Baked Rosemary Parsnip "Fries"

Oh, hi. Remember me? I took a little blog break because I had a baby...two months ago. I had grand plans to have some guest posters fill in for me in my absence, but guess what? It never happened because I gave myself a few too many projects and ran out of time to organize guest posts before the little one arrived.

I am still wrapping my brain around the fact that he's actually here. I think it takes a while to truly grasp the immensity of this kind of event. I mean, I'm responsible for a brand new little person. Who came out of me. Crazy. {More on my very, very lonnnnng birth story in a later post.}

And speaking of "crazy", I got back into the kitchen just days after giving birth. Did you really expect anything less? {P.S. I don't actually recommend this, ladies. You do need rest.}

I started out slow with simple meals and worked my way up to bigger projects like my annual biscotti-baking tradition for Christmas. Nothing too complicated. Because you probably shouldn't be playing with sharp knives and hot burners when you are functioning on zero minimal sleep. Thank God for sweet friends and family bringing over food to keep us going when we couldn't muster the energy for more than just a quick reheat.

Babies are some serious work, y'all.

But, it's kind of amazing how quickly you begin to adapt to the insanity that is parenthood. Your body, your mind and your routine all go through a period of shock, followed by a quick recovery so that you can do what you gotta do.

And you gotta do a lot.

Well, sort of, but not really. It's the same five things on repeat 24/7. Like Groundhog Day.

Feed. Burp. Change. Cuddle. Attempt to sleep. Repeat. Somewhere in that firestorm of milk and poop you're supposed to still find time to be, like, human.

It does not make for the most entertaining of days, but it is a necessary rite of passage for keeping a tiny person alive and happy.

Except, pardon me for saying so, but I think mamas need to be happy, too. Because I think happy mamas make happy babies.

So, even though I know that moms are supposed to be all, "I haven't showered or shaved in 3 weeks." "I've decided to wear diapers instead of actually take time for a bathroom break." "The only meals I've eaten are handfuls of crumbs out of an old box of cereal." for the first few months of their babies' lives... I've still managed to carve out a few seconds for those little things like hygiene and sustenance. Most of the time, anyway. I'll warn you before you come too close if you happen to catch me during one of those "no time for bathing" spells.

I'm not gonna lie, you've got to squeeze these activities in MUCH faster than you did in the pre-baby days. And maybe you only get to drink half of your coffee piping hot in the morning before you have to put on your cape and bring your crying child back from the brink of starvation. But it's doable. Except if you have twins. Then all bets are off.

Anyway, it is thanks to an iron will and Pandora's lullaby station that I've been able to get in the kitchen a few times and make stuff. Because being in the kitchen is part of what keeps this mama sane, as crazy as that may seem to some.

With the holidays behind us, many of us are focused on being on our best eating behavior. Especially those of us who are still trying to lose a pound or two and fit into our jeans without having any excess pudge spilling over the top.

Like I said, most of the things I've been making have to fit into the brief moments when I'm not tending to the kidlet. These Rosemary Parsnip "Fries" fit the bill. The only real work required is peeling and chopping, which is a welcome break from wiping and pumping.

A quick toss with olive oil and seasonings creates a surprisingly flavorful snack. And you don't even have to feel guilty because they're veggies and they're oven baked, so you can still fit them into your healthy eating resolutions. Score.

If I had time to make these with a brand-spankin' new little one beckoning me every few minutes, then, surely, you can too.

But you certainly don't have to. Especially if you're among the "haven't showered in 3 weeks" crowd. Because in that case you might want to prioritize a little differently. ;)

Baked Rosemary Parsnip "Fries"

1 lb parsnips, peeled and cut into "fries"
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Sprinkle of rosemary

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil.
2. Place parsnips on baking pan and drizzle with oil. Toss to coat and spread them out so they have room to crisp up.
3. Sprinkle with onion powder, garlic powder and rosemary.
4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until parsnips are browned and crisp.

Baby Prep: Pregnancy Update + Cardamom-Fig Granola

Disclosure: I am honored to be a member of the Stonyfield Clean Plate Club. I received product or coupons for writing this post, but all opinions are my own.

Thirty-three weeks today. This whole baby developing thing is one of the fastest slow processes ever.

