Thank you for all of the love, charm and timeless wisdom that you have instilled in all of us. There are no words to describe the heart and love that you share with all of us.

My Mother is the single most important person to me on this planet. Her knowledge, care and tough-love have truly inspired me to be a better, wiser, more giving individual. Mom, you’re my absolute everything. Without you, I’d never be able to dream my way through this insane life.

You taught me how to be creative, wise, to create my own path and above all to inspire!

“The best conversations with mothers always take place in silence, when only the heart speaks.”  ~Carrie Latet

“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the payment is pure love.” -Mildred B. Vermont

Mom, you are my rock, my soul and my life. I love you. xxx

1- Acquire More Knowledge: The more knowledge you acquire, the better you will know your craft, the more greatness you will attract, the stronger you will become in your field of work and at the game of life. Pick up a book, take a class at a local community college, enroll in a workshop in your neighborhood, try a new hobby, read a paper or just simply start to surround yourself with highly-intelligent individuals. Trust me, nobody likes an idiot.

“Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together.” -Georg C. Linchtenberg

2- Stay Humble: Oh humility, the one thing I’ve learned all too well. If there’s anything that will tame that sick ego of yours, it’s humility. Learn to keep calm and know your role. Know who you are, and work soley on improving YOU and don’t worry about everyone else.  Keep your thoughts, dreams and desires close to your heart and know that it tis humble individuals who tend to see a lifetime of great achievements. (Not the moronic “talkers” or bi-mouth “Braggers”) as I like to call them (of course never to their face.)

3- Be Kind Anyway: As Mother Teresa Says, “If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.” I have repeated this to myself daily… “Be kind anyway.” Kindness, it goes so much further than we know.

4- Remind People in your Life you Love Them + You Appreciate Them: I’ts important to make others feel as if they have purpose to their lives for them to feel “wanted” or “needed” by society. So make them feel special, let them know how much you appreciate them. How their life in yours enriches your soul. How their simple text, call or email lights up your day. Even if they don’t go out of their way to do much for you, let them know you appreciate them in your life! If they aren’t doing much for you? Then perhaps its time to reassess your idea of what a “friend” is. And get some new, supportive and pleasant-to-be-around friends. Reciprocation is key in all relationships. Selfishness is a bitch and a very lonely, poor way to live. Remind people you appreciate them.

5- Keep it Classy: Class will get you so much further than any other area in life. Carry it with you at all times, even after a sweaty gym session, even after a hard-day at work, even after getting run over by a bus, carry it with you. The value of class is beyond what I can write. But some of the classiest women I know, are also the most successful. Class, it’s free.

6- The Bad Boy, is Probably Not Good for You: A friend of mine recently made me swear off the “hot/bad boy” this year. In my 30′s it will not be about dating the “hot guy” or the “bad boy” and my goodness I’ve been lucky enough to date plenty of them to know that they are not here to last! Sure lust is a beautiful, fun and naughty thing.. and my goodness, when its good its good… But once you leave the sheets, does his hotness really help you to feel good thru the day? Will that hotness even last for the next 20 years? Will I be able to put up with this moron in even two years? Does that hot body of his make your day? Is it something that you are proud of? More than likely, NOT…  And if it is something you’re proud of, you may need to get that narcissistic head of yours checked. Yes the “hot/bad” boy is fun, for a month or two.. but he may just be a waste, a time passer or another lesson learned.. Save yourself the agony the time and possible tears here… Just pass next time.. or know your limits sister.

7- Use Less/Minimize: STUFF. We have so so much of it. Instead of purchasing 50 kinds of mascara, eyeshadow, lip gloss or powder, perhaps just get one of each? I loved purchasing 10 kinds of lotion, soaps, shampoos etc.. until my fabulous eco-friendly big sis let me know that I looked like a wasteful idiot. Now I opt only for a few organic products and minimal makeup! When I first moved to NY from LA.. my dear friend Mer let me know that minimal is IN here in NYC. In LA it was all about hair, makeup, nails, car, clothes, heels, short skirts, boobies etc all done up! It wasn’t until I looked at all of my fake lashes, big push-up bras and heels that I decided… I think I’m more comfortable in a white tee, no makeup, hair in a pony and flats from Madewell. I still love my makeup, but its saved for work and for Thursday nights out. Minimize! Use less, wear less, buy less, save more!

