Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Maple Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

Hello Sweet Friends! Today I have another recipe for you! I know I say this all time but this one is SO SO SOOOOOOO GOOD! It was rich and flavorful without being too heavy. I served mine with Brown Rice and Zucchini and I can't wait to make it again! So without further adieu....



Maple Balsamic Pork Tenderloin :

2 Pork tenderloins
2 Tbsp of EVOO

Marinade:

1 Shallot minced

1 Tbsp chopped thyme
1/2 Cup pure maple syrup

1/4 Cup balsamic vinegar

3 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 Tsp salt

1/2 Tsp pepper

1/4 Tsp of cayenne pepper



In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients for the marinade and whisk until combined.

Place the Pork Tenderloins in a dish and pour the marinade over. Toss lightly so that the marinade coats the pork. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit for at least 6 hours/ (overnight is best!)
When you are ready to cook preheat your oven to 375.

In a large skillet heat a few tablespoons of EVOO over medium-high heat. 

Remove the pork and wipe off the excess marinade. Sear the pork on all side until they get nice and golden brown.

Pour the remaining marinade over the meat and let that simmer for 2 minutes then spoon some of the marinade over the tenderloins to coat.

Cover the skillet lightly with aluminum foil and place in the oven. Let this cook for about 15 minutes.

Then remove the foil and spoon some of the marinade over the pork and cook another 5 minutes

You want to make sure that your pork reaches an internal temp of 145.

Take the tenderloins out of the oven and tent them loosely with aluminum foil for about 3-5 minutes.

Slice into thick pieces and enjoy with your favorite sides!






Have the BEST Day!

Krista  

Italian Turkey Meatballs

Hello Friends! Today I am sharing a yummy meatball recipe that will be a family favorite! I can't say enough how much I love to cook. Creating in the Kitchen is one of my favorite things to do. I hope you love this recipe as much as I do!







Turkey Meatballs:
 
1 Egg

1/4 Cup of Breadcrumbs

2 Tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese

1 Tablespoon of minced garlic

1 Teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 Small Onion ( I like to use yellow)

Salt and Pepper to Taste

1lb Ground Turkey

5-6 Cups of Marinara Sauce (Store bought or Homemade is fine)


In a large bowl combine your turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, onion, and salt and pepper.

Mix until combined.

Roll your mixture into the size you prefer.

In a pan add about 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

Fry Meatballs until outside is brown

Next you can either add your marinara sauce into the pan and continue cooking or I like to throw them in the crock pot and let them simmer and cook all day in the marinara sauce.


Add to your favorite pasta and enjoy!

I like to serve mine up with some bread and top it with a little more parmesan!



Have the Best day!

Krista


Thursday, May 3, 2018

One Pot Summer Pasta!




Hello Sweet friends! Today I am sharing a new recipe that is perfect for summer! Plus it's a one pot meal (insert praise hands emoji's!) It's so flavorful and perfect for summer. Plus if you have kids we snuck some fresh green veggies in! I hope you love it as much as I do!


One Pot Summer Pasta:

1 box of bowtie pasta

1 Can of Tomatoes

2 Cups of Beef Broth

2 Small Zucchini chopped

1/2 Cup of fresh parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp of minced garlic

1Tbsp of Italian seasoning

1lb of ground turkey

In a pan add a small amount of olive oil and heat on medium.

Add in your ground turkey, garlic, and Italian seasoning, brown until cooked through.

Once the turkey is cooked add in your can of tomatoes, beef broth, and pasta. Stir until combined.

Make sure you are stirring the pasta so it does not stick to the bottom of your pan. Cook this for about 15-20 min until the pasta is cooked. (if you need to add a little more beef broth that's fine. just add it a half of cup at a time)

Once the pasta is tender, add in your zucchini and parmesan cheese. Let this cook for a few minutes.

Serve with a little more fresh parmesan on top!




You guys this is so delicious and will easily become a family favorite! You could also serve it up with a slice of this  bread! This pasta is light and perfect for summer on the deck!

Have the BEST Day

Krista

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

May Goals

Friends can you believe it's May 1st!! Holy Moly this year is flying, I literally feel like yesterday was February and now here we are almost ready to kick off summer! With a new month comes new goals! If you missed last month's goals you can read them here. All were complete and I can't wait to start checking these new one's off my list!










May Goals:

1// Read 1 New Book:   this has slowly become my new favorite thing. I started in March and read this  book. It was SO GOOD. In April I finished Rachel Hollis book Girl Wash your Face  and you guys I don't say this lightly but it changed my life. It was so good, real, and honest. I feel like Rachel and I are besties now and I can't recommend it enough. Do yourself a favor and read it.

2// Unplug: I am so guilty of being on my phone way too much. This month I want to make it a priority to put my phone away and just  enjoy time with others or myself. Get outside and relax.

3// Walk 3 Nights a Week: Honestly I want to make this a nightly thing but I know that if I put too much pressure on myself I will get upset if I don't do it. #TypeA #Perfectionistproblems. I want to start with 3 nights a week!

