tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85750707545164263402024-03-13T12:02:43.550-07:00FoodWhat's Hot? What's Trending? LauRen is a trendy Mommy Blogger that loves Fashion - Food - Family - Fun! It's all the F-words a Lady should know! From her personal struggles being a first time mom to products she can't live without, you can laugh, cry and SHOP with this little fashionista!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-79015396685201717592021-11-11T07:00:00.004-08:002021-11-11T07:09:12.861-08:00The Perfect Thanksgiving Table Scape<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2NX53SB434/XeEl81Di7sI/AAAAAAAACzU/1DKqVGUKj_o4c85UnBj2EJ-kS21o3bSkQCPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_8010.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2NX53SB434/XeEl81Di7sI/AAAAAAAACzU/1DKqVGUKj_o4c85UnBj2EJ-kS21o3bSkQCPcBGAYYCw/w480-h640/IMG_8010.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze3oo5mxzoM/XeEl7baOL0I/AAAAAAAACzM/JXmM1b_51BggKsNdiqgbXOZkWqgsrCwUACPcBGAYYCw/s2048/IMG_0870.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="2048" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze3oo5mxzoM/XeEl7baOL0I/AAAAAAAACzM/JXmM1b_51BggKsNdiqgbXOZkWqgsrCwUACPcBGAYYCw/w640-h486/IMG_0870.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanksgiving is fast approaching and whether you are hosting the holiday for 4 or 14, you want to impress your friends and family when it comes to your <a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">tablescape</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, I wanted to share with you the details from our <a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">Thanksgiving table</a>. I invested in these pieces last year but all of them are still available. The only difference is the <a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">pumpkins</a> in our centerpiece. However, I have found a very close match (that I have seen in person), and not only are they gorgeous but they are also on sale! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I chose this tablescape I started with the color wheel. I wanted a "soft" glamorous table instead of the traditional orange and yellow thanksgiving garb. This way I could use these pieces year-round. I then assembled the rest of the table around our classic <a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">Vera Wang china</a> that Dallas and I received from our wedding registry more than 10 years ago... and YES! The set is still available! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We added <a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">silver chargers</a> in two different textures, a natural ratton <a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">runner</a> that is sure to go with any tablescape, chunky crystal <a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">candlesticks</a> that won't break the bank, and finally eucalyptus <a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">garland</a> from Target to add some greenery. You could also use fresh greenery that will create an amazing aroma, but I prefer the longevity of the faux garland that I can easily store and have year after year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AllOfTheFwords/posts/c0e681ce-419f-11ec-a8ff-0242ac110003" target="_blank">Click the small photos at the end of this blog to shop. </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OD5edWrqRY4/YYu2HddDPlI/AAAAAAAADyM/dnMIv71aNX0ZUCCQ9PBNGSaziLMmsYQBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/IMG_4033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OD5edWrqRY4/YYu2HddDPlI/AAAAAAAADyM/dnMIv71aNX0ZUCCQ9PBNGSaziLMmsYQBgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/IMG_4033.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><div class="shopthepost-widget" data-widget-id="4624658"><script type="text/javascript">!function(w,i,d,g,e,t){d.getElementById(i)||(element=d.createElement(t),element.id=i,element.src="https://widgets.rewardstyle.com"+e,d.body.appendChild(element)),w.hasOwnProperty(g)===!0&&"complete"===d.readyState&&w[g].init()}(window,"shopthepost-script",document,"__stp","/js/shopthepost.js","script")</script><div class="rs-adblock"><img onerror="this.parentNode.innerHTML="Disable your ad blocking software to view this content."" src="https://assets.rewardstyle.com/production/de2741dbb9c532d5c95b43ea581739f3ca581d77/images/search/350.gif" style="height: 15px; width: 15px;" /><noscript>JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. 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Tomorrow Cashton turns 4 and today we were suppose to be celebrating with family and close friends but hurricane Delta had other plans for us. It felt terrible to do, but mid week I made the decision to "raincheck" Cash's birthday celebration to next weekend. Try explaining that to a 4 year old!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since we've been stuck inside all weekend, we have been eating all of the junk food! Pizza, pasta, candy, popcorn... you name it, we've had it. So this morning after realizing that this weekends activities and diet were both a wash (literally). I've come to the conclusion that we need something healthy in our lives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cash loves kitchen activities that he can help with, even though he only really eats chicken nuggets, fries, veggie/fruit pouches, bananas, pizza, goldfish and chips. (I know. I'm Mom of the year.