Giving Thanks with a Full Belly

This time of year, we are constantly reminded to be thankful for all that we have! This is something I really appreciate about the holiday season and try to keep up through the rest of the year! 

Today's post is simply inspired by foods that remind me of things I am thankful for! 

I am thankful for a sister who is also my best friend! 

{Recipe inspired by her love of all things oriental}

Green Tea Ice Cream

I am thankful amazing parents who have been so supportive throughout all of my growing up! 

{Recipe inspired by my first ten years spent in South Florida}

Mexican Street Corn

I am thankful to live in a country where I have been able to earn a college degree. I am also thankful to be a Florida Gator and thankful for my department and friends from college.

{Recipe inspired by the cowboys of American and CALS}

Cowboy Casserole

I am thankful for my years spent in college and my sisterfriends made along the way!

{Recipe inspired by our love of....baking}

Jack Daniel's Cupcake

I am thankful for a job. I know how hard that can be in this economy.

{Recipe inspired by the green that pays my bills...and pays for trips to Key West }

Key Like Cake Recipe

I am thankful to be a Floridian. I think know I live in the best state and am thankful for this beautiful land each and every day. 

{Recipe inspired by none other than the local seafood!}

Grilled Sea Scallops with Cilantro & Black Bean Sauce

Lastly, I am thankful for my health. I see people struggle with health related issues each and every day and feel so blessed that this has never taken a toll on my own life.

{Recipe inspired by a champagne toast to good health}

Strawberry Champagne Mimosas

What are some of the things you are thankful for? Any recipes remind you of those things? I'd love to hear! 

Check Out LPF Mag Issue #2!

I was SO excited when Lauren posted the issue last night and I couldn't wait to share it all with you today!

As if the magenta and champagne colors on the cover didn't already make me squeal with delight, I found myself gratuitously reading each and every page.

As a design enthusiast, I am well aware that it is a rarity that someone actually reads full articles, which is why the layout, graphics, info graphics, headers, etc must all draw the reader into the text.

Luckily, this text is totally worth reading!

Here are some highlights from Issue #2 of LPF Mag!

{Farm to Table}

I am a huge enthusiast of farm to table movements, especially as an Ag girl! In fact, one of my little sisters from the sorority works at for a Farm to Table restaurant/company in Jax! Besides gorgeous photography, this article offers some easy, yet delicious, recipes to help you bring the farm to table movement into your home!

{DIY Gifts}

These suggestions are the perfect excuse to get your craft on--be it for a friend or for yourself! I love the idea of Red Zinger Vodka. Mind you, this post is being written while I am sipping on Red Zinger Tea...

{Soup Recipes}

As the cold weather has rolled in, I've come to realize nothing brightens up an evening like coming home to a warm bowl of soup! Saucy Jocey's Kitchen is always posting yummy recipes like these--make sure to check her out!

{Women in Business}

My heart was filled with so much joy then entire time I was reading this article--talk about a dream job! LPF interviewed Caroline Boyk, Assistant Print Designer at Lilly Pulitzer! Little Cotton is an artist, so I have always had an interest in illustration and the work that goes into print making. Now, mix that with my love of Lilly! Yes, this interview might be perfect!

Bonus: The link at the bottom of the page takes you Caroline's portfolio, where you can check out her work at Lilly! 

Lastly, here is my contribution to the magazine! 

{Personal Finance}

I was so excited when our contributors mentioned the need for a finance section for the mag that I literally jumped at the bit to write the articles! While finances can often seem overwhelming to the typical young adult (H and I had a conversation this weekend about the need for multiple lines of credit...), it is always important to make sure you live within your means and budget!  Make sure to check out my tips and look for the finance apps to make budgeting even easier!

Check out the rest of the issue here!

Open publication - Free publishing - More christmas

Sick Days.

I feel a little silly that I am still working even when I am sick—don’t want to waste that PTO! I came down with something on Monday night and it has only been getting worse since.

Even worse, it has made me lose all productivity around the house! I’m slacking a bit on my chores, which is not good when you live alone.

When I am sick, I have two weapons of choice: hot tea and egg drop soup!

Hot tea is great when your sickness involves anything with your nose/ sinuses, which, unfortunately, is me right now. It helps clear things out and lets me breathe better.

Egg drop soup is my go-to no matter what type of sickness it is! The warm soup is comforting and great for settling the tummy but, even better, it is full of protein to keep you healthy and quicken your recovery time.

So far, I am not getting any better! What helps you recover quickly when you are feeling sick?

PLEASE

Would you mind taking two seconds to answer this question? It is going to help greatly with an article I am working on for the next issue of LPF Mag!

VOTE HERE! 

Today’s Pickins:

1.       Washi Tape card ideas would be perfect with all of the birthdays coming up! 

2.       An interior girl’s dream—the top 100 BenjaminMoore paint colors. It’s even categorized by colors and has pictures of rooms paint in the color, too! 

3.       San Fran engagement photos—could anything be cuter!? 

4.       I may not be the biggest Katie Couric fan, but her “Life is a series of reboots” quote really hit home recently.

Surrounding Yourself with Positivity

This week has NOT been going my way AT ALL. On top of it, I have also been a little off my mojo thanks to my longing to be with my beautiful sisters at recruitment.

Without saying too much, there was someone in my office that used to be a huge source of negativity. It made me question my job, how well I was doing, and how much I was making and, over all, my happiness.

In light of recent events, I do not sit next to him in the office anymore. I cannot believe how much happier I am throughout the day because of it!

In times like this, I am really coming to understand the importance of surrounding myself with positivity and BEING that source of positivity to others.  Sure, it is hard when you’re just having a bad week—that’s me right now! But it doesn’t mean that you cannot embrace the positivity that you are surrounded with!

Food for thought, friends.

Today’s Pickins:

1.I LOVE this idea of spray painting dollar store animals gold to creative décor for a room! 

2. This wedding video is the sweetest! Definitely put a smile on my face today. 

3. It doesn’t have to be Christmas time for my mouth to water at these cinnamon almonds! 

4. These college campus prints are an adorable way to add some school spirit to any room! 

Apron Recipes

For those of you not fortunate enough to have Publix as your local grocery retailer—I am sorry.  As someone that studied grocery retail in college, I truly treasure this gem of a grocery store I am lucky enough to have in my hometown.

One of the cool things that Publix does is called “Apron Recipes”. These recipes are easy-to-make recipes that usually take about 30 minutes or so and use every day ingredients. Each week, you will find a station in your store where an employee has made the recipe for you to try! Her station features not only samples, but a recipe card and the cooler behind her has all of the ingredients for the meal—no need to run around the store AND you can do a mental inventory of what you already have!

After trying nearly all of these recipes, I wanted to share my three favorites!

1.       Quesadilla Bake

I tried this recipe for the first time last night and Oh Em Gee how yummy! I did not make the side dish with it, though.

It was VERY simple to make, even with the few variations I added. I mixed black beans and corn with one of the layers, which added a lot of flavor to the dish. It really seems like any twist on this meal would be phenomenal!

My two biggest tips in making this meal would be:

-If you like your tortilla edges crispy bake for the full 25 minutes

- You don’t need the full burrito kit if you are not making the Corn and Chile Taco salad—Just buy tortillas (8) and burrito seasoning for your meat.

2.  Phyllo Chicken Pie

For all of my friends that love Greek food, this is your meal. If I could, I would make this dish twice a week, that is how good it is!  Due to stand time, it takes a bit to make it. However, it reheats very well.

Personally, I do not make the side listed with this. Instead, I usually try to home make a Greek salad on the side, seeing as the flavors are very similar.

Again, pay attention to the active time versus the sit time—the ONLY downside to this meal!

3.  Barbecue Chicken Cobb Salad

This is one of the newer recipes but is great for how quick it can be! I’ve actually contemplated making two salads at once and wrapping up the other for my lunch at work the next day—yum yum!

What makes this salad perfect is the barbeque chicken twist! You can use any type of barbeque sauce that you like, which is great. You can also add or subtract ingredients to the salad, for example, I don’t like tomatoes, so I never use those on my salad.

Need a great, light, ranch dressing for the side?! Check out this great pinterest find! It taste great and can be made with the “Spicy Ranch” seasoning, as well!  

  

Today’s Pickins:

1.       Another tasty treat from Fluffimama, these yogurt covered blueberries are perfect for the midday sweet tooth.

2.       This chevron monogrammed shower curtain would be a great inspiration in my new place!

3.       Sparkling White Peach Sangria—do I really need to say anything else?

4.       Nike Legend Capri allow you to show off some team pride while at the gym!