Last minute dinner party

We threw a little party a couple nights ago for some local female business owners (@bossladiesmke) and predominantly used items from my fridge and I thought, why not write a blog post about it???

MY TRIBE

HOW TO THROW TOGETHER A LAST MINUTE YET STILL CHIC DINNER PARTY FOR UNDER $50 WITH THINGS YOU ALREADY HAVE.

1. USE WHAT YOU HAVE. The easiest thing to do is utilize common items most people already have in their fridge. Only buy items to help doctor them up like fresh citrus and herbs to brighten flavors or cured meats to make a beautiful charcuterie board

2. THINK ABOUT THE MANY WAYS YOU CAN USE INGREDIENTS TO ADD FLAVOR & TEXTURE - raw vs. roasted vs. pickled.

3. PRESENTATION IS KEY. It can make normal, everyday food appear special.

4. SHOP AT YOUR OWN HOUSE. If you have any holiday decorations, candles, flowers, or even some greens from the bushes in your backyard, use them to decorate. It will make it feel more festive and special.

The 5 categories of items to include in a cocktail style party: Crostini, Dip, an Instaworthy Charcuterie Board, Roasted Veggies and Something Sweet. That’s it!

CROSTINI

CROSTINI

Crostini's are a party favorite and are tasty with just about any topping on them. Cut a loaf into slices, take regular sandwich bread and cut into quarters or slice a sweet potato into circles. Add a little olive oil and toast in the oven for flavor.

• They can be made sweet or savory depending on what you have available.

• I like to add something CREAMY for the base and something FRESH over the top for a pop of flavor. 

• You can use anything! Marinara sauce, cheese, jam, nuts, fresh herbs, a cut-up apple or pear, mashed, canned beans, caramelized onions, balsamic, salad dressing, etc. GET CREATIVE!

• Don’t feel like you only need to serve one kind...use your ingredients to create a variety.

• After plating, drizzle with a little olive oil at the end for presentation. 

DIPS

Dip 

• Who doesn’t like dip? It’s a party favorite. 

• You can use crackers, chips, or fresh chopped veggies. 

• The base of the dip can be made with anything from greek yogurt, sour cream, mayo or even a can of mashed beans. We made a dip from a bottle of salsa, a can of black beans, and some leftover pineapple; finished it off by broiling some cheese on top and it got DEMOLISHED.

• Be sure to add citrus and herbs to brighten the flavor.

CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Charcuterie Board

• The highlight of any dinner party, in my opinion, is a charcuterie board which can easily be thrown together with items from home.

• A variety of textures & flavors make a charcuterie board a success including hard and soft meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, jam, honey, nuts, olives, pickles, etc 

• Assembly and presentation are important so I start by placing any jam or jelly, olives or pickles you have around and putting them on a cute dish to add color and provide additional flavor options.  

• Then lay out your cheese and meat options. Remember to play with texture: cheeses can be sliced and crumbled into bite size pieces or you can even use pre-sliced sandwich cheese and cut into quarters.

• Deli meat can be piled up, fanned out, or folded in half to create different textures and to let the guests know the flavors are different.

• Finish the board with crackers, nuts, and fresh or dried fruit to fill in the gaps. My personal favorite is a an apple cut into thin slices which is both affordable and delicious.
  

ROASTED VEGGIES

Roasted Vegetables 

• If you are anything like me, you don’t want to feel guilty after eating like a monster at a party, so having a healthy option to nibble on makes me feel more balanced. Everything in moderation, right? 

• Take an assortment of fresh or frozen veggies and roast in the oven with olive oil and herbs until golden brown. Serve in a bowl alone or tossed with rice or quinoa. Top with fresh herbs, olive oil, or balsamic for a little added flavor and presentation. VOILA!

SOMETHING SWEET

We didn’t actually serve these cookies (they were just for my family) but look at them!

Something Sweet

• For those with a sweet tooth, a creative little dessert is a must.

• You can keep this simple or go all out. 

• We took a few partially used chocolate bars and broke them into large chunks and plated with some fresh berries. But if you have a box of cupcake mix or the ingredients for Rice Krispie treats, you can always doctor them up with chocolate chips or peanut butter for something gooey and delicious.

and DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE 3 DAY CLEANSE. You have until Saturday 12/29 to place an order for pickup or delivery on 1/2. Details here: ORDER 3-DAY CLEANSE HERE!!