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I recruited his help to make fun fruit smoothies this afternoon. It gives him exposure to new foods (even if he won't eat them today ... maybe with exposure he will later on down the line) it lets us work on vocabulary, and gives him something to do, to break up the rain day movie-o-rama. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we made "Triple Berry" fruit smoothies. We always keep lots of berries and bananas around our house so this one is an easy fan favorite. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ingredients:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Banana </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Cup Blueberries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Cup Raspberries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 Cup Strawberries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 Cup Blackberries</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 & 1/4 Cup Almond Milk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blend and enjoy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We freeze our berries to give it a thicker consistency but you can use all fresh fruit too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-62009786788480311552020-05-29T03:44:00.000-07:002020-05-29T03:44:34.041-07:00LauRen's Easy Chicken Pot Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fB9FsfeKf7U/XtDna5vnCDI/AAAAAAAADDY/Glh_7QHfz2wMBR98JNnBaxK0orGy6N3OwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1589320201547480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fB9FsfeKf7U/XtDna5vnCDI/AAAAAAAADDY/Glh_7QHfz2wMBR98JNnBaxK0orGy6N3OwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/1589320201547480.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AsRkrstuYnk/XtDmRnRxk4I/AAAAAAAADC4/Ulq3wFa3anMrZsYTb4oMlGxMf2yp58G7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-29%2Bat%2B6.38.16%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="338" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AsRkrstuYnk/XtDmRnRxk4I/AAAAAAAADC4/Ulq3wFa3anMrZsYTb4oMlGxMf2yp58G7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-29%2Bat%2B6.38.16%2BAM.png" width="476" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OddBAtb8E0/XtDmRgCy61I/AAAAAAAADC8/cz5dFhhipkUM3A3j8t-LZIsJJZCy-BqdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-29%2Bat%2B6.38.27%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="336" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OddBAtb8E0/XtDmRgCy61I/AAAAAAAADC8/cz5dFhhipkUM3A3j8t-LZIsJJZCy-BqdACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-29%2Bat%2B6.38.27%2BAM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXiMedyLTY4/XtDmRufil-I/AAAAAAAADDE/CS5UJgA0QTESNrIgJqJE8D8IUEd6m-PawCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-29%2Bat%2B6.38.35%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="329" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXiMedyLTY4/XtDmRufil-I/AAAAAAAADDE/CS5UJgA0QTESNrIgJqJE8D8IUEd6m-PawCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-29%2Bat%2B6.38.35%2BAM.png" width="472" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During quarantine, I have been trying all kinds of recipes. My husband Dallas just says I’m nesting since I’m pregnant but I wanted to share this easy gem with you. Homemade Chicken Pot Pie…and “it’s easy as pie to make!”</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 2em;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients and Grocery list:</span></span></div>
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<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2 pre-cooked chicken breasts, diced into small bite-size pieces. I typically just get a whole roasted chicken and use all the meat.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Frozen vegetables. They work better than canned, they’re already diced which saves a bunch of time!</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Diced Onion</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Melted butter</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Store-bought pie crust from the freezer section.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Puff pastry sheets for the top of your pie, so that it is nice and flaky. You will have to cut it down.</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can of cream of chicken soup</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Salt and pepper</span></li>
</ol>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thyme, Parsley, Herbs, or just use poultry seasoning</span></li>
</ol>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Start with a medium to large saute pan. Add some butter to it and let it heat up.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Add your diced onion and allow to soften, then all of your herbs/seasonings, heat.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sprinkle in frozen mixed veggies and allow them to soften, break up any stuck together.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stir in chicken with all contents.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pour cooled mixture in and cook for 10-15 mins</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Take out of the oven and add top crust, just laying the crust to meet the edges.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cut X slits on top to allow steam to escape.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brush whisked egg on top layer if you’d like it to brown really nicely.