Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Mediterranean Turkey Meat Loaf

Call me weird, call me piggy, call me whatever you want, but I love some meatloaf! Now it can't just be meatloaf from any old place, I prefer homemade and I don't like any kind of sauce on top either. When I came across this recipe in the May issue of Self magazine and knew I had to give it a try!


Mediterranean Turkey Meat Loaf





Ingredients

1lb. ground turkey

reduced-fat feta cheese

baby spinach

chopped onion

whole-grain bread crumbs

garlic clove

ground coriander, cumin, & black pepper.


Directions:

Combine 1lb ground turkey with 2 eggs, 2oz reduced-fat feta, 3/4 cup chopped baby spinach, 1/3 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup whole-grain breadcrumbs, 1 chopped garlic clove, 1/2 tsp each ground coriander, cumin, black pepper. Form into a loaf; bake at 350 degrees until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees, about 40 minutes.

ENJOY!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Drug Store Buys

I'm interested in investing in two drug store hair products that I have never experimented with before and I was hoping y'all could help me!

1.) Dry Shampoo-I've heard amazing things about dry shampoo, that is if you use the right one. I wash my hair every day because I don't feel clean if I don't. I am interested in dry shampoo for two reasons: 1. for volume and 2. the longer my hair gets the better it looks the second day and if dry shampoo makes me feel like my hair is clean, then I will be happy to skip washing it. Any recommendations? Keep in mind I have dark hair, so I would prefer a dry shampoo that doesn't leave a white residue.



2.) Velcro Rollers-My hair is very thick and super straight and I am working on growing it out. I mentioned to my Mom that I wish my hair had volume on top. Blow drying my hair with a round brush is not an option for me. I am not that coordinated and my hair always gets tangled in the round brush. With that said, my Mom suggested velcro rollers. Apparently one of her sisters uses velcro rollers to add volume to her hair. Do any of you use velcro rollers, if so are they easy to use? Do they add volume?



Any recommendations or tips y'all may have is much appreciated!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Prep for the Big Event

I picked my latest read to help prepare me for the big event at the end of this month...The Royal Wedding. I've always been interested in the Royal Family and wanted to pick a book that would give me an in dept look in to William and Kate's relationship and the Royal Family. I came across William and Kate A Royal Love Story by Christoper Andersen one evening and couldn't pass it up.

I am just about a quarter of the way through the book, but I will have no problem finishing it in time for the big event! I highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning more about Kate and William's romance, the drama behind Charles and Dianna's marriage and understanding the dynamics of the Royal Family.


Will you be tuning in bright and early for the big event on April 29th? I certainly will be!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Cake Named After a Bird?

Its the most requested recipe in Southern Living magazine history and frequents dinners all across the South, always receiving rave reviews. What is you ask? Hummingbird Cake! I have heard numerous people talk about how delicious this cake is so I thought I would give it a try and share the recipe with you!



Ingredients


3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 large eggs, beaten 1 cup vegetable oil 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained 1 cup chopped pecans 2 cups chopped bananas Cream Cheese Frosting (see recipe below) 1/2 cup chopped pecans for decoration Directions Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. (Do not beat.) Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup pecans, and bananas. Pour batter into three greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped pecans on top. Store in refrigerator.


Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 (16-ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.


As soon as Lent is over this is one of the first things I'll be making. However, I'm thinking I'm going to make cupcakes instead of a cake, what do you think? Doesn't this sound like the perfect cake for Easter? YUM!


ENJOY!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Life is Like...

I'm sorry for the sporadic posting recently, my life has been doing a lot of moving so I can stay balanced. I had a fun weekend in Charlotte with some of my girlfriends and dinner last night with another girlfriend who's wedding is 3 months away! Where does time go? I was taking a glance at my calendar last night and I don't have a free weekend until June and that's the only free weekend until August! Summer is always an extremely busy time of year for me, but I'm looking forward to it all!


What are you looking forward to most in the coming months?

Friday, April 8, 2011

April Flowers

Wishing each and everyone of you a bright and sunny weekend!

I'll see y'all back here on Monday!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

WANT.

I'm in love with this car! Funny thing is, with a few changes my Mini could look just like this! Wouldn't this be the perfect beach cruiser? The wicker seats and fringe roof just top it off!


I hope your week is off to a great start!