Private: Celebrate Fall

Name: Pumpkin Fritters Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 egg; ¼ teaspoon nutmeg; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 teaspoon maple syrup; 1 tablespoon brown sugar; 1 cup all purpose flour; 1 can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix); 1 cup condensed milk; 1/4 cup Vegetable oil for frying

Cafe's with the Best Fall Treats in Collin County

October 13, 2021

It’s that time of year: time to pick your team and represent! No, I’m not talking about football; I’m talking about fall treats. Are you team pumpkin spice or apple cinnamon everything? Either way, there is something delicious at these Collin County cafes to get you excited about autumn.

First Watch, various locations

Enjoy pumpkin spice donuts with a latte or cold-brew coffee.

Detour Doughnuts and Coffee, Frisco

Detour Doughnuts is offering up tons of Halloween- themed donuts and fall-inspired treats, like pumpkin cream cheese, apple cider, and s’more donuts.

The Aussie Grind, Frisco

Is it even fall if you haven’t had a pumpkin spice latte (PSL)? The Aussie Grind has got you covered and how cute is this roasted marshmallow?

Continuing Reading at Collin County Moms Blog

Pumpkin Fritters Recipe

October 7, 2021

Sweet, tender, and crispy pumpkin fritters make a delicious breakfast, dessert, or snack. Even the kids will enjoy this delicious treat.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Other recipes you’ll enjoy:

Carnival Style Air Fried Oreos

Quick and Easy Sopapillas

No Churn Pumpkin Snap Ice cream

What is a fritter

By definition a fritter is literally something divided into small pieces. In the foodie world this is something battered and fried. Fritters could be savory--think conch fritters, or sweet like apple fritters.

What is the difference between Caribbean pumpkin fritters and other fritters

Today we are making Caribbean pumpkin fritters. My mother-in-law, who is from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent, shared this recipe with me.

I think the biggest difference between these Caribbean pumpkin fritters is that they are less doughy than the American pumpkin fritters I’ve seen. Also, this fritter is flatter whereas the other pumpkin fritters look more like a donut hole.

The Ingredients for your pumpkin fritters

The full ingredients list and recipe is below

Pumpkin –The star of the show is organic pumpkin puree. Fresh pumpkin can be substituted in place of the canned version but I suggest the canned version, because you will have to work to achieve the silky smooth texture of the canned version.

Brown sugar -To sweeten things up

Cinnamon - Spice things up with cinnamon to bring out those Fall flavors

Maple syrup - We’re layering the flavors here

Helpful tools for this dish:

Frying pan

Spatula

Are pumpkin fritters healthy?

I would say these fritters are healthy-ish. I mean pumpkin is healthy and contains lots of good vitamins. But there is sugar and these fritters must be fried.

How to make pumpkin fritters

Yield: 12

Pumpkin Fritters Recipe

Sweet, tender, and crispy pumpkin fritters make a delicious breakfast, dessert or snack. Even the kids will enjoy this delicious treat.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 egg
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 cup all purpose flour
1 can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 cup condensed milk
¼ cup Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

In a large bowl combine egg, maple syrup, condensed milk, vanilla, and sugar.
In a separate bowl mix flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients. Stir until the mixture is the consistency of pancake batter. Set Aside.
Heat a frying pan with ¼ cup vegetable oil on medium heat.
Using a tablespoon to drop batter into the heated oil, a few at a time to not over crowd the pan.
Cook fritter for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
Remove them from the oil and place them on the paper towels to drain excess oil.
Dust with powdered sugar when cooled and enjoy.

How to store and reheat pumpkin fritters

They always taste best when eaten fresh after they have cooled. We almost never have leftovers, but if you do, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

To enjoy them later, reheat in the toaster oven or the oven for about 3 minutes, just enough to warm the middle and crisp up the edges.

Family Trip: Fun Things to Do in Tulsa with Kids

September 20, 2021

Fun things to do in Tulsa with kids on your next family trip. If you're trying to decide where to go for your next family trip go ahead and add Tulsa, Oklahoma to the list. Tulsa is fun, affordable, and full of history and culture.

Why should I visit Tulsa

When I first posed the idea of going to Tulsa, Oklahoma for a family trip, the hubs and the kids gave me a blank stare. I'm here to tell you, Tulsa is way more than tumbleweeds. It has interesting architecture, rich history, a thriving art scene, and so many fun things for kids to do. By the end of the trip everyone was saying how much fun they had. Not to toot my own horn or anything --but momma be knowing!

If you live in North Texas, then Tulsa is about a four hour drive, so it makes for a good family road trip. If you decide to fly there is a major airport in Tulsa.

Best hotels for families to stay in Tulsa

I recommend staying in downtown Tulsa, so you can be near most of the attractions. There are lots of hotels in the area, and parking in and around downtown is free on the weekend.

We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott, Tulsa Downtown. The Courtyard Marriott is in a historic building in the middle of downtown. The first floor lobby had unique ceilings and felt very old world. However, the actual hotel is modern and up to date. Our room was spacious and clean, and the staff was friendly and offered great suggestions for dining options in Tulsa.

The hotel has a bar that had a limited food menu at the time of our stay due to COVID restrictions, but generally features bar food. There was also a small coffee shop where you could get coffee and light breakfast. I also noticed that all of the hotel staff wore masks.

Fun Things to Do in Tulsa with Kids

I wanted this trip to be a mixture of fun activities and some education, while exploring the history and culture of Tulsa.

Greenwood District, Tulsa

I couldn’t visit Tulsa without exploring the Greenwood district, formerly known as Black Wall Street. Our first stop was at Greenwood Rising , a museum that has interactive exhibits, and guided tours detailing Tulsa race massacre and the rich history of Black Wall Street.

The subject matter is heavy, but the exhibit is well done and it created lots of opportunities for conversation with the kids. For reference, our kids are 9 and 6 years-old at the time of this trip. The guides in the museum gave warnings for the exhibits that may be too heavy for kids, and allowed the parents to decide if they wanted to proceed.

We learned about the migration of Black Americans to Tulsa, how they built their own township, and even how they rebuilt after the massacre. It was both humbling and extraordinary.

You need to make a reservation to visit Greenwood Rising.

Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa

I’m a big museum person, and I like visiting them whenever I’m in a new city. The Philbrook Museum is tucked away in a beautiful neighborhood with sprawling estates. The museum was actually a home that has been transformed into an art museum.

The property is beautiful. We happen to be there during an exhibition featuring Black female artists. The first floor had an interactive area where we all got to design our own buttons to take home as a souvenir. The kids really had fun doing this craft.

There was also an exhibit of Salvador Dali’s paintings of Alice In Wonderland. We try to get the kids involved when we visit art museums by asking them what they think of the paintings, which they enjoy.

You must visit the gardens before you leave Philbrook. We got some great pictures outside when we explored the property.

The Philbrook has a restaurant onsite where you can grab lunch during your visit. You can purchase tickets online or in person at the Philbrook. They have a Freda Kahlo exhibit coming in 2022 that I would love to visit.

The Gathering Place, Tulsa

If you visit Tulsa with kids you MUST (sorry to yell but this is important) visit the Gathering Place! Trust me on this one. The Gathering Place is a huge outdoor area that features several different playgrounds---it’s like mini parks within a park.

Each playground has a unique theme, play structures, and activities for kids to enjoy and immerse themselves in outdoor play. There is a Zipline, a pirate ship, a splash pad area, a whole section for water play, and even a lake where you can rent paddle boats.

We had so much fun and had to drag the kids away when it was time to leave. There is an indoor area where you can grab a bite to eat and cool off. You can also bring your own water and snacks, which I recommend. The best part about it, is the Gathering Place is free and there is plenty of free parking.

Best family restaurants in Tulsa

Albert G’s Bar-B-Q, Tulsa

Bar-B-Q was top of my list while in Tulsa. So our first stop was at Albert G’s. It’s a laid back spot near downtown Tulsa. They have a kids menu, a pickle bar, and TV’s to catch whatever game is on.

I recommend: The brisket, potato salad, and the kids enjoyed the mac and cheese.

The Tavern, Tulsa

I wouldn’t say this place screamed family, because they don’t have a kid’s menu, but there were items on the regular menu that our kids enjoyed, and the portions are big enough for sharing.

The décor is dark and moody and there is a library theme going which made it interesting. There is a full bar and a great wine list. Momma definitely needed a drink at dinner!

I recommend: the fish and chips, the burger which came with thyme and rosemary fries (so good!).

Beatrice Ice Cream Co., Tulsa

A short walk around the corner from Tavern, is the cutest ice cream shop. Beatrice has unique homemade flavors like black berry macarons (my fave). They offer a lot of gluten free and vegan options too. The flavors change seasonally. I can’t wait to see what they’re whipping up for Fall.

Dilly Diner, Tulsa

A proper brunch was a must before we left Tulsa. We enjoyed pancakes, iced coffee, veggie frittata, and French toast at Dilly Diner.

There were so many places on our food list that I wanted to try but didn’t get to, which just means I need to go back! Some places I didn’t get to try but came highly recommended are: BurnCo Barbeque, Wild Fork, and Wanda J’s.

Quick and Easy Sopapillas

September 2, 2021

These quick and easy sopapillas are light, airy, sweet, and delicious. They make the perfect dessert, breakfast, or sweet snack.

What are sopapilla

Sopapillas are a popular latin dessert. They are similar to beignets because both are fried dough. Sopapillas are light and airy on the inside, with a slightly crisp edge.

They are commonly listed on dessert menus at Mexican restaurants. I’ve seen them served with powdered sugar or drizzled with honey or chocolate. I once had them ice cream on the side.

Quick and easy sopapillas

I love a quick and easy dessert. You can certainly find recipes to make sopapillas from scratch, but I like having a quick alternative, especially when you have a sweet craving and don’t feel like waiting for dough to rise and all that.

This recipe is simple and only requires 2 ingredients! You are welcome to fancy up your sopapillas when you serve them.

How to serve your sopapillas

Drizzle with honey
Toss in cinnamon and sugar (my favorite way to serve)
Toss in powdered sugar
Drizzle or serve caramel, Nutella, or chocolate sauce on the side for dipping
Top with Ice cream
Berry compote on the side

Other easy desserts

Air fried Oreos

No Churn Ice Cream

How to make quick and easy sopapillas

Yield: 16

Quick and Easy Sopapillas

These quick and easy sopapillas are light, airy, sweet, and delicious. They make the perfect dessert, breakfast, or sweet snack.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 tube Flaky Biscuit dough (I used Pillsbury Grands Flaky biscuits)
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Open the tube of biscuits and pull the biscuits apart--you should have 8 biscuits
Separate each biscuit in half---giving you 16 biscuits
Fill a pot with 1-2 inches of vegetable oil and heat on medium high
When oil reaches 300°F, drop one biscuit at a time in to the hot oil.
Don’t overcrowd the pot. Do about 3 biscuits at a time.
Cook for about 30 seconds on each side---or when dough starts to puff up and brown.
Remove from oil and transfer to a lined paper towel.

Cinnamon Sugar mix:

Combine 2 cups white sugar, and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. If you are tossing in a mixture of cinnamon and powdered sugar, toss the sopapillas in the mixture when they come out of the oil, then put them on a paper towel.

Notes

Drizzle with: honey, Nutella, chocolate syrup. Or toss in powdered sugar

Ocean Water Cocktail

August 19, 2021

Ocean Water cocktail - light, refreshing, with a burst of coconut flavor, make this the perfect summer cocktail

What is Ocean Water?

If you live near a Sonic, then you may be familiar with their famed Ocean Water drink. It’s icy blue color gives this fun summer drink it’s name. The coconut flavor may also have something to do with it, because it instantly gives you beachy vacation vibes when you take a sip.

In true Mochas and Mimosas fashion, we’re spiking this drink and making it into an adult beverage. Drink responsibly!

Other Summer Cocktail Recipes

Simple Mint Julep Iced Tea

Jamaican Guinness Punch

Watermelon Granita

Adult Popsicles

Ingredients for Ocean Water cocktail

Coconut Rum - this will give us the coconut flavor and the spike we’re looking for.
Blue Curacao - for the ocean blue color
Lemon lime soda - any brand will do, to give our drink a lemony flavor and a little fizz.
Gummy Lifesavers - for a fun festive feel. Have fun with this drink by garnishing it with Lifesavers, Swedish Fish or Gummy worms.

Variations for ocean water

I’ve seen variations of this drink that all sound yummy. If vodka is more your jam try a coconut infused vodka. Add coconut water for a more intense coconut flavor. Swap the lemon lime soda for tonic or club soda. Throw in lemon slices and fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Tools used for this cocktail

Yield: 1

Ocean Water Cocktail

Ocean Water cocktail - light, refreshing, with a burst of coconut flavor, make this the perfect summer cocktail

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

2 ounces coconut rum or coconut vodka
1 ounces blue Curacao
Top with lemon- lime soda (like Sprite)

Instructions

Add ice to a fish bowl or cocktail glass
Pour coconut rum or vodka
Add blue Curacao
Top with lemon-lime soda
Mix ingredients to combine
Garnish with gummy Lifesavers or Swedish Fish candy

Notes

My favorite wine bars for date night in Plano

July 29, 2021

Whether you are a wine enthusiast or a novice, visiting a wine bar can make for a fun date night. I’ve rounded up a list of some of my favorite wine bars for date night in Plano. These places are great for girls/mom night out or your next night out with your honey.

Continue reading at Collin County Moms Blog

Miami Girls Trip: Where to Stay, Play, and Eat

July 16, 2021

We are approaching Summer, which means family vacations and perhaps girls trips are being planned. I’m giving you the highlights from my Miami girls trip. Where to stay, play, and of course eat when you visit Miami!