Treat yo' elves

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love entertaining and finding the perfect gifts for my family and friends. Gifts don't have to be expensive, they just need to come from the heart. My favorite way to give is to think about some of the gifts I’ve loved and received in previous years and try to recreate them in a more personal way. This year everyone is getting a collection of homemade items mixed in with some items from some local shops I can't stop going to.

URSA is a Bayview shop with the best candles, jewelry, pillows, blankets, incense...everything. The owner has amazing style, loves plants, and always wears a smile.

HOMESPUN COLLECTION is an online shop built by 2 local babes that believe we should fill our homes with simple, beautiful, thoughtfully-made products. They love meaningful items and a clean and cozy atmosphere. I literally want to buy/gift every single item they sell. 

Along with gifts purchased from these shops, we (my team of amazing females that keep me afloat and happy everyday...I do nothing alone :) made some lovely items with our hands and hearts. 

Vanilla extract: How to make homemade vanilla extract

Earth-friendly counter spray How To Make an All-Natural Kitchen Cleaner

Knit sponges HOW TO

Bath Balls how-to-make-your-own-bath-bombs - OK, we made bath soak instead. Pour into cute jar and label - ha!

How to make stovetop potpourri

Essential oils: 50+ Amazing Peppermint Oil Uses

Who doesn’t love marshmallows?

“What do you call an elf who sings?

A wrapper!”

We also made a variety of cookie doughs to freeze so our clients can make homemade warm cookies for their kiddos effortlessly whenever they want.

It was so fun getting the girls together and crafting our day away. There's something about making stuff, eating pizza, and drinking spiked egg nog that gets me going. 

And don’t forget to get your pie orders in by the holidays! 6 different varieties for $35. Available for pickup at Stone Bank Farm Market in Oconomowoc or delivery to your door for $10. Go to Holiday Orders above:

Blend and Cleanse

A couple of weeks ago, I did a cleanse with a few of my clients. For me, the best part was that I felt lighter and healthier. I didn’t have to think about what to eat or drink all day because it was all right there ready for me. The flavors in the soups, juices and vinaigrettes are fresh and vibrant. I drank no alcohol or coffee and swapped it with peppermint tea morning and night instead. And, bonus, I noticed afterwards that my appetite was smaller and I needed less food to feel satisfied. It’s always good to do a little recharge and reset your digestive system.

Starting today until Sat 12/29, you will be able to order the 3-day cleanse for delivery or pickup on JANUARY 2ND. Make sure to add delivery to your cart. Pick up at Stone Bank Farm Market in Oconomowoc.

ORDER 3-DAY CLEANSE HERE!!

Just in time for all those New Year’s Resolutions and Wellness Goals ;)

Click on Holiday Orders for more info.

The cleanse will include 3 days of teas, soups, salads and juices including:

Get Up & Glow: Pineapple, Cucumber, Kale and Apple 

24 Carrot: Carrot, Apple, Lemon, Pear and Ginger

Toxin Flush: Watermelon and Mint

Mother Earth: Cucumber, Apple, Spinach, Kale, Parsley and Fennel

Liquid Gold: Golden Beet, Fennel, Lemon, Orange, Pineapple and Turmeric

Healing Lemonade: Lemon, Filtered Water, Turmeric, Black Pepper, Cloves, Maple Syrup and Cayenne

Metabolic Bomb: Lemon, Ginger, Apple, Celery and a pinch of cayenne

Apples are not only detoxifying but also good for lowering cholesterol, aiding in digestion and helping your skin.

Carrots are packed with vitamins and minerals, especially the antioxidant beta-carotene. The carrots overall nutrient value helps prevent aging, enhances immunity and aids in eyesight.

Cucumbers contain antioxidants, including flavonoids and tannins, which prevent the accumulation of harmful free radicals promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.

Ginger is helpful in aiding in digestion and helps prevent colds and flu.

Kale feeds beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract and helps boost the immune system.

Lemons are high in vitamin C and have various beneficial plant compounds that support heart health, weight control, digestive health and more.

Oranges have vitamin C, flavonoids and beta-carotene to help boost the immune system, fight the flu and reduce the effects of aging.

Pears are cleansing and full of vitamins, minerals and fiber. They gently cleanse the liver and help the flu; relieving thirst and reducing phlegm.

Peppermint helps improve hydrochloric acids levels in the stomach to help with better digestion.

Watermelon is extremely hydrating and also flushes toxins out of the digestive tract.

