The Best Layered Taco Dip (Seriously)

Layered Taco Dip

I'm sure you've tasted or at least seen some kind of layered dip, but this one takes the cake. It's got extra ingredients for more flavor!

Any time there's a potluck or I host a party, I make this. It's always the first to go and people rave about it the entire time. This kind of tastiness needs to be shared. I hope you enjoy my signature dish!

Ingredients

- 1 can (10 oz) refried beans

- 1 small can diced jalapeños

- 1 box Avo Guacamole 

- 1 cup (8 oz) sour cream 

- 1 cup mayo

- 1 pkg taco seasoning 

- 1 small can (3 oz) chopped olives

- 1 small can diced chili peppers

- 6 Roma tomatoes, diced and pat dry on paper towels

- 1 bag finely shredded cheese (Mexican blend)

- tortilla chips for dipping!

- 9x13 inch dish

** You can use reduced fat alternatives (mayo, sour cream, refried beans); it'll still taste amazing!

To prep your layers- drain liquid out of cans (jalapeños, chilies, olives). If more than one ingredient in the layer, mix together before spreading.

Layers in order of going into dish (bottom to top)

Layer 1: refried beans & jalapeños

Layer 2: guacamole

Layer 3: sour cream, mayo, chilies, olives, taco seasoning

Layer 4: diced tomatoes

Layer 5: shredded cheese

Expecting a new set of ears...

I am happy to announce that my husband and I are...

DIY Mickey Ice Cream Bar Ear Headband

Want Mickey ears like the ones I had for my ice cream bar costume?

I'll show you how to make them!

You'll need:

- 2 craft foam circles (I found these at Michaels in the floral section)

- a headband (fabric covered is best, not plastic)

- white felt (one sheet)

- brown felt (two sheets to be on the safe side)

- hot glue & glue gun

(I ended up not using the embroidery floss)

For each ear, shave down one of the edges so that the ear will lay flush against the headband.

Put your headband around something to mimic it being on your head. Use the hot glue to attach to the headband, centering the circles. 

Don't forget: On one ear, chisel out the bite of the ear. :)

Take the headband with attached ears and lay one ear on the brown felt. Trace around the ear, adding a 1/2 inch extra around the ear. Mark the points at the base of the ears where it meets the arc headband. Wrap the felt around to the other side of the ear and mark the points at the base of that side of the ear. Trace around that side of the ear, again adding an extra 1/2 inch around the ear. You should have something that resembles 2 circles connected by a short rectangle/square.

Repeat for the other ear, being careful to go around the bite.

Glue the brown felt to one side of the ear (you'll have that 1/2 inch hanging over the edge), then wrap the felt around the headband to the other side of the ear. That little part in the middle will ensure the ear doesn't pop off your headband. Now glue the other side of the felt to the ear. 

Now let's work on the extra around the ears. Clip the 1/2 inch of extra brown felt and glue each piece down. The round flat circles of the ears should be covered, but you should still see some foam on the curved part. 
Cut a strip of brown felt the width of the foam circle. This will go around the circumference of the circle. Glue the brown felt, paying close attention to the edges.

Repeat for the bitten ear, also cut a strip of white felt the width of the foam. Glue the white into the bite, trim excess if needed.

And you're done!

As a last minute addition, I sewed a small piece of elastic between the two ends of the headband to make the whole thing tighter. I didn't have to adjust them the entire Wine & Dine half marathon, even through the rain!

Crunchy Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad

I am always on the lookout for tasty lunch options. I love salads, but sometimes they just aren't filling enough and by the end of the work day, I'm shoving quarters as fast as I can into the break room vending machine.

I love to make this delicious Thai Crunch Salad w/ Peanut Dressing for work, but I wanted something more filling. So when I found this recipe for a Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad w/ Ginger Peanut Dressing, I knew I had to give it a try.

I ended up using a combination of the two recipes- the dressing part of the first recipe (modified a bit) and the salad part of the second recipe. I found the dressing for the quinoa salad to have too much soy sauce and was way too salty. Plus, I already prefer the taste of the other dressing.

It's an easy salad to make; cook the quinoa, chop all the veggies, blend the dressing in a food processor, toss and voila! Yummy salad!

Crunchy Thai Peanut Quinoa Salad

Salad

1 cup uncooked quinoa

2 cups red cabbage, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 carrot, shredded

1/2 a red onion, chopped

1/3 cup chopped green onions

1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves

1/2 cup cashews or peanuts

1/2 cup edamame, shelled and cooked

Dressing* 

1/3 cup peanut butter

1 tbsp red wine vinegar (or unseasoned rice vinegar)

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp honey

1/2" square ginger, chopped

1 clove of garlic

1/2 tsp salt

3 tbsp cilantro leaves

1 tsp sesame oil (optional)

1/2 tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional)

* When making the dressing, don't forget to taste test and tweak it to your personal preferences. I rarely follow the recipe to a T, I add a bit more here and there until I like the flavor. I enjoy spicy, so I add more chili flakes! :)

Directions

Cook the quinoa first. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, add quinoa, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until all water is gone.

