Fabulous Lazy-Girls Cioppino Recipe!

Happy New Year! Can you believe it's 2016?! I feel like it was 2010 yesterday!

Last night we went old school. We stayed in and welcomed 2016 with our little family. It was nice to stay in and not have to fuss with hair and makeup for a change.....although, I can't think of a day where I don't fuss with hair and makeup . I guess the exception last night was probably the fact that I had on warm fuzzy clothes as opposed to tight sequins and sky high heels!

We ate and sang along to old Italian tunes. It was quality time at it's best and after rave reviews from my daughters (with delicate palates, a.k.a finicky eaters).  I've decided to share my Cioppino recipe with you because it's probably a bit different than what you may have tried. 

My girls don't like a strong seafood flavor so I tried to alter it a little and make a mild version and they loved it! YAY!  Thankfully my seafood loving husband didn't object to me ditching my tried and true recipe I got from his mom. That recipe included loads of seafood and plenty of crab. This recipe would be considered a "lazy mans" Cioppino, since it isn't as interactive as the stew that requires bibs and crab cracking. You may notice I also substituted chicken stock for clam juice. I definitely love getting elbow deep into my old recipe of yumminess but last night we opted for simpler and equally yummy version... and I have to admit, clean up was a snap! Gotta love that!  So, here it is. I hope you think it's FABULOUS!

Fabulous Lazy-Girls Cioppino


-1/2 cup olive oil                                      

- 2 onions, chopped      

-1/2 cup of celery              

 - 3 cloves garlic, minced                                     

 

- 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

 

- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes                     

 

-2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth                    

                
- 2 bay leaves                     

 

-1 tablespoon dried basil                     

 

- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme                    

 -1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

 -1 cup water

 

-1 1/2 pounds of large peel and eat shrimp, Bay scallops, and calamari.

 

20 Muscles

 

15 clams    

 

   

 

 Directions:

 

Over medium-low heat add olive oil to large stockpot, add onions, garlic, celery and parsley. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally until onions are soft.

Add tomatoes to the pot (break them into chunks as you add them). Add chicken broth, bay leaves, basil, thyme, oregano, water and wine. Mix well. Cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Stir in the shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels.  Bring to boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer 5 to 7 minutes until clams open. Ladle soup into bowl over angel hair pasta. Buon Appetito!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I HOPE YOUR 2016 IS FABULOUS! XOX

 

            

5 Fabulous Best of the Best Gifts.... That Happen To Be My Personal Favorites!

OMG! Christmas is 10 days away! AND....there are an abundance of choices out there and sometimes gift giving can be difficult. Personally, I struggle with the fact that most of the people I'm gifting don't really need anything. That leaves me with two choices, give them something I know they'll use, or something I personally love and want to share. Here are my top 5!

1. Chocolate

I LOVE chocolate. I don't know anyone who doesn't, and quite frankly, I may be a bit skeptical of any human who doesn't like the combination of red wine and dark chocolate with sea salt.

Recchiuti Confections is my personal favorite with choices like Burnt Caramel Truffle and the Noir Box. Priced below $50.00. This is truly Christmas chocolate at it's best!




 

https://www.recchiuti.com/shop/theperfectgift/26to50.html

2. Champagne

I have a few favorites and with prices from $15.00 to upwards of a thousand dollars, there is truly something for everyone. Veuve Clicquot Rose is one of my favorites and retails for around $65.00....plus the bottle is gorgeous!




3. Perfume Rollerball

My parfum du jour is currently Armani Si.....it has a light sweet smell that is absolutely lovely.



4. Stelle Audio White/Gold

This speaker is water resistant, has an 8 hour battery life and is ultra portable. It's affordable chic and Neiman's has them online.





http://www.neimanmarcus.com/Stelle-Audio-White-Gold-Go-Go-Speaker/prod179930322/p.prod?eVar4=You%20May%20Also%20Like&RST=ViewedPurchased

5.  Adopt a pet!

My pets have given me more joy than any designer bag ever could...Your local shelter could help you find the perfect fit for your family. It would certainly be a holiday to remember. This handsome boy Weiland is available at the SFSPCA. He looks like a keeper!



MERRY CHRISTMAS! XOX
 

Find the most FABULOUS things on my Sydewalk!

