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Tortilla Free Burritos + Garlic Fries

This dish was a total accident. I originally was going to make salad, but the longer my day was the more I craved a burrito. The problem with burritos in our house is we love choices. I try to only buy the 100 calories tortillas, but how much can you really fit in there? So burrito bowl it is.

Somehow by the time I started cooking fries appeared on the menu. My boyfriend stayed in California for a while and obsessed over the food trucks that served burritos stuffed with French fries. I discovered this one night when I made fajitas and he insisted I make fries as well.

Crispy potatoes covered in burrito toppings is definitely the greatest combination discovery this year. 

This recipe is really easy to make healthy as well. I actually almost forgot to shred cheese on top after I started assembling because the plate was so full and colorful. 

This sauce is the star of the show. If you do not like spicy you can skip this, but I love spicy. This sauce is a thin vinegar with tons of pepper. If you google gunshot sauce you can find a list of retailers. I buy mine from the hot sauce store at our local mall. 

I hope you enjoy this creation inspired by California food trucks :)

What you need:

2 chicken breasts 

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp pepper 

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp olive oil

1 ripe avocado 

1/2 cup shredded cheese 

1 cup black beans rinsed 

1 vine ripened tomato 

2 cups steak fries (or russet potatoes sliced thick)

Garlic powder

Pepper

Salt 

Jalepenos optional

Sour cream optional 

How to make it: 

Preheat your oven to 350 and prepare grill. 

I pound my chicken until it is about 1/2 thick then leave on the cutting board until I am ready to grill. 

Rinse beans and heat up on the stove. Set to the side. Chop tomato and shred cheese of your choice. (I used extra sharp cheddar) 

I had a bag of steak fries hiding in my freezer, but you can definitely make your own.  I spread mine out on a baking tray and liberally coated with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bake for 20-30 minutes until crispy. 

Season the chicken with cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper. Grill for 3 minutes on each side then use a pastry brush to lather either side of the chicken with the gunshot sauce. Cover and cook until internal temperature is 165. 

For the avocado, you can eat as is or drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and grill for 3-5 minutes. I love grilling my avocado! 

The assembly- 

Start with fries then layer chicken, black beans, tomatoes, cheese, avocado, sour cream and jalepenos. I drizzled a little more gunshot sauce on top too!

Ricotta Meatballs

Meatballs are a classic dish in Italian homes. My mom always made the best homemade meatballs when I was growing up. The whole house would smell like garlic and sausage. 

Ricotta and I have a love hate relationship. I hate the texture, but when it is mixed into meats and sauces I love the moisture it adds. These meatballs are sure to satisfy any Italian craving.

What you need:

1 cup skim ricotta cheese

1/2 pound ground pork

1/2 pound ground sirloin 

1 egg

1 tbsp parsley

1 tbsp garlic chopped

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

1 can crushed tomatoes 

1 cup of your favorite pasta sauce

Olive oil 

A sauté pan with lid.

Directions:

Heat pan over medium heat. Add in oil. Enough to just cover the bottom of the pan. Mix all ingredients and shape into equal size balls. You can use a cookie scoop here. Drop all the meatballs carefully in the oil and cook until brown on all sides. About 5 minutes each side. Lower heat to medium low and add tomatoes to the pan. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until meat is thoroughly cooked.

Serve with pasta or alone and enjoy!

Searching For That Idiot Proof Chocolate Chip Cookie

  What is "idiot proof" ? I myself could be considered a chocolate chip cookie "idiot". For something we make so often how are there so many variations of the same cookie? 

It seems like every time I find my perfect recipe- I move. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is. Getting to know your oven is a long process. When I first moved to Georgia I lived in an apartment with a new electric oven. My go to recipe was the one on the back of the nestle bag. So easy and simple. (You would think) After the apartment I lived in a house with my first gas oven. A dream for cooking, but my nightmare for baking. I switched to the New York Times perfect cookie recipe there. Then last year this time I rented a room in a very old lake house. The electric oven there would heat to 350 then take a little break so I was never exactly sure how my cookies would turn out. Usually undercooked. Now I am in my own home with a new gas oven. Again a total dream to cook with, but baking ... It has been taking some time. Until now. This recipe after 6 months of testing is it! 

