Five Favorite Vegetables

This was supposed to be posted yesterday,
but somehow my day just got away from me.
WHOOPS

Anyway...

I'm back today for another Friday Link Up (but a day late)!

This week, I'm linking up with THREE different groups.
Make sure to check them all out at the bottom of this post!

I'm a really big fan of eating vegetables.

I'm not picky and like pretty much all vegetables,

and since this is mostly a food blog I thought today I'd share my 

FIVE FAVORITE VEGETABLE TO EAT!!!

These are in no particular order because I honestly love eating them all,

but my favorite changes depending on the time of year

Lucky for me though because living in California,

means I can get them all pretty much year round!

Enough yapping outta me, let's get to the vegetables!

Asparagus

My favorite way to eat asparagus is to roast it.

I drizzle a little olive oil and then sprinkle salt and pepper on top

before roasting at 350 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Broccoli

I can't decide if I like roasted or steamed broccoli more.

I prepare my roasted broccoli the same way I do the asparagus,

but I sometimes add a little fresh Parmesan at the very end. 

Brussels Sprouts

I didn't know how much I loved brussels sprouts until I was an adult.

And since I discovered how much I love eating them,

I haven't found a single way of preparing them that I don't like!

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is the most recent vegetable I've realized I love to eat.

Again, I think the method of preparing it I like the most is to roast it.

Adding a lemon juice and zest gives it a little extra flavor too!

Corn on the Cob

Fresh, sweet corn on the cob roasted or grilled in the husk is AMAZING!

I've been known to make extra to have as leftover too.

Can't wait for Summer to get here because that means fresh corn!

Now for more Friday Link Up Fun, check out the blogs below!

Andrea and Erika's blogs from Friday Favorites.

April and Christina's blogs from 5 on Friday.

Karli and Amy's blogs from oh hey friday!

Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili

Growing up, my mom used to make a delicious chili using ground beef.

I didn't eat beef for many years, so I modified her recipe to use ground turkey instead.

I almost always have some of that kind in individual portions in my freezer,

but I was intrigued by this turkey chili recipe, so I decided to give it a try!

The Goods:

Ground Turkey

Sweet Potatoes

Onion

Tomato Sauce

Diced Tomatoes

Pinto Beans

Garlic

Chili Powder

Garlic Powder

Cumin

Salt

Pepper

Red Pepper Flakes

Peel and dice your sweet potatoes and set aside.

Brown your ground turkey and drain the grease.

On top of the ground turkey, place sweet potatoes, pinto beans and diced onion and garlic.

Now add your tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and spices.

Mix everything up in your slow cooker...

And cook on low for about 8 hours, 

until sweet potatoes are fully cooked and tender.

Serve yourself a bowl of this hearty chili.

Top with your desired garnishes, dig in and enjoy!!!

This chili was a hit!

I loved the addition of sweet potatoes,

so I'll absolutely be making this again! 

Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

(Adapted from I Wash You Dry)

1 Pound Ground Turkey

1 Large Sweet Potatoes, Peeled and Diced

1 Onion, Diced

1 15 Ounce Can Tomato Sauce

1 15 Ounce Can Diced Tomatoes

2 15 Ounce Cans Pinto Beans

1 Clove Garlic, Minced

1/2 Teaspoon Chili Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Cumin

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Pepper

1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

1. Brown your ground turkey and drain the grease.
2. On top of the ground turkey, place sweet potatoes, pinto beans and diced onion and garlic.
3. Now add your tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and spices.
4. Mix everything up in the slow cooker and cook on low for about 8 hours, until sweet potatoes are fully cooked and tender.
5. Top with your favorite chili garnishes, dig in and enjoy!

Bubble Bath Review: Body & Spirit Peppermint Bubble Bath

This is a non-sponsored review and I purchased my own Bubble Bath.

I can't believe it's already Wednesday again,

but I'm not complaining because the week is half over!

And I have another fun new bubble bath to share!!!

Since starting these Bubble Bath reviews,

I'm always on the lookout for new ones to try,

and funny enough I found this one at Marshalls recently.

After searching high and low online,

I sadly was not able to find this exact bubble bath anywhere.

If you can find it, please let me know where!!

Body & Spirit Peppermint Bubble Bath

If you've been following my blog for awhile,

bet you're not surprised to see I have a drink and something to read!

I LOVE that it said to "pour liberally" because I love me some bubbles!

Just like most bubble bath, 

simply pour under running water.

Sit back with your drink, soak in the bath and relax!!!

I'm a big fan of peppermint, so I couldn't wait to try this bubble bath.

