I loved this first week of January so much! It was a time to rest and reflect, to look forward and to look ahead. I’m starting a new series this year that I hope you’ll love. Here’s my first week in review:
WHAT WE ATE
my plan is to share the meals I made the previous week, with links if possible, as some inspiration for your own menu planning.
SUNDAY: Seafood Florentine from Half Baked Harvest Every Day (tasted like something you’d get from a restaurant)
MONDAY: Winter Squash Soup from Smitten Kitchen Keepers (crisping the onions and coconut to put on a top was a must!)
TUESDAY: Taco Bowls (super easy and a fan-favorite! We had shredded lettuce, avocado, cilantro, beans, jack cheese, red onion, and taco meat)
WEDNESDAY: Fall Harvest Bowl with roasted chicken (sharing this recipe below! A little bit of effort for the add-ins but something that could be meal prepped earlier in the week)
THURSDAY: Mongolian Beef Stir Fry with Bok Choy and Cauliflower Rice from Half Baked Harvest Every Day (Matthew and I forgot how good cauliflower rice is. The Mongolian beef was a little tough for the kiddos to chew though but the adults loved it!)
FRIDAY: Ina Garten’s Classic Meatloaf with sauteed zucchini, mushrooms, and onion (we were supposed to make Meatballs with Spaghetti Squash but Matthew had a meatloaf craving. It turned out really well with clean plates all around so next time I want to make her turkey meatloaf. Apparently customers got crabby when it sold out at her Barefoot Contessa cafe)
SATURDAY: Green Curry from Half Baked Harvest Every Day with shrimp. This was delicious and totally satisfied our takeout craving! Love how easily this came together with ingredients we already had in the pantry and freezer.
a delicious and healthy meal that everyone will love!
- mixed greens
- quinoa
- roasted sweet potato
- honey crispy apple
- cubed white cheddar cheese
- toasted pepitas
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- salt and pepper
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
- salt and pepper
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Whisk ingredients together slowly adding in the olive oil. Set aside
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon zest and juice, garlic, shallot, rosemary and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet and roast until the chicken is cooked through, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cut into bite sized pieces for salad. Or you can serve directly on top.
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Add mixed greens to bowl and top with quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, apple slices, cheese, and pepitas. Toss with dressing. Add chicken on top.
WHAT I WORE
I was inspired by this tinted lip oil by Merit in Cara Cara to wear some cherry red lips. I used BareMinerals Inspiration which is really hydrating but I’m definitely curious to try out the moisturizing lip oil.
I’ve been living in my Hatch leggings. Unfortunately, I’m nowhere near close to fitting into my jeans so I’m just embracing the legging life until it’s warm enough for dresses. Thankful for my body that was able to grow Beatrice and is able to nurture her now. I know I’ll get back to my jeans (I think) but for now, I’m giving myself some grace and trying to fit in some workouts when I can and feel up to it.
I got a pair of New Balance sneakers that are so comfortable! Love the gray color too which goes with a lot.
We had a few rainy days so I took advantage of wearing my new Mac coat from Everlane. I love the length of this coat and think it’s so versatile. It’s a piece that instantly classes up those leggings!
SALES TO NOTE
Gap is having a big 40% off sale right now with an extra 20% off (use codes FLASH and GAPDEAL). Thinking of finally getting this turtleneck sweater in the navy blue stripe that I’ve had my eye on for months! I also love this taupe brown cardigan that is such a great deal on the sale! If I were wearing jeans, this outfit would be a must! Loving my hubby’s favorite color these days (army green), so I love this pretty dress. With knee-high boots and a Mac coat of course! I’m a tad jealous of all my friends escaping our winter weather for some sun. I’d pick out this swimsuit for a day at the beach or pool.
ON MY MIND
One of Matthew’s and my new year’s resolutions is to go on 12 dates minimum this year. Before kids, we’d get out weekly, but that’s not as easy these days. We decided if we can go on at least one date a month then that would be better than nothing. Tomorrow we’re planning on going on a lunch date with baby Bea, to visit a restaurant we first came to when we were checking out Boise as a potential city to move to. Fork makes the most chopped salad with grilled salmon salad that I would love to try to recreate at home.
I really want to get some mini muffin tins because, while I can easily eat a regular size, I love the tiny size for the kids. I feel like they’re just so fun!
My paperwhites are blooming! Matthew picked up some bulbs for me at the beginning of December and it’s been so fun to see them sprout up over the past month. We woke up to one white flower the other morning which was so exciting. If you haven’t tried growing paperwhites before it’s so easy. You buy bulbs from the nursery and you can plant them in rocks or soil. I did the rock method where you fill a jar with rocks, add the bulbs on top, and fill the water to just cover the roots. You want to maintain the water level right up to the roots and they’ll grow. Just make sure not to submerge much of the bulb otherwise it could rot and then not grow. In 4-6 weeks you’ll see flowers blooming. It’s truly a little piece of springtime in the middle of winter!
Since I’m becoming a legging girl, I have my eye on this ribbed style from lululemon. Can you believe I’ve never owned a pair of their leggings?? *gasp* I know! I’m deciding between the roasted brown and the army green.
Over the holiday week, I took advantage of some extra free time to watch some favorite movies. We watched our first movie as a family, White Christmas, which is such a classic. I used to try so hard to tap my feet as quickly as Vera Ellen did. I also watched Guys and Dolls and also Wuthering Heights (1939) which has inspired me to re-read the novel. I’ve mentioned before, although a long time ago, that I was an English major in college with an emphasis on British literature. I chose the major because of how much I loved to read those books. While I have very little time for reading, I’m thinking I can definitely do a chapter a night before bed. Swapping my phone for a book sounds easier in theory but I know it’s a change I’d greatly appreciate.
I wanted to call out a few new pages on my site that you might not have noticed. One, I created a My Deals page with exclusive discounts for you! You can access it in the upper main navigation under Shop and My Deals. And two, I also have been adding to my Amazon collections, including homeschool resources, postpartum must-haves, favorite cookbooks, etc. This page can also be accessed under the upper main navigation under Shop and Shop My Amazon Collections. If you have any requests, let me know and I can add them in!
Also, I’m going to post more on my LTK page for outfits, beauty, and home info. Here’s the page where you can follow along!
I hope you all have a wonderful week!!
xox
