At least we have the food.

Brrrrr.

We have officially reached that moment when I say "F you winter, we're through!" Even though the temps here in NYC are forecast to be unseasonably warm these next few days, as I piled into my jacket, scarf, hat and gloves for an outing over the weekend, I remembered that once the Christmas lights come down, I don't have much use for winter anymore. Except, of course, when it comes to the food. Cozy, creamy, yummy winter food. So to celebrate the one awesome thing about the 2 months left before I can reasonably consider open toed shoes again, here are a few recipes I intend to try out soon. Happy eating!

Alfredo, Mac Cheese's BFF.

I found this recipe on Pinterest with the caption "Laughing Cow Alfredo Sauce (Weight Watchers friendly)". You had me at "Laughing Cow" (LOVE those little triangles!) Comprised of basic ingredients and insanely easy to whip up, this "imitation alfredo" will no doubt be on the menu in my house asap. (Direct link to recipe HERE). 

Yummy.

Spinach and artichoke linguine. Sounds fancy, looks tasty and the recipe (which I discovered courtesy of CupofJo) seems achievable even for an amateur chef such as myself. Though I will certainly need assistance from the cheese counter dude at Whole Foods to locate the mascarpone cheese, THIS recipe has "dinner for two" written all over it!

Bake it baby!

Because nothing is more fun than taking a healthy snack and making it less healthy, these baked avocados are lookin good to me! Still a genuinely "good" snack (adding ¼ cup bread crumbs and 1 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese is hardly "bad"), I look forward to surprising my avocado-loving husband with these tasty treats! (Direct link to recipe HERE)

And for added deliciousness, check out my FAVORITE recipe from last winter HERE.

These things happen...

Beauty & the Beach.

Sometimes it's 9pm-ish on a Sunday night and your waiter is telling you that "martinis are like boobs: one is not enough, two is just right and three is one too many." I'm proud to say that I stopped at "just right," but "just right" is still a lot for a Sunday. So forgive me if all I've got for you is this adorable hedgehog getting a bath:

rub-a-dub-dub

And perhaps a brilliant idea like THIS:

citrus mint ice cubes: so ready for this summery treat

This kinda creepy yet totally adorable baby panda just wants
to remind you to stop and smile, even though it's Monday

So don't forget to cook something yummy this week, maybe THIS:

Avocado Mac Cheese, recipe HERE
(there is no better mer/dr. h dish alive)

And of course, remember THIS:

Until tomorrow... :)

Hump Day Distractions

Peep Show. Quite the distraction...

What's going on around here!? April flowers bring May showers!? We gots some seriously wacky (wacky = annoyingly cold and rainy) weather here in NYC which reminds me... in my next life I'm going to be a weathergirl so I never have to worry about actually doing my job well. Anywaysssss, Wednesday has arrived and I've got some fantastic finds from around the web to help you over the hump. Enjoy!

* Young, beautiful and delicious. 

* "Don't make the world worse" and other awesomely honest advice.  

* There's something so lovely about this necklace. I want.

* One way to keep my man happy? With a belly full of avocado (it's cream sauce gone green!)

* For lovers of the art and former dancers alike, a movie to get excited about!

* Orphan baby owls. Get your "awwww" ready. (viaCupofJo)

* Just a pup, workin on his fitness

Good Eats.

As the weather warms up and we start shedding our layers of bulky winter clothing, I find myself craving a totally different type of cuisine. Though I love me some rich, creamy goodness, come spring I gravitate towards more fresh and colorful foods. Though I may be eating Cadbury Eggs for breakfast, here are a few recipes which include "good eats" for your weekend enjoyment. Happy cooking! ("eat me" via Pinterest)

Holy YUM and other possible deliciousness
(butternut squash mac cheese!?) over at PinchofYum

Hailed by many as the superior tater, I recently decided to give cooking sweet potatoes a try and I'm lurve. For a super easy side dish, I like to slice the potato into thin "discs", rub on a little olive oil and kosher salt, and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes (depending on thickness and desired crispness). Stuffed potato skins coming soon!

The healthiest Paula Deen recipe EVER.

Dr. H is obsessed with avocado. OBSESSED. I am definitely a fan, but unlike hubs, I don't sit around eating it with a spoon - I need a little flava. I know how to guac or serve it up with Mexican, but this might be my next dinner party dish.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Mac & Cheese.
Kitchen to do list fo sho

I like quinoa, but I haven't figured out how to take the grain "to the next level". I usually eat it as a side dish, prepared in chicken stock instead of water with seasoning  to taste, but with the help of Iowa Girl Eats, I think I'm ready to get fancy!

Pizza. Fruit. Sugar. YUM.

Leave it to Betty Crocker to help us make fruit less healthy right?! To lighten up this recipe a bit, I'm thinking of substituting the cream cheese frosting for Light Cool Whip, or maybe Greek Yogurt with some Splenda mixed in? (suggestions welcome!)