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10 Reasons You Need a Waterproof Blanket
Our Big Snowstorm–Austin Slowly Starts to Recover
What a week–actually TEN days–we have had! As I’m sure many of you have seen on the news, Texas has been impacted by an historic snow and ice event. Here in Austin, we’ve had…
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Cheese and Black Bean Quesadilla Wraps
The quesadilla is queen in our house. It’s one of a handful of foods that every one of us will eat, and happily. And while my son prefers the plainest of the plain cheese quesadillas, the rest of us have a healthy obsession with quesadillas filled with black beans, cheddar cheese, and salsa verde. Now, regular old quesadillas are loved just fine, but when we fold them into handy little wraps, things become next level.
(Disclaimer: I used foldable tortillas for these photos, which I took a while ago. I’ve discovered that now they’re hard to find. You can still fold a regular round quesadilla into a square wrap pretty easily, but it make take a couple of tries to make it look pretty, if you care about quesadilla aesthetics.)
Cheese and Black Bean Quesadilla Wraps
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 large tortillas
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil or butter
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed
1/2 cup guacamole or mashed avocado
1/2 cup salsa verde
salt, chili powder, and garlic powder to taste
1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed
1/2 cup guacamole or mashed avocado
1/2 cup salsa verde
salt, chili powder, and garlic powder to taste
In a large skillet or griddle, melt the coconut oil over medium heat. Place tortillas on a flat surface and top each one with equal amounts of cheddar cheese, black beans, salsa verde, and guacamole. Sprinkle on spices, then fold tortilla sides in and tuck closed. Cook each quesadilla over low to medium heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning every minute, until each side is golden. Remove quesadillas from pan and serve.
If you have a favorite quesadilla recipe, please share! I love trying different versions.
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10 Ideas for a Family Valentine’s Day at Home
This is a unique Valentine’s Day for us for many reasons. First of all, my husband will be home, which never happens for Valentine’s Day because he’s always on tour with the band. Second, well, we’re in still in a pandemic, and we’re one of those families who is still focusing on safety. So we won’t be going out to dinner or doing any traditional Love Day activities outside of the house. We’re not going to let that stop us from celebrating love though, man. We’re going for it.
If you’re in the same boat as us and want to make the day special but plan to be at home, here are a few ideas we’re considering for a family Valentine’s Day at Home.
1. Make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast. Add red food coloring and make them pink!
2. Order Valentine’s Day donuts. (See my favorites here!)
3. Make a Valentine’s Day themed craft. (Check out these Valentine’s Day baskets we made.)
4. Read books about love or Valentine’s Day. (We love Llama Llama I Love You and Daniel Tiger Love Day.)
5. Have a movie marathon type at home event but with Valentine’s Day themed shows. There are endless options for kids’ Valentine specials on Netflix and other streaming services.
6. Write love letters. Write each other letters about all of the things you love and appreciate about your family members. If your kids don’t read yet, drawings work too!
7. Talk about love. If you have little kids, you can create a meaningful conversation about what loves means and why it is important.
8. Make Valentines! We usually make ours in advance, but it’s fun to make them on Valentine’s Day itself too.
9. Order a heart-shaped pizza for dinner. (We ordered a heart-shaped cake this year too!)
10. Have a family game night. We have Valentine bingo and a Valentine’s Day card game, but any game works as long as you’re playing it together.
I know that Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone, but the ideals that surround the day – kindness, friendship, compassion, generosity, and good old fashioned love – deserve to be celebrated. I am grateful to have my family together this year to do that, and we’re excited to make the best of it staying at home. Happy Love Day, friends!
The 15 Best Items at Trader Joe’s (2021 Edition)
Every spring(ish) since 2017, I’ve shared my favorite items from Trader Joe’s with with you guys. As I’ve repeatedly stated, it’s my favorite grocery store for many reasons (healthier options, affordability, overall good vibe), but I mostly love all of the speciality items they offer under their own branding. And I’ve come to love sharing my TJs faves with you all.