It's hard to believe that in just a handful of weeks Cole Thomas will be joining us out here and our lives will never be the same again. Preparations are well under way now that the nursery has officially been started and we've begun taking some birthing classes {HypnoBirthing, to be exact. I can't wait to tell you more about it.} It's gettin' real, folks.

Last weekend we were given a lovely baby shower by my in-laws. It was more of a celebration in honor of the baby {with both men and women in attendance} than a traditional shower with girls and games, which I enjoyed. We were inundated with love and gifts for our boy, and I came home and immediately started organizing. At 11pm. This nesting thing is no joke.

Pregnancy has been such an interesting time for me. I mean, it is for everyone I'm sure, but it has been amazing to see how nature takes over and prepares you for this wondrous event even when you're not a gal who ever had baby fever and who was convinced that it would be the most miserable experience ever.

Everyone who knows me well has marveled at how calm I've become during this time. I am not a laid back individual normally -- I'm a fan of control when possible. But that's just the thing; when you're having a baby, you realize that so much is out of your control that the outcome has been a new-found ability to just "go with it." I wonder if there's a way to request that this trait stay with me even after he's born.

Here's a little "almost there" update on what's been going on in my pregnant world:

The Belly: It feels really big now. Everyone tells me that it looks like I swallowed a basketball {or any variety of round objects, really, I've heard so many} because my bump is mostly concentrated in the front & center, which is fine by me. Sometimes I look at myself from the back and pretend I'm not pregnant, but then the belly just seems all the more shocking when I turn back around.

Weight: So far, I've gained a grand total of 21 pounds. I was petrified that I would balloon out of control when I first started seeing the numbers on the scale go up. I actually wrote a whole post about it, which I've been planning on sharing but haven't just yet. Women gain weight at all different rates and there are so many factors that come into play that it isn't even fair to compare one to the other. Luckily, though I felt like I gained weight quickly in the beginning, it progressed in a slow and steady fashion with the help of trying to eat well and staying active. I'm on track to be within the "healthy" range for a person my size by the time I deliver.

Movement: This kid is nuts. I'll be sitting there trying to work and my bump will start shape-shifting before my very eyes as he kicks and gets comfortable. I haven't had an ultrasound since I was 18 weeks along, so I often imagine what position he's in and what in the world he's up to in there. It feels like he has very pointy elbows.

Clothing: I'm still wearing mostly non-maternity stuff {loose & stretchy}, though some tops and sundresses have started coming up too high as they accommodate the bump. Maternity jeans & leggings are a godsend. I hate that I love them, but I do. I can still wear my old J.Crew shorts with the belly band, but it's not as comfy as slipping into those stretchy clothes made for round bellies.

Inconveniences: 
Stretch marks - Nope {not yet, anyway}.
Swelling - Feet have gotten puffy a few times if I've been outdoors or on my feet for long periods of time, but no "cankles" yet.
Tummy troubles - Very few bouts of heartburn, which I used to get occasionally anyway even when I wasn't pregnant. "Reflux" if I drink too much water or am too full. Nothing too terrible or annoying.
Peeing - Sometimes having to get up twice at night to go.
Waddling - I'm still exercising most mornings, but my power walk feels more like a power waddle depending on the day. I'm not as comfortable as I used to be, but it's not unbearable. I just have to make more of a conscious effort on my posture so I'm not leading with the belly.
Hormones - I haven't been super emotional or cranky or anything during most of my pregnancy. If anything, I think pregnancy hormones have regulated some that may have been off kilter before! But I did cry over this commercial the other day. I mean, who wouldn't, though?
Braxton-Hicks - That's "practice contractions" for those of you who are unfamiliar. I've had these a few times and they don't hurt, but they feel like your abs have decided to do crunches without your consent. Very strange sensation. I also went walking in the evening last week and was not hydrated enough causing some major cramping. It was not pleasant and a little scary. This little nugget needs to stay put until he's fully baked.

Perks: My hair has never been shinier. My nails grow fast. My skin has been amazing -- no breakouts. {I have had some extra darkening -- a.k.a. "melasma", which I had before as well, but it's not awful.} I've probably had 2 headaches in the past 8 months which is mind-blowing since I would often get headaches before I was pregnant. People are super nice to you when you have a visible bump.

