Since my schedule has gone haywire, my meal planning and *cough* exercise routine has as well.  I enjoy doing both so Im working on finding the balance in work and play.  {Ill take any suggestions here}  This week Raymond and I did manage to make one great meal together:  Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs.  They were fab!

MOZZARELLA STUFFED MEATBALLS

• (1 lb) Ground Beef (highly recommend 93/7 or better)
• (1 Egg) slightly beaten
• (1/2 Cup) Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs (We used Progresso)
• (1/2 Tsp) Salt
• (1/2 Tsp) Pepper
• (1/2 Tsp) Garlic Powder
• (1/2 Tsp) Italian Seasoning
• (1/2 Tsp) Minced Onion (spice)
• (1/4 Cup) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Throw everything in a bowl.
3. Take off rings and mix with hands.  Make sure it is all incorporated
4. Grease baking sheet.
5. Use a Tbsp to divy out meatballs.  So they are all the same size.
6. Roll each meatball.  Press a small amount of mozzarella cheese in the middle.  Cover cheese.
7. Place all meatballs on the baking sheet.
8. Bake 10 minutes.
9. Turn meatballs.
10. Bake 5 more minutes.  (depending on your oven – you might need to bake an additional 10 minutes).
11. Enjoy!

We served ours with pesto pasta and french bread.  The meatballs have so much flavor that I suggest keeping the side dishes relatively plain.  No need for flavor overkill — coming for a flavor fanatic!

Link up if you made anything yummy this week!

Until next time…

I have been participating in a contest sponsored by 3M Command Hooks.  The contest ended yesterday with my video/commercial submittal.  The winners are chosen by March 6th — until then — enjoy the video!

But … with that said … I have 2 organizational weaknesses.

1) My home office

2) Beauty products.

This is NOT my office BTW - but inspiration

It is so hard for me to find the right system in my home office.  Bullentin boards for inspiration — how do I keep up with project ideas — paper or electronic — do I need another table because my desk aint that big!  Another reason why I struggle here is investing money in “equipment”.  I will be moving in a few months and it is hard for me to investment in more office furniture when I know that the set up will be different soon.  Yet I want it all to magically work NOW!

And makeup and beauty products.  My oh my.  The #1 problem here is coupons.  Yes, coupons.  I can usually get these products pretty cheap because of blasted coupons and sales.  It is hard to pass up another bottle of shampoo when the total cost is $0.50.  I took inventory of my shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and body washes a few months back.  I was bad — I had 10 bottles of shampoo, and its only me!  I dont have 5 heads of hair to wash on a daily basis!  I had to stop.  But then there is the makeup.  You know, the kind that is old (like 2 years old) and in a really unflattering color (’80′s blue eyeshadow).  Yea those — well I have a hard time throwing these things away.  I dont like the makeup!  In fact, I only wear Mary Kay now! So it should go in the trash — but it doesnt. *Sigh* Somewhere deep inside I want to wear it until it is all gone.  Get my moneys worth!  All while looking silly in blue eyeshadow and teal eyeliner.  And in case you were wondering — no I am not the kind of gal that can pull that off!

Good Grief — what is your organizational weakness?

Until next time…

2. I like watching Raymond play pool.

3. That pool league is extremely organized!

4. Is it bad that I was more interested in the organization of the league than Raymond playing pool?

5. Do you ever feel bad when you are tired?

6. I feel like a party pooper — and it might be a Tuesday!

7. I wish I could be one of those people who run on 4 hours of sleep.

8. Or what about those people that thrive on always having something to do or a place to go.

9. I like being at home.

10. Im pretty sure that is called a “home body”.

11. That sounds bad — makes me sound old.

12. Im always fascinated by how fast time goes.

13. Time as currency — interesting to think about.

14. How do you spend your currency — your time?

15. I cry too much — like all the time — specifically when Im watching movies or shows

16. I cried when Adele won Album of the Year.  Really?!

17. I cry when I watch movies.

18. Yep all movies

19. Well not scary ones.

20. I hope Im not weird.

Until next time…

This weeks Foodie Friday post is … Green Pizza!  Borrowed from my wonderful friend, Lauren Nix.  Thank you Lauren — this was the best lunch ever! *Picture is different than recipe – but it looked yummy* 

GREEN PIZZA

(1) Tortilla wrap (soft taco tortilla)

(1 TBSP) Pesto .. or more to taste

(1/2 CUP) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

(1/2 CAN) Rotel

Chicken, cooked

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook chicken.  Options here: skillet, broil, grill, or boiled.  I sauteed mine in the skillet with Trader Joe’s 21 Salute Seasoning.
3. Place tortilla on cookie sheet.
4. Spread pesto evenly over tortilla.  Leave a “crust”.
5. Top with cheese.
6. Top with Rotel.
7. Top with chicken.
8. Cook 10-12 minutes until desired crispiness.

This is my new go-to lunch recipe.  It was uh-mazing!  I honestly could have eaten four of them!

Until next time…

]]> http://blog.pureandsimpleorganizing.com/2012/02/17/foodie-friday-green-pizza/feed/ 1 pandsorg Pesto Pizza Jennifer Signature http://blog.pureandsimpleorganizing.com/2012/02/16/pinterest-interest/ http://blog.pureandsimpleorganizing.com/2012/02/16/pinterest-interest/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:34:38 +0000 Pure & Simple Organizing http://blog.pureandsimpleorganizing.com/?p=351 Continue reading →]]>

Pinterest has shot to the social media stage over the past few months!  It is still difficult to effectively state what the purpose of Pinterest is; however, for me, the purpose is to organize my ideas and inspirations for organizing projects, home decorating, and cooking projects.  These inspirations live online and are found online.  I have a similar system for inspiration ideas that I find in magazines {they live in binders}.  Each Pinterest board is full of ideas that I come across from either other Pinners or found online while browsing.

