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Friday, January 16, 2015

Currenty

  1. 13 secrets from Ben and Jerry's
  2. 14 must-know kitchen cleaning tips
  3. Pulled this dinner out of the archives this week. So good!
  4. And, I'm pulling this favorite out this week! 
  5. The best ways to store food. 
  6. Important Life Lessons from MasterChef Junior. Caleb (my 5 year old) LOVES MasterChef Junior. He has always helped in the kitchen and I've loved it but, he has been a picky eater since he 2. But, because he saw these kids, just a bit older than him, cooking and eating so many things, he's been willing and happy to try new things. He hasn't liked everything he has tried but we have had a ton of tear-free victories. He has fallen in love with pesto, salmon, halibut, squid, sausage (all kinds), meatballs, mushrooms and carrots on occasion. Now, if I could just get him on board, with the green stuff! 
  7. I'm going to need this book: Date Night In: More than 120 Recipes to Nourish Your Relationship
  8. No-Bake Almond Joy Snack Bites. Umm. Yeah, I'm going to need to have some of those.
  9. Halibut with Cocnut Creamed Kale and Quinoa in a Papillote sound delicious!
  10. So BEAUTIFUL!
  11. Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef and Spaghetti Squash with Peanut Sauce. YUMMM! 
  12. Where is the cast of Scooby Doo now? Caleb would be sad to know this.
  13. These BBQ Chicken Enchiladas sounds so good!
  14. YESSSSS!
  15. Cheesecake, like, WOAH!
  16. I must confess, I don't know exactly how good I'll be about posting next week. My honey is taking the week off and he tends to be a bad influence on me! 
Happy Weekending!!
xoxo,
Ashley

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Kiwi Pineapple Green Smoothie

I told you I was coming with smoothies this month. 
I keep my promises with kiwi, pineapple, kale and spinach.

   I know, the blog world, your Facebook and Pinterest feeds are over run with smoothies and salads right now. Everyone is chanting "new year, new me." Guess what! I'm not. I live for smoothies 24/7/365. I grew up drinking smoothies. I don't think Mom even put spinach in them, but she did make them for a quick breakfast or as a dessert to keep us away form ice cream. Now, I give them to my boys for the very same reasons. I tend to prefer them for breakfast because I am a slow starter (I've mentioned this before) and I can make these with my eyes still blurry and my brain is still warming up. 


   I lean towards smoothies when my stomach problems rear their ugly head. Unfortunately, it is just something I have to deal with and there is nothing that can be done about it on the bad days. There is no medicine, no magic cure. My only option is to lean on liquids on the days or weeks that I feel awful. I won't go into what I have or why because it is boring and that's not why I'm here. But, I add of that to say, I don't necessarily believe in juice or smoothie cleanses. I've done them and HATED every dang second of it. But on the days, where you feel bloated, binged on bad for you food the night before or are just getting over a stomach bug, these are the days that this kind of smoothie is what you need. You don't want to do this for every meal though, there are far too many fruits in here and that would be way to much sugar for one day. 



Kiwi Pineapple Green Smoothie
serves 1
(click to print)
1 cup kale*
1 cup spinach*
1/2 cup fresh pineapple
1 kiwi chopped
1/4 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup coconut water
1 tablespoon flax seeds
honey to taste

Combine all ingredients and blend until liquefied.

*I used 2 cups of a spinach kale blend

Friday, January 9, 2015

Currently


  1. I am OBSESSED with Chuao Chocolatier Honeycomb Chocolate Bar. My love bought me one for my stocking on Christmas and I may have devoured it plus two others... Don't judge me. It is sooooo good! 
  2. I neeeeeeds this lid for my mason jar tumblers. I love it!
  3. I think I'm an ambivert
  4. My Mom is an effortless host. Maybe that will be a goal for me this year.
  5. I have another "resolution" to add to my growing list. "Stop reading comments on articles and on FB links to articles." Seriously though, what is wrong with people? 
  6. Braised Pork Belly Kimchi Stew, sounds soo good!
  7. Suddenly I'm craving a marble cake
  8. Maybe I should make these cookie for my sister's upcoming birthday.
  9. Someone please buy me the jewel shaped mold from Bakerella! As my 2 year old would say "Me neeeeeeds it!" 
  10. This granola has my honey's name all over it!
  11. The art of making a good homemade broth is so overlooked these days. Yes, I realize that statement makes me seem like I'm 73 years old and nope, I don't care. 
  12. What are your plans for the weekend? My sister and I are making a ton of food and having a game night. Then I am sleeping! Two sick kids, who get super hyper and grocuhy when taking certain meds makes for so little sleeep!
Happy Weekending
xoxo,
Ashley

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Red Velvet No Bake Cheesecake Pots

   
   Anyone, other then me, out there having a hard time finding their rhythm in the new year? I cannot get it together! Of course, it is barely 2015 and I've already had two sick kids, and sprained ankle, and a husband with a pulled muscle in his back. Anyway, the reason I'm whining to you, I have nothing new to post. YIKES! While, I'm working on getting back on a schedule and nursing my babies back to health, aaaaaaaand folding a mountain of laundry (seriously, I have 6 loads that need to be folded, how does that even happen?) I'm going to share this, quick and simple, recipe that I've been holding in my archives, for just such an occasion. 


