White Bean, Kale and Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

I love trying out new recipes, especially soups, because it's pretty much soup season year round for me. This recipe originally called for kielbasa instead of spicy Italian sausage, but I enjoy getting creative in the kitchen. This might be one of my top five soups that I have ever made. It has so much flavor, and it's very filling. If you aren't a kale fan feel free to substitute spinach in it's place.

#soup #healthy #recipes #kale #spinach #food 

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch or more of kale, spinach, or collard greens
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 ounces of spicy Italian Sausage, or kielbasa thinly sliced crosswise
• 1 large leek (white and light green part only) or 1 bunch of green onions, sliced
• 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, such as cannellini or navy beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 to 2 ounces freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Rinse kale, shake dry, and cut out and discard tough center stems. Roll leaves lengthwise into a tight tube and cut crosswise into 1/4 inch strips. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add leeks and cook over medium heat about 3 minutes. Add kale and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
4. Stir in beans and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until kale is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
5. Ladle soup into bowls. Grate cheese on top. Serves 4.

Good Foods Yogurt Dip

I recently discovered, and love these delicious all natural, preservative free, light yogurt dips. They are the perfect healthy snack, or last minute go to for a quick appetizer to serve your guests. There are several different flavors, but my absolute favorite one is the artichoke jalapeno dip made with monterey jack cheese. You can find these yummy dips at Sprouts, Costco, and Albertsons. 

www.goodfoods.com

#healthy #snacks #yogurt #dips #appetizer #sprouts #costco #albertsons

7 Bean and Barley Slow-Cooker Soup

I made this soup for the first time, and it turned out delicious! Most grocery stores carry the 7 bean, or multi-bean soup mixture in a bag. If not, then you can select which ever beans you prefer for this recipe. As with any recipe feel free to improvise as much as you'd like. I've recently found that adding a couple of teaspoons of celery salt to any soup or stew will give it an additional yummy flavor. And I love adding spinach or kale to soups and stews. Enjoy!

#soup #stews #slowcooker #recipes #healthy #7beansoup 

Ingredients:

• 1-2 cups of 7 bean, or multi-bean mixture. (or any beans of your choice)
• 1/2-1 cup of pearl barley
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 ribs celery, roughly chopped
• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons herbes de provence or Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons celery salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• One 14-ounce whole tomatoes, with juice
• 3 cups cleaned baby spinach or kale
• 1/4 freshly grated parmesan

Directions:

Put 6 cups water, the beans, barley, garlic, carrots, celery, onions, bay leaf,   1 1/2 tablespoons salt, celery salt and herbs, pepper in a slow cooker. Squeeze the tomatoes through your hands over the pot to break them down, and add with their juices. Cover and cook on high until the beans are quite tender and the soup is thick, about 8 hours. Add the spinach and cheese and stir about 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve.

The Body Reset Diet

If you are ready to power your metabolism, blast fat, and shed pounds in just 15 days, then this diet is for you! I have to admit that the first few days were a struggle, because I felt very hungry. But my best advise is to drink a lot of water and tea throughout the day. Once you get past the first five days it's very easy to do. I am still making the smoothies and having one for breakfast after my work out, and sometimes I'll have another for lunch. I bought my book used for only $8 on www.amazon.com This diet will help you to eat healthier for the rest of your life! Your health is your greatest wealth, so give it a try!

#thebodyresetdiet #healthy #smoothies #lifestyle #snacks #fruits #vegetables #loseweight #eatmore #excerciseless #immediateresults

Sally Hansen Air brush legs

This is a quick and easy solution if you are always on the go, and do not have time to lay out in the sun for a few hours. Or if you dislike wearing nylons, but love the look that they give your legs. Sally Hansen Air Brush Legs is a great way to give your legs a silky, smooth, flawless appearance. I love it so much that I use it as an instant all over body tan. I spray it on my legs, arms, chest, and upper back area. You can find this fab product at Walgreens, CVS, Target, or online.

www.amazon.com  www.walgreens.com  www.target.com  www.cvs.com

#sallyhansen #airbrushlegs #walgreens #cvs #target #summer #smooth #flawless #legs #tan #

Bolder Band

If you are a fitness fanatic such as myself, then you may want to give these stylish headbands a try! So many headbands slip off of your head when your working out, and rarely prevent sweat from dripping into your eyes and blinding you. These headbands can be worn three different ways, and stay put on your head. Love them!

