Summer Recipe Inspiration!!!

SUMMER IS CALLING.....

I have a few recipes up my sleeve and cannot wait to post them!!!! I am getting excited about this

Crustless Zuchinni Pie....

Or this Peach Bread..with an almond vanilla glaze

I think some Strawberry Lemonade would be amazing on a hot day this summer!

And my favorite....

Stuffed Jalepeno Peppers...

Stay tuned....!

Friday Favorites!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Sharing some of my favorite things this Friday!!!!

 

 

1. The zoodle maker...I already made such a big deal during THIS post...so I had to share another recipe. The zoodle maker is such a great alternative to eating carbs or pasta..don't get me wrong I will eat another noodle in my lifetime but while I am trying to be healthy I really am appreciative of this fun little tool used to make any veggie into a pasta!

 

Order this on Amazon or from Sur La Table...its amazing!

 

 

2.  THE NORDSTROM HALF YEARLY SALE!!!!! WHOOHOO

 

I may or may not be obsessed with

 

this

 

It basically is what it says...it smells like the beach and is a very nice light perfume to wear over the summer! You can shop online for it here 

 

 

These Tory Burch T-strap Sandals are on sale for 117..I have gold and black. They are everything..and they feel like you are wearing your bare feet..which I love...because I'm trashy like that! HA! Order them here

 

 

 

These two items are only a very minute part of the sale...check it out at Nordstroms' online and see if you can spot any great summer finds!

 

 

3. Green Island Coconut Coffee is my new obsession for my keurig right now. It tastes like the beach ( can you tell I am ready for Summer?) and is very light.. dark coffee is to acidic for me and this light version is perfect for in the mornings with some yummy yogurt or fruit..or whatever!!!

 

 

 

 

4. SUMMER!!! I Think it speaks for itself don't you??? This summer I plan to lay out at the beach, go to the pool, read a plethora of books ( blog post on those soon), paint my nails, exercise more frequently AND in the mornings, go on coffee dates, paint my front door, work on landscaping the backyard, and redo the guest bedroom...maybe even both:)! Guys I am ready for summer...

 

 

 

 

 

 



 





Shrimp "Zoodle" Pasta...in a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

So I'm really into this zoodle thing..  I am trying to watch my carbs so these veggie noodle make for a really great substitute. Get. A. Zoodle. Maker. 

So I decided I was feeling Italian and decided to go with a nice light simple shrimp pasta and it turned out really yummy!!!

Shopping list:

two zucchini-already zoodled
two squash-already zoodled
one green bell pepper cut and diced
jar of capers
parm cheese
chicken stock
white wine
1/4 stick of butter
S&P
zest of a lemon and juice of a lemon
three garlic cloves diced and minced
1/2 white or yellow onion chopped and minced

1/2 lb of devieend shrimp

Procedure:

Start by sautéing your onion, garlic, bell pepper and butter until fragrant
deglaze your pan with a little chicken stock and white wine...add in the capers and a little sauce ( I just eyeball the amount.. if you add to much it will be WAYY salty so I just add a few finger fulls of capers and a little juice) generously salt and pepper the mixture and stir for about five minutes. zest your lemon and squeeze a little lemon juice to perk up this sauce :) really yummy!

mean while

Add your zoodles to a pot over medium high heat with a little olive oil, S/P, and 1/4 cup of water. Allow them to cook with the lid on for about 5 minutes..or until soft and pliable. This allows them to feel more like an actual noodle!!!

Add the sauce to the zoodles and coat generously ensuring that the veggies absorb the yummy sauce.

In the same pan that the sauce was made add your shrimp! Salt and pepper them and maybe add a bit more olive oil...coat and cook until pink and curled into a tight little comma shape.

once cooked add some zoodles to your plate, top with shrimp, garnish with fresh parsley, shredded parm, and you are all set for this amazing yummy dinner!!!!

 

 

Also I don't normally do this, but I thought I would share an amazing wine pairing with you.

