Monday, April 29, 2024
Outfits of the Month
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Recently Read
The Rachel Incident - Caroline O'Donoghue
Loved this book! The main character's voice is so engulfing, and the metaphors hit like a gut punch. I'm an advocate of women's reproductive rights being universal healthcare and this story was a beautiful reminder.
As someone that watched "Newlyweds" as a teenager and adored Jessica Simpson for not only her amazingly talented voice, as well as her style and story, I enjoyed this audiobook. A peek behind the scenes from The Mickey Mouse Club to relationships and motherhood, it was especially entertaining with Jessica voicing it.
The Social Climber - Amanda Pellegrino
A story of friendship and revenge with chapters chronicling multiple ages and phases. Very entertaining and was not expecting the ending.
Suspenseful and thrilling tale of two women switching identities at the airport to escape their own lives.
Michelle Williams should receive an award for narrating this book. I grew up with Britney Spears - "Baby One More Time" was my first CD, and my dance team did a recital performance to "Toxic." It was so sad to hear everything she has been through publicly and behind the scenes.
Monday, April 1, 2024
Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is one of those nostalgic desserts that, when done right, totally hits the spot. For Easter yesterday, I used this recipe to make a delicious spring treat that my family loved! Light, not too sweet, so yummy & pretty! For such a simple recipe, the presentation in a trifle bowl really adds that wow factor!
ingredients
1 ½ cups ice cold water
1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups heavy cream
4 cups sliced barely ripe bananas
1 (12 oz.) box Nilla Wafers (I used a GF version)
directions
In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the sweetened condensed milk and water until well combined - about 1 minute. Add the pudding mix and beat well - about 2 minutes.
{2}
In a large bowl or stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until no streaks of pudding remain.
{3}
Dessert can either be made in individual portions or in a large glass bowl with 4-5 quart capacity (a 9x13 baking dish also works).
To assemble dessert, arrange 1/3 of the Nilla wafers covering the bottom, overlapping if necessary. Next, layer 1/3 of the bananas, and 1/3 of the pudding mixture. Repeat twice more, garnishing with additional wafers or wafer crumbs on the top layer.
Cover tightly and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours - or up to 8 hours, no longer (because bananas will start to brown). Serve chilled and enjoy!
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Outfits of the Month
Monday, March 25, 2024
Easter Bunny Cookies
Cookies are my love language and baking holiday versions are extra special. For Easter, I made my classic chocolate chip cookies with a festive spin by adding pastel m&m's in the shape of a bunny. They turned out so cute! Love the little crunch the candy shell added to an already delicious treat.
ingredients
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 3.4 oz package of vanilla pudding mix
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 package of pastel m&m's
directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate m&m's by color. Cut some of each color in half to make the ears.
In a stand mixer, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar. Add eggs, one a time. Add in vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture to the stand mixture. Stop halfway through to scrape down the bowl and ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Add in the dry vanilla pudding mix. Sprinkle in the mini chocolate chips and fold in with a spatula.
Scoop dough with a 1-inch cookie scoop and place on a non-stick baking sheet at least one inch apart. Bake for 9-10 minutes until the edge are golden brown and the center is slightly undercooked.
As soon as you take the baking sheet out of the oven, you need to act fast to add the m&m bunnies before the cookies cool down too much and they won't stick.
On each cookie, lightly press 2 whole m&m's side by side in the middle. Then gently place two halves of the same color, (chocolate side down) above the whole m&m to form the ears. Repeat for all the cookies.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in a air-tight container and enjoy at room temp or freeze for up to a month.
Monday, March 4, 2024
Save vs. Splurge
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Outfits of the Month
Monday, February 12, 2024
Red Velvet Cookies
I love a festive treat and these red velvet cookies are perfect for Valentine's Day! They are chewy, not too sweet and are topped with creamy white chocolate chips.
ingredients
2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon vanilla
1-1 1/12 teaspoons red food coloring
1 cup white chocolate chips (I prefer Ghiradelli), divided 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
My Fave MWH Classes
I have been a member of Melissa Wood Health since February 2020, and it remains my favorite workout. I have exercised at home at least 5 days a week. I still feel and see results, and I'm consistently sore from targeting different muscles each day. I have mentioned MWH on my blog before, but today is my 4 year anniversary on the platform!
The MWH app has changed a lot in the last year, with more creators and niche workouts (prenatal, postpartum, dance, etc). I don't follow the recommended weekly schedule, but I try to do Melissa's new workout each week. I aim for 30-ish minutes, whether that is one class or multiple combined. I wake up at 5am before work, roll out of bed, throw on a cute workout set and open my MWH app on my phone.
A typical week for me looks like the following:
Monday - inner/outer thighs
Tuesday - abs + arms
Wednesday - yoga/stretch
Thursday - booty + planks
Friday - full body yoga/pilates
I plan out my weekly workouts in the notes app on my phone, but also listen to my body and if I'm not feeling up to what I planned, I will pivot to what feels best. Yoga is always a good option - I actually love Kim's 30 min yoga sequences!
I also walk outside for 30 minutes every day on my lunch break at work, so I get a total of an hour of low-impact movement Monday through Friday. On the weekends, I don't plan workouts but rather live life with my family and friends - if that includes a bike ride with Jack, it's a bonus!
In addition to Melissa's amazing flows, her voice is so calming, supportive and inspiring. She has great reminders on proper form, prioritizing yourself and your practice, and her infamous saying, "some minutes are better than no minutes."
For me, exercise is more mental than physical, and finding a type of exercise I enjoy and look forward to is such a blessing. Especially being able to do it at home (or anywhere!) with an affordable platform. I've used her app while traveling, whether for work or vacation, because I know I will feel better if I start my day with movement.
Below are some of the MWH classes I have saved in my favorites, and love to come back to again & again!