Holy Guacamole… Nailed It!

March 12, 2014

You know what I love? A great Guacamole.

It wasn’t always such a sweet relationship between us two. In fact, the beginning was a rocky road for us. I was that girl who would go to a Mexican Restaurant and place my order (usually a Chimichanga) and say, “Oh, and hold the Guacamole.” I totally, noticed the waiter’s eye roll too.

Mostly, I didn’t give it a chance, but I also think I just had some bad versions. It wasn’t until my Sister-In-Law, Amie and her husband, Corey made a batch a few years back, that my thoughts went from, “No, thanks. I will pass.” To, “Holy, Guacamole, where have you been my whole life?”

Start by rounding up your ingredients, ya know… wrangle them in.

Guacamole Ingredients

As, you can tell. It is a pretty shady I mean sparse bunch. Start with the Avocados… the scarey Avocados. I say that because I think it is an intimidating fruit. Yes, it is a fruit people. I think they are avoided because many don’t know how to cut, chop or handle them. Kind of like Avocado’s scarey right-hand man… the Mango!

Before you begin make sure the Avocado is ripe. I cannot stress this enough. It must be ripe. To tell if it is ripe, look for the “Ripe” sticker on the Avocado placed by a diligent Produce employee. Just kidding! Give the Avocado a gentle squeeze. The skin should give a bit. If it doesn’t then it is not quite there. Leave it on the counter a few days to soften up. Here are some more tips.

While it can be intimidating, cutting, chopping and dicing an Avocado is pretty easy. First, start by cutting it in half. You won’t be able to go through because of the pit, but continue to cut around. Then twist slightly to separate the halves.

Avocado Halves

Take your knife and strike the pit so that the blade sticks. Hold the Avocado and twist the knife to loosen and remove the pit. For Guacamole, I use my knife to make length wise and width wise slices (Are they words? Not sure, but you get what I am saying).

Avocados Sliced

Then using a spoon, scoop out the Avocado into a bowl. Don’t forget to scoop out any pulp that remains on the skin.

Avocado Slices

Using the backside of your spoon, smash up the avocado. I like mine chunky. Add in your chopped tomato, diced red onion, the juice of half of a lime and add Garlic Salt, Pepper and Sea Salt (this makes it! Love the course salt) to taste. Give it a stir and serve. It is that easy!

HOLY GUACAMOLE:

Serves 4-6

2 Avocados
1 Heirloom Tomato – Chopped
1/2 Red Onion – Diced
1/2 the Juice of Lime
Garlic Salt, Pepper & Sea Salt – To Taste

Diced Avocados and smash in a bowl. Add chopped tomato, diced red onion, the juice of 1/2 of a lime and give it a good stir. Season with garlic salt, pepper and sea salt to taste.

Belly And Food – Love/Hate Relationship

March 10, 2014

Belly & Food. Hmmm? This post could go in a million directions. Well if you haven’t learned by now I kinda love food. I think I may just be a big foodie. I love trying new things…. I love exploring cities and local hot spots… I love food events… I secretly have a love affair with fair food / food trucks (not a secret anymore!)… I love holidays because my family is centered around a meal that was homemade. I just love food.

I will let you in on another little secret. My belly sometimes does not have the same affection as I do to food. I know spare the details, but it all started a few years ago with agonizing pain in my gut that would cripple me for a few hours or so. I was certain it was a food allergy and made an appointment with a Gastroenterologist, but after a few tests… nothing. No Lactose intolerance, no Celiac disease, heck they even went as far to tell me that I didn’t even posses the gene that would make me develop Celiac disease. At that time, the doctor wrote something down on a piece of paper and said, “Read this. I guarantee if you make some changes to your diet you will notice some changes.” The piece of paper read… “The China Study.”

I picked up the book that week and read a little bit, putting it down only to engage in everything it said not to. I didn’t take it serious. It also overwhelmed me with the statistics and research facts. I mean some points were interesting and others, well they scared me more than living my current life. How could I cut out meats and dairy? I mean I married the son of a son of a farmer.

A few years went by since all of this occurred; however, my reoccurring growing stomach issues lingered. It wasn’t until a few months ago that I actually sat down and decided to give this whole diet thing another look. And, by diet I am not referring to what probably first pops in your mind, but instead my own personal diet… a lifestyle change.

Two words – Clean Eating. Three words – Eliminating processed foods.

That pretty much sums it up! Thinking before you eat. Choosing healthy and natural options vs processed options. It gets a bit deeper but on the surface this simple task alone makes a huge difference.