 

 

This wine is exceptional and tastes SO yummy with the shrimp. It is from Napa Valley and has a nice easy crisp taste...I love Sauvi B with anything fish related..it does not over power the meal and gives you a great compliment to add to the dinner. Groth can be found at HEB or Specs.

 

 

YUM!

 

Grocery List Staples

A little laugh for your Monday :)

Today I am going to talk about Grocery lists...

I know what a boring post right...but wait it will get better I promise.. I may even help you save a little $$$ who knows? 

over the 18 months I have been married my grocery bill has fluctuated from 225 a week, to 175-180, to now in the 125 range. Come on that is pretty amazing.. I learned to budget, which foods to buy, to always make a list and stick to it, to never go to the grocery store starving ( huge mistake friend, HUGE) Now I realize I am not totally experienced..and I have only been married for 18 months...and my mom STILL thinks my grocery bill is horrendous..but hey I am learning, and maybe so are you!!!

So in a nutshell my grocery list staples pretty much looks like this ( give or take the season...during summer I buy a lot more fresh produce and during winter I buy a lot more baked goods ...for baking duh! :))

PRODUCE:

Berries

Lemons

Limes

Oranges

Bananas

Avocado

Zuchinni/Squash

Bagged Salad

Cucumbers

Tomatoes

 

 

Cheese

Shredded Parm, Mozzerella, and Mont. Jack

Buffalo Mozzerella

block of WHITE cheddar

 

Fish/Meat

Always Salmon

Always Chicken Breast

Always some form of either Turkey or Pork

 

Dairy

Eggs

Coffee Creamer

Cream Cheese

Sour Cream

 

Baking Aisle

Cake mix

Frosting

 

 

**Depending on the season I switch out my different baking items..so for October Ill buy canned pumpkin and spice cake and other fall-ish items and for summer I may buy a can of cherry filling and a corresponding cake mix. Sometimes this is where my grocery bill can stack up so I try to be careful and really plan what I am going to be baking during the week.

 

** Depending on the season my proteins always switch out..during the colder months I typically buy more Roasts, Filet Mignon, and heavier proteins and for warmer months we eat a lot of fish, chicken, and lighter meats. So this can tack on a few more $$ extra. One good tip I can offer is to plan your meals...whether you are a gourmet cook, busy mom, or a working girl if you have a plan/list and stick to it your meal times will run a lot smoother and you will see more consistency with your grocery bill!!! I always have a list no matter how many things I need at the store. This keeps me from over buying or throwing stuff in the cart that I really don't need.

 

I also keep a dry erase board on the side of my fridge so that when I am out of something I write it and thus a list is formed...keeps me in check of all the items I need!!!

 

So there you have it nothing crazy just a little random grocery tip for your Tuesday!!!!!

Birthday Weekend and a Summer Spaghett!!!!

I had such a Happy Birthday this year...It was great last year and usually is but it was just very sweet and special and I am grateful for my family and husband who made it that way!!! 

A few pictures from the weekend

Friday night we had our very first cooking class at Sur La Table...needless to say I may be taking a few of these over the summer with or without Brandon! It was so much FUNNNN!

Getting prepared #knifeskills

This is Brandon telling the teacher some ridiculously corny jokes. He thinks he is funny...

Saturday morning ( my actual B-day) Brandon brought me my favorite breakfast that I ask for every single year - Donut holes, Kolaches, and a Starbucks breakfast sandwich.  Hey its once a year people..

Starbucks in bed

Around 11:30 my mom and dad came into town..the boys ran Birthday Errands while the girls did this

:) relaxed, got massages, and ate yummy food by the pool. 

After we were done at the JW we got cleaned up and headed to the salon where we received BLOW OUTS! :) Here is mine.. I opted for beachy waves.

Right before our yummy dinner at Flemings. I am so grateful for him!

Birthday Girl!!!!!!

My dad bit the bullet and ordered the seafood tower in which was devoured in 5 minutes by the hungry beggars at the table!

