Doin' Some Cooking... Tilapia Piccata

A traditional Italian dish that I can't say no to is anything Piccata. The lemon butter with briny capers is absolutely crave worthy and quite easy to make.

This piccata recipe calls for tilapia but you can substitute for any flaky white fish, veal, or the usual suspect, chicken. The tilapia is a great choice because of it's mild flavor which really brings out the lemony brightness of the caper sauce and any time I can incorporate seafood into our diets is a win.

The whole dish start to finish takes about 20 minutes to prepare which makes it a perfect weeknight meal and I think I like the tilapia version the best.

Tilapia Piccata

Adapted From: MyRecipes.com

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 8 oz uncooked orzo
• 2 tomatoes, seeded and cut into bite sized pieces
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• dried parsley, to taste
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 (6 oz) tilapia fillets
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp dried capers

And Action:

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. Stir in the tomatoes, 1/4 tsp sea salt, parsley, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Set aside and keep warm.

Combine remaining 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, and flour in a shallow dish. Dredge fish in flour mix. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add fish to the pan and cook 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Remove fish from the pan and tent with foil to keep warm.

Add wine, lemon juice, and capers to the pan, cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Add remaining 2 tbsp butter to pan and stir until melted. Serve fish with sauce and pasta.  

Livin' It Up... Boss Bitch, Iggy Azalea

"Walk a mile in these Louboutins... " - Iggy Azalea (from the song "Work" on the album "The New Classic").

While I can't justify a pair of Louboutins at this time, I could walk a mile in this tank.

(Get yours here)

Songs of hers I've had on repeat lately:

* Black Widow
* Change Your Life
* Work
* No Medicore
* Fancy
* Beg For It

Other boss bitches:

Tove Lo: Talking Body
EchoSmith: Cool Kids
Christina Aguilera: I Hate Boys
M.I.A.: Bad Girls
Nicki Minaj: Anaconda
Jennifer Lopez: Girls
Jennifer Lopez: A.K.A.
Lily Allen: Hard Out Here
Miley Cyrus: Do My Thang
Bridget Mendler: Hurricane
Ariana Grande: Break Free
Ariana Grande: The Way
Ariana Grande: Problem
Ariana Grande: Only 1
Ariana Grande: Break Your Heart Right Back
Taylor Swift: Shake It Off
Demi Lovato: Really Don't Care
Marina and the Diamonds: Oh No!
Lana Del Rey: Radio
Lana Del Rey: F**ked My Way Up To The Top
Rihanna: Man Down
Rihanna: Pour It Up
Tinashe: 2 On
Jessie J: Domino
Fifth Harmony: Better Together
Sia: Chandelier
Ciara: Like A Boy
Ciara: Ride
Khia: My Neck, My Back
Clean Bandit: Rather Be
Katy Perry: Dark Horse
Fergie: L.A. Love
Britney Spears: Work Bitch
Niykee Heaton: Bad Intentions
Selena Gomez: The Heart Wants What It Wants
Bebe Rexha: I Can't Stop Drinking About You

Doin' Some Cookin'... Green Bean Casserole, Hashbrown Casserole, and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I've been out of my mom's house for 10+ years, I've been a mom for 6 years, and in that time I haven't been responsible for making Christmas dinner. For the holidays we would travel to Ohio for two weeks. Being a houseguest meant I wasn't expected in the kitchen. These were women who ran their kitchens with no other hands stirring the pot but expected you to pull up a girl and stir the pot with you mouth and join in the gossip. But... times have changed and now it's spent at home in Texas, and somewhat alone since I have to share Little Man. Don't feel bad for me though. I'm in the middle of enjoying 11 days of an empty nest with 6 of those being working days and two back to back 4 day weekends. The 4 day weekends was a gift enough to help recharge my batteries... definitely experienced burnout by the end of the year.

Little Man was set to be picked up around noon by his dad and wanting to do the traditional Christmas festivities I made sure we would cover everything.

On Christmas Eve we got into our cozy clothes, drove around town checking out the Christmas lights, watched Christmas movies, made hot chocolate, and tracked Santa's flight. Once he made it to New York Little Man knew that meant it was time to fall asleep before Santa's arrival at our place.

Christmas morning we opened presents, had biscuits and gravy for breakfast, played with his new toys, and then had our Christmas dinner before he had to go.

There are some dishes we've come to expect for Christmas: Smoked Ham, Green Bean Casserole, Hashbrown Casserole, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and rolls.

Slapping myself a high five here! I recreated the Christmas classics in under an hour. It wasn't perfect and I will need to continue searching for the right recipes but it was still delicious. Part of that was me rushing to get dinner on the table in time and not following directions correctly. I didn't realize the green beans needed to be cooked ahead of time so they had a slight crunch, I enjoyed it this way surprisingly but not what I was expecting, the store was out of the french fried onions, ugh! the part I crave, and my mashed potatoes were not as creamy as we prefer.

The one recipe that will appear on the menu next year is the Hashbrown Casserole but may add bacon and some diced jalapeño peppers to spice things up. This was exactly what I was craving for Christmas dinner and the perfect comfort food dish.

Looking forward to continue setting certain expectations for Little Man and making the holidays super special for him.

Green Bean Casserole

Adapted From: Campbell's Kitchen

Makes 6 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• dash of black pepper
• 4 cups green beans

And Action:

Stir the soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, and green beans in a casserole dish. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Enjoy!

Hashbrown Casserole

Adapted From: The Loveless Cafe

Makes 6 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 (30 oz) bag shredded hash browns
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 (8 oz) bag shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (16 oz) container sour cream
• salt and pepper, to taste

And Action:

Mix all ingredients well in a well greased casserole dish covered with foil. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove cover and return to oven for 30 minutes until brown. Enjoy!

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Adapted From: Martha Stewart

Makes 8 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 4 lbs red skinned potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
• garlic powder, to taste
• sea salt, to taste
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup butter

And Action:

In a large pot boil water, add the potatoes, and add 1 tbsp salt. 

Return to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes. 

Drain the potatoes and return to the pot to dry them out about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Add the milk, butter, garlic powder, and salt. Mash until smooth. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Herb Salted Garlic Parmesan French Fries and Roast Beef Dip Sandwich with Herbed Garlic Au Jus

Holy hell! This dinner was quite ambitious for a Monday night, especially after an exhausting day at work. Note to self, make this on a weekend and preferably when your patience levels are high.

The potatoes get double fried and believe me it is totally worth it. Then they are tossed in a garlic parmesan herb salt.

This meal is carb heavy... and wine heavy... as in, I drank the bottle of wine after using the splash of it  to make the au jus. At least now I'll be able to sleep off the carb overload.

Herb Salted Garlic Parmesan French Fries

Adapted from : How Sweet It Is

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 2 russet potatoes, thinly sliced, like french fries
• 1 qt canola oil
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
• 1/2 tbsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/3 cup grated parmigiano reggiano cheese

And Action:

Add potatoes to a bowl of ice water and let sit for 30 minutes. Place two layers worth of paper towels on a baking sheet and remove the potatoes from the water. Take more paper towels and pat dry the potatoes. 

Add oil to a large pot and heat over medium high heat until the temperature reaches 350 degrees (use a candy thermometer). Add the potatoes in batches and fry for 2-3 minutes. Remove and place on paper towels to drain the oil. 

Let the potatoes cool, about 10 minutes.

Make the garlic parmesan herb salt using the rest of the ingredients.  

Fry the potatoes again until browned and crispy. Toss with the garlic parmesan herb salt. 

Roast Beef Dip Sandwich with Herbed Garlic Au Jus

Adapted From: Food.com

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) beef broth
• 1 french baguette, cut into 4 portions and split in half
• 1 (4 oz) package garlic and herb goat cheese
• 1 lb thinly sliced peppered roast beef

And Action:

To make the au jus: In a medium saucepan heat oil, then add onion powder, garlic, and the other dried herbs. Stir often for 1 minute. The add red wine and soy sauce. Increase the heat, bring to a simmer and let the sauce reduce by half. Add beef broth and simmer for 5 minutes. 

To make the sandwiches: Spread the cheese evenly on both sides of the baguette. Divide roast beef among the sandwiches. Close the sandwiches, place on a baking sheet, and bake at 450 degrees for about 3 minutes. Serve with small cups of the au jus for dipping. 

Livin' It Up... Lone Star Flight Museum

If you're looking for a "Houston" area day trip idea... head to Galveston and check out The Lone Star Flight Museum.

The Lone Star Flight Museum is home to to one of the finest collections of restored aircraft and aviation exhibits. The collection includes WWII Fighters and Bombers. This is a self guided tour with placards providing significant historical information about each aircraft and takes less than an hour to walk through and cost $8 for adults, $5 for children.

