PUMPKIN for SMOOTHIES & TREATS

Fall is just around the corner, the Autumn winds are near and leaves starting to fall!  School just started back and even though I'm ready for the cooler temperatures it will be a while longer. Texas heat always lasts longer than most as we hit 97 degrees today, swim daily and our AC runs like crazy! That makes no difference to me as I along with the stores are starting to decorate for fall now so I have time to enjoy.  

Pumpkin smoothies are so delicious and easy to make and sometimes I don't have enough ice for a smoothie or don't want the water effect of it so I bought the cutest little Pumpkin Silicone Ice Tray at the $ Tree and with that said I was thinking pumpkin ice cubes how cute!  Yes, they are!  So I opened a can of plain Pumpkin and filled the little tray up and then just pop out Pumpkin Cubes for smoothies and our puppies love them as their special treats!  

When we are outside they get something cool and good for them.  Pumpkin is good for our pets digestion and they love it! Simple easy, fun things for fall.   

Hope you enjoy and have fun with fall too :)
May your days be filled with Sunshine Joy & Smiles

TROPICAL CHICKEN SALAD ;)

Hey~
It's been way to long since my last post and for that I am sorry!  We moved in December and it has taken a while to get settled but I'm hoping to get back to doing 1 a week if not more starting with one of my very favorite ways to use Bananas in a healthy recipe! So here we go!

My Tropical Chicken Salad Recipe as promised.... it's mine and if you know me I only measure things when baking so I'll do my best to share what I do!

3 cups cooked chicken - I shred ours because it tastes better and we don't like cubed chicken....to us it's weird.
4 celery stalks - rinsed and sliced
1 cup Low Fat Hellman's Mayonnaise
1 tsp Curry powder
1 can 11 oz. of Mandarin Oranges - no sugar added, drained
1 can 20 oz. chunk pineapple ( I use fresh most and about 2 cups )
2 Large Bananas sliced
Cashews and or Flaked Un-sweetened Coconut for stir in's  

In large bowl like the one I used, mix mayo and curry, then add chicken & celery and stir well until coated... you may need to add more of the mayo and curry... stir in bananas and pineapple still coated then gently fold in the mandarin oranges and enjoy!  This is also when you would add the Cashews or Peanuts.  I use which ever we have on hand.  We serve on lettuce.   It is refreshing and healthy!  Hope you all enjoy!  Feel free to share!   I would love to hear your comments!

Till next time, may your day be filled with sunshine, joy and smiles :)

sunshinejoyandsmiles.blogspot.com

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

Hey! We moved in December and this is my 1st post of the year!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost Nipp'n at your nose..... This is how the magic of Christmas goes. Every since I was a little girl I've dreamed of living out this song.   It's so wonderful, makes you feel all warm inside.  However, like so many things when you finally get them, do them or both they leave you quite stunned! 

So, with Christmas finally over, Valentine's less than a week away......Jack Frost is more than nipping at your nose, your toes and Mother Nature taking a dump on all my little spring baby budding bulbs peeking up with snow, snow and yes, more snow! 

So being more or less stuck inside cause it's too cold out and the cold/flu season is in full swing we are entertaining ourselves with things inside.   We had a fire, I thought whoopee I can finally roast my chestnuts on an open fire! All 6 of them! I wasn't sure we'd like them and those little suckers are expensive .  So 3 of us 2 nuts each.  

They started to smell and we decided to take them off.  I was telling my husband this was so exciting it's just like my favorite movie with Ben Affleck called Surviving Christmas where he's got the pan of chestnuts and he's roasting them on an open fire.   We get the nut cracker and crack them open, I'm so excited I can't hardly wait! The shell is almost like paper thin and coming off so easy! The nut is almost as big as the shell and looks like a little brain, I go to take a bite and it is like a rock! Seriously, what? I must be missing something!  I'm now going to research out about them as I was disappointed but thought it was so funny I just had to share.   

In life so many things are just wonderful, part of a magical childhood fantasy or memory only to discover it was not at all what you had hoped for.  I thank God everyday for everything and for tonight's laugh about something I've wanted to do my whole life!   I just had to share.   May your day be filled with Sunshine Joy and Smiles.        

Weekly Wednesday Paydays

Michelle McNiel feeling blessed

I'm so excited! I just realized today is Wednesday before a holiday and #BAMM...... my bank account got #happy happy happy.... it's my weekly payday.... woo hoo! Shazaam!

Day 27: I am thankful that I took the wonderful opportunity to join #Nerium. It has changed our lives! The financial plan is unmatched like no other.... 13 ways to get paid and even though I don't know them all I am thankful I get paid every week on top of my monthly! I am thankful that this is the beginning, that David & Kendall get to be a part of everything I do and that we have met some of the most incredible people we now call friends. Thankful beyond measure and wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.

I absolutely had to share this on my blog because truly I have wanted a job that paid me every week.

I have not worked since God blessed me with my baby girl Kendall.  Kendall is now 12 years old.  

During this time we have been blessed to make it through but we have struggled beyond measure.  I will not go into details but I will say that we have pawned things to buy groceries and or pay bills.  We have struggled, but managed.  My precious husband has worked 2 jobs most of this time and never complained.  I have tried everything from making "Pampered Pet Perfections" Dog Treats for a rented booth, to selling and doing shows for Pampered Chef.  I also tried my best to sell and make income with and not limited to:  Melalucca, Avon, Pampered Chef, #Mary-Kay not once but 3 times....not a charm.... to #Scentsy twice, which I just love, still love, but had to sell a certain amount in a certain amount of time and pay for my website; which no-one ever visited, to Arbonne, which I never made 1$ off of but used it all for my skin because I have always taken care of my skin and have done anything to keep it healthy and beautiful..... not for anyone but for .... me.

