Scenes From Our Weekend

We had a fun filled weekend with my parents, sister and brother-in-law who came in town to visit.   My sister and brother in law were celebrating their anniversary so my parents came to help with the kids.  It is always chaos when the cousins get together but fun chaos! 

Friday morning I stopped by Shop Buru's pop-up shop at Leap Frog.  I always love when Morgan and her husband come to town!  It was a fun morning and I came home a new off shoulder blouse (yes, I have an addiction, the first step is admitting it right??)

What I wore:

My dress and earrings are on sale and if you use code TREAT you can save an additional 40% off both items.   This makes the dress only $14 and the earrings $23.

I am wearing a small in the dress for sizing reference.

Dress | Earrings | Sandals

 That night we headed over to my parent's condo to order pizza and have mojitos.  My brother in law makes the best mojitos- I posted his recipe HERE a few years ago.   

Snuggling with my favorites.

My JCrew Off Shoulder Top arrived this week and that is what I wore Friday night.  I LOVE it, great fit.  Several of you asked about sizing and it runs TTS, I am wearing a size 4.

Blouse | Earrings | Jeans

Never a dull moment with these cuties.

Saturday my mom and I went shopping for some household things I needed. 

I wore my blue stripe dress again, I wear it at least once a week.  Such a comfy dress.

Dress + Necklace + Purse

I fell in love with this coffee table at GDC Home.

Saturday night my sister and brother in law stayed downtown.  So the kids and I hung out with my parents and 2 nephews.  4 kids is no joke.  We were so busy and no time for any pictures!   We didn't even eat dinner we were so tired trying to get everyone happy and ready for bed!

Sunday we ate breakfast with my parents and let the kids play.

I had to have one last snuggle with my sweet nephew Rutledge.

Then I ran errands.  This tank is the same style as the short sleeve gray tee I blogged about a few weeks ago.  I just love them.  I am wearing a size 1 for reference.

Oh and my jeans are currently 20% off!

Tee + Jeans + Flip Flops + Purse

For dinner we grilled out and I made another fabulous recipe from Gwennie's cookbook.  The broccoli rabe and brussels sprouts salad.  It was so good,  kind of a spin on a Caesar salad.  I was unsure about the raw broccoli rabe but really loved it in this recipe.  Even Sterling loved it, which is always an added bonus!

Lastly, I want to share this necklace that is one of my most favorite gifts.  It is from my friend Karina's shop Waffles and Honey.  

You can customize your necklace with whatever initials or charms you choose.  It would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift- but order soon because May 4th is the shipping cut off for Mother's Day.

Have a great start to your week!

Meal Planning + Weekly Meal Ideas + Grocery Shopping

Happy Friday!  Today I am answering a request from a reader wanting to know how I meal plan and grocery shop. 

I have to say I love to cook and I actually love to grocery shop too (especially when I am kid free).   My happy place is truly in the kitchen with a glass of wine cooking.  That being said I do not cook everyday, who has time for that with small kids?  I do cook 2-3 times a week.  The other days we eat leftovers and on Fridays we always order food usually pizza or Thai food.   

GROCERY SHOPPING + MEAL PLANNING

I am not the best about planning out meals in advance and grocery shopping for the week.  I would say I go to the store several times a week however I do make my big run for the week on withe Sunday or Monday morning.  If I go Sunday Matt usually watches the kids or if I don't make it Sunday I will go Monday after I take Frances to school.  Grocery shopping with two whiney kids is never easy so I try to do it alone.  If I make a quick run during the week I usually do this when both kids are in school or occasionally we all go after we pick Sterling up from school.

As far as meal planning I usually flip through my cookbooks on Sunday and try and get a vague idea of what I want to cook that week.  I love to cook a big Sunday dinner.  It is a nice way to wind down from the weekend and all sit down as a family and eat.

This week's menu was:

SUNDAY- Black bean cakes + Squash Casserole

MONDAY- Gnocchi and Vodka Sauce (I bought this from the Farmers Market, I always pick up their pasta and keep it in the freezer for quick weeknight meals) + leftover squash casserole

TUESDAY- Garden Veggie Pie + green peas

WEDNESDAY- Leftover Garden Veggie Pie 

THURSDAY- Fish Tacos + black beans + street corn

FRIDAY- Pizza

WHAT DO THE KIDS EAT?

I can't tell you how often I get the question what do your kids eat?  Do they eat the same thing as Matt and I?  90% of the time yes they eat what Matt and I are having for dinner.  I try hard not to cook a separate meal for them.  Now sometimes I will serve the meal in a different way like if I make a chopped salad I leave the lettuce off their plates and just do the toppings they will eat. 

  Do they complain?  Always.  Most nights Sterling sits down and exclaims this all looks gross I am not eating.  To which we reply fine then you may go straight to bed and then usually he changes his mind.

