I'm a big fan of time well spent. I don't like to waste time deciding what we're going to eat for dinner each night or spend my time making numerous trips to the grocery store each week, I save a tremendous amount of time by simply menu-planning each week. Some weeks are simple, I sit down and write out a quick meal-plan, take it the grocery store, and I'm back home in no time. But (you knew there was a but coming) lately, I've been in this meal-planning and cooking rut. I feel like we eat the same things over and over. I waste time scouring the Internet, I forget about some of my favorites, and my husband is usually asking for anything but chicken by the end of the … [Read more...]
chicken parmesan minis, a lighter take on chicken parm
Since the new year, I've made more healthy food choices than I did in the last 3 months combined. Possibly a stretch, but I'm pretty proud of the fact that I've been able to say no to a few of my favorite dishes in exchange for lighter fare. While I was grocery shopping last weekend (and starving, might I add) I suddenly felt the need to drive to the nearest Italian restaurant for a taste of comfort food at its finest, chicken parmesan. That wasn't a realistic thought for many reasons, not excluding the fact that I was wearing a pair of my favorite yoga pants and a t-shirt. Nope, that wouldn't do. I pushed through and continued checking things off my list. It wasn't until I made … [Read more...]
12 Days of Christmas: Christmas Goodies
My mom, grandmother and I hold annual bake sessions each year around Christmas. We get together and make delicious things all day long to give out to family and friends. It's one of my favorite things to do, especially since it means I get to spend the entire day snacking on the goods. I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite things we make. Chocolate Peppermint Cake Balls You've all seen cake balls, right? Just a boxed cake mix, prepared as directed on box and mixed with 1 container of icing. Form into balls and refrigerate until they are firm. Then dip into melting chocolate. Before the chocolate cools, sprinkle crushed peppermint on top. The peppermint is a simple … [Read more...]