New Site

Things are getting switched around, but head on over to

http://thediva-dish.com to check out what’s happening 🙂

Makeover

Hello Friends!

Right now The Diva Dish is getting pampered and getting a little makeover..

So for the time being things might look weird or be a little off.

So bare with us as we try and work out the kinks, and fix this bad girl up!!

Until next time when things are all pretty… 🙂

From Drab to Diva Dresser

Let’s talk about style.

There is different looks, different themes, different era’s, different patterns, different fittings, different everything..

Yet, certain people can take those different things and combine them together to create something beautiful.

That.Is.Not.Me.

I wear sweats 99.6% of my day..the other 4% is when I am in the shower.

My house looks like a preschool/messy restaurant kitchen/a messy cluttered teenage girl bedroom.

I’m really talking myself up here huh? My husband must be super lucky? What’s that? You want to be my friend?

All joking aside, everything is true 🙂

But that’s the life of a mom right?

Wrong!

You see there are SUPER cute stylish Mom’s out there, who can pull themselves together, and manage to leave their amazingly decorated house looking adorable. Why can’t I? I guess I am still in that phase..what’s it called..Lazyness??

But I am gradually moving forward, and doing what I have to do to make my house, and myself presentable. I have gotten a lot of inspiration from blogs, (go figure lol), giving me that extra Ummph I need to get off my tushy and put effort into things.

For example, Recently I have really focused on my house. For some reason, I just FEEL better when it LOOKS better..although I cannot argue with the preschool look..

So this past weekend when Baby Boo was away, I finished a project that I had been meaning to do for a while but never had the time.

I turned this dresser that I got at a thrift store…

Into this:

For all I know this could be the fugliest dresser anyone has ever laid eyes on..

Work in progress folks.

Want to know how I did it?

It was actually super easy..So for those for those of you with crappy furniture lying around, don’t be afraid to get creative. If I can do something like this…A caveman could do it 🙂

Dresser Re-Do: Drab to Diva

Start with a fugly dresser:

Remove all hard wear, and wipe down any dusty/dirty surfaces.

Then sand your dresser.

This may sound difficult, but I didn’t go crazy with this step. I just sanded it down a little to give the paint something to stick too..

Next prime your furniture.

I use the brand KILZ primer Spray. It’s fast and effective.

Once again I just primed the furniture lightly, (see below). Just so the paint would have something to stick to, since the look I was going for was a brownish white.

Next, paint your furniture.

I only did one coat of regular white paint. I didn’t want it to be solid white, because of the look I was going for.

I love how I keep saying, “the look I was going for,” like I know what I am talking about..

Next step, glaze your furniture.

For this I used a Faux Glaze from BEHR, and a sample of brown paint.

I basically poured a little bit of glaze(which is white-ish in color) in a bowl, then added a little brown paint to it, until I got the color brown I wanted.

Then with that mixture I painted on my newly white dresser…

EEEEEEEKK don’t worry!!

Then take a damp towel, and wipe away the brown,

And leave a little bit behind so it’s looks old.

The brown paint will also stick to the cracks, holes, and indents in the furniture making it look old and rustic…slightly dirty?

After you have finished glazing and everything is dry, put back all the hard wear on and assemble the dresser back together.

I was going to spray the handles, but I thought they went well with the rest of the dresser..

I was ALSO going to re-do the inside of the drawers, but the original lining seemed to go along too..

That, and I was too lazy..

Seems to be a re-occuring problem.

Here is the final project:

Pretty cool?

For now the plan is for this to be in Baby Boo’s room. I just have to paint and redecorate in there, and then I, meaning Hubby, will bring it up.

SO at this rate, her room will be done by the time she is 45..

I seriously need to stop exaggerating.

Let’s be real, maybe 14 years old?

Just a rough estimate though.

You may also remember THIS drawer from a previous post back:

I did the same thing that I did with the dresser, only using green spray paint, and I tinted the glaze black.

Oh, and I know your thinking that my smart lil brain came up with this all by my self..well, sadly no.

A MUCH MORE talented lady gave me inspiration.

Brooke from All Things Thrifty does AMAZING projects, and I am always OOing and AHHing over them. You should check her out FOR SURE 🙂

As for now, I am going to sit and watch Bachelorette, even though I have yet to unload the dish washer from yesterday.

Maybe because I am avoided the 67 dishes in the sink that need to go in it, or maybe because I am lazy.

I don’t know..

I’m just a Diva.

Baby Daddy

The title of my post sounds so unclassy.