To go back to my early read, I think the reason “The China Study” scared me so much back then was that it does focus on a plant-based diet, which is something I was not ready for then or even now. I mean I love a hamburger or some BBQ during the summer and don’t you dare touch that bowl of my Grandma’s homemade chicken and wild rice soup. Co-Author, T. Colin Campbell will state that he doesn’t believe in using the words “vegan” or “vegetarian” but plant-based. And, while he doesn’t altogether state you must go 100% plant-based, the book does advocate for such a diet. I can’t give up my meat and dairy, but I can choose the quantity and quality of my food. That is why I have found “Clean Eating” to be much easier to chew on. (Pun 100% intended).

Pinterest has been a HUGE help in this effort. You can find great articles, helpful tips and amazing recipes. Check out my – “Lean, Green and Eat Clean” Board. I started this little journey almost two months ago, with baby steps, and I mean baby steps. The results so far have proven to be quite rewarding. I am hoping to use this Blog to continue to share my story, and hear from you.

Here are a few quick tips on starting to incorporate Clean Eating into your diet.

1) Start Small – I find things are most successful when I don’t put all my eggs in one basket or stop cold turkey. This has been super gradual for me. I still LOVE salty potato chips dipped in cheese and who can say no to an Oreo, but chose moderation and start finding out what is really behind your cravings. For example, for me I have found after a super stressful day I craved sweets and I would reach for a cookie in the cupboard, but now I have found that fruit is just as sweet. I will go for slices of pineapple over a cookie now. 80% of the time stick to the plan and 20% of the time allow yourself to indulge.

2) Add to your Diet… Load up on the veggies and fruits, lean meats and whole grains. At first it may be a challenge, but after about two-weeks I was craving fruits and veggies over sweets.

3) Avoid from your Diet… Processed foods, fast foods, soda and sugary drinks and refined sugars. This is a good starting point. Start making healthy decisions – Choose fresh fruit and veggies over canned, switch a coke for an ice water with lemon, and substitute sugar with some honey in your Hot Tea. Baby steps.

4) Drink Lots of Water – I cannot stress it enough. I drink water all day, but definitely make sure to drink as soon as you wake up, before a meal and before bed. It does wonders.

5) Plan, Plan, Plan – Have you read my Blog Name? Backwards N High Heels – I am busy! Eating clean won’t work unless you plan. Usually Sundays are reserved for week long meal plans followed by a Market Order. Not only does it #1 help me not stress out over dinner during the week, but #2 helps me stay focused so I try not to lose course.

Quotes

I am not perfect and I am by no means a nutritionist, nor have any medical background. This is simply me sharing my experiences with you. I am also practicing in moderation. Please read that again, I am practicing in moderation. Don’t hold it against me if you see me out indulging in wings (oh, because I am a sucker for wings) or enjoying a few cold beers, but know that small, simple changes have made an impact on me and hopefully may help you. Enjoy!

Favorite Things – February!

February 25, 2014

As February comes to an end, I thought I would try something new on the Blog. As humans and consumers, the #1 form of advertising for any business, through the history of marketing is three little words… word of mouth. It will always be king! Why? Because people value the opinions of their family, friends and peers over an advertiser. In fact, studies show that 90% of consumers trust peers while only 14% trust the advertiser.

So, trust me, people! 🙂 These are my Favorite Things for February and stop right there… I know you are visualizing Oprah right now screaming to an audience of equal screamers, “You get a car, You get a car and You get a car.” It is not that kind of Favorite Things. Wish it was but I don’t have a show… yet!

