Skinny Mexican Casserole – The Recipe

| The Bee Life

The other night B wanted mexican food, and since we’ve especially buttoned down on our eating habits this past month, we opted to search for an easy recipe that we could make at home vs. opting for our usual choices, Chipotle, chips and salsa, or rice and beans. So we found this recipe, and adapted it, by cutting out some ingredients we didn’t want, OH and the tortillas.
skinny-casserole-recipe-the-bee-lifeWhat You’ll Need:
– Can of corn
– Can of black beans
– 2-chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)
– Half-onion chopped
– 3-garlic cloves
– Enchilada sauce
– Diced tomatoes with green chilies
– 9×13 pan
– Shredded cheddar cheese
– Cilantro for topping

Step-by-Step:
1. Cook your chicken breasts and shredded chicken once cooled; spread out evenly across the bottom of you 9×13 pan – this is your base!  Oh, and pre-heat your oven to 375.
2. Next, drain your corn and black beans and layer each one over the chicken.  Sprinkle your chopped onion evenly across with your garlic and then diced tomatoes.  Then take your enchilada sauce and evenly distribute across the top of your layers.  Lastly sprinkle cheddar cheese across the top.
3. Pop this in the oven for 25-minutes, wait to cool a bit and garnish with cilantro!  Salsa and guacamole also make great mixes to add as toppings to your dish.
4. Enjoy!
1We will definitely be making this dish again, it was so easy, filling and the perfect fix if you’re craving some Mexican food but want to skip on the tortilla and chips!

Baby Shower: Gift Guide

| The Bee Life

Sooo I don’t know about you, but there are a lot of babies coming into my 2017 world. Like a lot. And now that more friends are starting to have babies, I’ve started to think of more ways to give a special gift beyond the registry.
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Sources: Woodland Prints | Made in Cleveland Onesie | Tiffany’s Piggy Bank

Here are some different ideas to get you inspired to share the love and excitement for a sweet miracle coming into this world!

Nursery Decor: Figure out the theme for the babe’s new crib and find some wall art, clock or decor that’ll fit the space. A friend of mine is going for a woodland theme, so these watercolor animals from Society 6 are the perfect addition!

Local Onesie: This will be the perfect addition to this little ones new wardrobe and first clothes! Check Etsy if you don’t know any near you.

College Fund: If this is a close family member or friend, it might be great to go-in with some other family members and open up a college fund or get some savings bonds for the little one. Having this be an option for upcoming birthdays and holidays will not only help you but other family and friends in the future!

Of course buying a ton of adorable clothes, stuffed animals and cute little shoes, never gets old, but it’s fun to get more personalized, unique pieces that can make a personal touch to the space.

Fitness Friday 02.17

| The Bee Life

This month’s Fitness Friday is the first official check-in on my progress this far! I am officially 7-for-7 in attendance back to Boot camp, over the last 2-weeks and two morning classes up and out the door.  It feels great.  I’m honestly a bit pissed at myself for ever stopping, for getting to the point where I am at, for getting unhealthy.
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But that has changed.

I am no longer going to get in the way of my goals and feeling great.  I realized the other morning in class, that I have a lot of work to do.  I have a lot of work to do pushing my body and strength and a lot of work to do with my diet/eating habits, luckily I feel like I have the food somewhat under control in comparison.

I have a goal in mind, and I’ve got my sights set on it.  I am determined and I am motivated.  I can’t wait to see all of the progress I make in the first few months and over the next nine, and over the next year!

What is keeping you motivated?

Happy Friday!

 

 

#EmnBWed – MOH Dress

| The Bee Life

In prep for our upcoming shopping trip, I been doing some searching for MOH dresses. I definitely have a lot of ideas and want something that is unique, stunning and going to make a statement for my right-hand MOH.

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I’d like to say I have the color figured out and style – but about the only thing I am certain about is the length. I have some color ideas, but it ultimately comes down to what Kates feels comfortable in and what looks best on her! Since Kates is my one and only in the bridal party we can totally work and find what she likes, be picky and shop around more.

