January 24, 2017

Spinach Artichoke Calzone

You’re either a fan of calzone or you’re not.

I waffle back and forth….because sometimes I’m just not in the mood for ricotta.

Too much ricotta in a calzone ruins it for me. Ricotta can sometimes make the calzone soggy and WHO WANTS SOGGY CALZONE?

We were out to eat a few weeks ago and I saw calzone on the menu that didn’t have the obligatory HEAPING PILE of ricotta in it. Nope. None.

It was one of the best calzones I’ve ever had and here my recreation.

When I watched the guy in the back baste the top with garlic infused oil, I knew it was a match made in heaven.

What we have here is a Spinach Artichoke Calzone that’s stuffed with a mix of mozzarella, feta, spinach, marinated artichokes, pesto and red pepper flakes. It’s topped with garlic infused oil and a sprinkle of cheese to crisp up in the oven. I served it with a side of marinara for light dipping action.

This has turned me back into a calzone lover. Maybe it will do the same for you? Or maybe it will help remind you that calzone would make a good addition to your meal rotation soon?

my everyday life, Photography

January 22, 2017

My Everyday Life: Week 3

Here’s what the past week looked like on My Everyday Life – Week 3

I wrote this on an index card last year and tucked it into a notebook.

It fell out and landed on my lap while I was cleaning this week.

Yes, universe. YES.

Spent a lot of time in the kitchen this week….cleaning…organizing…testing….

Impromptu trip to the nursery after school brought sunshine.

We are a team in the mornings. We hustle. We try to talk to each other nicely while we are scurrying about. We need each other’s cooperation to start the day off right.

He leaves me notes on my windshield when I get into the car. The morning chats and the afternoon chats in the car are my favorite.

Put this leopard situation back into the rotation. RAWR.

Rice cakes are also back on my radar.

Surrounded by joy.

Is this a pussy willow? I cringed just typing that.

Collecting ideas for my front yard.

6:45 AM.

9:00 AM.

11:00 AM

2:30PM with Helen Jane.

3:00 pm Paper Source inspiration.

I wrote this a few months ago.

I’ve had a much better relationship with technology since.

Mostly because I’ve been giving myself better boundaries and I’ve been making technology work for me.

This week after Cooper was asleep, I listened to this podcast about stress and wrote notes.

Time well spent!

Sunny morning.

This salad turned into this sandwich.

Testing.

Snoozing.

Made some flatbread pizzas.

Treasure hunting at an estate sale. This corner of a painting caught my eye.

This was actually a sculpture but I made it look like a painting with my phone.

Reminded me of when you can see a little blue sky between clouds.

And then I looked up.

It’s been raining. It makes me miss working outside on my succulent garden.

Crossing the street can look like modern art.

I always love seeing the black and whites.

Day date at Sushi Ran.

Uni lover.

I need more sushi in my life.

And then we went to a day movie!!

Have you seen La La Land? What did you think?

The colors were pretty amazing.

This cloud had a silver lining.

Friday night His & Hers.

Followed by Indian food delivery.

Alone time.

Bed time.

Organizing my brain time.

Let’s dip into the past:

Week 3 in 2016

Week 3 in 2015

Week 3 in 2014

Week 3 in 2013

Week 3 in 2012

Week 3 in 2011

Thanks for reading Shutterbean! If you’d like to check out more of my everyday life, follow me on Instagram and be sure keep in touch via Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin, Pinterest, or subscribe via email to get new posts delivered to your inbox.

January 20, 2017

I love lists

Art collab above with Helen Jane!

Welcome to I love Lists. Let’s see what’s up with the internet this week:

Making friends is a lifelong process.
Whoaaaa
Some facts about Betty White.
For when you need a good laugh.
Printable calendars are my love language.
Printing this out for sure.
Outdoor patio dreams.
This is where we are at. This is weird.
More life lessons from Anthony Bourdain.
I cut off a whole pigtail when I was in 1st grade….
More of this in 2017 please.
Dude. Ummmm. OMG. YUM.
Popcorn….popping. This is rad.
Hey there, Portland. This is unbelievable!
I love a good closet tour.
Mmmmm.ramen.MMMMMM
The beauty of ice.
They’re not wrong
What dinner time looks like in other places.
I’d like to make this buddha bowl soon.
Weekend reading/inspiration.
Thinking about making chili. What are you gonna make this weekend?

Videos I’ve been watching:

Hard Work & Patience

This song/video is on repeat at my house.

this episode of 30 for 30 was awesome.

recipes

January 18, 2017

Vegetable Tempura

I have two problems to solve and low and behold, Vegetable Tempura comes to the rescue.

Problem 1:

My child doesn’t like a variety of vegetables.

Problem 2:

I have random vegetables in my fridge I need to get rid of.

I’ve never made my own tempura before. Not sure why….but we DO love ordering it when we’re out. It’s a way to get Cooper to eat things he wouldn’t have eaten because he can see the color and know THIS IS A SWEET POTATO and he has a rule about eating sweet potatoes.