Mason Jar Pomelo Lime Candle – It is heavenly! Seriously, go buy now! It claims to burn up to 20 hours (I haven’t got through mine yet) but I am wishing I picked up a few more. This little dandy is just $12.99 from Target and is perfect for Spring’s pending arrival. Any day now, any day now…
This is a three-in-one but they compliment each other so nicely. Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo, Conditioner and Anti-Breakage Serum. I was never a real big shampoo or conditioner snob. I mean you are just washing your hair, right? Well that was before I started to dye my hair. Seriously, I was 26 years old before I ever had my hair dyed professionally (I say that because in Middle School my Mom tried to give me highlights but they really didn’t take). Anyways the Ombre approach can really do some serious damage to your hair. Believe me, I have learned. So, I was on a mission to find a product that actually provided some benefits to my hair – hydration, softness and shine. Now I am a shampoo snob! I really don’t want to deflect from these products. Some conditioners I have found weigh my hair down, but not the Organix. It really nourishes my hair and leaves it super smooth. Finally, my new BFF – the Anti-Breakage Serum. Again, because the tips of my hair started to get brittle and dry from dying, I gave this product a try and it really helped. I started it after I had some bad split ends but mostly noticed its power after my last cut and break from dying. It is great at prevention. I purchased mine at Rite-Aid – $7.99 each.
Burt’s Bees Lip Shine (Whisper) – No lipstick for me. I am a lip gloss kind of gal. It seems like whenever I go to a make-up or drug store, I always pick-up a new lip gloss. This time the market (aka – Grocery Store to me) got me. I love Burt’s Bees as a brand, but this was the first I had tried their Lip Shine. 100% natural and made with apricot wax and sunflower seed oil, it softens your lips and adds a gloss without being sticky. I also love that it gives the same benefits of chapstick, but has color, so my Hubby won’t steal from me. I purchased at Martin’s for $5.50.
Blue Diamond Almonds – You know we well by now… let’s chat food! I am really trying to be a much healthier eater these days. Maybe you noticed from some of my Food Posts? Anyways, I am slightly obsessed with the Blue Diamond Flavored Almonds. I have tried Strawberry, Blueberry and the Caramel Macchiato flavors. So far, Blueberry is in the lead. These are such a great healthy snack, as long as you are disciplined enough to PUT THE BAG DOWN! I purchased at Martin’s for $2.99.
My last favorite thing cannot be purchased. They say nothing in life is free, right? Well this one, sorta of kind of is, until you actually pay for the item, but the service itself is free and so very cool. I kind of love that it is a start-up with not a lot of traction yet, but believe me, this baby is going to grow into a full fledged teenager very, very soon. Meet – Rack It Up. So, imagine any other online shopping day (or at least it is the case for me) you are on one of your favorite retailer’s websites and see some items that you got to have, problem is price. Maybe you just can’t splurge on the item right now. So, you check back for the item to go on sale or sign up for the company’s emails only to realize you are so busy you never open the company’s email and you missed the sale. Problem solved with Rack it up. You can actually set when you are notified too! You can choose when the item goes on sale, or when it drops to a certain price or percentage. Then Rack It Up does all the work and you get an alert when that item goes on sale. Allowing you free time to continue to shop online… I mean do your daily work and chores.

*This is not a sponsored post. I have purchased each of these items on my own and provided a review based on my personal experience.

Breakfast Experiment Success and a Twofer for you!

February 15, 2014

I am officially over winter! “Hey, Mother Nature… I am not sure what we did to make you so angry, but I am sorry! Now please make it stop!” In general, I really like Winter, but only in the beginning of the season. Since it started snowing here in October… I am done! It also doesn’t help that my husband’s Landscape company plows in the Winter, and with the winter we have had, I feel like I don’t see him anymore.

He was up again this morning at 5 am, which means so was I. As I laid there staring at the ceiling hoping to return to sleep I realized it just wasn’t going to happen and began planning my day. I always find myself more adventurous with breakfast than with any other meal. I am not sure why, but I kind of feel like I have never really been a true breakfast person. It is my least favorite meal of the day. So, I guess my thinking is if I try something new and mess it up… well, no big loss, I will just move on with a cup of tea or coffee. (I know, it is the most important meal of the day, blah, blah, blah – I am trying, people).

This morning was one of those days. A day where I made a complete mess as I concocted not one but two – yes, two new breakfast recipes. Let’s begin…

Blueberry Banana Breakfast Smoothie & Avocado and Egg White Open Face Sandwich

Blueberry Banana Breakfast Smoothie & Avocado and Egg White Open Face Sandwich

Pretty yummy looking, right? Well it was, so I have to share my breakfast recipe experiment successes (noticed that – “successes” is plural, because again I am giving you two recipes today!) You, can thank me later at once or I will accept two separate “thank you’s” when you make each.

Let’s begin with what I am calling the Blueberry Banana Breakfast Smoothie. I mean, I just limited this poor creature! Don’t let the name fool you… have it any time of day.

BLUEBERRY BANANA BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE:

Blueberry Banana Breakfast Smoothie

Serves 2

1 Cup of Frozen Blueberries
1 Banana
1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
1 Cup of Almond Milk – Original
1/3 Cup of Ice
1 – 6 oz. Cup of Yoplait Very Vanilla Light Yogurt

Combine the the blueberries, banana, vanilla extract and almond milk in a blender and mix until well blended. Add ice and yogurt and blend. Serve up!

AVOCADO AND EGG WHITE OPEN FACE SANDWICH:

Avocado and Egg White Open Face Sandwich

Serves 1

1/2 – Everything Bagel – You can use whatever bread option you would like! Try it with whole wheat toast or an English Muffin.
1/2 Tbsp of Light Butter
3 – Egg Whites
Splash of Almond Milk – Original
1/2 – Avocado
2 Tbsp of Salsa
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste

Add 1/2 a Tbsp of light butter to skillet heated to medium. Whisk three egg whites, add splash of Almond Milk and salt and pepper to taste. Add egg whites to skillet. Once near completion, season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste and cook until done. Toast bagel. Mash half of the Avocado 1/2 in a separate bowl and smear on bottom of bagel. Add egg white scramble to top, the 2 Tbsps of Salsa and the other half of the Avocado sliced. Season with salt and pepper. Note: I always use Sea Salt with Avocado. It gives it a great taste.

