*Recipe* Chocolate Cherry Coconut Truffles

Well here it is, Christmas Eve Eve!  I thought I would put up one more recipe that you could probably throw together in a pinch before Christmas day if need be.  Now, I'm aware that people are weird about all three of the main ingredients in these Truffles.  Either people don't like dark chocolate, cherries or coconut.  Fine with me, you are weird and that means more for me.  For the few of us that do like all of the ingredients, these are DIVINE.  I had to hide them in the freezer so that I didn't eat them all.  Everyone have a very Merry Christmas!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup Graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 3/4 glaced cherries 
• 2/3 milk chocolate
• 1 cup dark or semi sweet chocolate
• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk

Directions

• If you are using actual graham crackers, crush them up into tiny crumbs.  If you are using pre crushed crumbs, add them to a large bowl, add the coconut and mix together.  
• Finely chop your cherries and milk chocolate and add to cracker/cookie mix and combine. 
• Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave according to directions and then combine with sweetened condensed milk. 
• Working quickly, add the chocolate mixture to the dry ingredients and store well until combined. 

• Cover with plastic wrap and put in fridge for about 30 minutes. 
• Carefully roll out your truffles, approximately teaspoon size or a bit larger. 
• Roll the truffles in more desiccated coconut.
• Store truffles in fridge for up to 5 days or freeze. 

thanks to sweetest menu.com for the recipe!

Fab Friday Faves 12.21.18

Hello everyone and happy last Friday before Christmas! Four more sleeps!  I am very ready for Christmas this year, even though I felt very late with everything until about last week.  It doesn't feel like Christmas weather here sadly, although in Florida I guess it really never does?  Yesterday, we had many, many inches of rain, and then today it was insanely windy (I've been here for two tropical storms and this is the windiest I've seen it), so it hasn't exactly been ideal.  For anyone that is wondering, Josh and I got some not so good news today regarding our IVF round we did a couple weeks ago.  A negative pregnancy test on Wednesday.  I had prepared myself as I was fairly certain that I wasn't but still, it is never easy.
Alright, since this is the last FFF before Christmas, everyone have an amazing week with loved ones and I hope Santa is good to all of you!

Finally got my Christmas nails on Wednesday!  So cute!

Palm Harbor had our Christmas parade on Saturday.  This is the first time we have attended and it was so great!  We live in a relatively small city and it is great to see the community come together.  The parade was fantastic and really put us in the Christmas spirit.  

On Sunday one of my neighbors had a bit of an accident (she is fine now) but her dog is her baby, so as soon as I knew some thing was going on we offered to look after her dog.  Dinner is the sweetest, tiniest, thing you'll ever meet.  We played fetch for a few hours until his mom got home and we were sad to see him go.  Fun fact:  his name is Dinner because he was rescued from the dog meat trade in Korea where he would have been "Dinner". 

 Saturday was also the Christmas Open House at my massage place, "Natural Balance." It is also a spa, and where I get most of my Eminence skincare products (I've raved about Eminence on here a few times).  Anyway, they had some raffles and I won this kit ($130 value) so I was super pumped and of course tried it out right away.  Love it!

Another one of my contest wins arrived today.  I won a Litter Robot and year supply of litter ($800 value).  I have been entering their "12 Days of Christmas" contest on their website for at least 3 years now and I finally won!  I can't really say this is a favorite at the moment, as I just got it set up and I have no idea if Smudge is even going to like it, but if she does, it will make my life easier.  For anyone that doesn't know, its an automated litter box, with wifi and an app and lights and is definitely the most high tech thing in our home.

Today I'm linking up with:

/ Style Elixir / A Little Bit of Everything / Simply Sweet Home / Bright On A Budget / 

*Recipe* Chipotle Turkey & Sweet Potato Chili

It's been a while since I did a recipe, and I thought I better do one for winter, since it is again "Florida cold" here in Florida.   I found this recipe after subscribing to a Whole 30 mailing list, it was one of several Fall recipes that looked delicious.   This can be made in an instapot or a slow cooker, and I'll include both sets of directions.   I'll keep this description short, since I know that no one likes to read a novel before they get their recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 Tb Coconut or Avocado oil
• 1lb ground turkey
• 1 cup diced onion
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 28oz diced fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 medium sweet potato cut into small cubes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• optional: diced avocado, chopped cilantro, lime wedges

Directions

slow cooker:

• Heat oil in medium sauce over medium high heat.
• When oil starts to shimmer, add ground turkey and break up and cook 5 minutes.
• Add onions and garlic and continue to cook 8-10 minutes until onions are translucent and turkey is cooked through.  

