I attempt meal prep... (463)

The mornings are really hard for me, are they easy for anyone? I don't want to get out of my bed and the most of the time I always get ready really slowly so I am always running late. The day I picked to do this was not even a bad day for me. I was up and ready in a reasonable time. Today however, I woke up like an hour before my first alarm went off. I had thirty minutes to get ready, eat breakfast, and make a lunch. I'm still to school on time and with enough time to write and "relax."
The day I choose to have meals already done was Wednesday. Tuesday afternoon, I decided that I was going to make my breakfast and lunch for the next day. I was really nervous about making a smoothie ahead of time and making a sandwich ahead of time. I knew that the smoothie would be completely frozen and I was okay with that but the sandwich, which could get soggy and nasty while in the refrigerator overnight.

So I started with a smoothie. I put a lot of blueberries in, and when I say a lot, I mean a lot. Then put some frozen fruit in it, and some regular strawberries (not frozen), and a banana. I woke up the next morning and had to put it in the microwave for around 90 seconds. I kept it in there for 30 seconds at a time and then judge from there. It was still really frozen, so I didn't finish it but I guess I have a smoothie for later. The biggest reason I wanted to make it the night before was because of the noise of the blender. Why does it have to be so loud? I will probably just stick to my afternoon smoothies.

I also made my lunch for the next day. I really hate making sandwiches. But I knocked it out the night before so I didn't have to do it the next morning. The sandwich I am loving right now, it a pork loin sandwich, a Cuben just not toasted. So I got my bread, put on the Dijon mustard, Swiss cheese, the Pork Loin and finally pickles. Like I said I didn't know how the mustard and pickles would do with the bread. They turned out fine, so I was really happy with my sandwich. I also put Sun Chips, and a Lara Bar in my lunch bag and put the entire bag into the fridge. Took it out the next day and went along my way. Everything tasted great.

I really liked getting up and really only having to focus on getting ready. I will definitely be going this is the near, near future.

Strawberry Pie (311)

Happy Easter! Click for an Easter must-have, that's healthy too.
Today is Easter and we had my sister over for a lunch spectacular. Rather than having ham we had hamburgers and brats. We do plan on having ham later this week. Along with the brats and hamburgers we had potato salad and a veggie salad (a bunch of different veggies and a lot of different mixtures of dressings). But we had a dessert, Strawberry Pie and it was really, really good.

Not only was it really good, it's fairly healthy, but it's easy to make. We have only made this recipe a few times but its really good. Rather than using the pie crust, we used crushed up vanilla wafers and then combined with sugar and melted butter to create a hard crust and bottom layer. Then I filled the crust with sliced strawberries and put the layer of gelatin mixture over the strawberries I placed. Then I chilled the pie until it was time to be served. And when it was served we placed the Cool Whip on the table to be eaten with the pie. So I put a giant a giant scoop of Cool Whip and ate it up.

Man, that was one of the best pies I have ever tasted. It was a perfect pie for Easter and spring. I love strawberries and this pie was the bomb dot com. It screamed spring and that's exactly what I need right now. So close to the end of the school and even closer to the start of softball season. You will love the easiness of this recipe and the taste. But the best part is that it is fairly healthy. It is almost summer so we all got to get our beach bodies ready. I challenge everyone to try and make this recipe because you will love it.

Discrimination (440)

