San Diego Restaurant Week is Coming to Town January 19-24 2014

San Diego Restaurant Week Peohes Ceviche Tostadas

Peohes’ Ceviche Tostadas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, it’s not Christmas yet. But San Diego Restaurant Week is coming next week and I cannot wait!

I’m even more excited after being invited to the San Diego Restaurant Week media preview this morning and sampling a few dishes that will make their way on the menus of some of the great restaurants in our awesome city.

If you don’t have your reservations already, take a look at the restaurants participating (and grab a sneak peek at the menus they’ll be offering), and make your reservations today! You won’t be disappointment. I never am. [Read more…]

Finding a New Way to Stay Active and Enjoy Life + a recipe for Salmon Burgers

I was given a free one month subscription to Weight Watchers to try their new Simple Start plan and write about my experience.Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own

Finding A New Way To Stay Active and a recipe for Salmon Burgers #SimpleStart

Every other time I start a weight loss journey I jump right in feet first. I start running again, go to lots of classes at the gym (more than my normal 2 or 3), and eat by the book. But this first week on Simple Start I’ve tried something a bit different.

Instead I’ve taken it a bit slower. I’ve decided that I’m not quite the runner I wanted to be. Walking seems to be easier on my joints and I’m getting more miles in by switching up the pace. And… I’ve found my motivation!

I’m also having some fun in the kitchen as well. Not necessarily trying outlandish and adventurous things, but going back to the recipes I love. Including this amazingly delicious salmon burger that’s perfect for any time of the year. [Read more…]

Delicious Peanut Butter S’mores {4 WW+ Dessert}

A friend of mine recently mentioned the delicious low point dessert she made to curb a craving she had. She made some sugar free, fat free white chocolate jello and topped it with strawberries. YUM! So I started thinking about the dessert items I have made to hit the spot.

One of them is a delicious s’mores recipe that uses marshmallow creme instead of marshmallows and uses mini chocolate chips instead of a chocolate bar. You bake it in the oven (or toaster oven) and within 5-10 minutes a delicious, mouthwatering snack comes out.

I just took that recipe and spiced it up for what I was craving. And while it did come out with a higher points value, that’s ok! It was so worth it. And I only ate one serving and shared the other with my son. He was more than ecstatic to help me eat some points so I wasn’t tempted to go after the other one.

Peanut Butter Smores [Read more…]

Green Monster Protein Smoothie {6 WW+}

Green Monster Protein SmoothieThere’s one thing I’ve been obsessed about for months. Something that’s healthy for me that I actually crave at times. And you’ll think I’m crazy, but they really are good. What am I talking about? This green monster protein smoothie.

No, seriously… this protein-packed green machine is something I blend up in the morning and enjoy sipping until the very end. I have to thank the frozen banana and teaspoon of PB2 for that.

Haven’t heard of PB2? Well it’s basically powdered peanut butter and is much more calorie friendly than your typical jar of Skippy or Jif. You can find it on Amazon or on select store shelves. You can also find another version from Just Great Stuff that tastes very similar. And? It also comes in chocolate peanut butter form too!

I’ve spotted the Just Great Stuff brand at Target and Whole Foods but there are specialty stores around town that carry PB2 as well. And the protein powder? I pick up the Whole Foods generic brand, 365. It was recommended by a few people and I enjoy the taste.

Oh, and this whole huge 24oz cup? 6 WW+ points! How awesome is that? Definitely a breakfast I can dig before a workout. Then, when I have more time at lunch, I enjoy some scrambled eggs after my workouts. [Read more…]

Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Weight Watchers Simple Start

I was given a free one month subscription to Weight Watchers to try their new Simple Start plan and write about my experience.Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own.

Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Weight Watchers Simple Start #SimpleStart

It all starts with a plan. And attainable goals. What might seem like small little changes will eventually start to turn into a large lifestyle change. That’s what Weight Watchers Simple Start has provided for me.

Now I’ve been on Weight Watchers before. Before having my son, and then again after the birth of my son and my daughter. However keeping track of points, logging in, and staying on track proved to get away from me when I started showing signs of success, usually around the 25 pound loss mark.

So with a new year comes a new goal… to not hop off the wagon! To stay OP (on plan) and to try new things. That’s why I love that Weight Watchers has this new Simple Start app that can help me follow the simply filling plan easier for two weeks to reset my eating habits and get me on the right track. Without counting points. [Read more…]

Absolutely Scrumptious Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipes

Christmas Breakfast Casserole Recipes

Come Christmas morning the last thing I want to do is bake. So over the past few years I’ve simply planned ahead and made a casserole to serve for breakfast on Christmas morning. These Christmas breakfast casserole recipes are the perfect solution for a delicious meal on Christmas morning without having to futz in the kitchen for too long.