Enjoy!

Weekend Warriors – Deep Creek Lake

February 11, 2014

When it comes to jumping on a plane and seeing the world… I am no traveler. It is kind of sad, but anyone who knows me well, knows I am not the biggest fan of flying. I mean, my poor husband actually almost obliged to me cancelling our Honeymoon a day before our flight, which was already delayed a week from the scheduled departure (that is another story for another day) to opt for a good ol’ fashion roadtrip. I like cars. Let’s just keep it at that.

Therefore, when you decide to live life seeing the world through the comforts of your car… many may see it as limiting your possibilities. Now I don’t argue, I agree; however, I have learned that there is so much to see and explore in the United States and even more specifically throughout the Eastern United States, that my thoughts of limited possibilities, well they aren’t so limited.

Nathan and I have become quite the Weekend Warriors in our neck of the woods. We use to be better at it but stresses and responsibilities from work tend to get in the way sometimes. While friends and family chat about their upcoming travels to far away tropical islands… we tend to get slightly jealous. I mean I am a sucker for the ocean, sand and a Margarita in my hand and then my mind switches to airports and security and rushing to get to my flight and I am quickly back to my own reality. However, we have found over the years that traveling is what you make of it. Some of our BEST trips have been spur of the moment weekend getaways to Baltimore, MD to catch an Orioles Game followed by a mini food and beverage tour of Fells Point or a random weekend away to a quaint Chesapeake Bay town filled with sightseeing, great seafood and Bloody Marys.

I plan on sharing some of our favorite roadtrip spots in upcoming posts but for now I focus on one that is in our backyard… Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. For the past six years, my in-laws have chose to forgo individual birthday gifts for their children and their spouses and instead rent a Lake House for a long weekend. It is even complete with a birthday cake for us all to share. It was a great idea that originated a few years ago and has now grown into a welcomed tradition.

This year we dug a little deeper into the mountain for a cabin that was off the main roads and as a great surprise to us had a priceless view of the Lake.

View from our cabin in Deep Creek Lake

The first year we came we had just one little one, my niece, Ava, but now our little one is already five and our nieces and nephews have grown by four more!

My niece, Ava.

Brinnley Boo

The Twins and Baby Graysen.

The weekend included some skiers taking to the Mountain at Wisp Resort, a pizza take-out competition between Ledo’s and Brenda’s (my vote went to Ledo’s), some Winter Olympics action… oh, wait you thought I meant on TV? No, this weekend including our very own Luge construction on the mountainside, an Italian Dinner complete with homemade Spaghetti meat sauce and meatballs and some general downtime.

Luge Action

As I mentioned, I am blessed that Deep Creek Lake is just 40-minutes away from where I live, so we travel to the area quite a bit. In fact, we even were married there! Over the years our ski weekends have evolved. From multiple days skiing at Wisp to bar hopping along the Lake and from hiking nearby Swallow Falls State Park to local shopping at our favorite boutiques. The beauty of Deep Creek Lake is really that the area has so much to offer the traveler, and as our family expands, it is comforting to know that we can still come to same place for our travel.

If you are planning on making a trip to Deep Creek Lake during the winter here are my “Must Do” suggestions…

Rent a Home, Condo or Townhome. There are many Vacation Realities in Deep Creek Lake; however, we tend to go with Railey’s year after year. They have a great house selection and are super friendly!
Make some time to experience Wisp Resort. They really have some great winter amenities, especially if you are looking for a weekend with some adventure. From Skiing and Boarding to Snow Tubing, from Ice Skating to Snowmobiling and much more.
Food, Food & More Food. I love dining out! Especially at non-chain restaurants that are locally owned. You just get a great feeling and in my opinion, the food is usually much better. So, here are my winter Deep Creek dining suggestions – 1) Mountain State Brewing Co. – Hands down favorite! They brew their own beer and make the best flatbread pizzas. Try the Amber Ale – it is the best! 2) Black Bear Tavern – Don’t be fooled by the local bar feel. They make a Portobello Mushroom stuffed by Crab that is absolutely out of this world! 3) Canoe On The Run – Breakfast or Lunch that is healthy and quality driven – well this is the place. They do have a menu but what I really love is the chalkboard on the wall that lists out their daily specials, which change.
Nature at its’ finest. Winter at Deep Creek Lake is beautiful. From the frozen lake to the snow covered woodlands, it is truly a relaxing place. Get outdoors at Swallow Falls State Park (below is a picture from Ski Weekend 2013) or visit the hiking trails and Discovery Center at Deep Creek State Park.
Swallow Falls
Shop Local. If you have time to get out and spend some money I highly recommend visiting School House Earth, which features everything from dips, oils and sauces to home decor and paintings. Plus, take the kids, because they have a petting zoo complete with Llamas! I also enjoy FireFly Farms located in nearby Accident, Maryland, but I also love cheese, and if you do too – trust me stop! Finally, if time permits, head into downtown Oakland, Maryland. They have boutiques and many antique shops that just make browsing or hopefully buying fun.