As always, there are many core staples here that have remained year after year, but I’ve also included some newer items I find myself buying again and again. And once again, I feel the need to let you know that this is in no way sponsored by my beloved TJs. I just enjoy sharing my obsession.
1. Toscano Black Pepper Cheese
For yet another year, this is my number one. It was recommended to us several years ago by a Trader Joe’s employee while we were shopping, and it now a staple in our fridge. You have to try it. Trust me.
For yet another year, this is my number one. It was recommended to us several years ago by a Trader Joe’s employee while we were shopping, and it now a staple in our fridge. You have to try it. Trust me.
2. Grainless Granola
I’ve actually only bought this once (it’s new), but love it so fiercely that I was compelled to share. It’s vegan and gluten free and all that goodness, and it tastes freaking delicious. I’ve been loving it on smoothie bowls and plain Greek yogurt.
3. Raw Almond Butter
This is another staple in our house. It isn’t cheap, but no almond butters are. And this one is by far the best I’ve ever had aside from fresh ground (and even then the texture is no match).
4. Carrot Ginger Miso Salad Dressing
Current favorite dressing. An explosion of flavors.
5. Handcrafted Black Bean & Cheese Taquitos
They’re taquitos. Enough said. (Tip: Pan fry them and dip into salsa.)
6. Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Potato Chips
Not healthy. Don’t care. Flavor party, guys.
7. Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
The best price I’ve found and we use it daily.
8. Organic Broccoli Slaw
I discovered this in 2018 and now I can’t live without it. It’s the perfect crunch to add to bowls and tacos, makes a killer a salad, and is quite good steamed with pasta sauce.
9. Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
I will never not include this one.
10. Thai Yellow Curry Sauce
This one holds a special place in my heart. The first time I had my now-husband over for dinner (15 years ago!), I made him yellow curry tofu with this sauce. His exact word in response was “smitten.” (I also drank way too much vodka that night and he ended up holding up my hair over the toilet, which was the first of many signs that this one was a keeper.)
11. Thai Vegetable Gyoza
This is another one I share year after year, and for good reason. Tibetan Momos are my absolute favorite food, but they’re impossible to find outside of Tibetan restaurants, and my one attempt at making them was disastrous to say the least. These are the closest I’ve found. I eat them with sriracha and soy sauce.
12. Paneer Tikka Masala with Spinach Basmati Rice
I’m being quite serious when I say that this is just as good as Paneer Makhani at my favorite Indian restaurant. The portion is a little small for a filling dinner, but with a hearty side salad, it’s perfect.
I’m being quite serious when I say that this is just as good as Paneer Makhani at my favorite Indian restaurant. The portion is a little small for a filling dinner, but with a hearty side salad, it’s perfect.
13. Steamed Lentils
These make the perfect snack, are great on salads, and just make life easier. My kids are fans too. I top them with a little Bragg’s Amino Acids.
These make the perfect snack, are great on salads, and just make life easier. My kids are fans too. I top them with a little Bragg’s Amino Acids.
14. Mexican-Style Riced Cauliflower
Cauliflower rice can go either way for me. This one, which is a new TJs find, is really good. Cumin, cayenne, and lime flavor make it. It’s burrito bowl perfection.
15. Speculoos Cookie Butter
Another ones I’ll never leave off. Pure decadence.
If I missed anything, let me know, and I’ll grab it on my next visit. I’m always up for trying new TJs goodies!
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Win a Pet Parents® Pawtect™ Blanket!
This giveaway is sponsored by and fulfilled by Pet Parents®. We recently told you about the new Pet Parents® Pawtect Blankets–waterproof blankets specifically designed for pet households. These…
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Dog Rescued After Falling Through Ice
I know a lot of the US is receiving lots of snow and cold temperatures right now, and chances are that small ponds and lakes are frozen solid. BUT, you never know where the weak spots are. Several ice fishermen were just rescued in Minnesota today and in Wisconsin a few days ago. So, it’s … Continue reading Dog Rescued After Falling Through Ice
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National Golden Retriever Day
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