Light & Tasty

I'm like 99% on board with this quote.

This summer, after nearly a year of terrible eating and exercise habits, I've finally managed to re-commit myself to a healthier lifestyle. Through regular exercise (thank you ClassPass!) and cooking more meals at home (where I can control ingredients and portion sizes) I've finally gotten back on healthy habits bandwagon. 

Since it's easy to get bored with your go-to dinner options and variety is the spice of life, here are a 3 creative(ish), simple and new (to me) meals I've been preparing recently. They aren't exactly Julia Childs caliber and nearly all require something pre-made or packaged, but if I can make it fast and keep it healthy, in my opinion that's a meal worth sharing!

* Sausage, Sautéed Broccoli & Shirataki Noodles

If you aren't familiar with Tofu Shirataki noodles, it's time to get with the good stuff! This delicious pasta alternative comes in all sorts of shapes (angel hair, fettuccine, spaghetti...) and though they aren't going to be mistaken for that carb-tastic pasta we all love, it's an awesome and infinitely healthier substitute (a half bag is 10 calories, 0.5g fat and 3g carbs, aka ZERO Weight Watchers points so go ahead and enjoy a bag, or 2!) 

I like to prepare the noodles in a pan which I've lightly coated with Pam Olive Oil Cooking Spray. I add fresh garlic, salt and some crushed red pepper and heat them slowly. In another, larger pan, I heat up some sliced pre-cooked sausage (options I love HERE) along with broccoli, adding a little olive oil and seasoning as I steam the mixture with the lid on. At the end, I combine everything into the sausage/broccoli pan to really mix the flavors and then I serve with grated parmesan cheese. It's all the Italian flavors you love at a fraction of the hit to your waistline!

* Spaghetti Squash Boats - Mediterranean Style

I love preparing spaghetti squash all sorts of ways (our household favorite being with grilled chicken parm melted on top like THIS) but adding all that sauce and cheese can detract from the healthy effort. For another tasty and slightly healthier option, try sautéing shrimp using a pesto-powder mix and just a little water and olive oil (much lower in fat than traditional pesto) along with chopped onions, spinach and tomatoes. (While you're doing this on the stove, bake the halved spaghetti squash like THIS (note, I usually skip the water and just lay the squash flat on a baking tray covered in tin foil bc I'm lazy like that!)) Once the squash is done, shred the "spaghetti" and mix in some salt, pepper, garlic powder and maybe a little more of that pesto powder. Next, load your pesto shrimp/veggie mixture into the top of the squash and top with low fat feta. On a baking sheet cook the "boats" for another 10-15 minutes and then serve.

* Asian Veggie Patty Burgers with Corn on the Cob (and sweet potato slices)

This is a new favorite for when I need a meal real fast, but I don't want to indulge in takeout. These MorningStar Asian Veggie Patties are delicious and can be popped in the microwave while you're toasting your Light English Muffin (I dare you to claim you can tell the difference between the light and regular!) Delicious plain or with a little ketchup, my favorite is a dollop of sweet chili sauce on the "bun" (for those feeling adventurous and up for something with a bit of kick!) And since nothing says summer like fresh corn on the cob, grab an ear and pop it in the microwave (2 minutes per ear with a thin layer of husk left on to create a steamed effect).

Lastly, if I'm feeling very hungry (aka, always), I'll add a sweet potato to this meal. I like to prepare it by creating thin, circle slices which I swipe with olive oil, sprinkle with kosher salt, pepper (and maybe some cajun seasoning) and pop in the oven at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes (depending on the thickness of your slices). Enjoy plain or dipped in some of that zesty sweet chili sauce! 

Juices. And foods. (Obviously)

Mmmm. Tastes so good.

