Pot- Pie

I don't think I could try to explain to you how I bake pie crust because I don't think I make it that same way twice. There is always some kind of "rolling the dice" when I take the first bite of a pie... or when someone I love take that first bite. I am never worried about what the inside tastes like because in my mind thats the easy part. 

All of that to say I found an awesome and well- explained version of chicken pot pie that looks and tastes BANGIN! Thanks to Joy the Baker I have finally found a well described version of a wonderful dish! Head over to her page to snoop around for even more goodness. HAPPY TUESDAY.

Crockpot Chili

Yesterday was 100% cold and rainy, as in 59 but felt like 30 due to the rain and wind because of this reason, I figured chili was a good way to go in terms of dinner. David's favorite dinner is probably chili and not to mention, it typically draws a crowd in our house.

Here are reasons why I love making and having chili in the fall/winter:
It is super easy to make.
It's very quick to pull together.
You can set it and forget it.
You can seriously make it up as you go and chances are it will turn out awesome no matter what!
I love having it sit in the crockpot and being able to have a hearty and casual meal available at the end of the day.

I do most of my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's, it's a great place to get basics, but you may need to run to a bigger store to grab certain spices. Here is a general list of ingredients in picture form:

Crushed Tomatoes (16oz), Black Beans (8oz), (and I add) Salsa... 
 a little later I add a small can (about 2 oz) of Tomato Paste too.

Put about 2 TBS of Extra Virgin Olive Oil into the hot skillet
before adding chopped garlic and 1/2 of an onion.
Next I put 1 pound of beef into the skillet and let it brown slightly.
Once the beef has browned I add the 2nd half of the onion and the
entire chopped pepper to the skillet. 

Once Crushed Tomatoes, Salsa, and Beans
are in the pot, mix in the meat mixture
along with the packet of chili mix. 

Go on and set that crockpot to 8 hours on
a low setting so it can combine all of
those amazing flavors together.

If you like chili that is a little more spicy, like we do, you can always add some chili powder or cayenne pepper to the mix. I add cayenne and Siracha sauce for a little bonus flavor and spice! Honestly the best thing you can do while cooking a meal like this is to put in whatever you think would be delicious to you, its hard to mess this up.

I won't lie, while it cooks it smells so good, especially on a day like yesterday! We enjoyed our chili with a little Mexican cheese and small dollop of sour cream. I also made some cornbread from Trader Joe's! Normally we buy the original corn bread mix, but TJs had their seasonal stuff out and they were fresh out of original so I bought PUMPKIN corn bread- man it was perfect along with the chili.

To end my rant/recipe post all I have to say is, you won't regret making this especially when you come home to a house filled with delicious smells and a effortless meal to end your long day! You're welcome!

Cold Coffee Anyone?

The idea of cold coffee is pretty much the worst to me. That is unless it is ICE cold, and not stale in taste. Of course, speaking as a former barista I feel as though that opinion is definitely validated, and should obviously be respected. Im kidding of course, but really if you're going to enjoy some iced coffee it should be FRESH, a lighter roast, and ice cold. If you want some of the best iced coffee in the Philadelphia area might I recommend Burlap & Bean in Newtown Square, PA they do it so well.

Anyway, what is the big deal, or should I say CRAZE surrounding cold brew concentrates? Let me bring you in on the secret, and you can decide if you want to join that club or not. There is a science to making the stuff, refer here to bon appetite's article on the how to of cold brew making. It is time consuming so if you don't want to buy supplies or spend the time, you may want to buy a bottle of the concentrate. After having made the stuff and trying the bottled version, I'll stick to hot coffee or burlap's iced coffee. But don't just take my word for it decide for yourself, this weather is HOT it's a nice way to cool off, and it's always fun to try something new.

Double Date Us

There is something about getting out of any pattern, thats just refreshing. Even if its just a spontaneous outing after a long day at work.

Yesterday, for instance, David picked me up from work and excitedly told me were going to a new pizza place he had found in our area. I was so excited, and felt loved to know he wanted to take me out, and do something other than going home to make dinner, watch TV, go to sleep (all of which I also love). Sometimes you just need to do something different.

On our way to PIZZA we got a call from my sister and her husband (who live really close), they had walked to our place and were waiting for us to come home to grab dinner. I find so much joy and love in moments like that.

We went to this place Jerry's Bar, Sarah (my sister) Colin (her husband) LOVE this place. After spending the evening there I love it too. Between the decor and restaurant seating options, to the menu and service, it's the perfect place to take friends or family.

I look up to my sister so much, she's just cool there's no other way to say it. When she loves something, even if I don't love it I'll at least pay attention. So when it came to the Sazerac she ordered, I had to try it. Granted I didn't like it at all, but I tried it. I ordered a "fancy drink" too called Just Like Honey, it was really delicious. Sarah had the spicy peanut wings- SO GOOD! David, Colin and I all ordered the burgers, they were some of the best! I loved our time together with all four of us. I'll go back to Jerry's bar again, maybe with those three again.

Green Tea That Tastes Good (For a Change)

Here are my main feelings about green tea in no particular order:

I hate it
It smells bad to me when it's hot
It leaves a very weird after taste
Ew.
My husband drinks it regularly

Those are very real feelings. Until yesterday that is.
I've found a type of green tea I can actually tolerate... and kind of like.


I have heard through the grape vine that green tea is a "fat buster" so with a lot of trial and a ton of error I figured out I only like it cold and flavored. When I brew my tea I make it very concentrated so if I add a lot of ice it still has a non- diluted flavor. The type of tea I've been drinking (iced) thanks for David, is naturally flavored with berries and rhubarb- yum! Sort of like my favorite type of pie....


According to evidenced based sources green tea's use as a metabolism booster is best absorbed after a cardiovascular workout. Read a little about that here!

Eating Healthy (From a Girl Who Loves to Eat)

My whole life I have loved food. This manifested itself in a number of ways:

For instance, flashback to me, as a high schooler hopping into mom's minivan after soccer practice. To my mom who is turning down the radio, bass bumping, because NPR's fresh air is BLASTING in our eardrums, "Hi mom, what's for dinner?" practically in one breath.
Also in highschool, I both entered and won a number of baking contests, what high school kid loves doing this? I did.

Meanwhile as a 25 year old HAPPY newlywed, I love food, maybe even more than ever. I have the opportunity to experiment making new recipes, and testing them out on my husband.

All of that to say, I am making big attempts not to snack, and to make meals that are not only "healthy" but full of nutrients and proteins.
Here's what I'm making tonight, Colorful Quick Quinoa Grecian Salad (Thanks to Cooking Light for the recipe). Basically David and I have been obsessing over quinoa lately and I have tomatoes and feta.

Here's what you'll need, or if you're like me you'll use some of these things and cut out others.  I'm cutting the kalamata olives and feta cheese down in an effort to stay away from too much dairy and cut back on sodium.

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• Recommended Ingredients
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• 2 cups uncooked quinoa
• 3 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth 
• 2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil 
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 
• 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered 
• 1 cup thinly sliced radicchio
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper 
• 1/2 cup chopped English cucumber 
• 1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons chopped pitted kalamata olives
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots