Happy Friday, everyone! Did you have a nice first week of December? Make any headway on your holiday decorating?
Ben and I kicked off the week by making a health pact. Not to be dramatic or act like “30-something is SOOO OOOOOLD!” because it’s not, but we’re feeling the effects of not exercising as much as we should, nor eating enough vegetables, in the form of fatigue and the blahs. Not to say we eat poorly, but there was definitely room for actual meal planning vs eating hummus and pretzels for dinner, and, you know, getting more exercise than chasing Lincoln around the mall. So we decided to tackle it head on together…after a minor hiccup involving chicken wings. 2 guesses.
Anyway, I’ll give you more details as to what we’ve been eating next week, but early results – I am feeling like a million. BUCKS. There was a setback when I accidentally got glutened by a new vitamin I was trying (seriously, nothing is safe,) but before that? Energy like I haven’t felt in years thanks in large part to a.) eating breakfast, and b.) eating the rainbow. My refrigerator has never seen more dark leafy greens and my juicer is on fire! Not literally, thank goodness!
All that to say, we’re excited to keep the health train a-rollin’ this weekend and I’ll be sharing a few of our early favorites with you over the next couple of weeks.
Enough about us – what are you up to this weekend?
Wherever you are and whatever you do make it a GREAT one and in the meantime please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web and beyond in this week’s Friday Favorites!
Favorite woah: Very Moist Chocolate Layer Cake. I saw this cake while scrolling through Instagram last week and my eyebrows shot up into my hairline. EVILICIOUS.
Favorite place: Emerald Lake. I’ve been dreaming about spring break already and think it might be time to make that Canadian Rockies trip I’ve been planning for years. This photo of Emerald Lake in British Colombia made my heart start pounding. Have you ever been?
Favorite feast: Spaghetti Squash Enchilada Bowls. I saw Gina make these bowls on Snapchat last week and couldn’t wait to try them with my homemade gluten-free enchilada sauce. They’re on the menu for tonight!
Favorite style. So adorable! Love the mixing of materials and patterns. Perfect for a holiday party.
Favorite craft: Sparkly White Clay Ornaments. This timely project looks really easy and the “clay” is made from gluten-free pantry staples. Lincoln is very into crafting right now – he apparently did a rolling pin project at school so well that his teacher asked me if we used rolling pins often at home. Um, no. #momcraftingfail
Favorite gift: Spin Chill. I still have no idea what I’m going to get Ben for Christmas, but this Spin Chill thingamajig for icing down a can of beer in 1 minute looks pretty cool – bonus that it can chill a bottle of wine in 5 minutes. #priorities
Favorite festive: Vegan Gluten-Free Gingerbread Men. I tried making gluten-free gingerbread men this week – it was a trial run for what was going to be the most connected kitchen moment Lincoln and I have ever had in our entire lives aka rolling and cutting out cookies – but the dough was a total flop! Too puffy and gummy. Think I’ll give Dana’s recipe a whirl to see if we can create that magical Mama/son moment. :)
Favorite print: You Cook, I Will Drink Wine. I swear IÂ shared this fun print on a previous Friday Favorites but couldn’t find it, so, revel, people! This would make such a fun holiday gift for a roommate or spouse!
Favorite skillet: Cajun Shrimp Quinoa Casserole. Quinoa and I have been having a moment lately – I can’t get enough! Pair it with shrimp and my favorite southern flavors, and I can’t wait to get this dish on the table.
Favorite truth. Ben found this on our friend Lift Cycle Wear’s Instagram and we both died. Give me a shirt long enough to generously cover my rear and I totally agree. #leggingsfolife
Favorite comfort: Sicilian Chicken Soup. What first caught my attention about this soup is that I thought it had sliced green olives in it. After reading the recipe I realized it didn’t but still sounded tasty enough to make ASAP. Good story, right?
Favorite cozy. HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE?! Ben would have to pry this sweater from my cold dead fingers if I owned it – definitely black fleece replacement-worthy. It’s from Stitch Fix so I’m going to ask for it in my next fix. (Psst, I’ve been using Stitch Fix for the past 6 months or so after they got petite sizes (maternity sizes, too) and love it! If you hate clothes shopping as much as I do and want to give it a try, here’s my referral code to use >)
Favorite DIY: Waterless Snow Globes. Somehow I’ve accumulated nearly 2 shelves worth of mason jars in my cupboard over the past two years – whoops! I want to turn a few of ’em into waterless snow globes with Lincoln. This would be a fun ladies craft night project too! PS anyone want to start a ladies craft night with me?
Favorite indulge: Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese. The bad news is gluten-free bread is pretty terrible. The good news is that toasting or pressing it a panini maker can render it fairly delicious. Add cheese, sauce, and pepperonis and you’ve got a home run!
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Have a great weekend!
Lauren 12.04.2015
I live in Des Moines and would toooooooootally craft it up with you :) Especially if there were wine and pepperoni pizza grilled cheeses involved.
