Oh, my sweet dear little blog, how I've forsaken you!!!
Apparently being pregnant and baking up sweets and teaching and enjoying every second of this gorgeous summer have left me little time to blog it up. Shame on me!!
The pregnancy has been going great, but with 6 1/2 weeks left until baby is due, I'm definitely feeling a little more tired & achy than usual. BUT, we're still in full-on fun-food mode and I should try to get here more often to share that with you guys!!
Lately, it's allllll about quick & easy. I pretty much get stuck on a simple snack that I make myself every day for a week or two, then move on to my new favorite.
These aren't "recipes" but more little inspiration posts that I'll try to get done more than every 3 months, lol, let's hope.
I know I'm gonna need some quick, easy, healthy ideas for when I've not slept at all but need to eat, right?
This is so easy it's crazy, it's delicious and really good for you!!
Piece of whole wheat toast, topped with low-fat or non-fat cottage cheese & a sliced avocado (1/2).
Add cracked black pepper or balsamic vinegar if you want to.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Chili Delayed
Oh Boy, there was some RAIN on Sunday, big, torrential rain. We had to cancel dinner in OC because the 405 had zero visibility, insane wind and every crazy nut driver you've ever seen- after 5 minutes on the freeway and almost getting sideswiped twice- we pulled right off the exit, turned around and went HOME.
Sooooo, what do you do when the weather gets crazy and cold and not fit for hangin' about outdoors? Bust out the crock pot and make some spicy chili OF COURSE!
I love this recipe for trips to Mammoth too- it's super quick and easy to prep- like get the coffee pot percolatin' mix up the chili, throw it in the crock pot and head for the lift lines while dinner gets itself ready for ya! Then, after an exhaustingly fabulous day of braving the cold out on the slopes, you come back to a hot delicious dinner- perfect to serve in individual bread bowls if you can find em- or over a baked potato, or alongside some corn bread and a giant salad!
Here's how to make it happen....lots of notes below because we like it with some HEAT, so if you prefer a more mild chili- read on, it's all there.
1 lb ground beef, browned & drained (if you are in a mad rush you can skip the browning- ONLY if you use EXTRA LEAN beef or turkey- not to exceed 5% fat), the browning & draining is mostly to cook the fat off the meat so your chili's not swimmin in it.
1 pkg/ about 1lb Beef for Stew, steak already cut into 1-2 inch cubes
1 can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 of a finely chopped red onion
1/2 tsp cyanne pepper (you can do 1/4 for a little less spice)
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp oregano
2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup chili powder
1 finely chopped jalapeño pepper
(I don't know about your market, but ours has GIANT jalapeños these days- so weird!- so I use about 3/4 of one of the gigant-O jalapeno peppers- and leave some of the membrane in there for heat- be sure to get all the membrane and seeds OUTTA there if you don't want that kick....I chop the other 1/4 to garnish the chili later!)
1 15oz tomato sauce
1 1lb 12oz can diced tomatoes, not drained
salt & pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl & stir with wooden spoon until well combined.
Pour into crock pot.
Cook on low for 7 1/2 to 8 hours.
See above for a few various serving suggestions & try to stay warm as we welcome the first week of SPRING!!!!!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
HAPPY EASTER
HAPPY EASTER!!!
As you may have seen earlier last week on Facebook, I have been counting down the minutes to making Kitchen Runway's easy and amazing Peanut Butter Egg Brownies.
Nate and I had fun making these together last night and we anticipate even more fun eating them after our ravioli feast this evening!!
Hope you all have a Happy Easter an a beautiful Sunday!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sweet Giveaway!!!!
Today, I'm comin atcha with a GIVEAWAY!!!! Yup- FREE SWEETS!!!!!
It's just requires a few simple clicks and you'll have a chance to WIN 24 of our signature Brownie Bites that are ooey-gooey-irresistible!
Our friends the Villa Family are in a tough spot! Dad just lost his job and they need to move in just a few weeks to a whole new state!!! I don't know about you, but I've been driving as little as possible these days with gas prices climbing every second. They have a chance to win a $500 gas card that would REALLY help them get through this big road trip!
Help the Villa's with their big move by going HERE:
Click that link above and LIKE Angela's adorable photo!! Then add the comment "Sweet Life Kitchen" under the photo.
That's all you've got to do!! Once you've "liked" the photo & posted the comment you are entered to win the Brownie Bites!!!
Please share this with anyone and everyone, the contest runs through April 20th at 11am so GET CLICKIN!!!! We'll announce the winner on Friday the 22nd but you have to LIKE and COMMENT before 11am on the 20th to qualify.
For the Villa's to win you must LIKE the photo in the link above, on the Brads Deal's FB page, not anywhere else!! Post comments here with any questions!!!
THANK YOU!!!! XOXO
Friday, March 11, 2011
Light n' Yummy Summer Potato Salad
Recently my fabulous friend Candy (of pepperoncini crock pot beef fame) recently sent me a link to a really cool website that I want to share with you guys!
It's called Tight Bod With A Pod . Which made me giggle followed by LOTS of smiles when I clicked the link.
As many of you know I am an instructor at The Bar Method, and fitness/taking great care of myself is really important to me. As you may not know, we're expecting our first little one this year!! So I been extra diligent with exercise and eating well.
After perusing the work outs, which I will definitely be using, you know I went straight to the FOOD section!
When we first found out about the baby, I had no idea all the stuff we preggos are supposed to avoid, it's quite a list!!
