- 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, Drinks, Holiday Eats, Lunch, Recipe Box

Open Faced Turkey, Guacamole, Steamed Egg Sandwich!

December 12, 2013 by

Guys…. I have one more paper due and then I am officially done with my undergraduate degree. I’m going to pause to take that in for a moment. Time has really flown! It’s also extremely overwhelming because I have no idea where I will be 1-2 months from now, but it’s extremely exciting at the same time. Dj had an interview in California for an aerospace engineering job this past week and is flying to Florida in a few days to take on another! Exciting times for all of us. :) Anyways, I want to apologize again for the lack of activity lately! Since it is finals week, my life consisted of coffee, coffee, and more coffee. ;) Not much to blog about there! Except the fact that Starbucks has those adorable red cups…

Read more

Breakfast, Recipe Box

Chocolate PB2 Banana Oatmeal with Raisins!

December 4, 2013 by

This week is going to be random and filled of short recipes, just for a warning! I’m in my last two weeks of school ever. Ever. EVER. (So bittersweet). So, with job applications, finals, and spending time with friends, these next few weeks will be hectic. Sorry in advance! :) This is one of my favorite go-to breakfasts or snacks. I love oatmeal because it is healthy and so filling. It will keep me going all morning long! Oatmeal is also very versatile. You can experiment with a lot of different flavors, such as one of my current favorites, Chocolate PB2 Banana Oatmeal with Raisins. You Need: *½ Cup 100% Whole Grain Oats *½ Medium Banana *2 Tablespoons of Chocolate PB2 *2 Tablespoons Raisins* Simply cook the oats as directed with water, mash in…

Read more

Breakfast, Recipe Box

Post Thanksgiving Detox!

November 30, 2013 by

Detoxing my body after eating my body weight in mashed potatoes this week.. :) *Egg Whites *Spinach *Tomato *Yellow Onion *Green Onion *Chicken Sausage With Apple *Topped with Chunky Salsa* And who said detoxing was a bad thing?! Yummm.

Read more

Holiday Eats, Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Tailgating Must-Haves

Healthy Deviled Eggs! No Mayo!

November 29, 2013 by
Healthy Deviled Eggs

I am still in a food coma from yesterday! I love love love Thanksgiving. Not only the amazing food, but family time, as well! I rarely am able to see my little sisters & my dads side of the family because they are in California, while I’m in West Virginia. Sooooo, I really love the holidays when I get to come back and love on them! My sister, Jordyn, loves to cook as much as I do. She’s only 12 years old, but already an amazing baker! She makes the most beautiful cakes I have ever seen! Yesterday, Jordyn and I took to the kitchen to make multiple dishes. One of my all time favorite side dishes is Deviled Eggs. They are so yummy, but with all the mayonnaise included, the healthy part of…

Read more

Breakfast, Holiday Eats, Recipe Box

Pumpkin Cinnamon French Toast & Caramelized Bananas!

November 28, 2013 by

Happy Thanksgiving! Being in California right now makes it feel more like May rather than almost December. As I sit here in shorts and a tank top, I am feeling thankful for the weather! :) The other morning, one of my younger sisters, Jordyn, and I wanted to make everyone breakfast. We decided to do a healthy spin off one of our favorites, French Toast! Are you tired of pumpkin yet? I’m not! ;) You Need: *Whole Wheat Bread *1 cup Pure Pumpkin *1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk *2 Tablespoons Ground Cinnamon *2 Tablespoons Agave *2 Tablespoons of Stevia* 1 Egg White* Mix all the ingredients (minus the bread) in a large bowl! Heat a large skillet and dip your bread into the mixture. I chose to use whole wheat bread while Jordyn chose…

Read more

Dinner, Eating Out, Lunch, My Life, Recipe Box, Sides, Travel Adventures

Airport Travels. Goodbye, Philly and Helllllo, Southern California!

November 26, 2013 by

I have officially made it to Southern California! I landed late last night and was welcomed by warm weather and palm trees. I’ve missed this! Travel days are long and boring. I had a 5 hour flight, followed by a 2 hour layover, followed by another 1 hour flight, so when I finally reached baggage claim I wanted to kiss the ground and do a dance.. (don’t worry, I only thought about doing that)! Traveling can pose a lot of problems for food. I didn’t want to risk eating what they had on the airplane, so before my first flight, I stopped by this quick sandwich and salad place called Green Leaf’s. I was surprised at how fresh and good their options were! I did their “Build Your Own” salad option. I chose: *Mixed…

Read more

Dinner, Dressings & Marinades, Friends & Family, Lunch, My Life, Recipe Box, Sides, Travel Adventures

Post Workout Salads & Philly!

November 25, 2013 by

Happy Monday! I’m currently people watching in the Philadelphia International Airport waiting to board my flight to California! Airports and traveling are something that I’m used to, so flying doesn’t bother me. However, the sweet lady sitting next to me has so much perfume on that it’s hard to breathe, so if that is my biggest issue at the moment, I guess I’m good! This week I went to visit DJ’s family in Philadelphia with him. West Virginia has a 10 day Thanksgiving break so I was able to split it up between time with his family as well as my own! Yesterday we went into the city to see the sites. I hadn’t seen them before, and I was pleasantly surprised at just how pretty the area around the historical sites really are!…

Read more

Dinner, Lunch, Recipe Box

Mushroom Chicken with a White Wine Sauce… in the Crockpot!

November 24, 2013 by

Brrr! It is freezing outside!! Today was in the low 20’s and high winds. The sky was clear and beautiful, though! Right now I’m in Philadelphia. I’m officially on my last Thanksgiving Break from school, ever. EVER. How weird is that… DJ is originally from Philly, so I’m visiting for a long weekend before flying out to spend Thanksgiving with my dad & his family in California. The warm weather will be a nice change! Before I left, I wanted to use up the food I had, so this recipe was one where I threw ingredients together and crossed my fingers while hoping for the best. It worked out wonderfully! Don’t you just love it when that happens? :) You Need: *4 skinless chicken breasts *1 can of cream of mushroom soup *1 package of…

Read more