Jessica

Brody Stories: Snow Lovin’

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HI!

Hiya hide Ho Guys!

It’s been a while since I’ve visited Mom’s blog, so I thought I’d give you an update on the puppy life.

Since it has gotten cold mom has stopped running outside with me, but I don’t mind so much, because no I get to go to Day Care once a week right near here work. It’s great; I absolutely love Miss Shawna and all my friends I get to play with them all day! Sometimes afterward I’m so tired I don’t even eat my dinner and I just get in bed when I get home. It’s THAT MUCH FUN!

Another thing that’s a lot of fun is snow. I wasn’t sure about it at first but now I love it. I love to run and jump in it and make it fly all up in the air. I like to attack it while mom and dad are shoveling, so I end up with it all over my face. I really like to run in it, I feel like a little bunny jumping through it all.

The thing I don’t get is snow balls. Dad makes them and throws them for me to get but right after he throws them I either loose them, or if I try to bite them they disappear. It’s crazy!

Know what else is crazy. My mom. She’s been really into cuddling lately. She’s always trying to pull me under the covers on the couch and snuggle her. Sometimes I really like it because it’s really warm and I get sleepy, but other times I have to be like “mom, no. I’ve got to be able to roam free and bark at the wind when it makes the house creak. It’s kinda my job ya know?” She doesn’t get it, but they never do do they?

Well I’ve got to get going for now. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Easy & Clean to Fight the Carb Cravings

By Jessica

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Mondays are hard for everyone I know, especially after
having two weeks off for the holidays. This past Monday I was all gung-hoe (did
I spell that right?) to get my life back together, get back to work and working
out. I was going to get back into eating healthy, relaxing morning routines,
and better habits.

Well now it’s Wednesday and all I want is my bathrobe, Netflix
and a pizza.

I know this is just part of it all; right now I’m facing the
cravings stage of the new diet. It’s taking everything in my power to not pick
up that olive garden gift card and stuff my face for dinner tonight. All I can
think about is a big pile of pasta swimming in some kind of garlic and butter
laden sauce and an abundance of breadsticks.

Gah! Ok Let’s talk about something else, perhaps the dinner I
had last night?

Easy & clean is the name of the game this week. I’m as
much of a mess as I was before Christmas so quick, easy meals are my savior,
and are really helping me stay on track despite the little ginger demon on my
shoulder waving hot mozzarella sticks under my nose.

This recipe is super easy and can be paired with a number of
sides; you can also swap out or add nearly any vegetable to the broccoli to
make it a more complete meal. The parchment helps to seal in the juices, so
every single bite is brimming with flavor. From start to finish this dish only
takes about 20 minutes, so less than the time it would take to make a box of Mac
& Cheese, and probably way easier, just sayin’.

Parchment Baked Tilapia & Broccoli

2 cloves of garlic, crushed

1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

Pinch of crushed red pepper

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp sea salt

2 tilapia fillets (1/4 lb each fillet)

2-4 lemon slices (1/4 inch thick)

2 cups broccoli florets

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a
small bowl combine garlic, parsley, crushed red pepper, oil, salt and lemon,
mixing well to combine. On a precut piece of parchment paper lay one tilapia
fillet, topping it with half of the garlic mixture and one or two lemon slices
on each one. Place 1 cup of broccoli florets on top of this before folding creating
the parchment pouch. Take two opposite sides of the parchment and bring them
together. Fold them downward creasing the paper at least two times. This should
create a tube like package, which can be closed by pinching the open ends
closed and rolling them inward. Place
the parchment packages on a cookie sheet in the oven for about 10-15 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes before opening. The fish should be
flaky when pierced with a fork. (Serves 2)

This recipe can also be used for salmon and bass, though I
prefer it with tilapia.

Despite the intensity of fatty/carb loaded food cravings in
this post I can honestly tell you that this meal, paired with rice was
incredibly satisfying, and will be made again, probably in the near future.

16 of my Best Clean & Healthy Meals from Last Year

By Jessica

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It’s a new year and the time when everyone starts their New Year’s
resolutions, and let’s be honest it’s all about making ourselves a better
person one way or the other.

I thought it might be fun, while everyone else is looking
ahead at everything they hope for this year, to take a look back at some of my
favorite clean meals from the past year. Maybe they can help you reach this year’s
goals!

1)
Late Summer Vegetable Beef Stew

2)
Sun Dried Tomato & Artichoke Chicken Panini

3)
Corn Chowder with Red Pepper and Crab Crostini

4)
Herb Roasted Tomatoes & Chicken

5)
Crock Pot Chicken Broth

6)
Steak & Soba Stir Fry

7)
Bruschetta Chicken & Alfredo

8)
Herb& Ricotta Pasta

9)
Tomato Sausage & Bean Stew

10)
Spring Vegetable Ravioli

11)
Spinach & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken

12)
Sausage & Bean Stew

13)
Blue Cheese Stuffed Steak

14)
Asian Grilled Chicken Salad

15)
Minestrone Soup

16)
Clean BBQ baked beans & Chicken Sausage

This Year & Next

By Jessica

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For the last couple years I have began the year with a list of small goals of things that I want to accomplish during the year. It has always been a good way to urge myself to get these things done. You can see 2013’s list here.

This year a lot of things on that list did not happen. A lot of other wonderful things did happen this year though.

In January we went to Vermont to visit friends.

February was a wonderfully romantic month with lots of wonderful homemade food.

March started off with an amazing trip to New York City and Alex Guarnaschelli’s Restaurant Butter. I was also lucky enough to start a new job. As if anything else could happen Chuck and I moved into a new place. It was kind of a little crazy around these parts.

In April we adopted our little monster Brody.

May included a trip to wine country, and catching up with friends.

For the month of June we did a lot of camping, and read some awesome books.

In July I got a little excited about summer cocktails and did a lot more camping.

August was a nice relaxing month of summer food,more outdoor adventure, and ended with a long weekend in Hampton Beach.

September was a big month here since Chuck asked me to marry him.

October was a whirlwind of excitement in announcing to the world that we were engaged.

November slowed down a little bit and I got into a German inspired kick.

Finally December was another one of those whirlwind months where I shared some quick and easy recipes, as well as a lot of my favorites.

This upcoming year I already know it going to be kind of nutty. The little family that we are building is in store for a big ride. Along with our own wedding planning, theres quite a few weddings to attend and be a part of, and money to save for a house (one day) and who knows what else is in store.

This year my goals are much smaller and personal. They are things like spending more time with family, staying in touch with long distance friends, spending more time outside, and on fitness. I want to accomplish more at work, and save a lot more money, and take more time for myself in my off hours. This year I’m not making a definitive list, but I do have goals I intend to stick with I guess we will see what this year will bring.

Jessica

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