Thursday, June 19, 2014

Lately....

Wow, I have been the world's worst blogger!!! I have been pretty busy traveling and hanging out with family I haven't really blogged much :/ Since my last post I have had my 25th birthday!!!! Spent an amazing weekend at the ranch with some of our best friends, traveled to Conroe, and the beach, and enjoyed some much needed wine:) I also have a bunch of new recipes brewing so stay tuned:)

 
Lately I have been...
 
Getting pampered by my hubby for my birthday :)
 

 
and visiting with my bestie

 
dressing up to go out on a fancy birthday date

 
loving the look on my mommas face when I gave her Kendra Scotts :)

 
relishing in an amazing Italian dinner...snapper!

 
enjoying family time at Fiesta Texas


 
Freaking out before we go on the scariest ride EVERRRRR


 
spending memorial day at our beautiful ranch with besties:)



going on a mommy daughter date

 
eating my very first homegrown tomato

enjoying a girls night in Conroe

 
visiting our beach house in port bolivar with  my sweet husband

 
Its been a long and busy two weeks:)
 


Sunday, May 11, 2014

Our Week in a Glance!

This week has flown by which I'm super excited about since this next weekend is my BIRTHDAY!!!! I love LOVE birthdays! We have been racing to Conroe every weekend for family events, weddings, and golf tournaments so its so nice to be complacent for a while and just chill out in our sweet beloved town of San Antonio. I foresee trips to the zoo, spa day at the JW, maybe Fiesta Texas, and lots of grill outs on the back porch coming up. I also have recently switched my workout routine up. I have been an avid aerobiciciser for as long as I can remember. Less Mills classes were my GO-TO fitness routine. I loved all of them from Body Pump, to Body Step.. Spin class.. you name it I loved it.. and it did help that it kept me in shape too:) however I have wanted to try something different for a while and have been hesitant about trying yoga/Pilates because to me, if you don't sweat your not working out right?? WRONG. Turns out that yoga/Pilates is one of the best exercise classes you can take. Not only is it healthy for your mind but also amazing for toning your arms and core!!! I can already tell a difference and its been about a month! I also incorporate swimming into my workout for a little more cardio since sometimes I feel as though I could workout some more! I am loving it!!Since the weather has been so nice, B and I have been grilling out almost every day! This weekend he spoiled me and cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner..  and CLEANED. Shocking I know. It was awesome and the food was better than I ever imagined..GO Brandy!!!! Here are a few of our pictures from the week and weekend!



I got my tan on @ our neighborhood pool


 
and celebrated Cinco De Mayo with some homemade skinny margs!

 
..can't forget the delicious fajitas that we devoured right on our back porch..perfection

 
As a 6 year swim team-er and 7 year ex-life guard I thought I would be able to get back in the routine of swimming. I was wrong. It was hard. It will be worth it.

 
I snapped an infamous OOTD callie girl pic, I am obsessed with camo and stripes. I have recently learned to "not match"..I like it.

 
Top: Nordstroms
Shorts: Old Navy
shoes" Nordstroms
Jacket: Nordstroms
Necklace: Charming Charlie

 
My Tomato plant has more blooms!! WHOOHOO!
 

 
My husband grilled the BEST dinner for me, Hawaiian pineapple teriyaki chicken...so good!


 
Shopped at KS for my mama!

 
Drooled over this Tory Burch bag.. I asked Brandon to buy it for me.. he said no. What's a mere 300$$ right?? LOL



 
spoiled again! This time filets, grilled zuchinni, and wedge salad. I mean..need I say more.
 
 



Thursday, May 8, 2014

RaNdOm 18

I totally stole this from mixandmatchmama :)




1. I totally enjoy these stupid random facts about other people
2.  I had rolled up turkey and Swiss, a pickle, and veggie chips for lunch today.
3. I have literally seen every episode of sex in the city and I still record it so I can watch re runs
4. Watching the cooking network before bed gives me complete relaxation.
5.  If I had to eat one meal before dying it would be: a gourmet cheeseburger, five cheese macaroni, red wine, a wedge salad, and a chocolate truffle :) 
6.i always wear nail polish
7. I have recently started doing swimming and yoga to switch my excercise routine up!!
8. My mama and dad are MOVING:) by me of course!!
9. I'm graduating this summer- can I get a hallefreakinglujah
10. circle e candles are my favorite 
11. I dislike feet. 
11. My favorite wine is highway 12 cab and star mount Chardonnay
12. My awesome husband is taking me to puerto Vallarta this summer!!!! Ayayayaay
13. I loooooove scary movies
14. I love the evenings where Brandon and I grill out in the back porch and just chill
15. Did I mention I am graduating?
16. I wish I was naturally skinny so I could eat anything I wanted and not gain weight 
17. Home decorating is so.much.fun.
18. I am grateful for all of my blessings

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

ELEIN'S Cuban Chicken



When Elein described her favorite Cuban meal I was I was intrigued yet unsure of how such a plain-ish dish could be so amazing and "FANTASTIC"-as she quotes.  When I say this is my favorite chicken dish in the entire world I mean it is the most delicious, moist, and easy to make chicken IN THE WORLD!!! This recipe is a weekly staple in our household. My husband begs for it once a week and much to his oblige I make it because.. I LOVE IT and guess what.. you will too!:) If you are not a big plantainer just substitute it for another veggie but at least give them a try:)


Ingredients:
** I buy chicken in bulk because I make this recipe so often and it is great for leftovers

BONE IN and SKIN ON leg quarters and drumsticks- I buy a big Package of each
  • soy sauce
  • pineapple terryaki marinade (Lawry's)
  • Fischer Weiser Pineapple habanero
  • one can of crushed pinapples
  • one box of GOYA plantains
  • black beans and rice ( we substitute quinoa)
Pre heat oven to 425

in a small bowl mix together a few glugs of the pineapple marinade, couple glugs of soy sauce, and two table spoons of the pineapple habanero sauce along with three or four table spoons of the crushed pinapple. Stir in and let it sit for about ten minutes. Next place your chicken in a baking dish and salt and pepper them ( go easy on the salt because the soy sauce contains enough to flavor it) then pour the marinade all over the chicken. I like to "massage" the chicken for a good five minutes to make sure it is nice and coated. Cover the baking dish with foil and place in the hot oven for about one hour maybe an hour 15. Check your chicken around an hour and it should be starting to slightly brown..this is when you pull out the chicken and take the foil off then pop it back in and broil it until it is  nice and brown and the meat is sliding off ( about 5-10 minutes) that's it your chicken is DONE!!

* Cook your quinoa and black beans with flavors you like: I cook mine with cumin, cilantro, garlic, salt and pepper. and I always cook my quinoa with chicken stock instead of water.. it gives it SUCH amazing flavor.

I will say your welcome in advance because you are going to LOVEEEEEE this chicken!!!!

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Pecan Crusted Trout & Cauliflower Cakes

Fish is one of my absolute favorite things to munch on in the summer months because it is so LIGHT easy/fast to cook! I love fresh caught fish so during the months of summer we like to head on down to our beach house and fish for our favorites ( Snapper, Redfish, Speckled Trout) and then eat them all summer long:) This recipe is really easy and will make you look like a total STAR in the kitchen!


Shopping list:
Fish of choice ( I used trout)
Two cups of honey roasted Pecans!!
Flour
Two eggs beaten slightly in a shallow bowl
salt and pepper
A lemon wedge
 
Procedure:
preheat oven to 400 degrees*
 
 
First and foremost, if your fish has a nasty skin on its backside..peel it off!!!!
Then take your pecans and place them in a food processer and process slowly until they are fine but still have a bit of pecan texture.( If you do not have a food processer you can use a veggie chop or finely chop them with a butcher knife..just get them really small so that they stick to the fish!)
 
Now that your fish is clean on both sides you can salt and pepper him.
Once seasoned, sprinkle flour on both sides of the fish until you get an even coating then shake for excess flour to fall off.
Then dip your fish in the egg mixture and coat it well.
Following that, coat the fish in the pecans until covered well. Pat to make sure the pecans are compact around your fish.
Place on a baking sheet lined with foil, squeeze the lemon juice on both filets and bake for twelve minutes.
DONE!
 
 
Cauliflower cakes
 
 
This recipe is absolutely one of our household favorites, kin to the "potato cake" this recipe is actually a lot healthier and has more give when it comes to caloric intake. I love that this reminds me of eating something unhealthy but its actually SO healthy :)
 
Shopping list:
 
One head of cauliflower ( cut into florets)
two large eggs
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup diced green onions
1 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper/cayenne
olive oil
 
Procedure:
place the cauli florets into boiling water until softened and ready to mash ( about 10 mins)
Drain and mash the cauliflower while it is still warm
stir in bread crumbs, cheese, green onions, salt and pepper, and cayenne.
wait until the mixture has cooled just a little and then form patties ( I usually make eight because I make them small, however you can make less if you form them larger)
then over a hot skillet pour a little olive oil and place cakes on top
cook until both sides are browned ( about three mins each side) and set aside to cool.
ENJOY!
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Easter Weekend Recap

