It was snuggle central up in here this a.m., as I woke up to a 55 degree breeze wafting through my wide open windows. The coolest it’s been since last May! 
Normally, I’d be all over a warm, steamy bowl of oatmeal, perhaps with some Justin’s maple almond butter (ps I am perhaps the only person in town who didn’t know Justin’s was sold at Super Target & Hy-Vee! 
) oozing over the whole thing, to compliment the cool temps, but I made other plans for breakfast last night.
Plans for an Overnight Chia Seed Yogurt Bowl!
Oh yes.
In the mix:
- 1/2 cantaloupe, seeded
- 1 Raspberry Chobani Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 scoop chia seeds
- 1/2 sliced banana
- Almond slices
Last night I seeded my ‘loupe and filled it with the Greek Yogurt mixed with chia seeds, so they’d plump up overnight.
This morning I topped with a sliced banana and almond slices. Yummers!
Protein packed, sweet as candy and, gosh, I just love chia seeds! They get hydrated by the Greek yogurt and take on a gelled, poppy texture. Fab, I tell ya.
Last night I had enough chicken enchilada filling leftover to make a mini pan for lunch today. Awww, right?
That’d be 3 corn tortillas, rolled around green chili chicken & cheese, topped with red enchilada sauce and a teensy bit more cheese. Baked till bubbly.
SO YUM.
Flour, or corn tortillas? I live for corn.
Oh, a couple of you asked how I make my shredded chicken. I just poach the whole breasts in a large pot of water for about 10 minutes. Let them cool then shred with your fingers or two forks!
Ultimate Dream Kitchen
A couple months ago I showed you my ultimate dream house, but today I’m focusing on the best room in the house – the heart of every home – the kitchen!
First of all, my dream kitchen would have an old-world, Tuscan/French countryside feel with warm, gold tones, iron chandeliers, tall arches and exposed, dark wooden beams.
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There’d have to be a pot filler above the stainless steel stove. So convenient, no?
![grohe_potfiller-big[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/grohe_potfillerbig1.jpg "grohe_potfiller-big[1]")
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The backsplash on at least the wall with the stove, would be lined with gold-flecked mosaic tiles.
![p_101160696[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/p_1011606961.jpg "p_101160696[1]")
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The cabinets would be a nice mix of closed panels and see through window panes – to showcase items like cozy coffee mugs and pretty things like cake platters!
![p_101226499[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/p_1012264991.jpg "p_101226499[1]")
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In the middle of the kitchen would be a large island. Half would have a sink for food prep, the other half would be lined with comfy chairs so my family could stay and chat while I cooked. The whole thing would be topped with an endless sea of warm granite.
![kitchenisland-1[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/kitchenisland11.gif "kitchenisland-1[1]")
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Finally, for my inner cleaning freak, a central vacuum system. Oh dear Lord, let there be a central vacuum system in my dream kitchen!! 
![eco-vent-central-vacuum-baseboard[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ecoventcentralvacuumbaseboard1.jpg "eco-vent-central-vacuum-baseboard[1]")
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Ben and I aren’t planning a big remodel anytime soon, but it’s fun to dream, right?
Well, I’m off to start my day. I’ll be posting a little later than usual tonight, because my Mom and I are off to see Eat, Pray, Love this afternoon. Thought I’d better catch that flick before Italy – no carb left behind!!
Happy hump day.
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What are some features in your dream kitchen? Are you lucky enough to already HAVE your dream kitchen?
That kitchen is amazing. I can’t even begin to describe mine. And no, I don’t have it yet!
And corn tortillas FTW! I don’t even like flour ones anymore.
An island and a giant massive fridge freezer, with sleek modern surfaces and an big aga..that’s my dream!
i just love this! i did a post on my dream house and kitchen a few months ago, and it was so much fun to dream!! it totally gave me DIY ideas for when i own a home. i’m going to make your enchi’s tonight, but 1 question – how many do they make?? it looked like a lot and i have hungry men to feed
I actually moved into my “dream house” about a year ago that has a lot of features I wanted, ideally. Although, my “dream house” is a bit more of a realistic dream house!
We have a great island, but I’d like a bigger one, and I want an industrial sink- more room! I’d also make the cabinets deeper, and add more! I don’t like the see-through glass (we have too much of it!) because we lose “space” because we have to display stuff nicely!
I have parts of my dream kitchen but would love it it was a little bigger with professional appliances and a grill burner.
OMG I didn’t know they sold Justin’s nut butters at Target and Hy-Vee! So excited!
I’m kind of glad I didn’t have a pre-made breakfast, because I was all over the hot oats this morning! What is this “fall” business? Although, I’m not complaining!
I so want one of those pot fillers. I saw it on HGTV a few weeks ago & fell in love!
Holy moly that is one dream kitchen you got going on. Right now my dream would just be bigger and no teal tile countertops. What were the original owners of this house thinking?!