  Sterling as much as he complains has turned into a pretty good eater and now Frances is my picky one.  If they do not eat their dinner they do not get anything else to eat and trust me they go to bed hungry often.  Sterling is old enough that I will offer him dessert if he eats a certain portion of his dinner and that usually inspires him to eat.  Frances is harder these days and very stubborn.  She is going thru a phase where she likes no veggies and just wants to eat fruit.  

If I have an event or I am going out and not cooking that night I will usually cook something frozen for them like chicken nuggets or fish sticks, or pick up sushi.  As far as frozen foods go I usually only buy the Morning Star, kidfresh and Amy's products for them.  I know they are are processed too but they are not quite as bad as other brands.

ARE WE ALL MEAT FREE?

Matt is the only true meat free person in our house and he is a pescatarian.   He will eat fish and shellfish just no meat of any kind.  The kids and I do still eat meat although I don't really eat red meat anymore.  I do still eat my beloved bacon and chicken occasionally .  The kids eat everything although I don't cook with much meat anymore. Sterling will sometimes ask for beef tacos so when he does I make Matt and I fish tacos and cook a small batch of red meat for him.   I also pick up a rotisserie chicken sometimes and shred that for them.  Now that I don't meat that often I don't ever crave it so really the only time I eat it when I am out to eat.

GROCERY STAPLES EACH WEEK

I have a few items I always buy each week at the grocery store to have on hand for easy lunches and dinners.

Rao's Marinera (great with the Trader Joe's ravioli)

cherry tomatoes

baby cucumbers

lemons

kale

spinach

chick peas

dried beans

bread 

pimento cheese

cheese

salami and or pepperoni

onions

bananas

Ravioli and or fresh pasta (I buy this at the Farmer's Market but Trader Joe's has some great ravioli)

canned salmon 

WHEN DO I COOK?

Depending on what I am making I usually start cooking while Frances naps in the afternoon and Sterling is still at school between 1-2:30.   That is when I do most of my prep work or if it is something like enchiladas or a casserole I assemble the entire dish.  If it requires more work and cooking time after that I start up again at 5-5:30.  I usually bathe the kids by 5, I like an early bath time and dinner.   Then after bath I let them watch a tv show while I finish up dinner.

DO WE ALWAYS EAT AS A FAMILY?

I would say maybe 3 nights a week Matt is home in time to eat with us.  The other nights when he works a little later I sit down and eat with the kids usually by 6.   They are like vultures starting around 5 wanting snacks, telling me how hungry they are and starving so I try and serve them dinner early.  I am usually hungry by then anyways so even if Matt is not home I sit down and eat with them.  I think it is nice to sit down, say a blessing together and chat about their days.

EASY WEEK NIGHT MEALS 

I wanted to round up a few easy week night meals.

A few go-to's that are not pictured are Ravioli, veggie plate- I usually do something like roasted broccoli, slow cooked dried beans and mac and cheese, sushi, and salmon cakes.

T O M A T O  P I E

I make this dish at least once a month.  I love it and the kids will usually eat it. 

S H R I M P  T A C O S

We do tacos at least one night a week.  Our new favorite are these Shrimp Tacos although sometimes we sub flounder or mahi for the Shrimp.  I usually prep all the ingredients like the salsa and cabbage before hand so then at dinner time all we have to do is cook the shrimp or fish.

T U S C A N   C H I C K E N  C A K E S

These are great because you can assemble them ahead of time and just keep in the fridge til you are ready to cook them.  I also make these Salmon cakes frequently too.

E N C H I L A D A S

I alway love enchiladas because you can assemble the whole dish ahead of time.   I also like this black bean version and these beef ones.

C H I C K E N   L E T T U C E  W R A P S

These are fairly quick to assemble and so tasty!

K O R E A N  B E E F  B O W L S

We used to make these all the time back when Matt still ate meat.  Super simple and full of flavor.

V E G G I E  S T U F F E D  P O R T O B E L L O  M U S H R O O M S

You can stuff and assemble these ahead of time and then just bake.  They one of my favorite vegetarian meals.   I also like this version with broccoli and gouda.

S O U T H E R N   C O B B   S A L A D 

I always love a chopped salad for dinner.  You can chop everything and have it ready to at dinner all you have to do is toss everything together.  

Happy Cooking!

Thoughts For Thursday

One week from Saturday we are headed back to St Maarten.  We went last year for 5 days and this year we decided to do a full week.  There was so much we didn't get to see or do because we were lazy our first few days.  So I want to know from anyone who has traveled to St Maarten what are your favorite spots, restaurants, beaches etc!  We want to see and do it all this time!

Two Recent OOTD's.

