Picnic Pasta Salad.

Oh my goodness when was the last time I blogged about a recipe?  Too long and I'm pretty surprised with myself considering how much I looove food!  Over the Easter weekend I made a humongus batch of my picnic pasta salad.  When you gather with my hubbys side of the family you gotta make enough to feed an army.  I tripled what I'm showing here.

My mom would always make a similar simple pasta during the warm months and camping season when we were kids.  I've sort of taken over for her in that department.  I don't think she minds.  With that being said here is my recipe for the pasta.

Picnic Pasta Salad

1 16 oz package Tri Color Rotini Noodles
2 6.5 oz jars of quartered Artichoke hearts
1 4.5 oz jar of sliced Mushrooms
1 4.8 oz can of sliced Olives
1 diced Red Bell Pepper
1 small diced Red Onion
1 diced Jalapeno
1/2 chopped Cilantro
1/2 cup shredded Parmesean
1 Bottle Italian Dressing, season to your liking

Obviously you can add or subtract any of the ingredients  I just boil the noodles, drain and let them cool.  Then I add all of the veggies except the cilantro, add the Italian dressing and mix.  I usually put in fridge to cool completely and mix in the cilantro last.  I hope you enjoy this pasta! If it makes any difference I was told twice last weekend that a person could bathe in this dish!  Thank you for reading. 

Recipe, Cherry Almond Cream Smoothie!

Strolling through Instagram one night I stumbled across my girlfriend's picture of some Amaretto Cherry Cordial Ice cream. Thank you, Monica!  I've never seen nor tasted something like that.  It sounds scrumptious to me and gave me some inspiration for my next smoothie recipe.  Instagram is my mobile vice!  I swear I can look at those pictures for an hour.  I'm so sad...

As we all know its a little hard to make every smoothie the same each time.  I don't really measure my ingredients, I use the "eye it" method, works like a charm.  You can add as much or as little of each ingredient you wish.  This smoothie will get you going for your morning routine!

Cherry Almond Cream Smoothie

8 oz. Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1/3 Cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds
1/2 Cup or more Frozen Cherries
1/4 Cup Almonds
1 Banana
Few Ice Cubes
Blend away and enjoy this awesomeness!

Gia helped me out with this one and she just loved it.  We are big fans of healthy fruit and veggie smoothies.  She has never once turned her nose upon them which makes me so happy since big sis Amira isn't always the biggest fan.  Amira is my child who is more finiky on trying new things.  Which really sucks because I know she'd enjoy them and many other things but she is too stubborn.  Oh my little Taurus baby.  Thank you so much for reading and let me know your thoughts if you decide to make this one!

The Honest Life, bookworm talk.

Hello lovelies, Happy Monday!  Today I thought I'd share with you a book I'm reading.  Well, I suppose you could say I've read it and I re read certain parts because I love it so much!  Its written by one of my favorite celebs, Jessica Alba.  The book is called The Honest Life, Living Naturally and True To You.  I'm sure most of you know already who she is.  What has drawn me more and more to her over the years is that she is mother of two little girls, like me.  She is the also the co founder of The Honest Company.  A place where you can buy organic goods for your babies, home and yourself.

Since organic foods and products have become all the rage I started to get more interested in the benefits of them.  Especially because I have two girls at home and I want to be more educated on what is better for them and their growing bodies.  I know that I've blogged before that I like to buy organic food, but that I don't purchase everything organic because my grocery bill would be more than double!  I have to be choosy and smart about my purchases.  This book gives you great tips on what to buy organic versus regular produce and meats. She gives lists of what is highly covered in pesticides, and reasons to drink organic milks instead of cheaper hormone filled milk.  Which I've thought for years now is the culprit on why young girls go into puberty so quickly these days!

Jessica also gets into details about household products, like laundry detergent and cleaning supplies.  She really opens your eyes on what the government regulates and what can be slapped on a label.  A regular person like me believes what I read and trusts these companies.  Changing up your "go-to's" in your house might clear up your dry skin or allergies.  She writes about tear free baby shampoos and how they can be potentially harmful.  If there are studies about Cancers being linked with so many ingredients in certain products than yes I'm going to switch up a few things.  Especially now that my beloved grandma passed away from Cancer!

There is sections on recipes, which of course I love.  She also has a section on makeup!  She talks about parabens and phalates in makeup and why they are bad for your skin and body.  She also provides healthier options.  There is a chapter on how to decorate your home and your toddlers nursery.  She talks fashion and what key pieces a girl should keep in her closet.  Lets just say I love this book and there is something to read up on for most aspects of life.

If you're like me and want to learn more about this kind of lifestyle I highly recommend this book.  Whether its small baby steps on going green or organic.  Or you want to purchase things from Jessica's company.  I think this book is worth the trip to Barnes and Noble or Amazon! 

My husband would say "Don't believe the hype Linzi"  But, I don't think this is hype.  I think I care about my family and love them enough to do my best part in keeping them healthy.  Don't get me wrong when I'm shopping for macaroni & cheese I buy the KRAFT thick and creamy. Or when I get OREOS, I'll go for the Double Stuffed every time! Junk food can stay junk food.  However when I'm buying the girls body lotion I'm going to buy ORGANIC, PARABEN FREE, SULFATE FREE, PHTHALATE FREE kind.  Or when I'm buying milk and strawberries I'm getting the Organic kinds.

You can pick and choose.  I'm sorry if I sound like a freakoid in this post :) Thank you so much for reading!

Meatless Meal! Baked Vegetable Gnocchi.

In our home we have meat at almost every dinner.  Mostly because that's the meal my husband is home for and I want him to eat something hot and hearty each night. Oh lalala ;) Plus he's a big eater and he likes meat. (Plain and Simple) A lot of the times the girls will skip the meaty portion, which is fine with me.  They like to eat smaller meals, and a few snacks during the day. I could eat pasta and veggies every night.  Or any other starchy carb and veg, that's just my style.

This is a recipe I've been making for years.  I love that it feels healthy and delish!  Mario has to get use to a meatless meal, but its super easy to cook up a chicken breast or steak and throw it on the side.  Gia is obsessed with gnocchi so this right up her alley!  Also, this meal doesn't take much time at all because I used store bought gnocchi.  You could add any other of your favorite vegetables too, mix it up a bit.

Fresh Vegetables and Gnocchi

3 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 package dry Gnocchi (in the pasta isle)
1 small Yellow Onion, chopped
1 small Zucchini, cubed
1 box of Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced
1 can Diced Tomatoes
1 Bell pepper, chopped
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 cup Mozzarella or Parmesan
Red Pepper Flakes, to your taste
Generous Salt & Pepper, to your taste

Pre heat convection oven to 350
In a large pan on medium high heat soften up your bell peppers, onions, and zucchini in the Olive Oil.  After 5 minutes add your garlic, mushrooms, and red pepper flakes.  Then add your can of diced tomatoes, season with salt and pepper. When everything is nice and tender turn off heat and remove.

In another pot, bring to boil water for your gnocchi.   These regularly take about 3 minutes or until they float to the top.  Drain your gnocchi and add to 9x9 baking dish. Then spoon on top your mixed vegetables and sauce.  Sprinkle generously with cheese and bake off for 15-25 minutes.

I hope that you enjoyed this simple recipe.  Thank you for reading!