Rosé and Lime Spritzer & Festive Wine Glasses

Are you preparing a Valentine's Day dinner at home? Maybe you're super wonderful and hosting a Galentine's Day Brunch this Saturday morning? Or, if you're anything like me, you like the idea of having another fun beverage idea up your sleeve!

This Rosé and Lime Spritzer is super simple and absolutely refreshing.

Chocolate Chip Toffee Oatmeal Cookies aka Lactation Cookies

On Sunday I shared our breastfeeding story - the ups and the downs, the good and the bad. I have to say, I really appreciate all of the kindness and support. It's reassuring to know that other people have had similar experiences and triumphed in one way or another. I am positive that the improvements to my milk supply were due to suggestions from the lactation specialist. And when your doctor suggests a magical cookie that will boost your milk supply, you say 'yes please.'

These aren't just any cookies. These are Lactation Cookies. These are a nursing mama's baked bestfriend. Try them. You'll be a believer too. Even if you aren't nursing (and I imagine that is most of you), try these anyway - they'll hit the spot.

Crispy Oven Fries

Aside from 24/7 Jasper time, my favorite aspect of maternity leave has been the ability to cook a homemade meal every night. Having time to make food from scratch is pretty flippin awesome (just ask my husband. haha!) No more pre-made pizza crust or bagged frozen potatoes in this house.

In addition to my 'tried and true' dishes, I've tried out new things to add to my repertoire. One of our new 'family favorites' are these Crispy Oven Fries. Sure, they take a bit more work than frozen fries but that's to be expected. But the flavor?! Yeah, these are unbeatable. Since I made the first batch, we've had them with dinner every.single.Friday.

Jalapeño Cheddar Soft Pretzel Bites

I love semi-homemade anything. I mean, what's there not to love? Homemade taste + easy breezy convenience = recipe for success. And these jalapeño cheddar pretzels surely won't disappoint... promise!

Meal Planning - Week 1

Are you a fan of weekly/monthly meal planning. I know it's a great way to stay organized during the week, ensure there are healthy meals on the table each night, and to keep the grocery budget in check. With the baby on the way, I'm trying to put more thought into every penny I spend. Meal planning seemed like a painless opportunity to make a dent in my ridiculous grocery bill.

After spending more time than I'd like to admit thinking about this, I have come to the conclusion that the best meal plans use items on hand and a few fresh ingredients that can be used between multiple recipes.

This is what I came up for this week:
(please visit the links individually before pinning!)

Monday - My French Bread Pizza with Salad & Ranch Dressing

Tuesday - Chef-in-Training's Baked Crispy Ranch Chicken with Rice and Corn on the Cob

Wednesday - The Country Cook's Spasagna (made with ground turkey) with Garlic Bread & Salad

Thursday - Tastes Nice's Taco Bake (made with ground turkey) with Seasoned Rice, Corn, Salsa, Sour Cream and Black Beans mixed in

Friday - Prevention Magazine's Salmon and Summer Vegetable Pockets (with Lemon & Herbs)

Saturday - Free! Going to a birthday party BBQ so we'll get full on goodies elsewhere

Sunday - Number 2 Pencil's Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken with Roasted Potato Salad

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Four Ingredient Low-Fat Chili & Cheese Dip

Yep. Four basic ingredients. One bowl. Done.

Oh yeah, and it's low-fat. Please, thank you, you're welcome!

Mini Pecan Pie Tarts

Confession time: I have never eaten Pecan Pie.

I'm sure I'm not the only one. The only real problem with that statement is that Joe and I were assigned to bring croissants and pecan pie to our fifth annual Friendsgiving dinner. Let's be real for a moment, Joe does not cook so in all reality, I was assigned to bring croissants and pecan pie. Since I didn't have a fool-proof recipe to fall back on, I turned to the interwebs. I ended up finding a pin for this recipe from Bits and Bytes. 

Turns out, it's a winner! 

These little bites got so many compliments throughout the evening. That was quite the feat considering that most of us gorged during the meal and could barely taste dessert by the end haha. The raves seemed to concentrate on the fact that these were just sweet enough.. nowhere near the heavy sugariness of a true pecan pie.

Harvest Meatloaf with Apple Dijon Gravy

Did you read that title? Harvest Meatloaf with Apple Dijon Gravy. The meatloaf is hearty, healthy and tastes like Fall. The gravy is tangy and sweet with a fabulous mustard undertone. It's all so very incredible if I do say so myself. If that didn't make you salivate, I don't know what will. 

Oh wait, maybe a picture... YUM!

Football Friday - Fudgy Football Brownie Pops

Football season is the best season of all. Over the years, the Mr. has had quite the influence on this girl. We met in November while football was in full swing so I learned early on that our Sundays would be devoted to the pigskin. I wouldn't change a thing about it :) Monday Night Football was our first Eagles' game of the season so I made an extra special treat -- Fudgy Football Brownie Pops. 

You don't need any special tools or cake molds for these guys, just some patience and a steady hand.