   I made these little dudes for my Mother in law's birthday dinner. We were going over for meatloaf and veggies but, I couldn't go empty handed and I have a problem with taking a regular cake. My mother in law is diabetic. After years of work, I still haven't managed to perfect a sugar free cake. Plus, I HATE the taste of any type of sugar substitute, even the all natural ones. I'm such a brat about it. I try, I really do but I can always taste it and it literally gags me. That's not hyperbole, I not going all Rachel Zoe on you, I literally gag. Gross. Desserts like this are always a good option. I made half with sugar and half with stevia.


   I picked red velvet because it is one her favorites and I wanted there to be a nod to a birthday cake there. One day I'll figure out how to make a sugar free, actual, red velvet cake for her. Until then, I'll keep making this for her. She does love cheesecake too. But then again, who doesn't?  

    These are easy enough and keep for a week or so, in the refrigerator. You could make these ahead and eat them throughout the week when you want something sweet. If I did that I would probably use 4 oz jars so I didn't over indulge every, single night. And the're perfect for taking somewhere. Toss the lid on and carry them in a basket. The jars are inexpensive enough you can leave them with the host or bring them back home. 



Red Velvet No Bake Cheesecake Pots
(makes 4 8oz portions or 8 4oz portions)
(click to print)

4 chocolate graham crackers
1 tablespoon butter (chilled or room temp)
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
red food coloring *I prefer  gel food coloring*
1 cup whipping cream, chilled
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

   Combine crackers and butter in a food processor and pulse, until the mixture is the texture of coarse sand. Pour a small amount of the crumbs into the bottom of your jars, reserving about half to add to the top at the end. Set aside. Clean the food processor (or use another bowl if you have two) and combine the cream cheese, yogurt, sugar and cocoa powder and blend until smooth. Through the spout, add food coloring, a few drops at a time, until you reach the color you want. Spoon the cheesecake into the jar. In a metal bowl, using a whisk whip the cream, until soft peaks form, then whisk in powdered sugar. Top each jar with whipped cream and sprinkle on remaining crust crumbs. Screw on lids, and chill until ready to serve. 

*For a sugar free version substitute sugar for 1-2 tablespoon Stevia, add in a pinch of salt to cut the bitterness in the cheesecake batter and use just a tiny pinch of Stevia in the whipping cream.  Switch out for sugar free cookies in the crust.*


xoxo,
Ashley

Monday, January 5, 2015

Most Popular Post of 2014


Click on the links in black at the top of each picture to get the recipe.

Mango Honey Chicken Stirfry
By far this is my most popular recipe on the blog and at home!
It is so delicious and so simple, I can very much believe it would be my #1 this year.
More stirfry for you in 2015! Would you like that? I would.



The Runner up is so so so good!
It is my perfect burger!

So good! I can't wait for fig season to roll around again. 
Although, you can sub the fig for apple, banana even orange when figs are out of season.

My absolute favorite fall recipe.
 Of course, it can be a winter favorite, heck it can bean anytime favorite.

This one live in my fridge at all times. When I run out I always make another batch within days.
It is a life saver!

Cherry Lemonade
I cannot believe I only have one drink on here! More drinks in 2015!! 

The perfect make ahead breakfast! We have this, or some variation, regularly. I make one on Sunday afternoon and we dip into it throughout the week.
(also check of the remixed version I did for Christmas morning)

This is the only non-food post to make the list but it is one of my favorite memories from this year. 


   I better get started planning for this year! 

xoxo,
Ashley

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Currently


  1. Happy 2015! I'm not making resolutions this year, but I am making changes. I'm stream lining our life, reorganizing our house, cutting out the clutter, physically and mentally and we are spending more time as a family.
  2. As you might guess from my photo, we have been enjoying some lazy days. Liam has been sick and Caleb has been WIRED, but we're making it work. It has been nice being home for two weeks with my guys. Although, I have to say, I miss reality. I really miss work! 
  3. Some things we should know. 
  4. My husband has NEVER seen a single episode of Friends. (I know, I know, but before you judge him, I have only seen one Star Wars movie and it was Episode 1. We are equally sad people.) Well, lucky for him, he gets to binge watch it with me now, albeit against his will. Whatever, he will grow to LOVE it. 
  5. Make 2015 better.
  6. Love this 2015 printable calendar.
  7. I've been wanting new stockings. I may try my hand at these.
  8. This Harry Potter tree.
  9. Mom made these buffalo chicken meatballs for Christmas Eve and they were fantastic!
  10. Everything coming to Netflix this year. 
  11. I want to learn to make the Mr. some beard oil. Anyone out there ever make or buy any? 
  12. Have some summer in the winter with these cupcakes.
  13. 10 Kitchen Habits to Adopt. Yes to everything! 
  14. Forewarning: Be prepared for a wave of smoothie posts from me. No, I'm not jumping on the "new year, new me" bandwagon, But, I can feel the affects of eating everything in front of me throughout the holidays and my broken stomach is still a problem. I haven't had full on sick days in awhile, but I've had glimpses and can feel them coming. So, I'm doing what my doctors suggested and doing liquids as much as possible for a while. Luckily, I can make some killer smoothies and juices!
  15. In fact, a Detox Bloody Mary sounds pretty amazing right about now. 
Happy Weekending!
xoxo,
Ashley

Friday, January 2, 2015

November/December Wrap Up

It's that time again! I missed November's wrap up, so I combined it with this one. I cannot believe that it is already a new year!! As always, click on the picture to take you to the post you want to see.



xoxo,
Ashley

P.S. I'll have my normal Friday "Currently" tomorrow, (Saturday) I just got a tab but behind this week.

P.P.S. I'll be sharing my most viewed and pinned recipes of 2014 on Monday.