This post was first published April 2019

I’ve mentioned before that I grew up in South Florida (SoFL) and most of my family still lives there. I am the eldest of three girls. My sisters still live in Florida, one lives in Orlando and the other lives in SoFL. We each have significant others and children now, and generally only see each other during the holidays when our whole family gets together. So, when my middle sister said she wanted us to have a sisters weekend to celebrate her birthday, we tried to make it happen. It was the first time in a long time that the three of got to spend quality time together.

Where to fly into for your Miami Girl's trip

I generally fly into Ft. Lauderdale International airport (FLL) when I travel to South FL. Miami airport can be a bit of a headache and FLL is about a 45 minute drive from Miami, so consider flying into FLL. Because my family lives in South FL, transportation was not an issue, however, I suggest renting a car or else you will be spending lots of money on Uber rides.

Where to stay during your Miami Girls Trip

We stayed at the gorgeous Nobu hotel which is connected to the Eden Roc hotel property. The hotel is quintessential Miami. Think modern lines, lots of white and marble. The service was top notch from the moment we checked in. I told them we were celebrating my sister’s birthday and they pulled out all the stops. From complimentary champagne in our room to champagne while we were at the spa. Lets just say we were on a champagne campaign this whole trip. Our room had the most breathtaking view of the ocean and the pools. Waking up to this view was heaven.

After we checked into our room, we headed to the Eden Roc spa for massages. We booked our spa treatments when we booked our room and were pleasantly surprised to hear we were going to be there during Spa Week. This allowed us to get big savings on a great spa. We spent an afternoon at the spa and I got the best massage. I wish I could have kidnapped my massage therapist and bring him back to Dallas with me.

*TIP: Be sure to ask if any specials are available for your hotel spa. Also check the Living Social or Groupon app. For any deals going on in the city you’re traveling to. When I traveled to Hawaii we happened to find a Groupon for the Spa in the hotel we were staying in.

What to do on your Miami Girls Trip

After our spa treatment we hung out on the beach and grabbed lunch at the hotel pool. What’s a trip to Miami without visiting the beach and getting some vitamin sea.

Visit Wynwood, Miami

After the beach we headed to the Wynwood area to do some exploring and get some cute pictures. The Miami art scene has exploded since I moved away and there has been lots of gentrification in the city. One area in particular that has become the new hot spot is Wynwood.

The area is famous for its graffiti walls, which you have probably seen all over Instagram. Throughout the few blocks that encompass the Wynwood area you can find beautiful walls with murals. The actual Wynwood Walls is an area where you can walk through and see a slew of muraled walls and modern art displayed. It is free to walk through the walls, however, most of the lots near by charge $5-$10 for parking. After exploring we headed back to our room to get ready for dinner and the turn-up.

Where to Eat in Miami

Box Coffee, Wynwood Miami

If you’re walking through Wynwood be sure to grab an iced tea or iced coffee at Box Coffee. It’s a cute outdoor coffee shop that has a nice open air patio with murals on the wall. The baristas were friendly and gave us great suggestions. My sisters had an iced coffee with macadamia milk and since I prefer tea I opted for the hibiscus watermelon tea. It was so good! The barista muddled the mint and made it with such care, you would have thought she was a bartender preparing a cocktail.

Bird and Bone, Miami

*Update, as of 7/2021 Bird and Bone is no longer open*

We had dinner at Bird and Bone, located in the Confidante hotel, which is a block away from the Eden Roc. The menu is upscale comfort food. Our server made awesome recommendations and even gave us some ideas on where to go after dinner. I knew this dinner was going to be lit when the waiter brought out a basket of cheddar biscuits. The biscuits were so yummy especially when you smeared on some of the house made strawberry preserve. We ordered the shrimp and grits and the fried chicken, which is the dish they are most known for. The sangria was fruity and delicious. The dessert display was also a great touch for the birthday celebrations. The chocolate cake and fried apple pies were so tasty, but we were so full from dinner that we barely put a dent in it.

Dining options in Miami

Miami is known for his Latin and Caribbean inspired flavors, along with southern cuisine. Some other restaurants you should consider visiting that will give you beautiful aesthetics and delicious flavors are:

Swan, Miami Design District

Sugar Cane, Miami

Where to hangout in Miami

We spent our evening at Purdy Lounge which is a spot where the locals go. It’s very chill and not pretentious like lots of the other SoBe clubs. We listened to old school hip hop all night and sang along to every song. It was great! Some other spots that were recommended were Liv in the Fontainebleau and Story. Miami is known for its clubs, and next to Vegas and perhaps New York, the parties don’t stop until the sun comes up.

Brunch at Nobu Hotel, Miami

On our last day we enjoyed the buffet brunch at the Nobu restaurant, which is located in the Nobu hotel. There were lots of selections to choose from and everything was fresh and delicious.

We had a great time exploring our hometown as a tourist. There is so much to see and do in Miami, which is what makes it the perfect place for your next girls trip.

Fun Things to do with Kids in Dallas

July 7, 2021

Looking for fun things to do with kids in Dallas? Check out these fun, reasonably priced, or free activities in Dallas that your kids will enjoy. I got you!

Our weekends are generally pretty busy with the kids' activities. However, when we do get a free moment, I'm often stumped for family date ideas besides brunch. If you are like me and in need of fun things to do with kids, then keep reading. Click here if you want this list and more sent directly to you, so you can save it for future reference. I have a free guide of over 20 Fun Things to do With Kids in Dallas.

This post was originally published March 28, 2020.

1. See Some Art - Nasher Sculpture Museum, Dallas

The Nasher Sculpture Museum is a gem, located in the heart of downtown Dallas. Admission is free every first Saturday of the month. The museum has 2 levels and the pieces are interesting enough to discuss even with little ones. We made a game out if it and asked our kids what they thought about the pieces. Even my 4-year old had an opinion.

The sculpture garden was my favorite. The Sketch for a Fountain was definitely a conversation piece. I also like that there is open space for the kids to run about and not feel too confined after being in the museum. There is also a Wolfgang Puck café in the museum where you can grab a yummy lunch.

2. Try a Unique Restaurant - Hub Street, Plano

Downtown Plano has added some really fun spots. Hub Street is a beer garden (beirgarten) that's fun for parents and kids. There is indoor seating, but the real action is out on the patio, and when the weather is nice we can really enjoy it. It's a casual space where kids can move about freely, which I think makes for a peaceful dinning experience. The kids really enjoyed the arcade area. The menu is standard American. They have pretty good food and drink options on the happy hour menu. Get the street tacos and the wings!

3. A Day at the Opera - The Dallas Family Opera, Dallas

***Update: as of 7/2021 the Dallas Opera is not holding it's family series.

Did you know your whole family could enjoy the opera for less than it cost to see a movie? We try and visit as a family once a year. The children's opera is in English and most of the operas are based on stories your children are familiar with, like Jack and the Bean Stalk or the Three Little Pigs. The Opera house also has pre-show activities that include story time, photo walls, and craft stations. My kids have always enjoyed it and I feel like it exposes them to the arts in a whole new way.

4. Bowling - Pin Stack,

When we want a fun afternoon out and can't decide what to do, we head to Pin Stacks. There is bowling, a restaurant (they even do a weekend brunch), rock climbing, and so much more. Go during the week in the evening to avoid peak pricing. They also have pretty decent happy hour specials.

5. Paint Something- Pipe and Pallet, Plano

Pipe and Pallet offers pottery classes and events where you and your little ones can discover their inner artist.

6. Take a Hike - Oak Point Nature Preserve, Plano

Get the kids off of their devices, pack a water bottle and some snacks and go for a hike at the Oak Point Nature Preserve. We enjoy this park because of the cool hiking trails that have lots of shade. The terrain also isn't too difficult to navigate for little legs.

7. Explore the Geo Dec - Reunion Tower Observation Deck, Dallas

Explore the iconic Reunion Tower and the Dallas skyline from the Reunion tower observation deck. While you're their grab lunch at their Cloud 9 restaurant. Check out their calendar for family events.

8. Have a picnic - Klyde Warren Park, Dallas

Klyde Warren Park is the Central Park of Dallas. Located in the middle of downtown, the park is a fun place to hang with the family. There are often street performers on the stage offering free entertainment. The park also has building blocks set out, and even a little area for miniature golf. Pack a picnic and enjoy the park, or just bring a blanket and grab lunch from one of the many food trucks parked on the weekend. I love a good picnic party and this is the perfect place to do it.

9. Go to Camp Camp Store

Camp is a family experience store. The store has rotating theme experiences as well as products. They have actives that range from making slime and ice cream to crafts. Check their activity schedule to plan your visit.

10. Perot Museum, Dallas

An afternoon visit to the The Perot Museum is a fun and educational for kids.

There are so many fun things to do with kids in Dallas and this list just scratches the surface. Click here to to download my free guide with over 20 fun things to do in with kids in Dallas.

5 Ways to Elevate Your Life

June 25, 2021

Today I’m sharing 5 ways to elevate your life. I can hardly believe we are 6 months into 2021. I like to do a mid-year check-in with myself. Mainly to see where I am regarding hitting the goals I set at the beginning of the year, both personally and professionally. This helps me determine what’s working and what needs to be adjusted.

My word for 2021 is Elevated. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a word for the year, you basically choose a word that represents your theme for that year, and align your goals with that theme.

I chose the word “Elevated”, because after the madness of 2020, I realized I wanted my life, my conversations, and the things I was consuming (in every sense of the word) to be elevated.

While elevated may seem synonymous with luxury or expensive, it actually has very little to do with expense, and is more of a mindset. I see living an elevated life as focusing on the quality of my life and experiences. Today, I’m sharing some of the ways I’m elevating my life and not spending excessively to do it.

This post contains affiliate links.

Eat good food

No surprise the first item on the list is food. For me, food is life and I get so much satisfaction from preparing and enjoying a delicious meal. I make it a point to eat the best quality food I can afford. Sometimes that is brunch at a swanky restaurant, while other times, that is buying a nice piece of fish or cut of steak, that is within my grocery budget that week, and preparing it at home.

If I want a delicious cocktail or to sip some really good wine, I’ll buy myself a bottle of wine or make a cocktail at home for a fraction of the price I would pay if I dined out. Serve it up in a wine or cocktail glass and enjoy happy hour at the crib.

One of my goals with Mochas and Mimosas has always been to share recipes and tips that feel fancy and elevated, but are simple and affordable. I truly believe you can create these experiences at home and on a budget.

Serve your food on a plate

I know when I say this, somebody will tell me how much they hate doing dishes, and I get it. But trust me when I tell you, the food looks and tastes better when you put it on a nice plate, versus a paper plate. No matter how great the meal is, it’s automatically giving struggle plate vibes when you serve it on a paper plate.

Think about when you go to a restaurant and how the presentation is everything and just adds to the vibe. I feel like I deserve that restaurant quality experience at every meal, even when I’m at home. I will put a take-out meal, a quick heat and serve dinner, or even a salad I made from the bag on a simple, white plate, and instantly feel like I’ve elevated my meal.

I serve my children on plates as well, and we drink out of glasses when at the dinner table. I think it’s important for them to experience life in this fashion too. So, when they do go to a restaurant, they know how to conduct themselves, and it doesn’t feel like a grand experience, just an extension of what they are used to. I find inexpensive plates at Dollar Tree, Target, Amazon and any other place I can get sets that are easily replaceable.

Rest well

I have welcomed this shift I’ve seen from “team no sleep” to “get rest from the grind.” I used to feel guilty for resting and taking breaks from my business, because I thought I had to be working or learning all the time---that is exhausting and unsustainable.

Now, I make time for rest, and welcome it. To have a more elevated rest experience I set up my bedroom so it is tranquil and inviting. I want to feel like I’m sleeping in the most posh hotel every time I get in my own bed. Some ways I have done this was investing in quality bedding; lighting my favorite candle or diffusing tranquil scents; buying nice pajamas that feel plush and look cute.

Beautify your surroundings

Since we were in the house pretty much all the time last year, I realized we needed to do some updating to make our home more inviting and enjoyable. My husband and I decluttered, I rearranged my office space, and we painted some rooms in our house. These minor changes instantly upgraded our space.

Something I also started doing was adding fresh flowers to my home on a regular basis. I added flowers to my grocery budget. I love waking up to fresh flowers on my nightstand, and seeing them in my kitchen while I cook. I find inexpensive bouquets at my local grocery store and Trader Joe’s and put them in a simple vase.

Do something everyday that brings you joy

I committed to doing something everyday that brings me joy. I have really been on a mission to find joy in the simplest pleasures. This includes taking a bath at least once a week, where I fill the tub with my favorite bath tea and listen to music.

It could also be making myself a really great cup of coffee or tea and sitting outside while I sip it in silence. I love reading, so I started checking out more books at my library and making it a point to read (or listen to an audio book) at least once a month.

This is what my elevated life looks like, and for you it may be totally different. We deserve a life of ease, beauty, and peace. My mission this year is to create that for myself and those around me. I am enjoying this process of finding new and creative ways to elevate my everyday experiences.

Did you choose a word for 2021? Let me know in the comments or send me a message on Instagram.

Best Roof Top Patios in Collin County

June 24, 2021

During the Spring and Fall I enjoy dining on a cool rooftop patio, sipping a margarita (this is Texas after all) and taking in picturesque views that can only be enjoyed from up high.

Here is a list of 9 of the best rooftop patios in Collin County. These places are perfect for your next date night or girls night out.

Continue Reading at Collin County Moms Blog

Easy Weeknight Pasta

May 17, 2021

Easy weeknight pasta has become my go-to dish during a busy week when I don’t want to order out but want a delicious and healthy meal for my family.

By now you may have seen the TikTok pasta craze, where people bake Feta cheese with cherry tomatoes to create a creamy pasta sauce. I was amazed the first time I saw it, and wanted to see if it lived up to all the hype. However, I decided to put my own twist on the dish and try it with one of my favorite soft cheeses instead of Feta.

