Celebrating the 4th in Style {{Food}}

I love food at an outdoor BBQ! There is always a huge variety and you can try out new recipes with no shame. Last year, I did a round up of 4th of July themed eats here that you might enjoy and I also have a Lemon Berry Trifle recipe that would be amaze, which you can find here. 

Couscous Fruit Salad by Noble Pig

Red, White, and Blue Summer Salad by Real Mom Kitchen- add chicken and you have a main dish! 

Blueberry, Strawberry, Jicama Salsa by Two Peas and Their Pod- I've also seen this done as a fruit salad without all the spiciness. Just sub the jicama for apple, cilantro for basil and take out all the spicy elements. 

Red, White, and Bleu Slaw by Taste of Home 

Easy Flag Fruit Dessert by Family Fresh Meals - you could also sub cheese (brie, swiss, white cheddar, etc.) on here for the white component. 

Patriotic Oreo Pops by Makoodle 

Red, White, and Blue Rice Krispy Sparkler by 5 Minutes for Mom 

Red Velvet 4th of July Cupcakes by Your Cup of Cake 

Linking up with Emily for Tuesday's Recipe Swap! Go check out some of these awesome recipes being shared! 

What do you love to eat at a BBQ? 

Friday Favorites {{12.12.14}}

It's Friday again! Does anyone else get up every day and just wish it was Friday afternoon already? No? I'm the only one who loves that joyous feeling of leaving work, taking off your id badge, and going yeessss two blissful days of freedom. That's one of my favorite moments every week. Here are some of my other favorites for your enjoyment. 

Favorite Quick Workout

If you are looking for something calm and gentle to do, because you are feeling sorta bloated from the holiday feasting this is the video for you. It is from one of my all time fave sites, POPSUGAR. 

Favorite DIY 

This super cute initial is the perfect alternative to the expected wreath. I have been dying to make my own in winter colors, but haven't made it to the store to buy my letter yet. It's on the to-do list. Super easy and I already have most of the supplies. Meaning the twine and hot glue. 

Twine Initial 

Favorite Recipe

I made my version of this recipe this month, with homemade noodles I might add, and G and I both loved it. It was the perfect comfort food when we were feeling down and it was dreary outside. 

Iowa Girl Eats 

Favorite Funnies 

I'm linking up with Amanda for Friday Favorites 

Weekend in Review {{12.1.14}}

I'm sure we all did essentially the same thing this past weekend- ate a lot of food and saw family. That's what we did too. So instead of writing all about it I'll just give you some photos.

I lied, these two photos are from last weekend. I like to make G take selfies and told him he HAD to take a birthday selfie, so he indulged me.

This is Gabriel and his dad, Big Poppa. We went out to Capital Grille last weekend to celebrate their birthdays. 

Our Thanksgiving feast may have been a little different than most people. We decided to go with filet, crab legs, skrimp, and other yummy foods that aren't traditionally served. Best. Decision. Ever.

These were my meager offerings. I love to make bruschetta it is super easy and healthy! 

We then went to the Plaza for their annual lighting ceremony. Even though I have lived in KC my entire life, I don't remember ever having been for a lighting ceremony.

Gabriel, myself, and my Uncle Marty. Marty hosted our Thanksgiving wonderfulness. 

After the lighting ceremony, we went to the local neighborhood bar. And everyone had a hang over the next day, except for me. Turns out, shots of fireball will do that to you. 

Did you do anything super fun for the holiday?

Tasty Tuesday: Pinterest Recipes I'm Loving

I am a certified pinterest addict. I love to find recipes and tweak and twist them to fit my and my boo thang's taste. Without further ado, here are some of my all time favorite pinterest recipes.

One Spoon Dry Rub from Self Proclaimed Foodie.  I love to make my own rubs and seasonings, so this is right up my alley! I can put as much or as little as I want, which is perfect since we eat a LOW sodium diet in my house.

