Hiiii!!!!!!
I know it has been absolutely forever, and I promise to catch everyone up soon with what I have been doing, but in the meantime....I really wanted to share this opportunity with you!
I have recently been focusing on a more Paleo based lifestyle, and following some awesome blogs....and one of them has an amazing, EPIC Giveaway going on right now!!! And who doesn't want almost $1200 worth of free stuff?!?!
Head on over to Primal Toad to enter the epic giveaway!
Good Luck!!!!
L
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
What's in your lunch?
I have been totally spoiled by being home the last two months...and I am totally going to miss it when I start my new job Monday! (Not that I am upset about starting work...I am THRILLED!!!) But...I really have gotten completely spoiled. Taking my time in the kitchen, making whatever I want, savoring every bite. Those days are soon to be gone (sniff) but I am soaking up every moment I can!
While breakfast foods rate really high for me, and dinner savory's are some of my faves, lunchtime has always been my big meal. Breakfast is usually small and quick, dinner is usually wind down time....but lunchtime? That is all me. I love taking that hour (or longer) and enjoying my lunch. I really love sharing it with friends...but have no problem being on my own, especially if I have a book. Fill it with veggies and some protein and you have one happy Liz.
So, on that note...here's my lunch today. I heart eggplant in a major way, and when you combine it with fresh mozz, tomatoes and basil...I am in heaven! Eggplant Napoleons anyone?
Happy Leap Day!
xoxo
p.s. Oh, and you see that turtle in the picture? That's Henry. He'll get his own post tomorrow. :)
Monday, February 20, 2012
Lunch fit for a President
Happy President's Day!
So, you may or may not know this...but I am a big fan of making hodge podge, take-everything-out-of-the-fridge, lunches. I am also highly susceptible to suggestion...so me blog surfing (or pinterest) before lunch is never a good idea. Or...maybe it is. :) Today, I was surfing one of my faves...my friend, Heather's blog: Heather Eats Almond Butter. This is never a good thing though, because Heather always has scrumptious pics of what she is eating, so I feel I must eat that as well...which would be fine except Heather is pregnant with twins, and so is eating for 3; while I am just eating for me. Luckily, HEAB eats healthy!!!
So, back to the point...HEAB had fish tacos for lunch the other day. YUM! I LOVE FISH TACOS!!! So, you can figure where lunch is going right? Except, I happened to have some Shrimp already roasted and in the fridge, so it was Shrimp Taco Day! Now to the hodge podge...from my trip to the farmer's market on Saturday I happened to have avocados, cherry tomatoes, onion, lime, baby spinach and goat cheese. I also always have corn tortillas on hand, sour cream in the fridge, and (I know this sounds weird) pureed chipotle in adobe. I use it all the time...love it! So...my lunch became: Shrimp Tacos with crumbled goat cheese, guacamole, baby spinach and a drizzle of chipotle sour cream. Along with a side of guac and some chips. YUM! And ready in under 10 minutes! Always make a girl happy :)
So, you may or may not know this...but I am a big fan of making hodge podge, take-everything-out-of-the-fridge, lunches. I am also highly susceptible to suggestion...so me blog surfing (or pinterest) before lunch is never a good idea. Or...maybe it is. :) Today, I was surfing one of my faves...my friend, Heather's blog: Heather Eats Almond Butter. This is never a good thing though, because Heather always has scrumptious pics of what she is eating, so I feel I must eat that as well...which would be fine except Heather is pregnant with twins, and so is eating for 3; while I am just eating for me. Luckily, HEAB eats healthy!!!
So, back to the point...HEAB had fish tacos for lunch the other day. YUM! I LOVE FISH TACOS!!! So, you can figure where lunch is going right? Except, I happened to have some Shrimp already roasted and in the fridge, so it was Shrimp Taco Day! Now to the hodge podge...from my trip to the farmer's market on Saturday I happened to have avocados, cherry tomatoes, onion, lime, baby spinach and goat cheese. I also always have corn tortillas on hand, sour cream in the fridge, and (I know this sounds weird) pureed chipotle in adobe. I use it all the time...love it! So...my lunch became: Shrimp Tacos with crumbled goat cheese, guacamole, baby spinach and a drizzle of chipotle sour cream. Along with a side of guac and some chips. YUM! And ready in under 10 minutes! Always make a girl happy :)
The Recipe:
Roasted Shrimp: Peeled de-veined shrimp, salt, pepper and olive oil. Preheat oven to 425. Toss peeled shrimp with olive oil, salt and fresh ground pepper (to taste). Spread out in single layer on baking sheet and put in preheated oven. Bake 8-10 minutes. They are awesome!
