Weekend in Madison

I just had a super fun weekend! On Friday, Anna and I drove up to Madison, stayed with my friends, Russ and Ryan, and had a super fun time going out for amazing dinners, visiting a winery, and having an all around blast.

On Friday, my friend Tamara had the brilliant idea to go to Mariner's Inn for Restaurant Week.  That means, for $25 I got to have clam chowder, surf and turf, and key lime pie.  It was all delicious and it was a great way to kick off our weekend away.

On Saturday, we woke up and walked over to the Farmer's Market.  We picked up fresh raspberries, cheese curds, and a mini apple pie.  Then, we got Cosi sandwiches and salads and met up with Tamara to go to Wollersheim Winery. We had our amazing picnic lunch and toured the winery.  It was very interesting and, of course, we all got wine! It was a lovely afternoon.

After returning to campus, Anna and I walked around State Street and then got ready for dinner with Russ at the Old Fashioned.  This is one of my favorite restaurants and it did not disappoint!  Also, Anna got to try her first Old Fashioned Cheese Curds (the best in Madison!).

Overall, this was just a fantastic weekend and we even got to see Anna's grandpa on our way home in Milwaukee!  It was really fun to get away and see such great friends.  Next weekend, I will be moving to Chicago! Ah! Can't believe it is almost here!

My New Keurig!

I just love coffee so this is cause for celebration!

I purchased a new Keurig to go in my new apartment.  I am very excited about this contraption because you can make pretty much anything with it!  Bri is not a coffee maker and I am a total addict and between the two of us, we can use the Keurig to make whatever we want!  I am excited to try out all sorts of new coffee!!

So far, I have made three different cups with it and I love them all!  My only problem, is that I want to figure out the cheapest way to buy coffee for my Keurig.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  What do you like to make?

I am getting ready to move and I can't wait to take this guy along!

Foodie Friends Friday: Party Time!

This week, Foodie Friends Friday is back!  This week is a just a party so bring whatever you want! Just follow the rules and link up some recipes that are perfect for this party! Also, host favorites will be featured on Daily Dish!  This week I'm linking up Dark Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, M&M Mug Cookie, and Whole Wheat Flatbread Pizza.

Most Clicks:

1. Fruit Salad with Basil Chai Vinaigrette

2. Italian Pasta Salad

3. Bierrocks

And Host Favorites!

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

Dark Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

My cooperating teacher during my high school student teaching brought in banana bread a couple of times to share with the math department.  This is the story of how I discovered the best banana bread ever!  Seriously, it is amazing! At the end of the year I asked her for her recipe because I just knew I could not live without this bread in my life.  She said that her secret was that she uses a TON of bananas.  Yep, that's it!  So, I've been saving up bad bananas in my freezer for a while now and last night I finally had enough to make the banana bread!

Dark Chocolate Chip Banana Bread 

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch of cloves
7 medium bananas, mashed
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or whatever mix-ins you prefer!)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. In a large bowl, beat sugar with oil.  Beat in the eggs and the vanilla.  Beat in the mashed bananas.  Slowly beat in the flour until just combined.  Stir in the chocolate chips.
4.  Pour the batter into your loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes.

Enjoy :)

22nd Birthday Celebration!

I don't know 'bout you...

Oh! So this is what T Swift has been talking about.  I totally know what it feels like to be 22 now :).

Today is my 22nd birthday! My mom keeps saying that she can't believe how old I am.  Frankly, I can't believe how old I am.  Bri gave me a really sweet card that talked about some of the things that have happened in the last year like running a half marathon, graduation, getting a job, and signing a lease on an apartment.  I can't believe I am old enough to be doing all that! I am so scared and excited about what the future holds and this birthday is a reminder of the fact that I am pretty sure I'm an adult now.

Last night, I had a really fun celebration with some of my friends downtown.  We went to RJ Grunts for dinner and then hit up a couple of bars in Lincoln Park.  It was a great night and we all had a really fun time!

Now, I am getting ready for a little birthday zumba with my mom and then grocery shopping for a birthday bbq!  We are having friends and family over tonight for a grill out and I am excited to keep the celebration going!  I also made my favorite desserts to share: Red Velvet Cupcakes and Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes.  I brought some of these in for my counselors at camp, made Homemade Funfetti Cupcakes for my campers, and now I have leftovers for today's party!

For the Red Velvet, I did the same recipe as the cake version, poured the batter into cupcake pans, and baked them for 12-18 minutes.  12 for the mini cupcakes and 18 for the big ones.  Then, I frosted them with my favorite cream cheese frosting:

16 oz light cream cheese
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 - 3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
milk or half and half as needed

Simply beat together and frost!

For the Funfetti, I followed the exact same recipe as last year and they came out super delicious! The campers were raving!

Foodie Friends Friday: Picnic Party!

