Have you ever met anyone that doesn't like fried chicken? I can't say that I have, and I don't know that I could trust someone who doesn't like fried chicken! It's one of those foods that I rarely eat because it's really not great for you, but when I do...oh man is it worth it! Oddly enough, since becoming pregnant, chicken and I have not been the best of friends. I can't say that I have enjoyed eating chicken at all over the past four months, it just doesn't taste good to me. Well it didn't, until the other night when I made my oven "fried" chicken! Guys, what a game changer for this pregnant lady! And you want to know the best part? I promise you that it's super easy and you won't miss the traditional deep fried version at all!

I wouldn't lie to you. Number one I am pregnant, so I take food even more seriously right now, and number two, it's 100% hubby approved! Trust me on this recipe! When you feel yourself entering into your weeknight dinner recipe slump, throw this one into the mix and see how your family reacts! I am willing to bet this will become a new favorite in your house!

PostedApril 27, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner

Tagsoven fried chicken recipe, healthy fried chicken, chicken recipes, dinner, homemade, chicken

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Blackberry Mule Mocktails: My Diary of Us

One of my favorite times of year is when all berries come into season. I can still remember being a little girl growing up in Tennessee and picking blackberries from bushes that grew in our neighborhood or on the side of the road. We would eat them all day while playing outside. They were sweet and juicy and made for perfect snacking for me and my friends. It's my mission to find some places here in Texas that I can go and pick fresh berries this year! I love picking them straight from the farm and there is something about the fresh picked ones that make them extra sweet and special! I happen to use blackberries a lot mixed into drinks because of their sweet and slightly tart flavor. My blackberry mule mocktails are the perfect Springtime drink to enjoy at any time of day!

Of course, you can always make these into a cocktail by simply adding vodka, and let's be honest, if I wasn't preggers over here you know that's exactly what I would have done.

PostedApril 23, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagsmoscow mules, blackberry mules, mocktails, thirsty thursday, easy drink recipes, summer drinks, spring drink recipes, seasonal drinks, seasonal cocktails, party drink ideas, blackberry recipes, cocktails

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At Home Style Revamp, Boho Living Room: My Diary of Us

I have had the same furniture and pretty much the same style in our house since I moved to Orlando after graduating college and even early into our marriage. When we bought our house in Houston, I decided it was time to revamp the overall feeling to my decorating style. The new house was bright with an open floor plan and was begging for a fresh take on my bohemian home decor style. I knew I still wanted a bit of boho, but with an updated twist. The living room was the first place I wanted to start, along with the office which I transformed the should be dining room into a work space that is open and quite lovely to be in. After all I spend about 50% of my day right at this very computer screen, and I have never had a special space that felt like an actual office. I started in both rooms by finding rugs that became my inspiration pieces from Rugs USA. If you have never checked out this website, you definitely need to the next time you are thinking about buying new rugs. Their prices are great, the quality is fantastic, and they have something to fit everyone's style!

PostedApril 22, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesHome Style

TagsRugs USA, Living Room Makeover, Boho Living Room, Dining Room to Office transformation, Office Decor, Neutral Office, Home Decor, Decorating Style, Turquoise Rug, Pop Color

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I have been dreaming of going to the beach lately. It's like everywhere I turn around I see signs of white sand and ocean or someone I know is going to the beach. I usually have a spring beach trip planned at least for the weekend, but this year is probably the first year that nothing is set in stone yet. With moving, and everything else transitioning in our life, Canean and I are going to try and squeeze in a trip later in the summer probably to the Northeast Coast to try something different. With that said, I know most of you have summer vacations planned or at least some lake and pool days are going to be happening, and I KNOW, that you are all about getting those summer bodies ready to be on display. My easy classic hummus is the perfect dip to make for when the snack monster comes to destroy your hard work and is sure to keep you looking fit and feeling good right through the summer months!

PostedApril 21, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesAppetizers, Snacks

Tagshomemade hummus, healthy snacks, classic hummus, easy recipes, gluten free, clean eating, summer snacks, summer body, vegetable dip, party dip, appetizer

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Pineapple, Strawberry, and Spinach Smoothie: My Diary of Us

Everybody has a favorite smoothie. There are a bajillion smoothie recipes out there and you can really put just about anything you want into a blender and come up with your own version of a smoothie. I know that, I know that you might not really NEED my recipe for my favorite smoothie too, but I'm going to share it with you anyway. Humor me... My pineapple, strawberry, and spinach smoothie is the perfect breakfast/afternoon pick me up and lately with the weather getting warm I could drink one everyday.

PostedApril 16, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesBreakfast, Non-Alcoholic Drinks

TagsSmoothie Recipes, Spinach Smoothies, healthy, Gluten Free Smoothie, Clean Eating, Healthy Snack Ideas, on the go breakfast ideas, homemade

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Whole Wheat Pasta with Peas, Radishes, and Parmesan: My Diary of Us

I am finally cooking in my kitchen again and I gotta tell you, I felt a little rusty for a few days. I had to get my mojo back, including getting used to a new kitchen, remembering where I put everything, and figuring out the new cook times with this oven since it cooks completely differently than my last one. This week I'm getting my stride back it seems and I am so glad to be settled and feeling somewhat normal again. After spending two week eating out and surviving off of whatever Canean and I could find to eat (including fulfilling my pregnancy cravings), we decided this week we were both going to get back to our healthy lifestyles and that includes working out and eating right. My whole wheat pasta with peas and radishes is the perfect light lunch or dinner side that is healthy and full of flavor.

Prepping for the week is the only way to ensure you will be successful to stay on track..at least for me it's that way. And one of my most favorite tricks is to make a dish that I can eat on for a few days. It's ready to eat, so it doesn't give me time to choose a not so healthy option instead. This pasta salad is the perfect recipe to make in advance because it can be eaten at room temperature or right out of the fridge.

PostedApril 15, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesLunch, Salads

TagsPasta Salad Recipe, Salad Recipes, Lunch Recipes, Lunch Idea, Healthy Recipes, Light Lunches, Healthy, Clean Eating, Fresh Food, Spring Salads, Pea Recipes, Radish Recipes

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