Easy Weeknight Pasta Recipe

I’m happy to report this recipe lives up to the hype. It’s delicious and easy–my favorite combo when it comes to cooking. The best part about this dish is that most of the heavy lifting is done in the oven, so you can do more meaningful things while dinner is cooking, like catch up with your kids or scroll TikTok mindlessly.

Continue Reading at Collin County Moms Blog

You may also like:

Creamy Spinach Stuffed Flounder

Easy Philly Cheese Steak Sliders

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw

Mixed Berry Compote Recipe

May 11, 2021

Simple mixed berry compote is sweet and bursting with flavor. The perfect topping for pancakes, French toast, waffles, and so much more.

Brunch cookbook — Find more easy to create brunch recipes and hosting tips in my brunch E-book

What Berries to use for mixed berry compote

This compote can be a combination of any of your favorite berries. We’re using blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries today.

Can I use frozen berries

I prefer to use fresh berries, especially when they are in season because they are usually easy to find and are so sweet and juicy. However, you can use frozen berries for this recipe.

What to serve with your berry compote

This compote is perfect to top pancakes, French toast, waffles, and even biscuits. Serve it over ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt, or atop pound cake. Add it to a cocktail for a little razzle dazzle! There is really so much that you can do with it.

Mixed Berry Compote Recipe

Yield: 4 serving

Mixed Berry Compote Recipe

Simple mixed berry compote is sweet and bursting with flavor. The perfect topping for pancakes, French toast, waffles, and so much more.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons sugar
3 cups mixed berries (remove stem and cut strawberries into slices if using fresh strawberries).
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Melt butter in a medium size pot on medium heat.
Add sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
Add berries and mix gently so you don’t mash the berries.
Let mixture simmer for 5 minutes or until berries look warm and juices are released.
Serve warm or at room temperature over waffles, pancakes or French toast.

How to store mixed berry compote

Once your compote is cool, you can store it in a jar or air tight container in the fridge for upto 3 days for optimal freshness.

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Easy Blackberry Pancakes

May 11, 2021

Easy blackberry pancakes are sweet, delicious, and perfect for a Spring or Summer brunch. Serve a stack of these fluffy pancakes for Mother’s or Father’s day brunch and secure your status as the favorite child!

What Berries to use for pancakes

We’re using black berries today, but this recipe can be used with blue berries, raspberries, strawberries, or even a mix of all the berries.

If you are serving this for a group of picky eaters, you can leave the berries out of the batter (say that 3x fast). Serve the berries on the side or with this mixed berry compote. Make sure you also make this oh so yummy homemade syrup---trust me it’s easy and will compliment the pancakes nicely.

Can I put frozen fruit in pancakes?

I like using fresh berries, especially when they are in season. During the Spring and Summer you can find berries for a good price and they are at their sweetest. However, because I know you’ll want to make these berry pancakes throughout the year, you can use frozen berries for this recipe, just make sure they are thawed all the way through before adding them to the batter.

Tips for making fluffy pancakes

Use an acid - my secret ingredient for light, fluffy pancakes in white vinegar. I know it may sound random but you will not taste the vinegar, I promise. The acidity causes the flour's proteins to gently unravel, which produces a tender cake that is fluffy and moist. It's similar to using buttermilk.

Don’t overmix - unlike cake batter, that is smooth, pancake batter is supposed to be lumpy. You want to mix the batter just enough to combine the ingredients. But DO NOT KEEP MIXING! Didn’t mean to yell at you, but I really want to drive home this point, because overmixing will cause your pancakes to be dry and hard and we definitely don’t want you getting talked about in the group chat!

Let the batter rest - Once you combine all the ingredients allow the batter to chill out for a bit, like 7-10 minutes, while you prepare your pan and fix yourself a mimosa.

Blackberry pancake recipe

Yield: 6-10

Easy Blackberry Pancakes

Easy black berry pancakes are sweet, delicious and perfect for a Spring or Summer brunch. Make your own fluffy, fruity, and delicious stack!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
2 cups milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
2 tablespoons white vinegar
¼ cup melted butter
2 cup black berries (or berries of your choice)

Instructions

In a large bowl combine all of the dry ingredients (2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon white sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder). Whisk together to thoroughly combine.
In a separate bowl combine all of the wet ingredients (2 cups milk, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, and ¼ cup melted butter). Whisk together to thoroughly combine.
Add wet mixture to the dry ingredients and combine gently (remember: don’t over mix).
Add berries to batter and gently fold them in to batter with a rubber spatula. Fold carefully so you don’t mash the berries. Let batter rest for 7-10 minutes.
Prepare a griddle or skillet by melting 2 tablespoons of butter or vegetable oil on medium heat.
Once the oil or butter is sizzling, scoop batter with an ice cream scoop or ¼ measuring cup per pancake into the pan/griddle. Space pancakes apart so the pancakes do not touch.
Cook pancakes for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Flip pancakes when tiny bubbles start to form on the top.
Repeat step 6-7 with the remainder of the batter. Add more oil or butter to the pan as needed.
Serve the pancakes warm with maple syrup, butter, whipped cream, berry compote, and/or extra berries.

Notes

You can use frozen berries for this recipe, just make sure they are thawed before adding them to the batter.

How to store leftover pancakes

I like to make more pancakes than I think we’ll consume in one day (some times I underestimate how much my family enjoys these pancakes) so we can have pancakes for breakfast throughout the week.

To store your pancakes, pack them in a freezer safe bag. Keep them in the fridge if you plan to eat them within 3 days, if not, freeze them. Warm them up in the microwave and enjoy.

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OXO Good Grips Precision Batter Dispenser

Goodful Aluminum Non-Stick Square Griddle Pan/Flat Grill, Made Without PFOA, with Nylon Pancake Turner, Dishwasher Safe Cookware, 11" x 11", Charcoal Gray

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Simple Mint Julep Iced Tea

May 1, 2021

Mint julep iced tea is a refreshing twist on a classic cocktail. Enjoy this cocktail for Derby Day, your next brunch at home, or just because.

Classic mint julep

The classic mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and is often found at derby parties. The main difference between the classic julep and our mint julep iced tea, is the tea. The classic julep has bourbon, sugar/simple syrup, and mint.

Mint juleps are traditionally served in silver cups to keep the drinks cold. We’re using cocktail glasses for our iced tea, but I would buck all the rules and serve these in a mason jar or a copper cup like the ones generally reserved for Moscow mules.

Mint iced tea ingredients

We’re jazzing up our mint julep with mint tea, to really bring out the mint flavor of this drink. Instead of using simple syrup we’re going to sweeten our tea.

Bourbon - I'm going with Jim Beam but feel free to use your favorite brand.

Fresh mint - fresh mint is a must to garnish this drink and add extra flavor.

Mint tea - I went with one of my favorite Moroccan mint tea from Trader Joe's. Use your favorite flavored mint tea.

Fresh Lemon - Fresh lemon juice goes well with ice tea and the slices make a great garnish.

Mint julep iced tea recipe

Yield: 1 cocktail

Mint Julep Iced Tea

Mint julep ice tea is a refreshing twist on a classic cocktail. Enjoy this cocktail for Derby Day, at your next brunch at home

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cups water
1 mint tea bag
½ cup sugar
3 mint leaves
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 ounces bourbon (I used Jim Beam)
Crushed iced
Lemon slices and mint sprigs for garnish

Instructions

Add the mint tea bag to 1 cup of boiling water. Add sugar and stir. Let tea steep for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and let tea cool. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To a shaker, add lemon juice, 1 cup of tea, bourbon and 3 mint leaves that have been (crushed with your hands) to a shaker. Shake for a few seconds then pour over a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with lemon slices and mint sprigs. Enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have a shaker, you can muddle the mint and lemon juice in a jar, then add remaining ingredients, stir, and pour over ice.

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How to Throw the Best Picnic Party

April 23, 2021

I’m going to help you throw the best picnic party. Your picnic party can be low key and casual, or a fancy event with all the fanfare. Around here the motto is do you boo! Either way it’s going to be great.

Spring and Fall are the perfect season for picnics. The beautiful weather makes me want to dine al fresco for every meal. Outdoor entertaining is definitely the move this time of year, and what better way to do it than with a picnic party.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. All opinions are my own and I only link to products that I use and love.

Where should you host a picnic party

If you’ve got a decent size patio or yard then take advantage by hosting your picnic party in your own backyard (I had to do it lol). Lay some pallets out for a bohemian feel. Or utilize whatever patio furniture you have to set-up your food.

A park, beach, or any outdoor space with a scenic view is another great option. Last year when dining in wasn’t an option because of the pandamonium, my brunch club met for picnic brunches at different parks.

Picnic Theme Ideas

I live for a good theme and although one isn’t necessary, I think it helps anchor the festivities and allows you to elevate an event and get creative with your food and décor.

Some really fun picnic themes include, bohemian, spring or Fall colors, depending on what time of year you’re hosting your picnic. Last spring, my brunch club did a “picnic in pink theme”, where we all wore pink. You can also incorporate your food into your theme. For example for the picnic in pink some pink foods to bring the theme to life would be think pink desserts, smoked salmon, pink lemonade, rose wine.

To further illuminate your theme, you could add fun pillows, and a colorful rug or blanket. A small vase or mason jar with flowers are another cute way to dress-up your picnic area. Flameless candles are another way to set the scene and the vibe of your picnic and they are practical if you keep the party going after sundown.

What to serve at a picnic party

Let’s talk about food, this is after all what makes this a picnic and not just a day at the park!

Food

What you serve all depends on the vibe of your picnic. You can keep it simple with snacks like a charcuterie box/board or go all out with sushi rolls, sandwiches, and different salads. Keep in mind, foods that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature are ideal.

Drinks

Serving your drinks in unique cups and glassware can be another way to bring your theme to life and make your picnic more fun.

I mentioned some drink ideas above. Also consider flavored water with citrus slices, mint, and other colorful fruits and herbs. Drinks can be kept in a bottle or carafe that can be sealed.

If you want something a little stronger than water, consider serving:

Picnic Party Supplies

Here are some of the items I bring to my picnics. You can find more options here.

You may also like:

Creating the Perfect Spring Family Picnic

Fun Things to Do with Kids in Dallas

Fried Goat Cheese Salad w/ homemade vinaigrette

April 17, 2021

This simple and delicious fried goat cheese salad is delicious and packed with flavor and a crunchy yet creamy texture. It’s filled with fresh greens, crisp Granny Smith apples and dressed with a tangy vinaigrette.

During Spring and Summer, I find myself reaching for salads more often than usual. But I hate a boring salad, so when I find one with interesting flavors I’m all over it. A few weeks ago I went to dinner with a friend and she encouraged me to try the fried goat cheese salad. I like goat cheese, but I had never had it fried before, so I was intrigued.

Honey, this salad was everything! I knew I had to go home and recreate it, because I couldn’t afford to be at the restaurant as often as I was craving that salad. So, of course I had to share with you, because it’s no fun if the homies can’t have none!

Ingredients

Goat cheese - I’m using a honey goat cheese, but feel free to use a regular or flavored goat cheese.

Spring mix - I like a good spring mix. But you can use your favorite greens. This salad goes well with spinach and/or arugula.

Granny Smith apples - I like fruit in my salad, and the tart crisp taste of sliced Granny Smith apples brings a nice balance to the rich creaminess of the cheese. Other fruit to consider are pears, strawberries, and mandarin oranges. If you don’t like fruit in your salad then leave it out and swap them out for veggies like carrots, cucumbers, or bell peppers.

Panko - We’re going to coat the goat cheese with this to get a nice crunch crust.

Apple cider vinegar - this is for our vinaigrette dressing

Honey- we’ll use this to sweeten up our dressing

Olive oil - use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the dressing.

What types of cheese can you fry for salad

If goat cheese isn’t your jam, you can try feta or ricotta cheese.

Fried goat cheese salad recipe

Yield: 2

Fried Goat Cheese Salad with homemade vinaigrette

This simple and delicious fried goat cheese salad and homemade vinaigrette is packed with flavor and texture. Crunchy and creamy. So good!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 log of goat cheese
1 egg
¼ cup milk
1 cup
Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Fried goat cheese:

Slice goat cheese into 6 slices and set aside. Beat egg and milk in bowl. Put Panko in a separate bowl . Put a small frying pan on medium heat and add oil. Dip a slice of goat cheese in egg mixture, then Panko, then add to the frying pan. Repeat with each slice of goat cheese, but be sure not to crowd the pan. Fry cheese for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Homemade vinaigrette dressing:

Combine all ingredients in a jar or bowl and mix together.

Assemble salad:

Arrange greens and sliced apples on a plate. Drizzle dressing over greens and apples. Place fried goat cheese on top of greens and apples. Top with walnuts and enjoy.

You May Also Like:

Fall Salad

Grab the free Ultimate Salad Guide - no more boring salads.

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Creating the Perfect Spring Family Picnic (Simple, Not Stressful)

April 8, 2021

Family picnics are a great, inexpensive way to get your kids off their devices and into nature. We are serious about our family picnics, and I’m happy to share my ideas for the perfect Spring family picnic.

As soon as the temperatures hits above 60°F and I’m popping Zyrtec like Tic Tacs, I know it’s Spring in North Texas. All joking aside, my family and I love this time of year because the weather is beautiful, breezy, and sunny. One of our favorite Spring weekend activities is family picnics.

