Toscana Soup.

I am not the biggest fan of soups. I have no clue why, but I am just extremely picky with them. However,  this Toscana Soup is literally the yummiest soup I have ever tasted. My mother in law gave me the recipe and ever then it's been one of my favorite dinners to make (and eat)!

It is super easy to make and I love that if I make a little extra I can have it for lunch/dinner the next day and it still tastes exactly the same!

Here's how you make it:

First, you will need 3/4 cup of finely chopped onions, 1 package of Jimmy Dean sausage (I prefer regular but if you like a little kick to your meat then use spicy), and 3 garlic cloves finely chopped or minced.

Put your onions and sausage in a frying pan and saute until meat is browned. Add the garlic and mix together. 

While you are browning your sausage mixture, combine 6 chicken bouillon cubes and 5 cups of water in a large pot and bring to a simmer. 

Then, add 3 medium sliced potatoes (don't peel), the sausage/onion/garlic mixture and a slice of bacon (for flavoring).

Cook for 15 minutes.

Finally add in 4 cups of kale and 1 cup of liquid whipping cream. 

Heat thru.

Toscana Soup 

(serves 5-6)

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 package Jimmy Dean sausage (regular)

3 garlic cloves (minced)

6 chicken bouillon cubes

5 cups of water

3 sliced potatoes (do not peel)

1 slice of bacon

4 cups of kale 

1 cup heavy whipping cream

In a frying pan add the onions and sausage and cook until the sausage is browned. Stir in the garlic. While your meat is browning add the water and bouillon cubes to a large pot and simmer. Once it is simmering and your sausage mixture is done add the potatoes, bacon, and sausage mixture. Cook for 15 minutes. Finally add the kale and heavy whipped cream and heat thru.

Serve with some sliced french bread and butter.

Enjoy!

TIP: Whenever I buy bacon I always take out a piece or two and put them in a zip loc bag to store for this very recipe! Also, be sure to dip your bread in the soup! Yum!

PRINTABLE VERSION

xoxo

3 Ingredient Italian Chicken.

Alright guys, this is literally the yummiest and easiest chicken recipe you will ever make!

I got this recipe from my favorite roommate back in college and since then it has been one of my favorite dinner recipes!

All you need is 2 chicken breasts, a cube of butter, and 1 package of Italian seasoning.

Put your chicken, butter and 1/2 of the packet of Italian Seasoning in your crockpot.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

(It will be less time if your chicken is thawed and more time if it is frozen. You know your crockpot so just cook it until your chicken is white and tender!)

Sprinkle on the rest of the Italian seasoning and shred the chicken. (I do this right in the crockpot). If you find it is a little dry you can always add a little more butter and let it cook until it is melted. 

Cook up some rice. I always use minute rice :) Place your chicken over your rice and enjoy with a fresh spinach and tomato salad. Yum!

3 Ingredient Italian Chicken

(Serves 4-5)

2  Chicken breasts

1/2 cup (1 cube) salted butter

1 package of Italian Seasoning

Put your chicken, butter, and 1/2 the package of Italian Seasoning in your crockpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Once chicken is white and tender sprinkle the rest of the Italian Seasoning over the top and shred it. (Add more butter if it is too dry).

Serve over warm rice!

Enjoy!

PRINTABLE VERSION

xoxo

Friendsgiving.

 Director/Model: TheJpetite 

Photographer: Ashley Rae Photography 

Styling/Set Design/ Rentals: Lindsey Ekstrom- Fancy Lou Designs 

Makeup/Model: Yours Truly

Florals: Pj's Flowers and Events

Accessories: Alixandra Collections

Sophia's Apparel: Alixandra Collections c/o

Jess's Apparel: Top: Joie | Bottom: Shein c/o

Food Vendors: Sprouts, Chelsea's Kitchen, LGO, The Herb Box, Chestnut, Flower Child, and True Foods

Let me start off by saying how incredibly grateful I am to have worked with such talented people! Jessica is one of the most kind, unselfish people you'll ever meet. I've had the opportunity to work with her a couple of times now and when she first told me about the shoot, I was super excited and honored to be apart of it. She is so creative and absolutely wonderful to work with. I had the pleasure of meeting Ashley and Lindsey and can I just say how fabulous these two women are? I can't believe how much ambition Ashley has! She has such a keen eye and knew exactly how to make us look good and achieve a good shot. There was no messing around! :) It amazed me to see Lindsey at work. She had boxes and boxes of these incredible decorations and she put it together in minutes. It takes someone extremely talented and creative to pull something this extravagant off in the little time that she had.  