But I must go along with it, because today is the day of Baby Daddy’s..

Ok, I’ll stop…

Today, is Father’s Day.

I have many fathers in my life. All whom are extremely important.

My Daddy

Spoiles me rotten, loves unconditionally, there when you need him, loving example of strength, teacher of right and wrong, hard worker, friend, amazing grandpa..and protector.

My dad was and still is looking out for me.

Let’s just say when boys would come over to hang out, they would jump the backyard wall, and come through the back door just so they didn’t have to meet my dad at the front..

But I love him, and some how Hubby managed to win his heart over too 🙂

It wasn’t hard, because Hubby is amazing.

My Hubby/Baby Boo’s Da Da

Hands down, hardest worker and smartest man I know.

With all that my Hubby is involved in, he still finds time to be the BEST dad that he can be. He is loving, caring, playful, and kind with Baby Boo.

And it’s easy to say that she has him wrapped around her tiny little finger.

And between the two of them, I feel like I’m the only normal one sometimes..

But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Seeing those two together are part of the reason why I get up each and every morning. They bring constant smiles to my face and joy in my heart..

I truly am lucky..and so in Baby Boo..

To have this STUD in our life 🙂

(p.s. I promised him I wouldn’t post this picture..I lied. Love u hubbers!)

And then there is my NEW Dad.

My Father in Law

(pictured with Baby Boo, Mother in Law, and my two sister in laws)

My Father in Law has only been in my life for a little bit, but he has always made me feel apart of the family.

He laughs at my sarcasm, and jokes about my vegan food 🙂

I am grateful to have someone so kind, loving and understand of my crazy-ness, and for loving me like one of his own.

On top of these men, I have grandpas, and uncles, and cousins, and brothers..All whom are fathers, or who have been father figures to me in my life. I love you all dearly and am grateful for the impact you have had on me 🙂

Happy Fathers Day!!

LALF: When Baby Boo’s away, Mama will Sleep.

Your not going to believe me.

But I haven’t had this little one with me since Wednesday night…

My mom and dad have her and are beyond excited to spoil her with toys and love.

You could call it a birthday present, or you could say that Mama, after one to many sleepless nights from a teether, has now become a walking zombie..

Since I have had no Baby Boo, at first I just kinda sat there and cried..haha I just am so used to having her around, I didn’t know what to do with myself.

Then, after my full first night of sleep, I realized that I really needed this time to sleep, having me time, and sleep.

Oh and spend time with this lover boy 🙂

Don’t mind our sweaty-ness.

We had just gotten back from a 2 mile run UP.A.HILL.

Whenever I exercise with my hubby, he always pushes me past my comfort level.

Like to the point of throwing up.

This..Makes me Love him/ Hate him.

More so love him because for my birthday, Hubby and Baby Boo woke me up to a Green Smoothie.

I was shocked because it was the most delicious Green Smoothie I have ever had. APPARENTLY it had milk, rainbow chard, spinach, strawberries, peaches, and banana..

I still don’t believe him.

🙂

I think there was a little love in there too.

Then we met my parents at an Indian Food restaurant.

Everyone was kind of skeptical, but It was MY day, and they were gonna eat what I wanted. 🙂

I enjoyed an assortment of goodness,

Along with one to many bites of delicious Naan Bread,

Hubby was a little bit nervous, but he fell in love instantly.

Then we said our goodbyes to Baby Boo and my family.

I may or may not have shed a tear..

But I know Baby Boo is in good hands.

Now I am sitting here at 9 in the morning, just woke up, snuggled in a blankey, and sipping my Green Smoothie..

And I may or may not have eaten chocolate this morning too..

Because it’s LIVE A LITTLE FRIDAY..

Maybe I’ll go get a pedicure, or take a bath, or read some magazines, or bake…

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend Bloggy Friends!! Don’t forget to indulge today 🙂

My Way Taco Salad

Tomorrow is my birthday…

I think.

You see, at this moment I’m lost and confused as to the day, time, my name, when the last time I washed my hair, If I ate breakfast this morning, and what load of laundry I am on..I think it’s number 6.

To say my life is organized and completely under control is like saying I’m 6 ft. tall with blond hair, voluptuous lady lumps, and a great sense of style..

And if you didn’t get that last part, I’m 5’3″ with brown hair, no lady lumps but one huge hump, and I’ve seriously considered hiring a personal stylist.

And then today…

I’ve locked myself in the garage 2 times, and almost a 3rd.