Chicken Salad | Cucumber Cups

I have a confession: I am a stop and go dieter. One day I'm super healthy and the next, not so much -- actually, it's more like I'm uber healthy for one meal and then 5 hours later, I inhale a baggie of sweet potato chips. Yumm-o. I try to make the healthy meals count and that's easier said than done, especially when you're going to parties with your pals. One of my favorite bring along dishes are these low-carb Cucumber and Chicken Salad Cups. 

Frozen Strawberry & Lemon Creamy Delight Bars

Oh how I love summertime get togethers -- they sure are fabulous ways to relieve day-to-day stress. We had a belated Independence Day celebration with two of our favorite people and their beautiful baby girl on Saturday. They gave me free reign on apps and I just knew I couldn't leave the house without a dessert in tow as well. I scoured my desserts and appetizer boards on Pinterest and chose a few I thought would please us all. I kind of hit the jackpot with The Recipe Critic's Frozen Strawberries and Cream Dessert. 

I ever so slightly adjusted Alyssa's recipe (while I'm 110% sure it would have been excellent on its own) - giving the lemon factor a bit more umph and cutting down on the sugar content as well. 

Leek, Mushroom and Gruyere Quiche

Tonight my lovely neighbor and I are heading out to pick up another bushel of produce from Living Hope Farm. Our last CSA haul was primarily leafy greens which were easy to devour. I shared my consternation towards how to use up the leeks we had received. After searching through dozens and dozens of recipes, this one from Smitten Kitchen really got me. So here is my version of a Leek, Wild Mushroom, and Gruyere Quiche. YUM!

This quiche even got the husband's seal of approval (I say even because even I was surprised that he'd eat it... seeing as it's meatless and all); it was out of this world delicious!

Very Berry Summer Sangria

Seeing as 90 degree temperatures are now in our forecast and today is my baby brother's 21st birthday, it's about time for a yummy summer cocktail! My absolute favorite is sangria. My father in law swears by the boxed variety but making your own is almost too easy and the taste can't be beat! My Very Berry Summer Sangria should be on your menu for every cookout this summer.

We celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday on Sunday and when I asked what we could bring, she responded with "bring that sangria from last year - it was so good and I NEED that recipe!" so you know it's a winner.

Try Something New: Leeks

I'm already loving being part of the CSA and would really suggest joining one to anyone who has the opportunity. I made some delicious sauteed bok choy and tatsoi with garlic yesterday and it was out of this world. I'm really looking forward to making something wonderful with the leeks. They aren't a food completely unbeknownst to me but I've only ever had them in potato and leek soup.

Now that I have them in my arsenal, I'm so excited to try something new. I did some extensive searching and found some incredibly scrumptious looking leek recipes. Take a look!

Three Steps to the Ultimate Mac & Cheese

The Mr. needed me to make something for a potluck this past week so I set to work picking something delish, crowd-pleasing, and easy to make in bulk. Summer may be quickly approaching but that doesn't mean I don't like a yummy wholesome side dish... mac and cheese, anyone?

There are a ton of mac and cheese recipes out there and you probably already have a favorite. So rather than share my version, I thought it would be best to give you three tips to take your recipe the best it can possibly be!

Tropical Delight Macadamia Nut Cookies

I haven't shared a recipe in what feels like forever. This cookie recipe is sure to please and is one of the easiest to throw together. These Tropical Delight Macadamia Nut Cookies combines one of my fave things - toasted coconut, and one of the Mr.'s - macadamia nut cookies.

And guess what -- all you need are a few ingredients from the bulk food aisle and a Betty Crocker White Chip Macadamia Nut Cookie Mix.

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Who doesn't enjoy a super yummy breakfast? I know I do. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! It might be because I only seem to have a real breakfast over the weekend. When that happens, it usually involves the Mr. taking me to our favorite diner for two eggs over easy, rye toast, extra crispy bacon, a side of two sausages (to share), and homefries boxed and ready to go for Quinn. Every once in awhile I crave something sweet and one such thing is these cinnamon roll muffins. Enjoy!

5-Minute Weeknight Dinner - French Bread Pizza

Do you have a go to meal when you're in a time crunch? Ours used to be pasta until the Mr. dropped a bombshell revelation on me a couple of years ago... he hates pasta. GASP! I know. My new favorite is French bread pizza. It's such a breeze, can be customized to your liking, and let's face it, it's super flippin delicious.

My absolute favorite combo is a good ol' pepperoni and cheese! It really can't get any easier than that.

Better Than Anything Hot Cocoa

The holidays are over but winter has only just begun. We've had snow galore over in these parts and nothing is more warming to the body and soul than a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Especially when that hot chocolate is better than anything.

Enjoy a simple prepare-ahead hot cocoa mix whenever the urge strikes. 

Our Christmas Party Spread

Tonight we will be having 30+ of our closest friends and family over for a holiday shindig and I could not be more excited. I'm a little stressed too but I can't help it... we haven't had people over since our rehearsal BBQ last year... geez! I thought that sharing our menu for the night would be an ideal second to last post of The 25 Projects of Christmas.