Cozy Fall Recipes

Everything about fall revolves around being “cozy”.  Whether if its wearing the big chunky sweaters, wrapping up in a blanket around a bonfire, drinking a warm cup or cider or tea, or cozying up to a bowl of soup with some big chunky socks. Let’s face it, fall is basically the best time of year.

picfxfile-51

I have put together my top 5 cozy recipes for the fall.  As you scroll through you will notice a trend.  I love soups haha.  I have made about 30 different types of soup since I have been married (5 years) and these are by far my favorites.  I have made all of these multiple times.  My husband and my friends who I have made these for have asked for the recipes.  I am by any means NOT a chef connoisseur, but these recipes are the PERFECT recipes for someone who is on a budget, health conscious, and has little time.

SO HERE ARE MY TOP 5
(Click on the each title to get the full recipe)


1. One Pot Chili Mac & Cheese

From: Damn Delicious

What I like about this recipe: Cheap, fast & easy to make
I first made this recipe for a get together a year ago.  It was around the fall and what I loved about it is that it is BOTH chili and MAC & CHEESE combined.  You can customize how thick or liquidy you want this recipe depending on how much broth you put in.  If you are looking to make it healthier – take out the cheese and offer it as a topping.


2. Butternut Squash White Bean Kale Stew

From: Table for Two

What I like about it: The best tasting soup out of my list.  If you like the salty and sweet combo, this is your soup!!
OH MY HEAVENS. This soup is probably my favorite taste out of the list I have made.  I would recommend using lacinato kale (AKA Dino Kale) instead of curly kale.  It may be hard to find, but the taste is must less bitter.  I also bought already chopped up butternut squash at my local Kroger grocery store in the veggie section. This soup recipe does take a little longer to prepare but its WORTH IT!


3. Smoked Sausage, Kale & Potato Soup

From: Diethood

What I like about it: The PERFECT soup to have on a cold / crisp day.  This is typically the best soup for a male appetite.  This soup is also low calorie!
This soup is another favorite of mine because it is simple.  It is a heartier soup and super filling! It is kind of similar to the Zuppa Toscana soup at Olive Garden.


4. Butternut Squash ‘Mac & Cheese 

From: Baby Foode

What I like about it: A healthy spin on true comfort food! The sauce is made out of butternut squash and uses little cheese compared to regular mac & cheese.
I would HIGHLY recommend getting the pre-diced butternut squash.  I get mine in the veggies section at Kroger or target.  This recipe is such a classic and you are eating your veggies too!


5. Thieves Tea

From: Bargain Blessings

What I like about it: The ultimate cold fighting tea.  I have had less colds in the past 2 years due to this tea!
*This is my GO TO recipe for when I am feeling sick.  A good friend of mine introduced me to this recipes a couple years ago and I this recipes not only soothes your throat, it contains natural ingredients that fight bacteria.  I would HIGHLY recommend using RAW LOCAL ORGANIC HONEY.  Getting local honey is made from pollens in your area and allows for you to build up an immunity to those pollens to fight agains allergies.  **I only use Frankincense when I am very sick.  Peppermint, lemon and thieves will be enough to do the job.


Want more recipes that I have TRIED and LIKED?

Follow my Pinterest board:recipes 2.png

picfxfile-48

– Shop my Look –

 

 You are fearfully and wonderfully made,
signature blog

Fall Under $40

Regardless of this Indian Summer thing going on, fall is quickly approaching and that means it’s time to get out the chunky sweaters, scarves, fall booties, cutout jeans, and cute accessories.  One thing I learned from my mom is finding good deals.  Instead of you spending the next several weeks trying to find the best deals, I did all of that for you and brought the deals to you all in one post.  Your husbands can thank me later. 😉

Every item below is UNDER $40. I have made it even easier for you and categorized the items.  I have bought items from all of these online stores and here is the rundown on their sizes:

  • BOOHOO.com – Sizes run smaller (except if you order a larger sweater or “boyfriend” jeans)
  • Shein – Sizes tend to run smaller. Maybe order a size up.
  • Target – True to size
  • Old Navy – True to size – if anything order a size down.

Shop Chunky Sweaters

Shop Tops

Shop Pants

Shop Dresses

Shop Outerwear

Shop Shoes

Shop Athleisure

Shop Accessories

 

What I am Wearing

Happy Shopping!