Share your favorite Deep Creek Lake gems by commenting below, and happy traveling.

Bowl For The Soul Chili

January 27, 2014

I was actually going to save this Blog Post for a future date, but since Polar Vortex II is supposedly approaching our region again, I feel like we all need something warm for our bellies, souls and at this point, mind… I can’t take any more cold! You know at one point this season, I was talking about how mild of a winter we have had considering our snowfall at that point. It wasn’t long after that I took my little Sister and young cousin to see the Disney movie Frozen and everything changed. We started using words like Polar Vortex and -20 and -30 degrees. I feel somewhat to blame. I am starting to think the cold or frozen streak is actually just a fantastic publicity stunt. Well played Disney, well played.

So, when the temps are a mere 7 degrees and when a high of 20 degrees on the local 7-day forecast sounds warm… you know it is time for some comfort food. Behold… an easy and delicious hearty bowl of Chili! Or as I will call it… Bowl For The Soul Chili!

It starts with an ingredient round-up. Shhh… The ground beef was already cooking when I snapped this picture. I know, I ruined this glorious photo op moment. You know when all the ingredients could get to know each other before I shoved them together in a giant stock pot.

Chili Ingredients

Add a Tbsp of olive oil to a stock pot or dutch oven heated to medium high. Once the oil has some ripples, add your ground beer and season with some salt and pepper. As the meat is cooking, chop your veggies. Aren’t they pretty?

Chili Recipe – Chopped Vegetables

Once your ground beef is no longer pink, I create a well or hole in the middle of the beef to add in the veggies.

Chili – Ground Beef Well

Add 1/4 cup of water and stare jealously at your veggies as you realize they are warmer than you at the moment. I mean it is like a really great hot tub party.

Chili Party!

Now bring the spice to the event by adding Chili Powder and Cumin to the mix.

Chili – With Spices Added

Add the Chicken Stock and let the chili simmer on low for about an hour. Please know that the 1-hour simmer is not a necessity, especially if you don’t have the time. However, if you can allow the wonderful flavors to do their magic with a low heat simmer, you won’t be disappointed. In fact, you may thank me!

Secret Ingredient alert! Nah, just kidding… this is the point that I reward myself with chili’s perfectly paired beverage.

Secret Ingredient

After a nice long simmer, your Chili should look like this.

Results Of Simmer

Add the Kidney Beans, including the liquid. I believe this thickens up the chili. Add the Diced Tomatoes, drained.

Kidney Beans

Add your second round of spices and again, let chili simmer but this time for about 15 minutes.

Home Stretch

I like a thick chili; however, if you like a soupy consistency – add in some more Chicken Broth throughout the process. Ladle your chili in a bowl and serve up with a dollop of sour cream and some shredded cheddar cheese. Now I already told you the perfect beverage partner for chili, but if you want to know who chili’s BFF is around these parts of town look no further than the ol’ fan favorite… Grilled Cheese. These two are a hoot together! Enjoy!

Chili and Grilled Cheese

BOWL FOR THE SOUL CHILI:

2 Tbsp of Olive Oil
1.5 – 2 lbs of Ground Beef – 80%/20%
2 – Garlic Cloves – Minced
1/2 of Large Sweet Onion – Diced
1 – Green Pepper – Diced
1 – Red Pepper – Diced
1/4 Cup of Water
2 Tbsp of Chili Powder
2 Tbsp of Cumin
1 tsp of Garlic Salt
2 Cups of Chicken Broth
2 – 15.5 oz Cans of Red Kidney Beans
1 – 14.5 oz Can of Diced Tomatoes – Drained (I use Jalapeno Flavored)
Salt & Pepper to taste

Optional:

Sour Cream
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Add your olive oil to over medium-high heat. Once the olive oil begins to ripple, add in your ground beef – breaking it up. Once the meat has cooked through, create a well or hole so the bottom of the pan is exposed for the vegetables. Add the diced sweet onion, green pepper and red pepper. Stir and add in your minced garlic and 1/4 cup of water. Add 2 Tbsps of chili powder, 1 Tbsp of cumin and salt and pepper to taste. Stir seasonings and then slowly pour in 2 cups of chicken broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer for approximately one hour, stirring occasionally. Add two cans of kidney beans, including liquid. Then add the can of diced tomatoes, drained. Add your remaining Cumin and 1 tsp of garlic salt, stir and simmer for 15 minutes. Ladle chili into bowls and serve with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.

