Quick Cleaning with a Toddler in Tow

Confession: although I was a SUPER sloppy teen (don’t even get my mother started about my childhood bedroom), I am WAY more focused on cleanliness in this season of life and with a little one around.

When my divorce was being finalized and I was looking for a new place to live with my little one, I had a friend through work whose family had an empty ranch house not far from my office or my son’s sitter. The family was – and has continued to be – so sweet and gracious, and they lined everything up so I could be totally comfortable in the house – including sharing that the grandmother who had owned the house had designated the third bedroom as a playroom for her grandkids. Because we didn’t need a third bedroom, I decided to hold to tradition and turned that room into my son’s playroom. (I’ve added a full-sized futon and stored sheets in case we ever need the space to double as a guest room, too.) My son absolutely adores his playroom – and what he deems “his couch.”

Usually, I lightly spray the room down every other night or so with Lysol, just to kill any funk that might have landed on the play kitchen, train table, or hot wheels. (I do this daily if he’s under the weather, of course.) On Monday nights, my son is with his father, so I usually do my deeper clean of the playroom then – vacuuming or swiffering, Clorox wiping surfaces, dusting, et cetera.

Well, I have to admit – last week I was off my game. I actually took a sick day for myself on Monday because I was dealing with exhaustion and a migraine, so I lazed on the living room couch all day, and the only things I got done were rest, the entire first season of Sweet Magnolias on Netflix, and one load of laundry.

So when Tuesday rolled around, and I brought my son home, I realized the playroom hadn’t been cleaned super well for the week. If you have a toddler, you know it is near impossible to deep clean with your little one as your shadow!

Despite the difficulty of navigating that situation, I knew the room really needed it. He was NOT having the idea of playing in his bedroom or the living room, so I ended up so a quick cleaning of the room with him in there.

Here’s a peak at the before:

And, even more reason for me to clean that night – he had colored on his train tabletop! Some family friends, whose twins I used to babysit and now teach in our youth program, gifted us their train table when we moved into the rental, and AJ loves it. When I saw that he had gotten ahold of a brown crayon and scribbled all over the top, I’m fairly certain my eyes had popped, cartoon-style, out of my head.

I was bummed on Tuesday because I hadn’t had a chance go grab a Magic Eraser, which is what everyone says to use on crayon markings. I figured I’d try to use what I had on hand – a container of Clorox Wipes. Y’all… You cannot imagine how easy this was to scrub up! All I did was apply pressure and scrub for a bit, and the crayon markings came right up!

After that, I used Clorox wipes to clean up all of the surfaces – the train table, the TV and stand, the play kitchen, plastic table and chairs, and play tool bench. I then vacuumed with my second vacuum (yes, I have two – but I really believe that you really need a regular vacuum and a smaller one for quick cleaning on non-carpet floors) to quickly take care of floor cleaning and, popping the handle off and using the handheld middle section, to clean up the futon upholstery (y’all know that fabric-covered furniture is like a graveyard for goldfish crackers).

Here’s a link to the Clorox Wipes I used and the Dirt Devil SimpliStik Plus 3-in-1 Vacuum.

Even with my toddler talking to me and trying to play and watch Blue Clues as I cleaned, I was able to get the room clean in about 30-40 minutes!

While it certainly wasn’t my usual deep clean, it was a lot better than not cleaning and still certainly more in-depth than a midweek Lysol-spray and toy pick up. I felt super efficient and effective, and it only took about a half hour and two cleaning supplies!

What are your quick-cleaning tips & tricks?

Easy (& Healthy) Yogurt Parfaits

If you have been following me on social media, you likely know that I am working on my personal wellness. (If you don’t follow me yet, shameless plug here: check out my Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram today!)

I’ve been fairly open about my difficulties with the subject of personal wellness and health. A lot of my struggles have centered around body image and body positivity. In college, I went through an eating disorder. Then, after coming out the other side of that, I dealt with some weight gain and loss in patterns, often punctuated by emotional turmoil and stress in my personal life. After my divorce and once I settled into my rental home with my son, I started getting more aware of the positive body changes I was making and wanted to continue to make. I started reading up on at-home exercises. I made sure my daily diet always included protein, fruits, and veggies. I was at the lowest weight I’d seen since I got married in 2014, and I was really proud of myself for that positive and health progress.