After the museum we decided to head to the most eastern part of the island and check out East Beach. It was the first time we've ever had the beach to ourselves but we wrapped this activity up quickly since it was really cold out and we were hungry. Because we were so chilled we decided to cut out riding our bikes along the seawall, going miniature golfing, or riding the ferry this trip.

We ended our trip with dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co before driving back home.

Movin' It... Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park

The thing I love most about hiking is that it doesn't feel like exercise but an adventure and it is an instant mood boost. You need to constantly concentrate on the terrain scanning for footholds and avoiding hazards so you can't let your mind wander until you reach your destination or take a break from the trail.

Not that I recommend it, but if you decide to hike alone make sure that you always tell someone where you are and use the restroom before you head out.

Last weekend we woke up Saturday morning and on a whim decided to pack our bags for a road trip through the Hill Country with Gorman Falls at the Colorado Bend State Park as our end goal. A flat tire a couple of years ago while driving to the State Park derailed the visit completely. The thought of going back was always an idea I'd throw around.

Saturday night after driving for 4 hours with a stop along the way for lunch we ended up staying at this hidden gem, Canyon of the Eagles Resort. Thank you Yelp for the recommendation. Be warned though, this isn't resort as in amenities, but glamping (glamorous camping)... as in... no TV or Internet connection, rock hard beds, concrete floor, and wood furniture everything.

No distractions meant an opportunity to get outside. We ended up ripping off all of the bedding and filling the bed of the truck to stargaze. Oh my! I can't even begin to tell you how many shooting stars we saw. Another cool attraction is the Eagle Eye Observatory with an on site astronomer who will answer every question and laser pointer the constellations... and it's all included. Make sure you keep an eye on the dew point time if you think you have plans of sleeping under the stars. You don't want to wake up wet.

Sunday morning we woke up in time to watch the sunrise from our porch on these amazing rocking chairs before we headed to the restaurant, The Overlook, at the resort for a breakfast buffet. This was highly disappointing as they served cold coffee, wait staff with shitty attitudes, and overpriced. The bill came to $40. Ouch! Next time I'll pack a cooler and bring food instead.

The drive from the resort to the Colorado Bend State Park took about an hour and a half. It cost $5 a person which you pay via an "honor bag". Make sure you pay as the park rangers do patrol the area checking your tag to the payment. You don't need to drive the extra six miles to the ranger station, you can pay at the trail head of Gorman Falls. You're welcome for that tip, wish I would have known ahead of time.

The hike to Gorman Falls is a 1.5 mile trail with the last 100 yards being a rocky descent down a steep path. Thankfully this part of the path has a thick gauged wire railing to help support your footing. It is not recommended to bring small children, however, my son is 6 and did just fine. Also saw another couple with what appeared to be a 3ish year old. Once you make it down the rocky path the change in scenery is sudden and extreme. Greenery all around and the falls have a fern-draped grotto which is absolutely beautiful. 

The trail is pretty well marked, except at one point the path cuts off in multiple ways. Read the sign because someone was kind enough to etch in the direction to Gorman Falls. We found ourselves scanning the trail for "shortcuts" and being careful to avoid all of the cactus that lined both sides of the trail.

It was somewhat disappointing to arrive at the falls and to see more of a sputter of water and not a roaring waterfall thanks to the drought the area is experiencing. There was bench sitting at the foot of the waterfall where we spent about an hour just listening to the water rushing by from the Colorado River (my favorite part!!!), taking pictures, and people watching before we made the trek back for our ride home. 

Next time I'm hoping we can plan better to make a pit stop in Brenham to check out the Blue Bell Creamery.

Here's what I packed for the 3 hour hike:

- Hiking pants, moisture wicking Nike workout tee, Nike sports bra
- Hiking shoes with moisture wicking socks... You'll need a heftier shoe with added foot and ankle support.
- Sunscreen
- Lots of water
- Clif Mojo Bar in Dark Chocolate Cherry
- Lowfat Chocolate Milk... Makes for a delicious recovery drink.
- Bug spray/tick repellent
- Lip balm... Lips get dry when breathing out of your mouth. I especially love the EOS brand in Lemon Drop which has added SPF.
- First Aid Kit
- Phone with an armband and a preset playlist. My playlist titled, "Take A Hike", is full of folk/indie music... being outdoors is that kinda vibe. Here's what's on my playlist:

