Hello all!!
I know it has been ages and ages since I blogged. Everything is going just swimmingly! I wanted to alert everyone that my blogging location has moved to www.cookingforthelove.wordpress.com
Please come and read and be my friend, I promise there will be good food! 🙂
I cannot believe it is the middle of August already! This summer has flown by so quickly! Today marks 2 months of being married to my one and only! I guess getting married and Honeymooning in June, then moving the month of July, and having your new sister-in-law get married in August will make a summer fly by! It was an incredible summer filled with many new experiences, challenges, and so much fun! With the insanity of my summer I have had very little time to blog, cook new and interesting things, etc. I have missed sharing these experiences with you all!
Today I finally had some down time, and I did something wonderful….. I spent it all in the kitchen! What better way to spend JULIA CHILD’S BIRTHDAY! I was so glad I was able to “celebrate” it with a full day in the kitchen and truly spending time with my meals!
In the mix is: Romaine lettuce, roasted chicken, feta cheese, figs, walnuts, raisins, and a balsamic drizzle with multi-grain crackers on the side!
This morning while I was working I could not stop thinking about the figs that I had in my fridge. It had been my one impulse “treat” buy of the week, and I knew I had to put them to good use. I dream’t up this beautiful creation that tasted gourmet and like something from a fine restaurant, but really was super cheap to put together due to the sales I shopped this week 🙂 I absolutely love shopping the circulars and coupons of the week, it not only helps me save money, but also explore my options and not buy the same thing every week.
I baked this beauty today! My husband is usually the bread-maker in the house but he usually makes more savory loafs, or plain loafs to have on hand for meals. I really like bread, but I love Cinnamon Raisin bread. I had an incredible hankering for it this morning, so I decided today was the day I was going to test my bread making skills. I’m not going to lie I was a little afraid. Bread terrifies me, the yeast, and all that kneading. It is just too precise for my cooking/baking habits! However, we got a bread machine for a wedding present and today was the day for me to test it out for the first time…. I think I can do this bread making thing now!
The final meal of the day, enjoyed with a nice glass of pinot! Sauteed spinach, caramelized onions, sausage, tomatoes, and a poached egg on top. With my fresh raisin bread and some delicious cherries on the side 🙂
I can’t wait to share more of my tasty meals with you all and finally get into a routine of blogging again! Married life is treating us well, I love waking up with my best friend everyday and having a life companion! So many fun memories have been formed in these last few months and we look forward to the many more! I’ll leave you with a few photos from his sister’s beautiful wedding!
He was a groomsman, I was a bridesmaid.. we got to walk down the aisle together once again 🙂
My two beautiful Sister-in-laws! Love them so much!
It’s Official, I’m a MRS. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m so sorry for neglecting the blog for the last few months, but I have really been trying to soak up every minute of wedding planning, engagement, time with friends and family, and moving.
One word that describes our wedding day tho is PERFECTION! It was absolutely the most beautiful day weather wise (mid 70’s, no humidity, and sunny)! We also could not have asked for a better location (Inn by the Lake), and all of our vendors and professionals that we hired were OUTSTANDING! It was an incredible day with all our friends and family and all to celebrate our love for another and our future together as well as the joining of two families! Neither of us could be happier!
The honeymoon has also been outstanding! We are still enjoying it in fact! Due to a bit of a car problem our one week honeymoon has turned into nearly two weeks! 🙂 An extra week at the beach with my new husband, I’ll take it! 🙂
Regular blogging will resume shortly! 😀
Wow! For real, where has the time gone?!
It’s been ages since I’ve written a post, I promise I’ve got excuses, but really life has just been going so very fast and I’ve just been enjoying it!
So what have I been up to in my very first semester off from school, since my graduation? That’s easy… LOTS!
I’ve been taking advantage of this transitional time in my life to relax, do things for myself, and well of course plan our future and wedding. From house hunting, to wedding planning, to job searching, to half marathon training the time has gone way too fast! I honestly cannot believe I will be getting married in nearly 6 weeks! (enter girlish squeal here)
While the blog has been pushed to the wayside for the time being I assure you that I have still been living the life as usual! I can also promise you that in the next few months I have some BIG BIG changes for the blog, but we’ll save that for another time. Let’s play catch up!
Baking deliciousness!
