The Musings of a Working Mom

I love when I'm able to make an awesome meal out of whatever is in my pantry and fridge...this dinner from Sunday night did not disappoint!  Grilled veggies with a healthy quinoa pilaf.  I was able to use up most of the veggies and haloumi cheese in my fridge that was nearing their expiration date.  I already had sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts in my fridge (staples that I always have on hand).  With the ingredients that I had on hand, I was able to make a very delicious and healthy meal in very little time.  There are so many variations to the pilaf and grilled veggies/protein that you can do.  I can't wait to make this again and again!  Enjoy... Mediterranean Quinoa Pilaf  Makes about 3 1/2 cups (recipe courtesy of Nature's Earthly Choice Quinoa) Ingredients: 2 cups low sodium Veg stock/broth 1 cup quinoa 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil 1/3 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes 1/2 large onion, chopped 1/2 cup mushrooms, rough chopped 2 cups baby sp...

This month's Ipsy bag does not fail to impress....I am so happy that I cancelled my Birchbox subscription and signed up for this beauty subscription service. The theme for this month is Glamour Academy - which is perfect since we are all gearing up for back to school.  Is it me or does the bag remind you of Harry Potter???  In any case, I love it!! Included in this month's bag: 1.  Michael Todd - Pumpkin Nutrient Rich Facial Mask (1 fl. oz.) 2.  Mica Beauty Cosmetics - Shimmer Powder in #17 Bronze 3.  Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in shade 69 4.  Smashbox - Photo Finish Foundation Primer (.25 fl. oz.) 5.  Pixi Beauty - Lash Booster Mascara Have you signed up for your monthly Ipsy beauty subscription yet?  What are you waiting for - it's only $10/month!!

Here is yet another awesome, delicious and crowd pleasing meatless recipe that is not only good enough to serve at a party or even at the holidays but great to serve for a weeknight dinner as well. Poblano Lasagna (recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine) Ingredients: 3 cloves garlic, minced, divided 2 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 2 ears), or frozen and thawed 2 cups heavy cream 1 teaspoon fresh thyme Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion 1 large zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise 4 poblano chilies, charred, peeled, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1-inch strips 12 (7 by 3-inch) no-boil lasagna sheets 2 cups shredded Oaxaca cheese, or mozzarella Directions 1.  Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a medium, heavy saucepan over med heat. Add 2/3 of the garlic and  sauté for 1 minute.  Mix in the corn and saute for 5 min.  Stir in the cream and thyme. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes for the f...

The theme for this month's Ipsy bag is "Beach Beauty".  The bag is transparent pink and perfect for stowing your favorite beach or pool beauty items.  Included in this month's bag are: -COOLA Mineral Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tinted Moisturizer -Benefit Benetint -BH Cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow Trio -POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Rose Romance -Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray Have you subscribed to Ipsy yet ?  I have to honestly say that this beauty subscription is much better than Birchbox which I had subscribed to last year.  The products that you get with Ipsy are better, much more usable, and the samples are very generous in size (versus Birchbox which sent way too many foil packets or perfume samples that you can easily get by placing an online order or asking for samples at a cosmetics counter).  Well worth my $10/month subscription rate!!  Give it a try...

Photo credit: someone posted on IG 'Nuff said.  We are half way through 2013 but for the remainder of this year, try to make a concerted effort to eliminate the "CRAP" in your diet.  You only have one body and trust me, your body will thank you after you stop eating CRAP.  Aim to eat wholesome and healthy foods.  If you can't read or understand the ingredients in the foods you eat - Don't Eat It!!  Stick with your fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.  Good Luck and as always, Be Happy and Healthy!!!

So my sister makes a mean fresh homemade salsa - although she tends to make it way too spicy for my liking but I decided to give it a go and here is the result: Looks delish, right?  The recipe is actually very simple and you can add or subtract to it as you wish.   Ingredients 3-4 large tomatoes, diced - reserve 1 finely chopped tomato for the end 1 can Rotel Tomatoes 1 large onion, cut into chunks 1 small red onion, chopped - reserve for the end  1+ jalapeño pepper(s) - add more if you like or omit altogether 2-3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped Lemon juice Ground Cumin Salt  Oregano Directions Place the garlic in the food processor and pulse until finely chopped.  Then add the fresh and canned tomatoes (remember to reserve 1 tomato, chopped for the end), onions and jalapeño pepper(s) and pulse.  Finely add the seasons and lemon juice and pulse until combined.  Taste and season to your personal liking.  Finally ...

Well, even though we are half way through the month, I finally received my Ipsy bag yesterday...but that's OK because the bag is super cute and the contents are pretty good too!  I do have to say that the NYX Mosaic Powder was completely shattered but I contacted Ipsy about it and they said that they will send me a replacement product - pretty good customer service if you ask me;) The theme for this month is "On The Wild Side".... My June Ipsy bag contained: -First off the bag is an adorable leopard print pouch - smaller in size than previous months bags but so cute and perfect for your handbag! -NYX Mosaic Powder in Dare (12) - full size -Star Looks Lip Liner in Tickle Me Pink - full size -Chella Cosmetics Brow Highlighter Pencil in Ivory Lace - full size -J.Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette in Suzie (SCP107) - full size -PSSSST! the True Original: Instant Dry Shampoo - Travel size