#bolderband #fitness #headband #stylish #bold #beautiful 

www.bbolder.com

Cabbage Soup Diet

Many years ago I heard about this cabbage soup diet, and tried it out. Not only does it taste delicious, but it's the perfect remedy to reduce bloating, and lose weight quickly! Cabbage is high in fiber, and the other vegetables in this recipe contain vitamins A, B, C, D, and K. The soup is enough for seven days and is a great way to lose weight immediately for a special occasion. I prefer to use all organic ingredients for this yummy soup. Enjoy!

#soup #organic #healthy #vegetables #diet #weightloss #vitamins #fiber #recipes #cabbage

Ingredients:

• 6 large green onions (also called "spring" onions)
• 2 green peppers
• 1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
• 3 carrots
• 1 container of mushrooms
• 1 bunch of celery
• half a head of cabbage, or more
• 1 package spice only soup mix (optional)
• 1 cube of low sodium bouillon
• 1 48 oz can low sodium V-8 juice (optional)
• Season to taste with pepper, parsley, curry, garlic powder (little to no salt)

Directions:

Slice green onions, put in a pot on medium heat and start to saute with cooking spray. Do this until onions about 4-6 minutes.

Cut green pepper stem end off, then cut pepper in half to take out the seeds and membrane. Cut the green pepper into bite size pieces, add to pot.

Take the outer leafs layer off the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to pot.

Clean carrots, mushrooms, and celery, cut into bite size pieces and toss them in. Add tomatoes now, too.

If you prefer a spicy soup, add a small amount of curry or cayenne pepper now.

For seasonings, you can use a spice soup packet of your choice, or use beef or chicken bouillon cubes. These cubes are optional, and you can add spices you like instead. 

Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the 48 oz of low sodium V8 juice) cover and put heat on low. Let soup simmer for approximately 2 hours, or until vegetables are tender.

Banana Walnut Bread

This is a simple banana walnut bread recipe with no artificial ingredients. I like to substitute the flour with organic high fiber coconut flour. Keep in mind this healthier version of flour does not keep the bread consistently together. It ends up being a bit more of a banana bread crumble recipe. But either way it tastes delicious! Especially if you are a banana fan, such as myself. 

#bananabread #healthy #organic #coconutflour #recipes #highfiber #vanillaextract #baking #walnuts #sprouts 


Ingredients:

• 2 c flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1 1/8 c sugar
• 1/2 c vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp buttermilk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 ripe medium-large bananas (mashed)
• 1/2 c + 1/3 c chopped walnuts

Directions:

Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9X5X3 loaf pan and dust with flour. Blend together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. Mix together the egg, sugar and vegetable oil until combined. Add the flour mixture and when blended add the buttermilk, vanilla, and mashed bananas and mix until combined. Fold in 1/2 c chopped walnuts and pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Top batter with remaining 1/3 c chopped walnuts. Bake 45 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from pan.

Orzo Pasta Salad

This is such a delicious pasta salad recipe that I've had for many years! So excited to finally share it with you. Feel free to add or leave out any ingredients, and use your own measurements for each ingredient. You can also use your own personal favorite salad dressing. This pasta salad tastes perfect served alone, or accompanied with grilled chicken or shrimp.

