tofu taco dip

My friend Brittney gets credit for coming up with this great high protein dip. It's a great recipe for a holiday party, and most people are shocked to hear that it's made with tofu. Adding a Taco Bell sauce packet is a nice little touch for that flavor everyone loves, but it's definitely not necessary. So if you have some left over in your fridge from your last late-night run, great, but if not, don't worry. If you're bringing this dip to a party, pop in the microwave 1-2 minutes when you arrive to warm & melt the cheese topping.

You'll Need:
Soft Tofu- 14 oz., mashed
Black Beans- 15.5 oz can, drained & rinsed
Low Sodium Taco Seasoning Packet- 1.25 oz.
Onion- 1 minced
Garlic- 2 cloves, minced
Onion Salt- to taste
Cayenne Pepper- dash
Taco Bell Mild Sauce Pack- 1, optional
Salt & Pepper- pinch

Place tofu in strainer and mash.

Saute onion 4 minutes. Add garlic, saute 4 minutes more.

Add mashed tofu, taco seasoning packet, all seasonings and black beans. Stir until blended. Taste and season accordingly. This dip is great with a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce for a kick, but you definitely don't want it too spicy when you're making it for a party, so be careful not to over season.

Serve with tortilla chips.

[easy party appetizer, new years eve party dip]

muffin tin eggs

I'll be making these scrambled eggs in muffin tins Christmas morning at my Mom's house. They're super easy and a healthy way to start the day before overloading on sweets. Plus, kids love them and love to help prepare them. You can make a few different varieties or have each child customize their own muffin cups. You can add veggie sausage or bacon, just pre-cook it before adding it to the whisked eggs. 

tomato, green pepper, cheddar + onion baked eggs

I'm making spinach, feta and onion eggs. But here are some other ideas:


Eggs- 1 egg per muffin tin cup
Mayonnaise- 1 tbsp per 3 eggs
Cheese- crumbled feta, swiss, cheddar, goat cheese... possibilities are endless!
Onion- 1, diced (if you cut too small, you can't taste them)
Veggies- spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, zucchini, peppers- chopped or sliced
Salt & Pepper- to taste


Spray muffin tins & preheat oven to 350.


Saute onion, veggies and any veggie meats you want. You can also toss the spinach in for a minute and cook until wilted. 


Whisk eggs in bowl. Add mayonnaise, (this helps the eggs not to fall and add a creamier, fluffier texture.)


Add veggies, cheese, cooked "meats" and onion to whisked eggs. Stir. 


Pour into muffin tins. (About 1/3 cup per muffin cup).

Bake 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out of center clean. 

i d.i.e. for...

This vintage-style color block dress from Alice + Olivia. Love. 

portobello philly cheese "steak" sandwich

I found this recipe on EatingWell.com and I have to share! For those vegetarians that miss a "greasy" tasting sandwich, or for those trying to eat healthy (aren't we all), these portobello philly cheese steaks are a savory sandwich that hits the spot. The flour + soy sauce mix, magically makes things thick and gravy-like, (like my veggie pot pie recipe). I put a leftover sandwich in the oven and it almost tasted better the next day, once the sauce got to soak in the bread a little. Normally these cheesesteaks come from a fatty slab of cow are and covered in heavy cream sauce, but this healthier, vegetarian version is less than 300 calories! 

Image courtesy of EatingWell.com

You'll Need:

Portobello Mushrooms- 4 thinly sliced (gills and stems removed)

Red/Green Bell Pepper- 1, thinly sliced

Medium Onion- 1, thinly sliced

Flour- 1 tbsp.

Vegetable Broth- 1/4 cup

Soy Sauce- 1 tbsp.

Oregano- to taste
Salt & Pepper- to taste

Provolone Cheese- 4 slices, optional

Whole Wheat Hoagie Buns- 4, toasted

*Optional-serve with side ramekins of diced jalapeños or banana peppers for people to dress as they like. 

Cook onion in a drizzle of olive oil, stirring often, until soft and beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, oregano and pepper and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are wilted and soft, about 7 minutes.

Reduce heat to low; sprinkle the vegetables with flour and stir to coat. Stir in broth and soy sauce; bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, lay cheese slices on top of the vegetables, cover and let stand until melted, 1 to 2 minutes.

Divide the mixture into 4 portions with a spatula, leaving the melted cheese layer on top. Scoop a portion onto each toasted bun and serve immediately.

arden b fashion party

Situation: You love Arden B, but think some things are just a little too pricey. 

Solution: Host a Fashion Party!

You've been to countless purse, cooking and tupperware parties, you've seen the good, the okay, and the moderately cute, but now you can host a party with fashion girls love with an Arden B Fashion Party. As host, you get $25 towards your purchase and 15% off your order, plus all of your fashionable friends at the party get 15% off too! So it's a win-win situation all around. And even if you don't need discount, who doesn't love a girl's night with their own personal style advisor?

