The Oscar's are this weekend and I can't wait to watch the Red Carpet and pick out my favorite dresses of the night! Yes, I am excited about seeing what movies and actors win for the night, but it's really all about the fashion for me! I always see where people have Oscar viewing parties, and they seem like so much fun. My party usually exists of me, some stretchy pants, and my cocktail of choice, and I gotta say it's a pretty good time. Whether or not you are hosting a viewing party or are like me, and having a little partay for yourself, my Grapefruit French Gimlet is the cocktail you should be drinking!
It's the last day of my healthy foodspiration series and I saved a really good one for you to keep you motivated going into the weekend! Meet Heather, creator of eat.real.food. From her crisp and clean site, to her healthy recipes using real food, you are going to love getting to know her and adding in some of her tasty and good for your body dishes in your life!
Heather was born in Sydney, Australia and has always had a love for travel. She has lived in the Outback of Australia, in luxury camps in Africa, she's spent periods of time in Tokyo and London, and now currently is living in NYC. She has always had a passion for health and fitness and decided to create this site where anyone can come and have access to fresh, organic, REAL food.
I am a big fat weenie when it comes to cold weather. I would never survive a winter in the north. I barely survive the two months out of the year here in Louisiana that get cold. And this week has been one of those dreary and cold weeks. The sky is grey, the air is damp, and I'm under a blanket with not so attractive house shoes on while I sit here and write. Our house is built off the ground and it doesn't keep heat well and sometimes I feel like I can't get warm, no matter how many layers I put on. There are only two things that help that situation...a hot bath or a hot toddy. I think we'll go with a hot toddy... My kumquat hot toddy will warm you up and will also help fight off any yucky winter colds that might be trying to attack.
I love a good excuse to drink a cocktail and you can basically talk yourself into this one by justifying the fact that it truly will help kick those scratchy throats to the curb. I drink them whether I am sick or not during the winter months because there is something so soothing about drinking this warm mug full of goodness.
I get pretty excited about this time of year because citrus is in season and I love it all. Here in Louisiana there are gorgeous and delicious oranges of all varieties, satsumas, and grapefruits grown locally. The first to pop up have been satsumas and they are easy to peel, sweet, and are so pretty with their green skins and orange insides. I loved the idea of pomegranate juice mixed with the tang of a satsuma to create a delicious cocktail. My pomegranate and satsuma gin martini is the perfect fall drink to highlight seasonal flavors and to kick start your weekend.
One thing this drink has going for it right off the bat is that both the satsumas and the pomegranate seeds make for such a pretty cocktail. This would be a perfect holiday drink to prepare from now until Christmas. It could totally be a Halloween cocktail but is also pretty enough for your Thanksgiving table and menu.
Fall is slowly creeping it's way into Louisiana and this week at the farmer's market it was evident that fall produce has started to arrive. Squash, of all kinds are everywhere you look. So, in an attempt to eat a little lighter this week, because lately I've been eating like I don't have to go to the beach in a week...which I do, I decided to go the salad route with my acorn squash. And what a salad it is y'all. This spicy honey roasted acorn squash salad is scrumdillyumtious and you definitely won't fell like you are missing anything in the food department.
A friend of mine brought me back some chile infused honey from Lafayette and I have been dying to use it. I love combing sweet and spicy with ingredients like squash or sweet potatoes especially if they are roasted because their natural sweetness comes out already. I knew that the infused honey would be perfect for the squash and turns out I was right.
White Bean Chicken Chili
Do you need a one pot meal in your life like I did this week? Between building twelve wooden tables, Canean going out of town, and my dad coming in town, a one pot meal was a life saver this week. Since it's fall technically, even though the Louisiana weather refuses to admit it, I made one of my favorites. Healthy white bean and chicken chili is one of my favorite go-to weeknight meals in the fall because it's easy and really, really good.
Sometimes I have time for elaborate meals that have lots of steps and require lots of love. And sometimes, I just need a yummy and healthy meal that I can feel good about eating that will be ready in no time and requires little effort.