Preparations: As I mentioned, we finally took apart the guest room and are now stockpiling baby things in there. The only thing that's fully built is the glider {which I am in love with}. We are still deciding on a crib, but I think I've narrowed it down and will be ordering one this week. I have a good idea of the finishing touches {rug, art, etc.} that I'd like, but am holding off a little longer. My sweet friends are throwing me another baby shower in a week and half, and after that we'll really get going on finishing things up.

His closet is SO FULL of clothes. I will have to change him every hour on the hour just so he can get a chance to wear all these cute things. I may have to anyway with all the spit up and poo that will be happening.

We've got a good amount of "gear"-- car seat, stroller, a vintage baby buggy that was used by my husband and his brother, swing, high chair, tub, etc. etc. We will have to find a home for all these wonderful items so it doesn't look like we're living in BabiesRUs.

This is just a tiny bit. 

Farley has started to walk around in the room and sniff things. I think he knows some big changes are on the horizon.

Stuff I'm loving:

- I'm obsessed with L'Occitane's Almond Delicious Soap. I blame it on my mom who spoils me by buying me tiny, expensive soaps that I'd never get for myself. It is scrubby and softening and it makes me feel like I'm doing something just for me when I use it. Like a little spa break every time I shower. Someone gifted me with a few bars as part of my baby shower gift. I almost cried with joy.

- Pure Fiji White Gingerlily Lotion. If you've ever wondered what I smell like {because that's a completely normal thought}, it's this stuff. I have loved it for quite some time, but I now slather it all over my belly after showers because the skin can feel all tight and it needs a little love. They carry this brand at really nice spas, so again, it makes me feel like I'm being pampered it just by using it. Apparently that's a thing with me.

- My pregnancy journal. Before I got pregnant, I decide that I'd like to have a place to jot down thoughts and notes for posterity. So, I looked online for journals that might work and discovered very quickly that I hated most of them. I'm not into all the gooey baby type designs. {I'm weird, what can I say.} I did find these custom journals , but in the end, I decided to design my own on Zazzle. I love how it turned out {though I wish it were hard bound instead of floppy} and I've been trying to write in it as often as possible.

It says "Great Expectations -- The Story of Expecting You"

A good friend also bought me this book and I -- the listmaker -- am really enjoying filling it out!

- Having a pregnancy countdown bucket list. Somewhere around the 20 week mark, I got more excited and less patient with this whole pregnancy thing. I needed motivation and something to look forward to {aside from the bundle of joy himself, of course} every few weeks to move things along. Our schedules are pretty busy as it is, but I wanted fun "mile markers" to treat myself to and speed things up. Best idea ever!

So far, most of the treats are food related {birthday lunch at Christopher's Kitchen; visiting the new Trader Joe's that just opened, etc.}, but some of them have to do with pampering {spa day!}or time with friends. Other tasks have included things I've wanted to do for a while that we never get around to {free admission Thursdays at The Norton Museum; Farmer's Market on Sunday mornings}. Having these things on my calendar keeps me looking to days ahead, happy and active.

- Food. My current favorites happen to be: Fruit {still}. Raw green peppers and hummus {I don't even care for green peppers usually, but I'm enjoying them now}. Peanut butter & bananas. Dark chocolate. {I'll raid my baking pantry & eat dark chocolate chips for "dessert". It also helps that Lindt sent me a lifetime supply -- ok, maybe a few months supply -- of their amazing Excellence chocolates for my tasting party that I still have for snacking.} Coffee. {Still doing decaf.} These gluten free pretzel sticks as a treat every now and then. {Like crack, I tell you.} Cheese. {What else is new?} Yogurt. {You must try this new stuff, more about it below.} Cereal and granola.

Frame of Mind: Great. Am I looking forward to labor? Not particularly, but I have so much less worry about it than I did in the beginning. Some of that I think is just a natural part of getting closer, but some I attribute to the HypnoBirthing classes I mentioned. Yes, they're sort of "granola", but I love the positive feelings I get from practicing their techniques. More on this later.

Meanwhile, let's talk REAL granola. The edible kind.

..............................................................

As much as I love the convenience of buying store-bought granola, there are 2 things that deter me from doing so: Price and funky ingredients. I know there are a lot of good ones out there that are on the healthier side, but the truth is it doesn't take too much effort to easily whip some up at home. That way you can control the amount of sugar and preservatives, and keep it relatively inexpensive to boot.