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake at 420 degrees for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let it cool when done for 15 minutes before slicing so it comes out nicely.</span></li>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Directions: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The only real prep necessary is dicing your meat and simmering your onions. Beyond that, it is just throwing it all in to make your filling!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-90162727028414453322020-01-14T06:52:00.001-08:002020-01-14T06:52:47.189-08:00Luce Italian Ristorante In UpTown Charlotte <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TtSaZGYEdM/Xh3TEluld0I/AAAAAAAAC58/Wg6empw6z4gk-qpgEL4uGG4aWYVemSS4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TtSaZGYEdM/Xh3TEluld0I/AAAAAAAAC58/Wg6empw6z4gk-qpgEL4uGG4aWYVemSS4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3466.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2POL-5ykt8/Xh3TEfqtPLI/AAAAAAAAC54/Hx7ABd-gMOo7cS45Xk6okWnCkITBXSyoQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2POL-5ykt8/Xh3TEfqtPLI/AAAAAAAAC54/Hx7ABd-gMOo7cS45Xk6okWnCkITBXSyoQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3467.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IA8e3N5x7Sc/Xh3TEyT_20I/AAAAAAAAC6E/DdweOvJetGsUoSmceIkRlwx_tN5qtgVtACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IA8e3N5x7Sc/Xh3TEyT_20I/AAAAAAAAC6E/DdweOvJetGsUoSmceIkRlwx_tN5qtgVtACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3468.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqJuvQRSahM/Xh3TFIwXGjI/AAAAAAAAC6I/c7_cjhrl4b0VFmqGNShmiRHZLpoUjK9fwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bqJuvQRSahM/Xh3TFIwXGjI/AAAAAAAAC6I/c7_cjhrl4b0VFmqGNShmiRHZLpoUjK9fwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3469.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWTUQB98jQU/Xh3TFglU00I/AAAAAAAAC6M/RnzU0LcjSMgdzLu7Ll3OzYkcDG9mM2EhQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWTUQB98jQU/Xh3TFglU00I/AAAAAAAAC6M/RnzU0LcjSMgdzLu7Ll3OzYkcDG9mM2EhQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3470.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPqx3L2ClW8/Xh3TEozNvHI/AAAAAAAAC6c/zQo-PObFbgwJrjTccg9fXNkL3_DAXbSywCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_3404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPqx3L2ClW8/Xh3TEozNvHI/AAAAAAAAC6c/zQo-PObFbgwJrjTccg9fXNkL3_DAXbSywCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_3404.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddA3NU0EgAE/Xh3TGCfLEzI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/4FJEpgzDRR4m7he64Xu75RwX5yOZv7E9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddA3NU0EgAE/Xh3TGCfLEzI/AAAAAAAAC6Q/4FJEpgzDRR4m7he64Xu75RwX5yOZv7E9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_3472.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past Saturday, Dallas and I had a date night scheduled. We had originally planned to visit the brand new Italian restaurant Volo in Meyers Park however I didn't realize that you needed a reservation to get in and they were "fully committed".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Since I was craving Italian (and baby Strager gets what baby wants) I started searching for highly-rated Italian restaurants in our city that we hadn't been to before. We decided on<a href="https://conterestaurantgroup.com/luce/"> Luce Italian Ristorante</a> in uptown Charlotte. They had a great <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/luce-restaurant-and-bar-charlotte?osq=luce">Yelp</a> rating and I had always heard good things. I jumped on <a href="https://www.opentable.com/r/luce-ristorante-charlotte?avt=eyJ2IjoxLCJtIjowLCJwIjowfQ&corrid=f932f68e-b6dd-4533-9c4e-7b384ee63465&p=2&sd=2020-02-08+20%3A00">Open Table</a> and snagged us a 7:30 reservation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />We hit a few snags after that. Apparently, Luce isn't the easiest to find uptown. The restaurant is tucked away in the courtyard by RiRa's and does not have street valet parking on the block that it faces. Instead, your GPS will take you to the Hearst Tower which is a bit confusing because the entrance is in the back of the building. After driving around the neighborhood a few times, and two calls to the restaurant we finally maneuvered to the parking deck, through the lobby of the Hearst Tower and into the restaurant. However, at this point, we were 20 mins late for our reservation and our table was passed over, so we had to wait another 15 mins for a new spot. Typically this wouldn't be a big deal but being pregnant and in heels, after walking a city block, I was pretty wiped not to mention starving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />When we finally sat down in the small 30 tabletop restaurant we were greeted by an Italian man from the north of Italy name Emmanuel. Emmanuel was friendly and accommodating, especially when I couldn't decide between Gnocchi and the Carbonara. He offered to make me a special plate with a little of both! I thought that was so kind of him and both were amazing. Dallas ordered the Seafood Mare in broth and it was also delicious.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Of course, no dinner is complete without dessert. Although Dallas and I were pretty full we attempted to force down one of my favorites, Tiramisu, and I am so glad we did! It paired well with Dal's cappuccino and it was the perfect cap to our meal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I am happy to say after a rough start, I was pleasantly surprised by Luce and I will be back for sure!