Roasted Carrots Recipe

If we don’t eat them fresh from the bag or garden, we roast them. Roasting caramelizes and browns them so nicely.

You will need:

1 lb baby carrots or regular carrots
Extra virgin olive oil (Please do not use any other type)
Salt (I use Kosher)
Pepper

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2. Slice the baby carrots in half, lengthwise, or if using regulars, then peel them and diagonally slice them into large-sized chunks.

3. Spread them in a single layer on a rimmed cookie-type sheet. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons olive oil over. Sprinkle salt & pepper over. Mix it all up with your hands right on the tray- messy but fun.

4. Place in the oven for about 15-20 minutes; stir once during roasting

5. With a spatula, scrape out onto a serving plate, or we just …

Poppy Seed Noodles

Serve this alongside something with a good “kick” to it, such as roasted sausages & peppers. Or, it works well as a lighter meal with salad. The poppy seeds add a wonderful crunch.

You will need:

1lb box farfalle (bowtie) noodles
4 tbs olive oil (extra virgin, if you can)
3+ (to taste) minced garlic cloves
1 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 tbsp poppy seeds

Cook pasta according to package directions and set aside in a large serving bowl. Meanwhile, add the oil, garlic & salt to a small saucepan and heat the oil. Pour over the pasta and mix well, sprinkle the poppy seeds onto pasta and mix well.

This recipe is brought to you by Best Kept Recipes.

Garlic Pasta

If you like garlic, butter, and olive oil, then you’ll love this.

You will need:

1 lb. box of pasta (we use spaghetti or angel hair)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (don’t use any other kind)
2-3 tbsp. – or to taste – minced garlic
6 tbsp. butter (NOT margarine)
3 tbsp. minced parsley
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to package but before draining, reserve 1 cup of the hot cooking water – set aside. Place pasta back into pot.

2. While pasta is finishing cooking, in a small pot heat the oil, butter, and garlic until butter has melted.

3. Pour the hot oil mixture over the pasta and stir; add in the cheese and stir until well-mixed.

4. Add as much of the reserved hot …

Stay Warm with Chicken Noodle Soup

Whether we like it or not, winter is pretty much upon us. In fact, where I live there is currently a snow storm going on outside and with the entrance of winter, comes the colds and the flu. What better a way to stay warm and also ward off illness than to indulge in some savory chicken noodle soup!

You will need:

5 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts – parboiled, cut into chunks
1 quart canned or boxed chicken stock
1 large white onion
3 minced garlic cloves (from the jar)
3 large peeled, carrots, cut into coins
3 celery stalks, chopped
Thyme
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and pepper
Uncooked egg noodles, or ditalini – that’s good, too

1. Place the chicken stock and 1 quart of cold water into a large pot and bring to a boil.

2. Add all the veggies …

10 Steps to Stay Healthy and Fit this Winter

There are a lot of small steps and extra efforts anyone can do to make their day a little brighter and healthier.  A better diet, daily routine and mindset are all ways to stay healthy this winter. You don’t even have to wait for the winter to do this as you can start this whenever. However, remember the first step is starting today…not tomorrow!

Keep water with you at all times.
Take a multi-vitamin that assists with your goals.
Eat smaller portions. You don’t have to eat that whole bag.
Don’t pick off your kids’ plates, their food has calories, too.
Keep low calorie, healthy snacks in easy to reach places.
Play with your kids.
Go the distance. Take the stairs or park farther away.
Do house work or yard work.
Take your iPod for a walk.
Take up a routine (yoga, pilates, aerobics).

Keep water with you at all times.
Water is the perfect …

L’Atelier Des Bijoux – Gorgeous Limited Edition Jewelry

I am always on the look out for that next hot thing, or the designer you need to look out for and this, my dear readers, is one that you should book mark and keep an eye on! Her simply sophisticated designs are masterpieces in themselves. With breath-taking careful precision on which pieces best bring out the others, she is a guru of design.

L’Atelier Des Bijoux has gorgeous pieces made with top of the line materials at an affordable cost that will make you dip into your gas fund just to look amazing for tomorrow. Her quick and courteous support is astounding along with fast and careful shipping, shows that no matter what the piece is, or how low the cost is the designer takes great pride in her work and shipping. …