28.5.14

scrub style

I am still trying to make my scrubs interesting everyday. Since I am transitioning jobs I wearing scrubs in colors other than purple, but they still need a little something to look more like an outfit to me!

NB island classics - Grey's Anatomy scrubs - J.Crew gold link necklace

Thank goodness for cute shoes and necklaces!

 

27.5.14

tomato sandwiches

It's tomato season in Louisiana! In the most recent issue of Southern Living magazine that arrived this week there was a recipe for tomato sandwiches we knew we needed to make. Of course I made them healthier by switching to whole grain bread, turkey bacon, and no mayo... and they were absolutely delicious!

4 strips peppered turkey bacon

4 slices whole grain bread

6 basil leaves

4 thick slices of tomato

handful of arugula

1/2 an avocado, sliced

pepper

 

Cut tomato into slices and sprinkle with a small amout of sea salt to bring out the juices. In a frying pan, cook turkey bacon until crispy. Toast bread.

Layer bread, bacon, basil, tomato, pepper, arugula, avocado, and bread.

Makes 2 sandwiches!

 

26.5.14

broccoli slaw salad

We had an unused bag of broccoli slaw and a need for a vegetable to go with dinner. I made this salad to supplement sandwiches and for lunches for the week!


1 package broccoli slaw
1/4 yellow onion, chopped
1 mini cucumber, sliced thin
1/4c goat cheddar, grated
1/4c asiago, grated
6 strips turkey bacon, chopped
2T german mustard
1T mayo
salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Let rest for 20 minutes prior to serving.

23.5.14

InstaFriday

Happy Friday! It's the unofficial start of summer... although our weather has been quite hot for the past month. Today I am skipping out of work early to hang out with B, we have a wedding to go to tomorrow, and Sunday to rest! Here are some highlights from the past weeks:
1. Final exams could not be here quick enough this semester! For me & my students...
2. B and I have kept up our running and walking since lent. We are trying go log 100 miles in the 8 weeks before summer! We are half way there!
3. Graduation flowers from my parents, grandma & brothers! What a fun surprise at the door!
4. B & I at graduation. His outfit is so fancy! I am officially done my MS degree! It's so nice to have have achieved that accomplishment.
5. Then we celebrated at The Blend with wine, chilled tomato soup and shrimp & grits!
6. I started taking classes at Pure Barre. My crazy schedule has not allowed me to be as consistent as I would like to be but I have been enjoying the workout when I can!
7. I had my first day of work this week as an OT in 2.5 years! It kind of seems surreal to be back after working so hard to get my license since moving. I got to shadow some amazing therapists. For now, I am taking on PRN work at two amazing rehabilitation hospitals until I find something full time!
8. Love this girl! She is just so cute and loves to hang out in the sunshine!

Have a great weekend!

22.5.14

j.crew factory picks

B requested we make a short road trip to Gonzales tomorrow to hit up the J.Crew Factory store as he needs some new clothes for work. I would never refuse a request to go shopping. Since the entire store is 50% off this weekend I thought I would take a preview online to find some new items for me as well!

skirt - dress - tee - tank - loafers

I am not sure if any or all of these items will be coming home with me but I always like to start with a wishlist!

 

20.5.14

gluten-free vegan shortbread cookies

Who doesn't love cookies? I am always looking for healthy cookie recipes so when this recipe came out on Tone It Up last week I knew I had to try it. They turned out so well I thought I would share the recipe with you!

1 1/2c almond flour

2T coconut oil, at room temperature

1t Mexican vanilla

1/4t salt

1T maple syrup

1/4t coconut sugar

 

Mix together dry ingredient in a bowl. Make a well and add wet ingredients. With a fork, mix together ingredients until dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Place the dough between 2 sheets of parchment and refrigerate for an hour.

Preheat oven to 375. Remove dough from fridge and roll out between sheets of parchment until dough is 1/8" thick. Use cookie cutter to cut shapes (I used sea shells) and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove and let cool completely.

For icing, mix a small amount of coconut extract with plain Greek yogurt. Spoon into a small bag. Cut corner and add icing to make lines of sea shell!

 

sautéed gnocchi

I found out I have been making gnocchi all wrong. I have been boiling to when I really should have been sautéing it to crispy perfection!

3 yellow squash, sliced thin

8oz crimini mushrooms, quartered

1 yellow onion, roughly chopped

1T Italian seasoning

Pepper

2T evoo

1 package pumpkin gnocchi

1T evoo

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 slices, spicy cappicola ham, diced

nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper

1/4c asiago cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 400. In a large casserole dish, combine squash, mushrooms, onion, 2T evoo, Italian seasoning, & pepper. Roast for 30 minutes.

In a sautée pan, heat evoo. Crisp ham then add garlic, gnocchi and spices. Cook until crispy and heated through (approx 8-10 minutes).

