Broccoli Salad + Saks Sale

I originally was not going to post this recipe, I figured not too many peeps cared about broccoli salad but after posting a sneak peek of it on insatgram I got several requests for the recipe so here you go.  This salad would actually be perfect for the holiday weekend.  This particular version is mayo free, now don't get me wrong I love the mayo version but I was looking for something a bit healthier so I created this version and honestly it is really good. If you can buy the tomatoes at your local farmers market, they add such good flavor.  I used a pack of the microwave bacon because it was quicker but I imagine this would be even better with fresh cooked bacon.  The dressing is a light Dijon vinaigrette and it pairs really well with the broccoli.  I had all intentions of putting feta in this, but of course forgot it at the grocery store, so I subbed white cheddar.  I always grate my own and use Cabot or Cracker Barrel they have the best flavor!  The white cheddar was really good.  This saves well in the fridge for several days.  Enjoy!

|| B R O C C O L I    S A L A D ||

- 1-2 heads broccoli chopped up into fairly small pieces

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (quartered or halved)

- 4-5 green onions sliced

- 1 package bacon cooked and crumbled

- Sharp white cheddar cheese shredded

- 1/3 cup olive oil

- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard

- 1 garlic clove minced

- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar

-salt and pepper

Whick together olive oil, dijon, vinegar, garlic, and salt and pepper.  Place all the veggies in a bowl with bacon and cheese and toss with dressing.

And if you need an idea for sandwiches to go with this salad try these out.  We bought a fresh loaf of bread at the Farmers Market and then layered whole grain mustard, sliced salami, and brie.  They were out of this world good!  We packed all this up for an evening boat ride but it would be great for a picnic too!

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Saks just started a huge sale 70% off!  My favorite tie dye sweater is 70% off, I just love mine!!  

The Rag and Bone Nicole tank is now only $50!  Shop the whole sale here.  I rounded up my top picks.

Chicken Salad Crescent Rolls

I hope you brought your appetites today because this recipe is mouth wateringly good. Crisp chicken salad, lots of melted cheese,  all rolled up into a buttery crescent roll- tell me that doesn't sound amazing?  Well these rolls are pure perfection.  We had a birthday brunch for my mom a few weeks ago and made these and they were a huge hit!  The original recipe calls for the crescent triangles to be sliced in half to make bite size appetizer rolls.  We didn't cut them since this was more of a lunch than an appetizer but you could make them either way!  We served them with pasta salad, broccoli salad, cucumber sandwiches and mimosas of course!  It was the most delish Birthday brunch ever.   You must make these, I promise you will love them.  They would be a great weeknight meal too because they are easy and kids will gobble them up!
Enjoy!

{Chicken Salad Crescent Rolls}

Adapted from Plain Chicken

::Ingredients::

2 cups chopped chicken

1 cup celery

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

3/4 cup mayo

3 cans crescent rolls

8 slices cheddar cheese (I used Cracker Barrel extra sharp cheddar)

poppy seeds

::Directions::

Mix together first six ingredients and set aside (or chill if making crescents later).

Preheat oven to 375. Separate crescent rolls into triangles. Cut each triangle in half to form two triangles. (This is the step I omitted)  Place 1/3 slice of cheddar cheese on top of crescent roll, top with a tablespoon scoop of chicken salad (I used a small cookie scoop) and roll up the crescent roll. Place on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Repeat with remaining crescent rolls. Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

My Favorite Cookbooks + Mediterranean Lentil Salad

At the beginning of a New Year I am always inspired to cook more and try new recipes.  One of my goals this year is to use my cookbooks more and make more fresh meals for my family. 

I often get requests about my favorite cookbooks, so here are my all time favorites. Now keep in mind I am a cookbook hoarder, I love to read them and collect them.   I probably own 50+.  These however are the most used cookbooks, the recipes never disappoint.  So if you are looking to add some new cookbooks to your collection or to start a collection these are all wonderful!

I just ordered this cookbook right before Christmas and it is quickly becoming a favorite.  We made the Coconut Oatmeal for breakfast this week and it was so good.  If you are looking to detox or clean up your diet it is a great book.  It has two different detox options 3 days or 21 days and it is filled with healthy recipes that are delicious.

 Clean Slate Cookbook

Our overnight coconut oatmeal, so good!

It is no secret I am a huge Ina Garten fan.  Like I am kind of obsessed with her, I should start a fan club. She knows how to entertain and do it right.   Her recipes never disappoint ever.   I own every single one of her cookbooks and love them all, but these 3 are my favorites.  

Good starting points: the kale chips, warm butternut squash salad, tomato tarts, quinoa tabbouleh,  Parmesan roasted broccoli, confetti corn, I could go on and on!

Back to Basics | Foolproof |  Make It Ahead

I also have a major crush on Gwyneth Paltrow- she can do no wrong in my eyes and trust me her food is good.  I have loved every recipe I have made from her books.

If you need ideas of where to start : The Lettuce Wraps, Stir Fry Chicken,  Roasted Cauliflower are favorites.

GP Its All Good | GP My Fathers Daughter

These two cookbooks have such beautiful pictures and recipes.  I get so inspired just flipping through them.  The Williams Sonoma Salad book is filled with salads for each season.  I am a huge fan of salads and this one has 365 salad recipes.  The Sprouted Kitchen has so many healthy delish recipes.

WS Salad of the Day | The Sprouted Kitchen

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 I wanted to share a new recipe too.  I posted this lentil salad recipe on instagram and so many of you wanted to know about it!  This is a new recipe from my mom's friend that I made for lunch this week and it was so good and filling.  It is a great healthy salad full of flavor.  I recommend you use the Trader Joes precooked lentils, available in the fridge section.  They are perfect for this salad.  I think it would be delicious with feta added in as well.  You can easily make this ahead but I think it is best served at room temperature.
Enjoy!

|| M E D I T E R R A N E A N   L E N T I L   S A L A D ||

- 2 cups lentils rinsed (I highly recommend the Trader Joes precooked lentils in the fridge section)

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes quartered

- 1 green bell pepper diced

- 1/2 cup red onion sliced thinly

1/2 kalamata olives sliced

1/2 English cucumber diced

Dressing \\

- 3 tablespoons olive oil

-3 tablespoons lemon juice (juice from one lemon)

-1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons honey

- 1 teaspoons dijon

- 1 clove garlic minced

- 1/2 teaspoon oregano

-1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

Mix lentils and all ingredients then pour dressing over the top.  This can be stored in the fridge for several days but it is best served room temperature.

Daily Diet + Exercise Plan + Workout Gear

Today I wanted to share a little bit about my current diet and work out plan.  I am always on a mission to tone up and get fit and I feel like I finally have a good routine down.  I am 36 and since I am most likely done having babies I really want to try and be in the best shape I can.  

My goal is to feel good in a bikini next Summer.  I always wear one pieces because I feel too uncomfortable about my body in a two piece and I want to change that.  I am not getting any younger so I want to proudly rock a two piece while I can. 

I recently started doing some one on one training twice a week and I swear 3 weeks in and I can already see small results.  I reached out to my barre teacher Ashley Morris (at Pivotal Fitness) about training me one on one.   She has an amazing body and I love her classes.  They are not typical barre and really challenge you in a good way.   I knew she would hold me accountable and help me see the results I wanted.  If you live locally and are interested in training with her you can email her at chucktownfitchick@gmail.com.  She is amazing and trust me her body is insane- major goals. 

Ashley wanted me to have 5 set workout days.  Some weeks I only make 4 days but 5 is always my goal.  I prefer to knock them out during the week so I can relax on the weekend.  I always workout from 8:30-9:30.  I take Sterling to school around 7 come home and change and get Frances ready for school then head to the gym.  Her school doesn't start til 9:45 so she comes to the gym nursery with me.  That was a huge reason why I joined this gym because of child care.  I am the type of person where if I don't work out first thing in the morning I will make excuses, so I like to get my workouts done early.  Now that I have been going more often I feel like my body actually craves gym time.  I feel so much better on my gym days.  

This is my current schedule:

MONDAY- 1 hour barre class

TUESDAY- 1 hour training session

WEDNESDAY- Red Zone class - this is a boot camp similar to orange theory lots of cardio and circuits

THURSDAY- 1 hour barre or yoga

FRIDAY - 1 hour training session

For our training sessions we do mainly weights and ab work.  I really didn't lift any weights prior to this so I feel like I am starting to get more definition.  We focus all over the body and do leg work, arms, butt and abs.  Either before or after we train she has me to the stair mill for 15 minutes at between a 5-7 pace.  That machine is the devil.  I hate it and I am always so sweaty afterwards but it burns a lot of calories in a short amount of time. 

After 6 weeks I will give you guys an update.  We did some initial measurements and I will be curious to see the results.  So far I have lost 3 pounds and I am feeling more toned, my stomach also feels flatter.  

D I E T 

As far as my diet goes for the most part I eat fairly healthy.   I have really tried to cut out processed foods.  This is really hard for me because I love crackers, gold fish, cereal, if its a snack food and processed you name it and I used to snack on it.   I am getting used to it though and don't crave that stuff like I used to.  On the weekends I give myself a little more leeway.  I am not super strict, I love food so if I have a dinner out I am going to indulge and eat what I want.  

