A Few of My Favorite Things: food

Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Apr 25, 2016

Apr 15, 2016

Favorite Things Friday: Allie

Today we are celebrating Allie's birthday, so it is only fitting that I share the things she is loving right now!

1. Biscotti Dress

Allie was sent this Biscotti dress for review and it came just in time for the Valentine's Day photo shoot I did with the kids. When she opened this package she freaked out because she loved it so much- the heart print, soft fabric, and the cute cut-out detailing in the back. She has worn it a lot and it looks great on her!

Mar 14, 2016

4 Recipes and 10 Healthy Freezer Meals for the Crockpot

So I recently decided to help my mom put together some freezer meals for my brother and I decided I would share them on the blog because it was a very successful endeavor!

Jan 2, 2014

Belated Christmas Post: White Chocolate Crispy Candy

Dec 10, 2013

Crio Bru for the Holidays

You know those people that just have everything and are so hard to buy for? I have a few of those in my family...and I always think that the gifts I give them are things they don't really want. Well, lucky for you I have the perfect gift for just about anyone on your list that is hard to buy for.

I am not a coffee drinker for religious reasons, but I SO wish that I was sometimes. I love the smell, the taste of coffee-flavored everything, the idea of getting a jolt of energy from a warm drink. So, when I heard about brewing cocoa beans I was quite interested to say the least.

I then found out that Crio Brü was local and was so excited to go meet with their CEO to learn more about it. I couldn't believe the long list of health benefits that come from Crio Brü and the extensive research, travel, and preparation that went into creating it!

Let me just break it down for you:

Cocoa beans are jam-packed with antioxidants - which will help your immune system keep your body healthy.

One of my favorite products from Crio Brü was the chocolate covered cocoa beans:

May 15, 2013

Officially a Green Smoothie Addict

So here's my story, I am only 28 years old, not currently pregnant or nursing, have a healthy BMI, and get enough sleep 8-10 hours (usually interrupted.) I was feeling crappy- just didn't have much energy and a little sick to my stomach in the mornings. And, we currently are going through a job change and aren't covered insurance-wise for the next month, so going to the doctor to see what I could do differently was out of the question. Luckily, there is a little thing called facebook that I like to go to often to pick all my friend's brains for advice, so I did. I am SO glad that I did- at least 3 people mentioned green smoothies or the "Green Smoothie Girl" and I did some researching on her. I wanted to completely change the way our family was eating and this was a great place to start.

So, after 2 weeks of eating WAY more fruits and veggies whole or made into smoothies I feel WAY better already! I have the energy I used to get for a couple hours after drinking a Diet Dr. Pepper ALL the time now- without caffeine! I will probably go into this way we are eating more later, but for today I just had to share the tips I have learned to make green smoothies and make making them an easy daily process:

1. Buy in bulk and freeze spinach, kale, ripe bananas, other fruits like peaches, plums, berries, etc. (Or buy frozen)

For the spinach and kale I just use sandwich ziplock bags and get a REALLY big handful into it then smash down and squeeze out the air. For bananas I put a banana into a bag then smash it around- makes it easier for the blender later on to break off smaller chunks. You will want to just compare prices per lb. and shop sales- you can even freeze canned fruits to give your smoothie some really good texture and keep it cold longer!

Jan 24, 2013

7 Weight Loss Tips

There is nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable in your clothes because of some extra weight put on- whether it is from having a baby or the holidays. I seem to gain those extra pesky 5 pounds every year in the Spring...not sure why- maybe because I am extra lazy from Jan-March and they catch up with me. But, I have a few tips that can help out those of you trying to get rid of a few extra pounds that don't require a lot of self-discipline or time.

1. Don't slow down. My husband always makes fun of me because I seem to do things at a speed that most people would interpret as rushed or ridiculously hurried...But, I think the extra spills and messes are worth it for the extra calories burned and all the things I can get done in a day :) I love these tips to burn more calories in simple ways.

2. Listen to your body. When it comes to eating, sleep, and exercise I always pay a lot of attention to what my body is telling me it needs. I have decided I need 8-10 hours of sleep (partly because it is interrupted) but sleep makes all the difference to me! Also, when I am just craving chocolate I grab a handful of dark chocolate chips. And when I am hungry, I eat. I just try to make healthy food decisions, but I don't keep anything off limits- just in moderation.

Jan 14, 2013

Homemade Pork Rub

Since I have had a LOT more time on my hands lately, not to mention a great kitchen, I have actually been cooking and actually liking it a little more! I thought I better take some pictures along the way so I can share some of my favorite recipes with you.