Best Family Picnic Locations in DFW

Finding a scenic location with lots of open space and shade is key for a good picnic. I’ve even challenged myself to discover new spots for our picnics. I’m partial to anywhere near a body of water. There’s something so tranquil about sitting near a lake or pond and taking in nature. A few of my favorite places in DFW for family picnics are:

Lakeside Park (also known as Teddy Bear Park), Highland Park

White Rock Lake, Dallas

Bethany Lakes Park, Allen

Bob Woodruff Park, Plano

Celebration Park, Allen

Continue reading at Collin County Moms Blog

Game Day Food Ideas: Super Bowl Party

January 28, 2021

Game Day Food Ideas. I've curated a list of simple and yummy menu ideas for your next game day gathering.

Are you excited about the big game?! If I'm being honest I had to look up who will be playing in the Super Bowl. I'm so not a football fan. I'm only here for the half-time show, commercials, and of course the snacks! Let's get into these game day food ideas.

Game day snacks

Grazing boards - Grazing boards are all the rage these days and you can customize them for any occasion.

Chips and Dip - Try this Jalapeno Popper Dip with tortilla chips.

Popcorn is a great snack option. A DIY popcorn bar is a great way to allow your guest to customize their own snacks.

Game day finger food

Chicken wings are a staple Super Bowl party snack. These air fryer wings are so yummy and perfect for anyone looking for a healthier game day food option.

Food bars are always a good idea. They are a great way to set it and forget it. This is another way to allow guests to customize their plates.

For a game day party I would consider a taco/nacho bar or a baked potato bar. These are filling and fun.

BBQ Chicken Sliders topped with cilantro lime coleslaw would make a great game day meal.

Philly Cheesesteak Slider are another great option.

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Slider with Cilantro Lime Cole Slaw

Game day dessert ideas

Your friends will go crazy for these air fried Oreos.

Put a spin on the traditional chocolate chip cookie with these Rice Krispie Chocolate Chip Cookies.

This Easy sopapillas will be easy to create and serve.

Game day cocktails

While beer seems to be the default beverage for the Super Bowl and other game day turn-ups, I enjoy a good cocktail and think you should have at least one in case you have guests who aren't beer drinkers.

Margaritas are always a crowd favorite. You can serve them frozen or on the rocks.

This Guinness Punch is great for beer drinkers and non-beer drinkers alike.

A tasty mocktail or cocktail should be on your menu as well, just in case you have guest who are not drinkers (who are these people you call friends lol?!).

If you found this helpful go ahead and pin this post to Pinterest to spread the word.

Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders with coleslaw

January 21, 2021

Published 1/28/2020 | Updated 1/21/2021

These easy BBQ chicken sliders with coleslaw are delicious and would be perfect to enjoy while watching the big game!

BBQ chicken sliders in the crock pot

What makes these delicious chicken sliders so easy to create, is that pull apart BBQ chicken is made in the crockpot. So, your crockpot is doing all the heavy lifting for you. Your main job here is assembling.

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Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders Recipe

Yield: 8

Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders

These easy BBQ chicken sliders with coleslaw are delicious and would be perfect to enjoy while watching the big game!

Cook Time 4 hours

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

2 Boneless skinless chicken breast
Half of a yellow onion
1 tablespoon garlic, minced (2 cloves)
½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray)
Salt
Ground black pepper
Garlic powder
Onion Powder
Crock pot
Crock Pot liner bag (this makes clean up easier)

Instructions

Dice the onion and add to the bottom of the lined crock-pot
Season chicken generously with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Place chicken breast over diced onions.
Add minced garlic on top of chicken breast
Pour BBQ sauce over chicken breast
Set crock pot on high for 4 hours.
When chicken is finished, remove chicken from crock pot and shred chicken.
Return shredded chicken to crock pot and mix chicken with the onion and BBQ sauce.

Serve immediately on slider buns.

Zesty Coleslaw

I know you may be tempted to skip the coleslaw but DON'T! Didn't mean to yell. But please don't skip the coleslaw, even if you don't think you like coleslaw promise me you'll at least try it.

This coleslaw is not that nasty stuff swimming in may that you may be thinking about. No, mayo doesn't even touch this coleslaw. It's fresh, crisp, and dressed in a delicious tangy dressing. Make the slaw!

Another great thing about this coleslaw recipe is that it's pretty clean, so you can enjoy and still stick to your new year health goals.

Yield: 8

Zesty Coleslaw

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

Bag of store bought coleslaw
¼ cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup of freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey (adjust to your taste)
salt
Ground black pepper

Instructions

Whisk the lime juice, olive oil, honey salt, and pepper together in a bowl.
Taste and adjust honey and seasoning to your taste.
Pour the the dressing over the coleslaw and toss evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.

Notes

Serve atop BBQ Chicken Sliders

Serving Suggestions

Serve on toasted slider buns or Hawaiian rolls.

Skip the bun and serve it as a salad with.

Enjoy these sliders with a side of chips or baked beans. Or with one of these salads.

Enjoy!

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

Holiday Playdate Ideas: menu and activities

December 18, 2020

Holiday-playdate-ideas-menu-and-activities was first published on December 11, 2018.

I collaborated with my friend Amy, who is one half of The Cake Exchange to bring you holiday playdate Ideas: menu and activities for a Pinterest worthy holiday play date moms and kids will enjoy.

Christmas playdate ideas

I love the idea of themed play dates because it gives you a focus when you're planning. For easy planning grab this menu planner that includes a shopping list.

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

Holiday Playdate Decorations

When doing a themed party it's easy to go crazy with the decor and be tempted to want to pick-up every cute holiday related item because they are every where this time of year.

However, keeping it simple is probably the best way to go. If your home is already decorated for the holiday then there is no need to really decorate.

Holiday Playdate Ideas: menu and activities

Holiday Playdate Favors

Amy incorporated festive décor with her favors. Like reindeer and Santa head bands that everyone was given as they waked in.

As well, as elf and Santa Pez dispensers, and holiday themed M&Ms, which were given as favors as we left.

My go to spot when planning a party, as I've mentioned here and here is the Dollar Tree. After that I'll check the Target dollar section, and home goods.

How do you have a good playdate?

The key to any good holiday playdate is a great menu your guest will enjoy and a fun activities to keep the kids entertained.

What food do you serve at a holiday playdate?

Amy's charcuterie display was definitely Pinterest worthy! This is a great and functional way to incorporate holiday décor and a conversation piece.

It also gives your guest the opportunity to graze as they chat. Her grazing table featured fresh and dried fruits, nuts, dips, cheeses, mini sandwiches, and an array of breads and crackers. So yummy. The mini sandwiches and fruit were perfect for little hands too.

What drinks to serve at a holiday playdate

Another way to keep things festive is infused waters and juice. Amy added cranberries and mint lives to drink dispensers of water and lemonade.

She also likes to feature a cocktail that goes with her theme. Hey, the moms needed their own special drink!

.She made a holiday sangria and cranberry Moscow mule. For more holiday drink recipes check out this holiday cocktail guide

Dessert Ideas for your holiday playdate

Going with the holiday theme, Amy had a dessert table and hot chocolate bar.

I love the idea of setting things out for your guest to help themselves, which makes your job as a hostess so much easier.

Her hot chocolate bar included these adorable chocolate spoons that can be found at Trade Joe's, Target, and Home Goods.

She set up an electric kettle with hot water, and toppings for guest to make their own yummy concoctions. Her donut wall was also huge hit.

What are fun things to do at a holiday playdate?

During play dates, most of the kids just want to, well play. However, it's a good idea to have a least one activity or craft for the kids to do, just in case there are some kids that would rather hang with the adults.

Amy had a table set-up for an easy snowman craft. She also had an activity for the moms. We decorated cake pops.

This was fun and another creative way to incorporate the theme into an activity. The cake pops were a cake pop decorating kit from Big Top Cake Pops.

The holidays are the perfect excuse to throw a fun gathering and connect with those we don't see often. I hope these tips inspired you for your next holiday celebration!

Easy Holiday Brunch Ideas and Recipes

December 14, 2020

The post Easy Holiday Brunch Ideas and Recipes was originally published in December 2017

These easy holiday brunch ideas and recipes will be sure to wow your guests and make things easy for the host. Check out these menu and entertainment ideas.

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

Easy Holiday brunch ideas

Can you believe Christmas is almost here. Whether you are planning brunch for your immediate family on Christmas morning or gathering with friends for an intimate celebration before the big day, I've got easy (seriously, some of these recipes require no cooking) holiday brunch ideas and recipes for you.

I included kid-friendly games and menu options.

Holiday Brunch Décor

I went with traditional Christmas colors of red and green to set the scene for our holiday brunch. You can shop here for my holiday décor and entertaining essentials.

I laid out butcher paper and a good old sharpie to label the food. This made the items easy to read and made clean up even easier for me.

What should I serve for a holiday brunch?

The goal was to plan an easy, kid friendly menu. Most of these items were found in the freezer section of my local grocery store and are heat and serve. I wanted items that would be easy for little hands to manage.

Another option is to have each guest bring an item, and do things potluck style. I would suggest a sign-up list if you go this route.

Easy Holiday brunch Recipes

Menu planning is so much easier with this event menu planning guide, that includes space for you to make a shopping list.

Holiday Brunch Menu

mini chicken and waffles,
mini chocolate chip pancake skewers
mini quiche
cinnamon roll wreath (found at Trader Joe’s, just had to let it rise over night and pop it in the oven)
hash brown casserole cups, and fruit.

Holiday Brunch Cocktail Ideas

Of course mimosas were on deck. I found these champagne flutes at Dollar tree and used favor tags for people to write their names on. The tags served as wine glass rings.

Some other great cocktail ideas for the holiday are apple cider mimosas or sangria, which you can find in my free holiday cocktail guide.

Hot Cocoa Bar Ideas

A hot chocolate bar was a must. This was a hit and so easy. Get your favorite toppings and let your guest have fun with it.

I found festive mugs to serve the cocoa in. At the end of the party I washed the mugs and let each of the adults take their mug home as a party favor.

I explained in this video how to set up a DIY hot cocoa bar at home.

Kid Friendly Holiday Brunch Activities

Hobby lobby and Dollar Tree had cute inexpensive crafts for the kids. A fun craft and this holiday bingo printable kept the kids busy.

A Holiday Book Exchange

I asked each child to bring a book to brunch for a book exchange.

At the end of the party each child left with their crafts, an ornament and Christmas puzzle, and a book.

Maker:L,Date:2017-9-10,Ver:5,Lens:Kan03,Act:Kan02,E:Y

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

Popcorn Bar Ideas: Family Movie Night Ideas

December 6, 2020

The post popcorn bar ideas was originally posted 12/16/2019

Popcorn Bar Ideas for your next movie night at home! A popcorn bar is a creative, easy, inexpensive ways to jazz up your next party or movie night.

Movie night popcorn bar

One of my favorite holiday activities is holiday movie night with the family. I look forward to getting comfy and cozy on our couch, grabbing snacks and settling in to watch our favorite Christmas movies.

Popcorn bar ideas for birthday parties

If you want to host a holiday or birthday party, a popcorn bar is a great, option that doesn't require a lot of prep. Fun fact, I had a popcorn bar at my wedding, and it was a hit!

Build your own popcorn bar

My popcorn bar was for holiday movie night at home. I started with my theme and looked for festive, holiday signs and containers. You can shop my popcorn bar items here.

How to serve popcorn at a party

Look for containers to display your popcorn and toppings. As well as bags or containers for your guest to use for their popcorn.

Decide what type of popcorn you want to serve. I opted to have plain and kettle corn. Kettle corn always reminds me of the fair, so it was a must for me.

However, feel free to have whatever flavors speak to you. I suggest having a least one plain flavor especially since you will be topping your popcorn with other items.

You can buy popcorn that is already popped in a bag, microwave popcorn, or pop it fresh.

How much popcorn do I need for my party

This all depends on how much you and your guest love popcorn. Popcorn is my favorite snack. I'm that friend who is ordering her own medium popcorn at the movies---don't ask me if we can share.

If you're doing a movie night, where everyone has eaten already and the popcorn is the snack or treat, then I suggest 1-2 cups per guess. But listen, if your friends are like me, then go ahead and make 2-3 cups per guest.

What to put on a popcorn bar: Popcorn Toppings

This is where you get to have all the fun! Go Crazy with the toppings. Here are some fun ideas for toppings to add to your pop corn bar.

Popcorn Bar Ideas: Savory Topping

Some of my favorite savory popcorn toppings are: nuts, mini pretzels, grated parmesan cheese, ranch seasoning, BBQ seasoning, Cajun seasoning, hot sauce. the sky is really the limit here.

Popcorn Bar Ideas: Sweet Topping

I'm all about the sweet toppings. I like adding: cinnamon sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate covered pretzels, gummies, chocolate covered raisins, chocolate chips, Reese's Pieces, marshmallows, candy corn, M&Ms.

The sky is the limit here!

Movies for a Family Holiday Movie Night

Once you've got your snacks and beverage of choice in hand, the next question is what to watch. Here are my suggestions for family friendly holiday movies:

Home Alone - a classic, that most kids today aren't even aware of.

Elf - this movie is so funny

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Santa Clause

A Christmas Story - another classic

The Polar Express - the colors and imagery are beautiful.

The Nutcracker

A Charlie Brown Christmas

The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Movies for a Girls Night in Holiday Movie Night

This theme can certainly be used for an adult party. Swap out the juice boxes for wine 😉 Some of my favorite adult friendly holiday movies to watch are:

Best Man Holiday - make sure you have Kleenex on hand.

Bad Santa - hilarious

Four Christmases - I have seen this movie a million times and still laugh every time I watch it.

This Christmas - Idris Elba---do I need to say anything more!

If you found this helpful go ahead and pin this post to Pinterest to spread the word.

A holiday movie night with a DIY popcorn bar is the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit.

Best Black Friday Deals 2020

November 27, 2020

I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving! I enjoy shopping Black Friday from the comfort of my couch while eating leftovers! I'm sharing the best Black Friday Deals.