 

https://www.sydewalk.com/profile/PaulaLalanne/sydewalks/30/paula-five-ways-to-fabulous-nordstrom-must-haves/

 

This link will take you directly to Nordstrom! xox Happy Shopping!

 

5 Reasons Why Hi Smile Teeth is FABULOUS!

I drink coffee by the gallon and my teeth weren't looking as white as they used to be. I also noticed it more so because I've been taking lots of photos for this blog. Now, after using this system for a month I'm  excited to share it with you! Hi Smile Teeth is FABULOUS for many reasons.....Here are 5!



1. It works!

I got results quickly! After two uses, I saw a difference! 

2. It only takes 10 minutes!

It works fast! I hardly realized the time had passed so quickly. Instead of other systems that take thirty minutes or longer.....This is my ABSOLUTLEY favorite part of this system!

3. It is peroxide free!

I have sensitive teeth and it doesn't hurt!

4. You see result quickly!

After two uses I saw results.

5. Maintenance is simple!

You can purchase gel refills or use the pen.

I LOVE that this system is fast,  pain free and restored my pearly whites!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://hismileteeth.com/

 

310 Nutrition Has Me Hooked! Here are 5 Fabulous Recipes!

I have a new secret weapon! I promise I will never blog about something I don't use and believe in. With that said, I'm very excited to share what is now a regular part of my routine, 310 Nutrition Shakes...I am using the vegan formula and it is gluten free, nut free, dairy free, soy free, egg free, and sugar free! One serving is 100 calories and has a whopping 15 grams of protein!

I was looking for a healthy way to get all the nutrients I need and feel good during my busy schedule. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed that I had leaned up a bit after starting them. Who wouldn't love that?! Especially now that I'm constantly posting fashion pics on Instagram! A girl needs all the help she can get... when she has an addiction to dessert!

I chose the vegan formula because I try to follow a dairy free diet, "try" being the key word here because I also have a cheese addiction that I doubt I will ever kick. I've also been known to indulge when I go out to dinner, eat half of what I bake and splurge when the mood strikes. I am not a totally irresponsible eater, I east healthy eighty percent of the time. I guess that's why this shake fits into my diet so well. It is everything I want in a meal and it is easy and yummy.

I've been experimenting with different combinations since I started drinking them and here are my go to and favorite recipes. You have to try 310 Nutrition!!! It is FABULOUS!

1. Vanilla Berry

One scoop of 310 Vanilla Shake mix

6 oz. ice cold water

6 oz. unsweetened almond milk

5 frozen strawberries 

1/2 cup frozen raspberries

1 Tbsp. honey

1/2 Tbsp. cinnamon

2. Banana Berry Smoothie

One scoop of 310 Vanilla Shake mix

6 ounces almond milk

6 ounces water

1 frozen banana

5 frozen strawberries

3. Chocolate Banana and Peanut Butter

One scoop of 310 Nutrition Vegan Chocolate

12 ounces of water

one frozen banana

1 Tbsp. Peanut butter

1/4 cup ice

4. Chocolate berry

One scoop of 310 Nutrition Vegan Chocolate

1/2 cup frozen raspberries

5 frozen strawberries

6 oz. coconut milk

6 oz. water

1/2 cup ice




5. Peanut Butter Snack bites

1 cup of  rolled oats

2 tbsp. of natural organic peanut butter

1 scoop of 310 Nutrition Vegan Vanilla Shake Mix

1 tbsp. honey

3 tbsp. chia seeds

1 tsp of cinnamon

1/3 cup of apple sauce

In a small bowl mix, roll into small bite size balls and refrigerate in an airtight container.


Tip*I carry a single serving size in a dry shaker with a bottle of water in a bag to mix. I instantly have a meal! I keep it the car if I can't eat lunch while I'm out running in a million directions. This has saved me from the cravings of hunger more than once!

I am excited to share a promo code:  T85XBQ  for a $10.00 discount! It will be the best thing you buy yourself......promise!
 

The 5 Easiest Couples Costumes Ever!

Do you have a costume party to attend? I know sometimes I'm scrambling last minute to put something together. Here are 5 fun costumes that are easy to pull off and FABULOUS!


1. Pocahontas and John Smith

This is my go-to since my hubby and I resemble these two already. However, it is also very easy to pull off with all of the fringe skirts seen everywhere from Nordstrom to H&M.  "John Smith" can wear boots, jeans and a blousy top. You can pull this one together in less than an hour.

