Chocolate Peach Berry Protein Smoothie

This Chocolate Peach Berry Protein Smoothie was inspired by Fitness/Lifestyle blogger Taralynn of UndressedSkeleton. She is in love with making protein shakes and smoothies. Her photos are so beautiful (I need a better background! My counter is not cutting it!) and her recipes are fantastic! 

This is my first try at making any kind of protein shake. 

I started by going to Sprouts grocery to get Tera's Whey protein powder. Protein powder is necessary for any protein shake, but I have never had any friends who regularly have protein shakes, so I have not had anyone to turn to to ask. Until I started reading Taralynn and her fitness blog. Although she is not a friend of mine yet, she is a part of my life because I love to read her blog a few times every week. 

She recommends this protein powder and it is really not too bad.

I have created this recipe from ingredients I found at Sprouts and I used measurements from Taralynn's Chocolate Strawberry Protein Shake and her Peachy Strawberry Protein Smoothie to help me create my very first smoothie recipe. Without her this smoothie would not have been possible. She recommended  the best protein powder and gave me a reference to use when I wanted to create my own. I am so happy with my first smoothie!

Try it out and tell me what you think!

Thank you Taralynn for being so inspirational! 

How To Cook Rice and a REVIEW: Trader Joe's Saucy Scallops

Hello Foodies,

I love the simple meals available at Trader Joe's and Fresh & Easy, but I get a little weary. How do I know this will actually be good? I know I am allowed to bring it back if I do not like it, but it would feel a little weird for me bringing in leftovers and a box and saying "Can I have my money back?". 

So, I take chances. I go out on a limb and I try out anything I think I might like.

I do not have to be sure I will like it, but if I like the general ingredients, it might be a winner.

Let's get on with the review!

Meal: Trader Joe's Saucy Scallops with Mushrooms

Did it come Fresh, Refrigerated, or Frozen: Frozen

Did it look like the photo on the packaging when you were done? Yes

Were the instructions easy to follow? Oh yes! This is a pretty quick and easy meal to make. I made it on the stove and it took less than 10 minutes. TIP: Start the rice first! If you do not want rice, you can put this over your favorite pasta or even potatoes.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the meal? It was so easy! Although, I feel it needs a good veggie side like a salad or maybe steamed veggies.

Recipe alterations or any changes you made: None other than I made rice and a salad to make the meal complete

Would you make it again? Yes. Easy, delicious, fast. I love this meal!

Would you recommend it to others? Yes :)

In the comments below, let me know what you would like me to review next! 

You can also ask me any other questions you have about this meal! 

Let me know what you think down below!

Love,

Heather Dawn

Truffle Season at Umami Burger, Santa Monica, CA

Very pepperminty lemonade. Delicious if you love peppermint tea, 

candies, or just love peppermint like me. 

If you do not like peppermint....well, you know!

Those fries are The Manly Thin Fries 

They are smothered in beer cheddar and topped with bacon and onion strings. 

Out of this world delicious, of course! The salty from the bacon and the savory onion strings all clinging to the fries with help from the beer cheese make these heavy, but also addicting.

I had the Truffled Speciale Burger. The only photo I have is after a few bites!

The truffle burger was savory, but very greasy. The truffle oil was everywhere. Maybe it was the grease from the fried egg, who really knows... The arugula and the cheese crisp was not enough for me. I needed a tomato, or something with acidity to break up the grease from the oil on the burger. In the end, I used their tasty smoky flavored house ketchup, but still could not get away from the grease. 

Fashion options! Which cardigan do you like better? Teal hearts or Sea foam solid? 

Let me know down below!!

Love,

Heather

Sidecar Doughnuts - What A Dream!

From left to right: Huckleberry, Maple Bacon, and Fig.

The fig doughnut was my favorite, so it is being showcased! Delicious!

Sidecar Doughnuts in Costa Mesa, CA has the most amazing selection of creative and delicious doughnuts. It is a doughnut/coffee lover's dream! If there could be a job for someone who loves doughnuts and seeks out the best, don't you think they would be called something sweet like a doughnut-melier? Kind of like a sommelier, but for doughnuts...? Only in my dreams would that job exist! Hahaha! 

Back to Sidecar Doughnuts! Their flavors change monthly, but I am pretty sure the Huckleberry and Maple Bacon are staples. They even have gluten-free and vegan doughnuts!

 I highly recommend you try Sidecar Doughnuts. 

They are fresh and delicious and not made with preservatives, so they have no shelf life. 

What does that mean? Stuff your face Enjoy yourself!

Love,

Heather

Easy Recipe For PERFECT EVERY TIME Hard Boiled Eggs

I love to have hard boiled eggs in almost everything from a salad to a great stand alone snack. I used these in my tuna salad I made for my lunch. You can use them and make egg salad! Mix it up!

What do you plan to use your hard boiled eggs for? Let me know down below!

Love,

Heather