Here is a sample daily diet of what I eat.  Keep in mind I am not a nutritionist this is just me trying to eat healthy and feel good.  Everyone has different bodies and body types so you gotta do what works for you! 

B R E A K F A S T 

I always start the day with hot lemon water.  Followed by one cup black decaf coffee.  My breakfast is usually PB on whole grain toast and a little yogurt. I have been too burned out on eggs to eat them. Ashley said the complex carbs of the multigrain bread and the protein from the yogurt were a good morning combo to eat before I work out.  Since I work out from 8:30-9:30 I usually eat breakfast around 7:30.

After I work out I usually hit up Starbucks.  Probably a bad treat but I love it,  They just opened a drive through Starbucks beside my gym and it is bad news.  I usually get a tall decaf almond milk latte.  I also like a non fat green tea latte.   I have mentioned this before but after I had Frances I gave up most caffeine.  It was making me feel jittery and anxious and I feel so much better without it but I do still love my coffee.  

L U N C H 

I usually try and prep a few salads to have on hand for my lunch during the week although I typically eat lunch out at least one day a week with friends.

This week was No Mayo Broccoli Salad + White Bean Salad

The week before was Greek Salad + Couscous.

Tuna + White Bean Salad and Hummus is another go to lunch.

If I do eat lunch out I try and do a salad.  This week I ate at Taco Boy and had the Chicken Salad.

D I N N E R 

Dinner is a little more of a wild card.  I have been trying to cook healthier on a whole.  A few recent dinners I have had the past few weeks.  

Arugula + Crispy Prosciutto + Blue Cheese + Figs + Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Chopped Kale Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

S N A C K S 

I honestly don't snack much.  If I do it is string cheese, olives or nuts.  

A L C O H O L + B E V E R A G E S 

Yes,  I still have alcohol.  I would rather cut back on calories during the day to allow for a glass or two of wine at night.  As far as other beverages go I only drink water, sparkling water or unsweet tea during the day.  

F A V O R I T E  W O R K O U T  G E A R

Nikes

I bought these Nikes over the Summer and love them.  They are the TR 6 OC Training ones.  They are light weight and work perfectly for the exercises I have been doing. 

I have this black color, they are 20% off right now.

30% here in several colors

My two favorite workout pants are both high waisted.  After two kids I need all the help I can get sucking it in.  I highly recommend both of these.  Sizing wise I wear a small in the Zella ones and a 6 in the Lululemon ones.  

Zella High Waisted  | in a full length version

Lululemon High Rise Pants

These are a bit more expensive but I promise you worth every penny.  These make me feel like a million bucks when I have them on,  The material is fantastic and they really suck you in and are so flattering.

Sculpt Tank

I love this top because it is not too fitted and it has the cutest back.  I own this in a few colors.  

I am wearing it here in navy., paired with the black lulu pants and nikes above. 

Side Slit Tank

I have mentioned before but I prefer tops that are not super fitted when I workout.  I love this style.  The cotton is so soft, I usually wear this for barre classes.

Also in pink, black and white

Twist Front Tee

This is great to toss on over any workout tank.  It is so soft too!  I have the black but I am thinking of getting another color. 

Define Jacket

This is my favorite jacket to toss on when it is cold.  I find it is super flattering.  I am wearing a size 6. 

Yoga Mat

This was a Christmas gift last year and I love it!  I like to bring my own mat for barre and yoga.

Also available in several other patterns HERE

Mealtime How I Do It + Favorite Easy Meals

One of the number one questions I get is, how do you have the time to cook for your family and does Sterling eat what you cook. Here is the low down. 

Cooking is my passion, it makes me happy, so I make time for it in my life.  I most certainly do not cook every night but I would say 2-3 nights a week I try and whip up something tasty.  On the weekends we usually order pizza one night and then Matt helps cook something the other night, usually grilling out etc.   My happy place is in the kitchen whipping up something delicious and sipping a glass of wine.  Its how I unwind plus it gives me sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when I create a really awesome meal.

GROCERY SHOPPING AND MEAL PLANNING

 I am lucky because Sterling is in school everyday from 9:45-12:45.  Usually after I drop him off I take Frances and we head to the grocery store.  I still have not mastered the whole meal planning thing and truth be told I actually enjoy going to the grocery store.  It gets me out of the house and I love browsing.  We go almost everyday depending on what I need for our meal that night.  This week I actually cooked all four nights, but that was rare.   Usually I don't cook that many nights in a row but I was bringing a friend food who had a baby so I doubled it for us.