8- Be More Assertive: Here’s my biggest task in my 30′s to be MORE ASSERTIVE. A few of my smartie-pants friends had let me know my business model sucks. For I do not run my business for profit. I have been in debt from investments, loans and having a bad habit of paying EVERYONE around me but myself. It’s not until very recently have I had to be more assertive. To put a brand on what I want. A more lucrative business, (to only get myself out of debt and live comfortably) to say NO more. For people to not take advantage of my kindness anymore. I can firmly tell people what I want now. But say it like you mean it. Some of the best meetings that generated the most productive work, were from myself being VERY clear on what I want/need in my life. Manifest it, be more firm, be assertive.

9- Dump Him if He’s Not Giving you 150%: At 60 years old, my Father still buys my Mother flowers every Sunday. He loves and adores her so so much, the glue that binds them has never been so close. A Buddhist and  a Christian so happily married for over 35 years? Yes, love wins. Dump him if he’s not loving you the way you want to be loved. For it’s better to be alone and happy, than in a crap relationship and be miserable.

10- Attract More Good in Your Life: Like attracts like. If you want more good, be good. Be good to you, be good to others. As my big sister says… the sweet honey attracts all the bees. Buzzzzzz.

11- Know Your Worth: Learn to just give away enough. But definitely don’t give it all away. I was once told that women (now-a-days), give it all away as if they were worth a cheap $5 cocktail. You know you are worth about a million bucks. So marinate on that. Don’t give it all away on the first few dates. Don’t give it all away just because he’s pressuring you for some. Some boys just never grow up.. I’ve sadly learned this the hard way. Some of the most incredible men I’ve met, they love and adore the woman they choose so much, they would wait months just to be able to spend time with her. Your company alone is worth waiting. Know that you are sitting on top of a million bucks, not five. Respect.

12- Don’t Waste Time on Worthless People: It’s a sad lesson to learn, that some people quite frankly just don’t give a shit about you. Sure, we’ve all had phone calls, emails or texts whisp off into ghost-town.. or perhaps had a friend that fades into the sunset with the rest of our past. Regardless of how things fall apart at the seams, such is life. If these “friends” have no worth, nothing to offer or add no good moral value to your life? Dump them.

13- Don’t Let your Dreams Pass you by: Too many times I have heard friends and colleagues say “I wish I could do what you do!” Well, was their a gun to your head that said you couldn’t? You forget how to dream after you become an adult. You begin to live someone else’s life… You are stuck at a desk-job for some other idiot’s company and you are miserable. Quit. Too many of us live “comfortable, easy, good enough” lives.. and that’s not life. That’s settling. Quit your job, leave. One door closes, 500 open. Life is what you are going to make of it. If you work hard enough, focus, believe and work hard? You will indeed be able to see all of your BIG dreams come to fruition. I promise you this more than ANYTHING else. Sure, you will need a whole lot of luck, prayers, faith, mentors, supporters, believers, followers etc.. but you cannot expect much if you are not trying. Do not let this lifetime pass you by. You’ve only got one life. Live it wisely.

My big sister shared  a quote with me approximately  five years ago…. This quote changed my life. I decided to move to NYC, break away from comfortable Cali, break-up with the boyfriend and start my life to fulfill my dreams as a cookbook author and healthy-lifestyle expert! Still working on improving myself every day.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
- Mark Twain

14- Work Harder: If you think you’re working hard now? Work harder. If you aren’t quite where you’d like to be in your professional or personal life? Manifest it. Make changes to work harder at the task. Be the best you, you can be NOW. Don’t make excuses, just put your head down and work HARDER. Hard work never goes left unseen.

15- Forgive: & Live with the Notion That People Malfunction: My friend Richard once told me, “much like machines, people too can malfunction.” Even at your worst of times, take a deep breath, give it some time, clear your mind and learn to accept what is happening. See where they are coming from.. give it a few to heal, then learn to forgive and move along. Part of the healing process is learning to accept people as they are. The good, bad and ugly. Working in television,fashion and publishing, both in NYC and LA, (starting as a model when I was 15); I’ve seen and heard it all! And my goodness, I’m grateful for all the bad people in my life, they remind me of exactly who I do not want to be. Learnt to forgive, let go and mend. Sometimes being the bigger person is the more graceful path to choose as well. Heck of a lot harder, but totally worth the prestige.

16- Travel Often: See the world, experience culture, open your heart and your mind to new things, people, places, foods, religions  and know that there is a BIG WIDE WORLD for you to travel, experience and taste! Eat well, travel often.