This week, Foodie Friends Friday is back!  This week is all about Picnics! Picnics during the spring and summer are so much fun! Just follow the rules and link up some recipes that are perfect for this party! Also, host favorites will be featured on Daily Dish!  This week I'm linking up Dark Chocolate Fudge Brownies, Chocolate Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Lemon Brown Butter Pasta Salad with Arugula, Tomatoes and Pine Nuts.

Most Clicks:

1. Rustic Christmas Candle

2. Homemade Christmas Ornaments

3. Old Fashioned Christmas Fudge

And Host Favorites!

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

Whole Wheat M&M Mug Cookie

I have a horrible sweet tooth.

Luckily, my mom bought some amazing Phish Food Frozen Yogurt (my favorite) and when I am craving something sweet, I take a scoop.  I try to make that pint last as long as possible since I don't want to pig out, and my mom hardly ever gets it so I want to savor it!

A few weeks ago, my mom didn't have anything sweet in the house!  Gasp! It was so she wouldn't eat anything bad, but I was seriously in need of some sort of dessert like thing.  So, I found a recipe for a mug cookie!  I had never made one before and it was just SCREAMING my name.  I made my "healthy" by using whole wheat flour and I mixed in Mini M&Ms because that just made me happy.  It seriously took me less than 5 minutes and it was awesome!  Check out my mug cookie!

Whole Wheat M&M Mug Cookie
(adapted from The Comfort of Cooking)

Ingredients:
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
a pinch of salt
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 tbsp mini m&ms

Directions:
1. Microwave the butter for 30 seconds or until just melted.
2. Using a spoon, stir the sugar and brown sugar into the butter.  Stir in the vanilla and salt.  Next, stir in the egg yolk until completely combined.  Finally, stir in the flour and m&ms until just combined.
3. Microwave for 1 minute.

Enjoy :)

Crafty: Homemade Silly Putty

My birthday is coming up and I can't say I'm that excited.  I think that it just hasn't hit me yet.  So, yesterday I went shopping with Anna in the hopes that retail therapy would help to inspire me to excited.  I did get some pretty fun outfits and I think I am starting to feel birthday ready.

Tonight, I am going to be starting my baking endeavors for my birthday and I think this will also help me to get in the birthday mood.  I am baking for my campers, counselors, and friends and I have a ton of great ideas lined up!

I have another really cool craft to share today! Last week at camp, the theme was Silly School Days and all of our art projects were like fun science experiments.  We made volcanos, oobleck, and tye-dye t-shirts.  We also made Homemade Silly Putty! This was one of my favorites and the campers loved it as well.  All you need a few simple ingredients that you might even have lying around your house!

Homemade Silly Putty
adapted from Learn Play Imagine

Ingredients:
4 tbsp white glue
2 tbsp Sta-Flo (liquid starch)
food coloring

Directions:
1. In a plastic bag, pour the glue and sta-flo.  Start kneading the bag.  If the mixture is too sticky, add sta-flo, and if the mixture is too stringy, add glue.
2.  Once your mixture looks like it is coming together, add in the food coloring and continue to knead to combine.
3. Turn the bag inside out and peel away all your silly putty.  It should look like silly putty and not stick to your hands.  If it sticks, just add a little sta-flo.

Enjoy :)

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust and Yummy Pizza Ideas

It's another Monday! That means its back to camp.  This week's theme is Reality TV and today is all about Top Chef! We are playing a bunch of food related camp games and competitions and I am excited!

After camp, I am going to get in a run and then I have Monday Night Pilates with Al Pal!  This is my little nickname for my friend Alyson who just turned 21!  I celebrated with her this weekend downtown and it was such a fun time! We went to Navy Pier to eat at Harry Carry's and watch the fireworks off the Pier.  It was a beautiful night! Afterwards, we waited until midnight and then Alyson got to have her first legal drink! We stayed overnight at this great Sheraton in the area and it was just great!  Happy Birthday Al Pal!

Today I have a yummy pizza crust recipe to share.  I made these pizzas for the 4th of July potluck my friends and I put together before the fireworks in our hometown.  I used whole wheat flour for this crust, but you can do any mix of all purpose and whole wheat.  After I made the crust, I decided on two different pizzas: Spinach, Red Pepper, and Feta and Carmelized Onion  Honey  and Goat Cheese.  Both were amazing!

Whole Wheat Pizzas

Ingredients:
3 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups water

Directions:
1. Mix the flour, salt and yeast together.  With the mixer on, slowly pour in the water and mix until the dough just comes together.  Form the dough into a ball, place in a lightly greased bowl, and place in a dry spot.  I put mine in the turned-off oven. Let rise for 18-24 hours.  I just do this part the night before I want to make my dinner.
2.  When you are ready to make the pizza.  Dust a lightly greased pizza pan or baking sheet with cornmeal.  Take half your dough and stretch it out to form the crust.  Place on the cornmeal, top with your pizza toppings and bake at 500 for about 8-10 minutes or until crust begins to brown.

