#Blizzard2016: Surviving Jonas

 

Oh sweet naive girl. When Jonas first started to trickle down I was as giddy as a 6-year-old. It was the first real snowfall of the year and I was counting all of the ways to spend it—hot cocoa loaded with 'mallows, a nonstop fire in the fireplace, too many calories to keep track of, a constant stream of wine, shoveling for hours {only so I could count it as a workout and throw snowballs at the hubby}, and so so much binging on Scandal. 

Thirty inches, 5 days, and 10 pounds later, I am as bitter and annoyed as a 30-year-old—dying to get out of the house, wear something other than snow boots, and see other humans. But you know what, this time next year, when Justin Berk gears up his Faith in Flakes campaign, that 6-year-old will rear its ugly head again and I will fight the lines at the grocery store for three cartons of eggs - because who can bake cookies, cake, and brownies with no eggs?! Until then, here's a peek into how we survived Jonas...

 

 

It's a rarity that the hubs is home during a snowstorm because this sweet man is usually called into 12-hour midnight shifts to make sure our emergency vehicles are up to snuff. I actually had him home for a full day & night during the storm and made every single minute worth it. You know, like dragging him around town in a foot of snow to take pictures of me :-) Don't worry - there was a massive steak at the end of the dragging. 

 

 

 

 

{This almost looks like a scene from Paris and I love it oh so much.}

 

 

 

Con of snowstorm Jonas: Postponing two Caps games, both of which we had tickets to #whomp. Two missed opportunities to deck out in RED and nearly lose my voice. I had to do something to quench my Caps thirst.

 

 

{This shoot happened so fast and was so fun that I didn't realize it was pouring snow. Sorry about that, hubs.}  

 

{This isn't even a 16th of the amount of Caps gear I possess. But I did try to pile on as much as possible—afterall, it was blizzarding.}

 

 

{The man behind the cam <3}

 

 

 

{SuperCaps.}  

After all of the wine, and beer, and cookies, and...okay, there was a lot—I needed to feel like my shoveling was really making an impact on my calorie intake. Thus was born my first little infographic! Blizzards do crazy creative things to you. 

 

When the hubs did finally have to venture in for that 12-hour shift, I couldn't send him off hungry! These were so easy to throw together and made the perfect amount for a bunch of hungry guys. I didn't get to taste the Croissant Casserole but I'm told it was devoured. I did however sneak a corner of the Cinnamon Roll French Toast...and it almost didn't make it out the door. 

Recipes for both coming SOON! 

Okay, now that I've reminisced, I could admittedly go for another five days inside. It's been real, Jonas. Keep those #FITF {for my DMV'ers who live and breathe by Justin Berk}! 

XO,

Nik 

Psst...In case, like me, you need to work off some of those calories...

My Fitness Frenemies: Workout DVDs for the Advanced

Southwest Chicken and Quinoa Bake

 

It doesn't get easier than pulled chicken in the crockpot and five ingredients {plus some seasonings} thrown into a casserole dish. It also doesn't get any more delicious than this mash-up of Mexican flavors. It's warm & cozy & packed with sneaky nutrition. And it'll officially be added to your list of go-to favs—trust me. 

First, throw some boneless, skinless, chicken breast in the crockpot. Or, lay it nicely side-by-side - depending on your mood. {Note: You'll want to coat your crockpot with some cooking spray to avoid a scrubbing match later.}

 

These are your crockpot ingredients. They are small, but mighty.

 

Pile your mighty ingredients on top of your chicken. No rhyme or reason, just pour and close.

 

Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Then grab two forks and take out all of your frustrations—aka, shred the chicken. Then leave it on low and let it simmer in the juices while you finish up your casserole.

 

When your chicken has about an hour left to go, throw together your quinoa casserole and bake until bubbly. {Mmmhmmm, cheese.}

 

Then pile some of your shredded chicken on top of a bowl filled with quinoa casserole and finish off with chopped tomatoes and avocado. You're welcome.

 

Southwest Chicken & Quinoa Bake

Servings: 8-10

Total Time: 6 hours

Ingredients

For the chicken

• 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breast
• 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with habaneros {hot!}
• 1/2 cup Pace Picante salsa {mild, medium or hot}
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika

For the quinoa casserole
*Adapted from Damn Delicious Quinoa Enchilada Casserole 

• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 {10-oz.} can Old El Paso mild enchilada sauce {I used hot because we're spice fans!}
• 1 {4.5-oz.} can Old El Paso chopped green chiles, drained
• 1 cup canned corn, drained
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 Tbsp. dried cilantro
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• S&P, to taste
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
• 1 Roma tomato, diced

Instructions

1. Start your chicken in your prepared crockpot by piling all chicken ingredients on top of your chicken breasts. Cook on low 5-6 hours.
2. Five hours in to your chicken cooking, prepare your quinoa according to directions.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat a 9x11 casserole dish with cooking spray.
4. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, enchilada sauce, green chiles, corn, black beans, cilantro, cumin, chili powder and S&P. Stir in 1/2 cup of both cheese {reserve the rest}.  
5. Spread quinoa mixture into the casserole dish; sprinkle remaining cheeses on top. Place in the oven and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly—about 15 minutes.
6. While the casserole is baking, shred your chicken with two forks and mix into juices. 
7. Once casserole is done, scoop quinoa mixture into a bowl, top with shredded chicken, and finish off with tomato and avocado toppings. 
8. Devour.

*I used fat free and low fat ingredients wherever possible to cut down on calories - but rest assure that it does not cut down on flavor!

XO,

Nik 

Psst...more tempting recipes:

Comfort Crockpot Food: Balsamic "Pantry" Chicken

 Deemed "The Best Chili on Earth"

Breaking All the Fashion Rules: Winter White

 

It's January, majorly post-Labor Day, and not even close to Memorial Day, but yes, ladies & ladies {gents don't so much care} - I am in WHITE. Not that I e v e r believed in following the fashion rules {my mom used to yell at me for wearing two different socks to school—I started young}, but naysayers will tell you that white after Labor Day is the number one fashion faux pas. 

But you know what? I will wear my white, mix my patterns, mash-up gold & silver, and by god, I WILL rock my UGGs until the end of time. Fashion faux pas be damned. Who's with me?!

 

 

Excuse me, sir, do you know where I can find a Starbucks?

 

 

 

 

 

 Pants: American Eagle // Shirt: TJMaxx find, plus my favorite piko style tops from Kiki Larue // Vest: Francesca's // Scarf: Oldie, but similar fav from SheIn // Booties: Old Navy // Necklace: Nordstrom Rack in-store sale find, but similar, and look at this beaut! // Watch: Paris flea market find // Bracelet: The Loft // Earrings: Flea market find, but very similar from Francescas // Sunglasses: Kate Spade {gifted} // Purse: Vintage Coach {gifted}

XO,

Nik

Psst... More fashion inspo that semi-follow the rules ;-)

A Love Affair With Fall {And Loft Pants}

 

That 70's Style: Two Ways

8 Things It's Totally Okay To Do in 2016

It's officially 2016 and you have grandiose plans about how this year is going to go... But, we're a measly two days in and you've already snuck a bite of those Christmas cookies you should have tossed, or you haven't even cracked the surface on your treadmill/closet clean-out/new year-new you plan.

I'm here to tell you that it's totally okay.

As perfectionists living in a world where social media glorifies what life "should" look like, we have become our own biggest critics—more than ever. Our bodies, hair, nails, wardrobe, relationships, Christmas trees, desk, calendars, Instagram snaps, plates of food, 2016 resolutions—everything must be pristine, colorful, positive and picture perfect. 

But life is full of bloopers with behind the scenes shots of laundry baskets filled to the brim, messy buns {and not the imperfectly cute kind}, chipped nails, cupcakes for breakfast, screaming matches, takeout five nights a week {or cereal for dinner five nights a week}, cursing photoshop to hell, and wine—more wine than is appropriate to glorify on Instagram. 

So, as we enter a fresh year, one where social media will remain the ruler of all things {seemingly} perfect, I beg of you to remember that it's totally okay...

To wait until January 4th to start that "New Year—New You" mantra. Who wakes up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on New Years Day? I for one wake up exhausted, slightly hungover, craving a greasy cheeseburger, and dreaming of one thing—the couch. I'm thinking the new me would scoff at the idea of starting fresh on a weekend of R&R, so I'll wait to embrace her on Monday.

To say NO. You can't be everything to everybody. Let's be real - you can't even be some things to everybody. At some point you have to say NO to an offer, luncheon, brunch, client, date, party, project, or whatever else is thrown your way. Your FOMO will fade and you'll have more time to enjoy the things you do say yes to. I promise this will change your life.

If you pin—but never win. Look, Pinterest is supposed to be a place to spark creativity - not a place of shame to make you feel like a failure because you never finished {or even started} that homemade holiday wreath. If lunch isn't a salad in a jar and dinner isn't crock-potting away and you haven't finished your 1000th jumping jack for the day—it's okay. It's also okay to continue pinning on top of the 10,000 pins you haven't accomplished yet. Keep those creative juices flowing.

That you didn't finish that project you set out to accomplish in 2015. You're lucky enough to be here for another year, so it's not a wash, it's just an extended deadline. And the best part is, the hardest part is over - getting started. 

To put up a social front. Those {seemingly} perfect lives we all see on social - it's okay to partake in the "front" they present. No one really wants to see the negative drama BTS - if so, it would be called "anti-social media." There's nothing wrong with showing the best parts of your life, given that they're not completely staged and fake. Don't live a make-believe social-only life - make sure it actually mimics the best part of your life that is truly happening... And then feel free to leave out the detail about how right before that perfectly styled picture of you posing against a brick wall your Instagram husband said, "okay, go" with all the lackluster enthusiasm in the world. 

To start small. You don't have to lose all five pounds {okay, six. fine, seven. FINE, eight.} that you gained through the last quarter of 2015 {aka, eating season} in the first two weeks of 2016. You don't have to sign-up for a half-marathon right out of the gate. The house doesn't need to be completely renovated by Valentine's Day. And your new business doesn't need to be off the ground and running by Spring. But you DO have to start somewhere - so start small. Download the Fitness Pal app to track your calories; sign up for a 5K; pick one room to redo and go from there; and at least open the Business Plan Pro wizard. Don't set yourself up for failure - it's okay to take one tiny step at a time, as long as you're stepping, period.

If you're already counting down to your next day off. 15 days until MLK Jr. Day. But who's counting? It's also okay if you already put in to take off on March 4 to binge watch season 4 of House of Cards. Underwood for President!

If you're having the hardest time parting with that fashion statement that all of the fashion-powers-that-be say to toss for 2016. Long live pastel hair, coachella-inspired music festival fashion, and suede. Also, I just started "mastering" contouring, so I'll be sticking with that cheeky goodness for a bit. Let's also remember that trends don't hit the level of us "real" people for a good year—in which case, we're right on track. 

I'm going to leave you with some of my favorite words from the ever wise... Bethenny Frankel.

Namaste, 2016.

XO,

Nik

Psst... More fuel to your 2016 resolution-fire:

10 Health Hacks: How I Changed My Body, My Life

 

Commit to Fit: The 6 Commitments That Helped Me Lose 80 Pounds