1 or two beautiful Dumpling/Winter/Acorn Squashes! Cut into thin quarter like half moons, toss with olive oil.

2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin olive oil

1 Tablespoon sea salt

Roast ‘er up!

1- In a 375 degree oven, roast on a well oiled sheet tray for about 45 minutes.Get that sexy golden brown color on there.. mmmhmm deeelish!

2- Remove from oven and sprinkle with sea salt, fresh basil and if you’re in the mood a hint of Chevre or Gruyere cheese!  Serve with a side of quinoa salad. Now you’re money love! xx

More Protein: Stack a hit of lean 90/10 Ground Sirloin in there. Season with simple salt and pepper. Add a touch of garlic powder if you love that hit of garlic. If you grill to perfection and top off that bad-boy with the right condiments, you won’t need that 80/20 fatty beef. Sure its great ish, but that’s also what’s adding to those thighs!

More Vitamins: Load up on fresh heirloom tomatoes, fresh bibb lettuce, onions, avocados and finer ingredients like roasted red bell peppers, grilled pineapple, cucumbers, cilantro, olive tapenade, hummus. You name it. If its a FWB (food with benefit) it will help you build a better burger. For a full list of FWB’s click me.

More Omegas: Stay smart while devouring that burger. Shoot for a different burger busted with omega-packed sardines, tofu, or salmon. Why not throw a few ground chia seeds or flax seeds into the patties? Be smart and build it better.

Nasty Foods= Nasty Waistline

Sexy Foods = A Sexy Waistline … hear me people?

Here’s one of my top ULTRA “SEXY FOODS”, not only are these foods great for your body and mind, they give you the proper nutrition your body needs as well as some beauty benefits that are a bonus! Score dude… Read and learn yo.

AVOCADOS- MOTHER NATURE’S SEXIEST FRUIT! 

Growing up in sunny Southern California, I could never get enough of this amazing green, luscious, beautiful sexy food!  I buy at least two avos every week and I know that when I’m cooking with them or serving them to friends, (avocado, strawberry and spinach salad with a balsamic glaze, skinny guacamole, avocado and Cajun seared ahi poke, or just a plain, sliced avocado on pumpernickel, with lean turkey, sprouts and a few tomato slices) I’m treating everyone to great health benefits!

Very similar to one of my favorite oils, extra virgin olive oil (but that’s another blog), avocados also contain healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. Yes, I said “HEALTHY FATS”; it’s not an oxymoron, it’s Mother Nature sweetheart, (yes, we can go over that another day as well.) These are the “good fats” that can aid in lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, while improving HDL (good) cholesterol levels! Avos also contain antioxidants, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and folate. Studies show that avocados are “nutrient boosters”, meaning they aid the body in absorption of even more nutrients from other foods.

Reasons why I am absolutely in LOVE with avocados and you should LOVE too…

- Avocados are an amazing “sexy food” that contain plenty of monounsaturated fats (aka “good fat”!), vitamin K, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, copper

- This fabulous fruit (yes, fruit honey!) is packed with more potassium than a medium banana- almost 900 grams of potassium to be exact!

- Avocados are a VERY healthy substitution for fattening condiments such as mayonnaise, fatty ranch dressing and or cream based spreads

- Avocados carry 81 micrograms of lutein; which may help maintain healthy eyesight as we get older and are not able to see if he’s as cute as we remembered?

- Avocados are naturally cholesterol and sodium free

- The best part about this natural beauty bar: it contains vitamins A, B and E all great for nurturing the skin from the inside and  out! Yes! You can mash up that avocado in a bowl and spread it on your gorgeous face to make a natural moisturizing mask. Now that my friends is definitely a “Sexy Food”! Word up.

For more sexy on avocados:

http://www.avocado.org/healthy-living/nutrition
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5

Chocolate Peanut Butter-Crunch Cups
Makes 20 peanut butter cups

One bag (11-12 ounces) semi or bittersweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3/4 cup creamy all-natural peanut butter
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 cup crispy rice cereal
20 mini cupcake liners

Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it at 100 percent power in 10-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is melted. Set aside to cool slightly and then scrape it into a large bowl. (You can also melt the chocolate in a large bowl over a pan with 1 inch of barely simmering water, stirring the chocolate occasionally, until it is completely melted.)

Using a small paintbrush or pastry brush, coat the bottoms and 3/4 of the way up the sides of the liners with some of the chocolate (set aside the rest for later). You want the coating to be fairly thick, so that when the liners are peeled off, the chocolate shell doesn’t crack. Place the filled liners on a plate and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or up to several hours.

While the shells chill, make the peanut butter filling. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the peanut butter using a wooden spoon and then add the confectioners sugar and rice cereal. Mix until well combined and gooey looking (it should look like slightly melted chunky peanut butter). Allow the mixture to cool slightly; about 10-15 minutes should do it (if the mixture is too hot, it will melt the chocolate shells).