Guacamole: a Haas avocado, handful of cherry tomatoes chopped, onion diced small, some lime juice and salt & pepper. Mash the avocado and mix everything together, all to your taste! Usually it has cilantro as well, but shocker...I was out! Still tastes great though!! And since it is to your taste, you can put whatever you want in there!
Chipotle Sour Cream: this is by far the easiest. Couple spoonfuls of sour cream mixed with a teeny bit of pureed chipotle in adobo! Again, it's to your taste, I like mine a little spicy, so I added some more puree.
Now, build your tacos and ENJOY!!
xoxo
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Mardi Gras
Laissez les bons temps rouler!!
For anyone not from the South, it means "Let the good times roll!" and it is instrumental to this time of year...Mardi Gras! And since I am not in N'awlins (New Orleans) celebrating this year...I decided to make some of my favorite bites that remind me of the Big Easy...beignets and gougeres!
No Gluten, No Problem is a great blog that I follow, and they have an AMAZING Pate Choux recipe. It's super easy and the results are always perfect! Using their recipe, I made a batch of pate choux and then split it. Half I used for beignets, and to the other half I added a half cup of Parmesan and Romano cheeses combined (yes, I know it should be Gruyere...but I was out!).
For the Beignets, heat a pot of oil to 350 degrees, and add scoops of the pate choux (I used a teaspoon scoop). They will about double in size while they fry, and are done when they are a nice dark golden brown all over! Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Now, the good part...while they are still warm, coat with powdered sugar! Bite size bits of heaven.
For the Gougeres, heat your oven to 400 degrees. Mix the choux and cheeses. Once mixed, put dough in a pastry bag (or gallon sized ziploc) and pipe into little mounds about an inch apart on a parchment (or silpat) lined baking sheet. Keep a little bowl of water near, you will need to dip your fingers in it and smooth the tops of your mounds. Once it is all piped and smoothed, brush the gougeres with a little beaten egg and put in the preheated oven. Bake for about 25 min, until dark golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on rack for a few minutes. **this is important** Do NOT open your oven while baking! Use your oven light to check how they are doing. Because they bake by steaming from the inside, opening the oven door will effect the outcome. Once they have cooled a few minutes, Enjoy!!!
xoxo
For anyone not from the South, it means "Let the good times roll!" and it is instrumental to this time of year...Mardi Gras! And since I am not in N'awlins (New Orleans) celebrating this year...I decided to make some of my favorite bites that remind me of the Big Easy...beignets and gougeres!
No Gluten, No Problem is a great blog that I follow, and they have an AMAZING Pate Choux recipe. It's super easy and the results are always perfect! Using their recipe, I made a batch of pate choux and then split it. Half I used for beignets, and to the other half I added a half cup of Parmesan and Romano cheeses combined (yes, I know it should be Gruyere...but I was out!).
For the Gougeres, heat your oven to 400 degrees. Mix the choux and cheeses. Once mixed, put dough in a pastry bag (or gallon sized ziploc) and pipe into little mounds about an inch apart on a parchment (or silpat) lined baking sheet. Keep a little bowl of water near, you will need to dip your fingers in it and smooth the tops of your mounds. Once it is all piped and smoothed, brush the gougeres with a little beaten egg and put in the preheated oven. Bake for about 25 min, until dark golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on rack for a few minutes. **this is important** Do NOT open your oven while baking! Use your oven light to check how they are doing. Because they bake by steaming from the inside, opening the oven door will effect the outcome. Once they have cooled a few minutes, Enjoy!!!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wed-nes-day
Happy Wednesday!!! Now raise your hand (be truthful) and admit it...every time you write out the word Wednesday, you sound it out. I know I do!!! lol
I have nothing profound to say today (shocking, I know), and I am off to get ready for an interview, so I will leave you with my favorite breakfast. :)
Nothing fancy, just my own version of an Egg McMuffin. One fried egg, topped with a slice of provolone (it was what was in the fridge), and some turkey bacon...all smushed onto a toasted Food for Life GF English Muffin. YUM.
xoxo
I have nothing profound to say today (shocking, I know), and I am off to get ready for an interview, so I will leave you with my favorite breakfast. :)
Nothing fancy, just my own version of an Egg McMuffin. One fried egg, topped with a slice of provolone (it was what was in the fridge), and some turkey bacon...all smushed onto a toasted Food for Life GF English Muffin. YUM.
xoxo
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Believe
Twice in 24 hours??? No way!!! :-D
I got this in an email devotional this morning, and I knew instantly I needed to share it.
