{Healthy Recipes Simpledaisy Style & Crafting}

Well Hello & super Happy Friday to you:)

I really want you to know just how much I read and appreciate each and everyone of your comments!! Sometimes I can't wait to wake up in the morning to see what new things there are for me to read! They always keep me motivated and inspired to keep following my dreams!
Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to leave your comment!
I really do try my hardest to stop in to all of your blogs.....
I love to read them!! They inspire me just as I hope I inspire you!

Guess what.....
I have been crafting away as usual....
nothing too challenging just painting pots:)
Over the years I have learned that when I paint pots with a couple of coats of paints it chips off and in NOT a pretty way.
Sooooo......
I have been white washing {is that what you call it} my pots.
Simple and oh so cute:)
Get some terra cotta pots...
mix water and the paint color of your choice {I don't use exact measurements...can you believe it:)} just mix it until it's super watery...
Paint it on...
sand it with sand paper when it dries....
repeat 1, 2 or 3 more times....depending on how you want them to look!

Here is the finished product...

vintagey and aqua blue! PERFECT:)

I also did some little ones for my outdoor table....
I put super cute geraniums in them and added tiny shells. They just make me so darn happy!
Who knew $.50 pots and some paint could make a girl smile!!!
I also added some tiny shells to my votive candle holder! I just love summer:)
I wish winter never had to happen because I am just so happy being able to enjoy my meals outside surrounded by pretty little flowers:) Thank you SUMMER for being you!!


Just for good measure....
here are the girls.....in black & white!
You know I am not the world's biggest fan of black & white photography....but I think their really captures their personalities.....especially when they are begging for a little morsel of the food I am cooking for my Fresh Friday post:)

Ruby.......
such a cute face! You wouldn't even know she could chew an entire pillow and comforter in probably under 5 minutes!! Do they have a medal for that?!!? :) :)

and L.C.

Such a pretty, pretty girl!! Champion beggar for sure!!
I love dogs....even though they "might" chew all of your sandals or constantly beg for food....maybe even sneak your entire dinner off the counter when you're not looking.....they make me really happy and always {oh, OK....almost always} bring a big smile to my face!


Now for Fresh Friday:)
I have been more than a little down on myself for gaining 10lbs this winter....have I mentioned that winter and myself just don't get along....we try and try...but we just can't be friends:)
I think I just eat my way through winter!

Well...anywho....
I got sooooo close to my goal weight/size {whatever you want to call it} last summer and then winter hit and I just got really involved in my wine and pizza....darn:(

I know most of us have a few or a tiny bit more than a few lbs. we'd like to say good bye to.
Here's how I do it or plan to do it:) .....
now mind you I never did reach my goal weight last summer {darn wine...gets me every time} and am starting from scratch this summer....So I am by no means an expert!

First, I always increase my exercise and no.....not just the running/cycling/p90x.
I mean simply move MORE. {summer makes that easy}...
Yep....I push mow the yard! Most wives probably save that for their significant other to do....not me....Burns an extra 200 and some calories! Plus I ran before that...not far but just a little run!!!

I also start cutting back a little bit on what I eat....I am NOT perfect but one day I realized I ate over 400 calories in stinkin' goldfish crackers....
don't get me wrong I love those darn things...but really 400 calories worth.....so I switched to apple cinnamon rice cakes at 100 calories.....
still get my crunchy snack but saved calories:) {Thanks for the tip Jamie}

For me....I know it's senseless to say I am not going to snack or have my wine.....so I just start figuring out how to snack for less calories and do a little more exercise so that I can lose my winter induced fat layer:) :)

I wonder if I lived in Florida or California or Louisiana what my excuse would be for my winter weight gains!!!!
haha:)

Alright now on to the super healthy food:)
Fish Tacos with Grilled Peach Salsa

This meal was sooooo darn good it should have been illegal:)

for the tacos.....
mahi spiced with lime, chili powder & cumin
grill it and chop it up when it's done

for the grilled peach salsa.....
chop
peaches
tomato
jalapeno
cilantro
red onion
add......lime juice...frozen corn...chili powder and grill.
When it's all finished make happy little tacos with corn tortillas {oh don't forget to grill those too} and add a little Mexican Cheese....
YUM-O!!!!

