Here's what I've got, babe...

You know that, "I woke up like 'dis", curl? Well, that coveted undone curl is referred to as the "S-curl." Why? Because it makes a perfect 'S' {duh}. It has been, in my opinion, most precisely & perfectly rocked by none other than Khloe Kardashian. I can't tell you the hours I've spent studying this sassy curl. {Head cocked, full-squint on, lips pursed to the side} "I don't get it—is it a curl come undone? Is it a flat ironing gone crinkle in the night? Is it a magical set of rollers? How, Khloe, HOW!?" Maybe the 'S' stands for sexy, but for many of us it stands for, 'Seriously, HOW do I get those curls?!' Trust me, I know the feeling. You, the curling iron, a few burnt finger tips & a plethora of cuss words spent the better half of Friday evening in the bathroom attempting to come out all Kardashian-like. Instead, you succumb to your failure {mostly because the hubs is standing in the bathroom doorway tapping his foot & pointing at his invisible watch}, go for the usual mess of curls, & then wake-up the next morning all, "Oh hell no! We're going to brunch—this curl deserves a public showing." Don't settle for the usual mess, get that sexy 'S'! ...the first time around. {Just call me Rhyme Master Nyx} Step 1: One day I won't even have to explain this because it will be engrained in your brain {seriously, I'm on a roll!}. PREP FROM BIRTH. Say it with me now! {PREP. FROM. BIRTH.} Naturally flowing freshly washed hair may be pretty for you to run your fingers through—but that's about it. It won't hold, it won't style, & it will actually get greasier faster with no grit to soak it up. So, lather-up that puppy, lightly condition, rinse & then prep with some grit-inducing products {my favs are Kenra's root lifter & mousse}. Step 2: I like to futz around while my hair airdries a bit—less heat damage, & really, when can you NOT find something to futz with? Then, fire up that blowdryer, toss your head over, & dry! No rhyme, no reason, no round brush. Just dry upside down. This will give you a good bit of volume to start with—in my case, aka, a big frazzled mess! Isn't is purdy!? Step 3: Chi time! Or, for all of you non-Chi users {I assume such users exist?}, flat iron time! Pick your part & smooth those strands by taking LARGE sections and running them once or twice through the flat iron. We're not going for Cher-hair here, just a quick smoothing—you don't want to make it soooo flat that it won't then hold that 'S'! Step 4: Using a 1 1/4 inch barrel iron, curl two-inch sections of your hair, keeping the iron vertical at all times! This may be a dance to accomplish, but you're getting ready for a night on the town, so a little warm-up dance won't hurt! Step 5: I know, I know, you want to touch them. You want to touch them & tousle them & run your fingers through their bouncy goodness. Don't do ittt. Ah-ah, N O. Hands DOWN. Breathe, it's going to be okay. We are going to get through this. For now, they must rest. Rest and set. Go get your fab little outfit on, finish your make-up, & keep your dang hands out of your hair! Step 6: N O W. Now you can touch them. Using a teensy weensy bit of serum {I like Paul Mitchell's Skinny Serum}, run your hands over large chunks of your curls so they meld together in one large 'S' pattern. Some may brush, some may run full fingers through—you know your hair and whether it will bounce back up or not, so ween in lightly & play with it, but don't play TOO hard. After your 'S' is perfectly coiffed, spritz with hairspray {Kenra Number 25, for me} & confidently bounce out of that bathroom like you are Kardashian Sister #6 {or, #7, if you count Kris}. You're S'welcome :-) #hair #hairstyle #hairtutorial #hairhowto

I don't mean to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm kind of known as the party-planner-extraordinaire around here. There isn't an occasion, a theme, or an event that I've encountered that I didn't embrace with open planning arms. A simple cookout turns into a full on feast, a baby sprinkle turns to a full fledged down-pour, and don't even get me started on a trifecta-party... I am nothing if not detail-oriented and theme-sessed. SO, how do you throw a party for the party planner?! When my hubs, sis, mom & besties said they had it in the bag, I was skeptical - and of course, I took to Pinterest to "slyly" do some pinning as a little ::hint hint nudge nudge:: When I walked in this fete, this F E A S T, this festivity of all festivities, it