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 serve them from the tray on the stove.
This recipe is brought to you by Best Kept Recipes.
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.
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 cooking water as needed to keep pasta moist- it may not take the full cup.
5. Sprinkle in the parsley, and salt & pepper to taste.
6. Serve immediately. This also reheats well the next day, just zap it in the microwave.
This recipe is brought to you by Best Kept Recipes.
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 and spices. Simmer about 20 minutes.
3. Add about 1/2 the bag of egg noodles and bring to a boil. Add the chicken chunks. Lower heat to a good simmer and cook until noodles are done.
4. Remove bay leaf, check seasonings. Serve.
This recipe is brought to you by Best Kept Recipes.
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 drink. It hydrates you and has no calories at all. Keeping water with you all day helps in many different ways. Having it with you keeps you drinking it. By simply having a bottle of water at your desk you’ll grab for it without even thinking. Water also helps to detox that coffee you had earlier. Strive for 8 glasses of water a day to keep down water weight and you just might notice you don’t have much room left for that soda.
Take a multi vitamin that assists with your goals.
Vitamin companies got smart, they started labeling their vitamins for what they can do. One A Day has a line of vitamins like “Women’s Health” and “Weight Smart” to make it easy to tell what they can do for you. Whether your goal is to be more energetic in your active life or to speed up your metabolism, there’s a vitamin out there that can help you get there.
Eat smaller portions.
Something as simple as eating off a smaller plate can make a world of difference. When you were little you were told to clean your plates, and now you do. But the plates are much bigger. Try and cut down your portions, chances are your eyes are bigger than your stomach. And when you’re eating out, don’t be afraid to ask if you can eat off the kids menu (especially for dessert).
Don’t pick off your kids’ plates, their food has calories, too.
One thing I used to do without noticing was eat off my kids plates. They get wonderful things like corndogs and fries. But, just because they can eat fried food and be perfectly fine, doesn’t mean I can. If you are going to pick off their plates, make sure you take those calories into consideration.
Keep low calorie, healthy snacks in easy to reach places.
In my car door I have a pack of Teddy Grahams. Within sight in my fridge, the first thing I see, is a 1 serving pack of carrots. The best way to keep yourself from eating things that aren’t good for you is to keep those healthy snacks within reach. Unfortunately, Doritos are harder to leave in your desk for a week than grapes, so it does take a bit of an effort.
Play with your kids.
We all play with our kids, but we could definitely do it more. When they go ride bikes, join them. If you don’t have a bike, take a book outside. You’re being with your kids and getting out. You spend all day inside the house or a job, it can be a great release to simply get outside.
Go the distance.
Taking the stairs or parking farther from the store can make more of a difference than the time it takes to do it. The best way to see what a difference it makes is to buy a heart rate monitor and wear it all day. Since that’s pretty much out of the question for most people, try getting a step counter. Measure your steps on a normal day, then measure your steps on a day when you try these tips.
Do house work or yard work.
You clean your house and take care of your yard, but you could do more. Redecorating or landscaping can be fun and very good exercise. At the end you have a sense of accomplishment and will probably feel a nice burn.
Take your iPod for a walk.
Walking with your kids and your dog is nice. It’s time with your family. But sometimes you need some time for just you. So load up your iPod with your favorite music and go for a stroll. When walking alone you’re more likely to speed it up because you’re not talking (and therefor breathing more steady) and you don’t have to stop for your dog to pee in every yard.
Take up a routine (yoga, pilates, aerobics).
Yoga has been my one true love. At 6am I wake up, before anyone else, and go down to do yoga on Oxygen. I’ve noticed a few differences including better weight management, better mood throughout the day, and better eating habits. Exercise in the morning is best, but if you don’t have time the afternoon can be good as well. If your job offers you a free gym membership take advantage of those classes. Pick your goal and the workout that will help you get there.
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. 
I have to admit I went on a shopping spree and purchased a few too many items but there was one piece I loved and it was one of a kind and the designer unfortunately did not create earrings to go with it. I had to then fine tooth all the etsy shops looking for that perfect pair of matching earrings. The earrings couldn’t draw away from the necklace since the piece itself is elaborate, but could stand out on their own as exceptional pieces. They also had to be at least sterling silver and under $15.00. Boy, was I picky!
After a few hours of searching I finally found the perfect pair which led me to this amazing shop! The earrings shown that I purchased were only $8.00 and sterling silver. I couldn’t believe it, I felt like I was almost stealing from her with her exceptional prices. However, she knows how to price things just right which make you want to go back and spend a few more bucks on some of her other items! The prices range from $8.00 to $140.00+ depending on your budget and the type of piece you’re looking for. My second piece I am hoping doesn’t sell but I can’t say I don’t blame anyone for wanting it is a little on the pricier side for my normal budget it but I do have my pennies being stashed away its this beautiful pink necklace its priced at $112.00 and I have to tell you it is absolutely worth every penny. She is available to do custom pieces, and she makes sure she lets you know not to limit yourself to whats listed on the site. If you take the time to browse through the pieces she sold she can do her best to re-create a piece for you so you aren’t limited like you would be at some jewelers. Although, some retail jewelers do create custom pieces to fit your needs it also comes with a heavy price tag. Unlike this lady she knows how to do it just as well if not better for a mere fraction of the cost!
Visit L’Atelier Des Bijoux today and spend your heart’s desires. You can also create an account with a favorites list where you can leave it for your significant other to help them figure out what you want for this coming holiday!