And corn tortillas all the way!
Goodness, your dream kitchen is making me drool… I had never seen the over the stove pot fillers before, that would be awesome! I am always spilling in transit. My kitchen would have two ovens and a GIGANTIC walk-in pantry. I hate having to look in every cabinet b/c I can never remember where I put things…
We dream about ours all the time and keep saying, “Once we have a house…” Our dream kitchen will have lots of counter and cabinet space, a gas stove that is NOT right next to the refrigerator, a double basin sink, a dishwasher and garbage disposal, an island for additional prep space, and enough room to be an eat-in kitchen. It’ll be a lovely shade of red with a tastefully done backsplash (haven’t thought about its color), and the cabinets will be warm, medium stained wood. The floors will likely be wood, too. And we haven’t decided on a counter top material, but probably something like butcher block that you can chop things onto directly. *sigh* someday!
My dream kitchen is anything with MORE CABINET SPACE! We have next to none right now, so anything would be better than what we have.
And, where do you buy your chia seeds? Locally? Or via the internet?
OMGoodness! The central vacuum system is genius! Now, if there was only a self cleaning floor
What a fun thing to think about. No, I def do not have my dream kitchen at the moment (college apt).
I hope you enjoy EPL. I wanta see it soon!
ohhh wow love that kitchen!! my dream kitchen has lots of space, lots of cupboards and shelves and worksurface space, an island a huge double door fridge and the same size freezer!
I luuurve my central vac system! Totally worth it!
That yogurt bowl looks amazing. Yum to the extreme
thanks for the tips on poaching chicken! i didn’t realize it was that easy.
OMG. i didn’t even know there was such a thing as central vacuum systems!! gaaah! what will they think of next!?
last but not least, enjoy the movie! such a good movie to see w/ your mom!
What the heck is a central vacuum system?? I swear I have never heard of this before!
Your yogurt bowl looks yummy!
I have a pretty sweet kitchen, love the heated floors for the cold Minnesota winters:) Would love to have a central vac system as well!
I am actually leaving tomorrow for a vaca in Italy (Greece and France too:-). Totally looking forward to the yummy Naples pizza!
Hi! I read your blog everyday… literally, every day. Until yours, i had never read a blog and didnt know there is an entire world of blogging
. Anyway, I have started to read other blogs and today there was a great idea for dessert… I know, right up your ally. Check it out,
http://www.foodmakesfunfuel.com/
I definitely want a huge island and central vacuuming for my dream kitchen!
A big island is essential!! Everyone hangs out in our kitchen, I’d love to have an island to gatrher ’round!
A central vacuum system? Why have I never heard of this? My kitchen’s pretty amazing but it’s not perfect. I live in a 2nd floor flat and my dream kitchen would have to be downstairs in a house so I could have french doors onto a porch or garden.
My dream kitchen would have a lot of counter and cabinet space. I’d love sparkling granite countertops and deep-colored wooden cabinets. I would also love a gorgeous light fixture like the one in the first picture and a double-oven! My parent’s house has 3 ovens and it is super convenient for when you want to cook and bake at the same time or for big holidays
oh my goodness that kitchen is gorgeous! Enjoy Eat Pray Love! I really want to see it. Love Julia Roberts. Let us know how it is!
I just moved into my first apartment a few months ago, and although I haven’t really thought about what my dream kitchen will look like, I absolutely love the one I have now! It’s the perfect size…not too big, not too small, and plenty of cabinet space! Perfect for a recent college grad like myself who is learning how to cook!
P. S. Your dream kitchen would be fabulous
I didn’t even know a pot filler and central vacuuming system existed!
Wow, your cantaloupe mixture looks AWESOME!!!! I have been obsessed with anything sweet/sugary/practically all candy since I can even remember. Whether it’s because I’m trying to lose a few pounds or simply eat healthier, I’ve learned that cookies and candy can’t be a large part of my food group (although I wish they were at the very bottom of my food pyramid…) Fruit, to me, is the next best thing…and to see a recipe that makes FRUIT even more fun and even sweeter makes me so so excited to try! I can’t wait to make this
My dream kitchen would definitely have 2 stoves, 2 fridges, warming drawers, and those beautiful mosaic tiles on the walls.
Have fun tonight! I can’t wait to hear what you think of the movie.
I’ve never tried the melon bowl thing, but I always want to when I see it on your blog!
My dream kitchen would have a farmhouse sink and a warming drawer…just because they’re so cool.
The central vac system isn’t as great as it seems. The kick plate is always dirty and it seems like I can never get the small pieces of dirt into the machine without catching it in the cracks of the machine!
Our temp here when I walked into work was low 30s!!! Brrrrr…..
Great post, indeed Great blog actuallly. Nice timing for me actually as I was finding out about all this stuff when stumbling across you
I will sign up, keep up the excellent work. Peace