Cilantro Lime Chicken with ZOODLES!!!

Ok, so first off, I have been EXTREMELY curious about zoodles! It's ALL the craze but I didn't have the necessary "tools" and then whammo...one day I was LUCKY enough at work that my lovely boss had an EXTRA "tool" and I jumped on that baby!!! I didn't tell my family what I planned on making for dinner this particular day! I just had all the ingredients out and they turned their noses up at even that!!!! WHAT!??? However after the dinner was complete and plated this meal was a HUGE success! Every ONE of them LOVED it! They couldn't even believe that they liked it! EXCUSE me.....my feelings are in jeopardy here! So try it out and see if you and yours like it. I'm guessing it's either a love or hate kinda thing so don't be disappointed if you don't have the same reaction. For us, it's going to stay in the rotation but that may not be the case for everyone! (I did use a mix of squash and zucchini for this but next time I would ONLY use the zucchini..it held up better and was firmer!)

5 to 6 zucchini
1.5 pounds of chicken cut into 1" cubes
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 limes (juice of)
3/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1. Using whatever zoodle tool you have, make noodles, transfer into a large bowl and set aside.

2. Preheat large non stick skillet on high heat and add chicken. Saute until golden brown, stirring occasionally.  Add cumin, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper towards the end, stir and cook for another minute.  Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

3. Spray the pan with cooking spray and add zuchinni noodles. Saute for 1.5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat and add previously cooked chicken, lime juice, and cilantro. Stir gently and serve hot.

Coffee Talk!!!

Thursday Thursday....Oh how I love thee! Hellloooo my loves! Summer is in FULL swing! Let's not prolong this ANY longer!

5 Random Thoughts:

1 - The "DOWNER" to vacation....having to play catch up when you get home!!! I am STILL trying to catch up on editing sessions that I did while I was on vacation PLUS I still haven't touched my sister's Birth Story. I feel like I am DROWNING in editing and I see LOTS of late night/early mornings in my future! It's such an AWESOME "problem" to have so I'll take it!

2 -  Speaking of photos to edit, this past weekend I FINALLY got to have baby snuggles with my brand new niece when I did her newborn session. This session reminded me WHY I have the first 7 - 10 day rule (which let me just say, it was completely MY fault that her shoot was NOT done in that time frame, BAD AUNTIE who went on vacation only a couple days after she was born) Seriously though I know all new moms say their baby sleeps all the time but inevitably if it's much more over 10 days they are starting to stay awake more and more. Those first 7 - 10 days are the sweet time! They sleep MOST of the time and you can generally get them into many different poses without any issues. Soooo just a TIP...if you or someone you know is pregnant and wants newborn photos done, the time to book is while you are still PREGNANT. :)  (yes, you won't have the exact date but at least you are tentatively on the calendar for around the time you are due)

Here's one of the shots we captured of little Miss Aubrey this past weekend!

3 - I can't believe the 4th of July has come and gone already! How does summer just seem to WHIZ right by and winter can DRAG on endlessly??!!!  Our calendar is so PACKED I feel like we are going to blink and it will be over! So for now I'm just going to soak up EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT with family and friends.

4 - Our next little getaway is coming up! We will be heading to the shore for a few days with our lovelies in New Jersey! Soooo looking forward to yummy boardwalk treats, relaxing on the beach and just enjoying beautiful weather!!! It went from us seeing each other once every 3 months to almost once EVERY month! LOL! I'll take it! We always have such a blast with them and the beautiful thing is our kiddos all get along so it's a win win!

5 - I am slowly getting my office space all PRETTY!!! I LOVE having a creative space that is completely ME!!! I got another new addition this weekend and of course I am CRAZY excited over it. Here is my new Inspiration/Vision Board! I totally adore a mix of vintage and new things in a space together, so this old window turned Inspiration Board fits in there perfectly! It's going to be full after a bit but for now it has my monthly goals on it, my WHY for my healthy fitness journey, lots of positive motivation quotes and MORE!

Ok that's a WRAP for today!!! I am off to work! Have a fabulous Thursday and come back and see me next week for more coffee talk! XO

Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

Ok, my faithful loves....I will start by apologizing!! I SWEAR I don't ALWAYS eat those darn roasted brussel sprouts and broccoli but every time I have a fabulous new recipe to share somehow that was the side dish AGAIN! So pretend you don't see them on the plate or if you are new here and you haven't been subjected to the brussel sprouts...HERE is the recipe!!  Anywhooooo, I absolutely ADORE salmon! Like LOVE it, could eat it a MILLION different ways, but here is my NEW summer LOVE! The sauce literally MELTS. IN. YOUR. MOUTH.  I have served it with basmati rice and used the sauce on that too and yep, SCRUMPTIOUS!

Here is the recipe for the sauce:  (for the salmon, since it's summer and we are in GRILL mode, we just seasoned them lightly with salt, pepper and lemon, put them on cedar planks and onto the grill they went! I can't say enough about the cedar planks they give the fish a nice smokey taste, if you never tried them, give me a shot and see how you like the flavor)

Ingredients:

1 cup plain greek yogurt
1/4 cup cream
1/2 cup dill
1/4 cup cilantro
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp parsley
1 clove garlic
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp EVOO
dash of salt
dash of pepper

Put it all into a food processor until it's smooth and creamy. I like to make this a few hours before I'm serving because I like how the flavors all combine together when it sits so long. So after you take it out of the processor if you aren't serving right away, put it into a dish, cover and put in fridge! Voila! A perfect patio summer dish!!!!