Of course, it's all per your personal discretion, but this is my first baby, so as my husband puts it, I'm "over-informed and dangerous". (I think if he hears me ask one more restaurant if the cheese on something is pasteurized he's gonna implode)
All joking aside, he's been an amazing support and is taking AMAZING care of me and our growing baby.
This potato salad recipe was REALLY attractive to me for lots of reasons.
#1 being NO MAYO (the sub-reasons for that being great are- LIGHTER, preggo-friendly, and PERFECT FOR SUMMER PICNICS!!!)
I always want to take potato salad to BBQs or pool parties in the summer, but when it's 80 + degrees out the idea of something drowning in mayo sitting outside makes me queasy just typing it. ( and that ain't morning sickness!)
Here is the link to the orignal recipe on TBWAP it's called Game-Day Potato Salad.
I did what I so often do with recipes I find online- read it once then improvised from memory, then re-read it AFTER I finished and went- oh, missed that step! OOPS!
So here's what I did, and I gotta say, I loved it and will be making this all through my huge, giant, rapidly expanding SUMMER!!
6 red potatoes
1 med-large jalapeño
1 large red bell pepper (go to Trader Joe's for this- it was freakin $2.79 for ONE at Ralph's which is insane)
1/3 of a red onion
1 15oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed *
1 15 oz can of sweet corn, drained and rinsed --(* do rinse the canned items, you'll be glad for it, the whole salad will taste better!!)
1/3 -1/2 of a LARGE BUNCH of cilantro
2 limes
Salt, pepper, olive oil
Warsh the potatoes and place them in a large pot of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let the potatoes simmer & cook about 15 minutes.
While the potatoes are cookin', get out a large bowl. Put the corn and black beans in the bowl, wash and finely dice the jalapeño and red bell pepper. (if you like a little more heat leave the membrane in the jalapeño, if you prefer it mild, remove all seeds and the membrane)
Add the jalapeño and bell pepper to the corn n beans.
Dice up 1/3 of the red onion and add that into the mix as well.
Rinse the cilantro and remove the leaves from the stems- chop up and add to the mix.
When the potatoes are finished cookin- take one (the biggest one) and cut it in half, make sure it's firm, but cooked through and not raw in the middle). If it's all good, pour the hot water out and place the pot in the sink, run cold water over the potatoes for a few minutes.
When they are cool enough to handle, chop each potato into pieces- if they're bigger (like the size of the palm of your hand) about 12 piece per potato (cut em in half, then make 2 cuts on each half so each halfa potato makes 12 pieces. (if they're smaller just make 4-6 pieces from each potato- you want each piece to be bite size)
The potatoes will be hot inside so put em on a plate and let them cool all the way, like 10-15 minutes.
When the taters are cool, add them in with everything else. Slice the two limes in half and add the juice of both limes to the bowl. Drizzle about 1-2 table spoons of olive oil over it all, then add a few big pinches of salt (1-2 tsp) and some fresh cracked black pepper. Use a big wooden spoon or big spatula to gently toss it all together. Cover and refrigerate at LEAST 1 hour, the longer it chills out the better- it's awesome after a 24 hour chill!!.
Happy picnicking!!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Bakery Closed 2/17-2/21
Hi guys!
We are in need of a little rest, so the bakery will be closed while we re-energize for SPRING for a long weekend this weekend!
I will still be checking my email periodically during this time, so if you have any orders or other inquires please feel free to shoot me an email at info(at)sweetlifekitchen.com, but be patient as I will not be on the computer all day, so it may take 24 hours for me to return your email.
Have a great weekend!!!
XOXO
B
We are in need of a little rest, so the bakery will be closed while we re-energize for SPRING for a long weekend this weekend!
We will be
CLOSED Thursday Feb 17- Monday 2-21, back in the kitchen Tuesday 2-22-10
I will still be checking my email periodically during this time, so if you have any orders or other inquires please feel free to shoot me an email at info(at)sweetlifekitchen.com, but be patient as I will not be on the computer all day, so it may take 24 hours for me to return your email.
Have a great weekend!!!
XOXO
B
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Spring 2011 Cake Pop Flavors
So sorry for the delay in posting a list of our featured flavors for Spring 2011!!
Of course, as you know, with cake pops- creativity is the name of the game- so know that we are open to working with you on a custom confection to make the pop of your dreams!
Of course, as you know, with cake pops- creativity is the name of the game- so know that we are open to working with you on a custom confection to make the pop of your dreams!
* For Valentine's Day orders the available flavors are Chocolate Heaven and Velvet Bliss only.
Chocolate Heaven (Chocolate cake with a caramel pecan coconut filling- dipped in chocolate)
Velvet Bliss (Red Velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, dipped in vanilla coating)
Marvelous Marble (yellow cake, chocolate fudge ganache frosting, dipped in chocolate)
Party Confetti (white cake, sprinkles in the cake, vanilla frosting- dipped in chocolate or vanilla)
Cookies N Cream (chocolate or white cake, crushed cookies & vanilla frosting dipped in chocolate)
Coconut Paradise (coconut cake, dipped in chocolate)
Caribbean Carrot (Carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, dipped in vanilla coating)
Chocolate Citrus Vegan (vegan citrus (orange, lemon or lime) cake- vegan vanilla frosting, dipped in vegan chocolate)
Candy Bar Madness (chocolate cake, crushed candy bar, chocolate frosting, dipped in chocolate)
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