Hi friends! Just a quick update since I know you've probably noticed I haven't had a blog post up since LAST week. Well I went on a mini vacation for Memorial Day weekend to the lake for four days which was just perfect! Amazing weather, great people and a much-needed break for myself. Well upon my return {on my boyfriend's birthday no less} I end up in the ER due to a foot injury and was there pretty much all. effin. day.
Sigh.
But alas, thanks to my mom who is a complete rock star, she took care of me and we spent the rest of the day eating ice cream and watching countless episodes of Game of Thrones {new favorite show btw}.
I also must say I've hopped on the 50 Shades of Grey train and am, surprisingly, a total fan!! I read the first book in a single day while laying out on the boat and am currently in the middle of book two. Christian Grey, well I have no words. Go read it for yourself and you'll see what I mean! Anyway, I just wanted to give y'all a bit of update as to why I haven't responded to any of my emails yet and why there haven't been any blog posts. I promise to get to all my emails today and sponsors, thank you SO much for your patience!!
Yay!! It's finally Memorial Day weekend and I just so happen to have the next four days off! Doesn't get much better than that. So my friends and I are all headed to the lake for the weekend to spend some time on the boat, enjoy some ice cold bevies and get our tans on. Before I leave though I wanted to introduce y'all to some amazing ladies and their fabulous blogs!
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Ok so confession. I just adore Miss Jessica of Lovely Little Things! Not only is her blog design one of my absolute favorites, but girlfriend is a fitness guru!! Umm have you seen her abs?? Her sweat-inducing workout is literally my go-to when I need some inspiration and she's even working towards being a fitness trainer herself! But workouts aren't the only thing you'll find on her fabulous blog, be prepared to fall in love with her adorable outfit posts and super yummy recipes! You're welcome.
Meet Brittany, the writer behind the lovely blog The Magnolia Pair. Aside from being one of the most sweetest southern girls I've ever talked to, she also has one of the most romantic love stories! She's a newlywed to her high school sweetheart and she shares her travels, DIY crafts and, my personal favorite, all her delicious recipes! So head on over to Miss Britt's blog and see for yourself how wonderful she is!
Simple. Modern. Accessible. These are the words that best describe the fabulous mother-daughter duo's vintage clothing shop Binks and Franny. They take classic vintage pieces and incorporate them into your modern wardrobe for a whole new look that is stylish yet timeless. Each week you can expect a brand new collection as well as a new 'shoe of the week'! I'm personally in love with their newest collection for the summer, that sailor outfit is to die for! These ladies are snarky, sometimes random, yet always honest and are such a joy to read about! And guess what else?? From now until the end of May, Binks and Franny are giving all you lovely readers 10% off just by using the coupon code SKINNY! Have fun shopping and make sure to stop by and tell them hello!
Destini is the lovely face behind the blog The Healthy Wife and her title pretty much summarizes what her blog is all about! As a recent newlywed to her sweet hubby who loves to cook, Destini shares delicious recipes that not only are delicious, but good for you too! She also has a lot of vegan recipes as well. She's a self-proclaimed nerd and die hard sports fan and I'm pretty sure we'd be best friends if she didn't live all the way in Canada. So check out Miss Destini's blog and start trying some of her yummy dishes, I know her lime cilantro black bean quinoa salad is first on my list!
My grandma is doing much better
and there were no blockages found in her heart!
So no more depressing posts I promise, it's almost Memorial Day weekend people! Yep that means the pool officially opens, a three-day weekend (or four-day depending on how long you take off!) is right around the corner and that also means I'm headed to the lake in two days! So of course knowing I'd be in my bathing suit 90% of my vacation, I needed a light, yet filling dish to eat this week!
This literally has to be the easiest thing I've ever made and will feed a lot of people! Shrimp are loaded with lots of protein, are carbohydrate-free which is helpful in losing weight and vitamins D and B3 are perfect for processing fats. Shrimp are extremely low in calories too and are my go-to-meal anytime I need to lose a few pounds for an event or just want to slip into my teeny bikini. Combine this with fresh lemons and roasted chickpeas and you've got yourself one healthy dish!
Now I've already told you how incredible fresh lemons are for your body, but they really give shrimp such a great flavor too! I've also added some crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of kick and some garlic and roasted chickpeas for added flavor and more fiber.
