Sausage & Spinach Spaghetti Squash

This dish is easy and delicious.
Spaghetti Squash is a great way to fill up without the heavy carb calories that regular pastas contain.
This meal has a lot of different flavors and all of them are perfect.

So you will need:

• One Spaghetti Squash
• 1/2 package of Sausage
• 2 cups of Spinach (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup of Feta
• 1/4 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Garlic and Onion seasoning

Preheat your oven to 400. Cut spaghetti squash into rings. Remove the seeds and place on baking sheet.

Cook for 30-35 minutes or until squash edges are a light brown.

Meanwhile, add sausage and spinach to a skillet and cook on medium heat. Once sausage is mostly cooked, continue to heat on low. 

Once the spaghetti squash is baked, use a fork to scrape the squash into the skillet. Sautee on high for about 6-7 minutes. Add seasoning to taste

Add feta and serve while hot!

{Fave 5 Friday}

This week was a blur. I can't believe it's already Friday! So here are the few favorite things of the week!

1. Look of the Week: Fall is here! Which means it's in the low 100's here in AZ. So it's still rather toasty but I can't hold out on my favorite seasonal wear. Leggings, boots, and sweaters. I'm starting with leggings which are commonly found on my body. But I went with a bolder take this week. A few months ago I wouldn't have dared to pull these off. But caution and and coverage to the wind! Here I am trying leather leggings. Curves and all.

2. Product of the Week: Another first. I've never done the black nail polish thing. Essie's "Licorice" for the win. And of course some gold and glitter to go along with it. I'm no nail artist but I can't help but be proud of my black fingernails with golden glitter french tips.

3. Healthy Treat of the Week: I love yogurt. Greek, frozen, you name it, I love it. My in-laws recently introduced me to Noosa Yogurt. Guys. It's amazing. Rich but not overbearing and amazing flavors. My personal favorite is Raspberry, but this Strawberry Rhubarb is another favorite...they're both favorites.

4. Accessory of the Week: One of my absolute favorite pieces are these bracelets from Alex and Ani. My birth-mom gave these to me. I love the charms on them. A sunflower since that's the symbol she's always associated with me. A treble clef for my love of music. And a motorcycle for my man.

5. Song of the Week: "Leave a Trace" by Churches. It's a great one. I've loved it since the first time I heard it and now I fear my dance class is sick of doing warmups to it. Feel free to dance along. It's a lovely little diddy.

Happy Friday, folks! Make it a good one!

{Fave 5 Friday}

This week the favorites are totally random, totally fun, and totally great!

1. Look of the Week: This is my favorite work out look of the week. The details on this outfit are to die for. Especially this sports bra and the lace on the pants. I joined Fabletics as a birthday present to myself and I finally started using it. So comfy and cute which are my two favorite things as you know.

2. Product of the Week: I've been using Aloette skincare products since this spring and so recommend their stuff. They have everything from acne solutions to makeup and every ingredient is natural and real! Each product is also aloe based. This Peppermint Foot Balm of theirs is a miracle worker. Especially for sandal season which in Arizona is always.

3. Healthy Treat of the Week: If you haven't tried Quest Bars, you need to try them ASAP. High in protein, filling, and delicious. I suggest microwaving these bad boys so they get extra gooey. Definitely a win!

4. Accessory of the Week: Swimsuits count as accessories...right? I wear one almost every day. #arizonaperks...this is my Kortni Jeane Swimmer. I love it so so much. And this is my brave face. I've lost weight but this is still a big step for me. Posting a picture of me...in a swimmer...but I'm embracing me as I am now, man shoulders and all!

5. Song of the Week: "Tura'lu" by The Bollox. I love this song. It's been a great running and work out song. Fun Celtic rock beats and Irish Pub feel. Hope you like it!

Happy Friday, folks! Make it a good one!

The Secrets of a Great Teacher

1. Wake up @ 4:45 and put on gym clothes
2. Go back to bed and set alarm for 5:30
3. At 5:30, press snooze.
4. Repeat until 6:04.
5. Put on teaching clothes
6. Dry shampoo the crap out of hair. Form into a misshapen top knot.
7. Fill in eyebrows, apply eye-liner, and mascara.
8. Double check to make sure you didn't forget one brow, or eye.
9. Down a greek yogurt.
10. Lock the door behind you.
11. Unlock the door and race to put on deodorant and pick up school keys.
12. Go to Starbucks. Get a venti or trenta anything.
13. Drive to school. Avoid getting hit by work trucks and blind old people.
14. Arrive at school.
15. Barricade yourself in classroom. Lock yourself in there until 5 minutes before class starts.
16. Watch hilarious videos to cheer and wake you up.
17. Begrudgingly allow students to infiltrate your sanctuary.
18. Take roll.
19. Do the class.
20. Hear inappropriate phrases escape your mouth as you're in the midst of saying them.
21. Yell for quiet at least three times
22. When the bell rings wait until the students exit and then collapse in a heap on the ground.
23. Repeat steps 16-22 until 3pm.
*Between classes, scarf food.
24. Lock up and run to the escape vehicle.
25. Drive home. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
26. Unlock door. Go inside.
27. Change into whatever is least presentable. Hair should be a more disheveled top knot.
28. Lie down and don't move. For hours. Nap, Netflix, Num-nums (food-stuffs)
29. At some point eat a real meal.
30. Force yourself to stay up until 8:30 and then realize you're as fuddy-duddy as can be.
31. Give in. Go to bed.
32. While you wait for sleep to take over, think of how behind in grading you are and the million other things you have to do before the week ends. But also think about how lucky you are to be a teacher and even though you're exhausted you love everything about your job!
32. Wake up and repeat.


