Healthy Chicks

Whenever you find yourself in need for a quick lunch, whether you are running late to work or rushing to get the kids ready to head out the door, it’s always a good idea to access what you already have. Before you go out and spend $15 on an over-priced salad or sub, consider putting your leftovers to use first. It may not always come out pretty, but I can guarantee you’ll save money, feel good about what you’re putting into your body, and perhaps invent a new favorite recipe. Hey, you never know!

Here’s what I concocted this afternoon when crunched for time:

{sorry, this pic was taken from my Droid. Told you, I was pressed for time}

about 1/2 c. leftover brown rice spaghetti + few tablespoons of all-natural garlic marinara sauce + steamed broccoli & spinach from last night’s meal + a few baby bella mushrooms + 1/4 c. chickpeas + touch of freshly grated parmesan cheese + dash of garlic powder & black pepper

And there you have it. A lunch made in minutes. What’s your favorite way to put leftovers to use? Have you ever created a new favorite recipe based on a leftover combo? … Read More!

If food really is the way to a man’s heart, I knew I had better be making my man the meal of all meal’s this past weekend. The Boy recently had a loss in his family, and rather than buying him an Edible Arrangement or a prewritten Hallmark card, I decided to get my little butt in the kitchen. I know just how much fresh garlic & seasonings, red wine and a home-cooked meal made with TLC  can really mean (far more than any cliche gift in my book), and well that’s what I wanted to do.

So I thought, and I thought and I thought and I thought.

What would be extra special? What would really show how much I care?

And alas, the idea was born. It started out with a CD my sister had given me a while back filled with authentic Italian dinner music. Italian theme it was!

And then came the menu that I designed, printed out and placed aside the table settings with the card I had written him. Ristorante Di Amore or shall I say, “Restaurant of Love.” Here’s a mini preview below:

Primi (First Course): Field green salad with assorted vegetables; … Read More!

[source] Got leftover pesto hanging around the house? Try this easy peasy recipe!

Remember how I told you all that I’m a huge fan of experimenting with new recipes? Well, this afternoon my sister had the brilliant idea of making use of my grandma’s homemade pesto we had stored in the freezer. (Sidenote: freezing pesto is a super practical way of making it last longer, while keeping it fresh and tasty. My grandma taught me a little trick to freeze in ice cube trays for individual servings.) Once I knew pesto was on the menu, my little brain started to ponder.

After a trip to Whole Foods, I decided we’d incorporate some all-natural chicken into tonight’s meal. And peas. And penne. Alas, dinner was planned.

Here’s what we used for tonight’s easy supper*:

*makes about 4 servings

• 2 c. brown rice penne
• 1 large boneless skinless chicken tenderloin, all-natural & raised without antibiotics (organic is best – I got ours at Whole Foods)
• 1/2 can sweet peas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 c. frozen spinach, organic
• 1/4 c. homemade pesto (may adjust according to taste)
• 1 1/2 TB olive oil
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• salt  & pepper

Last night, I attended my very first Boston Bloggers Meet + Greet, which took place at the ever so chic Sonsie on Newbury. I have been to other local blogger events in the past, but never one hosted by Boston Bloggers, so I was excited to try something new. On that note, I had also never been to Sonsie before but have always heard great things about this little hot spot.

I must say, the event was unlike any blogger event I’d ever gone to before. First and foremost, it was PACKED, which while intimidating at first glance, was a good way to push myself out of my comfort zone.  In addition, there were more than 60 bloggers there, all with different backgrounds and passions which was a breath of fresh air compared to some events I’d been to in the past with ALL healthy living bloggers, or ALL fashion bloggers.

The best part was that one of my best friends, who’s also a blogger and lives in the North End, Megan (Balanced in Boston) came with her boyfriend Ross (Ross Donovan Photography) for their very first blogger event! I was so happy to see … Read More!