Eat, Decorate, Love.

Cool Veggie Pizza Squares

2012-12-23T22:41:00.002-05:00

I couldn't tell you exactly how old I was when these ridiculously good appetizers came into my life, but for as long as I can remember, my mom would make and bring these to almost every family gathering we had - birthdays, holidays, cookouts. I'm pretty sure she got the recipe from a Pampered Chef party a while back, but I like to think of them as another special recipe of my hers that I can continue to share. They are as equally delicious as they are simple and the veggies can change depending on what you have or the season. For Christmas, I love using only green and red (broccoli and red peppers), but year-round I'll add in other colors (yellow/orange peppers, cucumbers, carrots, etc.). Try them out and I promise they will be a hit at your next social gathering!

Ingredients:

1 package Pillsbury crescent rolls
1 8 oz. package cream cheese (regular, low fat or fat free.. whatever you prefer)
1 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tsp. dill weed
1 crown broccoli, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped

Directions:

"Pop" crescent roll package and lay out onto un-greased non-stick cookie sheet, stretching and flattening to form a single rectangular shape.
Bake according to package directions (I believe 10-13 minutes at 375 degrees). Let cool.
Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and dill weed in a bowl and beat on medium speed.
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on the cooled, baked crescent roll dough.
Cut into bite-sized squares (about 2x2 inches) (I like to cut the squares before I top with veggies because I find the veggies tend to fall off if you cut afterwards, but this is totally your preference).
Top with chopped veggies.
Serve and enjoy!

Chocolate Christmas Kiss Cookies

2012-12-21T23:14:00.001-05:00

Our department decided to do a cookie swap at work this year so I was on a mission to come up with something original, tasty and festive. The second I saw candy cane hershey kisses at the grocery store I knew exactly what I wanted to make! I found this recipe for Chocolate Kiss Cookies and tweaked it a bit to add some holiday flavor. I highly recommend trying if you're looking for a cute, Christmasy treat!

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups butter
2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 bag candy cane hershey kisses, unwrapped

2 candy canes, crushed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In large bowl mix butter and sugar till fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well.
Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt, and add to creamed mixture.
Roll dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter then roll in crushed candy cane.
Place balls on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
Place unwrapped candy cane kiss in the center of each cookie while still hot.
Let cool and enjoy!

Empathy.

2012-12-21T22:50:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read or heard something and the words somehow perfectly express a feeling or emotion that you've never fully been able to articulate? Well, that happened when I came across this article. I felt compelled to share - not because I am particularly sad or angry or emotional about my mom's passing at this very moment. But because I've never seen in writing a more spot on expression of the experience of losing a parent.

http://www.vulture.com/2012/09/mindy-kaling-mindy-project.html

“My relationship with my mom is really the single most profound relationship that I’ve ever had in my life,” she tells me. “By the way, it seems like I’m … I’m just blowing my nose. It’s not because I’m sad.” She has allergies and a cold, she promises. But her voice breaks when she starts talking about how she sat down with a pen and paper and asked her mother to give her all the advice she could possibly give her before she died, and Kaling realized she’d never be able to ask her mother for advice again. “I said to her, ‘Mom, I’m going to be so lonely without you.’” She’s crying now but keeps going. “And she just said, ‘You have to be your own best friend. If you always remember that, you will always have someone there with you.’”

One gets the sense that Kaling hasn’t given herself a chance to grieve, nor does she really want the chance. “Maybe I’ll be able to look back in a couple of years and understand,” she says. If she gets too reflective, she’ll get bogged down in sadness and anger thinking about how much her mother would have loved what was happening to her right now. “I like to move forward … I don’t know how much it would help for me to think about things too much. It just seems so fucking unfair. So I get on my elliptical machine and listen to some Rihanna and try to forget about this bullshit.”

BBQ Chicken Calzone

2012-12-03T22:29:00.007-05:00

I've gotten a lot of feedback on my Chicken Parm Calzone posted here, so I wanted to share another great calzone recipe that I've tried. In my opinion, this is even better (and easier) than the chicken parm! Try it and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

1 ball of pizza dough (or make your own)
1 pkg. chicken (I used tenders)
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
3/4 cup barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)
1/8 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 egg white
1 tsp. olive oil
Cornmeal

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2) Sprinkle a little cornmeal onto your pizza stone
3) Roll out dough into a semi-rectangular shape (make sure dough is room temperature before you start rolling)
4) Once dough is rolled, leave about 4 inches in the center and cut approx. 1 1/2-2 inch strips on each side (see picture below)
5) In the meantime, boil a pot of water and add chicken breast tenders. Boil chicken approx. 5-7 minutes or until chicken is cooked all the way through. Drain chicken and let cool.
6) Next, heat approx. 1 tsp. olive oil in a frying pan and add chopped red onion. Saute about 3-4 minutes or until soft. Set aside.
7) Once chicken is cooled down, shred/cut chicken into pieces
8) Place chicken into bowl and add onion, bbq sauce and cilantro
9) Combine mozzarella and cheddar cheeses and mix together. Spread approx. 1/2 cup on dough
10) Add chicken mixture and spread evenly
11) Top with remainder of cheese mixture and remainder of cilantro
12) Close calzone by criss-crossing the cut strips of the dough (see picture below).
13) Brush egg white on enclosed calzone (this helps to brown up the crust)
14) Bake for 25-30 minutes

Perfect for a football game or holiday party! I promise you, your guests will LOVE it.

