Posts tagged ‘christmas’

December 26th, 2012

WIAW: Holiday Treats

by Tiff

A ‘What I Ate Wednesday’ post seems like a great way to recap some of my holiday fun.  I wasn’t good about taking pictures of the family this year, but at least I got a few of the food, right?  #foodbloggerproblems

I didn’t get a photo of each meal (especially lunch), but here are some of the highlights…

As you can see, my looooong weekend included lots of sweets, a bit of wine, and even some exercise sprinkled into the mix.  I had a great time with the folks, but as usual, I’m happy to get back to my normal routine.  Except the work part….

  • Did you have a big holiday meal?  If so, what was it?

 

December 24th, 2012

Weekend Review

by Tiff

This Monday’s pretty marvelous, which is why I’m linking up with Healthy Diva Eats for her weekly Marvelous In My Monday post.  Here’s some of why I’m in a good mood…

#MIMM

Due to all the snow in the Midwest, my parents’ flight was cancelled.  No fear, they decided to drive to NC instead.  By the time they arrived we all needed a couple of these.**Side Note: I had two beers Friday, and both were great.  I tried Highland’s Thunderstruck Porter (pictured) and Bell’s Porter.

porter

Saturday morning consisted of a nice (but cold) 5-mile run and pumpkin protein pancakes.

polar     pumpkin

as well as plenty of fun for both silly kitties and silly dadies.  (I took the fam to Triple City Brewing.)

leia     dad

I made the Nutella cheesecake with Oreo crust again, but we also had some of Kristin’s (Stuft Mama’s) cookies.  Yum!

nutella     cookies

We wrapped up Sunday with The Hobbit in 3D (hints Kevin’s hipster-but-not glasses) and dinner at Flemming’s Steakhouse.

hd     steak

Today will be church, ham, and more dessert.  Merry Christmas, Y’all!

December 21st, 2012

Holiday Wishes

by Tiff

Congrats to the soon-to-be mommies out there, including but not limited to: Katie, Courtney, Ashley, Dorsa, Brittney, and Nichole!  (And new mommies too, including but not limited to: Erin, Katy, and Erin.)

I must admit, this is the time of year I wish a little rug-rat was crawling around my floors.  These are purely selfish reasons, of course…

  1. So Kevin wouldn’t judge me when he finds Home Alone and The Grinch in our Netflix queue.
  2. So I could put Legos under the tree.  (We’ve already dedicated a future Lego room.)
  3. So I wouldn’t have to decorate cookies by myself.
  4. So I could take one of those Polar Express themed trains, or at least a sleigh ride.
  5. So I could buy itty bitty holiday dresses or bowties.  (Adorable!)

But enough of that.  This holiday will be plenty of fun with Kevin, my mommy, daddy, and kitties.  Who needs Legos over the tree when you have a Cleo?

cleo

So as all of you gear up for the big day, I leave you with these wishes:

1. May your love be as fruitful as my fridge.

fruit

2. May you find happiness outside the box (and bags and stockings).

boxes

3. May you have as much cheer as I have ‘cheers.’

cheers

4. May you find as much merriment as I have peppermint. (Actually, TJ’s was out last night, but I hope to try these soon!)

joejoes

5. Lastly, may you have fun!

What are your plans for the holidays?  Visitors or visiting?

December 17th, 2012

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

by Tiff

This weekend was a bit too food-filled for this foodie.  I had a great time baking, celebrating with friends, and enjoying the season, but my belly is ready for the new year.  *Don’t get me wrong, the rest of me is still loving the holiday season, jingle bells and all.

running      cookies

On Saturday, I went for a much needed run, and lucky for me, the run was fabulous!  I love love love these new Pro Compression socks I won from Kat’s blog.  I later baked cookies and headed out for a neighborhood party.

trees      tree

On Sunday, I whipped up these pretty little things for another holiday party.  (Yeah, on Sunday – I wasn’t too happy about the date; I’m a pajama girl on Sunday evenings.)

pump      chocolate

After the holiday lunch Thursday and holiday parties Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I’m feeling pretty bleh.  Luckily, I did at least whip up something healthy this weekend.

muffins      chocolate

I froze most of these to nibble on through the week.  Due to their lack of fat and such, they don’t puff up like normal muffins, but they freeze and reheat in the microwave incredibly well.

Ingredients:

  • 1 c flour (I used whole wheat.)
  • 1/2 c NuNaturals Fiber Baking Blend
  • 1 packet Stevia (or about 2 tsp sugar)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp (heaping) pumpkin pie spice
  • an extra dash of cinnamon
  • 1/2 c pure canned pumpkin
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 TBS + 1 tsp pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 c milk (approx)
  • 1/4 c dark chocolate chips or shavings

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a muffin tin.
  2. Mix dry, except chocolate.  Separately, mix wet.  Add wet to dry without over mixing.
  3. Fold in chocolate chips.  Divide among muffin tin.  (I got seven muffins.)
  4. Bake 18-22 minutes.  Allow to cool completely if you intend to freeze any of them.

Is your belly sick of the holidays yet, or have you been managing the temptation?

December 10th, 2012

Kale Kabbage and Keenwa Kasserole

by Tiff

What can I say?  I have a thing for alliterations.  I have posted my recipe for Kale, Cabbage, & Quinoa Casserole below, but before I get to that, I have to do a mini weekend recap.  It was too much fun to not share!

Friday… Kevin’s company party at the NASCAR Hall of Fame

holiday party   holiday party

Saturday Morning… cookies and present wrapping

cookies   holiday helper

Saturday Afternoon/Evening… slow n’ steady run and a bar crawl (more bar crawl info coming later this week)

run   beer

Sunday… this awesomeness!

 cabbage   cabbage

Ingredients:

  • 2/3 cup water, 2/3 cup water, divided
  • 1/3 cup quinoa
  • 5 oz kale (stems removed and cut into strips or small pieces)
  • 1.5 lb cabbage (cut into slaw-like strips)
  • 2 TBS olive oil, divided
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
  • 1 heaping tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp dry mustard
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 oz freshly grated Greyere or white cheddar cheese
  • 3 TBS breadcrumbs

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and grease a 9×13 pan with 1 TBS olive oil.
  2. Boil water, and add quinoa.  Simmer until cooked (approximately 15 minutes).  Fluff lightly with fork and remove from heat.
  3. Meanwhile, heat 1 TBS oil in a large non-stick pan or pot over medium.  Add onion and cook until soft and translucent.  Add garlic, dried mustard, and poultry seasoning.  Cook until fragrant (1 minute).
  4. Add the kale to the pot with 2/3 cup water (or less water if it’s still wet from washing).  When kale has mostly wilted, add cabbage.  Simmer, stir, and cook about 10 minutes.  Cabbage should be soft but not overcooked.
  5. In a separate bowl, beat eggs.  Mix into the vegetable pot.  Also stir in the cooked quinoa and grated cheese.  Pour into the prepared baking pan.  Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake 40-45 minutes.  If you can stand it, allow it to sit 10 minutes prior to serving, which should give you just enough time to wash some of your cooking dishes.
Better With Veggies

Thanks to Heather for hosting another Meatless Monday linkup.  This week’s ingredient was quinoa, so check out her site for other quinoa recipes!