It is not as over the top sweet as most recipes, but the perfect soft gooey middle and thick crunchy crust is my favorite. 

(Adapted from bromabakery- the best baking site ever)

Idiot Proof Chocolate Chip Cookies

What you need:

1 stick unsalted butter room temp

3/4 cup light brown sugar packed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/4 cups king aurther all purpose flour

1/2 tsp kosher salt (or fine if you don't like to taste the salt)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda 

1 tbsp cornstarch ( make sure this is not expired) 

1 large egg

1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips 

Preheat your oven to 350. 

Mix together butter, sugar and eggs until you have a fluffy light brown concoction. Add in vanilla. In a separate bowl mix the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. 

Stir the dry ingredients into the butter sugar mixture until just mixed. Do not over mix. That will create a dense cakey cookie. Add in the chocolate chips by just folding the batter a few times. 

Put mixture in the freezer for about 10 minutes. I highly recommend doing a test cookie first. 

Roll mixture into balls and top with kosher salt, natural sugar or more chocolate! Bake for about 10-12 minutes depending on your oven. The sides will be golden brown and the middle will have just set. Let cool on a baking rack.

Enjoy with a glass of milk!

20 Minute Tuesday

What do you do when you are starving, but really just do not feel like putting the effort into cooking? I usually keep a few staples around the house just in case I have a night when my fingers start itching to dial delivery.

#1. Grilled Chicken. I usually buy huge family packs of chicken and freeze them in individual bags for the week. I try to grill off at least 3 chicken breasts to keep in the fridge ready to add to a meal. My favorite marinade is salt, pepper, garlic powder, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.

#2. Pasta. We try not to eat pasta more then once a week, but some how I always have a plethora of pastas in the pantry. I like whole wheat linguine and fiber enriched angel hair. Gluten free options are great as well. Just remember not to cook those as long.

#3. Bottled Organic Marinara. Tomato sauce is huge in our house. We eat it on everything. I just discovered Bertolli premium sauces at Target. The caramelized onion and balsamic vinegar sauce is the best!

#4. Parmesan Cheese. Enough said.

I completely forgot to plan something for dinner tonight. When I got off work I was so tired and just did not want to think about cooking anything. When I started looking through the pantry I realized I had plenty of things to make one of my favorite meals in a matter of minutes. 20 to be exact.

What you need:

Pre grilled chicken breasts (2)
One jar of marinara
Whole wheat linguine
Fresh mozzarella
Fresh Parmesan
Crushed red pepper
Sea Salt
Crusty garlic bread (optional, but sooooo worth it)

How to do it:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring some salted water to a boil and add in the pasta. Cook as directed. In an oven safe pan/skillet add 2 cups of marinara, sliced grilled chicken, and fresh mozzarella. Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 a cup of pasta water. Add pasta and reserved water back into the water pot. Pour the skillet of sauce, chicken and cheese into the water pot. Toss everything together. Season with sea salt and crushed red pepper. Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy with bread. You can thank me later ;)

Sweat Proof Makeup- How I Get My Makeup To Last Outside

Wearing a full face of makeup in the Georgia heat is tricky. I filmed a tutorial so you can see step by step what I did before spending the day in the sun. This is not a "by the pool" look. This is a full makeup look for those days when you are going to be outside, but still need to look your best. 

http://youtu.be/tQoyYMcqeZQ

First step- moisturizer 

I washed my face and used a light moisturizer about 30 minutes prior to starting my makeup. This is going to give your makeup something to stick to. 

Using a long lasting foundation. Relvon color stay whipped is my favorite formula for outside. It does not budge!

Apply cream products with your fingers. I applied my concealer, bronzer and highlighter with my fingers. Heating the product with your fingers really allows you to push it into your skin. 

Waterproof eyeliner to tight line

Setting cream with powder. I used powder versions of each product to set my creams. This is going to prolong the wear.

