Parmesan Crusted Mahi-Mahi with a Sweet & Savory Hormel Pepperoni and Pineapple Salsa

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PepItUp #CollectiveBias

This Parmesan Crusted Mahi-Mahi topped with a Hormel Pepperoni and Pineapple Salsa is absolutely one of the most delicious recipes I've ever made. Not only is it delicious, it's easy to make. So easy in fact, nearly anyone can make this dish!

I've always loved preparing quirky foods. Serving dishes that taste delicious but kind of make you wonder how I came up with the flavor combinations makes me happy and I'm so excited about this awesome recipe - It's a real winner! This easy recipe pairs some of my favorite tropical flavors like pineapple and Mahi-Mahi with Hormel Pepperonis, which are so delicious and packed full of flavor.

This amazing fish recipe is unlike any other I've tried but one that I'll be repeating again and again... it's that good! Plus, the salsa is a fun addition to all kinds of meals!

Parmesan Crusted Mahi-Mahi with a Sweet & Savory Hormel Pepperoni and Pineapple Salsa Ingredients: Parmesan Crusted Mahi-Mahi: 1/4 cup flour 1/4 cup sprinkle parmesan cheese Dash of marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley 1 tbsp garlic 1 egg 1 tbsp butter 2-4 fillets of Mahi-Mahi Salsa: 1/3 cup onion, chopped 1/3 cup pepperoni, chopped 10 sweet mini peppers, chopped 1-2 Serrano peppers (depending on your spicyness preference), chopped 1 cup pineapple tidbits 1/3 cup tomato, chopped Begin by pre-heating the oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, Parmesan cheese, and spices in one small container. In another container, beat 1 egg. Dip Mahi-Mahi into the egg, allowing it to become fully coated. Remove from egg and place immediately in flour and spice mixture, again coating completely. Place Mahi-Mahi in oven and bake for 18 minutes.While Mahi-Mahi is cooking, chop all salsa ingredients and mix together. Since the salsa recipe is so easy, I was able to make a few friends! This little guy has some "pep in his step": A video posted by Lauren Paints (@sunkissed_sweetheart) on Dec 12, 2014 at 7:45am PST Remove Mahi-Mahi from oven at 18 minutes and apply a small amount of melted butter to the top of the fish. Place back in oven for 7 minutes. Remove from oven and add salsa mixture to the top of fish, bake for 2 more minutes and remove. Add additional salsa if you would like! I served my fish with coconut lime rice, a complimentary side dish that makes this dish extra delicious. Enjoy!

Lucky you, I'm sharing a rocking coupon so you can try making this delicious pepperoni recipe:
Click here to receive a coupon for $1 off 2 packages of Hormel Pepperoni!

New Years Eve Survival Guide - 5 Tips to Make This NYE The Best Yet!

Can you even believe it's almost time to celebrate the new year? I know I can't! With only 31 days left until NYE, I feel it's fitting to share my sure fire tips to make this NYE the best one you've ever had. Whether you plan on spending the night in the club with your girls or having a few cocktails around the fire with your darling little family, I'm sure we all have something planned this year and I'm super excited to celebrate 2015 in a big way!


1. Avoid a hang over at ALL costs! NEVER HUNGOVER is the cure to drinking ails and with zero calories, zero carbs, and zero sugars - it's the best product on the market! As long as you drink 2oz of Never Hungover per 4 drinks, the first day of 2015 will be full of cheer instead of regrets of beer! You can get these little guys on the Never Hungover website, Amazon, and in stores at GNC. Not only do these little shots of love actually help, they taste great! Lauren Conrad, Paris Hilton, and other celebrities swear by these shots and now you're in on their little secret. Grab a pack for you and your friends so that you can head to yoga class on day 1 of 2015 instead of regretting the drinks you indulged in on the last day of 2014.

2. Dress fabulously! Wear something you love, something that really makes you feel like a star. It's the last day of 2014 and the first day of 2015, you better ring it in with some style! Even if you are just spending the evening in with your kids, play dress up as a family and wear your fanciest attire! It's fun to take the time to dress up, no matter the occasion! I am wearing a black lace long sleeve mini-dress and some new black booties. What will you be rocking to ring in the new year?

3. Hire a Driver! You could even volunteer to be the DD, just don't drink and drive! It's not worth putting yourself or someone else at risk. There are even services that offer free rides in most cities; so plan ahead and look around your city for this service, call a cab, call your mother, just don't drink and drive!

4. Use the Buddy System! It may sound silly but using the elementary school "buddy system" is a good way for girls to stay safe. We all know there's a risk when going out and having a few drinks, be sure to appoint a "buddy" to watch your back and your drink while your out. Whether your "buddy" is your spouse or your best gal pal, be sure to look out for each other! Not only can you party safely with a buddy, now you you have someone to make sure you aren't having a wardrobe malfunction, smiling with a hunk of spinach in your teeth, etc.

