May Sponsor Spotlight :: Check them out

I am so thankful for this months Sponsors! I absolutely love having the chance to spotlight individuals working on growing their small businesses! It is so hard to get the word out so why not take advantage of the huge huge world of blogging?!?!?! If you are interested in grabbing a spot then be sure to check out this page for details, I'm currently averaging over 13,000 page views a month! 

Lets jump right in!!!! 

This months Head of the Class... Steve with Viridian 

I've mentioned before that I was an Environmental Policy major in college and while I may not be working in the field I am all for making an effort to help the environment! Heres the great thing about Viridian, they offer competitive rates for gas & energy all while providing you with sustainable energy!!!

Its such a simple process, literally 5-10 minutes right from your computer. There is no fine print, nothing confusing, no fees to sign up or cancel! Who you get your bill from doesn't even change! The only difference you will see is the name of where the energy is coming from, it will say Viridian!

Go ahead and check it out!!! Switch now to start saving some $$$ on your monthly bills!!! 

Website: http://viridian.com/slemoine/default.aspx 

******

Second up, ME! Yes I have an advertisement on my own blog hee her! So here it is Ang with Advocare

If you've been following along for a bit then you know I have been on a bit of a get healthier journey. Advocare has played an enormous part in getting me so much closer to my goal weight. It may seem strange that I am a food blogger and an Advocare distributor but it isn't so! I love food, always will but at the same time, I am making a lot more healthier food choices and am glad to share it here on the blog.

Advocare is a fitness and wellness company. They have the most incredible products from general wellness vitamins, herbal cleanse, weight loss, performance supplements, skin care and more!!!! This stuff is so good for you and I am feeling incredible and 15 lbs lighter (so far) since just starting early March! I encourage you to check out my site and contact me with any questions!!!

Website: https://www.advocare.com/13047259/Store/default.aspx

Next, Kim an independent consultant with Scentsy

I seriously have a slight addiction to Scentsy!!! Wickless warmers are so much safer the a flame burning candle, especially with my crazy boys running around! You are sure to find a warmer that meshes with your personality, different sizes as well!!! The scents available are endless and its so great that you can easily pop out the scent and switch it up to match your mood at the moment or the season! Order online now and get your house smelling fabulous!!

Website: https://krshannon.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Home

******

Last but certainly not least... Sleepwalker Design Solutions

These guys can do it all! Sleepwalker Design Solutions is a full design capable of creating anything you could imagine for any type of project... Custom design & fabrication, 3D printing (crazy cool!!), animations, architectural design, mechanical design, 3D modeling & rendering, conceptual design and fine art!!! 

Website: http://www.sleepwalkerdesignsolutions.com/index.html

Springtime Pasta :: Linguini with Chicken Sausage & Asparagus

Warm weather = extra wonderful fresh produce! Spring and Summer produce is definitely a perk to living in NJ. This Spring inspired pasta dish is light, healthy and quick to make! The trick I use here is the roasted garlic oil! It adds such incredible flavor!!! Tender asparagus, chicken sausage and whole grain linguini make for a perfect spring dinner!



 Linguini with Chicken Sausage & Asparagus

1 lb whole grain pasta
1 chicken sausage ring, cooked in the oven
1 bunch asparagus spears, cut into thirds
3 Tbsp roasted garlic oil
1 1/2- 2 cups chicken broth, homemade if you have


Cook the pasta until a bit shy of al dente (for example if the box says 8 mins to al dente, cook for 5 or 6), drain. You will finish cooking in the pan with the broth.

As the pasta is cooking start the rest of the dish. Add the garlic oil into a pan over medium high heat. Add the asparagus and cook just 5 minutes to just tender. Season with salt and pepper.



Cut the sausage ring into 1/2- 1 inch pieces. Toss in with the asparagus just to warm through.



Add in the pasta and chicken broth. Cook until the pasta is cooked through, it will absorb most of the broth. Season again with salt and pepper to taste.




HAPPY EATS!!!

Good For You Breakfast Smoothie

It is so important to start your mornings off right and this one is a great start! 

I am a lover of smoothies, not those icky kinds that use sugary "fruit" syrups... like real fruit, real yogurt.... real yumminess! I have to say I am a sucker for anything strawberry banana and that goes for smoothies too! This one is great because it tastes wonderful and is filling! 

Good For You Breakfast Smoothie

5 strawberries

1 banana

1- 6oz Stonyfield Organic French Vanilla Yogurt

1 or 2 splashes of skim milk

1 Tbsp old fashioned oats

1 Tbsp flax seed

Everything into a blender and go until nice and smooth! Serve over ice if you prefer it extra cold. 

Southwest Stuffed Peppers

I've been a little MIA lately, I apologize!!! Send all hate mail to my future sis in law... shes making me craft, a lot... I kid!! I love her and would do anything to help out with the very soon wedding!!! The wedding is Friday the 24th! I will definitely be busy that week so I'm working on getting some awesome guest posts together so you don't miss out on any foodie lovin'! 

*****

I know you may be wondering what the heck ever happened with those Al Pastor Tacos??? I did make them and they were delicious but not perfect and I got a rotisserie oven for Mothers Day so I want to give it one more run before posting on it.  This recipe uses leftover spanish rice and a little bit of the pork from Al Pastor taco night. Basically the rice is brown rice with carrots, peas, a little tomato paste, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stuffed peppers is a wonderful way to use left over rice! Thrown in some veggies, maybe cheese or sauce and voila, dinner! 

In these Southwest Stuffed Peppers I used the leftover spanish rice, added some corn, black beans  and fresh cilantro. Topped with organic black bean salsa and baked in the oven until the pepper is tender. Finish off with a dollop of light sour cream and you've got yourself a wonderful meal! There really isn't a recipe to this its more the method... there are endless varieties!

Southwest Stuffed Peppers

approx 2 cups leftover rice

2 large red bell peppers

corn

black beans

fresh cilantro

salsa

Mix together the rice, corn, black beans and some chopped cilantro.



Cut your peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Add the filling to the halves.

Top with salsa and bake in a 375 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Top with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy!!!

HAPPY EATS!!!

Chicken Pesto Meatballs

I have to say, I feel a little funny even posting this seeing as there are is only 3 ingredients and ridiculously easy to make but they were delicious! Dinner time kind of crept up on me yesterday and had to figure out what I wanted to do with a lb of ground chicken. Decided to make a quick meatball but wanted to flavor it differently then I would normally make. The jar of yummy pesto popped into my head! Made a quick tomato sauce and some whole grain penne. On the side, because we need to eat our veggies ;-) some sautéed asparagus! 

Chicken Pesto Meatballs

makes about 12

1 lb lean chicken 

4 heaping Tbsp basil pesto

3/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Oven at 375 degrees.

I mean really doesn't get much easier then this... Place the 3 ingredients in a bowl, mix to combine. 

Form into balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Bake for approx. 15 minutes. 

Place into the sauce and allow to simmer for another 10 minutes. Toss with some whole grain pasta and yum! A fun twist on a classic!

   

Mothers Day... Whats Cooking????

Mothers Day is the biggest day for dining out but I love an at home celebration for the special ladies in your life. So, get in the kitchen and whip up something special! 

I happen to love the idea of a Mothers Day brunch! Before I had my boys I hosted brunch for our family. I love that with brunch you get a little sweet touches from breakfast and the savory from the lunch dishes! Here are some fun recipes perfect for the day to say thanks to the momma, grandma, aunts & godmothers in your life! 

 These French Toast Muffins are out of this world!These muffin tops are dipped in a mix of melted butter and syrup then into a cinnamon sugar mix! Holy goodness!!!

******

This one is one of my very favorites on the blog and is one of the posts with the highest views. This Creme Brulee French Toast Bake is heaven in a dish!!!! You will get a gold star for this one!!

******

One of my favorite chicken salads right here... Waldorf Chicken Salad! Awesome crunch from almonds and apples, sweetness of grapes, simplicity of using a rotisserie chicken all tossed in non fat greek yogurt. 

******

Quiche! A classic at brunches! Why I love quiche, there are endless possibilities! This one is a Broccoli & Cheddar Quiche, a classic combo! 

******

These Broccoli & Sausage Breakfast Egg Muffins are super quick and easy to make!! These are great for a crowd! 

******

These Puff Pastry Brie & Apricot Bundles are the perfect bites for a brunch! Creamy melted brie with the sweetness of apricot preserves! These are always a huge hit!

******

This one is so great, especially if you can get outside and grill! What a simple and delicious 

Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad!!! 

******

This Egg Salad is a great basic recipe and perfect because you can make it the day before! 

******

How about a quick and easy Caprese Salad Wrap! Who doesn't love the combo of tomatoes and fresh mozzarella?? So good!

******

This Garlic & Herb Grilled Chicken has such awesome flavors!!! An easy go to marinade! Then go one step further and make this Balsamic Chicken Salad using the delish grilled chicken!

   

Can't forget about dessert!!! These Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies are absolutely amazing!!!! Perfect sweet treat! 

A little on the lighter side, Shortbread Cookies with a Lemon Glaze! These have such a wonderful refreshing taste from the glaze! 

Wishing all the moms, grandmas, aunts, godmothers and those special ladies that are like second or third moms.... a very Happy Mothers Day!!! 

Brie, Pear & Turkey Bacon Grilled Cheese

I don't know if you can really go wrong with grilled cheese. This one is definitely a few notches up from your kids american cheese grilled cheese. The flavor of Brie is so wonderful, it is rich, creamy and melts wonderfully! 

Have you checked out my Brie Bundles with Homemade Fig Jam , Puff Pastry Brie & Apricot Bundles or my Not Your Ordinary Turkey Panini? You have got to give them all a try, YUM! 

This grilled cheese is really delicious! The perfectly melted creamy brie, the sweetness of the pear and the salty bite from the turkey bacon... its a wonderful combination! For the bread, I found a multi grain flatbread that I wanted to give a try... love it!!! This is such an awesome quick, go to meal with a bit of sophistication about it!

Brie, Pear & Turkey Bacon Grilled Cheese

serves 2

2 multi grain flatbreads

approx 4 oz brie, cut into thin slices

1/2 a pear

4 slices cooked turkey bacon

   

Cut each flatbread in half. Lay several slices of the brie down on the bread, top with a few slices of pear and two slices of bacon onto two of the halves. Add another layer of brie on top, this will seal the top piece of bread. 

   

 Place onto a hot panini grill or pan. Cook until the brie is melted and the bread gets a bit crisp. That gooey brie is just beautiful!!!

HAPPY EATS!!!!