was clear that my pinning was not needed. They had out-planned the planner. I am so not worthy. ::Insert Wayne's World bowing:: Every detail—down to the spray-painted glasses—was incredible. And the FOOD, oh the food. I almost crunched the details of the grub at the end of this post when I realized that it would be doing it a grave injustice. The food needs its own post - it d e s e r v e s its own post! What was I thinking? Stand by for a rundown of the fanciest of finger foods, fit for a healthy gal's party... In the meantime, if you're planning a 30th birthday party like mine (or any aged party for that matter), a dinner party, a baby shower, or even a wedding rehearsal dinner (actually, let's be real - even a wedding itself), I hope you find some tidbits of party-inspo in this glittering, glamorous, pink & gold celebration! Photo cred: Renee Hollingshead Photography Photobooth cred: Built by the hubs <3 Photos by Erin Michelle Photography Decor: My insanely detailed-oriented and fabulous sis, hubs, mom & besties. MAJOR thanks to these crazy kids for the best. party. ever! #hostessinspo

It's been a long year of ombre, balayage, blondes, blondors & yes, BLEACH. In 2014 almost every brunette dipped a toe in the blonde pool, and the usual-blondies dove face-framers-first into the platinum end. With the combo of the freezing Winter air here on the east coast, paired with the over-processed {or, more processed than usual} tresses of 2014, heads-of-hair up & down the coast are in dire need of a clean slate! Whether it be deepening the base & toning your balayage-lites to give a dimensional yet seamlessly natural highlight, or completely saturating your strands with a hi-gloss all-over stunner-color, my clients are giving their 2014 locks a 2015 refresh! Note: I am all in favor of a Winter blonde—but even bright blondes need a hi-gloss refresh every now & then. Even a clear gloss can rehydrate your hair follicles and help your blondie-blonde pop! Here are a few of my F A V transitions so far: {The epitome of rich chocolate tresses. That sheen!} {Usual blondes need not to fret—deepening does not always mean DARK, it just means richer, saturated & refreshing. Taking it back to the roots! But keeping dimension, and yes, flecks of blonde.} {Iced Brunette.} {Attention!: A clean slate doesn't always have to take it back to the roots. Since you're already pre-lightened from your 2014 locks, take the chance to take the plunge into a vibrant color that you've been lusting after on Pinterest. DO IT! It's just hair, afterall.} {Blonde goes bronde, with dimension.} {Fun fact: professional {keyword: professional} color actually saturates, hydrates & volumizes strands to give them more shine, silk & B O U N C E!} {Going from lighter-locks to a rich red makes your new color P O P!} {Case in point. Again!} New year, new hair. Let's do it! Who's with me!? #hair #hairstyle #beauty

Spring survey says... Hippy Chic, baby. With the 70's AND 90's making a MAJ comeback, you can expect the fashion mash-up of your dreams. It's the nostalgic threads of your childhood, meets hints of the era you wish you would have lived {and dressed} in. We're talking flares, florals, pastels & platforms. Every piece is a statement - and all you need is one. But why limit to one when there are 13 lucky pieces in this collection alone?! #bonafideshopaholic Happy Spring Shopping! V-neck Floral Maxi from Romwe {$16.50—MAJ sale!} Mint Green Lapel Double Pocket Wool Coat from SheInside {$39.83—Another MAJ sale!} Boho Floral Fringe Kimono from Chicwish {$36.47—15% off} Florals With Zipper Midi Skirt from Romwe {$18.90—You guessed it... Sale alert! You can thank me later.} Distressed Frayed Flare Jeans from Charlotte Russe—Love the frayed bell-bottoms! {$34.99—Buy One, Get One $12.50} Striped Chiffon Maxi Skirt from Charlotte Russe {$11.49} Sahara Cross Strap Platforms from Office {$28.23} Rope & Stone Statement Necklace from Sole Society Ray-Ban Unisex Reflective Aviators from Overstock.com {$126.99} Round and Round Shades from NastyGal {$20} Twisted Band Wool Fedora from Forever21 {$15.90} Budding Beauty Flower Crown Headband from GoJane {$6.77} Karma Mantra The Tiger Eye Mala Necklace from Karma Loop {$32} #fashion #shopping #accessories #style

My style changes based on my mood—and since I have no idea which mood will strike me this Valentine's Day, why not fulfill them all? {Just in case} After all, it is a 3-day weekend ;-)Sometimes I like to play innocent girl-next-door. Other times I pretend I am oh-so-boho-chic. And when I'm really feeling fearless, I mix in a little, "Is she girly? Or is she edgy?" style. Whichever mood strikes you, I hope this fuels some of your outfit inspiration for this lovey-dovey weekend. {Girl Next Door} Dress: SheIn {Super sale!} // Tights: Target {in store} // Boots: Oldies, but Similar & Similar // Tassle Necklace: Nordstrom Rack {in store}, Similar // Pink Stackable Rings: Nordstrom Rack {in store}, Similar // Pink Lips: Kat Von D Backstage Bambi {Oh-So-Boho Chic} Shirt: SheIn // Pants: Old {super} lucky find at Macys, but Similar {and super sweet and on super sale!} // Hat: Gifted, but Similar & Similar {in grey/silver - love the textured look!} // Lips: Nars Belle de Jour {Girly Edge} Shirt: Super Oldie, but Similar // Skirt: Another Major Oldie, but Similar & Similar // Shoes: Oldies {shocker}, but Similar // Necklace: Nordstrom Rack {in store}, Similar & SWOON // Lips: Kat Von D Bauhau5 Psst...more "love"ly outfit inspo: All That Glitters is Gold Breaking All The Fashion Rules: Winter White #fashion #style #beauty #accessories #shopping

Let me preface this post with a big fat two-part disclaimer: 1.) I am N O T a chef, cook or nutritionist. I credit my food-making abilities to Pinterest, my Kitchen Aid mixer, and creativity. Sometimes I get a resounding, "mmmmhmm-can't-speak-too-busy-making-mmmhmmm-sounds", and sometimes I get the infamous, "you know what would be great on this? Old Bay." {aka, I need to drown this "unique-flavor" with the almighty potent spice of the eastern shore} Ya win some, ya Old Bay some. 2.) I am N O T a photographer, of any shape, size or sector. This includes food. Especially food. So excuse my foodie snaps—I promise it's always more appetizing than it may look. Now that we've gotten the housekeeping items out of the way, let's get to cookin'! Or, crockin', in this case. I found this recipe on Pinterest {shocker} and was instantly intrigued. "Best Chili on Earth"? That's a bold statement. Now, the hubs claims to l o v e my usual chili recipe, so I was reluctant to switch it up, but we were having company over and I didn't have much time to tend to the stove so I needed a full-proof crockpot chili. This was the most frequent and highly acclaimed crockpot chili on Pinterest—I just HAD to know if it was the "best on earth." I followed Pip & Ebby's chili to a T, except the following omissions: I only did one jalapeno pepper instead of two, since one of our "guests" was a wee lad and I didn't want to overwhelm them with spice. I used 2T parsley flakes instead of 1/4 cup of fresh flat-leaf parsley because, again, not a chef, and who the heck has fresh parsley on hand? I went the ground chicken route, mostly because we're just ground chicken type of people {we don't find ground turkey to hold flavor as well}. I left out the pinto beans because the hubs has just recently ventured into the world of beans and I didn't want to over-bean him. The only addition I made was, in my opinion, a chili MUST: beer. It ain't chili unless it has that aromatic beer flavor. Lagers are my favorite, especially seasonal lagers because they come with a whole burst of added spices. I popped open a Leinenkugel Octoberfest and poured about 1/2 a cup in to the chili that was brewing in the crockpot. {If I have to tell you what to do with the rest of the beer, we need to have a little sit down chat.} Otherwise, I followed Pip & Ebby's play-by-play, taking the crockpot route and simmering for 8 hours on low. The verdict? Pretty dang good! Best on earth? For some, maybe. Did it absolutely blow my socks off? There was a strong wind, but I'm not sure they blew off. However, one of my guests did say, "this is REALLY good", not once, but twice. The first time I always accept as a courtesy, but if they're so inclined to say it again, then dang, it must be good! The hubs also approved, and the recipe has officially been added to my Tried & Tested arsenal on Pinterest. The Best Chili on Earth Serves: 12 Total time: 8-9 hrs (slow cooker) or 2 1/2 hr (stovetop) 2 pounds ground beef, turkey or venison {I used 2 lbs. of ground chicken} 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 yellow or white onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped {I used 2T of parsley flakes} 2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (optional) {I only used 1 jalapeno to make it more kid-friendly} 3 tablespoons chili powder 