• Transfer meat to slow cooker and add remaining ingredients tomatoes through chipotle powder.  
• Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until sweet potato is tender.

• salt and pepper to taste and garnish with optional toppings.

Instapot:

• select sauté setting on Instapot and add the oil.
• When oil starts to shimmer, add ground turkey and break up and cook 5 minutes.
• Add onions and garlic and continue to cook 8-10 minutes until onions are translucent and turkey is cooked through.
• Add remaining ingredients and stir.
• Lock lid in place and set vent valve to "sealing." Select manual high pressure and set cook time to 12 minutes.
• When cooking time is up, use quick pressure release then remove lid when safe to do so. 
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with optional toppings. 

thanks to the Real Food Dietitians for the recipe! 

Fab Friday Faves 12.7.18

Hello everyone!  Yes, I am aware, it isn't Friday, but I had this blog halfway done and didn't get home until dinner time last night and I was REALLY tired.  I had been in Rockville, MD for a couple days and just felt like laying around when I got home.   Besides that it was a quiet week!  not too much to report.  Everyone have a great rest of your weekend, and judging by the stores today, I hope every is completely prepared for Christmas so you don't have to go out in that mess!

On Wednesday I flew from Tampa to Baltimore, for my FET (embryo transfer) at Shady Grove in Rockville.  The night I got in, I met one of my BFF, Ericka (we became friends in Peru and she recently moved to the US) at Wildwood Kitchen for some appetizers and a great visit.  I got a hotel about a mile from my clinic so the next morning I got up ad headed over early for some pre-transfer acupuncture, which was amazing.  My transfer was at 1:00 and it takes all of about six minutes, so by 1:25 I was back in for my post transfer acupuncture.  by 2:30 I was back in my hotel room eating Thai food.   I came home yesterday late afternoon and I am feeling great!  

On the weekend Josh and I went down to the Channelside area in Tampa to Sparkman Wharf, a super cool new little area with a bunch of restaurants and a biergarten and an outdoor games area right on the water.  It was so much fun and a great place to hang out.  

ON Sunday Josh and I went to LBC for their Bloody Mary bar.  They have THE BEST Bloody Mary bar ever!

ON Black Friday, my favorite skincare company, Eminence, had a very rare, very awesome sale.  Three items and a cute little bag for $98.  This is a savings of about $50 so it was pretty awesome.  If you have never tried Eminence, don't because you will never be able to use anything else once you do.  But if you want to, use coupon code REFDF6SSQPES4 for $10 off your first order.

I got this cool mirrored bird feeder from Zulily and am thrilled to report that the birds love it!  I can watch them but they can't see me and because it's in the middle of the window the squirrels can't get at it.


Today, I'm linking up with:

/ Style Elixir / A Little Bit of Everything / Simply Sweet Home / Bright On A Budget /

Fab Friday Faves 11.30.18

Hello everyone, happy Friday!  Today is one of my favorite days of the year, the last day of hurricane season!  Yay!  My anxiety level is lowered a degree for the next five months.  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend here in the US.  Josh and I spent Friday and Saturday in St. Augustine, FL and then spent the day doing work around the house and yard on Sunday.  This week I have had a couple appointments, but most of the week has been getting this damn big house decorated for Christmas.  I'm still not finished, but I'm getting there and it looks lovely.  There are so many events going on around this area this weekend that I have no idea what we are going to do but it will be something fun and Christmasy.  The temps are finally back to normal today after being so cold (Florida cold)  it was 58F in the house yesterday morning, but I refused to put the heat on until finally my ears and throat were so so sore, I had to.  I start my progesterone as well tomorrow, yay! (not really yay, but it is exciting).  I head to DC on Wednesday for my transfer!  Prayers are greatly appreciated! Everyone have an awesome weekend and get all that Christmas shopping done!