Edamame Corn Peach Salad


chop...
tomato
red onion
cilantro
tomatoes
avocado
add in
thawed frozen corn and edamame
mix in lime juice, chili powder and cumin
This really rocked my face off...........
So fresh and So Healthy:)

You know me well enough by now to know......I don't have any fabulous meal without a little vino!!
Since it was FINALLY warm and sunny here in midwestern paradise...white it was:)
Great wine!!! Plus look how cute is the bottle.....
this meal and the sunshine made me kind of feel {for a moment} that I was in Santa Barbara!!
Cheers...............
And have yourself a super fabulous weekend..............

Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ~Hans Christian Anderson

{Fresh Friday}

Hello and Happy Friday to you:)
It sure has been a week.
If you knew me.....you'd know that I am the kind of person that tries to fit way too many things into my life and also into my day:)
I am the total opposite of a procrastinator! I want to do it alllllll.....and I want to do it right now!! Especially when the temperature starts to rise and the sun starts to show it's pretty little face!
Whew....
but I am also completely happy being that way...I am an accomplisher kind of person and am most happy when I am accomplishing things! I just need about 4 more hours in my day to do everything I really want to do.

OK....
Enough about that except that I am happy that I spent all of that time last autumn planting all of those darn bulbs....
because look how cute {at least I think} the walkway to my front door looks now:)

I think the front entrance is the most important. It's the first thing visitors lay their eyes on when they come to my home and I think it's a reflection of me.
I think my front entrance says....she's cottagy...simple....happy....loves blue and is slightly beachy:)
I also like the colors of the flowers around the front entrance this spring!!
Yellow, pink and blue.....such a happy little combination.

Midwestern springs really are all about re-birth. Things pop up that you forgot you had, baby animals are all around...

see this little guy I found in my back yard:)

How cute.....who cares if he, his siblings and his mother eat every darn plant I have in my yard. I am happy just to see such cute baby animals!

It's just a really happy time.....my heart is so much happier when the weather is warmer:)

And I love how when the weather starts to warm, all I want to do is eat SALADS:)

You know by now, I don't think cooking should be complicated and I rarely use a recipe.

If you know what you like then you can just think of a million different combinations! You can tell I am on a blackened Mahi kick!

and all you need to do is buy the freshest produce that works with your budget....oh and splurge on your cheese and go cheap on your wine when necessary:) The wine was only $4 from wally world...that's Walma*t if you didn't get it.

Blackened Mahi Salad with Basil Mango Dressing

This salad was so flippin' good that it should have been illegal to eat it:) and the whole thing only took me 20 minutes to prepare. Perfect for the crazy week i've had!

For the salad.....
romaine
artichokes {from the can}
fresh green beans {steamed and then chilled}
organic feta
cucumbers

For the Mango Basil Dressing
1/2 a ripe mango
a little Chardonnay {that's what I was drinking}
basil
honey
white balsamic vinegar
Throw in the processor until it's a dressing

For the fish
mahi mahi
and the blackened seasoning I told you about here....
wrap it in foil and throw it on the grill for about 10 minutes.

Put it all together and you have this....

This was just so fresh tasting and ridiculously good...I can't even explain it...

Ok ... maybe it was just the wine that made it taste so good....haha:)

oh and I know a few of you have been asking for some crafts....trust me...I have a bazillion ideas but no time right now!!

Maybe you can just make up some of these!

I told you about them a long time ago but maybe you forgot:)

anywho wine charms and they are super simple to make....
pick out the tiny beads that you like
pick out a wine charm that you like
get some of those hoop earrings
and just add the beads to the hoop earrings!!!
Oh you might have to bend the earring just a bit to get the beads on.
but such a simple craft to do and they make GREAT hostess gifts when paired with a nice bottle of wine!!!
Have a splendid weekend!! I'll still be working on the darn laundry room but it's shaping up to be pretty darn cute:)

"The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month."
- Henry Van Dyke, Fisherman's Luck, 1899

{Fresh Friday}

Well hello and happy Friday to you!!!!
My last day of spring break....boohoo:)
I have been super happy this week....the weather was absolutely fabulous {except for the past few days}!!
I've been lucky enough to enjoy some outside time! You know how happy that makes me!
Made dinner the other night and decided to enjoy it while sitting around the fire pit!
Good thing I had my handy dandy tray my grandma gave me to carry everything.

Yup....i'm in my pj's and yup they're even aqua blue!!! haha!

