peace. love. & good food.

It's a Marshmallow World in the Winter

2012-01-31T07:15:00.001-06:00

I am a lover of marshmallows. I have been known to eat an entire package of Peeps in one sitting and while that may seem absurd and disgusting, I really have no shame. They are my sugary weakness and I'm proud to shout it from the rooftops. I have even kindly suggested to Mark if he wanted to purchase me a wonderful foodie gift, he could make me a member of the Marshmallow of the Month Club.

Homemade marshmallows have been on my radar for awhile. Every time I see them dancing across the pages of blogs, I find myself wanting to lick the screen. With a lot of patience and a lot more love, the end result is a pile of jet puffed beauties to enjoy in hot cocoa, dipped in hot chocolate, or in the most lovely way- by themselves. Whether you're looking for a snow day sweet treat or something to add to your Valentine's Day care packages, these fluffy pillows of homemade marshmallowy goodness are melt in your mouth amazing.

Homemade Marshmallows

recipe from Alton Brown

3 packages unflavored gelatin

1 cup ice cold water, divided

1 cup light corn syrup

12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1.5 cups

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

nonstick spray

Place the gelatin in the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the water.

In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Place over medium high heat, cover, and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer onto the sode of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this temperature, immediately remove from heat.

Using the whisk attachment, turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once you have added all of the syrup, increase the mixer speed to high. Continue to whip the mixture until it becomes lukewarm and very thick, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture is whipping, prepare the pans as follows.

Combine the powdered sugar sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Return the remaining mixture to a bowl for later use.

When ready, pour the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan, using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly. Dust the top with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover. Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at least 4 hours, and up to overnight.

Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board. For square marshmallows, use a pizza wheel dusted in powdered sugar and cut into 1-inch squares. For fun shapes, pull out your cookie cutters and dust those in powdered sugar before cutting. Store marshmallows in an air tight container for up to three weeks.

Five Nights of My Favorite Dinners

2012-01-27T11:02:00.006-06:00

In case you missed it, I featured a Five Night menu plan yesterday on La Vite e Bella. In addition to sharing five of my weeknight favorites, I also provided some creative ways to use the leftovers for lunches. Cooking for two almost always ensures leftovers, so I like to make things that are still tasty the next day and can be remixed in creative ways. You can check out my post here.

All of the recipes I featured can be found right here on my blog, or you can download the meal plan (including all of the recipes) HERE.

Wishing everyone a delightful and delicious weekend!

{pretty pink roses from my love. yesterday marked three years since that fateful day at the gym! xo}

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles

2012-01-26T08:41:00.004-06:00

Roasted asparagus just got a makeover. Don't get me wrong, I love simple asparagus spears alongside a grilled steak or oven roasted salmon but sometimes you just have to mix it up. And bacon really does make almost anything better.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Bundles

recipe adapted from Rachel Ray

1 lb. asparagus spears, trimmed

Extra virgin olive oil

Fresh cracked black pepper

Herbs de Provence

4 slices center cut bacon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Toss asparagus in a quick drizzle of olive oil and season with black pepper and Herbs de Provence. Divide the spears into four. Wrap each bundle with a slice of bacon and place on a broiler pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Winesday, Volume 1

2012-01-25T21:07:00.004-06:00

(I cannot take credit for this blog post title. Thank you to The Today Show's ten o' clock hour, a.k.a. Hoda & Kathie Lee)

I'm enjoying some girl time tonight and this bottle of Pinot is too amazing not to share.

I first picked up this bottle from the Fresh Market because the three monkeys on the label were too appropriate! And at a $5.99 price point I couldn't turn it down. Pinot Evil is now one of my favorite weeknight wines.

"...Pinot Evil dances with a lovely ripe cherry nose that cascades into a smooth, velvet finish. Enjoy it with roasted duck, rosemary-garlic pork or with friends when you just monkey around".

Speaking of weeknight wines, Sophie (my blonde sister) and I have been working on a list of our favorite weeknight wines, all $10.00 and under. Some of the very best wines are also very budget friendly. Check back next Wednesday for our list of favorites.

Another thought for this Wednesday evening- I would like access to Jennifer Lopez's lipstick collection.

Color of the Week: Essie Plumberry

2012-01-24T10:09:00.003-06:00

Bright, happy nails are not just for summer. A pop of color on my hands is imperative in the dreary cold Winter. Ashley recently introduced me to this color and I have fallen in love! It's a perfect deep berry and looks so pretty on fingers AND toes.

Italian Comfort Food

2012-01-23T16:19:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday, everyone! I don't have anything new for today, but I do have a little post featured today on Molly's blog, Duchess of Fork! This was one of the very first recipes I posted when Peace, Love & Good Food was just a baby and when Molly asked me to share a favorite recipe, I knew exactly what I wanted to post.

Head on over to check out one of my MOST FAVORITE RECIPES EVER. (as if you had to ask)

My dad's Penne a la Vodka. Duh.

Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing

2012-01-22T16:47:00.003-06:00

Chopped salads are one of my favorite additions to a meal. They are fresh, colorful and all that's required is a little bit of chopping. The best part about these types of salads is that you can throw in anything that you have in your pantry or your fridge. If your refrigerator looks anything like mine, it has a half of a bell pepper here and a quarter of an English cucumber there. A chopped salad is a great way to use up any fresh veggies you have so that nothing goes to waste. I always start with Cannellini or Garbanzo beans and chopped artichoke hearts, then add in anything fresh that I have on hand. The more color, the more crunch! More color also equals added vitamins and nutrients. Double win.

Fresh basil and lemon juice really brighten this salad up. The bell peppers and cucumbers add the vibrant color and crunch, and the beans and artichokes add a variety of texture (and fiber!). Serve this alongside grilled chicken, steak or fish or double the recipe, pick up a Rotisserie chicken from your grocery store to shred and add in, and eat it all week for lunch.

Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing

Salad:

1 can Garbanzo beans

1 can artichoke hearts, chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped

1/2 English cucumber, chopped

Dressing:

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup olive oil

Juice from half of a lemon

1/4 tsp. dijon mustard

5-8 basil leaves, chopped

Salt & pepper to taste

Place all vegetables in a medium bowl. In a smaller bowl, mix together garlic, lemon juice, mustard and basil. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour over vegetables and mix. Let sit 30 minutes before serving.

DIY: Snowflake Door Bling

2012-01-21T17:02:00.004-06:00

I'm linking up with my friend and fellow North Carolinian, Adrienne at La Vita e Bella for Pinnable Friday! Instead of posting some of the lovelies I have pinned this week, I'm sharing a project that I found via Pinterest and just finished up! I've challenged myself to complete at least one thing per week that I have found on Pinterest and so far, I am on track. Whether it's a recipe, a new makeup trick, or re-styling my bookcases or coffee table, I am really trying to do something productive with these beautiful images that I'm digitally hoarding.

I love seasonal door decor and when I found this snowflake, I stuck a post-it in my planner so that I could be sure to remember this idea when January rolled around. Christmas is over, and I'm not quite ready for the pink and red pop of Valentine's day, so this wintry snowflake is now happily hanging on the front door of our house.

Supplies Needed:

Wooden popsicle (craft) sticks

Wooden craft circles

White paint

Hot glue gun

Ribbon

Wreath hanger

Using a paintbrush, I painted the sticks and circles front and back, but I'm sure that spray painting would work just as well. After the popsicle sticks and circles dried, I arranged them into my desired snowflake pattern and used my trusty hot glue gun to stick it all together. I had leftover gold glittered tulle from New Year's Eve so I used that for the bow.

Thanks for hosting Pinnable Friday, Adrienne! Be sure to visit La Vita e Bella if you want to link up with your Pinterest finds from the week!

Perfect Roast Chicken

2012-01-19T17:45:00.004-06:00

Roasting a chicken used to intimidate me. Handling a whole bird and cleaning it properly royally freaked me out. It wasn't until recently that I put my big girl panties on and conquered this feat. Roasted chicken is now a staple on our dinner menu almost every week! It's easy, full of flavor and makes great leftovers for weekday lunches. I have even roasted a chicken on Sundays just for the purpose of eating lunches throughout the week. With a little help from Ina Garten and pulling out years of watching my mom in the kitchen from my elephantish memory, I have developed a great go-to method for roasting a fresh, young bird! The end result is juicy, tender chicken with the flavors of rosemary and lemon. (plus a week's worth of lunches!)

Perfect Roast Chicken

recipe adapted from Ina Garten

One 3-5 lb. roasting chicken

2 lemons, one cut in half, the other cut into wedges

1 clove garlic, cut crosswise

1 large bunch fresh rosemary

2 Tbsp. melted butter

Salt & pepper

Olive oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Remove chicken giblets and thoroughly rinse chicken inside and out. Pat dry. Salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Place chicken in a French Oven or roasting pan. Stuff the bird with half the bunch of rosemary, two lemon halves and the head of garlic. Stuff the remaining bunch of rosemary underneath the chicken skin. Brush the outside of the chicken with the melted butter and sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Place the onions and lemon wedges in the roasting pan and drizzle quickly with olive oil.

Roast for 1.5 hours, or until the juices run clear. Remove the chicken from the roasting pan and let sit for 15-20 minutes.

lunching with leftovers:

Monday- Chicken Caesar Salad
Tuesday- Emily's Thai Chicken Wraps
Wednesday- Shredded chicken, tomato, avocado and red pepper pesto lettuce wraps
Thursday- Chicken salad (Less mayonnaise, no mustard and add grapes! Fresh dill and tarrgon take this recipe over the top)
Friday- Mexican Chopped Salad with chicken

My Comfy Winter Staples

2012-01-17T18:12:00.004-06:00

It just keeps getting colder (and colder and colder and colder) in these parts! I lived in Charlotte for over half of my life and even though I consider myself a Southerner, I am no stranger to cold weather. I spent the first twelve years of my life in Michigan and went to college in the snowy mountains of North Carolina so you would think that winter would be easy peasy for me. Not so much.

Winter in Illinois is a whole different ballgame. I will spare you the chilly details but you know, when the land is so flat and there is nowhere for the wind to go but straight in your face, leaving the house is often a challenge.

I have an abundance of clothes in my closet but during the winter, I like to stick to my cozy staples. Since I work from home, my daily uniform is some form of what you see above. Layering is key and my North Face puffer jacket is a must when I venture out of the house. I discovered the Mossimo Ponte Seam Leggings from Target back in the fall and I'm in deep love. They are thicker than a normal legging and look a bit more polished. I have three pairs of these pants because I love them that much! I like to pair these pants with basic, blousy tees and long cardigans. You can never have enough of either of these items in your closet! And since it's the sloppy, slushy time of year, I never leave my house without my Hunter Boots. I live in them all winter long. They are practical, cute and I may have even seen a photo of Duchess Kate sporting the same pair. I like to finish it off with a printed scarf for a pop of color and I'm good to go!

Stay warm, friends!

Afternoon Latte Break

2012-01-16T16:49:00.003-06:00

When 3pm rolls around, my eyes start to get heavy and I need a pick me up. Usually, I enjoy a mug of green tea but there are some days I need something a little more punch and a cup of coffee identical to the one that I drank in my pajamas when I woke up just won't cut it. Last week, DD tweeted this easy, at home coffee treat and I was immediately sold. I enjoyed one yesterday afternoon and again today during the mid afternoon slump. Using my French Press, almond milk and a mason jar, I can have my own giant latte in about five minutes.

Who wants to come over tomorrow afternoon?

Low-Fat Afternoon Latte

recipe from Martha Stewart

3/4 cup low-fat milk

1/4 cup brewed espresso

Place milk in a 2-cup microwave safe glass jar with a lid. Cover and shake vigorously. Remove lid and transfer jar to microwave. Microwave on high for 45 seconds.

Pour espresso into a cup; pour milk over espresso. Spoon remaining foam on top and enjoy.

Bloody Mary Tomato Salad

2012-01-14T08:43:00.003-06:00

As I have mentioned before, I like taking well known flavors out of their usual form, to make it into something else. I realize that Bloody Mary's are of the love/hate category for most but hear me out when I say that my not-so-much-of-a-bloody-mary-fan husband bonded so well with these flavors, that he went back for seconds. I put a whole new twist on something he thought he wasn't crazy about and I just may have made him a believer.

Bloody Mary's aren't just for for curing a hangover from a fun night out. They also aren't just for sipping leisurely each morning on a Pawley's Island bachelorette beach weekend. On New Year's Eve, I turned them into soup shots (recipe coming next week) and this past week, I turned the beloved savory cocktail into a salad.

Fresh, tiny tomatoes mixed with salty olives, crunchy celery and pickled onions all swimming in a dressing made with horseradish, champagne vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Don't leave out the celery seed. I believe it's the finishing touch that rounds out all of the flavors. This Bloody Mary Tomato salad was the star of the night on a plate with grilled steak and roasted asparagus bundles.

Bloody Mary Tomato Salad

recipe adapted from Epicurious

1 cup finely chopped red onion

3 Tbsp. champagne vinegar, divided

1 lb. cherry tomatoes, halved

1 lb. grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup chopped celery hearts

1/2 cup chopped green olives

2 Tbsp. olive brine/juice

2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. hot pepper sauce

1/2 tsp. celery seeds

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt & freshly cracked black pepper

Mix 1 Tbsp. of champagne vinegar and the chopped onion. Set aside for 10 minutes, tossing often.

Add tomato, celery and olives.

Whisk remaining 2 Tbsp. vinegar, olive juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce and horseradish in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil. Add dressing to bowl with tomato mixture and add salt and pepper to season. Cover and chill for at least one hour prior to serving.