These are some of my Christmas decorations that I was talking about.  I love our fireplace are and our projectors outside.  And this little snowman was my project yesterday, he turned out so cute.  More decorations to come!

here are a few pictures from our trip to St. Augustine.  We had a great couple days in America's oldest city.  It was absolutely beautiful with all the Christmas lights and old buildings.  We drank from Ponce De Leon's Fountain of Youth and we went out shelling and for a beach walk on Saturday morning too.

This months nails turned out so cute.  I didn't quite want Christmas, but something wintery.  Christmas will be next time.

I am so in love with the UV shirt I got while in St. Augustine.  We stayed at the Guy Harvey Resort and this is one of the shirts he designed with some of my favorite things on it.  Also some of the proceeds go to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. These shirts are great for people spending a lot of time in the sun and outdoors, especially somewhere like Florida.

Has anyone ever had one of these?  OMG it's like heaven.  We got it at one of the Citrus Centers on our drive back from the East Coast.  It is a creamy nougat rolled in pecans.  Yum!  We also got a bunch of grapefruit and oranges, so it evens out right?

Today I'm linking up with:

/ Style Elixir / Simply Sweet Home / Bright On A Budget / A Little Bit of Everything /

Fab Friday Faves 11.23.18

Happy Friday All!  And a very happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers here in the US.  I for one am still stuffed after a big turkey dinner yesterday afternoon.  We had a quiet, low-key day, just the two of us with some Christmas decorating and some football watching by the pool.  We are up early to get to a couple Black Friday sales and then we are driving to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the US that also happens to have some of the most amazing Christmas lights in the country.  Alright, I have to get moving, so everyone have a great weekend and don't get too crazy at those Doorbuster sales!

Since I took them all down yesterday to start Christmas, here are some of my Fall/Thanksgiving decorations in the house.  This is my first year really decorating the house since we were primarily in the apartment in Maryland, and I am having so much fun!

For the third year I adopted a turkey from Farm Sancuary's ww.adoptaturkey.org program.  This year it was Ruthie.   It's a great way to give back and help out some rescued animals of all sorts and makes me feel less guilty about eating turkey. 

Since we moved to Florida and I started going to craft markets, I have had my eye on these cat prints my Michelle Mardis.  I FINALLY bought them last weekend and I love them because they look exactly like Jinx and Smudge.  

I started getting acupuncture again a couple weeks ago in preparation for my current IVF cycle and transfer and I forgot how much I love it.  The practitioner I am going to, Dr. Heinz is definitely one of the best I have been to and has a great energy.  I went in with a five day migraine and when I left it was gone.  Not to mention, she is one of only two Acupuncturists covered completely by our insurance in all of the Tampa area.  

On Saturday, Josh had to work so I went on a little adventure into St. Pete for their Shopapalooza market, and then back to Dunedin.  In Dunedin I went to their craft market and then stopped in at Cueni Brewing for their two year anniversary and two hour limited release of their Cinderella's Pumpkin beer.  Pumpkin beer with food grade glitter in it, so pretty!  Then I went to a new little coffee shop, called Dipped and Sprinkled, where I got this delicious dipped and sprinkled cupcake iced latte.  So good!

Today I'm linking up with:

/ A Little Bit of Everything / Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir / Bright On A Budget / 

Fab Friday Faves 11.16.18

Hello everyone!  It's Friday again already... I really don't know how the weeks just keep flying by and we are only 39 days until Christmas!  It is "cold" today in Florida, actually feels like a fall day here for the first time since, maybe, March?  It got down to about 46 last night and was a high of 61 today. I did a ton of yard work and for the first time, I didn't sweat and I was even wearing a long sleeved shirt.  Not going to lie, that part of it was lovely.  It's warming up again tomorrow I think, back into the 70s for the foreseeable future, its rough ;)  To everyone that is reading from where they're getting horrible weather, or those horrific fires, please stay safe.  Your lives are the most important thing.  Everyone have a good weekend, and we will see you next week.  Maybe not on Friday, but I'll make sure that I stop in with some pictures or a recipe.