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black ground pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 46-oz. can tomato juice 28-oz. can diced tomatoes 15-oz. can tomato sauce 16-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed 16-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed {Omitted} {Added 1/2 cup of beer} Shredded cheese and sour cream, for topping Instructions: In a large skillet, cook ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Transfer the meat to a bowl. Drain excess grease from skillet, but do not clean. Add the olive oil to the skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion, green pepper, garlic, parsley and jalapeño peppers (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir until combined. If cooking the chili stovetop, add the cooked meat back to the skillet. If you are using a slow cooker, add everything to the slow cooker. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans. On stovetop, bring to a boil, dial back to medium-low and simmer for 2 hours. In slow cooker, cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Serve warm with cheese and sour cream. {And biscuits/rolls - duh. #recipe

I know I am SO late to this shake party, but I just never hopped on the Shakeology train, until now! 1.) Because I loathe the thought of drinking my meals. Meals were m a d e for crunching. If you don't know about my love of cereal - you don't know me, period. 2.) What's so fab about ShakeO that can't be achieved in a homemade smoothie of my own concoction?! And 3) I'm not one for trends... Who are we kidding. I l i v e for trends! Which is why I finally caved, jumped on the ShakeO train, and quickly found out why ShakeO completely trumps my homemade smoothies. And when I say trumps, I mean I'm over-nighting a shipment of the multi-pack because I'm terrified of *gasp* running out. Now that I've got the shakes, I've gotten pretty ballsy in experimenting with recipes. And let me tell me you—either I'm an i n c r e d i b l e shake-chef, or these shakes just simply cannot be ruined! In my {now} very intimate love affair with ShakeO, I've found that I prefer the Strawberry packet to have a tropical flair, the Vanilla packet to have an XYZ & Cream feel {i.e. Peaches and Cream, Berries and Cream, etc.} or act as a knockoff Vanilla Latte Frap {it's a thing—I just created it}, and my Chocolate packet to have an 'anything goes' attitude. Seriously, chocolate goes with e v e r y t h i n g. But we'll get there—right now it's this Vanilla Strawberry Banana ShakeO's spotlight. All you need to do is combine all ingredients listed above in a blender. There's no fancy order - just throw it all in! I would hold off on the ice a bit and add as needed near the end. Then, blend until smooth, adding ice {I use crushed} if it needs to be thicker, and water if it needs to thin out a bit. You can use additional splashes of almond milk to thin it out, as well, but I opt for water at the end to save calories. Speaking of calories, this creamy concoction packs a mere 325 calories, and SO many nutrients that we'd be here all day covering them. This particular ShakeO tends to make a little over a large glass for me {like the one pictured above}, so I usually save the rest in a smaller glass for a post-workout immediate purge {you know you go straight for the pantry}, or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Because it really does pick you up. I'll talk about all of my favorite ShakeO perks for my next recipe... In the meantime, what are YOUR favorite ShakeO recipes?! Do share! #recipe #fitness #health

I can't tell you how many times I have chopped inches-upon-inches this season. All in the quest for the "It" long bob—the lob. I don't think I have to tell you that it's A L L the rage these days. Those fresh blunt ends, the collarbone skimming angles, and the flounce & bounce that comes along with the life of a lob—you must. have it. now. Everyone from Alexa Chung {the original lob'ber}, to Julianne Hough {rocking a double trend, with pink!