Boots Boots Boots

2012-12-02T23:58:00.000-05:00

If I'm being honest, there is not much I like about winter. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. And I do get a little excited at the first sight of snow. But, aside from that, I pretty much go into a seasonal depression. But I have to say there is this thing about boots that makes the sting of cold weather just a little more bearable. I am constantly searching for new styles I can add to my collection, so I figured I'd share some of my favorite boot possessions, as well as ones I am lusting over! It's okay to add yourself to your Christmas shopping list, right?!? ;)

Panoa boots by Guess

I got these as a gift two Christmases ago and I am obsessed with them! I literally wear them every other day and the leather is starting to wear around the toe area. I actually had a bit of trouble finding these available online and I am contemplating buying a 2nd pair for backup before they are completely unavailable... but I haven't been able to bite the bullet yet. I am still holding on hope that the pair I have will last forever!

Newworld Platform boots by Nine West

I came across these boots totally unintentionally a few weeks ago and I'm so happy I did! I probably have 3 other pairs of black boots (1 pair of heels, 1 pair of flats and 1 pair of wedges), but you know when you go to the mall searching for an outfit for a certain occasion... and you find something totally not what you thought you were looking for that you love... but then you realize you don't have the right shoes to wear with it... but you buy it anyway... and hope and pray that you will get really lucky and find the right pair of shoes before that said occasion... that is TOMORROW!?! Well... that is exactly the story behind these pretty little things. I needed black boots (with heels, of course) to go with the outfit I found, but the ones I owned were extremely uncomfortable and I knew I would be miserable if I had to wear them all night. With very low expectations, I decided to browse through Macy's on my way out of the mall. These instantly caught my eye, and considering the big heel, were THE most comfortable boots I have ever tried on in my entire life! I was so surprised I actually found something so quickly and obviously had to have them. And an even bigger surprise was that they were on sale. I paid $63 bucks for these (almost half off)!!!! This purchase was obviously meant to be.

Intyce by Steve Madden (in Cognac)

These are another purchase that I've been loving (and living in) for about 2 years. They are super comfortable and the perfect weekend boot. If you ask anyone who owns these boots, I guarantee they will tell you that they don't know how they even survived without them! They are totally worth the money and I actually love them so much I recently purchased them in Stone, as well:

They are a little lighter in person, but I still love them. Regardless of the color, this style is evidently very popular and can be purchased several places - Nordstroms, Dillards, Amazon, Zappos, Piperlime. I've found the price to be about the same everywhere, but if you use coupon code BFF25 on SteveMadden.com you can get them for 25% off PLUS free shipping (I'm pretty sure it expires tomorrow though!) Totally worth the money.

Minka boots by Style&Co.

These were another pair that I bought when I had no need or intention to buy any more boots (have you sensed a theme here??), but my cousin was on the prowl for something somewhat dressy that she could wear comfortably all around NYC, and these are just that. They can definitely be casual, but also are sort of edgy with the faux zipper down the back. We both bought a pair and my only complaint is they sometimes are a little squeaky when I walk. I'm pretty sure they are synthetic leather, but they didn't break the bank (I believe I got them for about $50 bucks at Macy's with a coupon), so overall I'm pleased with this purchase and would definitely recommend if you are looking for a comfortable boot that can easily switch from day to night.

Adora Bootie by Jessica Simpson (Espresso)

I've had these for about a year and I definitely think I've gotten my money's worth. I needed a pair of dark brown boots to go with some work pants and these do the trick. I love how the heel is so thick, and although I don't wear these much outside of the office, they would definitely be cute with a pair of skinny jeans as well.

Now for the boots I am dreaming about, that I will probably never own..............

Lesly Ankle Boot by Michael Kors

Lesly Knee Boot by Michael Kors

Fulton Harness boot by Michael Kors

I adore these two-toned riding boots that Kourtney Kardashian is wearing above and after a bit of research, determined that they are Chanel. I am obviously dreaming. I also found these Michael Kors ones that are similar, but I don't love them as much. Regardless, I am refraining myself from buying either. Oh, to be a celebrity.....

Melissa Trapunto boots by Frye (Cognac or Dark Brown)

(sort of) Skinny Chicken Broccoli Ziti

2012-12-02T10:26:00.000-05:00

There is something about cold days and longer, darker nights that make salads and "healthy" dinners sound so unappealing. I am always trying to think of ways to health-ify dishes that are originally not so healthy, but oh so good. The other night, I attempted to whip up some chicken broccoli ziti, that didn't involve heavy cream and loads of butter. It turned out pretty good, and while it could have used some more salt and maybe a tad more flavoring, I'd say this is a recipe to turn to when you are craving some comfort food.. without the comfort calories. Try it this week and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts
3 crowns broccoli
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup skim or 1% milk
4 tbsp. flour
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
5-6 cloves garlic, freshly minced (I use my food processor)
2 cups whole wheat ziti
1 lemon
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Add water to two pots and boil - one for pasta, one for broccoli.
Chop up broccoli and add to boiling water for 4-5 min (or until desired firmness. I like my broccoli cooked well, but be careful not to over-cook or broccoli will fall apart when you add to pasta). Set aside when done.
Add 2 cups ziti to second pot and cook pasta as directed. Drain and set aside in same pot.
Cut up chicken breasts into cubes and place in ziploc bag
Add 2 tbsp. of flour and a few pinches of salt and pepper to ziploc bag and shake so that chicken is coated evenly with flour.
In a small saute pan, heat 2 tbsp. olive oil and add 2 tbsp. of the minced garlic. Heat on med-low for 1 min.
Add chicken and cover. Let chicken cook on med-low for appox. 5 min. Stir to allow for even cooking, then cover and cook for another 5 minutes or so. When chicken is cooked through, remove from heat and set aside. Chicken should be browned on the outside.
While chicken is cooking, heat 1/4 cup olive oil, remaining garlic (about 1-2 tbsp.), 1/2 cup milk, and 1 tbsp. flour. Bring to boil and whisk continuously. Add remaining 1/2 cup of milk and remaining 1 tbsp. flour.
Lower heat to med/med-high and gradually add in Parmesan cheese. Continue whisking. Sauce should turn creamy and thicken.
Add salt and pepper to sauce, to taste. I also added a bit of fresh squeeze lemon juice to sauce.
Once sauce is done, pour half over pasta and stir. Add chicken, broccoli and remaining sauce and mix all together.
Serve and top fresh squeezed lemon juice and sprinkle a bit of Parmesan cheese (the extra parm. cheese can be skipped, but I highly recommend adding the lemon juice, as it gives the dish a lot more flavor).

