Author: thedailydanielleblog

Weekly Recap #3 – Lake Powell Edition

Life Updates

Richy and I just got back from a week long vacation to Heaven on Earth – aka Lake Powell. I truly can not describe how amazing this trip was. Between the jaw dropping views, canyons, and caves, we felt like we were in a MacBook desktop photo the entire time. We spent the week hanging out on the house boat with friends, riding jet skis, doing water sports, going on hikes, and just lounging in the water in awe of our surroundings.

I can’t put this trip into words, so here are some pictures that will do it more justice than I ever could!

This chicken sandwich had to make the cut. To get to Lake Powell you have to go from Phoenix to Page, Arizona. In Page, there is this absolute mouthwatering gem of a chicken restaurant called Bird House. If you are ever in Page, Arizona and don’t go to this place – we can’t be friends because it is THAT good.

Moral of this entire post is you need to go to Lake Powell – oh and take me with.

-oxox Danielle

Hello Fresh

Home Cooking

This week we tried out Hello Fresh for the first time. I would have to rate the experience 9.5/10 so far. It is convenient, different, and gives us an activity to do. We are starting off with 3 meals a week for 2 people which averages out to $62 a week. At the end of the day it is not a lot cheaper than our regular weekly meals, but we are enjoying trying out new recipes that we wouldn’t have without Hello Fresh.

Creamy Parmesan Chicken Spaghetti

This was my favorite! It had such a mixture of flavor and I loved the roasted tomatoes. Not sure how I have gone this long in life without eating roasted tomatoes as a snack. Just pop them in the oven at 400 degrees for 25 minutes with some olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. They were so simple yet so delicious. 10 out of 10 meal!

BBQ Pork Burger

This was a yummy & hearty meal (also hard to photograph so excuse the picture). I don’t think I have ever had a pork patty burger and was excited to try it. We really enjoyed making restaurant style fries at home and paired this meal with a cold beer – Hello Fresh advertising made us do it lol.

Firecracker Meatballs

This one was Richy’s favorite meal. From the Korean Chili Flakes to the roasted carrots it was a mouth full of spice. Making the Firecracker sauce was my speciality for this one. It was filled with the most random ingredients that made such a fantastic flavor – mayo, sour cream, honey, soy sauce, and sriracha.

We are excited to try out week 2 and I will keep y’all updated. For our original box we did the meat + vegetable category, but we have switched over to the low calorie plan so the upcoming meals will be more on the healthy side of things. If you want to try Hello Fresh, use this code to get $40 off your first order!

-oxox Danielle

Summer Snacks

Home Cooking

It is a hot Summer which means you need some cool snacks. These 3 quick recipes are the snacks Richy and I live off of during these work from home weekdays and tanning by the pool weekends. They are light, slightly healthy, and filled with flavor. Anyone can make these – give them a try or modify them to your taste!

Caprese

Ingredients – Basil, Mozzarella, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Grape Tomatoes

Instructions – Cut the grape tomatoes in half, cut the mozzarella into chunks (or if you bought the mozzarella balls in water, cut them in half), rip off some basil shreds and add them to the mixture, and drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette on top – all in one bowl. Sometimes if we are extra fancy I will add some pink Himalayan sea salt on top. Pro Tip: If you make this frequently, owning a basil plant will come in handy (ours is from Trader Joe’s) and save you some money.

Watermelon Feta

Ingredients – Watermelon, Feta, Mint, Salt

Instructions – Cut your watermelon into whatever shape your heart desires (balls, spears, or chunks), sprinkle some feta all over, and rip off some slices of mint. Sprinkle some pink Himalayan sea salt on top and there you have a quick and tasty treat!

Mini Chicken Pesto Naan Pizza

Ingredients – Naan Bread, Spinach, Chicken, Mushrooms, Pesto, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Onion

Instructions – Start by sautéing the mushrooms and onion mixture. While that is on the stove top, spread a layer of pesto all over the Naan and top with chunks on chicken. I typically get the rotisserie chicken from HEB or Costco and pull off the white meat pieces and cut them into chunks. Shred some parmesan, chop up the spinach, and cut the mozzarella into pieces. Then spread your mushroom and onion mixture on top and add on the spinach and cheeses. Place it in the oven at 400 degrees for 12 minutes, and switch the setting to broil for the last 30 seconds. A quick and filling lunch or snack – shoutout to my mom for the recipe!

Let me know if you try these & what Summer recipes are your go to!

