vnast's chicken nachos

grocery list/see if you have it:

-extra virgin olive oil cooking spray

-1 bag of shredded lettuce

-1 can rotel (diced tomatoes and green chiles) if you’re gonna make queso you need 3 cans!

-1 big bag (or 2 smaller bags) reduced fat shredded Mexican (or taco) cheese blend

-1 can diced jalapeno peppers

-1 big bag restaurant style tortilla chips (any brand you prefer, just make sure they’re not bite size or small, i've also used Fritos scoops because some people like Fritos!)

-1 container light sour cream

-1 bigger container of salsa (i like old el paso chunky or newman’s own farmer’s garden (both medium) but choose based on your heat and chunkiness preference)

-1 pkg boneless skinless chicken breast or (even better!) boneless skinless chicken breast tenderloins (about 1.5-2 lbs)

-2 packets taco seasoning

-1 container taco sauce (get heat level based on preference)

-1 small hot sauce (for those who like the heat!)

-1 packet Mexican rice (the kind that you can just microwave to make it more like a meal)

-1 block of 2% milk velveeta if you’re making queso for dipping

whatcha do:

-thinly slice defrosted chicken into strips or chunks
(i've also done this recipe with shredded chicken. this can be done super easily by baking chicken breasts in a 13x9 baking pan sprayed with the extra virgin olive oil cooking spray and set the oven at about 400 degrees checking about every 10 mins and turn a few times. then when it is completely cook through, make sure you know it's done, shred the chicken with 2 forks and you're good to go!)

-spray a skillet with the cooking spray

-add chicken to skillet and cook until fully cooked (will be white throughout)

-drain fat and add taco seasoning packets according to instructions on packet (you’ll have to add water)

-allow to simmer until sauce thickens

while preparing chicken:

-preheat oven to 350 degrees

-get 2 cookie sheets out, cover with aluminum foil, and spray both with the cooking spray

-spread a thin layer of chips to cover both sheets, they can overlap just not a lot

-cover both chip sheets GENEROUSLY with shredded Mexican cheese blend (save a little for topping at end!)

-sprinkle hot sauce over one pan after the cheese (for heat lovers!)

-place in oven and set timer for about 10 mins (all you’re looking for is cheese to melt completely)

if you’re making queso:

-start before putting nachos in oven by cutting up velveeta into cubes

-put in saucepan and add 2 cans of rotel (DON’T drain the cans!) if you got the big block, 1 can if you got the small block

-stir constantly at medium heat until melted (you REALLY have to watch it and keep stirring it or cheese will burn to bottom of saucepan)

-allow to cool a bit before serving but keep stirring or it will congeal

if you bought Mexican rice:

-read instructions on packet and prepare in microwave according to packet

once cheese is melted:

-remove pans from oven with mitt and let cool for a little bit on oven

-meanwhile, drain remaining can of rotel and set aside, stir chicken a few times and remove from heat

-in a bowl mix about ½ cup taco sauce, ½ cup light sour cream, 1 cup salsa, a couple sprinkles of hot sauce together, you’re looking for a creamy mixture to drizzle over the top, add more taco sauce, light sour cream, salsa and/or hot sauce based on taste

-start building nachos by piling shredded lettuce on top of cheese, then chicken evenly over chips and lettuce, then a thin layer of lettuce and cheese blend over chicken, cover with a thin layer of the rotel, then jalapenos (omit if you don’t want heat), finally drizzle above mixture over the top of both

-serve with sour cream, salsa, and/or queso guess what? you just made nachos and the GAME IS STARTING so grab a corona, your lucky koozie, some plates and napkins. now: park it, chow down, and GO TEAM GO!

warm up your tummy!

vnast’s yummy tummy-warming protein-packed crock chili:

this makes a solid full crockpot of chili, more than 6 servings at least.

pregame notes:

it needs to be in the crockpot for at least 3 hrs on low, crank it up for the last 45 mins to high so it’s nice and piping hot when you serve it.