Disclaimer: not dealing with food, just needs to be said
These past few weeks have not been pleasant for my community, (school and town). We had three teens that have lost there lives, they were too young to die but it happened. One was in a car accident, one committed suicide and one was shot. All tragedies that affect everyone. The one that hit home was the suicide, she was too young to die but she was bullied and couldn't take it anyone. I wanted to be there for her and help her but I didn't know her. She was the one victim that went to my school, a freshman. I didn't personally know her, never had a conversation with her, maybe passed her in the halls but I have no idea. I have only heard stories of her and seen pictures. She was absolutely beautiful and if only she had someone to let her know that. The names she was called, the words that she couldn't escape. To think that people in my school could do such a thing burns me. How can they go on in their lives knowing that they bullied her and lead her to the ultimate decision. And how they continue to say mean words about her. They were just jealous of her beauty, her laugh, her friends, everything. People just don't understand how peoples words/actions affect them.
There is no need to discriminate, that's all that seems to be in the media and in life. The presidential campaign and all the police shootings, when is enough going to be enough. People are so mean this days, so mean. Someone online said that if a girl weighs over 120 pounds they shouldn't wear bikinis. People judge over the littlest things. Why? Doesn't it take too much energy to be mean, it takes away from our Netflix watching time. Why even do it. Do you want to be bullied, do you want to go through what people who take their lives over words and actions? That should be a definite no, so don't do it. People discriminate over the littlest things, why go through the effort.
I leave you with one thing. Instead of going out of your way to be mean why not go out of the way to be nice. Be kinder and if you see someone being rude STAND UP for them. It crazy that my school has to have assemblies and have specific things to tell us no to be rude, not to discriminate. Be the person to start the process of being nice to each and everyone.
Rest easy Brielle!

Sugarfire Smokehouse-St. Louis (459)

While my classmates were in the Caribbean tanning it up, I was at home but while they were all on flights back I was in St. Louis for a softball tournament. Side note: if you are a Cubs fan and you go to St. Louis make sure you wear Cubs gear while you are down there. Back to what's important. My family and went down a day early to do a college visit of Maryville University. Which I loved, while we were there we asked about good restaurants to eat at. Friday night we ate at Sugarfire Smokehouse and Saturday-Texas Road House. Sugarfire Smokehouse is a local restaurant in the suburbs of St. Louis. A BBQ place that will leave your month watering. And the atmosphere is so great.

We really didn't know what to expect, but we were expecting a sit-down style of restaurant and it is an order and get food from the counter, pay and then sit down. There are five bottles of different types of Barbeque sauce on the tables. Also there is a get your own pop machine and fixings. The pop machine has "weird" flavors they aren't name brand like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. We all got water so we didn't have to experiment with the different types. The décor was really amazing in there, really cool. All different types of licenses plates and lots of other posters. And on the outside it looked exactly like a dinner. It was one of my favorite atmospheres of a restaurant that I have experienced thus far.

The food was so amazing. We all ordered the brisket sandwich and fries. For the sandwich you had the options of 6 and 8 ounces. We got 8 and you got so, so, so much meat and you saw them cut it and weigh it. The buns were warmed and toasted. They were constantly making new fries. When we order they didn't have any that were ready yet so they brought them out to us. And they don't have plates, only trays. The cutest thing ever. You pay and there are bottle caps on the counter (they have like a covering over it) and a basket of pickles and onions that you can take. From first bite I was in LOVE with the sandwich I didn't want to stop eating it. I put a BBQ sauce on mine and continually put it on. The meat was so tender and I was in love. Very messy but very good. The fries were so delicious too. Original, not like McDonalds and Wendy's more like Five Guys. They were so good.

If you are ever in St. Louis CHECK THIS PLACE OUT! You will not regret it, so delicious and an amazing experience.

Rocky Mountainn Chocolate Factory/Tanger Outlets Visit (395)

Yesterday my mom and I went shopping! Our annual shopping trip to Tanger Outlets! It was super successful, and had a great time with my mom. Going to VF outlet, Nike Outlet, Under Armour Outlet, American Eagle, and so many more stores. I also can't forget to mention Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. We receive numerous coupons prior to going, 25% off single items (7) and 20% your entire purchase (1). After about going to half of our favorite stores we were at Dress Barn, and we realized that if we became Tanger Members we would save even more money. So we paid 10 dollars and now every time we go we receive free coupon books and lots of other goodies. For signing up that day we got a free wristlet thing (looks like Vera Bradley) even more 25% single items. We had so many coupons it was unreal. Also, because my mom's birthday is next week she received 15 dollars from Tommy Hilfiger. Because we became members we could give shopping services our receipts and they added them to our account and we spent enough to get a free bag. Its nice by the way. The coupons that came in the mail and in the newspaper were only good for certain stores. For Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, there was 25% a single item, but in the coupon book we bought there was 10% off purchase of 20 dollars. So we cashed in on that. We got one Peanut Caramel Apple, a Pecan Caramel Apple, and a Snickers Caramel Apple.