I am a big fan of pork roast and I had never done a pork rub when cooking it before because it was just another spice to buy- then I realized I could make my own!

Here is the recipe I adjusted to the spices I actually had:

Pork Rub
3 tsp. Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes (I used 1 tsp- we like spicy)
1 tsp. Black Pepper
2 tsp. Salt

Apr 4, 2012

What I'm Loving

Right now I am addicted to all these amazing juices (Naked and Odwalla to name a couple)

You can buy a pack of 2 32oz bottles at Costco for about $5.70 right now- totally worth it!

Forever 21 Girls is so fun to shop online! I love this cardigan:

And I just bought this tank for Allie:

I just started washing my hair every other day and I use this Suave dry shampoo:

Not only does it work great, but it smells SO good and I also like how my roots are not as easy to see when I blend the white spray into them :) For just under $3 at Target it's a steal!

My new favorite sunless tanning lotion:

You can read all about it here.

This is still my all-time favorite mascara and lately I have been loving using it with this eyelash growth serum

The Rapid Lash serum not only makes my eyelashes longer, but since it helps them stay in longer, they also look fuller.

Lastly, I am loving that the weather is getting warm enough for walks!!

And Macsen is loving it too! :)

What are you loving right now?

Oct 14, 2011

Food Lately

I am not much of a cook at all, but lately I have been more motivated with all the yummy-looking food I have seen on Pinterest. Usually cooking for me is something with 5 ingredients or less that I can either throw in the crock pot or that only has a few steps and takes less than a half hour. Let's just say if it isn't as easy as making a sandwich I most likely won't even try.

I had to share some of the recipes that I have tried recently and what I thought of them in case any of you wanted to try.

Crock Pot Minestrone Soup:

This recipe was easy, yummy, and healthy. I am TOTALLY making this again.

Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup:

This was VERY filling and pretty good. It just took a while to cut up everything. Too much work.

Oven-roasted Broccoli:

Not only is this recipe easy and delicious, but it is also pretty healthy! Thanks for making it for us Mom!

And for dessert:

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites:

SOO delicious, so easy and worth the calories.

Crockpot Molten Lava Cake:

SO yummy (only if you have vanilla ice cream with it) Also, make sure you mix the brown sugar with the cocoa powder before you sprinkle it on the top (so you don't get clumps of cocoa in the cake)

Reeses Peanut Butter Eggs

These were definitely the favorite dessert recipe- easiest and yummiest!

Sep 22, 2011

Can it be Fall Already?

For some reason I am SOO anxious for Fall this year. Usually I am so sad when summer starts to leave, but I can't wait this year!

I can't wait to wear Fall clothes:

images via

And to eat Fall food:

images via

And to take pictures with the pretty colors:

image via

Are you anxious for Fall and cold weather? Or is this just a pregnancy thing?

Sep 20, 2011

Healthy Eating Treats

Lately I have been trying to eat a little healthier, since I am not STARVING all the time like I was in the 1st trimester and am trying to let my body catch up to the extra weight I gained early on. Here are just a few of my favorite treats that are a bit healthier than ice cream and baked goodies:

Because I could never give up my cold cereal - Fiber One Honey Squares

And, to make it even more of a treat, add some Mocha Mix.

A lot of you have probably gotten sick of me talking about Silk Light Soymilk (Vanilla or Chocolate) But it is seriously THAT good.

My "Chocolate Milkshake"

I make something really similar to this one

Instead of frozen bananas I use ice and regular milk...although it would taste even better with an almond or soy vanilla milk I think. I use any kind of chocolate powder I have (nesquik, carnation instant b-fast, protein powder..the list goes on)

Lastly, I love these things:

Only 40 calories per bar...I usually have 2...

Can you tell what my favorite treat is? Yes, chocolate of course :) Is there really anything else as good?

Jul 19, 2011

What I'm Loving Right Now

My bed...and sleep
Seriously, this is my very favorite thing to do right now...even over eating ice cream...

Zuccini
I can't get enough of this vegetable...the texture and flavor is just sooo good.

image via

The Bachelorette

Okay, Ashley bugs me a little, but this show is just my favorite guilty pleasure.

image via abc.com

Water

Normally I have to force myself to drink enough, but this baby can never get enough!

Shopping and planning for baby
I seriously love getting ready for a new baby...redecorating the kids room, buying all the cute clothes...you name it.

image via zara.com

What are you loving?

Jan 25, 2011

These Are a Few...

Sorry, I am a little behind on my blogging this week...I am working on all the giveaways for the Valentine's Giveaway Event that officially started yesterday...

For now, here are a few of my favorite things:

Flower hair pieces that I am beginning to add to my new, very own Etsy shop!