Caramelized Onion & Fennel Pizza

Have I ever mentioned how awesome I think that Kristin from W/ Milk & Sugar is?!?  

I'm pretty sure I have, but it certainly can't hurt to talk about it again!  She posted this pizza recipe a while back, and I knew I just had to try it as soon as I felt brave enough to try fennel.  That is one ingredient I didn't know for sure whether or not I would like.  The smell of it raw just doesn't do it for me (black licorice...no thanks).  But when you cook it...ohhhh man, it is a whole different story.  I'm glad that I was finally feeling adventurous enough a week ago to try this!  It's good stuff!  I had no clue how to even cut fennel, but thanks to the magic of youtube....and of course Kristin's delicious recipe...this meal came together, and I WILL be making it again!

(I even have another recipe using fennel coming soon....

there were 2 bulbs in the pack, I promised hubby I wouldn't let it go to waste.)

CLICK HERE 

for a pizza recipe that will blow your mind!

*The only thing I did differently was...

-I left out the goat cheese because it is a "no-no" on my preggo food list

-I sautéed the fennel and onion with a little bit of sliced red bell pepper

Enjoy!

Thanks again Kristin!!! :)

Our Beautiful Wedding Day

This past weekend, hubby and I were able to relive every moment from that perfect day back in April when we said "I Do"!  After watching this video well over TEN times (I seriously lost track), I feel so lucky to have these wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime.  Take a moment to take a peek at the day I married my best friend, you will feel like you were there, so excited to be able to share this with all of you!  :)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO! 

Kate Spade Giveaway...this is BIG!

In my opinion, Kaitlyn from Wifessionals is a GODDESS for putting this one together.  I am absolutely obsessed with bags, so happy to be in on this giveaway with all of these lovelies...I wish you all good luck! XOXO

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{via}

Spring is in the air... Which means it's time to ditch the drab colored handbag you've been toting all winter. And what better purse to replace it than a brand new Kate Spade handbag?!

Best of all, we are letting YOU pick which bag you want.

You can choose any handbag you want (:

{up to $300}

This month I'm teaming up with Breanna and 18 other amazing bloggers:

1// Kaitlyn  2// Breanna  3// Melissa  4// Brooke  5// Mallory 6// Clara  7// Jana  8// Ashley  9// Holly  10// Jennifer 11// Samantha  12// Sybil  13// Tookies  14// Laura  15// Stephanie 16// Andrea  17// Marquis  18// Robin  19// Lourdes  20// Lisette These are some of the sweetest girls I have met - go check them out!
All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter below! This giveaway will run from Monday, March 4 - Thursday, March 7, 11:59pm EST. It is open to US Residents only. All entries will be verified. If you did not complete a task which you said you did, a new winner will be chosen. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

What's cooking this week?

Good morning...well, almost afternoon, I'm moving SLOW today!  I've been doing this thing where I wake up super early, then fall back asleep around 9:30 again.  What's the deal with that?  I hate getting a late start on the day!  Well at least my meal planning is done for the week.  Here is what's coming up...

Tonight:  Mustard Chicken with Peppers, Onions, and Tomatoes (inspired by Sustenance Reinvented)

Monday:  Japanese Scallion Rice Bowl w/ edamame

Tuesday:  Tilapia with Fennel, Onion, and Tomatoes

Wednesday:  Penne alla Vodka

Thursday:  Mango Chicken

Honestly, I haven't been feeling too great!  It seems like I have been feeling worse since starting the 2nd trimester - I've had headaches on and off throughout the day, and lots of nausea later at night (like after 9).  Sleeping has been tough, I need one of those fancy pregnancy pillows.  Right now I am sleeping with 4 pillows...they are dominating my bed.  When I get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom...it is a process to get repositioned!  Any suggestions/recommendations are appreciated!!!  Hoping this all improves soon, I've heard such wonderful things about the 2nd trimester...waiting on that "burst of energy" still!  :)

Thursday was hubby's birthday, we went to the doctor and got to hear the sweet little sound of peanut's heartbeat again!  Afterwards we went out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants, Red Sauce.  Stephen loved his birthday presents....as you can tell, I really ran with the whole "new dad" theme. 

The majority of this weekend has been spent watching our wedding video over, and over, and OVER again.  I am obsessed with it, and will be sharing it for you all one day this week.  So check back soon! 

***Did you remember to enter to win a $20 gift card to Whole Foods or Fresh Market?!?!  

Ryan's giveaway ends at midnight tonight...so don't forget to get those entries in!  :)

Tuscan Bean Soup

How good is soup?  Seriously?!?  I could never get tired of it.  Ever!  

This recipe makes a BUNCH, so you will have leftovers.  Please don't make me tell you how many servings, it's just not my thing.  I had 2 bowls of this for my dinner, hubby had 1 big bowl and a steak - we both had lunch the next day as well.  Good stuff, perfect for a cold winter night....although I can't quite remember what that is like...kidding!  

Ingredients:

1 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion - chopped

4 cloves of garlic - minced

3 carrots - peeled and diced

3 stalks of celery - diced

1 small potato - peeled and diced into small cubes

1 14 oz can of cannellini beans - drained, rinsed *and pureed*

1 14 oz can of cannellini beans - drained and rinsed

1 14 oz can of kidney beans - drained and rinsed

1 14 oz can of petite diced tomatoes

2 32 oz containers of chicken broth

1 tbsp - chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp - fresh thyme

salt & pepper

1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

4 cups of kale - stems removed and chopped

Directions:

1.  Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium high heat, sauté onions until transparent, add garlic - cook for about a minute, then add the rest of the veggies.  

2.  Cook veggies stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.  

3.  Add beans (pureed + the other 2 cans), diced tomatoes,  chicken broth, herbs, season genersouly with salt and pepper - bring to a boil. 

4.  Lower heat and let simmer for about 30 minutes - stirring every so often.  

5.  Add parmesan cheese, wilt kale - allow to cook for 10 more minutes until kale has softened.  

6.  Top with additional parmesan cheese, and serve! :)

***Make sure you enter to win Ryan's giveaway for a chance to win a $20 gift card to Whole Foods or Fresh Market!!! You have 2 days left!