5. Play Paparazzi! This should be a no-brainer, but be sure to document your evening! You'll want to look back on this epic NYE and remember how much fun you had! Use your cell phone, your digital camera, etc and have fun with it. I'm notorious for my "photo shoots" with family and friends because I want to document all the little bits. It's just fun!


New Years 2015 is going to be epic!! I can't wait to party in style, while staying safe, and now I'll never be hungover again! 

Newlywed Kitchen Must Haves and Classically American Stir Fry recipe #TargetWedding

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target. All opinions are my own.

Target has all kinds of amazing products for newlyweds, nearly everything you could dream of actually. This month I've teamed up with Target Wedding Registry to share what I believe are Newlywed Kitchen Must Haves and a creative Holiday recipe, a Classically American Stir Fry sure to wow your family. It's super easy, the perfect combination of my love for Asian food and my husbands love for classical American food and this dish is full of flavor, vegetables, and love. Perfect to serve year round, but especially perfect around the holidays!

I think every set of newlyweds (or anyone in general, really) should have these staples in their kitchen:

• Threshold Bistro 16 Piece Dinnerware Set
• Calphalon Stainless Cookware
• SONOS PLAY: 5 Wireless HiFi System
• Oneida Tortola 20 Piece Flatware Set
• Natural Home 2 Piece Organic Cotton Hot Pad and Oven Mitt Set - Cream
• Cake Stand with Cover
• Oster 6 cup Blender
• Threshold™ Easton Tumbler Set of 12
• Threshold™ Glass Cylinder Canister Set of 4

My Newlywed Kitchen Must Haves include the dinnerware set because every couple needs to be able to host another couple and have a nice, matching set of plates. The Calphalon cookware so that you and your new spouse can learn to cook together. The SONOS PLAY is a must have so that you can have a little slow dance to your song while you wait for your veggies to cook fully! The flatware because everyone needs freshly polished and brilliantly shining utensils. I think everyone needs a set of clean cut, organic cotton mitts in cream. The cake stand is pretty self-explanatory but you'll want one, I promise. The blender is for smoothies, shakes, etc. - the perfect treats for when your both busy but want something healthy and/or sweet. The tumblers are included so you can stay healthy and hydrated. And lastly, I decided to include the glass canisters so you have plenty of space to store ingredients in your kitchen. There are TONS of other things every newlywed couple will need in their family but this is an excellent start.


Now that I've shared what you'll need and why you should have these items! I'm going to share a recipe you can make using most of these items. Turn on some tunes on your SONOS player and get ready for some good food. It's an odd twist on a classic dish that you'll love!

Classically American Stir Fry

Ingredients for recipe:
2 cups cooked rice noodles
2 small boneless, skinless chicken breast (and broth from boiling)
1/2 medium green cabbage head
4 medium carrots, peeled
1/4 cup onions
4 sweet baby peppers
1 cup frozen mixed veggies
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 tbsp.  soy sauce
1 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. whipped peanut butter (or a low-fat option)
1/2 tsp. fresh, grated ginger
2 tbsp. chopped, unsalted peanuts


 Begin making the rice as instructed on package.

While rice cooks, spray a stainless steel pan with cooking spray.

Boil chicken until it's completely cooked, remove from water and let cool, then cut into tiny little bite size pieces. Keep "broth" for later.

Chop cabbage into thin strips (like slaw), chop up onions, and use peeler to shred carrots.

Add all veggies (including frozen) into skillet and toss with oil. Cook on medium-high heat 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are fully cooked (or until they are cooked to the texture you prefer).

Add chicken to vegetables. Stir in soy sauce, peanut butter, and honey (and ginger, optional) and heat through, about 2 minutes. Spoon rice noodles, chicken, and veggies into bowl, add broth amount you prefer (or real chicken broth) and sprinkle with peanuts.

Enjoy!

Now that I've shared our delicious little concoction, I'd love to hear how you add some spice into your Holidays? What items do you think every set of Newlywed's should have in the kitchen?

Don't forget to check out Target Wedding Registry and add the awesome items mentioned above.

Business Casual Adventurer: Outfit of the Day Starring #KiplingHoliday #OOTD

Thank you to Kipling for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to get ready for the holidays with the #KiplingHoliday Tour

Kipling has to be one of my favorite brands this season. With a company wide love for living, imagining, and laughing, I pretty much fell in love with the brand the second I read those words. Then I started looking through the Kipling Holiday catalog and they invited me (and you and all of our friends and families) to the Kipling Holiday Tour event in Orlando featuring a Kipling Holiday Collection show wall, on-site monogramming, bespoke gift-wrapping, personalized sweets, photo booths, giveaways, and holiday DIY inspiration and I really just kind of melted... I love a brand that loves it's customers and obviously Kipling fits the bill! They're a company I can truly stand behind because they have such a positive outlook on life by encouraging everyone to live a joyful life and cherish little moments while their mission is to make bags that lighten and brighten our days.