So, last night, Josh and I went to "A Legendary Christmas", John Legend's Christmas show. It was truly so amazing.  He is even better live than on his albums and he has such charisma.  The show also featured his band and Doo-wop girls that were also extremely talented.  He played his entire Christmas album as well as his biggest hits.  I have included a few videos I took last night, as well as the screen shot of the fact that John (his verified account) like my Instagram post from last night <3

On Saturday, we went into downtown Tampa to explore Hyde Park Village and for lunch at Datz, one of our favorite places.  I finally decided to go for it and get the DD Burger.  Two burger patties between two fresh, house baked glazed donuts.It has been on a few different Food Network shows, and while it is completely unnecessary, it is delicious!  I also got a drink called the Cinny Bunny. Its just coffee and almond milk but it has a mini cinnamon bun on top and the whole drink is delish!

I feel like I may have talked about these on a blog last summer when Canada released Maple Cheerios for Canada 150.  Well, apparently they were a hit, because now the US has released them, hopefully as a permanent flavor.  They are sooooo good, I don't even east cereal but I have been frequently noshing on these.  Try them!

I planted a couple of Poinsettias in the yard.  This is obviously the first time I've been able to plant anything outside in November ever and these look so pretty!  The really add a nice Christmasy touch.

On Thursday, I went and had my Ultrasound and blood work to start my 2nd round of IVF. Everything was good, and later in the day I was able to start the first of my medications.

Today I'm Linking Up with:

/ A Little Bit of Everything / Style Elixir / Simply Sweet Home / Bright On A Budget / 

Fab Friday Faves 11.9.18

Hello everyone, and yes, it's another late Friday.  This week I got my house back to normal and watched some TV and actually had a hard time adapting to my empty house and I really miss my mommy! Josh and I will have our first weekend alone together in like, 7 weeks though.  I ended up at the emergency vet last weekend with Miss Smudge.  I was concerned because she had been throwing up and having some other tummy issues on Saturday morning and I did not want to end up having to take her in, in the middle of the night or something.  I was worried it was a blockage but turns out it was some sort of gastrointestinal infection.  She got a anti-nauseant shot and an antibiotic shot and she seems to be doing quite well now.  This coming week I am getting started on my second round of IVF, so that is exciting, and scary!

Alright, everyone enjoy your weekend, and please don't forget to that Sunday is a very important day.  Our veterans deserve so much admiration and respect, and if you can take a couple hours out of one day a year, please do.

When mom and I went to the Tampa Vintage Market, I bought some Chalk Couture, chalk paint and silk screen stencils.  I finally got around to trying them out on the front door and I love them!  They can be used on almost any surface and are easily wiped off when you are sick of them.   I think I'm hooked!

On Sunday, Josh, Stephanie, Steve and I went on a half day deep sea fishing charter.  I was hesitant, because I am the most seasick person ever, but I loaded up on the Bonine and I actually did great, besides from being the most tired I have ever been! I actually was the only person in our group that caught anything big enough to keep, a Grey Snapper.  I actually took him to a restaurant on the docks when we got back and had him cooked up.  Now I have the fishing bug and can't wait to go again! 

I went down to the Dunedin Farmer's Market this morning, and on my way home I stopped at Flying Cloud Tea on Main Street.  What a cute place and the owner was so sweet.  they have an insane amount of tea, as well as the cutest mugs and teapots and other tea related items.  I got an iced key lime tea and brought home a few sample packs of other tea.  I think I might have a new favorite hangout! 

I decided to try a new nail place this week (the one that I went to in Clearwater last time, closed two weeks ago), Happy Nail, which is actually where I get my pedicures.  Kimberly there did such a fantastic job and was a doll.  

While mom was here, we did three pretty difficult puzzles.  This was the hardest one and took a lot of work, but it was so much fun and I am apparently now also hooked on puzzles.


