a maven revelation

do you know why we’re tired and stressed all the time?  because we’re all desperately trying to live according to externally imposed standards and ideals.  we’re instructed to work 9-5, told to eat this, not that and that we should want to make a ton of money or be super skinny (i mean really, who decided a size 2 was the perfect size for all women?).  we’re suppressed by the latest diet, the newest gadget that we need to have and the latest health study, but we rarely look inward for the answers.  (and the answers are there, believe me.  if you’re quiet enough and patient enough to listen.) 

deep down we all know there’s a better way.  a way without diets or rules or “should wants” or “should haves” or “should dos”.  we know that there’s an innate wisdom that can guide us closer to our best selves. 

evaluate your health and happiness.  are you becoming your optimal self, or just morphing into somebody else’s version of what you should be?  do you feel effortlessly fabulous and in sync with your needs?  think about it.  what do you really want for yourself?  what makes sense and feels good for you (and no one else)?  don’t worry about what other people might think or say (that’s just wasted energy).  be a little selfish (it’s ok once in a while), and think about what works best for you.

so, what can you do today to get closer to your inner maven?  the girl who doesn’t give a damn that she’s “not supposed to” eat dessert because it’s “bad” for her.  the girl who speaks her mind and follows her heart.  the girl whose vivacity and courage to be herself is completely contagious.  acknowledge her.  it’s as simple as that.

i’ll start it off to get the ball rolling : ) 

i’m a maven because i make it a priority in my life to do things i love (i.e. practicing yoga, cooking, going to happy hour : )

so, girl, what makes you a maven?

overnight oats: my newest love

i have been loving me some overnight oats.  i read about them on the blog pb fingers a while back and finally got around to trying them (and have had them for my breakfasts for pretty much a week straight).  i am hooked.  what are overnight oats you ask?  well, just one of the most wholesome, satisfying and yummy breakfasts i’ve enjoyed in a while.  and best of all, they’re super simple to prepare. (you make them the night before, so there’s no excuse for not having enough time to make or enjoy a delicious breakfast!)

my preferred (or should i say perfect?) combo:

½ quick oats (or rolled oats)
½ soy milk (you can use any milk really… skim, chocolate almond, coconut…take your pick!)
½ ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp honey
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp peanut butter (add the next day : )

mash banana in cereal bowl.  mix in honey.  sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.  stir in ½ cup milk until combined.  mix in oats.  cover and put in fridge overnight.

in the morning, heat in microwave for approximately 2 minutes on 50% power, stirring half way through.  (this will get the oats warm, but not hot.  i like them in this mid-range because you can taste the flavors better.  when they’re too hot, you lose the taste.)  put a glob of peanut butter in the middle.  sprinkle with more cinnamon if you like…i always do…

my plan of attack:  i eat the oats around the edge of the bowl first, and try to preserve as much for the pb for the last few yummy bites! 

variations:
use pumpkin puree instead of mashed banana
try a flavored milk
top with chopped nuts and dried fruit
use nutella or some other nut butter instead of pb
garnish with fresh fruit
…the possibilities are endless (and delicious!)

check out more delicious real, wholesome food {here}.

spring in my step...

despite the rainy, gray weather outside, i'm in a sunny mood.  not only is it friday (yay!), but craig and i are heading into philly tomorrow to meet with our baker (and sample wedding cakes), talk flowers with the florist, get massages (thank you groupon!) and then enjoy a fabulous dinner with my family at the cooperage, a whiskey and wine bar.  then sunday, i'm meeting up with my lovely bridemaids to look for their dresses.  pretty much weekend perfection if you ask me...

today, i give you some springy photos - all taken by my dad - to put a little spring in your step too.

so, what are you up to this weekend?

day o' food & mac n' cheese recipe

so, yesterday (as you know) was craig's birthday.  needless to say, i had a lot of food things planned.  i drove out to meet him for lunch during his lunch break.  we went to this place by his work that is rumored to have "the best" chicken caesar salad...and it did not disappoint.  besides having a yummy creamy caesar dressing and crisp romaine and buttery croutons, it also was topped with marinated portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions and breaded & baked chicken.  wow!  for dessert (yes, we got dessert with lunch.  it was his bday after all...) we shared a creme brulee.  the lemon zest they added to the custard was the perfect touch.

caesar salad

when i got home, i wrapped presents, set the table and finished making his cake.  well, actually not a "cake" per se, he requested a ganache tart with a peanut butter swirl.  fancy : )  i modified the recipe {here} with a peanut & pretzel crust, then added globs of pb to the ganache filling and topped with chopped peanuts.  completely decadent.

for dinner i whipped up homemade mac n' cheese and marinated chicken roll-ups filled with sauteed veggies.  we uncorked a bottle of bubbly and toasted the birthday boy.  good food.  good time : )

mac n' cheese

16oz medium shells
2 1/2 cups italian cheese blend (mozz, parm, prov)
2 cups sharp cheddar
2 cups milk
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup flour
salt & pepper
dash of red curry optional (about 1 tsp)

topping:
1 tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

cook pasta according to the directions on the package.  drain.

heat the milk in a small pot, but do not boil.  melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot and add flour.  over low heat, cook for a few minutes.  add the hot milk while whisking & cook for 1-2 min more, until thickened.

off the heat, add the shredded cheeses, 1 tablespoon salt & pepper.  add the cooked pasta and stir well. pour into baking dish.

sprinkle topping over mac n' cheese.  bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.  yummmmmmy!!!



present opened: vintage 1950s cocktail shaker!

it was a wonderful birthday!  (and i think craig enjoyed it too : )

happy (birthday) hour for craig

today is craig’s birthday!  so, in honor of him, i decided to do a video of how to make his favorite mixed drink (which is going to be one of the signature drinks at our wedding in november).  so, here’s to craig!  happy birthday!  (drink up : )

captain & ginger (a.k.a. tall, dark & handsome…umm, i mean dark & stormy)

highball glass with ice
1 shot spiced rum
top it off with ginger ale
garnish with lime wedge

sip & smile.  it tastes like cream soda!

(oh, and be sure to check out my guest post over at buckhead betty!)

recipe for weekend fun

2 college friends + happy hour + gourmet pizza + s’mores = weekend amazingness

ashley, me & alexis

this past weekend, ashley & alexis visited (yay!).  they came out saturday afternoon to see our place, and then we ventured out for some festivities.  we took them to our favorite happy hour spot, bobby simone’s, for drinks and appetizers.  i (of course) got a cosmo, the rest got beer.  we ordered some wings and chicken quesadillas to wash our drinks down with : )  we then surprised the girls with a shot.  please do not judge it by its name.  it’s called a “dirty girlscout”, and it’s dessert in a shot glass.  1 ounce coffee liqueur, 1 ounce irish cream, 1 ounce créme de menthe, 1 ounce vodka.  it takes like liquid thin mints or melted mint chocolate chip ice cream.  we sipped our shots with smiles.

ash & me

my sis, hannah, joined us, and we walked over to jules thin crust.  this fabulous little pizza place that makes gourmet pies (all from local, organic ingredients).  yum!  i ordered two slices – one with roasted potato, fresh mozzarella, rosemary, scallions, sour cream, parmesan and olive oil, the other “kim’s pie” had roasted chicken, portobello mushroom, caramelized onion, mozzarella, balsamic bbq sauce, chives.  omg.  with a glass of ménage à trios red wine, the meal was complete : )

we found this on our walk...

craig's pizza

on the way home, we made a pit stop at wawa for s’mores fixins’.  when we got back to our place, we started a fire in the fireplace and toasted marshmallows (and watched a marathon of say yes to the dress).  there is nothing like an ooey-gooey, homemade s’more (or girly reality tv show) to complete any night. 

(no fireplace?  no problem.  a small candle will do just fine.  or a gas stove burner on low.  or even assemble your s’more and microwave it for a few seconds until the marshmallow is gooey and chocolate is melted.  don’t microwave for too long or the marshmallow with get super tough.)

my pizza: kim's pie & roasted potato

the next morning, we enjoyed coffee with strata and orange cranberry muffins (recipes {here}) before they had to head out : (

thanks (as usual) for a great time, ladies!

date night & brunch recipes

last night craig & i enjoyed an impromptu date night at one of our favorite local restaurants.  bell's tavern.  this locals-only joint serves up delicious italian food.  what did we opt for?  my personal fave...their baked ziti.  yum!  2 glasses red wine + bleu cheese pecan salad + baked ziti = happiness : )

ok, so, today, i've been busy cooking & cleaning to get ready for weekend visitors!  two college friends are coming out saturday through sunday to see our place and enjoy some college-esque fun.  i won't bore you with the cleaning details, but i'll share what i cooked (much more fun).

i made an egg strata (i.e. egg "custard" poured over bread, onions, sausage, etc. and then baked until golden brown and delicious) and also made up some cranberry orange muffins.  so, here's what went down...

egg strata

4 eggs
1/4 cup light cream (or half&half)
1 tbsp ranch dressing
1/2 large vidalia onion, chopped
1/2 large tomato, sliced
2 slices (day old or frozen) bread, cubed
4 (small) links turkey sausage, cooked & chopped
1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar
1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
salt & pepper
olive oil (about a tsp)

preheat oven to 375 degrees, spray 8" by 6" pyrex with PAM or olive oil

saute onions in a drizzle of olive oil.  season with salt and pepper.  once onions begin to caramelize, mix in sausage and rosemary.

i love rosemary with sausage!

beat 4 eggs together with cream and ranch.  season with salt & pepper.

mix bread & onion/sausage filling together in pyrex.  sprinkle with cheddar.

pour egg mixture over and decorate with slices of tomato.  garnish with a bit more rosemary.  season with salt & pepper.  (it's important to layer in seasonings for optimal flavor, not just add all at once : )

bake for 40 min until edges are browned and top is bubbly!

fyi: for 1/6th of the strata, it's only 160 calories!  for 1/4th, it's 235 cal.

cranberry orange muffins

ok, i used a mix for these, but i have a secret about how to improve ANY mix.  add-ins.

this boxed mix would probably be a bit lack-luster, but i added in fresh orange zest to brighten the flavor and give it that "made from scratch" appeal.

other ideas:
blueberry muffin mix - add lemon zest (or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice)
carrot cake mix - add coconut, chopped pineapple and/or raisins
banana cake mix - add cinnamon, nutmeg and maybe chopped pecans
brownie mix - add chocolate or pb or butterscotch morsels, chocolate chunks or chopped candy bars

do you have any cooking tricks or short-cuts?