Turkey Meatloaf with Red Peppers and Parmesan

March 2, 2016March 2, 2016 | Megan

This dish was a real hit with my family, and I hope it will be with yours! It’s another delectable recipe from The Scramble*.

I was able to make and BAKE the meatloaf during the day, and then reheated for dinner. I love the addition of the red peppers for extra vegetable goodness, and the option to use whole wheat bread crumbs gives you another opportunity to add whole grains.

It would be equally easy to sub almond flour or quick-cooking oats for the bread crumbs, as mentioned below, to make this meal gluten free.

I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday, and a delicious dinner whatever you’re serving!

XX, Megan

Ingredients

1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 lbs. ground turkey
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (use wheat/gluten-free bread crumbs if needed), or use quick-cooking oats or ¼ cup of each
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard (use wheat/gluten-free if needed)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning, or use 1/4 tsp. dried basil and 1/4 tsp. dried oregano

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium to medium-high heat and sauté the bell peppers and onions until they are softened, 5 – 7 minutes. Remove them from the heat and let them cool for a minute or two.

In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the remaining ingredients and stir in the onions and peppers. Transfer the mixture to the center of the baking dish, and using clean hands, shape it into a rectangular loaf. Bake it for 45 minutes until it is firm and cooked through (internal temperature should be 165 degrees). (Meanwhile, prepare the Brussels sprouts and grits, if you are serving them.) Let it cool for 10 minutes or so before serving, or refrigerate it for up to 3 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months (slice it before you freeze it!).

*The Scramble is a meal planning service to which you can subscribe here. For a fantastic price you will receive 8 weekly meals which means 8 recipes (main course plus a side dish), complete grocery list, the ability to tweak the number of people you are making for, and full nutrition facts.

PLUS tips as to how best to PREP your meal beforehand, add a punch of FLAVOR, and how to SLOW COOK almost every recipe if you’re especially slammed that night. This wonderful service really does live up to it’s name. You can come home at 6 p.m. and be sitting down to a DELICIOUS, HEALTHY, HOME COOKED meal by 6:30 p.m. most nights.

Spring Buffalo

March 1, 2016March 1, 2016 | Megan

From boho to sort of hipster barn wear. Is that a thing? LOL. Regardless, I was digging this outfit for another one of those bright but pretty cold days. That isn’t dandruff in my hair, it’s snow! Little tiny flakes that flurried just as we were snapping these photos.

I added black leggings to this outfit to go to dinner (and ditched the socks) the evening I wore this, and that outfit transition played out nicely, as well. Mark my words, you’ll be seeing more of this dress. I love it!

Light and easy, I can’t wait to wear it with simple sandals and lots more sunscreen come Summer! But I really loved this layered look with double the jackets. Perfect for keeping warm without looking too wintery.

Have you pulled out any of your Spring favorites yet? I’d love to know what you are looking forward to donning come warmer weather, or what you are currently wearing in your ALREADY warm climate!

Cheers to Springtime, buffalo check, and the impending sundress season! Have a wonderful Tuesday, friends. Thank you for visiting, supporting, commenting, and your overall enthusiasm for Refined + Rugged!

XX, Megan

Leather Jacket: Zara (past season, similar), Jean Jacket: F21, Dress: Madewell, Bag: J.Crew, Boots: Madewell (similar), Socks: J.Crew, Sunglasses: Ray-ban, Necklace: Gorjana, Earrings: Kate Spade, Lips: NARS Cruising

That 70s Show

February 29, 2016March 1, 2016 | Megan

DSC_0128 - Version 2

I have an admission. I packed up the bulk of my winter sweaters this past Saturday, and pulled out some of my lighter knits. I always keep wool cardigans and some warm neutral options out for Spring and Summer evenings. Here in the mountains it can still drop into the 50s and even 40s during the evening well into Summertime, so I never put away all of my warmer layers.

I also didn’t pack up some of my other winter extras. You can still throw on your boots, and vests, and hats, and even scarves to more easily transition your wardrobe into Spring. Especially if you want to wear pieces lighter pieces like dresses and skirts. Layer up like a champ, and you can pull of practically anything!

If it had been even a little bit colder, I’d have throw my trusty wool coat over this ensemble for added warmth. I have loved both this denim vest, this more safari inspired vest, and a good utility vest in past seasons, and I’m sure I’ll be pulling both out this Spring. I also fell in love with the long vest from Vince, and I love how Molly styled it here.

I also love a good rain jacket or anorak if you live in a more rainy climate, but temps are rising come spring. It’s definitely time to ditch the heavy coats and loot at something like this.

What are some of your favorite layers? Do you have any pieces you don’t put away regardless of the season? I’d love to know! Have a superb Monday, friends!!

XX, Megan

Dress: J.Crew (past season, similar, similar, similar), Vest: Target, Boots: Dolce Vita, Bag: Madewell (just came back in stock!, similar, similar, save, splurge), Sunglasses: Ray-ban, Necklace: Anthropologie (past, similar), Earrings: Vintage, Lips: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lip in Dolce

Little Bird: Fun with Kiwi Crate

February 26, 2016February 27, 2016 | Megan

Little M and I did this project a day ago, and after a long hiatus from more kid-centric posts it was fun to get back in the saddle and have some fun with this little fellow!!

We did this project with Kiwi Crate, but let’s talk about how you can recreate this entire project at home with just one trip to the dollar store 🙂

For the bird’s eggs and nest you will need:

Cardboard Eggs
Paint
Glue
String
A plastic or reusable bowl you’re not afraid to cover with gluey string!
Two other smaller bowls you can fill with glue and paint

For the bird mask and wings you will need:

Mask with with elastic
Feathers
Orange construction paper
Hot glue gun (we used some little glue tabs included with this Kiwi Crate)
Two large piece of felt with holes for threading elastic in and out. (Shaped as wings if you want to get fancy!)
Long piece of elastic (at least as long as your child’s “wingspan”– tip of finger to tip of finger across the back)

Make sure you have a mat or a paper bag to cover your workspace 🙂

Start by painting your eggs. Fill a small bowl with paint. Set them aside to dry. Then take about 3 feet of string (or more). Fill the other small bowl with glue. Put your string into the glue. Mix well.

Pull the string out of the glue, and then place it on the downside of the plastic bowl (so you will turn your bowl upside dos and pull the string over it. Careful, your hands will be sticky!!) Set your nest, still on the round of the bowl aside to dry.

Take your mask and turn it over. Affix the feathers above the eyes in any design you like. Cut out a bill or a beak from the orange/yellow construction paper. Glue this to the back side of the make. Let the mask dry.

Last, lay your wings out as they will lay across your child’s back. Take one end of the elastic and tie a loop with a knot at the bottom in one end big enough for your child’s thumb.

Theead the rest of the elastic through both wings. Finish by tying a loop with a knit in the bottom at the other end.

Little bird’s costume is ready to fly! Have a beautiful Friday evening and a stellar Sayurday!!!

XX, Megan

Note: The nest, and eggs are ready to go once everything is dried (the nest takes AT LEAST overnight to dry fully.) You can subscribe to Kiwi Crate here.