Bacon Wrapped Asparagus + Goat Cheese Bundles

SONY DSCWell guys, we made it.  Happy spring!  Yay!  You know what this means, right?  Warmer days ahead, lots of grilling, playtime at the parks, more daylight, fresh produce starting to make it’s way, and….baby!  WHOA BABY!

Any ideas or explanations as to how this pregnancy could possibly be going this quickly are completely welcomed, friends, because I am mind-blown at the whole deal.  We are finally getting going on bedroom moving, bunking, storage room cleaning, baby gear inventory-ing…you know, all of that good stuff…we are in the home stretch!  Which seems a bit crazy, actually a lot crazy, because I swear I just shared the news yesterday, didn’t I?  My gosh we can’t wait to meet this little one…all four of us.   Continue reading

Roasted Cabbage Ruben Stacks

SONY DSC

Now what in the heck was I supposed to call these things, you guys?  They are the most random twist on one of my all-time favorite sandwiches and this name was all that my tired, pregnant brain could come up with.  If you can come up with a better one, please do share.

Now heres the deal.  If you love a good reuben sandwich and you love cabbage you might go wack-a-doodle over this combination.  It’s a reuben gone healthful and light…but you won’t for one second miss that bread and cheese, I promise.   Continue reading

Italian Sausage, Burrata and Pesto Pizzas

SONY DSCI’m just going to get right to it, you guys.  No beating around the bush this morning…these pizza’s deserve all of the attention.  I literally salivate just thinking about them.  And while I really do hope you are having a great week and all of that jazz-these pizzas have taken over every brain cell and tastebud in my body so I’m just going to go with it.

Using already prepared pesto and naan bread make this so weeknight friendly it’s obscene-so this is a perfect one to keep in your back pocket.  Or front pocket.  Because after one bite I’m fairly certain this may be a repeat offender in your home.  And by repeat offender I mean multiple times in one week.  I only say this because I know someone who has done this.  A friend of a friend….I would never do such a thing…ahem.   Continue reading

A Wonderful, New Opportunity

Friends, new things are on the horizon, and I just couldn’t wait to share what’s happening with you any longer.  How long have we been together now?  Some of us for almost four years, no? Can you believe that?  Let me just say that your support has made so many opportunities possible for me and I feel beyond grateful for that.  And I’m so excited to share the latest of those opportunities, one that is already so near and dear to my heart.

As you likely know by now, I am all about the 80/20 rule.  80% of the time I strive to keep myself and my family living a healthful, nourishing life.  And that leaves 20% to just simply “do what feels good or right”.  Some of you may not agree with this mentality, but it is most definitely what works for me and helps me keep things manageable and achievable in everyday life.  You already know we eat this way; we fill our everyday diets with mostly good but indulging a little is totally acceptable.  Continue reading

One Pan Lebanese Chicken + Lentil Pilaf

SONY DSCI have been hardcore craving Lebanese food.  And I’m not talking just a yummy shawarma I can get from a local food truck.  I want the real deal…mamas cooking, preferably.  The authentic flavors, the comfort, all of it.  So I did a little playing around in my kitchen this past week and man have I seen the light!

This One Pan Lebanese Chicken and Lentil Pilaf is not a traditional Lebanese dish.  It is a lazy-cooks version of a couple of dishes combined and can I just say that it’s the best lazy-move I may have ever made in the kitchen?  The most tender, flavorful chicken paired with a savory lentil pilaf is a match made in heaven.  Continue reading

Cherry Pie Pastry Hearts

SONY DSCHappy Saturday, friends!  More specifically, the Saturday before Valentines Day.  So I thought I just must leave you with a super fun recipe for you to hammer out this weekend…Cherry Pie Pastry Hearts! Continue reading

Smokey Pork and Citrus Kale Salad

SONY DSCCan you believe it’s February already?  How is this happening, you guys?  It seems like just yesterday we were in the midst of Thanksgiving preparation, and now, we are full blown into winter and darn near our decent into Spring.  Spring!  I mean I know I’m jumping the gun a bit here…but it will be here before we know it, no?

And that pretty much makes me feel all sorts of crazy emotions.  Because spring equals baby’s arrival…eek!  I can’t even begin to tell you how insanely fast this pregnancy has gone..wow.  I mean we have two trimesters under our belt and one to go; I swear I blinked and here we are.   And while I have seen so incredibly many changes in myself/my body during these last several months, there is positively one thing that has remained constant throughout this entire journey….CITRUS FRUIT.     Continue reading

Slow-Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Enchilada Cups

SONY DSCHow much do you love appetizers?  Give them to me for every meal, friends.  There’s really nothing like trying a bunch of different small bites.  And with the Super Bowl coming up I think these little Enchilada Cups are going to come in pretty darn handy.

We made these just last night for dinner.  I wanted to come up with an appetizer recipe to share with you guys that would be just perfect for you to share with friends for Sunday’s big game.  I’m pretty sure I accomplished my goal…but turns out they make a pretty stellar dinner, too.  My kids devoured them and requested they be added to the “make-often-because-these-are-our-favorite” list, which is pretty much music to my ears.  And I would feel safe assuming Nick and I could win awards for our ability to consume large amounts of these as well; so stinking yummy! Continue reading

One-Pot Salmon Pasta with Cream Sauce

SONY DSCFriends!  Hello!  How are we?  We’ve nearly made it through January, the most grey month of the year, in my opinion…so the rest is all downhill from here, right?  We just returned home from a vacation with my entire side of the family you guys….what a way to break up the month.  We had such a great time and enjoyed the warm weather of the Bahamas so incredibly much.  And now…back to good old reality.  But gosh I have to admit, a solid routine and well rested kids feels pretty dang good.

So to go with this grey month, how about a rich, gooey, comforting pasta dish that you can get on the table in 20 minutes?  Yes?  Yes.  Let’s do it!  Continue reading

Greek Grain + Roasted Chicken Salad

SONY DSCWe’ve been loading up on soups, stews and comfort food like crazy people around here.  This weather just lends itself to such deliciousness, don’t you think?  But geez louise we must switch things up once in a blue moon!  This salad-it’s just fantastic for this time of year.  It’s still a bit comforting and warm but the flavors are so light and fresh…a combo after my own heart! Continue reading