April 3, 2013

Milk & Cookies Smoothie

I actually just looked up the word smoothie online. This is the definition in case you’re wondering….

Let’s discuss # 1 for a second. Have you ever called a dude a smoothie? Oh, he’s such a smoothie. Hmm. Not so sure about that one.

This milk & cookies smoothie definitely doesn’t fit definition #1. Although this smoothie is pretty suave.

#2. Yes. OK this is a smoothie.

I looked up the definition because I feel like this smoothie is way too decadent to be considered a smoothie. In my mind a smoothie is something you fill with bananas & berries. Something that you blend with green stuff to get good stuff into your kid’s diet. You know…something on the healthy side. According to this definition, this is an actual smoothie even though it tastes like a milkshake. I think it has everything to do with the frozen bananas & cookies. It’s DECADENT. One second you get banana, and then you get a hint of cookies and BAM! There’s the peanut butter. It’s rich & creamy and will definitely fulfill your cookie & milkshake craving. It’s not just any old smoothie. It’s a Milk & Cookies Smoothie!

recipes, Uncategorized

April 1, 2013

Banh-Mi

I overheard Casey telling my parents last night during Easter dinner that he had an epic food week (thanks to me). That’s exactly what you want to overhear, isn’t it? Especially when you pour your heart & soul into feeding others. It’s not like he doesn’t tell me he loves it when I make food for him, but to hear him tell other people? Well, that’s just awesome. During this “epic” food week, I made a version of Greek salad that had tabouleh mixed in, summer rolls from scratch, some of the crispiest potatoes ever with grilled lamb for Easter and his most favorite food ever—Banh-Mi. Whew! Epic!

I’ve never made Banh-Mi before. I’ve always wanted to but it seemed kind of out of reach. We usually go out for Banh-Mi because it’s pretty reasonable, but the last time we went out they tried to charge us $8 per sandwich. I don’t think so!

What was stopping me? First of all, I felt like I might not be able to match all the sandwiches my husband has devoured in the last 6 years. I also thought that grilling pork would be hard (it’s NOT). I was super concerned about getting the bread right (the bread worked, but now I think I have a better source!). Pickling my own veggies seemed laborious (so super duper easy and daikon is at my local Whole Foods). I was also worried that what I made wouldn’t be super authentic (who cares when it tastes soo dang good & just like the Bahn-Mi we get out to eat?!) All the issues were just in my head because this recipe is a snap!

The only problem is…I think I set the bar even higher when it comes to home cooked meals. Oof!

my everyday life, Photography, Uncategorized

March 30, 2013

My Everyday Life: Week 13

Here’s what this past week looked like:

I have this habit of messing with my hair while I’m working on the computer and then I occasionally catch a glimpse of my reflection in the computer screen and think WHOA.

Uncategorized

March 29, 2013

I love lists, Friday!

I want a Cat Party!
This guy is the cutest! I love seeing his outfits.
Oh man. Someone buy this car. I can imagine my teenage self doing this
This girl is at it again. Cooper wants to know why she does it. There’s no answer.
Kids React to Grumpy Cat. It’s gets REALLY good towards the middle.
I am insanely OBSESSED with this song. And when this song hits 2:40. WOW.
This photo series is extremely powerful/beautiful.
This one will get you too! Life is short, yo.
Twitter Spelling Test. Quite hilarious.
Hello, Amazing looking salad!
I love reading posts about natural beauty routines.
And I love reading truthful posts about being a mom.
I’m kinda freaking out over these potatoes.
These quotes are AMAZING.
Read this & Watch the Video. I giggled so hard.
25 Simple Ways to Eat Better. I so need this right now.
This happy hour hot fudge milkshake is MAJ.

A pedicure that…turned awkward and too many Spice Girls references on the latest Joy the Baker Podcast- #89 Chill Pill.

After living in our house for almost a year (CRAZY) I organized our pantry & tidied it up. Check it out.

A big THANK YOU to Babble for including me in their top 100 Mom Food Blogs list!

My Bites Around the Net:

The Organic Southern Mommy made my Cinnamon Sugar Baked Doughnuts

This Abundant Life adapted my Tuscan Ribolita.

Planning 4 Paris made my Orange Ginger Toddy

Ready to Salivate adapted my Tuscan Kale & Pecorino Salad

recipes, Uncategorized

March 27, 2013

Slice & Bake Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I’m really good at moderation…if given the chance. In college I had a stash of soups on my side of our dorm room that taunted my roommate. She would “borrow” one and quickly replace it over and over again. I found it amusing and also very kind of her to keep replacing them. It wasn’t so much that I wanted the soup; I just liked having them there in the off chance I might want one one day. I’m a planner by nature. I like to have a stash for a rainy day.

Flash forward many years later and my college roommate lives right down the street. We were hanging out with our kids (who are best friends!), drinking cocktails when she pulled out some cookie dough from the fridge and quickly made a batch of 5 cookies. One for each kid and one for each adult. It got me thinking that I need to have cookie dough in my freezer for when I’m feeling like a cookie and not 4 dozen. There’s something so satisfying about having access to cookies when the time calls for it.

Now when she comes over, I’ll guarantee we have cookies in the house, but this time I won’t expect her to replace them…

recipes, Uncategorized

March 25, 2013

Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup

We woke up yesterday morning without power. It was a bright sunny morning here in California and it seemed a little silly to not have power. In my life, power outages are usually associated with massive storms or some planned street work. It’s always a reminder how frequent I take power for granted. My brain expects the light to go on when I turn on the switch, and yesterday I got a rude awakening when I went to do dishes and the garbage disposal didn’t work… I had a bunch of mushrooms & strawberries in there from the night before. Oof.

Since I was banned from oven usage, I decided to turn the stove on and make soup. This Lemony Chicken & Orzo Soup from the latest Bon Appetit magazine is perfect for the weather we’re having here in the Bay Area. We’re having the kind of weather that requires a light sweater and if the sun is just right, a little skin will make an appearance. It’s the type of weather that makes you want a light soup to take the chill off the cool breeze. This soup will do just that. It’s simple ingredients come together for a light/vibrant flavor combination. Lemon + Dill are flavor powerhouses! It’s what I’m taking to work this week for lunch.