Plus, you have the added perk of being able to make ANY flavor granola you choose! I mean, the possibilities are endless.

Since Fall flavors are on my mind, I played with cardamom and fig for this batch. I threw in some ground flaxseed and chia seeds for added nutrition, and walnuts for added texture and flavor. It's great alone or with a splash of almond milk... or for a real treat, sprinkled over some Petite Creme with a dab of extra Bon Maman Fig Preserves. That's basically dessert.

Stonyfield sent some of their Clean Plate Club members their new product, Petite Creme, to try out with Bonne Maman preserves and they didn't disappoint. If you're not a fan of "going Greek" when it comes to your yogurt, Petite Creme is for you. It's much milder, less thick and smoother in flavor than its Greek cousin. And it happens to go amazingly well with this granola.

Sweet, crunchy and simply addictive, I think this combo will be part of your Fall lineup.

Cardamom-Fig Granola

2 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cups walnuts, roughly chopped
2 heaping tablespoons ground flaxseed
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup good-quality fig preserves, such as Bon Maman
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional: Dried figs, chopped {I didn't have any, but I think they'd make a good addition!}

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients until well combined. {To make combining a bit easier, I heated the oil, syrup, honey & preserves in the microwave for a minute to help them loosen up and become more liquid.}

3. Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for about 45 minutes, giving it a stir every 15 minutes or so to promote crispness and even toasting.

Let cool before packaging. Goes great over yogurt or eaten as cereal.

Snack Party! | Taste of Nature Fruit & Nut Bars

"I'm sorry for the things I said when I was hungry."

Could this easily be your life motto? Then read on, my friend.

I can tell you for sure that "hangriness" runs in my family. I have stories. There is faint recollection of my mom driving off and leaving my little sister standing on the front steps of our house during an episode of low blood sugar. That same sister, many years later, nearly had a meltdown in the streets of Little Italy during her 21st birthday trip to NYC because I couldn't make up my mind about where we'd eat lunch.

Snacks are a necessity around here.

The key is, choosing snacks that nourish and sustain before you come across a vending machine or a drive-thru window and get pulled in like a moth to the flame.

I recently got the opportunity to share one of my favorite new snacks, Taste of Nature Fruit & Nut Bars, with folks who appreciate the value of healthy snacking. My husband, who is a chiropractor, has patients who come from all walks of life -- hardcore athletes, stay-at-home mamas, retirees, you name it. But even though their day-to-day lives differ greatly from one another's, they all have a common link: They take good care of themselves. After all, that's why we get to see their smiling faces at the office every day!

I had the opportunity to sample Taste of Nature Bars after BlogHer Food in May as they were one of the goodies in our swag bags. After getting a sneak peek, I couldn't wait to receive the samples to share! The office seemed like the perfect place to share my snacking find.

Many of our patients have special diets due to lifestyle choice and/or allergies, so the fact that Taste of Nature bars are certified organic, gluten-free certified, and non-gmo, vegan, kosher and contain real, nuts, fruits and grains that you can see {all at under 200 calories} was a real plus. They've got nothing artificial, no fillers and no chemicals – what you see is what you get with these bars, which is just how I like my snacks.

Did I mention that they have 6 exciting flavors to choose from? Because they do. Brazilian Nut Festival, California Almond Valley, Quebec Cranberry Carnival, Canadian Maple Forest, Himalayan Goji Summit and Persian Pomegranate Garden make up the tantalizing options. I think the hardest decision for anyone who came in to give them a try was choosing which one they wanted first!

I set up a tasting station {and put out a little survey, just for fun} and let the magic happen.

Everyone seemed to have the same reaction after taking a nibble of the samples -- "Mmmm. These are good. Really good." And then they'd promptly scour the packaging to make sure there was nothing sneaky lurking in there, like I was trying to pull the wool over their eyes. But the secret is simple: Real Tastes Good. {Maybe that's why the company made this their tagline. Clever marketing folks.}

After chatting about which was their favorite, and how much they need something like this on the daily, and asking me where they can pick up some of these for future snacking while shoving a few free samples into their bags, {sadly, the closest store that sells them is Nutrition Cottage about 40 minutes away in Boynton & Delray! Come to Jupiter, Taste of Nature!}, they marked down their favorite flavor on my tally sheet and went on their merry way... but not before scoring some sportsy swag for outdoor fun in the sun!

