Recipe: Stuffed Acorn Squash

So I of course found this on Facebook, as I see many recipes.  There or Pinterest.  The devils.

I wanted to make something more fall like, and something that was healthy.  Trust me, more fall recipes are to come.  Patience.

The recipe is here, and my photo of the final product is below.  I had so much of the stuffing I baked it in a casserole dish on the side of the acorn squash.  I loved this so much, that I am definitely making it for the in laws when I have them over next.

Falling for Chicago!

Well for one, I am just like 90% of the other girls in the world that just love fall.  I love the colors, and smell..everything.

Sights: Every City Park.  Omg.  I just drive down Devon Ave between Milwaukee and Caldwell and feel like I am in the country.  The Forest Preserve provides some amazing color!

Smells: Leaves burning.  Illegally, but burning.  Pumpkin everything, or just whatever I am making in my kitchen.  Usually involving apples.  Lots and Lots of apples.  I get more motivated to bake in the fall.  I bake 1 time a week, at least, and have DH bring in stuff to work.  We keep one of each for us.  The rest goes to the guys and gals!

Eats: Trying out new recipes/restaurants.  I have made stuffed acorn squash, chili, and about to make some great barley soup.  It is an excuse to cook more of the "comfort foods".  I try to slim em down with some skinny taste recipes.  I also grab 1 good coffee a week.  Just 1.  I can't afford that Starbucks PSL habit.  But I can have 1 carmel apple spice, PSL, or Toasted Graham Cracker latte. Yesss.
Some of the new restaurants are Smoque, Smak Tak, and XOCO.  BBQ, Polish, and of course, Rick Bayless' own restaurant.

Churros and Chocolate at XOCO

Things to do: Apple Picking!  We just did this, and I thought my husband was going to hate it.  He loved it.  Maybe because we went to a nearby brewery afterwards?  Eh, either way, it was fun!
Pumpkin patch/hayride (usually with apple picking)
College football!  We traveled to Champaign, IL to see my beloved ILLINI play!
Oktoberfests.  Many at local parishes.  St. Alphonsus throws a big festival.

ILL-INI!

What do you love about fall in your city?

Baby Moon?

I have heard baby moons are all the rage, but I refuse to travel this far into my pregnancy.  My last trip I had a TON of braxton hicks contractions, and it freaked me out.  A lot.

The hubs is on vacay for a while, so we are taking care of baby business as well as just enjoying time together.

We tried out XOCO on Clark Street, which was awesome, but we had to wait 35 minutes for food.  Kind of a long time.  Love the churros.  OMG.  So good.

We went and bought nursery furniture for our girly, because I was freaked out at hearing that our friends had to wait weeks to get theirs.  Yikes.

We went apple picking, and tried out a brewery while we were out there.  So nice!

Picking some gala and suncrisp apples!

We went to my college's homecoming game and tailgated with classmates of mine.  Incredible to catch up with a great group of folks.  I went back in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  I love this tradition. Oh the 3 in 1.

Foam fingah and the baby belly

Love these gals!

Mike and I.  He loved Grange Grove!

We had brunch at the house for a few of my girl friends that haven't seen the remodel yet.  Yay!

So now onto more house prep and adventures.  Let's hope my body holds up for it all.  #swollenfeetsuck

Saving $$

So lately, I have realized I need to mainstream things in our life.  Save money, get organized, etc.

I have a method to my madness, and it is pretty awesome.  I have found a few websites that have been very helpful during my save $$ quest.  I really got motivated because I want life to be as easy as possible before the baby arrives shortly.

Do you shop at Target?  And love it?  I know I do.  I downloaded the Cartwheel app a few months ago.  I have saved almost $100 using it over the past 6 months.  I use the app, combined with coupons, and look at the sale paper via the following websites Target Fanatic and The Couponing Couple.  This way I know what the best deals are, and can plan out a logical trip to the store.  I usually save 25-45% off my entire bill, and get some gift cards in return.  I am saving those up for holiday gifts.

Do you shop at ALDI?  Er my gerd.  I used to think it was not worth my time.  I take my grocery list, shop there, and find what I need.  Anything they don't carry, I go to Jewel/Marianos.  I bought a weeks worth of groceries there for about $30 the other day.  All fresh.  All organic.  Just good food.  Bring 25 cents for a cart and some reusable bags!

Do you Shopkick?  Ibotta?  I use these two apps.  While I troll through the aisles of Target, I scan items via shopkick and get rebates via Ibotta.  So awesome.  Why have I not done this before?  I make money just because I am out of my house and shopping?  Yep.  I sure do.

Needless to say, between groceries and stocking up on items at Target every week, I spend about $150.  3 meals a day for my husband and I, that are almost entirely organic and made from scratch.   That is on groceries, soaps, etc (and yes, even diapers when they are on sale at Target!!).

So what are your secrets on saving money?  Any helpful websites?

Recipe: Pizza Grilled Cheese

So my DH loves it when I make grilled cheese.  I don't make your traditional white bread with Kraft singles kind of grilled cheese.  I go all out.

My usual regular grilled cheese includes good artisan bread, muenster, gouda, and a savory relish/jam.  Since I had some bread left over, and some sliced mozz in the fridge, I tried my hand at some pizza grilled cheese.

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  So good.

You can get the recipe here.

Amazing. 

Recipe: One Pot Chicken Alfredo

So I have never made "home made" Alfredo before.  Just easier to buy a jar of sauce.  Right?

Well I found this one pot recipe for Alfredo, and it was just too easy to pass up.  I made it and my DH and I loved it.  I can't wait to make it again!

You can find the recipe here.

So good.  Gotta have milk with it.