* Fitz and the Tantrums: The Walker
* Eddie Vedder: Hard Sun
* Of Monsters and Men: Mountain Sound
* nonono: Pumpin' Blood
* Passion Pit: Take a Walk
* Ingrid Michaelson: Girls Chase Boys
* Lenny Kravitz: American Woman
* Kansas: Carry on Wayward Son
* The Beatles: I'm Looking Through You
* The Beatles: Here Comes the Sun
* Opus Orange: Almost There
* Now, Now: Dead Oaks
* Trevor Hall: The Mountain
* The Barefoot Truth: Changes in the Weather
* Colbie Caillat: Brighter Than the Sun
*needtobreathe: The Outsiders
* needtobreathe: The Heart
* The Decemberists: Down by the Water
* Various Cruelties: Great Unknown
* Panic at the Disco: That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed)
* Coldplay: Paradise
* Milo Greene: 1957
* Johnny Cash: Further Up on the Road
* Blitzen Trapper: Black River Killer
* Zedd: Clarity
* Keane: Somewhere Only We Know
* Good Old War: Better Weather
* Calvin Harris: Thinking About You
* Red Hot Chili Peppers: Especially in Michigan
* Portugal the Man: The Sun
* Journey: Don't Stop Believing
* Jukebox the Ghost: The Great Unknown
* Creedence Clearwater: Walk on the Water
* Imagine Dragons: On Top of the World

Doin' Some Cookin'... Rigatoni with Pumpkin, Sausage, and Spinach

It's the tail end of Fall and I'm just now jumping on the pumpkin bandwagon. Remember that Pumpkin Spice Latte I made recently? 

Monday night I needed a recipe that was quick, easy and perfect for Game Night and great for hungry tummies. I also had a can of pumpkin puree that was about to expire and no idea what to do with it. 

I follow the blog, The Larson Lingo, and was excited when an Internet search returned her blog with this recipe. I had everything on hand except the cheese and mushrooms. I also did not have the time to bake this dish another 25 minutes since it was already a late night and well past Little Man's bedtime, so I adapted it and just used it as inspiration.

This dish was delicious and the pumpkin cream sauce was lick-the-bowl worthy. I didn't mention to Little Man what was in this pasta dish so score one for this mom in tricking her kid into eating his veggies. 

The only thing that would have made this dish even better would have been a Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale, or two.

Using the entire box of pasta will yield plenty of leftovers. I froze about half of this dish for easy weeknight meals on those work nights when I can come up with a hundred excuses not to cook. 

Rigatoni with Pumpkin, Sausage, and Spinach

Adapted From: The Larson Lingo

Makes 8 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 (1 lb) box rigatoni
• 1 lb ground mild Italian sausage
• 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
• 4 handfuls of fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 12  oz can evaporated milk

And Action:

Cook pasta according to package directions. 

Cook sausage and season with onion powder. 

After sausage is fully cooked, remove the sausage from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, over medium heat add the can of pumpkin, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper. 

Stir well to incorporate.

Then add the can of evaporated milk.

Stir until smooth, 2-3 minutes, or until mixture begins to thicken slightly. 

Add the sausage back to the pan. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Mix in the pasta and spinach making sure to toss ingredients together to coat well.  Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin... Pumpkin Spice Latte

2 things...

1) I know it's time for Christmas brain and

2) No one is thinking about pumpkin after November but...

I saved a recipe for a Pumpkin Spice Latte but never got around to making it during the appropriate season. You know how best of intentions go and how sleep is more important. So I settled for Starbucks saving the recipe for another time.

I fall for it every time at least once a Fall season... a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. After getting to the bottom of my Venti I remember why I only get it once. It's too sweet and getting seasonal favorites from Starbucks Skinny or nonfat is just no fun... and yes, I know, I've heard and read the countless stories floating around on the Internet about steering clear since there is no "pumpkin" anything in their version. 

My version is spicy, actually contains pumpkin, and is topped with a healthy dose of real whipped cream. Don't expect this to taste anywhere close to what Starbucks produces but have piece of mind you will taste the pumpkin and know exactly what's in your PSL. 

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup brewed black coffee
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• pumpkin pie spice, to taste
• dash of cayenne pepper

And Action:

Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat to desired temperature. Make sure to continuously whisk to keep the milk from burning on the bottom of the pan. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Miso Salmon

Because of the success I saw last month while following the 30-Day Meal Plan with just diet alone I decided to start over again. I lost a total of 5.3 lbs. This time around I'll be incorporating exercise into my daily routine as well. 