2. Party Animals

Throw on your favorite cocktail dress and an animal mask....voila, you are now a "Party Animal". Your beau can put on a suit and mask too but if you really want to spice it up you can add a flask and party hat to the ensemble.






3. Bonnie and Clyde

While this duo may require a visit to the thrift store it still would be quite simple. A pencil skirt, cardigan, neck scarf, and barrette accompanied by a large plastic machine gun would get the point across.

 

4. Baby and Johnny (Dirty Dancing)

 

This is an easy one, grab some Keds and the rest is probably in your closet. "Johnny's" costume is also a no-brainer.

 

 

5. Sonny and Cher

The possibilities are endless. You could go all out and match, or just simply switch places if your guy is taller than you and give him a black wig. If you do this please send me pictures!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Top 5 Rules To Help Any Girl Feel Beautiful!

What is beauty really all about? I've had this topic on my mind for a while. Given that I have four daughters the subject is somewhat of a minefield on some days. Whether it's on a show they are watching, in social media, about a friend, or worst of all... in reference to themselves. We all have bad days, and watching them have bad days is like torture to me. I want to make every growing pain go away. I know I can't and I know trial builds character, still it is horrible to watch when they are down on themselves. 

 

I believe the subject of beauty is among the most difficult, because it is completely subjective. Some think the mountain ranges are the most beautiful part of nature and some think it's the sandy beaches bordering a sapphire ocean. It's no surprise that with people coming in all shapes and sizes our appearances are up for debate, scrutiny, approval, and comparison.

 

As an adult I am completely fine with this, but as a mother I want to empower my girls and teach them to question everything they are taught, read, and see. I constantly tell them to never compare themselves to anyone because it's impossible. To envy someone is such a waste of time and energy. If you want to be that person you will have to take the whole enchilada. You can't have another's face and body without having the parents they inherited it from, and the problems in that family, and the siblings they have, and so on. This simple lesson has cured many cases of envy in my house....not all, but many.

 

Still, the issue of beauty is ever present in our lives. It has been worshiped since the beginning of time in it's various forms and will be until the end of time. The standards will change but it will always be relevant.

 

This brings me to a few opinions I have about it, and how we as mothers and women can help each other. When I look around at the fact that we all come in many shapes and sizes, it is also clear that those many shapes and sizes are considered beautiful. I know we see a sliver of the population on social media and TV, but in reality, not everyone thinks everyone else is beautiful. Some men would happily pass up a Victoria's Secret model for another man...point made!

 

If this is the case, why do we believe the hype we read and hear? Shouldn't we instead be listening to the inner voice we all have, that is more often right than wrong?

 

Here are a my top 5 rules I use for helping my girls feel beautiful.

 

1. Don't criticize other women.... especially in front of your daughter.

 

I see women do this all the time to make themselves feel better, but in reality this only teaches their girls that they need to tear someone down to feel good about themselves. It becomes a beast that is never satisfied. I say starve the beast until it dies before it inhabits your daughters and takes over.

 

2. It is OK to compliment a girl for their outer beauty.

Period. Why not? A compliment is an opinion, and an opinion is subjective. Beauty is individual and should be celebrated. Plus, you just might make someone's day.  Not to mention, they may really need to hear something at that moment... you never know what others are going through.

 

3. Helping others feel good makes you more beautiful in everyway to everyone.
Compliments never get old. I love to see someone light up when I compliment them, and it makes me feel beautiful inside. 

 

4. Self-confidence makes you beautiful.
Feeling good about who you are and what you can do to help and improve something makes you shine from the inside out. Nothing is more attractive than a person with self-confidence... nothing.

 

5. This is my cardinal rule... drum roll please... DO NOT COMPARE YOURSELF TO ANYONE...EVER!

 

I am adamant about this. Comparisons are worthless and only make you feel bad...that's it, they have no other purpose. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We need to be examples for our daughters and embrace ourselves, flaws and all. I am constantly making my flaws a source of humor. I also tackle the flaws I can change, I rarely sit back and do nothing if I am unhappy with myself about something....the last thing I want to do is to teach them to complain about something and do nothing about it. Poke fun or get on your horse and ride I say!

 

We were all given our face and body in this life for a reason. We are all different for a purpose. We need to celebrate all of it in every shape, color, and form! There is beauty in EVERTHING! xoxoxo