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Thursday, June 26, 2014

summer spagett!

I always think of pastas as more of a winter type meal since they are usually warm and steamy and filled with heavy sauces or creams and delicious heavy meats..however I came up with a few pasta recipes that are not only light and easy to eat during the hot summer months but they are healthy and low calorie:) I am a huge lover of olive oil...so instead of making a heavy cream sauce or red sauce I simply tossed my angel hair noodles with olive oil salt and pepper and it was AMAZING. Here are the items you will need for this fabulous dish.

 
Shopping List:
 
 
one package of Barilla angel hair pasta (whole wheat)
One medium sized eggplant-peeled and chopped into small bits
one large squash-chopped into bite size peices
one large zuchinni-chopped into bite sized peices
three cloves of fresh garlic-minced
one half of a medium sized yellow onion-chopped
fresh basil
fresh tomato sliced
olive oil
salt/pepper
Pecorino or Romano cheese -grated
 
 
 
Procedure:
 
In a large skillet start by browning the garlic and onion in a little olive oil and butter,
when it starts to give off that beautiful aroma then add the other chopped veggies. Add a little more olive oil and stir and fold in some salt and pepper until they are nice and browned and soft. While your veggies are browning stick your  noodles in boiling water with some salt and pepper and cook until soft. Once the noodles are soft add the desired amount to a bowl stick some veggies on top and garnish with a sliced tomato and basil..add your pecorino and WALA!!!! SO EASY and super healthy:) I had happy tummies in my house that night.
 
 
 

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Introducing our newest addition!

no no.. its not a baby.. yet:)

but its pretty dang close!!!


MEET OUR NEW LABRADOR COLT FRANKHOUSER!!!
 
seriously..I mean swoon right?? He is ADORABLE
 
 
Mommy and Colt in the starbucks line


 
Our first family picture haha!!!

 
The relaxed life:) we love our beach house so much!


Smiling boy!

 
hello I am COLTY!

 
 
 
So it all started when Brandon and I were driving back from Conroe.. we have been having the dog discussion for about a year now and since we want babies pretty soon we just decided getting a dog would be some good practice:) UM is it ever/?!!!! I nonchalantly asked Brandon.. hey why dont we get a puppy today.. literally just SO random..and then believe it or not..he agreed. That is something that almost NEVER happens when I want to buy something:) I searched for breeders close to our area and found one in seguin. I quickly made a phone call and we deciphered that she had eight puppies..all boys!! HOORAY!! We only like boy pets:) sorry girl pets. Brandon whisked me off to the breeder and told me to pick anyone I wanted. I picked this precious sweet angel puppy who just walked up to me and sat at my feet. I knew he was the one. I have the best and most sweetest husband for loving me so much and expanding our little pet family. HE is ALOT of work though.....the puppy not Brandon:)
 


Lately....

Wow, I have been the world's worst blogger!!! I have been pretty busy traveling and hanging out with family I haven't really blogged much :/ Since my last post I have had my 25th birthday!!!! Spent an amazing weekend at the ranch with some of our best friends, traveled to Conroe, and the beach, and enjoyed some much needed wine:) I also have a bunch of new recipes brewing so stay tuned:)

 
Lately I have been...
 
Getting pampered by my hubby for my birthday :)
 

 
and visiting with my bestie

 
dressing up to go out on a fancy birthday date

 
loving the look on my mommas face when I gave her Kendra Scotts :)

 
relishing in an amazing Italian dinner...snapper!

 
enjoying family time at Fiesta Texas


 
Freaking out before we go on the scariest ride EVERRRRR


 
spending memorial day at our beautiful ranch with besties:)



going on a mommy daughter date

 
eating my very first homegrown tomato

enjoying a girls night in Conroe

 
visiting our beach house in port bolivar with  my sweet husband

 
Its been a long and busy two weeks:)
 


Sunday, May 11, 2014

Our Week in a Glance!

