Mung bean noodle stir fry & Spring wardrobe

Hello and happy Sunday to you! So spring is right around the corner and I don't know about you but I am tired of all the frumpy sweaters and boots! I am ready for all the cute dresses and accessories. How adorable are these dresses, and they are all in my favorite color TURQUOISE! they make me think of warm beachy days. I am dreaming of warm beachy days spent collecting sea glass and drift wood. I can't wait for the first warm spring day when the sky is vibrant blue, can't wait to take that photograph.

 

And how cute is this belt! I came across this while shopping online, I found it on etsy,  it's a snap belt and they cool thing is you chose the belt (which they come in various colors) and then you chose your buckle!They are interchangeable. I love them, so fun! I  found a super cute turquoise one with sweet little birds I have to have that one too! So what little accessories will you be incorporating into your spring wardrobe?

So now that spring is on the way I am thinking of all the light and tasty simple dishes I want to make. 

Mung bean noodles with tofu, shrimp and veggies 


What you will need...

One bag of mung noodles(which these noodles are hard to find) I get mine at my local health food store or use any noodle you like.

1 package of extra firm tofu

shrimp

veggies-
red peppers,mushrooms,broccoli,snap peas and
beansprouts

Cashews

sesame seeds

Prepare your noodles

dice tofu into cubes and saute in skillet until just firm

In a wok saute...

veggies and shrimp with teriyaki marinade 1tbs chili garlic sauce

teaspoon of honey

1-2 tsp of minced garlic

add in your tofu serve over noodles garnish with sesame seeds and cashews.

Serve with your favorite vino and enjoy~

What spring recipes will you be whipping up? 

Spring really is around the corner,a little birdie told me so... 

Tufted titmouse oh how I long to hear your spring time song

Peter Peter Peter! now that is music to my ears!

 

Dark Chocolate Chili Truffles & Saugatuck Weekend

Hello and happy Wednesday to you! I am so happy, guess what I came home from work and saw my tulips just peeking out a bit to say HELLO! Spring is finally on the way... The birds have been very active this week and I have even noticed some of the trees buds are just starting to swell. I think everyone who lives in the midwest is ready for spring. This winter has been brutal and very challenging on my soul I must say. So every year we take a little weekend get away to Saugatuck with our good friends, and believe me it was much needed for the soul! We had so much fun it should have been illegal! I don't think you can ever have a bad time in Saugatuck no matter what time of year you go. We had lots of yummy food and vino and then some more vino...

It's so nice to get out of town and just forget about all your worries and just breathe and have Fun , and that is exactly what we all did. I can't tell you how much that lifted my spirits. This winter has been so brutal and it has been a challenge to try and keep a positive attitude when they days are grey and the temps are frigid. I am so looking forward to the spring thaw.

So for now I will just await springs arrival and just BREATHE! sometimes you really just need to slow down, relax and just breathe...

I really love this picture of the stairs it seems to be inviting your soul somewhere.... For me it is saying dare to dream and dream BIG and to always follow your own path in life.

Speaking of breathing on our way home from our weekend in Saugatuck we popped on over to the beach to take some photos and take in the beautiful blue skies! it truly was a beautiful day.I just took in the beauty and truly appreciated the day and the good things in my life. That is one reason I love the beach and ocean so much I love to sit quietly and take in all the beauty that surrounds me. The ocean has a way of speaking to your soul, it is so powerful.

So now to the decadent stuff... Dark Chocolate Chili Truffles!
So I thought I would surprise my husband for Valentine's day and make him dark chocolate truffles but with a twist. I buy dark chocolate bars infused with chili and cinnamon and thought I wonder if I could do that with my truffles, of course you can!


So to make these little yummies you will need...


6 oz of semi sweet chocolate or 1 large bar of your favorite chocolate I use Ghirardelli


6 oz dark chocoloate
6 tbs of butter ... never said these were low fat Hee Hee, but I do use smart balance butter, hey you gotta lighten it up where ever you can :-)


1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 to 2 tsp of chili powder, I like a little more heat so add desired amount depending on how much kick you want.
1-2 tsp of cinnamon


Bring cream to a boil then add in the butter, chili powder  cinnamon and chocolate.
Whisk all ingredients until til velvety smooth.
Pour mixture into a baking dish and refrigerate for at least 2 -3 hours 


Use a ice a small ice scream scoop to semi form round balls then roll each piece in your hands to desired ball shape.


Roll truffles in cocoa powder 
Roll truffles in hazlnuts 
roll truffles in pistachios.


Serve truffles with your favorite red wine!


Enjoy~


It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain