- Author: Melissa -

Hi there! I'm Melissa & I am a firm believer in taking cookies out of the oven 2 minutes under the recommended cooking time. I also love to travel, cook, shop, craft, and live an all around positive lifestyle. Come say hi!
Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Recipe Box, Sides, Sweet Tooth

Meals To Warm You Up!

February 6, 2014 by

Now that there is a Polar Vortex taking over America, leaving your house to brace the cold isn’t on everyones top priorities. I thought to make meal prep a little easier while we all wait for the snow and cold temperatures to end, I would compile a short list of my favorite, quick recipes to warm you up! Simply click on the recipe name to bring you to the specific recipe. :) Zesty Fiesta Soup Cupcake Omelets  63 Calorie Peanut Butter Brownies Hearty Fall Soup Roasted Butternut Squash- Two Ways! Stay warm, everyone! Xo

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Dinner, Lunch, My Life, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Travel Adventures

Skinny Crispy Sodium-Free French Fries!

February 4, 2014 by

First of all, I want to thank Taralynn for showcasing me in her new blog! Taralynn is a big inspiration to me, so I was glowing for days! :) This past week was consumed of packing, driving, more packing, coffee, more driving, unpacking, caffeine overloads, and seeing about 7 states in a matter of 16 hours. However, I have officially made it to Jacksonville, Florida!! My new home. Once I left, Morgantown was pounded with another foot of snow, and I was down here, sweating in 80 degree weather. Its been a crazy, surreal change, but I am embracing this new adventure and chapter in my life! This is our living room… you can hardly see the floor right now! Everything is covered in boxes! Dj starts his job this coming Monday, so I…

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Breakfast, Drinks, Friends & Family, My Life, Recipe Box, Sweet Tooth, Travel Adventures

Pumpkin Spice Soy Latte!

January 15, 2014 by

After a month of chaos, I am embracing this sudden down time. Within this past 3 ½ weeks, I’ve graduated from college, visited family abroad in London, surprised my dad out in California for his 50th birthday, made a quick stop in Philadelphia to celebrate Dj’s birthday, & then made the drive back to Morgantown! It’s been a whirl wind of activity but a ton of fun! :) London’s Winter Wonderland  My sisters and I in California I also turned 23 last Saturday! Growing up, I learned (thanks, Blink 182) that nobody likes your when you’re 23, so here’s to hoping that is not true. ;) Throughout all of this craziness, I haven’t been cooking too much. All of that is now about to change! Starting off with my Lean Shredded Chicken Tacos with…

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Dinner, Lunch, Recipe Box, Sides, Tailgating Must-Haves

Light Shredded Chicken Tacos with Seasoned Sweet Potato Crisps

January 14, 2014 by

Having all my friends over to eat and catch up is one of my favorite evenings. Tacos are an easy crowd pleaser, so now that everyone is back in town after the holidays, I invited some of my friends over for a healthy, tasty taco night! I hadn’t made crockpot shredded chicken before, but this recipe is a keeper for sure! Dj and his best friend, Brennan, ate at least 6 soft tacos each… they kept saying, “I’m so full, but these are SO GOOD! I can’t stop!” So, I have moved this recipe in my ‘keep’ box for the future. :) This recipe is also really simple. It only takes 3 ingredients! Yes, you heard correctly, 3! You need: *6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, 1 Jar of Salsa *1 Package of Low Sodium…

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Breakfast, Recipe Box, Snacking

Mornings Done Right!

December 26, 2013 by

Happy day after Christmas! Is anyone bearing the shops today? I’m not! Currently, I’m cozied up in my new Christmas pajama pants and enjoying a bowl of whole grain cereal topped with fresh fruit! Yum! One of my favorite go-to breakfasts. Hope you’re enjoying your day off! Xo

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DIY Projects, Friends & Family, Gift Ideas, Homemade Body/Beauty Products, My Life, Travel Adventures

DIY Body Scrubs! Cute & Quick Holiday Gift Idea

December 23, 2013 by

Well, it’s official.. I’m a college graduate! It’s a feeling I cannot put into words.. it’s extremely surreal. I had so much fun this past week with my family coming to West Virginia. They live all over the world, so whenever we can all be together it’s always such a great time. My roomie for the past 4 ½ years! :)  My boo. :) Currently, I am sitting on my mom’s couch in her flat in London, England. She lives overseas and was able to come for the weekend, too! Morgantown was packed with my family and I loved it! I have a pretty big family. When it comes to the holidays, it can be pretty draining on my college bank account. More than that though, I really enjoy personalizing gifts. I think that making your…

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Holiday Eats, Recipe Box, Snacking, Sweet Tooth

Cheesecake Stuffed Gingerbread Bites! Only 4 Ingredients!

December 18, 2013 by
Cheesecake Stuffed Gingerbread Bites

It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas… :) I graduate in 2 days! Exciting, scary times! Tomorrow, I have my family coming in. My mom lives in London and my dad & his side of the family live in California, so I cherish the moments I am able to spend time with them! I wanted to make some treats for them to be welcomed by, my first being these cute yummy little Cheesecake Stuffed Gingerbread Bites! These cookies take only 4 ingredients to make, so it was a good first cookie to get myself back into the swing of Christmas baking. You Need: *1 package of Tollhouse Gingerbread Cookie Mix (you can make your own if you’re feeling ambitious) *1 package of room temperature cream cheese *2 cups of Powdered Sugar *1 tablespoon…

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DIY Projects, Gift Ideas, Recipe Box, Sweet Tooth

Homemade Puppy Treats! ..Because Dogs Deserve Christmas Cookies Too

December 13, 2013 by

When it comes to Christmas, I’m really big on DIY gifts. I think they are more personal, and of course, more wallet friendly. I’ll be posting some human friendly do-it-yourself gifts later in the week. :) I’m also a huge puppy lover! One of my best friends, Danielle, has the cutest little 3 year old, Remi, who basically acts like a human. Dj’s roommate, Tom, has a dog named Yogi. He is the sweetest pup who just wants to cuddle and play all day long! I didn’t want to leave these furry friends out of our holiday festivities, so I made them some homemade treats! Making your own treats has many benefits. For one, they are a lot cheaper. The ingredients I used, almost everyone will already have on hand. Also, you know exactly…

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