The Best Roasted Broccoli

Growing up, my mom always encouraged us to eat our vegetables. She did a stellar job at providing us a well-balanced meal three times a day. Looking back, I am not sure how she was able to do it all. Phew! I can hardly create balanced meals for just the two of us.

Jered is not the biggest vegetable lover out there. When we started dating, I was constantly trying out new dinner ideas with him to see what he would like (challenge accepted). He is more of a meat and potato kind of guy. Hear me out; there is nothing wrong with that. I would say that's the majority meal preference of all of the men in my family. However, it is important to eat your greens!

I came across this Roasted Brocolli with Garlic recipe from Food Network a few years ago (it makes four servings). Over the years, I have made a few tweaks to amp up the flavor! I think that lemon and garlic pair beautifully together. I am also obsessed with cheese. Speaking of cheese, the cheese counter at Whole Foods is a grown-up version of candy land in my book. I always dig around in the bargain bin to find a new variety to try on the cheap.

Here are my additions, after the roasted broccoli comes out of the oven, I cut one lemon in half. I squeeze the juice from one-half of the lemon over the hot broccoli. Then I take a potato peeler and grate six shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano. You could do more or less depending on your love for cheese.

This dish has the seal of approval from Jered (and that's saying a lot)! It's so easy to make you will find yourself adding it to your weekly rotation. Roasting vegetables is one of my favorite ways to prepare them. I love when they get crispy and crunchy bits! Fair warning, you might not want to take the leftovers to work with you. It will make your office break room smell unpleasant. Office etiquette is important, y'all!

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic

Ingredients

• 1 bunch broccoli (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into florets, stems peeled and sliced or diced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Toss the broccoli florets with the olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Spread them out and then roast, without stirring, until the edges are crispy and the stems are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.

Serve warm.

My Go-To Hairspray Review

There are very few things in life that I use on a daily basis. Believe it or not, hairspray is one of those things for me. I am going out on a limb and blaming my mom (hey Debbie, I see you). My mom has naturally curly hair, and it's BIG. I am talking Dolly Parton vibes for sure! It didn't matter if we were on the way to church, cheerleading, or a livestock show, my mom would give my sister and I an extra spray as we were headed out the door (it was like good luck charm). Back then I didn't have the appreciation for big hair like I do now. Dear younger Lindsey, hairspray doesn't suck, it rocks!

Over the years my hair style and needs have changed. For example, now I color my hair every six weeks to cover my pesky white hairs. I have tried nearly every hairspray on the market (kind of like mascara). At this point in my life, I am addicted to big hair that is functional and bouncy. Below you will find my honest review of four different bottles at very varying price points.

The Sheriff Firm Hold Hairspray from Drybar, $27
This is a very firm hairspray that I started using after a bachelorette party in Dallas. When I take the time to round brush my hair and use velcro curlers, I set it with hairspray. However, I will warn you, I have had three bottles of hairspray go bad. The cap wasn't clogged or damaged. Each time Drybar has worked with me to send a new bottle my way.

Dove Flexible Hold Hairspray, $5
This hairspray is really affordable and smells wonderful. It has a soft, flexible hold that leaves your hair free with movement. I started using this hairspray two years ago when I was out of my top product and needed something to hold me over. This product also adds a subtle shine to your hair as well.

L'Oréal® Paris Elnett Extra Strong Hold Volume Hairspray, $15
This stuff has been on the market forever! It wasn't until a year ago until I decided to see what all of the fuss was about. This is a very strong hold spray, but it disappears with a simple brush stroke. I also love that there is a formula for color-treated hair. This product also adds a soft shine to your beautiful locks.

Redken® Triple Take 32 Spray - Long-Lasting Lift And Body‎, $22
If you are looking for the strongest hairspray on the market, this bottle is about to become your new BFF. No seriously, this stuff has changed my life. I told my friend and hairstylist Jordan, what I was needing from a product. She directed me to this Redken spray. This will lock your style in place without the crunch. It also has a 24-hour control humidity resistance built in.

If I had to rank them in order:
1) Redken
2) L'Oréal®
3) Drybar
4) Dove

Do you use hairspray? If so, which product do you fangirl over?

BBQ Chicken and Brussels Sprout Sheet-Pan Dinner

Last month I made the decision to cancel my Hello Fresh subscription. It's nothing personal; it just wasn't working for our family right now. I have been a loyal customer for almost two years now (it's hard to believe it has been that long). I am trying to stay on that quick and healthy theme, so I have been on the lookout for sheet-pan recipes.

