Happy, happy Monday all! I hope your weekend was a relaxing one and your new week is off to a wonderful start! A random find to share with you all before my weekly dinner menu…

I found this new seasoning at Trader Joe’s and it is AWESOME! I shared this photo of “Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend” on Instagram on Saturday…it was quite the hit! I guess I didn’t realize there were so many others out there with an affinity for everything bagels! I loved combining this new Trader Joe’s seasoning with smashed avocado for a healthified version of one my favorite bagels! (Random fact: when I used to run cross country in high school, my dad would take me to Big Apple Bagel at about 6 am before my meets, and I always got an everything bagel with extra garlic cream cheese…um, the thought of running with that in my belly now kind of grosses me out, but hey, I made it work!)  I also used it for a slow-cooker chicken dish I made last week and thought it was delicious in that as well! I wanted to share it here on the blog for those who don’t follow me on Instagram and might be interested!

Okay and now, getting back into the swing of things over here with the weekly dinner menu! Last week felt a little all over the place with meals, so I’m really trying to get back to planning and stickin’ to it the best I can! I picked some of our meals based on what was on sale this week…for example, there was a great deal on shrimp, hence the shrimp dish this week! Here’s a peek at my grocery cart from yesterday’s haul…

Mostly everything I grabbed that wasn’t a “basic” was on sale! I love when my favorites are discounted…It always feels like such a little victory. Here’s what I’ve got planned…

• Monday: Taco bowls: layers of organic re-fried beans, brown rice, organic ground beef, lettuce, veggies, and salsa.
• Tuesday: Cajun salmon over sweet potato noodles
• Wednesday: Rotisserie chicken with potato wedge fries
• Thursday: Baked spaghetti squash (with marinara and crumbled Italian sausage)
• Friday: TBA

What’s on your menu this week?

 

“You cannot open a new door until you have the courage to close the one behind.”

Good morning, friends! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! We definitely took advantage of the unseasonably warm temperatures and sunshine the last few days, spending lots of time outdoors and keeping the windows open while inside. It’s amazing how beautiful weather, especially when it’s unusual for the season, can brighten moods and lift spirits instantly. Although it was a fun, active weekend I am really looking forward to the week ahead. This week is my last week in my 20’s, which doesn’t seem possible…I swear to you I just turned 21! I thought approaching 30 would be a tough pill to swallow, but as it turns out, I am just itching to see what my 30’s have in store.

I LOVED my 20’s…some of my fondest memories (and of course some tough ones as well) occurred during this decade…partying with my college girlfriends, dating Matt, graduating from Marquette, landing my first teaching job, moving into my first apartment with girlfriends, recovering from a major jaw surgery, getting engaged to my best friend, MARRYING my best friend, grad school, discovering new passions, leaving a familiar career and diving into fitness full-time…holy shizz. It’s been a journey. And while I’ll always hold my 20’s in my heart as that crazy time where I felt wild and free, it was also a critical time of discovery. So 20’s, thanks for being the roller coaster of a decade you’ve been. I may be closing the door on you, 20’s, but I promise I’ll take all your lessons and keep growing better and better. Time to open a new door…

I just had to give that nod to my 20’s before diving into a weekend recap here. Ironically, we found this wall art out and about on our weekend outing and I just had to tie everything together- it was too fitting. Let’s back it up!

Friday night we had a little taco and game board night at our friend’s house! Delicious tacos, a few cocktails, and some friendly Connect 4 and Trivial Pursuit… what could be better! I was definitely not in winning mode, but I always love whipping out a board game, particularly old classics!

Saturday morning was for coffee and shakes, as per usual around here 😉 Then, I got a quick cardio workout in before we headed out to enjoy the sunshine! I did the Cardio Core Fix workout (which is a new add-on to the original 21 Day Fix program). After a good sweat, I made myself avocado toast and enjoyed it outside, while Matt got his workout in. After showers, we were off to the Logan Square neighborhood for an afternoon of walking, exploring, eating, and soaking in the gorgeous weather!

After walking around some of the main streets, we starting strolling up and down side streets and ended up popping into an open house. We are not quite ready to buy a home, but we do like casually going into open houses, just to get ideas for what type of home we like, what sorts of features are important to us, etc. Following a little open house action, we walked over to Bang, Bang Pie: the most adorable little pie and biscuit restaurant that serves up some seriously delicious assortments of brunch delights!