I did the hard work for you and rounded up sales from some of my favorite stores. Whether you've got a particular item in mind or you just want to see what's on sale have a look.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

For Everyone

Amazon Black Friday Deals

Best Buy |Tech Deals

ETSY | up to 60% off.

H&M 30% off everything | Order by 12/8 to get by 12/24

Macy’s | Enjoy Up to 70% off!

Walmart | Black Friday Deals

Target | 30-50% off kitchen, toys, clothing and electronics

Nordstrom Rack |Extra 40% off clearance

Nordstrom | Up to 50% off

Saks Off 5th | Up to 85% off

Sephora | up to 50% off and free shipping with code ‘FREESHIP’

Kendra Scott |Get up to 30% off (including 25% Off Fine Jewelry & Sterling Silver Collections)

Home

Anthropologie 30% off everything + Free shipping on orders over $50

CB2 – Up to 50% off clearance

Crate and Barrel – 30% off of Holiday decor and 30% off Nespresso

Harry & David |Up to 30% off. Cyber Monday Offer! Save Up to 30% Off Select Holiday Gifts at Harry & David!

World Market 20% off almost everything | Plus and extra 15% off all curbside order | Free shipping on $49

Bed, Bath, & Beyond 20% off your entire purchase | 25% off entire purchase with curbside or pickup

Pottery Barn 20% off your order + Free Shipping on orders above $79 | Free shipping on order over $79 with code: MERRY

West Elm Up to 50% off furniture, bedding, & more, plus an extra 20% off clearance with code: SCORE

Wa y fair Up to 80% off of area rugs and 65% off of lighting, furniture and other household items

Kids

Academy | | Up to 50% off kids & family fun |Up to 50% Adidas, Carhartt, North Face

Gap| 50% off Everything. Bonus: Extra 10% off Everything with Code: GAPFRIDAY

OshKosh| Take 50-60% Off the Entire Site and Store, Extra 20% off Clearance & Black Friday Doorbusters at OshKosh B'gosh!

Disney Store| Free Shipping $75+

Fat Brain Toys| The Fat Brain Toys Black Friday Sale begins Friday. Use code RSFRIDAY for a FREE $25 gift card on orders of $100 or more!

Black Owned

Mocha Whip | Skin care and beauty.

Peak and Valley | Health and wellness. Use the code BFCM for 20% off everything.

Jenny Bean Candles |Candles and gift sets.

Nice Things| Home and kitchenware.

She Dyed That| Custom Clothing

This post will be updated daily through December as more deals become available, so keep checking back! Happy Shopping!

Foodie Gift Guide

November 25, 2020

No more struggling to come up with the perfect gifts this holiday season, I've got the ultimate holiday gift guide for you!

I've included gifts for kids, the brunch lover, mixologist, the hostess with the mostest, and the foodie in your life.

Click the boxes below to see awesome gift ideas for your favorite people!

Friendsgiving Brunch Ideas

November 13, 2020

The post Friendsgiving Brunch Ideas was updated in November 2020

This post may contain affiliate links.

A Friendsgiving is the perfect gathering to kick off the holiday season. Today I'm giving you tons of Friendsgiving brunch ideas and tips for hosting a successful Friendsgiving.

What is Friendsgiving?

Since Thanksgiving is typically when we get together with family, Friendsgiving is when you get your besties together and enjoy a great meal. I tend to think of Friendsgiving as the less formal prequel to the big day.

People typically do a pot lock style meal where they often serve traditional Thanksgiving food or switch up and do a themed meal that strays away from the usual Thanksgiving dishes.

How to celebrate Friendsgiving

The holidays will likely look very different this year due to the pandemic. Many people are unable to travel to visit with family or your Thanksgiving gathering may include a smaller group.

Hosting a Friendsgiving is a great way to celebrate with your homies before you have the officially gathering with your family.

Let get into these lit Friendsgiving ideas.

Friendsgiving theme ideas

Thanksgiving is usually filled with traditional dishes like turkey and all the fixings. I like to do something different for Friendsgiving like Italian or Chinese food. Having a bunch of appetizers is also a fun idea.

Brunch is my favorite meal of the day so naturally a Friendsgiving brunch is the theme I suggest. Brunch is the perfect meal because you can bring in traditional favorites or throw tradition out the window and have fun with it.

Friendsgiving invitation

Whenever I'm hosting an event I like to send an invite to keep all of the RSVPs in one place, and so people will have the details readily available. It's just convenient for everyone.

You can create free invites on sites like Canva and E-vite.

Be sure to include: date, time, address, and dress code. If you are doing a pot luck style Friendsgiving or a theme, make sure your guest are aware and can respond with the items they are bringing. The last thing you want is a bunch of people bringing the same dish.

Virtual Friendsgiving ideas

Due to the pandemic, celebrations look very different this year. If you don't feel comfortable meeting In person for Friendsgiving, you can still have fun with a virtual event. Set-up a Zoom, Google Meets, or get with your friends on the Houseparty app.

You can play games like Pictionary or charades. Everyone can agree to make the same dish to eat at home or order food from the same place, to make it special.

Friendsgiving décor ideas

You know I live for a good tablescape. This is a good time to pull out your Fall décor and snag some of those post Halloween items that have gone on sale.

Use mini pumpkins, fresh or dried flowers, and a nice table cloth to jazz up the scene.

Friendsgiving Brunch food ideas

Create a grazing board

I'm currently obsessed with grazing boards. I like the idea of putting out snacks for your guest and presenting them in this unorganized, yet beautiful way. This would be a good way to set out snacks and appetizers. Brunch foods like mini bagels and different flavored cream cheeses

Cheese and assorted crackers and fruits

Sliced sweet breads or mini muffins like pumpkin and banana with flavored whipped butter.

Assorted mini doughnuts and doughnut holes

Do it yourself brunch bar

Setting up different food bars are a good way to allow your guest to customize their meal and allows the host relax because you set everything out and guest help themselves. Some fun brunch food bar ideas are:

Grits bar

Prepare a pot of plain grits and include toppings like shrimp, cheese, chives, butter, bacon pieces. You can even put sugar and cinnamon out for those weirdos that like sweet grits.

French toast/pancake/waffle bar

Make French toast, pancakes, or waffles and put out toppings like different berries, whipped cinnamon butter, cooked apples, maple syrup, and whipped cream.

Oatmeal bar

Similar to the grits bar, make a pot of plain oatmeal and set out toppings like, dried fruit, berries, apple cubes, peanut butter, maple syrup, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Toast bar

Put out different breads, like sour dough, raisin, and brioche. Set-up bowls of different spreads such as, mashed avocado, Nutella, and egg salad.

Drink Station

Setting up different drink stations is another way to allow your guests to help themselves and take the pressure off of the host, to keep refilling glasses. This holiday cocktail guide has tons of simple cocktail recipes.

Water station - Regardless of what types of drinks you create, you must have water available for your guests. Fill a pitcher or drink dispenser with orange slices, fresh cranberries, and/or fresh mint to create a festive water station.

Hot Chocolate or coffee

Apple Cider

Mimosa or Bloody Mary Bar - You can't have brunch without booze!

You'll be eating more than enough turkey and sides for the rest of the year, so why not switch things up with a friends giving brunch.

If you found this helpful go ahead and pin this post to Pinterest to spread the word.

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

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Things to Do in San Antonio with Kids in the Fall

October 16, 2020

Things to Do in San Antonio with Kids in the Fall. I'm sharing tips for a family weekend trip to San Antonio. Keep reading to find out where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and where to stop on the drive from Dallas.

This post was initially published in December 2019. It has been updated as of October 2020.

The Hubs and I decided to do a weekend in San Antonio with the kids before we got into the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Summer family trips are all the rage, but I'm starting to think that the Fall family vacation is the way to go. I'm sharing where to stay, what to do, and of course, where to eat for a, basically all the things to do in San Antonio with Kids in the Fall.

Where to stop between Dallas and San Antonio

I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous about the five hour drive with the kids, from Dallas to San Antonio. The last time we did this trip, was a few years ago when my daughter was one and my son was four. It was not a pleasant ride.

However, this time the kids are a bit older, four and seven years old, and this ain't our first rodeo. We packed plenty of snacks, charged their devices, and prepared to stop half way through the drive.

We stopped at the Stage Couch Inn for lunch, which is about three hours outside of Dallas, the perfect mid point. There is a restaurant connected to the hotel. The restaurant is quaint and has a pioneer theme, a fire place with a rocking chair in front, and book shelves.

The staff was friendly and the food was good. I recommend starting of with the tea cakes served with whipped honey butter. Then get the burger or shrimp salad for your entrée.

Where to stay in San Antonio

When we were deciding where to stay in San Antonio, we knew we wanted to be near the River Walk because it's such an iconic area of San Antonio. I wanted somewhere comfortable, with spacious rooms, and on-site breakfast (this is a must for us when traveling with kids).

The Marriott River Walk was an obvious choice. I also considered the Marriott River Center which is also near the River Walk.

Please see the Marriot River Walk's updated policies and practices for COVID-19.

After we checked in to the hotel, we hit the street. The Marriott River Walk literally opens on to the river walk so we went exploring, took in the sights, and grabbed dinner at a restaurant along the walk.

Another great feature of the Marriott River Walk was the amenities. They have a gym, an indoor swimming pool, and a fun game room area. After dinner we hung out in the game room at the hotel and played ping pong, pool, giant connect four, along with other cool games. The kids really enjoyed the game room.

The next day we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel. The breakfast was amazing! You can order from the menu, however, I strongly suggest the buffet because it included everything you could want.

There were fresh biscuits, made to order French toast, pancakes, omelets, and waffles (my sons favorite). Everything was fresh and absolutely delicious. The staff was so sweet and beyond accommodating.

Top sights in San Antonio

The Pearl

After breakfast we explored the Pearl district. The Pearl has a cool hipster vibe. There's an open air farmers market on the weekend, along with restaurants, and lots of open space for the kids to run around and burn off some energy. I really wanted to check out one of the many restaurants there but we were still full from breakfast.

Sea World San Antonio

We headed to Sea World after hanging out at the Pearl. Visiting Sea World in the Fall, was much more enjoyable than when we went in the Summer. For one, the weather in San Antonio was perfect, in the mid 70s.

The park wasn't as crowded, so less lines for the rides. I also really like how beautiful the park looks with all of the holiday lights and displays. There were so many backdrops for great photos. The attraction with the orcas even included a live musical group that sang Christmas carols during the show.

Please review Sea Worlds health and safety commitments regarding COVID-19.

If you visit in the Fall, I highly recommend that you stay for the Holiday parade. The parade starts at 7:30 pm and the whole Sesame Street crew shows out.

Mi Tierra, San Antonio

That evening we had dinner at Mi Tierra. This place came highly recommended by San Antonio natives, and I can see why. It's a Mexican restaurant and bakery. The decor is kitschy and fun, they even have musicians with guitars coming around to serenade you. What's not to love?!

What to do in San Antonio with kids

The DoSeum

The DoSeum has created safety measures in response to COVID-19. See them here.

On our last day in San Antonio we visited the DoSeum. I would have to say this is one of my favorite children's museums, and we've been to a few. There are two floors of interactive exhibits for children. The exhibits range from science and geography to music, art, and role playing.

There are also outdoor actives, like a water play area and a playground. You can easily spend the whole day at the DoSeum. There is also a cafe inside for you to take a lunch break from all the fun. My kids did not want to leave!

We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in San Antonio with the kids. You can see videos from our trip on my highlight reel here. This quick get away was just what we needed before getting into the madness of the holidays. Have you been to San Antonio? If so, what are your favorite places to visit there?

Accommodations/ Restaurants Mentioned

* Marriott River Walk

Marriott River Center

Stage Coach Inn Restaurant

*Sea World

Mi Tierra Restaurant

*The DoSeum

DISCLOSURE

Items listed with a (*) have been gifted or provided gratis. I have not been compensated to provide a positive review. My thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own! I always strive to provide my readers with an honest review.

If you found this helpful go ahead and pin this post to Pinterest to spread the word.

Simple Breakfast Tostadas

September 30, 2020

Simple breakfast tostadas are the perfect meal for a weekend brunch. The best part is you can load them up with your favorite toppings and they're great for sharing with your family.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by A Dozen Cousins who I am thrilled to collaborate with. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love making these tostadas for brunch, especially when I'm feeding a group. I love an easy brunch setup. My family enjoys them because they are fun to eat and taste delicious. They are great to serve on a football (if that's your thing) Sunday.

What are tostadas?

Tostadas are basically flat taco shells generally made of corn. For our simple breakfast tostadas, we are making mini tostadas, which gives each adult about 2-3 tostadas. Go for that 3rd one...no judgement here!

What can you use to make tostadas?

You can find ready made tostadas in your local grocery store and those are fine. But today we're using corn tortillas that we are crisping up in the oven. I think tortillas taste better and give you more flexibility to make your tostadas as crispy as you want.

Breakfast tostadas with black beans

Traditional tostadas are made with refried beans. For these simple breakfast tostadas we're using refried black beans from A Dozen Cousins. A Dozen Cousins beans are 100% plant-based protein, always non-GMO, made with avocado oil, and naturally gluten free! They are so tasty too.

Breakfast tostada with eggs

We're scrambling eggs for our breakfast tostadas but these would be great topped with a fried egg, or even sliced hard boiled eggs. Do your thing and make your eggs based on your preference.

Are tostadas healthy for you?

I think breakfast tostadas are pretty healthy. We're loading the scrambled eggs with fresh pico de gallo. If you want to sneak in more veggies, you can add spinach to your eggs. You can even make it healthier by using egg whites.

