- 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!
Dinner, Lunch, Recipe Box, Sides

Typical Weekday Dinner!

October 31, 2013 by

Happy Halloween!! I still don’t have a costume for tonight…. (oops) Typically, I’m super excited to dress up, but I still have yet to find inspiration on a costume. I’m going to the mall soon with my roommate Sara, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed I find something! This is just a quick post on a typical weekday dinner for some general ideas! :) Tuesday night I made: -Seasoned baked skinless chicken breasts (seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and italian seasoning) -Baked carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini (seasoned with italian seasoning and onion powder) -Spinach salad with dried cherries, low-fat feta cheese, light balsamic dressing, and a few croutons. This was really simple and super satisfying! *Pan of carrots were baked at 400 degrees for 35 minutes* squash & zucchini were baked…

Read more

Breakfast, Recipe Box

Mini Cupcake Omelets!

October 29, 2013 by

So, I am 99.95% sure that my heater is blowing out cold air. My apartment is SO cold!! Currently, I am cuddled up in a huge sweatshirt and blanket and am still chilly. The worst part, my landlord isn’t answering his phone (nooooo!) When it comes to the cold, I’m not the biggest fan. I grew up in California so I definitely prefer the heat. I really love omelets. They’re easy, filling, and so versatile. They’re also perfect to warm me up in this ice-chest of  a house! Making mini “cupcake” omelets is my new obsession. I bake a lot of them at a time, so that way, I can refrigerate them or freeze them, and I have breakfast and snacks all week! These cute little cupcakes only have 64 calories in them, as…

Read more

Dinner, Dressings & Marinades, Lunch, Recipe Box

Skinny “Chinese” Food- Honey Red Pepper Chicken!

October 27, 2013 by

I feel as though I blink on Friday and it’s already Sunday! Weekends go by too quickly.. we need to figure out a way to fix this…. On Sundays, I crave all the worst foods. I think it has to do with hanging out, watching football, and having a lazy day. Pizza, fried foods, and wings just compliment that so well! Chinese food has always been one of my absolute favorites. However, each dish easily packs over 1,000 calories. I decided to experiment around with some Chinese food inspired flavors, and the recipe actually turned out really well! Finalllllly a healthy Chinese dish you can make at home, and it is so easy! Hallelujah. ;) You need: *Skinless chicken breasts* ¼ cup OVOO* ¼ cup pure honey *2 tablespoons lime juice* 2 tablespoons red…

Read more

Breakfast, Recipe Box, Snacking, Sweet Tooth

Quick & Easy Breakfast

October 25, 2013 by

When it comes to sleeping, I’m a huge fan. Especially now that the weather has turned so cold, it becomes harder to convince myself to leave my bed earlier than I absolutely have to… However, staying in my heaven bed has its downfalls. I hate skipping breakfast because when I’m sitting in class and the hunger begins to kick in, I’m more inclined to just grab something quick, which is never healthy and just a waste of money. I’ve started to find quick breakfasts which I can make and eat and still stay in bed longer than usual. :) One of my favorites is this recipe. All you need is *2 low-sodium rice cakes* 2 tablespoons warmed PB2 (or a nut butter) *¾ sliced banana* 2 tablespoons honey *2 tablespoons ground cinnamon* This breakfast…

Read more

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

Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Muffins… 3 Ingredients!

October 23, 2013 by
Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Muffins

It’s finally time to “fall” into pumpkin season. ;) (bad joke, bad joke) These pumpkin spice muffins are sooooo good and sooooo simple! Today the weather is really gross out. It’s very cold and rainy and, therefore, I’m boycotting outside. :) Instead, I decided to cozy up in a big sweater, brew some coffee, and bake some pumpkin goodies! My mom used to make these, and once I left for college, I stole her recipe because I can’t get enough of these. Every time I make them, I am harassed asked for the recipe, and everyone is SO surprised how simple it is. THEY’RE ONLY 3 INGREDIENTS! It doesn’t get much easier and cost efficient than that! All you need is: *1 can pure pumpkin* 1 box spiced cake mix* ½ bag semi-sweet chocolate chips* Make sure…

Read more

Recipe Box, Snacking

Snacks On the Go… Student Life!

October 18, 2013 by

Midterms just ended! Hallelujah. :) Like most, during the week I’m pretty busy. Being a full time student, as well as working part time, it’s all too easy to get swept up in a time crunch and forget to eat. That’s where quick stops like McDonalds come in. However, to kill that option, I plan ahead! The night before I know I am going to have a busy day, I prepare some snacks to bring with me for some easy snacking to hold me over throughout the day. Here is an example of what I pack on a typical library long day. :) *1 banana *1 cup fresh halved strawberries *yogurt *hard boiled egg with pepper* What do you pack to hold you over for snacks throughout the day??

Read more

Recipe Box, Sides, Snacking, Tailgating Must-Haves

98 Calorie Caramelized Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers!

October 16, 2013 by

This recipe is another of my tailgate favorites! Typically, jalapeño poppers come fried and can pack hundreds of calories. This healthy alternative is really good and under 100 calories! You need: *12 slices of low-fat turkey bacon *6 wedges of Laughing Cow Cream Cheese Spread* light brown sugar* 6 large jalapeño peppers* Preheat oven to 375 degrees! First, cut the peppers in half and deseed them. I cannot stress this part enough- WEAR GLOVES!!! When I was deseeding and cleaning them, I did not wear gloves, and the pepper oil burned so badly into the next day that I ended up with my hands in a bowl of ketchup for half an hour….. (I can’t make this up.) Soooo, take from my pain experience, and wear gloves! :) Also, wash your sliced peppers to…

Read more

Dinner, Holiday Eats, Lunch, Recipe Box, Sides

Roasted Butternut Squash- Two Ways! Sweet & Savory vs. Caramelized Cinnamon

October 10, 2013 by

Tomorrow I’m driving down to Charleston, South Carolina to visit my best friends! Minus the 10 hour drive (ughhh) I’m so excited!! To prepare for my long weekend away, I’ve been trying to just use all the produce in my fridge so I don’t come back to rotten food and have to throw everything out! I had a big butternut squash in my fridge so I decided to use that up for lunch today. I couldn’t decide what I was in the mood for, so I decided to do a “Battle of the Squash” and cook it two ways! …Both won… I couldn’t choose a favorite! Both recipes were really easy and so so so yummy. I’ll start with the Caramelized Cinnamon Butternut Squash: You need: *½ of a butternut squash* drizzle of extra…

Read more