Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

I wanted something light and fresh that would double as a comfort dish. Roasted red pepper, fresh tomatoes, spicy salami and fresh cheeses are only a few things that made this pasta some satisfying. 

This dish can easily be made vegetarian but the meat eaters in my house would freak if we had more than one meatless meal a week. 

What you need: 

Really good olive oil

Fresh ball of mozzarella 

Block of parm with pieces chipped off

2 vine ripened tomatoes 

3 organic red bell peppers 

Parsley and basil fresh or dried

Sea salt and cracked pepper

Crushed red pepper 

Whole wheat angel hair pasta prepared and drained 

Salami of your choice. I got my at whole foods. Presliced stick of spicy salami 

Chopped garlic 

Let's get started!

Preheat oven to 375. Starting with a casserole dish pour olive oil to cover the bottom of the dish. Add in herbs, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper. 

Add in the cooled pasta and toss in the oil. Cover pasta with the mozzarella, tomatoes and red peppers. Top with salami and parmasean. Be sure to put salami on last because you want it to be crispy. 

Bake for 45 minutes or until red peppers have roasted down. 

Enjoy!

Adapted from www.halfbakedharvest.com

How to wear color eyeshadow

I love colors but not necessarily on my eyes. I'm always terrified of looking like I came out of the 80s. Pink and brown is a classy way to do color and is completely work appropriate. 

I used all too faced shadows/blushes to create this look. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, rosy blush, taffy and snowflake. 

Start by using a light brown on a fluffy brush and blend all over the eye and lower lash line.

On the same brush use the rosy blush and sweep into crease. Using either the same brush or a smudge brush add the dark brown lightly to the outer v of the eye and the inner of the eye. 

Using a clean brush blend everything together until you cannot see any edges then add a light pink to the center of the eye. 

Final touches are using a shimmery white to the inner corner of the eye and under the brow. Finish with your favorite mascara and liner. 

Enjoy !

Falafel and feta

Sorry about the lack of pictures! This meal was thrown together so quickly I honestly did not expect it to come out so well! This is a real fast but tasty way to do vegetarian. 

I saw a recipe for falafel on emerils website. He used fava beans and a fryer. I decided to use chick peas and bake them off. 

What you need: 

2 cans of chick peas

1 egg 

1/3 cup flour 

1/2 cup chopped parsley 

1 lemon juiced and zested 

1/4 cup olive oil 

Salt and pepper

Crumbled tomato basil feta 

1 cup Greek yogurt 

1 tbsp olive oil 

Red pepper flakes 

Directions:

Preheat your oven 400 degrees. In a food processor add olive oil and chick peas. Once blended add the lemon juice, salt pepper, parsley, egg and flour. I used an icecream scoop to drop batter on a pan before putting in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes. 

While the falafel is baking mix together the feta, oil, red pepper flakes, lemon zest and yogurt. You can use the food processor if you want a creamier texture. 

Top your falafel with the feta and serve with a warm piece of flat bread. Enjoy! 

Flawless Lasting Foundation

I spend countless time searching online for products that will help your makeup last. I work long days without time for touchups so I can't worry about what my makeup is doing. 

I have found a few products that help me ensure I have a "flawless" face. 

Step 1- moisturize ! This is the most important step. I have been using origins morning moisturizer. 

Step 2- primer that works for your skin. Primers are made for large pores, oily skin, dry skin, fine lines ect. I chose one for lasting power. Benefit 15 hour flawless face primer 

Step 3- foundation. If you find your perfect primer you can use any foundation really. Revlon photo finish has a really sheer yet buildable coverage. 

Step 4- setting powder. My current favorite is Victoria's Secret mineral finish powder. It has a very subtle sheen that blurs lines and large pores. 

Step 5- if you still need staying power try a setting spray. I like something mattifying so I use urban decay de slick spray 

Let me know if you try any of my tips! Or if you have some to share!

Valentines Cookie Cake

This is easily my FAVORITE cookie cake recipe. The texture of the cookie is light while still having the density of a traditional chocolate chip cookie. 

We were snowed in for 3 whole days with this cookie... I really needed to leave before eating the entire thing. 

What you need 

2 cups of flour 

3/4 cup of unsalted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar 

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp cornstarch (most important ingredient)

Pinch of kosher salt

1 egg

1 tsp baking soda 

2 tbsp vanilla 

1 cup chocolate chunks

1 cup m&m s

A good tip here is to freeze the chocolate first. This helps it hold it's shape and keeps the cookie from discoloration. 

How to do it

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until creamy. Add in dry ingredients. It with form a very thick ball of dough. Do not over mix. Add in chocolate and m&ms. 

Pour into a greased 9inch pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The top should be very lightly browned. Leave out to cool for at least an hour before taking out of the pan. I used a Betty Crocker icing bottle to make the heart on my cookie. 

Enjoy! 

Food prep for success

Last year I lost over 20 lbs and managed to keep it off. This year my goal is to get my body to its healthy weight and tone up. One of the biggest obstacles for me is my job. I leave the house by 7am and usually do not get home until 8pm. My lunches are squeezed in whenever I find a minute so they are never at the same time. After talking to a good friend and amazing motivator I decided to commit my Sunday free time to food prep. Instead of driving around trying to find healthy fast food options I'm stocking up in organic veggies and free range proteins to eat through the work week. 

This week I made roast chicken breast with lemon, garlic, pepper, cayenne and a little sea salt. My broccoli was roasted with lemon and pepper.

What do you eat to stay healthy?

Valentines day favorites

Valentines day is just over a week away. I'm not huge into celebrating valentines day since T and I have an anniversary shortly after. BUT I love having an excuse to wear pinks and reds. These are just a few off my affordable favorites! 

1. The limited skater dress $70

2. JCrew factory store sweater $30

3. New York and co hearts blouse $50

4. Forever 21 dress $12

5. Boohoo.com Candy dress $45

 

6. Target red shoes $30

7. Mac all fired up lipstick $15

8. JCrew factory store sweater $30

9. Aldo pumps $70

What are your favorites??