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-13107557142407202792020-01-12T12:39:00.002-08:002020-01-12T12:47:00.804-08:00Four Ingredient Chocolate Chip Banana Bread <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AK-UeLNH-lg/XfkgBISq5-I/AAAAAAAAC34/b9Kg9NW7aIMkWLltLbzHBWH67OmWn5WfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AK-UeLNH-lg/XfkgBISq5-I/AAAAAAAAC34/b9Kg9NW7aIMkWLltLbzHBWH67OmWn5WfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1114.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Happy Sunday! I hope you all are out and about enjoying this gorgeous weather! Cashton is down for his afternoon nap so I thought I would jump on here and share a recipe I am baking right now. If you follow my blog, you might know that we go through a TON of bananas in our house as they are Cash's favorite fruit. However, from time to time we don't use them all and I HATE to throw away food, so I found this recipe on Pinterest and modified it to fit our needs. </div>
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I love simple recipes that aren't full of empty calories with hydrogenated oils, fats, and garbage in them. This chocolate chip banana bread is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with only four ingredients.</div>
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<b>INGREDIENTS:</b> </div>
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<b>1.5 Pounds Of Bananas</b> - That's about 4-5 medium bananas. The riper the better. This will naturally sweeten the loaf. </div>
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<b>1 Cup Peanut Butter</b>- I use organic but any peanut butter will do. You can also substitute with almond butter.</div>
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<b>2 Cups Oatmeal</b>- Oats give the bread texture. This is the perfect sub for flour and if you want to go gluten-free you can use gluten-free oats.</div>
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<b>1 Cup Chocolate Chips</b>- I use dark chocolate of course, but you can use your favorites.</div>
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That's it! The original recipe called for these ingredients to be blended in a blender but I was unsuccessful with this method. It's a little more work but I prefer hand mashing the bananas, oats and peanut butter together, then adding the chocolate chips last. </div>
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Place mixture in a lightly greased 9x5 loaf pan. Bonus points if you have parchment paper to line the pan as well. Bake for 30 mins in the oven at 350 degrees and you're good to go! </div>
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Make sure your bread is completely cool before removing it from the pan.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-54728920094322393472019-11-29T09:02:00.000-08:002019-12-17T05:23:30.031-08:00Hosting Thanksgiving : Champagne Turkey Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuYjfY1xlqg/XeEl8G6BYBI/AAAAAAAACy4/m5b8K4Z4nxQJ3OXj4uwrh06ede-YxcRZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_1287.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WuYjfY1xlqg/XeEl8G6BYBI/AAAAAAAACy4/m5b8K4Z4nxQJ3OXj4uwrh06ede-YxcRZACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_1287.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My absolute favorite part of Thanksgiving is cooking the turkey! There is something about getting up early with my son Cashton and prepping the bird while we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.</div>
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This year after my prep work was done I made everyone a light egg cup breakfast ( I will share this easy recipe in a future blog) and headed off to a holiday spin class with my sisters-in-law. It felt great to get our sweat on for 45mins at CycleBar, especially knowing the feast ahead. </div>
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My goal was to have my 18lb turkey in the oven by 11am which is why I rinsed the dry brine off the turkey, made the bird stuffing, and marinated the veggies for the pan before I left for spin. That way all I had to do when we got home was throw the veggies in the bottom of the pan, stuff the bird and get that big boy in the oven! </div>
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Here is my recipe for the perfect champagne turkey. </div>
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<b>Shopping List:</b></div>
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Turkey</div>
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William Sonoma Dry Brine</div>
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Brine Bag</div>
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Champagne </div>
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Carrots</div>
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Celery </div>
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Garlic</div>
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Shallots</div>
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Rosemary </div>
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Chicken Stock</div>
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Butter</div>
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Seasoning </div>
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Stuffing (I use Stove Top Turkey Stuffing) </div>
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Twine</div>
