Patriotic Salad with Quinoa & Berries!

Another patriotic salad that I found for this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend is the Patriotic Salad with Quinoa and Berries. I found this salad while hunting for other fun recipes to make. I absolutely love adding fruits to my salad and this one looked delicious! I'm also kind of obsessed with the star shaped watermelon. Just sayin'! 

I found this recipe on Yummy Mummy Kitchen blog. She shares many other patriotic recipes, so hop on over for more great stuff!

The presentation for this recipe is what makes it so fun. Pay careful attention to the directions below as you divvy up the ingredients inside the trifle dish.

[Serves 8] 

5 ounces salad greens (I used arugula)
3  cups cooked, cooled quinoa
1.5 cups blueberries
1.5 cups raspberries
Sliced watermelon cut into stars with a cookie cutter (optional)
Favorite salad dressing, served on the side

On the bottom of a medium trifle dish or clear salad bowl, arrange one third of the greens. Top with half the quinoa, all but 1/4 cup blueberries, the remaining quinoa, another third greens, all but 1/4 cup raspberries, and top with the remaining greens. Arrange the remaining 1/2 cup berries over the top. If using watermelon stars, tuck into the sides and arrange on top of the salad. Make this salad up to 5 hours in advance, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Serve dressing on the side.

Tonight we are linking up with the Do Tell Tuesday party! Click on over for more awesome stuff! 

Blueberry, Strawberry & Jicama Salsa! [Memorial Day Appetizer!]

In the spirit of Memorial Day Weekend quickly approaching, I'm posting another fun red, white and blue recipe here!

I found this recipe on Two Peas & Their Pod blog. This husband and wife team shares great recipes, so be sure to click over and find some amazing stuff! Their recipes are seriously to-die-for!

Allow me to introduce to you... Blueberry, Strawberry, & Jicama Salsa!

I love how the combination of flavors in this salsa compliment each other perfectly! The sweetness of the blueberries and strawberries contrast the crisp crunch of the jicama. Jicama's texture is between an apple and a potato, as you can taste a bit of starch in it. 

This dish  mixes perfectly with both sweet and savory dishes. There's a little bit of heat from the jalapeno, but if you prefer a mild salsa, just add less or take it out altogether! Serve with store bought blue corn tortilla chips!

Two Peas & Their Pod also suggests to top this over grilled chicken or fish. Mmmm! Sounds delicious!

Blueberry, Strawberry & Jicama Salsa (Yields 3 cups)1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup diced strawberries
1 cup diced jicama
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno pepper, stemmed and seeded
Juice of 1 large lime
Salt, to taste
Tortilla corn chips 

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, combine blueberries, strawberries, jicama, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno, and lime juice. Stir until well combined.

• Season with salt, to taste.

• Serve with tortilla chips at room temperature or chilled.

Tonight we are linking up with the Treasure Box Tuesday party! Click on over for more great stuff! 

[You posted that on Facebook??] Social Media Etiquette!

Watch this first:

Oh, Ellen!  Sometimes, the most obvious things are hard for people to realize until it's too late.  Ellen really brings something to everyone's attention here: think about what you post on Facebook and other social media sites!  

Before you post the next photo of your kids on the potty or your one hundredth selfie of the year, think about if you'd want Ellen to broadcast it on national television.  I know, right now you think it's cute and what's the harm?  The thing is, we don't know where technology is going to take us in the future and how the digital media we post today is going to be exposed in the future.  Our children are making Facebook news before they're even born, and their most private first moments are posted online for all to see.  Maybe YOU think it's cute now, but how would you have felt if the photos of your childhood (the most unattractive, awkward moments...you know what I'm talking about) were posted online for all to see? 

 In addition, the photos you post online are for others to see, right?  Think about your audience.  Does everyone need to see all 350 photos of your latest family vacation?  Just pick the top 30 highlights and save some of your memories for the privacy of your family.  If you want to share all 350 with select people, why not just email the entire digital album to those people?

Besides inundating everyone's news feed, and over sharing with the world, think about future employers and people who are looking to see what kind of person you are.  If they see that you're insecure or get yourself into possibly compromising situations (I can't help but think of that horrifying last photo of those two girls in the video!), they may think twice about hiring you. Also, whenever I was younger and thinking about doing something, besides thinking about what my parents thought...I'd think about what my GRANDMA thought.  If she saw that on Ellen...I can't even tell you what she would have done, because I'm just not really sure!!

I know this is all common sense, but Ellen brings a good point to the forefront.  Let's all be smart about the big world out there...that everyone can see...including Ellen! 

Of course, these are my opinions, and you're welcome to have your own opinions, too!!

Stars - A MUST HAVE BOOK! [Graduation Gift]

I found the loveliest children's book in Barnes and Noble today and I just had to share it here! This story pulled at my heartstrings right away and I knew that it'd be a book that many readers would fall in love with. I automatically thought about this being the perfect graduation gift too, so be sure to pick it up if you're looking for something different!

Stars by Mary Lyn Ray

Teaching sixth grade allows me to be introduced to fascinating stories, but there are many times that I don't always scour picture books, unless they pertain to a topic that I teach. Today, I was looking for children's books for my sister, which meant that I had time to appreciate titles that I've certainly been missing out on. I've really been missing out on this story, Stars. 

This beautiful book inspires readers to keep reaching and looking for stars that sparkle in their life.

“Stars are everywhere. We just have to look. Look up. Look down. Look in the mirror. The stars will always be there when we need them to guide, inspire, and wish upon." 