Plus, just about all of the recipes can easily be tweaked to your liking to create a dish that’s perfect for your family (and any dietary restrictions you may have)! From egg dishes, to bread dishes, to vegetarian and meat lovers, each of these casseroles are delicious in their own way. [Read more…]

Hawaiian Host Milk Chocolate AlohaMac Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Hawaiian Host, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #HawaiianHoliday http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

AlohaMac Bread Pudding With Caramel Sauce

Ever since I had my kids Christmas morning has been a time I dedicate to spending with them. No more driving from one relatives home to another. Instead we give an open invitation to any family members wanting to come over in the morning and then host Christmas dinner.

Since a few family members show up outside of our immediate family I love trying new brunch recipes and ideas. And since my dad and step-mom just got back from Hawaii over Thanksgiving I thought it might be nice to treat them to a little taste of the islands with this Hawaiian Host AlohaMac Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce for Christmastime. [Read more…]

How to Create the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Food Spread

super bowl party food spread

While I might not know much about the NFL teams most likely to make it to the super bowl, I can tell you what super bowl party food I’ll be serving at our house on Super Bowl Sunday.

I find that there are 5 elements to a great Super Bowl: the teams, the commercials, the food, the halftime show, and the actual game. Now most of us like a few aspects while others prefer the whole package.

Me? I’m more interested in the food and the commercials! So I put together some suggestions for creating the ultimate super bowl party food spread.

Super Bowl Party Food chili bar

How to Create the Ultimate Super Bowl Party Food Spread

1. Make-Your-Own Food Bar

One thing that is always super popular at our get togethers are the make-your-own food bars we create. From chili bars (seen above made with Wolf chili), to mashed potatoes, to make your own pizzas, letting your guests choose what toppings and add ins they put on their food is very appealing.

Plus it’s easier to set up and make! Simply choose a base and then add the toppings or add ins on the side in small dishes. This also works very well for desserts too! Make your own ice cream sundaes or floats like we did here at my root beer float party.

Super Bowl Party Food bacon cheeseburgers and hot dogs

2. Classic Football Barbecue

Stick with classics like hamburgers and Hebrew National hot dogs. You can spruce them up by adding some bacon or including them in the chili bar so guests can load their choice up with chili and toppings.

This will take up less time for you because the burgers and dogs can be made ahead and guests can assemble their own.

If you are looking for a more challenging main course for your party, consider going all out with these delicious baby back ribs with homemade barbecue sauce.

super bowl party food spinach artichoke dip3. Appetizers

Ahh… appetizers. My absolute favorite part of any party. Now appetizers can be your main focus, or you can simply add a few easy platters to your spread.

I’ve used a delicious artichoke and spinach dip for my appetizer here. Hot dips are always a huge hit and this one is a crowd pleaser. You can also try this delicious hot white pepperoni dip at your party.

If you’re trying to keep things easy consider picking up a few easy fixes like Alexia waffle fries or H.K. Anderson™ pretzels. And a veggie tray is always a nice addition even though my husband thinks otherwise.

super bowl party food football brownies

4. Desserts

Desserts can be fun for events like these. I made these cute football brownies from a favorite recipe of mine but you can easily get away with a boxed package! And I let the kids help add the football strings to the tops with icing.

Other great ideas for desserts are Snack Pack pudding treats or an ice cream sundae bar. You could also consider making football shaped cereal treat bars out of your favorite chocolate cereal.

super bowl party food shock top belgian white

5. Drinks

The one thing I make sure to have plenty of come game day are beverages. From my favorite varieties of Shock Top (love their Honeycrisp Apple Wheat!) to the classic Coca-Cola, it’s always fun to drink from bottles at the game.

Water and iced tea are also a great go-to. Keep a pitcher out with the drinks and another in the fridge so you can switch them out quickly when one is empty.

super bowl party food

Pinterest Inspiration

What’s your favorite super bowl party food?

Ornament Exchange Ideas: Holiday Entertaining with Shari’s Berries

This post featuring ornament exchange ideas is brought to you by Shari’s Berries.

Holiday Entertaining Ornament Exchange Ideas

Getting together with friends during the holidays can sometimes be tough. With crazy hectic schedules, different parties to attend, and the hubub of the holiday season, finding a date and time to fit everyone’s schedule can be hard. But I try not to let that stop me from hosting a holiday party with my friends. These ornament exchange ideas are a great way to get your friends together without much hassle.

From delicious goodies from Shari’s Berries, to simple ornament ideas to gift to your friends, no month of December is complete without an ornament exchange. [Read more…]

Mandarin Orange Cream Pops

This mandarin orange cream pops recipe is brought to you by Halos.

Mandarin Orange Cream Pops

One of my kids favorite snacks are Halo mandarin oranges. There’s something about the small size, how easy they are to peel, and the amazingly sweet taste that those little oranges pack that make my kids go nuts over them. But sometimes I’m a little zealous in purchasing and we can find ourselves with too many. That’s when these delicious mandarin orange cream pops come into play.

As a sweet treat to reward the kids for good behavior after their naps last week, I made these naturally sweet, protein packed mandarin orange cream pops from a few Halos that the kids hadn’t gotten to yet.

I love how easy this treat is to make and how quickly it comes together. And since getting our new Zoku pop maker, making these pops are so much quicker than the alternative (which we also did with the leftover pop mix). [Read more…]



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