Snow Day Warmth

If you're in the Northeast you're more than likely snowed in and {hopefully} enjoying a snow day.  I didn't manage to get a full snow day but did managed to get off early yesterday and a delay this morning.  I had grand plans to clean, organize and declutter our house but I'm just thankful we didn't lose power, many in ARL did, and I got to sleep in a little. 
Here's one of my newest favorite song, by two of my all time favorites, the perfect pick-me-up to beat the winter blues.

Knee Deep

Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett

And a hearty, easy recipe to warm your belly.

Chicken Pot Pie

(adapted from Bisquick's recipe)

2 cups frozen veggies, thawed

1 cup cooked chicken (I cheat & buy a rotisserie chicken from the store)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup milk

1 egg, beaten

3-4 potatoes, washed, peeled & diced

For veggies: I use 1/2 can of corn, 1/2 can green beans, frozen peas, frozen okra, fresh (cooked) celery and carrots, 3-4 medium potatoes

Instead of using the Bisquick, which is good, I use 1 can of Pillsbury Grand bisquits bc they're more flavorful than Bisquick.

*if you're not using Bisquick you don't need the egg & milk.

Cook chicken & fresh veggies, if using.

Drain veggies.

Place the chicken and all veggies in large bowl.

Add cream of chicken with 1/2 can of water and mix together.

Pour mixture into a casserole dish to bake.

Seperate/peel apart the bisquits (I seperate 1 bisquit into thirds) and layer on top of the veggies & chicken.

Bake at 400 degrees for 35-45 minutes.

*You may need to cover w. foil towards the end to avoid burning/browning the bisquits/Bisquick.

DC Ladies - I didn't think it could get any better but Fornash is having an even better sale, this week only, the entire store is 40% off!
Stay warm & cozy.
cBv

And Now I'm Starving

This weekend was huge in the B household.  Not because we did anything uber exciting but we set 2 new records for ourselves.  

1. We managed to eat e.v.e.r.y. meal at home this weekend, with the exception of Sunday brunch courtesy of my parents. 

2. We went to the gym every day this weekend.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  AND on top of that, I had 2 of the best workouts ever.

Both of these things never, ever happen.  You see we live within a 2-mile radius of at least 50 amazing, non-chain restaurants and we can walk 2-3 blocks in any direction to at least 20 or so of these.  Therefore eating out is quite a temptation and normality for our lifestyle. 

We've decided that in preparation for Greece we're going to eat out less frequently (with the exception of restaurant week) and hit the gym extra hard and watch even more so what we eat. Below are some of the yummy, but healthy, things we noshed on this weekend.

Shrimp Tacos/Fajitas

Yum, yum, yum!  These have become regular weekly meals in our house because 1. they're healthy and 2. they're quick and easy.  The original recipe came from Gina and is actually a Weight Watchers-Friendly recipe.  Trust me, you'd never know it.  We've tweaked it a bit for our liking.

Cilantro & Lime Shrimp, brown rice, black beans, cilantro, fresh pineapple, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, salsa = low-fat, high protein taco!

Healthy Substitutes:

avocado instead of guacamole

brown rice instead of white rice

whole wheat tortillas instead of flour tortillas

Homemade Mozzarella, Proscuitto & Tomato Pizza

This recipe originated from VA Belle and it is delicious, I'm so glad she shared.  The best part is that we saved time by using T. Joe's whole wheat pizza dough. 

T. Joe's whole wheat pizza dough, fresh basil, EVOO, mozzarella cheese, homegrown tomatoes (fresh from my granny's garden), proscuitto.

Healthy Substitutes:

whole wheat pizza dough instead of regular pizza dough

non-fat mozzarella cheese instead of mozzarella cheese

extra virgin olive oil instead of veggie oil or canola oil

4-Cheese Tortellini w. Alfredo Sauce

This was definitely the least healthy meal we ate this weekend, but it was quick and easy and I spruced it up w. some sauteed veggies and a salad.

Fresh cheese tortellini (store-bought)

Alfredo Sauce (light)

Healthy Additions:

added: sauteed peas, tomatoes & broccoli

When cooking pasta we only buy/cook whole wheat pasta so this is a splurge, however, I've had zero luck finding pre-made/fresh whole wheat pasta in stores.  Has anyone seen pre-made wheat pastas?!?!

As for exercise and working out, currently I'm loving these things at the gym.

+

cBv

Quickie

Bullets seem to be a popular way to go lately as I seem to have limited to no time to do anything that is leisure or fun.  Despite the gloomy forecast that was supposed to loom over NoVA all weekend it turned out to be quite an unexpectedly nice weekend.  Here's a quickie.

• Met the hubby for an early Mexican dinner at one of our favorite neighborhood spots, Mexicali Blues.  Ate outside and enjoyed an overdue pina colada, good conversation & nice weather.
• ignore the random dude
• Fat and happy I went to bed, by choice, at 9:40pm on a Friday, while watching RHNY.  It. was. amazing!
• Saturday - ventured to horse country, aka Leesburg, to do some shopping.  It was a huge success and I managed to get lots of cute things for myself and some things for Mr. CPA.

• Was pleasantly surprised to learn that Banana now offers organic cotton.  Is this new or did I totally just miss the boat?
• Saturday night we ate sushi at another favorite place and then checked out a new hangout in the 'hood. 

• Yesterday, we did boat loads of laundry, played tennis and I actually got some sun(!) and then I made a yummy delicious and nutritous new recipe, Baked Chicken w. Dijon & Lime. 

photo courtesy of Gina

For such a crappy forecasted weekend, it sure did turn out nice. Did anyone run the GW 10-miler yesterday?!?  Nashville pics are coming soon, I promise!

cBv

Presto Pesto!

This weekend was amazing!  The sun was shining and it was in the 60s.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Well except for the delicious cupcakes the hubs and I devoured.  They were SO worth the 30+ minute wait! 

In pure St. Patty's spirit the hubs went for the Irish Cream and I tried the Lemon Berry.  Both were fantastic.  And of course we couldn't leave without the staples, Red Velvet and Chocolate Ganache.  Yum!

We're doing a "clean out the fridge" week, or however long it takes, so I've been digging through my recipe box for lots of recipes, old favorites and some new ones I've yet to try. {Does anyone else do the clean out the fridge thing?}  One of my favorite recipes that is quick, easy and delicious is pesto. Homemade style.  Another reason I love it is because it freezes really well.  {I'll make extra and freeze it in ice cube trays then store in a plastic container, and then you can just grab and go!}  Here's the lowdown.

4 cups tightly packed of fresh basil leaves

1/4 to 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves of garlic (more or less depending on how much you like garlic)

¾ cup to 1cup of pecorino romano cheese (you can use parmesan, but it really just isn’t as good)

tew twists of fresh ground black pepper

dash of salt

Throw it all in the food processor and ta-da!

Speaking of food processors, does anyone have this little guy?

I L-O-V-E this thing.  It's so easy to store because its teeny, yet big enough to do most jobs.  I have a regular food processor but this is my go to.  I love it and highly recommend it to anyone, especially you ladies that are soon to be married, add it to your registry.  You'll love it, I promise!

I hope everyone has a great week!  Yeah it's Monday, but at least the sun is shining!

cBv