one dollar finds

Sometimes, it's really the little things in life that can bring so much joy! This summer,  I found a few edibles that I could buy for $1, which really made my heart happy and got me through long work days. I will continue to hunt for sweet deals like this, but for now I wanted to share what I've discovered so far. xo.

Dollar Days at Schakolad

As a lifetime chocolate lover, I find it kind of strange I never wandered into Shakolad before this summer [after living in the city for almost 4 years.] Nonetheless, I read some tweets announcing the chocolate shop's dollar days this summer and figured it was worth a shot. Two words: life changing! I have tried the chocolate covered strawberry, which was divinely ripe, assorted truffles galore, and the chocolate covered cookies. I'm not sure how long these deals will go on, so I highly recommend you check them out asap!

Where: 106 E. 4th Street, Fort Worth 76102

Breakfast Tacos at Oliver's

Sometimes, cereal or yogurt just don't cut it. Or I just plain overslept and had no time to fix breakfast. Either way, 99 cent breakfast tacos are a satisfying solution to start my morning off right! Besides a growing menu that includes delicious fish tacos, Oliver's serves breakfast tacos every weekday morning from 7-11 a.m. Hint: If you are calorie-concious, ask for egg whites only! There are only two options: bacon or sausage. Perfect for my inability to make decisions early in the morning. One of these days, I'll make it on a weekend to try out their brunch.

Where: 415 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth 76102

Happy Hour Pizzas at Frankie's

Despite less than stellar service every time I've gone, I have to say the dollar pizzas really made up for it. After attending a happy hour with coworkers a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised that Frankie's had yummy, perfectly proportioned, cheesy pizzas for only a buck! I am not sure if this is a consistent happy hour special or only on certain days, but you should definitely check it out for yourself next time you're in need of a drink after a long day at work.

Where: 425 W. Third Street, Fort Worth 76102

m.i.a. and a cheesecake recipe

Boy, where is the summer going?

I blinked and July is halfway over. And I also realized it's been a few weeks since I've worked on the blog. Truth be told, I started my MBA July1, celebrated my birthday and 4th of July, visited my family, etc. and have thus had little time for writing about the things I love!

I still plan to continue writing and hope to zone in my focus a little more on my wonderful city, Fort Worth. It's just going to take a little time for me to get the hang of this school thing first! Sometimes being a grown up isn't fun but it's necessary, right?

I'll leave you with a recipe and picture of some adorable [and delicious] mini cheesecakes I shared with my coworkers in celebration of the 4th of July. Not only are they less than 100 calories each, but they are just sooo yummy! If you try them, let me know how you like them! xo.

Red White and Blueberry Cheesecake Yogurt Cupcakes 

Recipe via Skinny Taste

Ingredients:

12 reduced fat vanilla wafers
8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6 oz fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt
2 large egg whites
1 tbsp all purpose flour
8 oz strawberries, hulled and sliced thin
8 oz blueberries

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°.

Line cupcake tin with liners. Place a vanilla wafer at the bottom of each liner.

Gently beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth using an electric mixer. Gradually beat in fat free yogurt, egg whites, and flour. Do not over beat. Pour into cupcake liners filling half way.

Bake 20-25 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool to room temperature then chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

trader jacques [joe's] macarons

Though I will always have a special place in my heart for cupcakes, I've recently been bitten by the macaron bug. And not just any macaron--French macarons! Those coconut macaroons [read: two o's instead of one] you can find in a grocery store are alright, but they ain't got nothin' on these light, crispy-on-the-outside-chewy-on-the-inside cookies that come in a plethora of fillings, flavors, and colors.

Although there are a few little macaron bakeries in Dallas, they are not as close as I'd like when a sudden craving strikes. Enter: Trader Joe's. I discovered that this inexpensive health food mecca just down the road actually sells French macarons in the frozen aisle! I thought this was questionable at first, but for $4.99 I decided to give them a whirl.

