Monday, March 30, 2015

Crawfish Stuffed Sausage Jambalya

If you're from a southern state you know that crawfish season is upon us.  I for one, love crawfish but they do gross out quite a few people I know.  When a friend of mine was given crawfish stuffed sausage I knew I had to find just the right recipe.  Luckily my Gamma Phi Grandlittle is engaged to a chef (Shannon's actually a fabulous cook herself) so she knew just what I should make.





















































Crawfish Stuffed Sausage Jambalya
adapted from Gimme Some Oven's jambalaya recipe

  • What You'll Need:
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 1 white onion, diced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 1 small yellow bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 1 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped 
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb crawfish stuffed sausage (or spicy sausage of your liking)
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1 (14 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked brown rice
  • 2 Tbsp Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp. thyme, crushed
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup thinly-sliced okra
  • salt and pepper
  • Frank's Hot Sauce to taste
Instructions:
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add celery, onion, bell peppers, jalapeƱo and garlic and saute for about 5 minutes.  When the vegetables are soft add the last tablespoon of olive oil and then add sausage.  Stir and mix everything together.  Saute for another 5 minutes until sausage is cooked.
Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, brown rice, creole seasoning, bay leaf, thyme, and cayenne, combine well.  Reduce heat to medium-low and cover.  Simmer for 30 minutes until rice is cooked, stirring occasionally so the rice won't burn.
Add in the shrimp and okra and stir to combine. Simmer for another 15 minutes adding additional seasoning  and hot sauce to taste. Remove bay leaf and serve!

Weekending: The One Where I Remembered to Blog

Yall I think summertime may be upon us after this weekend!  The weather was absolutely beautiful and every second I had to be inside made me so sad.  This girl is ready for long summer days by the pool for sure!

Friday night I had a work event for March Madness at 2 of my accounts.  Buying tons of people Fireball shots can be fun but not always the most glamorous part of my job.

Saturday we decided to get outside and enjoy the weather so we headed to the beautiful Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas.


























For my out-of-towners, this park is built on top of an overpass and is absolutely gorgeous.  They have a dog park, children's playground, splash pad and (my favorite part) several different food trucks to choose from.  We decided to have the best grilled cheeses ever at Ruthie's Rolling Cafe.








































After lunch I got to the pool as fast as I could.  I'm REALLY going to enjoy this view for the next several months.























































The sun definitely took it out of me though because I barely made it out past 11 Saturday night.

Sunday was spent at Pure Barre getting my #LTB on and working the front desk.  I also tried my hand at a new recipe that included crawfish stuffed sausage.  I will definitely be sharing that later this week.  

This week is going to be insanely busy with work (what else is new) and getting ready for my Vegas trip this weekend!  Hope yall have a fabulous Monday!

Linking up with Biana today!

PS the BEST part of my weekend?  Getting this in the mail



Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Beauty Lusting

I don't normally blog about beauty products around these parts because usually once I find something I love, I tend to stick with it for a long time.  We're talking years on some things.  However, the more I read other blogs the more I want to be a product junkie!

Here are a few things I've been lusting for lately:

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I'm a big fan of the Naked 2 palette but I run out of some colors faster than others.  I feel like with the Naked Basics I would use most of these colors daily.

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I used this perfume for YEARS and always got complimented on it.  I used to buy it from Ulta but I can't find it anywhere anymore besides Amazon.  For some reason finding a perfume I like is so hard for me because I'm not really into floral scents and I feel like 95% of women's perfumes are floral based.  This one had a citrus hint to it that was really great.

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I got a sample of this from Sephora and LOVE it.  I honestly helps smooth out my hair when I actually take the time to dry and style it.

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The Holy Grail of styling products!  I love almost everything DryBar related and I've heard amazing things about this trio!

What are some of your favorite beauty products? What do I need to be trying?

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Endings

So today's post is really just me writing out my feelings.  Sometimes I just need to let out the feels somewhere so here it is:

I was talking to my best friend about a guy I just met. I said "all I know is that when this ends it will be awkward since we run into each other every week".  Katie's response?

"Why are you already looking toward the ending?  Maybe this one won't end."

That got me thinking.  Have I really become a pessimist about relationships?  I have always prided myself on being a hopeless romantic and always believing that my Prince Charming is out there but the older I get the more I wonder.

I mean endings are kind of inevitable right?  Grade school, middle school, high school and college all ended.  Fashion trends end. Jobs end.  Unfortunately friendships I've had have ended.  Some of my relationships have ended before I was really ready for them to be done.  Does that mean everything in my life has an expiration date?

I have been truly blessed to have a lot of great beginnings lately.  A new job, a new (old) city, a new apartment, and actually a few new friends that have brought me some great nights so far!  I realize that I need to focus more on the beginnings I've been given and less on the endings that may actually be nowhere in sight.  Yes, maybe certain things will end for me but I just have to keep the faith that God has a better plan for me than I do!




Wednesday, March 18, 2015

5 Things That Make Me Ridiculously Happy

I'm a big believer in celebrating the little things so here are 5 things that make me ridiculously happy right now.

1. Food




















Jimmy John's Unwiches might just be the best thing ever invented.

2. TV


















Southern Charm is back yall!  I haven't gotten a chance to watch it yet so no spoilers!

3. Pampering


















On Thursday I will finally have some new hair.  Still going darker but no clue what to do with the cut.  Send suggestions my way!

4. Movies

The fact that Insurgent is FINALLY coming out this weekend.  Now all I need is a date to go see it!

5. More TV
If you haven't watched this show run, don't walk to your nearest Netflix account and binge watch it.  So good!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Weekending: St Pattys Weekend

Oh lordy what a weekend!  This one will be short but sweet!

Saturday started early when I met several of my coworkers on Greenville Avenue to get the day started.  I may have had a beer in my hand by 10:30am.  Sadly most of the day was too busy and crazy to get many pictures but I managed to get a couple.


























I ran into this little cutie first thing in the morning.  She was actually one of my students when I was a high school teacher and now she's a good friend of mine.





















These 2 amazing people are my bosses!  You can see behind us how many people started to accumulate on the rooftop!





















I managed to find this pic online today but what's crazy is that it's taken from the same rooftop that I was on all day.  So. Many. Freaking. People.

Needless to say I spend Sunday enjoying my couch and Netflix.  Such a fun weekend but holy moly I need a vacation after that one!

Hope yall had a great weekend!  Linking up with Biana today!

Friday, March 13, 2015

Friday Favorites

Woohoo we made it to Friday!  This week went by pretty quick for some reason but I'm not complaining one bit.  Here are my 4 favorite things from this week:

Favorite New Song
Elephante ft Lyon Hart - Shake the Earth

Yall I am obsessed with this song!  Perfect for running.  Or having a dance party!

Favorite Recipe


























I pulled out an oldie but a goodie this week and it was delicious!

Favorite Wishlist Item
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I need this in my closet....NOW!  How perfect is this for barre class or spin?

Favorite Weekend Plans














I will be heading down to the infamous Greenville Ave for the St Patrick's Day block party.  Fingers crossed I don't get lost!

Everyone have a fabulous weekend and drink LOTS of green beer!

Linking up with the newly-married Amanda today!






Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Don't Be THAT Person

Imagine this: you worked all day long and are exhausted but you paid $30 to take your favorite fitness class tonight.  You have on your favorite workout outfit and you get to class a few minutes early, claim your space and set up your equipment.  Your favorite instructor walks in and is about to start class when a whirlwind of a hot mess comes in and has NO idea what's going on!  We've all seen it, those people that just don't have a clue how to behave in a fitness setting.  Today I'm going to share the top three ways to avoid being that whirlwind of a hot mess.
















1. Be early, not on time...



























and definitely NOT late.  Keep in mind that every fitness studio you go to will probably have paperwork to fill out.  Try to remember the rule "If you're 10 minutes early, you're on time.  If you're on time, you're late." If you are rushing in at the last minute not only are you completely annoying the instructor and your classmates but you may not be giving yourself the time you may need to grab any equipment (free weights, resistance bands, etc) and you may miss the warm-up.

2. Zip it
























I love to go to classes with my friends.  They provide motivation when you need it and there's just something to be said for knowing that someone else is suffering through those 90 second planks just as mush as you are.  However, a class is NOT the time to chit chat.  I have zero tolerance for this and have been known to stand right in between 2 of my barre clients to get them to zip it.  You paid a lot of money to be there and take the class so focus on yourself and not whatever you and your friends are doing that weekend.

3. Know your place


















Unless the class is completely full spread out and give everyone some room.  There is nothing like getting your perfect spot in a class and having someone set up literally right next to you.  Unless you are a REALLY hot guy that is going to ask me out afterwards then by all means set up as close as you want :)

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Bikini Body Recipes Part 2

Holy cow sorry for the radio silence yesterday.  I am definitely feeling that time change for sure!
A few weeks ago I shared some bikini body recipes and I am back for more!  Yall know my motto on eating healthy, it HAS to taste good.  I don't care how healthy a grilled chicken breast and a side of broccoli is, if there's not some kind of seasoning on both, I want nothing to do with it.  BORING!
So here are a few more recipes for that bikini body!

California Quinoa Salad
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Mango, bell pepper and edamame?  Sign me up!  Plus how pretty does that look?

Hungry Girl Broccoli Slaw
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I have loved every Hungry Girl recipe I've ever tried and I'm sure this one won't let me down.

Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese
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I'm REALLY hoping that this is as good as it looks!

Siracha Lime Chicken Chopped Salad
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One of my favorite summer fruits is pineapple and adding it to a salad sounds like a fabulous idea!

What are some of your favorite bikini body recipes?