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Tin Foil </div>
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Directions: </div>
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<ul>
<li>24 hours before cooking, take thawed turkey and rub with dry brine. Place in brine bag and refrigerate overnight. </li>
<li>This is an optional step but you can marinate your veggies in chicken stock the night before as well. Just mix carrots, shallots, garlic, and celery in a large zip lock bag and add stock.</li>
<li>The next morning rinsed brine off bird and dry. Place on rack in roasting pan and mix melted butter and seasoning together. Brush bird with mixture and slide a few slices of butter under the skin around the breast. Garnish with rosemary. </li>
<li>Add veggies to the bottom of the roasting pan. The veggies and drippings are AMAZING when done.</li>
<li>Make Stove Top stuffing. I recommend 3 boxes. </li>
<li>Stuff bird right before baking and tie legs together with twine. </li>
<li>Bake at 350. The time is based on the weight of your turkey but I have included a time to weight chart below. </li>
<li>Let bake uncovered for 30 mins only basting with chicken stock until skin is browned, then cover with tin foil and start alternating between champagne and stock every 30 mins. </li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9KLyL8WPwI/XeEl7QCh_4I/AAAAAAAACyo/PD1RLbtdqtYUpsHBwl0vbJY5XzXxVeelgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0882.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9KLyL8WPwI/XeEl7QCh_4I/AAAAAAAACyo/PD1RLbtdqtYUpsHBwl0vbJY5XzXxVeelgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0882.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3LhynAZAoQ/XeEl8BxmuII/AAAAAAAACzU/akkrDb4syPAaEU41iSKSotxkmy6aMBp2gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3LhynAZAoQ/XeEl8BxmuII/AAAAAAAACzU/akkrDb4syPAaEU41iSKSotxkmy6aMBp2gCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0956.jpg" width="406" /></a></div>
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<b>Caramel Apple Mimosa:</b></div>
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If you listen to our show you may know that my mother is a wonderful bartender and she always comes up with the most amazing cocktails for my events and holiday parties. This year she opted to make a Caramel Apple Mimosa for our brunch spread before Thanksgiving dinner. Here is what you need to make this sparkling beauty happen! </div>
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<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
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1 1/2 oz of Stoli Vanilla Vodka</div>
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Apple Cider</div>
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Prosecco</div>
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Ice</div>
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Garnish with rosemary and whole cranberries </div>
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Caramel, cinnamon, and sugar for the rim</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nW4m-0UfsJ0/XeEl8Jv-DNI/AAAAAAAACzQ/4twMi9IaHpMt1_Kub--YOveWJpkhoLRWwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0893.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nW4m-0UfsJ0/XeEl8Jv-DNI/AAAAAAAACzQ/4twMi9IaHpMt1_Kub--YOveWJpkhoLRWwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0893.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Og1MuUKX5Rg/XeEl7WUpCGI/AAAAAAAACzI/exzGfJxNid0iuuxOosXI5PHBPoT1ZLuLACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0891.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Og1MuUKX5Rg/XeEl7WUpCGI/AAAAAAAACzI/exzGfJxNid0iuuxOosXI5PHBPoT1ZLuLACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0891.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Table Design: </b></div>
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When it comes to table design, I have been working on this look for weeks. I really wanted to use our wedding china that we have only pulled out a handful of times in 10 years. I revolved our silver Vera Wang Grosgrain settings and chargers around the soft gold hues that our dining room is decorated in. I enhanced these colors by renting gold Chiavari chairs from Party Reflections and adding white and gold pumpkins along with crystal candlestick holders for our centerpieces. To keep these colors from falling flat I wove eucalyptus garland through the table runner for a pop of green.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze3oo5mxzoM/XeEl7baOL0I/AAAAAAAACzM/cd4OsKGB6bIpkFbO2L8PZuE8L33FnXaegCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0870.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze3oo5mxzoM/XeEl7baOL0I/AAAAAAAACzM/cd4OsKGB6bIpkFbO2L8PZuE8L33FnXaegCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0870.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2NX53SB434/XeEl81Di7sI/AAAAAAAACzU/1MzEkbceMnY5CDwPzCTRlXy0N_pwYXSpgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8010.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w2NX53SB434/XeEl81Di7sI/AAAAAAAACzU/1MzEkbceMnY5CDwPzCTRlXy0N_pwYXSpgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_8010.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1XHju8tEAk/XeEl85vwvbI/AAAAAAAACzY/6lGp-H1IxgYbNPTKSiJ5ZEme6VTSLMF-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_8593.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1XHju8tEAk/XeEl85vwvbI/AAAAAAAACzY/6lGp-H1IxgYbNPTKSiJ5ZEme6VTSLMF-gCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_8593.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our Aupair Elena was sweet enough to help me with place cardholders. I have terrible handwriting and I am well aware of it. Elena also helped me with the labels from Cashton's birthday party so I knew she was the right person for the job! I found some adorable Thanksgiving place cards at Sur la table. They were 2 dimensional and featured a turkey with real feathers for some holiday flare. </div>
