Easy Spinach Berry Salad

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     Hi all! I hope everyone's week is going well. It's so amazing to me how fast this time of year flies by. We all get so busy, and I'm not sure about you but sometimes I forget what day it is. I feel like this is also the time of year where during the week we just "grab dinner somewhere". We are trying very hard to break that habit in our home as you all know. So when my girlfriend Mallory (you know her better as Charming in Charlotte) brought this DELICIOUS Spinach Berry Salad over to our house I knew it needed to be shared!

     I'm usually not a fan of the "more creative" salads, but this by far the best spinach salad I've ever had. It can be your main course by adding some tenderloin or grilled chicken. You can also use it as an appetizer or side by simply leaving the meat off.

     Have picky eaters coming to your house for dinner? This salad will fit the bill. Leaving the bleu cheese off will fit the bill for the paleo diets and dairy free guests. Leaving the meat and cheese off will be perfect for your vegan and vegetarian friends. It makes being accommodating to your guests so easy. (I hope you can read my excitement oozing off of the page!!)

Spinach Berry Salad

what you need:

1 bag baby spinach 

1pint Blueberries

1c strawberries, cut into quarters

1c grapes, cut into halves 

1/2c almond slices

1/4c raisins 

1/2c bleu cheese crumbles

balsamic dressing, to taste 

Optional toppings:

grilled chicken (blackened)

beef tenderloin

prime rib

What to do:

   1. Put ingredients in order into a large salad bowl. Toss before serving. 

This will keep in the fridge undressed for 3-4 days. 

ENJOY!! 

Easy Mini Cheesecakes

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      Are you looking for a sweet treat that is easy to make? I love these Mini Cheesecakes. You can make them with any fruit topping or just eat them on their own. They were a huge hit at our Thanksgiving dinner this year. We also enjoyed them as a little dessert on the days following Thanksgiving.

     These are perfect for wrapping up as a sweet holiday treat to give to a neighbor or friend! They are gluten free and vegetarian. They are also only two bites so they won't pack on the holiday pounds if you can eat just a couple. (Good Luck with that)

     You can also make these with a fruit topping. I think berries work best. If you are feeling fancy you can go as far to make a marbled look, or just cut fresh berries to set on top right before you serve! I have not perfected a marbled look but for my more crafty readers I'm sure you can show me how.

   The big lesson I have learned with making cheesecake is your cream cheese has to be at room temperature and so do your eggs. If you use cold cream cheese and eggs your batter with be thick,  clumpy and hard to work with. You want your beaten batter to be smooth and creamy, almost like a cheesy cloud.

Mini Cheesecakes

what you need:

2 packages (8oz) plain cream cheese, room temp

2 eggs, room temp

3/4c coconut palm sugar

(you can also use organic cane sugar)

1 1/4tsp vanilla extract

pinch of salt 

What to do:

1. preheat oven to 350 and line a mini cupcake pan 

2. put all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl 

3. using a hand mixer, beat ingredients together on medium speed until mixture is smooth and creamy. (3-4 minutes)

make sure there are no lumps and that batter appears smooth and light

4. fill mini cupcake pan with batter, fill each cupcake all of the way 

5. bake on 350 for 15 minutes, cupcakes should be slightly darker in color and look like little pillows

6. take out of the oven and immediately place on a cooling rack. It is very normal for these to shrink, that's why you fill them all the way before baking. 

Enjoy!!!

5 Fun Stocking Stuffers For The Foodie In Your Family

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    Well, here we are December 1st! Yikes how did we already get to the last month of the year? If you are like me I always try to give gifts that are thoughtful. Sometimes I get stumped and I just can't help but buy the basic sweater for someone. I just cross my fingers I will think of something better the next year. (insert shrug) 

   So over the next couple of weeks I hope to put together some fun gift ideas for you or someone you love. I love stockings so I thought this is a good place to start. 

1. Cheese Knives- We love cheese plates in our house. It honestly does make a difference when you have nice knives. You can always pair with a fun Cheese board that you wrap and put under your tree. 

2. Clip and Drain Strainer- I have one of these and love it. It is easy to clean and doesn't take up lots of room like your colander does. This is a great gift for the pasta lover in your family! 

3. A Face Mug- How fun is this mug? My hubby loves cookies and milk, so when I found this it was a must buy. I like to give silly gifts that serve a purpose and this is both of those. 

4. Odor Rub Away Bar- This is on my list this year! I hate having hands that stink. Especially if I have to go to work after putting dinner in the crock pot. Who wants to get their hair done by someone who smells like onions? The reviews also say it makes great deodorant, I will let you decide that for yourself. 

5. Classic Zester- This is the most practical choice on my list. I use ours all of the time so if you don't already have this you need it! Not only do we use it for lemons and limes, but for cheese too. 


     Happy shopping everyone! 

xo,