With this said; my dear, precious friend that in past had joined some other businesses that did not help my family in anyway... cost me money to join.. to have the websites and been required to sell..never blessed me like this last one.  When I heard from her my husband was totally against it as I have done everything out there and only ended up stressing and costing us time and money that we did not have.  Nerium has a video called The Last Run Club and there is a reason because it is The Last Run.

Nerium is the last company that I will have to join, it has the financial game plan to bless my family beyond measure, to make friendships to last a lifetime, to having the chance to dream again because I truly had forgotten how. I will retire my husband, I will earn a Lexus before that and all by just sharing something I believe in and because the company believes in everyone like me.  

There was a video that my friend Steve Kelller made me do when I first signed on with Nerium and he posted it to you-tube, and honestly, it freaked me out but I can look back at it and tear up, because I had a dream.  My dream then in May was to be able to have gasoline to go see my mom, whenever I wanted.  My mother is in a nursing home 18 miles away.  That was my reality... until now, until Nerium.    This little skincare, that has changed the way I see myself, feel about myself, to what is being broadcast in #CBS #News in California.... Nerium is #REAL people Real Results....  

My wish is for everyone to know about this opportunity to truly change your lives, not carry product, not have to meet a quota, to truly be your own boss.  You are not alone, you have the expert Lexus earners and above guiding you...to a state of the art, hands down "the Tiffany" of websites at your disposal for a minimal investment in the fastest anti-aging industry around!  We grew 3,900% last year in our 1st full year of business!  Nerium is being noticed and on #TheView for a reason.  

Thankful.... I am because... this isn't all over my blog, nor all over my FB but I will and do share when I feel I need to and with Thanksgiving tomorrow ( now today ) to Christmas Holiday's it is a financial blessing to get paid weekly when it is needed the most and doing nothing more that what you see on this post.  I simply share, FB or this blog when I feel it is needed and I have to much to post on FB and need to get it out!   

God bless you as you read this and if I can help you in anyway, answer any ?'s please let me know because my job is to help you get your money back to you and beyond as soon as possible.  There is a 30 day money back guarantee for a reason!  This is the time to make your financial future yours... your dream...wonderful... that you may enjoy everyday to bless others to have this opportunity.   

mcniel.nerium.com

Happy Thanksgiving and may your day be blessed beyond measure!

EGGNOG FRENCH TOAST

Eggnog love to say it................. love to drink it............to bake it, make it, share it~

Holidays bring Eggnog into the store's dairy section and as soon as I spy it, I buy it!  
We love the creamy taste of it and it's a family favorite to all top with fresh grated nutmeg right on top of our glass~

Eggnog is such a versatile, holiday flavor that can be used in so many things.  If you can use milk, why not try eggnog?  So as soon as we have a couple of glasses I realize time to get creative and use it up.

1st up:  Eggnog French Toast  

4 slices of bread
3 eggs
3/4 cup eggnog
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix the eggs, eggnog and nutmeg together, while your griddle gets heated or pan is melting butter.
I like them best on the griddle because the butter in the pan takes away the flavor of the eggnog and they taste like an egg in a frame to us.

Cook till golden brown on each side and then enjoy with your favorite syrup...

May your Holidays be filled with Sunshine Joy and Smiles,
Michelle

Christmas Sugar

Happy Holidays & yes, they are!


As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas my mind is filled with excitement and joy!  I think of all the ways I can make each day during the holidays just a little more festive and special.  

Today, simplicity at it's best but will make you smile and feel special every time you see and use it!

Christmas Sugar
Sugar + Green and Red Colored Sugar
Mix together and enjoy!

I smile, every time I use it, for my coffee, tea and sprinkled on buttered bread for Kendall.  Just think you can do this for all Holidays and always have a sweet reason to smile!   :)

May your day be filled with SunShine Joy and Smiles,
Michelle

Chipotle-Garlic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

PUMPKIN              pumpkin                 Pumpkin     Garlic    Chipotle       #Yummy-licious!

After having the pumpkin around for a while it was time for a decision and so instead of wasting it this year we decided to carve the pumpkin & then sliced it to fit onto baking sheets and baked 350 for about an hour till the skin could be punctured by a fork and then scraped it out to freeze and use as needed instead of canned!
 I'm so excited as there always seems to be some grit in the canned pumpkin, no matter what brand, no matter what I make especially pumpkin pies...I'm very picky about textures and for the life of me can't figure out what the grit is and everyone I ask says they realize that too so from now on this is how we roll~

The exciting thing for me was to just make Pumpkin Seeds like I wanted, no recipe and hands down the best I've ever had!

The seeds from 1 large pumpkin.  

Olive oil

Mrs Dash Southwest Chipotle 

Granulated Garlic

Put seeds in a bowl fill with water, whisk away the pulp and it's amazingly fast.  

Next drain seeds, I used a paper towel to get excess moisture off.  

In the bowl of seeds, I poured about 2 tbs Olive Oil, and then covered the top of them liberally with the Chipoltle and Garlic.  Baked at 350 for about 15 or so minutes ( I checked when I started smelling them)  and totally amazed how nutty ad good they came out! 

Hope I've inspired you to Save A Pumpkin and use it all up! 

Happy Fall & May your lives be filed with Sunshine Joy and Smiles.  

Oh my goodness.....  happy happy happy    :)