Oh the Weather Outside is...Weather

2012-01-12T17:27:00.008-06:00

As I look out the window, it looks like a beautiful, giant snow globe! The snow has not stopped since is started early this morning and I kind of love it. A cozy day at home is one of my favorites found in the life category of "little things". There's also something about days like these that make me crave all of the music that I play nonstop from the time Halloween leaves us all the way through the 12th day, and then some, for good measure. Because I do try to save Christmas music for that special time of year (even though it pains me), I like to make Winter playlists to enjoy on snowy day. What is winter music? "Transitional" tunes that linger a bit longer than the rest and help ween me off of my holiday high but still give me that ridiculously warm feeling inside. You know. All those songs that are happy and joyful and festive but really don't really scream Christmas.

If this playlist comes as a surprise for you, you don't really know me at all.

The Perfect Winter Playlist

1. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm- Frank Sinatra

2. Winter Wonderland- Jason Mraz

3. Winter- Joshua Radin

4. Linus & Lucy- Vince Guaraldi

5. Baby It's Cold Outside- Zoey Deschanel & Leon Redbone

6. I Love the Winter Weather- Tony Bennett

7. Winter- Antonio Vivaldi

8. The Peppermint Twist- Joey Dee & The Starliters

9. Jingle Bells- Diana Krall

10. Sleigh Ride- Ella Fitzgerald

11. Let it Snow!- Michael Buble

12. Winter Song- Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

13. Nutcracker Suite- Brian Setzer Orchestra

14. Frosty the Snowman- Harry Connick Jr.

Snack Time

2012-01-11T16:35:00.005-06:00

My palate is that of a foodie adult but my eating schedule is pretty childish. I like to think it will keep me young. Ha! Three meals are a must and I even though I don't have much of an appetite in the morning, I rarely skip breakfast. If you are like me, a snack is an essential pick me up between lunch and dinner. Here are some of my favorite ways to spend snack time:

Small cup of plain Greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds, a few crushed pistachios and a drizzle of honey
Sliced apple/celery with 2 tablespoons peanut or almond butter
Cucumber slices dipped in mashed avocado with lime juice and sea salt
White bean hummus with vegetable dippers (cucumber, bell pepper, celery)
Kale chips
2 hard boiled eggs
Grapefruit (it's especially delicious this time of year when it's in season)
Frozen grapes- these are so delicious and have the consistency of mini, bite sized sorbets!

Do you have any other healthy snacks that you love? Send them my way and I'll add them to this list. I'll link this post in the snacks section of my recipe tab.

Eating Seasonably!

2012-01-10T10:19:00.000-06:00

I found this neat little chart via Pinterest and I didn't think it would be very nice to keep it to myself. If you are trying to eat fresh foods, use this as a guide as you plan your meals to focus on what's in season.

Source: matchstickmolly.com via Nina on Pinterest

Curing the Holiday Hangover

2012-01-09T08:44:00.003-06:00

With the holidays behind us, so is all of the reckless eating. Cookies constantly within an arm's reach and an eggnog latte or peppermint mocha coffee break just to enjoy and savor the beloved red cup. And there always an excuse for an extra cocktail. Or five. I don't eat everything in site but I also don't spend my holidays worrying about every morsel I put in my mouth because honestly, I just enjoy it and know that we'll return to our regularly scheduled eating habits once the season comes to an end. What's fun about indulging if you have to rationalize everything you eat? This also goes for every extra dollar that has cause the grocery budget to just be completely ignored.

The cookies are gone, the red cups are no longer available at Starbucks (sigh) and it's time to focus on cleaning up a bit and getting back into our usual routine and stocking our refrigerator with healthy fuel. I have said this before, but I don't like the word diet. You can't stick to a diet. You CAN stick to a lifestyle. And that's how we do it around here.

I meal plan every week. Ashley and I did it while living in our apartment and I have never gone back. At the beginning of the week, I sit down with my laptop, cookbooks and recipe binder and plan our dinners for the entire week. I find that one trip to the grocery store a week not only saves me time, but saves me money! Shopping with a well thought out list is key. I do most of my grocery shopping around the perimeter of the grocery store and besides a select few items, I try to stay out of the aisles since that is where most of the trouble is.

If you are in need of some healthy recipes to jump start your new year, keep reading! Below is a week worth of clean and healthy dinners, plus one for good measure. With the exception of the soup, all can be made in under an hour, making them ideal for your weeknight menus. I added many of these to our dinner menu for last week. Some are new, some are from my daily web browsing and some are my own blog recipes that I cleaned up with a few simple swaps.

Salmon roasted with fresh lemon & garlic

{salmon fillet, 2 cloves garlic minced, 6 lemon slices, salt,

pepper, brush of olive oil, 20 minutes on 350*. Easy!}

Roasted Red Pepper Pistachio Pesto

Simple baby greens salad with balsamic vinaigrette

The Culinary Couple's Tortellini Soup- one of my favorite all time recipes

(Double the sausage, skip the tortellini)

Grilled Chicken Breast with Olive Tapenade

Baby spinach salad with champagne vinaigrette

Garlic & Herb Dijon Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Green Beans Salad with Pickled Red Onions and Fried Almonds

Roasted Chicken Thighs

Spinach salad with sauteed mushrooms and Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

Asian Beef Lettuce Wraps

(Use ground sirloin and swap Hoisin sauce for 2 tbsp. natural peanut butter)

Seared Marinated Flank Steak

Pan roasted brussels sprouts

(I use olive oil instead of butter)

Tomato, cucumber and red onion salad with red wine vinaigrette

Grilled chicken breast over romaine & baby greens

cucumbers, grape tomatoes, green onions and avocados

Simple Caesar Dressing

Cheers clearing out the bad, shopping smart and to a fresh start in the kitchen in 2012!

Movie Night Popcorn

2012-01-07T20:32:00.005-06:00

I'm known to fall asleep while watching movies at home. It happens, and I don't even try to fight it. Unless it's The Holiday. I always seem to stay awake for that.

Popcorn, however, is a game changer. Give me a little treat and my battery is instantly recharged. I'm totally a kid. We were feeling nostalgic last weekend while Meghan and Scott were here visiting, and we kicked off the weekend with popcorn made the old fashioned way- on the stove. I don't know that I will ever make popcorn any other way. If you follow these instructions to a "T", your movie nights will be forever changed.

Movie Night Popcorn

3 Tbsp. Canola oil

3/4 cup popcorn kernels

Melted butter & sea salt (we also like Morton's Nature's Seasons)

Heat oil in a large, heavy bottom pot on medium-high heat, about 5 minutes. To make sure the oil is heated, place 3-4 kernels in the pot and cover. When the kernels pop, add in the rest of the popcorn in an even layer. Cover and remove from heat. Count to 30. Return to heat and shake back and forth. Once the popcorn starts to pop, create a slight opening in the lid to let the steam out. When there are more than 3-4 seconds between each kernel pop, remove from heat. Cover and let stand for one minute.

Pour into a large bowl. Top with melted butter and sea salt or other delicious seasoning of your choice.

And don't fall asleep while you watch the movie.

All That Twinkled

2012-01-04T16:43:00.019-06:00

The Christmas season seems to come and go too quickly. Or maybe I am just getting old. In my usual style, I enjoyed every morsel of Christmas cheer to the fullest! And then some. I don't like to rush through the holiday, and I savor all of my favorite things. In fact, our tree is still up and the lights are still twinkling. Growing up, our family tree stayed up through the 12th day of Christmas and I'm continuing the tradition in our home. Our holiday season was filled with lots of love, wonderful visits with our families and new memories together as we celebrated our second Christmas together as Mr. and Mrs.!

In a surprise inspired by my favorite Folger's commercial from yesteryear, I appeared in Charlotte a few days earlier than my family expected. Special thanks to my sweet husband for suggesting I spend a little extra time in Charlotte, and to my little sister Natalie, my blonde Sister Sophie and my little Elfin nephew, Jack for conducting a top secret airport pick-up. "Operation Peter" was a success. (I have to find a way to get the video that Nat recorded on my blog. Oh yes! We have video documentation to give Folger's a run for their money).

I surprised everyone (except Nat who kept her lips sealed) and enjoyed a few extra days of uninterrupted time with my sisters and parents all under one roof! There is nothing quite like it. And no explanation for these pictures. Extra dirty martinis and steamers anyone?

Have I ever mentioned we all plan our time according to what we want to eat? Peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes from Chick-Fil-A were a non negotiable treat. I only wish I could have gotten the ordering process on video. God bless the sweet 15 year old working in the drive thru.

Mark and I enjoyed Christmas eve with his sister, brother-in-law and 4 of our sweet nieces and nephews in Columbia. We even got to go outside the kids' windows with bells and play Santa!

Before going tucking in for the night, we drank peppermint hot chocolate and left out cookies for Santa.

Santa came!

Christmas day at the Nido house was magical, as usual.

How bromantic!

LOVE.

Annual sister photo shoot in front of the tree!

Santa Bears! 1985, 1987 and 1992 editions, respectively.

The food. Oh, the food. (plenty of cocktails, too!)

Homemade pasta is a post-Christmas meal must! Thanks, Andi!

The perfect way to top off the magic? Ringing in the New Year with our dear friends who came to visit, Meghan and Scott! (just wait until I post our New Year's Eve 2011 menu! TO. DIE. FOR.)

Wishing everyone much peace, love and joy in 2012!

From Our Home to Yours...

2011-12-25T00:00:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas from the Moores!

Wishing you all a magical day filled with abundant blessings as you are surrounded by the ones you love most!

Dudley the Elf

2011-12-23T18:04:00.006-06:00

Long before Elf on a Shelf, the Nido girls had an annual, magical visitor straight from the North Pole. Too shy to see us, he would appear after we were asleep, and visit with my dad over mugs of hot cocoa. His visit came after our family tree was lit with red lights and decorated from head to toe. This is a tale, as told by my dad, is near and dear to my heart. So many of my favorite memories of the magic of Christmas, all lead back to Dudley the elf.

The Tale of a North Pole Ambassador

written by: The Elf Whisperer

On a snowy winter’s evening in mid-December 1989, after locking the doors and taking a gander at the sparkle and glow of our home we created for Christmas, I reduced everything to darkness and was headed up the stairs when I was startled by a rustling noise coming from the direction of our kitchen. Frightened, I eased my way down the steps and around the corner, only to find a strange little man sitting at the kitchen table. He had a luminescent glow about him and was so short that his feet didn’t even touch the floor. He smiled, but didn’t say a word. Suddenly, I felt I was having some crazy dream, until he spoke.

“Where are the girls?” he said.

Okay, I thought that maybe I’m crazy, but I’ll play along so he won’t harm me. “They’re in bed”, I said.

“Did Nina say her prayers?” he asked.

How does he know her name, I wondered? I wasn’t sure what to do next but he seemed pleasant enough, so I answered his questions. “Yes she did” I said.

“But, before that you had to discuss what she was going to have for breakfast in the morning” he said. “Her palate is quite mature for her young age. That’s going to be trouble for you when she grows up”.

“HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS??”

He squinted and the corner of his mouth turned up in a half-smile that told me he knows more than I can ever imagine. “What about Andi? Has she quit talking and gone to sleep yet?” he said.

Now I was worried. He knew too much about my precious girls for my liking. “What do you want, and who are you anyway?”

“The name’s Dudley and I come from the North Pole. I’m the Chief Elf and everything goes through me.”

“How did you get here and why did you choose us?”

“Serendipity” he said. “I was out for a ride and saw the warm red glow from your Christmas tree. I couldn’t resist.”

“Okay, so what do you want from me?”

“Just a mug of hot cocoa.”

Still wary of this funny-looking little fellow, I asked how he got here. “Olaf” he said

“Pardon me?”

“Olaf” he said again.

“Is that a foreign car I’ve never heard of?” I said.

“No. He’s a reindeer. One of the spare ones. My favorite. Let me show you.”

He led me out to the porch where to my astonishment, was a large smiling reindeer. He had a fuzzy brown rack with enough points to hang 20 stocking caps, bells around his neck and a saddle strapped to his back. Now I was convinced that this wasn’t a dream and I wasn’t on Candid Camera. We returned to the kitchen and I fixed each of us a mug of hot cocoa. We chatted about all kinds of things, but he was especially interested in Nina and Andi and their activities. He asked if I would take him up to their bedrooms so that he could give them a kiss on the cheek. We tiptoed up the stairs and went into Andi’s room first. He bent over and gave her a kiss on the cheek and of course, she didn’t stir. We proceeded to Nina’s room, and being the light sleeper, as soon as he kissed her, she grumbled and rolled over. Dudley made a beeline for the stairs and ran down to the kitchen.

I followed him and asked “what’s the matter?”

“I’m shy. Your girls can’t see me. Only you.”

“How long have you been doing this” I asked.

“I’ve been the chief since I was 348 years old.”

“How old are you?”

“572 years. I must go.”

“Why?”

“I must be back to the North Pole by daybreak.”

Before he left, he reached into his pocket and pulled out two small trinkets to leave for the girls, and promised he would be back next year and the year after that.........

He returned the following year and every year after that and still does today, always bearing three small trinkets. His arrival is always the evening after our family Christmas tree is put up. How does he know? He waits for the warm red glow. Since that first December night, we added one more daughter, Natalie to our family. As the girls got older, my kitchen table chats with Dudley changed as did our beverage of choice. We now chat over a pint of ale and discuss their boyfriends, husbands, college, careers and whatever else is on our minds. Even though he has never seen them, he knows them as well as I do. Dudley knows...........

Mike Nido, aka The Elf Whisperer, lives a quiet life with his family in Charlotte, North Carolina and still waits up every year for Dudley.

Peter!

2011-12-21T07:18:00.000-06:00

I so wish this commercial still made its way onto our TV screens every year. This has been my favorite Christmas commercial since I was a child. And it makes me cry. Every. Single. Time. Folger's will do that to a sappy little elf like me! I always wished for a big brother, just so I could re-enact this scene in my own home.

After all, these little snippets of love and joy really are what the Christmas season is about.

Olive & Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade

2011-12-20T19:19:00.000-06:00

I could make a meal out of Olive Tapenade. Give me a spoon, and I'm a happy girl! I love the salt richness of the olives and the extra bite of garlic and herbs. If you're looking for an interesting spread to serve on crostini for pre-Christmas dinner appetizers, this is for you!

This creation was the result of not having enough roasted red peppers in my fridge to make my red pepper pesto, so I grabbed the green olives and my mini Cuisinart and mixed up my very own tapenade. The roasted red peppers cut the saltiness of the olives perfectly. Oregano and garlic add the perfect sidekick flavors and trusty extra virgin olive oil smooths it down. There are no rules when it comes to how you enjoy your tapenade. Eat this with fish, chicken, or on toasted crostini. Or just grab a spoon.

Olive & Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade

1 cup green olives

1/3 cup roasted red peppers

2 cloves garlic

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano

2 Tbsp. olive oil

Place all ingredients in food processor. Pulse until you get a consistency similar to the picture above. Be careful not to over-process. One too many pulses and your tapenade will become juice!

Handmade Holiday Cheer: Personalized Ornaments

2011-12-19T22:17:00.007-06:00

Happy Christmas week!

I was looking for a few extra goodies to add to some Christmas care packages and when I saw this post from Nina last week, I new that the personalized ornaments were in my crafting future. I'm a sucker for anything personalized. Bonus points if it's Christmas related.

I picked up some bright colored ornaments at Hobby Lobby as well as some festive ribbon. I used white craft paint that I already had at home to carefully paint names on the ornaments. I tied pretty little bows atop the wire loop and this simple Christmas craft was complete! Don't forget to use fray-check or clear nail polish on your ribbon ends!

Red Velvet Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

2011-12-18T13:22:00.005-06:00

As I mentioned a few days ago, I spent last Saturday baking up some Christmas treats. These cookies made their way onto the baking list and I do believe they will remain on my list for years to come. I love red velvet anything and with only a handful of ingredients, this is such a simple cookie to make. They're pretty, they're pepperminty and bonus points because they're a festive color- red! If you are not a peppermint loving soul, I do believe a simple red velvet crinkle cookie would be delightful. I just happen to love that candy cane crunch!

Red Velvet Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

recipe from Duncan Hines

1 box Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake Mix

6 tablespoons butter

2 large eggs

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. cornstarch

1/2 cup crushed candy canes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter and set aside to cool. Place cornstarch and powdered sugar in a shallow bowl (I recommend using a pie dish) and mix well with a fork.

Place cake mix, eggs and cooled butter into a large mixing bowl. Mix by hand until well blended. Stir in crushed candy cane. Using your hands, form dough into 1 inch balls and roll in the powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture. Place on a cool, un-greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time, for 9-11 minutes, in the center of the oven.

Cool on a wire rack.

Our Christmas Kissed Casa

2011-12-17T19:59:00.004-06:00

I love, love, love decorating for Christmas! My family's home was nothing short of magical at Christmastime and now that I have a home of my own, I've recreated the feeling as Mark and I start to make our own memories and traditions together. I love that from the moment you arrive at our front door, our house is literally kissed with Christmas all over. I love red, green and lots of sparkle! Every room in the house has something special to smile about.

Mark and I made a trip to The Reindeer Ranch to get our tree this year which was so much fun. We picked out a 10 foot North Carolina Fraser Fir that sits front and center in our living room. Mark is finally learning this year that the first person up is responsible for turning the tree on. There is nothing quite like waking up in the morning and walking out to pour your coffee while seeing a perfectly glowing Christmas tree. It's like a Folger's Coffee commercial every single morning. I know, such a Yuletide freak I am!

Our tree has no special theme. Only memories! I'm thankful that both Mark and I have families that started the tradition of giving ornaments every year. I plan on doing the same thing for our future minis. Our tree is filled and holds a combined 61 years of ornaments! We have ornaments from the time we were both born until now and each holds a serial memory. There are no two ornaments alike! Our tree is covered in 2,200 lights! Our personalized Pottery Barn tree skirt was a wedding gift from our dear friends.

I grabbed an eggnog latte, turned on The Holiday and did some Christmas wrapping! Cheerful presents under the tree are such a pretty sight.

Our stockings match our tree skirt and are a new addition to our decor this year! They're hanging with care.

My parents gave me this beautiful, hand painted nativity a few years ago. It's white with simple gold detailing and I love it sitting on our bookshelf. The camels are my favorite.

Last year, I discovered my love for filling every open container with ornaments. It's a fun and easy way to add Christmas happys all over the house. I filled my trifle dish with red, silver and gold ornaments and keep it on our coffee table.

In our small powder room, I filled a metal bucket with ornaments, cinnamon pine cones and some clippings from our tree.

The Santa soap dispenser is back this year and sits next to this hand painted ceramic tree! My mom painted these little gems years ago and she sent one home with my over Thanksgiving. These little light up trees were always a favorite of mine when I was younger and I smile every time I walk by and see it glowing.

This year, I tried something new with some extra ornaments and hung them from the light fixture above our table. I'm loving the way they ornaments look like they just float.

I love this simple wreath hanging over our kitchen window above the sink. I picked it up at our local nursery and added my own sparkly gold bow. It's real and smells delightful!

And because I need something pretty to look at while I work, a tiny Charlie Brown tree in my office. It's decorated with small gold balls, white twinkle lights and gold swizzle sticks. This is the same tree that used to twinkle in my bedroom growing up, so it has a special little place in my heart.

I'm linking my Christmas decorations up with Erin for the last post of this fun Holiday link up! It's been so much fun to take a virtual Holiday Home Tour of blogland.

We're off t0 look at Christmas lights around our town. We have mint chocolate chip ice cream, Christmas pajamas and the movie Elf waiting for us when we get home. (with a special appearance by Mr. Buble on Saturday Night Live!) Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Handmade Holiday Cheer: White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn

2011-12-15T08:41:00.000-06:00

I spent last Saturday in the kitchen with our sweet neighbors trying out some new Christmas recipes. We made three types of cookies, cake batter bark and this White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn that has already seemed to make its way out of the kitchen and into our bellies in less than a week. Santa isn't the only one with a bowl full of jelly at this time of year. Ha!

A lot of sweet, a slight dusting of salt and peppermint crunch in every bite, this festive popcorn is a guaranteed holiday hit. Serve it in festive bowls at a Christmas party or package it up and deliver Christmas happys to your family and friends. Or, you can always enjoy it Moore style: grabbing a handful every time you pass through the kitchen.

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn

recipe from Plain Chicken

2 bags microwave popcorn (no butter, slightly salted is best)

1 6 oz. box of candy canes, crushed

1 package Almond Bark

1 tsp. peppermint extract

Pour popcorn in the largest bowl that you have. You may also divide it in half, creating two batches if you don't have a bowl large enough. Pour crushed candy canes over the top of the popcorn. Melt almond bark on the stove, using a double boiler or double boiling method. While almond bark is melting, clear off counter space and line with parchment paper. Once the bark has fully melted, add peppermint extract. Pour the minty mixture over the popcorn and stir until all of the popcorn is kissed with chocolate. Dump popcorn onto the parchment paper and allow to harden.

Oh What Fun It Is To...Create!

2011-12-14T21:00:00.004-06:00

I am having so much fun with these cheerful link ups this week! Every morning is a huge Christmas fest as I drink my coffee and catch up on my blog reading. My mother always says that everyone has a little creativity in them and I believe that even more than ever before, especially now being a part of the blogging community. Today's link up is hosted by one creative mama, Meredith from The Tichenor Family!

My creative wheels turn at a high speed during Christmas and even though I feel as though I've worked harder than a North Pole elf crafting my Christmas loving heart away, I'm starting to panic because there are still a few things I want to get done and Christmas is LESS than two weeks away!

Over Thanksgiving weekend, my mom and I made our own Advent Calendars.

I made a Pottery Barn inspired wreath for our front door.

My "little sister" that volunteer with came over last week and we made our very own gingerbread house! She absolutely loved it, and then told me she couldn't wait to grow up so that she could become baker and open her own business. So cute.

I cannot take credit for the idea below, but I could not leave it out of this post. This creation made its way to our doorstep earlier this week and when I opened it, my eyes filled with tears. Our fabulous wedding photographer had been holding onto a little momento from our Wedding Day. During our toast, when the champagne was popped, the cork hit Lindsay in the head! She tucked it away in her bag for safe keeping. I keep all corks. I have the cork from the Champagne toast my dad gave us on the night we got engaged, I have the cork from the bottle of wine we drank at Pane Caldo in Chicago on our one year anniversary and I have the corks from the bottle of wine we opened on a random Tuesday last winter. I don't know how it never occurred to me that we didn't have the cork from our Wedding Day.

How special is this ornament that Lindsay made us!? She took our cork, placed it in a plastic ornament with some simple brown crinkles and added a ribbon topped with a sweet "just married" medallion. This would be a great gift for any newlywed couple. Thank you Lindsay, you are the best!

Oh What Fun It Is To...Cook!

2011-12-13T20:24:00.000-06:00

Today's link up is hosted by Molly of Duchess of Fork and I'm so excited to share one of my favorite family recipes. I'm all about the food over here so it should go without saying that this might be my favorite link up of the week! The Italian Pizelle cookie is a Christmas staple in my family kitchen and it would not be Christmas without them. These cookies are light, crisp and in my heart they are guilt free because they are like eating air...only a little sweeter. One is never enough.

Pizelles make a beautiful addition to a Christmas party dessert bar, on a plate of cookies taken to the neighbors or wrapped up with cellophane and a giant bow to accompany a hostess gift. A Pizelle iron is an essential kitchen appliance in all Italian homes and a worthwhile investment for anyone wanting to add a sweet Italian tradition to your Holiday baking list!

Italian Pizelles

6 eggs

3.5 cups flour

1.5

1 c. cool melted butter

4 tsp. baking powder

2 Tbsp. anise extract

Powdered sugar, for dusting

Preheat pizelle griddle. Sift flour and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl. Beat eggs, adding sugar gradually. Add butter and anise, slowly add in the flour/baking powder mixture until you have a sticky, doughy mixture. Drop dough in tablespoonfuls onto the griddle. Cook until the steam stops and the cookies have turned a golden color. Remove with a fork and cool on wire racks. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Oh What Fun It Is To...Entertain on New Year's Eve!

2011-12-12T09:53:00.008-06:00

I am excited about this Holiday link up hosted by some lovely bloggers this week! Today, I'm linking up with Nina to share my sparkly plans for our New Year's Eve guests! I fondly refer to my family as the party type and we wouldn't have it any other way. My parents love to entertain and they have certainly shared that love with me. We're Italian. It's what we do. There is nothing better than hosting friends and family in your home and making them feel all warm and fuzzy and loved. And the more, the merrier!

The newlyweds are making their way from Washington D.C. to spend New Year's weekend in the Midwest and I'm bursting with excitement. I am not wishing away Christmas but I am just so excited for their arrival! Meghan and I have been dreaming up our little New Year's Eve party for what seems like months and we can't believe it's only a few weeks away. I also made her promise me that she would watch the end scene in The Holiday because that is exactly what I envision!

I picked up some inspiration from Pinterest and I plan on finalizing my menu before we head south for Christmas. I'm looking forward to a fancy night at home with heavy hors d'oeuvres, festive cocktails, bite sized sweet treats and twinkle lights. Any home party is not complete without living room dancing and we can't forget to add a new dress to the list! MOD & Scott- we can't wait for your arrival!

Source: thecol0rsofmyrainb0w.tumblr.com via Nina on Pinterest

Source: celebrationsathomeblog.com via Joanne on Pinterest

Source: redhot.bettycrocker.com via Gina on Pinterest

Source: beautifultonedhealthy.tumblr.com via Devin on Pinterest

Source: dylicieux.tumblr.com via Ragan on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Nina on Pinterest

Source: piperlime.gap.com via Nina on Pinterest

Spread the Cheer

2011-12-09T11:29:00.001-06:00

'Tis the season. Remember to give more, smile more, sparkle more and love more. Spread the cheer.

Giveaway, Gift Guide, & Giving Back

2011-12-07T08:31:00.008-06:00

'Tis the season for giving (and getting) and the inter-webs are filled with tons of fun and festive giveaways. I've rounded up something I've been working on as well as a gift guide and a giving back opportunity from two of my friends.

Giveaway: The 25 Tacky Days Sweepstakes

This Sweepstakes is near and dear to my heart, as I have been working for the past couple of months with an amazing team of people developing a new site that will be launching in 2012. I have taken on the role of The Social Media Manager and am loving it! To spread some Christmas cheer, we're hosting a 25 day giveaway. That's 25 chances to win what totals $2700 in prizes! $100 Visa Gift Cards are being given away daily and on 12/13 and 12/24, we're giving away Amazon Kindle Fires! Enter here: http://sweepstakes.tacky.com, or by clicking the 25 Tacky Days widget on my sidebar. One entry is all it takes- don't miss out! If you Tweet, you can follow us, birdie style (@tackyco).

