Make it up as you go

So Derek and I hosted a Game of Thrones hangout to watch the season finale at our new apartment. Trying to think of what to serve but also being broke from moving into a new place, I decided to find out what my friend had in her pantry and compared it to what I have.

"Instant mashed potatoes and chicken" was her response.

Well after doing a bit of grocery shopping in my parents pantry on a trip to the coast, I decided to make this concoction:

Semi-Homemade Chicken Casserole Thing

(You can call it whatever you want)

Ingredients

Casserole

Thawed boneless skinless chicken breast (I used 3)

Bag of frozen veggies

2 Pouches of instant garlic mashed potatoes

1 can of cream of chicken soup (condensed)

4 cups of chicken broth
Seasoning of choice (Optional)

Biscuit Top

2 cups of Jiffy All-Purpose Baking Mix

2/3 cup of milk (may need to add more to max the right consistency)

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees

• Bring the chicken broth to a boil. Turn down heat and add thawed chicken. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until cooked thoroughly. Remove chicken from pot and set aside. Reserve the chicken broth on the side.
• Prepare the mashed potatoes. Set aside.
• Shred the chicken either using two forks or your hands. 
• In a casserole dish, combine the cream of chicken soup and about 1 cup of the chicken broth. Mix in shredded chicken making sure to coat. Then mix in the veggies and potatoes. (I used two spoons to mix together) 
• Season however you prefer. 
• Make the biscuit dough. Spread over the top of the casserole. 

Bake for about 45 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.

Thanks to my friend Gilbert for making the biscuit mix. It was officially his first dish he made. (I am sure that isn't true, Gilbert!)

P.S. Totally forgot to take a picture of the final project. A few ideas, fresh veggies, whole potatoes, anything to add?

My First Project Kickoff

Part of my blog is going to be focusing on delicious, thoughtful food. Cooking with purpose. I notice a trend of delicious recipes offered online catering to those with families. It's just the two of us here and some of us out there cook for themselves.

I remember all through college my food going bad from neglect. Veggies all congealed and shit in the fridge. Ugh.

I want to make sure those who want to save some money but make some easy food have that option. I am going to be working towards fast and easy meals. As well as prepping food in advance for the person on the go.

My first journey will be with my good friend, Gilbert. We will be prepping meals for a week. Including breakfast and dinner. Meals he can just pop in the toaster oven or crock pot and go.

I will be putting together recipes, grocery list and more for this project so you can use it too!

Look for things here or on my Pinterest board!

The Great Expedition South!

Derek and I are moving back to the Central Valley! We got an awesome two bedroom apartment (our first place just us!!)

Of course packing fucking sucks. We are actually only packing a bit of stuff because all of the rest of our stuff is in storage in the Valley. We put it there in July 2012 before our move to Nevada. (We live in Vegas for 6 months for a campaign I was working on) It has been in storage since.

Tomorrow we get our king bed back, our couches and alllllll of our shit!!  Until then we must pack.

I might be gone for the next two days unpacking and such. Can't wait to get back into blogging. I have been having so much fun!

Gotta Get My Coffee!

My mom has worked in coffee shops for a good chunk of my life, hell she got me a job at a coffee shop when I was in high school. Fond memories of having to say "Thanks for calling The Coffee and Roasting Shop, how can I help you." That is way too much shit to say when you answer a phone.

On top of that my husband worked at Starbucks for over a year.

When it comes to coffee, I love the good stuff. The prepared the right way good shit. (I sound like an addict don't I?)

Top Tier: My local cafe and roaster. First they roast all the beans that they will use and sell that day. So it is really fucking fresh. When you order they weigh and grind the beans for your perfect cup. Then they hand brew the cup of coffee for you. Oh man I just drooled everywhere. I can't wait to move back and be within walking distance of this liquid gold.

Next Tier: Homemade (Obviously with the amazing beans I purchase from the above cafe) I will be posting a how to on making homemade iced coffee and such soon!

Last Tier: I always try to get the best of best but sometimes it isn't in my pocket book. My go to is Starbucks. Since my husband worked there I was able to nail down a delicious drink: Venti Iced Coffee with an add shot of espresso 4 pumps classic and soy milk pour on top. Damn Girl! If made correctly it can quench my thirst and give me some throwback memories to my 15-18 hour days on the campaign.I also can get stars towards free drinks and food. Great deal! If you drink at Sbux enough get the rewards card! It's free and worth it!

I also really enjoy Peet's Coffee but they don't have one in the Valley. What's your favorite coffee drink? (Or tea, or chai, or smoothie. . .) Let's get caffeinated!!

P.S.
Check out this cool graphic I found on DogHouse Diaries:

Blog Hoppin' Y'all

I come from a metropolis in the Central Valley in California. I am excited to move back soon. They do this thing every couple weeks called "Art Hop". Most cities have something similar where galleries, art studios, small businesses and restaurants open up to art enthusiasts. They either display art or have music. It is really fun! They even have a trolley to take you around! A fucking trolley!!
Well a blog that has really helped (and still is helping) me get on my blog feet, is hosting a "Blog Hop". I am gonna join in hopes to introduce my blog to others but also to check out some other cool blogs!
So if you found me through "Blog Hop" awesome!!
Thanks everyone. Make sure to check out the other blogs by clicking the "Blog Hop" button at the top.

A little about me and about this blog

My name is Jackki. Like I said in my first entry I am married. Derek is the best. I love him so much and am pretty much the luckiest person.

We live in California in the Central Valley. Born and raised.

I am a community organizer and political organizer looking for something new. In the last 18 months I have lived in two states and worked on 3 major campaigns. I have worked 15 hour days and worked months without a day off. It has been all worth it. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't pour my heart and soul into it. I love organizing. I love working with people who want to make a positive change in their life, community, work or school.

The stress I can live with out. I am what some of my friends call a "bubble child" or "miracle baby"

When stressed the fuck out or activated by an allergy my body will be covered in hives. Really itchy and painful hives. Sometimes my eyes are swollen. It. is. the. worst.

Since most organizing jobs have a lot of stress I tend to react with hives. I have gotten better about keeping them at bay, but without fail when a campaign ends I breakout in the worst ways.

I am on a new journey to take care of my self and unload my stress in ways that won't result in this. I have decided to take my organizing skills and organize myself.

Parts of this journey are:

• Getting healthy (or getting a "hot bod" as sister puts it)
• Sticking to a budget
• An easy to use budget that works!
• Grocery shopping sensibly (part of the budget too)
• Getting things organized so my husband and I are on the same page
• and whatever else!

I mostly wanted to start this blog because I felt it important to track my progress. Also I think it is a nifty tool to keep things organized. This along with Pinterest will be what I used for my online organization.

P.S. I called the blog chicken ounce after reading a chicken recipe to my husband. I tend to speak faster than I should and read "6 ounce chicken" as "chicken ounce" I couldn't stop crying from laughing.

Follow me on:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ChickenOunce
Instagram: http://instagram.com/chickenounce
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/chickenounce/
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

My next journey

My husband and I got married a year and a half ago. We have been together for almost 4 years. During which we have lived either with my parents or roommates. As much as I love all of those experiences, I am so excited to be embarking on a new journey!

We found our own apartment!

2 cute bedrooms on the bottom floor of a small complex. Perfect for us!

We can setup a little office slash spare room. We can use all the room in the fridge, 'cause it's just us! All kinds of crazy shit can happen.

I am also trying to get more disciplined in our budget which means stricter grocery shopping and getting organized. With all the new technology and online resources there is so many ways to organize.

Look for a more in depth post "About Me" on the blog coming soon.

Me and my boo