Measuring Cups, Optional

Happy New Year 2014

categories: Posts

2013 went by in the blink of an eye. Whether or not that’s a good thing is still debatable. It’s had its ups and it’s definitely had its downs. But seriously, what year hasn’t? 2013 was a year of discovery for me. I discovered some good things and some bad things and I’ve done my very best to focus on the good.

For the first time in a very long time, I don’t have a life plan. I’ve been life planning for 10 years, since senior year of high school and yes, at year 10 I have no 5-year, 10-year or 20-year life plan. I’ll be taking on 2014 one day at a time. I do have a few resolutions to ring in the New Year.

In 2014 I resolve to … (more…)

Pasta with Yogurt Sauce

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Pasta, Posts, Recipes

It isn’t until very recently that the concept of eating plain yogurt has become more popular. It’s with the rise of Greek Yogurt’s popularity that more Americans are open to the idea of eating yogurt that isn’t Vanilla or Strawberry flavored.

It took me a long time to realize that most people (Arabs not included) don’t use plain yogurt or keep it in their house. It’s practically unheard of to spinach, malfouf or kubbeh bel sineyeh without it! And Mansaf is basically yogurt and lamb. (more…)

The 5 Day Working Girl Lunch Challenge

categories: Posts, Recipes

It’s the end of the year, a time when most of us look a little more closely at the numbers in our lives — namely the numbers in our bank accounts and on our scales. That’s when we realize the number in our bank account is slowly decreasing while that pestering number on the scale seems to be increasing by day. So how do I get those numbers to have reverse effects?! I’m looking for the number on the scale to go down, while the number in my bank account to go up. (more…)

No Bake Cake Pops

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Desserts, Posts, Recipes

Cake Pops have been the craze for quite a while. I love the simplicity of a bite-sized cake dipped in chocolate. What I don’t like is spending unnecessary hours in the kitchen making cake pops from scratch. Don’t get me wrong, one of my best friends, a master baker – we’ll call her Fiza – makes cake pops to die for. Fiza honestly makes the most deliciously delectable desserts. She puts her heart and soul into it and they always turn out great. She will be humble and tell you she’s not that good, but I promise you, once you taste Fiza’s baking you will never want store-bought again. (more…)

Parmesan Popovers

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Appetizers, Breads, Posts, Recipes

Thanksgiving at the Fayyad household is an occasion not to be missed. Excluding a couple years – I can count them on one hand – Thanksgiving has always been held at my parents’ house. Preparation begins around 6am, when my mom becomes one with the turkey and trimmings. She might as well block off the kitchen and put up a “DO NOT ENTER” sign.

Mom’s hard work is far from unappreciated. No one does thanksgiving like momma Debs. The “Thank you’s” begin when the food is set out and end when everyone leaves. We generally have so much food, we have to set it out buffet style, and have leftovers for days. It’s all about family – aunts, uncles, cousins and cousins’ kids. So you can just imagine that even though I’m way over 21, I’m still required to sit at “the kids table.” (more…)

Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes

The leaves have turned, it’s gotten pretty chilly and not to mention we had some snow flurries over the weekend. It can only mean one thing; Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

While some only remember to be thankful around the winter Holidays, I’ve been keeping up with counting my blessings year-round. And this year, I have so much to be thankful for. In Arabic, we say Hamdellah [الحمد لله] which means Thank God, My list may be a bit long, but some of the major things I’m thankful for are: (more…)