chips amazing! To this very day, every time I eat Mike Sells potato chips, I think of memaw :) I try to make sure my house always has some kind of snacks to offer people who come over because you never know when someone may just need a bowl of chips :)
3) Never, ever, ever, block the intersection of Nicholasville Road and Brigadoon Drive (right across from Fayette Mall), or any intersection at that ;) Memaw always brought up to her house this way and almost everyday, someone had blocked the intersection. If you have ever tried to turn there, you know how frustrating it can be! Memaw would grow angry at the drivers, but the worst word she would ever use was "dummy." However, for memaw to call you a dummy was bad news, since that's the most vicious word in her sweet vocabulary! (another lesson learned: foul language is very unlady-like and should be avoided) Today, there's a big sign there which says "Do Not Block Intersection," however people block it all the time! To this very day, I don't DARE block that intersection, because memaw always said it was a terrible thing to do ;)
4) Food is sometimes best when made from scratch. Memaw is an amazing cook and I've never had a bad meal from her. Seriously, never. She takes pride in her cooking and it shows! Meals are not only amazing, but everything is presented in such a beautiful manner. She uses recipes she's had for years, new recipes, and items for which she has no recipes. Regardless, its always fabulous and I try to imitate this when hosting parties of my own. There's just something about walking into a home where the food not only tastes great, but thought has been put into the presentation of it as well. I feel like we live in such a fast paced society that we forget how to sit down, really cook a meal, and enjoy it with friends and family. Memaw has this down to an art and for teaching me that, I am forever grateful :)
There are many other lessons I've learned from her in my 27 years of life and I know there will be many more in the future! If you are so blessed to have your grandmothers in your life, take the time to enjoy them and learn from them as much as you can. They have been around much longer than we have and know A LOT more about life!
Happy Birthday Memaw! I am SO, SO, thankful for you!!!!!
XOXO,
Ash
1) Keep God #1 in your life at ALL times. My memaw is a true woman of God and it shows. She is graceful, patient, kind, loving, a servant, and a friend to all whom she meets. God has always been her #1 man and even through the tough times, she has never once doubted his love for her and for us! Church and God have always been a top priority in her's and papaw's household and it's such a home full of love! She has always been a Godly example to me and for that I am ever thankful! She is a true Proverbs 31 woman and its my prayer to become a woman like that!
2) Always keep snacks handy in your home. Memaw used to babysit my brother and I when we were younger. Every day, without fail, we would enter the house and she would get out her pastel colored Tupperware bowls and fill them with Mike Sells potato chips from the big tin can. Holy stinkin' cow were these chips amazing! To this very day, every time I eat Mike Sells potato chips, I think of memaw :) I try to make sure my house always has some kind of snacks to offer people who come over because you never know when someone may just need a bowl of chips :)
3) Never, ever, ever, block the intersection of Nicholasville Road and Brigadoon Drive (right across from Fayette Mall), or any intersection at that ;) Memaw always brought up to her house this way and almost everyday, someone had blocked the intersection. If you have ever tried to turn there, you know how frustrating it can be! Memaw would grow angry at the drivers, but the worst word she would ever use was "dummy." However, for memaw to call you a dummy was bad news, since that's the most vicious word in her sweet vocabulary! (another lesson learned: foul language is very unlady-like and should be avoided) Today, there's a big sign there which says "Do Not Block Intersection," however people block it all the time! To this very day, I don't DARE block that intersection, because memaw always said it was a terrible thing to do ;)
4) Food is sometimes best when made from scratch. Memaw is an amazing cook and I've never had a bad meal from her. Seriously, never. She takes pride in her cooking and it shows! Meals are not only amazing, but everything is presented in such a beautiful manner. She uses recipes she's had for years, new recipes, and items for which she has no recipes. Regardless, its always fabulous and I try to imitate this when hosting parties of my own. There's just something about walking into a home where the food not only tastes great, but thought has been put into the presentation of it as well. I feel like we live in such a fast paced society that we forget how to sit down, really cook a meal, and enjoy it with friends and family. Memaw has this down to an art and for teaching me that, I am forever grateful :)
There are many other lessons I've learned from her in my 27 years of life and I know there will be many more in the future! If you are so blessed to have your grandmothers in your life, take the time to enjoy them and learn from them as much as you can. They have been around much longer than we have and know A LOT more about life!
Happy Birthday Memaw! I am SO, SO, thankful for you!!!!!
