Slim Down Vegetable Soup

Happy Sunday, friends! I hope you're well :) So one week ago today, I decided to go sugar-free for the next 28 days. After I got sick a couple of years ago, I cut down my sugar intake considerably, but I never completely cut it out of my diet (partially because I bake so much!).

The truth is, though I DO love sugar, I love healthy food too! If you were to have come to my house last weekend, before I threw out the processed stuff, you'dve seen a counter and fridge full of fruits and vegetables! ...however, if this was a panoramic view of the kitchen, you'd also have seen some iced lemon cookies and some apricot-raspberry thumbprint cookies. Soo.... yeah. Haha! What can I say? I like balance.

Turkey Stuffed Avocado Tacos

Hi, friends! It's nearly the end of May! This year is seriously flying away. Wow. North Texas has gotten some pretty crazy weather lately, too! Tornadoes and flooding and earthquakes, oh my!

But that doesn't stop spring flavors from entering my kitchen. These stuffed avocado tacos made my day! I saw the recipe and fell in love immediately. The original uses ground beef, but I figured I could make a leaner recipe using healthy turkey!

Roasted Tomato, Tortellini, and Spinach Soup

Let me just go ahead and break the ice: IT'S SNOWING! (<--See what I did there? *Snicker*) Oh, good grief. This has been a crazy week for weather here in north Texas. Rain turned to ice on Sunday evening, effectively shutting down the city for all of Monday and most of Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday were cold, but not freezing--and then today, Friday, I went to work and the university sent us home at 10:30 this morning due to snow and rapidly worsening driving conditions!

I've had plenty of quality time to myself this week, which is always delightful--and I've also had some great kitchen time! I made the Turkey Chili Taco Soup again, which is a wonderful, hearty soup for cold weather--and today, I'm trying my hand at something new!

Baked Eggs with Tomatoes, Feta Cheese, Spinach, and Mushrooms (and Avocado Toast!)

It's cold here in Dallas these days, and has been for some time. It's so cold, in fact, that my car has trouble starting more days than not; at least lately. Hopefully that doesn't mean it's time for a new one (ain't nobody got time for that!) Anyway, this baked egg breakfast seemed like the perfect way to warm up on a cozy Saturday morning. I'm sure you'll agree!

Caprese Flatbread

Welp. It's been over a month since my last post...NOT for lack of trying, though! In the last month, I have attended two weddings and a fall festival, been in the recording studio twice, celebrated a birthday, and been without my cell phone for almost three weeks due to a surprising, unexpected hardware malfunction in my phone that took forever to repair. Whew!

Spinach-Artichoke Angel Hair Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

So...this week, I learned that I've been typecast--in my own life. Apparently, I play the uni-dimensional role of "princess" or "diva" much better than I knew! What's the reason for this revelation? Well, this weekend, I went for an overnight camping and kayaking trip with a good friend, and everyone who learned about our trip responded in one of two ways: either, "Oh my gosh, you're really expanding your horizons this year! I'm so proud of you!" or "Really? YOU are going camping? I mean, don't take this the wrong way...but you just don't seem very...outdoorsy."

Tilapia Tacos with Peach, Bell Pepper, and Grape Tomato Salsa

I think I've created a peach-loving monster...I made the peach cobbler and now I'm hooked! I enjoyed a girl's night with two good girlfriends over the weekend and made a mini cobbler for dessert. I had one large peach remaining, and it ripened quickly over the week, so I used it tonight!

Crustless Asparagus, Mushroom, & Tomato Quiche

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I LOVE QUICHE. It's so easy. It's so tasty. Oh, and it can be *so healthy*--especially when you pack it full of good-for-you vegetables. I also love lazy Saturday mornings when I don't have to do anything other than exactly what I want (which is usually experiment in the kitchen!)