We knew from a quick Yelp search that there might be a line to wait in, so we weren’t surprised by the long line in front of the little restaurant, especially with the nice weather! Menus were being past up and down the line, so we could at least figure out what we wanted to order while we waited. The line moved quickly and we were in and placing our order before we knew it.

We order the ham biscuit, a daily special (avocado) biscuit, and key lime pie to share…absolutely scrumptious!

The experience was heightened by the outdoor dining option…although Bang, Bang Pie has a few tables inside, it’s really a place I would go to when there’s cooperating weather! They have a big “backyard” with lots of picnic tables and lights…so perfect for Saturday!

Stuffed to the brim, we left Bang, Bang Pie, (vowing to go back) and did a little more walking before stopping into a bar for a quick drink before heading home. Since we spent most of Saturday out and about, we kept the evening low-key…a quick trip to Whole Foods for burgers and sweet potatoes for our dinner.

And finally, a few highlights from Sunday! Chores, breakfast, reading, workouts, comprised our morning.

In the afternoon we met up with our friends for a chilly, but sunny lakefront walk followed by a few brews at a nearby, neighborhood bar.

After chatting over our beers, I walked home and Matt ran over to Trader Joe’s to grab us an organic Sicilian pizza, the fixin’s for a big salad to go with it, and a few staples for the week!

I hope you also had a chance to enjoy the weather and get outside this weekend…I don’t think there’s anything more rejuvenating than fresh air and sunshine!

And now, onto the weekly dinner menu!

• Monday: Vegetarian black bean enchilada casserole
• Tuesday: Brown rice pasta (or spaghetti squash) with homemade meatballs and marinara
• Wednesday: Slow cooker lemon garlic chicken with fingerling potatoes
• Thursday: Teriyaki salmon with brown rice and broccoli
• Friday: TBD

How about you? What are you cooking up this week?

Good morning everyone! Hope you had a fabulous weekend! This was a pretty low-key weekend for me, which I fully enjoyed. Friday evening, I taught two classes at Pure Barre to a wonderful, energetic group of clients. We planned to order a pizza for dinner, so on my way home from Pure Barre, I just grabbed a bottle of red wine to enjoy with our pizza. By the time I arrived home, our food had been delivered, so we dove right in!

I think it’s always important to indulge in your favorite foods every once and awhile, and pizza is definitely a fave of mine! While I eat mostly clean throughout the week, I’m also never one to turn down a scoop of ice cream, or a glass of red wine. I think if I had to use one word to describe how I perceive the term “healthy” it’s balance.

After pizza, we quickly decided to watch Deep Water Horizon, a film based on true events from the April  2010 oil rig catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. Although the movie definitely kept my attention, it also made me extremely sad, for many, many reasons.

The explosion that occurred became one of the largest environmental disasters in history. I can only hope and pray that we honor those who lost their lives, those who survived, but will forever be affected, and honor our planet, by taking all the necessary precautions to keep our people and our earth as safe as possible.

Saturday morning, I shot up right at 7:15 am (so much for sleeping in!) I got the coffee going, threw in a load of laundry, opened the windows, and sat down to write out a few to-do’s. Once my coffee was done, I sat curled up on the couch, listening to the birds chirping  outside the window…dare I say…it felt like spring! After some peaceful coffee time, I whipped together a berry and banana smoothie, switched out the laundry, and got ready for Pure Barre.

My girlfriend came with me to the studio to take class, and it was bumping…full of energy!

Once I dropped my friend off, I headed home to quickly shower and eat lunch before heading out for an afternoon coffee-shop meeting. After my meeting, I decided I would use up the remainder of a gift card I had for a local nail salon, and get a fun V-Day manicure. I went totally classic with OPI’s Big Apple Red.

After my relaxing mani, I ran home to get through a few chores, before heading out to Whole Foods to find myself a dinner for 1 😉 Matt had a guys’ dinner planned, so I was flying solo and figured I’d hit up the Whole Foods salad bar. While I was there, I picked up ingredients for Sunday night’s dinner, along with a few things I needed for our Valentine’s Day brunch on Sunday morning.

I opted for a random, yet delicious mess of greens and various salads, then finished it off with avocado, hummus, and feta from home! I savored this salad along with a glass of red wine, while watching old episodes of Friends (which still makes me laugh out loud uncontrollably). Then, I decided to get a jump on my second book for our February book club, 3 Wishes by Liane Moriarty.

That was pretty much the gist of my Saturday evening!

