Zucchini Noodle "Pasta" and Pork Meatballs: My Diary of Us

I just got back from Arizona yesterday afternoon and I am having a hard time not thinking that today is Monday. But it's not...thank goodness, it's Tuesday. After a weekend of being out of town, I always need a healthy meal to get me back on track for the week. Lately I've been loving zucchini noodles as a way to get my pasta without the carbs and fewer calories for an easy and quick weeknight meal that is super satisfying. Zucchini noodle "pasta" and pork meatballs will satisfy even the burliest of men (Canean loves it, and he's kinda burly) and will also be kind to the waistline, which I know all of you ladies will appreciate.

If you have never had zucchini noodles, you might be hesitant...as I was being the huge pasta lover that I am. And believe me, I have no intention on giving up my pasta completely, but zucchini noodles allow me to make versions of my pasta dishes more often!

Hello, more pasta? Can that ever be a bad thing? Not by my standards.

The zoodles are coated in a white wine and garlic sauce and the meatballs are tender and full of flavor and just so happen to be one of my favorite comfort foods. Topped with fresh basil to bring it all home, this meal will make your belly very happy and you won't even miss the pasta.

Pinky Promise.

PostedAugust 19, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesPasta

TagsZoodles, Zucchini Noodles, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Clean Eating, Meatballs, Homemade Meatballs, Pork Meatballs, healthy, Healthy Eating, Healthy Recipes, Pasta Alternatives, Spiralize

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I love traveling, but I hate packing...like literally, hate it and I'm horrible at it. I always pack more than I should and always test the fifty pound weight limit on checked bags. It's pretty much guaranteed that when we go somewhere and I am checking a bag, I always teeter on about fifty-two pounds or so, just over the limit (I think I just have heavy luggage). Inevitably I end up having to put my hair dryer or toiletries in Canean's bag which he absolutely can't stand. I still haven't figured out what the big deal is. I just have a few packing issues.

If by chance I happen to come under the fifty pound mark, his face lights up like Christmas. It's the little things in life in moments like these. I guess I should really try harder because when my suitcase weighs under fifty, it really starts our trip off with a bang. And seeing him that excited about my luggage being under weight is pretty cute too. You would think it would be some serious motivation to pack smarter...you would think.

PostedAugust 15, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesTravel

TagsPacking, Travel, Arizona, Packing Issues, Life, Friendship

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Peach and Basil Wine Slushies: My Diary of Us

We got a "cool front" this week in Louisiana. Which basically means the humidity went down enough to where you can breathe outside. Either way, I'll take it but it doesn't change the fact that it is still hot outside and refreshing cocktails always make life better. It's Thirsty Thursday after all and I've decided that every weekend should start Thursday instead of Friday. It just makes more sense. And what better way to celebrate tomorrow being Friday than with one of my peach and basil wine slushies?

That's right...wine slushies. Because who doesn't love a good slushie in their life, especially a peachy and boozy one.

I am going to be so sad when peach season ends. I'm addicted and frantically trying to eat as many peaches as I can before they disappear on me until next year. I bought myself a little more time by freezing some peaches for when I can no longer find them at the farmer's market. And those frozen peaches were staring at me in the freezer basically begging to be made into a cocktail, so who was I to argue...I gave those peaches what they wanted.

Sweet peaches and basil, crisp white wine, and a squeeze of lime and you are on your way to a party my friend. One that you will want to have everyday I might add.

I know I say this every week, but this might be my new favorite drink. It's just so easy to throw into a blender and the end result is one tasty cocktail that you are going to love.

PostedAugust 14, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagsfresh peaches, peach cocktails, Thirsty Thursday, Peach and basil Cocktail, Basil Cocktail, Summer Drinks, Slushies, Wine Slushies, Wine Cocktails, White Wine, Homemade cocktails, refreshing drinks, gluten free

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Fig, Honey, and Prosciutto Pizza: My Diary of Us

At this point, I have officially declared my love for figs. Those little plump fruits that I basically went my whole life only eating if they came in the form of a Fig Newton, because for some reason until I moved to Louisiana, I had never eaten a fresh fig. I know...right? I was missing out big time. I'm glad we were formally introduced and now have a relationship with one another. A relationship where I devour those little beauties and make delicious recipes out of them. My fig, honey, and prosciutto pizza has been my go to summer pizza because the salty and sweet flavor combinations are so good that I'm going to apologize for not getting you this recipe sooner.

Seriously, it's easy, delicious, and you will want to make it at least once a week while you can still get your hands on fresh figs. If you have some fig skeptics in your family, make this pizza and I guarantee you that they will love it!

And really what is there not to love? Crispy, honey coated crust, spicy balsamic onions, sweet figs, salty prosciutto, and fresh peppery arugula. My mouth is watering just talking to you about it.

If you have never taken me seriously about a recipe before, now is the time. Make this pizza, and I won't judge you if you want to eat the whole thing. Because you just might be tempted to and that's ok.

After all, we can't be held responsible when pizza and figs are involved.

PostedAugust 12, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

Tagsfig pizza, homemade pizza, summer pizza, summer meals, pizza night, weeknight meals, easy homemade meals, sweet and salty, fresh food, real food, prosciutto

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When is the last time you just went for a drive? Just a drive...with no purpose of where you are headed, but solely to enjoy the afternoon and maybe someone that you love. I couldn't have told you the last time I went for a drive just for the heck of it. Canean on the other hand, loves to get in his truck and drive until he feels like turning around, it's like therapy to him. The kind of drive where you get lost to the sound of the music, the thoughts in your head, and the scenery around you. So yesterday, we went for a drive, the two of us and the dogs. There is just something about Sunday drives, they are good for the soul.

We loaded the dogs in the truck, I threw my to-do list to the side, and agreed that it would be nice since I couldn't remember the last time that we went on a drive together with nowhere to go.

PostedAugust 11, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesWeekends

Tagswomen, Sundays, drives, love, nature, fresh air, you time, me time

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I'm throwing you for a loop this week I know. Don't worry I am aware that it is only Thursday, but doesn't it feel like it should be Friday? For some reason this has been a long week for me and all I really want to do is fix one (or a pitcher) of my cherry limeade gin and tonics and head to a pool or a beach....or heck I'll even take my front porch at this point.

Are you cherry obsessed like we are in this house? Whenever this time of year rolls around and sweet cherries aren't a gazillion dollars a pound, I load up at the store! I'm always super jealous of Californians because cherries are all over the farmer's markets there in the summer, which would be so amazing! Could you imagine, just rows and rows of gorgeous cherries?

Anyway back to the reason we are all here...

It's #ThirstyThursday (yeah I hashtagged) so let's just fix a yummy cocktail and take a pause from life. I think I'll just pretend I don't have anything productive to do and sit on the front porch, read a book, and sip on this pretty cherry drink. Sounds like a great Thursday to me.

This cocktail is about as refreshing as it gets and could not be more perfect for a hot day, and it is H-O-T hot out there, so drink up people!

PostedAugust 7, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagscherries, cherry cocktails, cocktails, thirsty thursday, summer cocktails, cherry limeade, cherry gin and tonic, Limes, cheers, drink up

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