There we were, two kids staring at each other from across the room. Eighteen years old with a magnetic pull to each other that couldn't be explained. A boy from Louisiana and a girl from Tennessee that were clearly destined to cross paths on this very night. Feelings that couldn't be explained or understood came to surface and were sealed with a goodnight kiss. We left the beach that weekend not knowing if we would realistically see each other ever again. I was off to college, so was he...and we were worlds apart. Nothing other than divine intervention could be responsible for the events that took place over the course of the next several years. Fast forward to today and we are celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary together and are expecting our first baby in October!

If you would have told me that the boy I met in Panama City Beach would become my husband one day I would have told you that you were a crazy person and I'm sure he would have told you the same.

PostedMay 23, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

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Mango, Coconut, and Lime Pops: My Diary of Us

Why we don't all make our own popsicles I have no idea. They are the easiest summertime treat you could ever make and the flavor options are endless. Have fruit that is getting too ripe? Make popsicles. Bought too many berries at the market? Make popsicles. You don't even have to have a reason! The point here is, I think we should all commit to making popsicles all summer long. I have had a sweet tooth for the past two weeks like nobody's business. I knew I needed a treat that I could grab at night to keep me from eating ice cream every night...enter the popsicle. My mango, coconut, and lime pops are just the healthy treat I needed to satisfy my sweet cravings!

Have you ever looked at the ingredients on the back of most popsicles in the store (unless you buy organic)? It's all sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and a whole bunch of other stuff I can't pronounce. And if you do buy organic the popsicles are about six bucks for six popsicles...are you kidding? I would go through those too fast and definitely wouldn't be sharing with Canean. I get kinda stingy with my treats for me and baby. Don't judge me.

PostedMay 21, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDessert

Tagsmango popsicles, coconut popsicles, summer dessert, popsicles, healthy dessert, clean eating desserts, gluten free dessert, tropical flavors, homemade, Memorial day Recipes, dessert

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Strawberry Balsamic Grilled Chicken: My Diary of Us

We've been on a salad kick lately and one of our favorites combinations includes strawberries and chicken. There is something about the combination of sweet and savory that makes this salad the best. You might remember reading my strawberry, avocado, and walnut salad post which is basically the same salad I have just been adding chicken for additional protein! I love this combo so much that I had the idea to create the recipe for my strawberry balsamic grilled chicken! If you are looking for the perfect Memorial Day dish or are just interested in new healthy dinner options, this recipe is for you!

Like most people, I have fallen into a chicken rut where I find myself cooking the same recipes over and over until we are completely chickened out. This recipe is just the thing to bring your love of chicken back to life! It's sweet from the berries, tangy from the vinegar, and together mixed with the smokiness from the grill this chicken is so delicious!

PostedMay 20, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner, Grilled

Tagsgrilled chicken, strawberry balsamic grilled chicken, healthy dinner, healthy recipes, gluten free, clean eating, grill, summer recipes, Memorial Day Recipes, Memorial Day, chicken recipes, chicken, grilled recipes

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I had a whole other post planned for today. It was a super yummy recipe that is perfect for your Memorial Day plans. However, last night we had a lovely visitor and I thought you might enjoy hearing a little story about a dog named Amos and a skunk that went head to head in our very own backyard. Don't worry I will get that recipe to you tomorrow, but last night couldn't have been made up. Was there a cruel joke being played on me? Was it a patience test for motherhood? Perhaps testing my ability to stay awake throughout the night...yes that must be it. Whatever the reason was, it happened...we got skunked.

I say "we" because even though it was Amos who was the targeted victim of Mr. Skunk, we all lost the battle here.

PostedMay 19, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesLife

Tagsskunk spray, skunks, dogs, dog getting sprayed, house hold cleaning, dog lovers

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Plum and Thyme Prosecco Smash: My Diary of Us

Clearly I have a thing with stone fruits right now. Yesterday I hit you with my peach caprese salad and today I am hitting you with a cocktail featuring a friend of the peach, the plum. I feel like plums sometimes get left out, or at least in our house they do. I'm not sure why because when ripe they are sweet and juicy and I happen to be quite fond of them. Is it because all of the other fruits at the market sit with more vibrant colors, obnoxiously calling out to me as I pass "pick me, pick me" and the plum sits quietly, patiently waiting for the right customer to know it's value? Well whatever the case, I went for the plums this week and I think I'm going to continue to give them the attention they deserve. My plum and thyme prosecco smash highlights these beauties in the best way and is the perfect drink to serve for brunch over the weekend!

One of the things I miss most about brunch on the weekends is a great cocktail. It's such a treat isn't it? To have that bloody mary or bubbly at 10 or 11 in the morning...just starts the day off right. I'll be fixing my plum and thyme smash with sparkling water while I serve the real deal to the hubs, but at least I won't feel so left out. I know, small sacrifices for growing a human...

PostedMay 14, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails

Tagsprosecco cocktails, plum and thyme prosecco smash, cocktails, bubbly drinks, brunch cocktails, party cocktails, thirsty thursday, cheers, happy hour, plum cocktails, summer drinks, summer cocktails, weekend things

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Summer is my favorite season. Yes, it's dreadfully hot, dry armpits aren't an option, and makeup runs off my face, but there is something about the time of year that makes me so happy. I love the flush in my cheeks, the sound of lawn mowers running, the nightly smells of grills around the neighborhood, and most of all, my favorite fruits come into season. One of my favorites since I was a little girl has always been the peach. When they are sweet I could eat them by the dozen. I put them in drinks, eat them alone for a snack, make marinades, and love throwing them into salads. And speaking of salads, my peach caprese salad is my current lunch obsession and I can guarantee you that it will keep your tummy happy all summer long.

I'm aware it's not officially summer and that peaches aren't actually in their prime just yet, but remember I'm pregnant and when I set my sites on something food related...well there is just no turning back. I took one sniff of a peach at the grocery and I was a goner. I have been eating them for three weeks now and can be spotted eating at least two a day.

PostedMay 13, 2015

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesSalads

Tagspeach caprese salad, caprese salad, salad recipes, summer salads, seasonal salads, peach recipes, tomatoes, gluten free, clean eating, healthy salads, light lunch recipes, light lunch ideas, peach caprese, salads

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