I shopped the Kipling Holiday Catalog for hours trying to pick out my favorite bag and while I had a tough time deciding because I liked so many bags, I finally decided on the Kellyn Handbag in Dune Beige. When my purse arrived in the mail a few days ago, I was ecstatic to get my hands on it. I practically hugged my UPS man as I grabbed the package out of his hands, he is kind of like Santa around here after all. I tore into the package and stared at my purse. I love the gold details, the fabric is sturdy and earthy looking (exactly what I wanted), and the bag is HUGE on the inside but doesn't feel like a duffel bag while carrying it. It's perfect.

I decided to accessorize my Kipling bag with a $1 scarf from The Salvation Army and one of my Mialisia necklaces just to make it more me and soon I'll be sharing what's inside my bag but today I'm sharing one of my favorite outfits for Fall and some awesome news for my fellow purse hoarders and handbag lovers! Kipling has provided me with a discount code for my readers, if you use the code HOLIDAYS30 you'll receive $30 off your order of $150 - lucky you!

This outfit of the day is perfect for any activity, comfortable and business casual making me ready for an adventure or a day spent in the office while the Kellyn bag is so versatile and carries so much it's amazing. I stuffed my D-SLR, my planner, a jacket, and my collapsible tripod just to see if it would all fit.... and it does, I would say the Kellyn Handbag is a bit like Mary Poppins purse but so much cuter!

Now that I've shared my favorite handbag from the #KiplingHoliday Collection, I'd love to know what your favorite bag is? Head on over and flip through Kipling's Holiday Catalog and tell me which one you have your eyes on... I'm considering buying one to give away while I'm at the event so I'd love to hear which one you like the most! Also, be sure to let me know if I'll see your shining faces in Orlando at the awesome Kipling Holiday Tour event and RSVP here!

Mrs. Smith's Very Berry Pie Cheesecake Bites

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ThankfullySweet #CollectiveBias

Can you believe it's already Thanksgiving week? That means, if you are anything like me, you are pulling out the cookbooks, browsing pinterest, and running to Walmart for ingredients! I love Thanksgiving dishes with a twist and actually have decided to make this Thanksgiving a little untraditional so when I started thinking about dessert, I decided I wanted to get creative with two of my absolute favorites, Mrs. Smith's Very Berry Pie and cheesecake!

 

Then it happened, I invented the most delicious dessert ever: Berry Pie Cheesecake Bites! These little pieces of ridiculously tasty goodness are the perfect treat to serve after a big Turkey Day meal.

I made a few batches of my Berry Pie Cheesecake Bites, in different sizes - regular "cupcake" size for the dessert lovers in my life and a couple dozen of the mini size. I must say I love the minis, they are perfectly portioned for those of us watching our figures but still wanting to have a bite of desserts. Actually go ahead and have two, since they are made with Neufchatel and berries, they are better for you than most desserts - so go ahead and indulge!

If you are looking for a recipe that will wow your family and break the standard pumpkin pie trend, then give these little cuties a try!

Mrs. Smith's Berry Pie Cheesecake Bites Recipe Ingredients: Mrs. Smith's Very Berry Pie* 3 packages Neufchatel cheese (or cream cheese) 1/2 cup sour cream 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 4 eggs *I actually used two pies for this recipe, based on a mishap with my oven. You can easily make a couple dozen mini cheesecake bites with just one pie though! You'll start this recipe by prepping your pie as instructed on the box (cut a few slices in the middle and set on the counter for ten minutes). Bake the pie until it's just slightly under baked, a slightly golden tone in some spots but not completely. Allow the pie to cool. While the pie is cooling combine the Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 cup sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Mix in one egg at a time until fully mixed. Once the pie has cooled, flip it upside down on a plate and remove the bottom crust. I cut around the pie with a knife and then lifted it off in pieces, leave most of the pie filling on the plate and top crust and place the removed crust in a mixing bowl. Use a mixer to bring the crust to a "crumbly" texture. Press this mixture into (mini) cupcake liners. Pour the cheesecake mixture into the liners next. I'll admit I actually use a pitcher to pour into the mini cheesecake liners because it's so much easier. Bake these little cheesecakes for around 25 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and let cool in fridge. Once cheesecakes have cooled, place berry pie filling on top of each one. Top each cheesecake with  a cloud of cool whip and some additional pie crust (from the top crust, either crumbled or whole large pieces)! Enjoy!

Good News: Would you like to serve the same deliciousness to your family? Score a $1 off Cool Whip & Mrs. Smith's Pie with this awesome coupon. Plus, if you need some more recipe inspiration, check out the Cooking Up Good website. They have recipes, sweepstakes, loyalty programs, coupons and more! What's not to love? If you're looking for a new dinner idea or a chance to win some awesome prizes, be sure to check it out!