This week, in an effort to jumpstart some healthier eating and weight loss, I'm doing a psuedo-cleanse. It's "psuedo" because when I realized I didn't have a single week without work lunches or dinner plans in the foreseeable future, I decided to do a cleanse that involved juices combined with eating 1 sensible meal a day. #MakingItWork  This time around I'm trying a new brand for my juicing, Kaeng Raeng which I learned about through Lauren Conrad's blog. Kaeng Raeng is WAY cheaper than fresh juices, largely because it's powders (all the nutrition is HERE) which you blend into smoothies using fresh fruit, water, ice and/or non-dairy milk. If you're sticking to just cleansing (as opposed to my "psudeo" style) Kaeng Raeng also "allows" raw fruits, veggies and nuts in addition to your 3 smoothies. It's definitely the most friendly cleanse I've ever tried and because you make your own smoothies, you can dump in however much fresh fruit/water/almond milk it takes to enjoy the taste! I've only used strawberries, bananas and water so far and these shakes ain't too shabby. Just sayin'.

So now that I've talked about my 66.666% fruit and powder diet, I thought I'd also share some of the recipes I've been salivating over for the 33.333% of my day that I'm enjoying solid foods. Also, here's hoping that unlike last night's dinner out, tonight I manage to have the willpower to say no to wine!!

Chicken Pasta with Spinach and Artichoke. Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

I freaking love spaghetti squash and I LOVE making spaghetti squash "boats" stuffed with tasty ingredients. Click HERE for 9 stuffed squash recipes or Pin it HERE.

Quinoa Quesadillas with black beans and sweet potato. Yum. Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Avocado Pasta. Tastes creamy, but is actually healthy? I'm in!! Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Hump Day Delay - Halloween Edition!

Candy Corn makes me DANCE (or is that just the sugar!?)

Friends, lovers, ghost, ghouls and goblins... Today is National Candy Corn Day! HEEELLLZ YES! My most favorite seasonal treat (seriously. No, SERIOUSLY) is celebrating its greatness on the eve of my favorite holiday so it's pretty much orange-colored sugar-fest over here today. (#GoodthingIhaveDentistsinmyfamily) Since I didn't manage to make a Merry Meri appearance yesterday, I thought I would combine my hump day collection with my carefully curated food and drink inspiration for Halloween. 

* Because you've always wanted THIRTY different candy corn related recipes. 

* Do you know who BatDad is? BatDad is the man. Check him out in action HERE.

* 13 incredibly cool recipes for Halloween HERE... and in case that endorsement doesn't get you clickin, check out visuals of a few of my favorite edible creations:

 

* How about 31 last-minute Halloween hacks from the always reliable Buzzfeed? (some of them are really good!)

* 25 Halloween inspired cocktails to make sure your night is plenty BOOzy.

* Pretty sure my favorite thing about having a little kid is going to be dressing them up for Halloween (also, THIS). 

* Because humans aren't the only ones who can get into the Halloween spirit:

Click HERE for more DIY animal costume amazingness.

I cannot even handle this little dude's cuteness (and I'm so glad he's ok!):

It's Tailgate Time!

Hike!

Are you ready for some football!? With the start of the college and NFL football seasons these last two weekends, all my summer sun lounging outside days have devolved into "what time is kickoff?/where is the game on?" love affairs with my television. Tis the season!! Here to make sure your tailgate snacks are as game ready as your team (hopefully!) are some new game day recipes to take for a whirl. Game on!

THIS recipe claims that quesadilla glory is just 10 minutes away. Black beans and corn, salsa and seasoning, this is a game time or tailgate snack anyone can manage to pull off and it's sure to be a hit! (Pin it HERE)

While we're hitting the mexican-theme munchies, HERE's another "put it in a bite size cup" recipe for Mini Mexican Pizzas. An easy to follow recipe with just a few ingredients, you can do all the prep in advance and then pop these into the oven just before halftime for a mid-game treat! (Pin it HERE).

Has there ever been a more unexpected match made in culinary food heaven!? Avocados wrapped in bacon - easy, healthy(ish!?), bacon-y and delicious all at once. Check out the simple recipe (via Necessary Clothing of all places!) HERE (Pin it HERE)

So that pizza bread right there? How delicious does that look!? The full recipe for make-your-own-dough is right HERE or if you're like me and love the idea but hate the mess/effort/time involved, pop over to your favorite pizza shop and ask if they will sell you a pizza's worth of dough (many will!) Then follow the recipe from there. 

And of course there will be times when your team draws the early game and breakfast eats are called for, which is why there is THIS Breakfast Casserole w egg whites, bacon, spinach and smoked gouda recipe. It's time to up your kegs and eggs game my friends. (Pin it HERE)

Click HERE for a really easy and cute tutorial on turning your table into a football field!

* For all of Seek to be Merry's past football foodie posts, click HERE *

It's birthday week!

Happy happy birthday.

Hello hello and welcome to Merry Meri's birthday week!! Now please let the record show that while I am a big fan of birthdays, I traditionally limit my self-birthday-promotion to the day-of and perhaps a second weekend date for celebrating, but this year my wonderful Dr. H apparently has grander plans in mind. Since yesterday evening I've been tagged in a series of Instagram posts from Dr. H and my amazingly loving friends which appear to be counting down the years of my life (#2014, #2013, #2012, etc; #Birthdaygramathon #meri30for30). Now that I've caught on, when an alert pops up on my phone that another photo has been posted, I internally squeal with delight and race to unlock my phone and see who posted what photo (and what degree of embarrassing it may be!) It appears the good doctor took my "birthday wish not to have to plan my own birthday" request quite seriously and coordinated a week's worth of love and celebration. My heart is truly bursting with excitement and appreciation. (#Thatsalotoflove #WhataguyImarried).

And since I've got a serious case of birthday brain, I thought I'd go big or go home and make Birthdays the theme of this week's blog posts. We'll do some party ideas, gift inspirations and of course my thoughts on leaving my 20s behind. Birthday brain for everyone!! To kick off birthday week, here are some awesomely creative birthday cakes and sweet treats that even an amateur Betty Crocker could pull off. Enjoy:)

Look like a baking MASTER with this polka dot perfection. Pin it HERE, full post HERE.

Maybe a little cake for everyone at the party is more your cup of tea!? (Could be super cute for a kiddos birthday to have the littles each decorate their own!) Pin it HERE, full post HERE. 

How about a DIY Brownie Ice Cream Cake!? Sourced from Pinterest (HERE) via Cookies and Cups: Bake brownies as directed, let cool. (optional chocolate frosting for next layer). Scoop/spread softened ice cream (like choc chip, cookie dough, mint chip, chocolate). Freeze. Layer on store bought or homemade whip cream, throw on some sprinkles.

How about a "bouquet" of these adorable floral cupcakes for the bloom-loving birthday girl in your life!? Pin it HERE.

And for those who really want to avoid the oven, I don't think you'll hear any complaints if you prepare an artfully stacked birthday donut mountain for your birthday boy or girl (they might even prefer it!!) Pin it HERE.

Hungry.

Nom nom nom.

Today is a hungry day. I woke up hungry and I've been hungry ever since despite eating breakfast and a mid-morning snack (and a ridonky delicious bite of apple fritter that my colleague brought in all the way from HERE... I swear just a bite!) Annnnyways, since the best cure for the eats (that isn't actually eating) is thinking about eating... here are some recipes I've stumbled upon lately that have me salivating as we speak. Enjoy!

Roasted Cauliflower and Mushroom Carbonara. YES ma'am!!! Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Or maybe a classic Spaghetti Carbonara is more your style? I've never done it, but it looks pretty easy!
Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Because my unwavering love for carbs does occasionally extend beyond pasta (occasionally!) here's a mighty tasty Broccoli Cheddar and Wild Rice casserole. Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

And now back to pasta (Mmmm) with this light, simple and well seasoned Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Herbs (perfect for a week night perhaps paired with grilled chicken or fish!?) Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Peace out homies.