Gift Guide: 25 Days of Iron Mamas Clean Eating

Iron Mamas is my go to website for kicking my workouts up a notch. I used to take classes from Kelly when we both lived in Charlotte and am so happy she now shares them on her website. Kelly recently started a clean eating blog, Clean Eating, Iron Mamas Style where she posts clean recipes and great nutrition advice. During the month of December, she's doing a 25 day series where she is posting recipes, tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holidays and creative gift ideas for the healthy foodies in your life! She has already given some great ideas and I can't wait to see what else she shares. Head over to her blog to get some of these great ideas (and for extra motivation to stay healthy during the ultimate season of sweets and treats, too!)

Giving Back: Donation December

My west coast sister, Danica, is doing something AMAZING. She is raising money on her blog for Locks of Love. She is committing to raise $500 during the month of December at at the end of the month, she will donate 10 inches of hair! This is the third time she will be donating to Locks of Love. That's a total of 30 inches of hair. If you are looking for little ways to give back this holiday season, you can click over to Chic Runner and read her Donation December post. Make sure you have a tissue and if you donate, tell her that I sent you!

Hope everyone is having a merry & bright week!

Reindeer Games

2011-12-06T18:48:00.008-06:00

On Saturday, Mark and I pulled on our cowboy boots and ventured over the river and through the cornfields to Hardy's Reindeer Ranch. I have had a bit of an obsession with this place ever since I discovered it and getting our Christmas tree anywhere else didn't seem as festive. REAL LIVE REINDEER. You can't get more magical than that. Unless, of course, those reindeer appeared on your roof.

We walked through the little shop, drank hot spiced cider and made friends with the lazy little Reindeer. We opted out of the grab an ax and cut your own tree deal and we picked out a giant Fraser Fir that was raised and brought to Illinois from my beloved North Carolina. I really believe that Fraser Firs make the most beautiful Christmas trees and I'm so thankful that Mark agrees.

The ride home was quite an eventful one. In between Mark deciding to meander and take the long way home, and me making the care shake as I danced to Christmas music, we stopped not once, but twice, to get out and make sure that our tree wouldn't come tumbling off of our car! I could barely take a picture because I was laughing so hard as we got out of our car in the middle of the cornfields (literally) to check on our tree. At this point, 'NSYNC "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" had just come on the radio, and I had a little impromptu concert in the middle of a country road while Mark worked so hard to keep the tree tied up and safe. What has our life become!?

I'm so blessed to be stuck with this guy for life. As we make our own traditions and memories, especially during the Christmas season, my heart explodes with love and happiness. Life is so much sweeter when you have someone to share the little moments in life with. My sisters said during their Maids of Honor speech at our wedding, "Mark must be really special guy for Nina to move all of the way to the middle of Illinois for him".

(for the record, my sisters are almost always right)

Garlic & Herb Dijon Roasted Pork Tenderloin

2011-12-05T17:48:00.004-06:00

As I took a pork tenderloin out of the freezer this morning to make tonight, it occurred to me that I have never shared this recipe on my blog. This is a favorite in our house and quite honestly, good enough to make for your next dinner party. If you are not a garlic person, this recipe may not be for you because I believe what makes this tenderloin so tasty is the garlic that is hiding in each bite. Fresh herbs are best, but I have used dried herbs as well. Ladies...make this for your meat loving husbands! Actually, scratch that. Pour yourself a glass of Pinot give them this recipe and tell them it's so easy, even they can make it. Real men can cook. And you deserve a night off.

Garlic & Herb Dijon Roasted Pork Tenderloin

1 boneless pork loin (we usually eat a small 2 lb. loin so double this for a larger cut)

4 cloves garlic, sliced

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp. dijon mustard

1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano

1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, mustard and herbs. Set aside. With a pairing knife, make slits evenly all over the pork. Place pieces of garlic in all of the slits. When you are done stuffing the garlic, sprinkle with salt and pepper to season. Less is more with the salt and remember your mustard will add saltiness. Place pork in a baking dish and using a kitchen brush, cover the tenderloin with half of the dijon herb sauce. (sometimes, I will throw in some onion quarters in with the pork, too for extra juices and flavor)

Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Uncover and brush the remaining dijon herb sauce on the pork and place in the oven for another 20 minutes, uncovered. Cook tenderloin until the internal temperature reaches 150-155 degrees.

Allow tenderloin to sit covered for 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with mashed sweet potatoes and a baby greens salad.

Handmade Holiday Cheer: Pottery Barn Inspired Wreath

2011-12-04T20:40:00.004-06:00

Pottery Barn has always been one of my favorite catalogs to grab decorating inspiration from. I love flipping through the pages at all of the pretty things. I fell in love with this photo of a Christmas entryway last year and have been excited to recreate this wreath ever since.

I already had a nice, plush wreath on hand as well as several packages of shatterproof ornaments from Target. I fluffed my wreath and arranged the greenery before I got started. I grabbed my glue gun and as I made rings of hot glue on the bottom of each ornament, I stuck the ornaments to my wreath until it was full and happy and sparkling.

I'm loving our cheerful and festive entryway! It's like a giant Christmas hug for anyone who enters our home.

Cajun Shrimp and Guac Lettuce Wraps

2011-12-02T12:35:00.000-06:00

Shrimp gets neglected in our dinner rotation but when it does make its way onto our menu, I fall in love all over again. It's both chic and easy and really one of those things you can whip up as a main course with just about anything you have on hand. I like to grab the frozen bags of peel and eat shrimp when they are on sale at my grocery store so that I always have a bag of little shrimpies on hand. Just run them under warmish water in a colander and they are thawed and ready for peeling, cooking and eating.

Y'all know we love wrapping things in lettuce around here. Add this recipe to your under an hour list! It's fresh, light and super healthy, too.

Cajun Shrimp and Guac Lettuce Wraps

For the shrimp:

1 lb. shrimp, peeled

3 cloves garlic, minced

Emeril's Essence for sprinkling (or any other Creole seasoning)

Cumin

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

In a small bowl, add the shrimp and a quick pour of olive oil. Add a few shakes of Emeril's and cumin and stir to combine and coat the shrimp. In a saute pan over medium heat, drizzle two turns of the pan with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Heat garlic and oil until the garlic is cooked and fragrant. Add the seasoned shrimp, and cook until pink.

Guacamole: (I learned this one by watching my Dad!)

2 large avocados

2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

Handful fresh cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 shallot, chopped

1 tsp. olive oil

Juice from 1 fresh lime

Salt, pepper & cumin to season

Mash avocados with a fork and place in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients, mix and enjoy.

A good tip for green guac: To keep the guacamole a nice green color, save an avocado pit and place in the bowl with the guacamole.

Bibb lettuce works best for lettuce wraps, but Romaine works well, too. We wrapped our lettuce with the shrimp, guacamole, yellow bell peppers, roasted red peppers and a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Make-A-Wish: Flour Power!

2011-12-01T11:41:00.010-06:00

Calling all family, friends and readers in the Charlotte area!

Flour Power!

Combining Pastry Arts with the Power of a Wish

Friday, December 9, 2011

11:00am-1:00pm

Founder's Hall

Charlotte, NC

My dear friend, Paul, is active in the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina and I am excited to team up with him and spread the word about an upcoming event! I have always had an extreme admiration for this organization and believe that the "power of a wish" is a magical thing! Make-A-Wish's mission is to: grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. This time of year brings a little extra happiness and the motivation to give back and spread cheer seems to take over all of us. Paul, along with a fellow M-A-W "wish granter" and a local chef came up with the concept for this fun foodie event. Chef Marsha Skidmore, who created a cake for one of Paul's wish kids, works in partnership with students from Johnson & Whales and helped pull this all together. Here is some more information, in Paul's words, about his M-A-W chapter, and what his wish kids will be doing on December 9:

"Our kids are between the ages of 2 ½ through 18 and the Central and Western NC Chapter serves 51 counties from the greater Charlotte area over to the western-most part of our state.

Typically, wishes fall into 4 categories:

I wish to be…
I wish to have…
I wish to go…
I wish to meet…

The average cost of our wishes is about $6,000.

For the event, we’ve paired 8 children from our chapter who have already had their wish granted. They were then paired with teams of student chefs from Johnson & Wales University. The kids and students attended a meet and greet where they all got to know each other and began the brainstorming session on cupcake flavors, designs etc. based on the kids wish experiences. So, imagine a trip of a lifetime, room makeover or shopping spree interpreted in edible art. The concept of the competition on 12/9 will follow the flow of popular culinary shows: teams will complete their designs, present to our panel of judges and a winning design will be chosen. Of course, samples will be available for the attending public.

In addition to the competition, and decorating demonstrations by Chef Marsha, we’ll have the following items available for a suggested donation at the event:

· Custom-designed recipe card sets of the 8 teams’ recipes (tied with ribbon and a wooden spoon): suggested donation $5.00

· Chance drawings for a couple of neat items

· Make-A-Wish t-shirts will be available as well.

Did I mention yet that the event is FREE and open to the public?! "

Check out the Flour Power Facebook page here. If you live in Charlotte, make sure you listen for advertisements on Kiss 95.1 FM and K-104.7 FM! CBS Radio is proud to sponsor Make-A-Wish locally. If you attend Flour Power!, look for Paul and tell him I sent you. You can give him a hug, too. He would LOVE it!!

If you have any questions about this event, or the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina, contact me and I'll put you in touch with Paul.

25 Holly, Jolly Movie Nights!

2011-11-30T21:00:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I think I am a 6 year old stuck in a 26 year old's body but in my opinion, life is more fun this way. I believe a younger version of Nina takes over especially this time of year.

Example #1 of my childlike tendencies- The 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family starts tomorrow!! The twenty five day movie marathon kicks off tomorrow with the Nido family Christmas favorite, The Santa Clause. I own this movie, but there is something special about a movie being shown on TV. I'm old fashioned like that.

And if you're really a Yuletide freak like me, you'll head over to ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas official website, and print out your schedule. Holly, jolly movie night wishes to you all for the next twenty five days!

Bacon, Arugula & Tomato Stuffed Chicken

2011-11-30T11:58:00.006-06:00

It's always fun to take beloved flavor combinations and give them new life (ie: Israeli Cous Cous that tastes like Thanksgiving or a Sweet Dip that tastes like Pumpkin Pie). Most of my recipes come from inspiration I see on the Food Network or on other blogs or food magazines and of course my parents' cooking but I try, at least once a week, to make up a recipe of my own. This system is working out quite well and I'm building a long index of recipes that I can call my own. WIN.

Last night's dinner was inspired by the classic BLT. We love stuffed chicken breast around here and everyone should know by now that bacon makes everything taste better. Add fresh tomatoes and sauteed arugula for a peppery bite and you have a gourmet weeknight dinner in less than an hour.

Bacon, Arugula & Tomato Stuffed Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 cups fresh arugula

2 roma tomatoes, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 pint Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced

1/4 cup red wine (whatever you have opened in your kitchen)

salt & pepper to taste

Olive oil for drizzling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook bacon and after done and removed from the pan, reserve some of the bacon grease. Using the same pan, saute garlic until fragrant then add the arugula until it starts to wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomatoes and crumbled bacon. With all of your chicken breasts laying flat, top each with the filling. Roll up and in a baking dish, cook with the rolled side down so that the filling stays contained. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Cook for 25 minutes or until done.

While the chicken is cooking, slice the Baby Bellas and place in a heavy bottomed pan with a drizzle of olive oil on medium heat. Saute for 10 minutes or so and when the mushrooms are nice and browned, add about 1/4 cup red wine to add flavor and pick up any brown bits from the pan. Serve mushrooms over chicken.

NOTE: If you don't want to roll the chicken, you can use thicker breasts and cut a pocket in them to stuff. Just secure with a toothpick to hold it shut.

Handmade Holiday Cheer: Advent Calendar

2011-11-29T11:22:00.003-06:00

Advent is such a special season and growing up, my family created so many traditions that became a fixed part in our celebrations during the month leading up to Christmas. Each week, we would light our Advent wreath and read from a special Advent devotionals book. During these four weeks, among the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, our Advent traditions kept us grounded and reminded us why we celebrate Christmas. While Advent wreaths are lit every Sunday, for the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, Advent calendars are typically twenty five days in length and start on December 1st.

My mom and I rolled out the craft supplies while I was home and we spent the majority of our Saturday with stamps, punches and delightful little embellishments. Being crafty and creative with my mom is one of my most favorite ways to spend time together, especially during the holidays. I am absolutely in LOVE with the Advent calendars we made! This was not a quick project but the tiny details are what make this calendar so personal and special. It's not December yet and there is still time to make your own! If after checking your list twice you find you don't have time for this project this year, you can stock up on these supplies so that you are ready for next Christmas!

Here are some up close shots of my favorite details. How cute are the little pearl snowballs, the mini tags, the glitter and rhinestones! I adore mini sized bling.

All of the supplies listed below can be ordered through my mom's Stampin' Up! website. She will get you set up and help you order everything that you need. (you can also access her website through my sidebar to the right. Just click on the Holiday Mini catalog image) If ordering this entire list of materials is a little too much, I suggest at least ordering the stamp set and filling in the rest of the supplies from your favorite craft store. Whether you want to order these supplies or use this as inspiration to make your own version, I promise the work is worth it! All of the calendar squares are glued on a 12 x 12" canvas. A bow is tied around the frame to complete this cheerful creation!

