Spring has Sprung :)

Finally the cold has left us and the warm weather has come to stay!!! I love the spring because  A my birthday is in spring but B. the weather is so nice! Not to hot and not to cold! Just beautiful :) Also my green thumb gets an itchin' for planting all my new flowers!!! This spring I have made somewhat of a "bucket list" to do each weekend with different plants and some herbs. I find that the easiest plants to do for me and for the environment we live in, is to plant potted plants. They are easy to water and easy to keep up with so that's what I will be sticking to for now! BBQ's, birthdays, trips, and family time are all on my agenda this spring. Some other things I am looking forward to this spring are :

 

 

Wearing bright colored shorts

 

All of the Kendra Scott jewelry line in spring colors!

 

Using our grill to BBQ chicken, hamburgers, fish, and steaks

 

Brightly colored Toms :)

 

Wedges galore!

 

Summer/Spring Salads

 

All of the flowers available at Home Depot, Wal-mart, and Garden Ridge

 

The bearable Texas spring weather that doesn't get up to 105 degrees but doesnt get lower than 65 degrees. Perfection

 

Starting my new small group at church

 

MY BIRTHDAY...25!!! :/

 

The River walk in San Antonio is beautiful in the springtime

 

Texas Bluebonnets

 

Essie spring nail polish line

 

The fact that I am three classes closer to graduating :):):)

 

SUMMER

will be here before you know it.. and I am very much looking forward to summer 2014 :)

 

* Just a few SPRING things that I am obsessed with right now!

 

These Wedges are literally the comfiest wedges I will ever own. I stalked these off of another fashion blog and tried them and now love them. They are light as a feather and do not hurt your feet!!! I ordered mine off of Nordstrom online.

 

I feel like I don't have to discuss how cute Kendra Scotts Jewelry colors are right now.. I am obsessed with them all but I am currently drooling over the oyster necklace and earrings. Only I would gladly take them all :):)

Always love a Tory Miller flat for spring and summer. I wore mine out last summer and love all the colors they have right now. I especially love the silver/pewter. I feel like it would go with everything!!!!!

 

See what I mean? So cute!

 

LOVE THIS!! I want the royal blue version!

 AH I LOVE IT!

 

This is the oyster line..

And then there is the ESSIE nail polish that I could not live without. I paint my nails once a week and love to mix up the fun spring colors. Even though my dad and husband give me weird stares when I do my  nails blue or green or yellow I think its all fun and spring inspired!

I have an obsession with wedges. All shoes really.. but wedges take the cake for me. I can walk in them, run, jump, dance.. which obviously I am doing on a daily basis.. so who needs a stiletto when you can wear an awesome wedge?? Me. 

Spring also calls for brightly colored SHOES. these MK flats feel like slippers.. I am not joking. I wear them around the house even. They are that comfy. I forced my mom into buying the red pair and she now loves them and wears them all the time!!!!!

 Bright colors are kind of my thing..I have a ton of BFFS who look so awesome in black but I always feel like I am attending a funeral when I wear black so I bust out fun colors at all times! Spring is no exception.. I just kind of reek neon when it comes to spring and summer. oops.

 

Of course the TOMS are always the best shoe for any occasion. They are lightweight, comfy, and they buy a kid a pair of shoes. WINNING!! I love the coral stripe ones I just bought.. they go with everything:) LOVE THEM!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



25 on a Wednesday

Hello random Wednesday,

I have been doing a lot of repeat recipes this week so nothing new to post food wise.. although at this moment I am scouring a new cookbook for next weeks recipes so I will be posting a TON of recipes that are quick, easy, and HEALTHY :) Gotta love that healthy part. Today I have nothing to post that is particularly interesting or special.. not even sure who is reading this at the moment except my husband and my mama( such a great support system those two :):)!! I copied this from a fellow blog friend so I am going to do it too!