I think Nordstom has a lot of stunning bridesmaid dresses, but the price point (no surprise) is a bit higher than I would want my bestie to spend. And as much as I would love to check out one of the newer sites with dresses, there are just a lot of styles and fabric combinations that just need to be tried before buying. We will make the rounds closer to Katie so that she can work to order and pick-up at her convenience.

More to come on the first shopping trip!  I am hoping we find something so we can cross it off the list and start looking for accessories, but I also don’t want to rush it and make sure it’s perfect from all aspects!

Sources: Top Left | Top Right | Bottom Left | Bottom Right 

Happy Vday!

| The Bee Life

valentines-2017-the-bee-lifeI wanted to share some extra love today in honor of Valentine’s Day! I have always had a love/hate with this holiday, it always seemed to vary on if I was hating men that year or was head-over heels with someone. Now, that I’ve had a steady valentine for 6-years, I’ve come to still love it but not feel overly sentimental about it. There are so many other days and ways that I would rather focus and share my love with my forever valentine (in addition to day). Yes, it’s a commercialized holiday, but it’s also a day we don’t need to stress about, what we do need to do is share some extra love to those people around us, strangers too, share it with the people who might need it more than you!  Whether you’re in a relationship, just getting over a rough breakup, or going steady with your forever valentine – there is never too much love to be shared or go around.

XOXO

 

Guest Bedroom – Reveal

| The Bee Life

It’s Friday! And I’m happy to share our latest and first little home makeover of the year, one of our guest bedrooms. The reason we did an impromptu makeover is because this room always felt like it was an after thought and just thrown together. It was a combination of my first apartment furniture; a dark brown book case and TV stand, and brown curtains – mainly because we had them so we made it work. The color of the room was yellow, we had kept it the same as when we moved in to keep it simple, but it was really bright! This is also the most used guest room, so it just made sense to give it more love.
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Instead of buying all new furniture, although I was tempted, we ended up, updating old pieces and buying a few new key pieces. We updated the book case and TV stand with some white spray paint and added some legs to the TV stand (B’s awesome idea) in order to raise it off the ground a bit.  And if your an avid Bee reader, the night stand might look a bit familiar – yes I redid it again, this time with some fun colors and new handles! I am a bit obsessed. We also painted up an old window and found a fun green wreath to create some rustic wall art.

New pieces include the curtains (LOVE!), the bedspread, the hanging light and the rug (which will probably be replaced again) and a few new picture frames and little accessories around the room. I am sure there will be some more accent pillows and blankets added to keep the space cozy and colorful.

I love the updates we’ve made, the wall color feels more calm and relaxing, and it’s fun to add some pops of color. I’ve always been a fan of color, but finally found a way to do it in a mature way and not childish. I also feel like the space feels so much bigger with the update of the white furniture. Can’t wait for some friends and family to enjoy the space this year! We will definitely be having a lot of guests ❤

Shout out to my little peanut for posing and being a good sport in all my pictures!

 

Six Dates.

| The Bee Life

It’s that time of the year again, and I’m back to share some unique ideas to switch up your normal Valentine’s Day routine – whether your single or dating!
six-dates-valentines-the-bee-lifeOne: Take a cooking class! This seems to be a popular date idea as of late, but having done this it would definitely be a bit more fun with a larger group of friends!  Most places also allow you to BYOW; so be sure to plan ahead and bring something that pairs well with your dinner.  B and I took a sushi making class, which was really great and unique – because it’s something that we probably would’ve never tried on our own!

Two: Paint and sip wine classes are another fun way to relax, be creative and try something new. Plus you can make this a group activity with a bunch of girlfriends or couples. If you don’t want to keep the painting, it could be a great gift for your mom or another friend! It’s a great way to get out and socialize especially with these colder winter days.

Three: Dinner at home with friends, potluck style. Help decide on a menu as a group and then pick a dish to bring. Pair it with some games, good wine/beer and company and you’ve got a fun night that is still different and unique but takes the pressure off of the big day!

Four: Take a fitness class together! Sign-up for a spin class or find a boot camp and start the morning off strong.  This is another way that you can work with a friend/partner to get you motivated to conquer your new year resolutions together.  Not to mention you won’t feel as guilty enjoying chocolate covered strawberries and champagne later in the night!