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When we sat down for dinner this year I started to reflect on our Thanksgiving holidays of the past and decided that this Thanksgiving was my favorite of all. It's not often you can get BOTH sides of your family together, especially when they are scattered along the east coast. This year's turkey feast left me feeling extra loved and blessed like no other. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-65708272917575359772019-11-28T08:27:00.000-08:002020-01-13T03:44:36.852-08:00Perfect Pumpkin Pie For Thanksgiving <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This Thanksgiving our family is doing something we haven't done in years. We are entertaining both sides of our relatives for the weekend and we'll be hosting thirteen for dinner Thanksgiving day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We will be preparing two twenty-pound turkeys, one in our deep fryer and the other in the oven with my Champagne recipe. Our family has divided the rest of the menu so that not one single person has to carry the load. The other dish that I have volunteered to make is pumpkin pies. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I found a simple recipe on Pinterest but things didn't quite go the way I had planned on my first go-round. However, after making some adjustments I think I have perfected these blueprints for the perfect pumpkin pie! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></div>
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<ul class="wprm-recipe-ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-block-end: 0px; margin-block-start: 0px; margin: 0px !important; padding-inline-start: 0px; padding: 0px !important;">
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">15 ounce can pumpkin puree</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">large eggs & 1 egg for egg wash</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ground cinnamon</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ground ginger</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ground nutmeg</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/2</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit" style="box-sizing: border-box;">teaspoon</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">salt</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 teaspoon ground cloves</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;">unbaked deep-dish pie crust</span></span></li>
<li class="wprm-recipe-ingredient" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><span class="wprm-recipe-ingredient-name" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1 sheet of roll out dough </span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Instructions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Prepare a pie crust in a pie plate. I put my store-bought pie crust on a cookie sheet to give the pie more stability when taking it in and out of the oven. Egg wash the sides of the pie crust so that it does not burn.</span></div>
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<li class="wprm-recipe-instruction" id="wprm-recipe-9602-step-0-1" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em !important; list-style-position: outside; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; position: relative;"><div class="wprm-recipe-instruction-text" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Combine all wet ingredients in a bowl and the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Then in a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the wet and dry ingredients until smooth. Pour into pie crust.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bake in a 425-degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 35-40 minutes. You'll know it is done when you can tap the middle and it doesn't jiggle. If the pie is baking faster then you like on top, feel free to cover with foil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">While the pie is baking roll out the store-bought dough and use cookie cutters to produce the designed you would like on top of your pie. I opted for fall leaves. Spray your cookie sheet with Pam and egg wash your cutouts. Bake alongside your pie until golden brown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cool completely before serving.</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-88399841937479455062019-11-27T20:52:00.000-08:002019-12-17T05:23:03.818-08:00Fun Holiday Snacks To Make With The Kids <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMmM8lD9ztI/XdvUUZobfRI/AAAAAAAACyM/DkYVIZueLZYYa7Yt52oneVbcLOMQHp9GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMmM8lD9ztI/XdvUUZobfRI/AAAAAAAACyM/DkYVIZueLZYYa7Yt52oneVbcLOMQHp9GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0599.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We did this fun activity with Cashton a few days ago but the kids are about to go on Christmas break and I know some of you will be looking for things to keep them busy so I thought I'd share. This project was simple but fun. Cashton's favorite snack in the world is graham crackers so I knew he would be interested the second I brought out the box. I picked up these Candy Melts while I was running errands through Michaels, picking up Christmas decor and since they were on sale I grabbed two bags of them. You can never have enough chocolate in the house, right? </div>