Turmeric contains curcumin, which has numerous health benefits including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, protecting healthy cells from free radicals, which can cause damage. Consuming turmeric with black pepper increases the amount of the curcumin the body can absorb.

ORDER THE CLEANSE HERE

See you next week!

Vegan Dinner Party

We had such a nice Thanksgiving break last week in Michigan with the kids. Hope you all had a chance to slow down and live in the moment, as they say. All this hustling and craziness is totally worth it to me because I feel like I’m helping people eat better and healthier and learning how to do it when I’m not there too. I love when I get an excited text from a client saying they made one of my recipes, especially if they’re excited about the vegetables.

A few weeks ago, I planned a lovely dinner party for a client. She meets monthly with a group of nice ladies and they share plant-based recipes and eat together at the Stone Bank Market. This time they asked me to prepare the meal and talk about what I did. They loved everything so much so I promised to share the recipes on my blog. Here they are!

zucchini fennel soup

greens with pistachio vinaigrette

This recipe can be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, well, you get the picture. It’s delicious, so trust me you’re going to want to make as much as possible.

shepherd’s pie

carrot cake balls

See you next week for a look at my 3 day cleanses!

THANKSFORGIVING ME SO MANY MEALS

Thanksgiving is almost here! We’re on our way to Michigan with the kiddos - can’t wait! The holidays are for getting together with your family, keeping traditions alive and prepping all week for that delicious meal. But it’s also for leftovers. And who wants to keep eating the same meal over and over? I don’t! There are so many ways to mix it up and use the turkey and all the sides to make additional meals with all that food. You know how I hate food waster. You can buy a premade crust, throw turkey and veggies on top for pizza, transform a plain ol’ salad with shredded turkey and cranberry sauce as dressing for some fun or add to a crockpot with veggies for a delicious turkey soup. Here are a few of the meals I’m going to do on Friday:

Who is never hungry on Thanksgiving? The turkey. Because he’s already STUFFED!

thanksgiving leftover casserole

thanksgiving leftover breakfast strata

thanksgiving leftover quesadilla

sweet potato flapjacks

next week- vegan dinner party

What a crock…of yum!

Looking for a way to make people think you can do it all while saving time, money, and energy? The crockpot is the answer! If you’re a "This is Us" fan, you may have hidden your crockpot or even thrown it out because it caused the house fire that ruined their lives. I don't think that’s actually possible (maybe), but the chances are slim to none.

Crockpots actually save lives AND marriages around the globe (true story). Here are the top 6 reasons why I love them:

1. Low Cost. Slow cookers are cheap and allow you to buy less expensive cuts of meat/chicken. They’re also perfect for soaking and cooking dried beans, saving money and sodium content.

2. Healthy Meals. Slow cooked recipes rarely call for added oils or fats since they use broth and time to cook the food. You can control the vegetable content and trim the fat off the cuts of meat. Way healthier and less expensive than greasy takeout! AMIRIGHT?!?

3. Cooking is easy. Layer your food, set it and forget it. I set my crockpot meals up in the morning so I can come home to a warm feast that’s ready to eat. Most slow cooker recipes require zero culinary skills to master.

4. Clean up is a breeze. One dish that is dishwasher safe. I mean come on, it’s genius.

5. Amazing meals. Hearty, homestyle, comfort foods. Crockpots improve the flavor by simmering at a low heat over several hours leaving meats tender, juicy, and fall-apart yummy.  

6. Saves time. Once the food is in the crockpot, your work is done. No babysitting or stirring needed. Just let that baby do all the work for you. Now you have time to shower, drink hot coffee, brush your teeth...

So dust off your crockpot and let’s get started! Here are some awesome recipes complete with a grocery list to make your week easy peasy.

What do Italian turtles like for dinner???

Turtlellini.

coq au vin

(you can sound fancy)

beef stew

sausage and tortellini soup

see you next week!

trick or treat!

October feels like the fastest month ever over here in my hood. We have 3 Birthdays to celebrate...my mom, Ruby, and the Hubby. So much going on we forget how old everyone is turning. We love Halloween and we take decorating for the holidays VERY seriously. Every year, we try to go bigger, better, scarier. We went back to our old neighborhood in Bayview to trick or treat this weekend, where Halloween is the Cat’s Meow and it was Spook-tacular. My toddlers didn't eat real food all day because they told me they were saving room for candy...now that’s some scary stuff.

photos from Halloweens Past.

Umm I guess mama used to have a lot more time to orchestrate family costumes.

I helped a client with a spooky Halloween party last week - here are a couple fun recipes. We also made some adorable fruit kabobs with scary mummy and ghost faces. No recipe required - just sticks, fruit, marshmallows and black icing. It’s a great way to add something healthier to the mix when the kiddos only want candy and more candy.

Fruit Kabobs

pumpkin Deviled Eggs

Spooky spider cookies

Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats

See you in a few weeks (11/9) with crockpot meals. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

autumn gather

Did you check out what’s happening at the Stone Bank Market next month? I get to cater their Autumn Gather event in November. It’ll be a fun evening celebrating the season that includes sips, bites, live music and a workshop. You’ll learn how to create your own hand-dipped candles and Autumn floral centerpiece and take them home with you that night. I really love doing events and this one I’m so excited for because DECOR! My favorite thing is decorating and redecorating my home. It’s so much fun bringing out the new decorations every month for all the holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas etc. Space is limited so hurry up and get your tickets soon!

Deets: Tues 11/20 from 6 - 9

Tickets: $95 includes a welcome cocktail, light meal plus all supplies for the hands on workshop

Menu: Roasted Root Vegetable Salad with Pistachio Vinaigrette, Curried Butternut Squash Soup, Pumpkin Spice Cranberry Raw Cookie Balls and Rustic Bread with Whipped Butter.

Roasted Fall Vegetable Salad

Pistachio Vinaigrette

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Full of hot air

I am interrupting the regularly scheduled BOO food because I have to share my new obsession with you. The AIR FRYER...my oven has been broken for over a month now. Yes, my brand-spanking new oven, BROKEN, for OVER a month. Don't even get me started...

RANT

It broke because we tried to clean it overnight one late evening and a client called me in desperate need of some muffins for a kid’s bake sale the next morning. I, being the "yes" person that I am, said, "no problemo." So I stopped the cleaning session midway and started making muffin batter. Apparently stopping the cleaning session is a big NONO and I messed up the oven’s computer. I guess repairmen are like one in a million these days and have extremely packed schedules because they couldn’t come out for 2 weeks. When they finally came, we f'ed up the timing and missed them. So we rescheduled for 2 weeks after that. They came, “fixed” the oven, left and now not only is the oven broken but the stove top too AND our electrical is straight trippin’. Cut to a week ago and everything is back to "normal" (still sh*t show, just one we’re used to around here).

ANYWAYS. During all of the oven issues, I fell in love with my air fryer. Like so in love I kiss it goodnight and store it on a special shelf. Here are some of my favorite new recipes to make with an air fryer. If you haven't already made your Christmas wish list, this machine should be on it. 

air fried orange TOfu

air fried French Toast Sticks

These Air Fryer French Toast Sticks are so quick and easy to make. Make them ahead, freeze, and just reheat to make busy mornings fuss-free!

air fried avocado tacos

Next week, ruby’s birthday party and Halloween food - boo!

casserole with it

Casseroles are great because they freeze well and make a perfect gift for busy families or new parents. They also get you in the mood for colder temps. They are cozy, filling, fast, and cheap. I like to pack mine with extra vegetables for a healthy spin on dinner. Here are some tips for making the best casserole...

1. Don’t buy frozen vegetables. They are soggy and will make you look cheap and lazy. Use fresh veggies.

2. Use dried herbs within the dish and fresh for garnishing the finished product. Dried herbs can withstand higher heat and won’t lose flavor. Flavorless food blows.

3. Cut your vegetables properly. If the recipe calls for diced, dice. Sliced, slice. Chunky, chunk. Uniform vegetables cook evenly, the smaller the better. 

4. Brown the meat first. It preserves the juices and adds flavor...don't go overboard though or you will end up with dry, charred meat. Not good.

5. Fill your dish 3/4 of the way full. Overfilling will make a mess but under-filling will cause the ingredients to overcook and dry out. What is the point of a one dish dinner if your casserole ends up boiling over and making a bigger mess than a 10 dish dinner??

6. Add a melty, crunchy, or salty topping...better yet, add all 3. No one in Wisconsin will argue with you.

What does a nosey pepper do?

Gets Jalapeño business.

Vegetable Packed Lasagna

TOMATO SAUCE MIXTURE

GOTTA ADD THAT CHEESE

YUM!

Loaded potato and vegetable Casserole

Tex-mex casserole

French Toast Casserole

Next week, Halloween food - boo!