While the quinoa cooks and cools, chop and prep all your veggies. If you need to, cook the edamame.

I love the vibrant colors of the salad!

Red onions, carrots, red cabbage, red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro.

Let's make the dressing!

Throw all the ingredients into a food processor and blend. Add move olive oil if it's too thick. Don't thin it out too much; it should be the consistency of a sauce.

After letting the quinoa cool, mix all the ingredients together. Don't add the dressing all at once. Add a little at a time as the dressing can definitely overpower the salad. I found that I did not use all the dressing I had made.

Since I'll be taking leftovers to work, I didn't add the cashews yet. I'll add those the day of.

Enjoy!

Jumping into Spring!

If at any point I thought Winter was going by slowly, Spring will certainly be the opposite. I still can't believe that today is the last day of March! I felt like I blinked and February was over. Anyone else feel the same?

Things at work are starting to get crazy for both me and my husband, so the weekends were packed with relaxation and unwinding with friends. We tried a new restaurant that has crabby cheesy garlic bread. Yes, it's as delicious and it sounds! Mmmm...

We also went bowling. That counts as exercise, right? ;) 

I've also been making a lot of bows (these are only some of the bows that went out last Tuesday) for my Etsy shop. The majority of these are for a bachelorette party at Disneyland.

** Note: if you're interested in ordering bows for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend (May 7th-10th), please place your order before April 12th. I will be putting the shop on vacation mode on the 13th to ensure all bows get to their new owners on time. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or use the contact area to the right on this blog. :) **

Although I've done less running than I have in a long time, I'm still keeping up with my fitness. I've actually been more diligent about it than ever!

Earlier this month, my husband and I had a heart-to-heart with each other. We had both let our fitness and eating habits get out of control and we made a plan to help each other get back on track.

We agreed to 21 days of healthy eating and exercising everyday.

We stuck to it and it's really made a difference! It was a lot of salads and protein with steamed veggies. For my work outs, I use an app called FitStar where they have short 20 minute sessions where you don't need any weights, etc, sort of like some Jillian Michaels DVDs.

I lost 2 lbs and a couple inches off my mid-section. I've noticed my muscles are more toned and in general I feel a lot better. I also have a lot more endurance when I run, perfect for my 10k next month. It's been almost a full month and I've stuck with working out every day; now I'm challenging myself to twice a day! :)

How was your March? Do you have plans for Spring? 

Featured today on Fairytales and Fitness!

Good Morning!

Check out Meranda's (of Fairytales and Fitness) recap of the Frozen 5k from the recent Princess Half Marathon weekend! My Disney bows are also featured in the post. :)

What's on my Race Calendar: 2015

I've got 4 races set for 2015... and none of them are half marathons.

Surprised?

After the WDW Full Marathon in January, I need a break. I know for sure that the marathon was one-and-done. I struggled so much with sticking to my training plan (my own fault) and it made me more anxious than excited about the race. Even though I finished, the race was physically too hard on my body and I'm still paying for it.

2015: the Year of the 10k!

I have 3 10ks on the book, along with a 10 miler.

Santa Cruz 10k - April

You might remember last year (recap here) that I ran my local half marathon- the Santa Cruz Half. We've moved away from Santa Cruz, but it's still close enough to visit. I ran last year with a friend who had just found out she was pregnant. This year we're running the 10k together. It still has gorgeous ocean views and a finish on the beach.

Disneyland 10k - September

I'm headed back to Disneyland to participate in the 10th anniversary weekend! This race weekend holds a special place in my heart- I ran my very first half marathon here in 2011. I really wanted to do both the 10k and Half (not for the Dumbo medal, personally I'm not a huge fan), but for financial reasons, I knew I could only register for one race. I was on the fence for awhile, but in the end, I chose the 10k because I knew I could run it for the photos and not worry about not finishing. I can't wait to see what the theme for this year will be! You can read my previous race recaps from 2011, 2012, and 2013's 10k & half.

Pumpkin Run 10k - October

This race currently holds my 10k PR. I ran this two years ago at the peak of my running and completed the 10k in less than an hour. The course is nice and flat and cool temps make it great for a PR. My goal is to PR again this year!

Sirena 10 Miler - November

This 10 miler takes place in San Francisco and you get to run over the Golden Gate Bridge! I'm running this with the same friend from the Santa Cruz 10k.

I know 2016 will hold some half marathons for me- I'm eyeing Star Wars at DL in January and I really want to take a ladies's trip for the Princess half in February. Anyone interested?! :)

What's on your race calendar this year? Any Disney races?