Back in the Swing of Things-Meal Planning

Happy Tuesday Lovelies! 

Is everyones week off to a wonderful start?  I hope so!

The weather here in Minneapolis has been beautiful, makes me want to be outside 24/7!

I am in love with my morning/afternoon walking to and from work work, gives me a little extra time in the beautiful weather!

Since I am now living on my own I have to get back in the swing of cooking for one!  This means smaller portions (making half a recipe), and eating leftovers!  But don't worry I am still doing the pin challenge!  I actually send my weekly meal plan to my parents and my sister, complete sometimes with the grocery list!  

This week I am focusing on meals that will be easy to pack in my lunch box!  I also realized that I picked a lot of meatless/veggie packed dishes!  Most of the recipes I picked for the week you could add in your choice of protein if you want a little extra! 

So lets kick it off with Zucchini Enchiladas from Skinny Taste!

Source: skinnytaste.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I have been wanting to make these forever!  They just sound deliciou, and spicy food is what I have been craving recently!

Salads are an easy lunch box staple for me!  So this week I thought why not make a huge quinoa salad to have on hand!  

Greek Quinoa Salad from Eclectic Recipes! 

Source: eclecticrecipes.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Next up how about some spaghetti squash?

Spaghetti Squash Sesame Noodles with Edamame, from Family Fresh Cooking! 

Source: familyfreshcooking.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I love baking my spaghetti squash ahead of time!!  This helps cut down cooking time, because the last thing I want to do after work is wait 45 min for my spaghetti squash to bake!  

And last but not least how about some fresh fish! 

Ginger and Cilantro Baked Tilapia from The Kitchn

Source: thekitchn.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

I am thinking of serving the fish over a simple green salad or some brown rice!  Either way I think this dish is going to be delicious!  

Any recipes catching your eye this week?

How do you cook for one?

Happy Belated First Birthday!

I would like to wish a very Happy Belated Birthday to my little blog Brunch and Cupcakes! 

Hard to believe that this time last year I got the idea to start my blog, wow has the time flown by!  I want to say thank you to each person who has supported my little blog this past year!  I keep blogging because of all of you!

So with that being said!  

Happy 1st Birthday Brunch and Cupcakes!

(source)

Can't wait to see what this year has in store for my little piece of the blog world! 

Now are you all ready for some recipe recaps?

Lets start with these?

 Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos I made these last week and they were delicious!  

I highly recommend making them!  They are easy, healthy and tasty.  Not to mention the chicken makes a great salad topper if you have leftovers!  These lovely tacos also got approval from my taste tester!  

And the final recipe from last weeks pin challenge was this Chicken Tortilla Soup from Hungry Girl!

Source: hungry-girl.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Super easy to make!  I boiled my chicken ahead of time, which meant the entire meal came together in about 30 minutes!  I added some spinach for extra nutrition and also added a jalapeno and red pepper! 

Great to take for lunch, and a great quick week night meal! 

I am still working on this weeks menu, stay tuned I am working on some mouth watering options! 

Happy Monday Everyone, Have a fabulous start to your work week! 

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

I just realized my last post was about a week ago!  

I have been a bad blogger, and apologize because this post might be all over the place!

Here is a quick little list of things that have been going on in my life this past week! 

First things first, move went smoothly and I am slowly settling into a routine in the big city! 

I promise I will have pictures for you ASAP (gotta hang those pictures)!  My first apartment is slowly coming together.  I have a few things left to unpack, and a few odds and ends left that I need to purchase!

Here are a few other highlights for this past week!
A 3 mile run around Lake Calhoun!

Happy Hour with Old Friends, at Britt's Pub!

A wonderful brunch at Victors 1959 Cafe

(source)

Hello Mango Waffles!  AMAZING!  You know my world isn't complete without a go to brunch place!

Oh and how could I forget!  I started my big girl corporate job!  I think it is safe to say this past week has been a whirlwind of excitement 

Now before I go today I have one last thing for you all!
The pin challenge!  I need to retrain myself on how to cook for one!  But I guess leftovers wouldn't be a bad thing!

So here they are, this weeks pin recipes! 

Hungry Girls Chicken Tortilla Soup!

Source: hungry-girl.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Nothing better then a big pot of soup, especially when you can take leftovers for lunch! 

And...
Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos!

Source: laaloosh.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Don't these look delicious?  I cannot wait to try these!
Happy Tuesday Everyone!