17- Shut-Up and Stop Whining: Just stay quiet.. nobody likes a whiner. And when you say less, people want to hear more.

18- Don’t try to Change People: For people are who they are. Love them just that way or learn to let them go. Relationships should never ever be hard. they should be simple and full love love, not pain.

19- Learn to exude Grace: Grace is a trait that cannot be acquired overnight. It’s something that can be learned overtime. Learn from some of the best, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Regan, Jackie Onassis Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Meryl Streep, Juila Child, Lisa Ling, Oprah Winfrey just to name a few on my short list. Admire their patience, their class and their grace. Exude grace.

20- Love Will Always Win: With a Japanese-Buddhist Mother and a Christian- American Father, I have so luckily been raised to believe that love conquers all. There are no boundaries in love, no rules to follow, no lines to work around. Quite simply love always wins. Love is easy, kind and worth the risk. Even if you end up with a broken heart it truly is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all. Love is as simple or as complex as you make it. Make love a good, healthy and vibrant part of your life and make love shine! You get what you give. Give love, receive love!

21- When you Eat, Appreciate your Food: Enough said. Appreciate what you do have. A plethora of good food here in the States. Quit wasting your food. Only consume and use what you need. Eat well, be well, live well and appreciate your food more.

22- Volunteer More: Over the past few years I’ve volunteered my free-time across the nation from NJ to HI, FL to CA, DC to SF with UNICEF USA, LTSC in LA, Food Banks galore, Feeding America, soup kitchens, with the ACGA, the White House Initiative for AAPI, the JACCC, church organizations, running marathons for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, to Farm to Table initiatives, small community organizations etc..I have received more heart, humility and respect from the wonderful individuals who have chosen to donate their time and efforts to a good cause. It’s not about dollar bills, how much money is in your bank account or what lights up that wrist. In the end its the hearts that you have touched, the minds you have mended, the individuals you have inspired, or the ones that have inspired you.. that will fill your life with more joy and love. You can’t buy that. Volunteer more. Start here: http://www.volunteermatch.org/

or here: http://www.serve.gov/index.asp

or here: https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/

No excuses. If you’re almost 30 and never volunteered a day of your time. I suggest making that change. It will shape and humble that character of yours like clay. And you may just enjoy and LOVE what you are doing.

23- Expect Nothing: If you constantly expect things from others? You WILL set yourself up for disappointment. DONE and DONE. I’ve expected others to give the same as myself, and I’m ALWAYS disappointed. And dammit Candice, you aren’t doing this to yourself anymore. Give and inspire and live with the expectation of nothing in return.

24- Have Good Manners: Hold the door for others, say please and thank you! Walk a friend to their door, give up your seat on the train, smile more! I once had a guy lazily stay in his bed after a date night + not walk me to the door or to my car… I was so disappointed, I said to his lazy-face..” You know, manners are free, I suggest that you acquire some.” Needless to say that didn’t last. But manners are free and they do go a LONG way. Thank someone for their time and efforts. Ask the cashier how their day is going, smile more! Yes, smiling is polite stuff. It’s the one thing Dale Carnegie, author of “How to Win Friends and Influence People” suggests we all do more of. Good manners go a LONG way.

25- Filter the Rotten People out of Your Life: Just like a cleansing with detoxifying foods, it’s just as important if not more-so, to get all of the shitty people out of your life. You know who they are. If they are doing you a disservice, get them out. Let go. It will bring more goodness into your life.

26- Just Let go: There is so much value and virtue in just simply letting go. This year I’m vowing to let go of some “friends”… I have too many good ones to waste on “pretend friends.” I’m letting go of all past relationships. Sure they were good when they were good, however they did not last, therefore they are not worth holding on to. Jealousy is a bitch and sure, I’m the first person that will tell you .. I used to think: “Why did she get the show? How did she get that man? How did he get that gig??” You know what and what good did that do for me? Not a damn thing. Letting go of jealousy this year.. I find that jealousy is like a sick poison.. and the more you associate yourself with it, the more it will taint you. Letting go of past work, letting go of some mistakes, letting go of my worst days, and my worst self. Let go and you will see and feel so much more good come to fruition.

27- Life is Simple, Do not Complicate it: You have it all in your control. If you want something to be complicated, you choose to make it that way. If you want life to be simple. Simplify. It is what it is. Life, is what you make of it. Make it fabulous.