{In case you were wondering, Brazilian Nut Fiesta won out over the competitors. My personal favorite is the Persian Pomegranate Garden. I'm wondering if Brazil took the lead because everyone is in a Brazilian state of mind with the World Cup happening.}

I felt like I had done my civic duty in decreasing the "hangriness" rate of our city one person at a time. Just call me superwoman.

More importantly, I now have a great recommendation when people ask me for smart snacking ideas. Because we all know what can happen when hunger catches you snackless! ;) For more information about Taste of Nature Fruit & Nut Bars, check out their site.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Avocado + Grapefruit Salsa with Baked Coriander Chips

I spent about 2 hours outside in direct sunlight this weekend while we walked around a local Seafood Festival and, in doing so, I came to this conclusion: It is too, too hot already. Like, had to use a paper towel to blot behind my knees because I was sweating profusely kind of hot. Ew.

This is certainly not unusual around here, but I can tell you that I'm already craving thirst-quenching and refreshing things to eat and drink. Partly because they help you cool down, but also because they are generally better for you and will not make you feel as bad when it's time to start wearing less clothing. I'm not saying the "B" word just yet {bikini} because I know many of you aren't ready for that kind of language. But it's coming, folks. It's coming.

Anyway, after nearly melting into a puddle, I woke up feeling like I wanted to whip up something fresh and healthy.

Mondays are my favorite food day of the week because, most of the time, it means that I have a replenished supply of fruits and veggies at my disposal. Lately, my husband has been in charge of going to the produce store solo and picking out our fruits and veggies for the week. It makes sense with our weekend schedule for him to stop at the store and pick things up first thing in the morning right after the gym. At first, this made me a little nervous because 1. I am a control freak, and 2. I don't like surprises.

But I have to admit, he's been pretty good with fruit and veggie selection. Sure, we have about 258,353 onions and lemons because he doesn't always check what we've got before he heads out to the store. But for the most part, I can't complain.  {And I happen to like onions and lemons.}

You know what he's really good at? Picking out avocados. I love, love, love that our local produce store has avocados at a price so affordable that we can pick up enough for the entire week without spending our life savings. And that's exactly what he does. He even tries to select them on a ripeness spectrum so that there's one ready for each day of the week. Isn't he adorable? {It obviously doesn't take much to win me over.}

So, after finding a sad and lonely grapefruit sitting in the fridge and then spotting a perfectly perfect avocado on the counter top, this was only logical:

I can put away serious amounts of chips and salsa... but I try not to because, you know, skinny jeans. But this light and refreshing salsa made me feel like I was actually doing my body a favor with juicy pieces of bright, citrusy grapefruit, gorgeous tomato and creamy avocado. And baking up some crispy coriander-spiced tortilla chips in the oven was the best accompaniment for this snack -- nothing creepy or fried out of a bag.

Perfect.

Ok, Mother Nature, feel free to turn up the heat.

Avocado + Grapefruit Salsa with Baked Coriander Tortilla Chips
1 grapefruit, segments removed & juice reserved
1 avocado, pitted and diced
1 Roma or Plum tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried crushed mint, or 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh mint
Sprinkle of sea salt

1. Place grapefruit, avocado, tomato and red onion in a medium bowl.

2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the juice from the grapefruit with olive oil, mint and salt. {I was able to get about 1/4 cup after removing the segments. If you don't have enough juice, you can use a lime instead.}

3. Pour vinaigrette over the avocado mixture and toss together gently, careful not to squish the avocado too much. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

For Chips:

4-5 corn tortillas {I used these}
Olive oil or olive oil spray
Sprinkle of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Set aside.

2. Spray or brush each tortilla with olive oil on both sides. Stack the tortillas and cut into 6 wedges with a sharp knife. Place wedges onto the baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and ground coriander.

3. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the tortillas are crisp and lightly browned.

Serve warm with cool avocado salsa.

{No Bake} Tropical Energy Bites

Let's talk about snacks. {Baby, let's talk about you.and.me. What? You totally thought the same thing.}

What do you reach for when you're feeling snacky? Probably whatever you can get your hungry little hands on, right? Which is not always the healthiest of options, I'm sure. I'm not judging. I'm just sympathizing with the throes of poor hungry decision-making.

