Scenes From Our Weekend + Marinated Cheese Recipe

The kids are out of school til Wednesday so we are still enjoying a long weekend.  

Friday night we had happy hour with our neighbors before we left town.

Off Shoulder Blouse | Purse | Bracelets | Watch | Jeans

I made this marinated cheese for the appetizer.  It is super easy and always a hit.  Several of you asked for the recipe so see below!

The recipe was passed along from my mom's good friend Jane.  I like to serve this with triscuits to soak up the marinade. I mix the Cracker Barrel white and orange sharp cheddar.  

New smoothie I am loving:

Coconut water, strawberries, frozen banana, frozen mangos, frozen pineapple, and greek yogurt.  The kids of course loved this one. and I finally ordered my Vitamix!  It should arrive this week,  I am so excited!

I am newly addicted to Parenthood.  I plowed through the first season this week.  I spent Saturday night in pjs watching more episodes:)  I can't believe I didn't watch this when it originally aired, it is so good!

My mom introduced me to these Bedhead PJ's and I am really liking them.  They come in such cute patterns and are so comfy!!

Cherry Print 

Scroll through to see some other prints and many are on sale!

Favorite Bagel from Brueggers.

I do a sun-dried tomato bagel, with veggie cream and sun-dried spread.  Then load it up with all the veggies.

Sunday we went to church.

Dress also Here and in pink | Pumps

I always love with I can snuggle with my sweet nephew Rutledge.  

Blouse also Here

These two are addicted to listening to music and music videos on my IPad.   Then they preform dance parties for me afterwards:)

How gorgeous is this orchid??   

I am so excited because we just booked a girl's trip to St John next month.  We have been trying to plan a trip for the past year and now it is happening!  I would love any recs of what to do in St John especially restaurants and beach bars.

Happy MLK Day.

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

After I posted this on instagram so many of you commented and wanted the recipe, ask and you shall receive.  I honestly can't beleive I have not shared this recipe yet, it is one of my favorite salads.   I can't even remember where I originally found this recipe, in some magazine years ago.   I think maybe an old Cooking Light, but then I made a few changes.  This is such a great salad.  It saves well in the fridge and is full of so many of my favorite Mediterranean flavors.  You could easily serve this with grilled shrimp or chicken and have a meal.  I made it for my lunches last week.  This makes a lot of orzo.  I actually took half over to my neighbor who had surgery, so be warned it makes a huge batch.  I find it is best served room temperature.  

The dressing measurements are not exact, so alter to your taste.

|| M E D I T E R R A N E A N    O R Z O ||

- 1 box orzo

- 1 small jar chopped sun dried tomatoes

- 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts (save liquid)

- 1 can chick peas, drained

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes diced

- 1/2 red onion diced

- 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives

- 1/2 cup good feta cheese crumbles

- 1 cup spinach sliced thinly

DRESSING

-Liquid from Artichoke Hearts

- 1/2 cup olive oil

- 3-4 tablespoons white wine vinegar

- salt and pepper

Cook orzo according to box, drain and let cool slightly.  Add all other ingredients but feta to a large bowl.  You may need to chop the marinated artichoke hearts smaller depending on the size.  Add the orzo to the veggies.  Whisk together the dressing and pour over the orzo and veggies.  Add in the crumbles feta.  Season with more salt and pepper if needed.

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!

Scenes From Our Weekend + 7 Layer Mexican Dip Recipe

Happy MLK Day. I hope everyone has enjoyed the long weekend.

Matt bought Sterling a trampoline a few months ago and we finally had it put together last week.  So we spent a lot of time on the trampoline this weekend. Sterling loves that thing, and I have to admit it is pretty fun and good exercise jumping on it.   I was out of breath after every time we played on it (or maybe I am just out of shape).

I snapped this picture Friday night before bath time.  I love Frances Moon's enormous belly.

Friday night we celebrated my Mother-in- laws birthday.  I made my favorite 7 layer Mexican dip. Several of you wanted the recipe, so here it is :

 7 LAYER MEXICAN DIP

Layer one | Refried Beans 

Layer Two | Guacamole

Layer Three | 16 oz sour cream mixed with taco seasoning (I use our homemade kind but you can use a packet as well)

Layer Four | Shredded Cheese ( I grate my own and use Cracker Barrel Sharp White Cheddar)

Layer Five | Diced Tomatoes

Layer Six | Sliced Black Olives

Layer Seven | chopped green onions

Saturday I got up early and went on a run.  I am slowly getting back into a workout routine.

Speaking of working out- I am totally obsessed with the new high waisted Lululemon workout pants.  Get a pair, worth every penny.  They are amazing and suck in all the flab!  I have one pair in black but now I want every color they come in!

|| High Times Pant

I did some pantry organizing Saturday. I found these clear bins at TJMaxx and they work perfect for storing the kids snacks.

I also cleaned out and organized the snack drawer of our fridge.  I am totally that mom that they targeted with the snack drawer.  It is actually what sold me on the fridge and is honestly my favorite part.

Between Matt and the kids we spend some money on snack food.

Saturday night I made Barefoot Contessa's Marinated Feta for Happy Hour.  The recipe is in her new cookbook and was so delicious.  As was this wine from my Wine Awesomeness box.  Love the butterfly label.

Saturday night Sterling lost his first tooth!  The day before he told me he had a wiggly tooth and sure enough it was loose.  So Saturday night I asked him how his wiggly tooth was and he opened his mouth and it was gone.  I think he swallowed it or something, who knows.  I was trying to be excited for him but inside I was crying because loosing that tooth meant my sweet baby was growing up.

He however was so excited ( and I am awaiting a tooth to appear in his poop).

Thank goodness I actually had some cash on me.  It was either a $5 or a $20 so we went with a $5.  

 I had several requests about the shark tooth fairy pillow.  My mom bought it somewhere out of town but I was able to find the same one online HERE.

We had chili cheese dogs and truffled tots for dinner that night that were out of this world good!

Wore double plaid for church.

Dress | Coat

Sunday night we celebrated one of our good friend's birthdays. Caycee and I could not resist the photo op:)

Outfit Details:

 Blouse (similar) | Necklace (use code DBDD-LSJ for free shipping | Jeans (use code GOODJEANS for 30% off) | Pumps

 

 Piperlime is offering 30% off all their jeans with code GOODJEANS!

If you want a distressed pair, these are my favorite.  A great time to buy new jeans if you need them.

Here's to a great week!

(I have been listening to my Eckhart Tolle book A New Earth and really liking it, some inspiring stuff).