Since then, I’ve grown even more active in my own wellness efforts. I’ve done wellness challenges with friends who are coaches, started tracking my calorie intake with the My Fitness Pal app from Under Armor, and bought a fitness tracking watch from LETSCOM.

One of the things I have been VERY clear with myself about from the get-go of my fitness journey is that I DO NOT want to limit myself on food that brings me joy. I’m a cook and a baker and a homemaker (and Dr. Seuss, apparently), and I do NOT want to limit the joy those areas of my life bring me on a regular basis. So, I’ve taken a serious interest in finding foods I love that are low-calorie so I can treat myself occasionally with peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, poke cake, and fried chicken – you know, the essentials.

One of my FAVORITE low-calorie, healthy foods is my couldn’t-be-easier yogurt parfait! You can make it in minutes, and it can be a great breakfast or snack. I make mine in one of two ways: apple or strawberry.

Here’s what you need:

  • 1 serving of light Vanilla Greek Yogurt (about ¾-1 cup)
  • 100-calorie serving size of raw almonds
  • 3 small or medium-sized strawberries OR 1 medium apple

I get my 100-calorie packs of almonds from Aldi. They’re inexpensive and pre-counted, which makes this process even quicker, if I’m throwing a parfait in my lunchbox for work.

I also use the pre-packaged, sliced apples from Walmart. A medium sized apple will work, especially if you have an apple corer and slicer handy, but I’m packing two lunches most days, and it makes it WAY faster if it’s pre-cut and portioned for me.

To make your parfait, select your container. I use either a tupperware container (these cute ones are from Dollar General – 3 for $1, if I remember correctly) or a dessert dish, if you’re feeling fancy or setting the table with them!

Scoop in your yogurt. Cut your fruit – either chunk your apple into bite-sized pieces or slice your strawberries, and add them in.  Then sprinkle on the almonds.

I think layering is nice, if you have the time, because it lets you get a little in each bite, but if you need to just throw it all in as you’re able, you’re probably going to stir with your spoon when you eat anyway!  

Good news: the strawberry version is only about 196 calories and the apple version is only 285 calories. Breakfast or a snack for 200-300 calories sounds like a win to me – especially if it contains protein, a serving of fruit, and the many good things that come with yogurt!!

I hope you enjoy this super-simple, tasty snack or breakfast!

If you’re on your own wellness journey, could benefit from more recipes like this or topics of personal health, please comment below!

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

I love pasta salad! To be fair, I love carbs, so it might just be that I love pasta… but I do like veggies a lot too, and I really enjoy pasta salad dishes in the summertime. They’re the perfect compliment to a grilled hamburger or a BBQ sandwich! 

If you’ve been around for a little while, you know that I have posted my Italian Pasta Salad recipe here. 

Today’s recipe is just as easy! It’s a bacon ranch pasta salad!

Although I’m not a ranch fan usually, I do love ranch dip with vegetables and ranch pasta salad. 

To develop a good recipe, I started dissecting pasta salads I’d try in delis or from boxed mixes, and this is what I’m come up with for my own homemade version.

For this delicious dish, you’ll need the the following: 

  • 4 cups of bow tie pasta 
  • 1 cup matchstick carrots
  • 1/2 cup sugar peas 
  • Approx 1 1/4 cup mayo 
  • 1 pack of real bacon bits
  • 1 pack of ranch seasoning

First, you’ll need to boil the noodles.

While noodles are boiling, measure out all other ingredients. If your peas are frozen like mine, steam in the microwave for 2ish minutes. 

When the noodles are done, drain and rinse in a colander. Put the rinsed cooked and noodles in a big bowl. 

Now, add all ingredients and stir until well covered. When you begin to stir, you’ll want to make sure that the ranch seasoning packet and the mayo both end up dispersed throughout the dish. 

Chill until serving. Enjoy! 

PS: If you serve it several hours after making it, I advise that you add a little extra mayonnaise and stir before serving. This will ensure that the pasta salad has the right texture and fresh taste! 

5 Bathroom Spots To Lysol Regularly

With COVID-19 hitting the entire globe the past several months, health and cleanliness have been buzzwords and hot topics. But I’m of the firm belief that they should be buzzwords all the time – pandemic or not!

The reality is that we all have areas that we forget to clean – or that are so small that we forget to scrub them when we’re doing our regular cleaning. But there are some areas that deserve attention ALL THE TIME.