I also took out about half of the oil that the original recipe called for, I just didn't think this needed that much. I substituted the oil with freshly squeezed lemon juice and thought it tasted incredible. Serve this with a bright green side salad (or over top of it) and you're all set!
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Rinse and drain your chickpeas and toss with one tablespoon of olive oil and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Arrange chickpeas in a layer on the bottom of your baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes, until golden.
Meanwhile, toss your shrimp, one tablespoon of olive oil, juice of one lemon, garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and one teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Allow shrimp mixture to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
Once your chickpeas have finished baking, spread your shrimp mixture over the roasted chickpeas and place a few lemon slices over top. Return your dish to the oven and bake for 5 to 8 minutes longer. Shrimp should be pink in color. Once done cooking, squeeze additional lemon juice over top and garnish with chopped parsley. Enjoy!
So it's been quite the roller coaster these past 24 hours. I had intended on writing a fun recap of the fabulous birthday weekend I had spent with all my friends, however when I received a phone call from my Dad this morning saying my Grandma was rushed to the hospital due to a sudden heart attack, my mind went blank and this blog post no longer mattered.
Nothing mattered to be honest. If anyone knows me, they know how incredibly close I am with my Grandma, in fact she's the whole reason I developed this strong passion for cooking. Not to mention she's wildly young for her age, still working every day with barely a wrinkle. So you can bet this came as a huge shock to us all, but I suppose no one can prepare you for these types of things. Just to keep y'all updated, she's currently in the hospital and might potentially undergo heart surgery tomorrow. Our prayers are continuously with her.
So this recipe I've made is one of my Grandma's absolute favorites and is something we used to eat a lot anytime we'd spend time together. I know I've shared chicken tortilla soup before, but this one has a fun twist and you'll totally see why....
one word friends.
Chipotle.
I just love the simplicity of this recipe too, only a few staple ingredients thrown together in a single pot, and it's quick and easy too! This soup is absolutely perfect for when you're feeling sick or even if you're just in the mood for something hearty (yet healthy). I can pretty much guarantee this will be a hit amongst your family, they may even be begging you for more.
I chose to make my own tortilla strips, only because I think baked tortillas soak up the soup so much better than pre-made chips. Also the additional seasoning adds even more flavor and a bigger kick in the pants.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and shredded chicken; saute for about 2 minutes. Add chipotle chile powder and cumin; stir well. Add water, salt, chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and place tortilla strips on a baking sheet. Spray strips with cooking spray and sprinkle with a touch of chipotle chile powder or chipotle seasoning blend (such as Mrs. Dash). Bake at 350 for about 8 to 10 minutes. Top soup with baked tortilla strips, cilantro and a lime wedge and enjoy!
So please keep my sweet Grandma in your thoughts and prayers as she undergoes her surgery tomorrow. And just so y'all can see how completely adorable she is, here is a video we (secretly) took of her during Christmas where she was trying to re-enact a funny commercial she had seen earlier that day.
Ok so did anyone else ball their eyes out during the Grey's Anatomy finale last night??
Ok good, glad I wasn't the only.
Just needed to get that question out of the way.
You know, sometimes there are weeks that just seem to drag on and you wish would end and then there are others you wish you could go back and do all over again. This week would be one of them! I have the most amazing friends and family who gave me such a wonderful birthday and tonight we're continuing the celebration at the National Harbor. I'll be sure to post all the fabulous pics next week, but until then I have some incredible ladies to introduce to you!
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Rachel is the sweetheart behind the blog The Truth About Vinyl and Bikini Tops (cute name, huh??) and she truly has something for everyone on this little blog of hers! From delicious recipes and DIY projects to fashion tips, fun travel stories and all things healthy living. She's a girl after my own heart! And did I mention? She lives with her sweet hubby in one of my favorite cities, Boston! So head on over and check out Miss Rachel's blog, you'll just adore her!
Ok so you are going to just love everything about Miss Chelsea and her blog Chelsea's Culinary Indulgence! She's adorable, sweet and girlfriend can work some magic in the kitchen too! As a self-taught cook enjoying life with her hubby and adorable cat Gatsby, Chelsea's passion for cooking started at a young age thanks to her mother and she hasn't looked back since! She loves to try out new recipes and shares them all on her fabulous blog that I just know you'll love!