Serve. Enjoy. Love.

Brown Rice with Black Beans & Salsa

2012-10-21T21:25:00.003-04:00

If you follow my blog at all, you may know that I've been trying to incorporate some "meatless meals" 1-2 nights a week. This is one that I love! It's packed with protein, iron, folate, fiber, vitamin B, antioxidants and the "good fat" that avocados provide. I also love how it looks so festive! I know they say don't judge a book by its cover, but that rule doesn't apply here. This one tastes just as good as it looks!

Ingredients:

1 can black beans or approx. 1 cup of dried black beans
(NOTE: Be careful when buying black beans. Not all are treated equal! If you are going to use canned, make sure to check the ingredients and nutrition label. Look for no added salt and as little ingredients as possible. I like Eden's Organic Black Beans. I've also tried using dry, but they require a bit of planning as they need to be soaked in water overnight.)
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup frozen corn
2-3 tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup fresh salsa
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 avocado
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. canola oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Prepare 1/2 cup brown rice, as directed on package.
Halfway through rice being cooked (approx. 15 minutes after starting rice), heat pan with 1 tsp. canola oil over medium heat.
Add black beans, 1 tsp. paprika and 1 tsp. cumin to pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
Meanwhile, add tomatoes, corn, salsa, cilantro, 1 tsp. paprika, 1 tsp. cumin, salt and pepper to bowl and mix together.
Add to pan with black beans and let simmer for 10 minutes.
When rice is done, combine with black bean/tomato mixture and heat on low for 1-2 minutes or until ready to serve.
Top with avocado slices and savor every bite!

Almond Crusted Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries & Asparagus

2012-10-21T20:49:00.000-04:00

Is there anything better than a 30 minute, 5(ish) ingredient, delicious meal?!? Nope. I didn't think so. I threw this meal together a few weeks ago when I was too lazy to go to the grocery store. You'd be amazed what you can come up with if you just look in your pantry. :)

Try it for yourself!! I promise you'll be glad you did.

Ingredients:

2 organic boneless chicken breasts
1/2-3/4 cups whole, raw almonds, chopped
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1 bundle asparagus
1 large sweet potato
Supplemental Ingredients: cornstarch, garlic powder, salt/pepper, olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Cut chicken breasts in halves (vertically) so they are a bit thinner, similar to cutlets (this will cut cooking time). Set aside in a glass 9"x13" pan.
Toss the raw almonds in a food processor and pulse a few times until almonds are chopped up (some bigger chunks are OK).
Brush both sides of chicken breasts with Dijon mustard and coat both sides with sliced almonds.
Slice sweet potato into "fries" and toss with 2 tablespoons of corn starch until all fries are coated. Place on a baking sheet and set aside.
Spread asparagus on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste.
Place Chicken, sweet potato fries and asparagus in oven for 20 minutes (or until chicken is cooked through).

And if you want to make this meal even easier, skip the sweet potato fries and just slice the sweet potato in 1/4"-1/2" rounds and bake. Sweet potatoes have such a great, natural taste to begin with - really, no additional seasoning is needed. My husband and I both loved this meal and the leftovers are great to take for lunch over a salad as well! (See my "What's For Lunch" post here)

Seriously. easiest. meal. EVER!

What's for Lunch?

2012-10-21T20:39:00.001-04:00

I've been on a huge mission lately to find some lunch ideas! There is a cafeteria in my office building so it makes it way too convenient to pass on the lunch packing and just grab something from the cafe every day. Unfortunately, this behavior is not the best for the wallet or the waistline. In an effort to do something about my bad habbit, I've been searching the internet for some lunch inspration! I found these AWESOME 3-compartment Bento lunch box containers:

Purchase here at Amazon

And this really cool lunch box (don't make fun.):

Purchase here at Amazon

Now I just needed some meal ideas..... check out a sample of my most recent lunch ensembles:

Leftover Almond Crusted Chicken over a baby spinach salad
with wheat thins and hummus

Tuna Salad sandwich with cucumbers and red grapes
(I don't like my bread to get soggy, so I assembled the sandwich right before I ate)

Leftover Turkey Florentine Meatballs with carrots and red grapes

BBQ Chicken Salad with creamy greek yogurt dressing and strawberries

Leftover Brown Rice, Black Beans & Salsa with carrots and strawberries

Leftover BBQ Chicken Calzone with carrots and red grapes

Turkey Sandwich with veggies & hummus

Leftover Sweet Potato Stir Fry with pretzels and red grapes

Turkey Florentine Meatballs

2012-10-21T20:08:00.000-04:00

When I moved into my first apartment right after college, my mom gave me this recipe binder cookbook. She filled it with a bunch of her recipes that she knew I loved and she also left room for me to add recipes of my own as I started to learn and appreciate the art of cooking. At the time, the extent of my cooking skills were pretty limited to boxed macaroni and cheese, pasta with jarred tomato sauce and stove-top grilled chicken. However, as I've grown in the kitchen, this has become one of my most prized posessions and one of the many, many things I appreciate so much about my mother. She was so thoughtful like this. I know she would be happy that I've started to find as much joy in cooking as she always did.

