Thirsty Thursday

image via: Pinterest

Strawberry, Lemon, Basil Mimosa

Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

3/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup agave nectar

10 medium strawberries, sliced

2 bottles of champagne or Prosecco, chilled**

12 oz can of lemon sparkling water

Combine the basil, lemon juice and agave in a pitcher.  Using a wooden spoon, lightly crush the basil.  Stir in the strawberries and soda water.  Chill until ready to serve.  Pour into chilled champagne glasses and top with champagne or Prosecco.

**Substitute with sparkling water for a non-alcoholic version.

Menu Planning

Since becoming a SAHM I have tried desperately to reduce my grocery shopping to once a week.  My success rate is about 50/50.  I find that when I use a grocery list I get everything that I think I need, but end up missing those little things needed for a weeknight recipe.  Here is a menu planner and grocery list that I created in order to make those shopping trips more efficient.  The list matches the flow of the store I shop at most often, but I hope it will be useful to you as well.

Download this file for your personal use only, thanks!

Paleo Green Monster

In the weeks before Christmas I attempted to switch to a Paleo focused diet.  I was semi-successful and could feel a noticeable difference in my energy and overall health, but with all of the busyness of the season was unable to fully commit.  Now, with a more open and flexible schedule I have been committing  to making Paleo-practical choices for our family.  A few of my favorite blogs with family friendly Paleo recipes are Everyday Paleo, Paleo Effect, The Food Lovers Primal Palate, and Paleo on a Budget.

With a very opinionated two year old this has been a somewhat frustrating task.  I have always struggled with getting her to eat veggies and try new foods.  She loves broccoli but won't touch carrots.  Will eat Dora edamame but turns her nose up to peas.  And leafy greens are out of the question.  Until I discovered the green smoothie.  I never tried a green smoothie until next week, but knew they were jam packed full of nutrients.  So I gave it a shot after reading a few recipes on Pinterest.  Vivi loves her "green juice" and I am happy to say we have one every morning!  Thus far this is our favorite.

All of the measurements are approximate, just adjust for your taste.  I also suggest putting everything in the blender in this order for the smoothest blend.

1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 handfuls of spinach
1 container of vanilla coconut yogurt
1 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup of water
1 1/2 bananas
a few ice cubes

Blend to your desired consistency and add more or less liquid depending on how juicy you like it.

Giving Thanks

As an adult, Thanksgiving has become my most favorite holiday.  I always appreciated Thanksgiving as a child but it was always in the shadow to Christmas, probably because it did not feature any gifts.  Sad but true.  Now that I have a family of my own, I look forward to spending a day amongst friends and family, truly reflecting on what God has blessed me with this year and all that I am thankful for.  Today I will be present with my children, love my husband affectionately, savor each and every bite, listen attentively, and appreciate all of my loved ones.  I will have time to rush through the day tomorrow, today I will consider it all and be blessed.  

Wishing you and yours a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving!

How gorgeous is this table scape? Will you be the cook today?  Our family shares in the cooking responsibilities and I will be bringing this gorgeous fall salad.  One of my absolute favorites.

Baby Field Greens Fall Salad

Ingredients

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup walnut halves

2 tablespoons water

8 cups baby field greens

12 slices bacon, crisp fried and crumbled

1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup minced shallots

3 cups olive oil

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Candied Walnuts: Cook the brown sugar in a large heavy skillet over medium high heat until melted.  Add the walnuts and water.  Cook for 10 minutes or until water evaporates, stirring constantly.  Spread walnuts on a sheet pan and let stand to dry.  Store in an airtight container.

Vinaigrette:  Combine the vinegar, syrup, shallots, olive oil, salt and pepper in a jar with a tight fitting lid, shake to mix.  Chill

Salad:  Mix the field greens, bacon, cheese, and walnuts in a large salad bowl.  Drizzle 1/2 of the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

Note:  This recipe makes a lot and is great for large gatherings.  If you are feeding a smaller family I would suggest halving it.

{image via Pinterest}

Falling For...

I have never been more excited to welcome in my favorite season.  After a record breaking summer  of 100 days of 100+ degree weather and our town being named the hottest place in the country (read: the worst place to live), most everyone I know is welcoming fall with open arms.  While the temperatures here continue to be in the upper 80s, I am completely smitten with all things fall.  Right now I am falling for: mums and pumpkins, dark nails, fall fragrances, and pumpkin spice (nothing says fall to me than a hot pumpkin spice latte on a crisp fall morning!)...

   

{1. Essie Very Structured  2. Bath and Body Works Autumn Candle  3. Fall in Aspen by Amy Higgins Designs 4. Pumpkin Spice Latte  5.  Pottery Barn Harvest Embroidered Suzani Table Linens  6. Staffordshire Royal Mail Platter  7. Anthropologie Gossamer Birch Shell  8. Lulu Frost for JCrew Figure Eight Bangle  9. One Kings Lane  10. Handmade Birch Napkin Rings}

image via HGTV

Egg Waffles

Egg Waffles have been a Hong Kong street vendor favorite for generations and are a weekend favorite in our household.  They are similar in consistency to waffle cake, an American favorite for their puffy, doughy texture, but are shaped like bubble wrap.  Serve with fresh fruits, jams, or powdered sugar and lemon and don't forget the Mimosas.

1  De Vincennes Dinner Plate  2 Helianthus Goblet  3 Pine Cone Hill Quilted Placemat  4 Veuve Clicquot  5 Egg Waffle Pan  6 Pine Cone Hill Petite Ruffle Napkin  7 Mustardseed & Moonshine Ramekins  8 Egg Waffle Mix  9 Florida's Natural Orange Juice