How to make simple breakfast tostadas

Tostadas taste best fresh. However, if you happen to have leftovers they are still good the next day. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge and warm them in the over or toaster oven the next day to keep them crispy.

Yield: 9

Simple Breakfast Tostadas

Simple breakfast tostadas are the perfect meal for a weekend brunch. The best part is you can load them up with your favorite toppings and they're great for sharing with your family.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

9 mini corn tortillas
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups refried black beans, warmed
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
9 eggs scrambled
¼ cup milk (or non-dairy milk)
salt and pepper
*1 cups pico de gallo
optional toppings: jalapenos, avocado, sour cream, fresh cilantro, cooked bacon, cooked chorizo.

Instructions

To make the tostadas: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
On the baking sheets, spray or brush both sides of each tortilla lightly with olive oil. Arrange tortillas in a single layer.
Bake tortillas for 10 minutes, turning halfway, until each tortilla is golden and lightly crisp.
While the tortillas are baking, beat eggs and milk in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to eggs. Set aside
Add pico de gallo to a lightly oiled skillet that is heated. Sautee pico de gallo for 5 minutes
Add beaten eggs to the skillet and scramble with the pico de gallo. Set eggs aside
Warm refried black beans in the microwave.
To assemble, spread warm refried black beans over each tostada. Top with eggs and a sprinkle of cheese. Place tostadas on the baking sheet and return to the over for 5 minutes or until cheese melts.
Top with any optional garnishes you’d like, and serve immediately.

Notes

Pico de gallo: fresh finely chopped tomatoes and onions, cilantro, fresh chili peppers

Vegetarian Breakfast tostadas

What I like about these tostadas is they complement so many dietary restrictions. They are gluten free and vegetarian.

What to top your breakfast with

Load them up with chorizo or bacon. Add avocado, black olives, jalapenos and cilantro. Top them off with sour cream.

If you make this recipe be sure to post it on Instagram and Facebook and tag @mochasandmimosas!

Carnival Style Air Fryer Oreos

September 23, 2020

Air fryer Oreos are a great alternative to the traditional deep fried Oreos. Learn how to make this carnival favorite.

This post contains affiliate links. Which means I earn a fee if you purchase an item. This is at no additional cost to you.

These air fryer Oreos are part of my Lets Go to the Fair series. I'm share recipes inspired by favorite fair foods. Before we get to this dessert you have to try the air fried turkey legs.

What are deep fried Oreos?

Deep fried Oreos are Oreo cookies covered in a batter and deep fried. The first time I tried deep fried Oreos was at the State Fair of Texas. It was sweet and tasty, and felt very indulgent. It's one of those popular carnival foods that you have to try at least once.

Are air fried Oreos healthy?

These air fryer Oreos are a wee bit healthier and not as greasy as the deep fried one, because we're not using oil. The air fryer makes them slightly crispy on the outside. They are still delicious.

When I do use oil in my air fryer I use this spray bottle. Aerosol sprays can ruin your air fryer, so it’s recommended that you use an oil sprayer or you can drizzle the oil on yourself.

How to make air fried Oreos.

I used traditional Oreos to make my air fryer Oreos but you can use whatever type of Oreos you like. The red velvet Oreos would be fun to make for the holidays. Try them with the golden Oreos or your favorite flavor.

Yield: 8

Air Fried Oreos

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes

Total Time 11 minutes

Ingredients

8 Oreo cookies
2 8 oz. tube of Crescent Rolls
Powder sugar for garnish

Instructions

Roll out the Crescent rolls.
Cut Crescent rolls into 8 sections.
Place an Oreo in the center of one of the triangles and fold ends around, covering the Oreo. Make sure all seams are sealed completely.
Repeat this step for remaining Oreos.
Place Oreos in the your air fryer basket (do not overcrowd the basket).
Set air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
Air fry 4 Oreos for 4 minutes or until golden brown then flip them over and cook for another 4 minutes.
Remove Oreos and allow them to cool for a few minutes.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy.

Crescent roll Oreos

Crescent rolls act as the "batter" for these Oreos and help them to crisp up nicely.

How long do air fried Oreos last?

Air fryer Oreos, taste best once they come out of the air fryer and cool a bit. Fresh is best.

However, if you don't eat them all in one sitting, you can store your air fryer Oreos in the fridge in an air tight container or a sealed plastic bag for about 3 days. After that the Crescent roll covering doesn't taste as fresh.

If you make this recipe be sure to post it on Instagram and Facebook and tag @mochasandmimosas!

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

Easy to make Air Fryer Turkey Legs

September 17, 2020

Seasoned to perfection, crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. These air fryer turkey legs are easy to make and delicious to eat.

This post contains affiliate links. Which means I earn a fee if you purchase an item. This is at no additional cost to you.

As we move into Fall, I'm excited to bring a series of fun and yummy Fall recipes. Due to the pandemic, sadly state fairs and carnivals have been canceled. My favorite feature of the fair is the food (are you surprised?!). So, I thought it would be fun to show you how to get your fair foodie fix at home. This month I'll be sharing carnival inspired recipes.

Every time I go to the fair I must get a smoked turkey leg. They are so delicious and filling. Today we're capturing that same vibe with these air fryer turkey legs.

Are Air fryer turkey legs healthy?

Air fryer turkey legs are much healthier than the deep fried ones. These turkey legs are healthy because there is very little oil used. Yet, the air fryer gets them crisp and tender. We're seasoning them up well, so they are full of flavor. I'm a firm believer that you can enjoy healthy food without skimping on flavor.

I use this spray bottle for my air fryer. Aerosol sprays can ruin your air fryer, so it's recommended that you use an oil sprayer or you can drizzle the oil on yourself.

Where do you find turkey legs?

You can find turkey legs and wings in the poultry section of most grocery stores. Most packages include 2-3 turkey legs. The legs are big enough for one adult to eat. My children who are 5 and 8-years old generally split a turkey leg.

Should I season turkey the night before?

I don't season my turkey legs the night before. However, you could brine them the night before. Brining helps them to stay moist. But, the air fryer does a great job of keeping the turkey legs moist, so I really don't think brining them is necessary.

How do you make air fryer turkey legs?

Yield: 3

Air Fryer Turkey Legs

Air fryer turkey legs. Seasoned to perfection, crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. Air fried turkey legs are easy to make.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

2 turkey legs
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Cajun season
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Olive oil for spraying

Instructions

Remove turkey legs from packaging and rinse.
Pat turkey legs dry with a paper towel.
Season both sides of turkey legs generously
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil and place turkey legs in the basket.
Spray turkey legs with oil.
Set air fryer to 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
Flip turkey legs and spray with olive oil. Set air fryer for another 15 minutes.
Use a cooking thermometer to check internal temperature. Turkey legs should be 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove legs from air fryer and enjoy!

What temp should turkey legs be?

We're cooking these turkey legs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the air fryer. This recipe can be made in an oven, however, you may have to adjust the cooking time and cook legs longer.

How do I know when turkey legs are done?

Always check your poultry with a meat thermometer. Your turkey legs should be 180 degrees Fahrenheit before eating.

Please keep in mind each brand of air fryer is different, so you may have to cook your turkey legs longer than the recipe indicates.

How do you keep turkey legs moist?

If you have leftovers, or want to cook ahead to serve later, once your turkey leg cools, wrap them in foil or store in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge to enjoy the next day.

Reheat turkey legs in the air fryer?

I like to reheat my turkey legs in the air fryer for 10 minutes to keep the skin crispy. I find that it comes out much better this way, than when I warm them in the microwave.

Enjoy these air fryer turkey legs with your favorite side salad, or any side dish really. Be sure to check out some of my other carnival inspired recipes in this series.

If you make this recipe be sure to post it on Instagram and Facebook and tag @mochasandmimosas!

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

10 Best Restaurants at Legacy West Plano

August 23, 2020

I’m reviewing the 10 best restaurants at Legacy West and I'm sharing how you can enjoy dishes from around the world without leaving Plano, Texas.

This year Summer looks very different for most of us. Vacations and air travel have been put on hold because of that hater Corna. One of my favorite aspects of vacation is the food. Discovering new restaurants and eating foods from a different culture is always a treat.

I've been trying to find ways to get my vacation fix during quarantine. Then I realized that Legacy West Plano was just the place for an international foodie experience. From Asia, to Europe, and the Caribbean, lets take our taste buds on vacation, no passport required.

Travel around the World at Legacy West

Many of these restaurants have patio seating, however if you are not comfortable dining in, you can enjoy their takeout option.

Toulouse - France

If French food is what you fancy, then Toulouse is the spot. The decor is adorable and the food is delicious. Whether you decide to visit for brunch with your girls or dinner with bae you get the full French experience. Enjoy classic French dishes like bouillabaisse, a delicious seafood stew, and you must have a souffle for dessert. Add a French 75 while you're at it.

Bouillabaisse at Toulouse Legacy West — Bouillabaisse

Dessert at Toulouse Restaurant Legacy West — Souffle

North Italia - Italy

When I think of traditional Italian food, crusty bread and rich cheesy pasta dishes come to mind. North Italia has all of your favorites in an elevated form. Some of my favorites are the meatballs, and the cheesy bread. It's so good! I don't typically rave about salads at an Italian restaurant, but their kale salad is one of the best I've ever had. It's a must every time I visit. This is a great place for date night or a family dinner.

Kale Salad at North Italia Legacy West — Kale Salad

Meatballs at North Italia Legacy West — Meatballs

Taverna - Coastal Italy

Just in case you can't make your way to the Amalfi Coast this Summer, step in to Taverna for a taste of coastal Italian dishes. Taverna has a quaint bistro feel and a nice patio set-up if you want to dine al fresco.

Their fresh and delicious seafood are the stand out dishes. I find the biggest difference between coastal versus northern Italian cuisine is, coastal dishes are lighter with a white wine and tomato base, versus the heavy cream based dishes you find in northern Italian plates. My recommendation: order any of the seafood entrees and the tiramisu. I have a full review of Taverna here if you're looking for more suggestions on what to order.

Bulla Gastropub - Spain

Spain is known for tapas and paella and the seafood paella at Bulla is a must order. Bulla is also a great spot for cocktails and ordering a bunch of tapas to share. The sangria is bomb. Try the red or the white. If you have room definitely get the churros because they are perfection, chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside!

seafood paella at Bulla Gastropub Legacy West — Paella

Bulla Gastro Pub Churros Legacy West — Churros

Cava - Greece

I could eat Greek food every day! Cava is a great place to get flavors of Greece in a casual atmosphere. They offer customizable platters and bowls with fresh vegetables, dips, and grilled meats. It's a great spot for family meals or to grab a quick lunch.

Kai - Japan

If Asia is more your flavor then head to Kai for sushi and yummy drinks. The scene at Kai is dark and moody. The restaurant is on the second floor of the plaza at Legacy West so you have a nice view. There is a variety of seating throughout the restaurant, from bar tops, to cozy nooks and a wrap around patio that is definitely a vibe.

Tommy Bahama - Caribbean

Craving a Caribbean inspired vibe? Then head to Tommy Bahamas for fruit infused cocktails and dishes like ceviche and coconut rice and shrimp. The desserts are delicious too. You can't help but feel like you are at a resort on Caribbean island. The best part is there is a cute gift shop next door so you can grab a souvenir.

Mesero - Mexico

Your traditional Mexican dishes and cocktails can be found at Mesero. A variety of margaritas, an assortment of tacos as well as your other favorites. This is another good spot to meet up with friends for drinks.

Fogo De Chao - Brazil

Brazil is on my bucket list of places to visit. I can just picture myself sipping caipirinhas and exploring Rio. Until then, I’ll have to settle for the next best thing, which is Brazilian food, and there is no better place to have it than Fogo De Chao. Fogo boasts a large salad bar and a huge selection of delectable grilled meats. Fogo is an awesome spot for a fancy date night or to celebrate a special occasion.

Haywire - American

Sometimes you're just craving a taste of home and that's what you can find at Haywire. Elevated, comfort food is their specialty. You must try the elk tacos. The roasted chicken is tasty too. Haywire also has 2 levels and a swanky cigar lounge. Another place to put on your date night list.

roast chicken at haywire — Roast Chicken

Whether you are looking for a unique date night/Girl's Night spot or a little escape to feel like you are on vacation, you should definitely consider grabbing dinner at one of these 10 best restaurants at Legacy West. There is something for everyone no matter what your taste buds are craving.

If you found this helpful go ahead and pin this post to Pinterest to spread the word.

10 best restaurants at Legacy West — Pin It

Looking for more restaurants in Plano:

Air Fried Green Tomato BLT

July 15, 2020

I did a poll on my Instagram Stories and asked my Brunchies (the name I fondly use to refer to my Instagram friends who love brunch) to vote on whether my next brunch recipe should be sweet or savory. Whelp, the people have spoken and they requested a savory recipe. So, today I'm sharing an air fried green tomato BLT (bacon lettuce tomato) recipe.

Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich

This is not your basic BLT. No ma'am! This sandwich has thick crispy, juicy slices of air-fried green tomatoes, and slices of bacon, (I used turkey bacon because I don't eat swine, but if you do, that's your prerogative), fresh Spring mix (my favorite greens) between two slices of fluffy brioche bread. Oh, and the tomatoes are slathered with a flavorful homemade remoulade. Listen, if you're not ready for a flavor party in your mouth then just skip this air fried tomato BLT. However, if you are, then keep reading. This sandwich is so good, you'll make it for brunch and then crave another one at dinner time.

Air Fryer Green Tomatoes

The best part about this recipe is that I made the "fried" green tomatoes in the air fryer, so I didn't have to worry about getting popped by hot grease as I was cooking, or fussing over the timing of dipping and frying. However, if you don't own an air fryer you can still make these tomatoes in the oven or toaster oven. You may have to adjust your cooking time for those appliances. If you don't own either of those, you can make them on the stove and they will still be delicious, just protect your arms (lol)! There's a good stovetop fried green tomato recipe here.