XOXO,
Ash
Friday, May 14, 2010
Ideeli
Happy Friday, fabulous friends of mine!!! This teacher is ex-hau-sted!!! The student's are more than ready for summer and I think the teachers are even more ready than the kids ;) I know, I know, the rest of you have to work all summer and you don't want to hear us complain, but still, I am SO ready for a 9 week vacay!!!
http://www.ideeli.com/ has become another favorite webstie of mine and is also free to join! Each day they have 80% off sales for top designers' products. These products range from clothing to accessories to suitcases. You receive an email each day telling you what items are for sale and the time the event begins. Once it begins, you are free to shop away!
Today's designers, for example, include: Lacoste, Christian Audigier, Paper Denim and Cloth, Hey Kids, and Arthouse.
There are certian items presented and once they are gone, they're gone, so its best to buy right as the sale begins if there's something you are dying to have! I recently bought a $125 ionic hairdryer for only $40! Today for example, you can buy a Lacoste watch for $82, which retails for $192. I've recently seen Jessica Simpson dresses priced at $30-40 as well.
The designers are ever changing and there are usually 6 or so listed for each day's event. Its always fun to check and see what's on sale, even if you aren't buying anything! It's like window shopping on Michigan Ave, right from your computer :)
XOXO
Ash
http://www.ideeli.com/ has become another favorite webstie of mine and is also free to join! Each day they have 80% off sales for top designers' products. These products range from clothing to accessories to suitcases. You receive an email each day telling you what items are for sale and the time the event begins. Once it begins, you are free to shop away!
Today's designers, for example, include: Lacoste, Christian Audigier, Paper Denim and Cloth, Hey Kids, and Arthouse.
There are certian items presented and once they are gone, they're gone, so its best to buy right as the sale begins if there's something you are dying to have! I recently bought a $125 ionic hairdryer for only $40! Today for example, you can buy a Lacoste watch for $82, which retails for $192. I've recently seen Jessica Simpson dresses priced at $30-40 as well.
The designers are ever changing and there are usually 6 or so listed for each day's event. Its always fun to check and see what's on sale, even if you aren't buying anything! It's like window shopping on Michigan Ave, right from your computer :)
XOXO
Ash
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Ohhhh restaurants
Who doesn't love to eat out? I, for one, eat out quite often because it's just so hard to make a meal for just one person... Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to cook and bake, but sometimes I'd much rather have someone else do the cooking for me....Plus, nothing beats a good meal on a Friday night with your friends and or family after a long work week :)
One of my newest website loves is restaurant.com. Many thanks to my dear friend Jarred for introducing me to this ever so fabulous website.... Basically, this is a site that sales gift cards to restaurants (most are NOT chains) at discounts prices. Example: a $25 dollar gift card for $10-15.... you pay online and print the coupon out right from your computer's printer....Now, this is great, but its gets better my friends!
By signing up for the website (totally free to do) you receive these wonderful 60-80% discounts codes (usually once or twice a month) to use off of the already discounted pricing. So, you are getting a $25 gift card for $2. Sounds too good to be true? Well, its not...it really is THAT fabulous!!! Now each restaurants' requirements for using their particular gift card are different, so be sure to read them coupon before going to eat. For example, one may have a minimum purchase price of $50 while another may only be valid for dinner, etc etc. Even so, these are SUCH a great deal!!!
In Lexington, some amazing restaurants are listed such as: Bellinis, Furlongs, Miyako, Buddys in Chevy Chase, Bistro grill at Joesph Beth. Fabulous, right?! I know, I'm in love ;)
Here's another neat thing about the site, it is great for traveling. You simply type in the zip code of where you are heading and it provides a list of restaurants in the area that you can purchase coupons for. I like this for 2 reasons: 1) If it's a place I'm not familiar with, I rarely know what restaurant options will be available to me and 2) Since most places AREN'T chains, you get a taste of the local cuisine! Over spring break, I went to Asheville, NC. We found this amazing restaurant in downtown, bought the coupon, had a wonderful dinner, and saved $25. The restaurant is called Vincenzo's and if you ever go to Asheville, eat there! You will love it!!! Seriously amazing food and great upscale atmosphere.
Definitely hit up www.restaurant.com, sign yourself up, and start saving some major green!! You will become quite the fan of it as well!!!
Much Love,
Ash
One of my newest website loves is restaurant.com. Many thanks to my dear friend Jarred for introducing me to this ever so fabulous website.... Basically, this is a site that sales gift cards to restaurants (most are NOT chains) at discounts prices. Example: a $25 dollar gift card for $10-15.... you pay online and print the coupon out right from your computer's printer....Now, this is great, but its gets better my friends!
