Easter Inspiration!

Easter is just around the corner!! Are you excited yet? This is probably one of my favorite holidays!!

This year we have about 20 people coming over for brunch and it is totally bringing out the party planner in me!

Here is my inspiration board:

My mom and I are heading the operation. She is managing the main dishes and I have volunteered for table settings, and dessert. 

I have found some amazing table settings from some of my favorite bloggers.

I'm going for natural and simplicity.

Here are the ones I'm letting inspire me:

I love the lavender sprigs on the napkins, and the to go bags with menus printed on them. 

And this centerpiece has perfect soft blossoms in a rustic container. For me, this is a must this year.

Something I really want to do this year is a self-serve mimosa bar like this one I found at Small Shop Studio.

I love the idea of options, and letting people choose their own ratio of champaign and juice. I think I'll add a bowl of raspberries for garnish too 

And best for last, my dessert bar. I am so so so excited for this!! 

To the left of the bar I am going to place some coconut macaroons. 

To the right of the bar I am going to make some hummingbird cupcakes with pineapple flowers. This cake recipe is my mom's favorite.

On a small plate in front of the bar, I am going to scatter some pastel colored meringues 

And for the focal point of the dessert bar...

This gorgeous carrot cake

Let's hope mine turns out half as beautiful

And with inspiration from The Pretty Blog, 

I am hoping to make a bunting cake topper.

What are you planning on this Easter??

Get That Chocolate Fix!

 I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend! 

I just wanted to share a quick snack that is not only filling, but is my go-to when I'm craving some chocolate, but don't want the guilt of a candy bar!

For this simple smoothie I only use 4 ingredients- 

✼ 1 Banana

✼ 1-2 Table spoons of all natural peanut butter (or almond butter)

✼ Almond Milk

✼ A spoonful of Sweetened Cocoa Powder

And if you're going for really chocolatty, you could even do an extra spoonful or two ;)

Taylor it to your preferences, sometimes I add an extra banana, less peanut butter, or a few ice cubes.

Enjoy this guilt-free craving curb! 

Tuna Pasta Salad

I hope everyone had a wonderful first official week of spring! I am loving this change in weather, and all the beautiful blooms, I can not wait to get started on my garden.

Because I've been in such the spring spirit, a few days ago I woke up with this craving, for a light, refreshing, springtime, tuna pasta salad. 

I know right? Weird craving. 

I know what you're thinking.. No, I'm not pregnant. 

Anyways I must say with a little food network inspiration, I think I hit a home run with this recipe and I would love to share it with you!

The best part- it's great for you!

Ingredients

❤ 4 hard boiled eggs

❤ 1 6oz can of tuna

❤2 cups chopped celery

❤1 cup chopped carrots

❤1 cup Vegenaise (or mayonnaise)

❤ 1 Tbs Dijon Mustard

❤ Juice from 1 lemon

❤Spices

❤ 12 oz of whole wheat pasta (I used bowtie)

❤ Parsley (optional)

The eggs and the tuna are amino acid powerhouses. You are getting some quality protein in this meal thanks to these two ingredients. 

Just brush your teeth after.

I'm not sure if you're going to want to pack this one for lunch at the office...

Your celery and carrots, we are talking about some serious fiber! And who doesn't need more fiber, right?

Okay here's the sitch: Mayo has no place in my pantry. Not saying it is going to kill you, because it won't, but we all know it doesn't do anything for us. If you're getting the real good stuff, it will be made of eggs, oil and vinegar but when are labels ever that simple?

I'd like to introduce my solution: vegenaise. Egg free, dairy free, gluten free, made from canola oil.

But my real reason: think half the fat, same flavor.

This stuff is gooey gold.

Anyways, for the sauce I used 1 cup of vegenaise, 1 tablespoon of mustard, and all the juice I could get from a single lemon. Plus a dash of garlic powder here, a pinch of salt and pepper there. You know how it goes.

Whisk that all together and pour over your pasta, stir in your toppings and enjoy!

Helloooo BlogLovin!

Hi all!! 

I'm sure you've heard the news about google discontinuing GFC on July 1st, so I just wanted to formally invite you to come follow me on BlogLovin!

It's a cute little site and once I get used to it, I think I'll even like it better than google reader.

Thank you my dears, have a lovely spring day!!

Low Fat Lemon-Poppy Seed Muffins

If you're not excited yet, get excited. I love breakfast muffins, but the amount of sugar and butter kills me, so I played around with the recipe and here it is perfected- Lemon-Poppy seed muffins with no butter, and no sugar!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl whisk together:

❤ 1 cup of Whole Wheat Flour

❤1/4 teaspoon baking powder

❤ 1/4 teaspoon soda

❤1/4 teaspoon of salt

Then in a medium bowl, mix together:

❤1/2 cup of non-fat vanilla yogurt

❤ 3 large egg whites

❤1/3 cup honey

❤1 teaspoon vanilla extract

❤1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

 Then stir in the flour mixture until just combined.

 Add

❤1 Tablespoon of grated lemon peel

❤ 2 Teaspoons of poppy seeds

Spoon them into greased muffin pans, and pop them in your preheated oven.

 This will make 20 mini muffins, or 9 regular muffins.

 For mini muffins, bake for 9-11 minutes.

For regular muffins bake for 17-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean with a few crumbs.

 And there you have it!

They will store for about 3 days, in an airtight container.

Let me know if you love them as much as I do!

Shared with: Southern Lovely, Back For Seconds Blog, Lil Luna, Buns in my Oven, Ginger Snap Crafts, Seven Thirty Three Blog, Fireflies and Jellybeans, What's Cooking Love, Recipes For My Boys

The Daniel Fast

Here I sit. 

In the library of my school. Just waiting for my shift to start in the training room so I can get this show on the road. Come on spring break, you're almost here!!!

I know, I've neglected my little blog recently. 

I feel bad about that I've truly missed it. Time to dust off my keyboard!

Who am I kidding? I've been typing papers till the keys are falling off.

Anyways, I've had a few people ask me to post about this thing that I've been doing. For the past two weeks, I have been on the Daniel Fast, and I have one week left.

If you haven't heard of it, here are the basics:

The Daniel Fast

No:

•  Dairy
• Sugar/Sweeteners- Artificial or natural. That means no honey, agave nectar, or stevia. Nothin.
• White, processed flour. Whole wheat is okay.
• Meat or seafood of any type. 
• Deep fired food 
• Beverages besides water.

Yes:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Legumes - Beans, quinoa, lentils etc.
• Whole Grains- Brown rice, 
• Nuts and Seeds
• Quality Oils- olive, peanut, sesame, 
• Pure Water.

It's based on the diet that Daniel from the bible had to eat while refraining from eating the king's feast.

Before you think I'm crazy, let me just say that this fast has changed my mindset on food and meals quite a bit. I feel so good, I think clearer, and bonus: I've toned up a lot. 

It's my goal to post some of the recipes that I've discovered pretty soon..just as soon as I can make them in lighting good enough to take pictures of it. 

If anyone has any advice on faking natural light, I'm all ears! 

Until then I'll just try to plan dinner time before sunset...

Be Back Soon,

❤ Terra