You know the bathroom has to be one of the most important places to clean in your entire home. It’s not enough to just clean it occasionally – it needs regular attention.

Here are 5 places that should get regular attention in your bathroom – but are likely to be overlooked when you do your usual tub, toilet, and sink cleaning. All you need to sanitize these spaces regularly is a bottle of Lysol (or other disinfectant spray if you prefer another brand).

#1: The Toilet Handle

This is a disgusting part of the bathroom. Let’s be real – most people flush before they wash their hands. It’s important to spray down your toilet handle regularly – daily doesn’t even seem too much to me!

#2: The Towel Hooks & Bar

No matter which you have – or if you have both – this is a place that gets some serious attention from bathroom users. Even if they’re grabbing their towel after a shower or drying their hands after a wash, there are still a lot of skin cell passing opportunities in these interactions, so I’d venture a guess that it’s worth a spray a couple times a week.

#3: The Faucet Handles

Again, people have to touch the handle BEFORE they wash their hands. It’s gross, but true. Spray the handles down regularly to avoid any extra germ or funk transfers.

#4: The Door Knob

Bathroom users touch the door knob twice – once coming in and once going out. Even if you are grace giving enough to assume that everyone washes their hands, we still don’t know what they may have touched BEFORE they entered the bathroom. Did they pick their nose? Did they change a dirty diaper? Were they playing in the sandbox? (Can you tell I’m a toddler mom?) You get the point: spray your door knob – inside and out!

#5: The Light Switch

Similar to the door knob, most people are going to touch the light switch twice – entering and exiting the washroom. The light is needed a lot more than just for potty use, too – just a trip to wash hands, brush hair, or apply makeup could require a light switch interaction. A ton of touch points are here, so, like the toilet handle, daily spraying doesn’t seem like too much here either.

What other spots do you disinfect regularly in your bathroom – outside of regular tub, sink, and toilet bowl cleaning? Comment below!

                Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip

                If you are tired of being asked to bring napkins or ice to weekend cookouts or family holidays, I have the perfect solution for you! My cheesy bacon ranch dip and a fresh veggie tray are the absolute perfect way to impress without needing too many ingredients or too many kitchen skills!

                This recipe just calls for:

                • 16 ounces of sour cream
                • 1 packet of dry ranch seasoning
                • 1 packet of bacon bits (real, not imitation if possible)
                • Approx 1/3-1/2 cup shredded cheese

                You’ll want to have veggies or other dipping foods, like crackers or pretzels, as well.

                First, put your sour cream in a larger glass or mixing bowl. Heat up your bacon bits in a skillet on low or in the microwave until heated but not frying (no need to re-cook, just reheating here).

                As your bacon heats, go ahead and stir your ranch seasoning packet into the sour cream. Mix in the ranch seasoning, then add in most of your reheated bacon bits and most of the cheese, saving a few larger pieces of bacon bit and some shredded cheese for the top – presentation is everything!

                You can refrigerate the dip in the mixing bowl for the next bit.

                While your dip is chilling in the fridge, go ahead and prepare the dip-able items. There are a ton of options here: you can go as simple as grabbing just a bag of baby carrots and celery stalks at the grocery store, you can get a wider selection of seasonal veggies to chop up, or you can combine veggies and pretzels and/or crackers for a more diverse sampling. If you’re looking for a quick, cost effective dish, I suggest a bag of pretzels (about a buck or two) and a bag of baby carrots (less than a buck in my local grocery store). If you’re looking for ease, you can grab a pre-made plastic tray of veggies from your supermarket of choice and replate it with your dip.

                The real secret is in making sure that your dip and tray look extra presentable! Find a cute plate or a nice sectioned serving platter or tray, and your contribution to the potluck, cookout, or holiday table will look delicious and thoughtful!

                Go ahead – tell your Fourth of July hostess that you’re bringing veggies & homemade dip. I promise you (and the rest of the cookout crew) won’t regret it!

                3 DIY Father’s Day Ideas

                #1: Handprint Art

                This gift is simple, but it’s also one that can be really sentimental. It freezes your little one’s tiny handprint from this year in paint forever!

                Simply get a piece of cardstock (or even just construction or printer paper), dip your child’s entire hand in one color of paint, and press their handprint down into the middle of the page. I actually use half sheets for mine, since I wanted them smaller and more proportionate to my little one’s hand.