Use a matte lip stick or just lip balm. If you want to do a bright color stay with a stain or matte product. I also love gloss for easy touch ups. 

Setting spray. I use rose water spray, but anything to set your makeup will help keep it from streaking.

I hope you enjoyed my tips! This look lasted 2 hours at an outdoor festival in 90+ degrees without any need for touch up!

Products used: 

Revlon color stay foundation

MAYBELLINE lumi concealer

Rimmel translucent powder

Urban decay basics pallet

Buxom blush

Lorac tantilizer bronzer

MAYBELLINE bb bronzer 

Buxom liquid highlight 

The balm mary loumanizer highlighter

Urban decay perversion mascara 

MAYBELLINE matte lipstick 

Mac eyeshadow texture

Mac gloss (discontinued) 

Rimmel scandal eye liner bronze 

Kat Von d water proof eye kohl 

Lazy Sundays

Normally, I am stuck at work on Sunday mornings. This weekend we went to the Atlanta BBQ festival and I decided to take a long weekend. 

Our church message today was on finding happiness. I felt like it was completely appropriate seeing as how that is typically what everyone is striving for on a day to day basis. 

Isn't it funny how every time you are going through something you are suddenly given the exact message you need to hear? Whether it be a sermon or devotional, a news report, even just a friend calling to check on you the exact time you need someone. 

Two months ago I was having a hard time seeing what was in my future. In reality you can never know what the future holds, but it is good to have goals. 

Some of my goals were to find a job that I truly loved, to invest more time to blogging, to consistently go to church, to finally live the healthy live style I knew so much about.

I'm happy to say that these goals really pulled me out of a tough spot. A lot of opportunities have presented themselves and I am excited to see what my future holds. 

Do not be so hard on yourself. Today I enjoyed pancakes, steak, hashbrowns, and eggs. Not really part of my diet, but the pancakes are an organic mix from trader joes, the steak was a half portion of extra lean top round, the hashbrowns were cooked in a little light butter rather than oil. There are lots of things you can do to enjoy a "cheat" meal without feeling like you have ruined the whole day. 

Set goals. Do what makes you happy. Stop living a life that doesn't feel like your own. 

Enjoy your Sunday!

How I Do My Makeup For Work

 I like to do my makeup very natural for work. I usually focus on my eyes. Since my shifts are usually between 10-12 hours I need my makeup to stay alllllll day! I'm honestly too busy to touch up anything throughout the day other than lip gloss. 

Tutorial On This Look

What I used- 

Revlon color stay in the whipped formula

MAYBELLINE Dream lumi concealer in radiance 

Urban decay naked skin concealer light warm

Rimmel stay matte powder in translucent

Naked basics pallet 

MAC texture single shadow

Rimmel glam eyes liner 

Cover girl mascara in bloom 

Too faced chocolate bronzer

Mary loumanizer (the balm)

MAC Dame blush 

Jordana fabulash in taupe 

Bare minerals gloss in party starter

I hope you enjoy getting ready with me!

Buttermilk Pancakes

 

  There is a tiny diner in North Carolina that has completely stolen my heart. The restaurant is so small and hidden that word of mouth is genuinely their best advertising. 

   The first time I tried their pancakes I literally teared up. I have never had a pancake so light and airy. My first bite completely melted in my mouth. Since then I have searched for a similar recipe. Finally I think I have found one!

This recipe is adapted from ohsweetbasil.com

2 cups of buttermilk

2 cups of AP flour

3 tbsp of sugar

1 tsp fine salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1/2 tsp butter flavoring 

1 tbsp melted butter

2 eggs

Whisk together buttermilk, flavorings, and eggs. Add in all dry ingredients. Do not over mix. Add in cooled butter. Cook on medium heat until golden brown. 

Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Chocolate Marscapone Frosting

My favorite part of tiramisu is the creaming Marscapone custard. I wanted to make a light chocolatey frosting for a chocolate cake. I considered cream cheese, but that felt too heavy. I didn't want a traditional buttercream because that seemed too sugary. Marscapone just seemed like the right fit. Rich and buttery, but not too sweet. It pairs perfectly with chocolate cake. 

What you need: 

4 ounces of marscapone (I found mine at publix in the specialty cheese section)

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder unsweet 

1 cup powdered sugar 

2 tbsp 2% milk (or cream or whole milk) 

1/2 stick of room temperature butter 

I highly recommend using a hand mixture. A whisk could also work. You really want as much air as possible to get a whipped texture. 

Whip together butter and marscapone. Add in cocoa powder and sugar. The mixture should be dark and very thick. Add in milk one tbsp at a time. Depending on your preference you can add more. The frosting should resemble a whipped cream in the end. Do not over mix. 

Enjoy! 

Monthly Favorites - July 2015

Today I want to share all the things I have been loving the past month! 

My every day fragrance has been heavenly summer. I usually go crazy over any summer scent Victoria's Secret releases. They are usually warm and coconut-y. This one is light and fresh. I definitely get a hint of grapefruit. 

https://www.victoriassecret.com/beauty/dream-angels/victoriarsquos-secret-heavenly-summer-fragrance-mist?ProductID=244683&CatalogueType=OLS

Moisturizer has always been a love hate relationship. I have combination skin and I feel my face get really tight after washing, but my tzone gets oily throughout the day. This month I used the oil free Mario Badescu moisturizer and love it! It just melts into your skin so quickly leaving a great canvas for makeup. 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6200801

Most used foundation was obviously rimmel London 25 hour foundation with comfort serum. I could not stop using it! This foundation is just so comfortable and light weight. 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rimmel-Lasting-Finish-Foundation-200-Soft-Beige-1-fl-oz/43250044

When I am bronzing my face and need something quick and natural I have been reaching for my MAYBELLINE bronzing BB cream. This cream really just looks like my skin, but better. So far I have only found it at Walmart. 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Maybelline-Dream-Bronze-BB-Cream/44888895

If I want to bronze up my face a little less naturally and a lot more glowy then I use my Betty loumanzier. Super glowy and pretty without tons of glitter. It is a tad on the warm side so keep that in mind. 

http://m.kohls.com/kohlsopenapi/productmobile.html?productID=1527167/thebalm-betty-lou-manizer-bronzer-eyeshadow-compact.jsp

I have been trying loads of drugstore mascaras trying to find a cheaper alternative to my benefit they're real. This isn't exactly a dupe, but Rimmel glameyes mascara has an amazing formula for a great price. 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rimmel-Glam-Eyes-Mascara-Extreme-Black/12531942

Hampton farms nut varieties have definitely been there to help curb my sweet tooth when I'm working. My current favorite are the chipotle honey cashews. Check the link below for places you can buy them. I get mine from publix in the produce section. 

http://www.hamptonfarms.com/where-to-buy

Tuna has been my go to lunch. I usually have two packs with siracha and a side of hummus. Bumble tuna in water packets are really easy for work lunches. They always seem to be on sale as well. 16 grams of protein, zero carb and zero sugar. Can't beat that!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bumble-Bee-Premium-Light-Tuna-In-Water-2.5-oz/15136807

I hope you enjoyed my favorites! Let me know what you have been loving lately! 

Day time smokey eye using only drugstore

Lately I have been forgetting about the huge variety of drugstore makeup. Some of these products are just as good if not better than high end makeup. The only thing I forgot was my highlight! I love cream drugstore highlighters, but I could not find a powder highlight that I love. 