Miss Laura is the talented woman behind the blog, Our Reflection, and is definitely one of my daily reads! She's a full-time working mom of two beautiful daughters, a wife to an amazing husband and just so happens to be a self-taught lifestyle photographer. She really seems to do it all! Each week she hosts a photo challenge for other blogs to participate in and this is the perfect way to brush up on your photography skills while meeting fabulous new people in the process! This week's photo challenge is the sun, so head on over and check her out!
Anele is the fabulous writer behind the blog Success Along the Weigh and she is nothing short of inspiring! She has worked her booty off (literally!!) through diet and exercise alone and has successfully lost over 200 pounds! She and her hubby began this journey 3 years ago, documenting every step along the way, and can you believe it?? They have not missed one single workout since day one! So if you're looking for some inspiration or just want to make a new friend and get some delicious healthy recipes, head on over to Miss Anele's blog!
Meet Jamie. She's the adorable face behind the blog Cookin' with Moxie and this girl sure can cook! Growing up in a big Italian family, her passion for food was instilled in her at a very early age. You can bet every recipe she shares was made with love and has the sweetest story behind it, especially since she cooks for her friends and family! So head on over and check out Miss Jamie and ALL her delicious recipes, she's pretty amazing!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Don't even get me started on how amazing the weather has been, I'm super excited summer is right around the corner! On that note, I'm going to hurry up and get all this work done for my "real job" so i can head out early and enjoy this sunshine!
So I must say after an amazing few days of celebrating my birthday all week and indulging in some serious cake and chocolate goodies, my body needed a bit of a cleanse. And there is no better way to cleanse the body than with some water infused with freshly squeezed lemons and sprigs of mint.
One of the major benefits in drinking lemon water is that it aids in weight loss and gives your body natural electrolytes. It's a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants which helps to maintain your body's energy while on a diet plan or when working out.
Not only is lemon water a great tool in weight loss, but it just so happens to be amazing for your skin as well! It really gives your skin a nice glow by rejuvenating it from within and can also act as an anti-aging remedy. Doesn't get much better than that, eh?
Infuse your water with a few sprigs of mint as well to give it a cool fresh taste with some additional sweetness. I can pretty much guarantee you'll get rid of any headache too!
When it comes to lemons, a good rule of thumb that my mother always taught me is the heavier the lemon the better. So next time you're at the grocery store or your local farmer's market and you come across some fresh lemons, hold them in your hand and see which ones weigh the most. You want to get the most vitamins and minerals out of your lemons as you can!
And c'mon, doesn't this pitcher just look so pretty??
This is the perfect way to dress up boring old water and make it fancy anytime you have friends over or throw any type of party. It's healthy, refreshing and super festive! Feel free to infuse this with other fruits as well. Kiwis, limes and berries are all fabulous choices!
Here are your ingredients:
2 quarts water
Juice of one lemon
2 lemons, thinly sliced
Ice
Few sprigs of mint
Combine all ingredients and and place in fridge for a bit to allow flavors to infuse. Once pitcher is chilled, serve to friends and enjoy!
Easy peasy!
And no I didn't list the nutritional information,
there's only 8 calories per serving (if that) and zero points.
There is honestly no better way to begin the day than with a delicious, hearty breakfast. So why not kick start your morning off with whole wheat waffles, fresh fruit and sweet maple syrup??
Everything about this dish reminds me of my Grandma. Being the sweet southern woman that she is, my Grandma would make delicious waffles (or pancakes) anytime I would stay over at her house and her recipe is still one of the best ones I've ever tasted! It wasn't until I was older that I substituted whole wheat flour for white flour, applesauce for oil and fresh fruit in place of all the sugar and butter my Grandma loves oh so much.
Don't we all.
Bananas taste amazing in waffles and gives them a great sweetness without all the added sugar. They also help keep the waffles super moist and really fluffy! I threw in some of my favorite spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and even a hint of vanilla.
Are you hungry yet??
Chris actually got me a brand new waffle maker for Christmas. The funny thing is, every year during the holidays he always gets me one gift that is really for himself. 2 years ago "I received" a quesadilla maker and this past year it was a waffle maker. Well he hates when I substitute calorie-loaded ingredients with healthy alternatives, so I didn't bother telling him the changes I made to this recipe.
He scarfed down about 4 waffles!
Success.