Christopher Martin 12.04.2015
I’m glad you liked my image of Emerald Lake. Whatever time of the year that you go you will love it. Right now, the snow is piling up and the cross country ski trails can lead you all around the valley. In the warmer months, the canoes and small boats let you explore the lake however you choose. I hope you get there! Happy weekend!
Cheers,
Chris
Kristin 12.06.2015
It is so, so beautiful, Chris! Such a powerful shot – it inspired me to start planning a vacation immediately!
Meghan 12.04.2015
Long time reader here- Emerald Lake is gorgeous and I’m so glad it made it on a Friday Favourites. As a born and raised BC girl, it’s always great when someone discovers one of our spots. Another one of my favourites is ‘Johnson Lake’ (dubbed the Caribbean of the North) which is just over 2 hours from where I live (Kamloops, BC) – I provided a link to a blog featuring it :) http://guythalizard.blogspot.ca/2013/09/johnson-lake-caribbean-lake-of-bc.html
Kristin 12.06.2015
Thanks Meghan! Excited to start researching!
Kelly 12.04.2015
Spaghetti squash is my jam. My 2.5 yo will go and yell “squash” whenever she sees one. Also I totally laughed at the pretzels and hummus comment because that’s what my husband ate last night.
Julie 12.04.2015
You should do some Stitch Fix posts!
lindsey 12.04.2015
So glad to hear you’ll be posting some new healthy recipes! My husband and I are also trying to be better about healthy eating/exercise. It comes in waves. Can’t wait to try the spaghetti squash recipe & cajun shrimp quinoa recipe. & Emerald Lake. SWOON. Please go there so I can live vicariously through you.
Amy 12.04.2015
You know it was a toss up between the Chocolate Cake and Lake Emerald. Then it came to me, why not bring the Chocolate Cake to Lake Emerald!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious 12.04.2015
That cake! Holly delicious!!!
Sara w 12.04.2015
Sheesh! I always love your Friday favorites, but this week every single one had me. I have a spaghetti squash aching to be made into something other than boring old spaghetti, and I too have felt the push to up
My veg consumption and lower my sugar intake. That pepperoni grilled cheese would make a really fun movie night dinner/my kids will be excited. (Can’t wait until stitch fix expands the sizes to plus-I’m on that borderline)
Heidi 12.04.2015
Ok so I’m in LOVE with the sweater, I’m totally ordering the drink wine while cook print for my husband, and craft night? Um yes! ;)
Brittany | Words Like Honeycomb 12.04.2015
right?! cover that booty and I am leggings allll the way <3 YAY girls craft night at Kristins! :)
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday 12.04.2015
I work out regularly, but I’m trying to eat healthier foods, too! Like, I have fruits and veggies and I seriously love fruits and veggies, but I also have Oreos… :P Those enchiladas look amazing! It’s been too long since I’ve had spaghetti squash!
Natasha 12.04.2015
That pepperoni panini brings back memories from working at a coffee shop at Michigan State in college. I’d eat a pepperoni panini after every shift. Ah, memories.
Also, if you like Stitch Fix, you should check out Golden Tote. If you haven’t heard of it, they have a lot of similar things (and sometimes the same) but it’s way cheaper and super fun. There’s a trading group that has nearly 5k members so I’ve never had a hard time selling or trading for stuff that I want!
Here’s my referral link if anyone is interested. It is the best thing EVER!
Leesa 12.04.2015
I loved the leggings quote! Ha! It is so true, peoples are definitely for or against the legging trend.
Melanie 12.04.2015
Have you seen LuLaRoe clothes yet? That skirt and top with the “Favorite Style” title looks like something they have. AND…they have THE BEST leggings! They’re so super soft and in fun patterns.
Kristin 12.06.2015
I haven’t! I’ll check them out!
Amber Harding 12.04.2015
I personally like how those potatoes look like! So soft and creamy on the inside, I’m going to melt, too.
Lindsay @ BluegrassBites 12.04.2015
Oh my gosh…Emerald Lake!!! Totally on my must visit list now, too!
JC Bryant 12.04.2015
I have been following you for years now and I love it. I have tried many of your recipes. Have had many of my friends ask where I come up with such great recipes, always happy to turn them on to your site. Now that I am getting use to your new blog style site I love it even more. I love that you not only share your passion for cooking, but also family and healthy living!! So Thank You
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More 12.04.2015
I have totally been neglecting my nutrition lately too and dang, I feel it! Finally the other week I bought some kale and have been wilting it all week…IT IS SO FREAKING GOOD! Who knew, right? ;) Unfortunately now I am out and instead of buying more, I went for a box of cereal that makes me sick… :-/
Britt@MyOwnBalance 12.04.2015
I saw the spaghetti squash enchiladas too and immediately pinned! Yum! I agree that eating more fruits and veg and getting a bit more exercise always makes me feel so much better!