-oxox Danielle

The “Feel Better Box”

Therapeutic Self Care

I have always been intrigued by self help & self care. I think this started with my Grams showing my mom how to self help through trigger points/essential oils which got my wheels turning. I have all the basic tall girl problems – flat feet, knee issues, scoliosis, no slight curve in my neck, and a hip that is higher than the other – you get the point. So instead of always relying on Advil and staying in pain I decided to do some self help research. That is when the “Feel Better Box” was born. It is a mixture of items to help various pain issues and has been beyond helpful over the years.

Self help is a great thing to know about, but it is way better when you share it with others. I am all for anything that helps other relieve pain, so I have put together a list with links of some of my favorite things in our “Feel Better Box”.

Electric Heating Pad – A heating pad is a pretty basic household that is essential for pain relief. Applying heat to an area increases the blood flow, bringing along proteins and oxygen. Heat therapy is great for decreasing joint stiffness, reducing pain and inflammation, and relieving muscle spasms. It is also a relaxation tool as it soothes any tension in the body.

Biofreeze – This is the holy grail of cold therapy. Biofreeze is a pain relieving gel that provides the same effect as ice, in a convenient, portable form. It uses menthol to stimulate cold receptors that create a cooling sensation on and under your skin, helping to quickly relieve pain. Invest in a bottle and thank me later!

Wooden Foot Roller – If your feet ache because your job has you on your feet all day or because you do not have a natural arch, this foot roller will be your new best friend. Foot massage improves circulation, stimulates muscles, reduces tension, and often eases pain. This product is designed to target trigger points in the arch and heels with its nubs & grooves on the roller kneads. You can use this while sitting at your desk or watching TV making it an easy form of relief.

Muscle Roller Stick – A $9 solution to ease and condition muscle soreness, aid recovery, and reduce stiffness/pain. Press the stick against your pain ridden area, add pressure, and run it along the muscle. The stick is comprised of a bar with rollers which allows it to glide smoothly across your body while conforming to the shape. It stretches the muscles and ligaments, removes lactic acid, increases circulation, and repair muscles.

Muscle Stimulator – This electric device will make you feel like you are a physical therapist in your home. TENS units work by delivering small electrical impulses through electrodes that have adhesive pads to attach them to a your skin. These electrical impulses flood the nervous system, reducing its ability to transmit pain signals to the spinal cord and brain. You can select the frequency, duration, and intensity on the device depending on your pain level.

Dead Sea Salt – I have also talked about this gem in my bath routine post because it is that good – it is a luxury version of epsom salt. Dead Sea Salt’s unique mineral composition gives this salt its therapeutic qualities for skin care. While most sea salts are primarily Sodium Chloride; Dead Sea Salt is comprised of 21 beneficial minerals including: Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Bromide and Sulfur. Pour a large handful of Minera Dead Sea Salt into a warm running bath for a relaxing and detoxifying soak. Settle in to relive stress, stiffness and/or ease muscle aches and pains. There are a lot of fake “Dead Sea” salts out there, but Minera is the real deal – the same 100% pure, mineral-rich salt used in spas and treatment centers around the Dead Sea in Israel.

Eye Pillow – This item quick way to unwind while using some of the other products I have discussed. I always put this in the microwave for 30 seconds, lay it over my eyes, and let the aroma of the warm lavender put me in a relaxation trance.

Lacrosse Ball – Most people think that a tennis ball rolling on your back is a way to relieve pain, but a lacrosse ball is the best since it is not too hard, but does not buckle under too much pressure. You can use this between your back and the wall/floor to roll out some knots without needing another person’s help. I recommend having one at your work desk to use against the back of the chair while typing or even doing conference calls because it is so discrete, yet powerful. Do I know how to play lacrosse? Hell no. Do I own a lacrosse ball for pain relief? Hell yes.

Weighted Eye Mask – Weighted eye masks improve both the quantity and quality of your sleep when compared to traditional eye masks. Like a hug for your face, weighted sleeping masks apply even pressure on and around your eyes and pressure points. This alleviates tension, improves relaxation, and helps you drift off to a peaceful sleep. The combination of blocking out harsh light with acupressure is beneficial against headaches and migraines.

Origins Wrap – Origins is the #1 store for beauty, skincare, and therapeutic items. Their “Feel Good Hug” is a product my mom and I can not be without. They use a mixture of essential oils in a weighted body wrap that can be heated up and put on your neck, shoulders, or body for heat therapy.

Arch Support – If you suffer from flat feet like me, you will love these arch supports. They are designed with a gel pad at the site of your arch and will instantly remove pressure from metatarsals and increase comfort. They can be worn barefoot, with socks, or even within certain shoes.

Toe Stretchers/Separators – Our feet bear all of our weight and tension every single day, but we never think to stretch them – until toe stretchers/separators. It’s basically a jelly-like contraption with a hole for each toe. They help with foot pain, realignment of the toes, and balance.

Herbal Heating Patch – Ladies, these Rael natural heating pads are perfect for that time of the month. They are all natural heating patches that adhere to your skin for menstural relief that is discrete. You can wear them to work or while lounging around the house for 6 hours of gentle heat therapy.

Compression Socks – Compression socks are known for promoting blood flow, diminishing swelling, and improving lymphatic drainage. After a long day of being on your feet, compression socks feel like Heaven.

Magnesium Roll-on – Magnesium has many muscle relaxing qualities, from regulating neuromuscular signals to balancing calcium levels within the body. By rubbing this roll-on on the affected area it can relax tight muscles, soothe and refresh overused joints, and create a pleasant warming/cooling sensation.

Foam Roller – A classic, and sometimes painful, therapeutic item. Foam rolling can be beneficial for easing sore muscles, reducing inflammation, and increasing your range of motion. I mainly use my foam roller for the side of my hip and lower back. To use your foam roller for lower back pain, turn your foam roller so it’s vertical (in-line with your spine) and slowly roll the roller from side to side, still in line with your spine. It will take some deep breathes, but the relief is worth it.

Let me know if you use anything for your own self help or have any questions about any of the products I use!

-oxox Danielle

4th of July Decor

Holiday Decor

The transition from Easter to 4th of July took awhile, due to Hobby Lobby being stingy on the holiday sale for a couple of weeks, but we are finally here! This holiday decor is only a couple of pieces, but still enough to make our home feel patriotic.

The 3 tin stars started off separate, but a little hot glue turned it into a cute string of red, white, and blue. I also took a burlap banner and draped it over the entry way table decor. I was able to lock the banner in place by putting the end of the string in the back of each drawer.

This HEB kitchen towel combines Texas and the 4th so it was a perfect fit for our home.

Bailey May wanted to show y’all are new addition to the holiday branch garland collection! This one has little metal stars in red, white, and blue and is the perfect size for our sound bar.

These burlap stars are an easy and cheap way to dress up our two indoor plants.

This home sweet home sign gives this cozy corner some American pride in a Southern style.

I saved the best for last – my USA gnomes. They are just too cute and were $3 each at Hobby Lobby!

Short, sweet, and patriotic – can’t wait to add to the collection next year. Hope everyone has a safe & wonderful 4th of July!

-oxox Danielle

Wellness Tips

Tips & Tricks

I think overall wellness encompasses a lot of different aspects, from mental health to being physically active and all the above. I spend a lot of time throughly looking into different health & wellness practices before actually implementing them into my routine. Since I have done the heavy lifting on researching the most efficient wellness practices I figured I would share them with you!

Tongue Scrapping – This one sounds a little weird at first glance, but it makes a world of difference. Tongue scrapping removes bad bacteria from one of the hardest places to throughly reach with a toothbrush. This also activates saliva production and promotes agni (the body’s digestive fire) to help with digestion throughout the day. I personally use this one because it is surgical grade stainless steel and you can get it in 2 days – thanks Amazon prime. Make this a part of your morning routine and I promise you will see the benefits.

Warm Lemon Water – Drinking lemon juice with warm water every morning helps in maintaining the pH balance of the body. It also aids in quick weight loss as it promotes digestion and increases the metabolic rate while cleansing the liver by flushing out toxins. I just warm up a glass of filtered water in the microwave, squeeze in half of a fresh lemon, and drink up while doing my devotional. This takes only a couple of minutes and makes a world of a difference in the body over time.

Inulin – This is a form of fiber that typically comes from artichoke or chicory root. Inulin is classified as a prebiotic because of its ability to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria. This aids in problems with inflammation and reduced nutrient absorption. From a weight loss perspective, inulin can also control your appetite by increasing feelings of fullness. I am currently using this Fiber Choice Inulin product, but I am looking into powder versions that you can mix in with your coffee – I will keep you updated!

Coconut Oil Pulling – I have been doing this on and off for years. As we all know, coconut oil is the holy grail of all things wellness. Oil pulling is an ancient practice that involves swishing oil in your mouth for 10-20 minutes to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. Not talking for 10-20 minutes is not for everyone’s morning schedules, I recommend doing this while in the shower and spitting it down the drain to make it easy. This process keeps the gums healthy, reduces bad bacteria, and naturally whitens teeth over time.