#pasta #orzo #salad #food #healthy #wholegrain #organic #recipes #avocado #chicken #shrimp #girards

Ingredients:

• 1 box of organic whole grain pasta (or regular orzo pasta)
• crumbled feta & parmesan cheese
• chopped fresh basil, parsley & chives
• pine nuts (or sliced almonds)
• salad sprouts (like beans)
• green peas 
• corn (grilled & cut from cob) if you have the time
• avocado (chop & toss with lemon first)
• apple (optional, chopped really fine)
• sliced olives (optional)
• squeeze of lemon
• salt & pepper

Dressing:

• Girards old Venice Italian, or basil balsamic.
• or make your own: olive oil, balsamic, honey dijon mustard, & finely chopped garlic & basil.

Directions:

Boil the box of pasta, cool completely. Drizzle olive oil on it while it's cooling down so it won't stick. Then add all of the ingredients in a large serving bowl, toss, and serve. 

Bath & Body Works

When I first discovered Bath & Body Works the nearest location was at The Beverly Center. And yes I would drive out there just to get my favorite Freesia bath gel and body lotion! Now we have the luxury to place an order online, or walk into any mall and find a location. I have so many favorite scents such as lavender, sweet pea, coconut, and vanilla. Bath & Body works also makes the best candles, soaps, sanitizers and they package the cutest gift sets which are perfect for any occasion. Check out their online website for more details. www.bathandbodyworks.com

#bathandbodyworks #lotion #bathgel #bubblebath #soap #candles #sanitizer #shopping #giftsets #mothersday #birthdaygift 

Shop Roupoli by Roupoli on Etsy

I love Lauren Roupoli's original, one of a kind, hand stitched, free hand, painted trucker hats, & clothes! The baby hand stitched trucker hats are super adorable!!! Perfect for summer time. And the handmade bags that she packages the trucker hats in are awesome. I use mine for storing my tea at work. You can also use the handmade bags as a make up bag, or small clutch.
Check out, and purchase her Fabulous items on Etsy. 

#roupolibyroupoli #etsy #truckerhats #kimonos #babyclothes #tanks #handbags #unique #original #surf #summer #handstitched #freehand #paint #art 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Roupoli

Vera Wang Sheets

For many years I have searched and searched for the perfect set of sheets! Well I am happy to share with you that I have finally found them! Vera Wang sheets are super comfortable and the quality is superb. I found them a couple of years ago online at Kohl's. They are pricey but are often 50% off. And if you love your sleep, such as I do, then these sheets are well worth the cost. They are on sale now too!

www.kohls.com

#kohls #verawang #sheets #sleep #quality #comfort #sale #shopping 

Features:

• 800 thread count
• luxurious sateen finish
• wrinkle resistant
• sold design
• pima cotton
• machine wash

Garcinia Cambogia

Hailed as the "Holy Grail" of weight loss, Garcinia Cambogia is highly recommended by Dr. Oz. Garcinia Cambogia is a small, sour tropical fruit and a supplement that may help block body fat production. It also helps curb your appetite by increasing serotonin levels. I began taking it when Dr. Oz first introduced it on his show, and of course I'll try anything he recommends! You can almost always find a good deal for it on Groupon. www.groupon.com   www.amazon.com   www.doctoroz.com

#droz #garciniacambogia #fruit #curbappetite #loseweight #groupon #amazon 

Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Chicken

I've been making this simple, delicious recipe for years! So excited to share it with you too. Sometimes your local grocer may not carry sun-dried tomato pesto sauce so you can use a jar of pesto sauce and a jar of sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil. Either way it will still turn out great. I like to serve it over whole grain angel hair pasta, but feel free to serve it with any other type of pasta, quinoa, or rice. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green peppers and onions
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomato pesto
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts in water, drained and quartered

Directions:

     

     1. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken in skillet; cook, turning once to brown each side. Remove chicken from pan, and set aside.

     2. Pour tomatoes into pan; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, and incorporating any brown bits from bottom of pan. Stir in pesto and artichokes, and return chicken to pan.

Cover, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.