. The first time was a close one, and Baby Boo was sleeping. Luckily for me I caught myself before I did. The second time I officially locked Baby Boo and I in the garage for a good hour until hubby got home, so we entertained out selves with the water hose…

And the third time, hubby was home and I again managed to lock myself in, so I banged on the door so loud that China could hear me..Except my hubby. Sports center was on..And men can only focus on one thing at a time..At least that’s what my mom always taught me.

Then to top it off I stepped in gum earlier in the day, and judging by it’s size, it was chewed by Godzilla.

And without noticing, I got in my car, starting driving, only to find my foot sticking to the peddles…Due to the Gum.

Everywhere..

And I won’t lie, I’m a little worried to scrape it off in fear of catching rabies or something like that..

(Have I ever mentioned how dramatic I can be?)

And now that I am sitting here, really praying for a hot warm bath, I can’t help but look forward to tomorrow. Because birthday’s are special..

Birthday’s mean spoiling..

And birthday’s mean..

Taking Baths.

Oh..

And eating everything that I want..All MY way 🙂

What I Ate Wednesday, BIRTHDAY addition..

MY WAY Taco Salad

Serves two

Ingredients:

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Avocado

Goat Cheese

Roasted Pepita Seeds

Roasted Corn (Recipe Below)

Lentil “Taco Meat” (Recipe Below)

Cinnamony-Cumin Salad Dressing (Recipe Below)

Directions:

(Roasted Corn)

1. Take an ear of corn and lightly coat with butter, 2 tsp. chopped garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

2. Wrap corn in tin foil and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 min. Then undo the foil, and put back in the oven for another 15 minutes. When done, take a knife and cut down the sides of the corn to get the little corn off. Set aside.

(Lentil “Taco Meat”)

1. Take 1 TB. Chopped Garlic, 1/2 C. Diced onion, and 2 TB. EVOO. Heat oil in pan, then add garlic and onion. Cook and stir for about 5 -7 minutes, or until a little golden. Lower heat to medium-low, then add 1 1/2 C. cooked lentils into pan with 1.5 TB. Taco Seasoning.

I made homemade seasoning, recipe from HERE.

2. Cook for an additional 5 or so minutes, add a sprinkle of salt and pepper, remove from heat, and set aside.

(Cinnamony-Cumin Salad Dressing)

recipe from: Eat Drink and Be Vegan

1/4 C. EVOO

2 TB apple cider vinegar

2 TB Lemon Juice

1 tsp. Dijon Mustard

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Blend all ingredients into a blender.

Salad Assembly

1. Start with the lettuce, avocado, corn, tomato, goat cheese, pumpkin seeds and Lentil Meat.

2. Drizzle with dressing.

This Taco Salad was made MY way, but obviously you could do it YOUR way. Add what ever toppings you desire, such as sour cream, cilantro, chips, Peanut Butter (i dunno)..etc

I also paired this salad with Butternut squash seasoned with cinnamon and cilantro.

Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to eating my weight in watermelon.

Oh..

and a slice of Chocolate Cake at every meal.

That is unless…

I get stuck in the garage again..

Oh if we lived in a world of Greens and Pinks…

I love pink.

I love pink paint, pink toenails, pink ruffle bottoms for babies, pink clothes, pink makeup, pink household items, pink decorations, pink parties, pink glittler..

And pink food.

I am starting to notice a trend..

Pink Macaroons

Pink-ish Chai Chia Pudding

Ok, so it’s more purple..but whatev.

Pink Beet Hummus on Lunch Wraps

Pink Ingredients in Smoothies, Like this Chocolate Covered Berry Green Drink,

or this Cherry Chocolate Milk Shake.

Then there is Pink Wedding Cupcakes

 Pink Parfaits

And Pink Baby Boo’s

My husband calls me crazy, especially when I asked him If I could spray paint this beat up side table that we found at a garage sale for 3 dollars…

Pink.

He drew the line.

So I finally decided on a color  that we both agreed on..

It went from ugly beat up brown to this…

And then to this,

Lovely Lively Green.

It’s so vibrant, so fresh, so..ME??

Could Green Be the New Pink??

Green Muffins

Green Chai Milkshake

Fresh Squeezed Green Juice

Green Soup

Green Pancakes

Green Veggie Sammy

Green S’mores

Green Kale Chips

Are you overloaded??

And then..

For breakfast this morning I had A Green Fruit Bowl…

Disgusting looking yes?

Delicious tasting..

Of coarse..

Green Covered Fruit Bowl

Slightly Adapted from : The Kind Diet

Ingredients: (Fruit)

2 C. Mixture of Seasonal Fruit of Choice (I used strawberries, peaches, mangos, and blackberries

1/4 cup cereal (Recipe called for Kamut, but I didn’t have it, so I used a blueberry crunch cereal that we had)

2 TB. Coconut

Ingredients for the Green Dressing:

1 tsp. Spirulina

1 1/2 TB Non Dairy Milk

2 tsp. Peanut Butter

1 TB Orange Juice (I didn’t have so I used Mango Juice)

1-2 TB Pure Maple Syrup

Directions:

1. Add fruit and cereal in a bowl and set aside.

2. Mix dressing ingredients together until smooth/creamy. It shouldn’t be super thick or super liquidy.

3. Pour dressing over fruit, cereal and coconut and stir until everything is coated.

4. Enjoy The Green!

This has got to be my favorite thing besides Green Drinks…

Seriously?

Am I feeling okay??

Could GREEN be the new PINK??

Don’t Cry Baby Boo, Mama was just making a joke…

I think?

Chocolate Raspberry and Lemon Blackberry Macaroons

What happens when you live a little?

You don’t worry so much about picking up the toys on the floor 57 times a day. Instead you relax, sit on your hiney and play.

And while your sitting on your hiney, playing with toys you notice something in the nooks and craneys of the floor all covered with hair and dust…

Your toothbrush, which ironically has been missing for two days..

Living a little also means skipping on teeth brushing..If you didn’t know.

And then there is your kids.

We hussle and bussle them, making sure they know their ABC’s and 123’s, are coloring in the lines, and prompting them to keep  their food in their mouth and not on their shirt or the floor..

But do we let them live a little?

Hopefully so.

If that means letting them eat edible play dough even though you will most likely have to dig out a big chunk stuck to the roof of their mouth…

At least they can say they have done it.

Then at that time you will realize you can let them feel grown up and feed themselves, rather than spoon feed…even though without teeth there still isn’t much finger foods safe enough to eat…

And surprisingly you will learn things, while living a little.

Like the fact that your daughter loves tofu, and so do you. It’s soft, safe, and edible to eat which in turn makes you one happy Mama.

Now, while your Baby munches Tofu, you suddenly crave sweets.

You really want to bake, but you keep thinking about this hot summer weather, and the fact that you are going to have to get into a bathing suit sooner or later.

It can not be avoided no matter how hard you try.

But you keep thinking about sweets, and you don’t care what anyone says, nibbling on carrots just ain’t gonna cut it.

And then you realize.

Life is about living.

And you know that if you deprive and restrict your self 100% of the time, your setting yourself up for failure.

The more you tell your self NO, the more your going to feel YES.

And eventually you break in…give up…and fail.

So you say to yourself..

Today, I am going to live a little..

Today I am going to Bake and Eat…

Blackberry and Lemon Macaroons

Recipe By: Raxy

Changes to the original recipe: Subbed coconut extract for Lemon essential oils.

And you won’t stop there because you can’t have a day of ‘Living a Little’ without some chocolate!

Almond Chocolate Raspberry Macaroons

Adapted from Blackberry Lemon Macaroons 

2 C. Unsweetened finely shredded coconut

1/2 C. Almond Flour

1 TB + 1 tsp. Cocoa Powder

1/4 C. Coconut Oil

1/2 C. Maple Syrup

1/3-1/2 C. Mashed Raspberries

1 TB Coconut Milk(or other Non dairy milk)

1 tsp. Almond extract

dash of salt

Directions:

1. Blend all together and form into balls. Dehydrate 4 hours @ 105. OR set oven to lowest temp setting and watch carefully while macaroons bake.

And then your day is complete… 🙂

Well…Your day is, but it seems someone else still has some party left in her…

Go to town Baby Boo..

Because today is:

LIVE A LITTLE FRIDAY 🙂

Don’t forget to indulge today!

*This will be a post among many having to do with ‘Live a Little Friday‘ or LALF! It’s about not stressing over the calories, or the veggies, or the diets, but giving your self a little something to enjoy in life. Everybody needs to taste chocolate…and enjoy it!*

What I (wish) I ate Wednesday!!

Today was and is still, a busy day.

We woke up.

(Butt crack of dawn.)

Ate breakfast, did a 4 mile run/walk, went to Mommy & Me, play date..

Then sweet sweeeett Ni Ni Nappy Time 🙂

When days are busy I really don’t have time to make delicious full on meals.

Things have to be fast.

Quick.

Easy.

And seeing as I’m low on groceries, nick nacks and snacks are being shoved down my throat.

I wish I was sipping one of these,

Coconut Vanilla Chai Milkshake..

And for lunch, I wish I was inhaling this,

Butternut Pizza Crust with Veggie Toppings.

And maybe for a delicious snack, I wish I could dip my spoon into this:

Pumpkin Chai Chia Pudding with Cinnamon Raspberry “Ice Cream”

And Maybe for dinner…

Layered Cous Cous Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole…

And then for the best part, dessert:

Hubby’s PB & Chocolate Ganache Birthday Cake

Yummmm

But, it’s just not going to happen…

And today is WEDNESDAY..

The day of the ” What I Ate Wednesday” Party!!

And I have been Promising My Bloggy BFF Jenn from Peas And Crayons that I was going to come Partay with everyone else..

But My life is far from stellar, and I can’t even remember what day it is. SOO thanks to some helpful reminders from Nicole from Cookies and Carrots and Jenn From Peas and Crayons I am FINALLY going to participate!! 🙂

But Instead of bringing my far from stellar eats to the partay, I decided I would share,

What I WISH I ate Wednesday 🙂

And all the delicious eats that I have seen EVERYONE else enjoying on this Fantabulous Wednesday!

Breakfast

PUMPED FOR PUMPKIN’S DELICIOUS PARFAIT

SWEETNESS OF LIFE’S CARROT CAKE BAKE

Lunch & Dinner

MAMA PEA’S CHICKPEAS AND DUMPLINGS

HOW SWEET IT IS’ GRILLED BLUEBERRY BBQ SALMON

Dessert

RAWXY’S BLACKBERRY AND LEMON MACAROONS

HEALTHY EXPOSURES’ CAROB PB BROWNIES

CHOCOLATE COVERED KATIE’S PB STUFFED BROWNIES

I thought I would throw some brownie desserts in since the ones I made yesterday were no bueno 🙂

Have a great evening loveys!

Pumkpin Chai Chia Pudding with Cinnamon Raspberry “Ice Cream”

Glass is half empty..Not half full..

When it rains..It freaking pours.

Not just raining on my parade, but snowing, windy, tornado-ing on my freaking parade.

And..

Blah Blah Blah ain’t gonna happen unless a Fat Lady is singing her great big heart out..

I’m a drama queen.

Laugh all you want, but if there is a scratch on my shin you bet your little hiney I’m wining to my Mama telling her how I will never ever ever be able to wear shorts again, and most likely should never leave the house until that scratch is gone.

Is that a true story?

I dunno, I’m kind of an exaggerator too.

So you see, yesterday I set out to bake brownies. ME of all people should be able to bake brownies.

But then, I got a little crazy and started throwing in random ingredients that most brownies don’t have,(but, I think should) and the end result came out okay…

BUT Hot Dang All Mighty they sure didn’t taste like a brownie.

So of coarse I cried, not over spilled milk, but cruddy brownies, and swore to everyone who could hear me that I would never ever ever cook again…

Unless a fat lady was singing.

And as I dramatized the whole scenario for my Hubby when he got home, he in no way humored my dramatic rant and instead told me ,”Honey, why don’t you try and look at the positive things in life..instead of all the negatives.”

Slap.In.The.Face.

Why are husbands always right??

(SHH DO NOT tell him I said that.)

How can I sit here and complain about poopy brownies, when I am so incredibly blessed to have the things that I have?

Slap again.

SO I quickly gathered what pride was left of me, and told my Hubby in return for is words of genius-ness I was going to make him the best afternoon snack he had ever had.

Fat lady singing or not…

Chai Chia Pudding with Cinnamon Raspberry “Ice Cream”

*For the Pudding*

1/2 C. Pumpkin Puree

1/2 C. Non Dairy Milk

2 TB Chia Seeds

1 scoop Vanilla Chai(or reg. Vanilla) Protein Powder

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 tsp. Nutmeg

1/4 tsp. Ginger

1/4 tsp. Allspice

*For the “Ice Cream”*

1 Frozen Banana

1/3 C. Frozen Raspberries

1 C. Spinach

2 TB. Non Dairy Milk

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients for the pudding in a bowl until combined then set in fridge.

2. Blend “Ice Cream” ingredients into food processor until creamy. Remove Pudding from fridge, and get a tall glass/bowl.

3. Layer Pudding and Ice Cream until all are gone. Sprinkle with coconut if desired.

I prayed that this would make up for my little “episode” earlier..

And Luckily For me…

It did.