My addiction with off shoulder outfits continues.  I bought this dress on a whim from the Junior's section and I really like it.  It is lightweight material and I like the looser sleeves. I am wearing a size small in the dress, runs TTS.

Off Shoulders + Tassel Earrings both under $50 + Purse on sale + Sandals

This Equipment Blouse is currently 40% off.  Size down runs on the large side, I am wearing XS.

It also comes in white.

Blouse | Necklace | Purse | Sunglasses | Jean Shorts | Sandals

This picture of Frances Moon makes me smile every time I look at it. I kid you not she accessorized all this by herself down to the phone and purse.   And her sassy stance just makes it even better.  

Romper is Shrimp and Grits Kids

Thanks to the rec from my friend Caycee I ordered these hair vitamins and I really feel like they are working on my hair.  I have been taking them a little over a month and I feel like my breakage is not so bad and they are helping my hair to grow.

Sugarbear Hair Vitamins

I can't believe Sterling is done with Kindergarten, sniff sniff.  He seems so grown-up all of a sudden.  The good news is he still loves to cuddle and I am soaking up every minute of that.   I am excited for a fun Summer with him.

Selfie in my favorite mirror (from Crate and Barrel) at my parent's condo.  Plus this tee shirt is on repeat every week. 

Tee Shirt (wearing size 1) + Necklace

I made a spin on my Roasted Veggie Rice Bowls and subbed Quinoa for the rice and they were so good.

For the veggies I did roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes, purple cabbage, and avocado with green goddess dressing.

I love this idea of a hummus salad.  I eat hummus most days for lunch and I want to try this out.

I stopped by the Celadon Warehouse with the kids this week and they had some really cool stuff.  Every Sunday they have a fun Warehouse Event where you can take an additional 20% off prices.  They also have food trucks, jump castles and local vendors!  A fun Sunday activity with or without kids!

The event is at the warehouse not the actual store- the warehouse is located at 2221 Noisette Blvd)

The kids really wanted this bench:)

 and I fell in love with this teak table and stools.

Celadon just revamped their online site too and now anyone can shop not just locals! 

I am obsessed with these Vintage Turkish Yastik Rugs.  

I really want one for our house.

I also love these Charleston glasses.  How cute would these be for entertaining or as a gift? 

Also yes please to these Rebecca Atwood Pillows.

I just downloaded The Nest to read next.  I can't wait to have some down time to read while on vacation.  These days I have been too tired at night to read more than a couple pages.  I am hoping to read a few books while we are  gone.

Happy Almost Weekend! 

Roasted Veggie Lasagna

I always love a good lasagna recipe.  This one is a delicious vegetarian version.  It is loaded with tons of fresh veggies roasted til they caramelize producing such a vibrant taste.  The roasted veggies paired with the creamy Bechemel and cheese give this lasagna incredible flavor.  This is a great dish to make ahead,  you can freeze or store in your fridge a day before you cook it.  We served ours with a salad and crusty bread and it was a homerun dinner.

Enjoy!

|| R O A S T E D  V E G G I E  L A S A G N A ||

adapted via The Italian Dish

Ingredients:
 for the bechamel:

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4 cups milk
• some grated nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
• 1 chicken bouillion cube (amount that you would dissolve in 1 cup water)
• Vegetables to roast : I used two small zucchinis, two small squash, 1 small head of broccoli, shredded carrots, diced onion, 3 garlic cloves minced
• Shredded fresh spinach about 2 cups
• Lasagna noodles for one 13x9 inch baking pan
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

For the bechamel:
In a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for just a minute or so. Slowly add the milk and keep whisking. Add the nutmeg, white pepper and bouillion cube and whisk. Cook for a few minutes, whisking, until the bechamel has thickened slightly. Set aside to cool. Stir it once in a while so a skin doesn't form.

For the vegetables:
Chop vegetables uniformly. Mince garlic. Combine the mixed vegetables on a large baking sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for about 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees. Stir them about halfway thru.  I like my veggies slightly carmelized if you don't just roast for a shorter amount of time.  Set aside to cool slightly.

Cook lasagna noodles for 5 minutes, until soft. Shock in a bowl of ice water, lay on towels to dry.
Spray a 13x9 baking pan with a little cooking spray. Spoon some bechamel thinly on the bottom of the pan. Start with a layer of noodles, a layer of bechamel, some vegetables, shredded spinach, and then a layer of a little parmesan and mozzarella. Repeat layers until you have 3 layers of noodles. On top of the last layer, don't use any vegetables, just some bechamel and the remaining cheeses. Cover tightly with foil.
 Bake for 50 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove foil. Bake for a little longer until top is slightly golden. Let sit for about 15 minutes before slicing.