Here's what I made.....
A Summery Caprese Inspired Salad~


lettuce
basil
mozzarella
asiago
pine nuts
tomatoes
balsamic vinegar
yum....yum...yum:)

I also made

Blackened Mahi with Apricot Glaze
sprinkle on these seasonings....to your taste.

to me....the fennel's where it's at!! I love that stuff:)

Grill your fish and then mix up
apricot marmalade
honey
lime juice
cilantro

and put it on your fish after it's grilled!!
I am telling you.....it was fabulous:)
Sweet....salty.....hot....
just a great mix of flavors all in one bite.
Even L.C. couldn't help but to beg for a little bite:)

She didn't get any.....I anjoyed it all myself:)

Of course I enjoyed a little vino with my dinner!

Picked up this wine at the Sawyer Garden Center.....cute label....the dog looks like Ruby.....but not a great wine! I am no wine snob but I know what I like and I just didn't love this vino! Owell....you win some you lose some:)

This week was so fabulous because there was sooooo much happening in nature I could hardly stand myself:)
I love the outdoors and could live in tent if it didn't get so darn cold around here!

The dogs were very happy campers to be outside so much this week:)
Had ducks in the pond:)
How cool would that be if they had babies here!!!!!
I think they were pretty happy......maybe it's all the daffodils! Remember when I planted all of those last autumn?!?!

Then if all that weren't enough......

We were watching TV the other evening and found this little guy hopping around the living room!

It cracks me up because he is just COVERED in dog hair! I don't even know how he got inside...maybe it's because we always roll with all doors wide open!! haha! He probably thought he'd just come in and check it out!

Anywho.....I love the sound they make in the spring! I know spring is really here when I hear the toad's singing:)

Too bad he had to go back outside:(

Hope your week was swell!!!!

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~Margaret Atwood

{Fresh Friday}

Hello and Happy Friday to you!
Thanks for all your positive comments on my fireplace:)
I am just so darn happy with it and I am glad you like it too.

This weekend I am going to be working on my craft room.
Currently it looks like this.....
Yep...total disaster.

To say that I am not good at putting things in their proper places would be a complete understatement! I am terrible at organization and once a few little things pile up....I tend to start to get overwhelmed and the pile just keep continuing!

So...I decided to completely re-do the room this weekend:)

I bought bookshelves and paint to paint the walls a lighter and cheerier color.

I want to be able to organize everything so that I know where everything is at ALL times:)

and I won't have to drive my husband nuts with making a mess of other parts of our home.....like the kitchen when I drag everything out to make jewelry!

and leave it out for days......
It will be a huge undertaking.....but I have no doubt that I can get most of it accomplished this weekend.

A few things that I have swirling around in my head might not get finished this weekend.

But for most of it....it will just be re-doing what I have and then purchasing some things to help me get and STAY organized.

So....stay tuned for what I have in store!!!!!

And now for the EATS..........

You know I like tofu but sometimes I am in a rush and just need something quick to make.....

That's where canned foods come in handy....
I used the rice and beans as a base for........

A Super Tasty Tofu Dish
{couldn't think of anything else to call it}
prepare the tofu.....here's how.
microwave the rice and beans
dice up....
avocado
cucumber
cilantro
red onion
mix it all together in a bowl
sprinkle with some chili powder and cumin
add in your canned pineapple and
ENJOY:)

Easy......
and it tastes fabulous!
Oh....I should have said....pour a glass of vino...
but you already know that!
So there you have it.....
a healthy dish for when you are in a hurry:)

I have to tell you.....
I really should be a lot farther along in my half marathon training but I have come to the realization that I DO NOT enjoy distance running. I try to psych myself up for the long runs but I just don't like it.

Funny thing is .....I could ride my bicycle for miles and miles and did finish 75 miles in last years Apple Cider ride and plan to ride 100 this year. I never get tired of riding....ok except when I am really training....but other than that I can be on my bike for hours and still enjoy it!! Thank goodness for padded shorts.
But I just can't get into running.

I like to run 4-5 miles at the most and then I am done.
So that's why I haven't talked about the training runs much.
I realize sometimes it's easy to get pumped up and involved in things that other people love....but sometimes you have to step back and really think about if it's something you love.

After this race....I don't think i'll be signing up for any major distance runs!

One thing i've learned about fitness is.....if you don't love it, you won't stick with it!