One of the recipes my mom included in the book was Turkey Florentine Meatballs. (I believe she got this from watching Rachael Ray on the Food Network, but I still like to consider it one of her own!) Raising 3 kids who were involved in a million activities, she loved finding recipes she could prepare ahead of time, freeze, and use as a go-to when she was short on time, but still wanted to feed us a homecooked meal. This is exactly one of those recipes. Try it and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

1-1.5 lbs. ground turkey breast (1 package)
1 box frozen spinach
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cups breadcrumbs
1/2 cup parmigian cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Extra virgin olive oil (to drizzle)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Defrost spinach and squeeze out liquid.
Place turkey in bowl, make well in middle.
Add spinach, onion (except 3 tbsp. and set aside), garlic, egg, milk, bread crumbs, grated parmigian cheese, and salt/pepper. Mix well.
Form into approx. 1" meatballs, place on cookie sheet and drizzle with EVOO.
Bake for 20 minutes in 400 degree heated oven.

I served with pasta and tomato sauce, but my mom (and Rachael Ray) suggest serving with a cream sauce as follows...

Cream Sauce:

2 tbsp. EVOO
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. all purpose flour
3 tbsp. onion, chopped
1 cup organic chicken stock
1 1/2 cups milk
1 package (10 oz.) of provolone or italian blend cheese, shredded
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Heat saucepan over medium heat.
Add EVOO, butter, onion, and whisk in flour. Cook 1 minute.
Add milk and chicken stock. Bring to a boil.
Add shredded provolone/italian blend cheese.
Garnish meatballs with sauce and parsley.

Enjoy!!

Haddock Bruschetta

2012-09-17T08:52:00.000-04:00

At the end of the summer, we had an abundance of tomatoes and zucchini from our garden so I had been been brainstorming on how I could incorporate both into a delicious summer meal. I came up with what I call Haddock Bruschetta... yum! I typically browse recipes for some inspiration and either follow one exactly or alter/combine a few together. This one, however, I actually made it up as I went, and I was surprisingly impressed.

Haddock:

2 1/4-1/2 lb. haddock fillets
1-2 tbsp. olive oil
1/4-1/2 cup of bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Bruschetta Mixture:

2 tomatoes from our garden, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Sauteed Zucchini:

1 zucchini from our garden, quartered
a little olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Drizzle olive oil over haddock fillets (both sides)
3. Combine bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper
4. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over haddock fillets (both sides)
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes
6. In the meantime, combine bruschetta ingredients and mix in separate bowl
7. After the fish bakes for 15 minutes, remove from oven and top with bruschetta mixture
8. Bake for 10 more minutes
9. Saute zucchini on medium heat for approx. 10-15 minutes
10. Serve and Enjoy!

*** I used zucchini just because I was trying to use it up, but this meal would also be great with some cooked quinoa/brown rice or a small side of garlic bread. ***

Accent Nail - Love it or Lame?

2012-09-15T10:23:00.001-04:00

As I've mentioned here, I frequent my nail salon quite regularly. I'm always looking for something new and different I can do to my nails, but tend to shy away from any sort of "nail art" that my manicurist (often) suggests. The latest trend I've been seeing a lot of recently is an accent nail and I am intrigued. Although I've yet to see this on a "regular" person on the streets, I've noticed it a lot in the celebrity/gossip/fashion mags and am tempted to try it out myself. What do you guys think??

LOVE it or LAME?

If you're on board with this trend, but don't know how to pick your accent color, refer to this post for some tips on color pairing!

Source: Photos courtesy of Pinterest.

Salmon with Avocado Lime Salsa

2012-09-10T07:31:00.000-04:00

I am pretty much obsessed with anything that includes avocados, so when I came across this recipe on a fellow Merrimack College alumni's blog, I had to give it a try! The flavors of the avocado, lime and spices come together so well and are a perfect accompaniment to a fresh piece of salmon. For real, I could have eaten this for days.

Ingredients

* Recipe makes enough for 2 people. *

SALMON:

1 lb. salmon cut into 2 portions

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground coriander

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. black pepper

SALSA:

1 ripe avocado
1 cup diced red onion

Zest of 1 lime
Juice of 1 1/2 limes
1 diced jalapeno pepper
handful of cilantro, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

1) Mix the salt, coriander, cumin, paprika, onion, and black pepper together.
2) Rub the salmon with the olive oil and the spice mix. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3) Chop the avocado, onion, jalapeno and cilantro and combine in food processor. Pulse a few times until blended (but not completely smooth).
4) In a separate bowl, add lime juice, lime zest, salt/pepper and avocado mixture. Chill until ready to serve.
5) Bake the salmon at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
6) Serve the salmon topped with the chilled avocado salsa (I also served with brown rice).