Supplies Needed

Key:
HM= Holiday Mini Catalog
IB= Idea Book & Catalog

· 25 & Counting Stamp Set, #123792 wood ($44.95), #123794 clear ($32.95) HM

· Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, #113439 ($99.95) IB

· Peekaboo Frames Die, #124587 ($32.95) HM

· Northern Frost Die, #120901 ($21.95) IB

· Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, #124096 ($7.95) HM

· 1" Square Punch, #124094 ($15.95) IB

· Scallop Square Punch, #119884 ($16.95) IB

· Scallop Circle Punch, #119854 ($16.95) IB

· Doily Triple Layer Punch, #122465 ($23.95) IB

· 1-3/8" Circle Punch, #119860 ($15.95) IB

· 1-1/4" Circle Punch, # 119861 ($15.95) IB

· Postage Stamp Punch, # 122344 ($15.95) IB

· 1-3/8" Square Punch, #119877, ($16.95) IB

· 1-1/4" Square Punch, #119865, ($16.95) IB

· Glimmer Paper, #121792 Red and #124005 Silver, $4.95 HM

· Dazzling Details Iridescent glitter glue, # 124117, $2.50 HM

· Designer Buttons, Holly Berry Bouquet, #125636, $8.95 HM

· Mini Jingle Bells, #124116, $2.95 HM

· Baker's Twine, Early Espresso #123124, $2.95 IB

· Crochet Trim, Victoria, #118481, $6.95 IB

· Jewels, Rhinestones, # 119246, and Basic Pearls, #119247, $4.95/150ct IB

· Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Paper, #124004, 12.95 HM

· Cardstock: Wild Wasabi #108641, Real Red #102482, Early Espresso #119686, Very Vanilla #101650, Whisper White # 100730 (all cardstock $6.95/24 sheets, vanilla and white have 40 sheets/$8.50 IB)

Supplies Note: I realize this list is pretty pricey when you add it all up! I am fortunate that my mother has a craft room filled with everything we need when we tackle a project. She has built her stock over the course of several years. I'm slowly adding to my inventory...

Happy Crafting!

Peace, Love & Good Food is Official!

2011-11-28T12:40:00.006-06:00

Santa came early and with him he brought me a dot com! As of today, my sweet little blog has moved and can be accessed by visiting the web address below:

www.peacelovegoodfood.com

You can still use www.peacelovefood.blogspot.com and you will be redirected to the new site.

Thank you all for reading!

Thankful.

2011-11-24T08:00:00.001-06:00

I am a big believer in finding joy in the little things. To me, this means taking time out of your day to find extraordinary in the ordinary and being thankful for the things we so often take for granted each day. The more thanks we give in our lives, the more there is in life to celebrate. Though it shouldn’t take one day of the year for us all to be thankful, our minds are naturally drawn to giving thanks during the holidays and especially in the month of November.

It’s my very favorite time of year and we are so lucky and blessed to be able to spend our holiday weekend with the people that we love the most.

A note to the Lovies- I have the Cinzano! Don’t drink the spiced apple cider margaritas until we get there!

Sending love and blessings to you all this Thanksgiving!

xxox

Handmade Holiday Cheer: Pumpkin & Apple Butter

2011-11-23T10:00:00.002-06:00

The most wonderful time of year upon us and I can't keep myself from trying new recipes to share with family and friends during upcoming holiday celebrations. I have a long list of treats that I want to make before Christmas gets here and this past weekend, I started with some seasonal butters! Since we travel for the holidays, I always try to find something that aside from being homemade, will also travel well. I made apple butter in the crock pot and pumpkin butter on the stove in my Le Creuset Dutch oven. Both are super yummy and could not be any easier. I also now the trick to making your house smell all warm and cozy and festive. Ours smelled like a holiday dream on Sunday with these butters cooking! And how darling are these mason jars all wrapped up with a simple bow. These are perfect to keep on hand during the season to give to your friends or to bring some Christmas cheer as a hostess gift at your next gathering.

When I test tasted the apple butter, I felt all happy inside, like the apples and spices were hugging me. It then occurred to me that substituting the apples for pumpkin would be an equally cheerful treat.

Enjoy!

Crock Pot Apple Butter

adapted from Bakin' on the Side

7 apples (I used a combination of Honey Crisp and Jonagold)

2 cups apple cider

3/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. pumpkin or apple pie spice

1/4 tsp. salt

Peel, core and chop apples then add them to the crock pot. Add cider, sugar and spices, mix together well. Cook on high until it starts to bubble. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 6-8 hours, stirring every hour. The apple butter will be very thick and dark brown when done. To get it to the right consistency pulse about 10 times in a blender.

Pumpkin Butter

1 29 oz. can pumpkin

1.5 cups apple cider

1 cup white granulated sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/4 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients in a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. When it comes to a boil, turn down to low and simmer for an hour until thickened.

*1 batch of both the apple and pumpkin butter fills two mason jars. Both can easily be doubled, tripled, or if you have a gigantic crock pot- quadrupled!

Nina + Mark and The Great Whipped Cream Debate

2011-11-22T07:52:00.007-06:00

Source: squidoo.com via Nina on Pinterest

The conversations that take place at our dinner table are always the best. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we vent and sometimes we finish dinner with the feeling that we have just made the world a better place and that all problems have been solved. We have even fallen over in our chairs a few times (no lie). Then there are the times that we get on the most random of topics, and just go with it.

I LOVE Thanksgiving and think it might quite possibly be the most perfect day of the year. It's the official kickoff to the holiday season without all of the material things and stress of checked off lists that seem to consume our brain throughout the month of December (I'm just as guilty as anyone). On Thanksgiving, families gather together for cherished time, traditions and enjoy the happiness that is being together. It's a holiday about peace! And love! And good food! Duh.

Being Italian, I often get questions like "do you eat turkey on Thanksgiving?" "Do you eat pasta instead?" Do you stuff your face with pasta first AND THEN dine on the holiday bird". Just because we're Italian does not mean we're un-American! Of course we eat turkey. Lots of it. My mom makes the most amazing stuffing in which she adds Italian sausage...and that's just about as Italian as our Thanksgiving Day gets. We have been known to add the occasional pumpkin gnocchi or butternut squash ravioli to our meal but you will never find a meatball or pile of paparadelle on our Thanksgiving table.

The point of this all being that the Thanksgiving meal we enjoy with Mark's family is so similar to what my family has always made. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce...the works. But where the difference lies is really so trivial, yet huge at the same time. While discussing pumpkin pie last night at the dinner table, Mark expressed his love for cool whip. And not a small puff, a whipped explosion! I explained to him that so much cool whip overpowers the pie and doesn't allow you to savor the pumpkin. It's also way too sweet for my liking, which is why next to homemade whipped cream that my mother so often spoils us with, I prefer Reddi Whip! Growing up, Reddi Whip had a constant presence in our refrigerator and to me, pumpkin pie is not the same without it. Mark tends to disagree. The whipping cream war continues.

So, I'm taking a Thanksgiving poll this Thanksgiving week! What dollop do you prefer on your slice?

P.S. Go Team Reddi Whip!

Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Grapefruit-Ginger-Honey Dipping Sauce

2011-11-21T12:00:00.000-06:00

This is one of those meals in which I assessed what we had on hand, and created it on the spot. I enjoy kitchen challenges like this that force me to think quickly, and use up what we have. Plus, a Saturday night in sounded great to us. Coconut and shrimp is always a match made in heaven and a sweet dipping sauce sounded like the perfect finishing touch. Everything came together beautifully (in under an hour!) and I've already added this to our mile long dinner rotation.

Coconut Shrimp

1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup unsweetened almond milk (milk, buttermilk, whatever you have in hand)

2 eggs, beaten

1.5 cups raw, shredded, unsweetened coconut

1 Tbsp. Creole seasoning (Emeril's Essence is my favorite)

Soak peeled shrimp in 1 cup of milk for 15-30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat 2 eggs in a medium sized mixing bowl, mix coconut together with creole seasoning and set up a dipping station. Transfer shrimp to egg bowl. Take a few shrimp at a time and coat in coconut. Place on a baking sheet, lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes, or until nice and crispy.

Sweet Grapefruit-Ginger-Honey Dipping Sauce

1/4 cup honey

Fresh lemon zest (about 1/2 lemon)

1 Tbsp. fresh grated ginger

1/2 fresh grapefruit, juiced

1/2 fresh lemon, juiced

Whisk up and use for dipping. This would also be an excellent salad dressing.

Snippets

2011-11-20T21:17:00.004-06:00

How is it Sunday night already!? I need about 27 hours in my day. Or perhaps I could start a petition to make work weeks consist of two days while weekends last for five. Who's in?! I recently started an incredible new job and while I'm loving every minute of it, being on a new "schedule" is really kicking my tail. I talked to my Sweethearts (my grandparents) this afternoon and my Grandma pointed out that she knew that I was busy because I hadn't blogged in a few days! Ha! I think I am finally getting into a groove and after two weekends away, it was nice to finally have a relaxing and productive weekend at home.

1. The clean eating plan was derailed on Friday. Who sticks to eating restrictions on Friday nights anyways? We went to our favorite little Italian Bistro for THE BEST pizza and gelato, Followed by a movie at home. I also brought out the Christmas pajamas. This is our idea of a perfect date night!

2. 2011 seems to be the year of big TV farewells. When Meredith left Today, I got a little teary eyed. Probably a 2 out of 10. When Oprah left, I was a blubbering mess. Definitely an 8 out of 10. I completely cried my eyes out while watching Regis's final show. The tears started when Regis knocked on Kelly's door and did not stop the entire hour. 12 out of 12 for sure.

P.S. And yes, I have always thought that Mark resembles (a more athletic version of) Buble.

3. "Look! I got bangs!!". Remember that from Legally Blonde? Well, it seemed to be the theme this week. My BFF and I were on the same wavelength and didn't even talk to each other prior to our hair appointments. I think I have finally figured out how to style these things.

3. I have had apple butter cooking in the crock pot all afternoon and our house smells amazing! I'll post the recipe this week- wrapped up in small mason jars and finished with labels, these will make such nice little hostess gifts to have on hand during the holidays!

4. Pumpkin protein pancakes sounded like a good idea for a healthy breakfast this morning. There are some things you just can't make healthy. I'm sticking to the unhealthy version from now on.

5. Thanksgiving is Thursday and I can't help but think about all that I have to be thankful for. I also have my Mother's homemade stuffing on my mind. Get in my belly NOW. I cannot wait to drive towards this beautiful skyline!

6. Christmas cheer has entered our home! Well, sort of. I don't like to put up my decorations until after Thanksgiving, but I'm getting everything ready so that when we get home from the Carolinas, we can begin decking the halls. I made some things for our Christmas table scape today and I'll finish up the wreath for my front door before we leave for Thanksgiving. I put up a small tree in my office this weekend just because I couldn't stand to wait!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Clean Eating Challenge

2011-11-16T13:13:00.004-06:00

The Moores have had a BUSY November so far and with the most wonderful time of the year upon us, it's about to get even busier. We spent last weekend in Atlanta for our Goddaughter's baptism and this past weekend in Dallas visiting friends who just adopted AND had a baby! When you are with friends you haven't seen in a long time, there's always an excuse to eat dessert and drink those few extra beers. Such a wonderful time we had! But after two weekends away, Mark and I were adamant about cleaning out our systems and eating a super clean diet until Thanksgiving. Travelling tires us out so combine that with indulging a bit more than usual and we are tired, bloated, cranky lovies.

Mark is always game for a healthy challenge but I needed one more person to keep me accountable and my blonde sister (Sophie) was the lucky one! She is the ying to my yang and my accountability partner in so many areas of my life. We decided on Sunday to do this clean eating challenge together in our respective households- everything is more fun with a friend! We came up with guidelines and a shared Google document with our meal plan/ideas for the week. Our focus is lots of lean proteins, vegetables and fruits that are low in sugar and packed with fiber. Since we're really trying to eat clean, we also cut out dairy (eggs are liquid chickens, and therefore, considered a meat), complex carbohydrates and starches. This should go without being said, but ice cream night is cancelled this Wednesday as well as next and sugary treats have been put away in hiding. Sadly, the wine that we both love to sip on while cooking dinner has also been cut out- but just for this challenge!

The meal plan that Sophie and I came up with is so tasty and incorporates bursts of different flavor every night. It just proves that a healthy menu doesn't have to be a lackluster one. Here are some of our dinner choices:

Grilled Ribeye

Baby greens with plum tomatoes, sweet red peppers and dijon balsamic vinaigrette

Turkey Meatloaf

(minus cheese and breadcrumbs, add mushrooms!)

Pan roasted green beans

Grilled chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Pistachio Pesto

Romaine with plum tomatoes, avocado and lemon vinaigrette

Ginger Garlic Shrimp

Roasted broccoli

Lean Sirloin Burgers with Guacamole

Mexican Chopped Salad

Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

The best part about this challenge is that 2.5 days in and I feel so great! I don't feel as bloated as normal and when I'm full at dinner, it's not the same kind of full as when I go for that extra helping of my dad's Penne a la Vodka or that extra piece of perfect pizza with roasted mushrooms and arugula. I never weigh myself. As in I never do it. Ever. I know it sounds crazy, but my weight usually fluctuates within a 10 pound range and as long as my clothes fit me the same, I feel like I am on track. But when we got home on Sunday, I was curious as to what the scale said. I wasn't mad, but I was on the upper end of my 10 pound area and just feeling blah. Fast forward to this morning (Wednesday) and taking into account that I probably have some extra water weight this week, but I was seven pounds lighter than I was on Sunday! I realize a lot of this is water weight but results are results and as someone who has lost 40 plus pounds in college, seeing my weight go in the right direction in numbers is remarkable and encouraging.

I am by no means a health expert and cannot promise any sort of results. I am just sharing what works for Mark and I when we are trying to detox after lots of over indulging.

Here's to eating healthy before the Holidays!