Whole Grain Peach Coffee Cake
Enjoying Picnics and Beautiful weather with my Love
And of course lots of wedding festivities! Did I mention I have the best bridesmaids in the world?! They threw me an awesome shower a few weeks ago, here is the recap!
Me and all my beautiful bridesmaids!
Caprese appetizers
These were amazing!!
Again, delicious!
Delicious mini sandwiches
Beautiful decor, tulips are my favorite!
Scrumptious cake!
No party is complete without lingerie cookies!
It was an incredible day! Everything was amazing and beautiful, truly a day to remember! And of course we played silly games, and enjoyed each others company.
That’s all I have for now, but I will be sure to make more of an appearance!!! 🙂
You guessed it… It’s time for another WIAW brought to you by this lovely lady
I’m not gonna lie, this WIAW looks an awfully lot like last weeks, with a few small changes!
Breakfast
Consumed around 10am…. it was a dreary day and I did not want to get out of bed! Though I did finally force myself up and out around 8:15 (yay for sleeping in on wednesdays!) and headed to the gym for a quick 5k on the treadmill.
The usual yogurt bowl…. with a twist
Plain Chobani
Cinnamon
Mango (new addition)
Strawberries
Kashi GoLean Cinnamon Crisp!
Lunch
I’m seriously obsessed with this salad, I think I eat at least 3-4 times a week. Nothing better than hummus on a salad. Though there was a new addition to the salad today for a little extra protien.
Romaine Lettuce
Cherry Tomatoes
White Bean Basil Hummus
Yellow pepper (new addition)
Tuna (new addition)
Red wine vinegar dressing
—-And a banana on the side
—-There was also an unpictured 2 squares of Lindt extra dark 85% cocao chocolate consumed!
Snack time!
Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE snacks!
Multi-grain crackers
Honey roasted peanut butter
Honey Almond butter
–the orange went uneaten, oh well!
Dinner
These things are delicious! Like Cheese-its, but I don’t feel as bad eating them because they aren’t as greasy! I snacked on these while I was making dinner, because I forgot to plan a starch to go with dinner so I figured I’d get it in before dinner 😉
Dinner, doesnt’ look like anything special but it was delicious!
Salmon baked in the oven
with fresh tomatoes (frozen from out garden this summer) and homegrown basil
Onions and Garlic for seasoning
Lentils
Broccoli on the side
Dessert
My second favorite next to snack time 🙂
A raspberry almond muffin that I made last night from this recipe
Delicious with a side glass of milk!
I hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday!
** I just wanted to reiterate the fact that I post my Wednesday eats as part of a fun program Jen set up amongst blogger, not to make anyone feel bad about what they eat or anything to that degree. This is simply a sample day of MANY days I consume various types of foods and what works for ME!**
Hello lovelies!
I hope you are all having a good start to your week!
It’s National Eating Disorder Awareness week in case you were unaware. Which is why I want to address a certain topic that has been weighing on my brain in the recent weeks…… I’ve had enough of negative self talk, enough of vigorous exercise programs, enough of this new diet and that, simply enough of women not feeling good enough (including myself).
Everytime I log onto Pinterest, Facebook, or any other form of social media there is someone talking about a new workout, a new diet, a new form of motivation to look a certain way… is this really necessary? Does it stress you out too?
I understand we are a country of great health issues surrounding overweight and obesity, but we are also a country obsessed with achieving the unnatural, obsessed with being thin or ridiculously ripped….. it’s all just as unhealthy if you ask me. Which is why we need to let it go. We need to embrace the bodies that God gave us and understand that we are all made different and all we really need to strive for is health and happiness.
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”- Psalm 139:13
So what does this boil down too, I’ve decided I’m done with the negative self talk, I’m done with the torturing myself to look a certain way, I’m done obsessing over what I eat, and how much I run. I was given one life and one body, why not treat it right 🙂
My legs are strong and carry me many miles on my runs, that I truly enjoy each day! I want to listen to my body and treat it right! Exercise is a part of that, but that doesn’t mean I need to spend hours in the gym to look a certain way. Let’s be honest, those people you see in magazines that we are all trying to be, they are not REAL! Check out this pinboard if you don’t believe me.
