The makings of a Gallery Wall

This post has literally been saved in my blog for a month. I have had half of the wall put together and it is just not turning out the way I wanted. It looks tired and not what I had in mind for the space at all.

I don't hate it, but I don't love it. I am frustrated that I spent time and money making this wall into something that I am not in love with walking by. Good news is a lot of the things were free, and in a color scheme that I do like, so it won't go completely to waste.

This is what I am thinking now.

Either stenciling on the whole wall 



Source:http://ourcitylights.org/2011/09/for-love-of-failing.html

Source:

 http://www.firsthomelovelife.com/2013/01/an-impatient-diyers-shortcut-to-stenciling.html

Or Stripes

 Source:

http://sidebysideblog.blogspot.com/search/label/home?updated-max=2010-11-19T09:00:00-05:00&max-results=20

Or  just a cluster of matching clean frames

 Source:

 http://interiors-designed.com/2013/06/27/use-michaels-5-12x12-frames-i-think-they-call-them-record-album-frames-black-and-white-photos-and-you-could-even-cut-12x12-scrapbook-paper-for-the-mat-effects/

What are your thoughts? I am leaning towards the stenciling. I have next weekend off of work, so I am hoping we can decide what to do by then, and get this area finished!

Menu Monday 11/11

Monday
Leftover Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
I adapted this Skinny Taste recipe. Basically the only thing I did different was add ground turkey and a jar tomato sauce instead of homemade. It was more of a baked pasta type dish instead of lasagna, but overall it was really yummy, and I am excited to eat it again tonight

We also got a new HUGE crock pot this weekend, Dan already put it to use making some pork and veggies. The other pictures are from my spaghetti squash adventure, they do not do it justice. I should have taken a picture after it was all bubbly after coming off of the broiler! Also, I did not like this sauce. I usually get Newman's Sock-a-rooni, but they were out. The peppers were good, but the sausage was very odd. I am glad we used our own ground turkey instead.

Tuesday
Beer Can Crock Pot Chicken
I am not drinking beer, so I might as well eat it. Something like that. I am following this recipe and adding some garlic, and to be extra special we are using some of the beer we brewed awhile back. I hope this turns out well.

Wednesday
Shrimp and Veggies

Thursday
Salmon Burgers
Our local grocery store has pre-made meals, and salmon burgers are one of them. We have been looking at getting them for a couple of weeks now, so I am pretty excited to try it out!

Friday
Pork Chops with Apples, Onions, and Spinach
This is a Dan speciality, I will post pictures afterwards, it is great!

First Timer: Egg White Muffins

I am starting to get bored with my breakfast options on my new nutrition program. I had just been microwaving two egg whites and a whole egg. But, I am not sure if you have ever microwaved eggs, but they stink, and children have no tact. Nobody wants to be the stinky teacher.

In comes egg white muffins. There are tons of recipes all over pinterest for this, but I chose this blog to base my recipe off. The best things about this is you can customize them however you want. You can make 12 different muffins if you want to.

We used chicken sausage from Trader Joes, and just removed the casings to make it easier to put into muffin cups. I also sauteed the spinach with the sausage to help the flavor. I had trouble putting raw spinach into the cups, so that made it easier.

Then we added the ingredients to the muffin cups. I used cupcake liners to make clean up easier, and add a little color, We added a little salt and pepper to each cup as well.

We also made some veggie cups with green and red onion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Dan added some hot sauce to his, and I added a smidge (technical term) of cheese to mine.

The recipe called for two egg whites (three table spoons). I measured the first one out and then just eye balled it for the rest of the cups. Basically you just fill them like you would a regular muffin or cupcake.

Finished product!

REVIEW:

Lindsey: FINALLY, a wonderful, easy breakfast. These microwaved up so easy the next morning (and didn't smell) and they were delicious. I had two and it was the perfect size. I actually liked the ones with jalapeno in them, they cooked up nicely, and I usually do not like spicy things. I know these are going to be a weekly thing, because they were so easy and could be completely different each time.

Dan: The egg white muffins are pretty good reheated. I had the two veggie ones for breakfast, and honestly should have brought more. The jalapenos were pleasantly potent.

Menu Monday 11/4

 

Welcome to another super boring version of menu Menu Monday! Things are going well with my diet, I am thinking I am getting into the swing of things with everything. Never mind eating out and drinking last night, we won't talk about that.

Monday

Chicken and Veggies

Tuesday

Sweet Chili Salmon with Veggies

http://www.kitchenwitchmaven.com/2011/03/keeping-it-simple-salmon-in-sweet-chili.html

I plan on making the recipe as it us called for except for ginger. I forgot it at the store, and am not going back!