Please watch my tutorial below to see how I got this affordable day time look!

http://youtu.be/U5NHai5lp-4

Products used-

MAYBELLINE matte pore less foundation

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod11861007

MAYBELLINE dream lumi 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4070009

MAYBELLINE baby skin 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6370971

Rimmel glam eyes liquid liner 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6380075

Rimmel glam eyes mascara 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rimmel-Glam-Eyes-Mascara-Extreme-Black/12531942

Ulta eyeshadow 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3570089

Ulta lipgloss 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12831187

ELF - blush 

http://mobile.eyeslipsface.com/face/blush/Studio_Blush

ELF- baked shadow 

http://mobile.eyeslipsface.com/eyes/eyeshadow/Baked_Eyeshadow

Milani baked bronzer

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Milani-Baked-Bronzer/17655656

NYC bronzer 

I can find the exact one, but this is very similar 

http://www.walmart.com/ip/NYC-New-York-Color-Big-Bold-Bronzing-Powder-0.59-oz/43167998

NYX shadow lol

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4141605#

Let me know what you think!

Lifestyle Change In Progress

I wanted to update you guys on how my diet has been going. I started counting my calories and aiming for high protein content. After talking to a trainer about my specific body type we decided I need at least 115 grams of protein a day. Now that is really hard for me. I need to search for a protein powder I like that is low on sugar. Until that happens I've been reaching for grilled chicken, tuna, nuts and eggs. 

I highly recommend using the my fitness pal app. They just added the macro calculator that is a huge help. 

Just for an example these are my macros for today: 

I had 2 eggs on a whole wheat English muffin for breakfast and lunch I had 1 1/2 grilled chicken breast topped with 2 tablespoons of hummus. Right now I am training myself to reach for high proteins. Eventually I will start adding in a lot more snacks and veggies. I will keep you posted on my results!

Lighten Up With Antipasti

Today I wanted something easy, light, and filling. One of our go to meals is a fresh antipasti. Have you ever watched one of those cheesy romcoms where the couple is all googley eyed in the grocery store? Well that is me and P. Except we get googley eyed over olives and cheese. My favorite place to pick up ingredients is whole foods. Their olive bar is enough to make me giddy! Most grocery stores sell marinated olives, peppers, and cheeses in the deli section. Today I out used a few ingredients, but they all had a very strong flavor.

What you need:

Marinated olives and/or peppers 

Mixture of cheeses (I used Romano and mozerella) 

Romain lettuce chopped

Asparagus quickly sautéed in olive oil

Dried salami 

Layer everything the way you like on a plate and season with salt and pepper. 

For the dressing:

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp Dijon mustard 

Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper to taste

Whisk everything together and drizzle over your salad. Serve with your favorite bread!

Chocolate Cheesecake Donuts

I honestly cannot think of anything better than a hot fresh donut. Our favorite donut shop is only open a few hours in the early morning and you have to get there first to ensure the best pick of their selection. I have never had a bad pastry from them, but some are definitely better than others. Their signature yeast donuts filled with peanut butter, dipped in chocolate, and topped with fresh bananas inspire me to get creative with my pastries. I actually started this recipe with something completely different in mind, but once I started I realized we were out of heavy cream. I was planning on making a cheesecake filling topped with chocolate ganache, but I ended up making a chocolate cheese cake topping. You could add more cream cheese and make it a filling, but I liked it as a topping even better. 

What you need

For the donut dough- My favorite yeast donut recipe is from Chow.com. 

My adapted version:
2 1/2 cups of bread flour (I use king aurther and I can definitely tell the difference)
2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp fine salt
1 packet of active yeast
1 cup of warm milk ( I used 2%)
3 heaping tbsps of sugar
1/2 stick of room temp unsalted butter
3 egg yolks

For the topping:
1/2 cup chocolate (milk and dark)
1/2 cup milk
8 ounces low fat cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar

Use the bread paddle on your mixer and mix the flour, salt, sugar and yeast while warming your milk. I toss the milk in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add in your milk, vanilla, eggs and butter and mix until the dough forms a sticky ball. If you have a bread machine you can dump all the ingredients in the bowl and put on the dough setting. Let rise for at least one hour. 

One the dough rises flour your surface and rolling pin and roll to about 1/2 thick. I use scotch glasses to cut my circles out. Put all your dough circles on a pan and cover. Let rise while the oil heats up. I have a fryer with canola oil and I set mine to 350 degrees. Once the oil is hot add your dough and cook for about 2 minutes before flipping. The donuts should be a nice golden color, but beware because they will burn very quickly after they reach that point. 

