- Category: Sides -

Dinner, Lunch, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking

Tossed Tomato Spinach Salad; Simple Sides

Can anyone else believe it’s already over a week into December..? Time has been flying by recently, and I haven’t even finished fully putting up my Christmas decorations! I feel like these days I need a body double. This weekend one of my oldest friends is getting MARRIED!!! I am so excited- this is my first friend to tie the knot and I was asked to be her Maid of Honor! I’m thrilled. :) Anddddd, if you have been following for awhile, you know that I grew up in Southern California. Her wedding is in San Diego, so Dj and I are flying out for a quick, but oh so sweet, long weekend. I also get to see my dad & his side of the family so it will be a much needed getaway!…

Dinner, Lunch, Recipe Box, Sides

Mini Chicken Meatloafs

Happy December! Who else already has ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas and their tree up and decorated? I live for this time of year! Being in Florida, instead of snow swept streets and knit gloves, I am currently in flip flops and 70 degree weather, but I still glow with holiday spirit. Before heading off to my mom’s new place in North Carolina last week for Thanksgiving, I raided my fridge. I’ve mentioned many times how much I hate wasting food, so I wanted to ensure that all my fridge’s contents were put to good use. Thus, baby meatloaf’s were born (or cooked, at least). Typically, meatloaf needs to cook for at least 45 minutes. I didn’t have that kind of time, I was hungry and very impatient. (That happens a lot if you…

Friends & Family, My Life, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking

Protein Packed French Onion Dip & a Baby Party!

This weekend was pretty packed of festivities (which is always a good thing!) A good friend that I work with has the most adorable daughter and she turned 1 this past week! To celebrate, she had a party at her house with snacks, games, and plenty of wine! Who knew one year old parties could be so fun? I wanted to bring something along to add to the snacks and thought a healthy, but old party favorite would be the perfect solution. I didn’t get to snap a picture when the dip and veggies were all presented well, but after pictures sometimes work better! Now you are able to see, and not need to trust me when I say that this dip was a huge hit. I was asked for the recipe by numerous…

Dinner, Holiday Eats, Lunch, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Sweet Tooth

The post of many, many, simple Thanksgiving Recipes!

Hi, All! Raise your hand if you are as excited about Turkey Day as I am! ;) This will be the first Thanksgiving I get to spend with my mom in about 4-5 years! She recently moved back from London to the states and I am oh so excited. To assist with the Thanksgiving meal planning, I’ve listed some of my favorite side dishes, drinks, desserts, and meals to bring along with you to any gathering! Simply click on the name of the dish and it will automatically bring you directly to the correlating recipe page. Please feel free to ask me any questions, tag me in any pictures of the dishes, or pass along some of your favorite holiday treats! I always love hearing your suggestions. Happy planning! Apple Pie Moonshine (21 &…

Breakfast, Holiday Eats, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Sweet Tooth

Low-Fat Yogurt Holiday Bark

As many of you know, dessert is my favorite food group. If I could, I would make chocolate 90% of my daily diet. I am constantly trying out ways to help curb my sweets cravings in different, healthy ways. Now that the weather is turning into boots and scarf season, my holiday spirit has cranked way up. I have caught the baking bug, and my kitchen is already beginning to overflow with holiday treats! It probably comes at no surprise that holiday bark is one of my favorite snacks this time of year. What’s not to love about candy layered over chocolate? I’ll be making some closer to December time, but in the meantime, I created a healthy substitute! Let me introduce you to my latest obsession: Low-Fat Yogurt Bark! Similar to the typical…

Breakfast, Lunch, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Sweet Tooth, Tailgating Must-Haves

Curbing Sweets Cravings- Banana Bowls

The other night was one that I just couldn’t seem to fix my sweet tooth. I needed something sweet, but filling so that I wouldn’t convince myself to grab “jut one” cookie later. ;) This simple, 3 ingredient bowl was the perfect solution. All you need: -1 cut up banana -1 tablespoon unsalted raw almond butter -½ tablespoon any kind of jam/jelly/honey that you want. I would recommend using my Healthy 3 Ingredient Strawberry Jam because it’s so simple & good for you, but I cheated a little and used orange marmalade. It’s my favoritttte. Below are some other of my favorite ‘sweets cheats’ recipes. Just click on the name of the recipe and it will take you directly to the post. :) Baked Chocolate Peanut Butter Cinnamon Bananas Game Day Tri-Apple “Nachos” Strawberry Honey Greek…

Dinner, Friends & Family, JAXplore, Lunch, My Life, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Travel Adventures

Homemade Whole Grain Mac and Cheese & a Whole Bunch of Random!

I know I’ve been so awful and neglectful lately! As you may know, I am now a “big girl” and have a real job. I’m a Marketing Specialist/ PR Rep, so 97% of the day is spent online. SO, once I get home, I’ve been sideways staring at my laptop, leaving it lonely on my living room table. That’s all changing today, though! I’m officially back. :) This past weekend, Dj brought me to the PGA Players Championship golf tour. He sometimes gets away with having golf on the tv, and it bores me to sleep. So, needless to say, my anticipations for the event were low. After making friends with the bartender, however, my feelings all changed! ;) He sure made a mean Bloody Mary! Watching golf in person is completely different, as…

Dinner, Dressings & Marinades, Friends & Family, JAXplore, Lunch, My Life, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Travel Adventures

Sun Dried Tomato Grilled Chicken Salads! (& some very important visitors!)

Can I add “Really Freaking Good Salad Maker” to my resume? ;) Dj and I have had a stream of non-stop visitors these past 3 weeks. We’ve had so much fun. Moving alone to Florida, we’ve had our moments of home-sickness, so having friends visit really has helped! Two of my very best friends since we moved onto the same dorm room floor our freshman year of college, Katie and Danielle, were the second wave! It was so nice to see them. It was like a little glimpse of home. :) We spent our days on the beach taking in all of the strong Florida sun! The next group was one of my best friends I worked at the American Embassy in London last summer, Mina! I hadn’t ever hung out with her on…