By signing up for the website (totally free to do) you receive these wonderful 60-80% discounts codes (usually once or twice a month) to use off of the already discounted pricing. So, you are getting a $25 gift card for $2. Sounds too good to be true? Well, its not...it really is THAT fabulous!!! Now each restaurants' requirements for using their particular gift card are different, so be sure to read them coupon before going to eat. For example, one may have a minimum purchase price of $50 while another may only be valid for dinner, etc etc. Even so, these are SUCH a great deal!!!
In Lexington, some amazing restaurants are listed such as: Bellinis, Furlongs, Miyako, Buddys in Chevy Chase, Bistro grill at Joesph Beth. Fabulous, right?! I know, I'm in love ;)
Here's another neat thing about the site, it is great for traveling. You simply type in the zip code of where you are heading and it provides a list of restaurants in the area that you can purchase coupons for. I like this for 2 reasons: 1) If it's a place I'm not familiar with, I rarely know what restaurant options will be available to me and 2) Since most places AREN'T chains, you get a taste of the local cuisine! Over spring break, I went to Asheville, NC. We found this amazing restaurant in downtown, bought the coupon, had a wonderful dinner, and saved $25. The restaurant is called Vincenzo's and if you ever go to Asheville, eat there! You will love it!!! Seriously amazing food and great upscale atmosphere.
Definitely hit up www.restaurant.com, sign yourself up, and start saving some major green!! You will become quite the fan of it as well!!!
Much Love,
Ash
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
And so it begins...
Being a teacher, you have to learn to live life on a budget. Being a bachelorette, I'm constantly on the go, trying to live up everything life has to offer. Combining the two can sometimes be challenging because face it; things cost money. I've become pretty skilled at "living a champagne lifestyle on a teacher/beer budget," therefore, I wanted a way to share the bargains, steals, deals, etc that I've learned to live by!
This blog is a way for me to share some of my fun tips with y-o-u, as well as a place to share things God is teaching/showing me during this phase of life!
Now, if you are wondering where the name of this blog, The Pink Pineapple, came from here's an explanation:
1) I LOVE fresh pineapple, like seriously, I stinkin' LOVE it! I probably eat it a lil' too much!
2) Pineapples remind me of the beach. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a total beach girl through and through. If you come in my house, its beach themed... if you ask me where I'm traveling to, chances are, its the beach.... I even lived on the beach for a summer in college...I definitely plan on living at, on, or near the beach at some point in the near future.
3) Pineapples are also a symbol of hospitality, welcome, good cheer, friendship etc. I LOVE hostessing events, I love being surrounded by those whom I love, and I'm a social butterfly. For me, people are just neat, and I feel one can never have too many friends.
4) And Finally, for the color pink. Pink is the color we most widely associate with girls and face it, I'm "girly". I love everything about being a woman from wearing sundresses and high heels, spa trips with my girls, sipping martinis and watching "chick flicks," to one day being a mom. God designed women for an important role in this world, and I'm so glad he made me one!
And so it begins.... The Pink Pineapple.....I hope and pray God uses me and this blog to help each of you in some way, shape, or form. Even if it's by helping you find a great steal on a new pair of stilettos ;)
XOXO
~Ash~
PS- I'm not the most tech savvy chick on the planet (its almost embarassing how terrible I am when it comes to computers), so bear with me as I attempt to learn how to set up and use a blog.
This blog is a way for me to share some of my fun tips with y-o-u, as well as a place to share things God is teaching/showing me during this phase of life!
Now, if you are wondering where the name of this blog, The Pink Pineapple, came from here's an explanation:
1) I LOVE fresh pineapple, like seriously, I stinkin' LOVE it! I probably eat it a lil' too much!
2) Pineapples remind me of the beach. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a total beach girl through and through. If you come in my house, its beach themed... if you ask me where I'm traveling to, chances are, its the beach.... I even lived on the beach for a summer in college...I definitely plan on living at, on, or near the beach at some point in the near future.
3) Pineapples are also a symbol of hospitality, welcome, good cheer, friendship etc. I LOVE hostessing events, I love being surrounded by those whom I love, and I'm a social butterfly. For me, people are just neat, and I feel one can never have too many friends.
4) And Finally, for the color pink. Pink is the color we most widely associate with girls and face it, I'm "girly". I love everything about being a woman from wearing sundresses and high heels, spa trips with my girls, sipping martinis and watching "chick flicks," to one day being a mom. God designed women for an important role in this world, and I'm so glad he made me one!
And so it begins.... The Pink Pineapple.....I hope and pray God uses me and this blog to help each of you in some way, shape, or form. Even if it's by helping you find a great steal on a new pair of stilettos ;)
XOXO
~Ash~
PS- I'm not the most tech savvy chick on the planet (its almost embarassing how terrible I am when it comes to computers), so bear with me as I attempt to learn how to set up and use a blog.
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