When you make the topping the easiest way for me is to put the cream cheese and milk in a microwave safe bowl and heat for about a minute. Add the chocolate chunks and stir until melted. You can use a mixture to speed up the process. Add in the sugar.

I like dipping the donuts while the topping is still warm. Sprinkle as desired. Enjoy!

Summer Date Nights

Summer is always filled with fun late night outings. You can finally wear bright tank tops and show off the mediocre tan you achieved from an afternoon in the sun. Summer nights also give me the chance to wear five kinds of bronzer and no one will be the wiser! 

Tonight we went to see Southpaw (oh my gosh Jake Gyllenhaal was phenomenal) I wanted to bronze up my face and do a smokey eye, but I didn't want black eyeshadow melting down my face. I used a combo of really warm eye shadows and bronzers. I decided to skip the winged liner and just make it all about the lashes. Get ready with me on my channel!

http://youtu.be/aslSzgXHhjk

Glowing Summer Makeup

Are you seeing a trend? I cannot escape these glowing products. The makeup industry keeps on releasing these incredible products that allow us to be creative, but still embrace our skin. 

Last night I uploaded a get ready with me featuring my favorite summer glow products. 

You can watch it here 

http://youtu.be/PJ7ngstn_CE

The BALM is known for their highlighting and bronzing powders. The formulas are so creamy. I used both the maryloumanizer and bettyloumanizer.

Maybelline just released the bronzing BB cream. I have mine in the lightest shade. It blends so quickly. It would be hard to use too much. 

Buxom has always been one of my favorite makeup lines. All of their products seem to magically bring out my best features. Their blushes come in bold bright colors that deposit sheer washes onto the cheek. This makes them crazy easy to blend and I do not know another brand that can make bright orange look natural. 

Products used: 

Rimmel 25 hour with comfort serum 

Urban decay naked skin concealer light

The BALM maryloumanizer and bettyloumanizer 

Milani baked bronzer

Rimmel stay matte powder translucent 

Maybelline BB bronzing cream 

Buxom blush seduction 

Cover girl mascara bloom in black 

Rimmel liquid liner in black 

Ulta lip liner in nude 

NARs lip pencil in Bahama 

What are your favorites ???

Restaurant Dishes For Less (Calories)

Ever crave your favorite comfort meal from your favorite restaurant? Of course you do, who doesn't? My personal go to meal is the butter milk fried chicken from Bahama Breeze. Crispy salty fried chicken layered with cheese, lemon butter, and creamy mashed potatoes. It is probably not one of the best things I can put into my body. I decided to take my comfort into my own hands and try and recreate this dish with less calories. (This is NOT what I would classify as a healthy dish, just less calories than the original)

What you need: 

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 cups of Flour

1 egg

1 cup milk (for chicken)

1/2 cup milk (for potatoes)

Pepper, salt, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper

1/2 stick of butter

2 lemons

Black beans 

Diced tomato

2 large russet potatoes peeled and chopped

Extra sharp cheddar 

Directions:

I use freezer bags to make my fried chicken. It is quick and easy to clean up. Fill one bag with the milk and egg. Add chicken and set to the side. In the other bag add the flour and spices. The amount is totally up to you. I used 3 tbsp of paprika and 1 tbsp of all the other spices. Paprika gives the chicken that really nice red crust. I use a deep fryer with canola oil set to 350 to make my chicken. Add marinated chicken to the flour bag and coat thoroughly. Add to fryer and cook for 15 minutes or until chicken is at 165 degrees. (I use a meat thermometer to check) 

While chicken is frying, add potatoes to a pot of boiling water and cook until fork tender. Drain the water and add milk. Smash with a fork until creamy. Season with salt and pepper. 

In a sauce pan over medium heat add butter and lemon. Whisk until sauce slightly thickens. 

Heat black beans and tomatoes over low heat. This is more of a garnish so I only used about a cup of each. 

