Portobello Cap Pizza

Hello friends! 

I tried making portobello cap pizzas tonight and it was the best thing I have ever figured out!!! 

All I needed was:

6 portobello mushrooms

Pizza sauce 

Shredded mozzarella 

Turkey pepperoni 

Olive oil

Garlic powder

Italian seasoning

What I did: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Take stem off mushrooms and rinse

3. Mix olive oil and seasoning together and brush on bottom of mushrooms

4. On a tin foil line cookie sheet lay the caps bottom side down

5. Top with pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheese. 

6. Bake about 10 minutes or until cheese melts and mushrooms are warm throughout. 

Enjoy this amazing low calorie/carb/fat meal! 

Take a Hike!

Wow…… I have put myself into some deep, cold and rough waters this year. If you don’t know by now,  I AM GOING BACK TO SCHOOL……. I will be pursuing my Masters in Education degree and will be teaching Special Education for the first time all in the same year….. 

I’m busy getting the first of interviews, tours and testing out of the way this week and all I can say is, WHY DID I SCHEDULE THE TEST THIS WEEK!?!?!? 

May is crazy at school with the state testing happening all month, good behaviors are out the door for some and I’m tired. Thank goodness it is Thursday night and the weekend is knocking. 

I am hoping to go on a hike this weekend with my husband and am looking for ideas! If anyone has any at all, I would really appreciate it! (Keep in mind that I am very tired, so a massive hike isn’t what I am searching for….) and maybe after that, we can go enjoy a drink and some tasty buffalo chicken strips at The Ale House in Tacoma! 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone 💕

For now, I will drink all the coffee I can and get this all done! 

Best Darn Steak Rub

The sun came out, the grill was turned on and we ate out on the deck for the first time this year!!! 

I needed a steak and I needed a good one. I wanted to try to get a more “earthy” flavor as my husband would say by incorporating rosemary (my favorite herb) into a dry rub. This is a very simple and easy way to season a steak….nothing fancy. Honestly just want you to look at how awesome Jake grilled that steak!

 Before grilling we let the steak sit at room temperature about 20 minutes. 

After it had set, I rubbed the steak with extra light olive oil and then covered that darn thing in a homemade dry rub! 

I had just enough rub for two steaks.

I used:

2 tbsp coarse ground black pepper

2 tbsp Johnny’s (seasoning salt)

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp rosemary (I used dried, however fresh would be great!)

1 tbsp dried chopped onion

Allow to sit for about 5 more minutes before grilling! 

Tasty, fresh and totally satisfied my craving for a yummy steak! 

 Also featured, our new favorite cocktail, the “Gin Delicious” discovered at Jake Seafood Grill in Portland, Oregon. My husband and I took a day trip date to shop and get some good food and found this refreshing drink. More on that to come….. 👍🏻

Better than Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce 

There is honestly nothing I like more (food wise that is, cuz my cat is my all time favorite) than pasta, especially when it includes my recipe for alfredo sauce. 


(Look at her….how could you not love her???)

This is so easy to make, which is a total plus since I’m always so tired! And the best part is that the left overs re heat very well! I cannot stand when I reheat leftovers from a restaurant and my alfredo sauce breaks up or turns into just straight butter…..ew. This does NOT do that, so go ahead…..make a double recipe like I always do, and enjoy! 


BETTER THAN OLIVE GARDEN ALFREDO 

Ingredients:

-1/4 c butter

-1 tbsp minced garlic

– 2 tbsp flour 

– 1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream

– 1 1/2 c milk

– 1/2 c Italian blend cheese, shredded 

– 1/2 c Parmesan cheese, shredded 

– salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Over medium heat, melt butter.

2. Add garlic when butter is completely melted and sauté for 1 minute.

3. Add 2 tbsp flour and mix until almost clear.

4. Add the milk, cream and cheese to the melted butter and garlic. 

5. Heat until thickened, do not allow to boil. 

6. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve over your choice of noodles. I like to eat this meal with sautéed mushrooms, however since it’s Valentine’s Day, we made salmon to eat with this! Super tasty, and super easy! 