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After following the easy step by step directions in the microwave we had ourselves all the ingredients we needed. Cashton needed a little help spreading the white chocolate over the cracker but he loved decorating the cookies with crushed candy canes. (I bought a bag of them already crushed but if you have older kids that might be a fun project for them to handle.) </div>
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We used white chocolate and graham crackers for our holiday cookies but you can get creative with it too and expand your menu. Feel free to use any color chocolate (they legit come in every single color) or swap our graham crackers for your Oreos. If crushed candy canes doesn't do it for you, pick your favorite toppings like Christmas colored jimmies (sprinkles for you non-Pittsburghers). Have fun with it !</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-40634847551021038942019-06-01T14:58:00.002-07:002019-06-01T16:37:26.049-07:00Wine and Design Anyone? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There really couldn't be a more beautiful place to have lunch. Sure, Restoration Hardware is a furniture and design center but did you know some of their larger locations have a restaurant on the rooftop? It's an epicurean's dream, marrying fine dining and luxury ambiance. </div>
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Maybe you're not ready for a full meal after shopping? Grab a cappuccino from the barista bar and bask in the glow of 360-degrees of chandeliers. Just walking into the rooftop cafe makes you feel famous. Like you are about to grab a glass of wine with a Kardashian. The place oozes sexy! </div>
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I was lucky enough to indulge in this extraordinary dining experience with a group of friends (and Cashton) in Palm Beach when I visited Florida this past December. So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard the news that Charlotte was getting one too! That's right! We are getting this 41,000 square foot gem dropped into our own back yard of South Park. </div>
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Remember the old Dean and Deluca? (RIP D&D) I was destroyed inside when I found out they closed their doors for good. A little piece of me died when I heard my girls nights would have to find a new home. (I know, so dramatic) However, out of the ashes something new is ready to rise and I couldn't be more excited for Charlotte to experience their kale salad, truffle grilled cheese and delectable banana splits! </div>
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Construction has already begun and you know I am hot on the case, driving by weekly to see if they will keep their promise to open doors this fall! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-26247327058999455232018-06-01T16:33:00.000-07:002019-06-01T16:37:50.292-07:00My Love For Cold Brew <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hi. My name is LauRen and I have an obsession with Cold Brew. No, not a cold brew (although I do love beer too). I love Cold Brew coffee and I've had it about everywhere. Starbucks, Dunkin, Kona Snow, and the list goes on. </div>
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However, for me, no one's Cold Brew can compare to Clean Juice. I know, you see them on my Instagram stories all the time and I am even a Clean Juice booster, but make no mistake. My love for clean juice began LONG ago. That's why I became a juice booster. I wanted to share what I loved with YOU! </div>
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Of course, I have my favorite drinks from Clean Juice. The Hardcore, the Yellow and the Cold Brew are my top 3! All Organic, and the Yellow and Cold Brew are pre-bottled so I can grab and go! </div>
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I prefer Cold Brew to regular coffee for a couple reasons. </div>
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1) Hot coffee is just that. Too hot to drink in the summer. </div>
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2) When I drink hot coffee I find myself putting all kinds of crap in it (milk and sugar). </div>
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3) I get a bigger burst of energy from Cold Brew. </div>
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4) Clean Juice's Cold Brew is organic. Thus, I don't have to worry about what I'm ingesting. </div>
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So, next time you're feeling sluggish instead of grabbing your old "go to" try a cold brew from Clean Juice and see the difference. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-29854317331977574032017-10-23T13:05:00.000-07:002019-06-01T14:59:36.107-07:00Apple Cider Old Fashion <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday I was on our MRL Show Brewery Tour and I found the most amazing drink! An apple cider old fashion! Now if that doesn't get you in the mood for fall I'm not sure what will?<br />