                After you have the handprint done, you’ll want to wash that hand off quickly (yikes) and then write your message in marker or crayon. I opted for “High Five, Dad” and “High Five, Pop-Pop” because my two year old is counting now, and I thought that was a neat thing to capture in this piece along with his current handprint size. I’m sure there a ton of other cute phrases you can use, like “Hands down, you’re the best Grandpa” or something similar.


                I did two of these – one for my dad, who is the world’s best Pop-Pop, and one for my son’s father. I’ve mentioned before on this blog that my son’s father and I are divorced, but I’m in the business of raising a thoughtful little boy, and, to me, that means setting aside whatever happened between us and teaching my son to be a giver. So, we made handprint art for Father’s Day for my little man to gift to his dad.

                #2: At-Home Cookout

                If your dad is the hardest to buy for – or if you have dads and grandpas and uncles galore and need something to give to all of them – I suggest a backyard cookout! Dads typically aren’t picky – at least in my experience – and the thought seems to be what really matters. So hamburgers or hot dogs are probably fine, but I’d suggest adding a homemade item or two to make it extra delicious and thoughtful.

                You can try my Italian pasta salad and my strawberry poke cake recipes for some relatively simple but homemade touches to your cookout spread!

                #3: Bit’O’Honey Jar

                My dad likes those Bit’o’Honey candies, and no one else in my family does. (Because they’re SO sweet and sticky!) This is a gift just for him that only he will enjoy – and he can take it work and stick it on his desk, or he can put it in the garage on his work bench to enjoy for the next few weeks (or days, if he gets snacky).

                I got a mason jar, two bags of Bit’O’Honey candies, twine, and a piece of cardstock. First, fill up the jar with your candy and tighten the lid.

                Next, on the cardstock, I pre-wrote a message that correlated with the candy: “Have you heard the buzz? It’s Father’s Day, and I am sweet on you!” I then dunked my toddler’s index finger in yellow paint and make two yellow fingerprints in open areas on the card. After letting them dry, I used black marker to turn them into little (and imperfect) bumblebees. I punched a hole in the corner of the card, used the twine to fasten it onto the jar with a simple bow.

                I think this is going to make the perfect little gift for Pop-Pop!

                What DIY gifts do you give to the dads, grandfathers, and other important men in your life on this holiday? Share in the comments below!

                Dollar Tree Toddler Toys

                As a momma hen of an imaginative two-year-old boy, it’s been important to me to provide my little one with toys that are both age appropriate and allow for him to use and expand his creativity. However, as a single momma hen, I am on a fairly strict budget each month. Dollar Tree has, of late, really provided some solutions for me!

                I’m going to share my three top toddler toy picks with you today!

                #1: Bath Books

                If your toddler is still teething (ugh can we just get these teeth in, please?!) or if your toddler loves playing in water, bath books are a great solution! These are NOT just for infants – these are perfect for toddlers who are gnawing on toys because of teething pains, who are slobbery from teething (the drool is REAL, y’all), or who are a little fussy when first put in the bath. They’re also a great baby pool toy!

                Dollar Tree’s bath books are, of course, a dollar, and they have various characters. Grover is my favorite Sesame Street character, so this is my most recent purchase for my little one, but we also have Lion King, Mickey Mouse, and Elmo. There are a TON of options! Just remember, they are in the “baby” section of the store.

                #2: Coloring Books

                My little guy LOVES crayons, stamps, and markers! We have a LOT of art supplies (even a full art corner in his room, see below), and we love creating together (check out this list of DIY items we did for Mother’s Day).

                I’ve found that if I have to work on a separate project – dishes, laundry, cleaning, grad school homework, or working from home), I can always give him a coloring book and it’ll keep him busy for about 30 minutes or more!

                Dollar Tree does NOT disappoint with a wide selection of options. They do offer a LOT of character-based coloring books, so if your toddler is really into Elsa or Mickey or Paw Patrol, there are a ton of options. I sometimes like to get the non-character-based ones, as they seem to have larger coloring areas that might be a little more age-appropriate for a two-year-old boy. But let’s be honest – he definitely has a Paw Patrol coloring book because he loves Chase and Marshall!

                Dollar Tree does often have the larger sized crayons too, if you’re the market for an affordable box.

                #3: Play Food & Kitchen Supplies

                I am a firm believer that playing pretend builds imagination, creative thinking, and skill development. I believe that children learn best through play.