When I am looking for new dinner recipes, I have a few place I always turn to--one being Food Network. Last week I was looking for a quick and easy meal to whip together for a weeknight dinner in with my husband, Jered. I wanted something with chicken and two different types of veggies (one being green).

I found this Barbecue Chicken and Brussels Sprout Sheet-Pan Dinner and decided to give it a try. I only made one tweak to this recipe. We both like spice, so I kicked up the chili powder to 1/2 a teaspoon instead of 1/4 teaspoon. To make this meal, it takes about 15 minutes of prep time and 50 minutes cooking. I do have one word of wisdom, turn on a ceiling fan and light some candles. Roasting Brussels sprouts is one of the most potent smells you can create in an oven. I didn't do that, and I regretted it well into the next day. Holy woof y'all, it was bad! If you are looking for a healthy and quick option, I hope you give this dinner a try!

BBQ Chicken and Brussels Sprout Sheet-Pan Dinner

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
• 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 6 to 8 wedges each
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 pound (about 3 cups) Brussels sprouts, halved and quartered depending on size 
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on one side of the baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart. Roast until they turn opaque on the outside, 15 minutes.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place the sweet potato wedges in the center. Drizzle the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and sprinkle with chili powder and some salt. Use tongs to toss the potatoes, so each piece is evenly coated. In the remaining open area of the pan, toss the Brussels sprouts with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange the Brussels sprouts cut-side down on the pan and brush each chicken thigh with barbecue sauce on all sides.

Return the baking sheet to the oven and roast until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through and reads an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, and the Brussels sprouts and sweet potato wedges are tender and charred in spots, 25 to 30 minutes more. Toss the vegetables with the accumulated juices on the tray before serving.

My Favorite Napa Valley Wineries

My husband and I visited Napa Valley almost three and a half years ago. We spent almost a week tasting and eating our way through wine country. Ever since then, I have been dying to get back there. This little Oklahoma girl never actually imagined she could love a place so far away from home. Seriously, if Jered were to come home today and say "Lindsey, we are moving to Napa Valley." I would be 100% cool with it without any hesitation.

Last weekend we celebrated my champagne birthday with a weekend in wine country. What's a champagne birthday you ask? Yeah, I also didn't know this was a thing until a friend of mine pointed it out. On October 28, 2016, I turned 28! I was 28 on the 28th. Sometimes it's also called golden birthday. Like I need a reason to celebrate, yeah right!

I want to share a few of my favorite vineyards that you may not have heard of since they are a little smaller than most. After visiting numerous vineyards and wineries, I have decided that I am not a fan of the splash and dash establishments. I enjoy visiting the smaller production wineries. During those visits, you seem to have a more meaningful conversation and get to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. If this sounds like what you are looking for, you are in luck! I have found three wineries that fit that bill. Each of the wineries below offers tours and tastings daily by appointment.

Chimney Rock

This is a family-owned and operated winery located in the Stags Leap District. To me, this is one of the most beautify estates. The building is in the Cape Dutch-style of the Western Cape of South Africa; that stands out from everything else. They only do one white wine and is something even red wine drinkers respect. My favorite red wine is Cabernet Sauvignon from the Tomahawk Vineyard.

Crocker & Starr

Charlie and Pam are the masterminds behind this winery located in the St. Helena Appellation. 2016 marked their 20th harvest together! Since this was our first time visiting, we booked the vineyard experience. We got to sample a glass of Sauvignon Blanc as we toured the vineyard and the brand new production facilities. After that, we got to sample numerous red wines and learn more about the estate and history. I enjoyed their Malbec Blend "The Casali."

B Cellars

Last time we were in Napa, this winery was at a different location. Recently they moved to a new estate in Oakville, and it's stunning! They have 600 acres on top of the Vaca Mountain Range with more than 150 individual blocks. If you visit here, you should book the Sojourn experience. You will receive four different wines paired beautifully with local cheeses and chocolate. I like the Dutton Ranch Chardonnay and the 2013 Blend 24. If you or someone you're traveling with is expecting or doesn't like alcohol, they offer juice tastings.

Cuvaison

This winery is located in the heart of the Carneros region in Napa Valley. It's been around since 1969 producing Chardonnay and Pino Noir. It's also family-owned and operated. The tasting room is so modern and open; it is truly beautiful architecture. If the weather is cooperating, I highly suggest sitting on the patio--the views will take your breath away! During our tasting, a jack rabbit was hanging out in the vineyard and a lot of different duck and geese out on the pound. My personal favorite is the 2013 Estate Chardonnay.

If you haven't visited Napa Valley, it should be on your bucket list. If you have enjoyed wine country, I would love to know which winery stands out the most to you.