The End Of a Chapter

Well folks Happy Tuesday!

It is officially my last day of work here in Rochester.

The point where one chapter closes and another begins.  

This whole transition is a little bittersweet, I am sad to be leaving friends/coworkers yet excited for the future.  Funny how you can be excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time.  

As this chapter comes to an end I have a list a mile long of things I am looking forward to (and another list just as long of things to do).  While I can't be 100% sure where my life is headed I know there is a plan, and I know it will be exciting!  Now it is time to enjoy ever little bit of life, and embrace the changes!

Source: frenchbydesign.blogspot.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

So with that I am off, next time I blog I will be a city girl in my very own big girl apartment!
Stay tuned for some pictures! 

The Final Days!

Happy Monday Everyone!

How was everyone's Easter weekend?

Did the East Bunny make an appearance at your house/

Even though my sister and I are 20 and 25 we still did an Easter egg hunt!  You have to act like a kid every once in a while (or all the time)!

I don't think I could have asked for a better weekend!

Easter was fabulous.  I didn't realize how much I missed being home with my family on Easter!

Church was wonderful.  The food and conversations were great.  And we all enjoyed a relaxing evening with amazing company!  Oh and how could I forget to mention the dessert, coconut cake, and chocolate turtle cake just to name a few!  I am pretty certain I went into a sugar induced comma after dinner!  

I couldn't have asked for a better day!

The Wolfe family decided we needed to have a little post church photo shoot!  

Christmas Card worthy?

  I think so!

So tell me... 

How was your weekend, and how did you celebrate Easter?

Happy Friday-And Early Easter

I don't know about you but I am super excited that it is Friday!  

I am even more excited that its Easter weekend and my whole family is home!

My little sissy made her grand entrance into Minnesota about 9 last night, our night was filled with lots of laughs!

It is always good to have my whole family together!

Especially for a holiday weekend!

I am really excited about Easter this year.  This is the first time in two years that I will be home celebrating Easter with my family!   You better believe there will be lots of food, laughs, for sure an Easter Egg hunt (you are never to old for Easter egg hunts) and of course dying Easter Eggs! 

Source: layoutsparks.com via Cris on Pinterest

Speaking of Easter I really want to make these!

Source: thewhimsicalprincess.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

DIY Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs!  Heck yes!

I could seriously eat an entire basket of those things!  I mean come on its peanut butter and chocolate!  There is nothing better in my eyes!

Alright lets check out those recipes I introduced to you on Monday!
I did promise you I would give my two cents about them!
Lets begin with the huge chopped salad!

Source: thejoyofcleaneating.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

You know I am a huge fan of huge salads, I love them even more when the salad includes multiple types of veggies.  I will say this, the creamy vinaigrette was a little interesting.  Very tangy, almost to tangy for me!  I think next time I would tone down the mustard just a bit!  The dressing had the texture of a thinner hummus, great for cracker or pita bread dipping!   I think I will keep this salad for inspiration but come up with my own dressing!

Next up a lemony orzo salad!

This dish was light, and will be great for summer.  The asparagus and tomatoes combined well with the bright lemon infused dressing.  I added a bit of rosemary to the dressing as well!  We served our salad along with some browned tofu for a little protein, nice and light!  The one downside to this salad is the pasta absorbs a lot of the dressing!  After a few days in the fridge it can become a bit dry!  Best eaten the day it is made or a day or two after!

Tonight per the request of my sister we are making the Southwester Pita Pile Up, and the brussel sprouts are being featured at Easter dinner!  Hope they both turn out well!

Well there you have it!  Happy Friday everyone, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  And Happy Easter, enjoy the time with family and friends!

Live Your Life

Good Morning!

Happy Thursday, just a few days left in this work week!  

I am thrilled, but also realizing that I really really need to begin packing!  

But these past few  weeks I have thrown my structured to do list out the window!  I am enjoying every new experience, taking in what life has to offer and finding out what it means to truly be happy! This is my life and I never want to regret anything!

I feel like these pins explain my life right now pretty well!

Source: etsy.com via Hilliary @ Brunch and Cupcakes on Pinterest

Source: designeriphone.tumblr.com via Miranda on Pinterest

Source: iloveyoursoul.tumblr.com via Miranda on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Miranda on Pinterest

And just because I feel every girl should be treated like a princess!

Source: pinterest.com via Miranda on Pinterest

Happy Thursday Everyone!