Quiche is one of those "choose your own adventure" kind of meals--because anything can go into it! This quiche is hearty, rustic, and has some Mediterranean flavors in it, thanks to a bit of tangy feta cheese, red onion, asparagus, and tomatoes.

Grilled Greek Turkey Burgers with Crispy Sweet Potato Fries

Friends! SUMMER IS HERE. And while I do NOT love summer heat, I DO love summer food! I also love grilling, ice cream, and conversations that last late into warm nights after alfresco dining with friends. It just...feels so good to the soul :)

Tonight is just such a night. I'm house-sitting for some friends who have a beautiful backyard with a grill, swimming pool, and hot tub, all at my disposal for the rest of the month. Glorious. Other than the mosquitoes (who are in CONSTANT attack mode, apparently), I've loved every minute of it! I invited a friend over tonight with whom to enjoy a lovely summer evening, and I'm so excited :)

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Hi, friends! I've got a couple of things to report! 1) Feeling adventurous, I took a Pilates class for the first time ever last night in place of my normal Zumba class, and today, everything hurts. Pilates is a body conditioning routine that emphasizes developing a strong core and practicing good breathing. It also helps to improve muscle strength and flexibility, endurance, blah blah blah.

Though the objectives are lofty and lovely, the point is, today, I cannot laugh, cough, sneeze, or perform any actions that may accidentally engage my abdominal muscles because they hurt. *Sigh* Oh, and so do my inner thighs...come to think of it, my lower back, shoulders, and triceps are sore too. Sheesh. It's a good hurt, but it still hurts. On the brighter, less painful side, 2) I've lost a little more than eight pounds in the past three weeks :) I know it isn't much, but I think it's important to celebrate small victories. I'm excited and encouraged! :)

Turkey Chili Taco Soup...and More Real Life

Hi, friends. I hope you're well! So...since the last time I posted, there have been some substantial changes in my life, which mean I'll be making some subsequent changes here at Foodie & Fabulous.

One Pot Wonder Tomato Basil Pasta with Sausage

This is another one of those recipes that I've seen floating around the internet, and as usual, I was curious! The appeal of a one-pot meal is, indeed, that it only requires the use of one pot from start to finish. (Technically, I used one pot and one frying pan to make the sausage).

This pasta is as easy as it claims to be, and just as savory too! I made this for my family for lunch after church today, and my main concern was making a vegetarian meal for them (primarily my siblings, who are true carnivores and junk food lovers), hence the addition of the sausage.

Caprese Salad with Brown Sugar Balsamic Reduction

Hi, friends! Things are going great at the new job so far, and I'm so thankful. However, I definitely miss having so much time in the kitchen, and definitely try to make up for lost time on the weekends. With that in mind, you get two recipes today! Get excited! :)

I have some gorgeous fresh basil in my garden that I've been SO EXCITED to use! A crisp, fresh Caprese salad seemed like the perfect platform to showcase my basil, especially on a muggy Texas day like today. It's colorful, healthy, and so flavorful!

Spinach, Tomato, Bacon, & Cheddar Crustless Quiche

I love making meals that I can enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Quiche is one such meal, especially because it requires very little effort on my part--I grab some tasty filling options, beat a few eggs, throw it all in the oven, and I'm eating in under an hour! My favorite part of quiche is the freedom to add as many ingredients as I want.

Restaurant Style Salsa with Baked Lime Tortilla Chips

Yesterday was cinco de Mayo, and I didn't get to celebrate! You see, I threw an enormous party for my Dad's 60th birthday on Saturday. The party was wonderful--we had a huge turnout and everyone had a great time. Party planning is hard work, though, and THIS one completely wore me out, so I didn't do a THING yesterday. As such, I'm having my celebration a day late-- I doubt you mind : )

I proudly present to you: Restaurant Style Salsa with Baked Lime Tortilla Chips... all together now, "Mmmmm!" You know how I feel about easy, tasty recipes--they are my FAVORITE. This is one such recipe--I hope you love it!