The scent wasn't overpowering and it produced a TON of bubble.

IF I can find this bubble bath again, I'd 100% buy it!

Chili Cheese Skillet Dip

Towards the beginning of the year I saw this recipe and sent it to a friend.

Shortly after that, we made it together for a few other friends

and because life has been insane, I'm just now posting about it!

It was so good you guys!

And it was pretty darn easy to make too.

It will for sure be made on another occasion!

Keep reading to see how to make Chili Cheese Skillet Dip.

The Goods:

Chili With Beans

String Cheest

Colby Jack Cheese

Cooked Chorizo

Cube your cheese and add to a cold, greased cast iron skillet.

Pour your chili on top of the cubed cheese.

The original recipe didn't have this step,

but we added cooked chorizo on top of the chili!

Place skillet into broiler for 5 minutes, stir and 

return for 5 more minutes until cheese is nice and melted!

Remove from the broiler being careful not to burn yourself.

Oh my gosh wow!

We couldn't WAIT to dig in.

But wait...

Another thing that wasn't on the original recipe,

but we were all so glad we added!

My friend's husband and his coworker Madison checked out the recipe,

and not only suggested the chorizo addition, but adding guacamole too!

And I mean - it just keeps looking better and better!!!

Finally time to dig in with a homemade soft pretzel!

Or delicious tortilla chips!

Like I already said at the beginning of this post,

this dip is so good and will be made again for sure!

Thanks Madison for the awesome suggestions!!!

Chili Cheese Skillet Dip

Adapted from Inspiration for Moms

1 Can Chili with Beans

6 Ounces Cooked Chorizo

8 Ounces Colby Jack Cheese

6 String Cheese

1/2 Cup Guacamole

1. Cube your cheese and add to a cold, greased cast iron skillet.
2. Pour chili on top of cubed cheese and chorizo on top of chili.
3. Place skillet into broiler for 5 minutes, stir and return for 5 more minutes until cheese is nice and melted.
4. Remove from oven and add guacamole to center of dip.
5. Serve with homemade soft pretzels and tortilla chips.

DIY: Wrapping Paper/Craft Supply Holder!

I've accumulated quite a bit of craft supplies over the years,

and I'm pretty serious when it comes to organizing it all.

But I'm always on the hunt for new and better ways,

especially when it comes to storing wrapping paper.

I recently saw a few ideas to use over the door shoe holders,
and after wrapping a gift for someone recently,
I realized it was time to upgrade my current wrapping paper storage,
so I created a super easy DIY Wrapping Paper/Craft Supply holder.

Take a look at how easy this was to make!!!

The Goods:

Over the Door Shoe Holder

Scissors

Since I wanted the wrapping paper to be at the very bottom,

I knew I'd need to use the three lowest rows of the shoe holder.

The pockets on the lowest row are kept as is to hold the paper in,

but the 2nd and 3rd lowest rows become loops instead of pockets.

Do this by cutting across the bottom or each pocket on those two rows.

As pictured above, you'll now have an opening at both ends of the pocket.

Now just simply hang over a free door

and fill it with wrapping paper and other craft supplies!

I was SO happy to find a clear/plastic over the door shoe holder for a few reasons.

It made cutting the bottom out of the 2nd and 3rd row pockets super easy,

because this type of plastic tends to cut easier than fabric.

AND since it's clear it's so easy to see all your craft supplies!

Lemonade Popsicles!

With Spring officially here and the temperature warming up,

I'm guessing many of us will be eating popsicles quite often.

Personally, I like to make them myself to control the ingredients.

And one of my favorite kinds is to use simple lemonade!

You can use whatever lemonade you'd like,

be it homemade or store bought - both kinds will work.

I tend to make my own using this recipe

then simply use molds to make my popsicles!

The Goods:

Lemons

Sugar

Water

Popsicle Molds

Popsicle Sticks

Lemon Juicer

Cut your lemons in half and start juicing...

Squeeze the juice out of ALL your lemons. 

I did a total of a dozen.

Measure out the amount of lemon juice you need.

And toss all the discarded lemons.

Of if you have a compost throw them in there!

Measure out your sugar and make your simple syrup.

Get your lemon juice, simple syrup and water ready to combine.

Then mix it all up in a big pitcher.

Fill your popsicle molds almost all the way full.

If you're using the tops that came with them, add them now.

If you're using popsicle sticks, freeze for about an hour 

and then insert the sticks so they stay upright.

Freeze overnight to make sure they're completely solid.

Package them up and give to family and friends.

And of course enjoy one yourself!