Enjoy :)

Gluten Free Carrot Zucchini Muffins

It's the weekend! Finally! This week of camp seemed to go on FOREVER and I am so excited to rest for a bit.  Of course I didn't sleep in today, but I have been having a great weekend so far!

I went downtown to the Taste of Chicago last night and it was a blast!  My two friends and I tasted a ton of stuff because we shared everything!  The food was great and I can't wait to share here what I tried.

Today I'm not sure what I will be up to, but tonight my friend Alyson is turing 21 and we are all going downtown to celebrate!!  I can't wait to celebrate the special birthday girl and I am super duper excited.

Today I have a fun Gluten Free recipe to share that is perfect for breakfast or as a yummy snack.  I saw Giada make these Gluten Free Carrot Zucchini Muffins while working out one day and I just had to make them.  I adapted the recipe slightly to fit with the ingredients I had lying around and they were amazing!  I brought these in for my camp counselors as a breakfast treat and they were a huge hit!

Gluten Free Carrot Zucchini Muffins

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 heaping tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup light maple syrup
1 egg
1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
1 medium zucchini, grated
1/2 cup dried blueberries or chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and line a mini muffin pan with liners.
2. Drain the zucchini by placing the grated zucchini on a paper towel, wrapping it in the paper towels, and squeezing dry. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the egg with the canola oil and maple syrup.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.  Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.  Mix in the carrot and zucchini.  Mix in the blueberries.
5.  Fill muffin wells almost to the top.  Bake for 15-18 minutes.  Let cool completely.

Enjoy :)

Foodie Friends Friday: Christmas in July!

This week, Foodie Friends Friday is back!  This week is all about the Christmas!  What a fun thing to celebrate in July!  Can't you just imagine the beautiful snow with all this crazy hot weather?  Just follow the rules and link up some recipes that are perfect for Christmas or the Holidays! Also, host favorites will be featured on Daily Dish!  This week I'm linking up Vegetarian Christmas Options, Dough Ornaments, and Kissed Peppermint Crinkle Cookies.

Most Clicks:

1. Summertime Spaghetti

2. Stuffed Chicken Breast and Garlic Cream Sauce

3. Balsamic Bruschetta Chicken on Ciabatta

And Host Favorites!

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

 Loading InLinkz ...

 Loading InLinkz ...

Crafty: Homemade Dough Medals

I made some SWEET dough medals recently at camp!  I don't have pictures because I couldn't use my phone, but I figured I would still share the recipe and idea because it was so fun and so easy!  Give this a try if you need a fun activity or it is a great way to make homemade ornaments or decorations for Christmas or other holidays!

Camp has been going well this summer and I can't believe that the 4th week is almost ver! As soon as camp ends reality begins and that is when I will start reporting to high school to get ready for the new school year!

Tonight I have a fun night out planned with a bunch of my co-workers and I can't wait to hang out with them and just relax a little!  Well, I'm off for another fun day and a fun night! Go make some dough medals!!!

Dough Medals or Ornaments
adapted from Cooks.com

Ingredients:
2 cups baking soda
1 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups water
optional: food coloring or paint

Directions:
1. In a pot, stir baking soda and cornstarch.  Pour in water (and food coloring if you are using it) and turn heat on to medium.  Stir constantly until you have a mixture that looks and feels like mashed potatoes.  Remove from heat, cover with a wet towel, and let cool.
2.  Roll out the dough and shape!  Let dry overnight and flip to ensure both sides of your shapes dry.
3.  Once dried you can paint them!

Enjoy :)

Chocolate Chip Meringues

So I made homemade ice cream for my Dad and ended up with a TON of extra egg whites.  So, to use up these egg whites, I made meringues!  I had never made meringues before and I was excited to give it a try.  Plus, these guys are naturally gluten free and happen to be my favorite treat around Passover time.  I made GIANT meringues with chocolate and white chocolate chips and they were absolutely delicious!  

Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Meringues

Ingredients:

8 egg whites

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp vanilla

1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

3 cups sugar

2 1/2 cups chocolate and white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixer, beat all the ingredients except for the chocolate chips on high until a stiff peak forms.  Merengue should hold its shape.  This should take a little while, so be patient!  Gently fold in the chocolate chips.  

3. Drop dollops of the mixture on the prepared sheets and place in oven for about 25 minutes or until meringues are lightly browned towards the bottom.  Let cool on the sheets for 20 minutes and then let cool on a cooling rack.  

