Thanksgiving Cornucopia Breakfast

So thankful on this Thanksgiving (and everyday) for my wonderful family! My husband amazes me with his daddy skills more and more :) This morning topped the creative charts with his breakfast for the girls! They loved it!!

Acorn Kisses

Aren't they adorable!! A friend of mine gave me this great idea and I'm not sure where she found the idea, but here is how I did it :))

Just melt some chocolate chips for your "glue" and attach a Hershey kiss to the flat side of the mini nilla wafer. Then attach a chocolate chip to the top. (I used regular, but mini ones would work too). Put in the fridge for the melted chocolate to harden and then they are ready to serve :))

For the plate (dollar store) I just decorated it with theme foam stickers I found for fall!!

Such a quick and easy fall dessert! Fun for kids and adults :)

Happy Thanksgiving

xo,
Erica

Meatless Monday - Veggie Baked Pasta

Once a week we try to do a meatless dish. Here is how I made this weeks dish.
Ingredients:
1/2 large yellow onion diced
1-Zucchini
1-Yellow squash
1-Carrot (or equivalent baby carrots)
1-Red bell pepper
1 Jar marinara sauce
1 Jar Alfredo sauce
1 pound Rigatoni pasta
1 16oz of shredded cheese (I used mexican trio blend)
(I was out of mushrooms, otherwise I would have added those too!)

Sauté onion until translucent then add all the chopped veggies into the pan season with a little salt and pepper. When they start to get tender add your marinara sauce and Alfredo sauce. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. While sauce is simmering boil the pasta (don't cook completely, leave it el dente). Drain pasta and set aside.

Take your glass baking dish (9x13) add some sauce to the bottom just to cover it. Add a layer of pasta, then more sauce and top with cheese. Repeat this layering one more time and be sure to top with cheese! Bake on 375 degrees for 15 min.

It was a hit at my house (even with my girls, they couldn't even tell there were veggies ;) I hope you try it and like it!

Xo,
Erica

Happy 40th Starbucks!!

I personally had no idea Starbucks had been around that long!

Any who, they are doing a bunch of special things to celebrate :)

but these little lovelies are what caught my attention!!

{Starbucks petites}

 

 

My mom always told me:

Good Things, come in Small Packages

{if you didn't know, I'm a shorty ;}

What are Starbucks Petites? 

They're super-delicious looking Cake Pops, Mini-Cupcakes, 

Sweet Squares and Red Velvet Whoopie Pies 

And at just $1.50* 

and less than 200 calories each 

they're a deliciously well-deserved afternoon {sweet} treat.

Try one free during Starbucks Tribute Days**

Go into a participating store between 2-5 p.m., March 10-12, 

purchase any handcrafted beverage 

and enjoy a Starbucks Petite treat for FREE!

*At participating stores, plus tax if applicable.
**Offer good 3/10/11 through 3/12/11 from 2-5 p.m. at participating stores. 

One offer per beverage. 

Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. While supplies last.  

{I was not paid by Starbucks or given anything free to post this, 

I just LOVE Starbucks}

Happy 40th Starbucks,

Erica

xo

The VEGAN Challenge: DAY 3 & 4

Day 3
Today was very productive for me,
I decided to try a Vegan Banana Bread recipe

Fresh out of the oven!

Ready to eat and time for the taste test!
It was DELISH!
Even the hubby liked it!
It was pretty basic,
I didn't have any nuts or 70% chocolate on hand,
but it was still super yummy!!
So that was my breakfast :}


Lunch: 
I had leftover veggie marinara spaghetti
Still YUMMY!


Dinner: 
We made black bean and brown rice burritos with whole wheat tortillas.
Wow was that hard to swallow, literally!
It was very bland,
we added non-dairy cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, radishes,
but still pretty plain :{ 
I wasn't really sure how to season it,
so I suppose that was the reason!
But like the hubs said, 
"once it's in your stomach and you're full, 
it doesn't matter what it tasted like!"
Good job staying positive babe!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Day 4
Starting to Break


Breakfast:
Kashi Cereal and light Soy milk


Brunch:
I met friends for a birthday brunch
at one of my most favorite breakfast spots,
and this is when it really starting breaking me!
Watching everyone order their 
Macadamia Nut Banana pancakes,
Raspberry French Toast,
Egg, Toast and Bacon,
all smothered in syrup
and then looking down at my 
measly potatoes and fruit cup
really made me question, "why I was doing this?!"
But I did NOT cheat!