                My rental belonged to a woman who had several grandchildren, and she had designated one room as a playroom. I have since done the same – designating that same room as my little man’s playroom (complete with a futon in case it also needs to act as a guest room in the future).  In that room, there was a kid’s play kitchen that my landlords offered to leave for my little one to use – and boy, does he use it! He plays with the kitchen nearly daily, and he loves to pretend to make coffee, to bake cookies, and to mash potatoes. He really has taken hints from all that the grown ups in his life do and wants to mimic those actions, and it’s really neat to see him play “house” in his own way.

                There were a few kid-sized plastic pots and a few plastic food items left with the play kitchen, but I wanted to make sure I was helping to further foster this interest. I started looking up play food – and that stuff can get expensive with toy retailers and big box stores! I was at Dollar Tree in the card aisle (y’all should seriously get your cards there – 2 for $1 and they have name-brand options), and I turned to see the toy section behind me. I was SO surprised to find play food and utensils! You can get a bag of plastic vegetables, fruit, or utensils for just $1 each! This is a huge savings compared to larger retailers, and my little guy has had so much fun with these!

                What toddler-appropriate toys have you found for your kiddo(s) at Dollar Tree? How do you support your little one being imaginative? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

                Strawberry Poke Cake

                I was feeling adventurous this most recent Mother’s Day, and I tried making a Strawberry Poke Cake. This recipe is SO easy and SO delicious! It’s perfect for a hot day because it’s really refreshing and light! 

                Here’s what you’ll need:

                • 1 box of white cake mix & all listed ingredients 
                • 1 regular sized tub of cool whip
                • 1 box of strawberry Jello mix
                • 1 container of fresh strawberries 

                Now, you’ll need to go ahead and make up the white cake, just as instructed on the box. I suggest making it in a 9×13 pan, preferably glass, but metal should work fine, too, if that’s what you have. As always, preheat while you’re mixing so you shorten your wait time. 

                Once the cake is in the oven baking, you’re going to want to cut your strawberries and make up the Jello liquid. I’d cut the strawberries first, rinsing and slicing and setting aside. 

                The Jello only takes a few minutes, so I suggest doing it toward the end of your cake baking time. If your cake takes 25-30 minutes, maybe in the last third of your anticipated cool time, so at about the 20-25 minute mark. 

                Boil one cup of water on the stove and get one cup of chilled water ready. One the stovetop water is boiling, pour it into a container with the cold water. (I use my glass measuring cup because it easily holds over two cups of liquid with room to stir.) Then, add in your Jello mixture and stir until it’s no longer settling on the bottom. Set this aside for use in just a few minutes!

                When the cake is done, let cool on a non-heated surface (the stovetop isn’t super ideal, since the oven has been hot recently). Then, poke holes in the cake. My first time making a poke cake, I thought they might have to be perfectly even. Since then, I’ve experimented and if they aren’t in even lines, it’s not an issue. Poke your small holes however you like – random or organized – whatever makes you happiest. I used a fork to make my pokes the first time, but the second time I used a new bamboo skewer and it worked just as well. 

                Once the cake is sufficiently poked, you can slowly pour your liquid Jello mix across the top of the cake. It’ll soak quickly into the cake and into the poked holes. 

                Let the cake (now looking quite tinted) cool for a few more minutes. Once it’s fairly cool to the touch, you can use a rubber spatula to smooth on cool whip. It should cover the top of the cake and be thick and fluffy! 

                Then, grab your sliced strawberries and place them on top. You can go for an organized pattern, but with strawberries, I personally wanted as many as would fit, so I took the more random approach. 

                Put this in the freezer until about 35-45 minutes before you plan to serve! It’ll let the cool whip firm up a little bit, which will make cutting and serving easier. 

                If you have leftovers, be sure to store those in the freezer too! Enjoy!

                You can also substitute the strawberry flavor for others. Here are some pictures of a lime poke cake I made recently by just simply substituting the strawberry Jello for lime and nixing the sliced strawberries for thin lime wedges as garnish on top. It was super refreshing on a hot summer day! 

                Simple Chicken Casserole

                This recipe has come to you on the blog because it’s been requested recently. I shared a picture on my Facebook and Instagram accounts, and several of y’all reached out or commented to ask for the details.