Hope you have a super fabulous weekend!!! I'll be slowly posting the new jewelry that i've been working on and spending tons of time on my room:)
Can't wait to see what you think of the finished product!

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love. "
- Rumi

{fresh Friday}

It's Friday....can I get a woot woot!!!!!!
I love Friday's but who doesn't?!?!?
As you could tell I was super happy this week....the weather was fabulous and I was able to do tons of yard work and just be outside:)

I love it when the weather starts to turn warmer...it always inspires me to eat yummy grilled foods....especially grilled veggies~ Grilled Portabella Sandwich

All I can say is YUM....this sandwich really rocked my face off:)
grilled portabella with balsamic vinegar drizzled on it
grilled leeks and red peppers
goat cheese
basil
tomato
Grill the bread and then make a super yummy sandwich with all the ingredients....food bliss:)

and then I grilled some veggieschop up any veggies you like..
I used
broccoli
zucchini
mushrooms
red peppers
fennel
Drizzled balsamic vinegar, olive oil and garlic on them.
Wrapped them in foil and threw them on the grill...
I topped them with feta when they were done!!!!
Healthy...tastey...simpleYou know I have taken the past week off of "formal" exercise...sometimes it's good to do that. At least in my opinion!

But when I am the full fitness swing of things...

I love to do P90X, in addition to my running or cycling, and the best thing is .......I can do it right from the comfort of my home while wearing whatever I feel like:)

I get all my weights out and just put them on the coffee table

pop in the dvd and then I get busy....Now if I could just get those darn hips to decrease just a tiny bit....
Baby got back:) Do you have any problem areas that just WON'T budge?!?!But really....see why I love working out at home...I don't care what my hair looks like...I don't care what i'm wearing and I don't have any make-up on!!!

So there you go.....get out there and get yourself a little workout dvd!!! Keep your fitness simple and just do a little something most days of the week!!! And do it at home if it makes you feel more happy:)

Hope you have a super fabulous weekend!! You already know what i'm going to be doing....

painting the fireplace!! yeah!! Wish me luck:)

"Fall in love or fall in hate. Get inspired or be depressed. Ace a test or flunk a class. Make babies or make art. Speak the truth or lie and cheat. Dance on tables or sit in the corner. Life is devine chaos. Embrace it. Forgive yourself. Breathe. And enjoy the ride." Unknown

{Fresh Friday}

Well Hello and Happy Friday to you!!Here's the lucky winner to the simpledaisy give-away......
Mo from MommyRD!!!!
Yeah for her:)
I tell you .... I think we could be friends! She loves fitness, good food and the all important WINE:)
You should stop over and say "hello."

Here's her comment!
"Those earings are beautiful! I would love to wine them! I am off to check out your facebook page and become a fan right now. I really, really want to win those lovely earings! :-) "

Awww...makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside....
And did you notice she put wine instead of win!! A girl after my own heart:)

I think the give-away was really fun....I am definitely going to be doing more give-away's in the future:)


and stay tuned....all your lovely comments put me right in the spirit to make lots of new simpledaisy jewelry:)

Mo please let me know what you think when you get your charming little simpledaisy earrings:)

Now...on to the eats:)
As you know the weather has givin us a few nice days recently. YEAH....
And it has really made me want to eat lighter and brighter dishes.
So in honor of the spring happiness I made a really FABULOUS....

Blackberry Basil Salad with Blackberry Vinaigrette
This salad ROCKED my face off~

So fresh and so tasty:)
For the salad.....
mixed organic baby greens
basil
goat cheese
walnuts
fresh blackberriesAll I can say is YUM....triple times five:)
For the dressing
Blackberry Vinaigrette
frozen blackberries
honey
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
thaw the blackberries and throw it all in the food processor until it becomes a dressing!
This would rock on fish too! And for the rest of my dinner....
lemon dill tilapia with roasted sweet potato slices!!
Healthy and delicious:)

OH and did you notice the wine stem on my glass?!?!?
I am having a dinner party {may favorite thing in the whole wide world to do} in May and am beginning to work on the "theme."I'll have to keep tinkering with it....but beachy spring...is sort of what i'm going with! I thought the stems would look really cute with twine wrapped around them and a little happy saying on each glass?!!?
I have done wire wrapped beads and other things before....but I thought this was pretty cute....what do you think!?!?
OK....well you have yourself a super happy weekend:)

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Pericles