This week has flown by which I'm super excited about since this next weekend is my BIRTHDAY!!!! I love LOVE birthdays! We have been racing to Conroe every weekend for family events, weddings, and golf tournaments so its so nice to be complacent for a while and just chill out in our sweet beloved town of San Antonio. I foresee trips to the zoo, spa day at the JW, maybe Fiesta Texas, and lots of grill outs on the back porch coming up. I also have recently switched my workout routine up. I have been an avid aerobiciciser for as long as I can remember. Less Mills classes were my GO-TO fitness routine. I loved all of them from Body Pump, to Body Step.. Spin class.. you name it I loved it.. and it did help that it kept me in shape too:) however I have wanted to try something different for a while and have been hesitant about trying yoga/Pilates because to me, if you don't sweat your not working out right?? WRONG. Turns out that yoga/Pilates is one of the best exercise classes you can take. Not only is it healthy for your mind but also amazing for toning your arms and core!!! I can already tell a difference and its been about a month! I also incorporate swimming into my workout for a little more cardio since sometimes I feel as though I could workout some more! I am loving it!!Since the weather has been so nice, B and I have been grilling out almost every day! This weekend he spoiled me and cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner..  and CLEANED. Shocking I know. It was awesome and the food was better than I ever imagined..GO Brandy!!!! Here are a few of our pictures from the week and weekend!



I got my tan on @ our neighborhood pool


 
and celebrated Cinco De Mayo with some homemade skinny margs!

 
..can't forget the delicious fajitas that we devoured right on our back porch..perfection

 
As a 6 year swim team-er and 7 year ex-life guard I thought I would be able to get back in the routine of swimming. I was wrong. It was hard. It will be worth it.

 
I snapped an infamous OOTD callie girl pic, I am obsessed with camo and stripes. I have recently learned to "not match"..I like it.

 
Top: Nordstroms
Shorts: Old Navy
shoes" Nordstroms
Jacket: Nordstroms
Necklace: Charming Charlie

 
My Tomato plant has more blooms!! WHOOHOO!
 

 
My husband grilled the BEST dinner for me, Hawaiian pineapple teriyaki chicken...so good!


 
Shopped at KS for my mama!

 
Drooled over this Tory Burch bag.. I asked Brandon to buy it for me.. he said no. What's a mere 300$$ right?? LOL



 
spoiled again! This time filets, grilled zuchinni, and wedge salad. I mean..need I say more.
 
 



Thursday, May 8, 2014

RaNdOm 18

I totally stole this from mixandmatchmama :)




1. I totally enjoy these stupid random facts about other people
2.  I had rolled up turkey and Swiss, a pickle, and veggie chips for lunch today.
3. I have literally seen every episode of sex in the city and I still record it so I can watch re runs
4. Watching the cooking network before bed gives me complete relaxation.
5.  If I had to eat one meal before dying it would be: a gourmet cheeseburger, five cheese macaroni, red wine, a wedge salad, and a chocolate truffle :) 
6.i always wear nail polish
7. I have recently started doing swimming and yoga to switch my excercise routine up!!
8. My mama and dad are MOVING:) by me of course!!
9. I'm graduating this summer- can I get a hallefreakinglujah
10. circle e candles are my favorite 
11. I dislike feet. 
11. My favorite wine is highway 12 cab and star mount Chardonnay
12. My awesome husband is taking me to puerto Vallarta this summer!!!! Ayayayaay
13. I loooooove scary movies
14. I love the evenings where Brandon and I grill out in the back porch and just chill
15. Did I mention I am graduating?
16. I wish I was naturally skinny so I could eat anything I wanted and not gain weight 
17. Home decorating is so.much.fun.
18. I am grateful for all of my blessings

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Pecan Crusted Trout & Cauliflower Cakes

Fish is one of my absolute favorite things to munch on in the summer months because it is so LIGHT easy/fast to cook! I love fresh caught fish so during the months of summer we like to head on down to our beach house and fish for our favorites ( Snapper, Redfish, Speckled Trout) and then eat them all summer long:) This recipe is really easy and will make you look like a total STAR in the kitchen!


Shopping list:
Fish of choice ( I used trout)
Two cups of honey roasted Pecans!!
Flour
Two eggs beaten slightly in a shallow bowl
salt and pepper
A lemon wedge
 
Procedure:
preheat oven to 400 degrees*
 
 
First and foremost, if your fish has a nasty skin on its backside..peel it off!!!!
Then take your pecans and place them in a food processer and process slowly until they are fine but still have a bit of pecan texture.( If you do not have a food processer you can use a veggie chop or finely chop them with a butcher knife..just get them really small so that they stick to the fish!)
 
