Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

This chicken enchilada recipe is so delicious and super quick to whip up. The homemade tomatillo salsa is a must—after trying to find a bottled version that could mimic the flavors of my favorite restaurant version, I decided to try making my own. It’s easy, for the most part, and so so good. This meal takes about 40 minutes, prep time included.

Note: If you don’t have a food processor, a blender will work. We have a Vitamix and purchased these attachments for whipping up small dips and sauces. It’s a game-changer! If you have neither, wait until the roasted veg cools and use a good old fashioned mortar and pestle to smash into a sauce.

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

for the roasted tomatillo salsa

Makes 4 cups, vegan, gluten-free

1 1/2 pounds fresh tomatillos, husks removed
1/2 medium white onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices
2 garlic cloves, unpeeled and smashed
1 jalapeño
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, including stems
Pinch of flaky sea salt (I love Maldon), or to taste

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. Rinse and dry all ingredients well. Roast on a foil-lined baking sheet, uncrowded, for about 20 minutes.

3. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes.

4. Peel and discard the stem from the jalapeño and the skin from the garlic cloves, and blend everything in a food processor until mostly smooth—you want a little texture.

5. Add a pinch of salt and let cool to room temperature before serving.

   Note: Leftovers can be stored in fridge for up to 4 days—I love it over grilled chicken or steak with some steamed rice.

for the enchiladas

Serves 4-6

16 oz. shredded chicken breast (you can cheat and use rotisserie here)
1/2 small white or yellow onion, sliced thin
1 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 c. crumbled queso fresco
8 flour tortillas
Pinch of Mexican oregano
Cooking spray or avocado oil
Optional: Cilantro, sour cream, avocado slices for serving

directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Grease a 9x11 baking dish with cooking spray or avocado oil.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, oregano, onion, 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and 1/2 cup tomatillo sauce and stir to combine. Add salt if needed.
4. Pour 1/2 c. of sauce into the baking dish and spread it evenly over the bottom of the dish with a spatula.
5. Place a flour tortilla on a cutting board or flat surface and fill it with 1/8th of the chicken mixture. Carefully roll it up and place seam-side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
6. Pour the remaining sauce over the top, using a spatula to coat evenly.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 c. cheese and 1/2 c. queso fresco evenly over the enchiladas, and return to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Cheese should be melted and the sauce bubbling—you can pop it under the broiler for a few minutes to brown, if desired.
9. Serve with sour cream, chopped cilantro, and avocado slices.

Good Clean Kitchen: The Original GreenPan Venice Pro Cookware

I’m so excited to share a brand that I’ve been using for a few months now that has completely changed my cooking game—meet GreenPan. You might have seen this beautiful cookware make an appearance quite a few times on my Instagram and Stories if you’ve been following along with my quarantine cooking adventures. But I assure you, these beautiful pots and pans are as easy to use as they are on the eyes.

I had been looking for a really great cookware set to add to our wedding registry for quite some time and had a long list of musts. Non-stick (for easy cleanup), Teflon-free (because traditional non-stick cookware is bad for you and the environment), and of course, aesthetically pleasing.

This beautiful set from GreenPan fit the bill. It’s coated in a durable ceramic that won’t deposit harmful chemicals like lead, cadmium, nickel, or toxic metals in your food. And they are truly non-stick! Cleanup has been an absolute breeze with these pans, whether I’m cooking a lemon roasted chicken on Sunday nights or a light and healthy soup to enjoy throughout week.

Another great thing I love about the GreenPan Venice Pro Set is that it includes all of the essentials you could need—a frying pan, a sauté pan, a steamer pan and more. Unless you are a professional chef or entertain often, the chances that you will need more pans than this is slim. As someone who mostly cooks for two (three if you count Teddy), these pans are absolutely perfect for our small city kitchen. They also stack easily and tuck neatly away in my cabinets. You know how much I love to stay organized and declutter!

GreenPan has so many beautiful sets, so you can mix and match your favorites. I especially love this pink set and this modern black set. If you’re looking for something to brighten up your kitchen, these certainly fit the bill.

With that in mind, I’ve rounded up my favorite pieces from the GreenPan collection below!

SimmerLite Dutch Oven

A true kitchen workhorse! I use it for everything from pastas and stew to roasting a whole chicken.