28- You Get what you Give: Give love, receive love. Give crap and guess what? You may just receive that. If you give 150% you may just receive that. If you put it out there, it will come back in return. Give more, receive more. Simple.

29- Remind yourself, “Be Patient”: Patience is truly an open door to success. Nothing will ever come to pass overnight. And as a bull-headed, stubborn, selfish, close-minded taurus at times (I am by no means even close to perfect!!!) I found that nothing came to me. Doors would not open, opportunity would not reveal itself. It is not until I sat back, worked hard, mastered my crafts, knew my role .. that maybe, just maybe opportunity came knocking.. It’s in our best interest to stay calm and patient.

“He that can have patience can have what he will.” – Benjamin Franklin

30- Be a Better You! There’s no point in being a shitty version of you. You know who you are at your VERY BEST! Well rested, well rounded, eating well, exercising, working hard, staying cool, calm and collected. That’s you at your best! Be the person you want to be around. Choose to be the best you daily!

31- Try a Different POV: That’s “point of view” see it from their angle, perhaps they are having a bad day? Maybe they are going thru a very tough time personally at home or at the office? Remind yourself not to be selfish and see it from their perspective. Change the way you view things and be more accepting.

32- Surround Yourself with People You Admire: Do simply just that. Don’t hang with losers, idiots or people that do no good for you. Birds of a feather flock together. Surround yourself with people whom you admire. And they may just surround themselves with you too.

33- Cook More: Learn to cook, the way your Grandmother did. Bet you $50 bucks she’s not obese and she can kill it at any soup, stew, sauce baked cake etc… Grandma’s do it best. Invest in a cooking class, read a good cookbook! Go out and learn from your Grammie or Mom who cooks. Perhaps this means you may need to invest in some new cook wear.. reward thyself and cook more! Cook better!

“Character is what you can offer someone when they can give you nothing” –

Here’s to a new decade full of good. It’s time for change, dedication and a good-ass life cleansing. Priorities. Get some.

With so much love and good food porn, xx Candice

Begin by incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet. They play an essential role in both physical and mental health, but since your body cannot produce them, you can only receive these essential fatty acids through a healthy diet. Here are my favorite omega-3-rich foods and how they change your body for the better while keeping your brain in tip-top shape: Click for my full list.

Click here for my new page with Womens Health Magazine and more FWB’s for an Omega Sexy body! xxx ck

Serves 8 , Flat breads cut in ½
4 flatbreads, like Lavash, Pita, Naan
1 Med Sweet Onion thinly sliced
2 pears, thinly sliced
Top with:
½ -3/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts, raw preferred
½- ¾ C Gorganzola Cheese, crumbled to top breads
1 bunch Fresh Basil, chiffonade

Thinly slice the pears, remove the core out. Place in a saute pan on medium heat with a small amount of ex virg olive oil, add thinly sliced onions. Cook slow, stirring until they start to turn golden brown & the natural sugars are released. Remember low and slow

* Grill the flatbreads in grill pans, crisp up the bottom with nice grill marks. Remove flatbreads from pan. Brush with a little Ex Virg Olive Oil and sprinkle a bit of sea salt.Top with caramelized pears & onions. Add the gorgonzola, walnuts and basil. Cut into halves or quarters and serve warm☺ Makes a great compliment to a luscious green salad, and a perfect app for socializing at parties, one hand free for drinks another open for munchies! Deelish job sweetheart… you’re on your way.

Go nutzo for berries and instead of paying-out thousands a year on beauty regimes and junk-o-la products that just make your medicine cabby look like a Duane Reade, maybe you should be working on a new beautiful you, from the inside out!

Blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, currants, strawberries, raspberries! And no, I’m not talking about Captain Crunch Berries either. Berries are a spark of delight from childhood: handfuls, bowls with yogurt and a sprinkle of granola, sounds delightful! The most fantastic part about consuming these little bits of heaven? They contain plenty of vitamin C, E and antioxidants and can also help in keeping your skin smooth and sexy by helping your body with the natural manufacturing of collagen! Wow. So you can kill two birds with one stone; by snacking on some delicious berries, you’re getting all the proper nutrition your body needs, while making your skin glow and stay “youthful” in appearance all at the same time.