Boyfriends {and husbands} are like little kids, sometimes you just have to trick them into thinking what they're eating is "bad" for you and secretly throw in the good stuff. They'll never know the difference and you have a happy, healthy family.
Until for Christmas they end up buying you a deep fryer
and then there is just no way around it!
(No Chris I am NOT giving you any ideas!)
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Servings: 6
Serving Size: 1 waffle
Calories: 214
Fat: 2.6g
Carbs: 40.3 g
Fiber: 5.8 g
Protein: 10.2 g
Old Points: 3.7 pts
Points+: 6 pts
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Here are your ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 3/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
4 tsp. baking powder
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 1/2 packets Stevia in the Raw (or 1 Tbsp sugar)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Preheat your waffle iron and coat with non-stick cooking spray. Whisk eggs in a large bowl until fluffy and you see bubbles start to form. Then whisk together the milk, applesauce, and vanilla with the egg mixture; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and spices. Beat flour mixture in with the egg mixture along with your mashed banana.
Carefully spoon your batter onto your pre-heated waffle iron and cook until golden brown. Repeat until batter is finished. Serve hot with fresh fruit and organic maple syrup, enjoy!
Okay so the 30's might be considered the new 20's (least that's what I tell myself), but I'm still not excited on the whole idea of getting yet another year older! I'll no longer be considered a "young adult", I may have to retire my unhealthy shopping sprees at Forever 21 and, worst of all, I won't be able to call myself a "20-something" anymore!
Major crisis!
Alright so clearly I'm over-exaggerating (just a tad), but least I have two more years of 20-something bliss where I can live it up without a single worry in the world.
Until I get married.
And have babies.
crap.
So lets focus on the real issue at hand. I made curd for the first time...and actually liked it! I don't know about you but the word "curd" sounds anything but appealing and to be honest I really didn't know what it was until I saw this recipe in my Cooking Light magazine. Ohh it does not disappoint people! It tasted like a cross between yogurt and pudding with a fluffiness that reminded me of whip cream. Seriously what's NOT to love??
The granola topping gave this the perfect added crunch, but feel free to try crumbled graham crackers or vanilla wafers if you'd like. And as you know from yesterday's post, fruit is in high abundance right now and just looks beautiful! Top it off with a sprig of mint and you've got the perfect sweet treat to impress your guests for brunch.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, salt and egg yolks. Stir constantly with a whisk for about 6 minutes until mixture is thick; remove from heat. Add butter and lemon zest and continue to stir until butter is melted. Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge until cooled completely.
Once chilled, spoon 2 tablespoons of curd into 8 small cups (or 2 large dishes if so desired), followed by a layer of blueberries and raspberries. Repeat these layers and top with granola, berries and a tiny sprig of mint. Enjoy!
So I may not be getting any younger
but I'm definitely not old! {yet}
But I sure miss the days when pigtails and L.A. Gear were considered high fashion statements and burnt brownies from your Easy Bake Oven were the worst kitchen disaster.
Come to think of it
I sure miss my Easy Bake Oven.
I freakin' love a good summer cocktail....and pretty much anything that contains champagne. When I saw this in my latest issue of Cooking Light magazine, I seriously couldn't wait to dive in and try this deliciousness. This was such a fun cocktail to make and can be completely made virgin with some sparkling club soda for all you mommies-to-be!
And ladies was this not the perfect weekend for summer cocktails?? It was absolutely gorgeous! I spent it with my girlfriends who hosted a Stella and Dot jewelry party (serious obsession by the way) and it was just fabulous. I certainly purchased enough stuff to last me a lifetime, but their pieces are timeless and go with pretty much anything in your wardrobe.
Oh and my other (obvious) favorite thing about summer is all the fresh fruit that's in season. The abundance of bright red strawberries, sweet blueberries and juicy watermelon (among other things) completely take over my kitchen and, um, definitely make it A LOT easier to rock my bikini by the pool.
Just sayin.
And I seriously would not mind sitting poolside with one of these right now. But I suppose paying the bills is essential. Hmm I wonder if they would notice if I had this in a sippy cup?
Combine sliced strawberries, mint leaves, lime juice, water and agave nectar in a blender and process until smooth. Serve about a 1/2 cup of strawberry mixture with a 1/2 cup of champagne, stirring to combine. Garnish with extra mint leaves and lime wedges and enjoy!