4// Track Spending Habits: I need to get my Budget back in order. I haven't been irresponsible with it, but I need to keep it in check and make sure I am still on track for my financial goals!



There we have it! 4 goals for the month of May! I can't wait to check back in next month and let you know what I've accomplished! What are your goals?


Have the BEST Day
Krista

Monday, April 23, 2018

Finally Spring!

Hello Sweet Friends, Minnesota FINALLY gave us spring this weekend and I did not waste anytime. I found this super cute swing dress at Old Navy and knew that it would be the perfect easy spring and summer dress. You can dress it up with a pair of wedges for dinner out with friends or pair it with your favorite flats or tennis shoes for running errands like I did. Also this dress is on sale for $13.50 right now!!! Grab one in every color!!













Have the BEST Day!

Krista

Monday, April 9, 2018

April Goals


Hello Sweet Friends! I know that technically we are already 8 days into April but I thought I would share my goals for this month anyways! If you read last month's goals I am happy to report that I completed all of them with a few exceptions! I read 1 new book, ate very clean, and got majority of my spring cleaning done (that's were the exception is). I don't think however Minnesota got the memo that it's Spring because instead of this:



We are dealing with this:

Nevertheless we are going to pray and plead, and hope that we get a glimpse of sunshine, warmer weather, and flowers peeking through!


 April Goals!



One // Read 1 New Book: I loved this goal last month and so let's do it again!


Two// Start a Work Out Routine: Last month I got me eating under control and started to incorporate cleaner foods. Now I want to slowly add in a healthy active life.



For April that's it. I an such a type A perfectionist that I know if I give myself these lofty goals and I don't complete them then I get frustrated and hard on myself. I try to keep it simple so that I can achieve my goals throughout the year. And If I finish something earlier then I will add on something else!


What are your Goals for April? I would love to hear them in the comments below!

Krista


Thursday, April 5, 2018

Pinspiration Volume 5

Hello sweet friends! Today I am sharing some Pinspiration with you!






Who wants to go to Nashville? This is definitely a place on my travel bucket list to visit!



 

Cute floral's for spring





 Lauren Conrad has the best style ever! I love how feminine and classic she is.
 


FRIENDS! I just got this book and I LOVE it! Post coming soon that's all about Hygge and the benefits it has!



 


The CUTEST spring bag that needs to make it's way into my life!

 


Dinner Club ideas and dreams!















What have you been pinning lately!



Krista

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

(Clean) Chicken Fingers



Hello sweet friends! Today I am excited to share another clean eating recipe with you! Recently I tried to recreate my favorite chicken fingers from a local restaurant. Just because you are eating clean doesn't mean you can't have things that you love. Now while these chicken fingers are not like the ones I've eaten before, they are just as delicious and they are so much better for me! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!



Clean Chicken Fingers:


2lbs of Chicken tenders

3/4 cup of Almond Flour
 
1 Egg

2 teaspoon Garlic Powder


1 teaspoon Onion Powder


1/4 teaspoon of Paprika


Salt and Pepper to Taste



Preheat oven to 425 degrees


In a bowl mix together the almond flour and seasoning
 

Whisk the egg in a separate bowl


Clean and rinse your chicken in the sink and then take a paper towel to pat and dry.


Dip the chicken tenders in the egg than the flour mixture


Line them on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 minutes, then flip and bake an additional 5 minutes.



Serve them up with This clean ketchup recipe and some oven baked French fries and you have a delicious and better take out recipe!









Have the BEST Day!

Krista

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

(Clean) Beef and Broccoli



Good Morning Sweet Friends! Today we have a clean healthy version of a classic take out recipe! I don't know about you but I LOVE Chinese take out but I don't like the MSG, Sodium, and Sugar that it is FULL of. When I started this clean eating journey I wanted to take foods that I loved and make a better version of them! Insert this Beef and Broccoli recipe! This is PACKED with flavor and minus all the yucky ingredients! I hope you love it as much as I do!




Clean Beef and Broccoli:

2 pounds of flank steak sliced thin

1 Head of Broccoli cut into bite size pieces

1 medium yellow onion

2 cloves of finely chopped garlic

1 teaspoon of Curry Powder (this is my personal favorite!)

4 Tablespoons of Coconut Amino's

1 Zucchini spiralized into noodles

Coconut Oil for cooking



In a pan over medium heat coconut oil and cook steak seasoned with curry powder until done. You still want some pink so you don't over cook it. Remove with a slotted spoon to rest

Next add in in your onion, garlic, and broccoli and cook until tender

Add your steak back in with the zucchini noodles and mix with Coconut amino's.

Serve by itself or add brown rice.









What are some of your favorite clean recipes! I would love to hear them in the comments below!


Have the BEST day!