I try not to buy unhealthy snacks because, naturally, if they're not around the house, I won't eat them. But the downside of healthy snacking is that it can get sort of expensive.

KIND bars are one of my favorite, throw-it-in-your-purse-and-go snacks. So are Pamela's "Whenever Bars" {though, for the love of Pete, I wish they'd revamp their wrappers & packaging}. When I'm needing salty, I like Blue Diamond Nut Thins {although truthfully they contain a few ingredients I could live without}, which keep me from diving head-first into a bag of Doritos. But those little bitty snacks? They add up big time. Is it just me, or do you find that the healthier the snack, the less they put in the bag and the more they charge for it? Maybe keeping the volume at 75% air is what really keeps it healthy? Who knows.

Anyway, after taking inventory of my pantry {Read: raiding the shelves for something to snack on} last week, I realized that I probably have enough random ingredients in there to make my own healthy snack without spending any extra money. So, of course, I started experimenting.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that... a whir in the food processor and, VOILA!, Tropical Energy Bites.

Made with dried mango, cashews, banana chips and flaked coconut, you can feel confident knowing that there's nothing creepy lurking in your snacks. {Just be careful when purchasing dried fruit and make sure that the ingredient list is up to par -- some of them can get very heavy on the sweetness.} Yes, there's some sugar in these as I just used what we had on hand, but I still consider these better than devouring a row of Oreos. Additionally, it is possible to find dried fruit with no added sugar if you look hard enough {I'd start the search at Whole Foods or another health food store for best results.}

This recipe {which makes a small batch} made 30 bite-sized energy balls that are ideal for tossing into a snack bag and taking for the road, but you could easily double the recipe for a treat that will last a little longer or feed more people.

I'm pretty proud of myself for whipping up something healthy with stuff I already have -- a penny saved is a penny earned, after all. And I'd rather spend my pennies on something cute, like this. :)

{No Bake} Tropical Energy Bites

1/3 cup roasted, unsalted cashews
1/3 cup banana chips
1/4 cup dried mango {unsweetened if possible}
1/4 cup unsweetened dried coconut flakes
3 tablespoons almond butter
2 heaping tablespoons honey

1. Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until mostly ground and combined. A ball should start to form with the mixture.

2. Once ground to desired consistency, scoop out the mixture by the teaspoon-full and roll into bite-sized balls.

3. Refrigerate to harden a bit if desired. Store in an airtight container.

Buffalo Chicken Phyllo Bites

Did you ever make those paper "footballs" as a kid? You know, the type that you fold up from a long strip of paper until you get a compact little triangle you can flick through the "goal post"? {a.k.a. Your friend's fingers held up like two "L"s facing each other. It's a wonder we never put an eye out.}

That's exactly how these tasty little triangles are assembled, except the paper is replaced with phyllo dough and the "goal" is your mouth. :)

Click for a closer look at assembly!

When I was thinking of football-watching snacks for the Super Bowl, the idea for these convenient bites came to mind as quickly as I lose interest in watching the game. {What? I'm just telling it how it is.} I'm not ashamed to say that Super Bowl is one of those occasions that only interests me because of the company and the food. Sorry, sports fans.

One food that seems to get a lot of playing time during game days is chicken wings. But let's be real here: They are a host's nightmare. All that bright orange sauce. The drips, the dribbles. The bowls of bones left over after they've been eaten. {Fact: Farley dove head-first into the bone bowl last year when we were having friends over for wings. Someone swore they saw him swallow an entire bone whole, but it was never to be seen again...}

Since I'm always trying to find ways to keep things clean and organized, I thought, "What if I serve up the taste of wings without the mess?"

Enter: Buffalo Chicken Phyllo Bites. A {slightly OCD} hostess' dream. 

Shredded chicken, wing sauce and all the finger-lickin' accouterments {blue cheese & celery} are all combined and tucked into a tidy little phyllo package. They're flaky, spicy, fun and there's no need to worry about hungry puppies going after the remnants... because there won't be any!

You may be tempted to bust out one of those cans of crescent rolls for ease of preparation... but can I just be completely honest and tell you that I'm not a huge fan? First of all, who doesn't have an anxiety attack popping one of those things open? It's like a Jack-in-the-box gone awry. Second, there's just something about the light-as-air layers of the phyllo that can't be imitated. It's a tiny bit of extra work, but it's worth it.