Thank you to all vendors and creatives that made this shoot possible and allowing me to be a part of something wonderful!  

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

xoxo

Yummy & Healthy!

 I have a deep love for any kind of protein drink. They are so useful for many different reasons. One reason is if I don't have enough time for breakfast in the morning I can make a quick smoothie or have one ready in the refrigerator. They're also perfect for when you have those late-night cravings! Let's face it, I have those every night. These smoothies have really helped me from binging on late-night snacks. Protein drinks are simple, save time, & they're delicious! You can purchase them at any local health food store, or just make them yourself! I love making them myself because I can customize it to how I like it and get creative as well! This is a recipe I've used in the past that I absolutely love!

WHAT YOU NEED: 

• Protein Powder (your choice in brand) I like DYMATIZE ISO 100
• Vanilla Almond Milk
• Frozen Fruit (preferably berries)
• All Natural Peanut Butter
• Natural Raw Organic Honey
• 1 Banana 
• Ice     

1. First, pour the Almond milk in the blender to about 6 oz.
2. Then add 1 scoop of protein powder (add more protein if you're feeding more than one person).
3. Next, add 1 cup of frozen fruit. You can also add the banana in this step. (I like the banana in this smoothie for its added taste).
4. 1 tsp of the natural peanut butter. 
5. 1 tsp of the natural raw organic honey. 
6. Add 1.5 cups of ice. I like my smoothie to be cold and thick!
7. Blend, blend, blend!
8. Sip and enjoy!

xoxo

                                        

5 Favorite Dinner Recipes.

I am so excited to share with you guys 5 of our family's favorite dinner recipes.

Every week I get on pinterest and plan my meals for the week and these are a few of the ones that we keep coming back to!
They are simple to make and of course taste amazing!

I have posted a picture and the recipe link to each one below.

Greek Spinach Feta Chicken Pockets

 Picture and Recipe: HERE

(We love to add sliced mushrooms in ours as well).

Tomato Tortellini Soup

 Picture and Recipe: HERE
(We always serve ours with grilled cheese sandwiches).

Cottage Cheese and Tomato Baguette 

Picture and Recipe: HERE
(Perfect for those nights when you just want something light).

One Pan Caprese Pasta

 Picture and Recipe: HERE

Cheesy Party Burgers

Picture and Recipe: HERE

 I am always on the hunt for easy and yummy dinner recipes so if you have any good ones, please share in the comments below!

xoxo

Avocado and Cottage Cheese Toast.

I am always looking for simple and healthy lunch ideas. 

This one is definitely a favorite.

Here's what you need:

1 piece of wheat bread (toasted)

A few spoonfuls of cottage cheese (I absolutely love the Darigold brand)

1/2 an avocado sliced

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

First spread your cottage cheese on to your toast. Place the sliced avocado on top. And to finish it off lightly drizzle olive oil and top with a dash of salt and pepper.

Enjoy!!

Printable Recipe HERE.

xoxo

Honey Greek Yogurt with Blueberries.

If you love greek yogurt, blueberries, oats, and chia seeds, you are sure to love them all mixed together! 

My aunt gave me this recipe a while back when I told her that I hate breakfast foods and that I really want to start eating healthier.

My first bite was pure heaven! I could hardly believe that something that tasted THAT good could be so healthy!

I was also amazed at how good I felt after eating it. SO much better than after I eat a quick bowl of cereal. 

And before I share the recipe let me just say that if you aren't familiar with chia seeds look them up! You will be amazed at all their health benefits. Also, the recipe calls for frozen blueberries. I'm sure you could use fresh but I just love the texture of the frozen ones.

Honey Greek Yogurt w/blueberries.

1/2- 1 cup of Honey Greek Yogurt ( I use the Greek Gods brand)

A few sprinkles of oats (I use the old fashioned kind)

A few sprinkles of chia seeds

A handful of frozen blueberries

Mix together and enjoy the yummiest breakfast in the world!

xoxo

Printable Recipe HERE.