Top roasted vegetables with gnocchi and cheese. Serve immediately.

 

19.5.14

arugula smoothie

I have a new obsession for morning smoothies: arugula and chia seeds. The arugula adds a peppery taste to the mix and the chia seeds fill me up. It's perfect!

1c arugula

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1T chia seeds

2c frozen mango & pineapple


Blend in nutribullet and enjoy!

 

14.5.14

quinoa Greek salad

This salad was delish! You should make it very soon, you will not be disappointed. We had ours with baked opah for a healthy dinner with leftovers for lunches.

3 small cucumbers, sliced length wise then sliced thin

2c cherry tomatoes, quartered

1c mini black olives, halved

3/4c light feta crumbles

2 green onions, sliced thin

3/4c quinoa, toasted and cooked

1t Italian herbs

juice from one lemon

 

Mix together cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta, and green onion. Set aside. Cook quinoa according to directions in link. Let cook for 10 minutes. Combine quinoa with vegetables, seasoning, and lemon juice. Stir to mix. Serves 6 as a side dish.

 

13.5.14

shoe obsession

It's no secret, I love shoes. Lately I have gone slightly shoe crazy, but I always make sure I never pay full price. I can guarantee you, if you paid full price for something, someone got it cheaper than you. Money does not grow on trees my friends so take advantage of discounts and sales!

Sam Edelman Genette sandal - I am obsessed with these shoes. I have been stalking them online through multiple websites waiting for them to go on sale. Bloomingdales had a sale and I knew they had to be mine, they are very comfortable and I get tons of compliments everywhere I wear them.

$100 + $25 off + 10% cash back + free shipping = $67.50

J.Crew Lillian suede low wedges - I bought these shoes for graduation on Friday! I wanted something neutral that goes with my black gown, the dress I plan to wear under it, as well as a few weddings this summer.

$178, discounted to $129.99 + 40% off sale + 15% student discount + free shipping = $66.29

New Balance classics - B also needed new shoes! I finally find these in 2E width on sale online from one of my fave shoe websites. The color is perfect as he can wear them with black and navy.

$64.95, discounted to $51.97 + extra 20% off + 10% cash back = $37.42

 

I have a few more shoes on my wish list. Hopefully I can get them on sale so they make it into my closet!

 

12.5.14

avocado toast

I feel like everyone out there in the blog world has already written about avocado toast. Since I know many of you (family) only read my blog I thought I would share this simple recipe with you.

2 pieces of bread or thin buns

2 slices muenster cheese

1/2 avocado, slices

red pepper flakes


Toast bread under broiler or in toaster. Top with cheese, sliced avocado, and red pepper flakes. Serves one.


P.S. Happy birthday mom!

 

6.5.14

Italian at home

Sometimes, cooking should not be work. I mean, it's fun to make crazy recipes but it is also fun it have a delicious dinner that took minimal effort to prepare. I have had a thing for Italian food lately, maybe it's that I want to try every tomato sauce at Trader Joe's. This one fit my Italian vision while removing the pasta and adding a vegetable. I imagine this would have been amazing with Whole Foods black bean meatballs but they never seem to be in stock anymore. One of these day I will see them in the freezer section and buy every single bag!

1 package angus beef meatballs

1 jar of tomato sauce

2 handfuls of green beans

grated manchego cheese

 

Simmer meatballs in tomato sauce until heated through. We usually buy pre-cooked meatballs for simplicity sake. In a separate pot, steam green beans for 3 minutes then rinse under cold water.

Top green beans with meatballs, sauce, and grated cheese.

I have a feeling I could be obsessed with making this all summer long. Next time: different sauce and black bean meatballs... same simple recipe!

 

5.5.14

nino's celebration dinner

We went to Nino's for a celebration dinner on Saturday night. More about the celebration later, let's talk dinner. We have been meaning to go to Nino's for a while now as we have heard great things so we figured it would be the perfect place for the occasion. We made reservations as we knew it would be busy on a Saturday night. By making reservations I mean I called at 5:15 to get in at 6! You would not want me to plan too far ahead when it comes to picking out what I want to eat.

We shared a bottle of super Tuscan wine and had Gino's house salads to make sure we get our vegetables. For dinner I had the ragu with duck confit and spring vegetables over rigatoni. My entree was absolutely delicious! We had the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for dessert which were fresh out of the oven, warm, and gooey. The service was excellent so we know we will be back again!

P.S. Happy cinco de mayo! We have a busy work day then plan to make shrimp taco salad for dinner!

 

1.5.14

inspired by shoes

I have been obsess with shoes all week. Yes, I neglected you for shoes! Kidding. It's been a busy week as it is the last week of classes. We have been working more and cooking less. Instead of sharing something healthy, I'll share my shoe addiction. I will share my purchases (& the great deals I got) very soon!

 

 

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