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I have to be honest I am NOT a huge bourbon fan like my husband but I am a fan of anything different. I am always on the lookout for new cocktails especially because my Mom is a bartender and we love to share new ideas.<br />
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The apple cider is what caught my eye here and it definitely cuts the bite of the bourbon. Thus you get the bourbon flavor without the "I just took a shot" face!<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
Bourbon<br />
Pressed Apple Cider<br />
Bitters<br />
Brown Sugar<br />
Lemon Twist<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-79148762350946798222017-10-19T07:38:00.001-07:002017-10-22T16:17:22.426-07:00Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake <div style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue", helveticaneue, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6;">
A healthy Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino ?!?! Say WHATTTT???? Yep, now you can have your cake (or frap ) and eat it too! After finding out how many sugars, preservatives, artificial flavors and carrgeenan stabilizers (that have been linked to intestinal inflammation and cancers) are in my little slice of fall heaven I’ve decided to bail. Well, not a full fledged break up, just a “Let’s see other people”. </div>
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(Photo provided by “Food Babe Amy” via Pinterest) </div>
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See, I still wanted to enjoy my sweet treat but I needed to find a way to make it fit into my healthy life style. After much brain storming here’s what I came up with.: <br />
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LauRen’s Power Pumpkin Smoothie </div>
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1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protient powder<br />
1 individual packet of instead coffee<br />
2 tablespoons of canned organic pumpkin puree<br />
A pinch of nutmeg<br />
and sprinkle of cinnamon<br />
Ice<br />
Water<br />
Blend </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8575070754516426340.post-40818784926833092182016-10-20T06:36:00.000-07:002017-10-20T06:38:24.449-07:00Mrs Dash Tacos <div style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.6;">
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I believe that “beauty” is more than what we put on our skin, it is also affected by what we put into our bodies! Thus my “beauty blog” will include a health and fitness aspect too! Listen, bottom line is … You get out of your body what you put in. If you drink a ton of sugary drinks ( ice teas, juices, sodas) you may fall victim to acne, wavering weight issues and be at a higher risk for Diabetes. If you drink lots of water and consume preservative free and fresh foods ( Fruits, veggies, hormone free meats) you will see your skin improve, your energy levels sky rocket and you will decrease the amount off time you spend sick. </div>
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It’s sad to think how much food has changed since we were little and our parents passed on their eating habits to us. It use to be that you ate the 7 food groups ( or food pyramid) and colors of the rainbow and all was fine and dandy. Now, it’s so much more than that! After sifting through years of fad diets and quick tricks to reach my “target weight” I’ve realized my health is more than just a number. </div>
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About 3 years ago I met with fitness and nutrition guru, Brook Eneas, to discuss a life style change I knew I needed. Since I thought I was already eating pretty clean , Eneas had me track my current dietary habits via the “Livestrong” app on my phone. After about a week, we met again to go through my food log line by line. Not only was I lacking vital nutrients ( which I am now taking a multi vitamin, vitamin C and B-complex as well as a wheat grass supplement to help with my irregularity) I was consuming foods I THOUGHT were healthy. Things like fat free milk (that are enhanced with hormones and pasteurized), and lean cuisens (which are full of sodium and preservatives) I was about to cut all of my favorite foods out of my diet … or so i thought! </div>
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Over the next few months I decided to get a little creative. While Eneas taught me to shop on the outside of the grocery store to avoid many of the preservative rich foods that make us hold weight , I wasn’t ready to give up on tacos, pastas and pizzas for good. lol So I set out to create healthy versions of these foods I could enjoy on a normal basis. First up was pasta! After a little research I realized I could sub pasta for zucchini and a veggie shredder. I also learned that you can make pizza crust out of quinoa or cauliflower! It was these simple changes that would allow me to have the best of BOTH worlds! </div>
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Today l want to share some simple swaps for one of my favorite meals… Tacos. First lets trade ground beef for lean ground turkey and instead of traditional taco mix, which is loaded with sodium, let’s grab a Mrs Dash Taco mix from the spice isle. (Ps Mrs Dash’s -no sodium spices may change your life but thats a whole other blog ;) ) Now lets exchange the sour cream for greek yogurt. Finally, kill those hard taco shells and replace then with a romain lettuce wrap. Then load that puppy up with all the veggies, beans and avocado you like!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0