Melissa

Breakfast, Holiday Eats, Recipe Box, Snacking, Sweet Tooth, Tailgating Must-Haves

The Best Ever Banana Nut Muffins

October 23, 2015 by Melissa

I know what you're thinking.. "the best ever banana nut muffins, really, the best ever?" But trust me on this, I do not use "the best ever" lightly. The muffins will convince you on your first bite; moist and cakey on the inside, a bit of crunch on the outside, all while staying nice and soft for days after baking! One of my friends at work asked me to make him some banana nut muffins, and since I never turn down an opportunity to bake, I dusted off an old bread recipe of mine and turned it into muffin form. I actually didn't tweak anything, but it cut the baking time in 1/2 so I actually prefer this much more than the bread. Muffins are great; they're small enough where you know what a…

Healthy & Hearty Fall Soup

October 18, 2015 by Melissa

Smokey turkey kielbasa + fresh veggies + hearty beans & potatoes = the perfect brothy, nutrient packed, and filling fall soup. When the weather cools down, I tend to gravitate more towards the warming comfort foods. Soups, oatmeal, fresh hot muffins, crock pot meals... You get the gist. :) This soup is the perfect balance of light yet hearty. My meat & potatoes loving boyfriend even loves this dish (most likely since there is actual meat and potatoes present ;) ) and will bring a Tupperware for lunch or heat up a bowl for a quick dinner. The best part about this easy peasy recipe is that you can portion it out and freeze to grab in the mornings and be thawed and ready for lunch. Meal prepping is something I swear by, but…

Pulled Zesty Pineapple Chicken [in the crock pot!]

October 10, 2015 by Melissa

This week, I dusted off my crock pot. It's a "chilly" 70 degrees in Florida, and finally feeling like fall. Autumn to me means a few things: Soups Pumpkin Oatmeal & most importantly: crock pot recipes Sunday morning, I woke up early with an unusual amount of energy. I went on a 20 minute run, cleaned my apartment, did all the [masses] of dishes, and even prepped lunches & dinners for the work week. Crock pots are magical for this very reason. I love when I can throw a meal together and just forget about it. I've created a similar shredded taco chicken in the past, but this has a more citrus-y kick to it! The chicken is amazing paired with some brown or wild rice and veggies. [I used broccoli, corn, & carrots!]…

3 Books To Read This October

October 4, 2015 by Melissa

What is it about fall that's just so cozy? I'm loving the cooling weather, the pumpkin scented candles & baked goods, and of course, overly fuzzy blankets. Another thing that comes with fall is my reading list jumps up. Since I'm no longer hitting the beach or going out as many nights as I do in the summertime, I try to give my brain more of a break from tv & flip open a book. For the month of October, I'm focusing on more serious reads. In the summer, I'm all about the lighthearted books I can relax with by the ocean, but in the fall/winter when I'm cozied up at home, I like books that make me think on a deeper level. 1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Somehow, I have yet to…

Skinny 7 Layer Taco Dip – Tailgating Thursday

October 1, 2015 by Melissa

I'm the queen of dips. The favorite buffalo chicken dip... the classic french onion dip with a healthy twist... or the ever so simple creamy roasted garlic homemade hummus... and now this skinny 7 layer taco dip are all a staple in my presence, especially when football is involved. I'm one of those people who can't show up to a gathering empty handed. If someone, no matter who they are, is having a get together, count me in to bring my favorite bottle of wine or better yet, a dish to share that I know mostly everyone will be a fan of. 7 layer taco dip is something I'm 99% sure everyone has heard of and most enjoy. As you know, I love taking classic comfort recipes and giving them a light twist, which is exactly what…

Let’s Get Serious for a Moment

September 30, 2015 by Melissa

I've never strayed away from my happy/healthy lifestyle genre that this blog is created after, but today that's going to change as I talk about something that weighs very heavy on my heart. Buzzfeed shared a story to Facebook this week about a human rights group who filmed themselves as they ripped a puppy from the grasping hands of a homeless man. The man is shown sobbing as he fights for his dog back, even being brought to the ground as he desperately watches these thieves steal his dog and run while he lays crying and defeated on the cement ground. While I'm living in the states & this story happened in Paris, it's an extremely common occurrence to hear stories such as these. Stories that show the homeless population as less than human.…

Feel Good Friday; vol. 15

September 25, 2015 by Melissa

From the post, So You're Thinking of Starting a Blog? Happy Friday, guys! Have you had one of those weeks that felt like it would just never end? That was me this week. On Tuesday, I thought it was Thursday... talk about a letdown! This weekend, we're finally getting those massages. We had them planned for last weekend, but the times ended up not working out so we had to reschedule. I'm really glad about that now, though, since after this week, a massage is definitely needed! Other than that, Tyler and I are planning on getting to work at adding to GPL's YouTube channel! Have you checked out my 5 minute curls hair tutorial? It's a little lonely being the only one, so we're going to fix that ;) . What do you…

The Tastiest Baked Brie – Tailgating Thursday

September 24, 2015 by Melissa

I understand that "the tastiest baked brie" is a bold statement, but I am fully ready to stand behind this dish. ;) I also should add that this is the EASIEST. RECIPE. EVER. Brie has a special place in my heart, which may seem like a silly thing to say about cheese, but then again, I feel that fellow cheese lovers would agree. I mentioned in my first Tailgating Thursday post that not every recipe posted would be healthy- and this is one of those "treat yourself" ones! However, to be 100% perfect all the time would be 100% boring, so take some advice from me and make this cheese for your next party. Or when you have a night alone with Netflix and your bed.. this is a judgement free zone [especially when…

- Author: Melissa -

The Best Ever Banana Nut Muffins

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Healthy & Hearty Fall Soup

Read more

Pulled Zesty Pineapple Chicken [in the crock pot!]

Read more

3 Books To Read This October

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Skinny 7 Layer Taco Dip – Tailgating Thursday

Read more

Let’s Get Serious for a Moment

Read more

Feel Good Friday; vol. 15

Read more

The Tastiest Baked Brie – Tailgating Thursday

Read more