What I Eat || A 3 Day Food Diary

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is what do I eat on a daily basis.   Do I diet and how do I stay thin?  I have to admit I love seeing what other people eat (especially celebrities).  I loved when Kristen Cavallari did a three day food diary so I thought I would do the same.  I tried to photograph every thing I put in my mouth best I could.   This was from this current week,  I documented Monday-Wednesday.

A few things.  I am happy with my weight right now, so it is more about maintaining this weight and not gaining.  I do not diet.  I love food way too much to restrict myself from anything.  I try to eat clean 70% of the time.  I do actually love salads and crave vegetables.  I am that weird person that when everyone else orders a burger I want the salad.  But I also love pizza, Mexican food, and indulging in alcohol too.   For me it is about enjoying those things in moderation.  I try to avoid pre-packaged and processed foods as much as I can.  I also try not to snack too much.  I try to eat fairly healthy during the week so on the weekends I can eat what I want and then get back on track Monday.   On Mondays and Tuesdays I focus heavily on a mostly vegetarian diet with no alcohol.   Those two days are like detox days to me, to cleanse from the weekend.   During the day I only drink water or unsweet green tea and lots of it.  I have just started exercising again but for me my weight is more determined by what I eat than rather I exercise or not.  I exercise for my mental sanity and to tone up not to lose weight.  I also want to mention I try and drink hot lemon water at least once a day, sometimes I don't but I think if you can it is so good for you.

DAY ONE || MONDAY

Breakfast was homemade green juice.  The kids had a doctors appt so I did not have time to eat.  The juice is 2 apples, 1 bunch spinach, kale, 1 lemon, 1 jalapeno and fresh mint.

Lunch was Barefoot Contessa' s Quinoa Tabbouleh (from the Cookbook Make It Ahead) , a toasted whole wheat pita, hummus and marinated feta.

Dinner that night was Earthfare Sushi.  I normally buy a few rolls and me and Matt and Sterling share them all.  I try to brown rice when they have it.  I ate about a whole roll that night.

After I put the kids to bed I make Lemon Ginger Water.  I fill a pot with fresh water and add one sliced lemon and sliced pieces of fresh ginger and bring to a boil.  I drink about 2 glasses before bed.

DAY TWO || TUESDAY

Breakfast was my standard Avocado Toast (I use fresh 9 grain bread from the Harris Tetter or Publix bakery), two pieces of turkey bacon, and half a grapefruit.  Plus a cup of decaf coffee and 1/2 a Suja Master Cleanse.

 I met a friend for lunch at Xao Bao Biscuit.  I had the Cabbage Pancake.  I ate about 3/4 of it and drank hot lemon water with it.

Afternoon snack.  I can not resist goldfish. The kids and I split one of the small cartons of gold fish.

Dinner was green soup with avocado toast and sprouts.  I found this green soup recipe in Molly Sims new book and really liked it, although I added a little cheese and hot sauce to mine.

Green Soup

To make the soup you sautee 1/2 onion and 2 minced garlic cloves.  Add in a quart of Chicken stock and bring to a boil.  Add in one large head of broccoli trimmed, one bunch of kale stems removed and let simmer covered about 15 minutes.  Then add in 1 box or bag of baby spinach, salt and pepper.  Use an immersion blender and puree the whole thing.  I then added in fresh grated Parmesan cheese and haberno sauce to give it some flavor.

That night before bed I drank hot lemon water (no ginger this time) and took a shot of aloe vera juice.

I have read nothing but great things abut the health benefits of aloe vera juice.   I ordered mine here.

DAY THREE || WEDNESDAY

Breakfast was half a grapefruit, two pieces of turkey bacon and two energy balls.

I keep energy balls in my fridge most of the time, they are a great easy breakfast and the kids love them too.

Energy Balls : They are super easy to make: Mix 1 cup oats, 3/4 cups shredded coconut, 1/3 cup honey,1/2 cup Peanut Butter,  1/2 mini chocolate chips, 1 tsp vanilla. 1 tsp cinnamon.  Refrigerate for 30 mins then roll into balls.  Add flax seed or chia seeds if desired.

I had a piece of string cheese between breakfast and lunch.  I picked up lunch on the go because I had a million errands to run.  I eat in my car at least once a week!  I had the kale salad and spicy carrots from Butcher and Bee.

I was craving chocolate so I had one Justins Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup- these are so darn good.  It is hard not to eat both but I usually try to only eat one.

Dinner.  Wednesdays are always taco night.  I always have tequila too.

I normally eat two tacos one hard and one soft with no sides.

 I also normally have tequila.  We buy good tequila and just sip it.  I never drink mixed drinks it is extra calories.

Whew.  Are you bored yet?? That is what I ate for three days.  I am not health expert but I do try to take care of my body and this is what works for me.

Love to hear any tips or eating secrets you have!