Four boxes later, these macarons have become a kitchen staple. I opt for the box containing colorful cookies with flavors like Cassis, Coffee, and Pistachio; however, Trader Joe's does also sell a box of plain vanilla and chocolate. If you live near a TJ's, I suggest you check these out asap! These cookies can be kept frozen and only require 30 minutes to thaw at room temperature. I have only one word left to say: heavenly.

xo.

simple fried rice + general tso's chicken

I haven't been keeping a running tally of the number of fried rice recipes I've tried. And honestly, it doesn't matter because I finally found "the one"!

While on my weekly grocery store trip, I was looking for a new way to eat chicken [a weekly dinner staple for the hubs and I.] A light bulb went off and I shuffled over to the international food aisle and tossed a few Asian sauces into my cart. The one I was most eager to try was the Archer Farms General Tso sauce [only 40 cal for two tbsp!] 

I searched and searched and finally settled on this recipe for fried rice--hey, I had to cook something from scratch since the chicken was going to be so darn easy. This meal was so fun and easy and best of all delicious. I'll definitely be making it again. Bonus: You can make the rice in bulk to have throughout the week! What's your favorite way to eat chicken? xo.

Simple Fried Rice

Ingredients
[4 servings]

Adapted from this food.com recipe
3/4 cup finely chopped onion [I had red onion on had so I just used that]
2 1/2 tbsp oil
1 egg [or more if you like]
2 tbps plus 3 drops low sodium soy sauce, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 cups cold cooked rice
4 green onions, chopped [I used dried chives instead]
1 cup frozen broccoli, thawed

Directions
1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in wok; add chopped onions and stir-fry until onions turn brown, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from wok.
2. Allow wok to cool slightly. Mix egg with 3 drops of soy sauce. Set aside.
3. Add 1/2 tbsp oil to wok, swirling to coat surfaces. Add egg mixture; working quickly, swirl egg until egg sets against wok. When egg puffs, flip egg and cook other side briefly. Remove from wok and chop into small pieces.
4. Heat 1 tbps oil in wok; add carrots, peas, broccoli, and cooked onion. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
5. Add rice and green onions, tossing to mix well. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.
6. Add 2 tbsp soy sauce and chopped egg to rice mixture and fold in. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Serve.

For the chicken, simply cook until the center is no longer pink. Cut into pieces and toss on a small skillet with the General Tso's sauce. I added a dash of soy sauce and a significant amount of crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Let the sauce and chicken simmer a few minutes and you're done!

fort worth foodie review | the woodshed smokehouse

One of my favorite haunts when the Texas temps reach what I call "patio weather" [aka 85 degrees or so] is the Woodshed in Fort Worth. This rustic-cool restaurant headed by Chef Tim Love sits right on the Trinity River with the coolest outdoor/indoor dining concept I've seen. The food is outrageously good, the atmosphere is perfect for a both casual date night and a group of your closest friends. On the weekends you will find live music to kick back and enjoy while sipping on any one of their selections of beer, wine, margaritas or cocktails. I highly recommend this joint if you're looking for a great atmosphere to soak in the beautiful spring weather. xo.

Where: 3201 Riverfront Drive, Fort Worth

Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. / Fri-Sat, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

What to try: Smoked hummus, smoked white fish dip, pulled pork sandwich, brisket stuffed piquillo peppers, burger, and ribs. For the more adventurous, my hubs and friends have testified that smoked red fish, bowl of ramen, and rattlesnake sausage are awesome.

how to eat salmon... and like it?

I'm not the most healthy eater you will find, but I do try to make good choices every now and then. I didn't grow up liking/eating seafood, but once I married a guy that loved pretty much every type of food, my options consequently expanded. Tremendously.

One thing that is both easy to make and extremely good for you is salmon. Not only is salmon high in protein and low in calories, but it's also got tons of omega-3's, which work wonders for your cardiovascular health! [source]

Let's jump into the recipe. Try it and tell me what you think. Feel free to share your favorite way to eat salmon [or fish in general]! xo.