}, to Jessica Alba, and even known long-haired beauties like Vanessa Hudgens, Jenna Dewan Tatum & Sarah Hyland are taking the plunge! Seriously—e v e r y o n e. If you're one of the brave who made the cut, or if you're considering it but you're worrying about how to style that bad boy - I've got you covered! I would never leave you chopped & lost. Along with the "It" bob, the "It" style to go along with it is fitting for the Summer: beachy waves! There's a trusty technique & slight secret to get those perfect lived-in, blunt tipped, tousled waves. Let's roll through, shall we? Step 1: What's my #1 rule, ya'll? Prep from birth. You know this, so I know you're already following. But just in case you need a refresher: prep freshly-washed damp hair {towel dried} with root lifter & mousse to add some grit. Then blowdry {roughly - not smooth - feel free to use some blowdry spray to protect from the heat!} or let airdry. Step 2: Section out the hair from ear-to-ear by leaving a small layer at the bottom and clipping the rest up. {Hint: I would say I end up with four or so layered sections from start to finish} I typically do a light mist of Kenra's Silkening Mist on each layer to protect from the iron heat and reduce frizz. {See my full list of must-have hair products here!} Step 3: Now here's the trusty technique—you are going to do ALL curls vertically, not horizontally. So while you would normally hold the iron out as if it's laying flat, you're actually going to hold it straight up and down—like you're holding a flag pole {because you totally walk around holding flags, right?!}. Spray a 2-3 inch section with hairspray, then clamp your iron around it, being careful to continue holding it vertically as you curl. {TIP: You also want to leave about an inch out at the ends - this will help with that blunt tips look} Step 4: After holding the curl for a few seconds, you want to lightly pull the iron down {it's still straight up and down - right!? Right.}. Here's that slight secret: as you pull the iron out of the hair you are going to roll over the ends to completely flatten them - as if the last inch of the curl was flat ironed. {Tip: You could actually curl the whole head and then go back through and flat irons the tips when you're done! But who wants to add extra steps and more tools? To each their own!} Step 5: Repeat throughout the whole head, layer by layer, 2-3 inch section by 2-3 inch section. And here's the key {okay fine, there are three major keys to this 'do}: don't touch any of the previously curled hair while you finish. None. No touching. You will look like Medusa and it's fine—just assure your boyfriend/husband/girlfriend/bestie that it will not look like this in the end. Pinky promise. {Side note: Notice in Step 5's picture that the ends are all straight, yes? Don't forget to "flatten" the tips!} Step 6: Nooo touching. Just leave it. Do your make-up, get a drink, gab on the phone, whatever - just don't touch it until your curls are completely cooled {takes about five minutes}. Step 7: When your curls are completely cool to the touch {if it's still warm to the touch—stop. Back away from the curls and let them cool. If you dive in to them, don't come crying to me when you have frizzy humid curls. Heat loves moisture—your hands carry natural moisture—let's not give heat what it wants, okay?}... Anyhoo, where were we? When your curls are cool, put a tiny dime-sized squirt of serum into your hand, rub it between your two palms, and then get. in. there! This is a tousled look, not a coiffed look. Just use your fingers to separate the curls and crunch slightly so it gives a lived-in look. Step 8: Spray for hold and walla! Beachy-waved bob perfection <3 {Thanks to the gf for being my forever (guinea pig) model. Check out her blog here, & her photo magic here!} Psst... Check out my step-by-step tutorial on the Khloe Kardashian "S" Curl! #hairhowto #hairstyle #hair

They "say" Spring is right around the corner... I'll believe it when I can see actual grass beneath the mounds of snow & ice. But, just in case, we should probably start stocking up on layered essentials to help us transition from Winter to Spring. Because who am I to deny a shopping opportunity? ::wink wink, nudge nudge, shop shop:: Here's to lightweight layers, pastels, curve-hugging dresses, tribal chic, jungle-inspired, airy romantic tops, classic trenches, rompers & so many more Spring trends I am d y i n g to purchase & pull out of the totes <3 Countdown to Daylight Savings, aka, the end of Winter depression: 7 days! Countdown to Spring: 18 days! Countdown to a new seasonal wardrobe: In Progress Dress: Target in Navy {peep your local Target before purchasing online—I got mine in-store for $11?} // Sweater: Old Navy {ancient} Similar & Similar {in a variety of colors} // Tights: Target {my absolute FAV tights—I only own about 47 colors. The softest, stretchiest & thickest tights. Not to mention the chipper chicken price {that's "cheap" for you non-Father of the Bride quoters}—if they tear, just buy another pair!