A Short Week

Oh Hey Monday!

Forgive me because I feel this post is going to be random and all over the place!

How about that Super Bowl? Was anyone disappointed by the outcome?
I have to admit I really didn't care who won. I pretty much watch the Super Bowl for the commercials, and half time show, anyone else like me?

This was my favorite commercial of the evening!

And thank goodness Madonna sounded better then last years Black Eyed Peas Performance!
We sat around eating delicious homemade pizza, guacamole delicious, Trader Joe's dessert and some yummy salad!

(My pizza was loaded with spinach, basil, and cilantro, and of course we had pepperoni for my dad)!
 Sounds perfect to me!
This week is a short one for me, since I leave for Columbus on Thursday!
So this weeks  Pinterest Challenges is going to be short, but don't worry still delicious!

I did finish off last weeks Pinterest challenges this weekend with the final two dishes!
And both were delicious, and in my mind keepers.

Lets start with this soup.

Spinach, Tomato Orzo Soup
Tasted like a grown up version chicken noodle soup.  I loved the addition of spinach, and the orzo made this broth base soup seem thick and filling!  This recipe makes a big pot of soup.  Would be perfect to make on Sunday nights then you would have delicious soup to eat the entire week!

That yummy salad I mentioned above, well that would be this salad...

Balsamic Chicken, Spinach and Tomato Pasta Salad
So good!  I loved that there was a subtle balsamic flavor, and that the salad was not dripping in dressing.  I topped my serving with a bit of feta, which was a great flavor punch!  Easy to assemble, and keeps well.  This salad will be making its way into my lunch box this short work week!

Lets wrap up this post with the two recipes in this weeks Pinterest Challenge.
I found this gem of a recipe, and immediately decided I had to make them this week!
Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Source: recipes.womenshealthmag.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

I love stuffed peppers! And I have not made them in what seems like forever!  Hoping these ones will have a great flavor, and judging by the spices called for I think they will be delicious!

And numero two...
Vegetarian Fried Rice

Source: realsimple.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

I am hoping this will taste like a healthy version of my favorite fried rice from PF Changs!
This week I am also trying to lighten up on of my moms favorite breads recipes, stay tuned for the results!
Happy Monday!

PS: Anyone score some Jason Wu pieces this weekend at Target?
I did't venture out Saturday to check out the collection, but I am going to go see if out local Target has pieces left!  Such a great collection, full of classic pieces!

What was your favorite part of the Super Bowl?

This Time Next Week

Happy Friday Lovelies!
This time next week I will be in Columbus for the weekend with this guy, 

celebrating Valentines day and 2 wonderful years of dating! Hard to believe that it has been two years, man does time fly.  He has planned a wonderful weekend for us including some of my favorite things exploring, cooking (yes the pinterest challenge) and shopping!  He knows how to make me a happy girl! 

Now lets take a little look at the challenge recipes for the week, starting with this one!

Black Bean and Corn Topped Potatoes 

Baked potatoes are a go to dinner for me.  Healthy and quick.  I loved the black bean, corn and salsa topping for these potatoes, it was spicy and full of flavor.  I added a bit of cumin, garlic and paprika to the mixture and was happy with the results!   I want to try  the topping on sweet potatoes, I think it would be a delicious combination.

Next up Sweet and Spicy Chicken.

This chicken had a kick to it, and was fantastic.  My dad couldn't stop saying how much he loved this dish.  Steamed broccoli and rice made this a well rounded dinner!  I want to try making more of the sauce and stir frying vegetables in with the chicken, I bet that would be tasty!

And last but not least...

White Bean Chowder

Source: ksl.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

This soup had a great flavor  and was delicious the night it was made, but I didn't think it reheated that well.  I am still on the fence about this recipe.  

Still to come this week

Balsamic Chicken, Spinach, Tomato and Pasta Salad
Spinach, Tomato Orzo Soup

Ps have a sweet tooth?  Try this recipe!

Hands down delicious!

Motivational Thursday

Happy Thursday Lovlies!  

I don't know about you all but for me this week is flying.  The fast pace and go go go of the week has left me a bit more drained then usual.  I thought we all might need a little motivation to get us through till the weekend!

I am ready to power through these last few work days!  

One more day closer to the weekend!

Happy Thursday!

Classics, Colors and Patterns

I feel like recently I have been taking big leaps when it comes to my wardrobe!  I am noticing my wardrobe dominated by neutrals slowly getting pops of color in it!   In recent shopping trips my eyes are drawn to the bright cheery colors that is dominating this seasons pieces!  I am loving this sudden need for color in my wardrobe, and the bright colors are making even the dullest winter days just a bit better!  But color isn't the only thing making a debut in my closet, for the first time I am incorporating patterns into my daily fashion!

So here are a few of this weeks loves that have trickled into my closet!
A classic tunic in navy, and I am loving the paisley print!

 I can't wait to wear this with a taupe pencil skirt, or even skinny jeans and Tory Burch flats for a classic low key look!

I really went out on a limb with this next piece but I fell in love with the color (not like me at all).  My mom sister and I will be matching once spring hits (yes we all bought it)!  

I wish it was warm enough to wear it now!

I have mentioned my love for my red pencil skirt before, but it maybe one of my favorite pieces to wear to work right now.  The nice pop of color is a nice change to my typical black pencil skirt!

I recently paired it with this top from Talbots (Not just your moms store anymore, they have some seriously cute classic pieces)!

Maybe little by little colorful pieces will start taking over my closet!

Tell me about your style!  Do you like neutrals or are you all about the color?  What is one of this seasons colors you have to have?

Honored

I received this little card yesterday in the mail from my dear friend Kalyn!

I literally was teary eyed as I saw the picture realizing that this card was asking me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding!  Kalyn and I have been friends since out freshman year at Butler!  Like she mentioned in her card she still remembers the first words I said to her the day we met (which were so who wants to party tonight...yea that as me)!  

Our friendship has taken us on many wonderful journeys, including 5 mission trips to Jamaica together.  AndI am truly honored that Kalyn has asked me to stand along side her on her big day, it is truly a special moment to stand along side a dear friend as they marry their best friend!

Have you been asked to be a bridesmaid in a cute way?

It Just Snuck Up on Me!

Source: sittinginatreeblog.com via Junia on Pinterest

How did you sneak up on me so quickly? How was everyone's weekend? Mine was spent in Omaha Nebraska with my entire family! My little sister is a junior at Creighton University

and let's just say she had a full weekend planned for us!   

 The whole family enjoyed some amazing eats, I am always shocked out how many fabulous local restaurants Omaha has.  I mean Omaha puts my hometown to shame!  And just a little side note... If you ever go to Omaha you need to go to Wheatfields and get a cinnamon roll, trust me on this they are amazing.

I mean come on look at that frosting!
Don't worry we did more then just chow down this weekend!  Saturday night we went and cheered on the Creighton Bluejays in our first ever Creighton basketball game  (at least one of our teams won, poor Butler Bulldogs) and enjoyed an impromptu shopping spree and pedicures (my dad opted out of pedicures)!!  The game was neat to be at.  Saturday was Creighton's Annual Pink Out for breast cancer, so the entire stadium was a sea of pink!  Even my dad had on a pink shirt!

I also got the added bonus of seeing one of my lovely sorority sisters and close friends Leslie this weekend!

She lives about 10 minutes from where my sister goest to school, so I was lucky enough to meet her and her boyfriend for a round of drinks!  Always great to catch up with a good friend!
So many fun things crammed into a few short days!  If only the weekend wasn't over!

But it is Monday so you know what that means... 5 new pinterest recipes! My mom and I killed some time on the 5 hour drive back home looking up this weeks recipes! Hopefully they are some good ones! You ready to see this weeks picks? Here they are in no particular order!

1-White Bean Chowder

Source: ksl.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Perfect for the cold weather we are having right now.  I am very ready for spring to get here!
2-Black Bean and Corn Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Source: myrecipes.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

These look delicious!  Not only are baked potatoes super easy/quick to make they are also delicious and good for you!
3-Balsamic Chicken, Spinach, Grape Tomatoes and Tortollini Salad

Source: multiplydelicious.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

I have had this recipe pinned forever, and I think my favorite Trader Joe's Balsamic Dressing would be perfect for this recipe!
4-Sweet and Spicy Chicken

Source: allrecipes.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Just looks simply delicious!
5-How about another simple soup!

Source: blogs.babble.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

Spinach Tomato Orzo Soup!  I am in that mood again where big bowls of soup sound comforting, and extra delicious!  And what is not to love about a soup chalk full of veggies?

What did everyone do this weekend?  Any exciting adventures?
Happy Monday!

One Dud and Two Wins!

Well as the title suggests one recipe was a total flop this week while two were hands down delicious!  I have to say that we have had some pretty good turn outs with recipes!  

Lets lets refresh, this weeks menu looked something like this!

Monday: Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchilada From Perry's Plate-Win

Tuesday: Cleaning Eating's Lean Tofu Pad Thai- Dud

Thursday:Cooking Light's Beans and Rice with Chicken and Chorizo-Win

Lets take a look at this Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchilada a little closer!  I know a lot of you were curious as to how this would turn out!  And let me tell you this dish is delicious, if you have this recipe pinned you need to make it.  I know it takes some time to roast veggies, but in the end the extra time is worth it.  I loved the sweet note that the sweet potatoes played in the dish, and well I am always down for a recipe that is loaded (I mean loaded) with veggies!  Add some black beans and chicken for a little extra protein!  I served this with a side salad, yes even more vegetables.  I actually cut the amount of cheese down to 3/4 cup instead of the 2 cups called for, and instead of putting cheese between every layer I just topped the dish with the cheese.  And I used 7 tortillas.  

Not the best picture, but still it was delicious!

Clean Eating's Lean Tofu Pad Thai:

Why was it a dud you ask? The tofu had zero flavor I mean none!  This dish was rather bland and nothing like an authentic pad thai.  I read the review for this dish and made some modifications but in the end it just wasn't good!  Sorry Clean Eating I am going to stick with this recipe!

Source: cleaneatingmag.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

And lets end on a win this fine Friday morning!
 Cooking Lights Beans and Rice with Chicken and Chorizo!
Delicious.  I subbed in Vegetarian sausage for the Chorizo and was extremly happy with the outcome!
The recipe only called for salt and pepper but I added garlic, paprika and cumin.  I thought the additional spices added a nice kick!  I could use more go to recipes like this.  Recipes that are delicious, healthy and take no time to prepare!

Are there any recipes you have tried lately that you were excited about and they ended up being a total flop?  Tell me about it!

And before I leave I am going to link up with Sarah of Simply Sarah for Inspiration Friday.



One goal I had for 2012 was to live more in the now verses worrying about things that are happening in the future our out of my control.  This week I had to look at this quote several times, because I noticed myself getting anxious (you know the feeling) about things that are simply out of my control!

Source: spirituallythinking.blogspot.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

No point in worrying about things that are out of our control, or over planning the future!  Focus on the now, don't let it pass you by!
Happy Friday Everyone!