#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs

December 16, 2015 · Clean Eating

Tired of the same old, same old meatballs? These tender turkey meatballs with a surprise burst of mozzarella inside are just what you need to break out of your rut.

UntitledFor the most part, over the past four or five years, I have tried to steer clear of carbs (except whole grain) and focus my attention on vegetables and protein.

It’s just better.

I do better, and I feel better.

Except for the occasional slip into tortellini.

So because I avoid carbs, it means I am always on the look-out for a new way to eat protein.

Let’s be real. There are only so many days you can eat grilled chicken.

So when I spied this recipe for Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs, the ingredients quickly went on my grocery list and they got made the very next day.

The recipe comes from Rehabilitated Fat Boy, someone I originally discovered on Instagram early last year. He eats low carb and clean, and has cooked his way to a 115 pound weight loss.

I love his recipes because while they are all “clean eating” recipes, they are also simple, delicious, and don’t require any crazy ingredients. Which is pretty much my favorite kind of recipe, and this one is no exception.

You can make these, start to finish, in under 45 minutes, and they bridge that special gap between simple and fancy. The meatballs are baked, and then dunked into tomato sauce, which keeps them super tender, and the soft cheese when you bite into them is a nice surprise.

Needless to say, my kids devoured them. They loved the mozzarella insides. You could certainly serve these on a plate of pasta, but I made zucchini noodles. Because, you know, low carb. The zoodles didn’t thrill Nick, but he ate them.

So, #winning.

*I followed the recipe, but inside of using mozzarella sticks, I used the little balls from Bel Gioioso. Those little pearls, halved, were the perfect thing to stuff inside the meatballs, and they taste a heckuva lot better than mozzarella sticks. Untitled

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Recipe: Fake-Out Loaded Baked Potato Casserole {Cauliflower}

December 15, 2014 · Narrative

Love twice baked potatoes with crispy bacon, cheese, and scallions? How about a faux version using cauliflower instead? Skip the guilt but still indulge in the toppings? Yes, please.

Loaded Cauliflower-001

Neither of my kids like potatoes.

Of any kind.

Sometimes I don’t even know who they are.

When Mystic and I broke up two years ago, I went through a (thankfully) short phase where I had mashed potatoes and gravy.

Every night.

True story.

When THAT is my comfort food, how I have managed to have two kids that shun potatoes of all kinds astounds me to no end.

Truth be told, potatoes are not a girl’s best friend.

Or they shouldn’t be.

Because. Carbs.

And, of course, all those scandalous toppings you’re wont to add on top just pushes it (and you) over the edge.

The edge of those slim cut jeans, no doubt.

So how about we change things up and play a little trick on ourselves?

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole.

Crispy Bacon.

Sour cream.

Cheese.

Scallions.

Hold the potato.

What the what?!

Yep. Hold the potato.

If you’ve been here over the last few years, you know I have had every version of cauliflower known to mankind.

Well, I really haven’t, not yet. Because just when I think I have, I find ten more new fake-out recipes to try.

Just look at my Pinterest board for proof.

But today?

It’s all about the fake-out loaded baked potato.

It didn’t fool my kids into liking potatoes.

As if.

And it might not cure a broken heart, if you have one.

But it plays nicely as a tasty and filling side dish without the heaping serving of guilt.

Hungry for more cauliflower recipes?
Visit Flavortown with this recipe for Sesame Glazed Cauliflower.
Cauliflower Fritters. Kind of like a fried latke. But without the side of guilt.
These Cheesy Baked Cauliflower Tots from Kalyn’s Kitchen were fun little bites to pop in your mouth.
If you haven’t made this ridiculously simple Three Ingredient Cauliflower Soup, you are seriously missing out.
This Buffalo-Style Roasted Cauliflower is one I keep going back to. So good and so easy.
This Roasted Cauliflower Spread is a riff off one that Sarah and I enjoyed at Tom Douglas’ Lola in Seattle.
Visually, this Spicy Whole Roasted Cauliflower is a showstopper, and I made it for a cooking challenge at the CIA recently.
If you haven’t had this Cauliflower Steak with Homemade Caesar Dressing, I don’t know how to help you.
This super simple Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is a great comfort food spin when you’re craving carbs and cheese.
These Cauliflower Bread Sticks were another great riff, and delish!
This Mock Shrimp Risotto was almost as good as the real deal.
Cauliflower Crust Pizza for fulfilling all your pizza loving dreams.
And lastly, Cauliflower Garlic Mashed Potatoes will satisfy your comfort food craving.

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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