Time to put it together. Start with potatoes and shred a little cheddar on top. Add some beans and tomatoes. Spoon the lemon butter over everything. Top with a chicken breast. 

This is such a wonderful satisfying meal. Creamy potatoes with the tang from the cheddar and lemon. Crispy fried chicken. Sooooo good. Enjoy!

2015 Summer Essentials

Summer is one of my favorite times of year to try new products. New collections and bright colors always seem to be popping up. Habitual self tanning is accepted by my coworkers. Grilling out every night becomes the norm. I also get to bust out a lot of favorites that get tucked away every fall. 

1. The romper

My boyfriend hates when I wear "onsies" I love them. So easy and casual. My new favorite is from aeopostale. (Right? Who knew they were still around)

Get the one I am wearing here - https://m.aeropostale.com/product/index.jsp?productId=59954336

2. The Perfect Bathing Suit

I usually get my bathing suits from target, old navy, or Victoria's Secret. The vs semi annual sale is currently going on so you get score a nice one without spending a ton of money. My new one is a colorful tribal print. 

https://www.victoriassecret.com/swimwear/shop-by-size-mobile

3. Sunglasses

I never spend a lot on sunglasses because I always drop them or lose them. My two favorite brands are New York and company and Nordstrom. 

I have had this $12 pair from Nordstrom for over 3 years. Such a classic pair.

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/prod/accessories/sunglasses/chain-link-sunglasses/A-prod450086/#N-102577

http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/bp-nikki-60mm-sunglasses/3893131?origin=keywordsearch

4. Deep waver 

I used a deep waver from bedhead to get the look above. So easy! It's my go to because it looks better the next day! 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003FBI9LS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1436822477&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=bedhead+deep+waver&dpPl=1&dpID=414JzLoWHiL&ref=plSrch

5. Texturizing spray 

I love a good salt spray for summer time.my hair is naturally curly so I would be a frizz ball if I used it alone, but paired with my deep waver it is amazing. My current favorite is the Not Your Mothers sea salt spray 

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod3120617

6. Accessories

I love fun colorful statement pieces for summer. I do not love spending a fortune on a trendy piece. I usually search in boutiques for items. There is a new boutique that popped up near me that sells clutters of beaded bracelets for only $1!

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/prod/accessories/jewelry/earrings/feather-fringe-drop-earring-/A-prod4080027/

Redneck Nachos

Sometimes you just really need a cheat day. I tracked my diet and excersize using the fitness pal app this week. It was a really easy way to count my calories and monitor my fat/protein/carb intake. To reward my hard work throughout the week I decided to do a cheat meal tonight. I did make a few changes to the original recipe to slightly lighten it up, but my no means is this a healthy dinner. 

If you need to satify that need for fat steak fries, hot gooey cheeses, tangy pulled pork and spicy jalepeno overload then look no further! 

Redneck Nachos 

( inspired by Atlanta's Pig & Chick Restaurants )

What you need : 

Steak cut fries (homemade or frozen)

Shredded cheese (I used cheddar and monterey jack)*

Pulled pork** 

Your favorite BBQ sauce

Pickled jalapeños 

Sour cream ***

Preheat oven to 400.

Bake or fry your steak fries until they are crispy on the outside, but still tender on the inside. Drain on paper towel and lightly season with salt and pepper. Fill your pan with the fries. I used my cuisinart 5 1/2 quart sautée pan. This is my all time favorite oven safe pan!

Cover the fries with the shredded cheeses, pork, bbq sauce and jalapeños. 

Heat in the oven until all the cheese has melted and starts to bubble. 

Serve with sour cream, hot sauce and extra BBQ sauce!

* feel free to substitute with 2% cheeses 

** I will link my favorite pulled pork recipe. I prefer to use a loin to cut out all the extra fat usually found in pork shoulder

http://lexiscleankitchen.com/2013/06/12/slow-cooker-pulled-pork/

*** fat free sour cream works here!

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Foundation Review

Rimmel recently released their lasting finish foundation in a new formula. This is one of my new favorites! So light and easy to wear. The price is fantastic. Check out my video for a more detailed review! 