25 questions

 

 

1. Do you have a middle name?
I do, its Paige
2. What was your favorite subject in school?
I really enjoyed English. I was a very good writer so I freakishly enjoyed essays..
 
3. What's your favorite drink?
I kind of have an obsession with Coffee..my Keurig is my best friend.
 
4. What's your favorite song at the moment?

OH! "Whatever She's Got" by David Nail..it just reminds me of summertime :)
5. What would you name your children?
I always LOVE this question!!! I am not going to tell though :)

6. Do you participate in any sports?
I am an avid Aerobics taker :)
7. What's your favorite book? 
Probably my Southern Living cookbook.

8. What's your favorite color?
Purple..not Barf Barney purple more like Essie's "playdate" purple..

9. What's your favorite animal?
Cat. Duh.
10. What's your favorite perfume?

the timeless Mademoiselle Chanel. I wear it every. single. day.

11. What's your favorite holiday?
PLEASE!!!! Call my voicemail during December. You will have your answer.
12. Have you graduated from High School?I am not sure why this question is on here??

13. Have you been out of the country?
My entire family loves to travel and since I have gotten older I really appreciate the culture that goes hand in hand when visiting other countries. Food, history, scenery.. its all amazing. I have def. been out of the country and plan to again ":)

14. Do you speak any other languages?
I am able to speak sign language!
 
15. Do you have any siblings?
Yes!

16. What's your favorite store?
Nordstrom. Hands down.

17. What's your favorite restaurant?
This is tricky.. as a person who loves food I tend to have an obsession with scoping out  and reviewing the best restaurants in whichever area I am currently residing.. so while there are FABULOUS restaurants in Houston.. I am going to say my favorite restraint in San Antonio is Wildfish. Kin to Eddie V's, Wildfish specializes in amazing seafood and you pretty much cannot go wrong ordering anything off the menu.
 
18. What is your best childhood memory

That would be when my BFF Joanne and I went to Old Town Spring with her mom one day.. and we BOTH got these really cool, real life looking baby dolls!! We were so obsessed with dolls.. it was ridiculous. Our obsession with dolls cost our parents a whopping 250-300$ per doll, per birthday..and Christmas... that's probably why we played with them until the ripe old age of 12. Needed to get that money's worth. :/ google Lee Middleton dolls and you will see how cool and real they are!  So for Mrs. Janet to take us BOTH to our beloved doll country and purchase both of us was like .. heaven. Those were the days!


19. Favorite guilty pleasure?

Reading Southern Living magazine, while simultaneously eating Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cups, and depending on the hour also enjoying a cup of coffee.. or  red wine.


20. What's your favorite movie? 
I am a serious movie watcher. My favorite date with my husband is right on our couch with popcorn, wine, and a good movie. I love watching old movies that we have seen a million times and also enjoy newer ones too but my favorite would have to be a tie between Goodfella's  and The Family Stone. I know complete opposites.. but hey those are my faves!!

21. What are some of your favorite TV shows?American Horror Story, 30 minute meals, At home with Giada, and Kitchen Nightmares

22. Favorite Makeup Brand?
ohhh love this one. I am a MAC junkie and collect almost all of their lipsticks and lipglosses.. I also love Nars.
 
23. If you had a second home where would it be?
Brandon and I love to have these kind of talks!! It is so much fun to plan goals with your spouse.. our second home would def. be in the Mountains of Colorado. A big rustic home with a huge fireplace with an incredible view of the Rockies from the enormous windows in the great room.  Yep I have thought about this a time or two.