Hot Cold Showers – This takes some guts if you love a steaming hot shower like me, but is extremely beneficial for the circulatory system. This is a shower where you alternate from the hottest and coldest temperatures you can tolerate. Hot water has relaxing properties, helping to reduce stress and soothe muscles. Cold water helps relieve inflammation and stimulates the removal of toxins from elimination organs like the skin and lymph. By alternating these you are increasing your blood flow and the natural detoxification your body produces. Pro tip – always start with hot and end with cold, it will be tough at first but power through!

Dry Brushing – Dry brushing is the process of using a brush with stiff bristles against the skin to help exfoliate dead cells from the skin surface and enhance blood flow. This enhances lymphatic drainage and can also reduce the appearance of cellulite over time. Use your brush (I use this one) in a swirling motion from bottom to top always moving towards the heart. I try to do about ten strokes in each spot and then hop in the shower for a quick rinse since you are exfoliating the skin.

Jade Rolling – A jade roller straight from the freezer is a great way to wake up your face in the morning! This is how you can reduce puffiness, soothe the skin tone, and reduce any tension in the face. I use this jade roller with a mixture of vitamin A & C oil. Start by rolling the jade roller on the lower part of the face and work upwards from the chin. Roll in both up and down and sidewards directions, being careful around the delicate under-eye area. Talk about a cold wake up call to start your day!

Lympatic Drainage Massage – Draining your lymphatic system is so important as it is crucial to your immune system. It can also improve the appearance of the skin by reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and eye bags. Using your fingertips start at your forehead, applying gentle pressure to slowly stretch the skin down toward the lymph nodes in your neck. Keep going, moving all the way down your face. I use this video each morning to guide my hands – I promise she explains it better than I ever could lol.

Cupping – Cupping therapy is believed to aid relaxation, promote good sleep patterns, and improve general health and wellbeing. It can even benefit muscle and joint pain by tightening the skin, breaking down fat tissue, and improving lymphatic circulation. I use this set of cups and oil and focus on cellulite problem spots. You start by applying the oil, suctioning the cup to the skin, and moving the cup around in circular motions. You may be left with temporary red marks, but it is worth it in the end!

I have integrated these practices into my daily routines and am loving what they have done for my body so far. If you have any personal wellness routines you utilize, leave them in the comment section below and I would love to try them out!

-oxox Danielle

Weekly Recap #2

Life Updates

To kick off the week I received my first package from Ora Organic. They are a sustainable vitamin company in Austin that caught my eye and they ship organic supplements straight to your door each month. I decided to go with “Appley Ever After” (Apple Cider Vinegar), “Be-you-tiful” (Hair, Skin, and Nails), “You’re Golden” (Turmeric), and “You’re a Knockout” (Sleep & Stress Support). So far I love the products and I was super excited to receive them this week!

I also got my Fab Fit Fun spring box this week! I am the biggest advocate for this brand because it is the gift that keeps on giving. Pro tip – ask for a membership as a birthday gift and you will receive trendy beauty, workout, and lifestyle items 4 times throughout the year. Some of my favorite products were discovered through previous Fab Fit Fun boxes. This brand knows what I like and how to keep me buying it. If you have not tried it out I highly recommend doing so, I can send you a starter box for only $5 – let me know if you are interested.

Friday night Richy & I went over to our friends’ new apartment and had a cookout night. I found this watermelon margarita recipe and it turned out really good! My go to margarita is a spicy jalapeño & pineapple, but this watermelon jalapeño is a close second. We grilled some burgers and threw back several margs (I forgot to take a picture of both) and had a wonderful night.

Saturday morning Richy and I decided on a hiking date at Bull Creek. It was about a 20 minutes from our apartment and the route was covered in vibrant green Austin hills. The hike was intense and we did not realize how many waterfalls & streams existed until we got there. Next time we are bringing swimsuits & chacos to cool off during and after the hike. It was a great spot, for a date or even a family trip, so if you are in Austin check it out.

After our healthy deed for the day, we stopped at Pint House Pizza for a sweaty and well deserved meal. Before we pulled up Richy said we were “going all out on the carbs” and he was not kidding. We ordered the beer mates (garlic cheese bread), 2 pizza rolls, and a large speciality pizza (half pepperoni basil & half honey pear). This honey pear pizza won me over after 1 bite because everything I love was involved – prosciutto, basil, blue cheese, caramelized onions, local honey, and pear slices. It was beautiful *insert chef’s kiss here*.

