Spiced Rosemary Candied Almonds

Sticking with game day snack theme, these Spiced Rosemary Candied Almonds are the perfect snack to enjoy with company (or not) while watching sports, hiking, or just kicking back. A few staple ingredients is all you need to create a sophisticated snack that will please just about everyone. These Spiced Rosemary Candied Almonds aren't just great for game day. Try them for snacking on mid-day, instead of reaching for the chips or cookies. Package them up, they make perfect gifts for holidays, housewarmings, and hostess gifts.

Don't think you need to stop at almonds, though. Try making Spiced Rosemary pecans, walnuts, cashews, or a mixed blend. Once you are comfortable with the method, the possibilities are unlimited! Make these ahead and store for up to one week in a cool, dry location. These make for excellent additions to a cheese platter, or toss in some dried cranberries for a tempting fruit and nut blend. Instead of reaching for pretzels or the chip and dip, grab a handful of these nuts and snack smarter.

 

Spiced Rosemary Candied Almonds
Get printable recipe here

Ingredients

• 1 pound raw almonds
• ¼ c sugar
• 1 egg white
• 2 tsp dried rosemary, finely chopped (3 sprigs)
• 1 tsp kosher salt, plus pinch
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Pizza Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

The Superbowl is just around the corner, signaling the end of football season and the wait to spring training has begun. Did your team make it this year? It did - congratulations! It didn't - yeah... neither did mine. Whether you are hosting a Superbowl or a Supperbowl, these Pizza Stuffed Portabellas are guaranteed to win you some points!

So often, sports-watching parties are filled with our favorite game-time foods: buffalo wings, nachos, pizza... you get the picture. Our husbands love the freedom of eating greasy, fattening foods that go easy with beer.  These stuffed mushrooms have the flavor of your favorite mushroom pizza, without the crust and without the guilt!

Meal Plan Monday: From Sweet Potato to Superbowl

Welcome to the beginning of Superbowl week! I'll be sharing recipes for game-day, be sure not to miss them!

Last week was a busy one, with a sick kitty and last-minute blog posts. With a little menu re-arrangement, we were able to have all seven dinners that I planned! Last week, I focused on getting the most out of shopping dollar by re-purposing our leftovers into new meals my family wouldn't balk at. It must have worked, because I got compliments and thumbs-up on the meals that the kids said were "just ok" the first time around.

Utilizing leftovers: Stewed Chicken with Lentils and Tomatoes got transformed into Chicken and Lentil Soup, which later got topped with drop parmesan biscuits and baked into Chicken and Lentil Biscuit Bake.

 

Tips for using up your leftovers:

 

Cooking a whole chicken or a roast?

 - Have a go-to meal later in the week that utilizes a pre-cooked protein. If you cooked more than enough for one leftover meal, consider portioning and freezing.

 

Extra roasted vegetables?

 - Make a roasted vegetable frittata or create a simple soup.

 

Extra produce in the crisper?

 - Julienne, sauté, and use as a flavor base for pasta. Toss with a quick sauce and you have a quick meatless dinner.

 

Shopping your fridge and pantry for leftovers to create new dinners is a sure way to please your family, and you might even come up with new favorite meals! It also reduces spending and food waste, and those mystery containers lurking in the back of your fridge (Where Good Food Turns Bad, the sequel). For more tips on reducing food waste, see this post by CarrieElle.com.

Spring Craft Blog Hop - Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras #SCBH2015

Welcome to the first spring craft blog hop challenge for the spring season! We're challenging you to create and share a Valentine's Day, President's Day, or Mardi Gras craft tutorial. This hop will run from January 20 - February 17 and you can share your creations in the link-up at the bottom of the post.

Meet all 18 hosts!

*Please follow your hosts on at least one or more social media platforms of your choice. Let us know you're following from #SCBH2015*

• Erlene @My Pinterventures Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
• Lou Lou Girls @Lou Lou Girls Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
• Sarah @Creative Ramblings Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
• Rachel @Craving Some Creativity Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+
• Shirley @Intelligent Domestications Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+

• Julia @Happy House and Home Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+
• Amanda @The Kolb Corner Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
• Misty @The Lady Prefers 2 Save Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+
• Emily @Our House Now A Home Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+
• Shana @Technotini Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB

• Sahana @Vilkapah Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
• Jessica @Designer's Sweet Spot Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+
• Theresa @Beauteeful Living Pinterest/Twitter/FB
• Lauren @Mom Home Guide Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+
• Jamie @Tiger Strypes Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+

• Beverly & Gloria @Across the Boulevard Pinterest/Twitter/FB/G+/G+
• Renee @Creative Mama Messy House Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+
• Marlys @This and That Pinterest/Twitter/Instagram/FB/G+

---

Grab a button and help us spread the word!

<span class="mceItemHidden" data-mce-bogus="1">
 <div align="center">
  <a href="http://mypinterventures.com" title="My Pinterventures">
   <span class="hiddenSpellError" pre="" data-mce-bogus="1">
    <img src="http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/ErleneA/0f74741a-73f1-4376-9606-89c12f16893e_zps6a2c0b07.jpg" alt="My Pinterventures" style="border:none;" />
   </span>
  </a>
 </div>
</span>

---

Valentine's Day Sweet(heart) Welcome Sign - part one

 

I am so happy to be a part of this Spring Craft Blog Hop! Today, I am sharing the first part of my Sweet(heart) Welcome Sign for the front door or entryway. This heart with a sweet stenciled message comes together in an afternoon, and can be hung up on the front door, in an entryway, or on your mantle. I will show you how to hang this sweet sign soon, so don't miss out!

