Tuesday, February 28, 2012

weight watchers: chili

A few weeks ago I made a huge batch of weight watchers turkey, bean and veggie chili. I was an heaven in bowl. I could not get over how flavorful and tasty it was. I was baffled that a 1.5 cup serving only had 5 points!



This was after I added all the ingredients to the pot


Here is the end result, so yummy! I added a cup of brown rice to my serving to have a delicious and filling 10 point dinner.

INGREDIENTS

2 spray(s) cooking spray


1 pound(s) uncooked 93% lean ground turkey

1 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped

2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced

2 large uncooked carrot(s), chopped

2 rib(s) (medium) uncooked celery, chopped

1 medium yellow pepper(s), chopped

1 item(s) (medium) uncooked bell pepper(s), orange-variety, chopped

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 Tbsp paprika

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional

29 oz fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

29 oz canned diced tomatoes, with mild green chiles

15 1/2 oz canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained

15 oz fat-free canned refried beans

***A few things that I did differently, I had a little more than a 1lb of the lean turkey so I used all of it. I increased the chicken broth to a whole box, which is 32oz. I also used a red and a green pepper.***

INSTRUCTIONS

Coat a 12-inch sauté pan with cooking spray; set over medium-high heat. Brown turkey, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 10 minutes; drain and set aside.


Coat a large pot with cooking spray; set over medium heat. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add carrots, celery and peppers; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne; stir for 1 minute.

Stir in broth, tomatoes, both types of beans and turkey; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring every 5 minutes, about 35 minutes total. Yields about 1 1/2 cups chili per serving.

recipe from here

Monday, February 27, 2012

my march madness

Oh Monday, Today I am a sad panda. I am head back to the left coast and leaving my hubby in the cold New England weather.

Despite the fact that I am leaving my hubby for another 3-4 months I have so much stuff planned for March that the first month is going to be a whirlwind of fun! My March Madness, if you will!

I am so excited to have signed up for this conference! It is about 20 minutes from my home. So so exited to go! 4 days of indie biz and DIY, YES PLEASE! April of Marine Parents is going as well and will be spending the 4 days at my house so we can save some moolah {our hubbies should be so proud!}. I foresee LOTS of coffee being consumed between her and I!

Craftcation Conference logo

The weekend after the conference I'll be headed to Riverside for the Sew Funky Market! Yep, I will be a vendor. So excited to create some new stuff and see all my amazing market friends!



Friday, February 24, 2012

instfriday: the last few weeks

Happy Friday friends! I haven't done an insta-friday in a few weeks. This goes back to my trip to Minnesota and the week home after {I'll be saving my New England pics for next friday}

Colt eating cake. 


Colt in his handsome birthday outfit!


We had a fire the night before I left. Here is my fireside outfit.


My moms awesome rainboots I wore for our fire fun.


Fire. We roaste some jumbo marshmellows, yum!


Did some shopping at the Mall of America before my flight out. Got this skirt at Old Navy. It runs big so I got to buy an xsmall!


Don't you put your feet up when you're eating lunch?


I love love LOVE when starbucks has themed cups. These valentine's day cups were adorable.


Scored some colored tights on clearance at good'ol target


I returned my ephiphane camera bag and got this gorgeous Jo Totes camera bag. I LOOOOOVE IT!


I love this little cluster of items on the bookself in the entry way of our home.


Bye bye dark hair! I am working on getting back to my super blonde hair, here is the first color change. Straberry blonde with blonde highlights.


While getting my hair did in San Diego I had brunch with the talented and super sweet April of Marine Parents


When I get bored and the TV is lacking any good reality tv on it I tend to try and find new outfits in my closet.


Have a fabulous weekend!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

why i went to minnesota

Happy Friday Eve lovelies. I have been busy bee the last few weeks and been travelling up a storm. At the end of January I hopped on a jet plane and headed to the good ol'midwest for a little family meet up.

My nephew turned 1 on Feb. 2 so we were all gathering together to celebrate {except Scott, he was of course in Rhode Island for work}. 

Because I cannot get enough of his cute face and squeezable cheeks I thought I'd share his cuteness with my lovely readers. {Who doesn't love a cute bebe??}

Here are a few beyond adorable pictures of what we did to celebrate his 1st birthday.

Here he is enjoying waffles made by grandma on his actual birthday.


Ready to open some of his presents.

Don't you eat wrapping paper??


Wearing his cars backpack from grandma and grandpa


Pretty sure the backpack almost weighs as much as him!


We went into the cities to explore a bit. This is his "I've had enough photos pose"

After exploring the city we took the train to Mall of America so he would make a build-a-bear for his birthday. Here his stepping on the button that stuffs the bear.

We had a little birthday celebration the Saturday after his birthday. He loves Taylor Swift songs so some family friends got him a Taylor Swift calendar, he obviously loves it!

Family picture {minus Scott}

And finally eating cake! Don't you eat your birthday cake in your birthday suit??

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

whimsical wedding wednesday {gingham}

Happy Wednesday friends!!

