Therese's Famous Spaghetti Sauce

You guys, my mom makes THE BEST spaghetti sauce.

“No way! You see, MY MOM makes the best spaghetti sauce.”

….well I find that hard to believe, because I live in this town, and everyone I KNOW is talking about MY MOM’S spaghetti sauce. 

“Well I talked to Mayer Grimble the other day, and he declared MY MOM’s sauce the tastiest in the land!”

…

Listen you pasta punk...I will END you!

Oh Will, be nice now.  

But seriously, my mom actually does have a KILLER spaghetti sauce recipe, and lucky for you I am unlocking the family-vault-of-secrets and sharing it with the masses!

Spaghetti dinners feasts were a bit of a tradition growing up in my house. We would get out the big roasters, and fill them with enough pasta and sauce to feed a small army. Which was perfect, because when my entire extended family came over, that was pretty much the magnitude of us.

I am all for coming up with random reasons to get together with my friends and family. Nothing says “I love you” like offering to fill their bellies with delicious food.  And who doesn't ALWAYS make too much pasta? I swear that stuff is IMPOSSIBLE to figure out, I mean seriously, does it multiply in the pot by 10 when it’s boiling?

So just take that extra pound of pasta as an excuse to invite everyone over! This recipe will fill your home with an aroma that is one part garlic, one part aphrodisiac, and one part fairy dust magic. I promise, so SO GOOD!

Here is what you need!

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. Italian sausage

1 medium onion – chopped

1 medium green pepper – chopped

8 cloves garlic – minced

3 cans, 15 oz.  Italian diced tomatoes

30 oz. tomato sauce

12 oz. tomato paste

1/3 cup sugar

2 tbsp. Italian seasoning

1 tbsp. dried basil

2 tsp. dried marjoram

1 tsp. table salt

½ tsp. black pepper

Pasta of your choice - cooked 

Originally this recipe was intended for the crock pot, and honestly I think the longer it cooks, the better it tastes. Something about it just stewing all day long really sets in those incredible flavors. That being said, if you don’t have the time to let it cook all day, or just want your pasta RIGHT THIS SECOND! there isn’t much difference between the slow cooker, and the stove top directions.

Crock Pot directions:

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef and sausage until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a 5 qt slow cooker, stir in green peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar and seasonings; mix well. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until bubbly. Serve over pasta.

Stove top directions:

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef and sausage until no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a large soup pot, stir in green peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar and seasonings; mix well. Cover and cook on high, stirring every once in a while, until bubbly. Serve over pasta.

I hope you give this sauce a try, and think of me, when all of your friends are completely astonished by your unbelievable spaghetti and the mystic qualities it possesses. 

You can also find this recipe featured at Strong is Our Sexy this week! 

SIOS - Abstract Painting Party

I'm back at Strong is Our Sexy talking about how to bring some fun to your walls, as well as your day, with a painting party! 

When it comes to decorating your space, you want make sure to include lots of personality.

YOU ARE UNIQUE, and your home should reflect that!

Custom art is a fun and inexpensive way to brighten up your walls, and really let your style shine. Now some of you may be intimidated by the thought of making “art”, but I’m not talking about recreating a flawless rendition of Monet’s Water Lilies. Art is anything you want it to be! If it holds meaning to you, and makes you happy whenever YOU look at it, it’s perfect.

If you’re still not warming up to the idea of painting something by yourself, get your favorite ladies together, pop some bubbly, and have a PAINTING PARTY! Doing something new and intimidating, while surrounded by your friends, somehow makes things SO MUCH easier.  Am I right!? 

Visit Strong is Our Sexy for the full instructions on how to make this abstract piece! 

Shout out to my wonderful family of volunteers!  
If you would like to read the whole tutorial, click the link to visit the Strong is Our Sexy site. 

SIOS - Chambray My Way

Playing some Strong is Our Sexy catch up before the weekend! Check out my article about how you can dress that wardrobe staple; the chambray shirt. 

Fall is here, people!
The beautiful trees with now amber leaves are a sure sign that it is, in fact, autumn. This time of the year is hands down my favorite. Nothing beats holding a warm beverage in your hand, crunching leaves under your boots, keeping cozy with a big scarf—safe from the crisp air—while picking out the perfect pumpkin (and hoping that said pumpkin doesn't get smashed in the street by the annoying group of boys who live on your block).
Heaven.
OK, so the pumpkin-smashing isn't so great, but there really is something special about the change of season, and the perfect balance it brings between a blistering summer and frigid winter.
The fashion that follows is also a reason why I am such a fall fanatic. Give me riding boots, chunky sweaters, and a color pallet that matches those gorgeous leaves I mentioned. One piece that I think should be in everyone’s fall fashion collection is the chambray shirt. This shirt is so versatile; it can go from casual to professional with just a few swapped accessories, and is great for layering on days that start out chilly, but end a little warmer.

To give you some inspiration, I've created a little fashion show to demonstrate how you can wear this classic piece all season long. 
(Please excuse my awkward poses. A propped up iPhone just doesn't give you the direction you need to be a successful model...psssh!) 

For more ideas, visit STRONG IS OUR SEXY! 

For more ideas, visit STRONG IS OUR SEXY, and read the whole article HERE! 

