Keep it Fit. Keep it Fresh.

I scored big today on my lunch break. I ventured into Ross in search of a low priced can opener. You know, the old kind that leaves you vulnerable to cuts from the sharp edge of the lid. I found one for $5.99 and was on my way out the aisle when I spotted the most awesome buy!

I've been wanting a bento box from laptop lunches for quite some time now. The only problem is that I could not justify spending $24 on a colorful grown-up lunch box. Eco-friendly and portion-controlled they may be, but affordable they are not.

So I was walking down the aisle and spotted this:

The two little containers for fruits and veggies in the front sit just perfectly over the ice pack and the whole things snaps together and stays cool. You can buy these online at fit-fresh.com for $9.99, but found them at Ross for $6.99 a piece.

John and I now have awesome, Asian-inspired  lunch boxes and our bodies will thank us. It's another brick in our wall of health and sustainability!

Cowboy Cookies

1 cup Margarine 
1 cup Brown Sugar 
1 cup White Sugar 
2 Eggs 
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract 
2 cups Flour 
1 tsp Baking Powder 
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt 
2 cups Rolled Oats 
1 pkg. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Cream margarine and sugars, add eggs and vanilla.
3. In a medium bowl mix flour through salt. Blend thoroughly.
4. Add oats and chocolate.
5. Roll dough into 1 and 1/2 inch balls and place on greased cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 10 minutes.

Our First Christmas Tree

Everyone, meet the very first Christmas tree of the Malone household...

Yes, we have matching jackets. No, we aren't that kind of couple. And YES, we DO rock them.

Setting A Holiday Table

Oh, where to begin? It has been lifetimes since I last posted, all for good reason. Finally finishing up my last semester of my Bachelor's degree, I'm settling into normal "adult" life and haven't had a chance to post until right now, the week after classes end!

I understand that these (awesome) photos of my family Thanksgiving are very belated but perhaps they will give some inspiration for this next holiday that is swift approaching....Christmas! So roll with it. Imagine these photos colored in red and green instead of Thanksgiving-y earth tones and make yourself a happy holiday table.

The essentials:
-Mood lighting (dimmer switch, candles, reflective centerpieces)
-Something with life (flowers, plants, succulents, live farm animals... ;) )
-Mix and match patterns and textures (linens, flowers, serving dishes)
-Use the something old instead of the something new (a plate from Grandma or glasses from Aunt Sue)

Lastly, I can't stress enough the importance (I think) of posing with your table. The ladies of the house worked hard, all day- decorating, cooking, slaving, sweating (but still looking gorgeous), so capture the memory of the final product on film to remember forever!

Semi-Homeade Salsa

This recipe can be made in about 5 minutes and is so simple I almost can't call it a recipe. However, I've had more than a couple comments on it when I tell the ingredients the response is always the same, "I would have never thought of that!" So I want to share it here, so you're sure to... 


Semi-Homemade Salsa


1 tub of La Mexicana Mild Salsa (found in your produce section)
1  cucumber chopped and seeded 
1/2 -3/4 cup sweet corn 
3/4 cup black beans (drained and washed) 


Mix, chill, and serve with a hearty tortilla chip or over salad.