Tempura batter is the perfect camouflage.

It’s also not as intimidating and I thought it was. Silly me.

It’s also a fabulous way to get rid of whatever random vegetables you have in the fridge after a week (or two!) of meal chaos. Random definitely vegetables have a place in Vegetable Tempura. They’re BUILT for this situation completely!

This batter is fluffy and light. It’s super simple to pull together. Next round, we’re adding some shrimp….and maybe a banana because we’re gonna need dessert. What would happen if I dropped a cookie in the batter….. there goes the neighborhood.

Inspiration

January 16, 2017

30 Healthy Recipes for a Good Reset

It’s January!!!!! Everyone seems to be cutting things out of their diet and rebooting. The holidays will do that to you!

I’ve been spending the past two weeks of the new year organizing/decluttering our house and I haven’t been on track with eating right. Now that the clutter is (mostly) out, I can focus my brain on making good/healthy eating choices.

I put together a list of the 30 Healthy Recipes I like to put back into my meal prep when I am ready to eat/feel lighter.

Hope this inspires you to do the same!

Breakfast Things:

Hippy Banana Bread

My new favorite. I’m making a new batch this week!

Avocado Kimchi Toast

Add kimchi to your avocado toast situation. You’ll love the sriracha sauce.

Mushroom Arugula Toast

You can get vegetables in your breakfast. Here’s a good way to do that!

Spinach Egg Breakfast Sandwich (with avocado & pesto!)

You might wanna go lighter on the cheese….but YESSSSS.

Flourless Pumpkin Pancakes

I have a bunch of sweet potatoes that I am gonna use to make some of these pancakes for Cooper this week.

Grain-Free Apple “Oatmeal”

I ate a lot of this when I was on the Whole30. It’s so good cold too.

Banana Walnut Baked Oatmeal

Make a batch of this and eat it for breakfast throughout the week.

Lunch things:

Spicy Mango Wraps

Your tastebuds will thank you.

The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich

A great way to get vegetables in YOUR SANDWICH.

Fresh Spring Rolls

Wrap some of these spring rolls up the night before and bring a batch to work.

Beet & Avocado Poke Bowls

I just want to mix that beet & avocado poke in with that rice. It’s calling my name.

Country Italian Salad

This is one of my favorite Trader Joe’s salads. The beans will help fill you up at lunch and you’re going to love the Italian dressing.

Dinner:

Asian Salmon Noodle Bowls

I always have some Salmon in the freezer for this quick dinner idea.

Salmon Potato Arugula Salad

I’m in it for the potatoes.

Chicken in Lettuce Cups

A very light yet filling dinner.

Zucchini Noodles with Sausage

Oddly enough, sometimes I prefer zucchini noodles over regular noodles. For me, it’s all about the sauce!

Lemon Chicken

A classic! Serve with some cauliflower rice and roasted broccoli.

Roasted Carrots with Yogurt Cilantro Sauce

Have you ever eaten a whole baking sheet of roasted carrots for dinner? I have….

Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

I wouldn’t mind having a batch of this in the fridge right now. I’d add a scoop to my salads all week.

Chopped Salad with Spiced Chickpeas

It’s all about the spiced chickpeas. They’ll fill you up in a good way!

Ginger Pork Meatballs with Coconut Broth

Make this with a side of broccoli. DINNER IS DONE.

Snacks/Pick-Me-Ups:

Avocado Superfood Smoothies

I like to throw some avocado in my smoothies for extra creaminess.

Toast 12 ways

Have a little open faced toast sandwich for your afternoon snack.

Turmeric Tea Latte

When you really want a cupcake in the afternoon, try this turmeric tea latte instead!

Lemon Ginger Zinger

Shock your senses with this one. I guarantee your body will start craving healthy food afterward.

Apples + Cinnamon

I love this after dinner.

Fruit with Whipped Coconut Cream

Coconut cream feels luxurious and is healthy too!

Citrus Smoothie Bowl

Sunshine in a bowl. Vitamin C dreams!

Avocado Chocolate Banana Pudding

I mean….it’s all healthy, right?

Whole 30 Snack Ideas

If you’re doing the Whole30, here are some ideas for snacks!

Also, see my Whole 30 meal idea post.

Hope this helps inspire you to make healthy choice this week/month/year!

my everyday life, Photography

January 15, 2017

My Everyday Life: Week 2

Here’s what this past week looked like- My Everyday Life: Week 2

If you have your mom, call her. Ask her everything you ever wanted to know.

Write it down.

I broke out the paints and made these rocks.

Art I made for our bedroom. I want to do a whole wall like this someday.

Ella is elegant. Ellagant.

Rosie’s Boudoir shots.

He likes to do puzzles like his Nana.

We had wings.

I tried to make them in my new Instant Pot this time.

I normally make them like this.

The instant pot cooked them fast but they made them so incredibly tender the meat mostly fell off the bone. I gotta futz with the settings and figure it out. Maybe they’ll just be something I make in the oven (or fry!)