Healthy Menu Planning with Fresh Ingredient and Recipe Delivery Service

Recently Doug's coworker invited us to try Relished - a new fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in Chicago. Of course I jumped at the opportunity to obtain a box full of food prepped by an experienced Executive Chef!

Who should try it?
Relished would be ideal for a wide variety of Chicagoans...
Is it hard to find time to go grocery shopping regularly?
Do you have no idea where to start when it comes to meal planning, finding recipes and certain ingredients? 
Are you bored of your usual go to meals that you cook at home?
Are you sick of spending money on going out to eat and ordering take out when your fridge is empty?
Do you enjoy trying and cooking new foods but don't know where to start? I was able to cook fish (which I almost never do), kale (which I've never purchased in my life), and ginger (which I used to think I didn't like).

How does it work?
As a subscriber, one box of fresh produce and protein is delivered to you each week with recipe cards. This one {insulated} box contains nearly all of the ingredients and instructions you need to cook three meals at home!

What'd I think?
My meals consisted of Rainbow Trout with heirloom carrots and cous cous, Peach Glazed Pork Chops with rosemary potatoes and kale and Asian Chicken with kimchi, snow peas and peppers. 
+ All three meals had a few ingredients I don't normally use (fish, kale and ginger) which made it all the more interesting to try! Having the ingredients and recipes provided to me makes working with new ingredients less intimidating (where do I find it at the store, how do I cook it, etc). And now I won't mind buying fish or kale and know how to incorporate them into my meals.
+ Everything I needed was perfectly portioned out in labeled containers, making prep a breeze.
+ I also liked how the meals didn't require too many pots/pans/dishes. I try to avoid recipes that result in excessive amounts of dirty pots, pans, bowls, etc that leaves my kitchen looking like a disaster.
+ The recipes were easy to follow and the meals were prepared in my usual dinner prep time, between 30-45 minutes.
+ Most importantly, all three meals were delicious! {I was too hungry to take a picture of the Asian Chicken.}

Now what?
Would you be interested in a service like this? As part of the test group, I gave Relished my honest feedback. I'd love to hear what you think about this whole concept. Relished is now accepting orders - Be sure to check out their website for more information!

 

As Seen On {Tiny Prints}

This week, I had the pleasure of being featured on the Tiny Prints blog! If you're stopping by from there, I hope you take a peek at the other parties I've styled.  Thanks Tiny Prints for having the perfect invitation for my pink, gold and glittery 30th Birthday Party! If it weren't for finding this invite, I might not have had a party at all!

30th Birthday/Favorite Things Party {Pink, Gold & Glitter}

**Thank you for the full party feature, Hostess with the Mostess!**

To celebrate my 30th birthday, I didn't want to go to a bar {those days are long gone} or go to a restaurant where all night, you can only talk to the same four people sitting next to you. Since most of my girlfriends are also turning 30 this year, I thought it'd be fun to celebrate all of us with a Favorite Things Party! Click here to see my inspiration board.

These stemless wine glasses were vases at my previous two parties, but this time they were candle holders. Get the tutorial for the DIY tissue paper fringe backdrop here!

I embellished plain white gift bags so everyone could take their new favorite things home. Since the party was to celebrate all our birthdays, every bag included a simple {~$10} gift that I specifically picked out for each long-time friend.

Speaking of more wine, check out my wine & cheese birthday party here.

DIY tags and food tents/picks so we knew what appetizer, drink or dessert everyone brought.

Is it weird that this little bow tie around the napkins was my favorite detail of the entire party??

How a Favorite Things Party Works: Each person thought of a favorite thing that costs around $10. They brought 3 of that same item. Each person’s wine glass had a number at the bottom and I had numbers 1-12 folded up in a bowl. Daniela, my first guest who arrived at the party, had the honors of drawing a number first. Whoever’s number she drew, she received their favorite thing. Then that person went and drew a number and so forth. Everyone explained their gifts as they were given out. We repeated the drawing from 1-12 three times so everyone went home with three different favorite things!

I also requested everyone bring a favorite appetizer, drink or dessert. The twelve of us gathered 'round my dining table to enjoy a delicious spread of food while catching up since it's not often we all get together anymore.

After our bellies were full, it was time for a quick little game of Guess What Year?! I went through my photo albums from 8th grade on up (when I started organizing my own pictures) and found a picture of me and each guest. I love that I've known each of these girls anywhere from 9 to 27 years ago! Trying to guess the year of each photo and where we were was a perfect way to reminisce and retell stories from our younger, less than finer moments.

Thank you to every single one of my long-time friends who came to celebrate this milestone with me. Love you guys! Cheers to what the next 30 years will bring us! And let's not forget the most memorable words of wisdom for the night...red wine in your Cheerios does not mean lower cholesterol!

Favorite Appetizers, Drinks or Desserts: Art of Pizza, Spinach Dip Crescent Rolls, Bacon Wrapped Dates, Filipino Eggrolls, Giordano's Salad, Great Beijing Spicy Chicken Wings, Rumchata,  Prosecco + Peach Bellinis, Polka Dot Riesling, French Silk Pie, Chocolate Filled Strawberries and lots of cheeeese!

Favorite Things: Necklaces, HomeGoods Linen Spray + Mason Jar Candles, Nicholas Sparks DVD - 4 movies in 1, Loreal Shampoo and Conditioner, Starbucks Giftcards, Vosges Haut Chocolat, Essie nail polishes + Clif Shot Energy Gel + Orbit Gum, Oregon Chai Tea + Biscotti, Bath & Body Works hand soaps and candles.

Sources:
Party Styling & Photography - a {day} with lil mama – me!
Favorite Things Party - inspired by Inchmark and Day Dreaming and Sight Seeing via Kara's Party Ideas
Birthday Party Invitation – TinyPrints
Free Wine Printables – Hostess with the Mostess 
Free Gift Tag Printables - Ellinee 
DIY Fringe Backdrop - inspired by Shiny Happy Sprinkles
Square and Rectangle Appetizer Plates - World Market
Black & Gold Votives, Black Napkins - Party City
Gold Frame and Bowl - Target
Gold Glitter Tape - Shop Sweet Lulu

In the evening, Mia called me to say, "Mommy, I wish I could drive home to have fun at your party." Oh Mia, she sure loves girl talk with mommy and her friends. She also wondered, "Mommy, why are your decorations pink? Your favorite color is red." *sigh* love her!

 

Pink & Gold Glitter 30th Birthday Ideas

Well, my friends...The gray hairs, dark under eyes, less than perfect skin, and jiggle in the middle are starting to show. Which means, yep! Today's the big day and I am officially thirty! And please. Let's not call it the dirrrrrty thirties!!

Unlike most people, this milestone doesn't really phase me.  I'm definitely ok with not going out like I did in my twenties. Most importantly, I'm happy with everything I've accomplished, who I'm with, all we have, where we are, where I've been, where we're going, the lives we created for ourselves, and the goals we're working towards. While there were plenty of things to love during my youth, there will be plenty more to love going forward. However, I think turning 40 will be a bigger shocker to me. We shall see!

While I'm off enjoying the day with my two loves, I have a pink & gold glitter 30th birthday/favorite things party to look forward to tomorrow! Here's my inspiration board:

Sources of Inspiration
Invitation - Tiny Prints
Oscars ballot  - One Charming Party
Wine printable - Hostess with the Mostess
Pink & Gold Favorite Things Party - Daydreaming & Sightseeing via Kara's Party Ideas
Confetti Champagne Glasses - Pizzazzerie
Glitter Bow - Brunch at Saks

Have a wonderful holiday weekend! Check back next week for my birthday and party recaps!

 

Great Gatsby 1920s Themed 30th Birthday Party

Despite coping with the fact that she's turned 30, my friend celebrated by renting a loft in the West Loop for a Great Gatsby 1920s themed party! {Un}fortunately, I knew I'd be having my fair share of wine and didn't bring my real camera to document the glam details - which explains the low quality phone pictures...

I'm all about details from the start to finish and Agatha accomplished just that as I arrived at the front of the building. After checking out a few lofts, the one she chose was perfect with a 1920s feel right from the entrance.

1920s style flair filled the rented space thanks to HomeGoods, Dollar Store and Party City decor.

Agatha even rented real glasses {we're getting classy at 30!} and set out recipes with the appropriate booze to make Gatsby style cocktails.

Since I was busy with Mia's party the weeks prior, I didn't give much thought to what I was going to wear. Luckily I was able to zip still fit in my lace and fringed bachelorette party dress from four years {pre-baby} ago. To give the look some 20s glam, I accessorized with a glitter headpiece, pearl necklaces, jeweled earrings, and pearl and black beaded bracelets. When there's a chance to dress up for a theme, I go all out and even attempted a 20s inspired hairdo {inspired by this one}.