This Asian-inspired fish dish is perfect for a work night. Miso is versatile and keeps for months in the refrigerator and sesame seeds can be bought already toasted to save even more time. Not to mention salmon serves up a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids and pairs nicely with a side of roasted broccoli.

Just a heads up... Miso is salty, perfect for someone with a salt tooth like me, so keep that glass of water nearby. The saltiness is cut by the sweetness of mirin and soy sauce and creates a thick glaze on top of the salmon. 

Miso Salmon
Women's Health Magazine

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 3 tbsp white miso
• 1 tbsp mirin
• 8 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tsp canola oil
• 4 (6 oz) salmon fillets, about 1 1/4 inch thick
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

And Action:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Whisk miso, mirin, and soy sauce in a small bowl until well blended. 

Add oil to a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium high heat. Add salmon, skin side up, and cook until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. 

Flip fish over, brush salmon with the miso blend and place skillet in the oven. Roast salmon until it reaches desired degree of doneness, 6 to 8 minutes.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions (optional). 

Livin' It Up... Handsome Little Liar

My son lied to me tonight. 

It was the first time in his 6 years that he elaborated a story that made it sound as though his safety was in jeopardy while in someone else's care. That someone being his dad... we share custody following a loosey goosey standard order of possession. On a side note, with all that we are dealing with I don't have anything bad to say about his dad and would have no reason to question his judgment with our son. Onto the lie... 

My son told me that while out at a restaurant his dad ran to the bathroom and left him sitting in a booth when a man with a beard wearing a skeleton shirt came over and started picking at my son's finger nails. He stated that he did what I had taught him by yelling "stranger danger" but no one could hear him. He claimed his dad came out of the bathroom, ran over after seeing the man there, and scooped him up to take him to another part of the restaurant. 

Upon hearing the story I sent his dad a text message to address the issue. He called me back immediately but requested to talk to our son. My son admitted he lied and then burst into tears. He was very apologetic for lying and understood that he told the lie and that lying is wrong. 

I was relieved the story wasn't true but was upset about him lying. The lie felt like a reflection on my parenting.

My parents would have made me write 100 sentences of "I will not lie.", send me to my room for a week, and absolutely no privileges. What I hated most was writing those sentences. I can still feel the cramp in my hand and have the callous on my finger as a constant reminder of that lesson.

What works as punishment for one kid doesn't necessarily work for another. It's not that I don't think writing sentences would be effective but his imagination is running wild right now and actually writes stories in his free time. The stories aren't based on any reality I know to be true. He has a very vivid imagination. I don't want him to hate writing which has become his positive and creative outlet. 

Instead it was made clear that lying will not be tolerated and going forward if he lies he will lose privileges and punishment will be in the form of restitution. 

After the first time he has to scrub the baseboards clean I'm sure he'll remember the quote to "Keep it simple. Keep it honest. Keep it real."

... now how do I explain a white lie? Sigh. Parenting is a tough gig. 

Doin' Some Cooking... Glazed Meatloaf

Little Man's only request this week for dinner was totally random. Meatloaf. Where the hell did he get this idea from?

"Really, meatloaf?!!" I cringed.

Serious faced and waving his hand at me, "You don't know what meatloaf is? It's just a burger patty with ketchup on it."

I have never made meatloaf and still have a bad taste in my mouth for it since my childhood. Maybe because Grandma overplayed the dried out loaf. Sorry, but the lady could not cook and it showed up on our plates every Sunday when we visited her. Nothing comforting about it.

This is much more sophisticated than what I recall. I pulled out a big girl kitchen appliance to whip this up. Hello food processor! You should have seen my counter top which had ingredients from one end to the other, but don't let the long list of ingredients discourage you from giving this recipe a try.

Seasoned ground beef and pork gets shaped into a log with the help of a small baking dish and gets basted with a slightly spicy ketchup glaze and baked for 40 minutes.

My mind has been forever changed on meatloaf. Might even live life on the edge and try a meatloaf sandwich for the first time tomorrow. Thank you Little Man for the great dinner idea!