} // Tan Suede Booties: Kohl's {couple seasons old, but forever classics—a must invest!} Similar & Spring-worthy! // Sunglasses: TJMaxx {oldies} Similar {almost spot on!} // Necklace: Wet Seal {oldie} Similar// Thick Bracelet: World Market {no longer available—check out other options in my Military Chic post!} // Stackable bracelets: Variety buys from Nordstrom Rack, Forever 21 and god knows where else—but don't worry, stackables are a dime a dozen—Similar & Similar {because, anything with an elephant} // Rings: Tribal Stackables - Forever21 {oldies}, but here's a recap on some others from my Flippy Floppy Hat post—Similar & MAJ {Wishlist} #fashion #shopping #style #beauty

Winter has a way of depressing by suppressing. Everything from daylight, to warmth on your bones, to your drive to workout, to your will to eat well—it is all squashed by Winter. The days are shorter, unbearably colder, encourage layers {of body fat and clothing} & undoubtedly provoke the pantry-eater in you. There are no visions of poolside romps, beach body bikinis, endless fresh veggie & fruit options, or any drive-worthy factors to 'put the oatmeal cream pie down, and walk away from the pantry...' Now, before this completely demoralizes you and sends you into a Hostess Cakes-feast of Winter proportions {those powdered doughnuts though...}, let me turn this post around. There are only: 30 Days until Daylight Savings {helloooo sunshine!} 41 Days until Spring 107 Days until Memorial Day Weekend {unofficial kickoff to Summer} 137 Days until Summer! Which means, the time is N I G H to get this beach body started. And what better way to jump feet first into bikini-bliss than signing up for a 10-miler?! Say it with me now... CRAZY! Exciting! With a few 5K's sprinkled throughout, a 10-miler at the climax, and V E G A S as the ultimate reward, this ten week calendar will keep me in check and on track. Oh, and did I mention the Big 3-0 at the core of all of this? Well yea, there's that. So, whether you're counting down to sunshiney-days, spring break debauchery, a milestone birthday, a bucket list run, or some other form of light at the end of this bitter-cold tunnel, I hope this post restarts your engine & starts your kickass countdown! I'll also be joining a Clean Eating Challenge next week that will be sure to rid my Winter-bod of all of those holiday indulgences and prepare it for the road {or treadmill} to come. In the meantime, create your own countdown, download this training calendar {inspired by the infamous Hal Higdon training programs}, tailor it to your 2015 fitness bucket list & join me in springing forward—NOW! #fitness #health

It doesn't get easier than pulled chicken in the crockpot and five ingredients {plus some seasonings} thrown into a casserole dish. It also doesn't get any more delicious than this mash-up of Mexican flavors. It's warm & cozy & packed with sneaky nutrition. And it'll officially be added to your list of go-to favs—trust me. First, throw some boneless, skinless, chicken breast in the crockpot. Or, lay it nicely side-by-side - depending on your mood. {Note: You'll want to coat your crockpot with some cooking spray to avoid a scrubbing match later.} These are your crockpot ingredients. They are small, but mighty. Pile your mighty ingredients on top of your chicken. No rhyme or reason, just pour and close. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Then grab two forks and take out all of your frustrations—aka, shred the chicken. Then leave it on low and let it simmer in the juices while you finish up your casserole. When your chicken has about an hour left to go, throw together your quinoa casserole and bake until bubbly. {Mmmhmmm, cheese.} Then pile some of your shredded chicken on top of a bowl filled with quinoa casserole and finish off with chopped tomatoes and avocado. You're welcome. Southwest Chicken & Quinoa Bake Servings: 8-10 Total Time: 6 hours Ingredients For the chicken 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breast 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with habaneros {hot!} 1/2 cup Pace Picante salsa {mild, medium or hot} 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp paprika For the quinoa casserole *Adapted from Damn Delicious Quinoa Enchilada Casserole 2 cups cooked quinoa 1 {10-oz.