On the menu this week:
Monday- Gwyneth's Siriachia Lime Salmon + Quinoa, Mushrooms and Arugula + Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas
Tuesday- Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Meatballs + Arugula Salad
Wednesday- Ground Beef Tacos
Thursday- Simple Baked Lasagna + Arugula Salad

You may wonder about leftovers.  If there is any type of meat leftovers Matt takes them for his lunch the next day. He eats lunch in his office everyday and welcomes the leftovers.  The salad stuff I eat, for example I had the quinoa and roasted cauliflower the next two days for lunch.  I also usually always make a batch of Tuscan Kale Salads for my lunch during the week.  If you need a quick easy salad we just toss arugula with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.  Then we add fresh Parmesan.  It is a simple light salad we make often.

WHAT DOES STERLING EAT
As for Sterling, I do not cook him separate meals any more,  and yes he is a picky eater.  That being said on the nights I don't cook sometimes he will eat chicken nuggets, cereal, or whatever I have in the freezer.  We try every night to sit down together as a family.  This is hard because Matt doesn't get home til about 7 or later most nights. We usually wait and eat with him unless he is going to be later than 7:30.  I think family meals are are so incredibly important.   It is a time where we all sit down with no interruptions and I think as Sterling and Frances get older these dinners will be even more important.  Sterling must take one bite of everything on his plate,  after that if he doesn't like it he doesn't have to eat it,  but he is not getting anything different to eat.  If he eats well he gets to choose a dessert.  There are many nights he takes two bites of something tells us he hates it and goes to bed hungry.  Eating is a struggle but I do feel like slowly this approach is working as he is starting to eat more things than he used to.  I give him a multi-vitamin and probiotic everyday to help with nutrients.

WHEN I COOK
I wish Matt had one of those jobs where he got home at 5-5:30 and could help with the kids while I cook but that is not the case.  I am in charge of dinner and bath which can be tricky (not to mention exhausting).  I usually try and make meals that can be prepped early and then just popped into the oven or stove.  Luckily for me Sterling still naps most days and if he doesn't he still has to sit in his room quietly and play with the ipad or read.  Most of the time nap time is when I get down to business.  I do laundry, get our meal started, straighten the house, and work on my blog.  I cram alot into 2-3 hours.  The morning time when he is at school is usually spent running errands and hopefully soon working out again!   While Sterling naps I will get dinner at least started and do most of the prep work so when he wakes I can spend some time with him,    Around 6 I will start to finish up our meal.  This is when I allow Sterling to turn on the TV and watch a show or two while I finish up dinner (and drink a big ole glass of wine). I usually put Frances in her swing during this time.  While dinner is cooking we will go do a quick bath although lately Sterling has been showering in the mornings with one of us which opens up some time in the evening.  This way since Matt gets home later, when he gets home dinner is ready so we can sit down and eat and the kids are ready for bed.


EASY MEALS
I wanted to highlight a few of our favorite go to meals.  They are all relatively easy to prepare in advance or quickly.   I try and make at least one new recipe a week for blog purposes and because I love testing new things but these are tried and true favorites!

|| MEXICAN RICE BOWLS ||
You can precook your rice and have all the toppings pre-diced so all you have to do at dinner is cook the meat or you can go totally vegetarian and leave off the meat.

|| SPICY BLACK BEAN, GREEN CHILE + MANCHEGO ENCHILADAS ||
You can assemble this whole dish pretty quickly since nothing has to be cooked.  I assemble at nap time then just pop in oven to cook.

|| ROASTED SALMON WITH TOMATO BASIL RELISH ||
All you have to do for this is pre- make the relish, it is better the longer it sits anyways.  Then just cook your salmon.  Under a 20 min meal.  Sterling loves salmon or as he calls it pink fish- although we serve his without the relish.

|| CHOPPED GREEK SALAD WITH SHRIMP ||
Such a quick easy salad and the shrimp only take 5 mins to cook.

|| VEGGIE RANCH PIZZA ||
You can pre-chop all the veggies and then just assemble at dinner time.  Sterling loves this pizza, it is one of the only ways I can get him to eat broccoli and cauliflower.

 || SLOPPY JOES ||
These really only take 30 mins max to whip together,  best sloppy joes ever.  We serve with box mac and cheese for an easy weeknight dinner.

|| SIMPLE BAKED LASANGA ||
I actually just made this this week for my friend who had the baby.  As far as lasagnas go it is fairly quick to whip together because you use no bake noodles and only make one sauce and it is so good.  This can be made at nap time and just popped in the oven.

|| CHOPPED MEXICAN SALAD ||
Another easy salad you can per-assemble and put in fridge like this and then just toss together and add meat at dinner time.

|| BUTTERNUT SQUASH, ARUGULA + BACON QUICHE ||
I love any variation of a quiche they are always a quick dinner and one that Sterling will eat too.

I would love to know any favorite weeknight meals you have!
Have a fabulous weekend.
xoxo