Recipe alterations: When I have a Jalapeno on hand and am in the mood to spice up the chili, I will half and seed the Jalapeno. Dice one half of the Jalapeno and add when you add your vegetables. Then place the other half, whole in when you add the Chicken Stock and allow it to simmer. Remove before you add your beans and dice tomatoes.

Oh, Sherry!

January 14, 2014

The premise of this post comes down to the fact that I had two key ingredients in my home… a container of 1 lb jumbo lump crab meat (oh yum!) and two bottles of Cooking Sherry. Ummm… I NEVER have Cooking Sherry!! And, now I have two bottles? Say Whaaa? I honestly have no idea why I bought the first bottle, but the second bottle was purchased when my hubby secretly plotted so that I would miraculously have all the ingredients to try a new recipe… homemade crab bisque.

2 Bottles of Cooking Sherry – You started it all!

So, funny story… the title of this post is in deed a tribute to the great Journey song “Oh Sherrie.” I mean it was only fitting since every time I went to reach for the bottle, that familiar beat and the lyrics came rushing to my mind. Only a few times did I sing out loud the chorus… “Oh, Sherry, your out of luck, hold on, hold on…” It was only now as I was searching for the video to post, that I came to a revelation that I must share. For years and I mean years I have been singing the song… WRONG –

Oh Sherry, your out of luck Hold on, hold on

Ummmm, no… not the words. I mean seriously did everyone else know the actual lyrics?

Oh Sherry, our love Holds on, holds on

I am not embarrassed nor ashamed. I kind of feel like starting a revolution to change the lyrics.

Watch Video Here or below and listen – I am not crazy, people!

So, back to the crab soup. I have to share this recipe! It was soooo good and I mean so good that I added three o’s back there. Did you catch that? It really did start with two ingredients. First, the crab meat in the refrigerator that we were too paranoid that if we didn’t use soon, it may go bad (it did not expire until April – we are really, really paranoid!), and second, the Cooking Sherry, which was purchased in fact to make crab soup. However, I was not fond of the recipe the Hubby found, so I was on a mission to find something great, but it had to have both. Behold – Oh, Sherry! Crab Bisque. It is not entirely my own! I need to clarify that. I stumbled upon the South Carolina She-Crab Soup Recipe from AllRecipes.com and adapted it to my own. You will see my revisions listed below.

Oh, Sherry! Crab Bisque

OH, SHERRY CRAB BISQUE: Adapted from She-Crab Soup – AllRecipes.com.

5 Tbsp of Light Butter
5 Tbsp of All-Purpose Flour
1/2 of 1 Large Sweet Onion – Diced
1 and 1/2 – Celery Stalks – Diced
2 – Green Onion Bulbs – Diced (both white and green part)
2 – Garlic Cloves – Minced
1 Cup of 2% Milk
1 Cup of Half & Half
1 Pint of Heavy Cream
1 Cup of Chicken Broth
Dashes of Hot Sauce
2 tsps. of Worcestershire Sauce
2 tsps. of Dill Weed
2 Tbsps. of Dried Chives
1 lb – Jumbo Lump Crab Meat
1/2 Cup of Cooking Sherry, plus a splash!
Salt and Pepper to taste
Old Bay to taste – Because its Maryland!

Oh, Sherry! Crab Bisque ingredients.

Melt the butter in a large stockpot (I used my Dutch Oven) over medium heat. Once melted, stir in flour to create a rue-like paste. Mix in the diced onion, celery, green onion and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook and stir for about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk and half & half so that no lumps form. Whisk in chicken broth and stir in the heavy cream. Once it is brought to a simmer, add in half of the 1/2 cup of cooking sherry. Add the dill weed, Worcestershire sauce, dried chives and hot sauce. Cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Once the soup has reduced and thickened, add the crab meat, remaining cooking sherry, salt and pepper to taste, give it a stir and simmer for another 10 minutes. I poured a splash of Cooking Sherry into the bottom of each serving bowl. I ladled in the soup and garnished with some dried chives and Old Bay. Enjoy!

Oh, Sherry! Crab Bisque

Saturday Scores… A Little Retail Therapy

January 12, 2014

I was hoping to come to you all today, live (well sort-of, I guess more like a recap) from Washington, DC; however, at the last minute our plans for the day changed. Over the years I have learned that my husband’s side of the family likes to theme things – dinners, vacations, day trips, etc. I actually adore this and believe it is partially the reason I think we bonded with each other so quickly in the beginning. Now I take my theme dreams to the extreme. I mean I secretly wish I had the money and space to own a pantry filled floor to ceiling with placemats, dishware and serving plates, all organized and ready for any given themed night. Please tell me you know what I am talking about! It’s the dishes you walk past in department stores that are painted with beautiful patterns and colors and you think internally or maybe out loud, because let’s face it… that would be funny! “If I could only throw a fiesta or Cinco de Mayo party?” Or, maybe it’s the serving ware that is adorned in clean looks of whites and blues, that make you stop, pause and think… “If only I owned a beach house?”