Now that your fish is clean on both sides you can salt and pepper him.
Once seasoned, sprinkle flour on both sides of the fish until you get an even coating then shake for excess flour to fall off.
Then dip your fish in the egg mixture and coat it well.
Following that, coat the fish in the pecans until covered well. Pat to make sure the pecans are compact around your fish.
Place on a baking sheet lined with foil, squeeze the lemon juice on both filets and bake for twelve minutes.
DONE!
 
 
Cauliflower cakes
 
 
This recipe is absolutely one of our household favorites, kin to the "potato cake" this recipe is actually a lot healthier and has more give when it comes to caloric intake. I love that this reminds me of eating something unhealthy but its actually SO healthy :)
 
Shopping list:
 
One head of cauliflower ( cut into florets)
two large eggs
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup diced green onions
1 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper/cayenne
olive oil
 
Procedure:
place the cauli florets into boiling water until softened and ready to mash ( about 10 mins)
Drain and mash the cauliflower while it is still warm
stir in bread crumbs, cheese, green onions, salt and pepper, and cayenne.
wait until the mixture has cooled just a little and then form patties ( I usually make eight because I make them small, however you can make less if you form them larger)
then over a hot skillet pour a little olive oil and place cakes on top
cook until both sides are browned ( about three mins each side) and set aside to cool.
ENJOY!
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Easter Weekend Recap

Whew! It is Tuesday and I am STILL tired from this weekend! I had such a blast hosting my first holiday in my new home with my sweet family. I am the girl that is literally giddy with excitement when people come to visit me. I don't get stressed or overwhelmed trying to please everyone I just get so happy that people are coming to stay!! I woke up early on Saturday morning and cooked ALL of my Easter recipes for FIVE hours. Yes that's a long time of cooking...maybe that's why im so tired? Mama and Daddy came around 1:30 with Nana and Papaw following around 2:00. We relaxed and talked and showed them some of the renovations we have been working on and then headed out to dinner. Soluna ( mine and Brandon's favorite Mexican resteraunt in Alamo Heights) was an instant hit. We really can't go wrong choosing Mexican food with this crowd. Easter Sunday came bright and early and we all rushed to make the 9:30 service. The service was beautiful and captivating.. almost like every Sunday but remembering that our savior died and rose again was just all the more beautiful. We sang and praised and listened to Randy Frazee tell his tale and then it was time to go home. AND EAT. and eat we did:) I had everything homemade from Corn Pudding, 3 cheese Maccaroni, Fruit Salad, Grit Casserole, Honey Baked Ham, Salad, Southern style green beans, rolls, buttermilk pie, pecan pie, and BLT potato salad. Remember I did everything SOUTHERN style so I made my food with LOTSA butter:) It was only for one Sunday and I wanted to do my favorite food so I chose the southern style home cooked food that I am so passionate about..only I didn't do any healthy twists like I usually do! The food was great and everyone complimented me on my hard work which made me feel so good! I am totally an affirmation girl haha:) Then we cleaned up, had a little coffee, and everyone left:( I hate to see my family go but at the same time I was SO tired. I put my PJ's back on..cuddled up to my husby and fell asleep on the couch. It was a GREAT weekend.


Here are a few pictures:


I DIY these flowers and I was so proud!

They looked so fresh and clean..spring!

I was overjoyed to be able to put my china to use!
 


Had to get my hair done before Easter of course
 

 
Looks like I have a green thumb after all! Knockout Roses!

A picture of my pulled pork deviled eggs...recipe to come!

 
BLT potato salad



Nana and Calvi...she loves him haha


 
He is thrilled

I was a little obsessed with my table..can you tell?

 
Before Soluna
 

ALL SET!

Hostess with the mostest

 
The spread.....

YES I DID IT ALLLLLLLLLL
 


DELICIOUS!

Baked Snapper with garlic basil sauce

Happy Wednesday!!!! It is SO beautiful outside today!! We started our morning off with a very long and productive run..we stopped...