Grilled Porkchops with Peach, Bourbon, Mustard Sauce from Bobbie's Kozi Kitchen. Ya'll this was my first time cooking pork chops on my own and they were amazeballs. This is more of a marinade/glaze than a sauce and anything with bourbon is going to be good. For me, this is also the perfect transition to fall grilling recipe.

Grilled Hawaiian Teriyaki Burgers from Skinnytaste. I love the idea of this recipe, but I use ground turkey and canned pineapple. I love that she incorporates carrots into the burgers, they help keep the moistness and add a little veggie crunch.

20 Minute Shrimp Sausage Skillet from Paleo Newbie. Again, the simplicity of this recipe is what I love the most about it. I am allergic to a few of the ingredients, but I can swap out zucchini or squash for sweet potato and leeks. The possibility of combos is endless!

Apple Turkey Burger with Caramelized Onions and Brie from Once Upon a Cutting Board. OMG! This recipe is to die for. The melted brie and the crisp, tart granny smith-- YUM! This was a recipe where Hungry Man ate all the burgers before I could even sit down at the table. Just because I am me, I also love to add a little bit of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce to my bun.

What are some of your fave pinterest recipes right now?

Humpday Confessions

Wham, bam thank you ma'm! It's Wednesday already! Which means time to bare it all with Kathy. 

I still listen to Danity Kane when I work out. I have no idea why. I just really like the song Showstopper. And I'm too lazy to create another playlist. That and I have a mad respect for someone that donkey punches a crazy girl. J/K... sorta

Work has started back again.... and I still don't understand why people trust me with their children. Most of the time I can't even remember to feed myself and here I am responsible for children. WTF?! On a good note, I have an office in both of my buildings this year. Which means I have a place to hide, but also that teachers and kids know where to find me.

I am starving constantly. I dream about chinese food and chips. Is this what skinny feels like? Because if so, I hate it. I think it's actually that I am getting up at 6am when for the past month I've been laying in bed until 9. My stomach is just voicing it's displeasure. I guess I should be glad it's not voicing it in the form of farts. 

I cut off all my hair. Which actually means it is shoulder length, but I already am not loving it. I love a good ponytail and shoulder length doesn't make a good pony. Just saying. 

What have ya'll been up to? 





Fourth of July Food

Gotta be honest, food is what my life revolves around. Date nights? Involve food. Parties? Food. Happy hour? Food. I like to plan my life around food... and then from there, I plan my outfits. So, I thought that I would give you some of the pinterest recipes from the Fourth of July that I wish I had thought of. I almost always make the same trifle for every holiday :)

Just clock on the name of the dish to go to the recipe. Enjoy!

Rice Krispie Treats

Independence Punch

feel free to add some vodka or rum :) 

4th of July Cake Pops

Fruit Skewers

Grilled Blackberry, Strawberry, Basil, and Brie Pizza Crisps

Patriotic Puppy Chow

Patriotic Fruit Ice Cubes

Again, add some booze!

Flag Fruit and Cheese Plate

Fruit Salsa and Chips

What is your go to recipe? Especially if it is a drink recipe :) 

My Big Fat Greek Turkey Burger

 



This is a pretty easy peasy recipe that you will for sure enjoy! It usually takes me no time at all and is a huge hit with my meat and more meat guy.

Big Fat Greek Turkey Burgers

For the Feta-Yogurt Sauce

• 1 cup plain greek yogurt
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (I used tomato basil flavor)
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• Salt, pepper to taste

For the Greek Turkey Burgers

• 1 lb lean turkey
• 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon kalamata olives, chopped
• ½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
• red onion, chopped, to taste (we like lots)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

 

Garnishes:

• 4 fresh hamburger buns, sandwich thins, or pitas
• Tomatoes
• Spinach
• Pepperoncini
• Roasted Red Peppers

Directions

1. Combine all of the Feta-Yogurt Sauce ingredients in bowl. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, spinach, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, red onion, garlic, olives, bell, pepper, salt and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly dispersed throughout the meat. Place the mixture into the fridge for at least 20 minutes (I frequently skip this due to being hangry).
3. Remove the meat mixture from the fridge and divide it into 4 equal parts. Roll the meat into balls and then use your palm to flatten them out. (I usually do 2 HUGE patties for my man thang and 2 small for me).
4. Place the burger patties on a grill set to high heat or in the oven set to broil. Cook the patties for about 12 minutes total, flipping them half way through
5. Serve the burgers with a generous amount of the Feta-Yogurt Sauce and whatever toppings you prefer.
6. Take your small leftover patty for lunch the next day, if your caveman hasn’t already gotten to it.