Food is truly meant to be enjoyed and it can be! I like to follow the 80/20 rule of healthy eating 80% of the time and sweets 20% of the time. I find I feel best when I let myself indulge a little each day, whether that be a cupcake, some ice cream, or a piece of chocolate. Just ask the boy, I need my sweets. I find the less I focus on food the more healthy I feel and the happier I am, and the better I eat and enjoy myself. Food is not the enemy, it is nourishment. I love to cook and bake, and nothing means more to me than sharing a meal with someone, why destroy that for myself?
Savor each moment of everyday. Why stress about the small stuff, relax and be yourself. Obsessing over calories and workouts only drain you and turn you into someone your not. Totally not worth it.
If there is one thing that I’ve learned, it’s TRUE beauty comes from within, and from a women at ease and peace with herself.
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4
This past week after making my decision to banish negative self talk I’ve felt worlds less stressed, and much more easy going, relaxed and more myself than I have in weeks. I’ve realized that once I stopped hating my body and negatively “talking” about it I instantly started taking care of it and truly enjoyed working out and preparing healthy meals. It all falls in to place when you let that stress go. I’m not going to lie, it hasn’t been easy and it won’t be, but I’m determined and when I’m determined things happen.
I’ve had ENOUGH. Have you? Anyone want to join me in banishing negative self talk and developing a positive relationship with their body?!
How do you take care of yourself?
How is everyone doing? Hanging in there?! It’s ALMOST the weekend!
Wow, so I’ve been pretty bad about posting lately and I missed the last two WIAW, but I’m pretty sure I get an A+ for “Love your veggies” today!
Breakfast
Yay for long run days! I got in 7 miles this morning and came home to this scrumptious breakfast, seriously I’ve been eating it all week! Try it NOW!
Plain Chobani
Vanilla Protein powder
A touch of Honey Apple Butter and Cinnamon
Strawberries and Almonds
Lunch
I feel like I’ve posted this salad like a million times on here, but I seriously cannot stop eating it! It rocks! Hummus + Hard boiled egg = AWESOMENESS!
Salad w/ snap peas and tomatoes
Hard Boiled Egg
Trader Joe’s White Bean Basil Hummus
Sprinkling of feta cheese
Red wine vinaigrette
Plus an orange and a square of 85% Lindt dark chocolate <- this stuff is hardcore!
Snack
Welcome to my new favorite snack in the whole wide world! It’s called Honey roasted peanut butter with cinnamon mixed with TJ’s Honey Apple Butter….. and crackers for dipping and a banana for some fruit!
The crack….. err Honey Apple Butter that I’ve been eating in and on EVERYTHING!
Not to mention this amazing stuff that I’m almost out of 😦
Seriously check out Naturally Nutty… their nut butters ROCK!
Dinner
Best. Taco. Salad. EVER!
Lettuce
Home-made bean/corn salsa
Black beans, mushrooms, onions, and ground venison with some taco seasoning
Cheddar cheese
Sour Cream
With a side of these bad boys
Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Corn chips
I’m giving TJ’s some serious love in this post! When will one open here!!!!!!!!!!!
Dessert
I made these chocolate cupcakes this weekend… seriously best cupcakes ever! You wouldn’t believe me if I told you it was a box mix… that I accidentally messed up the amount of ingredients for, yet it turned out to be the best thing EVER and I will continue to “accidentally” mess up the ingredient quantities 🙂
You like the glittery sprinkles?! Yea me too 🙂
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
It’s a beautiful one here today! I got an awesome run in this morning with the sun shining on my face 🙂
And now I have a full and very happy belly to start the rest of my Saturday!
Whole Wheat Blueberry Pancake
Banana
Raspberries
Maple Syrup
Cinnamon and Peanut butter
It’s going to be a good day 🙂
The title of this post makes me think of this song
For some reason this week seemed extra long and kind of dull. I’m not sure if it’s just getting into that time of year that I just want to hibernate or what, but this week kind of drug on….. but there were some perks 🙂
I got to try on my wedding dress for the first time since I picked it out in August! It fit perfectly and I really couldn’t be happier with it! I’m sorry but I’m keeping it a secret…. only my mom and dad know what the dress looks like 😉 4 more months!!!
I also decided to have a fun day today and enjoy the little things like:
Snack plate lunches
This is my favorite way to eat meals,especially when I work the early shift at work and end up eating small meals all day long. The protein and constant energy intake and just a whole bunch of random foods keeps me going..
Starbucks coffee! I haven’t had coffee from Starbucks in a very long time…. I’m not going to lie, I don’t think I can do the sweet drinks anymore. I had a latte today and it was wayyyyyy too sweet for me for some reason, but I still enjoyed it 🙂
A car trip with my love ❤
A delicious panini with spinach, ricotta cheese, provolone cheese, tomatoes, and pesto for dinner at a small BYO cafe.
Followed by a brownie topped with raspberry and blood orange ice cream 🙂
Some girl time 🙂 I love this nail color!!!!
Finally…. the arrival of my new Frye boots! I love these and cannot wait to wear them!!!!!!!!!
Lots of fun things to do this weekend!
What are the little joys in your life as of late?
Hello Friends!
I hope you are enjoying your Saturday! I’m taking a full rest day and spending the day in the kitchen preparing some recipes for the week AND going to a concert tonight that should rock my socks off!
Now, this post here is not a typical post from me but I just couldn’t help but share this awesome advice. You see, I’m not really one that people consult for beauty advice, skin, hair ,make-up, etc. I’ve always just kind of done my own thing and stuck to it for years. However, that has all changed as of lately. The wedding and wedding planning has made me much more of a girly girl. Like I went on a nail polish buying binge, I fell in love with jewelry and sparkely things (the boy loves this (JK)), and just overall became more invested in taking care of myself. Which could also totally explain my love for Pinterest. I haven’t changed all of this in a I have to conform to society and be the most perfect looking person, bride, woman, ever kind of way, but rather in a I want to look and feel healthy with the skin and body that God gave me and take care of what I do have kind of way. I also want to look my personal best and put my foot forward in the world as a real woman.
Essie Nail Polish is the best!
I think the fact that I don’t have the stress and busyness of school anymore I have really been taking the extra time to really take care of myself and my skin. To really figure out the woman I want to be and how I want to approach things like skin care, make up, style, etc. Not that it even takes that much time, I just kind of had my routine and stuck to it for years because it worked. Although I’m discovering now it really didn’t work all that well, I still had acne like a 13 year old from time to time and my skin was rough and dry always. While I still break out occasionally, it has severely reduced and my skin feels so much more unclogged and fresh. Who knew just using an acne cleanser at night didn’t remove all your make up and grime from the day!?
Clarisonic Mia
What have I been doing differently?!
Well for one, I started using a Clarisonic Mia. That alone made my skin feel wonderful and so so fresh and clean! I’ve really never been one to buy into these sorts of gadgets, but my mom bought one and she loved it and then bought me one thinking it would be great to use to get smooth and fresh for the wedding. She was right, it works wonders, funny how Mothers really do know best most of the time 😉
But that’s not all, that is only a part of what I have been doing. I’ve developed my own little skincare routine which seems to work perfectly for my skin that is still prone to breakouts, sometimes oily, sometimes extremely dry, sensitive, and just overall a bit unruly. Here is what it looks like:
Remove Make-up
I never used to think about doing this, I figured my cleanser got it all… boy was I wrong.
These are the best
These moist towelettes work amazingly! They smell great, and they leave your skin super smooth and soft AND they are really gentle on sensitive skin!
Prevent Breakouts
I’ve been using this line for awhile, I really only use the scrub and the toner and they work awesome and don’t dry out your skin like a lot of acne cleansers and scrubs do! I only use this at night, but when my acne was at it’s worst (stress related my senior year) I used this morning and night.
Moisturize
I’ve been a huge fan of Neutrogena products for a long time and that doesn’t change with their moisturizer. The combination moisturizer works wonders for me! I use this morning and night, especially in the winter when my skin is SUPER dry!
Other Products
I also use a eye cream at night, which is a new addition to my skin care routine. You can never start too early 😉 I haven’t experimented too much with different eye creams, but I have found this one to significantly reduce dark circles and redness under my eyes.
Morning Routine
I know a lot of people don’t use cleansers twice a day, but I usually work out in the morning and I need to wash all that sweat off somehow. I’ve recently started using Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, it smells AMAZING! I received it as part of a kit with my Clarisonic, but I couldn’t be happier with it!
I also use Neutrogena moisturizer in the morning as well before I apply my make up. Which trust me, you don’t want me giving you make up advice, because I’m still figuring it out, (even though I’ve been wearing it since I was 13) and I have NO idea what I’m doing.
So there you have it friends! I know some of these products are rather pricey, but they last FOREVER I couldn’t tell you when I bought these products because it has been ages!
What is your favorite skin care product?
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