Seriously, soooo GOOD. Make sure you check out Kelly's blog at www.kellycraves.com for some more delicious recipes and restaurant reviews!

Chicken Parm Calzone

2012-09-09T15:46:00.001-04:00

Well, football season is back!! Which on top of cheering on your favorite team, means lazy Sundays, good food and Shipyard Pumpkinhead (in my household at least!). To kickoff the season, I decided to make a chicken parm calzone. Calzones are one of my favorite go-to's because not only are they ridiculously easy to make, but you can be creative and switch up the ingredients to satisfy your cravings - chicken parm, BBQ chicken, buffalo chicken, chicken and broccoli, meatball, steak & cheese... the possibilities are endless!

Ingredients:

1 ball of pizza dough (or make your own)

1 pkg. chicken (I used tenders)

2 eggs (in two separate bowls- 1 bowl with 1 egg-white and 1 bowl with remaining yolk from egg white and 1 whole egg )

1/2 - 1 cup flour

1/2 - 1 cup bread crumbs

1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce of your choice (I used Classico Tomato & Basil, but sometimes make my own)

Cornmeal

Olive oil

Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2) Sprinkle a little cornmeal onto your pizza stone
3) Roll out dough into a semi-rectangular shape (make sure dough is room temperature before you start rolling)
4) Once dough is rolled, leave about 4 inches in the center and cut approx. 1/2-1 inch strips on each side (see picture below)
5) In the meantime, heat approx. 2 tbsp. olive oil in a frying pan
6) Set up breading station
7) Bread chicken (dip in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs) and place in frying pan (NOTE: For breading, use the egg bowl that has 1 whole egg + 1 yolk. The egg white from one of the eggs will be used later)
8) Cook on med-high heat for approx. 5 min each side (or until browned and chicken is cooked through)
9) Set aside and let cool
10) Once chicken is cooled down, cut into pieces (approx. 1" cubes)
11) Place into bowl and add 1 cup tomato sauce
12) Add salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste and mix together
13) Spread approx. 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on dough
14) Add chicken mixture and spread evenly
15) Top with remainder of mozzarella cheese.
16) Close calzone by criss-crossing the cut strips of the dough (see picture below).
17) Brush egg white on enclosed calzone (this helps to brown up the crust)
18) Bake for 25-30 minutes

GO PATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Life's a Beach

2012-08-16T18:18:00.000-04:00

One of my all time favorite things to do is sit on a beach with good company and good tunes, enjoy a few twisted teas (best beach drink ever) and soak up some rays. I don't know what it is, but there's something about the beach that makes me feel at ease. It's my happy place. I was fortunate to have ample amounts of beach time this summer and am still hoping to sneak in a few more solid "happy" days before the crisp air of fall creeps around the corner! But what's a beach day without some music?! I happen to think my beach playlist is perfection and I wanted to share a few of my favorites:

Some Nights - Fun
Darkside of the Moon - Van Morrison
Sunday Best - Augustana

Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
Blue Sky - Allman Brothers

Waiting in Vain - Bob Marley (or anything Bob Marley really)

Paradise - Coldplay

One Day - Matisyahu
Omaha, Time and Time Again, Mr. Jones (basically, the entire August and Everything album) - Counting Crows

#41 - Dave Matthews Band

Alcohol - Brad Paisley
Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
Am I the Only One - Dierks Bentley
One by One - Laza Morgan feat. Mavado

Listen to the Music - Doobie Brothers

Layla - Eric Clapton

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Touch of Grey - Grateful Dead

Barefoot Blue Jean Night - Jake Owen

American Honey - Lady Antebellum

Stubborn Love - The Lumineers

Heart Like Mine - Miranda Lambert

Bring Me Along - Pepper

Knee Deep - Zac Brown Band

Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy - Big & Rich

The Man Who Can't Be Moved - The Script

Drink In My Hand - Eric Church

Shoot Down the Stars - Gym Class Heroes

Wonderful World - James Morrison

Dirt Road Anthem - Jason Aldean
Free - Graffiti 6

Somethin' Bout a Truck - Kip Moore

Drunk On You - Luke Bryan

Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard - Paul Simon

Red Solo Cup - Toby Keith

Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine

Home - Phillip Phillips
Angel Eyes - Love & Theft
Why Ya Wanna - Jana Kramer
Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show

I highly recommend you add a few of these to your itunes, sync up your ipod and treat yourself to a nice beach day before summer sadly ends! YOU deserve it. ;)

Are You Team Arie or Team Jef?

2012-07-22T20:12:00.002-04:00

Soooo its the moment we've all (or I've) been waiting for.... the Bachelorette finale! The Bachelor(ette) finales are always exciting prime tv moments. Like the superbowl for girls. I mean, I find it a bit pathetic how into these shows I get, but I'm not ashamed to admit that I am totally looking forward to devoting 3 hours of my Sunday night to find out WHO Emily Maynard is going to choose!?! I seriously have spent the last week thinking about this answer. Usually by this time in the season I 100% have a favorite, and whether its my favorite or not, I generally feel pretty confident in my prediction of who the Bachelor(ette) is going to pick. However, this season, I legit have ZERO clue.

I've been an Arie fan from day one. Their first date in Dollywood was beyond romantic and I may have cried a little as they danced and watched Dolly Parton sing "From Here to the Moon and Back". Ahhhh so romantic.