So, as you sit there watching your game with stain-free couches and clean fingers... you can thank me. ;)

What's your favorite Super Bowl snack??

Buffalo Chicken Triangles
Makes about 18

30 sheets of phyllo dough {I use Pepperidge Farm, found in the freezer section near puff pastry, etc.}
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of your favorite buffalo wing sauce {I like Footy's Wing Sauce}
1/2 cup blue cheese or {or less for a less cheesy taste}

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a baking pan by lining with foil or parchment.

2. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, celery, wing sauce and blue cheese. Mix well.

3. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean surface. Spray the sheet with olive oil spray or brush with melted butter. Top with another sheet of phyllo. Repeat with 4 more sheets.

4. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the layered sheets long ways into equal thirds to make three  long strips. Place a heaping tablespoon of chicken filling on the bottom of each strip.

5. Beginning with one piece, fold the right hand corner to the left edge, forming a triangular shape. Carefully fold that piece upward. Finally, fold from left to the right hand edge, and then upward again. Continue this pattern until the entire filling is securely rolled up into a triangle. {This is the same process as folding paper into a "football" when you were a kid.} There should be no open edges on the triangle and the filling should be tucked inside the phyllo triangle.

6. Place each triangle on prepared baking pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Note: Let them cool a bit before taking a bite... they are molten in the middle! Take it from me and the scalded roof of my mouth. :P

The Ultimate Tailgate Food Guide

If you've popped in from time to time since last year, you may remember a little series I put together called "Tailgate Thursday". It was created out of my love for Fall, football season, fashion, and tailgate food {And cocktails. Let's not leave out the cocktails.}

Every Thursday {or, um, Friday. Or following Monday. Things got busy, ok?}, I'd feature one SEC college football team and create a few recipes fitting for a themed tailgate. My friends Carla & Liz helped me out with the cocktail creations and fashionable game day gear.

It was one of my first "big" blogging projects, meaning it was one of the first times I made a commitment to post on a specific day of the week and work with other bloggers. It was also one of the first times I thought, "Man, this whole blogging thing can be exhausting!"

Guess what happened about half way through my series? I totes ran out of steam.

As a result, I barely cranked out 5 more Thursday posts... and never got around to sharing the 12th and last post of the series, which happened to be dedicated to my beloved Gators!

The shame.

I still have that post in my drafts and I'm putting a few final touches on it so I can finally give it all the fanfare it deserves because...

COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!

I have no idea why I'm so jazzed about every Saturday for the next 12 weeks being pretty much shot of any chance at productivity. Or about exceeding our monthly entertainment budget throughout Fall {because you can't go watch a football game without buying beer and/or wings}. 

Despite the many hours that will be spent not doing things I should be doing, I love it just the same. :)

You know I couldn't let you start college football season without some tailgate goodies... so I've put together a comprehensive list of recipes {organized by team, of course!} to ensure you "kick off" the season deliciously! {Just click the name of the school to head over to the post containing the recipes!}

And for my Gator friends... I promise I'll be sharing that post from the archives very soon!

Happy Football Season, friends!

{And GO GATORS!}

Alabama
- Crimson Cooler
- Shrimp & Grits Bites
- "Roll Tide" Elephant Ears

Auburn
- Eye of the Tiger Cocktail
- Blueberry-Glazed Crock Pot Ribs
- Auburn Orange Blondies

Tennessee
- Tennessee Rose Cocktail
- "Smokey Got" Sauced Pulled Chicken Sliders
- Rocky Top Bites

Kentucky
- The Tipsy Wildcat Cocktail
- Kentucky Hot Brown Dip
- Boozy Bourbon Mini-Bundts

Arkansas
- The Woo-Woo Pig Cocktail
- Hog Hugged Sweet Potato Wedges with Honey-Scallion Dipping Sauce
- Piggy Print Cookies

LSU
- Purple Tiger Dream Cocktail
- Cajun Tater Bites
- Tiger Butter Candy

South Carolina
- Garnet Kamikaze Cocktail
- Cocky Pockets
- Sweet Tea Cookies

Georgia
- The Georgia Bulldog Cocktail
- Georgia Caviar
- Bourbon-Peach Turnovers