Appsolutely delicious

Check it out! You don’t need to drop hundreds of dollars to impress the neighborhood for Fall. Here are my tips:

1. Make a scarecrow out of your husband’s old high school clothes. Grandma keeps nagging us to go through her basement and get rid of things...there are so many crappy flannels and jeans, I could make scarecrows for everyone in Wisconsin.

2. Make ghosts...styrofoam balls and thin white sheets can be spooky as hell.

3. Webs with scary spiders go a long way and they're terrifying.

4. Corn stalks and hay barrels are super inexpensive if you purchase from a farm. We bought 2 hay barrels and 4 corn stalks for $24.

5. Scary lit-up “eyes” in the windows make your house look like a monster. AHHHHH!!!

**We always paint pumpkins first instead of carving them right away. That way they last longer and you can turn one pumpkin into 2 fun activities. 

Goat Cheese Crostini

Such a wonderful way to use up ingredients and be creative! I could come up with 25 ways if I had enough thyme (time). I always try to include something sweet/crunchy/savory and then garnish with a fresh bright herb. Endless possibilities, but just don’t forget the cheese!

Brie and Prosciutto Crostini

Butternut Squash Turnovers

Spinach and Artichoke Pizza

This recipe is perfect but feel free to switch out ingredients if you don’t have exactly what’s listed. It would be super yum with sun-dried tomatoes and roasted chicken.

Next week, casseroles! (lasagna, tex-mex, french toast & loaded baked potato). They freeze well and make a perfect gift for busy families. I will show you how to make them 2 ways -vegetarian/meat.

Oh. My. Gourd.

I’ve had such a week! Like most of you out there, every minute of every day this week I had something to cook, plan, clean, pickup, email, kiss, hug and feed. But luckily I count on my friends to keep me sane and I kicked it with my gurrrrl Kelly who made me laugh and forget my stresses. Today, I get to hang out in my pajamas for a few hours, drink coffee, eat cookies and decorate my home for the fall season.

Fall is one of my favorite seasons for many reasons but it feels like vegetables are the main focus and you know I’m always trying to get people to eat their veggies. All of a sudden, it’s squash central and apple overload. It’s also the best because so many of the meals we have this time of year just make us feel warm and cozy. Warm soups, hearty casseroles and just food that brings up good, happy memories from our past.

I have 3 go-to recipes this week that I will make a lot over the next couple of months. For casseroles and soups, I always double batch and freeze half for a later day when I’m so over cooking I want to jump off a cliff. and yes that happens! (like this week)

Chris says to drink a nice Malbec while preparing fall feasts. Pairs nicely with all the fall flavors and spices. Don’t mind if I do.

Where did the squash go to have a few drinks?

The Salad Bar.

Chicken Casserole

Pork Loin with Apples

Tip: Take your pork roast out of the fridge & let it sit at room temp for 30 min to an hour. If it has a thick layer of fat on the outside, cut about half of it away to make a thinner layer.

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut squash is hard to cut. Using frozen squash works perfectly. You can even substitute with sweet potato too if you can’t find squash.

Next week, fall appetizers!

This little chef went to the market

The Stone Bank Farm Market in Oconomowoc is an absolute dreamboat. I try to go there weekly just to fill my visual quota of cuteness. The market provides organic, locally grown produce, dairy products, poultry, pork, and grass-fed beef, as well as artisanal foods, flowers and chocolates. In addition to grocery items, they offer yoga in the barn, cooking classes, pizza night, and children's activities. I hope to teach a class there next month with some Fall favorites and wine pairings. I will let you know dates and menu as soon as the planning is finalized. This weekend the market will be hosting "the homegrown market" with food, live music, and shopping from local vendors. I am making an Autumn vegetable chili and a BLT breakfast salad with ingredients purchased from the farm. I’m sharing the recipes with you because I'm a super nice human. If you’re from my neck of the woods, stop by and fill up your belly. Check out their site below:

http://stonebankmarket.com/

what is the cutest season?

awwwtumn!

BLT Breakfast salad

Autumn Chili

Hope to see you in Oconomowoc!

Fall into vegetables

This is always a bittersweet time of year...fall is my absolute favorite, but saying goodbye to those long summer days and my sunshine glow is never easy. I go to the farmers market every weekend and these recipes were inspired by what you will find right now. Zucchini, sweet corn, & tomatoes seem to be coming at me in bulk from clients that have so many they don’t know what to do with them.

I always prep my zucchini by shredding it, putting 2 cup portions into Ziploc bags and tossing them into the freezer for making bread or fritters all winter long.