Neapolitan Pizza Dough

2011-11-15T21:05:00.002-06:00

I've been keeping this recipe all to myself for quite a few months now and I decided it was time to be nice and share. Sharing is caring and after all, Christmas is coming and Santa is watching. I wasn't really hiding the recipe though. It was more like 50% of me wanted to surprise everyone with this perfectly crafted and hand tossed dough without giving away the secret just yet! The other 50% of me wanted to make 100% sure that this new dough recipe was not a one hit wonder.

Back in June, Mark and I found the very best pizza in Central Illinois and immediately after consuming it, I went on an obsessive search to find something that would yield mouthwatering results. I found this recipe on a random google search and I wish this guy would start blogging again because this recipe makes him worthy of BFF status. This dough is perfectly airy, delightfully chewy and still strong enough to withstand a topping party.

How adorable is my kitchen assistant? We spent last weekend in Atlanta with our good friends and sweet little Gabi was attached to my hip. She loves to cook and was so excited to help me every step of the way. (while singing "Five Little Pumpkins" of course!) Love her so, so much!

Neapolitan Pizza Dough

recipe from Italialicious

makes two 15" pizzas

5 cups unbleached, all purpose flour, plus more if needed and for dusting

2.5 tsp. dry active yeast

2 cups warm water

1.5 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar

Dissolve yeast in 1 cup warm water. Add the sugar and set mixture in a warm place for 1 minute. After 1 minute, check to see that the yeast is active, and that there are bubbles on top of the mixture. Let this mixture sit until it almost doubles in size, around 10 minutes. Add 3 cups of flour to an electric mixer, along with the yeast mixture and second cup of warm water. Using a dough hook, begin to combine. Add the salt and mix in. Slowly add the rest of the flour in 1/4 cup increments. The dough will become stretchy and tender. You may need more than 5 cups, you may need less. Pay close attention to the consistency. When the dough has climbed up the hook, it is done.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough a few times. In a large glass bowl, pour about 1/4 tsp. olive oil. Form dough into a ball and transfer to the glass bowl. Cover with a towel and place in a warm place for at least 2 hours.

A lot of how your dough comes out depends on the temperature in your kitchen, the yeast and the temperature of your water. My pizza dough never comes out exactly the same every time. Be patient and don't give up! Give this a shot. I promise when you get it, your pizza nights will forever be changed!

Cooking Instructions-

I highly recommend using a pizza stone not only with this recipe, but always. I use this one from Williams-Sonoma. Place pizza stone in oven and preheat oven to 500 degrees. Once the stone is heated, remove and immediately place rolled out dough atop the stone. The pizza will begin the cooking process before you place it in the oven. Top as desired and cook for 8 minutes.

11.11.11

2011-11-11T23:11:00.000-06:00

"Today is definitely brought to you by the number 11" -Sesame Street

Make sure you make a wish and hug a Veteran today!

Rules for Writing

2011-11-10T21:18:00.003-06:00

Source: art.com via Sora on Pinterest

Brussels Sprout-Leaf Salad

2011-11-09T07:33:00.004-06:00

I love brussels sprouts! Now, I realize this puts me in the minority, but I'm more than okay with it. This recipe has been on my recipe radar for quite some time now and I finally made it! We ate this last night with The Barefoot Contessa's lemon chicken breast and all of the flavors married together so beautifully. If the brussels sprouts that made Mark a believer din't really do it for you, don't give up quite yet! I'm convinced that next to roasted, this is the second best way to eat the little fellas. The sprout leaves are so delicate and loaded with flavor. Arugula is the perfect green to pair with them and the endive gives the perfect amount of crisp. I added a teaspoon of dijon mustard to the dressing to give it a little more oomph. And when you make this, don't think twice about leaving out the roasted almonds. That crunchy, toasty bite is the best part!

Brussels Sprout-Leaf Salad

recipe from Giada DeLaurentiis

Dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about one lemon)

1 tsp. dijon mustard

salt & pepper to taste

Salad:

1.5 lbs. brussels sprouts

2 cups baby arugula

1 head Belgian endive, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/3 cup toasted almonds, sliced or chopped

1/3 cup grated pecorino romano

Dressing- in a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper.

Salad- using a pairing knife, remove the outer leaves of the sprouts. Save the cores for another use. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Place the brussels sprouts leaves in the water for 1 minute. Drain, then put in a bowl of ice water, then transfer to a colander to drain. Put the leaves, arugula, endive and almonds into a large salad bowl. Add the dressing and toss together. Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

Monday Mantra Challenge

2011-11-07T19:24:00.003-06:00

When my dear friend Crystal Muffin came to visit me in September, she shared this idea with me and I immediately knew this was something I wanted to keep up with. It's a great way to start off the week, get things off of your chest that may be bothering you or just spread some loving thoughts and encouragement. I used to be a devoted journal writer but sadly, I have kind of fallen away from it. When I have the time in my day to sit down and write, I blog. I regret not keeping up with a daily written journal right now but I am happy to say that this just may be the next best thing.

Every Monday, Crystal and I send our Monday Mantra to each other. We are brutally honest yet 100% thoughtful. And I believe our outlooks on the week are much better because of it! If you feel up to it, I challenge you to try out the weekly Monday Mantra (or Tuesday, Wednesday... any day!) Scoop up someone who you are not afraid to share with and can just write it all down and reflect. The good, the bad, the ugly and the really good glittery moments. Because we all could use a little sparkle in our day.

Monday Mantra

THIS WEEK...

I BELIEVE...

I'M ADDICTED...
I WISH...

I'M HAPPY...

MANTRA... (quote of the week)

Source: theberry.com via Nina on Pinterest

Every Girl Needs a Good Twirl...

2011-11-04T09:10:00.003-05:00

...and Fridays are the perfect day for doing just that!

Can I also add that the outfit below is perfect in every way. I wish it was practical for real life wear. Giant ruffles, cowboy boots and a perfect buttoned down shirt. I could be happy dressing (and twirling) like this every day.

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Nina on Pinterest

We're spending the weekend with good friends and my heart couldn't be happier. Hope you all have a happy Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

2011-11-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

Crock pot recipes seem to be all over Pinterest lately and as a result of my mindless daily browsing and Pinning, I was inspired to pull mine out. Honestly, my crock pot doesn't get nearly enough love. I have had it for almost two years now (thanks, Andi!) and sometimes, I forget that it's hiding in my kitchen. I'm challenging myself to take advantage of this appliance this Winter because really, it couldn't be easier. The Newlyweds (The McConnells) made this recipe last week and I was instantly cleaning the drool off of my keyboard when MOD sent it to me earlier this week. I added tomato paste, omitted tomato paste and served our pulled pork in lettuce cups with homemade pico de gallo and avocado mousse. Don't turn your nose up when you see cocoa powder on the list of ingredients. I think it's what makes the flavors in the pork pop!

Pulled-Pork Lettuce Wraps

recipe adapted from Real Simple

2 cups store bought salsa (look for low sodium)

1/4 cup tomato paste

1.5 Tbsp. chili powder

1.5 Tbsp. dried oregano

2 heaping Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1.5 lb. lean pork tenderloin with excess fat trimmed off (pork butt or shoulder will work, too)

In your slow cooker, combine salsa, chili powder, oregano and cocoa. Add the pork and turn to coat.

Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily, on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.

The Day I Got Retweeted by Giada

2011-11-02T13:25:00.005-05:00

You all should know by now that Giada is my go to girl for delicious recipes. I have yet to make something that I don't like. So, last night, I made one of my favorite weeknight meals- Giada's Crunchy Parmesean Chicken Tenders with baked sweet potato fries and a baby greens salad. Every so often, I tweet what I'm cooking and sometimes the link to the recipe, because Twitter is fun for sharing like that.

We gobbled up our dinner, had a nice relaxing evening and when I woke up this morning, I found this:

Mark got up before me and since I am practically legally blind and cannot see the clock across the room, I grabbed my phone to check the time, only to find a Twitter notification from Giada herself! I practically fell out of bed and ran to the living room, my curly hair all over the place yelling to Mark. "SHE TWEETED ME! GIADA TWEETED ME!". If you have been reading this blog for quite some time now, or if you know me well, you know that this made my existence of two plus years on Twitter all worth it! Ha!

And because this event provided me with the type of happiness on par with Christmas morning, I'll share the recipe with you that started it all. These chicken tenders are so easy to make and as you can see by Giada's response, this is a super kid friendly meal. We dipped them in Roasted Red Pepper Pistashio Pesto because every now and then, it's fun to act like a kid. And eat with your fingers.

Crunchy Parmesean Chicken Tenders

recipe from Giada DeLaurentiis

Olive oil

1 cup buttermilk

1.5 lbs. chicken tenders

freshly ground black pepper

1 1/4 cups freshly grated parmesean

3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs (I use panko)

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Brush 1 Tbsp. oil over each of two heavy large lined baking sheets. Place buttermilk in a large bowl, add the chicken tenders and stir to coat. Let stand 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.

Stir the parmesean and bread crumbs in a pie dish. Add pepper to season. I also add about a half of a lemon's worth of lemon zest. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and dredge them in the breadcrumb mixture. Arrange the chicken tenders on the baking sheets and space evenly. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until they are cooked through and golden brown, about 12 minutes.

Roasted Red Pepper Pistachio Pesto

2011-11-01T20:24:00.005-05:00

Pesto is Italian ketchup. It's great for dipping, drizzling and topping. And on a spoon. When I first made this, I walked around the kitchen, shoveling it into my mouth with a mini spatula. When I realized we didn't have enough left to eat with our grilled salmon, I whipped up another batch.

Roasted red peppers are one of my pantry staples and we keep pistachios on hand for snacking. When thrown together in a food processor with some garlic, olive oil and pepper, a magical sauce of sorts is created. This is now the #1 favorite condiment in the Moore house. We have eaten it atop fish and chicken and as an afternoon snack with vegetable dippers. I can only imagine how life changing it would be if you introduced this pesto to brunch and served it over eggs benedict. Or as sauce on pizza. Who am I kidding though? I would be happy eating it as soup. Sigh. If I keep talking about how much I love this stuff, I'll have to go back into the kitchen and eat the rest by way of spoon. Just kidding. Not because I'm not going to do it. But because I already did while Mark was doing the dishes.

Roasted Red Pepper Pistachio Pesto

1 cup chopped roasted red peppers

2 cloves garlic

10 pistachios

1 tsp. olive oil

fresh cracked pepper

Throw all ingredients into a food processor and blend until you have a nice sauce consistency, but not so much that it is runny. Season with pepper and salt, if desired. (the pistachios add plenty of saltiness)

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T21:05:00.000-05:00

The pumpkins have been carved, care packages were delivered, the candy is gone, Hocus Pocus is on AND I found an excuse to pull out my pointe shoes and run around in a tutu all night! (because every girl needs a good twirl every now and again) We were out of town last year on Halloween so we were excited to welcome the trick or treaters this year with open arms and handfuls of candy. I think all of the little girls got a kick out of my Nina Ballerina attire. Did you see our costumes from Saturday night!? We had the most spooktacular time.

Happy Halloween to all and to all a good night!

The Cupcake and The Baker

2011-10-30T09:19:00.002-05:00

I dressed up as a picnic table in fourth grade, which has always been my #1 favorite. But I think this year takes the cake! (with a cherry on top)

Halloween is not just for kids.

Pinnable Me: Trick-or-Treat!

2011-10-28T17:45:00.005-05:00

Happy Halloween Weekend! Halloween was a huge deal for us as kids and each year, we outdid the costumes from the previous year. The creativity bar was definitely set as high as possible. If only pictures were digital back then and I could whip up a little collage. My sisters and I were quite a sight! We ate chili for dinner, got dressed in our costumes and my dad would take my sisters and I trick-or-treating while my mom stayed home and passed out candy to the rest of the little neighborhood goblins running around.

I intend on making Halloween as fun as possible for our future children and while they won't be making an appearance ANY TIME SOON, my planner mind is always on creative brainstorm mode. These costumes I found on Pinterest are pretty stinkin' adorable! When it comes time to dress the future Mini Moores for trick-or-treating fun, they will be the cutest ones on the block!

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Link up your Pinnable Me posts over at Paw Prints and Pastry Bags. Happy Halloweekend!!

Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie

2011-10-26T09:37:00.008-05:00

Protein smoothies have become a staple in my daily routine. I typically workout in the mornings before I have eaten anything and by the time I am a sweaty mess, an icy cold smoothie is the perfect thing to sip on as I recover and recharge for the day ahead.

Bananas and peanut butter usually make their way into my smoothie but every now and again, I get a little creative and add something extra. Since I am a pumpkin- flavored- anything- loving freak, I decided this might be a good addition. You all know how much I love seasonal goodness! It was love at first sip and I'm not turning back. It's like drinking dessert for breakfast. Oops!

Pumpkin is often referred to as a "Super Food", giving this smoothie even more healthy benefits. It has tons of Vitamin A, antioxidants and Beta Carotene. Healthy AND dessert worthy? A winning combo on both ends of the spectrum. It's pretty spooktacular!

Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie

(1 serving)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (we buy EAS- it's very low in sugar and has 23 grams of protein per scoop!

1/2 banana

1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter or almond butter

1/4 cup canned all natural pumpkin

1 cup unsweetened almond milk or skim milk

1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or as much as your pumpkin loving heart desires)

5-6 ice cubes

Mix this all up in a blender to desired consistency and enjoy!

*NOTE: Ghost Peeps do not make a regular appearance atop my smoothie glass.

