Author: Elizabeth

Falling for Pumpkin Bars

~ Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

In honor of the first day of fall, I find it fitting to celebrate with this recipe.   It combines all of your favorite fall flavors into one delicious bar.  This recipe is easy and fills your home with the quintessential fragrance of autumn.

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Ingredients

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 3 eggs (1 egg for the crust/2 eggs for the filling)
  • 1 stick of butter (1/4 cup of butter for the crust and the remaining for the filling)
  • 2 cups of pumpkin
  • 1 cup of white sugar (1/2 cup for the filling/1/2 cup for the crumb topping)
  • 2/3 cup of milk (I used almond milk and it was delicious)
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup of butter, melted

Directions

Save 1 cup of the cake mix. In a medium bowl, mix together remaining cake mix, 1 egg, and 1/4 cup of butter. Press firmly batter into a 9″x13″ greased baking pan. Combine pumpkin, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of sugar, and milk in another bowl. Spread over the batter. Combine the reserved cake mix, 1/2 c sugar, cinnamon, and 1/4 c of cooled butter. Crumble over the pumpkin layer. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars.

Face Off

~ Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

The dawn of a new season can wreak havoc on your skin.  There are so many great products out there; it’s hard to keep up with the next big thing.  I tend to rely on a few classics that never let me down.  I’ve been a fan of Kiehl’s products since college- yes it’s been a few years, but who’s counting.  They have a variety of products for all skin types and level of skin care maintenance.  I’ve assembled some of my favorites that are a part of my nightly routine.

In addition to my Kiehl’s products, I’ve recently discovered an amazing mask that my esthetician recommended and I love it.  It’s easy to use a few times a week and leaves your skin feeling smooth and radiant.

 

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 Midnight Recovery Concentrate//Midnight Recovery Eye//Rose Arctica Light//Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

 

What are some of your favorite products?

Soup’s On

~ Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

Well my friends, Fall is here!  Bust out the sweaters, scarves, pumpkin spice lattes and your best apple picking outfit.  I can’t say that I mind, especially since it’s soup season!  I defaulted to an old favorite of mine this weekend and it was just what I needed to ease into the season.  The great thing about this time of year is that produce is at its peak.  Farmers’ markets are full of fresh ingredients for your next pot of soup.

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Winter Minestrone

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 ounces thinly slices pancetta, coarsely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 point Swiss chard, stems trimmed, leaves coarsely shopped
  • 1 russet potato, peeled, cubed (or 5 red skin potatoes)
  • 1 (14 ½ oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 fresh rosemary sprig
  • 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
  • 2 14 oz cans of low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 oz piece of Parmesan cheese rind
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
  • Salt and pepper

 

Directions:

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat.  Add the onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic.  Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes.  Add the Swiss chard and potato; sauté for 2 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and rosemary sprig.  Simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes break down, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, blend ¾ cup of the beans with ¼ cup of the broth in a processor until almost smooth.  Add the pureed bean mixture, remaining broth, and Parmesan cheese rind to the vegetable mixture.  Simmer until the potato pieces are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.  Stir in the whole beans and parsley.  Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Discard Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig (the leaves will have fallen off the stem).  Ladle the soup into bowls and serve!

I dip, you dip, we dip

~ Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

This is not just a flashback to one of your favorite 90s songs.  If you’re like me, you’re always looking for something delicious to bring to a friends house that will stand out among the sea of hummus and pita.  Here are a few easy and tasty dips for your next get together.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa:

Black bean corn salsa

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans black beans
  • 1 can corn
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • Chopped scallions (1 bunch)
  • 1 avocado chopped
  • ½ cup-1 cup Light Italian dressing (I like Newman’s Own light Italian)

Preparation:

Drain and wash the black beans and corn and add to a large bowl.  Chop the cilantro and scallions and add to the corn/bean mixture.  Next add the dressing and combine.  Gently fold the chopped avocado into the mixture and refrigerate.  Once it has a chance to sit and the flavors incorporate, you might need to add a little extra dressing.  Enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips.

Edamame Dip (Gluten Free)

Edamame Dip

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups frozen shelled edamame (green soybeans), thawed
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup chopped red onion
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons chili garlic sauce (such as Lee Kum Kee)
  • 1 (16-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, drained/rinsed

 

Preparation:

Place all ingredients in a food processor, and process until smooth. Serve immediately, or cover and chill.  Serve with your choice of veggies, crackers, or pita chips.