Tomatoes are great boiled down and puréed for pasta sauce or salsa. I put them in mason jars and freeze until I’m ready to make a lazy Sunday lasagna.

Sweet corn broiled or grilled and then trimmed from the cob freezes perfectly to use for southwest nachos or a chicken chili.

Endless possibilities....the recipes that follow are easy, beautiful, and healthy too. Enjoy!

These recipes will leaf you smiling…

cilantro ginger Bulgar with grilled chicken + green beans

blackened cod with peach+tomato salad

mango crab cakes

hoisin-glazed chicken burgers with kale slaw

apricot pork tenderloin + Peppers

The next 3 weeks will be Fall favorites because I just can’t get enough ;)

This is just the Vegan-ing

Why try going Vegan? In my opinion, food heals, vegetables are life and they are yummy. For example, I have 2 clients that are breast cancer survivors. Their doctors suggested they try and move toward a plant-based lifestyle. They did. And not only are they feeling great and taking less meds, they're thinner than ever, glowing, and dancing more, too (VERY important). They were scared of switching at first and so were their husbands. But a plant-based lifestyle includes amazing flavors, tons of variety, and baller desserts and I've turned them all into believers. 

Now I'm not a vegan or even a vegetarian but I do believe that balance is key and I try to eat in moderation. My motto is "meat on the side" meaning I always fill up with vegetables first. If I have bacon and eggs for breakfast, then I have a vegetarian lunch and dinner. I will continue to include vegan/vegetarian recipes every week because I think we should all try and have a "meatless" meal on the daily. I am including recipes this week for some of my favorite go-to's. I've included cheese in a couple of the recipes because it's Wisconsin - duh. But this is something you can just skip or replace with vegan substitutes. 

I won't be posting next week because I will be eating, dancing, and celebrating. My bean (refried bestie) is getting married in NYC and I couldn't be happier for her. She found a guy who loves her more than anything and thinks she's as great as I do (which is like beyond infinity great). So I will see you in a couple weeks for some fabulous end of Summer recipes and decorating tips.

Why did the tofu cross the road?

To prove he wasn't chicken

SPRING APPLE SALAD

Mushroom and Spinach Casserole

Chopped Kale and Cauliflower Salad

Maple Tahini Dressing

Vegetable Enchiladas

See you on September 14th!

You must be yoking

My Ruby starts at a new big girl school next week....still preschool but 3 days a week!! She is sooo excited to paint, dance, and make new friends. They say time flies - well they (whoever they are) aren't kidding! Ruby calls me and her little brother Rex her "sweeties" and pretends to be our mom. She says she's going to be a big momma when she grows up and promises to live with me forever. My kids basically eat snacks all day, some healthy, some not so much. The one meal I can always get them to eat is breakfast. They love anything in muffin form and they really have a party if the muffins are mini. Here are some fun muffin recipes and a yummy weekend adult breakfast too. I am sooo looking forward to FALL and earlier bedtimes.

She's growing up too fast!

What's a dog's favorite breakfast?

Pooched eggs....hahaha!

egg muffins-

different ingredients/same instructions

bacon+cheddar egg muffins

garlic,mushroom+pepper egg muffins

tomato,spinach+mozzarella egg muffins

You can bake these all in one batch, let them cool, and then wrap them tightly and store in the freezer for up to 3 mos. Or keep them in the fridge for about a week. 

breakfast skillet

healthy berry breakfast muffins

Next week...we go vegan

Taco 'bout a bridal shower

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of throwing a bridal shower / sleepover party for a special friend that I like a lot, Christina. She has thrown countless baby, bridal, & bachelorette parties for her friends and it was finally her time to shine. We all wanted it to be the best weekend ever for her so we joined forces to come up with a super fun plan. I know she had a fabulous time and felt a ton of love so I would say the weekend was a success.

Here are my top 10 ways to create the Bridal Shower weekend of your best friend's dreams.

1. Don't do it alone. Work as a team with other friends that care a lot and divide and conquer. I took charge of the shower food and sleepover stuff. Then my ride or die party planner Ronda handled all things bachelorette party. All the wonderful invitees pitched in by bringing something to share or helping split the finances. Working together makes life better.