} can Old El Paso mild enchilada sauce {I used hot because we're spice fans!} 1 {4.5-oz.} can Old El Paso chopped green chiles, drained 1 cup canned corn, drained 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed 1 Tbsp. dried cilantro 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp chili powder S&P, to taste 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced 1 Roma tomato, diced Instructions Start your chicken in your prepared crockpot by piling all chicken ingredients on top of your chicken breasts. Cook on low 5-6 hours. Five hours in to your chicken cooking, prepare your quinoa according to directions. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9x11 casserole dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, enchilada sauce, green chiles, corn, black beans, cilantro, cumin, chili powder and S&P. Stir in 1/2 cup of both cheese {reserve the rest}. Spread quinoa mixture into the casserole dish; sprinkle remaining cheeses on top. Place in the oven and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly—about 15 minutes. While the casserole is baking, shred your chicken with two forks and mix into juices. Once casserole is done, scoop quinoa mixture into a bowl, top with shredded chicken, and finish off with tomato and avocado toppings. Devour. *I used fat free and low fat ingredients wherever possible to cut down on calories - but rest assure that it does not cut down on flavor! Psst...more tempting recipes: Comfort Crockpot Food: Balsamic "Pantry" Chicken Deemed "The Best Chili on Earth" #recipe #health #life #Realtalk

First it was chalky Slimfast shakes, then it was juice bars serving green grain in a cup with a straw...and then, then ShakeO came onto the scene and all was finally good with my tastebuds. But after nearly three months of shakin', blendin' & sippin', I was ::GASP:: getting bored. Then one day a friend took me to South Block Cafe where they make cold pressed juice {blech! Sorry, I just can not fathom drinking my veggies.} and acai bowls. What's an acai bowl? Actually, let's go back to the basics so you actually know what you're talking about/eating when you mention acai {Ah-Sigh-E}. Acai is a type of berry that hails all the way from Brazil, which is why you might feel as though you're paying a pretty penny for that pretty bowl. Here in the US we only have access to frozen acai puree - not the whole fruit. To turn that pricey fruit puree into a bowl you blend it with other frozen berries {berry-besties?}, a frozen banana, plain old ice, and then add splashes of almond, soy or coconut milk to thin it out. But don't thin too far - your final product should mimic ice cream. Frozen, smooth, berrylicious ice cream. Then you top the bowl with whatever your taste buds desire: fresh fruit, granola, coconut flakes, a dollop of peanut butter, chocolate chips, oats...my head is spinning at the possibilities. It's like fake-me-out froyo, ya'll! Since I have yet to come across frozen acai puree {though there are rumors that it can be found at Whole Foods}, I did the next best thing and turned my ShakeO into a bowl. ShakeO BowlO?! Mind. Blown. Tastebuds having a rave - glow sticks and all. Step 1: Blend your ShakeO of choice! Like this Vanilla Strawberry Banana, or this Strawberry Tropical Paradise, or go towards for a more froyo-worthy flavor like Chocolate Covered Berries. Then, add ice, ice, baby. Lots of ice. Blend. Keep adding. Blend. Little more. Once you get to that super thick, ice cream-like consistency, you're ready for a bowl. Look at that ice cream consistency! I could just gobble it up with a spoon... but wait! There are toppings to be added... Step 2: Top your ShakeO bowl with complimenting flavors. For this berry-filled Strawberry ShakeO I went with even more berries {blueberries and raspberries}, granola laden with nuts, half of a sliced banana, and coconut flakes. Step 3: Eat ASAP! Like ice cream, this bowl will melt and thin out, so in order to get a good scoop you'll want to dig in immediately. But really, once you have your beautiful bowl built out it will be nearly impossible to refrain from scarfing eating anyway! Next up - d y i n g to try my hand at a PB&J blended bowl! I can just picture it now, with a dollop of PB on top, surrounded by sliced bananas and nuts ::drool:: Coming soon... Psst... More drool-worthy mash-ups: Banana Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Shakeology Summer Shandy Lemon Oreo Cupcakes Summer Shandy Lemon Oreo Cupcakes #recipe #health