Sunday started a little slower than Saturday, but I’m always okay with that! My favorite part of our Sunday was having a little brunch at home with a nice little spread: a feta omelette made by yours truly, some turkey bacon, avocado, and of course, mimosas!

After our brunch, we got ready then made our way over to the Home Deport (so cliche I know) to pick out a house plant…I’ve been researching a bit, and settled on a Snake plant since it seemed low-maintenance, has a good height, and has health benefits (such as removing toxins from the air.)

The rest of Sunday was spent cleaning, planning out my weekly dinner menu, and Grammy’s Red Carpet watching! For dinner, I whipped up a Mexican lasagna- basically layers of corn tortillas, re-fried beans, seasoned ground turkey breast, organic cheese, and veggies. It definitely hit the spot!

And now…for the weekly dinner menu- things have to be simple this week, since I’ll be working late 2 nights.

• Monday: Cobb Salads (Vegetarian Cobb for me, Matt will add turkey bacon)
• Tuesday: Taking advantage of Whole Food’s V-Day special and doing a meal of steak for Matt, lobster tails for both of us, served with roasted veggies & a salad
• Wednesday: Rotisserie chicken with sweet potatoes and a Gorgonzola-pear salad.
• Thursday: Off duty! We’ve got evening plans and will probably be eating out!
• Friday: TBD

Have a fantastic start to the week!

Hey there! Happy Friday! I’m looking forward to the weekend ahead…some warmer temperatures, some down time to read and relax, and a few fun plans! Today, I have a couple new finds, along with reoccurring favorites to share with you!

Siggi’s Yogurt on sale at Whole Foods 

It’s no shocker I love Siggi’s yogurt, that being said, I am also very aware of our grocery budget each week and will usually snag a brand on sale, or wait it out. So when I took a trip to Whole Foods this week and saw these babies were for 4/$5, I grabbed a bunch. This was a new-to-me flavor, and I really enjoyed it! Topped with coconut flakes, banana, and cashews, it’s the perfect breakfast! 

Knock-Knock Book- What I Love About You 

Valentine’s Day is just a few days away (if you haven’t read my post of V-Day date ideas, check it out) and I found myself reading through this book I put together for Matt last year. I ordered it on Amazon, but I have seen these Knock Knock books available at little boutiques and shops. This is such a fun, inexpensive, yet meaningful gift for a loved one and something you can always look back through. In this particular book, the writer fills in the blanks to 50 different prompts about their significant other. Such as, “My favorite place to go with you is…” Just a sweet something to give your Valentine!

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides 

Collagen has been all the rage this last year, and I’ve definitely jumped on the bandwagon. When I received an Amazon gift-card over the holidays, I decided I would try out Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, since I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews. While I can’t particularly say I’ve seen a difference in my nails, skin, or hair, I do appreciate the added protein a scoop of collagen peptides provides to a morning smoothie or mug of coffee.

My husband and I typically drink Shakeology daily for protein, vitamins, and minerals, but since we share a bag each month, we often run out before the month is through. Collagen peptides add a punch of protein to my smoothies, when I don’t have any Shake-o left. Just another way to stay fuller a bit longer!

Remix the Fix (for 21 Day Fix) 

I’m a HUGE fan of the 21 Day Fix  program. From the workouts, to the portion containers…I feel like it’s a program that really works for me. I usually combine these workouts with my Pure Barre workouts, and find it to be the perfect mix for me! If my legs are too sore from a Pure Barre workout, I’ll opt for the Upper Body Fix workout and vice versa. I also love how it incorporates a day for yoga and Pilates. Recently, 2 new workouts were added to the 21 Day Fix on Beach Body On-Demand: Remix the Fix with Cardio Core Fix and Dirty Dozen. I’ve tried both of these new, 30 minute workouts and seriously love them!

Superbowl Salad

I made this salad on Superbowl Sunday last week, and really loved the combo…so, before I forget, I’m telling you what’s in it. Chopped up mixed greens, shredded cabbage, red onion, slivered almonds, chopped apple, dried cranberries, Gorgonzola cheese, and avocado. I didn’t measure anything (big surprise), but it’s easy to eyeball a salad. Serve with a balsamic vinaigrette and you’re ready to go! I think this would also be delicious with some shredded chicken added to make it a bit heartier!

Other things I’m loving:

• Valentine’s Day Champagne Drinks on Pinterest: Matt and I have a bottle of champagne we’ve been waiting to open and Valentine’s Day is going to be the day! I was searching some fun recipes on Pinterest and came across TONS of options. I think I’m going to go for a strawberry & lime champagne drink!