                I recently made this for my boyfriend, and he said – and I quote – “hey, this is bangin’!” So, in the words of Jake, here’s my bangin’ – and oh-so-easy – chicken casserole recipe.

                Chicken casserole is sort of like meatloaf – it’s a little different for everyone, and you typically like the kind your momma made you when you were growing up. (I actually think that chicken casserole is maybe a regional/southeastern thing, since I didn’t have it growing up for the first half of my life in Ohio.)  Despite this, I’ve had very good response to this dish, so I hope you will enjoy it! It’s perfect for a day when you’re wanting some good old-fashioned comfort food!

                Here’s what you’ll need:

                • 1-2 frozen chicken breasts
                • 1 box of chicken flavored stuffing
                • 1 can of cream of chicken soup
                • 1 packet of mashed potatoes

                First, put your frozen chicken in the crockpot. It can be on high for 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. PRO TIP: You don’t need to add any water/broth to your chicken; because it’s frozen, it’ll thaw and create the moisture you need while it slow cooks.

                When your chicken is done cooking, it should fall apart with minimal effort from a fork. At this point, pull the chicken out and shred with a fork (or two if you prefer the dueling fork scenario).

                Preheat your oven to 325F.

                Using the instructions on the packages, make your stuffing and your mashed potatoes. Once both are done, you’re going to spray an 8×8-inch glass pan with non-stick spray. (If you don’t have an 8×8 at the ready, any somewhat-similarly sized casserole dish should do.) Then layer in your mashed potatoes. You’ll likely want to use a rubber spatula to smooth them out, as you’ll need them to fill the entire bottom of the glass pan.

                Next, open up your can of condensed cream of chicken soup. Do NOT add water and do NOT heat. As gross as it’s going to look, spread this thick mixture – right out of the can – on top of your mashed potatoes. Spread as evenly as possible. Then, create a layer of shredded chicken.

                Your final layer is going to be your stuffing. I like to make sure really fluffy, pretty pieces are on top of mine for the sake of presentation. Y’all know I like to set a pretty table!

                Once the layering is finished, place it in your oven for about 25 minutes. While that’s cooking, I like to make a vegetable as a side – particularly bacon green beans or glazed carrots – but any vegetable of your choice will do!

                When your 25-ish minutes are done, serve & enjoy!

                If you make the recipe, comment below to let me know how it goes. Would love to hear from your kitchen!

                Italian Pasta Salad

                It’s summertime (or it’s supposed to be) and we have a TON of holidays coming up that might require you to bring a dish. Today, just in time for Memorial Day weekend, I’m going to share my favorite side that can go with any type of cookout or potluck lunch or dinner: Italian pasta salad!

                You may be thinking that you can buy that in a box at the grocery store. And you could. But you shouldn’t. This recipe is so delicious and made with fresh veggies – but it’s also very easy.

                You do want to make this with at least 12 hours before your event to allow for a proper amount of chilling time.

                Here’s what you’ll need:

                • 1 box tri-colored rotini noodles
                • 1 bottle of Italian dressing
                • Bacon bits (real, not imitation)
                • Shredded mozzarella cheese
                • 1 cucumber
                • 2-3 full-sized carrots
                • 1 container of grape tomatoes
                • 1 small can of sliced black olives

                Start by boiling your noodles. As they cook, you can begin rinsing and preparing your vegetables. You’ll need to drain the can of olives and rinse them. You’ll want to peel your carrots a little, then chop up into bite-sized bites. Wash down your cucumber and slice – then I personally like to cut the slices into halves or quarters to make them more bite-sized. For the tomatoes, I recommend halving them after rinsing. Keep all of your vegetables at the ready.

                Drain your cooked noodles in a strainer and rinse with cold water. Then, add your noodles to a large bowl. Empty in your vegetables – saving a few of each for the top for the sake of pretty presentation. Pour in most of your bacon bits as well.

                Then, empty your Italian dressing into the bowl. Stir well to ensure that all noodles get covered in dressing and to ensure that your vegetables are evenly dispersed. At this point, I suggest bagging your set-aside vegetables for use later and storing in the fridge with your leftover bacon bits and your shredded cheese.

                Chill your pasta salad dish, as is, in the fridge until your event. Just prior to leaving, stir and ensure that the dressing is still evenly distributed. Then, add cheese, bacon bits, and the remaining veggies to the top to give a really appealing presentation.


                Enjoy!