What a Deal!!

I came home from school today, and had the house to myself. Scott is volunteering at a clinic, and I needed some down time before I started dinner. I picked up my Real Simple and what before my wondering eyes did appear? Discounts! I thought I would share them with you because they are all workout related, and if you are anything like me, you're thinking it's about time to get back in tip top shape. Here are the goods:


Plank Canvas Tote: Original Price $205 Discount: $164
plankdesigns.com Enter Code: SIMPLEFEBDEALS

Athleta Whirlwind Jacket: Original Price: $79 Discount Price: $63.20
athleta.com Enter Code: WHIRLWIND20

Barefoot Environmental Yoga Mat Original Price: $40 Discount Price: $32
Enter Code: RSMAG10 barefootyoga.com

New Balance 758 Shoes Original Price: $90 Discount Price: $76.50
Enter Code: 15OFFNB758 nbwebexpress.com


Larabar Nutrition Bars: Original Price: $27 for 16 Discount: $21 for 16

Enter Code: RS210 larabar.comKlean Kanteen Water Bottle: Original Price $18-$20. (Can purchase in red or silver)

kleankanteen.com Enter Code: REALSIMPLE

Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

So here is the next recipe from "Cooking with Mickey and the Disney Chefs" that I want to share with you. It was a tasty and filling vegetarian meal. It wasn't spectacular, but it really did the trick on a cold winter night (and days to follow.) Here is what you need:*1/3 cup olive oil
*2 cups diced yellow onion
*1 cup diced green pepper
*1 cup diced carrot
*1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
*1 cup diced celery
*1 tablespoon cumin powder
*dash of dried oregano
*2 teaspoons paprika
*3 dashes hot sauce
*1 bay leaf
*2 sprigs chopped cilantro
*1 tablespoon coarse salt
*dash of freshly ground black pepper
*1/4 cup tomato paste
*2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
*2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans (including liquid)
*2 cups water

Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add onion, peppers, carrots, garlic, and celery and saute until vegetables are soft.
Add cumin, oregano, paprika, hot sauce, bay leaf, cilantro, salt and pepper.
Add tomato paste, vinegar, black beans, and water. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 20 minutes.
**Yields 6-8 servings or 2 quarts**

Of course you must have corn bread with this, and a "dollop of sour cream, a squeeze of fresh lime and fresh cilantro." Yum!

Bathroom Remodel

At some point in the future, probably not near, I am going to help my uncle remodel his bathroom. (It's so much more fun to spend other people's money, and paint other people's homes.) My uncle lives next door in a house similar to mine. His bath is fairly small, well really small, and I like the idea of a neutral for him. Here are some ideas that I was thinking about. Let me know which is your favorite...please! He might be selling his house soonish, so also keep that in mind.

I really like the subway tile.
And the mahogany.

The gray and white color combo is lovely.
Take out the mirror (totally not functional) and the table with the tree thing (who wants a table like that in their bathroom?) and maybe even the yellow. I don't know... what do you think about this?
This is really simple, but it's clean, and I think super budget friendly.
This looks expensive, but I bet you could really do it on a budget.
Ditto to this one.

Snow Days...

Ahh... the text message that made my day. School is closed today. I was happy to have school yesterday because I had a KTIP observation, but today, I had no real objection to missing; in fact a three day weekend sounded rather nice.
And so, I slept in, made some icing for the lemon-cranberry cupcakes I had made yesterday, and set-up dinner (south western pulled brisket) in the crock pot. All of this cooking and baking made me realize how much I really love to make food. I don't even have to eat it, but I love to create it. I love the process and seeing a final product that others can enjoy. I think I need to be a home-ec. teacher or a culinary school instructor! I could also open a bakery; this would have to be later in life, but I can certainly think about it now. If I could do that, here is what my bakery would look like:

Basil and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Oh my goodness... just when I thought mashed potatoes could not be any better, I found this recipe. For Christmas I received this cookbook: Cooking with Mickey and the Disney Chefs. This is only one of my Disney cookbooks (I received four this year for Christmas), but this is the first recipe that I will share with you. (My plan is to work my way through the books, and I will strategically give you the best.) So this leads me to exhibit A: Basil and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes.Here's what you need:
3/4 pound or 2 large baking potatoes
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons milk (I added a little more to make them creamy)
1 garlic bulb roasted (Just cut the top off, rub olive oil all over the bulb, wrap in aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes...mmm.)
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Peel and quarter potatoes and place in a large pot of water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-25 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and return to the pot. Mash with butter and milk. (I also used the hand mixer to make them a little creamier.)
2. Remove the soft parts of the garlic from the roasted bulb and add with basil to potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Seriously. These are delicious. :)

Yay UK!!!!

On.... On... UK!!!Courier JournalUK AthleticsWashington Post

Mad For Plaid

I am just really starting to appreciate plaid. It can be dressed up or dressed down, and it no longer screams western wear. Here are some stylish and fun plaid prints that you could add to your wardrobe.Shirt : LL Bean

Etsy
Coat: The Limited
Ralph Lauren
Inge Christopher