Ole Miss
- 'Sippi Sipper Cocktail
- Rebel Raspberry Wings
- Mississippi Mud Dip

FSU
- The MimOsceola Cocktail
- PB&J Breakfast Rolls
- Dill & Cheese Beer Bread

Florida
- Orange & Blueberry Cake
- More Florida recipes coming soon!! ;)

Prep Praises: NatureBox {and a Giveaway!}

Whew... well, we're back from a weekend in Gainesville celebrating a Gator victory. {Woohoo!} You must be wondering how we're still fitting into our clothes around here after all of the birthday-celebrating, tailgate-cooking, cocktail-sipping fun I've been posting about lately.

So am I.

You're probably sick of hearing {reading?} me say this, but truly... it's all about balance. Though I'd like to say that we stick to a 90/10 ratio of healthy & wholesome versus decadent & splurge-worthy, once September comes around it's more like 70/30 until the New Year. Just telling it like it is.

During the times when I'm {trying to be} good, it's always nice to have go-to snacks that make choosing smarter foods easier and excite me as much as indulgent nibbles. {Especially since the average American gets 25% of their calories from snacking! Sounds like a "make-or-break" category to me!}

A while back, I was contacted by a company called NatureBox to see if I'd be interested in trying out their product. As much as I love testing out new goodies, I'm usually pretty picky about the kinds of foods I allow into our pantry... especially because so many companies find a way to sneak artificial colors, preservatives, and other not-so-good stuff into foods that would otherwise be ok.

After doing a little research and  reading about NatureBox's mission, I decided that I'd give it a try.

My NatureBox arrived filled with a cornucopia of delicious, nutritious goodies {as promised!}: Umami Roasted Nuts, Pistachio Power Clusters, Apple Orchards Granola, Toasted Sesame Stix, and Big Island Pineapple.

 

I've got to tell you, the only thing I did not like about my NatureBox was trying to keep Steve {my health-conscious hubby} from busting into the packaging and eating everything before I got a chance to check it out and take pics! I'm happy to report that he and I both enjoyed snacking on everything {his favorite was the dried pineapple slices, mine was a toss up between the granola and the Power Clusters!}.

Here are some things I loved about NatureBox:

• The packaging. It feels like a present. :) Each goody was individually packaged in a resealable pouch, too, for convenient, portable snacking and freshness. {Plus, I'm not going to lie, I sort of live by this.}
• They promise wholesome, high quality ingredients with no high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, or artificial colors. Score!
• For each NatureBox purchased, they donate one meal to feed hungry children in America. Love it. 
• You get 4-6 carefully chosen snacks in each box for $19.95/month... less than you'd spend on wholesome goodies at some health food stores, and you don't even have to put real pants on and go to the store to get them. {You can also cancel your subscription whenever you want.}

I thought those NatureBox people seemed pretty cool. And guess what? They're pretty generous, too! They're letting me share a promo code for 25% off your first month subscription for the month-to-month option if you decide to give them a try! Just type in APPLE25 in the promo code box when you check out.

Guess what else? They're giving one you a chance to win a NatureBox sample of your very own! Who doesn't love a {delicious & healthy} freebie?

Check out the RaffleCopter box below to enter... and if you win, will you promise to tell me what you get in your NatureBox?? The curiosity might just drive me mad! :) Good luck and happy snacking!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. I'll be posting a recipe that uses one of my favorite NatureBox snacks later today on The Kitchen Prep's Facebook page... be sure to stop by & check it out!


*Contest Terms & Conditions*

- This giveaway is open to USA residents only starting on Monday, October 8, 2012 and ends Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 12:01 pm EST.
- One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter. Winner will be announced on the blog and on Facebook on Monday, 10/15/2012.
- Winner will be responsible for providing Name, Email, and mailing address for receipt of prize.
- Winner will have until Wednesday, October 17, 2012 to claim the prize or another winner will be chosen.
- The winner will receive a different NatureBox than the one reviewed in this post (items are chosen monthly by the NatureBox company)
- NatureBox is only able to ship to US addresses
- At this time, NatureBox is unable to customize boxes for specific dietary needs, allergies or personal preferences.

*Dislosure: I received a NatureBox sample box to review, but I was not compensated for this post. The opinions I share with you are all my own. :)