Stitch Fix: January Fix Review and Reveal

I was so excited on Saturday morning when I heard the mail man drop off a package on the front steps. On Friday, I got the e-mail telling me that my fix was on its way. Since they are based in San Francisco, I knew my delivery would get here soon, but I did not expect it to come so quickly! It feels just like Christmas morning when your fix comes, like a little surprise present to you, from you. Well, from your Stitch Fix stylist, personally selected for you.

What is Stitch Fix?
Stitch Fix is an online personal styling service. When you sign up, you create a personal style profile and your stylist will pick 5 items to be delivered to you on a monthly basis. You can even change your deliver preference to be every other month, or customer-directed fixes. You get to try the items on in the comfort of your own home, and see how it works with your own wardrobe. Each piece comes with a styling card so you can see different ways to wear your new clothes. The pieces you don't love, you return in a pre-paid envelope. When you check out, the feedback you provide will help your stylist on your next fix.

How much does it cost?
Stitch Fix tries to send you items in your price range, but the average price per item is $55, according to Stitch Fix. There is a $20 styling fee per delivery, which goes towards the purchase of any of the 5 items in your fix. Also, if you choose to purchase all 5 items, you get a 25% discount on your entire purchase.

This is not a sponsored post. I am not receiving any compensation through Stitch Fix or any other affiliates. All opinions are 100% my own. If you chose to sign up for Stitch Fix using the links in the post, you will be using my referral code, I will get a $25 credit when they send you your first box.

Meal Plan Monday #3

Hey everyone! Putting out my meal plan for the week a day early because I have something special to share tomorrow. My January Stitch Fix box arrived, so I'm going to share it with you tomorrow on the blog. I am in love with Stitch Fix, and it is only my second fix. My sister recommended it to my as a way of getting new clothing without having to go to the mall, which with a toddler can be difficult. So be sure to come by tomorrow and learn all about why I love Stitch Fix, and I'll reveal the pieces that came in my Stitch Fix box!

For the second week in a row, we have been able to stick to the meal plan that I've created, but am I grateful for our wildcard nights! Last week's wild card night happened to coincide with me being at the veterinary hospital with one of the kitty's (mystery illness, as I'm writing this she is hopped up on IV fluids and supportive drugs) so I wasn't too hard on myself when I called my husband to order pizza for the kiddos!

Missy Kitty needs your well-wishes!

Of course, that means we have an extra day of leftovers-dining this week, but I will make the most of it by transforming boring leftovers into a new, exciting dish!

Fabulous Friends and Finds Friday: Pizza and Wine

Welcome to the first edition of Fabulous Friends and Finds Friday!

There is nothing better then spending an evening with friends and family, especially if that evening includes never-ending handmade pizza and wine. Sure, you could order a pie or two from your favorite delivery place, but what do you do when you run out of pizza before the evening is over? And what if you wanted to have a truly unique pizza, say broccoli and kalamata olives, or shrimp with asparagus and feta?

Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Old Man Winter, step aside! While you might be snowed in, iced over, up to your eyeballs in scarves and jackets in the middle of winter, I'm here to share a classic bread recipe that is perfect to pair with your comforting soups and heart stews. Rosemary Focaccia is similar to making pizza dough, a simple recipe using few embellishments to make it feel special.

Orange zest and coarse sea salt take this rustic bread to another level, and will make your kitchen smell amazing! This yeast bread takes a little bit of patience to attain the perfect rise, but is well worth it in the end!

Meal Plan Monday: Keeping Resolutions

We survived the first full week of 2015! It's Monday again, meaning its time for me to post this week's meal plan. I followed last week's plan almost flawlessly. Friday night turned out to be a late night at my mom's working (and wine drinking) so my husband was in charge of feeding the kiddos. Thankfully I had extra pork stew in the fridge for them to reheat! Saturday night I treated my parents and guests to homemade pizza and kalamata olive focaccia bread (with more wine). My parents graciously hosted and it was a fun-filled, full-carb affair.

The only resolution that I didn't touch on was my 3 day a week, get active plan. This week, I need to plan better so I can get some sort of workout in, especially after enjoying pizza and pasta this past weekend.

Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche

Hash and eggs, pancakes, quiche, my family loves breakfast for dinner. I enjoy making breakfast for dinner more than I like making breakfast for breakfast. During the week, our busy schedules don’t allow us to enjoy breakfast as a family and on the weekends we tend to sleep in and enjoy lazy mornings in our pajamas.

But preparing breakfast for dinner on a weeknight allows us to enjoy our breakfast favorites without the stress. I use eggs to substitute other more costly proteins and its a win for the wallet as well. When you have kids that might be picky, enrobing vegetables in an egg custard is an enticing and inviting way for them to get a little extra nutrition.

Meal Plan Monday: Eating Healthy Starts at Home

I'm sure more than a few of us have spouted our New Year's resolutions and included one or more of the following:

"I want to eat better this year"

"I want to make healthier lifestyle choices"

"I want to spend less money"

All three of these goals are on my list this year, and cooking dinners consistently at home are part of my plan for making better lifestyle choices.

Each week I will start with meal plan, and then stick to it. With a family of diverse palettes, meal planning is key to make sure that everyone is satisfied at mealtime. I made a really easy meal planning worksheet, complete with a removable shopping list, that you can print out right at home!

As part of my goal for eating healthier, I will make at least one vegetarian meal a week, and incorporate more vegetables and whole grains into our nightly meal. For the money-saving goals, I will stick a few "wildcard" nights where I will strive to make a meal out of the fridge and pantry (and utilize those leftovers!).

Week of January 5-11