Glazed Meatloaf

Adapted From: Eatocracy

Makes 6-8 Servings

Stars of the Show:

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp hot sauce

For the Meatloaf:

• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 17 saltine crackers
• 1/3 cup 2% milk
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• splash of soy sauce
• splash of lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/3 cup dried parsley
• salt and pepper, to taste

And Action:

To make the glaze, combine all glaze ingredients in a saucepan over medium and stir until brown sugar dissolves and sauce thickens. Turn to low until ready to use.

Add all of the meatloaf ingredients in the food processor and pulse until well combined. 

Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray and spread the meatloaf mix into the dish. Broil for 5 minutes. Brush about 2 tbsp of the glaze on top of the meatloaf and broil another 2 minutes.

Turn the oven to 350 degrees, top the meatloaf with the rest of the glaze, and bake until meatloaf registers 160 degrees, about 40-45 minutes. If time permits, transfer to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest for 20 minutes. Slice and serve.

Livin' It Up... It's A WonderFall Life

The one room I never decorate for the holidays is the bathroom. I'm not sure why that is? I spend about an hour every morning getting ready so what not bring the cozy feel of the holidays into the bathroom as well?

Bring the aroma of Fall in with a spiced pumpkin candle from Yankee Candle and a spiced cake reed diffuser from Pier 1 Imports. Speaking of aroma, oh em gee! You have to smell the Pumpkin Pecan Waffles hand soap from Bath & Body Works, it is so delicious smelling but not good for the waistline because it makes me crave sweets. I found the perfect soap dispenser for my hand soap from Pier 1 Imports, see below.

For ambiance I filled a lantern filled with mini beaded pumpkins, gold painted acorns, pine cones, and a strand of lights (next time I will use amber lights or something muted, I didn't realize these were LED lights until I got home). It would make for the perfect night light if we actually used night lights. I could see using it for that purpose if I had a guest over.

Also picked up a bouquet from Whole Foods and placed a sugar pumpkin on top of a candle holder that I purchased from Pier 1 Imports.

No more neglecting the bathroom for the holidays.

Doin' Some Cooking... Blueberry & Pomegranate Chia Oats Breakfast Parfait

We've all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but most days I think sleep trumps that notion. I'm generally rushing through my morning getting lunches packed, putting on my face (hello! foundation and mascara), convincing Little Man that I let him sleep until the last possible minute and that we really only have 5 minutes before we have to leave, and then before we make it out the door realizing that breakfast was an afterthought and I end up at work with a grumbly tummy. Every. Damn. Day.

Worse than skipping breakfast is having something to eat that is just... meh! 

With a little planning you can give your body what it needs to start the day.

These Blueberry & Pomegranate Chia Oats Breakfast Parfaits are made with all natural ingredients, packed full of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, magnesium, manganese, calcium, with lots of protein and prepared in an untraditional way. 

Oats and chia seeds are soaked which means more of the nutritious benefits stick around rather than breaking down when they're cooked on the stovetop. 

Although, with the weather cooling off here in Texas a cold breakfast isn't comforting like a big bowl of piping hot oatmeal. This is definitely a recipe to keep in the arsenal for those Summer mornings. Nonetheless, it's definitely worth a try no matter what the thermometer reads and the soaked oats are just a blank canvas for you to get creative with fruit toppings of your choice. 

Blueberry & Pomegranate Chia Oats Breakfast Parfait

Adapted From: Pure Ella

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup steel cut oats
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup pomegranate arils
• 1/4 cup blueberries

And Action:

The night before, in a mason jar or air tight container, mix in oats, chia seeds, and coconut milk. Seal the jar and place in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning layer a container with the oat mix and fresh fruit. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Pomegranate Blueberry Green Tea Smoothie

It seems like everyone around me is sick. I've been taking the necessary precautions to avoid catching whatever is going around, not touching my face, your face, washing my hands, hoping you've washed yours, and popping Vitamin C and garlic supplements.

Call it the "placebo effect" if you will, but I'm a big believer that since we've switched our diets to mostly organic and steering clear of most processed foods (everything in moderation, though) I've noticed we haven't been sick all year. Knock on wood. I chalk it up to Whole Paycheck Foods.

There's something about shopping there that makes me feel healthy. Every weekend we go on Sunday and I try my best to stick to the shopping list, however, I'm a sucker for new items and whenever I see another shopper I can't help but see what they're grabbing. Sometimes I feel like I just have to have what they're having but then I don't know what to do with that item most times.