Here are some of my current faves at Arden B:

Arden B- Rhinestone Cuff Mini Dress $59

Arden B- Pretty Bow Headband $19

Arden B- Slouchy Wedge Boot- Taupe $79

guinness cheddar dip

Beer=Delicious. Cheese=Delicious. Guinness Cheddar Dip? Heaven. 

What's not to love? Ever since I tried Guinness on a trip to Ireland, I have been obsessed with it. In this warm beer dip, the robust, smooth taste of Guinness is complimented oh-so-nicely with sharp cheddar cheese and lightened with fresh parsley and cream cheese. This is one of my new favorite appetizers to bring to a party. 


You can serve this cold, but I think beer dip is much better warm. On my first go- I tried caramelizing onions and simmering the Guinness on the stove, but the flavor was much too intense and it tasted more like french onion soup- in a not great way.  But this recipe is nice and easy because you only need a food processor to make it, then you just heat up in a small crock pot before serving. 

 I still don't have my camera, so deal with my cell phone pics.

You'll Need:
Loaves of Bread-2 (Sourdough, Ciabatta or French Bread) Sliced into bite-size pieces
Guinness Draught- 7/8 cup (or just under 1 cup)
Sharp Cheddar Cheese- 12 oz. (or 3 cups), shredded
Cream Cheese- 8 oz.
Fresh Parsley- 1/3 cup (or to taste- use much less if you use dried spice)
Salt & Pepper- to taste

Place cream cheese, cheddar, parsley, salt & pepper in food processor. Blend until well mixed. Slowly add Guinness and pulse/blend until smooth. You want it smooth, but not too thin. Taste & season accordingly, but keep in mind that the flavors will come out even more once it is warmed.

You can make ahead and then refrigerate until 1 hour before you are ready to serve. Warm in a small dip crock pot 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve with bread or steamed broccoli.


My first Guinness in Ireland and hanging out at the Cliffs of Moher... Oh, how I love Ireland.

irish recipes guinness, recipes for st. patricks day, beer dip with guinness

lo mein with peanut sauce

I looove peanut butter sauce and Asian food in general, so I make this on those days I'm craving carry-out but don't want to torture my body. You can add as much garlic, ginger and heat as you want and toss in whatever vegetables you like. You can also adjust the peanut butter/water ratio depending on how "peanut-buttery" you like your sauce. Quorn cubed "chicken" or tofu are great additions to this dish for extra protein. 

Noodles- 8 oz. (Spaghetti, Linguini or Tofu Shirataki noodles work)
Peanut Butter- 3/4 cup
Warm Water- 1/4 cup
Light Sodium Soy Sauce- 1 tbsp
Ginger- 1 tsp
Garlic- 2-3 cloves, cooked
Garlic Powder- to taste
Sugar- 1 tsp
Salt- to taste
Red Pepper Flakes- optional for spice
Stir-fry vegetable mix- broccoli, carrots, zucchini, water chestnuts, spinach, edamame, red pepper, sugar snapeas...

Bring salted water to boil. Cook noodles.

Meanwhile-saute vegetables/tofu in wok or pan. (Or pop frozen bag of stirfry veggies in microwave.)

In a food processor-combine peanut butter, warm water, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sugar, & salt. Blend until well mixed but not too thin. Add more peanut butter if sauce is too thin, and water if it becomes to thick. Then stir in red pepper flakes or sprinkle on each individual plate.

Toss peanut butter sauce with noodles and vegetables. Enjoy!

holiday dresses

Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin- ting ting ting-a-ling dooo...

It's that time of year, holiday parties are right around the corner! You want to look fun and festive, but if you're attending a company Christmas party, it's also important to look appropriate too. It always shocks me when I see someone at a company party in hooker boots, a short skirt and a fire engine red top. What do you think your bosses wife will think of you? Just saying. You probably don't see your co-workers much outside of work, so it's important you don't give the wrong impression.

If you're at a holiday party for work you want to look chic and pulled together, but wear still more fun than your regular workday. My favorite colors for holiday party dresses are black, gold, burgundy, royal blue and plum. I love a nice cocktail ring and glitzy earrings or bracelets at holiday parties too. Here are my favorite dresses to wear to holiday office party.

Remember- if you have to question whether or not it's appropriate, don't risk it. And more importantly: DON'T.GET.DRUNK.

What Not to Wear to a Company Holiday Party:

• Low cut tops
• Anything too short (sit down in the dressing room to test)
• Animal Prints
• Bright red dresses that show cleavage/leg (stay conservative with red)
• High boots with short skirts
• Studs
• Anything too sparkly/rhinestony
• Overly foofy skirts or anything that looks like it could be part of a bird
• Too-tight dresses (it's great that you have curves, but a company party isn't the place for a body hugging dress, Beyonce)

Top Shop Midi Chiffon Dress- Wine

French Connection Chiffon Dress

I d.i.e. for this one...

Nordstrom-Taylor Dresses by Petal Cuffe Point Knit Sheath Dress

Top Shop Jodie dress by Goldie

Top Shop Structered Skater Dress-Ink

Lauren by Ralph Lauren One Shoulder