Their chemistry is undeniable. No question about that. The thing is, I'm not sure if the friendship aspect of their relationship is strong enough for them to last long-term. With that said, I sometimes feel that the producers of the show try to throw the viewers off by making them think the Bachelor(ette) is going to pick someone else. How else would Chris Harrison be able to say this is going to be THE MOST DRAMATIC rose ceremonies EVER?? But seriously, they very possibly could have had many deep conversations that just don't make it to tv. At first I was iffy about if Arie was just a ladies' man and only in this for the exposure and his race car career. But I've decided against that. I think Arie genuinely cares for Emily and I very well think he could be the last man standing.

BUT then there is Jef (with one F)......

Let's talk about night one- He came in on a skateboard and I said to myself.. Who in the world is this guy that looks like he's 12? I totally was not Team Jef at first, but I did notice a spark from the very beginning between them. It was like middle school- Jef played hard to get and Emily was sooo intrigued by him. They started out very awkward, but then they turned a huge leaf on their date in London (I think?) when they shared their first kiss. From this day forward, my opinion of Emily and Jef with one F totally changed. I think they are ridiculously cute together. He brings out such a fun, quirky side of her. One of my all time favorite moments between them was his hometown date and the letter.....

I mean, if you can watch this with a dry eye you there may or may not be something wrong with you.

Sooooo who is she going to pick??? Are you Team Arie or Team Jef???? I seriously don't know how she is going to decide. A little part of me thinks that maybe she won't choose until tonight at the LIVE taping of After The Final Rose. Yes? No? Maybeso? I can't take the suspense any longer.

It's BACHELORETTE time!! Enjoy :)

Spinach Quesadillas

2012-07-16T07:03:00.000-04:00

As I'm sure most of you can relate, Pinterest is my go-to guide for new recipes. I found this one via Closet Cooking's blog and I immediately wanted to give it a whirl! So glad I did because it was gloriously delicious and EASY (the best kind of recipe)!

Ingredients:

*** Makes 2 quesadillas ***

1 to 1 1/2 cups packed spinach, steamed and squeezed to drain
2 tablespoons herbs (a combination of mint, dill and parsley), chopped
2 green onions, sliced
4 tablespoons feta, crumbled
4 (8 inch) tortillas
2 cups mozzarella, shredded

Directions:

Mix the spinach, herbs, green onions and feta in a bowl.
Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Place a tortilla into the pan, swirl it around in the olive oil and repeat with the other 3 tortillas.
Sprinkle half of the cheese on the tortilla followed by the filling, the remaining cheese and finally the other tortilla.
Cook until the quesadilla is golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted, about 2-4 minutes per side. (Tip: To easily flip the quesadilla place a plate onto the quesadilla in the pan and flip it from the pan to the plate and then slide it back into the pan.)
Cut into quarters and ENJOY!

The Color Wheel (your new BFF)

2012-07-10T09:23:00.000-04:00

At a very young age, I've always had a thing for color. Odd as it may sound, I've somehow committed to memeory every crayon name in the Crayola box and I could probably draw a color wheel on the spot if you asked me to (not that you would.. but just sayin'...)! The reasons behind my early love for color is unknown, but perhaps this explains why I incorporate color into my outfits so much. Of course I have my days when I resort to the neutrals - blacks, tans and the 50 shades of gray - but I'd have to say I think my wardrobe consists of more color than most. I'm sure there are several reasons why people shy away, but I think often it is because they are scared to mix and match and make too much of a color statement. I guess I've always subconsciously resorted to my color wheel knowledge when choosing what to wear, but it wasn't until recently that I realized what a fabulous asset the color wheel can actually be!

So here's the 411-

Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue

Essentially, these are the only colors you'd ever need (if you were an artist). In the fashion world, however, life with only these colors would be quite boring. Which is why we have....

Secondary Colors: Orange, Green, Purple

These colors are born from the combination of primary colors. (i.e. Red + Yellow = Orange, Yellow + Blue = Green, Blue + Red = Purple)

Does this take you back to elementary school Art 101 or what??? ;) SO, you may know these basic color wheel facts or you may not. But that's not the point. The point is, with this basic knowledge, deciding on your next colorful outfit should be quite simple. As a basic rule of thumb, try to select color combos based on whether they are next to each other on the color wheel (analogous color schemes, such as blue-green, green, and blue-yellow), or opposite each other the color wheel (complimentary color schemes, such as purple and yellow or blue and orange).

Here are some of my fave combos:

Analogous ~ blues and greens

Analogous ~ blues and purples

Complimentary ~ pink and green

Complimentary ~ blue and orange

Complimentary ~ purple and yellow

So study up on the color wheel... or hang one in your closet... and start rocking color this summer with confidence! :)

Chicken Marsala

2012-07-09T07:09:00.000-04:00

Ingredients:

1/4 cup flour (for coating)
1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. oregano
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (or cut into cubes)
4 tbsp. butter
4 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup Marsala wine
1/4 cup cooking sherry

Directions:

Cut chicken into cubes or pound chicken breast halves to thin out a bit and place into a ziploc bag. Add flour, salt, pepper, oregano, and seal.
In a large skillet, add olive oil and melt butter over medium heat.
Place chicken in the pan and lightly brown.
Turn over chicken pieces and add mushrooms.
Pour in wine and sherry; cover skillet.
Simmer chicken for approx. 10 minutes or until fully cooked.
Serve over your choice of whole wheat pasta and garnish with fresh parsley. (For a sans pasta option: I keep the chicken breast whole and serve with asparagus or another vegetable on the side)

Yum!