 

You are fearfully and wonderfully made,
signature blog

 

The BaubleBar Sale

I have quickly become a BaubleBar fan in the past few months and I totally give that credit to all of the bloggers that I follow.  What I love about their jewelry is that they come in affordable prices and don’t sacrifice the quality.  They will have a sale from time to time and right now ALL OF THEIR ITEMS are 25% with code: BIGONE ( except BB Essentials and Sale).  The sale ends TONIGHT (September 27th)  I have linked all of my favorite BaubleBar Pieces below.  You also can also get the “Play By Ear” deal  where you can mix and match your favorite pairs of earrings for $48 (valued at $94).  I would highly recommend signing up for their free vault rewards program where you can earn points on your purchase.

My Favorite Baubles

I haven’t even got to the best part yet, they have recently partnered with Target and started a new line called SUGARFIX .  The prices are even better and the jewelery is to die for! I have linked my favorite pieces below.

Shop my Favorite SUGARFIX:

 

Want to shop the rest of my looks in this post?

Shop below:

 

You are fearfully and wonderfully made,
signature blog

 

Plaid Top

There is no other item that screams fall like a good old button up plaid top.  I love how you can wear them in many ways and match then with different patterns.  I recently got this plaid top from a new local boutique called Six Hearts Boutique.  I loved the color combo of this top and the fabric is super soft.  I have linked my favorite plaid tops for this fall below.
picfxfile-33
The Hoosier tee I am wearing is from a customizable Etsy shop call Rachel Rene Designs. What I love about her tees is that they are a good quality material that is so soft.  She also has the best sayings on her tees.  Rachel is so sweet that she is letting me give you 10% your entire order from her Etsy shop with code: ASHLEY10!!

 

– Shop the Post –

picfxfile-32

You are fearfully and wonderfully made,
signature blog

6 Minute Core Sculpting Workout

Are you the person who exercises regularly but can’t get a trim waistline? I may have be able to help you with that.

I typically do three 30-40 minutes of cardio focused workouts each week.  Cardio is great, but it will not tone or sculpt your muscle.  I have already shown you in my 15 Minute  HIIT workout how I tone and sculpt my body, but that workout is only meant to be done 1-3 times per week.  What can I do the other days so I do not neglect my core muscles?  It is simple, add-on a 5 minute core workout at the end of your workouts. 

img_4884

So what is the difference between your CORE and your ABS? Most people think of abs when someone says core, but it is much more.  Your core includes also your obliques (sides), back, hips, glutes, and lats. I am not by any means a professional so if I missed a section out please call me out!

I do some sort of core workout after or during every workout.  However, 2-3 days per week after I do a more intense core workout to challenge those muscles.  It is good to surprise your muscles and to throw them off guard.  If I were to do the same ab workout each day ( like 25 crunches per day) I would never see much improvement or I wouldn’t see an all over difference in my core.  That is why I like to spice things up a bit 2-3 times per week with my 6 minute core sculptor workout. This workout has 7 moves.  Most moves have a high options and a low option.  I would recommend to start with the low options first then work your way up to the higher options the more comfortable you are with the workout.

My ultimate goal for you is to make exercising fun.  It should make you feel good about yourself.  It may feel unnatural r inconvenient at first, but use this time to praise the body you have. If you can’t get a full cardio workout in, add-on this 6 minute workout before you go to bed or in the morning.  I always tell myself I never regret working out (unless I am majorly sick and too stubborn to rest haha)

picfxfile-31

Here are the rules:

  1. Your goal is to complete all 7 moves in about 6 minutes.  (DON’T RUSH!! QUALITY OVER QUANTITY)
  2. If you finish early, start from the top until the 6 minutes are up.
  3.  If you don’t finish all the moves in 6 minutes, finish the entire workout at your own pace.
  4. Here’s where this can get fun: check and see what time you get your workout done and try to beat it the next time without sacrificing your form.

blog 6 minute core.png

Don’t know what the moves are?  Watch the videos below:

Twists

Suitcase Crunches

Side Ab Raise

Butt Raise

Marching Planks

Jack Knife Crunches

Pushups with Option

 

picfxfile-29

– Shop my Post –

You are fearfully and wonderfully made,
signature blog