Southern Living Home-Style Green Bean Casserole

2011-10-25T15:40:00.005-05:00

Yes, you read that correctly. A casserole recipe! On MY blog. I don't dislike casseroles, but I don't love them either. The closest thing to a casserole I make is my Godmother's homemade Italian macaroni and cheese. In fact, I never had cream of anything soup in my pantry. I have nothing against them, it's just not what I like to cook. I do, however, make an exception for green bean casserole. I. LOVE. IT. SO. MUCH. There is something about it that warms me up inside and reminds me of Sunday dinners with my Grandma and Grandpa Appicelli or the rare nights it would make an appearance on our dinner plates in the Nido kitchen. I always forget how much I love this stuff and as I was flipping through my November issue of Southern Living, this recipe caught my eye (and my heart). It's a new twist on an American classic and with a few healthy swaps, you're left with a side dish that's filled with fresh ingredients and everything made from scratch. The sauce is rich and decadent and fresh tomatoes add a pop of color and a hint of sweetness. I made a few changes to the recipe to make it even healthier and adding caramelized shallots to the top added another dimension of flavor that was oh so delicious. This is a grown up version of a childhood favorite and I am in love.

Home-Style Green Bean Casserole

recipe adapted from Southern Living

1.5 lbs. fresh green beans, trimmed

1.5 Tbsp. butter

1/8 cup all purpose flour

1.5 cups skim milk

1 Tbsp. Ranch dressing mix

2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. olive oil

1 8 0z. package fresh sliced mushrooms

3 shallots, thinly sliced

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook green beans in boiling water, 4-6 minutes, or until desired (I like my beans crisp). Drain and plunge in ice water; drain and pat dry.

Melt 1.5 Tbsp. butter in a medium, heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 3 to 4 minutes or until sauce is thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat and whisk in Ranch mix, thyme, salt and pepper. If you need to thin it down, add an additional splash of milk.

Drizzle olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat and saute the mushrooms for 6 to 8 minutes, or until lightly browned. When they are done, set aside, and in the same pan, saute shallots until translucent and caramelized.

Gently toss mushrooms and green beans in sauce. Place in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Combine shallots, panko and diced tomatoes, then sprinkle over the beans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Misc. Monday

2011-10-24T09:40:00.008-05:00

Happy Monday! As I sit here, finishing my second cup of coffee, I'm listening to Michael Buble's new Christmas album! Be. Still. My. Heart. (the album was just released today and you can download all 15 tracks on iTunes) I realize it's only October 24, and Halloween has not yet arrived, but I couldn't resist previewing the album once through. Blogging + coffee + Christmas music is a delightful combination on a Monday morning and I hope you would agree. So far I am loving Michael's sweet voice singing holiday songs to me. I'm also happy to add him back to my playlist rotation. I was desperately in need of new Buble tunes in my life. I am not getting to ahead of myself here though. As soon as this album finishes playing on my iTunes, I'll be returning to The Monster Mash station on Pandora. I'm not ready to give up the Spooktacular tunes until next week!

To top off a weekend filled with great and guilty pleasures in the food department, I whipped up a quick dessert. My dear friend Julie posted this Two Minute Personal Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake about a month ago and my belly has been screaming for it ever since. I love her for sharing this recipe and hate that this personal sized dessert is so easy to make. This is a dangerous recipe to add to my rotation of sweet treats I tell you!

In my whining and complaining about missing my beloved Queen City, I forget to mention that I found a little piece of the South right here in the Midwest! Much to my surprise, our local liquor store has a giant supply of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka! This makes me a very happy girl. There are several brands out there, but Firefly is by far my favorite. And it's made in South Carolina! Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE this stuff? I get warm, fuzzy, happy memories of fun tailgates with my sisters in Boone with each sweet sip.

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Stacy from How He Asked {dot} com. My dear friend Ashley got engaged a few weeks ago and in my excitement, I tweeted that sweet friends getting engaged made me so happy. Stacy saw my tweet, tracked me down via my little blog, and told me about her website. How He Asked is a fun way to share your engagement stories on the web! What's better than a space dedicated to magical love stories? Please check out this darling website! You may even see someone that you know (wink wink). If you or any of your friends have recently gotten engaged or married, send your stories to Stacy via the website. She would love to hear from you!

I realize that it is Monday and while many people loathe Mondays, I happen to love them. It's like a fresh start and a new page. As I go through my Twitter and Facebook feeds each Monday morning, I notice so many negative thoughts and comments. Smile, people! Find something to be thankful for and just choose to be happy. Others around you will appreciate you for it, and will spread the happiness forward. Trust me on this. It's a basic result in the art of happiness. So if you are in one of those Monday moods, snap out of it and count your blessings. Turn on some Christmas music if you have to! And if you are still not smiling, hopefully this picture will help change your mindset.

Happy Monday!

Fall Fun

2011-10-23T20:37:00.004-05:00

My favorite season is in full swing and we discovered quite the little festive gem in Illinois this weekend. Our Saturday afternoon snack looked a little something like this...

After a quick Google search, I found a Cider Mill about an hour from our house and we made the trip on Saturday! This place was bustling with activity and full of all things Fall. Complete with a pumpkin patch, corn maze and a giant market/gift shop, our hour car ride was well worth it! The sun was shining, the air had the perfect amount of crispness to it and the spiced cider and cider donuts were life changing. Really. I have never had a donut quite like it. And the half dozen we brought home were gone by the time breakfast was over this morning.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Next up for the Moores on our festive to do list- pumpkin carving! Happy Fall, y'all!

Shrimp & Grits (aka the BEST thing I've ever made)

2011-10-19T20:28:00.004-05:00

I miss everything about the South. My family, my friends and sweet tea. Southern manners, monograms and the sunshine always shining from the Carolina blue sky. Boone tailgating in the fall and long, lazy vacations on Kiawah Island in the summer. Chick-Fil-A ranks pretty high on the list, too. The South will always be home to me.

With a little help from Emeril and a lot of love on my end, I prepared pure Southern goodness on a plate. This is the best thing that I have ever made. Ever. (Mark also agrees.) Creamy Charleston-Style grits topped with spicy shrimp and andouille sausage, swimming in the glorious flavors of the Low Country. Dare I say this is worthy of a last meal?

Forget the healthy eating fad you are currently planning your meals around and add this recipe to your dinner rotation. Life is too short to skip the grits. Please?

Thank you.

Spicy Shrimp and Andouille Over Charleston-Style Grits

recipe from Emeril Lagasse

For the shrimp and sausage:

2 lbs. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 Tbsp. Emeril's Essence*

Salt

8 oz. Andouille Sausage

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 cup finely chopped yellow onion

1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp. finely chopped green onions

1 Tbsp. minced parsley

Season the shrimp with Essence and salt. Heat a large, heavy saute pan (I used my French oven) over medium-high heat and sear the andouille, cooking for about 3 minutes. Remove the andouille to a plate and add the shrimp, cooking until pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a plate. Heat olive oil and add the onion and bell peppers and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add 2 Tbsp. Essence to the pan, stir well, then add the garlic, cooking for about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth to the pan and cook until reduced slightly, about 5 minutes.

Stir the cream, green onions and parsley into the sauce and return the sausage and shrimp to the pan. Return sauce to a nice simmer and cook until reduced slightly. Stir well and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over Charleston-Style grits.

Charleston-Style Grits

6 cups water

salt to taste

1 1/2 cups quick cooking, old fashioned or stone ground grits (stone ground are the best- DO NOT use instant!)

2 cups milk

1 cup heavy cream

8 Tbsp. butter

Freshly ground black pepper

In a large, heavy saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add a generous teaspoon of salt with the grits and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. When the grits thicken, add milk, cream and butter and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover the saucepan and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, until grits are creamy and dreamy. Keep covered and warm until ready to serve.

*NOTE: Emeril's Essence can be purchased in the grocery store with all of the spices. This is something I ALWAYS keep on hand in my kitchen but in case you can't find it, the recipe is linked above in the ingredients list.

A Wicked Kitchen Trick

2011-10-13T20:22:00.006-05:00

Well, I saw Wicked last night and it seriously changed my life. We were four rows from the stage and the entire show literally took my breath away. It was beyond fantastic and to say that it exceeded my expectations is an understatement. I now know why people are so obsessed with this musical. I'm also now on the Wicked Witch's side. That said, instead of posting the recipe I intended on posting, I grabbed my broomstick and did some deep cleaning around the house and sang at the top of my lungs while listening to Defying Gravity. On repeat.

While playing Cinderella and scrubbing the kitchen from top to bottom, I remembered a trick that I discovered awhile back. I have never tried this before and was amazed at the results. If you are like me, and neglect the cleaning out of your microwave until it's almost impossible to remove all of the splatters and mess, then this trick is for you! All you need is one lemon, and about a cup and a half of water. Fill a microwave safe bowl with water. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the water. Microwave on high for 5-10 minutes. When the time is up, use a damp cloth to wipe down every nook and cranny and smile at your sparkly clean microwave.

After you clean your microwave, check out my guest post today over at my friend Emily's blog, The Culinary Couple. Emily and Nick recently welcomed a sweet baby boy into the world and they asked me to share a delicious recipe while they take some time off to enjoy their new peanut.

SHAPE Best Blogger Awards

2011-10-12T13:36:00.005-05:00

My West Coast sister is up for the Best Fitness Blogger Award hosted by Shape Magazine and she needs your votes!

Danica and I met through the wonderful world of blogging. After a few blog comments and friendly little tweets, we quickly realized we were "twins" from opposite coasts. God puts people in our lives for special reasons and I can't imagine my life without this girl in it! Please visit Danica's page, located HERE, and vote for her blog, www.chicrunner.com.

This and That

2011-10-11T21:00:00.011-05:00

Whew! It was a whirlwind weekend in Charlotte and back to reality we are. The wedding was beautiful and the newlyweds are now enjoying a dreamy honeymoon in Hawaii. Of course, the wedding was the highlight of the weekend but being able to spend time with my family and amazing friends was cream cheese frosting on the red velvet cupcake!

I even got to sneak in a quick visit with my blonde sister and her precious angel, Jack! I just love these lovies so much!

When we arrived home late Sunday night, I found these glittered beauties on my doorstep. I love the vision behind TOMS Shoes and I always love the chance to support a good cause. For every pair of shoes you purchase, a pair is sent to a child in need. One for One. I have been be-bopping around town in my gold TOMS, feeling as though a little cheer is being spread everywhere I go. These totally look like Christmas elf shoes, don't they?

In high school, as in when Britney Spears was a way of life, bronzer was my BFF. Even though I'm still holding out for Britney's ultimate comeback, the days of multiple applications that beachy tanned look are long gone. Blush has made a permanent place in my daily makeup regimen and my skin is singing songs of praise. I recently purchased The Multiple by NARS in Portofino and I am loving it! It's a creamy stick based blush that can also be used for eyes, lips and body. Find your color and add this to your makeup bag NOW.

How handsome is my groom!? I love him so!

And one last thought on this Tuesday evening; Always choose joy. xoxo

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Pinnable Me: Kitchen Dreams

2011-10-07T09:10:00.001-05:00

It's that time of the week again! I am afraid that I have become a Pinning monster and am having too much fun with this activity that I now fondly refer to as "Digital Hoarding". I think that Pinterest is brilliant and I love having all of my inspiration, projects, products and recipes (plus more!) in one spot.

It should come as no surprise that I have a board dedicated solely to kitchens. I love light cabinets, tons of cooking space and plenty of room to entertain. Natural lighting is another must. At the rate I'm going, my dream house is going to need several kitchens. The kitchen really is the heart of the home. Here are some that make me drool.

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Visit Paw Prints & Pastry Bags to link up to Pinnable Me Friday!

For more gorgeous spaces, please check out my friend Brianna of Brianna Michelle Interior Design. She is beyond talented! (Image #13 in the photo gallery is my definition of kitchen perfection!)

Love is in the Air

2011-10-06T10:03:00.004-05:00

Guess what y'all!? My Best friend is GETTING MARRIED this weekend! I cannot believe this weekend has finally arrived. My house has turned into a Wedding Workshop of sorts and all of the goodies are packed up and ready to go!

I'm looking forward to several days of celebrating, walking down the aisle like she did for me and a giant dance party at the reception. A little over a year ago, MOD stood next to me as Mark and I said "I Do" and I am beyond blessed to be able to do the same for her and Scott. Another bonus? All of the lovies will be under one roof this weekend. Oh Happy Day!

I love you Meghan...you are going to make one STUNNING bride! xoxo

P.S. We can't wait for official family vacations to start! Where are we going first?

Steakhouse Filet Mignon

2011-10-04T16:56:00.007-05:00

The following is the reason why I will never be able to live as an herbivore. I have a weird affinity for broccoli and kale salad has become a permanent fixture in my daily diet but there is nothing that can replace a juicy hunk of meat. I picked up these gorgeous filets at The Fresh Market on Sunday and knew exactly how I wanted to prepare them.

I don't ever go out of my way to watch The Barefoot Contessa but I think that her recipes are phenomenal and her Back to Basics cookbook is one of my favorites. She uses simple, fresh ingredients and her dishes are approachable. I happened to catch an episode while I was working out a few weeks ago, (YES, I'm "that girl" who tortures herself with The Food Network while running on the treadmill) and I watched Ina make these delicious steakhouse style filets. The process could not have been easier and the result was to die for. I topped our steaks with pan roasted mushrooms in a Merlot reduction and on the side, we enjoyed an arugula salad with fresh mozzarella, roasted Roma tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette. This is totally a dinner party worthy meal.

Steakhouse Filet

recipe from Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa

2 (10 oz.) filet mignon

Olive oil

Kosher Salt

Fresh cracked pepper

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter at room temperature (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat, until very hot. About 5-7 minutes. (I used my Le Creuset Grill Pan)

Pat the steaks dry and brush them with olive oil. Make a mixture of kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper and place on a plate. Roll the steaks into the mixture and coat on all sides.