24. How tall are you?
5'2

25. Any pets? 
My precious angel baby Calvi kitty. I love that Kitty so so so much!



Steak Roulade, Rosemary Sweet potatoes, and Sauteed Kale

With all the southern cooking I have been fixated on  lately I decided it was time to switch it up and lean on something a little more.. Italian :) crushed tomatoes, steak.. cheese.. more cheese.. all of this yummy goodness is tucked away inside of these amazing flank steak rolls also known as Steak Roulade. I was in the grocery store line when I saw one of my favorite magazines "food network" and as I was flipping through it I came across this amazing and EASY recipe. One word. Crockpot. Yep I was sold. I bought the magazine and went home to make this dinner. It turned out fabulous!!! For this recipe you will need:

Ingredients:

2 6 oz cans tomato paste
1 28 oz can whole San Marzano tomatoes, ( crush them with your hands)
1/2 tspn red pepper flakes
1/2 tspn sugar
1 small bunch of basil torn
1 1/2 pound flank steak- I was new to cooking a flank steak so mine actually were packaged with the label ( fajita steaks) ..basically its the same thing as a skirt steak.
kosher salt and fresh pepper
1 2/3 grated provolone cheese
2 small garlic cloves minced
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated romano cheese
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup pine nuts or chopped walnuts
1 cup fresh parsley

*** when I made this dish I did not stick to what the measurements were. When I was placing the ingredients on top of my steak I just eyeballed it to see how much would fit.. do as you please since this is your dish!!!

procedure:

combine two cups hot water and the tomato pasted in your beloved crockpot. add the crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, sugar, and basil and stir to combine. Cook on high while you prepare the meat.

lay your flank steak out on a flat surface..season the steak with salt and pep. then scatter the provolone cheese evenly over the steak, then top with garlic, breadcrumbs, romano cheese, raisins, pine nuts and parsley.

start rolling up  your steak like a jelly roll and make sure you roll it tight so the goodie doesn't fall out! secure with twin or tooth picks.

place in the slow cooker and cook on high for about seven hours!!! YUM!

For the sweet potatoes:

peel and cut your potato into rounds..
place on a baking sheet with foil
drizzle olive oil over them and add salt pepper and rosemary
cook them at 400 degrees for 30 minutes

DONE!

Sautéed Kale
Pretty simple.
Place kale in pan..drizzle olive oil salt and pepper ..little lemon juice and fresh garlic
cook down

DONE!

Chicken and Sausage Etouffe'

Everyone from the south loves some good ole' Louisiana style cookin' every once in a while. I hope! Especially when this weather is as crazy as it has been.. hot one day..freezing the next. I just get a craving for something hearty and good for my soul :) For some people its fast food, for others its soup, but when you just feel like you need a dish that will instantly make you feel warm and fuzzy and happy.. this is the one. I collect cook books..and read them front to back like novels. Yes that may sound weird but when I started cooking at the age of 18 I started asking for cook books. At first my mom and grandma started me out with easy ones like the Gooseberry patch series. This has been by far the best cook book EVER. Go and get one now. Run. I also enjoy Southern Living and Rachael Ray. UM YUMMO! For this recipe you will need:

Disclaimer: For this recipe it asks you to cook the chicken while you are making the recipe..um I AIN'T GOT TIME FOR DAT! One simple trick I use all the time is putting my chicken in the crock pot in the morning with a little chicken stock and spices and let it cook on low all day that way whatever recipe I have that calls for chicken.. the chicken is done and waiting on ME. Not the other way around.

yields 4-6 servings:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion chopped ** I am not a huge onion fan so I tend to buy a large onion and then only use half
1 green pepper** I used two chopped and seeded
three celery ribs chopped
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 lb smoked sausage sliced** we used axis deer sausage and cooked it on the grill first. Fabulous.
2(10 oz) cans of tomatoes with green chilies-rotel
1(6 oz) can of tomato paste
2(10 0z) cans of cream of mushroom soup
salt/pepper
Cajun all seasoning


Preparation:

Heat oil in a large dutch oven and add the celery, onions, and peppers. Cook them until soft and juices run clear. Then add your chicken( remember you were all smart girls who cooked ahead of time and used that fabulous crock pot!!!) after you have added your chicken you can start adding your cans of tomatoes and chilies, tomato paste, and cream of mushroom soups. Finally add your already cooked or smoked sausage. let this mixture simmer until the mushroom soup is not so pasty and more soupy..also season it up a little to your taste. We love spicy over here so we add pepper and Cajun all seasoning ..a little paprika and salt.
Pour this mixture over hot cooked rice and enjoy. I got a thumbs up from my husband and BFF :):)