Snack:
 Some people may think Oreos are not Vegan,
but as far as I'm concerned,
 the ingredients don't lie!
And at this point I am losing hope :(


Dinner:
I CRACKED,
I CHEATED :(
We went to dinner at my parents house to celebrate
my Grandpa's 86th birthday!!
Happy Birthday Grandpa!!


I am not even going to tell you everything that I cheated on,
because it is bad, real bad!
I will tell you I had a cupcake with 
vanilla confetti frosting!!
SO FREAKIN' GOOD!!
After missing out on 
ice cream cake on Day 2
I was DONE,
I picked the worst week for this challenge!


So I guess the moral of this story is that 
I GAVE UP! :(
I admit it and I am proud of the almost 4 days I did complete! 
I have learned a lot about food
and feel like I can make better decisions for me and my family.


As for being Vegan,
it's just not for me!
 We plan to reduce our meat intake to a few days a week,
and add some healthier choices,
 like the meat-less spaghetti,
so that will definitely go on the monthly menu!


As for the vanilla Soy creamer,
I will never think it's better than my coffee mate creamer
and since I am not lactose intolerant, 
I will most likely go back to regular milk for my cereal and cookies!


And last, but surely not least,
Nothing compares to
REAL CHEESE!
I LOVE CHEESE way too much
and if you have been to my house,
you know this is true!
American cheese, jalapeño cheese, sharp cheddar,
goat cheese, brie, blue cheese, gorgonzola, monterey jack,
the list goes on!!!


Almost everything SUPER delicious has some type of 
DAIRY
in it and I am not ready to give that up!!


But another thing I realized during this challenge,
was that even if I don't eat like a Vegan,
there are other ways I can be Vegan!!


VEGAN SHOPPING!!
{not groceries, but CLOTHES!!}


I was just shopping around on a website I frequent called 
LuLus.com

and found their 

VEGAN PURSES and BAGS! 

They also have

 VEGAN SHOES! 

Pretty cool and cute! 
I have never seen a strictly VEGAN section on a shopping website!

I really wanted this pair

But they are out of my size :(

Love the Cheetah print!

So maybe this will be my next challenge ;}

Happy VEGAN Shopping,

Erica

xo

The VEGAN Challenge: DAY 2

Day 2:

Went a little better!
Actually A LOT better!!

Breakfast:

Bagel w/ peanut butter {YUM!}

the other half of my grapefruit {also YUM!}

Coffee w/ Silk french vanilla soy creamer {tasting a little better ;}

Lunch:

Peppered Tofurky sandwich w/ mustard, lettuce and tomato 

{I really wanted some avocado, but didn't have any}

This sandwich was so much better than it sounds!!

The Tofurky was surprisingly tasty,

my hubby was totally grossed out by the idea of "Tofurky,"

but if he gave a chance I think he would like it!

Oh and those Veggie tortilla chips are super good too.

The three flavors are: 

spinach & garlic, red beet & onion, tomato & sesame

{thanks for the suggestion Nancy}

Snack:

Apple 

& 

two OREOS

That's right, I said OREOS!!!

My life just got a whole lot BETTER today

when I found this list

Accidentally Vegan

*It is still best to check the ingredients listed on these products,

 as some may contain traces of animal-derived ingredients.

I double checked the ingredients on my OREOS 

and I was in the clear!! YUM-O!!

Dinner:

We went over to my In-laws to celebrate my Brother-In-Law's birthday

Happy Birthday Chris!!

There was Sausage pizza,

Ham and Pineapple pizza (my fav)

and Veggie pizza

Now since I am not eating cheese I removed the top and ate

Cheese-less veggie pizza 

Luckily there was salad too!!

Thanks to my MIL I was able to eat :)

BUT...

dessert was a different story 

{and kinda depressing}

I was an ice cream cake,

not just any ice cream cake 

{maybe with a flavor I hated, unlikely}

but with World Class Chocolate ice cream

{my #1 fav)

At this point I am still very strong and not willing to break on Day 2!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After I found my "accidentally vegan" list

I started searching for sites that would let me know 

what specific ingredients I should be looking for that would be 

animal-derived or dairy

Beginner Vegan Food Shopping

helped me with so simple key points from when shopping

Hidden Animal Ingredients

Since those ingredient list can sometime seem like a foreign language

Go Dairy Free

Just because it say "non-dairy" or "lactose free" 

doesn't deem it Vegan

Hopefully this will make things a little easier 

for shopping and EATING! 

 It has already made me feel like 

I can actually eat things I have always eaten!!

Liberated,

Erica

xo

The VEGAN Challenge...{GIVEAWAY}

So, if you missed the episode of Oprah yesterday on 

"Harpo's Vegan Challenge"

check out a preview here 

and the run down of what took place here

Since I am turning 30 this year! 

Yup that's right the BIG 3-0!!

I have been thinking a lot about how to get myself healthier 

and live my best life!

I am beginning to see the fine lines around my eyes a little more, 

having a few extra aches in the morning when I get out of bed, 

a lack of energy and just an over all need to feel healthy!

A lot of people make New Year's resolutions 

to get in shape and diet,

but have never been one to feel like I needed to diet or exercise.

Now after having two kids and approaching a pivotal age,

I can definitely sense a change in my body 

and I am not really liking it!

SO...

time to make some changes,

I have decided to take the 

ONE WEEK

VEGAN CHALLENGE

and see how my body responds!

What is a VEGAN? 

A type of vegetarian diet that excludes meat, eggs 

and dairy products 

and all other animal-derived ingredients.

Did you know?...

 *Americans eat nearly 10 billion animals in a year.

*The average American's yearly meat intake is 

70 pounds higher 

than it was a century ago.

*Research has shown that non-meaters tend to 

live 6-10 years longer 

than meat eaters.

For more info, check out the FAQ's

I would love it if others would join me and keep me motivated!

I know this isn't going to be easy 

and I may get a little cranky at first {sorry hubby}

and

I can't guarentee that after this I will be 

100% Vegan or meat free.

But...

I just think it is important take charge of my eating habits now,

in order to be a good example for my girls!

I want to show them how to be more conscious 

about what goes into our bodies,

and where our food comes from!

For those of us {meaning myself} that have no idea 

what we are getting into

here is a sample vegan grocery list of items 

to get us started!!

As a little incentive to my readers

that want to take this challenge with me, 
if I get at least 5 people to do this with me

I will be giving away a copy of Kelly Freston's book
to one lucky challenger!

Veganist

where she gives you meal planning ideas

and alternatives to meat like this...

Instead of spaghetti with meatballs,
Try spaghetti with veggie meatballs (found in the grocer's freezer)

Instead of pizza with sausage,

Try pizza made with Daiya cheese, veggie sausage 

or mushrooms and a whole grain crust

Instead of chili with meat,
Try chili with three kinds of beans and veggie meat crumbs

So if you are up for the challenge 

Here are the rules to enter:

We will start the challenge Monday, February 7, 2011

{I want to give you some time to prepare :}

and it will end Sunday,  February 13, 2011

Comment on this post: 

"I am taking the one week VEGAN CHALLENGE!"

For extra entries:

1. Come back and check in 

by commenting on how it is going for you! 

{you can comment everyday of the challenge}

2. Become a follower of BigSis LilSis 

{If you already are, thank you, and let me know!}


3. "Like" BigSis LilSis on Facebook

VERY IMPORTANT:

Make sure to leave me an email contact. 

If I cannot contact the winner, I will have to pick again 

and that would be a bummer!


Remember:
We need at least 5 of us for me to do the giveaway!
So tell your friends and see who is up for the challenge!!




***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

Veganist {for a week},

Erica

xo

Happy Thanksgiving & Black Friday Sale!!