Yield: 6

Easy Air Fryer Green Tomatoes

Enjoy these delicious crispy fried green tomatoes without the grease ..

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 green tomatoes
1 cup flour
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 egg
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Cooking oil in a spray bottle

Instructions

Combine egg and milk in a bowl and whisk. Set aside
Put the Panko in a bowl and set aside.
Add seasoning to flour and mix. Set aside.
Slice green tomatoes in thick slices. I got roughly 4 slices per tomato.
Dip each tomato slice in the flour, then egg mixture, then Panko
Place tomato slices in your air fryer and spray the tomatoes with a mist of cooking oil
Cook in your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees
Flip the tomatoes after 5 minutes and spray mist with the cooking oil. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Enjoy.

Notes

You can use a dairy substitute such as almond milk, or soy milk.

Use egg white to cut some of the calories.

Homemade remoulade

Don't skip out on this homemade remoulade. It seriously takes the fried green tomato BLT to the next level! I could seriously eat the remoulade with just the fried green tomatoes and still be satisfied. But we're going all the way today, so make the sauce and the sandwich!

Yield: 4

Remoulade Sauce Recipe

This flavorful remoulade goes great with fried green tomatoes and takes your meal to the next level.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
Creole Seasoning
Black Pepper
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together and adjust seasoning to taste.
Store in the fridge in an airtight container or mason jar for 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Add hot sauce if you like a spicy remoulade.

The longer you let the flavors meld together the better the sauce taste.

Easy Fried Green Tomato BLT

Once your bacon and tomatoes are finished and your sauce is prepared, it's time to assemble this bad boy! I opted not to toast my bread, but do you boo. Place the slices of bacon on the bread, then lettuce, then the tomatoes, slather those tomatoes with that delicious remoulade, then enjoy! Serve with a side of air fryer breakfast potatoes or fries to make this a complete meal.

If you make this recipe be sure to post it on Instagram and Facebook and tag @mochasandmimosas!

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

What to Expect on Your Visit to the Mckinney Farmers Market

The McKinney Farmers Market is located near downtown McKinney, Texas. As my friend rightly described, downtown McKinney is so quaint and historic, it looks like you are on the set of a Hallmark Movie. The farmer’s market is pretty big. There is a labyrinth of stalls that are canopied by huge trees. I suggest wearing comfy clothes and shoes. Wear sunblock and shades, because the Dallas Hades-like heat is no joke.

I also advise you to bring a shopping bag for all your goodies. Most of the vendors accept credit cards, but some do not, or may offer a little discount if you pay with cash, so make sure you have some cash on hand.

Mckinney Farmers Market Vendors

There were a plethora of vendor stands with fresh and local produce. The market also had bakers, with artesian bread and pastries. I had the most delicious pastry and got a loaf of lemon rosemary bread from one of the stalls. This bread was so good toasted and sliced fresh, dipped in olive oil.

I mentioned here, how much love sipping iced or hot tea. I was thrilled when I found loose leaf teas These chocolate chip cookies and blueberry and poppy seed pound cake went perfectly with my tea.

I found green tomatoes at the Mckinney Farmers Market and whipped up some fried green tomatoes when I got home. My MIL started a vegetable and herb garden with the kids, so we were excited to see they had herb plants for sale that we could add to the garden.

Family-Friendly Activities at the Mckinney Farmers Market

The market also has a mini petting zoo, pony rides, and face painting for kids. These days we have been seeking more outdoor adventures for the family, as we are still socially distancing. I can’t wait to return the Mckinney Farmers Market with my little ones.

If you're in the Dallas Fort Worth area you should check out the Mckinney's Farmers Market. If you aren't in Dallas, consider paying your local farmer's market a visit. Supporting local farmers is so crucial and you never know what gems you’ll find.

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

Looking for other Summer ideas?

Peach Picking with the Family in Dallas

Fun Things to Do with the Family in Dallas

The Best Alcohol Popsicles

Easy Watermelon Granita

Peach Picking with the Family in Dallas

July 7, 2020

Last weekend I posted on Instagram that I went peach picking with the family. I got so many questions about it, I figured I'd share our experience here.

When is Peach Season in Texas?

When I think of Summer, I immediately think about all of the fresh and delicious fruit in season, especially, ripe, juicy peaches. Peach season in Texas is from May to July. This is the best time of year to pick your own peaches. There are also blueberries and blackberries available for picking, in the Spring. Many of the farms that offer peach picking also have berries available for picking between March and early May.

Where to Go Peach Picking with the Family

There are lots of peach orchards in Texas. However, many of the orchards pick the peaches for you and you can purchase by the crate or the bag. I wanted to find a place where the family and I could pick our own peaches. I thought it would make for a fun experience. Since we are still socially distancing due to COVID, our family fun has been limited to outdoor spaces. A You-Pick peach farm near North Dallas is the perfect family adventure.

Best You-Pick Farms in North Dallas

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We visited George Cornwall Orchard in Little Elm. It's a small family orchard, with friendly staff. The best time to visit is Saturday morning, to get first dibs. You get a cardboard box and free reign to pick peaches and any other veggies you find on the farm. We picked about a dozen peaches and green tomatoes. They also sell peaches by the bag as well as honey. The orchard is cash only and the prices for peaches range from $5 for a quarter of a box to $20 for a full box.

The kids enjoyed picking their own peaches. They learned about farming and how the fruit is grown. The peaches were sweet and delicious. And the best part was creating a yummy dessert with our freshly picked peaches. It was a fun way to get out of the house and try something new. I intend to visit some more peach picking with the family before the season ends. If you are looking for a fun family-friendly activity, visit a local farm or orchard.

Here are Some Other You-Pick Farms near North Dallas

Windy Creek

Pure Land Farms

Gemini Peach and Rose Farm

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

Looking for more outdoor activities

Tips for Visiting Your Local Farmers Market

Fun Things to Do With Kids in Dallas

The Best Brioche French Toast

June 17, 2020

My go-to recipe when I'm brunching at home is French toast. It's simple, looks fancy, and absolutely delicious. Check out my recipe for the best brioche French toast and be sure to make the vanilla maple bourbon syrup. Trust me, you need this syrup!

Quick and Easy French Toast Recipe

When I'm out at brunch I love the French toast at Woodlands Grill. On a lazy weekend when we're brunching at home French toast is one of my favorite things to make. What I enjoy most about this brioche French toast recipe is it's quick and easy to make but looks lux and packs so much vanilla cinnamon goodness. It's perfect to make for a special occasion brunch. I plan on making this for the Hubs on Father's Day.

How to Make French Toast From Scratch

French toast is basically fried bread dipped in an egg custard. However, for me what distinguishes a banging French toast from a basic toast is the bread and the spices. You have to start off with good quality bread. Then you have to spice that egg mixture up with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. You can up the flavor profile by using almond extract in place of the vanilla.

Best Bread for French Toast

My favorite bread for French toast is brioche bread. It's thick and firm enough to stand up against the egg mixture. Yet, it soaks it up really well. Some great substitutes for brioche are: Texas toast, Challah bread, and sourdough.

Best Milk for French Toast

I make my brioche French toast with heavy cream because I think it adds to the richness and flavor. However, if you don't have heavy cream you can use milk, half and half, or a dairy substitute like almond, soy, coconut, or oat milk.

Yield: 6 servings

Brioche French Toast

This simple, delicious brioche French toast recipe is perfect for brunch.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 loaf brioche bread (12 slices)
4 eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla
butter

Instructions

Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, and nutmeg in a shallow dish.
Melt butter in a large skillet or on a griddle.
Dip bread slices, one at a time, into the egg mixture. Make sure both sides of the bread are well-coated.
Place bread slices in skillet or on the griddle and cook on medium heat until golden brown on each side, about 2 minutes on each side.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Dip bread quickly, just long enough to coat each side with the egg mixture. If you dip the bread for too long it will become soggy and you will have to cook it longer.

What Goes with French Toast

I love to top my french toast with fresh fruit and maple syrup. But when I'm really trying to get fancy I make this vanilla bourbon maple syrup. Please make this to go with your brioche French toast. I promise you will love it and it takes your this brioche French toast to the next level. Make sure you serve it warm.

Yield: 6

Vanilla Bourbon Maple Syrup

This vanilla bourbon maple syrup will take your French toast, pancakes, or anything you top it with to the next level.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon bourbon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a small saucepan.

2. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat.

3. Mix and bring mixture to a boil.

4. Sample the mixture and adjust ingredients to taste.

5. Remove from heat and serve warm.

Notes

Once the syrup cools completely you can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Vanilla Bourbon Maple Syrup

This vanilla bourbon maple syrup is so good on French toast, waffles, and pancakes. It pairs well with fresh strawberries, sliced bananas, sliced peaches, and cooked apples. The possibilities are endless.

If you don't have bourbon you can swap out the bourbon for Grand Mariner or rum and it would still taste yummy.

Can You Make French Toast Ahead of Time?

You can make this french toast the night before and store in a Ziploc bag or airtight container in the fridge. Sometimes I make a big batch and store them in freezer bags. We pop the French toast slices in the toaster oven when we are ready to serve.

I hope you and your loved ones enjoy this brioche French toast and vanilla bourbon maple syrup as much as my family and I do.

For recipe and cocktail ideas check out my Brunch E-book that is filled with hosting tips and delicious, easy to create recipes.

vanilla bourbon maple syrup — Pin for later

Looking for more ideas for hosting brunch at home:

Parisian Brunch

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Vision Board Brunch

How to Eat Healthy Without Getting Bored

June 8, 2020

Today I will be discussing how to eat healthy without getting bored. This post is brought to you by our sponsor, Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion. The opinions expressed below are my own.

This is part 3 of a 4 part series of the Always Eat After 7 PM Book. This series will document my experience and results from following the program from the Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion. If you missed part 1 and part 2 of this series go catch up.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet Without Getting Bored

Always Eat After 7 pm is a three-phase program that teaches you how to lose big by strategically eating big when you are naturally hungriest—in the evening. This may sound too good to be true, but let me assure you it is no gimmick. It’s all about making strategic and smart food swaps, and you can still eat your favorite foods. This program shows you exactly how to eat healthy without getting bored

When embarking on this new healthy lifestyle, I was concerned about getting bored with food. I am a foodie, therefore enjoying my meals is a must. In Phase 3, the Main Phase, you learn how to really make the Always Eat After 7 PM program a lifestyle. This phase lasts until you achieve your weight loss goals. Similar to the Acceleration Phase, the emphasis is on protein, non-starchy vegetables, and friendly fats. And the best part, you can have alcohol and dessert in this phase (yasss!).

Healthy Food Does Not Have To Be Boring.

Author, Joel Marion, states, “Fact is, most diets are extremely narrow with regard to food choices and variety, and many even limit entire macronutrients altogether over the course of the entire program (think low-carb and low-fat diets). Three months with no carbs? No thanks. Such practices not only are entirely unnecessary but make for a miserable, unsustainable experience.” These are my exact sentiments about most weight loss programs, which is often why people, myself included, find it hard to maintain such a restricted diet.

The recipes are yummy and full of flavor. We're not talking about boiled chicken and broccoli here (eww!). I'm talking stuffed baked potatoes, cheesy ground beef skillet, and so many more tasty options.

One of my favorite things about this book and the program is how easy it was to follow. The book contains easy-to-follow meal planning, food lists, and recipe ideas. So there is no guessing about what you should eat to stay within the plan. There is even a guide for eating out, which I definitely appreciated because I really wanted to find a plan that was easy to incorporate into my existing lifestyle. In addition, there are tips for how to eat healthy while traveling as well as a number of social situations, where you may be confused about how to stick to the program.

You can eat dessert and still lose weight.

Yes, you absolutely can enjoy desserts and still lose weight. The Always Eat After 7 PM program makes dieting easy and eliminates 90% of the reasons for resistance. There were so many delicious recipes in the book that meal planning was actually fun. I was able to eat many of the foods that I enjoyed eating and didn't feel restricted in my eating. Eating healthy does not have to be boring. The fact that you can have desserts and wine, while still achieving your weight loss goals, is mind-blowing to me.

These are real desserts too, like chocolate and brownies! I didn't go overboard with the drinking. I limited myself to 1 glass of wine on the weekends. Knowing I had stuck to the plan during the week made that glass of wine even more enjoyable.

Since starting the program I have more energy and I feel and look better in my clothes. What I'm most excited about is making better meal choices. I don't feel like I'm depriving myself nor do I feel as if I'm on a "diet." Being able to eat healthy without getting bored has helped me stay on track.

Learn more about the book and how to purchase Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion. You can find more go-to snacks and recipes from the book here.

Feel free to drop me a line and let me know if you have any questions or if you try the program so we can encourage each other. Stay tuned for my final post in this series.

This post is brought to you by our sponsor, “Always Eat After 7 PM”. The opinions expressed are my own.

Looking for more ways to achieve your health goals:

Always Eat After 7 PM Book Review

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Smoothie Bowls for Breakfast: Rush Bowls Review

Original Chop Shop Review

Smoothie Bowls for Breakfast

May 21, 2020

The post "Smoothie Bowls for Breakfast" is brought to you by our sponsor, Rush Bowl. The opinions expressed below are my own.

Smoothie bowls for breakfast have become my latest obsession. Although they are pretty easy to make at home, some days I just don't have the time. So today I'm sharing how Rush Bowl has become a convenient way to get my smoothie bowls for breakfast when I don't have the time to make my own.

What is a Smoothie Bowl?