3 DAYS!!! 3 WHOLE DAYS!!!!

Friii-day... FRiiii-Day.... FRRRII-DAY.... FRIDAY... FRIDAY! WOOOOO!!! I feel like a deserve a freakin medal for surviving this endless week, but I will happily accept a long weekend instead!! Here for your viewing pleasure as we collectively count the minutes until quitin' time are some goodies of the Memorial Day and generally cool variety. 

This post from Domaine Home is a soup to nuts (or shall I say dip to pie!? hehe) summary of how to host the perfect Memorial Day weekend get together. Now who's inviting me over!?

And because who doesn't love a thematic cocktail (in a mason jar of course:) click HERE to learn how to make that America-tastic Patriotic Punch (or Pin it for July 4th HERE).

Sassy

Silly

Sweet.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

cook it out, cook it in, let me begin...

"I was born in the wrong decade..."

This post brought to you by the fabulous 

(parent)thetically speaking.

Sun, glorious sun! Thank you for (finally) showing up. When it gets sunny, I start thinking about getting together with friends and family, letting the kids run wild in the backyard, drinking some sangria, and eating yummy, yummy food (preferably prepared on a grill). This is the stuff dreams are made of. Or at least summers. 

When I hear "cookout", I have some go-to dishes that immediately pop into my head, for a few reasons. They're relatively easy, and are always, always crowd-pleasers. I thought I would share them with you - since the weekend of epic cookout proportions is upon us.

*Broccoli Cole Slaw

I fought the slaw, and the slaw won.

I've made this so many times, I no longer need the stained, wrinkled, ripped recipe card. I've made a few adaptations. No sunflower seeds, not sure why, probably because I didn't have them the first time I made the recipe. I take the seasoning packet from the second package of ramen noodles and add it to the melted margarine (instead of butter, and I only use about 2 tbsp...Ms. Deen definitely put her butter stamp on this recipe) to toast the almonds and raw noodles. And I use less oil, a little over half a cup. Nothing like taking a vegetable and ruining the nutrients of it by adding butter and oil!

*Chili Sauce

Let it simmer on low low heat for as long as humanly possible. That is all.

*Key Lime Pie (or Lime Custard Pie)

I say that because this is still delicious using regular limes even if you can't get your hands on key limes. I believe this is the recipe that Joe's Stone Crab uses (via Food Network). About 6 years ago, I searched and searched for a legitimate Key Lime Pie recipe. This is the one that I put on a recipe card, so it's what I use, but I do not have the original source. 

so key-ish, so lime-ish

1 homemade graham cracker crust (I'm sorry to be demanding, but it must be homemade). For key lime pies, I like to use cinnamon sugar graham crackers (fun, right?)

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 c. fresh squeezed key lime juice

2 tsp. key lime zest

2 egg yolks

fresh whipped cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together yolks and zest. Then slowly add the condensed milk, then whisk in lime juice. Pour into prepared crust and bake for 15-25 minutes, until solid (no longer jiggly). Let cool and chill it in the fridge. Serve with fresh whipped cream.

*Brownies

Not classy, fancy or unique, but man, are they ridiculously good. Sometimes, for people I really love, I swirl in some peanut butter.

Jan's Brownies

from the cookbook Just a Matter of a Thyme by Roxie Kelley

1 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 cups sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

4 eggs

2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder 

1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in the vanilla and eggs. Add cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt and mix well. Pour into a greased 9x13" baking pan and bake for 23-25 minutes. Frost with chocolate icing, or sprinkle with powdered sugar, or swirl in smooth or crunchy peanut butter.

Or forget baking or cooking - just stop by Costco and grab a gigantic bag of Brownie Brittle and a jar of peanut butter and you'll be everyone's favorite person for ever and ever.

For all things fabulously (parent)thetically speaking, click HERE.

It's snowing again...!

Let it snow!