*During "Shark Week" add *eat chocolate* between each step.

Wreath Tutorial

This is what my grocery trip resulted in. I did get food...but I had the semi spontaneous idea of making a door wreath. I've always wanted to make one and so I figured why not? I found everything at Walmart. 

First I painted the wooden "doo-dads" (An E and an anchor). And isn't that berry color I used on the anchor gorgeous?! Love it!

I let those dry while I went to work on the chalkboard mini boards. I used the chalkboard pen to decorate these little pretties.

Now the fun part. I bought some printed muslim and started wrapping the foam with it. I seriously think I could have left it like this. I secured it with sewing pins. Easy peasy. 

Then came the burlap overlay. I pinned it into ruffles and added a lace and burlap ribbon accent to tie it all together.

Then I pinned the flowers, glued the wooden letters and chalkboards and used some extra muslin to fasten it to our wreath hanger. There is no wrong way to do this fun project and I seriously love how it turned out!

So we have two doors that enter into our apartment. One of them does not have the number. It is the one we use the most and it is so stressful for our poor guests as they're nervously knocking on our door hoping they have the right apartment. So...here's the other one! I seriously had so much fun with this one. I painted the letter and numbers and wrapped the wreath in patterned burlap. I did a lace ruffle overlay this time with a burlap accent. I hot glued the wooden parts to it and voila! Took me maybe an hour! 

Gluten and Dairy Free Pancakes

I could not be happier with how this breakfast turned out. Guilt free pancakes that don't taste like dirt (like a lot of health food can) and lots of ways to vary how you top it. Win win. 

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Feeds up to 4 depending on the size of the pancakes

You will need:

• 2 Bananas
• 4 Eggs 
• 2 tsp Vanilla
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 cup Coconut Flour (Or any flour substitute you have. Almond, Oat, Rice...it's all good)

That's it. 4 ingredients. Dump 'em and mix 'em til the lumps disappear. I took 1/4 cup to ladle the batter onto the griddle which I had on medium heat. Just like regular pancakes, flip over when the edges bubble.

Lovely!

You can get all sorts of crazy with the toppings. I made it kind of like a buffet style breakfast bar. I had blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, chocolate chips, and coconut flakes. You could even drop the toppings in the batter to make your favorite flavor of pancakes! There is no wrong way to top a pancake!

 I topped mine with a bit of everything. Because I believe in having it all ;) I even drizzled a little honey to sweeten it just a bit more.

"Hello Gorgeous"

I believe in easy recipes that don't take too much time or finesse to make. This is definitely one of those. Happy Sunday dears, and please do what makes you happy!

{Fave 5 Friday}

Starting new things is fun. Following through is what I need to focus on. So this is how I'm staying accountable. Fridays are now the days where I post 5 favorite things. Clothing items, accessories, food, apps, entertainment, etc. The challenge for me is going to be sticking to just five...

Another exciting announcement is the recipe compilation I'm working on. Each week I'm introducing a new healthy recipe! These meals are made by me, eaten by B. It's gonna be great fun. It's gonna be good.

So here we go with the first ever {Fave 5 Friday}!!!!

1. Look of the Week: You know you've made the right purchase when all your students exclaim how cute you look. You also know you've made the right purchase when your new pants are only $12! Win Win! I've never worn this style of pants but now I'm hooked. Comfy and cute! Sign me up and give me a reason to not miss my leggings and sweats at school!

2. App of the Week: I caved and got a Starbucks Reward card. Because I'm that girl now. Cinnamon Chai and Pumpkin Spice Frappaccinos for forever. And I do feel really cool paying with my phone at the register.

3. Healthy Treat of the Week: Arctic Zero "Ice Cream." talk about fit frozen desserts. This Orange Dream flavor is to die for. No dairy, gluten, or soy. And so so so delicious.

4. Accessory of the Week: I wanted a bag that I could use solely for my camera. My little shoulder bag is a tad too cramped. So this backpack is the perfect solution. The lower portion has an inner carrying case for the camera body and lenses as well as two pockets for memory cards. The upper portion has a waterproof pocket and back portion for a laptop.

5. Song of the Week: This has been my JAM this week. I don't love most music videos but this one really speaks to me. Go ahead and watch and be inspired. I have nothing to complain about. I have no excuses to live life passively.

Happy Friday, folks! Make it a good one!