Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Zucchini with White Beans and Garlic Tomato Sauce

I needed an interesting but speedy dinner idea tonight so my brain hatched a new recipe. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Zucchini with White Beans and Garlic Tomato Sauce was born today and it came out fast and delicious. 

Sometimes I just need to do something a little different.  Tonite was one of those nights. Hubby was stuck at work so it was my turn to cook.  My work schedule is much crazier so he cooks a lot but we are both good chefs. We have totally different styles though. 

This is what I did...Hope you like it too!  I  quartered 1.5lbs of  medium sized fingerling potatoes and roasted them in the oven with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, a 1/4 tsp of fresh black pepper and 1/2 rasp of crushed dried rosemary at 425 degrees for about 30 minutes until lightly browned. Meanwhile I chopped 3 garlic cloves and sautéed them in olive oil for 2 minutes until lightly browned. I did a few turns of the pepper mill. I added one medium onion chopped and sautéed for another 2 minutes. I added 3 medium sliced zucchini and sautéed on medium for 2 minutes. I added 8 oz canned crushed tomatoes with basil and cooked it until zucchini was tender. I added one can small white beans. Add the roasted potatoes and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and dinner is served. 

Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day July 14 #CowAppreciationDay

In honor of Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day we decided to pretty our little friend up with a fancy pink tail. It was easy to do with some pink yarn. 

We cut a 4i nch piece of pink yarn but you can use any color of your choice. We evenly cut two inch pieces of yarn enough to make a substantial tail.

 

Now that I think about it you could even be pretty to do a multi-colored tail or even use sparkly or glittery yarn for a different look. We like pink though so that was what we used. It is a quick project but it really makes our Chick-fil-A Cow look extra special. 

All you have to do is tie each piece of yarn to the large piece until it is thick enough then attach it to the tail. Your Chick-fil-A Cow will look extra special in a flash just in time for Cow Appreciation Day. 

ThinkFun Code Master challenges your mind whether your are 8 or 88! #ThinkFun

Too much screen time is just not a good thing these days. Consider some of the fun strategy games like this new one from ThinkFun that are perfect for one player. We love board games in general. Don't get me wrong....I let my child have some screen time but we have always been big on strategic board games and intellectual games. My hubby and I always enjoyed them as kids and we started playing simple board games with our tween when she was a tiny tot. It is a different mental experience when you are sitting with a board game either thinking to yourself. This is the kind of skill that you can't learn on a device no matter what the game you choose and I challenge you to tell me any different. I truly credit her early reading to all the board games and learning games we have played since she was a baby.

Gramma was the one who discovered the ThinkFun brand a number of years ago.  She picked up a few of the ThinkFun travel sized games and the little one was hooked. We discovered one of her best friends was also a ThinkFun fan.  Her best friend has two parents that are educators so take that into consideration. They know quality learning games when they see them. Birthdays and other special occasions suddenly became a good reason to buy a new ThinkFun game. Frankly, it made it easy for me because it was pretty much impossible to bomb with a birthday gift when I chose a ThinkFun game. Many of the ThinkFun games including this new one called Code Master are excellent games to play in the car, while waiting for appointments or even to tote with you on the airplane. A better option than endless screen time.  We have quite a collection and haven't been disappointed yet so I was excited to take a peek at this fun game called Code Master that is available now at Target.   

Code Master brings you to an exotic world where you use an Avatar to aid you to achieve your goals and win. Your goal is this new world is to find the elusive power Crystals to help you land at the Portal. It starts out fairly easy so anyone can master it but it gets harder as you go up the levels. There are 60 levels so it will keep you challenged for a good, long time. You have to use programming logic to aid your Avatar to collect those coveted Crystals.  It may look simple but it really isn't. There are many challenges along the way. My tween has been enjoying the challenge of the different levels. As with many Think Fun games, this one has progressively harder levels as you go up. It starts out easy so you can get the hang of it quickly. My tween is so funny with her Thinkfun games because she starts out really triumphant, "Oh, this one is really easy." After a few levels I see her deep in thought trying to strategize to beat the next level.  This is a great game for girls and boys as well as adults since it really stretches your mind! You can have the Ultimate Coding Adventure with Code Master. Just think, your Avatar will travel to an exotic world in search of elusive power Crystals. For all 60 levels, you’ll have to use your best programming logic to help your Avatar collect the Crystals and land at the Portal. Think carefully,though, because in each level only one specific sequence of actions will lead to success. 

Think Fun Code Master Game

Age: 8 to adult

Players: Single Player 

Game Features: 

• Avatar
• Portal
• 6 Crystals
• 10 Maps with 60 Levels
• 12 Guide Scrolls
• 12 Action Tokens
• 8 Conditional Tokens
• Instructions with Solutions

I love that you need to use programming logic to get to the Crystals. You have to think, think, think about each move and carefully choose in order to succeed. The best part is that each time you master a level there is another one waiting that is just a tiny bit harder. My tween loves it and it gives hubby and me a challenge as well. Code Master is a great game that is appropriate for ages 8 to adult. It is available at Target and priced about $22.99. This is a super birthday, Christmas or anytime gift.

You can pick up Code Master exclusively at Target for easy shopping anytime. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Good Mood Tea from Culinary Teas #CulinaryTeas

Disclosure: Always check with your physician before using any health products, supplements or medications and specifically Good Moid Tea. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.

I really enjoy drinking tea but sometimes I need to relax. This Good Mood Tea is the best drink to feel good no matter what is going on with work or life.  This house blend  loose leaf tea never fails to keep me happy and relaxed.  It helps to wake you up and uplifts your mood.  The very special ingredient of our house blend is organic cacao nibs, which are peeled and broken cocoa beans, the raw material of chocolate. They contain a natural mood enhancer called theobromine and create the pleasant after taste of dark chocolate.

The blend of ingredients is ingenious and delicious. Chocolate gives a wonderful sense of oneness with the universe, orange peels give sense of happiness and roasted mate gives full- bodied and smooth espresso-like flavor. Luxury black Sri Lanka tea and citrus notes of lemongrass round out the blend. Any gourmet tea afficionado will appreciate this elegant and delicious creation.

You can pick up this Good Mood Tea on Amazon for easy shopping anytime. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.