Enjoy :)

Foodie Friends Friday: Chicken Recipes

This week, Foodie Friends Friday is back!  This week is all about the Chicken!  Fried Chicken Day is July 6th and we are going to celebrate! Just follow the rules and link up some recipes that are perfect for Independence Day! Also, host favorites will be featured on Daily Dish!  This week I'm linking up Sweet Potato Encrusted Chicken Fingers, Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken, and Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Sandwiches.

Most Clicks:

1. Red White and Blue Parfaits

2. Firecracker Cake

3. Strawberry Pie

And Host Favorites!

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday!

Please take a moment to read through the rules before getting started, Thank You!

*By linking up you agree that you read these rules and all photos/recipes are original and belong to you. You agree to allow Foodie Friends Friday and any of it's affiliated websites or publications (Social Girls Media, LLC) to use photos, links, and recipes for reprint and/or republishing and distribution without monetary compensation to you. If photos & recipes are used, proper link backs to you will be included.

Adding Links back to Foodie Friends Friday and our Button is our only form of advertising to bring in more people to see YOUR recipes.

Please remember to do this. It benefits you! To thank you, we will continue to feature those with links throughout the year on various outlets.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.foodiefriendsfridaydailydish.com/" title="Foodie Friends Friday" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj628/busyvegetarianmom/FFFDDButtonNEW150Darker_zpse238f637.jpg" alt="Foodie Friends Friday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

An InLinkz Link-up

Red White and Blue Sangria

Happy 4th of July! Today's recipe is a drink recipe that is super festive.  Enjoy my Red White and Blue Sangria!

I am off to go for a run and then see the parade! Later today, Bri and I are meeting up with friends to see some more fireworks!  I am excited to celebrate and enjoy a day off from camp!

Last night, we had an awesome potluck dinner with a bunch of my friends.  I made veggie flatbread and this drink and then we headed over to watch the fireworks in my home town.  It was such a fun evening and it made me so happy to be surrounded by such amazing friends.  I really feel so blessed to have them in my life and it was a great way to start celebrating the 4th!

Red White and Blue Sangria (adapted from Group Recipes)

Ingredients:
1 bottle dry white wine (I used Sauvignon Blanc)
1/2 cup triple sec
1/4 cup citrus vodka
blueberries
raspberries
pineapple, cut into chunks
strawberries, quartered
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Directions:
1. First place 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Let boil for a minute or two and then turn off heat and let cool.
2. In a large pitcher, pour wine, triple sec, and vodka.  Stir in sugar mixture and add in fruit.  I would just add in as much fruit as you want.  Also, you can cut the pineapple into chunks or cute shapes!
3. Serve over ice.

Enjoy :)

Pasta Bolognese: Daddy's Favorite

I am once again up way to early.  I have a camp field trip today to a waterpark and then I have people coming over to celebrate the 4th and go to the fireworks! All my friends are putting together a little potluck and I can't wait to share what I am making for it! I am going to make a Veggie Flatbread, but I haven't worked out all the details yet.  Please, I have until 5...

I am also planning on running this fine morning before I get ready for camp.  We will see how that goes since my knee has been feeling a little stiff.  When I am running it feels okay but after I run it stiffens up!  I have been stretching/resting as much as I can so I am hoping that this will just go away.

Today I wanted to tell you about the Bolognese Sauce that I made for a special Dad's dinner.  I wasn't able to see my dad for actual Father's Day so I made him his favorite dinner for another night! Pasta Bolognese!  It was super delicious and you should definitely give this recipe a try.  However, make sure you allow plenty of time to make it or make it the day before since it takes so freaking long!

Pasta Bolognese (adapted from the Food Network)

Ingredients:
1 large white onion, roughly chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
3 ribs celery, chopped
5 cloves garlic
olive oil
salt
3 pounds ground chuck
2 cups tomato paste
3 cups red wine
3 bay leaves
a bundle of thyme (tied together with string)
1 lb. spaghetti
fresh parmesan

Directions:
1. In a food processor, process the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until you have a smooth paste.
2. Place paste in a large pan coated with oil over medium heat and stir until it reduces and begins to brown, about 20 minutes.  Season with salt.
3. Add the beef and continue to cook until browned, another 20 minutes.  Season with salt.
4.  Pour mixture into a large pot over medium heat and add in the tomato paste.  Cook for another 5 minutes.  Add in the wine and cook for 5 minutes.
6. Add water to the pot until it is about 1/2 inch above the beef.  Add in the bay leaves and thyme and stir to combine.  Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.  Let simmer for 4 hours and add water, about 2-3 cups at a time, when mixture reduces and looks thirsty.  I added water two more times after the first addition.  Season with salt.
7.  Store the bolognese sauce until ready to use or prepare your spaghetti to al dente and drain.  Serve spaghetti with a generous topping of bolognese and garnish generously with freshly shaved parmesan cheese.

Enjoy :)