I would love to follow you in your Pinning journey.  In the Comment section — submit a link to your Pinterest “home page”.

http://pinterest.com/jhburnham/  {If you are interested in following me}

Another blogger that I follow wrote an article this week about Pinterest as well.  She talked about how to use and organize your Pin boards.  If you are interested, read the article here.

Until next time…

Well the box of 3M Command Hooks finally arrived this weekend!  Im so excited about filming a home video with these hooks in action!

With that said, Im in need of a project and family.  I have a few ideas of what I plan to do with the hooks, but I would love to showcase them in action with a family!

Please email me if you are interested or would like more details!  I cannot wait to get started — I have a few ideas floating around in my head!

Email me:  jennifer@pureandsimpleorganizing.com

Include: “3M Command Hooks” in Subject Line — Your name & a little about you — A description of the room or closet that you think would be perfect for the 3M contest — Attach 1-3 pictures of the room or closet

The video must be filmed by Sunday, February 19th.  I am willing to travel for this project (Charlotte, NC address isnt necessary)

*Disclaimer: I received these products free from 3M Command Hooks and am not being paid to use them or film* 

Happy Monday!

Until next time…

1. Sunrises are my favorite.  Best way to start the day.

2. I rush to the coffee pot each morning.

3.  I think Im addicted to coffee.

4.  Im not on the K-Cup Keurig Bandwagon.

5. Speaking of bandwagons — Im also not on the E-Reader bandwagon.

6. I need to read more. Where is my Steve Jobs book? I think Im still on Chapter 1.

7. What day is it? Man these weeks fly by!

8.  I dont watch local news. If it bleeds it leads…I find it depressing.

9. I love watching Live with Kelly.

10. I kinda miss Regis.

11. Speaking of watching stuff — I need more RH of BH (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills).

12. What a reunion — 3 parts?! Really?!

13. Yes I like reality tv.

14. One show that I dont watch: The Amandas. It doesnt accurately dipict organizing projects.

15. That makes me sad. It changes peoples perceptions of what we do.

16. Adele! I listen to Pandora throughout the day — she just came on — she is my fave!

17. Speaking of faves — I love Sarah Michelle Gellar! Buffy was my fave show ever!

18. I used to spend hours in my room trying to make my hair look like hers.

19. I was 16.  I had nothing better to do.

20.  My mind bounces around more than a ping pong ball!

21. Am I the only one that feels this way?

22.  I need more coffee.

23. I wish Starbucks & Caribou had more coupons!

24. Im addicted to Pinterest.

25. Very bad way to spend waste the day.  I need to be more productive.

Now with that said — we were watching the Carolina game the other night and Raymond declared to the television “Why does the guy have to do everything?”.  Now I have no idea what prompted the statement as I was nose deep in the website and Money Saving Mom article debut.  My guess is a commercial about buying jewelry or taking your lady out to dinner ran across the screen.  Well it got me thinking — Raymond is right (as he usually is)! Why it is that the men have to surprise and woo the lady — why cant the lady also surprise the man!  (Im expecting comments galore on this)

So…if you want to cook a special dinner for your special fella next week or this weekend then I highly recommend this recipe!  Its SO super easy!

PESTO SCALLOPS

*Sea scallops are worth the splurge here.  Bay scallops shrink when cooked & become rubbery

*I dont add the toasted walnuts.

• 1 lb sea scallops
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil (I use canola oil)
• 1/2 lb pasta (any shape and kind will do – I use egg noodles)
• 1/4 cup jarred basil pesto
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta following package instructions (about 10 minutes).
2. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
3. While pasta is cooking, pat scallops dry and season with salt & pepper.
4. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Saute 4 minutes per side, until cooked through and no longer translucent.
6. Add the pesto to drained pasta.  Stir in some of the reserved cooking liquid until pasta is evenly coated with pesto.  *I eyeball the amount of pesto — my philosophy is the more the merrier*
7. Stir in cheese.  Top with scallops.

I served this with a side of pesto breadsticks.  It was delicious!

PESTO BREADSTICKS

• 1 tube of refrigerated ready-to-bake breadsticks
• Pesto
• Salt & Pepper

1. Roll out the tub of breadsticks.
2. Sprinkle each breadstick with salt & pepper.
3. *I added a little garlic powder as well*
4. Spread about a 1 tsp to 1 tbsp of pesto on each breadstick
5. Twist the breadsticks and place on greased cooking sheet
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Until next time…

February 8th will go down as “one for the books”.  To say that I am over the moon about that day is an understatement.  No I didnt get engaged, married, or have my first child.  ;) However, just as equally amazing things happened on that day.

1) I was informed that I made it to the final round for a commercial.  Product: 3M Command Hooks.  I have one last test to pass and plan to blow it out of the water — I really REALLY want to appear in the commercial.

2) My guest post “aired” on the Money Saving Mom‘s website.  Crystal is a well respected and well known blogger, and the fact that I landed the guest post opportunity was huge!  The site has received 1,500 2,500+ views since the article was posted! {To give you an idea of how awesome this is — my previous record for daily views sat at 65} The feedback from the post has been amazing — it keeps me motivated and driven.  Organizing is where I belong.

….before I go to #3….

I want to add that my luck is not that good.  I have never won large sums of prizes or contests or … anything really.  The fact that these two {huge} things happened in my life…on the same day….that aint luck…that’s fate!

3) Carolina played Duke….at Carolina.  :) Two great universities and two great basketball teams!  Raymond and I dress out in all Carolina gear and throw down like 20 year old college kids again.  Gooooo Carolina!

Thank you so much for your support and kind words!

Welcome to all my “newbies”.