Hot cooked rice

Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding

Lately I have become bored with my breakfast routine...greek yogurt and granola...or English muffin and peanut butter... after a while I just crave something different. Do you? I scoured my favorite websites for breakfast recipes that I could incorporate what I already have in my fridge into something different, tasty, and healthy! This recipe seriously tastes like dessert...I promise you that when you eat this heavenly pudding your taste buds and body will thank you later! For this recipe you will need

1 cup PLAIN greek yogurt
2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup( pref. grade B) but whatever you have on hand doesn't matter.
one teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup chia seeds *** chia seeds are extremely healthy for you they are known to lower blood pressure, full of fiber and Omega 3, and have tons of antioxidants :)
a handful of freshly washed blueberries and rasberries
1/4 cup of sliced almonds, toasted OR blanched-plain


Directions:
** I like to make a big batch of the pudding so I tend to get a big bowl with a lid and just keep it in the fridge until ready to eat.

In a bowl whisk together the Greek yogurt and almond milk until smooth
then add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and chia seeds.
cover bowl and refrigerate overnight.
The next morning add the handful of fresh berries as well as the sliced almonds ( I also add a touch more maple syrup)
Enjoy!

Stripe Obsession Confession

I cannot stop wearing stripes. I don't know what it is.. everything striped is so cute to me right now!! The mixing and matching of stripes..the color coordinating of stripes.. the wearing striped shirts..to solid shirts with  striped tanks underneath with a mixy striped scarf. It's my thing right now and I don't care. Its my bod and I'll stripe if I want to. I was going through my OOTD  pics and realized..I might just be a little obsessed with stripes. :)

Turkey and Sweet Potato Shepard's Pie!

I did not post any recipes last week due to the fact that I could not stop vomiting enough to pick up a spatula and cook book bleh!! TMI sorry. We have had a yucky stomach bug floating around here and it landed on me. Needless to say..you are never to old for your mom when you are sick..and Brandon is not a good mom substitute. Onto more appetizing things!!


It has been such crazy bi-polar weather here in Texas that just as I am getting all ready for my Spring recipes and outfits.. winter appears leaving me hungry for comfort food and staying in my sweats. Since we have been on a health kick here lately I decided that whatever dish I made I wanted to tweak it and add healthier substitutes. That is the beauty of cooking.. its your creation!!! I love looking at old school southern recipes that are normally super fattening and tweaking them just enough that it still tastes like the same ole' good cookin'..except healthier. Here is my twist on Shepard's Pie. You will need:

Ingredients:

four sweet potatos: peeled and cubed
one ripened banana
two lbs of turkey( you can modify and just do 1 lb..I like to cook for leftovers)
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup frozen peas
Salt and fresh ground pepper
one package brown gravy mix ( or you can make your own-I save time and do the quickie version)
4 tablespoons butter
two cups shredded sharp yellow cheese

Directions:
Pre heat oven to 425 degrees
In a deep Dutch oven cover your potatoes with water and bring to a boil. Boil them until tender and then rinse and return to the pot. Then add your banana and mash together until mixed well. Add salt and pepper and butter to your taste and even a little dash of hot sauce.

While your potatoes are boiling you can grab a skillet and pour a dash of EVOO and crumble your meat along with the onions and brown them. Once browned then add the celery, carrots, and peas mix well until the veggies are TENDER.

Once the meat mixture is done pour into a casserole dish ( I use 9 by 12 but it doesn't matter) then add the cheese on top of the meat mixture and lastly pour the potato mixture over the meat and cheese and spread smooth. Pop into the oven until the cheese has melted!
YUM AND HEALTHY!