Mesa's Place

The last week my extreme desire for autumn to arrive has really been kicked into overdrive.  I'm itching to pull out my decorations and deliciously perfect fall candles.  I long for mildly warm days and cool evenings.  For that crisp smell that wafts in with the breeze which unmistakenly announces the season.  For the pumpkin and apple cider flavored everything! There is no doubt the fall is by far my favorite and I love everything about those couple months. Every year around this time I start to nest.  Not like I'm knocked up nest, but settle in for the 'colder months'.  I start to get my home in order and create a happy and comfortable environment since more time is spent inside during the later seasons.  And I must admit, it is the final 4 months of the year that my home really does feel the most cozy. I try to start in September, even though there are usually several, if not most, days that are summer-like.  But fall and spring seem to ...

A little over a year ago this recipe was everywhere I looked on Pinterest and I couldn't resist trying it out.  At the time I was living with my [then] boyfriend and his 2 elementary age boys, one of whom was an extremely picky eater.  Lucky for me, the meal was a hit and they didn't know that I had used healthier ingredients. About a month ago I joined a Beachbody challenge and armed with what I have learned there along with my extensive Weight Watchers knowledge, I made it for myself last night (planning to freeze some of the leftovers for a later time). I make no claims for creating this, I honestly have no idea where the first one came from with all the sites I found that had it listed.  I also do not want anyone to think this is the healthiest version out there, (I know there are several clean eating versions where you basically make pizza sauce from scratch, etc.) but this is the version that works for me, and is fairly quick- you can obviously make chang...

I quickly took these pics last night while getting everything together and posted them on my Beachbody Challenge group wall (Which I plan to talk more about in the future!) in the hopes it could benefit someone else. "Most of my day I'm driving or at work so I pre-cook and pack a day or 2 in advance (like I'm sure a lot of you do!) While getting things ready last night  I thought I'd show you the system I came up with because I was tired of having to remember random items all over the kitchen. I usually do 2 days worth like pictured. I pack each day's breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks in a plastic basket and then pop it in the fridge (even the stuff that doesn't need to be cold) The next morning, all I have to do is put a full basket in one of those canvas shopping bags, which I always have equipped with eating utensils, vitamins, etc. and I'm out the door! Once I get to work I can transfer the stuff that needs to stay cold into the fridge, gr...