When the skillet is hot and ready, sear the steaks for about two minutes on each side. (8-10 minutes total)

Top each steak with a tablespoon of butter (I highly recommend the butter) and place the skillet or grill pan directly into the 400 degree oven. Cook steaks until a meat thermometer reaches 120 degrees for rare or around 125 for medium rare. Make sure you are testing the center of the steaks when taking the temperature.

When the steaks have reached the desired internal temperature, remove from oven and onto a serving platter. Cover them tightly and allow them to rest for 10 minutes.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Italian Sausage & Sage

2011-10-03T09:52:00.005-05:00

This recipe started out as a Paleo version of my favorite pillowy pieces of Italian comfort but when the dough wasn't yielding that consistency I was hoping for, the sinking feeling in my stomach let me know that my Italian ancestors were rolling over in their graves. There was no way that my Great Uncle Leonard would allow me to get away with these recipe alterations. I quickly re-joined reality and accepted the fact that any sort of "healthy" pasta was a no go. I mean really, what was I thinking? Never again. This Italian needs to stick to what she knows. The good stuff. How my family has always done it. And since my sweet husband is still an Italian in progress, I knew his first gnocchi experience needed to be something that would make my people proud.

Made with sweet potatoes, whole wheat flour and a lot of love, these gnocchis made the perfect mid-week comfort meal at the end of a cold and rainy day. Italian sausage makes this dish hearty but does not take away from the main attraction. It's the perfect mix of sweet with a tiny bit of salt and a hint of fresh sage.

Patience is the biggest piece of this kitchen and if you have that, you can pretty much count on an amazing meal at the end.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

recipe adapted from David Lebovitz

2.5 lbs. sweet potatoes

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour, plus more as needed

1 egg, lightly beaten

Cut and boil sweet potatoes until cooked, about 20 minutes. When the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork, dump into a strainer and let cool completely, for at least 30 minutes.

Remove the skins and in a large bowl, mash well with a potato masher. Add egg and with a large wooden spoon, slowly incorporate the flour into the potatoes. A doughy mixture will start to form. I used about 3 cups of flour total. Keep incorporating the flour until you get a nice soft dough. Place dough in the refrigerator to cool for about an hour.

Once the dough is cool, knead on a floured surface. Divide the dough into equal sections and roll out into logs, about 1 inch thick.

Cut the logs into 1 inch pillows. Using your thumb, press down into each gnocchi and roll away from you, creating the little dumpling shape. Place them on a cookie sheet dusted with flour.

Place in a large pot of boiling water for around 5 minutes, or until all the gnocchi have floated to the top.

I served our gnocchi with mild Italian sausage, olive oil and fresh sage. A little salt and pepper to taste and finished with freshly grated Romano cheese. Molto bene!

Things I Love About Fall

2011-10-01T08:01:00.000-05:00

{image via}

Pinnable Me: Pumpkin Season

2011-09-30T09:46:00.009-05:00

Today, I'm liking up with Stefanie over at Paw Prints & Pastry Bags for Pinnable Me Friday! I've been lusting over everyone's Pinnable Me posts for quite some time now and I'm excited to finally join the Friday fun.

I just can't get enough of everything that comes with this time of year and I embrace it fully! Our house has been covered with glittered pumpkins, cozy touches and the smells of the season. This should come as NO surprise. I'm high on pumpkin spice, loving the new additions to my fall wardrobe and with the magic of Christmas just around the corner, I'm giddy and already starting to spread holiday cheer.

Pumpkin overload is never a bad thing and I have found plenty of swoon-worthy pumpkiny goodness. It's the first weekend of October and what better way to celebrate than giving your home some special touches, baking something delicious and joining me as I ride the pumpkin spice high.

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Today, on People.com

2011-09-29T13:27:00.003-05:00

In case you don't have a daily habit of catching up on your celebrity whereabouts browsing through People Magazine's Star Tracks every morning, here's what you missed today:

The full spot on Star Tracks can be found here.

This is not the first time this has happened! As most of you know, I had a little spot in People Magazine back in 2009. You know, the days when I only ate pretzels and hummus for lunch. I have never been able to live that one down. Mark enjoys telling everyone about this. It's like he uses it as some sort of ice breaker activity. "You know, Nina is famous. She was in People Magazine". And then I have to explain that I was highlighted for not eating enough calories in one day. And why I opted for 8 pretzels instead of 7.

I'm now happy that my past People appearance is behind us because the second time around is so much better!

Workout Wednesday

2011-09-28T09:15:00.012-05:00

I love working out almost as much as I love food. I know. I cant' believe I just said that either.

The thing is, these two pretty much go hand in hand for me. It's funny how that works. The better we eat around here, the more motivated I am to back it up with intense workouts and the harder I workout, the more my body craves the good stuff. We stick to a mostly clean diet and never make ourselves feel guilty about the occasional late night ice cream indulgence. Everything in moderation is what works best for us. It's all about having a good balance.

Ever since my freshman year of college, I have been a fitness fanatic. I started by using the elliptical and as I worked up my endurance and saw the pounds melt off, I was running 5 milers on a regular basis. I quickly realized how great my workouts made me feel and when I noticed they were also forcing me to make healthy decisions without even thinking. WIN! Since then, I have changed my workout routine dramatically, adding in resistance and strength training and more variety in my cardio for the day. Mark has been preaching to me about interval training but I will admit I kind of didn't listen. Fast forward to my Google session entitled "Carrie Underwood's leg workout" and "operation: MUST add interval training to my workout regimen" began. Sorry I didn't listen to you, Mark. The main thing about my workout routine is that I try to keep it fresh with variety and intensity. Great music helps, too. Oh, and cute workout clothes.

Though I quit doing the whole CrossFit thing, I did learn something very valuable from this little endeavor; I'm tougher than I give myself credit for. Not only did I learn how to push myself physically, but also mentally. And what a feeling that is!

Below are some of my favorite go-to websites for workouts that work:

Iron Mamas: (Check out the 5k-50s workout. I do this one at least once a week. I attended Kelly's classes while we were both living in Charlotte so when we both moved and I found out she was blogging workouts, I breathed a sigh of relief. Iron-Mamas workouts are by far my favorite and work me the hardest. I swear by them! Kelly just launched a new blog as well for clean eating. Be sure to check it out: www.ironmamas-cleaneating.com)

Blogilates: Cassey is hilarious and full of energy! I love her POP Pilates videos, interactive website community and good health tips. She also offers workout printables! I love a good printable. Try challenging yourself with the 20/20 workout or this killer fat blasting abs workout. If you are on Twitter, you can follow Cassey- @Blogilates.

Tone it Up!: www.toneitup.com (Karena and Katrina are adorable! Fun workouts, videos that are easy to follow and tons of great recipes. Follow them on Twitter- @ToneItUp)

This type of post may or may not become something I regularly blog about but when I am passionate about something and find resources to fuel my excitement, I love to share.

Make today a great day!

The Return of the Le Creuset

2011-09-27T17:00:00.002-05:00

I have a confession. After all of the hooplah over finally getting my beloved Le Creuset French oven, I have only used that thing once. Not three times, not even twice. Just once. What the what!? I am choosing to blame it on Joe. Summer is for grilling anyways, not French ovening. At least that's what I'm telling myself to make me feel better about the lack of use of that expensive pot. The good news is that Fall is here and cozy meals are a must. I have 100% faith that I will make up for lost time and be showing my French oven a lot of love over the next several months.

Mark and I celebrated the first Sunday of Fall doing some of the things we do best. Our day consisted of this; church, lunch, naps and football. A Sunday isn't complete without a fantastic meal and as we welcomed in the season, chili just seemed the most appropriate. I browsed some recipes online and when none of them seemed to tickle my tastebuds, I decided sprinkle my magic dust and come up with a recipe of my own. Normally I do not measure when I'm creating, but luckily for all of you, I kept track of what I was doing so that I could post this accordingly. I added Italian sausage for my "more meat please" husband and a little bit of cocoa powder and cinnamon for a slight sweetness. Ground espresso in chili may seem oh so wrong, but I promise you, this cozy bowl of goodness is oh so right in all of the best ways. I loaded it with fresh spices, vegetables, Italian tomatoes and my favorite surprise ingredient- pumpkin beer!

Sunday Chili

1 lb. lean ground sirloin

1lb. mild Italian sausage

1 Vidalia onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno, chopped

1 large green pepper, diced

1 bottle Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale

1 28 oz. can stewed tomatoes

1 28 oz. can Italian crushed tomatoes

1 cup water

1 can light kidney beans

2 cans dark kidney beans

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. coriander

2 tsp. cocoa powder

1 tsp. ground espresso

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Olive oil

Salt to taste at end

Coat the bottom of a French oven (or large heavy bottom pan) with olive oil. Saute garlic and onion on medium heat until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add sirloin and sausage, cook all the way through. Once the meat is completely broken apart and cooked, add in remaining ingredients. Simmer on medium-low for at least two hours. If extra flavor is needed, add salt to taste when the chili is done cooking. (I hardly needed to add any)

Garnish with shredded cheese and sour cream.

Rainbow Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream

2011-09-26T10:30:00.004-05:00

I don't think I have ever mentioned this on the blog, but aside from my lovies I have another "little sister". Late last fall, Mark and I decided to both become volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters. It's been a wonderful experience so far and I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you want to give back, but are struggling to figure out how, I would love to talk to you more about this fantastic organization. I got paired with the sweetest 10 year old girl and we have play dates about twice a month. It's been so much fun to make memories and provide a constant presence in this little girl's life that she will hopefully look back on in the future and smile. If just one action or one thing I say makes a positive impact on her, I will have made a difference.

I have to admit, it's fun having a 10 year old around. I am always looking for excuses to act like a kid so having an accomplice is a win in my book! We sing Justin Bieber at the top of our lungs in the car and don't care if we are putting on a show for our neighboring drivers at stoplights. Sometimes we do homework, but mostly we play. Our time together is supposed to be fun and spent doing something we can enjoy together. Like making friendship bracelets or Watching Glee in 3-D.

And making rainbow cupcakes.

Vanilla Rainbow Cupcakes with Marshmallow Almond Buttercream Frosting

cupcakes adapted from Baking Bites, frosting adapted from Baked Bree

Cupcakes:

1 cup all purpose flour (I used pastry flour)

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 cup canola (or vegetable) oil

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

food coloring (red, yellow, green & blue)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 10 cups of a muffin tin with paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix together sugar, eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla. Pour in dry ingredients and mix until completely combined.

Divide cupcake batter into 5 bowls. Each bowl should have about 1/3 cup of batter. Using about 1/2 tsp. of food coloring, color each bowl, making red, orange, yellow, green and blue batter. Add more coloring for brighter, richer color.

Start with the blue batter, and add a small spoonful (a little over a teaspoon) to each cup. Continue with the rest of the colors in this order; green, yellow, orange red. Spoon each color on top of the other. Do not try to spread the layers, just let them be where they drop.

Bake for 15 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick comes out dry. Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting.

NOTE: this recipe makes 10 cupcakes. We doubled it, making 22 cupcakes.

Frosting:

1 cup room temperature butter

7 ounces marshmallow fluff

1 tsp. almond extract

Cream the butter until it's light and fluffy. Add the marshmallow fluff and almond extract. Whip for two minutes.

Gameday!

2011-09-24T15:34:00.004-05:00

I love the daily photos I get from my blonde sister and I couldn't resist posting this picture of my sweet nephew Jack in his gameday attire. This little fella is loved so, so much. I think we have a future little Mountaineer on our hands and I have a feeling his Auntie Lovies are going to teach him the art of professional tailgating someday! Don't worry Sophie & Doug...we won't be sneaking anything in his bottles. We'll wait awhile until we introduce him to Cottonwood Pumpkin Ale!

Happy Game Day Y'all. Go AppState!

DIY: Pumpkin & Moss Wreath

2011-09-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

{the inspiration from Williams Sonoma}

I may be temporarily transplanted in the Midwest for right now, but I'm a Southern girl and hospitality is kind of our thing. There is nothing more welcoming than a cheerful entryway. It's the first thing guests see when they enter your home and I always appreciate a festive touch. I was flipping through Williams Sonoma last week and my heart skipped a few beats when I saw a pumpkin covered wreath on the page. So fun and perfectly seasonal, but with a $100 price tag, I knew this wreath couldn't be mine unless I figured out a way to make it myself. One of my very best friends was here for a visit this week and we tackled this project together. I just love the way this turned out and the pumpkin overload looks so happy on our front door. Please don't tell Hobby Lobby that we shut down their stock bought EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of their miniature pumpkins!

Supplies Needed:

Straw covered foam wreath (mine is 18 inches)

Moss

25-35 miniature pumpkins (with wire on the bottom is best)

Hot glue gun

Ribbon

Wreath hanger

Start by using a hot glue gun to cover the wreath with moss. Do this with small chunks at a time, as the hot glue dries fast. Cover the outside and inside of the wreath, leaving empty the backside of the wreath that will be against the door. When the wreath is covered, trim up any unruly pieces of moss.

The pumpkins I used were pumpkin "picks", and were on a piece of wire. I cut the wire down to make it shorter. I did not have to use any glue to get the pumpkins to stay and just stuck them into the wreath. If you are using plain pumpkins, you will need to hot glue these.

Starting with the inner circle, line pumpkins, side by side and stick (or glue) them into the wreath. Next, arrange the next ring of pumpkins outside of the first one. Leave a small gap at the top to leave room for your bow. Play around with the placement until you are happy with how it looks. Make a pretty bow and attach it to the wreath with floral wire. Ta da!

If you give this pumpkin project a whirl and have any questions, send them my way- I'll be happy to help!

It's the first day of Fall...have fun making your home festive!