These “sexy berries” I talk about are also loaded with mega important antioxidants. Antioxidants are truly essential to a healthy and balanced diet because they protect your precious body cells from the damaging effects of oxidation. Antioxidants are disease-fighting compounds, that scientists find can help prevent the stress of oxidation,. This natural process occurs during normal cell function. But by eating more antioxidant rich foods you can help prevent this oxidation process which can aid in a much healthier you and possibly anti-aging. Now that my friends is a SUPER “sexy food”, for a sexy new you in 2011! xxxo ♥ck

Makes 8 mini burgers

Not only are these sliders to die for (TDF baby!), they might just possibly be the recipe of the century! Every time I teach friends the recipe they go nutzo because no one believes that something that tastes so good can actually be low in fat. But hey, that’s the point, right? It’s not diet food (boo on diet food!) it’s to-die-for made healthy.

Food with Benefit?: Lean Ground Beef/Turkey: A complete protein that help build muscle so you can burn more calories

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup (about 3 ounces) cremini mushrooms, stemmed and finely chopped

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely minced

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 pound 96% lean ground beef or extra lean ground turkey

8 King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls or small, soft dinner rolls

2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

Honey-Mustard (page 00) or Skinny ‘Cue Sauce (page 00) for serving

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, onions, and garlic and cook, stirring often, until the onions are soft and golden brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in the oregano, parsley, and sea salt, turn off the heat and transfer to a medium bowl to cool.

Place the ground beef in a large bowl, add the cooled mushroom mixture, and gently fold the two together. Divide the ground beef mixture into 8 equal balls and then gently form each into semi-compact 2 1/2- to 3-inch thick patties. Split the rolls in half and brush the cut side with some of the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Set aside.

Heat a nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the burgers and grill on each side until browned, about 2 minutes per side for medium. Transfer to a plate while you grill the rolls, cut-sides down, until golden and etched with grill marks from the pan, about 1 minute. Place each patty on a bun bottom and top with a slice of tomato. Spread some honey mustard on the other bun half and top of the slider.

CARBS:

Oatmeal – Complex carb that is easy on a post-race stomach. Throw in some nuts and a little honey or maple syrup for extra nourishment.

Bananas – This breakfast staple is full of potassium, which is lost during intense sweat sessions. Know your ‘nanners!

Cherries – Studies have shown cherries are a natural painkiller. Seek out fresh cherries or 100% cherry juice (diluted with fizzy water for extra hydration!)

PROTEIN:

Eggs – Amino acids + protein is essential for muscle repair and recovery. Get crackin’, yo.

Salmon- The omega-3s help balance inflammation; protein feeds the muscles. Pair with something green and a sweet potato for the ultimate recovery meal.

Almonds – Portable and full of good-for-you fats and protein. Toss in a stir fry or salad with veggies and lean protein like tofu or chicken.

HYDRATE!! One of the most important things to do!:

Cucumber Melon Spa Water, for a hydrating at home spa treat!

In a 2 quart pitcher, combine the ingredients as follows:

12 thin slices cucumber ** unwaxed cucumber—organic is perfect

5 -1” cubes of honeydew melon, skin removed

1 bunch mint, torn off, and tossed into the water

6 cups chilled still spring or mineral water for a fizzy treat!

** Add in fresh basil, or even lavender, orange slices or even some simple syrup for an even sweeter treat!
1-  Place  the cucumber, the peeled honeydew melon, and a handful of fresh mint

2-  Fill pitcher with water. Cover and chill for a few hrs before guests arrive or serving.

3- You have the option to strain the mixture and discard solids, or do, what I do, use the infused spa water as a visual treat, and have a strainer on the spout/lid.  Pour water into gorgeous, tall, clear glasses, with big ice cubes for a real refreshing treat, add more mint and even a few thin slices of cucumber on the brim of the glass for garnish. Fancy!

** Super Low in calories. Great for hydration. You can really WOW your guests this Fall with a real refreshing and easy treat! Save that melon and cucumber for a little bite at the end too! Keep racing hard, kicking ass and work-it-out! xx

Perhaps I shouldn’t even use that awful word “dating” anymore. Ugghh…the thought of it makes me just cringe! A formal dinner with someone that you are quite fond of…what’s that? A man that can cook a proper dinner paired with a fine glass of Tempranillo? Wait…whaa? Yeah, that clearly hasn’t happened to anyone I’ve heard from recently but it IS possible. Candles, linens, grown-up plates, and fresh flowers in a vase take five minutes and they make every girl melt (or drool).

What I am suggesting is that every guy and gal should know how to make one hot date night meal. Nothing will score you points with a significant other more than a decent home cooked meal.

