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5.31.2013

Love is in the Air

Wedding season is in full swing & even if it's not your special day that doesn't mean that you don't deserve to look gorgeous! Picking out what to wear to a summer wedding can be tricky. You don't want to upstage the bride but you do want to turn heads so we've put together some tips to help you decide on which outfit to choose for the big event. Besides, you should never have to stress out about a wedding that isn't yours!

What to Wear to a Summer Wedding: Basic Dos & Don'ts

Do:

-Wear bright colors like cobalt blue, fuchsia, turquoise, orange & Kelly green.
-Wear cute pumps for an inside wedding/reception.
-Wear cute sandals for an outside wedding/reception.
-Wear black to an evening wedding & accessorize with color.
-Wear a cute jumpsuit.

Don't:

-Wear white. You will turn heads ... but not in a good way!
-Wear heels to an outside wedding or you'll risk getting them stuck in the grass.
-Wear black to a morning or early afternoon wedding. Instead wear something colorful.
-Wear shorts, miniskirts/dresses or anything low cut. Keep it classy.

Below are a few outfits that would be perfect to wear to a wedding this summer!



 
 
 
                                                              xoxo, E

5.08.2013

Vegan Manicotti


I cannot tell a lie, there was ONE ingredient on this list that is not vegan, but I cannot have manicotti with out it...ricotta cheese!

Ingredients (prices vary and feel free to take away and add to the filling as you wish!)

Manicotti Shells
Vegan Ground Soy Meat -aka "ground beef" ;)
Vegan Shredded Cheese- I used the mozzarella flavor
Raw Spinach
Mushrooms
Red Onion
Yellow Squash
Zucchini
Ricotta Cheese
And any red sauce of your choice

To Make:

Start by boiling water and cook the shells according to the package instructions. Make sure to salt the water while it comes to a boil...adds good flavor! Also, go ahead and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

While that is happening, add the entire package of soy meat to a pan with a little bit of olive oil or butter. Let this just kind of warm up, it really does not need to cook. I would only use medium-low heat.

In another pan add diced mushrooms, diced onions, cut zucchini and squash, and top it with a heaping amount of raw spinach. I like to put the spinach on top because is keeps the heat in while the other ingredients are cooking and it wilts slower this way! Again, add a bit of olive oil or butter, salt and pepper.


Now in a bowl to the side go ahead and put the entire container of ricotta cheese and add to it about 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning, mix well.

Once the manicotti noodles are done cooking put them out on a plate to kind of dry, this will make the stuffing of the shells MUCH easier! Add the cooked veggies and the soy beef to the ricotta mix and stir it all up. Go ahead and get yourself out a nice size pan or baking dish to put the manicotti in.

To the fun part...shell stuffing! This is one messy, messy task but we had fun with it. Take a shell and carefully (I used a small spoon and my fingers) stuff each shell as full as you can with the ricotta/veggie/beef mixture. If the shells break it is okay! You are going to smother them in sauce and cheese anyways!


Put the shells in the pan nice and tight together and lather your choice of red sauce all over top! Make sure the sauce gets on every shell! Lastly, take your shredded soy cheese and evenly distribute it over the shells. I like to sprinkle a little more Italian seasoning on top and bake for about 45 minutes. Enjoy this guilt free, almost vegan meal!! :)

                                       xxxx, A


Josh's Farmers Market

I am forever a fan!



I am a firm believer and doer of shopping local! BUT this local farmer's market is one of a kind. At Josh's not only is everything SUPER organized and easy to find, it is always fresh and their staff is so helpful! I used to buy all my produce at the grocery store, and I kid you not, it NEVER lasted more than a few days....plus, now a days you have to worry about where it is coming from, what they spray on it, or even inject it with...NO THANKS!
Josh and his family have been around the area forever and they are a true family grown company! Who doesn't want to support shopping local AND get naturally better ingredients?! You'd be crazy not to do your shopping here! Check out their website below and if you are not already a supporter, stop by this week and check them out, I promise you will never shop anywhere else!

http://www.joshsfarmersmarket.com/

Part of my purchase last night!