We also grabbed a $10 beer flight with these 5 – Old Beluga, Selfish Lover Coconut, Selfish Lover Maple, Burro’s Breakfast, and Bailing Room. My personal favorite was Bailing Room (a perfect day drinking beer) and my least favorite was Selfish Lover Maple. If you stop by any of the Pinthouse locations let me know your personal favorites! Overall it was delicious and Pint House has become one of my favorite restaurants in Austin because of this visit.

Saturday afternoon our friends Kennedy and Michael came over for fajitas and drinks by the pool. We ate our meal on the rooftop and had such a sweet evening. Also, if you have not tried pineapple with cinnamon on the grill then you have not lived.

Sunday was spent grocery shopping and meal prepping for the week. I fell off my health grind the past 3 weeks and I am determined to get back on track. Check out this week’s menu under the food category and then home cooking!

Hope you all have a great week – thanks for checking in!

-oxox Danielle

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner – Quick + Healthy

Home Cooking

I try to meal prep as best as I can, but with quarantine being the current norm I can settle for something quick but not in a glass container. I try to keep our meals high in protein, low in calories, and most importantly simple. Here is is this week’s menu.

Breakfast – Avocado Egg in Hole

Ingredients – Avocado, Egg, Bacon, Colby Jack Cheese, Salt & Pepper, Hot Sauce

Instructions – The name speaks for itself. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, scoop out a little to make a wider space for the egg (but not much), crack the egg into the hole, and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Pull the avocado out, sprinkle some sea salt & pepper, crumble a piece of bacon, and drizzle some hot sauce. Quick & easy and only 257 calories with 77% coming from a healthy fat.

Lunch – Deli Wrap

Ingredients – Spinach tortilla wrap, a dip/spread (I either use chive cream cheese or La Terra Fina spinach artichoke parmesan dip), deli turkey, deli cheese (I use provolone), romaine hearts, thin sliced tomatoes, bacon, and salt/pepper/seasoning.

Instructions – This one is my go to simple lunch. All you have to do is lay out the wrap, spread your dip, and cover the wrap with all the other ingredients. Then tightly roll up the wrap and make pinwheel slices. My favorite part is sprinkling the “everything but the bagel” seasoning from Trader Joe’s. This wrap takes 5 minutes and is beyond tasty.

Dinner – Grilled Salmon with Pineapple Mango Jalapeño Marinade & Sweet Potato

Ingredients – Salmon filet, marinade (mine is the 505 Southwestern Pineapple Mango Jalapeño), seasoning (I use Uncle Chris), salt, cinnamon, and sweet potatoes.

Instructions – This one is a savory but healthy dinner. We typically purchase the fresh cut Costco salmon, but due to shipping shortages we settled for their frozen filets and they turned out great. Put the sweet potatoes in the oven at 450 for 55 minutes and then take the seasoned salmon to the grill and cook to your liking. Cut the cooked sweet potatoes open and sprinkle some Himalayan salt & cinnamon and even brown sugar if you are feeling fancy. Once the salmon is finished grilling, top it off with the marinade and your meal is complete!

Snack – Grilled Pineapple with cinnamon

Ingredients – Pineapple & Cinnamon

Instructions – Cut the pineapple into spears, sprinkle cinnamon on top, and grill each one until it is a golden brown. This is a snack Richy started making and now I eat 24/7. It is sweet and such a “dessert” like treat.

I try to switch it up every week, so stay tuned for the next healthy & quick menu.

-oxox Danielle

Essential Products

Products

If I were stranded on an island and only allowed to bring 10 essential beauty products, these are the ones I would take with me. I use each of these every day & encourage you to try them if you have not already.

Origins has always been my favorite beauty brand. They are natural & gentle but effective in both skincare and make up. I was introduced to this face wash “Checks & Balances” in 5th grade and have used it since. It is the most cleansing face wash for oil, make up, and dirt but does not leave you feeling completely stripped – the perfect balance, hence the name. My face is so accustomed to this cleanser that if I go one day without it, my skin will let me know.

Richy introduced me to this Formula 10.0.6 toner that has stopped breakouts before they even surface. It is an intense toner with salicylic acid that can pull everything out of the pores. 5 stars from me!