And for dinner tonight its my...

Summer Spaghett!!!!

A quick and easy pasta supper that is light..and can be thrown together in five minutes!!!!

Caprese Chicken with Zoodles

Caprese Chicken with Zoodles

Yes you read that right...zoodles. Interesting word...think of it as the combination of Zuchinni and Noodles..:) Healthy and fabulous. Don't fret if you do not have a zoodle maker because you can totally swap out the zucchini for a spaghetti squash and make veggie noodles as well.

First off...invest in one of these you will totally love it!!!

This one is sold on Amazon for 14.99.  This is what I ordered and what I will be cooking with tonight :) Here are other options that have great reviews

Also sold on Amazon this one is hand held and even cheaper!!!! 8 bucks people!!!!

THIS ONE didn't have a picture but its William Sonoma..and I mean do I need to say more? I am obsessed with their products!!!

So why am I using a zoodler do you ask?? Well because I am limiting my carbs..and the zoodler allows your veggies to take the shape of pasta and trick you into thinking you are eating the bad stuff :) I think its such a great neat trick to eat an extra scoop of vegetables during meal times. 

Now for the dinner...

Shopping List

Three boneless skinless chicken breasts

olive oil

1/4 stick of butter

S&P

Dry oregano

Dry basil

garlic powder

red pepper flakes

balsamic vinegar

buffalo mozzarella cheese ( big slab)

Procedure

place your chicken on a baking pan and drizzle with olive oil

sprinkle seasonings on top and rub thoroughly to coat the chicken in the seasonings. 

on a pan of high heat drop the butter and allow to melt before placing each chicken in the pan. Only place chicken in the pan enough for it to brown both sides then place back on the pan and into a 400 degree oven for about 35 minutes. Searing the chicken locks in the flavor and keeps it really juicy while its baking in the oven :) Once the chicken is cooked ( no pink and only clear juices when pierced with a fork) place a slab of buffalo mozzarella on top and a few torn leaves of basil. Drizzle with a little more olive oil, S/P, and balsamic vinegar!

Since this is a new post and you may or may not have the zoodler yet I will leave that option up to you. I can also tell you that serving this chicken over a bed of Spaghetti squash or placed next to a caesar salad is absolutely amazing!!!!

Friday Favorites !!!

Happy Friday!! Praise Jesus I never thought this Friday would come any faster..seriously it has been a week!!!! #twoweekstil'summer but who's counting?? This Friday is our Mother's day Spring program at school and Brandon comes home tonight after a long two weeks of training:) It is a much deserved Friday. Today I am sharing some of my favorite things with you!!!

1.  

this book is one of the most inspirational books for women I have ever read. It is all about living in your faith and setting yourself free from worry and fear. Sound like something you might like..order it today!!! I start by reading my daily devotional in Jesus Calling, followed by the corresponding scripture in the bible and then finishing with a chapter of this book. It is so good!!!!

2. 

These cuteeeee shorts from Loft are among my favorite pairs to wear right now..and they are 40 percent off!! I got my loft shipment in from the big sale they were having last week. Check them out right here!!!!!!

3.       

This oil right here is a total must have for your face. I am all about using lotion on your face with a good SPF, however I found this at sephora and cannot stop raving about it. It prolongs wrinkles, moisturizes, and sets the tone for a dewy blowy look after you put your make up on. Oh and its NOT GREASY!!!! I love it!!! Try it :)

4.  Bath and Body works Lemoncello Candle is what my kitchen is smelling like at the moment. I love a fresh clean kitchen scent...and for me it's always something to do with Lemon :) I love all of their candles but the lemon cello, lemon mint, and plain lemon are my favorite.

5.  I am currently lusting over THIS POTTERYBARN BEDSPREAD I am planning to do POSSIBLY both guest rooms this summer:) and for one of the rooms this is totally what I am planning on doing for the linens. Maybe pops of yellow and coral?? I don't know I will have to stalk pinterest for some ideas...isn't it pretty?