Strong is Our Sexy - DIY Painted Plates

As most of you know, for the past 2 1/2 years I have been just a little obsessed with Pole Fitness. You can read about my journey and latest pole-iversary in THIS POST. 
The magical place where I was introduced to pole (and basically consider a second home now) is Bella Forza Fitness. Not only do they have an incredible aerial fitness program, but they also have dozens of other classes you can choose from. BFF has been a MAJOR part of my healthy lifestyle transformation, and I will always be grateful to them for providing fun and exciting opportunities to be active. 
So when I was asked to help write for their new site Strong is Our Sexy, I was BEYOND thrilled! With the tag line "A bit of perspiration with a lot of inspiration!", Strong is Our Sexy is all about challenging women to evaluate what it means to be the best version of themselves, whatever they may look like. 

I highly urge you to check out the site. Alongside a handful of other inspiring women, we will be posting about various topics ranging from Fitness and Nutrition to Motherhood and Family. I will be writing for the Lifestyle and Sisterhood category, and hope to bring lots of DIY's, recipes, fashion inspiration, and other ways to bring a little bit of fabulous to your life! 

The first project I am sharing on SIOS is DIY Painted Plates. 

If you would like to read the whole tutorial, visit STRONG IS OUR SEXY and click the link HERE! 

Recipe Review

What's cookin' good lookin'?

Remember, you may kiss the cook, but don't mess with the buns! 

For those of you, who have absolutely NO desire to come up with something new to make for dinner, have no fret! I am here to do the dirty work for you. I've rummaged high and low through the vast span of the inter-web (ok…mainly Pinterest) and have returned equipped with a batch of new and easy-peasy recipes to share! All of these have been a hit in the Wellman house, and if the ever disappearing leftovers aren't a sign of good eats, I don’t know what is.

Hope you enjoy!  

(One Skillet) Sweet Potato Burrito Bowls 

Image from www.chelseasmessyapron.com

Anything that says "one skillet" I am 100% on board with. Less dishes to clean = winning. Make sure you use a big pan though, this recipe is chocked full of beans, corn, sweet potatoes, rice, peppers, and all sorts of other burrito goodness. Click HERE for the recipe. 

Apple Pecan Pies 

Image from www.abeautifulmess.com

I recently made these for a pot luck at work, and although they didn't look very appetizing, they were super yummy! Very FALL, with the pecans and apples. The most difficult part was coring all of the apples, just took a few attempts before we really got the hang of it. Click HERE for the recipe.  

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

Image from www.thewholesomedish.com

This is another "one pot wonder" dish that is an updated version of the classic chicken broccoli and rice casserole. I've recently began cooking more with quinoa, and it's a great substitute for rice that is packed with protein. Click HERE for the recipe. 

Crock Pot Maple Dijon Chicken Drumsticks

Image from www.skinnytaste.com

God bless the crock pot. I usually prep everything the night before, cover, and stick it in the fridge. Then the next morning I just plug it in and press "start" before I take off for work. Knowing that I don't have to cook at all that night, truly makes getting through the day easier. Plus these 6 ingredient drumsticks are amazeballs! Click HERE for the recipe. 

Savory Ranch Crock Pot Pork Loin

Image from www.dimplesandtangles.blogspot.com

Let me reiterate, I LOVE THE CROCK POT! I try to have pork in our menu every once in a while so Eric can have his fix. Otherwise he's stuck eating chicken more often than I'd like to admit. Plus this way I know I can't mess it up. Throw everything together, press start, and done. Click HERE for the recipe. 

Italian Chicken

Image from www.aaronandjillw.blogspot.com

And speaking of chicken! Featuring tons of tomatoes and artichokes, this has become one of our favorite ways to cook it. I believe the recipe has this served over pasta, but we usually just eat it without. I have been doubling the amount of artichokes it calls for though, but that's just our preference. Click HERE for the recipe. 

Spinach Tortellini Tomato Soup

Image from www.diethood.com

On Wednesdays, we eat pasta. And you can NOT beat this old fashioned tomato soup infused with delicious tortellini concoction. You cook everything in one huge pot, use frozen tortellini (translation: EASY) and then basically just heat everything through. Click HERE for the recipe.

Stupid Easy Paleo Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs

Image from www.paleopot.com

So spaghetti squash and I have a love/hate relationship. I really think it's a nice alternative to pasta. No, it could never replace the carb-tastic original, but it is a waste line friendly way to mix things up. Every time I attempted to make it though, I ended up trying to cut up a piping hot-out-of-the-oven squash while, wearing oven mits, and almost dropping everything onto the floor...and cursing. 

Enter "stupid easy" spaghetti squash recipe. 

You guys, I am NEVER baking my spaghetti squash again. Cutting it up beforehand (while it's NOT a million degrees) and sticking it in the crock pot surrounded by sauce and meatballs, is SO MUCH BETTER! To get my squash to fit, I had to cut it up into quarters, which made handling it to pull the "spaghetti" out of the squash much more manageable in the end. 

OK, enough of my rambling, click HERE for the recipe. 

Warm Mushroom and Asparagus Salad 

Image from www.laaloosh.com

Most of the time I don't put much effort into making sides. This salad was perfect though alongside some basic chicken that we threw on the grill. I could eat asparagus everyday, and the mix of balsamic vinegar and thyme brought in great flavor. Click HERE for the recipe. 

Are you hungry now?! I could browse through recipes for days. The whole process of cooking and creating something from nothing really gets me excited!

Or I'm just super obsessed with food.

Either way, I hope YOU found something especially appealing, and are now inspired to get crazy in the kitchen!