Loving Lately

A few things I am loving lately...

Healthy Fruit Dip: Mix a 5.3 ounce package of vanilla Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tbsp honey and a dash of cinnamon. Enjoy with fruit or crackers!

I've been taking this to the office for the perfect mid-afternoon snack.

Parsley Plus: Love is an understatement. I am addicted to this spray. Even Matt is addicted to cleaning our counter tops now. So basically, if you want your husband to start cleaning the kitchen, buy this magical spray.

It all started when I was helping a friend clean her kitchen after a dinner party a few weeks ago. I couldn’t stop commenting on how fresh and amazing her kitchen smelled when she pulled out the bottle and filled me in on her "Earth Friendly" secret – Parsley Plus! As of right now, I haven’t been able to find Parsley Plus in stores, but I have purchased several inexpensive bottles from Amazon, and even sent a few bottles to friends to try out. I purchase my spray {HERE} for $3.99 plus shipping. I am already halfway through my second bottle and will likely buy it in bulk from here on out.

Note: I was not paid to endorse Parsley Plus, I am just crazy obsessed and feel compelled to pass on amazing products to everyone! 

Bath & Body Works' Wild Honeysuckle Hand Soap: I finally transitioned from winter to spring soap. It was hard to say goodbye to the gingerbread soap, but I quickly got over it after I picked up a handful of spring soaps. I've love them all, but I think wild honeysuckle takes the cake!

Fresh Eggs from our neighbor's chickens! Yes, our neighbor has 5 chickens that roam their backyard. Over the weekend we received a dozen eggs and oh-my-word they are so pretty and so tasty. If Charlie wouldn't eat the chickens in 3 seconds, I would totally want some for my backyard.

Fresh Rosemary from our huge bush on our back deck. Somehow we managed to keep our 2011 spring rosemary plant alive and it has been taking over our planter ever since. Every now and then I like to snip a few pieces for the kitchen.

Vegetarian Enchiladas

The other day Matt and I took a “How Well Do You Know Your Spouse?” quiz. One of the questions Matt had to answer {and I had to guess what he said} was “What is your favorite meal Christina has made for you?” I knew I had that one in the bag. The correct answer is “everything!” Well, I was wrong. Matt did in fact have a tie for the favorite meal I’ve ever cooked for him – “baked steak and vegetarian enchiladas.”

Right after I read his answer I realized I wasn’t surprised. 9 times out of 10 his answer to “what do you want for dinner?” is one of those two items. However Matt and I went meatless at the beginning of the year so I have to deny his baked steak request often, and save it only for special occasions.

So today I will share Matt’s other favorite meal I cook for him – vegetarian enchiladas!

Vegetarian Enchiladas

Ingredients:

1 5 oz Package of Yellow Rice

1 Package of Baby Portabella Mushrooms {or 3 large caps}, diced

2 Zucchinis, diced

1 Green Bell Pepper, diced

1 White Onion, diced

2 Medium Tomatoes, diced

1 15 oz Can of Black Beans

1 12 oz Can Enchilada Sauce

2 Cups of Mexican Cheese

6-8 Flour Tortillas

1 Bunch of Green Onion {optional}

{Note: you can easily transition this into a vegan meal by omitting or substituting the Mexican Cheese for Veggie Shreds}

Directions:

In a large skillet, sauté peppers, mushrooms, onions, and zucchinis for about 25 minutes {or until tender} on medium heat. Meanwhile, prepare rice as directed.

Pour cooked rice evenly into your baking dish, spreading it into a thin layer. Scoop a ½ to ¾ cup of cooked vegetables into a flour tortilla. Roll tightly and place into dish. Repeat until you cannot fit any more tortillas in dish.

Pour entire can of enchilada sauce over tortillas, and top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees covered for ~40 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes {or until cheese is golden}. Top with green onion, if using.

 {updated 2/15/14}  

When the Cat's Away...

the mice will play. 

Last weekend I had the house to myself for the first time ever. Matt flew to Chicago on Friday for a guy's weekend with some of his best friends. Since I am the one who travels for work, Matt is used to having the house to himself for a few days. However, this time it was me who got the house. Just Charlie and I, all weekend...

1. I started off the weekend right with a pedicure, magazine and Starbucks. 2. I got 2 inches trimmed off my locks. It's amazing how much lighter my hair feels! 3. Lots of shopping. I hit Nordstrom rack and found a pair of boots I've been wanting for 75% off! HECK YES! I also stocked up on some workout shirts on sale ($10 each) from Old Navy, and grabbed some small items for the house at World Market. 4. Charlie and I went for several long walks since it was so beautiful all weekend. 5. CRAFTING! Duh. 6. Mmmm - Ben & Jerry's Cinnamon Buns ice cream.  It has real pieces of cinnamon bun swirled in. Oh my goodness, it is heavenly. 7. Extra long baths every day included wine and reading. 8. The neighbors came by with fresh eggs from their chickens. 9. I hung Boston Ferns from the porch!

I could get use to a Christina weekend (every once in awhile)!