Today I'm linking up with:

/ Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir / Bright On A Budget / 

A Little Bit of Everything /

*Recipe* InstaPot Deconstructed Eggrolls + Wonton Chips

I know I said that I would be back this week with some Fall recipes, but honestly I have only had 3 days to get my house and life back to normal after over a month of company, soooo that hasn't happened yet.  Maybe before the weekend?  This recipe though, is one that is deserving of a blog, no matter what time of year it is.  I made it just after Mom and I got back to Florida as a quick meal, and I paired it with some Trader Joe's Orange Chicken and homemade fried rice.  It was seriously the easiest recipe ever, and would be great at a Potluck or holiday party. I made mine in my InstaPot, but it could easily be made in a pot on the stove.  The crispy, light Wonton chips give the dish just the right amount of crunch and just take a couple minutes to whip up too.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground pork or any other ground meat
•  bag coleslaw mix
• 1/2 cup bone broth (I used chicken)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce or to taste
• 1 tbsp garlic powder  or to taste
• 1 tbsp ground ginger or to taste
• 1/2 tsp pepper or to taste

Wonton Chips

• 1 pkg egg roll wrappers cut into strips
• olive oil

Directions

• Place InstaPot on saute.
• Wait until it's hot and then add pork, seasonings and soy sauce and brown meat.  it you are using a meat that in't lean, drain out the fat.  
• When meat is browned, turn InstaPot off and add broth and Coleslaw and DO NOT stir. 
• Put the lid on and turn the knob to sealing position. 
• Set InstaPot on manual high pressure for 0 minutes.  (Just keep hitting the - button until the timer reaches 0)
• When timer is up, do a quick release.  After pressure is released, open the lid and stir.

Wonton Chips

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees while InstaPot is preheating on sauté. 
• Cut egg roll wrappers into strips and brush with olive oil. I used Eggroll wrappers instead of wontons because they are a bit sturdier, but you can use whatever. 

• Bake for 4-5 minutes until bubbly and brown.  Watch carefully because they go from brown to burned in a split second. 

• Let chips cool and enjoy with the deconstructed egg roll. 

Thank you to "I don't Have Time For That" for the recipe.

Fab Friday Faves 11.2.18

Happy Friday everyone!  Seeing as it is currently 9PM, this is going to be a short Friday Faves, I just really felt that I needed to do one blog at least!  As some of you know I spent two weeks in Saskatchewan, and then brought my mom back here with me for a month.  During that time I also had Josh's dad and stepmom and his Mom and stepdad each for 10 days separately.  Jim also came down for about 10 days and he and mom left today.  Its been a very busy couple months and I'm not sure what I will do with an empty house come Monday!  We had quite a storm today just as I got home from taking my parents to the airport.  It was crazy windy and rainy and there were a couple tornadoes just a few miles away.  No damage here thank goodness.

Everyone enjoy your weekend, and I'll be back soon with some fun fall recipes!

The other day, us girls went to a lovely DIY studio in Safety Harbor, called Aerie Lane.  We made some beautiful signs (I think we were all surprised how amazing they all turned out).  We had such a great afternoon, I highly recommend this place and there are a few locations throughout Florida and a few other states. 

Last Saturday was Jimmy's birthday.  Friday night we went down to the Fenway Hotel, for their soft opening and had some drinks on the rooftop bar and a delicious steak dinner in HEW, their chophouse.  The hotel is redone to look how it did in the 40s during the jazz era and is so beautiful! On Saturday we had cake (s) and had a nice relaxing day.  

I have to show off Smudge's adorable Mickey Mouse Halloween costume.  How cute was she?  Also we had 75 kids this year for Halloween,  so much fun!

The las couple weeks have been negative tide here where we are, and the shelling has been phenomenal.  We all have found so many cool shells and creatures that we have never seen before.  I also found my biggest shell ever, the Lightning Whelk pictured.

Last Friday, Josh went to a charity Skeet shoot with his work and came home with this Kayak.  We have been talking about getting kayaks for ages so this was a great start!  He also won a couple Yeti cups and a football Sunday party kit.

Today I'm only linking up with a couple people since I want to go to bed:

/ Bright On A Budget / Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir /