Monday Five? How about 3!

Hello Monday, how I wish you hadn't come so soon!

How was everyones weekend?  Did anyone do anything exciting?

The first half of my weekend was packed! Dinner party Friday, followed by a busy Saturday Morning and finally relaxing for the remainder of the weekend!

This week we are going to have the Monday 3!  Because Friday my parents and I are leaving for Omaha Nebraska to see my Sissy, and cheer the Creighton BlueJay's on in a basketball game (I am still a loyal Bulldog though)!

Lets kick off this Monday 3 with a recipe that didn't get made last week!
Stacked Roasted Vegetable Enchilada

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

I can say that we will have a review of this recipe this week, I know this because We are making it tonight!
Up next...
Clean Eating's Tofu Pad Thai

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

And last but not least
Cooking Light's Rice and Beans with Chicken and Chorizo

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

I am thinking my parents and  I have a great line up of recipes this week!
Here is to a great start to another week!

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

Happy Monday!

Time

I ran out of time this week to make all the delicious recipes from last weeks 5!  But I did succeeded (or my dad succeeded) in making 3 of them!

Quinoa  Avocado Salad:  

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

Another fabulous way to use the super grain of quinoa!  I used a Newman's Own Light ime Vinaigrette instead of the lemon one called for!  Serve with simple pan seared chicken, tofu or fish for a complete meal!

Skinny Taste Thai Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry: 

A sweeter version of stir fry!  If you love pineapple this stir fry is for you.  I was not a fan of the fish sauce, if I make this again I will sub in say sauce instead!  I also think I would have liked some onions thrown in the stir fry mix!  This however was a nice change of pace from your typical stir fry.  

and finally 

Better Homes and Gardens Baked Pasta with Spinach:

The original recipe called for prosciutto which I left out (not a huge cured ham fan)!  The pasta had a rich texture, and I loved how spinach packed the dish was.  Warning this makes a lot, my family still has leftovers!  That being said I took this pasa the next day for lunch and it reheated very nicely!

And while I am confessing that I ran out of time to make all five recipes I should also

admit that instead of trying a new recipe Saturday night I made this quiche again!

What I cannot help that it was delicious, and a huge success!  You really should make this quiche if you haven't already (yes I am being serious)!  

See you all tomorrow with a new line up of recipes from the pin board!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Food+Wine+Friends=Success

Happy Saturday!

I have decided that weekends go way to fast, and I think that is unfair!  

But lets not focus on the weekend that is going way to fast, lets talk about the food from last nights dinner party!  The night was a major success!  Not only was the food delicious but we enjoyed a night of laughs, conversation, relaxing and wine!  Who doesn't need a girls night like that every now and then!  All of us girls decided that another pin board dinner party needed to be planned ASAP!

So here is a quick review of the food

Goat Cheese:  You must make this if you are a goat cheese fan!  It is delicious!  I used tart cherries and pecans (I think any combo would work)

Quinoa Salad: Oh Martha Stewart you just have to be good at everything!  This salad was delicious, loved the fresh herbs and the feta!  And super healthy!

Skinny Taste Chicken and Mushrooms in White Wine Garlic Sauce: YUM!  If you love mushrooms you have to make this.  It takes 30 minutes to make, super easy and down right delicious!  

No Bake Chocolate Cake: WINNER (I didn't get a picture).  But think the middle of a decadent Godiva truffle in cake form, yes I am being serious!  A sliceable truffle cake.  This little cake could be dangerous because not only does it take no time to make but it is rich, chocolaty and down right yum!  I subbed in cinnamon for the all spice!  

I have to admit I didn't take many pictures (I was to busy talking, and enjoying myself)!  But I did manage to get a few!

Goat cheese, and Skinny Taste Chicken and Mushrooms in a White Wine Garlic Sauce

Beautiful flowers from Katie!  Thank You!

Well my friends I am off to relax for the rest of the evening.  I have been go go go all day and I am ready to sit and relax!  Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!  Friday 5 recipe recap coming tomorrow!

Wanna Stay for Dinner?

Hello Friday, I am so glad your here!  I am ready for a few days of relaxing.  Plus I am really looking forward to tonights festivities!  I think this little dinner party I am hosting is what got me through this week!  Tonight a few friends and I are having a pin board style dinner!  If I could have you all over for dinner tonight I would, because there is nothing I love more then entertaining and cooking for others!  So whats on the menu for this little get together tonight you ask?
Well let me show you...

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

A little Goat Cheese and wine to get the night started!  

Followed by a delicious quinoa salad from Martha Stewart

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

and

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

Chicken and Mushrooms in a Garlic White Wine Sauce, doesn't that just look simply delicious?
But wait their is more... We still have dessert!
Are you ready for this?

Source: 101cookbooks.com via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

No Bake Chocolate Cake from 101 Cookbooks!  I made this last night, and the smell of melty chocolate was intoxicating (seriously one of the best smells)!  Just looking at these pictures makes me hungry, I am already antsy for the end of the work day!  But aside from enjoying a wonderful array of food I am looking forward to great conversation, a relaxing evening, and good wine!
Stay tuned, Sunday I will have the recap of dinner and the highs and lows of this weeks 5 pinterest recipes!

Here is to the start of a wonderful weekend!
What do you have planned this weekend?

To Good Not To Share and It's Ok Thursday

Happy Thursday Everyone!  

The week is slowly but surely coming to an end.  And I have a delicious recipe to share with you all before I jump into It's Ok Thursday!  This recipe was not originally on my pin board, but after making it Tuesday night I just knew this recipe was going to be a keeper!  I mean my dad gave it 2 thumbs up (he has been loving all the new recipes we have been having)!

It is a spin off of a good old Beef Stroganoff.  But meaty Portabello mushrooms stand in for the beef.  There is an interesting twist to this recipe that makes the sauce creamy!  You ready for it?  Tofu!  But you know what, the tofu works especially when blended with beef broth, spices and tomato paste.  Throw the perfectly caramelized onions and mushrooms in the mix and you have a perfectly satisfying meatless dinner!

This recipe comes to you from Clean Eating Magazine (I have been finding some of the best recipes on their site).  They were the master minds behind the Spanikopita casserole (which I originally saw here)!

So head on over and check out the recipe, I promise you will not be disappointed! Click Here!

Alright now onto It's Ok Thursday!

It's Ok that...
...I am counting down the days till Valentines day, because that means I get to see Mark (and celebrate 2 years)!

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Barbie on Pinterest

...I  have been looking forward to Friday all week.  Not just because it is the weekend but because of the chance to entertain and be with friends!

...I am looking forward to a relaxing lazy Saturday morning.  Pancakes anyone?

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

...after seeing the current temp in Minnesota I googled warmer places to live!  I don't get along with negative temps!

Source: Uploaded by user via Heather on Pinterest

Happy Thursday Everyone!  Whats ok with you today?

What I am Loving Wednesday

Happy middle of the week!  How has everyone's first half of the week been going?  My week got off to a bit of a rocky start but I think the week is going to end on a great note.  I just have a feeling!  I was thinking about the blog and realized I hadn't done a "What I am Loving Wednesday" in weeks!  So I figured I was well over do for one.  I felt like sharing the little things that are making me happy this week!

Even though I am not crazy excited about the snow and cold weather that has been hitting Minnesota lately (below zero with negative wind chill!), I am loving new cozy sweaters!  I purchased three new sweaters this weekend when I went shopping with my mamma!  Think little boutique kind of shops (a favorite of mine).  There is just something about cold weather and cozy sweaters that go hand in hand!  Don't ya think?

Bought something similar to this in black and cream!

I am loving this necklace that I found at Target!

I wasn't even looking for jewelry, but when I saw it I just had to have it!  I love that it goes with so many different things! I really want to go back and get this one...

I am loving homemade snacks! More specifically homemade Larabars!

They are so much better then the store bought ones, and to me they taste a whole lot fresher!  

I cannot wait to try out more flavors, Key Lime Pie here I come!

I am loving that I got to have coffee with an old friend yesterday that I have not seen in ages.  I am loving that a good conversation over coffee can leave you relaxed and at ease with life.  It was truly good to catch up, and talk about our lives.  I really needed that!

And on a coffee note while my mom and I were shopping in the little quaint shops of Decorah Iowa we found Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Coffee!  YUM!

And last but not least a dinner party is always something to love!  More specifically a dinner party with friends, wine and recipes from your pinboard!  More details on this to come!

The Challenge Continues!

What are you loving this Wednesday?

Oh and just a bit of inspiration to get us through the day!

Source: Uploaded by user via Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy on Pinterest

A good reminder to live in the now!

Tag your it!

The lovely bloggers Dayna of A Bama Bell and A Bucket List and Nicole of Paris and Hendrix both tagged me in "Tag Your It"

So here is what you do:

Post the Rules

Post 11 fun facts about you 

Answer the questions that the tagger set up for you, and create 11 new questions for the people you tag

Tag 11 new bloggers and link them on your profile 

Let those 11 bloggers know you tagged them!

So lets see here are 11 fun facts about me!

1- I was born in the same hospital as my dad, at 4:44 in the afternoon, yes 4 is my favorite number.

2- When I was 5 I asked my dad how old you had to be to drive, upon finding out the legal driving age I told my father I would be driving a red sports car when I got my license-yes I was 5!  I am still waiting for that red sports car... 

3- I think shopping is sometimes the best cure for a bad day!

4- I originally went to Butler for dance and ended up switching my degree to International Studies!  

5- I can come off as a bit of a girly girl but I actually love being outdoors.  I grew up going to the lake with my family.  Hiking, water skiing (wake boarding) and swimming in the lake I love it all!  Still trying to get used to the idea of camping though, I am more of a rustic cabin girl!

6- I plan my outfits for the week on Sunday night.  It is way to hard to coordinate an outfit at 5 in the morning for work!  A girl has to look cute!

7- I love Audrey Hepburn, she is my style icon.  I secretly wish I could go back in time and meet her!

8- I wish I had more hours in the day, 24 hours is just not enough time for me to get everything done!

9- I would rather wear a dress or skirt then pants.  I seriously have the hardest time finding pants that fit me!

10- My closet is organized by color, article of clothing and whether it is 9-5 work cloths or comfy everyday cloths.  Typing this reminds me that I need to go re-organize it is a bit untidy at the moment!

11-When my sister and I were little people used to think we were twins, now everyone thinks she is older then me!  I can't help I am so short!