P.S. This rosè is AMAZING 

Death By Chocolate Banana Bread

I have been having a super sweet tooth lately and nothing seems to heal it….not ice cream, not peanut butter cups…. nothing! 

But this, this lovely morsel of heaven has sure helped. It is super spongey, rich and because it’s made with banana, you can pretend it’s healthy…..I do. 😉

Ingredients:

1/2 c butter, melted

1 c flour 

1 c cocoa powder 

1 tsp baking soda 

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 c sugar 

1/4 c milk

1 tsp vanilla 

1 egg plus 1 egg yolk 

1 c semisweet chocolate chips

3 ripe bananas, mashed 

STEPS 

– Preheat to 350 degrees

– In large bowl, mix flour, salt, baking soda and cocoa powder.

– In separate bowl, mix sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla, egg and egg yolk until smooth.

– Mix wet and dry ingredients until well combined. 

– Add in mashed banana and chocolate chips and gold until well blended.

– Bake in loaf pan about 60 minutes or until completely cooked and a toothpick (or butter knife) comes out clean. 

321 Cake

I have come across possibly the greatest invention yet so I thought I’d share. I found this on Pinterest. It’s a 321 mug cake. 

All you need to satisfy your sweet tooth is a box of angel food cake, another box of cake (your choice) and mix them both together! I like to store mine in an air tight container to keep it dry.

Ok here is where the fun part comes in!  

3 2 1!!!

3 tbsp of the dry mix in a mug

2 tbsp of water in the mug as well

Mix and microwave for 1 minute! That’s it! 

You can add any toppings or mix ins you want. In this cake I used funfetti cake and added raspberries and topped with cream cheese frosting. 

YUMMM! 


An open letter to my future husband 

–  In September 2012, I left for college. Not only did I leave my mom, dad, brother, pets and other close family members for one of the most confusing, exciting and independent experiences of my life, I left behind the love of my life. People say that long distance will not workout and that it will be so challenging. When you can face those challenges with patience, understanding and compassion, they turn out to not really be challenges, but a life lesson on relationships. Mine is not perfect, but what is perfect anyway? A social idea of how a relationship should look? Each relationship is unique and special in its own ways. –

To the one whom my soul loves, 

  For 2 years, you had been by my side each and every day. We grew up together, graduated high school together and found  a best friend in one another. I couldn’t imagine a life without you. 

  You came with my family and dropped me off at my dorm room for the very first time, kissed me goodbye and let me cry into your chest. Our lives were forever changing (so it seemed). 

  It was tough being without you, my best friend, for the first couple of months, but being the social butterfly I am, I flourished in my dorm community. I got to make friends with people I would have never met if it weren’t for going to WWU. I learned so much about myself and the world around me so quickly, I began to change and develop values and beliefs that I had never known I had. You watched me change, accepted me and questioned me. I was able to teach you everything I’ve learned.

  We had our battles and we had our fears, but the love and faith you had in me and I had in you kept us strong. Strong enough for you to ask my parents for their permission to marry their little girl. That summer you got on your knee in front of our families and closest friends. You asked me to be your wife and to forever be your one true love. Our lives were forever changing. 

  It’s been 3 years and I am about to graduate from college. You have allowed me to grow into a dedicated and compassionate woman. I have learned to be patient and to be grateful for the time I have on this earth. I cherish the relationships I have with every one I have met. I am proud of the hard work I have put into my schooling and also into our relationship. 

  In a little over 3 months I’ll be walking in my graduation ceremony and finally holding onto my diploma, and I’ll finally be home with you for the rest of our lives. This time is coming to an end here at school and I thank you for allowing me time to be independent and to spend time on my school work and giving me the time I need to continue growing my friendships. 

  In a little over 4 months, I’ll be walking down the aisle and meeting you at the alter. In front of our families and closest friends we will vow a life spent loving and cherishing one another. Our lives are going to be changed forever. 

  With you, life is exciting, the world is brighter and my heart is warm. And I am so excited for our lives to continue to change forever. 