Wednesday

Lemon and Garlic Chicken

http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2012/06/easy-roasted-lemon-garlic-picnic-chicken.html

Using chicken breast, but looking forward to this one!

I only have a menu through Wednesday because my menu may change at any moment, and buying fresh meat and seafood is hard in advance. I guarantee the rest of the week will consist of a protein and a vegetable.  I am going to try to focus on making my recipes a little more exciting by adding seasonings so that I do not get burned out on what I am making. 

I also have a first timer post tomorrow,  egg white muffins!

First Timer: Overnight Oats

We have all seen the comments. It is so easy! It is the ONLY think I eat for breakfast! I love it! With reccomendations like that and pictures like this

Source: http://www.eatliverun.com/the-one-the-only-overnight-oatmeal/


 I have no idea what has taken me so long to jump on the bandwagon, so here it goes.

Here are the ingredients I used:

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt 
• 1-2 tbsp chopped nuts
• cinnamon
• blue berries & black berries

Since I was taking this to work with me to eat post workout (Uh did I mention I am taking a 5:30am group exercise class?) I had to prep.

I have one container for my oats and milk. This container will go in the fridge overnight to set up. In the morning when you are ready to eat you will add the yogurt and toppings to make your overnight oats.

One container for my berries and yogurt and one for nuts and cinnamon.

 

 

I got cute new containers!

 



My review?
It made a lot of food. The consistency is a little odd in my opinion. I didn't hate it, it was just very mushy. I am not sure if the fact that I used almond milk made a difference in that. I also put way too much cinnamon in it. I really liked the bites where I had a berry because it added some sweetness. I used honey flavored Greek yogurt in order to omit the honey/maple syrup that I saw in a lot of the recipes, but I think I will try to add some next time to make it a little sweeter. I am not sold yet, but excited for the possibilities to make this one a lot better!

Menu Monday 10/28

Menu Monday is going to be pretty boring the next 8 weeks. My dinners are basically going to consist of a protein and a veggie. I will try to mix it up, and post recipes when I do think outside the box.

Monday
Grilled Chicken and Broccoli
I have really been digging the broccoli steamers. Green Giant has a Tuscan Style that I really like. It is hard to find broccoli that is not covered in cheese or butter, but this one is pretty good!


For lunch today I am going to have some chicken and Avocado Quinoa for my side. I am excited to let you know if I like it as much as I think I will.
 
Tuesday
Shrimp and Green Beans

Wednesday
Steak and Spinach

Thursday
Spaghetti Squash "Shrimp Scampi"
Will post the recipe if it is good!

Friday
Salmon and Veggies


pretty wild week isn't it?  I do have a recipe to share though!

 Jazzy Sweet Potatoes

One night after some drinking with some friends we stopped by a food truck. We ordered some french fries, and they were served with cinnamon on them. It gave is an awesome idea on how to cook some sweet potatoes.

Ingredients:

• Cinnamon
• salt
• pepper
• garlic powder
• sweet potato
• extra virgin olive oil
• fresh garlic

 Cut up your sweet potato in pretty consistent sized pieces and chop up that fresh garlic.

 Put the oil in the pan and heat it. Once the oil is heated add the garlic until it is browned and then add the sweet potatoes.

 

 Once the sweet potato starts to cook add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. I do not have exact measurements on the spices, I would say to taste. Once the sweet potatoes have some brown on them and are easily pierced with a fork, sprinkle with cinnamon.

I had these with salmon and broccoli, and it was great. I even had some the next day and got a ton of compliments on it's smell.

Five on Friday

 

I am linking up with some amazing blogs to share what I have been up to this week. 

Click the picture above to join in

(one)
As I mentioned in our Menu Monday post, I started a pretty hardcore 8 week diet and work out program. Meal planning, supplements, the whole nine. This week I was given a set of rules and recommended shopping list to go off of. Once the trainer assesses how this program is going, what I am doing right and wrong, etc. he will tailor a meal plan for me. Yesterday was my first day of the menu program. The hardest part for me is going to be eating as much as I should be, simply because I am on the go so much.

The rules are pretty simple, when you get down to it, but sometimes the easiest things are the hardest. Some of the rules are to eat a protein with each meal/snack, only eat carbs when you "earn" them (meal after a workout), and eat vegetables as much as possible. There is also the 10% rule. It is important to take that 10% and eat what you enjoy.  Nobody wants a crabby Lindsey.

(two)

Day one of  my nutrition tweaking and a kiddo brings me this at school. I didn't eat it, but look at this face.

(three)
We have been cooking some awesome stuff lately though.

Garlic Lime Shrimp, Recipe Found here

Veggie Foil Packets: All we did was pick our favorite veggies and sliced them up and tossed them with some evoo and spices. (I chose garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dan went with a spicy combination..Shocking) We also added some chicken sausage and put them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes.