Lemon Pepper Herb Salmon

Ingredients

Lemon pepper

Fresh ground pepper

Oregano

Fresh lemon

Olive Oil

Salmon filet[s]

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place thawed salmon filets skin side down onto greased glass pyrex dish [I just do a quick spritz of PAM]

2. Brush about a teaspoon or two of olive oil on top of each filet.

3. Sprinkle lemon pepper, Oregano, and extra ground pepper [to taste] on each filet.

4. Slice lemon into thin slices and place 2-3 slices on top of each piece of salmon. You can even squeeze a little lemon juice on top if you really like lemon, like I do!

5. Put the salmon in the oven for 15-18 minutes, until the fish is flakes easily with a fork.

Remove the lemon slices and enjoy over a bed of white rice with some kind of green veggie, like asparagus, peas, or green beans! Yum!





super bowl eats

It's Wednesday which means my Super Bowl planning is going into high gear! This year, I am hosting a little get-together and am so excited! It's going to be potluck style so the food prep will be distributed among myself and my friends. I've been scouring Pinterest for the past week for yummy--but most of all, easy--recipes to whip up for the big day. Below are a few of my favorites. I'm pretty sure many will make an appearance in some form or fashion at the party--can't wait to dig in! Are you planning a Super Bowl watch party? What are your favorite football foods? xo.

Skinny Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip via Skinny Taste 

Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread via Confections of a Foodie Bride

Nacho Bar via Your Homebased Mom

Football Whoopie Pies via Make Merry; Pulled Pork Sliders via Dishing With Leslie

Skinny Beer-garitas via Eat Yourself Skinny

what's in my pantry?

It's been a while it seems since I have written a food-related post. Life has gotten in the way, which isn't a bad thing, and so my kitchen adventures have been not quite blog-worthy. However, in an effort to overhaul the hubs and my eating habits in favor of healthier selections, I've found some yummy snacks and food items that are healthier choices but still very satisfying! Take a peek into my pantry to see my must-haves this month. I'm not sure how often these will change but I'll be sure to share when they do! Also, please feel free to share some of your favorite healthy snacks/meals in a comment below.  xo.

1. earnest eats superfood trail mix granola bars are one of my new favorite grab-and-go snacks! With wholesome ingredients with none of that artificial stuff, I feel satisfied when an afternoon craving hits.

2. Almond Nut Thins are an obsession. Not only are they gluten free, but they are light and crispy and perfect dippers for hummus! They come in several flavors but I prefer the original.

3. This white balsamic & honey salad dressing is fabulous! I am not normally a salad person and am especially picky when it comes to dressings, but I think this is the only one I'll ever need. Flavorful and light, you don't need much to give a boring salad a good kick!

4. Lately, I've vowed to reduce dairy intake after reading/hearing from multiple sources that it is not necessary to a healthy diet. After having a delicious coffee and coconut milk drink at the new coffee shop down the street, Brewed, I decided to purchase this delightful drink for myself to mix with the occasional morning coffee. So. Good!

5. When a food craving hits right before mealtime, I pop a piece of gum to tide me over until it's actually time to eat. It really helps to keep me from too much snacking.

6. Bananas aren't really "new" for me, but I did go a few weeks without buying them so I added them back to the grocery list as a quick and healthy addition to breakfast or lunch.

7. My hubs and I decided to give the "gluten free" thing a try after he was experiencing a sensitive stomach. Though neither of us are diagnosed with Celiac disease, it has helped us discover new foods we wouldn't have normally tried, such as this gluten-free quinoa spaghetti! It tastes the exact same as normal spaghetti so we've made it a permanent staple.

8. I like to keep trail mix on hand when I need a little sweet and salty fix. This cranberry mix from Target is my favorite! Plus, I think it is one of the only ones that does not have ingredients that contain gluten.

9. Pears are a new fruit addition to the grocery list and have slowly replaced apples. Don't get me wrong--apples are wonderful but after many months of the same thing, it's nice to shake things up a bit! Plus they have tons of healthy fiber.

10. These cranberry bars have to be my number one favorite snack these days! My mom introduced them to me recently and I can't get enough! They are a delicious and filling breakfast packed with protein. What I especially love is that they contain a mere 7 ingredients. Wholesome and tasty!

cookie in a cup

Recently, I was in the middle of a huge sugar craving and decided to whip up one of my Pinterest finds: a cookie in a cup! I'd seen several similar recipes floating around the web and finally went for it. I was not disappointed. In fact, I admit I've made this little snack several times since. It's that good! xo.

Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Cup

[via Number 2 Pencil]

1 Tablespoon Butter

1 Tablespoon Granulated White Sugar

1 Tablespoon of firmly packed Dark Brown Sugar [I used light brown]

3 Drops of Vanilla Extract

Small Pinch of Kosher Salt

1 Egg Yolk (discard the egg white)

Scant 1/4 Cup of All Purpose Flour

2 Tablespoons of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips 

Directions:

Start by melting your butter [in your favorite mug!] in the microwave. Add sugars, vanilla and salt. Stir to combine. Separate your egg and add the yolk only to your cup. Stir to combine. Add flour, then stir again. Add the chocolate chips, and give a final stir. Cook in microwave 40-60 seconds, start checking for doneness at 40 seconds. *Mine takes exactly 47 seconds!

no-bake [healthy] pb bites

I always find the best recipes when I get really desperate. The other day I was really craving something sweet. I remembered pinning this recipe for No Bake Energy Bites from Gimme Some Oven and happened to have all the ingredients on hand except the coconut flakes. Luckily the recipe suggests adding in extra of another ingredient to replace the coconut. Perfect.

This recipe makes 20-25 bites, but since I didn't want that temptation sitting around in my kitchen, I divided the recipe so it would yield 5-6.

The best part about these is that the ingredients are for the most part pretty healthy! It's also easy to make substitutions if you don't have these specific ingredients.

No Bake PB Bites
[adapted from Gimme Some Oven]

*Slightly less than 1/4 cup dry oatmeal [Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats]
*1/8 cup coconut flakes [I replaced with extra oats]
*1 heaping tbsp. peanut butter [crunch or smooth. can use any type of nut butter]
*Slightly less than 1/8 cup ground flax seed or wheat germ
*1-2 tbsp chocolate chips
*1 tbsp honey
*dash of vanilla

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until evenly combined. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Form mixture into 5-6 round balls. Enjoy! Store in an airtight container.

Have you tried this recipe or one similar to it? What are your favorite add-ins? xo.

spice it up

Weekends can't have all the fun. Bust out the wine, candles, and tunes from the likes of Miles Davis or Frank Sinatra to add some glamour to a typically ho-hum weeknight meal.  xo.

via

egg-free chocolate chip cookies

You know I can't keep a good recipe secret for long, right? [Remember my easy, yummy homemade pizza crust recipe?] Well.... here comes another spectacular, easy recipe!

I had a hankerin' for something sweet [isn't this how it always starts...] and had all the ingredients to bake something except eggs! Before getting bummed out, I did a quick internet search for egg-free chocolate chip cookies and found an awesome-looking recipe. I set to work combining the ingredients and decided to go ahead and add some walnuts [left over from my delicious chicken feta salad] and some marshmallows because they were there. The cookies turned out amazingly, and I was so surprised that I didn't miss the eggs at all. In fact, the cookies turned out incredibly chewy and "flat", my favorite qualities in chocolate chip cookies. PS: These got my hubby's approval, and he's a picky cookie eater, so I know I struck gold with this recipe! Try it out and let me know what you think! xo.

Egg-Free Rocky Road Cookies 
adapted from this recipe on Bunch of Cooks
[makes approx. 2 doz. cookies]


1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp. canola oil
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup crushed walnuts
1/4 cup mini marshmallows
1/4-1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream together the butter and sugars.
3. Slowly add in flour and baking soda (mix will be dry after this step).
4. Add in the vanilla, oil, and 1/4 cup applesauce. If the mix is not quite doughy, add a little more until a doughy consistency.
5. Turn off your mixer and stir in chocolate chips, walnuts, and marshmallows.

6. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and drop spoonfuls of dough the sheet, about an inch apart. I flattened my dough out a bit so the cookies would spread more and get really flat. 