The pages inside this book shine with hope, support, and warmth. Stars depicts a full range of emotions including hope and happiness to fear and loneliness. Every page holds simple words packed with life and emotion... words that made me smile, think, and hope! 

"As soon as you see one, there’s another, and another. And the dark that comes doesn't feel so dark."

The story moves from the celebration of stars in the sky to the message of self-empowerment and self-worth.

"There are the stars you see in the night sky. Stars you cut out of paper and keep in your pocket, because sometimes 'you need to know it is there.' There’s that special day marked on the calendar with a star. Some days you’ll feel as shiny as a star, but other days you might need to reach for that paper one in your pocket. But the best way to see the stars is to find a place where the night is very dark. Look up and you’ll almost always find one. And another. And another.Every night. Everywhere."

 Please pick up this book at your local bookstore! You will not be disappointed and even if you don't have someone to buy it for, you'll want to buy it for yourself. I'm on the search for more great picture books that I've been missing out on. Are there any other favorite picture books that you have?

Tonight we're linking up with the Sunday Soiree party! Click on over for more great stuff! 

Gluten Free: Apple Citrus Spinach Salad

Okay....so I can't take complete credit for this salad.  A few weeks ago, Marc and I went to Stop & Shop for some recipes for dinner.  Something that I truly admire about Marc is that he has this amazing way of putting fresh ingredients together to make some tasty meals.  While we were in the produce section, I was following him around, watching him grab this, and that, and the next thing I knew he had a basket full of items!

When we got home, he asked me to prepare the salad.  He handed me an apple, a navel orange, a lemon, pistachios, walnuts and spinach.  I was intrigued, followed his instructions, and I made the most delicious salad!

Here's how to make it:

First, dice up one Fiji Apple.

Then peel the navel orange.

Next, separate the orange into sections and cut the sections up into three or four pieces each.

Mix the apple and the orange up in a mixing bowl.

Squeeze half a lemon into the apple and orange mixture and toss to fully coat the apples in lemon juice.

Add a handful of shelled pistachios....

...and walnuts!

Add the spinach!  I picked up some organic spinach from Trader Joes!

Toss and serve! I added some balsamic vinegar for some extra flavor!

Enjoy!  This would be a perfect addition to your Memorial Day Barbecue!

Tonight we're linking up with the Sunday Soiree party! Click on over for more great stuff! 

Bridal Shower Idea: Recipe Book

My Bridal Shower was exactly one year ago today! My gosh, time flies! It definitely doesn't feel like an entire year ago; I still feel like my shower gifts are brand new... and I absolutely love using them every day. Well, almost every day! ;-)

One of the ideas that my sister incorporated into my shower was having guests complete a recipe card before arriving. She mailed a cute recipe card with the invitation, so that each guest had enough time to record their most favorite recipe to share with me. At the shower, my sister compiled the cards into my very own recipe book. I have to say that this was one of the gifts that I received that day that meant the most to me. 

Here are a few reasons why:

-I love how each guest wrote their recipe in their own handwriting. I know that this sounds funny, but there's nothing like having any handwritten note from your loved ones. It's so rare these days with our digital world. I savor stuff like that!

-As I read through every card when I got home that night, I loved how each person made extra little notes about why this was their favorite, or words of advice for how to avoid predictable problems with the recipe.

-Most of all, I loved that this would be something that I could share with my children for years and years and years. Cooking and baking in the kitchen are such special experiences to share with your loved ones. My mom had all four of my siblings in the kitchen at a young age. We were always helping with something and now we all love cooking and baking in some way. I can't wait to share this recipe book with my children. I envision pointing to specific recipes in the book and explaining who they're from, which will lead into great stories to tell about those special people in our lives.

If you have a bridal shower coming up, I hope you're incorporating this idea into the event. If you're attending a shower, and didn't receive a recipe card, consider attaching one to the gift you're giving...she'll appreciate it!

Tonight we're linking up with 3 Little Greenwoods blog for the Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party. Click on over for more great stuff! 

High Five for Friday: Grateful!

I'm so excited for Friday because I have a super fun weekend planned ahead! Here are a few reflections on my week:

1. Celebrating with our families for Mother's Day. Last weekend was a weekend full of family visits... the best way to spend any weekend! It was so great spending time with everyone, especially our moms! 

2. Seeing old friends at my husband's hockey game. My husband finally played a game on Saturday night, instead of Sunday...which meant more people could attend. It was amazing seeing old friends and sharing laughs with them. Laughs that made my stomach hurt- the best kind, right?

3. Feeling grateful for my husband's help. I always have projects "in the works" and I attempted to finish some this week, as I was planning to host a fun girls weekend. My husband always helps me when I ask for it, but this time I really needed him. Tuesday night, after a long day of work, he came to the rescue and I couldn't help thinking about how incredibly grateful I was for him. I told him this more than a few times and he just flashed a bright smile and kept on working. Grateful and blessed, for sure!

4. My students love current events. I launched a new unit this week involving current events. My students blew me away with how mature and respectful they were about various topics being discussed. They're growing. It's the end of the year. They're ready to move to 7th grade and they're definitely little adults. I was amazed and thrilled that they're loving this unit so far. Fingers crossed for a great week next week, too! 

5. Preparing for a girls weekend. I spent Friday afternoon and evening preparing for this weekend. I can't wait to host and entertain! 

Tonight we are linking up with Lauren Elizabeth and the ladies that host 5 on Friday. Click over to see more awesome stuff!