• Cooking Light’s  romantic recipes for 2!

There you have it! Just a few things I’m really appreciating this week! What about you? Anything in particular making you smile this week?

Wishing you a happy, healthy weekend ahead! Off to teach some Pure Barre!

Good morning! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend…the sunshine on Sunday certainly put me in a great mood and got me all sorts of excited for spring…(I know I’m a little ahead of myself). Our weekend was comprised of documentary watching, reading, a trip to Allstate Arena for the DePaul vs. Marquette game, a sushi dinner date, grocery shopping, a Panera lunch date, smoothies and coffees galore (duh!), and of course, SUPERBOWL festivities. How’s that for a quick weekend recap?! I didn’t take many photos this weekend, so two food photos will have to do 😉

As for dinners this week…I’m not quite sure why, but I’m just not feeling meat dishes as much lately. And oddly, Matt felt the same so we’re doing a few meatless days over here. I always find I go through mini-stages in my eating…one week craving something, the next week not so much. Here’s what I’ve got planned for the week:

• Monday: Mediterranean pasta salad with lentil pasta (which is FULL of protein, so even though there’s no meat, this will be a very filling dinner) Pasta salad will include: tomatoes, feta, cucumber, olives, avocado, and garbanzo beans
• Tuesday: Sweet potato & black bean enchilada skillet (doing a little recipe testing with this one- I’ll let you know how it turns out!)
• Wednesday: Slow cooker white bean chicken chili (just using a recipe I found on Pinterest)
• Thursday: Honey garlic salmon with brown rice and veggies
• Friday: TBD

Question: What’s on your meal plan this week?

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” – Andy Warhol 

Hey there! Happy Wednesday and Happy February! I love the start of a new month…it’s always a chance to reevaluate your goals, set new ones, and reflect on last month’s progress. Today, as I sat down with my daily planner and looked at the fresh page for February, I realized this month has far more meaning to me than being just another new month.

I got to thinking about where I was just a year ago today, and how now, a full year later, I’ve gone through so many ups and downs to get where I’m at. Let’s back it up…

January of last year… I was probably in the best shape of my life. I was working out consistently and had healthy eating down pat…I’d grown stronger, more muscular, had more endurance and I was proud of how far I’d come. I had just started my online health and fitness coaching and I felt on top of the world, almost unstoppable.

I was in the midst of completing my personal trainer course, and was pumped to see where my passion for health and fitness would take me. I daydreamed about personal training, teaching group fitness, reaching new goals of my own (maybe I’d get back into half-marathon training, build more leg muscle, master pull-ups). My motivation seemed endless! Little did I know…my perception of being healthy was about to change drastically.

Toward the end of January, things started to turn. I had gone through a couple weeks with a bad sinus infection, and a round of antibiotics. I wasn’t reacting well to the antibiotics (sparing details…they made sick to my stomach and I wasn’t keeping anything in). I kept drinking water to stay hydrated, since I was losing so much fluid. As February continued, I wasn’t getting better…another trip to a care clinic, and I was put on yet another antibiotic. I knew in my gut something wasn’t right…I felt dizzy, I was forgetting things (like email passwords), things seemed out of focus, and I was weak. I kept putting off taking any further action because everyone around me assured me I would feel back-to-normal in no time.

I knew better…but, in an effort to seem less crazy to others, I pushed aside my intuition. During this time, my perception of being healthy changed…I had reached a roadblock in my journey. Lifting weights, running, pushing play on workout videos…no longer my priority. Resting, sleeping, praying, nourishing my body with good foods became my only concerns. Getting back to normal was my one and only goal.

Soon, it became obvious I couldn’t continue like this. My emotions were out of wack, I was scared to go anywhere alone because I felt off-balance and dizzy. I finally went to see our trusted family friend doctor, who I knew would listen to me, wouldn’t take me for a crazy lady, and would get to the bottom of what was wrong with me. Sure enough, after a series of blood tests, I got a call on my 29th birthday that my sodium levels were too low, and I needed to be admitted to the hospital. The moment I got that phone call, my health priorities changed once again. It was survival mode…get to the hospital, get on an IV, and get yourself well.

