You guys, last weekend I went a little fall crazy in the kitchen. I am so ready for all things fall-like, I just can't stand it. The heat here is sending me mixed messages, but I have decided that it's going to be fall in my kitchen regardless of the weather outside. I ended up with a bunch of mealy apples from the grocery last week, which is always a bummer, and wanted to make something with them since they aren't good to eat alone as a snack. My pregnant brain heard the words apple and butter at some point last week and I decided I would whip some up with what I had in the pantry, including my mealy apples. The verdict is in! It's so easy to make you own apple butter in the slow cooker that I am never spending money on buying it in the store again. I made apple butter and then put it in my oatmeal for some serious yummy breakfast vibes and I am dishing on both today!
When you marry a man from Louisiana you learn to cook rice...a lot. Growing up Cajun, my husband ate rice with most meals and still to this day it is one of his favorite side dishes. While traditionally white rice was always served, I have over the years, swapped some of that white rice for brown rice as a healthier alternative! On top of that, adding in different flavor components to a rather plain side, keeps things interesting for the both of us! My cilantro and lime brown rice is one of our favorite ways to prepare brown rice and is delicious served alongside your favorite tacos, or with a grilled piece of fish.
There's a tiny (and I do mean tiny) feeling of fall in the air here in Texas, and it has me way too excited about all things cozy and fall like. With the drop in humidity and temperatures, came my desire to cook comfort food and turn my stove back on over the weekend. I am not going to lie, I am already plotting Thanksgiving and Christmas menus, decorations, and more. I know I need to have this baby first...that's what you are thinking...but honestly I think his arrival is making my excitement even more so. Regardless, my whole wheat butternut squash and pesto lasagna is the perfect transition meal right into fall!
Butternut squash and pesto is an epic combination.
I know that Monday was a holiday and technically this week should be flying by because it's a "short week", but for some reason that is not the case for me. I have been ready for the weekend since Tuesday! Am I alone here, or have any of you felt the same way? If I wasn't pregnant, this would have a been a cocktail heavy week for me, starting with one of my sparkling lavender lemonade's!
Happy day after Labor Day guys! How was your weekend? I hope you did the opposite of labor and got to relax with your family and friends! Canean was out of town for a couple of days and I started binge watching Friday Night Lights on Netflix, which I had no idea was going to suck me in like it did! I also had a fabulous brunch Sunday morning with a girlfriend before picking the hubs up from the airport! Yesterday, we lounged around, walked the dogs, and ate big juicy cheeseburgers for dinner! Needless to say, we are both in need of some healthy for the rest of the week! I love having snacks like my homemade nutty granola bars on hand for weeks just like these!
They are sweet and salty, but completely good for you!
Labor Day weekend is this weekend, which for most of us means one extra day off of work! Can I get a woohoo? I cannot believe that September is here guys! That means I am having a baby NEXT MONTH! Crazy town, which means over the next month I will super busy whipping up as many recipes as I can because I will be taking October off for maternity leave. Recipes like this hibiscus green tea granita! It's one of my new favorite cold treats to serve and it would be perfect to whip up for your Labor Day festivities!