...which means of course, that all I'm thinking about it eating (also, sweatpants). Cozy soups, piping hot mac and cheese, perhaps some chili or maybe something over quinoa or rice!? Here to keep you warm while the weather outside is frightful are some winter weather recipes sure to delight. Stay safe everybody!

Love me some one-pot goodness! This "Spinach Artichoke Wonderpot" from Budget Bytes is looking like an awesome dinner option for tonight. And maybe add some sauteed chicken or shrimp for a little extra protein? Pin it HERE, full recipe HERE.

Oh man... any recipe with the word "lazy" in it is going to earn a try from me! These simple Egg Pita Pizzas look delicious as suggested and you could really choose your own adventure with additional toppings and seasoning if you're feeling bold. Pita as pizza, so easy and brilliant!! Pin it HERE, full recipe from Everybody Likes Sandwiches HERE.

The perfect way to use my new Le Creuset Mini Cocottes (thanks Dr. H!) I cannot wait to try out this gooey spinach mac at home (and it's obviously healthy, because hey!! Spinach!!) Pin it HERE, full recipe from Donna Hay HERE.

And if sweet treats are more your winter weather style, don't forget about ms. (parent)thetically speaking's ultimate Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies! Click HERE to get the recipe!!

ps- took that panoramic beauty about 48 hours ago... however NYC's white snow is really an excellent way to show off my sun tan (#silverlining).

Hump Day Distractions

Good for you man.

So it's gonna be one of thooooose days is it? One of those subway isn't running, forgot my sunglasses, run in my tights kind of Wednesdays!? Well la-di-freakin-da! With barely more than 48 hours standing between me and a long weekend getaway to Miami (bienvenido a Miami!!) it's gonna take more than an office fire drill right after arriving to throw me off my game!! Let's hump it, shall we?

* When it comes to travel, I think it's important to always have a wish list on hand.

* The French sure do know how to make things sound naughty don't they!?

* So what you're saying is I'm plus'er than plus size now eh?

* Spotting one of THESE in public would absolutely make my day.

* If only more companies were willing to go to such lengths to make work/life balance more manageable for employees.

* Do you drink wine? If so, this is EXTREMELY VITAL INFORMATION.

* "I am running away because you think I farted when I didn't. PS you are mean." and other kid brilliance.

* So what you're saying is that Brooklyn has always been an awesome place to live?

* We all need more 30-minute meals in our life.

* A few hide-and-seek fails to bring a smile to your face.

Brrrr!!

The lone wolf says "winter is coming..."

Hello and happy Monday my merry friends! Here in NYC we woke up to mighty chilly temperatures (38 degrees!!!) which was a real shock to the system after Saturday's "leave your coat at home" sunshine. In an effort to get us feeling cozy and warm, I thought I would share a few hearty, hot and tasty recipes. Time to get cookin!!

Slow cooker bolognese sauce sounds just my style. This recipe from The Kitchn lets your slow cooker do all the patient simmering for you and the basic ingredients make it easy to prepare. Perfect for Sunday dinner, I can't wait to give this recipe a try. (Pin it HERE)

This is the self-declared "Best EVER Black Bean Soup" so I think it's worth a try! With only 8 ingredients (and 1 is water!) this recipe from Comfy in the Kitchen is easy enough to whip up after work and would be perfect over rice as a chilly evening supper. I think I've got tomorrow night's menu all figured out! (Pin it HERE)

Another hearty but healthy (and comfort foody!) dinner option, this vegetarian quinoa chili recipe from Cooking Classy may seem intimidating when you look at the ingredients list, but I'm willing to bet it's just a matter of checking your spices supply and you'll already be halfway there! Easy to whip up once you've got all the ingredients on hand, I can't wait to serve this one up sometime soon. (Pin it HERE)

I am actually salivating over here... These cheesy chicken parm meatballs from Tracey's Culinary adventures are much easier to pull together than I would have expected and anything that has a surprise cheesy center is a winner in my book. Dr H better be hungry because I have some serious cozy cooking to do!!! (Pin it HERE)