Rimmel's Lasting Finish Page- Where to buy

My youtube channel- My Review On Youtube

Work Appropriate Glow

 It has been insanely hot here in Georgia this month. Plus with all the rain we have had it has been extra humid. Today I decided to work with the weather and created a - I just got back from vacation - look that will actually work with the heat. 

I started with the buxom illuminator that has a cooling tingle built in so when you sweat the product starts cooling you down. I applied this with my hands over my moisturizer. 

Then I went in with a foundation. Today I used the maybelline fit me because it is very light. 

Next I take the bronze bb cream with my stippling brush and blend into the points of my face that I would normally contour. (Cheek bones, forehead, sides of my nose)

You can use a highlighter or shimmery eye shadow to touch the tops of the cheeks and inner corner of your eyes an extra glow. 

I use the baked bronzer with a huge powder brush and just warm up my cheeks and neck. I took a blending brush and added just a little to my crease as well. 

I set everything with translucent powder and added the buxom gloss in White Russian. Again the gloss has that cooling sensation that really helps beat the heat. 

For my hair I used the bed head waver and the not your mothers sea salt spray. 

Cutting calories

 I decided in order to jump start my weight loss and get back on track that I would need to cut calories. This may not be the best for everyone, but I love food. I love cooking and baking, eating out, trying new things ... I love food. The only way I will be able to kick start this program is if I use portion control and calorie counting. I am starting off with 1200 calories based on my current height/ weight and where I want my weight to be. I downloaded my fitness pal to help me track the calories. I have a feeling the measure cup will be my best friend this month. 

 Today I started out with a piece of cinnamon toast and an egg. Equaling 150 calories. This is actually very light for breakfast. I might add in a banana. Before work I am going to do 15 minutes of squats and abs. 

 Happy Monday motivation! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend!

Upping My Game

The beginning of this year started with me focused. I was ready to shed some weight and be physically fit for my 29th birthday. Well, I lost the weight and made huge progress with my yoga poses. Then came birthday cake. Chocolate, orange zest, vanilla, caramel... Who knew how many people would bring me cake!?! Obviously I had to taste test them all... So one month later I'm up 8 lbs. I am not committing to a diet. I am committing to a lifestyle. First goal is to drink more water. I currently have diet coke running through my blood. Water is my nemesis. So good and refreshing, but it sadly is not diet coke. My goal is to drink a gallon of water a day. I will be posting with my god and updates on my progress. Wish me luck !

Chocolate Cake For Two With A Hint Of Baileys

Chocolate Cake For Two With A Hint Of Baileys

What is better then chocolate cake? How about a chocolate cake with 2 servings and a hint of baileys? I went on a quest to find a bottle of Baileys on Saint Patrick's Day... I don't know why I thought that was a good idea. I managed to find a beverage store that had just received a shipment of Baileys. I had no idea that coffee liquor came in different flavors! I could not pass up the salted caramel. This cake is super moist and filled with gooey chocolate. My favorite part of this cake is you can make the entire recipe within 30 minutes! 

What you need:

1 egg 

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 cup of cocoa powder 

1/2 cup of AP flour

2 tbsp canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 buttermilk 

1/8 cup baileys or other coffee liquor

Directions: 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, oil, vanilla and baileys. Add in the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. If the batter looks too thick just add a tsp of water. 

I used a cooking spray and prepped a 6" Wilton pan.  Cook for 15 - 20 minutes. I like to slightly under bake my cakes. I test after 15 minutes and slightly tap the top. If it slowly bounces back it is ready. 

Flip onto a plate and stick in the freezer for 5 minutes.

What you need for the frosting:

1/2 stick of softened butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1/3 cup of cocoa powder

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp of baileys 

Directions:

You can use a hand mixer, but it is such a small amount I usually just whip all the ingredients together with a fork. Mix until everything is creamy and there are not any sugar lumps.

Pull the cake from the freezer and frost. Top with sprinkles of your choice. Everything tastes better with sprinkles :)