Now let me tell you about my favorite product I recently discovered via Richy’s mom (thank you Lilly). Eight Hour cream by Elizabeth Arden (the queen of skincare) can fix literally anything – pimples, sun burns, cuts, rashes. This product is technically 3 items but I grouped them as one because I can not live without any of them. The original eight hour cream, the hand cream, and the lipstick – will all solve any issues your skin brings up. I would refer to this brand as magic in a bottle or maybe even the 8th wonder of the world. I don’t know what is in this stuff but I know it works. You can get this three pack at Macy’s for $35.

Trader Joe’s creates my favorite lotion that has ever existed. The Coconut Body Butter/ Fall edition Pumpkin Body Butter, is the creamiest and most delicious smelling lotion I have ever used. Every time I wear it I get asked about what perfume or lotion I am wearing because it smells incredible. To make it even better, this lotion is $5 and will last you a month. I buy this stuff in bulk and highly recommend you try it out.

I found these complexion perfecting pads by Nassif MD in a Fab Fit Fun box and learned that they are true to their perfecting name. With glycolic acid and lactic acid these pads quickly show a massive improvement in skin tone, breakouts, and an overall glow.

If you deal with tired eyes & dark circles I would suggest this caffeine solution. It brightens and awakens the eyes making mornings easier. Pair this with a cold jade roller in the morning & your face has already gained an extra 2 hours of sleep.

Mario Badescu’s drying lotion will make a pimple disappear overnight. This is a gift from the skin care gods, swing by your nearest Ulta and pick up a bottle.

This is another Fab Fit Fun find that I now use religiously. This conditioner treats the hair while untangling it and adding shine. This one ranks #1 on my hair care list.

Every time I walk into an Ulta I grab a pack of the Earth Therapeutics Hydrogel Patches. I have been brand loyal to these for about 8 years so you have my word that these are worth it!

Trader Joe’s tea tree cleansing pads are a natural way of removing all bacteria and clear up any flare ups. These are $3 for 60 pads and do their job well. One of my favorite Trader Joe finds!

Thanks for reading along and let me know your own essentials!

-oxox Danielle

Weekend Update #2

Life Updates

Life in quarantine is getting pretty old after 7 weeks, but we are making the most of it. We have watched just about every Netflix movie, I finalized and launched this blog, we completed and gave up on several puzzles, and have gone on many walks. This weekend we decided to go on a quarantine date, try a new recipe, and support one of our favorite local businesses. Not the craziest weekend, but I told y’all I would update you on life so here it is!

I’ve mentioned CRU Wine Bar on another post, my favorite restaurant in Austin, and their fabulous deals. We took advantage of their buy one get one free pizza deal and set up a date night at the park. I also had to order their goat cheese beignets – if you go you have to get these as an appetizer.

Pizza without wine is basically a crime so I grabbed a bottle of Tempranillo and my wine bag. This wine bag was a Christmas gift from Richy’s parents and makes to go wine possible. It includes two wine glasses, a bottle opener, napkins, a bottle stopper, and insulated slots for 2 bottles – so basically it is the best thing since sliced bread. I could not find the exact one they got me, but this gives you the idea if you want one for yourself! We headed to Zilker Park and set up a picnic for the sweetest Friday night date.

On Saturday I woke up with an intense buffalo chicken craving and had to act on it. I winged a recipe from the ingredients below and ended up with 3 cheese buffalo chicken quesadillas with rice and beans & celery/carrots with ranch. The celery and carrots are kinda random now that I think about it, but in the craving mindset I was thinking Wingstop’s buffalo sauce – which pairs great with these two veggies & ranch. I mixed the Frank’s Red Hot, cheese, green onions, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and taco seasoning in a bowl with the shredded chicken. Then I heated up the HEB Bakery tortillas, the best kind, added more cheese, and voila – the craving was satisfied.

After we gained ten pounds from the quesadillas, we walked it off on our 4 mile route around East Austin and ended at our favorite small business, Dolce Bacio Gelato. I have to tell y’all about this place – best gelato in Austin & the sweetest owners straight from Italy. They are in this pink food truck on East Cesar Chavez, but they also do catering and have a traveling bike downtown. She uses only natural authentic ingredients and has the best flavors that are bold & real! My favorite are the stracciatella, Nutella, and coffee. Richy loves their almond, salted caramel, and vanilla. Go check them out if you are in Austin, follow them on Instagram, and support this sweet small business. Truly the most genuine business owners I have ever met with the cutest Italian accents!

Overall it was a good weekend & fingers crossed that next weekend is another step closer to normalcy in this weird time we are in! I am going to work on some posts in other parts of my blog menu this week and have some more content up for y’all. Stay safe & I hope you have great week!

-oxox Danielle