Five: Volunteering and giving back is the perfect way to share and give love to people or animals who might not be as fortunate.  Some different ideas to look into around your area are; donating/sorting books for children, volunteering at a local animal shelter, collecting can-goods or serving hot meals at a shelter, visiting the sick/elderly, or donating clothes!

Six: Make something! Whether this be big or small, you could make Valentine’s cards for family/friends, paint wooden picture frames for the house or find your latest Pinterest Hack to make! Looking for some ideas? Check out my pinterest board: Bee Creative.

Since Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday, it might be harder to some of these specifically on the day, so get a jump start this weekend or the following! And last but not least, don’t forget to give a card to your honey, bestie, parents and friends!

XO

Wednesday Reminders – 10%

| The Bee Life

There have been a lot of opinions swirling around our world lately.  No matter where we turn; social media, the news, talk around the office or with friends, there is so much negativity with all these opinions. Oh, and did I mention social media?

Here is the thing; I am all for sharing opinions because I am not afraid to voice mine 90% of the time – but it’s that 10% when I don’t that matters the most. Why? Because that 10% of the time I do it out of respect and out of hope for a greater good – I know my opinion doesn’t always matter – I know it doesn’t always help – and I am fine with letting other’s voice theirs without hearing mine.

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So instead of soaking it all in, I work to push negativity out – I don’t read it, I don’t watch it, I don’t encourage it and I don’t combat it. I think it’s great everyone lately feels so empowered to share their opinion, but I don’t always think it’s great the way a lot of people are doing it. There seems to be a lack of understanding or acceptance (because they won’t listen) for those who don’t share the same opinions – in this world we cannot exist without peace and tolerance.  I chose when I need to voice my opinions whether they be big or small, political or impolite, important or not, but I think that is because in the grand scheme of things, of life I’m more focused on peace, happiness and being content than being right.

Image Source & More Inspiration

Friday Fitness 01.17

| The Bee Life

This year I have full intentions of focusing on being healthy – inside and out, because to me being healthy is being happy.  And being happy touches every single part of my life, but the part I am most concerned about is my life at home and being happy and content, being the best me.
healthy-2017Being healthy is more than eating right and working out, being healthy is pausing, turning off the noise, taking a few extra deep breaths, a break from ‘reality’ … from the office, it’s focusing time on the important things, the things that makes you whole and happy.

Here are some ways you can achieve healthy too! 

  1. See It – Broken record Bee again; but if you write it down and see it, you will be/do it. Write down those things that are important to you, the things you want to focus on or spend more time doing. Make it colorful, or write it on some nice paper and make it into art, post it in the bathroom or kitchen so you see it every day!
  2. Workout – For me, this is going to be boot camp. This is my workout that challenges me, makes me stronger, pushes me, and gets me into the shape I want to be and keeps me engaged and doesn’t make me bored. Set your workout goals and stick to them – but even before that figure out what works for YOU.
  3. Mental Breaks – Whether it’s the weekend or a 20-minute walk in the middle of the afternoon, take the mental breaks. Know when it’s time to stop and say time-out. Mental breaks could also include time with friends, family or your sig-o, laughing and sharing moments with these important people in life, can just be what the doctor ordered.
  4. Spa Day – This takes that mental break one step further. And helps with a mental and physical break. Taking care of your body inside and out is just as important as anything else on your list.  Be sure to take a break and plan these out so you won’t forget!
  5. Give Back – One thing B and I have talked about doing more of is volunteering and giving back, this is definitely something we are going to work and carve into our regularly scheduled lives – we definitely have a few afternoons to spare and help out those in need. Wanting to give back more? Look for local organizations or a local parish and reach out to see how you might be able to get involved!
  6. Time for Hobbies – This can tie into that mental break category, a great way to give that brain a break is to spend time on things you love to do. For me it’s scrap-booking, DIY-ing and writing. Even if it’s one Sunday a month, make time to spend an afternoon focusing on the things you love to do!
  7. Balance – Work to find your balance this year – whether it’s balancing your burger to salad ratio or life to work, start figuring out those stresses that trigger or conquer these battles in real time. Say no, say yes, or wait to decide. Writing these down and knowing possible feats ahead of time will help conquer them this year!

How will you achieve a healthy 2017?