NOTE: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1-2 tbsp. or cornstarch or flour in approx. 1/4-1/2 cup of water until fully blended. Pour into marsala sauce and let simmer until sauce thickens. Continue to your desired thickness preference.

A Little Microwave Odor Trick

2012-07-07T18:36:00.002-04:00

With the weather being so nice lately and every weekend being filled with fun summer activities, I've really been neglecting my home. This morning I told myself I could not do anything until I did a thorough cleaning! On top of the usual bathroom, dusting, vacuuming and mopping routine, I was determined to find a way to rid our microwave of that terrible lingering zapped food smell. I don't know if I'm the only one that finds microwave odors repulsive, but ugh! They're terrible. My feelings against the microwave are another story for another day (I'm contemplating getting rid of it altogether), but while its still in my house, I'd at least like to keep it clean! I remember my mom using baking soda whenever she wanted to eliminate an odor growing up so I tried a little experiment, and to my surprise - it actually worked!

Here is the formula:

Step 1:

Wipe down your microwave with water and a sponge (and a little dish soap if there are any troublesome spots)

Step 2:

In a microwave safe bowl, add 2 cups of water and approx. 4 tbsp. of baking soda. Microwave for 5 minutes.

Step 3:

Rinse out the baking soda/water mixture and add another 2 cups of water and 3-4 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice. Microwave for 5 minutes. (I figured lemon was good for a spring/summer scent. In the fall/winter try vanilla extract)

Step 4:

Wipe down the microwave one more time with water and a sponge.

(If the odor is still lingering.... put a little bit of baking soda in a small bowl and let sit for a couple hours or overnight. The baking soda should absorb the remaining odor)

An odor-free microwave!

Vegetarian "Meatballs" with Spaghetti Squash

2012-07-02T08:46:00.000-04:00

As a follow up to my Forks Over Knives post yesterday, here is an interesting take on "spaghetti" and "meatballs". I found this recipe thanks to Cookin' Canucks blog and while I cannot say that this will satisfy a dire craving, I do think its a creative twist on a traditional, not-so-healthy family staple and in my opinion, its worth a try!

What you'll need:

1 ½ cans (15 oz. each) Bush’s Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed
1 roasted red bell pepper, chopped
½ medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 ½ tsp dried oregano
1 egg
½ cup dried breadcrumbs
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 cups marinara sauce (your favorite kind)
Parmesan cheese for grating (optional)
Cooked spaghetti Squash

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.) Thoroughly coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray

3.) In the bowl of a food processor, combine beans and roasted red peppers. Pulse until chopped, but not smoothly pureed.

4.) Transfer the mixture to a medium-sized bowl and stir in grated onion, garlic, parsley, oregano, egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper until well combined.

5.) Using a rounded 2 tablespoon portion of the bean mixture, form “meatballs” by rolling between the palms of your hands. Place the “meatballs” on the prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly.

6.) Bake until the meatballs are firm to the touch and have developed a light golden brown coating, 15 to 20 minutes.

7.) In a large saucepan, heat you favorite marinara sauce over medium heat until simmering (I use my mother-in-law's secret recipe).

8.) Add “meatballs” and stir to coat; Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, 10 to 15 minutes

9.) Serve over cooked spaghetti squash and lightly top with grated parmesan cheese

And there you have it - a healthier alternative to "Spaghetti and Meatballs"!

NOTE: If you want to ease into this recipe, try the "meatballs" over your choice of pasta instead of spaghetti squash. Ya gotta start somewhere, right??

Forks Over Knives

2012-07-01T20:14:00.002-04:00

If you read this blog and especially the "On the Menu" section, you may have noticed that I've been trying to incorporate a few meatless-meals into our diet every week. "Why?", you probably wonder. Well, thanks to the eye-opening documentary "Forks Over Knives", my husband and I have started to re-evaluate our diets. I am not writing this post to persuade anyone to transform their diets or make any drastic lifestyle changes. I just suggest that everyone watch this film and make the choice for yourself!

The film focuses on two researchers, Dr. T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, who through much research were led to a startling conclusion: degenerative diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even several forms of cancer, could almost always be prevented- and in many cases reversed- by adopting a whole-foods, plant-based diet. Crazy, right!?! These doctors highlighted stories of several "regular" people living with these diseases, and showed that through diet and excercise lifestyle changes made by these people, their conclusions were true. They talked about how as Americans, the food and drug industries have convinced us that we need meat for protein and dairy for calcium, and we have been brainwashed our whole lives to believe this is the only or best way to receive these essential nutrients. However, there are several plant-based foods that in fact, are greater and more complete sources of protein and calcium. I found the entire film and its message to be extremely interesting.

While I have not drastically changed my diet, I have become much more aware and have personally concluded this for myself- My meals should not be based around what meat I'm going to eat. Instead, I am making an effort to make plant-based foods the primary source of my diet as much as I can, watch the portion size of my animal-based foods, eat as little processed foods as realistically possible, and most importantly, pay careful attention to the nutrients each meal I eat is providing. I don't beat myself up if I have a huge, juicy burger at a cookout, or eat a processed granola bar before the gym because I don't have time to prepare anything else, but I am aware of what I am eating and do my best to stay on track! I think this is the first step to healthy living. Whether you agree or not, I believe it is our duty to put in the time to learn what the foods we are eating are actually doing to our bodies and make educated decisions of how we are going to live and feed our lives. Maya Angelou said, "When you know better, you do better" and I completely agree!