I have been a little MIA lately, for good reason, of course. I am currently writing this edition of whimsical wedding Wednesday from a cute cafe in Portland, Maine! Yup, I am gallivanting all around New England. I spent the first 5 days with my hubby, I am in Portland until Friday and then will head back to Newport, Rhode Island to see my handsome hubby for a few more days before I jet back to the left coast.

This week I am currently loving gingham. It is so crisp and fresh.



I love how classy this dress silhouette is, the accessories glam up the whole look, but the roots of the dress are simple and fun gingham.



I love the idea of a red and white gingham inspired wedding.

Picture a gorgeous farm, lots of wood benches, and fun wild flower arrangements in mason jars and glass bottles on a warm summers night. The trees are strung with lights, everyone is dancing around sans shoes and and sipping yummy cocktails out of a straw. {Can I plan another wedding to marry my husband for a 3rd time?? hehehe}  



So crisp, clean and welcoming.

Scott and I are obsessed with one day owning a farm and tons of land. {We also want to open an antique coffee shop/cafe!} Thus I have really fallen in love with a less modern/classic look.

And because I cannot resist amazing wedding favors how about giving guests these pretties?!



Are you planning a wedding? What is currently inspring you?

lollipops

linking up with krystina for What I Love Wendesday 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

current fashion obsession {colored skinny jeans}

Happy Friday Eve friends!

I am currently thousands of feet in the air on a jet plane off to see my hubby and then have some girl time with my bff, Kate, who moved to Maine last year.

My latest fashion obsession is colored skinny jeans. I am pretty sure I am dreaming about them at night.

I really want a green pair as well as a coral pair. Just the right shade of coral that can look more red or more pink depending on what I pair it with. I tried them on at target and they were NOT for me. I think because they are in junior sizes they are made for non curvy women and we all know I am cuuuurvy :)

Has anyone tired the ones at old navy? My favorite skinny jeans are from Forever21, I am hoping maybe I'll eventually find a pair there. I can't bring myself to spend $70 plus for a designer pair.







This is the color green I am swooning over. This entire outfit is swoon worthy.


Again with the gorgeous green. I love that it is paired with mustard yellow, another one of my current obsessions.




I love the way Jessica styled these colored jeans. I have been following Jessica's blog since I started blogging 3 years ago. Her outfits inspire so many of my outfits.


Girlfriend looks chic here. I love the striped jacket and yellow platforms paired with the bright pink skinnies.

Do you Pinterest?

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

what i wore {minnesota and back to cali}

It's Wednesday so I am of course linking up with Lindsay for what i wore wendesdays {two weeks worth of outfits}

pleated poppy

Wednesday, Jan 31
Picked up my bro, sis, bro in law and nephew at the airport in Minneapolis

sweater: borrowed from my friend liz
top: forever 21 via my sister
skinnies: F21
boots: nine west
socks: target
watch: guess last years v-day gift from hubby

Thursday, Feb 1
celebrated colt's first birthday, walked around downtown Minneapolis, took the train to mall of america, and ended the night with dinner at buffalo wild wings

hat and scarf: Christmas gift from my brother
jacket: target
sweater: borrowed from my friend Liz
skinnies: f21
boots: nine west
necklace: f21

Friday, February 2
party for my dad's 50th birthday {it was Jan 25th}

long sleeve top: target
dress: Mark by Avon
skinnies: f21
flats: target
belt: my shop rellas bellas

Saturday, February 3rd
another birthday celebration for colt

sweater: GAP
dress: F21
leggings & socks: target
flower pin: coming soon to my shop
boots: nine west
watch: guess
bracelet: goodwill

Monday, Feb 6
back in California. Just did stuff around the house

sweater: f21
tank: H&M
jeans: calvin klein via the NEX
shoes: toms via nordstrom
necklace: 21

Tuesday, February 7
doctors appt, worked at starbucks, and target run

necklace: my shop rellas bellas
sweater: jcpenney via my sister
dress: nordstrom rack
skinnies: f21
wellies: target
watch: guess

Wednesday, February 8
bible study and ran a few errands

sweater & dress: kohls
scarf: forever21
tights: target
boots: nine west
watch: guess
bracelet: goodwill
earrings: charming charlies

Saturday, February 11
had brunch with the lovely April of Marine Parents and drove back to ventura
{notice my hair change?}

scarf, top, and skinnies: forever21
sweater: banana republic
boots: nine west
bracelet: made by my sis

Sunday, February 12
church
{on Saturday night i got bored and found a bunch of new outfits to put together from my closet, this is one of them}

sweater: forever 21from my friend liz
top: banana republic
skirt: jcepenney
tights: target
booties: calvin klein via tjmaxx

Tuesday, February 14th
went shopping for a new outfit since the hubs insisted in his v-day card, then ran to target and ralphs

sweater: target
top: love culture
belt: GAP
flower cluster on belt: come to the shop soon
jeans: Joe's jeans via nordstrom rack
shoes: tjmaxx
bracelet: kohls
bag: jo totes

tomorrow I will be leaving for an 11 day trip to the east coast...more cold weather for this california girl!

p.s. don't forget to enter my giveaway, you could win a my memories digital scrapbooking software program!
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