7. Bake for about 10 minutes until light golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheets and then they are ready to enjoy!

cupcakes make me happy

Saturday morning I woke up with the sun and decided that I would visit the newest Fort Worth bakery and check out their selection. Stir Crazy Baked Goods is located on South Main and Daggett in the cutest spot! They've taken over the corner of an old brick building [not sure what it was, once upon a time] and transformed the inside into a charming and ecclectic bakery filled with natural light.

via

Possessing great restraint that even surprised myself, I purchased just two cupcakes: chocolate with strawberry frosting and lemon. All I have to say is they were delicious. And I will be returning. Soon. Perhaps to try their sweet rolls or Adam Bomb cookies.

What is your favorite type of cupcake? xo.

easy pasta dinner

Mama mia! This pasta recipe inspired by none other than the queen of Italian cooking--Giada DeLaurentiis--is an easy and quick meal yet tastes and looks super gourmet. I stumbled upon the original recipe through my friend Kelsey and added lots of tweaks to make it husband-approved [my hubs must have meat for dinner every day. Men...]

For time's sake, I'll cut my story-telling short and get on with the recipe! Let me know if you try it out and if you make any tweaks of your own! xo.

Chicken, Tomato, Bacon Ravioli
[adapted from Giada's recipe, found here]
Serves 4*


1 bag of frozen cheese ravioli
2 small chicken breasts, cooked and chopped into 1 inch cubes
6 pieces of bacon, chopped [I used the pre-cooked kind]
1 [15-oz.] can of diced tomatoes, drained
3 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried basil seasoning
2 cups frozen peas - can use spinach or arugula if desired
2 tbsp. butter

Directions:
1. Bake the chicken at 400 degrees for about an hour. Check on it periodically until no longer pink in the center. Cut into approx. 1 inch cubes.

2. Meanwhile, about 10 minutes before the chicken is done cooking, bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the frozen ravioli. The ravioli takes about 5-9 minutes until it's done--when they start to float to the top, turn off the stove. Drain the pasta.

3. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the chopped bacon and chicken and let the flavors meld for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, basil, and peas, and continue stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Stir in the butter.

4. Pour the ravioli into a large bowl and toss with the tomato mixture. Serve immediately.

*This meal would make 4 modest servings [perhaps with a side salad or some other food item] or 2 large servings. It also will refrigerate for a delicious lunch the next day!

summer salad

After researching my options for restaurants that serve yummy salads in downtown Fort Worth, I discovered that Flying Saucer [a staple downtown bar] actually serves lunch! Not only that, they had a few salads on the menu. I went a few weeks ago for lunch and ordered Lauren's Goat Cheese Salad [how could I resist a salad bearing my name?] and it was to die for. No joke, people. I liked it so much that I bought the same ingredients at the grocery store and am happy to be able to make it whenever I want! I did make some additions and substitutions, so I renamed my version:

Lauren's Chicken and Feta Salad
adapted from Flying Saucer's Lauren's Goat Cheese Salad

[serves 2]

2-3 cups spinach - can use mixed field greens, romaine, or other mix [no iceberg!!]

1/2 a vine ripe tomato, diced

1 thin slice of red onion, diced

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled - can also use goat cheese

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

4 tbsp. balsamic vinaigrette

2 small chicken breasts
1/4 cup dried cranberries, optional

Directions

1. Grill, bake, or pan fry the chicken until thoroughly cooked and no longer pink. Slice into 1/4 - 1/2" pieces. I chose to bake mine at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes. *Optional: You can marinate the chicken in Italian salad dressing the night before you cook it for some extra flavor.

2. On a plate or in a bowl, combine the spinach, diced tomato, red onion, goat cheese, walnuts, cranberries and balsamic vinaigrette. Serve chicken on top and enjoy immediately.

This salad would be great for lunch during the work week, too! What do you think of this yummy fresh salad? Do you have a go-to healthy salad recipe? If so, please share in a comment below! xo.

slow cooker pork chops

In an effort to add a little spark back into our normal weeknight dinners, I bought some pork chops at the store last weekend with the idea that I'd bust out the ol' slow cooker and make a fabulous meal.