Remove the chocolate cups from the refrigerator. Use a teaspoon to fill each shell 3/4 full with peanut butter filling (you can use a wet finger or the back of a spoon to smooth out the top if you like). If the remaining chocolate in the bowl has hardened, re-melt it in the microwave in 5-second bursts. Spoon some chocolate over the peanut butter filling, spreading and turning the shell so the chocolate seals the cup. Return to the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes (or up to 2 weeks in an airtight plastic container) to harden. Serve chilled.

Dark Chocolate Lollipops
Makes 12 lollies
2 1/2 cups pure dark chocolate, finely chopped (Kumai recommends the brand Pure Dark chocolate)
1 package wooden craft or lollipop sticks (6 in. sticks recommended)
Toppings: crushed walnuts or almonds, sea salt, chopped dried cranberries, candied orange peel, crushed peppermint, lavender sugar or chocolate covered cocoa nibs.

Use a double boiler (or create one by placing a heat-proof bowl over a medium saucepan of simmering water). Melt chopped dark chocolate, stirring slowly. Use a baking spatula to scrape melted chocolate into a large zipping plastic bag.

Line two or three baking sheets with parchment paper and arrange lollipop sticks on each.
Once chocolate has cooled in bag for approximately one minute, snip off one of the bag’s bottom corners with scissors. Gently squeeze chocolate onto stick, starting at the center of the top of the stick and moving outward in concentric circles.

Lightly sprinkle or dust desired toppings on each lollipop.

Set baking sheets in refrigerator until completely cooled.

Dark Chocolate Cocoa Nib Granola Bars
Makes approximately 12 large bars or 24 small bars

2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup almonds or cashews
1/2 cup unsweetened dry coconut
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 cups chopped dried fruit (cranberries, chopped apricots, blueberries, currants, cherries, your choice!)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup Pure Dark Caramelized Cocoa Nibs
1 cup of unsalted crunchy peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Spray a 9 by 9-inch baking dish with non-stock cooking spray and line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread the oats, almonds/nuts onto a sheet pan. Place in the oven and toast lightly for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in coconut and sesame seeds and toast it for another 2 minutes.

In the meantime, combine the honey, peanut butter, vanilla and salt in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook until everything is combined.

Once the oat mixture is toasted, remove it from the oven and immediately add it into the peanut butter mixture. Add the dried fruit and cocoa nibs, mix it all in to coat evenly.

Turn mixture out into the prepared baking dish and press down, firmly and evenly distributing the mixture in the pan.

Let the tray cool off and cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

For more tips and tricks on chocolate visit  SELF’s blurb here. xx

This idea is an inexpensive and creative way to say “I LOVE THEE”… without being that cheesy. So what’s more romantic than listening to one of your favorite songs as a couple? A song that brings back memories of when you first started dating, check. Have an old frame? Some pens? You’re already half way there darlin’.

Get that song in your head and start a writing! I chose to spread our song quote over 4 different frames. (But feel free to use whatever works.) It could be one single small frame that you set at the V-Day dinner table-or on his bedside the morning of.

So, when writing your lyrics is important NOT to be too perfect. After all, this is from the heart and meant to feel like you made it. And who likes perfection anyways? It’s the flaws that we  that we love. they build character.

Your simple, rustic handwriting will work perfect. OR if you want to get a bit fancy check out dafont.com or Pinterest for font ideas. Pick a font and trace by hand to make it seem more crafty.

Make it a goal this year to create projects using only the stuff you have laying around. It’s a challenge, but pretty gosh-darn gratifying. This paper was from an old Martha Stewart scrapbooking kit, good ol’ Martha to the rescue.

Sooo, start writing. Don’t let the daunting blank page scare you.  These lyrics used are from from a Common song called, “The Light.” Start using a pencil, then go back over it with a black pen and red sharpie, but any color combo would be awesome! Or if you’re up for a challenge you could paint the letters.Badass.

If you’d like cut around the lyrics almost like “word bubbles” and mount onto other sheet of paper. You can simply write on a single sheet up paper if you prefer. That’s the thing about crafting! It’s a do-whatever the-heck-you-want-kinda-thang! Now’s the time to put perfection aside and have fun.

So in addition to the lyric art, you can make a super simple V-Day garland using brown paper grocery bags. Simply cut hearts to whatever shape you like (we all remember how to do that from elementary right?) Hand sketch an arrow and cut that out. Add another shape-but a simple heart garland will work just fine. Find some ribbon-hole punch the hearts/arrows, add glitter (oooh-lala Mariah) and string it up. Donezo!

It’s not rocket science but it’s got exactly what you need..a heartfelt, I love you enough to make something by hand, kinda’ feel. aweeee!

So the icing on the cake. Don’t forget about the delivery of this. It will make all the difference. Don’t just wrap up the frame and give it as a gift, where’s the fun in that?

I suggest preparing breakfast in bed-think of Toasted Almond Sticky Buns (page in Pretty Delicious)-YUM (with the art on his nightstand or Bfast tray) or a Vday dinner-think Candice’s Hearty Veggie and Chicken Pot Pie’s (with the art hanging above.) sounds like the ultimate right?  Make it an extra sweet, crafty and special one! Happy Valentines Day!  Especially to Becca+Tim and Lil Wes! Love you all, xx Becca+Candice xx

- Acorn Squash Soup

- Heartwarming Turkey Noodle Soup

- Creamy Tomato Soup (click on the video)

- Whimsical Butternut Squash Soup

- Lentil Soup

- Grandma’s Miso Soup

- Hearty Minestrone

- Chicken Soup with Lime

Cook more. Live well. Be happy.