Here is a fun little craft for the kids this Thanksgiving!
They make great table scape additions, 
take homes for your guests 
and keep the kiddos busy while you are cooking!


Candy Turkeys
What you will need:
Royal icing (The glue)
Peanut Butter Cup Minis (Belly)
Vanilla Waffer cookies (Backside to hold Feathers and Belly)
Chocolate Covered Pretzels (Feet)
Candy Corn (Feathers and Beak)
French Burnt Peanuts (Gobbler)
Maple Nut Goodies (The head)
Red Sugar Sprinkles (Eyes)

1. Start with the Vanilla Wafer 
and put an arch of icing along the flat side. 
Place (6) candy corn pointing toward the center along the arch.
Add a little more icing to the center of the wafer 
to attach the peanut butter cup.
Set aside to dry.
2. Take the Maple Goodie (head) add three small dots of icing.
Place the two eyes in the icing.
take of the larger end of the candy corn to make the beak 
and attach it in the center of the Maple Goodie.
3. Attach the head to the top of the peanut butter cup.
4. Add the Gobbler below the beak.
5. Attach the chocolate covered pretzel to the bottom last,
 when the body is stable.




Black Friday is just around the corner,

how many of us will be up before the sun ready to shop?!

Truthfully, I have always wanted to do this, 

but never quite go my bum out of bed in time ;)

This year I am really going to give a go though!!

I hope everyone has a delicious Thanksgiving 

with family and friends 

and safe travels if you are heading out of town :)

Since I am so THANKFUL for my wonderful followers 

I am offering 20% OFF all items in my Etsy boutique 

through Sunday 11/28,

Just use the code THANKS20!!

So Thankful,

Erica

Fabulous Find: Ella's Kitchen ~ Organic Baby Food

We all know toddlers can be picky,

but my toddler will not even touch a veggie!

As an infant she ate all the pureed veggies so well, 

the moment she hit toddlerhood, 

she wanted nothing to do with them!

I suspect, 
I am not the only Mom trying to sneak a veggie or two 
any chance I get 

{most of the time very unsuccessful}
I have tried hiding them in her food, 
telling her they are candy, 
but I think when it comes down to it 
the taste and texture just doesn't work for her.
So the struggle continues... 


Or not,

I may have found the answer to our veggie problems...

~Ella's Kitchen~ 

Organic Baby Food

I gave her the 

Broccoli, Pears and Peas

{I know it doesn't sound very good, but it isn't bad, I tried it too}

and

she LOVED it!!! YAY!!

She even asked for more when she was done,

 that is a complete success in my book! :}}}

I think she likes the packaging too

because she can sit in her playroom 

and drink it with the little straw!

Needless to say, 

{I am so desperate to get her to eat veggies}

we will be having these on hand from now on!

I found them at Babies R Us on sale for $1 each.

If you have a picky little eater like me,

maybe give these a try, 

there are a bunch of flavors!!

Sneaky {and proud of it} Mommy,

Erica

Deal of the Day: Iced Coffee

I rarely drink hot coffee in the summer,

but I LOVE an iced coffee!!

I am a starbucks junkie when it comes to a

Iced

TALL

Non-Fat

White-Mocha

w/ WHIP

But since they are over $3,

I decided to cut back and just go with a traditional iced coffee

w/ vanilla flavoring

at what I thought was as steal

for only $1.85!

Then I thought to myself,

why am I even paying that much?!

I have coffee at home

and flavored creamer!!

{Dunkin Donuts coffee and French Vanilla creamer ;}

So here is my calculated savings

based on having a coffee everyday for a month:

Starbucks Iced Coffee.... $1.85 x 30 = $55.50

McDonald Iced Coffee.... $1.49 x 30 = $44.70

{just thought I would throw this in to compare too ;}

My @ Home Iced Coffee....

***Drum roll please***

$0.19 x 30 = $5.70

WOW!!!

So, basically I can have a delicious iced coffee

everyday for a month

for the same price of one starbucks coffee and pastry,

while saving myself $50 to stash or buy myself something cute! ;}

Having my cake and eating it,

BigSis LilSis

xo