I cannot explain how deeply this resonates with me...it is EXACTLY how I feel. I couldn't believe how clearly it explained me, which is amazing because I normally have a difficult time explaining it to other people. Most people don't get it....but if you can get to a place in your life where you, deep down in your bones, believe this....it will change your entire outlook on life.
The Bible says “...Nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done” in Luke 22:42b. Jesus is saying to his Father, "I bow to your wisdom". He knew God had a plan. In Jeremiah 29:11 it says "For I know the plans I have for you" Declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future.". (So we are clear...that is my favorite verse in the entire bible...It's even tattooed on my wrist. You will see it here a lot.)
But, back to the point...God tells us over, and over, and over in the Bible that He has a plan. That if we will bow to His greater knowledge, He will take where we need to go! That He will prosper us, that He will give us a future! That He will not harm us...and that is the hard one...because bad things do happen to good people. But I fully believe that if God brings you to it, God will bring you through it. Just have faith. There is a purpose to your hardship.
Up there it says "surrender your will to Him". Surrender is a hard word for people...think of it this way instead...TRUST Him, Have FAITH in Him, BELIEVE in your heart that your Father loves you and wants what is best for you. Once you can do that, you will realize it is not our plan, but His, that is important and will get us where we need to go.
xoxo
ps. I also found my next tattoo. On Pinterest no less (do you pin???). I heart it in a big way. It says FAITH but if you look at it upside down, it spells HOPE because of the way it is written. I'll be getting that soon. :)
here's a pic...I would go a little smaller, and on the other wrist. Now, turn it upside down. Cool, huh? :)
I got this in an email devotional this morning, and I knew instantly I needed to share it.
Like many people today, I have big dreams and goals. I have desires in my heart. But my prayer now is, “God, not my will, but let Your will be done.” If a door closes, it’s no big deal; I let it go. If my plans don’t work out, no big deal; I know God has something better. I’ve learned to not get so consumed by a dream that if it doesn’t happen my way, I get all bent out of shape.
Maybe you’ve gone through a disappointment. You don’t understand it. You could easily be bitter, live with a chip on your shoulder, and give up on your dreams. Realize today that God is at work in your life. He is directing your steps. What you thought was a setback is going to turn out to be a setup for a comeback! When you surrender your will to Him, when you humble yourself before Him, that’s when God can take you to another level.
I cannot explain how deeply this resonates with me...it is EXACTLY how I feel. I couldn't believe how clearly it explained me, which is amazing because I normally have a difficult time explaining it to other people. Most people don't get it....but if you can get to a place in your life where you, deep down in your bones, believe this....it will change your entire outlook on life.
The Bible says “...Nevertheless not my will, but Yours, be done” in Luke 22:42b. Jesus is saying to his Father, "I bow to your wisdom". He knew God had a plan. In Jeremiah 29:11 it says "For I know the plans I have for you" Declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, Plans to give you hope and a future.". (So we are clear...that is my favorite verse in the entire bible...It's even tattooed on my wrist. You will see it here a lot.)
But, back to the point...God tells us over, and over, and over in the Bible that He has a plan. That if we will bow to His greater knowledge, He will take where we need to go! That He will prosper us, that He will give us a future! That He will not harm us...and that is the hard one...because bad things do happen to good people. But I fully believe that if God brings you to it, God will bring you through it. Just have faith. There is a purpose to your hardship.
Up there it says "surrender your will to Him". Surrender is a hard word for people...think of it this way instead...TRUST Him, Have FAITH in Him, BELIEVE in your heart that your Father loves you and wants what is best for you. Once you can do that, you will realize it is not our plan, but His, that is important and will get us where we need to go.
xoxo
ps. I also found my next tattoo. On Pinterest no less (do you pin???). I heart it in a big way. It says FAITH but if you look at it upside down, it spells HOPE because of the way it is written. I'll be getting that soon. :)
here's a pic...I would go a little smaller, and on the other wrist. Now, turn it upside down. Cool, huh? :)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Well hello there!
How are you?? Long time no see!!!!
I am pretty sure we have all already established that I am a complete slacker when it comes to this blog. My friend S put it perfectly the other day (in a conversation about something completely different, but it still applies here)...
" I DO have the best intentions. I just can't do it all."
That is sooo true for me right now (and always), and sadly this cute little spot always suffers. It is my red-headed step child. But I promise that I will attempt to be better! :)
I also promise that I will try to start taking pics of all the awesome food I have been cooking/baking! I am completely addicted to Pinterest (do you pin?!?!) and have been making every recipe I see on there!!! But...it seems I get halfway through a recipe, and then remember to take pics! Woops!!
But in the meantime...just got back from a FABULOUS girls weekend in Savannah with my darling friend, Britt. It was so perfect, and so needed for both of us! It was full of shopping, spa treatments and LOTS of amazing food! Can't wait for our next trip!!! And I am super measly on pics from this trip too, because my phone died 5 min after we left the hotel Saturday...so instead you get treated to our breakfast Sunday morning.
We had brunch at Huey's on River Street and it was FABULOUS. Total surprise, but I will definitely be back! They are a N'awlins style place...so of course, we had to try the specialty....Beignets. Heaven!!!!
Saturday night, we did what every tourist has to do at least once when visiting Savannah. We went to see The Lady. It wasn't bad...she, without a doubt, has fried chicken and baked goods down pat. And a full bar...which is always necessary. :)
The most amazing food we had though was Saturday lunch. (which of course I have no pictures of!) We stopped at a Thai restaurant, Saigon, which is at the corner of Bull & Broughton. It was, hands down, the best food we had all weekend. It was amazing! I will go back there every single time I visit Savannah. The staff was super friendly, the presentation was great; their green curry was great, the spring rolls were perfect, but the highlight of the meal was their Garlic Scallion Eggplant. It was AMAZING. Tempura battered eggplant "fingers" with a garlic scallion sauce. It just melted in your mouth every time you took a bite....mmmm. Now I'm craving it again!!! :D
And yes....I ate gluten all weekend. Not so fun now, but surprisingly, it really didn't bother me too badly. But needless to say...it's going to be a week of mostly fruits and veggies in this house!!! :) Now...off to clean!
xoxo
I am pretty sure we have all already established that I am a complete slacker when it comes to this blog. My friend S put it perfectly the other day (in a conversation about something completely different, but it still applies here)...
" I DO have the best intentions. I just can't do it all."
That is sooo true for me right now (and always), and sadly this cute little spot always suffers. It is my red-headed step child. But I promise that I will attempt to be better! :)
I also promise that I will try to start taking pics of all the awesome food I have been cooking/baking! I am completely addicted to Pinterest (do you pin?!?!) and have been making every recipe I see on there!!! But...it seems I get halfway through a recipe, and then remember to take pics! Woops!!
But in the meantime...just got back from a FABULOUS girls weekend in Savannah with my darling friend, Britt. It was so perfect, and so needed for both of us! It was full of shopping, spa treatments and LOTS of amazing food! Can't wait for our next trip!!! And I am super measly on pics from this trip too, because my phone died 5 min after we left the hotel Saturday...so instead you get treated to our breakfast Sunday morning.
We had brunch at Huey's on River Street and it was FABULOUS. Total surprise, but I will definitely be back! They are a N'awlins style place...so of course, we had to try the specialty....Beignets. Heaven!!!!
And then it came to the main course. You have to understand, I have a love affair with breakfast...especially Eggs Benedict. I can't turn it down...ever. Hollandaise is like crack heaven to me. I could eat it from a spoon all the time. No joke. So...my dilemma...they were offering 4 different types of Benedict. It took me forever to choose. But I finally did...Eggs Sarnou. It was fabulous~ an English muffin topped with creamed spinach and artichoke hearts, a poached egg and smothered in crack Hollandaise. Served with a side of Parmesan Garlic Grits. Oh my...It was scrumptious~
Saturday night, we did what every tourist has to do at least once when visiting Savannah. We went to see The Lady. It wasn't bad...she, without a doubt, has fried chicken and baked goods down pat. And a full bar...which is always necessary. :)
The most amazing food we had though was Saturday lunch. (which of course I have no pictures of!) We stopped at a Thai restaurant, Saigon, which is at the corner of Bull & Broughton. It was, hands down, the best food we had all weekend. It was amazing! I will go back there every single time I visit Savannah. The staff was super friendly, the presentation was great; their green curry was great, the spring rolls were perfect, but the highlight of the meal was their Garlic Scallion Eggplant. It was AMAZING. Tempura battered eggplant "fingers" with a garlic scallion sauce. It just melted in your mouth every time you took a bite....mmmm. Now I'm craving it again!!! :D
And yes....I ate gluten all weekend. Not so fun now, but surprisingly, it really didn't bother me too badly. But needless to say...it's going to be a week of mostly fruits and veggies in this house!!! :) Now...off to clean!
xoxo
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