Brussels Sprouts Gratin

We are obsessed with brussels sprouts at my house, so for Thanksgiving this year I decided to try this Brussels Sprouts Gratin from Skinnytaste, and it did not disappoint.

It was so good (and I was multitasking like a #momboss) that I only took this one picture before it was all gone.

INGREDIENTS

16 oz brussels sprouts, sliced in half
1/4 tsp kosher salt, I used sea salt
black pepper, to taste
olive oil spray
1/2 tbsp butter
1/3 cup chopped shallots, which was about 1 shallot. 
2 tsp all purpose flour
3/4 cup fat free milk, I used 2%
1/4 tsp kosher salt, I used sea salt
1 tsp fresh thyme
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
2 oz grated Gruyere cheese, divided

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray an 8"x12" gratin dish or casserole with olive oil. Add the brussels sprouts and season with salt and pepper. Spray more olive oil over the brussels and place in the lower third of the oven. Bake 15 minutes, toss and bake an additional 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat a medium nonstick pan over medium heat. Add butter and let it melt, add the shallots and cook until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.  Sprinkle the flour over the shallots to make a roux, whisking for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the milk and stir with a wooden spoon until the roux is incorporated into the milk. Cook over medium-low heat for about 4 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Add fresh thyme, parmesan and half of the grated Gruyere cheese into the white sauce and stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the sauce.

Pour over the brussels sprouts, and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes until top is lightly browned and bubbly

This would be a great dish to bring to any of your holiday gatherings with family and friends. 

Friday Favorites

ONE

I am just starting to get back into blogging, and I am sure excited about it! I started as a avid blog reader, and have met so many amazing women through blogging, its actually kind of crazy to me! This year I met a few of them in person for the first time. Kym and Kate. 

TWO

We took family pictures the other day, and I DIE! I am soo in love with them. I will just let the pictures talk. 

THREE

My husband and I are headed to Maui in January, and it seems like we still have so much time before then, but with all the holidays from now until then, I know it will be here before we know it. Does anyone have any great tip or things I need to see while we are there?? 

FOUR

Our youngest, Emma, is going back ANOTHER time to be checked on the fluid in her ears on Monday. I am hoping the doctor says they look better, but I just have that mom gut feeling it actually is getting worse. 

Toxins in our BODY

Have you heard all the benefits of Intermittent Fasting?

 All day, every day, we are exposed to a variety of toxic substances in the food we eat, the air we breath, and the water we drink. Many of these toxins can be stored in our bodies for years and even decades. It is easy to see why everyone can benefit from intermittent fasting.

The nutritional cleansing system I use during my fasting days is designated to help restore your body's natural detoxification system, and promote a healthy state which your body can recover and function efficiently.

It promotes weight loss, regulates hormones, promotes mental clarity, and increases energy!

If you haven't heard all the buzz around #IF, do some more research and let me know when you are ready to give it a try.

Here are some of my friends who follow the system and have had great success.

You can follow me on Instagram (@haleydubberke)
You can follow me on Facebook (facebook.com/haley.dubberke)

#STARTNOW

Energy? YES
Weight Loss? YES
Muscle Definition? YES

I've found something that works for me, and has changed my life! These super foods have given me the energy to keep up with my toddler and infant!

Oven Baked Fajitas with Wildtree

Easy!
Julian peppers (I used a red, green, yellow and orange)
Julian an onion
2-3 chicken break
Spray pan with olive oil.
Lay out all the vegetables and chicken.
Cover with 2-3 tablespoons Wildtree Fajita Seasoning (amazing, I can hook you up if you need any)
Cover with some olive oil.
Stir up to coat all the vegetables and chicken.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bakes in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
Make sure the chicken is all cooked through.

Serve over corn or flour tortillas!
I bake my corn tortillas in the oven to get them crispy.
I wet some paper towels, cover some corn tortillas, microwave for 1 minute. After that I put them in the oven for 5 minutes, depending on how crispy I want them!

This has become one of my most favorite recipes!
Delicious and easy!!

Real Life

This is only the beginning!

January 2017 vs October 2016.
Nutrition at its best! No working out here...I can only imagine if I could find 2 extra hours in a day to work out!

My Brother-in-law Jason

I would like to introduce you to my brother-in-law Jason for Singles Day 2016!

He is one of the kindest, happiest, sweetest and just an all around great guy!

He is smart.
He is funny.
He has a big heart.
He is a hard worker.
He is caring.
He is fantastic uncle to 7 nieces and nephews.

Jason is currently living in Waverly, Iowa. He is a Grain Merchandiser for FarmersWin Coop.

He likes to hunt, fish, or do anything outdoors.
He likes to be with family and friends, especially family!
He always puts others before himself!

Miami, FL with my sister, my brother in-law and my husband

He is always ready for an adventure.


Seattle with his cousin Sam.

Hunting with his brother Josh.

and he even has a great smile!

To get to know more about my brother-in-law, please e-mail him at dubberke89@gmail.com, or message him on facebook. Jason Dubberke. If you have a post or someone is posting a blog post on you, please include a link in the e-mail to him, so he gets a chance also to learn a little bit about yourself!