Happy New Year!

Today is the last day of 2012 and I cannot help but to be a little sentimental when it comes to saying goodbye to the best year of my life [so far]. I am usually quite ready to start on the next year and newest journey in my life, but this one is different. Let me explain:

In 2012....

I graduated from Georgia State with my Master's Degree in Health Sciences  

I completed my dietetic internship- 1200 hours of supervised practice

Completed a Master's Thesis- "Point-of-Selection Intervention Using a Digital Menu at a Dining Hall for Southeaster College Freshmen"

Presenting our research:

Moved to the Birmingham, Alabama for my husband's awesome job opportunity!

Our new house in Homewood:

Passed my RD Exam!

Got married to the love of my life, William, and became Mrs. Milne!

With the support of the most wonderful family!

I can't wait for another year of exciting opportunities and adventures. I am so grateful for the amazing friends and family members that continue to support me, and are always there for me through the ups and downs. And for the love of God let's hope that 2013 is a better year for AUBURN FOOTBALL!!! 

When Life Gives You Oranges...

....Make Marmalade

We left Silverhill, William's home, with bags full of oranges, satsumas, and grapefruits.  With that much citrus fruit we had to get creative before they went bad.  And so we made preserves.  This was relatively easy to do, but I will make one suggestion- Make sure you have all necessary equipment.

We bought this mandoline from William-Sonoma with a gift certificate we had from the wedding. I am OBSESSED!  You can slice anything with it!

After slicing the oranges/satsumas, we quartered them.

And then we cooked them adding sugar and lemon zest.  

After cooking them for an hour we put them in jars. Very important to have a jar funnel, jar tongs, and a deep pot.  You boil these jars so that a seal is created and your marmalade stays fresh. We made the mistake of thinking our pots were deep enough and we had to run back to the store to buy a bigger stock pot. 

It such a fun project and we are excited to be able to give some of the marmalade as Christmas gifts.  

We followed Alton Brown's Orange Marmalade recipe.  It was simple, easy, and it turned out DELICIOUS!

Enjoy!

Elizabeth Milne

Leftover Turkey Anyone?

Thanksgiving ended and the turkey remained.  In a desperate attempt to use it all up I did two things this week.

1) My favorite part about Thankgiving is the leftover turkey sandwiches. Nothing tastes better than a sandwich with a thin spread of mayo, chunks of white turkey meat, and a little cranberry on top! In an effort to save time with sandwich prep, I made a turkey salad that could easily be spread on a few whole grain crackers.  Here is the recipe:

• 2 cups shredded leftover turkey meat
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 1/4 cup of dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon of mustard Creole mustard 
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

In a medium bowl, toss turkey, celery, cranberries, mayo, mustard together.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve on whole grain bread or crackers.  

2)  I also try to make a casserole or soup every week.  Some sort of dish that will last us throughout the week.. This week I made Turkey Tetrazzini.  William LOVED it and it was gone quite quickly! I got the recipe from Rachel Ray, but adapted it a little bit.  Here is my version: 

12 ounces of egg noodles 
Salt and pepper 
5 tablespoons butter 
12 ounces of pre-sliced white mushrooms 
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning 
2 cups of leftover turkey meat 
3 tablespoons flour 
2 cups milk 1 cup chicken broth 
1 cup grated parmesan cheese 
1 cup frozen peas and carrots

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Cook the pasta according to package directions until just barely al dente; drain.

Add 2 tbsp. butter to the skillet. Add the mushrooms and Italian Seasoning; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the mushrooms start to soften, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and add the leftover turkey. 

Melt the remaining 3 tbsp. butter in the skillet. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and broth and bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken. Stir in 1/2 cup parmesan and the peas and carrots. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the pasta and turkey-mushroom mixture to the sauce and toss well to combine. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan. Bake until the top is golden-brown and the sauce is bubbling, 12 to 15 minutes (shorten the baking time by at least 5 minutes if youre planning on freezing this for later).

I hope this helps answer the question, "What the heck am I going to do with all of this turkey!?"

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Five Favorite Fall Food Trends: Stuffed Shells

And I am back! William and I celebrated Thanksgiving with his family in Silverhill, Alabama.  We enjoyed visiting with family and friends, and we are looking forward to our next visit!

Now for my last "Favorite Fall Food Trend," stuffed shells! As we transition from fall to winter we put away our grills and fire up those ovens. I have found stuffed shells to be a creative and fun way to serve dinner.  A few of my favorite recipes are Taco Stuffed Shells from Budget Bytes, and Spinach and Tuna Stuffed Shells by Martha Stewart. (see pictures below)

With the taco stuffed shells, you could substitute the ground beef for ground turkey, or just double up on the beans for a vegetarian dish.