Friday, March 6, 2015

Friday Favorites

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I think I'm finally starting to feel normal today.  After being hit by the strep/sinus infection bug this week I was so happy that I had a few blog posts ready to go!  Now that it's Friday I'm ready to play!

Favorite Video
This Jimmy Fallon-Kelly Clarkson duet is everything!


Favorite Article
I don't think I've ever dated someone who could dress me but kudos to this girl for letting her boyfriend have some fun!


























Favorite Recipe
I am a huge Chinese food lover, especially Chow Mein and Lo Mein.  This recipe will be made this weekend!
{pic via}




























Favorite Plans
I've been forgetting to tell yall but my dad, his girlfriend, and I are headed to Vegas Easter weekend to see Elton John!  This is a HUGE checkmark on my concert bucket list and I am so excited!
{pic via}



















I hope all of you lovebugs have a fabulous weekend.  Don't forget that we lose one hour this weekend BUT we are gaining more sunlight!  Woohoo summer is just around the corner!

Linking up with Amanda today!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Strawberry Fields Smoothie

If you follow me on Pinterest you may have noticed that I've been pinning a lot of smoothie recipes lately.  One of the Christmas presents I got this year was a Ninja blender and I've been trying to use it as much as possible.  Since I'm in the car a lot these days I really want to try to incorporate more smoothies into my routine so I can make sure I'm getting my fruits and veggies.

One of my favorite juice bars in Dallas has awesome smoothies so I checked out their website for a few recipes.  They have an awesome page called Drinks For Ailments that lists out which of their products would be good for certain ailments.  The Strawberry Fields smoothie kept popping up so I decided to check that one out.  They claim it's great for the following:

  • Acne (how is it fair that I have wrinkles and pimples?)
  • Allergies (we all know I have those year round)
  • Bloat
  • Hangover
  • High cholesterol and high blood pressure
  • Stress
  • Fatigue
After buying a few of their smoothies I decided to see if I could duplicate it at home.


























What you'll need:
  • 2 green apples - juiced
  • 1 handful of strawberries
  • 2 handfuls of spinach
  • 1 banana
What you do:

Throw 2 green apples in your juicer (that's all the juice that I could get out of 2, anyone else have that problem?) then throw all ingredients in your blender and mix together.


























Looks kinda gross but tastes amazing.  Also this isn't even half of the recipe.  It definitely makes 1 good size smoothie and one smaller smoothie.  The one you buy in store is a little more pink but they taste pretty dang close to the same.  

If yall have any favorite smoothie recipes please send them my way!

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

March Goals



























I know I didn't show up to do February Goals but I'm back in action for March.  I am finding myself super motivated right now so I'm hoping that lasts through the month and I can knock these goals out!

March Goals
1. Workout 5-6 times a week
I'm really hoping it's 6 times a week but I'm leaving myself that wiggle room just in case.

2. Procrastinate less
I have gotten into a really bad habit of not paying a bill til the day it's due or leaving laundry to sit until the last minute.  I would really like to break this habit this month.

3. Try 4 new workouts 
I have 2 new ones scheduled this week so fingers crossed I hit this one early.

4. Stay on top of my workload
Now that I've been through my first bi-monthly program, I think I know better what I need to prepare a head of time so I'm not scrambling at the end of the month to get stuff done.

5. Get decorations hung on my walls
I still have not hung 1 stinking thing on my walls and it is killing me.  This month I vow to get frames and artwork hung and photographed so yall can finally see some of my bachelorette pad!

Now I want to hear from you guys!  What are yalls goals for this month?

Monday, March 2, 2015

Weekending: Stars Game, Girls Night Out, and a Recipe!



























Is it just me or was this Monday harder than others to wake up?  I think with last week being so off because of the ice storms in Dallas, my brain and body are confused!

This weekend was a fun one to say the least!  Back in December I gave my Dad tickets to the Stars game for Christmas.  He has seen every other major league sport and really wanted to go to a hockey game.  He flew in Friday night and we had a blast even though the Stars lost in the shootout.



























However it would have been more fun if my favorite hockey player had been on the ice!












Saturday after Dad headed back home I got ready and met a few of the girls our for dinner and drinks.  We had a great time despite being served a $14 drink that I didn't order and running into a few incredibly rude Dallas douchebags.  I seriously have to just shake my head at some people!  We may have stayed out a little too late and ordered a little too much at Whataburger.



























Someone please explain to me why I have TONS of eyemakeup on in that last pic and you can't even tell!  I need a makeover fairy godmother for sure (how fun would that be?)

Sunday was spent grocery shopping and making this amazing recipe that Biana post about last week.  So delicious and easy to throw together!

This week is going to be insane between working a ton at Pure Barre and trying to take full advantage of my ClassPass.  It's time to get serious about Operation Bikini Body!

I hope yall have a fabulous week and stay warm.  These darn freezing temperatures can go back to the North where they came from!

Linking up with Biana!