If you do use sweet potato I would recommend a longer cooking time, or slice them thinner. Ours were half undercooked, half perfect.

\

This was my post workout meal on day 1. Salmon, broccoli, and brown rice. I use a recipe that I found on The Pioneer woman for cooking salmon, never fails to work incredibly. 





(four)

Dan takes the all you can eat salad bar ser iously. Pay for the second trip? uh no.

(five)
With today being exactly two months until Christmas I so kindly started a pinterest board of things I would enjoy. You are welcome in advance.

First Timer: Spaghetti Squash

Alright Ladies and Gents,
I finally bit the bullet and did it. I made spaghetti squash.

A little background, I love noodles. In order to help with my weight loss, I have basically cut them out of my diet, because I have no self control with them. I have been seeing these spaghetti squash recipes on pinterest and everyone RAVING about how it is a wonderful pasta substitute..blah blah blah I wasn't buying it.

I did a little research (aka googled how to cook spaghetti squash) and found a couple of techniques that were similar. I went here and here and basically followed instructions. We opted for some turkey meatballs and our favorite jar of pasta sauce, easy enough.

Alright, here we go.

 

I got the squash and cut off both ends in preperation to cut it. I had Dan cut it in half for me, my fingers are too pretty to cut off. Then I took a spoon and scooped out the seeds. 

 

 Just like the recipe said I brushed it with olive oil and added a semi-generous amount of salt and pepper.

 

Put it in the oven at 400 degrees for around 45 minutes. I did re-brush it with olive oil with about ten minutes left because it was looking a little dry.

Hot and fresh out of the oven.

 

 I was honestly suprised how easily it came out and how much it looked like spaghetti. I did not wait till it was cool enough to touch, because I am a rebel, and it worked wonderfully. We added a splash of olive oil and some salt and pepper before adding our sauce and meatballs.

Gordon Ramsay would kill me on presentation, but overall we made a pretty good dish.

Lindsey's Review:
I can't believe I am saying this, but it was awesome. I am already planning other dishes using spaghetti squash. The best thing is that since it is 40 calories per cup (compared to the 200 pasta usually has) you can add those not so awesome toppings (I am looking at you alfredo) and feel less guilty.

Dan's Review:
It wasn't horrible. It didn't taste like spaghetti, more like rice noodles, but it wasn't bad.

Menu Monday 10/21

 

Monday

Dan is making another batch of his Ghost Pepper Chili, and I will be hitting up Chic-Fil-a on my way to work for the night! I have visions of fruit cups dancing in my mind.

Tuesday

I have been waiting for this night for awhile now. Dan and I will be heading to Boulevard Brewery for an Alumni dinner. I have gone for as long as I have been able, this will be Dan's second time, and it is always a blast!

Wednesday

Alright folks. This week I am starting an eight week intensive diet and fitness program through my new gym. Part of this service is nutrition and meal planning. I am meeting with my trainer on Tuesday morning, and am not sure when we are going to be setting up the menu. With that being said I do not know the rest of the week's menu. The awesome thing about this is not only will I be learning some awesome things about nutrition, but I plan on bringing some of that knowledge to Good JuJu! Wish me luck, and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Weekend Recap x2

We have been crazy busy these past two weeks. We have gotten to see so many people and do so many things, it has been a blast! But, I can honestly say I am looking forward for a little normalcy these next two weekends before things get kicking again! Here is a little bit of what we have been up to the past two weekends!

The Husker game was absolutely freezing. We did have a lot of fun, and it is such a fun and different atmosphere than my college experience. It is always great to take a trip to Lincoln and relax a bit, when we are home I feel like we are always thinking about stuff we could be doing, and it is great to get out of town for a bit.

But, you can't beat a drive home like this.

Dan made his first trip to my wonderful college town. It was homecoming and we had a great time. We walked around campus, went to my sorority house and stopped by one of my favorite restaurants while in town. It was a quick day followed by going to a birthday party that night. It was great to see so many friends, but we were exhausted by ten. We just aren't as young as we used to be.

Our tailgate snack we brought was a fruit pizza and it was a success! We pretty much just used a recipe off pinterest. It was super easy and delicious, definitely something we will make again!

 

Sunday we stopped by the new REI that just opened in our area. Dan was super excited to try some astronaut ice-cream. I did not try any of it, but he claims it was delicious! We also went to the Fresh Market that is located next door to check it out. They let you sample any of their items, which is a little bit of trouble for us. But, the food is really fresh and the store is impeccable. It is a little pricy, but it is a fun once in a while type of place.

This also happened Sunday. I can't wait to show you what we are working on!