Find out more about the Forks Over Knives movement here, watch the film, and let me know what you think!

Featured Wedding: Janet & Jay

2012-07-01T19:53:00.001-04:00

For all the brides-to-be who loved the style of the wedding I posted about here, below are some additional details and inspiration:

Guestbook ~ Thumbprint Tree with guest's names

photo courtesty of Pinterest

Favors ~ Scratch ticket with a penny that said "Lucky in Love"

photo courtesty of Pinterest

H'or Deurves ~ The most amazing homemade chips/salsa/guacamole I've ever had... and a few other passed items that to be honest I cannot remember because I was so focused on the former ;)

Dinner ~ In addition to the Fajita bar, they also had Beef Tenderloin and Seafood Paella stations

Dessert ~ They skipped the cake and offered the most amazing Apple-filled Churros in Vanilla Ice Cream

Late Night Munchies ~ Cheeseburger Sliders, French Fries, Pizza, Chicken Fingers (the bride's favorite foods)

photo courtesty of Pinterest

Reception Decor ~ Purple linens with floral centerpieces on half the tables and antique white tea-light candle holders on the other half of the tables. Also loved this wall with photos of the bride and groom over the years.

First Dance ~ "Without You" by Eddie Veddar

Grand Exit ~ Sparkler send-off!

Roadtrip Recap: DC & OBX

2012-06-29T19:46:00.000-04:00

I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus lately due to too much fun, I suppose! I got back last weekend from a week-long roadtrip to DC and the Outer Banks. The main reason for the trip was to see one of my beautiful friends get married in North Carolina. My husband and I decided to break up the trip a bit and spend a few days in DC. We had both never done the whole touristy thing, so in true american fashion we put on our walking shoes, charged up the camera battery and walked (what felt like a marathon) around The District. We hit up all the monuments, checked out a handful of museums, explored George Washington's estate, took a tour of the Capital building and ended the tourist extravaganza with a trip to Arlington National Cemetary. Whew! Here are a few photo highlights from our trip:

On the road!

Our lovely accomodations

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Washington Monument with the "Big Red One",
honoring the first division of the United States Army

WWII Memorial

my fav part of the trip :)

NH ~ Live Free or Die!

Mount Vernon ~ George Washington's BEAUTIFUL estate

Capital Building

Arlington National Cemetary

While we loved exploring the nation's capital, after a 9 hour drive and 3 and a half days on foot, we were ready for the BEACH! Another 5 hours on the road later, we finally arrived to our beautiful 5-bedroom house in the OBX! The remainder of the week was spent relishing in fun in the sun, beach, and booze glory, with lots of new friends. Those that know me know that anywhere there is a beach, I'll be happy. But what made this trip so special was being able to share in and celebrate the union of 2 people we absolutely adore! I met the bride, Janet, 5 years ago when I graduated college. I needed a roommate and all my college friends were still in the post-college job search process, so I reluctantly resorted to craigslist. Somehow roommate fate brought Janet and I together, and I knew right off the bat that we would become fast friends. I remember the day she came home from a carribean cruise and told me "I met the man I'm going to marry!" I (and her future husband) may have thought she was crazy to make such a statement so soon, but once I met Jay, it was undeniable they were meant for each other. Although life has brought us to different states and I don't see Janet as often as I'd like, she is a one-of-a-kind friend and everyone who knows her can't help but love her. My husband also has a slight bromance with Jay, so its only natural that we both wouldn't miss their wedding for the world! Their wedding week was beyond perfect and totally "Janet and Jay". Here are some highlights from this leg of the trip:

Almost there!

Our house

Living Room

Our private dock

Welcome Bag

Beach, beers and good tunes :)

View from the Welcome BBQ hosted by the groom's parents

A little pool time before the wedding

Before the ceremony at Marshes Lighthouse
Manteo, NC

Here comes the bride!

Vows

Beautiful couple...
and have to point out the Reverend's bare feet :)

Reception at 108 Budleigh
Manteo, NC

Cocktail Hour

Fajita Bar ~ such a cute idea!

My husband and I :)

Aren't they the cutest?

What a stunning bride!

I have to say this was one of my favorite weddings I've ever been to. Laid back, amazing location, beautifully decorated and perfectly customized to the couple's personality.

Overall a fun and memorable roadtrip!

Spicy Grilled Shrimp over a Corn Relish

2012-06-11T22:36:00.000-04:00

As much as I love cooking, there are some summer nights that the last thing I feel like doing is anything too time-consuming over a hot stove! I'm sure others feel the same, so on nights like this, I have the perfect solution. I found this recipe from The Cottage Home blog and altered just a little.

Shrimp:

3/4-1 lb. raw jumbo shrimp

1/4 cup olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Juice of 2 limes

Corn Relish:

1 small bag frozen corn

1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup cilantro
Juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

1.) Mix all the "Shrimp" ingredients together and let marinate for 20 minutes. (Do not over-marinate, as the lime juice acid could start to cook the shrimp.)
2.) Next, combine the "Corn Relish" ingredients in a separate bowl. This can be made ahead of time if desired, but if not, let sit for at least 20 minutes to allow all the flavors to come together.
3.) Heat up the grill and place the marinated shrimp on skewers. Grill for approx. 3-4 minutes on each side.
4.) Meanwhile, prepare your rice of choice. We did plain brown rice (1/4 cup for 2 people).
5.) Remove grilled shrimp from skewers and you have a glorious summer meal!