The Woolard Family!

I was lucky enough to spend an evening with this beautiful family at a picturesque location. They were referred to me by a very sweet client and I couldn't be more grateful! Each boy had such a different and fun personality and Mom & Dad.....well look at them. The bond and love they share just radiates and I couldn't have asked for a better shoot. (okay, well maybe LESS bugs!) LOL! We were able to capture some great shots even with teenage boys, who I KNOW could think of a MILLION other places they would have rather been! ;) That little guy though...he was ready to HAM it up! Thank you Woolard Family for trusting me and letting me capture these memories.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all the referrals. It melts my heart and is by far the biggest compliment! July is completely booked and August is close behind so message me if you are interested in a shoot so we can get you scheduled before your date disappears. :)

Here are some of my favs from this session! XO

Healthier Cowboy Caviar!

Happy 4th of July weekend my loves!!! I know you all have probably been going to LOTS of cookouts, parties, get togethers etc. I wanted to share this AWESOME dish that is sooooo yummy and EASY to throw together. I have had it before but it was a little "heavy" with oils etc, so I really want to find one that was a little cleaner.  I tried this one yesterday and it turned out AH-MAZING! It's so refreshing and light. I'm all about an easy to throw together dish when I need to bring something and this did NOT disappoint! Try it out and let me know what you think!!!

Ingredients:

1 to 2 Avocados chopped up
1 can of black beans drained
1/4 cup of cilantro
1 can of corn drained
1/2 tsp garlic powder
the juice of 2 limes
1 can of pinto beans drained
1/2 of a red onion diced
1/2 tsp of chili powder
1/2 tsp of cumin

Throw it all together in a bowl, mix well and serve with tortilla chips!!!! Voila!!!

Coffee Talk!

I'M BAACCCKKKKK!!!! Phew I HATED having to miss our coffee talk last week! Seriously, it's a definite HIGH point each and every week. So let's not waste any more time, pour that java and let's get to it! :)

5 Random Thoughts:

1 - 12 hour drives that seriously are 12 hours = happy face
     12 hour drives that take 16 HOURS = CRAZY WOMAN (and kids & hubby)
Ugh! The way to Chicago...piece of cake! Is it because we were so excited and vacation was just starting or are we just that unlucky that we would hit STAND STILL construction traffic on the way home. DON'T. EVEN. GET. ME. STARTED. On the positive, we made it in one piece and it's over and in the PAST now...Onward & Upward!!! ;)

2 -  Vacation - Where do I start?! It was an ABSOLUTE blast from start to finish! Toooo many things to even remember. There was a wedding, there were cocktail nights, there was a cooking class, there were day trips into the city for shopping and festivals....hey there were even a few different photo shoots. (I'll be getting those up here in the next week or so)

3 - Speaking of vacation ending....WHY?! Why does it have to!? This was my first week back and it was a short week at that and my booty is DRAGGING. Dragging like I quite possibly need an IV of Coffee!!!! I feel so very lucky that we are able to do these trips with our kiddos. Making memories is the absolute MOST important thing to me and this vacation did NOT disappoint. Now we are on our countdown for our "Shore" getaway. (Um, that still never gets old to me....East Coasters call it the Shore, my kids are still baffled by that!)

4 - I am overflowing in Editing again but that is such an AWESOME problem to have!!! I am almost completely booked up for summer! WHAT?!!! I LOVE it!!! Speaking of which I FINALLY get to do a newborn shoot of a VERY special little lady who chose to come before I went on vacation like a perfect little niece but now I'm late doing her shoot!!! I can't wait to squeeze the jelly out of her!!! Auntie love NEVER gets old!

5 - So while I was away I did try to get my workouts in and watch my eating but let's face it.....I was NOT perfect and I'm not going to pretend that I was. Life is REAL. Obstacles are REAL. Things happen and you miss a workout, or there are NO GOOD menu options, hey I get it. The point is TRY your best and know that if you slipped up, it was just that...a SLIP UP, Not a FAILURE! Get rid of the negative talk. So this week I am back at it 110% and I may or may not be able to walk tomorrow since incorporating the Brazil Butt Lift in with my 21 Day Fix Extreme. That BOOM BOOM is NOOOOO Joke!!! Again, grateful I am in the privacy of my own home when this nonsense goes down...Hot MESS Express up in here!

Ok loves, thanks for patiently waiting for me! Love you all!!! If you or someone you know is interested in a shoot please message me ASAP so we can get you scheduled!!!! Happy Summer!!! <3

A Scrumptiously Cute Little Man - Meet Cameron!

Hi loves!! I am catching back up after my vacay so this is WAY over due!!! I met up with Cameron and his GORGEOUS Momma a little over a month ago! It was absolutely PERFECT weather and he was, well....PERFECT (did you really think otherwise, look at HIM!)  I had been looking forward to this shoot ever since sweet Katie found out she was pregnant!!!! See her stunning maternity shoot here. Between the red hair, the little lips, the absolutely sweet disposition this little man is an absolute DOLL! He may or may not have Mommy wrapped around his finger, but can you blame her!? I can't thank you enough Katie for letting me capture these priceless memories. XO

Here are some of my favs from our session! I will be on here catching up on more sessions the rest of this week! :)