i found a “pillsbury simply rustic french bread” that is good for you and goes GREAT as a dipping bread for this chili! i sprayed the bread with fat-free extra virgin olive oil cooking spray, a sprinkle of garlic powder,  oregano, and baked according to instructions on container.

ingredients & measurements:

-1 lb lean ground turkey (browned on stovetop and drained)

-2 pkgs of oscar mayer oven roasted chicken chunks (found in the lunch meat area of most grocery stores)

 -6-8 baby carrots chopped into bite-size pieces

-3 celery stalks chopped into bite-size pieces

-1/4 of a cucumber chopped into bite-size pieces (i cut out the seeds in the middle)

-½ a large onion minced

-1 can tomato juice

-12 oz can tomato paste

-2 small cans diced green chiles

-3 cans stewed tomatoes (or ‘chili ready diced tomatoes’ work too)

-1 can drained diced jalaps (leave these OUT if you don’t like the heat!)

 -½ block of light cream cheese

-3 packets of chili seasoning mix (whichever kind you like the best, i used the slow cooker version, one spicy )

-1/3 cup brown sugar (i use this instead to decrease sugar, also makes it diabetic friendly!)

-½ cup light sour cream

(for extra heat…hit it with a few splashes of hot sauce, add a few sprinkles of paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and a clove of minced garlic!)

(for extra creaminess you can throw in a ¼ block of light cream cheese! there are several fun flavored versions out there to try also!)

this sits in the crockpot for 2 hrs and 15 mins on low (because all the meat is PRE-COOKED. then when you to turn it up to high, liberally sprinkle garlic powder, oregano, a few pinches of kosher salt, and a hearty sprinkle of ground black pepper over whole chili and stir in. also blend in a few sprinkles of reduced fat shredded mild cheddar.

serve in bowls with the bread, or scoop with organic tortilla chips! serve with a side salad, Mexican rice, or light refried beans!

chili is SUCH a versatile dish, that is why i make it so often. this is a tex-mex inspired version. you can use ANY meat your heart desires! you can even make a fishy version!! i’ve also made this recipe with chorizo, hot Italian sausage, many types of beans, lentils, scallops, etc! if you adapt this dish in these fun ways, just make sure you properly prepare the meat or fish first! or crank up the heat in the crock sooner to cook the meat properly, you don’t want to give yourself and/or your family food poisoning! enjoy!

he forgot to mention me...

...but i'm pretty sure lil' wayne wrote this jam for me :-). enjoy...CAUTION!!! NOT the sensored version!!! my rap isn't as good but i still think he'll like it :-).

super bowl XLV

     so..."YES!!!!"...VERY loudly, naturally. if you are a real packer fan, a major cheesehead, and have watched ANY games this season, you just knew. it was like 'spidey-sense'. this was the year our mike, dom, and what they masterfully built were taking us all the way. there is a reason jermichael finley, after suffering a season-ending injury, decided to spread "YOTTO" (Year Of The Takeover) like wildfire. he is a proven athlete and recognized this team would go to the super bowl. he proclaimed, on multiple occasions, aaron rodgers is the best QB out there. aaron is smart, except for when he forgets he's a QB, takes hits like a linebacker, does NOT slide, and/or get out of bounds. strangely, not unlike scott tolzien...please, stop it!! you're stressing us out, we NEED you, and your golden arms! aaron is smooth, unafraid, and takes some serious hits. he can throw, he moves fluently in the pocket, and he adapts quickly. 


     dom capers is a defensive expert. he has verified ability to turn defenses into unstoppable forces. clay matthews is a monster (go ahead...watch and listen to him here). tramon williams is extraordinarily focused (hence the LATE pro-bowl nod). b.j. raji is the biggest boy in NFL history to score a TD in the playoffs. i will fight anyone who doesn't agree his dance was the hottest they've ever seen! true or false, you are now in love with a 337 lb. man?


     the steelers are an undeniable threat. they've been here multiple times, with victories to prove their greatness. ben was my fantasy QB...despite his skeezy actions and i graciously danced into the playoffs because i drafted him based on extensive research. he performed, he has options to throw or hand-off to, and is a gigantic dude. he is difficult to take down. apparently, in recent news, he does not appreciate the nickname 'big ben'. i guess i missed the memo declaring it is not permissible to select your own nickname. dear 'big ben', you are tough, large (in height and musculature), and your name is ben...don't get why you dislike it. i have been/still am (in certain circles) referred to as 'dozer', short for 'bulldozer'...obviously. i was once a hefty girl and chicks would straight-up hand me the ball, terrorized by the possibility i may or may not eat them. nicknames are given...not chosen. love...me


      long story short, i'm appropriately scared of troy (defensive player of the year by a SMALL margin), ben, and the pure strength tomlin has assembled. really, of all their mike has competently accomplished at a young age. i, inevitably, am absolutely confident. the pack chose green jerseys for the game. the last time we won the super bowl in '97, we wore green. i am accepting and celebrating that decision. so...hi lombardi trophy: we're hungry, our QB is loved (he's SO cute), and we're ready...HERE WE COME!

why i love being a 'wisconsinite'

     it hate admitting it, but i was not born in the tremendous state of WI. my mother was diligently working on her master's in biochemistry (yeah...she's a COMPLETE brainiac) in VA, so i haaaad to pop out there. shortly after, when i was 2.5, we moved to wisconsin (while my fave, chaim-a-laim, was a tiny baby) and it is where i was truly raised. 

     there are numerous reasons i take major pride in being from wisconsin, living in wisconsin, and publicly celebrating the fact that i am a badger for life. i lay it all out here:

-yeah...it's freezing cold in the winter, super snowy, but BEAUTIFUL in the summer! you can workout, get all hot n' sweaty, and tan outside...it's amazing!

-fellow wisconsinites are the most INCREDIBLE people i have ever met in my life. with a few crotchety exceptions, they are nice, unusually generous, and polite. a stranger will smile at you for no reason, we LET PEOPLE IN when we see they are trying to get over while driving (we understand, sometimes you just NEED to be in the other lane...right then!) in case you've never had the "privilege" (really...affliction) of living in northern VA and trying to accomplish day-to-day life, guess what, this is NOT a nationally accepted motorist practice! i was depressed to find this out...and proud to have my wisconsin license plate and bucky decal so people are WELL aware the reason i am allowing them to merge (when they have their blinker on and i sense the urgency) i am doing it because i am kind, friendly, and from a state where we CARE about other people!

-we're inexhaustibly resilient. no, our entire world does not come to a screeching halt when it snows (*cough* east coast...nyc *cough*). we know how to drive in it...plan ahead, go slow, turn into the skid, give the car in front of you some space, and, for the love, do NOT slam on your brakes. our city snow removal team does a phenomenal job, they clear the roads as quickly and efficiently as possible. our hard-working students don't get 6 weeks off school per inch of snow that falls (maybe that is why we have the 2nd highest ACT scores in the nation?). some schools in virginia were off today and government workers had a 2 hour delay for 1/10th of a foot of snow. the people here go to work, do their thing, take care of their families, AND their to-do lists. we absolutely cannot be kept out of the grocery store, restaurants, or bars, because...hey...we like to eat and drink!

-we're relentlessly passionate. guess what...we LOVE the packers!!! go pack go!! we HATE the bears...there was literally a special on the local news with that exact title today. now, we understand bears fans have moved here from (disgusting) IL, we wholeheartedly welcome you, and we’re happy to have you here! (as long as you openly admit our state is WAY better than yours...i mean...you moved here right?) normally, we are very accepting of you sporting your bears clothing. currently, it is quite abominable. as for the next few days, i believe we should enact some sort of special legal exemption from certain mild misdemeanors committed against bears fans. how much damage can a simple verbal assault or a thrown (empty...of course...) beer can do? they'll be fine and we'll make sure we get them to the hospital if required (oshkosh police...can we get a little help on this one?...no?)

-we pull together. wisconsinites are supportive and we commiserate when necessary. whether the badgers or packers have a rough game, there's an awful blizzard, continually dropping temperatures, or a loss of someone close to us, we provide an infallible support network.

     people from here function with the mentality that "we're all in this together". we honestly believe we are and we’ll help you get through whatever it is.

     i have been exceptionally blessed to travel, and live, throughout the nation and overseas, courtesy of the Air Force. i (hopefully) represented our state well by bringing this attitude to several magnificent places around the world. I truly must say, in the words of Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, however cliché they are, “there’s no place like home”. there are sooo many more reasons i love being from/living/promoting all that is wisconsin. for now, i’ll just say THANK YOU! to everyone who is from here, lives here, and/or truly embodies the wisconsinite way of life. it is definitely a unique, rare, wonderful lifestyle and outlook. if you disagree, or are unsure of the accuracy of some of my claims, maybe move here (or come visit us...we're REALLY good hosts) and give it a shot :-).

about these "resolutions"...

     so...'new year's resolutions'. they may or may not be erroneous ("on both counts"...haha...), but we make 'em every year. 2011...get ready...here we come with our pretty much ridiculous promises that 'this year will be better than the last'. 'i'm going to do (___) to change myself and my life'. here i am, typing mine out...since those sassy experts say you're more likely to stick to them if you 'write them down'. so in 2011, i resolve to: 


this space is to build anticipation and for me to think about how realistic it is for me to accomplish the following...


1. get into His word more-
     the Bible is the word of our gracious, merciful, and forgiving Lord, it will change your life...check it. that being said...i need to be in it MORE, def can't hurt!


2. take it eaaaaasy-
     yeah...ok...newsflash...i'm a little nuts...my family even made up a hilarious song about it...(it's funny because it's true!), my extremely talented sisters can sing it for you at anytime. i LOVE helping others, being particular, and pushing my body to extremes...consider me busted. i want to try and learn that does not mean i have to make every single detail perfect ahead of time, or, really, just any day in general. it's weird and, frankly, it's kinda creepmo (yeah, i like that made-up word). also, i would like to not lash out when someone has the audacity to speak to me before my morning coffee and/or workout. to those who have experienced my wrath, i'm truly sorry, and be comforted knowing i'm working on it. i want to LAUGH more too...i LOVE laughing!


3. stop having such an insanely competitive personality-
     i'll aim to not cry, be repulsively irritable, or unbearable to those around me for at least 2 days after (if) the badgers lose...at anything, or, God forbid, the packers lose. i deem being outrageously furious after not winning at cards, scattegories, apples to apples, or any game, revolting. i'll aspire to not do so. i love my sisters soooo much (<3 soror!), but introducing me to twitter (follow me....raaarrrrr), seriously...no good for a psycho like me! i can't stop, i have a full-up 'excessive celebration' every time i get a new follower! thank you those who are my terrific, patient followers...why do you? i don't know...but you're great! shout out to my newest followers!!!! my poor phone needs to be charged every 10 seconds, and i'm annoying. it's sad the world has to deal with me.


*PLEASE* help your girl out with 3, 4, & 5...don't tell me about anything  you truly enjoy/that is cool/are good at, and want to have for yourself as your own personal, private hobby. i'm inappropriately competitive. soooo just don't do it...or i'll try to beat you at whatever it is. i know...it's pathetic...i'm sorry! if it's boring, or hard to learn in more than a few days, then, by all means, go right ahead. i can't and vehemently refuse to knit, crochet, or make a quilt. needles and i have a bad relationship going, one i do not plan to re-kindle. please...for the love of God...don't talk trash to me about the badgers or packers!!! or else: half my resolutions=down the drain.


4. be nicer to strangers-
     it's no secret i LOVE the badgers/packers/sports, however, that doesn't authorize me to actually flex on and scowl at someone sporting ohio state, iowa, vikings, bears, and/or another school or team i hate's apparel. i'll also refrain from saying that person is 'the dumbest person ever' for liking said (wrong) team. it's an absurd exaggeration and i get indecently angry...which results in people being strongly disinterested in spending time with me and isn't helping me gain friends!


5. change my vocabulary to reflect my positive attitude-
     stop saying "i'm going to kill...(anyone/anything)"! everyone who knows me (i hope!) has total and utter confidence i'd absolutely never kill anyone/anything. so why do i say it? no, vanessa (vnast), just because that person can't properly operate a "roundabout/traffic circle", or (probably the same person) cuts me off because they're in some kind of "hurry", or is over the center line because they can't safely manage their own vehicle does NOT equal the level of rage to justify me yelling "i'm going to kill...you person driving a silly (insert make/model here)!". i'm a Christian people, NOT a driving instructor or professional, and i gotta work on that!
     replace "if" with "when", "could" with "will", and "eventually" with "a PLANNED time and date"! this might help me eliminate procrastination and selling myself short.

6. be more loving to my mom and my super sweet puppy dog-

     ok, so...she's certainly a bit off her rocker, but she's a tremendous mom, and i love her! i'm here, kickin' it, because of her! she's the person i want to see when i'm sick or sad, she supports me in all i do, and she's a genius. i know...you can't bring yourself to admit it when you're younger...but as you get older (sisters)...you'll grow to understand.

     little zekey bear is an undeniably fantastic dog. he's the best dog on the planet. you're girl's got extremely high standards and when he doesn't meet them within, what i consider to be a reasonable timeframe, i get frustrated. i need to give the huge (i call him 'little' because, in my mind, he is my 'little boy'...he weighs almost 90 lbs) guy a break. i need to make a genuine effort to NOT act out of anger with him. i regret it, realize the error of my ways, and have to apologize for days (or in zeke's case...buy him too many presents)! i'm his 'alpha male', when his 'hackles' go up...you best 'chickety-check yo'self before you wreck yo'self cotton'. yeah, he's gonna kick your butt if you try and mess with me...

7. do more yoga!-
     it helps sooo much! as a lifelong athlete wannabe and aspiring runner i was the definition of skeptic about yoga. i'm thrilled my friend introduced me and convinced me to try it! it makes me less anxious, waaaay more relaxed, helps me tune-in creatively, and it's a new challenge! shockingly, i'm NOT too flexible! zekey bear likes to lay peacefully next to me while i practice, so, added bonus!


     so here's a solid toast to 2011...let's make it better! i'll give it my best shot...will you?

winter blues=nonsense

     while getting ready to workout this morning i saw a news clip of a complete 45 minute segment dedicated to "curing the winter blues". really?? i just don't get it. how are people possibly depressed?? there are so many incredibly exciting events occurring in the sports world right now...the sugar bowl today was awesome! PLAYOFFS? bowl games? college basketball? the nfl draft? hockey? all the hirings and firings?? i am truly praying for those suffering from "winter blues" and hope they seek the help they need (it's OK to need help)! 

     i feel bad for those experiencing the "winter blues" because i am sooo blessed: (the Lord, my family/friends/ridiculously kind and large support network), my team went to the rose bowl, the pack got a wild card bid, and bo ryan is getting the guys ready for tomorrow. i am in (amazing) WISCONSIN, freezing my butt off, watching jimmy fallon and his pros and cons of the nfl playoffs (several of which i disagree with), but i think he's funny, and the roots are smoking...so i watch it. jimmy also made me realize i do truly appreciate kevin spacey, i mean, come on, 'a time to kill', 'l.a. confidential'? no...not feeling those??? ok...watch 'usual suspects'...it'll blow your mind...i promise. next..try 'the negotiator'...ballin'. scope those and happy 2011...here's to NO "winter blues"!!