Shrimp Baguette Bites

Bread is one of those appetizers that I just can't turn down, but I also love cocktail shrimp and cheese, so why not mix them all together?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and so much love to everyone!

Steamer Smashed Potatoes

I happen to be a potato skin kinda girl, so I tend to prefer smashed up potatoes that still have potato peel and chunks over whipped ones (not that those aren't amazing, too)!

Salted Caramel Butter Sauce

I am crazy about the combination of salt and caramel; it has that lovely bit of salt and the richness of caramel without being too sweet.  I grew up as a total milk chocolate fiend, so my tastes have definitely changed over the years!

Grilled Double Cheese BLT

BLT - delicious.  Grilled cheese - delicious.  Both together - heavenly!

Pumpkin Apple Crisp

Warm, autumnal pumpkin and traditional, comforting apple,  A perfect flavor blend, in my opinion!  A friend once made crisp with a cereal topping, and I thought it was a brilliant idea, as it makes it so easy to get that good flavor and crunch on top of the fruit.

Red Pepper and Brie Grilled Cheese

Growing up, grilled cheese was probably one of my favorite sandwiches ever.  To this day, it is still a nice, simple comfort food.  But, my taste in cheese has changed matured, and I am crazy about brie.  Brie and red pepper jelly are one of the greatest flavor combinations, and they make an amazingly melted, delicious sandwich.

Vegetable Tuna Casserole

I don't care what anyone says, I absolutely love tuna!  It is delicious, healthy and great hot or cold.

Margherita Flatbread Pizza

Just the thought of tomatoes and basil mixed together makes me drool; add some cheese and I am in heaven!  

Pizza Pasta

Pizza or pasta?  If you can decide, why not mix them?  You can customize this dish to match whichever kind of pizza you are craving!

Women for Women Wednesday: Anna Faris

Anna Faris is one of the funniest actresses around and I absolutely adore her.

(Image from Google)

Lamb-chos with Cheese Sauce

I have always loved sharing a big dish of nachos with friends, but I have a strange dislike of taco seasoning on beef, so we always get them without the meat.  I can't explain my aversion to the ground beef because I love chicken and fish tacos; i guess it's just one of those things!   This week, I decided to try it with lamb and it was delicious!

Women for Women Wednesday: Zoe Saldana

I still remember seeing Zoe Saldana for the first time in Center Stage and being absolutely mesmerized by her grace.

Twice Baked Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun Casserole

Fall is definitely the time for warm, pumpkin treats and cinnamon.  While we usually make a classic pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, I also like to try and make at least one new recipe each year.  This casserole is soft and gooey like a good bread pudding!

Women for Women Wednesday: Jaimie Alexander

Fall 2015 TV steamrolled us with a wealth of incredible female leads, including Jaimie Alexander.

(Image from Jaimie's twitter)

Golden Borscht

I still remember the first time my mom made borscht and we all gave her a funny look as we stared at the bright red soup.  However, it was delicious and is now a family favorite.  While I can get beets year round, I am only lucky enough to get golden beets for a brief period of time in the fall.  So, of course, I had to turn them into a slightly less stain-threatening shade of soup.

Women for Women Wednesday: Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks brings me an unspeakable amount of joy.

(Image from Google)

Papaya Pumpkin Tarts

It's fall again, which means an abundance of delicious pumpkin-spiced treats will be bombarding us at every turn.  I am a pumpkin lover, so I am going to share one of my favorite treats.  For me, papaya just tastes warm, so it blends perfectly with the traditional spices that go with pumpkin.

Women for Women Wednesday: Priyanka Chopra

I have to admit that I have never seen any Bollywood films; Quantico is my first introduction to Priyanka Chopra and I am impressed.

(Image from Google)

Polenta Bruschetta

I love tomatoes, especially when they are served up as bruschetta, and I have recently discovered a love of polenta.  Together, they make a great appetizer!

Women for Women Wednesday: Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson plays the badass like a pro!

(Image from Google)

Baked Zucchini 'Spaghetti'

Baked spaghetti used to be one of my favorite go to recipes, but somehow I just forgot about it over the last few years.  With fall coming, good hearty meals will be making their way back onto our household menu!

Women for Women Wednesday: Emma Watson

Everyone knows Emma Watson as witch extraordinaire Hermione Grainger from the Harry Potter  franchise, but in real life she is an eloquent feminist advocate.

(Image from Google)

Watermelon Peach Bellini

Watermelon and peach is one of my favorite summertime combinations, and I love adding them to drinks.  My girlfriends and I love to get together for brunch, and this is a delicious, refreshing drink to serve with our meals!  The fruit will make enough puree that you can freeze the extra and have it for another day.

Women for Women Wednesday: Maria Menounos

I think I first saw Maria Menounos on Entertainment Tonight many years ago, and I found her so charming,

(Image from Maria's Twitter)

Cauliflower Polenta Grits

First of all, yes, I do realize that polenta and grits are technically two different things.  Humor me, because it's just easier to call it grits instead of making up a long, rambling name to describe this dish.  This dish is a great way to use up any leftover polenta that you may have and it is a perfect side to serve with pulled pork!

Women for Women Wednesday: Emm Gryner

Emm Gryner is a Canadian singer-songwriter-musical goddess, and I have adored her for years.

(Image from Google)

Asian Chicken Noodle Salad

I spend a lot of summer weekends barbecuing with friends and family, and I always like to bring something to the party.  This noodle salad is light and refreshing and always seems to be a big hit!

Women for Women Wednesday: Sha Yao

I read an article last week about new tableware designed for people with cognitive impairments like Alzheimer's disease and I was so moved.  I have been fortunate enough to never experience this firsthand in my own family, but I have heard so many others' stories of the struggle.

(Image from Google)

Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seed pudding is quick, easy and delicious!  It can be enjoyed as both a breakfast or a dessert, and requires minimal effort.

Women for Women Wednesday: Kellie Pickler

For me, Kellie Pickler has always been one of the most memorable American Idol Contestants.  She may not have won, but her charm was undeniable.

(Image from Google)

Guava Pots de Crème

Guava isn't common where I live, so I had never bought fresh guava before, but these ones smelled so amazing that I couldn't resist.  They were small, but so ripe and amazing!  The tartness of the guava makes it work well in a dessert that has a sweeter component to balance it out.

Women for Women Wednesday: Caroline Casey

Caroline Casey is an incredible inspiration.  I showed her TED Talk to my work colleagues and managed to reduce an entire room full of men to tears.

(Image from Google)

Vegetable Loaded Zucchini Chicken Carbonara

I have always been a huge fan of both pasta and vegetable dishes.  Since buying my spiralizer last year, I have found myself satisfying both loves in a new way.

Women for Women Wednesday: Cara Delevingne

I think Cara Delevingne is one of the most stunning models in the world.

(Image from Google)

Roasted Caesar Salad

I have to admit that I actually love salad; there's nothing like a nice big bowl of vegetables to make me happy.

I went to a restaurant with a couple of girlfriends and we decided to try their grilled Caesar.  It sounded great but, unfortunately, it was soggy and bland.  However, I loved the idea of a grilled salad, so I decided to try it at home.  And, being the vegetable lover that I am, I added lots of lovely extras!

Women for Women Wednesday: Lennon Murphy

Lennon Murphy is a full on rock star.

(Image from Google)

Hydrating Chia Seeds: 3 Consistencies

I'm sure most people are aware of chia seeds, but I know that a lot of people aren't sure how to use them.  You can certainly eat them dry (i.e. throw a tablespoon into your cereal), but I prefer to hydrate mine first.  For me though, there isn't a one-measurement fits all hydration; the consistency is determined by the how I plan to use it.

(Left: 1 Tbsp/cup, Middle: 2 Tbsp/cup, Right: 3 Tbsp/cup)

Women for Women Wednesday: Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar is one of my favorite actresses, delivering drama, horror, romance and comedy with ease. 

Wilton Treatology Salted Caramel Flavor Concentrate

I have been walking past these Wilton flavor concentrates in Michaels for a long time now, debating whether or not I should try them.  I have had bad luck with some flavor concentrates being way too overpowering or not tasting like the flavor that they should be.  However, I am a total sucker for salted caramel, so I finally picked it up this weekend.

(Image from the Wilton website)

Arlene's Green Tomato Topping

This past fall, I was lucky enough to get some delicious fresh tomatoes and onions from a co-worker.  She brought in a nice assortment of red and green tomatoes, and I don't get green tomatoes often, so these were definitely a treat!  That's why this topping is name in her honor.

Women for Women Wednesday: Shirley Manson

Shirley Manson was my original rock goddess.  I remember the first time I heard Only Happy When it Rains when I was in elementary school, and being absolutely mesmerized by her voice.

(Image from Google)

Tasty Tuesday: President's Choice Fish Tacos

First off, nothing will ever compare to the fish tacos from the Paia Fish Market in Maui. Those were, hands down, the most amazing fish tacos ever.  But, once I accepted that I would have to be in Maui to experience that again, I was able to open up to other alternatives.  These President's Choice fish tacos from Superstore are delicious!

Watermelon Peach Sangria

In my mind, Sangria and summertime go hand in hand.  There's something about sipping on a fruit and wine concoction on the patio with your girlfriends that just feels right.

 

Women for Women Wednesday: Demi Lovato

Actress, singer, songwriter, badass, activist. . . Demi Lovato does it all and does it well.

(Image from Google)

Tasty Tuesday: Simply7 Quinoa Chips

I was at Bulk Barn with one of my best friends when we came across these quinoa chips.  As a huge lover of quinoa and an occasional fan of potato chips, I had to try them.

Coco-Chia Chiller

For a lot of us, summer means barbecues and beverages while we take in the nice weather.  I find that it is nice to switch from beer and coolers to some lighter drinks once in a while .

Women for Women Wednesday: Martina Sorbara

A lot of people may not remember Martina's solo albums, but no one can forget her as the rocking lead singer of Dragonette.

(Image from Google)

Tasty Tuesday: Coconut Oil

I have been using coconut oil for almost 10 years now, and I am still so in love with it.

Homemade Coconut Cream

If you are like me and you love trying new recipes, you know that some ingredients can be almost impossible to find in your local stores.  Coconut cream is one ingredients for me.  I can find milks, butters, oils, liquefied oils, flakes, shreds, etc. but not the canned coconut cream.  Fortunately, it is actually very easy to make!

Women for Women Wednesday: Chelsea Handler

I still remember randomly buying a copy of My Horizontal Life when I was in college, even though I had never heard of Chelsea Handler, just because it sounded funny.  I wasn't disappointed!