Once I was out of the hospital, things didn’t just go back to normal…far from it. In fact, in many ways, that’s when the real challenge began. I no longer felt safe in my body. I was always waiting for something else to happen. My anxiety was through the roof and I couldn’t calm my mind down. I spiraled into a state of fear, constant worry, and anxiety. I found myself on a new road in my health and fitness journey… strengthening my mind and letting go of worry. Day by day, week by week, month by month…I slowly started to feel like myself. I began meditating, going on walks outside (I remember texting my parents saying, “I did it! I went on a walk alone!”), but for me, in that moment of my journey…those were great victories.

I share this with you today because it’s true for all of us…our health and fitness journeys are ongoing. There really isn’t an “end” because our lives are always changing, we are always evolving. Our priorities change based on if we are well, or sick. Our focus depends on where we are in life…if we’ve just endured tragedy, given birth, discovered a food allergy or other health ailment, have an injury…life throws us constant curve balls, it’s how we react to those curve balls that matters.

I am happy to say, today, I feel strong, happy, healthy, and motivated. I grew more in this last year than I ever could have imagined, but I think my growth really happened because I allowed myself to experience every setback that came my way. I’ve found that no matter where I am on my health and fitness journey, it helps to surround yourself with positive people, who believe in you, support you, and want to cheer you on. Those kinds of people make the journey all the better. Now that I’ve come out stronger on the other side, I hope to spread the message to others…wherever you are, it’s okay.

Listen to your body, trust your instincts, recognize when you’re pushing yourself too hard, or not enough. And if you want to surround yourself with positive, uplifting people, who will lovingly push you forward, no matter where you’re at, I encourage you to join my online fitness community…knowing I had a strong community of women to turn to, even during the tougher parts of my journey, made things so much easier for me.

Don’t give up if you’ve had a setback. I repeat. DO NOT GIVE UP. Adjust your priorities as needed, but do not give up. It’s a long, beautiful, confusing, challenging journey to feel healthy and fit, but it’s so worth it. Setbacks come, and then before you know it, they’re nothing but a memory. When you find yourself face to face with a setback, don’t throw in the towel. Change your priorities, change how you view the setback, and sure enough, with time, you too will change.

Much love.

Good morning and happy Monday! How was your weekend? I’ve got to say, I’m a little tired of Chicago’s cold, cloudy weather…I’m craving sunshine and outdoor activities. Despite the weather, we had a nice little weekend: a lovely dinner date, a trip to a cute, new-to-us coffee shop, and lots of relaxing. (I think that’s the upside of long, winter days…the cold is the perfect excuse to stay curled up on the couch engrossed in a good book or movie). Okay, here are a few highlights from the weekend…

Friday we joined my parents at the United Center for the Bulls vs. Miami Heat game. If you follow NBA teams at all, you know the Bulls have had a rocky week, and Friday was no exception…even their best players were off and it just wasn’t the exciting game we were hoping for. Still, it’s always fun to watch a game live and soak in the energy of the fans (which didn’t last too long in this case).

Saturday began with the usual giant cup of coffee along with a delicious green smoothie comprised of banana, mango, almond milk, spinach, Greek yogurt, and ice.

I gravitate toward smoothies as my morning meal, since they are refreshing, easily digestible, and chock full of nutrients. After breakfast, I got ready and headed off to the dentist. Don’t you just always feel better after a dentist appointment? Luckily for me, everything looked good and I was in and out within 30 minutes. I headed off to do a quick Whole Foods run, where I grabbed ingredients for a beef stew dinner for Sunday night along with a few other weekly staples.

Saturday night, Matt and I hit up Frontera Grill for a dinner date. We don’t go out to dinner often, so this felt like a special treat. (Quick tip: if you’re trying to save money, but appreciate getting out to a fun restaurant every once in awhile, ask for gift cards to different, hip restaurants in your city for birthdays, Christmas, etc. Matt and I do this and it’s always nice to have gift cards on hand when you’re in the mood for a night out).

We started off with dos margaritas and the Chef’s special guacamole and chips. The addition of bacon and pomegranates to this classic dip provided a delicious twist.

I knew I wanted to order enchiladas and although I had my eye on the chicken ones, our waiter suggested I try the Chef’s special option which included braised pork shoulder with a black bean sauce. They were SO tasty! I highly recommend this dish if you ever try out Frontera Grill. Matt ordered the Chipotle-glazed ribs and also said his meal was amazing.

Overall, I love Frontera Grill’s food and I appreciate the restaurant’s commitment to using ingredients from local sources (they actually list the farms where they get most of their veggies, fruits, etc from). The ambiance of the restaurant isn’t as intimate/romantic as I typically like for a date night, but it’s still cool and the food definitely makes it worth the trip!