Whew! It is Tuesday and I am STILL tired from this weekend! I had such a blast hosting my first holiday in my new home with my sweet family. I am the girl that is literally giddy with excitement when people come to visit me. I don't get stressed or overwhelmed trying to please everyone I just get so happy that people are coming to stay!! I woke up early on Saturday morning and cooked ALL of my Easter recipes for FIVE hours. Yes that's a long time of cooking...maybe that's why im so tired? Mama and Daddy came around 1:30 with Nana and Papaw following around 2:00. We relaxed and talked and showed them some of the renovations we have been working on and then headed out to dinner. Soluna ( mine and Brandon's favorite Mexican resteraunt in Alamo Heights) was an instant hit. We really can't go wrong choosing Mexican food with this crowd. Easter Sunday came bright and early and we all rushed to make the 9:30 service. The service was beautiful and captivating.. almost like every Sunday but remembering that our savior died and rose again was just all the more beautiful. We sang and praised and listened to Randy Frazee tell his tale and then it was time to go home. AND EAT. and eat we did:) I had everything homemade from Corn Pudding, 3 cheese Maccaroni, Fruit Salad, Grit Casserole, Honey Baked Ham, Salad, Southern style green beans, rolls, buttermilk pie, pecan pie, and BLT potato salad. Remember I did everything SOUTHERN style so I made my food with LOTSA butter:) It was only for one Sunday and I wanted to do my favorite food so I chose the southern style home cooked food that I am so passionate about..only I didn't do any healthy twists like I usually do! The food was great and everyone complimented me on my hard work which made me feel so good! I am totally an affirmation girl haha:) Then we cleaned up, had a little coffee, and everyone left:( I hate to see my family go but at the same time I was SO tired. I put my PJ's back on..cuddled up to my husby and fell asleep on the couch. It was a GREAT weekend.


Here are a few pictures:


I DIY these flowers and I was so proud!

They looked so fresh and clean..spring!

I was overjoyed to be able to put my china to use!
 


Had to get my hair done before Easter of course
 

 
Looks like I have a green thumb after all! Knockout Roses!

A picture of my pulled pork deviled eggs...recipe to come!

 
BLT potato salad



Nana and Calvi...she loves him haha


 
He is thrilled

I was a little obsessed with my table..can you tell?

 
Before Soluna
 

ALL SET!

Hostess with the mostest

 
The spread.....

YES I DID IT ALLLLLLLLLL
 


DELICIOUS!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

My Favorite Kitchen Essentials

It's no secret that I love to cook.. with that said I feel like it is so very important to be cooking with the correct equipment. It is easier on  you and makes your recipes taste better! Now before I got married.. I made do with a wooden spoon as my whisk or my hands as my mixer...I didn't really have all of the fancy schmancy cooking equipment that I got from my wedding. Thank gosh for WEDDINGS!! Haha..and husbands too I guess. Anyways the following are some of my absolute favorite items that I use on a daily or weekly basis .. They are fabulous!!!
 
1. The cast iron skillet; I have said it before and I will say it again.. you haven't tasted good home cooked food unless it has been prepared in this skillet!!! I cook everything from eggs, cakes, cornbread, veggies, filet mignon, and various other recipes in this sucker. It holds its flavor so nicely from all the different seasonings and gives each dish a little kick! I am IN LOVE. 
 


2.  The Kitchen aid hand mixer. Any hand mixer is great but the kitchen aid one comes in fun girlie colors so that is why I like this one best:) I didn't really understand what was so cool about a hand mixer until I got one..  now I use it all the time! I whip my potatoes, or my cauliflower mash, cakes, cookie mix, puddings, yogurts you name it..I whip it. I love foods with a smooth texture so I tend to get whip happy and pull this little guy out at all times. Whipped bourbon sweet potatoes are SO good.. I may have to post about those:)

3. Next to the kitchen aid hand mixer.. is the Kitchen aid STAND MIXER. I am currently coveting this and hope to get it for Christmas from Santa.. but I had to put it on this list because obviously its freaking amazing!! Even if I don't  have one.. I am smart enough to know that this is a MUST HAVE.
 
 
 
           
 
 
 
4. Sur La Table potato peeler; sure this seems like just a little " big whoopie do" of a tool but it is SO your best friend when you are peeling potatoes...and even fruit and other veggies. I am so messy when it comes to peeling I get my peels ALL OVER THE PLACE but this little friend helps things stay neat and orderly. Not spilling, not making a huge nasty veggie mess. Clean. Get one.
 
 
 

 

 
5. Last but certainly not least..( In fact this probably should have been number one on my list) is the Keurig. I really feel like this is self explanatory but I will share its fabulousness out of courtesy :) The Keurig is hands down my favorite most beloved item in my kitchen. Every morning when my eyes pop open for the day, I instantly remember that I get to have my one amazing cup of coffee that I allow myself daily. Just standing in my robe waiting on the brewer to mix up the delicious "donut shop" coffee ( that's my fave:)) is totally orgasmic to me. Okay maybe not orgasmic but its really a pretty good start to my morning. If you do not have a Keurig please put one on your birthday list, Christmas list, anniversary list..whatever.. JUST GET ONE!