Turning over a new leaf- take 2

OK.  I didn't do a good job with keeping up with my blog, but I am going to give it another go.  It seems as though the days just rushed on by.  It was August in a blink of an eye.  I did however, follow through with organizing my pantry and organizing dinner plans.  I have been experimenting with new recipes and this week made some delicious keepers.  My sometimes non-adventurous eaters were excited to try the new recipes and I am so proud of them that they did.
I had a big dose of inspiration when my mother invited me to Atlantic City for the Food Network Food and Wine Festival.  While there, we saw some inspirational dishes being prepared.  We watched Pat and Gina Neely whipping up some fabulous southern goodies.  Too bad we didn't get to taste any.  Highlight for my mom:  meeting Gordon Elliott.  She got to take her picture with him.  He is a very tall man.  He produces the Neely's show and was sitting right in front of us.  I came home with a new perspective on preparation.
I began exploring recipes that included ingredients that I knew my family already liked such as sweet potatoes, chicken, etc.  The results were a so well received that I look forward to whipping up the new soon to be favorites every night.  This weeks adventures were:  Chicken skewers with a grilled potato, zucchini, radicchio, goat cheese with sherry vinagrette, corn on the cob on Monday.  The entire thing was made on the grill which equaled almost no kitchen clean up.  Absolutely a keeper!  On Tuesday we went alittle spicy.  I held back on the heat by alot and it still had a kick.  Everyone thought it was tingly and good.  I made Spicy Mango Sweet Potato Chicken over pasta.  I added some crunch with unsalted peanuts.  Wow! Better than any takeout I ever had.
So here I am trying to get back in the swing on things.  I am going to try to blog at least once a week and continue to be inspired  and stay organized to make healthy meals for my family.