Cue the Sound of Music – I mean, seriously… “these are a few of my favorite things!” And Scene…

So, yes I am a sucker for themed things. You name it and I am ready! Our theme today for our travel was suppose to be a “Food Tour” of Washington, DC’s hotspots. We researched, received advice and even had it mapped out. However, things happen and we hit a few snafus this morning, including some rainy weather, which would make our commuting by foot through DC… a bit unenjoyable.

Therefore, I ask, what is a girl to do to ease her disappointment? Well if you are like me… a little retail therapy seems to fix everything!

I have never been one to really splurge, in fact, maybe I should just go ahead and announce it… I am a bargain shopper. I get a thrill out of a great deal. A coupon could be the single deciding factor between me walking in one store over another, although there are some super apps out there that are changing my shopping habits, but that will come in the form of a future post. Back to the subject at hand… I love a great deal. To me, I get greater pleasure from walking out of a store knowing my bags are filled with multiple items for one price than one great item for that same price. But, hey, that’s me! I mean I could easily count on one hand the most expensive single clothing items I have splurged on over the years, and I am sure my sister-in-law, Abbey is probably laughing hysterical at this moment as each time I have either called or texted her for moral support. Big picture is I like fashion and quality but I love the thrill of a great deal more, and will wait patiently for a great piece or go on sale or go on the hunt for some amazing knockoffs. Plus, where I am from… you only have so many options.

Here are my Saturday Scores, as I like to call them. Proof that with a little patience and enthusiasm you can score some serious deals on some great items that will make your wallet happy and closet just a little fuller. Enjoy!

With just $50 I was able to score (there is that word, again) these 4 schnazzy items. Each item was from the store’s Clearance selection.

Items purchased under $50.

RED HEELS – Nine West

I purchased these heels at our local TJ Maxx for just $20. Completely authentic Nine West Heels. I found a pair online for $78.95; however, I think I will stick with parting with a Mr. Jackson for mine.

Nine West Heels – $78.95

GOLD BANGLE

This one I also snagged at TJ Maxx. It was just $10 but retailed for $35! I have a new obsession with gold, so I cannot wait to pair this beauty with some of my favorite outfits.

Gold Bangle from TJ Maxx

BLACK PENCIL SKIRT – Max Studio

Retailed for $78, but I found on the Clearance rack at TJ Maxx for just $10! Check out the Max Studio website, it made me feel even more excited about today’s purchase.

Max Studio – Black Pencil Skirt

WHITE AND BLACK SKIRT

Regularly $30, I stopped by Kohl’s on my way home and successfully found this great skirt for work just just $6. You cannot make this up! Well I guess you could, but I did not. It was just $6 for this item.

All in all, I would say it was a great and successful day. I was able to walk away with $221.95 worth of merchandise for just $46! I got some great fashions and my wallet still had cash, which I traded for dinner out with the hubby. You bet I was wearing one my new pieces!

Please share with me some of your fashion finds, looks for less or great deals!

Treat Yo Self – Egg White Scramble

January 4, 2014

Good morning, all. I am back! Now, come on… you really didn’t think I was a Milli Vanilli did you? No, one hit wonder here. I committed to this thing, so let the next Blog commence.

So, here I am on a Saturday morning alone. Now don’t feel bad for me. I use to be someone that dreaded being alone, but with busy work weeks filled with lots of personalities, I will let you in on a little secret… I kind of like being alone. Shhhh! While the Hubby is off in the woods for the last day of Hunting Season (which is humorous to me since there is Bow Season and soon, Spring Fly Fishing) I found myself at home with no plans. Say it with me people – NO PLANS. Now that does not happen often.

I straightened up the house, stoked the wood stove (ah, I sound so Country Chic!) and then thought… “I am making myself breakfast this morning!” I actually got excited as I rummaged the refrigerator looking for ingredients to whip something up and I kept thinking of the “Treat Yo’ Self” episode from Parks And Recreation with Tom (Aziz Asnari) and Donna (Retta). WATCH HERE for a good laugh!

You know from my earlier and first post – Black-Eyed Peas Salsa, I used some vegetables, so you could say I had some veggie leftoverage (I just made up this word and I am keeping it). My Hubby is usually the Breakfast Chef in our home and if we are not eating together, I usually eat breakfast on the go. So, it was a little odd for me to round up the ingredients and cookware for myself.

After a quick assessment of my ingredients I decided to accept the challenge and create an Egg White Scramble. I used Green Onion, Green Pepper, Red Onion and Tomatoes, all washed and diced.