Nutritious and Delicious

~ Elizabeth ~ 4 Comments

It’s always tough getting back into a routine after a long weekend.  I’m a huge fan of meal planning on Sunday’s since the weekdays can be hectic.  My sister introduced me to this recipe for Jessica Alba’s Turkey Meatballs.  They are one of my favorites and a great way to sneak in veggies for those picky eaters.  I recently made them with ground chicken breast and they turned out just as yummy.

 

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 pounds lean ground turkey
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup grated carrots
  • ¼ cup grated zucchini
  • ¼ cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ cup store-bought low-sodium chicken broth (unless you’re ambitious and make your own)

 

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DIRECTIONS

  • Step 1: In a large bowl, mix turkey, panko, carrots, zucchini, onion, eggs, Italian seasoning, and salt until well combined; form into 1-inch balls.
  • Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add meatballs and cook, turning, until browned, about 7 minutes.  I suggest separating into multiple skillets to avoid overcrowding.
  • Step 3: Add ½ cup chicken broth; cover and reduce heat to low.  Cook until liquid is almost completely absorbed, about 7 min.  Add remaining ¼ cup broth and increase heat to medium; cook, uncovered, until liquid is absorbed.
  • Step 4: Serve and enjoy!

 

 

The Juice is Worth the Squeeze

~ Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

One of the perks of living in an amazing neighborhood is having access to great local businesses.  I got excited as soon as I saw the storefront for the Real Good Juice Co. down the street from my building in Old Town.  I decided to pop into the quaint shop this past weekend and was immediately a fan.  As soon as I walked in the door I was greeted by friendly juicers that felt like neighbors.  They took the time to explain the different varieties of juices, smoothies, etc.  And they handed out samples of their delicious products they make in-house- bonus!


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This place has personality from the cheeky menu options to the vibrant team of juice artists.  I can’t wait to go back and sample even more from their menu.

 

August Jams

~ Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

The weekend’s almost here (yippie!).  Time to get excited about the warm weather and impending shenanigans.  Friday is just around the corner and i’m always looking for new tunes to add to my rotation.  Since I work in an open environment, I consistently have headphones on at work.  Music drives my mood and can quickly turn my day around.  Here’s a playlist of my current faves to get you ready for the weekend.  Warning…workplace chair dancing might ensue!

 

 

 

 

Apples to Onions

~ Elizabeth ~ 1 Comment

Tis the season for fresh produce, flowers, and local finds.  Chicago’s neighborhoods offer several markets on the weekend for the city dwellers to enjoy.  I love me a good grocery shopping trip, but nothing beats fresh items from local growers.

I like the challenge of bringing $20 to the market to see what succulent goodies I can score.  With an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies, you can’t go wrong!

 

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Here are a few tips to keep in mind for your next market adventure:

  • Go Early: Seems like an obvious tip, but it’s worth mentioning.  It’s best to have your choice before items are picked over.
  • Bring cash: Most vendors only accept cash and you don’t want to miss out!
  • Try something new: Ask the experts for recommendations on what’s in season and explore some new local goodies.

Morning Musing

~ Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

Like most, I tend to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the everyday.  Rushing to the gym, catching the bus, running from meeting to meeting, etc.  Now more than ever, it’s important to take a moment for yourself before starting another hectic day.  This morning’s 6 mile walk was a perfect time to pause, reflect and appreciate the beauty of a new day.

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If you find yourself spinning today, take a few minutes to clear your mind and regain focus.  Here are a few things you can do to get back on track in 15 minutes:

  • 5 minutes of physical activity
  • 4 minutes of gratitude
  • 3 minutes of meditation
  • 2 minutes of silence
  • 1 minute of deep breathing

Namaste and happy weekend!

Polished Perfection

~ Elizabeth ~ Leave a comment

Manicures are always a part of my weekly routine.  But, there’s nothing worse than having a chip a day or two after your experience.  I’ve tried no-chip manicures several times, but for some reason my nails do not respond well to the process.  Alas, there’s a solution to my no-chip debacle.  I discovered a week-long wear polish called Vinylux ®.  The application process is simple:  no base coat, 2 coats of polish and a top coat.  Voilà!  You have a perfect manicure that lasts for a week.  And the best part…it comes off with regular polish remover.

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I’m sure there are other brands out there, but I can only speak to my great experience with this one.  And no, this is not a paid advertisement. I’m just a fan of this product and want to share the love.