I also cannot wait to try this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells by Inspired Taste. Holy yummmm!

If you are like me and get tired of a dish after a few rounds of leftovers, I recommend using two smaller casserole dishes. Place one dish in the over and the other in the freezer for later.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Friday Finds: Christmas Gifts

Need Christmas gift ideas? Check out Southern Living's List of Gift Ideas! Which includes gifts for her, gifts for him, gifts for $50 or less, gifts for $25 or less, and stocking stuffer ideas.  Some of my favorites:

FOR HER
Anything from Haymarket Designs- crazy cute monogrammed items, including these fabulous wine totes!

Source: haymarketdesigns.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

FOR HIM
Wooden Six-Pack Carrier- This is the perfect gift for a beer lover, especially if its filled with local, craft beers- So handsome!

$50 OR LESS
How beautiful are these Monogrammed Antique Plates?

$25 OR LESS
1,0001 Ways to Cook Southern- Yes ma'am! Please and thank you :)

STOCKING STUFFER
Hand Crafted Stirring Paddles- These are beautiful, practical, and would fit inside a stocking perfectly [and they're from Alabama!]

I hope this made your Christmas gift list a bit easier, Merry Christmas y'all!

Elizabeth Milne

Christmas Ornament Wreath

I am so excited to be able to decorate our house for Christmas this year. So excited that I decided to get a little crafty despite the fact I am not a crafty person.  I found this pin on pinterest and thought I may be able to handle this project...

Source: eddieross.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

I bought the glass balls from Dollar Tree, and the whole wreath probably cost me about $8.00.  [And now I have one less wire hanger in my house!]  I bought all silver and gold balls, but I bought them in different sizes and finishes- glitter, matte, shiny, etc.  I also skipped the step with the hot glue gun, and none of the balls have fallen off just yet.  And here is the finished product...

Just need to add the stockings... 

Happy (early) Holidays!

Elizabeth Milne 

Five Favorite Fall Food Trends: Breakfast

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but there seems to be something about cold weather that makes a warm breakfast that much more imperative.  My Pinterest boards agree, and I have found these must-try recipes that will get you out of bed and into the kitchen:

Breakfast Omelet Muffins- These would so cute to serve at a holiday brunch!

Source: neatpins.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole- Just add the ingredients that evening and wake up to a delicious breakfast, perfect for Christmas morning!

Source: allkindsofyumm.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Pizza- This is an awesome alternative to your traditional breakfast casserole, and you can add all sorts of your own favorite toppings :)

Source: smells-like-home.com via Mick on Pinterest

Enjoy!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Monday Mood Music

Five songs that will make your Monday just a bit better:

1) Frou Frou- Let Go
2) Florence and The Machine- Shake it Out
3) DJ Fresh- Gold Dust (Flux Pavillion Remix)
4) Feist- Mushaboom
5) Jem- It's Amazing

Five Favorite Fall Food Trends: Stuffed Vegetables

3) Stuffed Seasonal Veggies

Seasonal fall vegetables like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and acorn squash are AMAZING on their own... So how can they get any better? The answer is found in these recipes:

Kale and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Twice Baked Butternut Squash

Quinoa and Pistachio Stuffed Acorn Squash 

Is your mouth watering yet?

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Friday Finds

Happy Friday!  Here are a few of my favorite finds this week:

NewlyMaid- This is a website where you can purchase a classic, little black dress at a discounted price in exchange for an old bridesmaid dress. Ingenious!

Kate Spade for Paperless Post- I used Paperless Post for my Save-the-Dates, and I became obsessed. So when I saw that Kate Spade was going to be designing for this brilliant, electronic card service I felt I must share!

Glitter Guide's Top 20 Drugstore Beauty Products- Although there certainly is a time and a place for expensive beauty products, this list outlines twenty products that won't break the bank.

Looks like this will be a perfect weekend to do a little online shopping, create this year's Christmas card, or indulge in some inexpensive, beauty treatments ;)

Five Favorite Fall Food Trends: Pumpkin

Photo Source

2) Pumpkin Flavored ANYTHING

Whenever I see the word "pumpkin" in a recipe or menu item I must have it! Lucky for me, this delicious ingredients has been popping up all over Pinterest. Some of my personal favorites:

Baked Pumpkin Donuts (see picture)

Pumpkin Butter

Low-Fat Pumpkin Cake Bars

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bread

If you have some pumpkin puree on hand try these recipes! And don't stop. Add some pumpkin to your traditional cake mix, or pancake mix for a ton of Vitamin A and a delicious flavor.  I also find pumpkin beverages, like Pumpkin Ale and Pumpkin Spice Lattes, irresistible! Don't forget to ask for non-fat versions though...