You see, my big sister’s mantra was always: “Meat is a TREAT!” Learn to consume less meat on a weekly basis this upcoming year in 2011. I can promise you, you will be saving on the waist and the wallet smartie!

And guess what sexy, lucky ducky!? I’ve got a whole chapter of “Veggie Mains” in my fab cookbook “Pretty Delicious” pretty killer huh? Well, if you don’t believe me, start by purchasing these few veggie main favorites already in my pantry as we speak!

Veggie Mains For a Killer Sexy new YOU in 2011:

- Kale, fresh

- Garbanzo Beans, Chickpeas, drained, rinsed

- Kidney Beans, drained, rinsed

- Quinoa

- Brown Rice

-Soba Noodles

- Edamame

- Spaghetti Squash

- Kabocha Squash, steamed with sea salt

- Sexy Swiss Chard, fresh

- Tofu,  firm or soft, your new bestie in 2011!

- Barley, pearled

- Black Beans, drained, rinsed

- Canned, peeled tomatoes, for that gorgeous tomato soup!

… and the list goes on and on… use your noggin’ people! Make this year your year of change, it’s up to you to keep it sexy in 2012! xxo♥ ck

If we took less energy bitching and griping.. and spent that good, quality, solid, clean energy putting it towards more doing.. imagine what this would would be like? Next time your child is screaming about the crazy video game he didn’t get, knock him straight. Discipline. Be happy with what you already have. You won. We live in a country where we have so much consumption and take, take, taking, we don’t even know how to help ourselves. We are entitled to nothing. If we focused more on improving ourselves, imagine the outcome. And imagine how many excuses, complaints and bitching would make it into the excuse bin? Bank the bitching.

So if you’re fat, sick, tired, lazy, chubby, bloated, loathing, moaning, groaning, you’re lonely, broke, un-happy… whatever it may be. CHANGE IT. Less talking, more doing. Do something about it. Or don’t complain at all. Feel sorry for yourself for 30 minutes.. then move along. Use your brain my friends. And quit watching so much TV. Get out and play.. this world is in need of more movers+shakers+DO-ers. Less talking. xx ck.

Change the way you eat, change the way you feel, change the way you look! and quit whining about how sluggish, bloated and fat you are. If you’re not making any changes. Don’t bitch.

Omega 3s are essential to a sexy you, they help aid in both physical and mental health and can be a simple addition to your everyday diet! Omega 3s are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid. They can be found only in foods like fish, seeds, nuts and plants. Omega 3 fatty acids are called “essential fatty acids” because your own body cannot produce them, you can only receive these “essential fatty acids” through proper food consumption.

Foods like walnuts, salmon, sardines, fresh basil, flaxseed, all contain these amazing Omega 3 Fatty Acids that are essential for optimal mental health, (may help with depression, concentration and may even help improve with learning and memory). Remember it all starts with that sexy brain of yours!  But of course, thinking sexy, Omega 3s are also essential to our physical health as well: These beneficial fatty acids can help aid in improving circulation, helping to keep our skin soft and the fatty oils in these foods also keep your hair full of shine and natural gloss! Now I’ll eat salmon, flax seeds and walnuts any day for health and beauty benefits. Who needs a hair stylist when you’ve got a sexy date with salmon? I’m trying to keep you sexy people, you feel me? xxo ♥ck

How to change up boring ol’ Chicken Noodle:

- Step into the limelight. Add a lime! Why not? I mean those South East Asians have some of the best flavors. So live through inspiration. Find a place of love with your cooking and create your own signature soup! The acidity from lime brightens any bland soup. No lime? Go for it’s big sis, the lemon.

- Make it hot. Chili flakes, or Siracha/Rooster Sauce.. is the shizz. Put that into your bland chicken sopa and watch that metabolism rev!

- Fine Herb anyone? Oh, and not those herbs… Fresh thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano.. whatever you have leftover will do! Herbs add more phytonutrients as well as a vibrant, potent aroma to any bland dish! So throw a time sprig in there, or go bold with rosemary. Live a little, you boring dud.

- Spice it for life yo. I love adding star anise, cinnamon sticks, mace, nutmeg, even dried ginger etc to my soups. Not only does it add brilliant flavor and an aroma that can warm a room.. it creates memories and will make you fall in love with anyone. I made that last part up… however if you are reading this, I know you love my dumb, fun comments. So spice up that bad boy with more from that badass pantry.

However you like to do it. Do it well. Use leftover veggies, bones, etc.. don’t waste a thing while making that stock.  Here’s a recipes for a fabulous turkey/chickie noodle as well..I personally love using leeks and leftover beet tops to make my soups a bit pink… are you surprised? Live, cook, inspire and create. xx ♥ ck