Venice Pro Set

The complete collection—everything you need to cook great meals at home. (And beautiful to boot!)

Venice Pro Sauté Pan

Aromatic stir-fries and slow-simmering sauces clean up easily in this perfectly-sized pan.

Padova Frypan Set

Eggs! Stir-fry! The perfect go-to, everyday set. A versatile, functional set of pans.

Where To Shop For Chic, Sustainable Activewear

I’ve been making it a point to downsize my closet to make room for special, quality pieces. Pieces that are seasonless, classic, flattering, and above all, intentional.

Enter: ADAY. They’ve become a top destination for me when I’m needing a a wardrobe refresh. I love how I can always rely and trust on the selection and quality of their pieces. Everything I own from the brand was so thought out in terms of design, fabric, and details (hidden pockets!). But that’s not all—every step of the process is made in the most sustainable way to lessen the impact on the environment. In short: it’s clothing you can truly feel good in and feel good about wearing.

Let’s get down to the details:

ADAY works with engineers to source and create the most technologically advanced fabrics, inspired by the luxurious materials we already know and love.

These innovative fabrics are built to last and have exceptional powers—from thermo-regulation (you won’t overheat, even on the sunnies of days) to wrinkle-resistance (game-changer).

These special features mean that their pieces are truly seasonless. I love that I can wear these ultra flattering leggings year-round rather than buy new pieces each season. And because they’re so durable, they hold up wear after wear and still look like new.

Pictured here: ADAY Brakes Off Legging and Lighten Up Bra in Moss

I wanted to share my most recent obsessions: this matching workout set. These leggings are insanely good—just look at the genius hidden pocket to hold your phone on a run. And I just adore the cutout back detail in this crop bra, it’s so flattering!

We also need to talk about this fabric! The material is so breathable and light, it’s like a second skin. Long runs, neighborhood walks, Melissa Wood Health workouts, Zoom calls… I’ve been living in them lately.

Here are a few more of my favorite ADAY pieces to check out for yourself…

Healthy Habits in a Snap

“Healthy habits” truly encompasses many things—exercise, what we eat, what we put on our skin, our thoughts, our habits—and how we balance it all. As we strive to become healthier and happier in our lives, especially during this time, the conversations become broader and even more relevant. I swear as soon as I reached my late twenties, my metabolism and energy hit the road and I have learned more than ever the importance of self-care and eating well. Creating rituals I enjoy is my new trick to developing healthy habits, which has proved to be a success for me as of late…

I recently hit a wall and realized that a few bad habits were compounding and causing me to feel awful. Lack of sleep, brain fog, feeling unmotivated. Honestly, a lot of this I believe has to do with working from home (read: easy to form bad habits) and feeling burnout every so often. It definitely had to do with my diet, too. It’s not like I was eating pizza for lunch, but I wasn’t considering the nutrients that my body and mind need to keep me going during the day and feeling great.

After a few weeks of feeling very blah, I decided to make changes and seriously commit to being more mindful about my daily lifestyle choices. I’m fortunate to live close to Snap Kitchen, a healthy meal delivery service, who has a few locations here in Philadelphia. They offer healthy, chef-inspired meals, craft drinks, and delicious snacks that are perfect for on-the-go or when I don’t feel like cooking. (Which has been quite often, as we have only ordered take-out once since quarantine started). Eric and I knew we needed to make a change in our habits and start eating better in hopes of feeling healthier, happier, and lighter.

Snap Kitchen makes it simple and easy to stick to a healthy lifestyle. All of their products are gluten-free (!) so you don’t need to worry about reading the back of ingredient labels. They only choose the highest-quality brands to carry, in addition to their own delicious prepped meals. I love that you can customize your meals based on your lifestyle choices. Eric and I try to eat similarly, but let’s face it, the calories and nutrients we need are quite different. He feels better eating a plant-based, gluten-free diet while I crave iron-rich foods and love a (healthy) carb. Snap Kitchen has a few different options for their meal plans: low carb, high protein, balance, or you can customize your own. I love the balance plan, but we’ve opted to customize a few times now and love it (more on that below).