I will share the wealth and my good luck in dating with all of you. Here’s my major score “Sexy Truffled + Herb Gnocchi” recipe.

I’d love for you to be the one to score a TD babe…maybe this will drag his attention away from the guys on television trying to score one! Go for it dude. You rock xx

Sexy Truffle and Herb Gnocchi

Serves 2 (generously)

These are little pillows of herbed heaven in a bowl…they are TDF. This simple, yet unique creation is a delight for anyone to share over a glass of vino or have all to themselves on a lonely date night in.

Ingredients:

2 large Russet potatoes

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for shaping

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs (use whatever you have in the fridge; I like basil and oregano the best)

1 tablespoon sea salt

2 Tablespoons High Quality Truffle Oil (make sure it’s a high shelf top quality brand)

Heat the oven to 400°F. Use a fork to pierce the potatoes a few times and then wrap each one tightly in a sheet of aluminum foil. Bake the potatoes until a paring knife slips easily into the center, about 1 hour. Set the potatoes aside to cool and once they’re cool enough to handle, peel off their skins and place them in a medium bowl. Use a fork to mash lightly so you have a rough mixture (if you prefer a smoother texture, you can use a potato ricer).

Using a rubber spatula, mix in the egg and then sift in 3/4 cup of the flour. Add the herbs and 1 tablespoon of salt and fold together. Sift in the remaining 3/4 cup of flour and gently fold in until it is just combined. Take extra care not to over-mix so the potatoes don’t get gluey.

Liberally flour your work surface and place the dough ball on it. Divide the ball into 6 equal pieces. Flour your hands and roll each piece into a 3/4-inch-wide rope. Using a pizza cutter or butter knife, slice the rope crosswise into 3/4-inch-wide segments. Transfer the gnocchi to a floured rimmed baking sheet and repeat the rolling and slicing of the remaining dough.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and about 20 gnocchi. Boil until the gnocchi float up to the surface, and then cook about 2 more minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender, 3 to 4 minutes total. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the gnocchi to a large serving bowl. Drizzle with some high-quality truffle oil and sprinkle with fresh-grated parmesan cheese. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi, finishing each layer with more oil and salt. Serve hot. Some like it hot, snazzy one…you’re just oh-so fancy pants!

Not to mention if you’re solo, sometimes the best thing in the world is to come home, cozy up in comf-pants and wool socks and cook up a satisfying, heartwarming meal that you can make exactly the way you want! -Without some whiny, douchey, boyfriend in the way. So kick off your wet booties sister, pull that hair back and get cookin’ with these deelish recipes that are as good for your hot body as they are for your soul.

Herb Roasted Chicken with Roasted Root Veggies

Every good cook should know how to make a basic whole roasted chicken! Simple, easy and so incredibly tasty!

One pan Serves 4-5

Pre Heat the oven to 475 Degrees F

About  1- 1 ½ Hrs

Roasted Chicken:

* 1 whole chicken — (3 1/2 to 4-pound)

* 4 Garlic cloves, minced

* 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves — chopped

* 2 tablespoon dried sage – leaves–; chopped

* 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary — chopped

Season Well with sea salt .. Salt is KEY for roasting!!

* 2 T Olive Oil

* 1 lemon sliced

Directions

1. )Always wash your chicken first and pat dry with a clean paper towel..Use the Salt to season the inside cavity and the outside with S and P.

2.) Mix the minced garlic in a mixing bowl with the thyme, sage, rosemary and olive oil. Use this herbed oil blend to rub into the cavity of the chicken as well as all over the outside…

** The natural cooking process will infuse the meat of the chicken thru the cavity… cooking from the inside out!!!

3.) Put the  rosemary stems into the cavity of the chicken, and squeeze each lemon slice inside of the cavity, place the whole slices inside, and leave to roast.

4.) Place the chicken in a roasting pan and place into the oven.

5.) . Roast for about 1  to 1 ½ hours, or until the chicken is golden brown, and the juices run clear. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before carving, its got to cool & ** Let the Juices settle again!!

** Ways to tell if it done: Juice is clear, firm to the touch, Wiggle the chicken legs, or check for an internal temp of 170 degrees F… Let her cool off for at least 10 minutes, to let those juices settle, watch-out she’s hot!

And of course you can always call the girls over to indulge in the fun of a Heartwarming recipe. There’s nothing like a long day that ends in a hot meal, comfy pants, a couch and a bestie group of girlfriends! xxxo ck.