A smoothie bowl is exactly what it sounds like, a smoothie poured into a bowl. The base of the smoothie is usually a combination of fruits, vegetables, and some sort of liquid (juice, water, dairy, or plant-based dairy alternative). The combinations are endless, which is what makes smoothie bowls so fun. You never have to have the same smoothie bowl twice. There are over 30 Smoothie bowl.

Rush Bowls offers a variety of smoothie bowls and toppings for you to create your own bowl, or you could go with one of their already amazing combinations. The bowls can be fruit or yogurt-based. The great thing about Rush Bowl is that they cater to vegans too because you can swap out the milk for almond or soy milk. I went with my mother-in-love who is a vegetarian and she loved it.

Smoothie Bowls for Breakfast — Rush Bowl Smoothies

Are smoothie bowls healthy?

As much as you see me indulging on my Instagram and Facebook feed, I really try to eat clean 80% of the time and indulge the other 20%. Now I will admit that number gets skewed this time of year, but I'm committed to getting back on track with my 80/20 rule and not wait until January 1st. I try and work out at least four days a week, but I realize none of that matters if my diet is trash.

I strive to be consistent with my 80/20 rule and my workouts. For me consistency looks like doing what I know I should do, even on the days, I don't feel like it. Rush Bowl smoothie bowls are a great way to get in your veggies and protein in one delicious meal. Their smoothie bowls contain up to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and up to 40 grams of protein.

Are smoothie bowls good for breakfast?

One thing that helps me stay true to my rule of eating clean is eating breakfast every day. Considering my favorite meal is brunch, eating breakfast was never difficult for me. A typical breakfast for me consists of either oatmeal with berries and nuts, avocado toast with eggs, or a green smoothie.

There are definitely days when I have a hectic morning and don't have time to prepare breakfast. I end up stopping in a drive-thru for breakfast, and I always regret it after. Rush Bowls is a good breakfast option when you are short on time. The bowls are filling, delicious, and healthy. You can't get any better than that. My favorite was the peach cobbler, which would also make a great dessert or mid-day snack.

What do you put on top of a Smoothie Bowl?

The fun part about Rush Bowl smoothie bowls is the endless toppings you can add to them. You can top your smoothie bowl with a variety of fresh fruit, coconut shavings, drizzle honey, nut butter, as well as seeds and nuts. I love to top mine with granola. The crunchy granola, adds some texture to the smoothie bowl.

If you have a Rush Bowl in your area, I hope this post encourages you to try them and have one of their healthy and delicious smoothie bowls for breakfast. If you found this helpful go ahead and pin this post to Pinterest to spread the word.

This post is sponsored by Rush Bowl. All reviews for items gifted to me are my own honest opinion.

Looking for more healthy meal options:

Original Chop Shop Review

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

10 Best Food shows on Netflix Right Now

March 25, 2020

The whole world is currently in quarantine and chill mode right now, due to the Corona virus. It's surreal! Since we can't dine out and travel is on hold, I'm living vicariously through Netflix. I shared a fun activity here to do at home with kids. Today, I'm sharing the 10 best food shows on Netflix right now. These shows will provide the delicious escape we are desperately craving. I also included some meal ideas for you to nosh while you binge these 10 best food shows on Netflix.

Best Food shows on Netflix Right Now — Photo by Alexy Almond

In Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat chef Samin Nosrat's best-selling book of the same name, comes to life. The award-winning chef travels from Italy to Japan, and then to Yucatan demonstrating how these four elements: salt, fat, acid, and heat are the key to creating the perfect dish.

Nosh while you watch

Create your own charcuterie board that features all of the elements while binging on this series.

2. Street Food

Season 1 of Street Food explores the street food scene in Asia. This show sets out to prove that some of the best food in a country isn't found in a fancy restaurant, but instead at a cart on the street. My favorite episode was in Thailand which highlighted a street vendor who won a James Beard award.

Nosh while you watch

Takeout from your favorite Thai restaurant

3. Food On The Go

Food on the Go explores the migration of Italian food to America. What I found fascinating is that many of the dishes we associate today with Italian food are actually a mutation of dishes created by Italian Americans.

Nosh while you watch

Enjoy a bowl of spaghetti bolognese why you binge.

4. Chef's Table

Chef's Table takes us from Russia to Bali, visiting chefs all over the globe. I mentioned here how I'm sort of fangirl for chefs. So, I really enjoyed hearing the chef's story. This series focuses on how each chef's upbringing and culture shape their food. My favorite episode was with chef Mashama Bailey in Savanah, Georgia who put a spin on Southern cuisine. I also liked the episodes with chef Christine Martinez who has been a voice for undocumented immigrants and Will Goldfab who left his bustling career as a pastry chef in New York for a different life in Bali.

Nosh while you watch

Have a plate of shrimp and grits while you binge.

5. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner a wanderlust chef ventures the world with a different celebrity in each episode and food is part of the adventure. Guests include Christy Tiegen, Lena Waithe, and Kate Mckinnon. The guest and chef discuss food, culture, and race with humor. Markesha has been added to my bucket list after watching this show.

Nosh while you watch

Make a shakshuka for breakfast, lunch, or dinner while you binge.

6. Somebody Feed Phil

Somebody Feed Phil follows former Everyone Loves Raymond producer as he travels the world eating local foods and hanging with the residents. Phil is like a fish out of water as he navigates his way through each country and its cuisine.

Nosh while you watch

Make a hoagie or some sort of meat sandwich while you binge.

7. Ugly Delicious

Best food shows to watch on Netflix — Photo by Lee

Ugly Delicious features chef David Cheng as he searches for the best meal in each country he visits. Each episode focuses on a specific dish, such as pizza, tacos, BBQ, etc.

Nosh while you watch

Dine on your favorite pizza--takeout or make your own.

8. The Final Table

If you're into cooking competitions, you'll enjoy The Final Table. Local chefs from different countries compete and are judged by famous chefs and foodies. Competitors make an English breakfast for Cat Deely and tacos for Julio Ce'sar.

Nosh while you watch

Make bangers and mash while you binge.

9. Taco Chronicles

Taco Tuesday with history. Taco Chronicles delves into the most popular taco styles and the little known history and traditions behind them.

Nosh while you watch

Your favorite tacos of course.

10. Restaurant on the Edge

In Restaurant on the Edge, a chef, an interior designer, and restaurateur travel abroad to help revive restaurants and keep them from going under (or over the edge). My favorite was the St. Lucia episode because of how it showcased the island, the food, and the people there. The head chef at the restaurant in the St. Lucia episode talked so passionately about his mother and the recipes she passed down to him.

Nosh while you watch

Make a dish with your favorite fish and sip on a rum cocktail while you binge.

You will be ready to book a flight when this is all over and these 10 best food shows on Netflix will provide lots of inspiration for places to add to your bucket list. In the meantime, we can create or order some of the dishes featured in these episodes while we quarantine and chill.

Date Night: in Downtown Plano

January 22, 2020

One of my goals for the new year is to get more creative with our date nights. I feel like we always end up at the same places whenever we have a date night. This year I am committed to spicing things up, getting out of our comfort zone, and making date nights fun again. You can look forward to more date night ideas on the blog. Today I'm sharing why you need to do your next date night in downtown Plano. In my post here, I talked about another fun evening in downtown Plano.

Why we love downtown Plano for date night.

Downtown Plano has all of the cool and quaint charm of a small city downtown. There's no crazy traffic, fighting for parking, and parking is generally free, unlike downtown Dallas. There are tons of great restaurants as well as coffee and dessert shops to choose from.

Dinner at Ebesu

We started our date night in downtown Plano with dinner at *Ebesu, a new sushi spots to hit the area. Ebesu is an authentic Japanese restaurant where most of the items are shared and enjoyed small plate style. Think the Japanese version of tapas. The food is to be enjoyed while sharing and ordering plenty of drinks. You can find a variety of hot and cold sakis in addition to Japanese beers. The menu offers a variety of fresh high-end seafood and beef. All of the dishes were delicious and beautifully plated. My favorite items on the menu were the Gyu tataki (seared beef) and scallops. The Hubs really enjoyed the wagyu beef and Iwashi Robata (sardine skewer).

What we ordered

Ebesu has a great happy hour menu that goes pretty late, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The wait staff was friendly, gave a great explanation of the menu items, and also gave some great recommendations. Mention "Mochas and Mimosas" when you visit Ebesu and receive a 10% discount.

The Hubs and I with the head chef and manager.

Although Ebesu has a delicious bread pudding for dessert which I highly recommend, if you saved room, we decided to head across the street to the Better than Sex Dessert Shop.

Better than Sex

The Better than Sex Dessert Shop is super sexy. The lighting is dim. Red walls are covered in boudoir pictures and the seating is intimate. Our table had a "privacy curtain" in front of it. This place only offers dessert and drinks. So, it's the perfect after dinner spot, if you want to keep the night going. All of the items on the menu are described in a cheeky tone with lots of double entendre.

I tried the key lime pie which was a little different than your average key lime pie because the crust was made out of shortbread rather than graham crackers. It was decent but I think the crust was a little too hard and the pie couldn't stand up against that crust. I had a hard time cutting it. Also the price for dessert ranged from $12 -15, which I found a bit steep especially considering the pie was average at best. However, it's a fun and flirty place that provides plenty of conversation pieces.

Both of these places were perfect for a unique and romantic date night. Don't sleep on downtown Plano. Add Ebesu and Better than Sex Dessert to your next date night. Don't forget to mention "Mochas and Mimosas" when you visit Ebesu and receive 10% off of your bill. You can see more of our date night in downtown Plano here.

Items listed with a (*) have been gifted or provided gratis. I have not been compensated to provide a positive review. My thoughts and opinions, as always, are of my own. I always strive to provide my readers with honest feedback and review.

Best Brunch in Dallas

January 10, 2020

Hello Brunch Bunch, Happy New year! I hope you had a great holiday season filled with lots of love and of course delicious eats. If you're new to the blog (Welcome!) you may not know that a few years ago I started a brunch club with some of my friends. I talked all about it here. We started the club back in 2016 and we have yet to repeat a restaurant for brunch. That just goes to show how on and poppin’ the Dallas brunch scene is. Since we're in the season of reminiscing about the previous year, I figured I'd share the best brunches in Dallas 2019. Honorable mention goes to Stock and Barrel. I didn't visit with my brunch club, but I went in 2019 and did a full review on it here.

1. Henry's Majestic

Henry's majestic-The food and service were good. The highlight of the whole brunch experience at Henry's is their mimosa bar. You order your mimosa which comes in a mini carafe that gets you about two mimosas, depending on your champagne to juice ratio. You head to the bar area where there are different juices as well as fruit and other flavorful toppers for your mimosas.

Best Brunches in Dallas — Sipping the mimosa I created

2. The Henry

The Henry- The Henry is one of the newer restaurants on the Dallas brunch scene. It's definitely a vibe with cute decor, good food and drinks, and lots of instagramable spaces. If you take a picture in front of the famous arrow and tag The Henry on Instagram you get entered to win a gift card. My photo was actually selected one month (Yeah Me!).

3. Fearing's at the Ritz-Carlton

Fearing's - If you're looking for a super fancy upscale brunch, Fearing's is where it's at. The service is superb and the menu is delicious. The complimentary bread basket they start you off with, is enough to write home about ---I may or may not have ordered a second basket.

4. Eggsquisite Cafe

Eggsquisite Cafe- this place is low key and casual. It's definitely somewhere to keep in mind for brunch with the family. It has a diner feel with your classic brunch favorites. One cool thing about this place is it’s BYOB, so you can bring your own champs or Prosecco and they give you the juice to mix in.

5. City Council, Dallas

City Council - offers fun patio vibes. So keep in mind for a weekend when the weather is nice. They are known for their unique selections of boozy cereals. Think Apple Jax and and apple Henny---yes, it’s totally a thing.

My brunch club has already started planning our 2020 brunches. I’d love to hear about your favorite brunch spots from 2019. Let me know in the comments. Also be sure to check out my guide for the best Boozy Brunch Deals in Dallas.

Best Brunches in Dallas 2019 — Pin It for later!

Brunch Review: Stock & Barrel

November 20, 2019

If you're following me on social media here then you know I've been brunching hard. However, I realize I haven't given my Brunchies a brunch review in a while. So today I've got a full brunch review on Stock & Barrel. You can also check out some of my other brunch reviews here and here.

This was my first time visiting Stock & Barrel. It was a sunny, crisp, Sunday, one of those Sundays that is perfect for brunching and making new friends. I met up with a group of fellow minority bloggers in Dallas. We sipped boozy breakfast beverages and enjoyed great food, while helping each other level up in our respective niches.

Stock and Barrel Brunch Starter

We started off with the blue cheese chips, which were light, crisp, loaded, with chunks of blue cheese, drizzled with a cream sauce and sprinkled with chives. The chips are a must!

Best cocktails for brunch at Stock and Barrel

I had the spritzer, which they change out weekly. It was a good brunch beverage, because it had bubbles (you know I love a good champs drink) and citrus notes. Speaking of boozy brunch, if you're interested in getting a full list of places in DFW that have the best boozy brunch specials grab my guide here.

What to order at Stock and Barrel

Everyone enjoyed their meal. I had the tuna tacos. The shell was crisp and the tuna was fresh and packed with flavor. My side of Brussel sprouts were delicious too. They were roasted to perfection and tossed in a sweet Thai sauce. So yummy!

Stock & Barrel Brunch — Roasted Brussel Sprouts

We devoured the praline bread pudding so I don't have a picture to share (*sigh). If you saved room for dessert, I recommend the bread pudding.

Goodies and treats

Our friends at Godishskin and Caketacular gifted us with some awesome goodies.

Be sure to check out Stock & Barrel the next time you're making brunch plans. They have a sister restaurant, in the design district that is open for lunch and dinner and I can't wait to check that one out. Have you had brunch at Stock & Barrel? If so, let me know what you ordered.