Krista

Monday, March 19, 2018

Currently

Drinking/Eating. All the healthy things! If you read my March goals  then you saw that I am doing no sugar and no flour. Initially I was doing this for 4 weeks but I think this is something I am going to try and continue to do. I feel so good, I have so much more energy, and I am sleeping better.  Now this does not by any circumstance mean I am never going to have a cupcake or donut ever again because lets me real I love me a good donut. But it means that I will be very mindful to save these treats for special times or occasions. Some of my favorite things to make are: this Bacon Mushroom Chicken , also Also my favorite blogger to follow who shares the best healthy clean recipes is Lindsay Seven Layer Charlotte . She post's the best recipes and she is so motivating to live this clean eating lifestyle.





Planning.  My youngest Sister is getting married in May. We are in the midst of planning a bridal shower, bachelorette party, and helping with the final touches of the wedding itself! Also my oldest sister is having a baby!!!! So we are also planning a baby shower. I am loving all this party planning!





Dreaming of.  Spring and Summer. I am a Midwest girl and our winters can be LONG. I am so ready to be outside. I want to open my windows, go for a walk, and visit the farmers market. Summer please come!







Pinning. All the spring things!










Watching:
Now that The Bachelore is over, I started watching Reign on Netflix. It's all about Mary Queen of Scots. It's definitely not historically accurate but it's pretty good! :)


Listening:
Kacey Musgraves Butterflies, Lauv I Like Me Better, Meghan Trainor No Excuses, and the entire Greatest Showman Sound Track!








Have the BEST Day!

Krista 

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Easter 2018



Hello sweet friends! Can you believe that Easter is just right around the corner? Today I want to share a few outfit ideas for Easter Sunday. Weather your going to Church or Brunch I think these looks will be perfect!






Easter 2018


Easter 2018 by krista-lenaem




Have the BEST Day


Krista

Thursday, March 8, 2018

13 Random Questions


Hello sweet friends! I wanted to share some fun random facts about me! I was reading one of my favorite blogs: Meet the Shaneyfelt's  and Sarah posted her random facts. I thought it would be fun to share mine with you! PS if you haven't check out Sarah's blog you need too! I love her style and she is just sweet as pie! Check out the questions and answers below!





1. What is your favorite smell?
The Rain, A crisp fall day, and Woodland from Bath and Body Works



2. Last time you cried?
Probably today, have you ever seen that video of Kristen Bell crying about a sloth? That is pretty much me :)



3. What is your favorite pizza?
extra cheese, green pepper, onion, and mushroom



4. What is your favorite flower?
dahlia, garden rose, and eucalyptus



5. What is your favorite dog breed?
GOOLDENDOODLE! I want one so so so bad!



6. Do you untie your laces before taking your shoes off?
Uh it depends on the day

7. Do you like roller coasters?
yes please!

8. Favorite ice cream?
Mint chocolate chip

9. What are you listening to?
My Spring playlist on Spotify-  Whitney, Michael, Bruno I love a good mix

10. What is your favorite food?
Hands down chips and guac.

11. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas, but Thanksgiving is a very close second

12. Night owl or morning person?
Morning person

13. Favorite day of the week?
Friday! I love Friday the way Kanye loves Kanye

Pick a question or two above and answer it in the comments below! 







Krista



Thursday, March 1, 2018

March Goals

Hello sweet friends! It feels so good to be back writing, I have missed this sweet ole blog so much and I have missed all of you. Things have  been a little quiet around here for some time. Lots of new and fun stuff to share and also some personal growth and things that needed to happen in the mean time.  First things first what do you think of the new blog design? I have wanted to make a change for a while but couldn't find what I was looking for. I wanted something that fits me and  my personality and shares what this blog is. I love the soft blush color and the fun little gold confetti pieces make is SO ME.







Okay so first things first how is it already MARCH! I feel like January and February flew by. I cannot believe we are here at the start of March. I want spring so badly. Being a Mid-West girl our winters can be soooooo loooong. I am yearning for some sunshine, warmer temps, and even the occasional spring rain shower. Today I want to share with my goals for this month. I am your typical first born type A perfectionist. I thrive on structure and list's. Setting up goals at the beginning of each month help me to stay on track!










March Goals

1. Read 1 new book: I just ordered 2 new books on amazon Once We Were Brothers  and The Orphans Tale .  I can't wait to dive into one of them this month. I love to read but haven't made the time recently. I want all of that to change this month and challenge myself to finish one of these 2 books.






2. Spring Clean: With the new season coming all I want to do it deep clean my house! Again being from the mid-west we are cooped up at home for what feels like the longest time!! I want to clean, de-clutter, and start fresh for the new season.





3. Eat Cleaner Foods:  About a week ago I had a come to Jesus moment. I have to start taking care of myself. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and I need to treat it as such. So I am doing no sugar and no flour for 4 weeks. I have already started this and I can tell you the first week was pretty awful but I am starting to fell so good! I have more energy and I feel like I am starting to get into this new healthy living.









There you have it sweet friend, my goals for the month of March. I can't wait to check in and see what I can cross off and accomplish! Do you set monthly goals for yourself? let me know in the comments below.



Krista