We challenged ourselves to the Snap Kitchen life for a few weeks to see how we feel and, in short: we feel amazing! We’re both sleeping well, happier, and feel like our minds are clear and refreshed. We’re focusing on progress, eating better, exercising, and being more mindful about my choices on a daily basis without the added stress of having to meal plan and prep. Snap Kitchen makes it easy to balance living healthy in a way that isn’t restricting/boring. We love food (and wine), so we don’t compromise things that we enjoy. Here’s a list of my golden rules for eating healthy, plus go-to meals and snacks from Snap—including little things that have made a big impact…

1

Start your day off on the right foot. I used to totally skip breakfast, but now it has become something I look forward to. My favorite Snap breakfasts include Siggi’s Yogurt with fresh fruit and granola, Mush Apple Crisp, and the Almond Butter Pancakes. They also carry Vital Proteins collagen, which I add to my morning smoothies. Delicious!

2

Keep healthy food on hand. If I only have healthy options to reach for, that’s what I gravitate towards. I love keeping things like Coconut Cashews and RX Bars on hand when I need something between meals. I actually haven’t been snacking too much because Snap meals truly make me feel satisfied and energized.  

3

Don’t deprive yourself. Some people are great at portion control and that’s amazing. For me? If I’m hungry, I eat. BUT I try to choose the healthiest option. When I’m starving I tend to make bad choices, and I know that about myself so I make sure it doesn’t happen. That doesn’t mean I will pass up on a burger (who doesn’t love a good one now and then, especially during summer?). I love Snap’s healthy version that’s made with mushrooms! It’s absolutely delicious.

4

A kombucha a day….keeps the doctor away! I love something bubbly to sip on when I’m outside on the roof or hanging with friends. But so many drinks are filled with calories, sugar, and not much else… Snap Kitchen carries Baba’s Booch, made locally near me, and it’s a delicious treat to have on hand. It has a lot less sugar than other kombucha brands I’ve seen but still has the flavors I crave.

5

Get creative. Snap Kitchen now sells components to their meals, so you can truly customize them and make it your own. Their grilled chicken is so delicious and I’ve never been able to replicate it at home, so I love picking up a few portions to throw onto salads or wraps during the week. We even made delicious homemade gluten-free enchiladas and they turned out amazing!  

Have you tried Snap Kitchen yet? If so, what are your favorite meals? Be sure to share your healthy tips with me in the comments!

Home Tour: A 1920's Colonial Revival Brimming with Charm

I recently came across this beautiful home tour and just had to share. It’s the closest to how I envision my dream home—just add arches and a dipping pool surrounded by lemon trees, please!

The closest a home tour has come to embodying what I’ve been dreaming up for a future home (just add some archways!). This 1920’s Colonial revival home was renovated and designed by Danish-born interior designer Pernille Lind. Her discerning eye The attention to detail and love of travel is woven into every project she has touched thus far, so inspired by her discerning eye—the neutral foundation that creates such a serene atmosphere, the charming molding details, the arched windows, the french doors, the travertine coffee table, the green and white mosaic marble, the Murano bedroom chandelier, collected vintage, all the cane/rattan… every carefully curated detail ties together in perfect harmony.

Have a look and prepare to swoon…

Get the Vibe

Images via Pernille’s portfolio

Stylish Accessories for Dogs

When Teddy became part of our family, I wanted to make sure that I found the best pet products that fit into my ethos and aesthetic. Being a huge dog lover and appreciating all the small details in life, I wanted to make sure that our pet products felt like an extension of our home. Bonus points if those products were sustainable and eco-friendly.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to a brand that I’ve used and loved for years: Harry Barker. We’re so in love with these stylish and durable pieces that blend seamlessly into our home and even more in love with the mission behind the brand.

Harry Barker is devoted to artful craftsmanship and elevated design, while upholding the highest ethical and environmental standards. All of their fabrics are earth-friendly, using dyes that are safe for your pets and home. Each bed insert is made of recycled plastic, too. Even their treats are made with all-natural ingredients and come in reusable tins that are cute enough to leave on your counter. They truly thought of every detail.

I put some of my favorite products together for you, including some things I have and love! x

**I’m also excited to share that Harry Barker is having a big sale this weekend, offering 50% off all refill bag treats this weekend with code HBDUSA. T loves all of the flavors, but I think the peanut butter is his all-time favorite.

This hemp vintage stripe bed adds a touch of nautical flair to our apartment. Teddy absolutely adores this bed, which is made of organic, eco-friendly fabric and has a plush feel that’s perfect for a mid-day snooze. I love it because it’s thick, durable, and can easily be thrown into the washing machine. It’s a win win.

These enamelware bowls are another favorite of mine. I really love how simple and clean they look—you’d be surprised how hard it is to find minimal pieces for pets.

Teddy tends to be a messy eater and these have a nice grip to the floor so that I’m not tripping over bits of kibble when I walk through the kitchen. (If you’re a pet parent, you’re probably used to finding them all over the floor.)

They are also great to bring on long walks or hikes, as I can pack them in a duffel for when we’re on the go.

If you prefer some color, these bowls are also available in red and blue!

Shop more of my favorites below or head over to the Harry Barker website to see their wonderful assortment for yourself. Plus, they offer free shipping on orders of $150+… happy shopping!

Thank you to Harry Barker for partnering on this post.

Summer Skincare

Sunshine Soup

A Dream Wedding Registry Guide

At long last, let’s talk wedding registry!

We got engaged last year and I quickly realized that not everyone has a clear plan when registering for items on their wish list—I know we didn’t. Registries are tough… I’ve definitely struggled a bit, it’s hard to decide when it’s on the spot, scrolling through a few select registry sites. Wedding planning, in general, is a lot to take on, so I wanted to share some of my most loved/used items, as well as some of the things I recommend adding to your own registry. I hope you find this a helpful guide to those looking to build their dream list!

I receive so many questions about wedding advice- from dresses to planning, registry and everything in between. Everyone has their own motivations for the items they place on their registry based on the kind of lifestyle they live and what they already have.

Since we have a lot of basics already, I realized that I wanted to upgrade some items and find pieces that I could love and keep forever. Enter: Duralex and Emile Henry. They’re both heritage brands made in France, known for their quality and timelessness. I just knew they would have the perfect pieces to make our house feel more like a home! They have just about everything and anything you could want and need, making them ideal brands to ask for. And they’re stocked at so many major retailers: Amazon, Nordstrom, Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table.

 Being in our late 20s/early 30s we already have a home and have it filled with electronics, bedding, dishes and things we love. Usually these items make great wedding gifts, however since we didn’t need a lot of this stuff we tried getting creative with our wedding registry. Here are a few of the items we would love to receive for our wedding…

Duralex Picardie Glasses and Espresso Cups — We are big coffee drinkers! Even on a busy day, we take time to sit together with a cup of coffee and catch up or just chat. It’s become a daily ritual that I love. We love these classic Picardie glasses from Duralex for enjoying cappuccinos and lattes that feel cafe-worthy—all from the comfort of our own home. The other sizes are absolutely perfect for everyday use and they go with every decor style. Truly a classic!

Emile Henry Tangine — We both love to cook but sometimes there are nights where neither one of us want to. On these nights our go-to dinner is to throw our favorite ingredients in our Emile Henry Tagine and let it bubble away. I love the idea that you can create restaurant-worthy dishes at home with little prep-work. Plus, it looks absolutely stunning! They come in an array of gorgeous colors. Love!

J.K. Adams Wood Cutting/Serving Board — I’m so lucky to be marrying a man who not only enjoys cooking but is great at it! He makes wonderful pastas, steak, and even beautiful cheese plates. This gorgeous wood serving piece is beautiful and functional. We use one side for cutting smaller items and the other for displaying beautiful boards for guests. The quality of these boards is top-notch. I’ve been eye-ing some of the larger styles to keep on hand, as well.

 
Duralex Lys Mixing Bowl Set — There’s nothing better than homemade desserts! I love this Duralex mixing bowl set because it has every size I need to create delicious desserts at home without the mess. They’re sturdy and the minimal design is perfect for every kitchen. I love that cleanup is a breeze—I can pop them in the dishwasher without worrying about them breaking or cracking. They are that durable! Because of their simplistic design, they are also the perfect vessel for serving salads and sides at dinner. A must-have!

So, because I have more ideas that I think you’ll love… I’ve spent a lot of time creating this Registry Pinterest Board, where you can find all of these items and more. I’ve also added lots of pretty things we have and love to “My Apartment” board, as well.

I hope this is all helpful! x