January 28, 2013

Porcupine Meatballs

With all of the dietary restrictions in our house, it's rare that the three of us can sit down and actually eat the exact same thing! However, when my Aunt Ruth made dinner for the family on one of my two recent trips to Arizona, it was love at first bite for this recipe:

Porcupine Meatballs

1 lb. ground beef
1 c. Minute Rice
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. finely chopped onions
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 c. water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix first 6 ingredients together by hand in a large mixing bowl.
3. Form meat into balls (about golf ball size) and place in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish (spray with Pam first for easier cleanup). 
4. Mix together tomato sauce and 1 c. water; pour over meatballs.
5. Cover with foil and bake for 45-minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-minutes.

Yep, it's that easy!

xx JN

January 21, 2013

Inaugural Style

President Barack Obama is sworn in for his second term as our nation's 44th President as First Lady Michelle Obama holds both President Abraham Lincoln's and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s personal Bibles.

First Lady Michelle Obama looking nothing but chic in a Thom Browne coat, Reed Krakoff boots, and J-Crew gloves & bejeweled belt.

Dr. Jill Biden so beautifully elegant in Lela Rose.

Beyoncé, escorted by husband, Jay-Z, was stunning in an Emilio Pucci gown, Dior fur coat, and Lorrain Schwartz emeralds.

The Obama's daughters: Sasha in Kate Spade, and Malia in J-Crew.

Photo Credits: 1. Stan Honda/AFP/Getty 2-4. Win McNamee/Getty 5. Justin Lane/EPA

January 16, 2013

Gluten-Free Quiche



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Just when I thought I would never have quiche again, I stumbled upon this delightful recipe over at Sassy Radish! For the record, quiche is one of the things I have missed most since becoming gluten-free just over a year ago. Not only does this recipe sound simply delicious, I truly find preparing quiche a real treat!

A special thanks to Olga at Sassy Radish for bringing quiche back to my kitchen!

January 14, 2013

Truth & Love | 2013 Edition


There's a running joke between my soul-sister, Anne and I, that our daily texts and online chats could be a reality show of their very own. First of all, they translate verbatim as to how we talk in person. Let's just say it's a gift we both have - and it's hysterical.

We've always referred to our convos (in person, on the phone, via text or online) as "Truth & Love," because I'm confident that aside from Jimmo, no one can quite put me in my place better than Anne! (As a stubborn, strong-willed, determined Virgo, I mean that as the highest compliment.) So, hell, if we can't chat on the phone, then by god, we're going to tell it like it is online or via text - I mean, have you embraced Emoji as if they were hieroglyphics?!

While I was in Arizona for Pop's funeral, I was up in my tree one afternoon bordering on the brink of feeling sorry for myself. The emotional weight of everything that had happened was building, and my body was telling me that it was time to take it down a notch. So, I reached out to Anne and she came back with some affirmations I needed to take note of - hence why they are now listed in my "Reminders" on my phone!

As I spoke about last year, I'm not a huge fan of New Year's resolutions. But, in looking ahead to what this year has to offer, (as well as what I was happy to have left within the 365 days of what is now known as last year) I share with you Anne's personalized list of affirmations she sent me via text - ones that helped this gal get out of her tree and back on the ground:
Whatever I need to know is revealed to me, and whatever I need comes to me in Divine right order.
I trust the process of life to take care of me.
The will of God will not take you where the grace of God can't protect you.
I am perfect health.
I am supported by the Universe.
Life loves me and it is safe for me to love myself.
I am energized and renewed.
I am shaping 2013 with these affirmations. Yes, do I plan to juice more, be diligent about x, y and z, make the gym an even bigger priority, read more books and write more handwritten letters ... of course! But the aforementioned won't come naturally without a whole, complete me. All of those "to-do's" and "resolutions" are just a trap for failure if the real work doesn't continue and evolve on the inside.

At least, that's my belief.

And, finally, I read this earlier in the week, and it, too, has stuck with me. The loss of life and loved ones in 2012 really, really, really brought this into focus:
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living.
 Now ain't that the truth?!

Cheers for 2013! Most importantly, here's to an even better, happier, more peaceful life living inside of you!

xx JN