Get Better Chopped Salad

I feel like when people think of dieting, they think of salad. Sad, all lettucey, some carrot no dressing salad. No one likes that salad. My chopped salad is happy, singing with wonderful flavors that make you smile.

Snow Day Soup

We're both home and I'm not feeling great - luckily I had planned to make this warm, comforting soup today anyway, and it's just what the doctor ordered.

This soup only takes 30 minutes, making it great for a quick weeknight meal or an easy weekend lunch. It's even better with a foot of snow on the ground.

Loaded Potato Soup with Garlic Croutons

Let It Snow!

Most people are going to want to punch me after this post but I am one of the few people who loves snow. Granted I am in the ideal position to love it. I rent, so I don't need to shovel. I have no kids, so I only need to entertain myself. I don't commute, so I am warm, dry and not stuck anywhere.

I went to the grocery store this morning, and while people crazily grabbed at the eggs, I grabbed things like eggplant and goat cheese, potatoes and bacon, onions and peppers. Snowed in with days to cook warm, comforting recipes... I'm beside myself with glee.

Warm Potato & Lentil Salad

Hello my name is Kate, and I'm addicted to lentils.

Since we have been cutting back on eating meat, I've been using lentils as a pretty regular go-to to add protein and deliciousness. It works in soups, chilis, enchiladas - I've yet to find a way I didn't like lentils. This recipe was no exception.

I'll Make You Banana Pancakes

Yes, I did sing Jack Johnson's "Banana Pancakes" as I made these banana pancakes. And I took pictures this time.

These are super easy, super delicious and actually healthy. Here's the recipe and a step by step guide!

Ingredients:
1.5 tbsp in 1/2 cup of water
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1 banana mashed

Put chia seeds in 1/2 cup of water. Let sit for at least 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Mash banana in a bowl. Put flour and 2 eggs in.

Add chia seed mixture and mix all ingredients.

Put coconut oil or butter in a pan, pour pancakes (I made 7 smaller ones, you could make a few bigger ones).

Enjoy with toppings of choice (I went with syrup and berries).

My pancakes (I like stacks)

My sisters pancakes (she likes not stacks)

Food to Good to Photograph

I'm sharing a totally awesome recipe with you - but you'll just have to take my word for it. It was so good and we were so hungry, I didn't get a chance to take any photos! It's Sweet Potato and Black Eyed Peas Tacos.

Below is the picture from the original post on She Likes Food.

I made them exactly as the recipe calls for, but without pomegranate. We went the more tex-mex route with avocado, but I think the poms would have added a nice freshness. Maybe next time!

Anyway, enjoy these for dinner this week - too easy and too yummy!

My Inner Carrie

I had a great conversation with a friend today. It was brief but it was deep. And it left me wondering, thinking. Actually it left me talking to myself in my Carrie Bradshaw voice. If you've watched Sex and the City (is there anyone who hasn't??), my inner voice sounded very much like the opening where she is writing, states and issue and then poses a question.

After some quick research, I realized my inner voice sounded like that because it was asking the same question Carrie asked 14 (14?!?!) years ago...

Can we have it all? 

I don't know the answer. But I'd love to know what you think.

A tribute to 2000... that hair though.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2015 everyone! I hope you all had super lovely holidays, New Year celebrations and time with loved ones. I did, and I spent a lot of time just enjoying and being offline. And I spent a lot of time organizing our apartment, checking off so much that sat on my to-do list for too long with the chaos of the holidays and end of year.

2015 feels like a fresh new notebook - every nerd out there knows what I'm talking about. It has so much promise, so much potential. I'm ready to fill it with amazing, new things.