Enjoy!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Five Favorite Fall Food Trends: Slow Cooker Soups

Easy soup recipes that cook all day and are ready for you when you walk in the door? Yes please! Everyone is obsessed with fall soups and and slow cooker recipes, so as you can imagine this pin for the "Top 10 Soups You Can Make in the Crock Pot" has been quite popular. Want more? Check out Slow Cooker Recipes by My Recipes and 20 Slow Cooker Soups for more great ideas.

Soups are a great way to get a ton of vegetables, but watch out for excess sodium by using low-sodium broths and bases. When possible, skip that extra sprinkle of salt.

Keep checking back for the other fall food trends including stuffed seasonal veggies, pumpkin recipes, and more!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD


photo source: http://www.cookincanuck.com/2011/11/hearty-chicken-stew-with-butternut-squash-quinoa-recipe/

Wedding Images

These are a collection of pictures that I snapped during the wedding planning, I thought I would share a few moments of the most exciting time of my life:

Bridal manicures are a must! There will be a lot of people looking at your hands.  And you will find yourself looking at them too! After I got engaged, I stared at my ring constantly, it was perfect! 

A little Proseco goes a long way! After a busy day of planning my Mom and I enjoyed an afternoon glass of Prosecco.  It was the perfect way to relax and spend time together.

And yes it does taste better in Waterford crystal glasses!

Bride and Groom tumblers given to us as a Valentine's present from my best friend and  Maid of Honor

Shoes! 

My grandfather's wedding band that my husband now wears.  Such a special ring,

Bridesmaid gifts: monogrammed button down shirts to wear when getting ready

Hotel Welcome bags- Created by my wonderful aunt

Worn out from wedding planning-an afternoon nap is important

Huggers for the rehearsal dinner

bridesmaid, groomsmen, and flower girl gifts

Unlike me, my dog had no problem getting some good sleep!

Couch to 5k: The Milne Way

Let me start this post off with the fact that I really want to be a runner! I want to be one of those people who casually runs 5 miles one afternoon.  Or signs up for half marathons on the weekend.  I am absolutely not that person! I love a long, brisk walk, but when it comes time for me to actually run I am absolutely pathetic. My husband always tells me I am extremely goal-oriented, if I set my mind to getting something done, it usually gets done. So that is why I have set my first running goal- a 5k.

This is what we have been up to:

Our first route was a total of 4.3 miles, and I loved it because the route was in a neighborhood and we could look at the different houses, people, etc. We ran 0.75 out of the 4.3 miles, which was really hard at the time, but became easier.

Because of the amount of traffic at 5 pm we switched routes to the Samford Trail along Lakeshore Drive. This is a total of 3.25 miles. We started running a mile, and now we are up to 1.25 miles.  The goal is to add a quarter of a mile each week, but that has actually turned into a quarter mile every 2 weeks.

When we are able to actually run about 2.5 miles, we plan on signing up for our first 5k! I know this sounds so easy for some, but getting into shape is hard work.  I think anyone who is trying to become a runner, or just become more active should simply remember that any little step you take (even if it is just a few) is so much better than just sitting on your lazy butt. Be proud of your little successes, and don't be intimidated by the iron man that just ran past you! 

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD

Recipe Report: Red Beans and Rice

Red beans and rice is one of the go-to, comfort food recipes in the Milne household.  My favorite part about this recipe is the fact that you can make it on a Sunday night and eat it throughout the week, and it just gets better and better!

Red Beans and Rice:
Yield- 8-10 servings
Prep Time- 20 minutes
Cook Time- 2 hours

3 Celery Stalks
2 Bell Peppers
1 Medium Yellow Onion
1 Tbsp Garlic
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
5 cans Red Beans
1 lb Smoked Link Sausage (we use a local favorite, Conecuh)
1 Tbsp Thyme
4 Bay Leaves
Salt and Pepper
2 cups Long Grain Rice

Suggested Toppings:
Fritos
Cheddar Cheese
Hot Sauce

Directions:
1) Dice the celery, pepper, and garlic.
2) Heat the olive oil on low and add the diced celery, pepper, and garlic.
3) Slice the sausage into bite size pieces and brown in a separate pan.
4) Then add the browned sausage and the 5 cans of red beans to the celery, pepper, and garlic.
5) Add the thyme, bay leaves, and salt and pepper to taste (I do not rinse my beans so I do not add salt)
6) Let simmer for approximately 2 hours to let all the flavors soak in
7) About 15 minutes before eating prepare the rice according to package
8) Add your desired toppings, and enjoy!

Elizabeth Milne, MS, RD, LD