And finally, a few highlights from Sunday…I prepped and got our beef stew in the slow cooker so it would be ready by the time the SAG awards came on (I absolutely love awards shows).

As I was starting to prep the stew, I realized I didn’t have any potatoes, so I decided to try out brussel sprouts instead and was quite pleased with the turnout!

Matt and I decided we need to bring back our neighborhood of the month club, partly because it gets us out and exploring different parts of our city and partly because we know it will help us narrow down neighborhoods, when we start to think about house hunting. We ended up in downtown La Grange and popped into the cutest little juice and coffee bar called Owl & Lark. This little cafe has the coolest vibe thanks to some colorful artwork, photographs, unique lighting, and lots of greenery (my obsession with indoor plants continues).

How neat is this lighting? And the artwork? So awesome.

I ordered the Green Detox juice: a combination of kale, apple, cucumber, celery, spinach, ginger, and parsley.

And one more…just a really lovely place to grab a coffee, a sandwich or salad, or a juice. I love finding little gems like this! It made our trek out to the burbs worth it!

Once we were back home, I made myself some avocado toast, checked in on the stew, then began working on some blog posts while watching Designated Survivor (we are majorly struggling to find a show that keeps us both entertained). Later in the afternoon, I continued to read my book (almost done) and did a little food prep. No workouts for me this weekend…usually I take a rest day either Saturday or Sunday, but this week it was both. I always try to listen to my body and give it the rest/recovery it needs!

The evening was comprised of comforting stew and the SAG awards! A nice little Sunday indeed!

And now for the weekly dinner menu…as always, please feel free to share what you’ve got planned as well.

• Monday: Spiralized Sweet Potato Pizza Skillet from Detoxinista (http://detoxinista.com/2016/08/spiralized-sweet-potato-pizza-skillet/)
• Tuesday: Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole (There are several recipes for this meal, I am sort of mixing and matching from a few, trying to eliminate as many ingredients as possible to keep it cost-effective)
• Wednesday: Brown rice pasta with marinara and crumbled Italian chicken sausage
• Thursday: Greek Chopped Salad (chicken breast, red onion, tomato, cucumber, feta, and garbanzo beans)
• Friday: Most likely, pizza from Whole Foods

There you have it! Here’s to a happy, healthy, productive week ahead!

Happy Friday to all! I hope you’re feeling pumped and ready for the weekend…I know I am! We’ve got a couple of fun things on the agenda including a dinner date on Saturday night, which always excites me. This week felt particularly long, so I am definitely ready to kick back and enjoy the next few days. But, for now, I’ve got some new finds and faves for the week to share with you- I think it’s always important to remember the simple joys that make us smile each day.

Emmy’s Organics Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies 

I always love trying out new, healthy foods and I’m definitely someone who appreciates a sweet treat after dinner. These coconut cookies caught my eye the other day at Whole Foods and since they were on sale, I decided to give them a try- they are super delicious, not to mention, full of clean, natural ingredients. Like most things in our house, they didn’t last long since Matt and I both enjoyed them for dessert with a big glass of almond milk. I highly recommend these if you dig coconut!

A to Z Pinot Noir 

This wine is definitely not new to me by any means, but since it resurfaced this week, it definitely earns a spot on my favorites list! I used to drink this wine quite often and it was a wine often gifted to me since my pre-marriage initials were AZ. I’ve always loved this Pinot Noir, but for whatever reason, just haven’t had it recently…until last night. I asked Matt to pick up a bottle of wine on his way home from work to pair with our spaghetti squash lasagna dinner and this is what he chose.

I just love having red wine with our Italian dinners…it feels right and makes the home dining experience feel even more special. I quickly remembered how delicious this wine is and will definitely make sure we have it on hand more often!

Trader Joe’s Succulent 

Okay, for whatever reason, I’ve been obsessed with indoor plants lately. I’ve started doing some research on different types of household plants and the purposes they serve. I actually plan to ask for a Home Depot gift card for my birthday (well, hello 30) so I can find the perfect, larger-sized plant for our home. In the mean time, I decided to take this little guy home with me after seeing a new succulent collection this week at my local Trader Joe’s. Particularly on these gloomy, gray January days, I find having a little plant like this is a way to bring a bit of brightness into our home. 