2. Use your resources....in order to make things affordable. We opted for a slumber party (at my house instead of a hotel) and a boat day (at Ronda's in-laws on Silver Lake). It was a whole weekend of festivities for a fraction of the price. Kind of like a staycation :)

3. Shop for decor in your own house first. I am a saver...I have a ton of vases, candles, pretty paper, already used gift wrap, & mason jars...I am sure many of you have a plethora of items like these too. If you don't, someone you know does...ask them for a favor. I filled my vases with wild flowers from a nearby park, mason jars held the candles, pretty paper was used to make garland with pictures of the bride and groom, & used gift wrap became puffy sparkle balls hanging from the ceiling.

My vases, wildflowers from outside and hearts and stars from my daughter's room

I used cute "love" napkins in the garland and pics I printed out from the couples' website. 

4. Don't try and do everything in one day. I set aside evenings the week before the shower to do little crafts, cleaning projects, and start planning my meal. If you spend an hour or two a night, it isn't as overwhelming. I always do the MUST items first, so that if I lose steam, at least the important things are done. 

5. Pick party favors that go with the theme of the event. We planned a boat party/sleepover so for the guests I provided a little mini treat yo self bath kit. It included a bubble bath ball, loofah, face mask, razor, chapstick, nail polish, and glittery nail file. Everyone could get cleaned up after the lake and feel pretty before the shower. 

Goody bags for the girls

6. Plan a food menu that is easy to prep ahead and just reheat the day of the party. This is KEY. You don't want to be running around like a headless chicken making a big ol' mess the morning before the event. You want to be chillin' with a glass of sangria putting some casserole dishes in the oven. For my special lady, we went with a Fiesta theme because tacos mean the world to her and she's hungry (Hungarian) & Mexican (refried bean). Chicken tacos, Nacho bar, sweet corn & roasted tomato quiche, fruit, a big green salad, taco dip, and a coconut tres leches with blueberry glaze bundt cake. YUM!

7. Make clean-up a breeze by having the bride-to-be's friend do all the dishes (crying laughing)....literally, she did all of them the whole weekend. I probably owe her a manicure. Hold me to it Marta :)  

8. For drinks, I always think something big-batched is best. Easy, affordable and less mess. We did a citrus sangria and a champagne toast. Spiked lemonade and rosé works too! You should always have a non-alcoholic option as well (mine was water, hahaha). 

9. Keep your cool and be flexible. It's all about the bride, not anyone else. So just try and be like a cucumber, play-doh type for the day...if you can swing it.

cool as a cucumber

10. Take pictures so you always remember how special the day was and all the hard work that everyone put in to make it that way. Take a group photo of all the lovey ladies you had the joy of spending the day with. Above all else, make sure that the Bride has the best time and feels all the feels. The goal is to make her heart burst, her eyes swell with happy tears, and her cheeks sore from smiling.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

photos courtesy of Chelsea Brian Photography: https://chelseabrianphotography.pixieset.com/

Next week will be breakfast items!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

This week has been a complete blur...sometimes I felt like I wanted to quit life, run down the street screaming and hide in a park with a bottle of rosé. Luckily, I haven't actually done that yet. I have a wonderful group of people that keep me going every week. Special shout out to my Simple Eats crew, love you gals! My favorite gal pal, Christina, I am so grateful for your friendship, laughter, and organizing skills. But mostly, I have to give props to my husband, Chris, who deals with a frustrated-workaholic -perfectionist -social butterfly type of wife on the daily (I mean can you imagine? :) We met 12 years ago at a restaurant in Milwaukee. He was a quiet, hot bartender and I was a chatty, cute manager. I think it was love at first sight but we were complete opposites and both in other relationships. Jump to 7 years later....still at same restaurant (lifers) but now both single. We got pretty drunk and made out on the side of the building. He says I don't want to watch you date anymore losers, date me instead. I say okay....and the rest is history. We have different jobs now (finally), 2 kiddos, and a house in the burbs....it's dreamy. We make a great team. I talk, he listens....he talks, I think about other stuff...(I kid). I basically wouldn't survive without him...he helps with laundry, manages the kids, runs errands, helps clean up after dinner, and tag teams bedtime with me. Also, he's easy on the eyes and likes to build things (sexy). 

Our wedding day

Okay enough about that nonsense....

What do you call a chicken in a shell suit???

An EGG!! 

Most of the families I cook for have one thing in common. Their kids eat chicken. Well actually, chicken, ground beef and hot dogs. What a palate! For this week’s recipes, I decided to focus on family friendly chicken meals. You can buy a whole cooked chicken or use chicken breast and these meals are perfect because most families eat chicken. 

