Mediterranean Quinoa

Despite all of the baked goods that show up on this blog, we do like to eat healthy dinners around here.  I love quinoa because it's such a healthy grain, and it's packed with quality protein!  Caleb has been inhaling this quinoa - for lunch, dinner, and as a snack.  I'd say it's a winner!  Happy Monday!

Mediterranean Quinoa

1 3/4 cups quinoa

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 cucumber, finely chopped

3 medium tomatoes, diced

oregano and parsley, to taste

freshly ground pepper

4 ounces crumbled Feta cheese

Add 4 cups water to large saucepan; bring to a boil.  Once boiling, add the quinoa and stir.  Return to boiling, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes over low heat.  It's cooked when it appears translucent, and the germ ring is visible along the outside edge of the grain.

In a mixing bowl, add the lemon juice, garlic, cucumber, and tomatoes.  Add plenty of freshly ground pepper.  Add oregano and parsley to taste (I used plenty, making sure the vegetables were nicely seasoned).  Stir to coat the veggies in the lemon juice and seasonings.  

When the quinoa is cooked, remove it from the heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.  Toss with the vegetables in the mixing bowl.  Cover and place in the fridge.  When it is chilled, add the Feta cheese and toss before serving.  Serves 6-8.

source:  recipe adapted from 5 dollar dinners

Shoe Love

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Products I Love: Origins

One of my favorite brands of skincare is Origins.  My sister-in-law used to work at Origins and got me hooked!  I love that their products are natural and without all of those things you're supposed to avoid in beauty products*.  I also like that you don't have to use very much of any product each time, so they last a while!  I haven't tried Origins makeup, and I certainly haven't tried all of their skincare products, but these are my absolute favorites that I use all the time:     

A Perfect World Cleanser

I use this face wash every day.  It's best for

 combination/dry skin and has age-fighting protection.

A Perfect World Serum

I put this serum on before my moisturizer.  

The silver tip white tea protects against visible oxidation, 

deterioration, and dehydration of your skin.

Starting Over Age-Erasing Moisturizer

After I cleanse and apply serum, I use this moisturizer.

It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but

I mostly like that it helps improve my skin texture and tone.

GinZing Eye Cream

This eye cream is amazing!  I use it in the mornings

to help reduce puffiness and darkness under my eyes.

It contains caffeine (among other things) to help

wake up and refresh tired eyes.

Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask

This is my favorite mask.  You should use it

about once a week rid your skin of toxins, dirt, and debris.

High-Potency Night-A-Mins

After I cleanse my face at night, I put this on instead

of my other moisturizer.  It smells amazing and works

through the night to replenish your skin.  I love how it 

makes my face feel!

Modern Friction

This is a great dermabrasion to use

a few times a week.  It's gentle enough

for my sensitive skin, and it leaves my 

face feeling so soft!

Do you use Origins products?  What are some of your favorite skincare lines?

P.S.  Right now Origins.com is offering free shipping!

*Origins products are made with natural and certified organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils.  Origins products are also formulated without parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, PABA, petrolatum, parrafin, DEA, and animal ingredients.  

Chocolate Chunk Muffins

So much has happened the past few days!  On Thursday we finished packing and cleaning up our old house and loaded the truck. Friday we drove down and unloaded the truck, which was quite a task since we now live on the 3rd floor! Saturday, Sunday, and Monday we unpacked, bought new furniture, and tried to find our way around town.  Also on Monday we celebrated our 1st anniversary (thanks for all your kind congratulations!).  So, I apologize for my lack of blog activity but things were a bit crazy!

We LOVE our new place!  I feel completely at home here already which is such a blessing!  Everything is unpacked, and we feel very settled.  Yesterday afternoon as I was waiting for the internet guy to come, I decided it was time to bake in the new kitchen.  I'm a firm believer in chocolate for breakfast: pain au chocolat, chocolate milk, chocolate chip pancakes, etc.  These chocolate chunk muffins almost taste like a chocolate chip pancake.  Without the mess of syrup.

Chocolate Chunk Muffins
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup melted butter, cooled slightly
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chunks

Grease regular muffin tray or line with muffin liners.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  In another bowl, stir together sour cream, milk, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter.  Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.  Stir in chocolate chunks. Divide batter among baking cups.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until done.  Makes 12-14 muffins.

source:  recipe from bakerella

One Year

photography by colling photography

Marinades for Grilling

I can't believe today is September 1st!  I'm excited for fall but I still want to hold onto the last little bit of summer.  Since Labor Day is this weekend, I thought I would share some of my favorite marinades if your plans include grilling out with friends or family.

A lot of times I will use marinades straight from the grocery shelf.  My favorites are Dale's Steak Seasoning, or just a bottle of Italian Dressing or Greek Dressing.  The dressings are my favorites if I'm making chicken for fajitas.  Below are some other marinades that I've really liked this summer. They're all easy but give the chicken so much flavor!

via

Favorite Grilled Chicken
(for 2 chicken breasts)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup oil
1 cup carbonated drink (I use Coke)

Mix soy sauce, oil, and Coke in bowl.  Add chicken breasts.  Cover and refrigerate 1-4 hours.  Grill on medium hot grill about 10 minutes per side.


Honey Mustard Chicken
(for 4 chicken breasts)
4 Tbsp + 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp honey
coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper

In small bowl, stir together Dijon mustard and honey.  Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill chicken until browned and cooked through.  Brush with half the honey mustard and cook 1 minute longer.  Transfer chicken to cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 5 minutes.  Serve with remaining honey mustard.

source:  recipe from Everyday Food, September 2011


Orange Chicken
(for 3-4 chicken breasts)
2 oranges, juiced
zest from 1 orange
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp honey
salt & pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade.  Whisk together until combined.  Reserve about 1/2 cup of marinade in small container.  Cover and set aside.  Place 3 or 4 chicken breasts in the remaining marinade.  Cover and refrigerate for an hour, turning chicken after 30 minutes.  Place chicken breasts on grill and cook, turning only once.  In the last 1-2 minutes, brush reserved marinade over the chicken breasts and allow to form a little glaze.  Serve immediately.

source:  recipe altered slightly from fitness food & faith


Honey-Lime Chicken
(for 8 chicken breast halves)
3/4 cup oil and vinegar salad dressing
1/2 cup honey
3 Tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

In a small bowl, combine all five marinade ingredients.  Pour 1 cup of the marinade into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken.  Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 2 hours.  Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.

Drain and discard the marinade from the bag.  Grill the chicken until cooked through, occasionally basting with the reserved marinade.

source:  recipe from Simple & Delicious, August/September 2011

A Boston Tea Party

I can't stop looking at these images from a shoot by Justin & Mary!  I just love the pastels and pinks of this Boston Tea Party.

source:  all images from Justin & Mary

P.S. The winner of the iPhone sleeve + iTunes giftcard giveaway is Katie of Pas de Bourgeois!  Katie, email me your mailing address so your goodies can get in the mail!