So today, I came home for lunch [it is so wonderful working just a few blocks from home!] and searched for easy slow cooker recipes over a bowl of broccoli cheese soup. I finally found one I wanted to try but realized I only had a few minutes until I had to head back to work! Yikes. I hastily threw everything together, set the slow cooker on low, and sprinted out the door. Despite my worries that I wouldn't get the results I wanted, I walked in the door after 5 p.m. and was greeted with a mouth-watering aroma. The chops turned out GREAT.

Here's the recipe I used as my guide, though I did have to make some substitutions and additions based on what I had in the pantry. If you're in need for a quick, healthy, yet delicious weeknight meal, I highly recommend this! xo.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops adapted via AllRecipes.com

1/4 cup olive oil [I used just a drizzle.]
1 cup chicken broth [I used 3/4 cup water + 1 cube of chicken bouillon.]
2 cloves garlic, minced [I used McCormick's, just eyeballed it.]
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. poultry seasoning [I used Adobo, found in international food aisle by Mexican food.]
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dried basil [I omitted this. Wasn't sure I wanted a basil flavor for this meal.]
4 thick cut boneless pork chops [Mine were a petite size, but worked just fine.]
salt and pepper to taste [Didn't add salt. Did add ground black pepper.]
Worcestershire sauce to taste [my own addition]

**Great addition: Red potatoes, cubed. Carrots or other veggies would also be a great addition.

Directions [rewritten by yours truly, containing my adaptations]

1. Rinse and scrub red potatoes well and cut into approx. 1" cubes. Toss in the slow cooker with the pork chops.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients on top. I stirred the chicken bouillon around in my water to dissolve it a little, but if it's not completely dissolved that's ok! It will dissolve on it's own over the next few hours.

3. Set the slow cooker on low for about 5 hours or high for 3-4. If you cook on high, check the food periodically so it doesn't overcook. Once the chops are no longer pink in the center, it's time to chow down! 

*If potatoes aren't tender enough, zap them in the microwave for 3-5 minutes, pausing periodically to check tenderness.

Easter brunch

Easter is such a joyful time of year. Usually occurring at the end of March or early April, it's the sweet spot of spring when the weather is quite enjoyable, flowers are blooming, and birds are singing. Whether you celebrate Easter or not, consider making the most of a beautiful spring weekend by hosting a brunch! Check out some of the delicious-looking recipes I found on Pinterest and give one (or two, or three...) a try. If you have the budget for it, pick up some cute serveware to make the occasion extra special. xo.

Mini Carrot Cupcakes via Martha Stewart

Sausage Brunch Braid via Taste of Home

Sticky Pecan Mini-Buns via The Pioneer Woman

Greens, Tomatoes, & Goat Cheese Tart via Tartlette

Yogurt Parfait via Martha Stewart



mad men party

The Mad Men season 5 premiere is this Sunday. I. Am. So. Excited.

You have no idea! Or maybe you do, if you like Mad Men, too.

I had never seen the show until a few months ago when the hubs signed us up for Netflix. We watched the pilot episode, got hooked, watched 2-3 episodes a night and finished season 4 before we knew it! Now we are all caught up and ready for season 5. I'm so enamored with Mad Men style, the New York City setting, and really just everything about the show. It inspired me to come up with two Mad Men party theme ideas based on two of the main characters: Betty and Joan. These ideas could be excellent premiere party ideas or really themes to use at any time. xo.

Betty is the quintessential  housewife. Inspired by her love of Italy [she had a short-lived modeling career there during college and returned with Don in season three to acompany him on a business trip] a menu consisting of Italian hors douerves is perfect for a Betty-esque soiree. Don't forget the sweet A-line dress channel your inner Betty.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6  

Both at the office and at home, Joan excels at coordinating meetings and social gatherings with ease. She possesses a sophisticated and somewhat exotic aura, which inspired this menu of asian cuisine. Rock a figure-hugging frock [Joan is notorious for wearing these] to mimic the red head siren.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

sangria recipe

There are so many sangria recipes floating around the Internet and endless possibilities for concocting this delicious beverage. I've been meaning to try it forever and finally did when I visited my friend in Austin recently. I think it's a little different than many recipes out there and it may not be defined as a true sangria, but it was delicious nonetheless and we call it sangria anyway!

