Fennel & Orange Salad

If you've never tasted fennel before it has a very nice licorice taste and a crispy texture. Fennel can be added from soups to salads to give that extra flavor. This salad is very light, it's perfect to serve with a nice piece of fish or chicken. Take a look:

Recipe from Sweet Caroline

Ingredients:
1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
2 large naval oranges, peeled and ends trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fennel fronds, chopped (for garnish)
Salt

Directions:
In a serving bowl, add the sliced fennel bulb. Hold orange over the serving bowl, cut along the membrane on both sides of each segment using a paring knife, free the segments and repeat with the remaining fruit. Squeeze the membranes to extract the juice. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the top, season with salt and garnish with fennel fronds. Toss and serve. Enjoy!

May's Conscious Box Review

About a week ago, I received my May Conscious Box and decided to show you what I got this time around. I've already done a review in the past of a classic box and this time I chose a vegan box to give a try. Like I've said in the past post, Conscious Box offers the purest, most natural and sustainable products on the planet.

My vegan box came with a variety of products ranging from natural spices to shampoo and natural dishwasher tablets. Here's the list of what came in my vegan box:

Ultima Replenisher - the All-Day Everyday Health Drink

Graw Foods Raw, Sprouted Graw Bars - this bar was very delicious!

Mac-n-Mo's Morselicious Treats (discount offer)

Pollen Ranch Organic Fennel Pollen - great way to add zest to everything from pork ribs to risotto to coffee cake, I'm looking forward to try this! it came with a recipe too.

Earthpaste Amazingly Natural Toothpaste (2)

Arora Creations Cauliflower Gobi - a blend of authentic Indian spices, I can't wait to try also.

Ecover Automatic Dishwasher Tablets

Yes To Cucumbers Natural Sunscreen

A.Vogel Herbamare Original - natural fine sea salt infused with organic fresh herbs and vegetables. 

Veria ID Innerdosha Shampoo and Conditioner

Dream Water Sleep and Relaxation Shot (2)

BIJA Gentle Senna Tea

Suki Body Butter Cream Salve

The reason why I liked this box very much it's the fact it came with some great spices and seasoning along with recipes which I'm definitely looking forward to try soon. If you are looking to try some natural, gluten-free or vegan products, visit Conscious Box and see what's all about!

Cinnamon Shortbread Bars

These cinnamon shortbread bars are breeze to make, takes so little effort. At first, I thought this recipe would end up being a recipe fail post because the dough was so soft and crumbly too. But, once I started pressing the dough into the baking pan, everything came together and worked perfectly.

The shortbread is so flaky that it melts in your mouth, they are absolutely d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! They're perfect with a good cup of coffee or a tall glass of milk. Yum!

I found this recipe at the Land O Lakes site.

Ingredients:

Shortbread
2 cups flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Topping
1 tablespoon butter
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Combine all shortbread ingredients in large bowl. Beat at low speed just until soft dough forms (4 to 6 minutes). (DO NOT OVER MIX.) Press dough evenly onto bottom of lightly greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Stir together all topping ingredients in small bowl; sprinkle over shortbread. Prick dough all over with fork. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool slightly on wire rack; cut into bars while still warm. Happy Baking!

Coffee Date + InstaFriday

If were having a coffee date together today,

first you'd hear a secret: I'm not really a coffee person,

in fact, I don't like the taste at all (but we could settle for a nice cup of tea),

and second you'd hear of how

busy my week has been!

My mother's day cupcakes - cute card the kids gave me for Mother's day

cake pops, passed the test - Sophia's new friends - May's Conscious Box (review soon)
you can follow me through instagram if you like (@sweetcarolinie)

This week has been busy,

Ian has finally learned how to walk last week (yay),

I'm so proud of my little boy and his big moment.

Now, I'm constantly running around the house,

chasing him and keeping him out of trouble (lots of trouble)

let's just say - I'm getting plenty of exercising!

Speaking of trouble, we had to get a new water pump

for our basement 'cause it was causing a minor flooding

and this morning our washing machine decided that 

it doesn't want to work anymore. I'm really not 

happy at the moment since I need it to make 

my beautiful and large laundry magically disappear! 

But as much as my week has been busy, it was also productive.

I learned how to make cake pops (they were delish) 

since I'll be making them for a friend's bridal shower in a couple of weeks, 

I guess I passed the test. 

I'm also doing and trying new recipes for the blog, 

so be sure to come back!

Today, I'm planning to take the kids to the park.

They need to burn some energy or 

they're going to burn the house.

Btw, I was trying to do a vlog and it didn't work

since they were yelling in the background, 

well maybe I'll try it next time.

So, how was your week?
Happy Friday

I'm linking up with Alissa for Coffee Date and Jeanett for Instafriday

Come and join too!

Carrot, Apple & Spinach Salad

When I saw this recipe in the Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine, I knew I had to try it. I made a few tweaks to my likeness and the results were pretty tasty! I love salads that incorporate apples because they add such sweet or tart taste, depending on which apple you use. Take a look:

Adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 golden apple, cored and thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and cut into coins
2 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
Salt and pepper

Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk honey, oil and lemon juice; season. Toss apple, carrots and spinach with dressing. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve and enjoy!

Herb and Cheese Biscuits

I can guarantee these are the easiest biscuits to make! And pretty delicious too, I'm not lying. It's made with simple ingredients that you can find in your pantry and good herbs. Take a look:

Recipe by Sweet Caroline

Ingredients (makes 12 biscuits):
1 1/4 cups Bisquick mix
1/2 cup shredded mild yellow sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
2 scallion, chopped
A handful of chopped parsley

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butte or line with parchment paper a baking sheet. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and slowly adding the milk, mix it until well combined. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or until the biscuits are firm and golden. Serve warm and enjoy!