Diced Vegetables – Egg White Scramble

Add some butter to a skillet heated on medium.

Backwards N high Heels – Egg White Scramble

Add your colorful ingredients!

Cooking Vegetables – Egg White Scramble

In a separate bowl whisk three egg whites, add a dash of 2% milk and some sea salt and pepper.

Whisked Egg Whites – Egg White Scramble

Add egg whites to skillet, once veggies are nice and tender. Allow egg whites to cook over veggies, scrapping the sides and tilting the skillet to pull loose egg to cook. Once egg is evenly cooked, add a 1/4 tsp of chives and scramble the ingredients.

Cooking Egg Whites – Egg White Scramble

And, because I live life on the edge… I added a pinch of Mozzarella cheese to top.

Mozzarella Cheese Added To Egg White Scramble

Plate the scramble on a plate, sprinkle some sea salt and pepper, and add some sliced tomatoes.

Egg White Scramble

Now, grab your coffee and enjoy!

Egg White Scramble

EGG WHITE SCRAMBLE:

* This is based on one serving since I decided to… “Treat myself!”

2 – Green Onion Bulbs – Diced (both white and green part)
Quarter of Green Pepper – Diced
Red Onion – Diced
2 – Heirloom Tomatoes – Diced (I used ‘Carmello’)
1/2 Tbsp of light Butter
3 – Egg Whites
Splash of 2% Milk
Mozzarella Cheese to taste
1/4 tsp of Chives (dry)
Sea Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Dice the vegetables. I used Green Onion, Green Pepper, Red Onion and Tomatoes. Add 1/2 Tbsp of butter to skillet heated on medium. Add vegetables, minus tomatoes to skillet and cook until tender. In a separate bowl, whisk three egg whites, add a splash of 2% milk and salt and pepper to taste. Add egg whites to skillet, over vegetables. Cook the egg whites, scrapping the sides to cook all eggs. Add 1/4 tsp of chives and scramble ingredients. Once cooked through, add Mozzarella Cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Black-Eyed Peas New Year

January 2, 2014

Whether you rocked into 2014 with a little “I Got A Feeling” or maybe some “Boom Boom Pow,” really has no relevance to this post other than my cheesy ode to Fergie and will.i.am. You see my New Year’s Day included a little necessary sleep-in time, followed by a hardy breakfast – complete with Belgium waffles and some Bloody Mary action, a one-hour nap (I mean entering a New Year is hard work! We just jumped from 2013 to 2014, people!) oh, and then there were some black-eyed peas…

Around here, whether you like it or not, you better be having pork and kraut to welcome the New Year. It is a tradition and considered good luck. Thankfully for me, my parents spoke up and were willing to fill their home with the aroma that comes with a day of slow cooking pork and kraut. So, I set forth to add yet another tradition to the holiday with a little black-eyed pea action.

You see if you are celebrating this day in the Southern region of the good USA, well you better have some black-eyed peas. From what I hear, these legumes are a tradition that are considered to bring luck and prosperity to those in the New Year. And, considering I am willing to take all the luck and prosperity I can get, especially if it is so freely given with the simple task of eating… well, you can say I was in. I was game for a recipe.

Pinterest kills me. I am a better and worse person through its existence. However, on the recipe and cooking side of things, I have found, that it in fact enhances what I consider my better half. For a gal who use to despise the kitchen because I associated it with work and stress, I have become quite fond of cooking and trying new recipes. My first go at incorporating black eyed peas into our family dinner was a success with my Black-Eyed Peas Salsa, which I made from a combination of recipes I browsed through online. A little of this and a pinch of that and a few taste tests and I think I got it ready to share. Please feel free to snag my recipe and share in the comments any suggestions or alterations you made to make the dish your own.

P.S. – My New Year’s resolution was not to cook more, but after day #1 in 2014, I may have to reconsider. Enjoy!

Black Eyed Peas Salsa

BLACK-EYED PEAS SALSA:

2 (15.8 oz.) Cans of Black-Eyed Peas
1 (15 oz.) Can of Whole Corn Kernels
6-8 Heirloom Tomatoes – Diced (I used ‘Carmello’)
1 Red Pepper – Diced
1 Green Pepper – Diced
1/2 of a Large Red Onion – Diced
1/2 Cup of Green Onion – Chopped (both white and green part)
4 oz. of Jalapeños – Minced
1/2 tsp of Cumin
1/2 tsp of Oregano
1/2 tsp of Course Salt
Garlic Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Wash all vegetables first. Work with one ingredient at a time in order as listed above and add to main bowl as completed, stirring ingredients as added. Seasonings add and alter based on taste. Chill for about an hour before serving.

I used multigrain Tostitos Chips to serve with my salsa. If I could make any adjustments I would add some cilantro and a dash of hot sauce.