I know it’s August, and I’m supposed to be posting all about summer produce and salads and using up the last of what summer has to give us. But here in Minnesota, we’re experiencing a bit of a cool down that has me convinced fall weather is just around the corner, which means we’ve got football and sweaters and comfort food to look forward to, along with about 10,000 different ways to eat pumpkin. Believe me, I’m excited. Today, in … Read More
Food Should Taste Good {Review and Giveaway!}
Today I’m hosting one amazing giveaway on E&C that includes a $100 Visa Gift card and a bunch of other amazing goodies! Keep reading to find out how to enter below! With football season right around the corner (!) I’m gearing up football entertaining season. Joe and I are both huge football fans, and I feel as if our house is always open to people who want to watch the games. Of course there’s no way I would have people … Read More
Summer Bounty Pasta Bake with Fresh Homemade Tomato-Basil Sauce
As I’ve grown in my faith over the years, I’ve learned more and more that what we get in this life (both good and bad) is so rarely directly related to how many good works we do or how many times we stumble and make mistakes along the way. Of course that’s not to say that when we make mistakes there aren’t consequences, but I think that subconsciously I’ve lived with the mentality that if I do enough good in … Read More
Summer Beauty Faves
It’s been a while since I’ve done a beauty product round-up. Since I’ve discovered a few new favorite products in the last couple of months, I thought I would share a few of my favorite products that are keeping me feeling fresh-faced (and good smelling) this summer. 1. Bare Minerals BareSkin liquid foundation I am in love with this foundation. I’m not typically one to wear foundation because it feels too heavy for my skin, but I love the … Read More
Perfect Vanilla Scones
My sister-in-law, Ali, is one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever met. She married into the Hofmeyer family two years ago when she married Joe’s brother, Jason, and I think I can speak for the whole family when I say that Jason found a fantastic wife in Ali. Some of you may also remember that when we were pregnant with baby #2 Ali and I were supposed to be due only 6 days apart from one another. We … Read More
Healthy Snacking: The First Trimester
The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Detour Bar. Thank you for clicking through and supporting companies that support E&C. Now that I’m exiting the first trimester, I figured it was high time I do a post on what I’ve been eating. A lot of women told me how important it is to snack and eat smaller, frequent meals to ward of nausea, and they knew what they were talking about! At one point I even said … Read More
Choosing Not to Fear (11 Week Update!)
*First note of business: I’m terribly sorry for the lack of recipe posts lately. Just when I thought I was starting to feel better, I got hit with another round of morning sickness that has prevented me from making almost anything worth blogging about in the kitchen. I’ve been on a steady diet of sandwiches, smoothies and cereal, but I’m looking forward to *hopefully* feeling better soon so I can start cooking with more regularity! We are, with this little … Read More
Stitch Fix August Review
I can’t tell you how pleased I’ve been with Stitch Fix over the past few months. The last 3 to 4 fixes that I’ve received have been so much better than I could have expected, and I’m really glad I stuck with the service and looked past the couple of fixes that were less than impressive. I think one of the biggest changes has been the fact that I requested a new stylist and have really loved my new stylist. … Read More
E&C Travels: Boston and Maine
BOSTON Stay: Hotel Veritas, Harvard Square Since we had a car on this trip, we decided to stay in Cambridge at The Hotel Veritas. It was a beautiful hotel, the staff was personable and the rooms were pristine. It was slightly pricier than hotels we normally stayed at, but I think it was worth the splurge for a great location and luxury accommodations. Do: Sam Adams Brewery Tour This was at the top of Joe’s list, and although I couldn’t … Read More
Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Cream Sauce
I mentioned last week, but my post-vacation self was in serious need of a little detox after our trip. For me, detox is never about juice cleanses or major restrictions, just focusing on putting as many nutrients into my body as possible in the form of veggies, whole grains and lots and lots of water. Of course, being pregnant has made the whole “eating nutritious foods” fairly difficult, but I’m trying my best. This pregnancy has been rather strange; some … Read More