Case in point, a Whole Foods container labeled "Antioxidant Blend" from the produce aisle with a mix of pomegranate arils and blueberries. As a kid my Aunt Debby would cut open pomegranates for us during the Summer and we'd pick those arils out until our fingers were stained red. I loved them just as they were Now, the texture of those arils is gritty and I don't enjoy popping them like I use to. What was I going to do with this mix?

I don't know about you but I got a guy. His name is Google. He's got the best ideas, gives great advice, knows everything, and is pretty darn reliable.

Came across this recipe for a Pomegranate Blueberry Green Tea Smoothie and knew I had to try this since I had everything on hand. By the way, why do I even have matcha green tea powder?

This smoothie is sweet, tart, and filling, keeping you full until after lunchtime and is packed full of antioxidants, protein, and a natural kick of caffeine to help fight off the flu.

Pomegranate Blueberry Green Tea Smoothie

Adapted From: Tillamook

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 (5.3 oz) container Fage 0% Blueberry Acai yogurt
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 tsp matcha green tea powder
• 1/4 cup pomegranate blueberry juice

And Action:

Pulse all ingredients in a blender until desired consistency. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Potato-Crusted Pizza

Tator tots create a fun kid-friendly crust that makes for a light meal and one that's easy enough for the little ones to join you in the kitchen.

Potato-Crusted Pizza

Adapted from: Southern Living Magazine, September 2014

Makes 6 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 (30 oz) package frozen tator tots
• 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 (1 oz) package fresh basil, torn
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

And Action:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush a baking sheet with olive oil and arrange tator tots in a single layer in pan. Bake 10 minutes. Flatten tator tots with the back of a wooden spoon until rounds touch and cover the entire baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes more or until crisp. Top with remaining ingredients. Bake 5-10 minutes more or until cheese melts. 

Doin' Some Cookin'... Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

I'll never forget the first time I had Greek food. It was a gyro from the mall. I followed my older brother's lead and copied his order. It came with fries and a side of tzatziki sauce for dipping. That sauce was crave worthy and I'd look for excuses to head to the mall just so I could swing over and get that meal. If I wasn't in public I would have licked that sauce cup clean.

I should have learned how to make gyros and tzatziki. I could have saved a lot of money and weight from my hips, waist, thighs, and, and. 

A coworker dropped off a stack of food magazines at my desk one day and that night I took them home and set them on the ottoman to flip through later but Little Man beat me to them. He came across a recipe, ripped it out of the magazine, and requested that we make these Mediterranean Turkey Burgers as soon as possible. I posted the recipe on our family calendar and added the ingredients to our weekly grocery list. 

We made a plan to make these burgers for dinner tonight and I'm sorry I made him wait so long because they are amazing. Of course these burgers aren't authentically Greek but they have a mix of flavors that are quintessentially Greek. Homemade tzatziki sauce adds moisture and tang to these burgers. They are easy to make, incredibly delicious, healthy, and protein packed. I can't wait to make these again. 

Since I finished all my dinner it's now time for dessert and getting cozy on the couch to watch the movie, Get Him To The Greek. See, I told you I'm a sucker for all things "Mediterranean". Ha!

Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

Adapted from: Food Network Magazine July/August 2014

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 (7 oz) container nonfat plain greek yogurt (about 3/4 cup)
• 1/3 cup black pepper crumbled feta cheese (about 2 oz)
• 1 cucumber, seeds removed and cubed
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• sea salt and black pepper
• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 sesame hamburger buns or potato rolls, split and toasted
• lettuce and tomato slices, for topping, optional
• potato chips, for serving, optional

And Action:

Combine yogurt, feta, cucumber, mint, half of the garlic, few grinds of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Refrigerate until serving.

Combine the turkey, remaining garlic, few grinds of salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Form into 4 (4 oz) patties. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then add the patties and cook until browned and cooked through, 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Spread the yogurt sauce on the buns, top with turkey burger, lettuce and tomato, if desired. Serve with potato chips. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cooking... Veggie Pad Thai

Is "Meatless Monday" still a thing? 

Little Man can do without meat so making meals that keep him well feed and happy isn't always easy. But there are some dishes that we can agree on and generally anything with pasta is something we can agree on. 

Pad Thai is a guilty pleasure but it's such a gut bomb and I always regret ordering it when I go out. It's calorie-heavy due to thick sauce, peanuts, and noodles. 

Try this healthier version of the tasty Thai classic that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, however, please add more flair to yours with additional ingredients that Rachael Ray left out of her version. This was a good base recipe but kinda bland and blah which was perfect for Little Man. Next time... chili sauce, shredded carrots, green onions, cilantro, and mung beans added. You can really customize this for whatever suits your taste. 

If "Meatless Monday" is a thing of the past then feel free to add shrimp, chicken, or tofu, if that's your thing. 

Veggie Pad Thai

Adapted From: Every Day with Rachael Ray

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 5 tsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 6 oz flat rice noodles
• 6 oz snow peas, trimmed - Cut into bite size pieces, if desired. 
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup unsalted peanuts

And Action:

In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, fish sauce, and lime juice. 

Cook the noodles according to the package directions, add the snow peas during the last minute of cooking.

Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat and add the egg. Stir gently until set, about 45 seconds. Add the noodles, snow peas, peanuts, and sauce. Stir to incorporate. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Tuna Puttanesca with Penne

There are certain ingredients I gravitate towards. Capers and kalamata olives are a few of those ingredients, however, Little Man does not share the same tastes as me so I tend to save recipes I want to try that I know Little Man won't enjoy until the weekend for a mommy only lunch. He sticks to his usual, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Tuna Puttanesca with Penne makes for a delicious and slightly spicy Italian lunch. I love tuna with pasta and this is one of those meals that tastes like it simmered on the stove for hours when it came together in less than 30 minutes and is a healthier pasta choice.

Tuna Puttanesca with Penne

From: Everyday with Rachael Ray

Makes 4 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• salt
• 1 lb penne 
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 (6 oz) cans of olive packed tuna, drained
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 tbsp capers, drained
• 1/3 cup kalamata olives, halved
• 1 (28 oz) can diced Italian tomatoes
• handful flat leaf parsley, chopped

And Action:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water, add the penne, and cook according to package directions. Drain. 

While the pasta is working, heat a deep skillet with the olive oil. Add the tuna, flaking it with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic and pepper flakes and cook for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the capers and olives and heat until warmed through, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes and parsley, lower the heat a little and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the pasta to the sauce and toss well to incorporate. 

Livin' It Up... Halloween Decorations

As mentioned in my prior post, during my mom's visit she wanted to go to Hobby Lobby to get supplies for an art project with Little Man. I had a list of ideas and supplies to get while we were there for some Halloween decorations.

$100 later and I had everything I needed to make 7 Halloween crafts. Over the course of the week I'd work on the projects up to the minute before heading out for trick-or-treating. I didn't care that they'd only be displayed until that night because I was determined to get them done, well at least 5 of them were completed in time. 

Here's what I made:

- Footprint Ghost and Handprint Spider 

- Felt bats that I made flying out of the laundry room. Next year I'd like to have some hanging from the ceiling and differing sizes to make it look more realistic. 

- Gothic Lace Votive Holders... these were a pain in the ass to make but look really good with the lights dimmed. The blog I got the inspiration for these at made it sound so simple to make... just wrap and sew the black lace around a votive holder. One little problem, I don't know how to sew. After my first attempt at sewing I said screw it and ended up hot gluing the fabric to the votive holders. 

- Spiders. As a kid I would sit on my grandparents porch in Utah and watch the daddy long legs crawl around. The way they moved fascinated me. Now I kill any spider I see in the house. Who am I?!?! These spiders are made with some black glitter hot glue and the thickest gauge black jewelry wire I could find and cut into 4-5 inch pieces. The larger sized spiders are my favorite. 

- Mason Jar Luminaries that turned out nothing like the inspiration that encouraged this project. Anyway, this project is the reason I am going to start saving all of the glass jars I come across going forward. These luminaries are mod podged with tissue paper and the rim is coated with glitter. If I ever move into a house I plan on finding large jars and using white tissue paper and making ghosts to line the porch for a frightfully fun and festive touch. 

... and here's what I purchased from Pier 1 Imports, my favorite home decor store!!!:

Of course we carved pumpkins too. That was Little Man's request. We went to Dewberry Farm, paid almost $50 for admission, and then another $50 for 3 "perfect" pumpkins picked out by Little Man alone. Next year we'll stay closer to home and just go to Old MacDonald Farm. Same concept, smaller in size though, but cheaper. With the pumpkins, he drew on the face and we did the carving. He was so proud and so were we. 

We also visited The Mudpie Company and painted our pottery. Here's a before and after of my mug.