But they can work as vegetarian meals too....just swap out the chicken for white beans, chickpeas, tofu, or tempeh....YUM! You can also swap out the dairy for coconut milk to make dairy free, any kind of nut milk will work. And you can always use any vegetables you have on hand, you don't have to use the ones that I list. I just want you to eat more veggies!

And let's talk about recipes. I want to teach people how to not be scared of making substitutions and adding their own twist. Any chicken recipe can be made vegetarian by simple swaps. That goes for making a recipe dairy free or egg free too. Just because you have a gluten free cookbook doesn't mean you can't adjust the recipe and still have it turn out. I always try to teach people you can use what you have on hand and you don't have to run to the grocery store to buy a ton of ingredients. If you don't have milk but you might have almond milk, swap it. If you ran out of eggs, it's so easy to swap with chia seeds. Take 1 T of chia to 2T of water, let it sit for one minute and then it’ll coagulate and be an “egg” you can use in any kind of baking recipe. Don't spend money on ingredients when you have half the stuff at your house. Use the recipe as a starting point and add your own flair. 

Chicken Curry

This recipe is the sh*t, it's so good.

Cajun chicken pasta

I'm getting hungry!

Cajun chicken is an example of a recipe that is super good with coconut milk. It's so easy to make it lighter and dairy free - it doesn’t have to be made with heavy cream and it ends up tasting spicy and sweet. 

Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits

This is so good because of the fresh herbs

You can use store bought crust if you're not in the mood to make the biscuits

Next week - Breakfast!

 

murder mystery tour is waiting to take you away

10 tips for throwing a budget savvy dinner party for 20 people

Last weekend, I had a blast planning a Murder Mystery Dinner Tour in East Troy for a fantastic group of people. Here's what I did to make things easier: 

1. Use flatware and plates you have on-hand. Not everything has to match perfectly, in fact it's sometimes better if it doesn't. We mismatched clear and white plates for service and used 3 different flatware sets...gold, silver, and more silver -different shape. Nobody cared and everyone thought that table setting was lovely.

2. Use nature. We pulled leaves, branches, and flowers from the park. A weeping willow tree is the perfect companion for bright, happy yellow flowers. 

3. Have lots of bread and easy dips/tapenades on the table to start. Store-bought is fine as long as you garnish and make beautiful. This helps fill people up and gets them drinking and laughing together.

4. Always plate the food if you are trying to control portions. I plated the salad, dinner, and dessert so I knew that everyone was receiving the same amount and no one got seconds....still hungry?? Eat more bread :)

5. Potatoes should be the starch of choice for any dinner party. They are affordable, delicious and go a long way. 

6. Slow cook meats. They stay moist, are always perfectly cooked and falling apart with flavor and yumminess. For chicken and salmon, cook to temperature and add a pan sauce to help add flavor and keep moist during serving. 

7. Say vegetable medley on the menu. You can buy vegetables that look the best the day of the party. Don't limit yourself to anything concrete. 

8. Make a menu that is easily Gluten & Dairy-free. That way, you don't have anyone chiming in last minute with special requests that you can't accommodate. So many things are naturally dairy and gluten-free. I always use vegan butter and olive oil when cooking vegetables and searing meat and I use almond milk in place of cow milk. Feel free to do the same. I promise nobody notices.

9. When it comes to dessert, don't give a choice. Plate a small scoop of whatever you have to offer. Only crazy people will turn down dessert. Don't give them that option. Dessert is the highlight of life. EAT IT!

10. Make sure to have fun and enjoy yourself when entertaining. If you have found that you are someone that can't relax while putting on a show, then hire someone else (me) to do it for you. 

lemon pepper salmon

pan seared chicken cutlets

braised beef tenderloin

roasted vegetables

vegan truffle mashed potatoes

key lime pie

mixed berry cobbler

chocolate pecan pie

vanilla bean whip

 

Healthy Lunch Box

Check out this awesome video from my friends at WeAreTeachers.com. Drizzling never looked so good. (Maybe I should be a hand model?)

The challenge was to spend $25 on groceries and create 5 unique, easy-to-make lunches that anyone could take to work. It's like taking a trip around the world without leaving your kitchen. Asia, Greece, Italy - all from one rotisserie chicken. Stop spending all that money running out to get Panera or fast food and bring a lunch made with love instead. Oh and it's not just for teachers but for construction workers, lawyers and professional clowns too!

BBQ Chicken Pita

Chicken Caprese Salad

Chicken Salad

Greek Pita

Sesame Stir Fry

Next week...dinner party on a budget.