 

I am not a good food photographer. Bite me. hahahah, get it?

 

 

 

When you try this, let me know what you think!

 

Do you have any must try recipes? I would love to have them!

 

 

 

 

 

Food I Could Eat Forever

As we are all aware, I love to eat. If I could roll around with some chili cheese fries and make love to a chinese buffet, I would. With no shame I might add. My desire to have everything in my mouth is one of the reasons why I need to work out more. Meh, I'll just keep working out at my minimal level and eating everything in sight. I'm good with that. I thought I'd share some of my all time fave foods with you today, so that you can see I am an equal opportunity food lover.

• Fried chicken...who doesn't love crispy chicken titties? They taste sooo good with hot sauce! Not to be confused with chicken strips, cuz those are totally different.
• Gummi bears... need I say more?
• Pad Thai... I love it in all variations. It can have chicken, shrimp, tofu it doesn't matter. I will eat it no matter what.
• Chips... again, it can be any kind. I love hot fries, cheetos (puffy not crunchy), BBQ, kettle chips. Or you could make a big bowl of mixed chips and it would be like a buffet, but different. I also love leaving behind little cheesy handprints.
• Salad... Not a lie. I don't joke or kid on this one. I nkow it doesn't seem to go with, but salads are so versatile they can be anything! They can be filled with every texture known to man. I love to top mexican style with tortilla strips, so I can be healthy AND have chips! Salads are a win-win all the way around.
• Chinese Food... I do understand this is a food group, but I couldn't list out every single thing I love on the chinese buffet and nobody would want to read that. I even love to eat plain rice, but onyl if it's cooked correcly.  #chinesefoodiseverything

 

What are your faves? I love trying new food, so tell me!

2 Days Seems So Short

The weekend seems like it is so short,but then when it is jam packed with stuff to do it seems so long. I was exhausted Monday from the two days prior.

On Friday, the Mister and I went to Em Chamas, which is a Brazilian steakhouse where the big poles of meat come around to your table. It's just too hard to say no, so I just kept eating. Everything tastes sooo good!

Saturday, I walked a 5k with some friends from work, Jen, and Kala. It was cold at 8am! We tried our best to find a place to have brunch, but we had no luck! Do places not want me to get drunk on Bloody Marys and Mimosas on a Saturday?! It was actually good that I didn't get drunk at 9am, as after I met up with my mom whom I was wedding crap shopping with. Unfortunately, the store we went to truly has crap, so we went to the mall instead. We totally scored there! We each got a new purse and a pair of shoes! Woot! When I came home, I didn't even attempt to hide my new finds, as the deals were that good. I have no shame in my shopping game.

Still on Saturday, we went to the American Royal with my Uncle. Now, my Uncle has been before but the Mister and I haven't so we were excited to go to bbq heaven! Being the responsible, yet cheap grown ups that we are we got blasted at my Unlces house then took a taxi. We were there for an awards ceremony hosted by Guy Feiri, dinner from Quick's BBQ food truck (yum), and a funnel cake! Funnel cakes are the shiz that I can never pass up. Then, we went to Sully's your favorite neighborhood bar. Again, my first time at this establishment, but my Uncle frequents this establishment so I trusted his judgement, which was on point. Sully's was too much fun! We were served our super cheap drinks in mason jars as big as my head! As much as I am over the mason jar craze, thank you Pinterest, I totally loved these. Either that or I was still that drunk. Either way, we safely got home courtesy of Dave, our somewhat crazy cab driver. Thank you, Dave.