Spicy Spaghetti Squash

I work full-time, so coming home and preparing dinner usually isn't something I look forward to. I'll aimlessly walk around the kitchen, throw some ingredients together, and hope it turns out OK. Usually I'm not impressed with my concoction, but this week the meal was filling, flavorful, and easy! Here's the recipe for Spicy Spaghetti Squash.

Ingredients:

• 1 small-medium spaghetti squash
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• garlic powder
• 1 spicy chicken sausage (Sprouts)
• 1 T. butter
• 1/2 c. mushrooms
• 1/4 c. red pepper
• 2-3 c. spinach
• red pepper flakes (optional)
• parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and take out the seeds. Rub each squash half  on the inside with a teaspoon of olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. On a large baking sheet, add about a cup of water and place the squash halves face down. Set the timer for 20 minutes and put in the baking sheet in the oven.

2. After the first 20 minutes of baking, add a metal cooling rack next to the squash and place the spicy chicken sausage link on the rack. Set the timer for another 25 minutes and let the squash and chicken cook.

3. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a skillet. Saute the mushrooms and red pepper. Next, add in the spinach and stir until it is wilted and cooked thoroughly.

4. When the squash and chicken are cooked, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Cut the chicken sausage into pieces. Add to skillet.

5. Using a fork, remove the spaghetti-like strings from the squash halves into a serving dish. Add the skillet mixture to the dish and stir. Add red pepper flakes.

6. Dinner is served. Time: about 1 hour

Should I Watch Low Winter Sun

As you are trying to decide what to watch on TV, you might ask yourself, "Should I watch Low Winter Sun?" Rather than provide a full list of reasons, let's just save time. The answer is NO.

5 Amazing INEXPENSIVE Beauty Products

I like high-end makeup just as much as the next girl, but there are some great drug-store brands that blow upscale brands out of the water. Here are 5 amazing, inexpensive beauty products I've been using for years.

1. Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara. $6.99. A great, soft mascara that doesn't leave clumps. The waterproof is great, too. I always go with black.
2. Beautique Lip Crayon. $2.50. I get these crayons from Sally Beauty Supply. I love using it in conjunction with the lip pencil for the liner. Try it in Dusk.
3. elf Shimmering Facial Whip. $1. A great little shimmer around the eyes and on the cheeks. I use Lilac.
4. Covergirl +Olay Concealer Balm. $7.99. This is a great concealer that isn't too heavy, and blends well. I have an olive complexion, but I use it in Light -- it helps to brighten around the eyes, if you're into contouring.
5. Covergirl Liquiline Blast. $7.99. The liner goes on super smooth and is easy to apply. It has a handy smudger on the end. I use brown blaze. If you're looking for something with a bit more staying power try Revlon ColorStay liquid liner.

Five Easy Steps to Finding a New Job

We've all heard it or said it a million times, "I need a new job." First of all, take a step back and be grateful you're employed. Find the positive in what you do. If it's more money you need, refer to THIS. But if you simply must find something new and you're for real, like really for real, here are the Five Easy Steps to Finding a New Job:


1.) Make Yourself Available. It's vital in the new digital world. It sounds so simple; yet, so many skip this crucial step. Your resume doesn't need to be perfect. You don't need to spend any money. What you need to do is this:

• Create and update Social Profiles - LinkedIn (this is a must), Google+, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
• Post a resume on job board websites - Indeed, Career Builder, Monster, etc.

That's it. That's step one. You're done. If you're lucky, a recruiter will contact you and help you through subsequent steps. But that's unlikely, so stay tuned for Step Two.

2.) Contact a recruiter

3.) Apply to jobs, even jobs you don't want

4.) Interview for anything and everything

5.) ASK your friends

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While I'm in stores, restaurants, and in nature I like to look for design inspiration. Sometimes I find things to buy or make, and I just enjoy seeing what other people have created -- it gets my design juices flowing! Here are a few great ideas I saw while out-n-aboot (yes, that's my inner Canadian coming through).

Ever used your fork as a placecard holder? I saw this little idea at T.C. Eggington's in Mesa while having breakfast with a friend. They had the fork sitting in the little old-fashioned glass milk jar. Fun idea!

 La Grande Orange has a cute store inside the bakery attached to the restaurant. This is a great place to find unique gifts. I spotted these classy pumpkins! They are filled with beans and have dried stems from different sqaush on the top. Different shapes and sizes for all your pumpkin needs. (Yes, it's a need).

Lola Coffee at Sky Harbor Airport has a cozy little corner in Terminal 4. The space is inviting, but it's the menu that caught my attention. At first glance you don't even notice it's a door! This is a great idea for a kitchen, or anywhere else in your home, if you have the space.