Men’s Face Wash 

Now, although I don’t directly benefit from this Bull Dog Men’s Face Wash, believe me, I am quite happy it made it’s way into our lives. For months, I noticed my own face wash disappearing at record speed, and since I’m pretty careful of how much I dispense per use, I knew I had a face wash hijacker. Luckily, Santa was thoughtful enough to leave this cleanser in Matt’s stocking and he’s been hooked ever since. Santa found this face wash at Whole Foods, along with many other fun skincare items for men!

The Boy’s in the Boat 

I know I mentioned this book by Daniel James Brown in my weekend recap, but I wanted to highlight it here as well, since it’s something I am absolutely loving this week. I am just about half-way through and find myself struggling to put this down at night! So good!

UGG Aira Knit Scuff Slipper 

Slippers have been a long-time favorite thing of mine, but I recently got a massive upgrade in the slipper department…My mom got me these cozy UGG slippers for Christmas since my old ones were falling apart. I love how comfortable these are and appreciate the unique knit style. Just thought I’d share in case anyone is in the market for new slippers. My mom bought these during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale back in the fall, and they were out of stock for awhile, but I checked and they are now fully stocked in 2 different colors on Nordstrom’s website. There are also a few other styles currently on sale (these, unfortunately, are not on sale). 

Flipping through engagement photos

File this one under “sappy lady,” but with Valentine’s Day approaching, I find myself flipping through old photos, including our engagement album. One of my favorite quotes sort of explains my mushiness… “You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” I remember going to get our engagement photos taken- we had hemmed and hawed as to whether or not it was something we wanted to do. Ultimately, we felt having a photo experience with our photographer (who is incredible, by the way) would help us feel more natural and relaxed when taking photos on our actual wedding day.

Anyway, it was an overcast August day…we felt nervous, awkward, and excited all rolled into one…the first few photos we took felt so strange and unnatural, but as the session progressed we were cracking up in laughter and just having a blast. It started pouring and we all ran to hide under a huge tree, as we waited for the rain to subside. I’ll just never forget that day. Being married to Matt has been the greatest gift ever, and just gets better and better with each year, but I never forget our roots- our story, our old memories, where we’ve evolved from…I guess my point is- appreciate every moment you have, especially with those you love. And never, ever forget your love story. 

And one other thing I’m loving…

Cooking Light’s Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

Just checked out this slide show of Super Bowl snack ideas and I am thinking about trying out a couple of the recipes!

http://www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/menus-for-entertaining/healthy-super-bowl-snacks?iid=newsletter-ck-012517#

And there you have it, plants, cookies, wine, sappiness…oh my. Cheers to you and to the weekend!

What’s making you smile this week?

Happiest of Mondays to you! How was your weekend? If you are here in Chicago, I hope you had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather on Saturday. Even just having the windows open with sunshine and fresh air seeping in felt so good. Nothing too exciting over here this past weekend, but sometimes that’s just what I need. Friday we enjoyed wine and pizza from Whole Foods while flipping through random shows on T.V. before giving up on the tube all together and retreating to our respective novels.

The book I was finishing up Friday ended up being a way different story line than I anticipated, so I was actually anxious to wrap it up. (Side note, I rarely read the summary of books prior to reading- I look on Amazon for recommendations and if the ratings are good, I go for it…sometimes, this gets me in trouble). I’m actually hosting our upcoming February book club- we’ll be reading The Boys in the Boat and/or Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty, two books that have been on my to-read list for awhile now!

Saturday morning began with coffee and a large to-do list, followed by a quick smoothie before I headed out to Pure Barre.

Sweaty shaking with an awesome group of women is always a positive way to start the day! After chatting for a bit after class, I headed home and whipped up a quick spinach and feta omelette for Matt and myself. Then, Matt headed out to see a movie with a friend while I began tackling my to-do list: chores, organizing, emails, meal-planning, blog-related items, etc. I opened the windows so I could breathe in the fresh air as I went about my tasks. By the time evening rolled around, I decided to join Matt and his friend for a little grill-out, taking advantage of the unusually warm January temps.

After a busy Sunday morning, my girlfriend (who is getting married in June) and her sister picked me up and we headed out to pick up our bridesmaid dresses! I can’t believe how fast the wedding is coming!