Here's the recipe we used:

1 bottle white wine [we used pinot grigio]
1/2 bottle inexpensive champagne [we used Andre]
1 pear
1 nectarine or peach
1 bunch of white [green] grapes
Strawberries

Directions:

1. In a large glass pitcher, mix the bottle of white wine and 1/2 a bottle of champagne. The champagne adds a lovely effervescence.

2. Slice the pear into small, bite-sized chunks. Do the same with the nectarine/peach. Slice grapes in half length-wise. Slice strawberries into 3-4 slices length-wise as well.

3. Toss all the fruit into the wine/champagne mixture. You can really add as much fruit as you want. If you need more, add more! There's no science to it. We like fruit so we added a lot!

4. Serve and enjoy!

*Some recipes say you need to let the fruit soak the wine overnight, but we didn't really feel like waiting 24 hours. I say: drink up! Cheers!

xo.

my healthy habits

Being healthy doesn't have to be difficult. Establishing some easy habits such as the following 10 I have suggested will make a big difference in your overall health and quality of life. xo.

1. Green tea. According to Harvard Women's Health Watch, green tea has enormous antioxidant properties that studies show help reduce the risk of certain cancers and other diseases. A few cups a day are all you need to reap these benefits. Tazo Zen Green Tea is my favorite.

2. Ingredient substitutions. Many delicious foods from cream-based pasta sauces to cakes contain an unhealthy amount of fat. Eliminate calories and fat content with simple ingredient subsitutions that have minimal effect on flavor but a positive effect on the waistline. Read my healthy ingredient substitutions post here.

3. Water. Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day. [i.e. a 130 lb person should drink 65 ounces of water a day.] H20 is important for a healthy immune system as well as cleansing toxins from your body. I love those big double walled 20oz. tumblers that can be found virtually everywhere these days--3 of these babies a day keeps me hydrated and healthy.

4. Eat in more, dine out less. By cooking at home, you will not only save money but also get to eat fresh foods and know exactly what ingredients are going into your food. I love Skinny Taste for delicious, lightened up recipes.

5. Exercise. Cardio and strength training 3-5 times per week are essential to a healthy toned body. You don't need to be a marathon runner; a 30 minute brisk uphill walk or jog will get that heart rate up. Simple yoga or pilates routines are great for building muscle strength and maintaining good posture! Don't forget to switch up your routine every few weeks to keep from getting bored or plateauing. Here are some of my favorite YouTube fitness gurus with free workout vids:

fitfabcities.com

blogilates.com

toneitup.com

6. Fiber. Not only does fiber take longer to digest, which increases the feeling of fullness and thus curbs appetite, but it is also can absorb extra calories during digestion. I like to add fiber powder to my morning smoothies. Berries, dark leafy greens [i.e. kale], and whole grains are a few excellent sources of fiber.

7. Skip the artificial sweeteners. It's better to use natural sweeteners than the chemical-ridden stuff, plain and simple. Skip the Splenda and Sweet n Low and replace it with natural honey, maple syrup, stevia, Sugar in the Raw, or agave. Check the ingredient labels and make sure there aren't any extra hidden chemicals. Look at Trader Joe's, Central Market, Whole Foods, Sprouts, etc. for natural and organic sweeteners.

8. Farmers Market. Buy local, buy organic. Foods at farmers markets tend to be free of chemicals and pesticides, which is the best for your body!

9. Eat more veggies, period. Broccoli, green beans, peas, asparagus, and edamame are my faves. As someone who used to despise veggies [I was a picky eater growing up], if I can do it you can, too! Start by incorporting veggies in your pasta. You can hardly taste broccoli and peas when they are mixed in with your spaghetti.

10. Taking the stairs is another easy thing to incorporate if you live or work in a building with multiple floors. I'm not saying you need to climb 80 flights if you work in a high-rise, but a few floors will get your heart rate up which burns a few extra cals. Every little bit helps!

What are your favorite healthy habits?