Recipe Ideas

Twas’ The Weekend Before Christmas…

Happy Monday!  I have today AND tomorrow off so I am super excited.  It’s so nice having weekdays off, I feel like you get so much more done.

This weekend before Christmas was a good one.  It was relaxing, fun, and productive!  What else can you ask for?

Friday, I stayed home at my apartment and decided to take it easy.  I packed for the weekend (Andy lives about a half hour away and my family an hour), wrapped presents, and had a healthy delicious meal.

My go – to Spinach, Mushroom, and Bacon omelet with broccoli and avocado on the side.

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This was perfect because I woke up nice and refreshed on Saturday morning ready for 8:30AM yoga!  I love Saturday morning yoga.  When I got to Andy’s I decided I wasn’t done with it yet so was playing around with my headstands and handstands.

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Saturday night we had plans to go to a friend’s house for a Christmas / Birthday gathering.  I decided to bring an appetizer and settled on Deviled Eggs with Bacon.  I followed George from the Civilized Caveman’s recipe.  I added about a tablespoon of organic mayo because my filling looked a little dry.

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They were a huge hit at the party which was a relief because it was my first time making them.  Everyone was so intrigued that there was avocado and bacon….success!

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Sunday was filled with napping, seeing both of our families for a little, some late night shopping, and more present wrapping.  Last minute shopping included Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, CVS, and some restaurants for gift cards.

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Where have you spent your last-minute shopping?

 

Grilled Apple and Bacon Pork Chops

Happy Sunday!  I hope everyone’s weekends were great.  Mine was pretty mellow and relaxing, which is always nice!  We had our first legitimate snow storm come through Saturday so it was the perfect excuse to get snowed in!  Before re-capping though, I wanted to share a recipe I made last week.

I was really missing the grill so decided to fire it up!  Even though it was about 25 degrees out it was definitely worth it (or maybe I should ask Andy that since he was the one who ended up doing the dirty work).  I wanted to grill some pork chops but didn’t want to make my barbecue and rosemary chops.

I came up with Grilled Apple and Bacon Pork chops. The apple and bacon is really just a saute that I topped the pork chops with once they were off the grill.

Grilled Apple and Bacon Pork Chops

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  • 3 Bone-in Pork Chops
  • 1 Gala Apple, diced
  • 1/2 Small Red Onion, chopped
  • 2 Slices of Thick Bacon, cut into small pieces
  • Coconut Oil
  • Salt, Pepper, Sage

Melt about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave and pour over your pork chops.  Try to have them in a warm place so the oil doesn’t harden right away.  Sprinkle each side with salt, pepper, and sage.  Place the pork chops on grill over medium high heat.  Grill one side for about 8-10 minutes.  Flip, and cook the other side for 8 – 10 minutes or until cooked through.

While the chops are grilling you can prepare the Apple and Bacon saute.  Take a teaspoon of coconut oil and place in a hot pan over medium heat.  Put your bacon in the pan first and cook for about a minute so that your pan is nice and greased.  Add the apple and onions.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and sage.  Continue cooking and mixing around for 8 – 10 minutes.  Leave on low until pork chops are done.

Top your pork chops with the apple and bacon saute!  I loved this dish.  I hope you do too!

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Thanksgiving Re-Cap in Pictures

Happy Cyber Monday!  I’ve never given in to these hyped up shopping days until….today.  I went a little crazy on Amazon but mostly due to the fact that I’ve been freaking out this year on how many Christmas presents I need to get.

Today being Monday along with the fact that I’ve been off for four days, made the day even longer than it normally feels.  What got me through though (besides Cyber Monday) was knowing what a great Thanksgiving long weekend I had!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year.  A time to indulge, see family, spend time with friends, and relax.  And that is exactly what we did!  We stayed in Connecticut the whole weekend, enjoyed some of our favorite spots and also explored some new!

Here is my Thanksgiving Re-Cap in Pictures!

Wednesday night we decided to switch it up and going bowling with a few friends.  I forgot how much fun bowling can be!

 

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And how funny bowling shoes look…but make good Instagram pictures.

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For Thanksgiving we went to my sisters and I made these delicious Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates.  They were a hit!

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It’s always nice to spend time with the family.  The boys watched a lot of football and got their ear talked off by my Gram – she’s the best.

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I helped my Sis out a lot this year.  I even made the mashed potatoes!  I think this is the first time I’ve made them so I had to take a picture of course.

 

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We did buffet style.  Everything was so, so good that I don’t think I skipped anything.  I had a full plate!

 

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Yes, this was Thanksgiving.  My brother-in-laws family has introduced a new tradition…”Pre-Christmas.”  Everyone gets a Pre-Christmas gift…so cute!

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After my Sisters we went to Andy’s brothers for dessert and played with his nephew.  He’s so precious and so much fun to play with!

 

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After stuffing myself on Thursday I needed a good sweaty yoga session.  My yoga studio has these cute little “fortune notes.”  I loved the one I picked.  It says…“If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.”

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Before dinner on Friday night we headed to Jones Farm and Winery in Shelton, CT.  It was the perfect place to feel the Christmas spirit the day after Thanksgiving.  We didn’t end up getting a tree, but we did taste some wine!

 

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For dinner, Joey C’s in Milford was having a Black Friday deal.  Since it’s one of our favorites in the area we jumped on it.  This cocktail consisted of spiced rum, local apple cider, an ginger beer…it was so good!

 

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On Saturday night we ended up cooking dinner in and meeting some friends for a few drinks.  I thought our eyes looked cool in this picture and after a few cocktails decided to Instagram it with the caption #eyes whoa.  I shouldn’t Instagram after midnight.

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On Sunday after an awesome restorative yoga class, I came home and made some home made roasted rosemary almonds from NomNomPaleo.  They came out great and made the apartment smell amazing.

 

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For dinner I made a simple chili with grass-fed beef, mushrooms, peppers, and onions.  The perfect end to my weekend and gave me lunches for the whole week!

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What was the highlight of your weekend?

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