Once I returned home, I grabbed an apple to munch on while reviewing my grocery list, then grabbed my canvas bags and made my way to Whole Foods. I didn’t buy all our groceries for the week, just dinners for Sunday and Monday, plus lunch foods, fruits, and other basics. For Sunday dinner, Matt wanted to make himself chicken wings, and since that didn’t appeal to me, I scooped up a box of Hilary’s Adzuki Black Bean Burgers for myself, which were on sale. 🙂

After grocery shopping, the rest of Sunday afternoon/evening was spent tidying up around the house, relaxing on the couch, finishing up one novel and starting a new one. I decided to dive right into The Boys in the Boat and I am hooked. I couldn’t put it down…even though it’s a true story, it almost reads like fiction (at least for me) thanks to the in-depth descriptions of the men introduced so far. I hear there is a movie version, so I look forward to watching it once I’ve finished up the book.

Here’s my weekly dinner menu for the week…once again, I’m really working on sticking to a grocery budget, so the key for me is to find recipes and meals that require fewer/less expensive ingredients. When I have to go buy a bottle of this, a container of that, only to use 1 tbsp, that’s where it starts to get pricey- the things I’m making this week have a small number of ingredients hence, easier on the pocketbook. Okay, here we go…

• Monday: Thai Chicken over zoodles
• Tuesday: Taco Salad
• Wednesday: Turkey, spinach, and feta paninis (I do not have a panini press, but will be using my trusty grill pan)
• Thursday: Spaghetti squash lasagna
• Friday: TBD

Have an awesome start to the week everyone!

Question: What book are you currently reading?

Good morning and happy Friday! Hope you’re feeling good and ready for the weekend ahead! Today, I’ve got some fun, new faves to share with you- things that I’ve really been enjoying, particularly this past week. Be sure to tell me in the comments what new things you are loving as well- and with that, here they are!

Way Better Spicy Sriracha Chips 

These lasted all of 24 hours in our house…and then, I went back to Whole Foods and bought a second bag. They are SO tasty…the perfect crunch level, not too spicy, but packed with flavor, and ingredients that are on point. If you follow my Instagram account, you know I enjoyed these this week with some garlic hummus, but they are amazing on their own as well. Matt and I have decided we have a chip issue- anytime we have chips, we devour them within a day or 2 at most. But, hey, I can’t feel guilty about these bad boys! 

DoTerra Petal Diffuser 

My awesome mother-in-law gave me this diffuser for Christmas and I’ve been using it daily since! Right before bed, I set up the diffuser with either the Serenity blend or just plain lavender oil and I so appreciate how soothing the scents are! When I’m working in the house, I diffuse peppermint oil because I feel like it keeps me alert! 

Rewined Pinot Grigio Candle 

If loving a candle is wrong, I don’t want to be right. This candle is a-maz-ing! Candles are something so simple, yet they bring such warmth and comfort to our home. In the past year or so, I’ve tried to be more aware of the type of candles I purchase. These fit my candle criteria, as they are 100% natural soy wax candles. Without going into too much detail, I did some research and found many candles that are not natural soy wax can actually trigger allergies! I definitely encourage you to do your own research, but this is one of the reasons I adore Rewined candles! Plus, any company that finds a cool way to re-purpose something is a winner in my book! (In case you don’t know, the candles are made from old wine bottles!)

Bombas Socks

I received a couple pairs of these socks from my father-in-law for Christmas and they have quickly become my favorite socks. When I am not wearing my Pure Barre sticky socks, these are my go-to’s- the softest socks ever and these low rise ones are perfect for working out! What makes these socks incredibly noteworthy is that for every pair purchased, Bombas donates a pair of socks to someone in need. Consider checking this company out if you’re in the market for some new socks- support a great cause and keep those toes warm! 

Other things I’m loving

• A clean, organized, simplified home. When Matt and I took down our Christmas tree a few weeks ago, we also did a major clutter reduction. We put together several piles of giveaway clothes, books, old cups from before we were married, etc. and for the next several days following, I spent a half-hour each day re-organizing our closet, cabinets, and storage space. I can’t tell you what a relief it is for so much unnecessary stuff to be out- brings me such peace of mind. There really is something to “living simply.”

• Vegan Chocolate Shakeology. I’ve been drinking Shakeology for awhile now, but I’ve grown to appreciate it even more the last few weeks since it simplifies my morning routine when I need to get out the door quickly to go teach at Pure Barre. I’m all about convenience!

• The newer movie version of the Jungle Book. Matt and I watched this last night and it was the cutest movie- I laughed, I cried…you get the picture!

There you have it! A few things making me smile this week- because that’s what life is all about- the simple pleasures! Wishing you a wonderful day and a fantastic weekend! Don’t forget to share some of your favorites with me as well 🙂