Thank you for giving me your heart, your dedication and your patience and for providing me with a warm hug when I need one the most.  

    
  

   

Jonathan and Rebecca

I’ve recently picked up photography and have been having so much fun with clients! Seeing people be so happy and to really break out of their shell is so rewarding. I was nervous for my first engagement shoot that was last Saturday, but I think it went well! My clients, Jonathan and Rebecca dated throughout college at Western Washington University where I currently attend. They came back up to Bellingham from Seattle to get their photos done. These two love eachother more than words can describe, so I’ll just leave these here. “Can you feel the love tonight?”  Follow my Instagram, Fisher-GillPhotography and find me on Facebook to keep up with my posts!

  
  
  

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with White Wine Sauce and Bacon

I made dinner for my best friend/roommate the other night and we thoroughly enjoyed this yummy pasta. We luckily had leftovers for dinner the next two nights. I had a dish somewhat like this at Olive Garden the day I picked up my wedding dress with my parents and so I wanted to recreate it myself at home for much cheaper and also so that I could manage what ingredients I used.

I am a pasta fanatic so when I can make a “skinny” dish that is also satisfying, I am super excited!

What you need:

1 package whole wheat pasta (I used trader joe’s organic whole wheat spaghetti)

1 cup white wine (we used this bottle of pinot grigio from trader joes, $4!!! pictured below)

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1 cup chicken broth

2 tbsp butter or margarine

6 slices turkey bacon (cut into small pieces)

Juice of 1/2 small lemon

1 tomato

1/2 red onion

1 tbsp minced garlic

What you do:

1.In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon til crispy and set aside.

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2. Coarsely chop red onion and saute until almost clear with butter or margarine and any grease left from bacon. (I used turkey so very minimal grease)

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3. Add 1 cup chicken broth and juice of lemon and simmer for 10 minutes.

4. While the sauce is simmering, cook and drain pasta, toss in olive oil and return to pan.

5. Chop tomato and add to sauce along with garlic and simmer until tomatoes soften.

6. Add sauce to pasta and enjoy!

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This recipe is a low fat, low sodium and completely delicious! We ate it with warm crunch baguette with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and a couple glasses of wine….

Speaking of wine, I recently purchased the large bottle of Kirkland Cabernet Sauvignon for $7.99 and I am very impressed with the quality of this wine based on the price point! I would suggest it to any wine lovers like me.

Caprese Salad

A little bit about me:

I am getting married to my high school sweetheart on July 16th, 2016 and have found my wedding dress! In order for it to continue to fit properly I must find ways to enjoy my favorite foods in a healthy way and work my but off in the gym…(If I need to take in my dress, that’s a PLUS). I am also in my Senior year in college and trying to pinch every penny I can, so a lot of the groceries I buy are things that I can easily use in other recipes so that I can conserve as much money as possible. Lucky for you, you get to join me in this whole journey and gain from my experience!

So, if you love engorging yourself with Italian food and eating all the bread at the table but want to maintain your physique, keep reading!

Caprese Salad with Crunchy Sourdough

What you will need:

  • mixed greens
  • baby spinach
  • tomato
  • red onion
  • mozzarella cheese stick
  • fresh basil (from my roommates little garden box on our balcony)
  • olive oil
  • balsamic vinegar
  • sourdough bread
  • OPTIONAL: Chia Seeds (I love topping my food with these! They add a little crunch and a whole lot of health benefits)

What you will do:

  1. Chop the tomato, onion and basil (As many as you want or need in your salad).
  2. Chop the mozzarella stick into little medallions.
  3. Place the chopped veggies and cheese in a plastic baggie or reusable container to marinate. (I marinated mine overnight.)
  4. Throw the mixed greens and spinach in a bowl and place the toppings on top after marinating. Sprinkle on the chia seeds or any other crunchy salad topping you’d like as well.
  5. Toast the sliced sourdough until crisp and lightly butter. The dressing doubles as a salad dressing AND a great dip for the bread.
  6. Dig in. This is a low fat, satisfying salad that is great because it has plenty of vegetables and is booming with flavor!