I'm totally new at taking phone selfies! Ew and I sure could use a manicure!

Agatha's dress {a last minute find from Macy's} was perfect for her Great Gatsby themed party -  complete with sparkle, art deco design, drop waist and muted tone. Frances also found a perfect dress at Forever 21 and Andrea's crafty friend whipped up a DIY sequin headpiece fitting for the occasion.

Nobody told us we were in descending height order!

Way to pull it all together, Agatha! You can read more details from the birthday girl herself or check out her Great Gatsby pinterest board here. I'm the next one to turn 30 and just recently put the invitations in the mail. Stay tuned in the next few weeks for more details. Are we the only ones that throw ourselves parties?! Don't judge!

Holiday Party Recipes

I love all the gatherings this time of year with good food, friends and family. After ringing in the New Year, the holiday parties are coming to an end, but I wanted to share what recipes I've been using lately to feed a crowd.

Appetizers -
Sugared Cranberries, Chutney and Brie - the sugared cranberries remind me of glistening snow, sooo prettty! I had WAY too many leftover cranberries though.  Next time I would only use half a bag of fresh cranberries. I picked up a jar of cranberry chutney at a Honey Baked Ham store.  This recipe makes the typical pre-party snack of cheese and crackers way more interesting and is so delicious!

Source: yummymummykitchen.com via Mindy on Pinterest

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms - there are never any leftovers when I bring these babies to our Secret Santa exchange.

Mini Pepperoni Puffs {or cupcakes as my friend called them}- with basic ingredients and minimal steps (grease pan, mix, pour in pan, bake), this recipe is easy to whip up before you have to head out. Instead of fresh herbs at the end, I added dried herbs to the mixture before baking. I wish I doubled this recipe!

Source: blogs.babble.com via Mindy on Pinterest

Salad - To accompany our Christmas ham dinner, we started with Pioneer Woman's Apple, Pecan and Blue Cheese Salad with Dried Cherries. People seem to either love or hate blue cheese. I am definitely a fan.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Mindy on Pinterest

What holiday season is complete without cookies? I made these soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies. 

To add a little taste of the holidays, I added one package of chopped up Andes mints. Yummy yummy in my tummy! Unwrapping chocolates is an easy, safe, keep them quietly busy for a long time task for eager toddlers.

We also left a few cookies out for Santa...I He gobbled them up, drank his milk and left a note and some donuts for breakfast!

Later that week, Agatha hosted a small dinner where Sweet Vermouth Chicken was the shining star. The sauce, mushrooms, cranberries, nuts and pearl onions were a delicious compliment to normally boring chicken breasts. I made  Pioneer Woman's Creamy Mashed Potatoes to go along with the other sides of carrots and Brussels sprouts.

Source: myrecipes.com via Mindy on Pinterest

And for football Sunday, I made French Dip Roast Beef Sandwiches to fill big bellies before the end of the Bears underwhelming season. Definitely add two sliced jalapenos to the crock pot for au jous with a kick.

What are your go-to recipes for holiday parties??

Party Ideas: French Themed Dinner Party

Bonjour mon amis! Last night, Agatha hosted a French themed dinner party inspired by her gypsy travels through Paris.

Here’s what we had on the menu:

Appetizers

v     Wine, Cheese (Bouchon, Mimolette & Ossou Iraty), Prosciutto and Baguettes

v     Mushroom and Gruyere Tart (adapted from epicurious)

Dinner

v     Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

v     Coq Au Vin with potatoes

v     Sautéed Haricot verts (aka green beans) and bread crumb coated squash

Dessert

v     Pains au chocolat with strawberries (probably had one every day while in France, yum!)

We. were. stuffed. Someone (to remain unnamed) even had to change into more comfortable pants. Agatha wanted us to get drunk and have fun the dinner party to be low maintenance and more about the experience. The French inspired playlist, menu and candles accomplished just that. Not bad for a weeknight! I love a night of good food, wine, friends and laughs. Don't you?

To ease the time, effort and cost of hosting this dinner party, set the table the night before and have everyone bring a different dish. If someone (also to remain unnamed) doesn't know how to cook, have them do the dishes! An empty sink is SUCH a relief for a tired and super full hostess. J