Yesterday I was fairly healthy. But then again... I did go for a run and hit. After I hit though, I devoured my caramel apple. I mean its healthy because its an apple right? We also enjoy there caramel apples, also love Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. We actually went to the one in Denver (is that the original? I want to say it is but I have no idea). They are always just so good. I mean how hard is it to mess up caramel apples, but one things for sure they always have the absolute best ones. There stores are always the cutest. Especially the one in Denver. I've never tried there chocolates but I'm assuming that they are.

Have you ever had Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory? What did you get? Did you like it?

Ruebens (404)

Since St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow 1) you better be wearing your green and 2) that means that corned beef and cabbage/sauerkraut are totally hot right now. Instead of telling you all about my corned beef and cabbage dinner, how about telling you about a sandwich you can make using those ingredients. Buckle up because it is going to be one crazy ride.

You need: corned beef lunch meat, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Thousand Island Dressing, soft rye bread. You will need to heat it, you can either use a toaster, stove, or a Panini press.
Start by putting everything on the bread. I recommend putting the dressing on first then the bread, then the cheese, then the meat, then the sauerkraut.
I used a Panini press, and found that it worked out really well. Make sure to the put butter on the outer part of the bread so it toasts it and creates a really delicious golden brown bread. I like to manipulate the heat a lot so that the bread toasts and the cheese melts perfectly. I can't really explain what to do so I challenge you to play around with it. Just heat it until the cheese is melted and it looks great.

In the two times I had this sandwich this week one was for lunch and one was for dinner. For lunch I paired it with Sun Chips and fruit. Then for dinner I paired it with a soup and salad, however I didn't eat the soup.

It is fairly painless to make and I really love my Panini press, everything I have made with it always taste the bomb dot com. This is no exception. I'm not a huge sauerkraut fan, I still ate it but if its something that you want to veto do it. I was really skeptical about eating it, but it was so good, I have no regrets. It's so easy to make and really, really good. Differently added into my arsenal for foods to make. I challenge you all to make this. Get creative with it and have loads of fun. Doing all these blogs have me really hungry, maybe I'll have a Rueben. Maybe this just gave you an idea to make one. You will not be disappointed, tell me what you pair with it. Did you like it? What would you change to this recipe? Any tips or tricks for me?

An Appreciation for Bag Salads (405)

My family and I have always loved bag salads. Not just the lettuce mixtures, but the ones that come with toppings galore and a delicious dressing. Not only do I love salads but bag salads have an even more special place in my heart for eating. I could eat an entire bag of one... I have may. The variety is so extensive that there is something for everyone (unless your allergic to lettuce, my apologies if you are). My personal favorite is one called Sweet Kale, I also really love the Asian Sesame one as well. We normally get ours at Sam's Club, but you can get them at any grocer, the kinds may be different however. I am really in love with how easy they are. Especially with how on-the-go I am. To be honest I ate cutting up lettuce and putting everything on, my salads I make from hand (like from a head of lettuce) they look like a giant hot mess. I can quickly throw everything together and BAM! it's ready to eat and it is delicious. Like I literally just said, have said, and will continue to say they are so good. The little of additives depending on what you chose really make the salad (for the sake of explaining I'm going to talk about my favorite... Sweet Kale). In my favorite, they have broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, chicory, dried cranberries, roasted pumpkin seeds and poppyseed dressing. Yum to the max. My sister got me hooked on this salad and now I challenge you to try it.
Another great thing about this salads it that they literally go with everything. We eat them with sandwiches, steak, etc. Make it with a fancy meal, or a grab and go. Great with literally everything and anything. You can have it for lunch or dinner. I mean you could have it for breakfast, you do you I don't judge. I have a huge appreciation for this salads. They make you want to eat healthy, which is great. It's spring break almost time for summer. You got to have those abs, or not no body shame her. Just be confident in your own skin. I definitely gain a little for confidence when I eat these. I know that I'm putting something good in my body. Which makes me feel better about myself.
Have you tried any of these? What's your favorite kind of salad?