October 10, 2012

Super Spinach Salad

There’s this salad that I’ve been obsessed with at Trader Joe’s. It’s called the Super Spinach Salad.

If I need to pick up something quick for lunch at work, I almost always grab this salad.

I’m straight up addicted. Thankfully, it’s a healthy addiction!

The only problem is that the carrot dressing that comes with the salad adds like a bajillion grams of fat & calories onto this mother load of healthy ingredients.

It seems so unfair.

And then I changed the game. I MADE MY OWN.

Turns out you don’t need a bunch of oil in a salad to make it awesome. This one here happens to be vegan & gluten free too.

I think I just turned this into a Super Super Spinach Salad. Alliteration salad, it is!

October 8, 2012

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

I was poking around on my RECIPES page the other day and saw that the MUFFINS section is seriously anemic.

Must make more muffins this year. MUST.

So, here we have Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins. They’re one of my favorites. If you don’t already have a recipe in your repertoire, you should consider this one!

These muffins are light and fluffy on the inside and have a nice little crunch on the outside. The amount of natural lemon flavoring is perfection and those poppy seeds add such a nice bite.

I have a stash of these in my freezer just waiting to be warmed up & eaten on a cool fall morning. I’m thinking a pumpkin muffin comes next! What do you say?

my everyday life, Photography

October 7, 2012

My Everyday Life: Week 40

Here’s what this past week looked like:

This is 8am light in our front yard.

Uncategorized

October 5, 2012

I love lists, Friday!

I wish I could swim in this. With chips!
I cannot wrap my brain around this. I want it sooooo bad.
Rachel is a true inspiration! She has a gift for decorating. Look at her kids’ room!
If only I could have read this when I was young.
A creative space IT IS. I love the framed lady on the wall.
Danielle! I love LOVE LOVE your new look!
Been there. Done that.
I wish someone recorded me post-wisdom teeth removal. NOT. HAHA.
Words of Inspiration.
You had me at pumpkin.
WANTED. This table.
AHHH Arrested Development. I CAN’T WAIT.
Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese? YES PLEASE. That rhymes.
For those of you with a blog. *snort* This is pretty good too.
I want to be Mrs. Dark & Stormy this year for Halloween. I’m gonna get started on that.
Make it a Good One. AMEN.
25 DIY Anthro Inspired Knockoffs. Let’s get our craft on, ladies!
Oh dear. I loved this soo much. I’m gonna try to be in more pictures.

There’s a new Joy the Baker Podcast this week. Marry that Doughnut. We talk about Fall Bucket Lists & Spotted Dick (too much). For those of you that are listening, this is the bag that I have my eye on. Sigh…

A few thoughts on ASKING FOR HELP. I never do it, and I should.

My Bites Around the Net:

Megan from Take a Megabite made my Pumpkin Pecan Doughnuts. They’re MINI!

Becky from Scouting for Architecture adapted my Pumpkin Pecan Doughnuts too!

Erica from Make Great veganized my Pumpkin Pecan Doughnuts. Woot woot!

Martine of Nourish & Preserve adapted my Curry Chicken with Coconut Rice with Tofu & Quinoa.

This lovely lady from 529 Scout made my Killer Granola. You have good taste in food!

recipes, Uncategorized

October 5, 2012

Pasta w/ Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts

When Real Simple asks if you want to be apart of their Stress Free Month of Dinners Blog Relay you say YES, right?

Good. I thought so.

Here’s a little carb background for you: I like a little pasta with my vegetables. My husband likes a little vegetables with his pasta. That’s why I picked this recipe. Depending how you scoop out a serving, we both get exactly what we want.

I loved the roasted vegetables in this pasta dish. The tang of the Pecorino and the browned leaves of the Brussels sprouts were fantastic. The onions, cauliflower & thyme were pretty great too. The addition of a lemon spritz at the end woke it all up. I’m pretty sure I got my suggested daily serving of vegetables in this recipe and I can’t wait for leftovers.

Best part of it all is that it took me less than 25 minutes to make this whole dish. That in itself deserves an award.

You can follow along the Blog Relay by checking here. I can’t wait to see some of my favorite bloggers try out Real Simple recipes & share them on their blogs.

recipes, Uncategorized

October 4, 2012

Chocolate Pecan Cake

The only thing thing that makes me excited about football season is the FOOD. There, I said it.

When you’re feeding a bunch of crazy dudes huddled around a TV, food has to be fast, easy and hearty. I appreciate these three things. It appeals to my dude sensibilities.

Bonus points are given for wings, carbs & booze. Paper towels are a must. Leave the roll. Always.

And if you’re walking into a “man cave” with food, bring some ear plugs.

DUDES. Why must you scream at the players on TV? They can’t hear YOU. I don’t understand, dudes.

What about dessert?

A cake that’s made in a big rectangular pan, covered in chocolate frosting and roasted pecans? That will do the trick. No cupcakes. No cakes shaped like footballs or helmets. A cake with their player’s number might slide, but all you really need is a huge cake. The best part is that you can see how big of a helping they serve themselves. This cake serves 8…or maybe 4 dudes who are wearing their team’s jersey.