pasta with chicken meatballs

One of my all time favorite recipes is one of Giada De Laurentiis's many wonderful recipes, Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs (recipe here).  The meatballs are extremely tender, like slicing butter, and there must be something about the flavor of mozzarella cheese and tomatoes combined that I absolutely love.  I use bow tie noodles instead of orecchiette, but any pasta will do.  Ingredients wise, it's a pretty simple meal, but it tastes delicious.  Plus it's great for leftovers!

Check out some other pasta recipes I've pinned on Pinterest! Wendi on Pinterest

workout routine

I always switch up my workouts to give myself some variety, but this is definitely one of my favorite go-to workout routines:

• 1-2 miles on the treadmill - break it into intervals: I usually start by walking 3 minutes at 3.5-3.8 to get my muscles warmed up, run 1 mile straight at 6.0, walk 0.25 mile at 3.8, sprint 0.15-0.25 at 6.5, walk at 3.5 to cool down
• Leg Press Resistance Machine - break it into intervals: 25 at 105 lbs., 25 each leg at 90 lbs., 30 at 90 lbs. 
• Hamstring Curls: 25-30 at 90 lbs. 
• Lat Pulldown Machine: 25 at 55 lbs. 
• Torso Rotation Machine: 10 each side at 90 lbs., 15 each side at 70 lbs. 
• Stair Master: 5 minutes at level 8
• 30 Lunges backwards from standing on a step with 3 blocks, holding 10 lbs. in each hand
• 30 Bicep Curls (each arm) 10 lbs. 
• 30 Squats holding 10 lbs. 
• Stretch

photography

A friend of mine is an incredible photographer and the other day a few of us went to a nearby river to take some photos that I could use for more senior pictures.  A mini "photo shoot" with friends is always fun, especially since they're the ones that can bring the best out of you in front of the camera.  The first few may feel a little awkward, but once you get past them, you'll find what feels most natural.  I definitely recommend planning a day like this with some friends.  Just be yourself and have fun!

brunchin' on canton st.

My friends and I took a spontaneous lunch trip to a French bistro and fell in love with the food. The location is perfect - right in the center of downtown Roswell (a strip of cute cafés) - and it is on the second floor so the view is perfect on a sunny day. I have a weak spot for French food after traveling to Paris a few years ago, and Roswell Provisions did not disappoint. A favorite of mine is the classic caprese sandwich, which usually comes with mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and spinach or basil, but this sandwich came with pesto instead and I loved it even more. With a side salad and a latte, the meal was perfect, especially after I topped it off with a piece of black and white chocolate cake.