Fifty Shades of Annoying

After 3+ months I have finally finished the first installment of Fifty Shades of Grey. I was so annoyed after finishing it because now I have to read the second one to see what happens. I found this link online and I think it has to be the funniest review. Pretty much sums up how I feel about the book!

Pinning and Winning - Recipes

Like everyone else, Pinterest has consumed my evenings! I could spend all night looking for house ideas, recipes, fashion inspiration, etc. Here are two recipes I found on Pinterest and made. I recommend them both!

For a 4th of July party I made Red, White and Blue sangria. I think it was the star shaped pineapple that reeled me in. It was super easy to make and was DELISH!

Red, White and Blue Sangria

Ingredients:

• Strawberries, sliced
• Blueberries
• Pineapple, cut into star shapes
• 2 bottles dry white wine
• 1 cup Triple Sec
• 1/2 Cup berry-flavored vodka
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup simple syrup

Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Chill in the refridgerator for at least four hours.

This past Sunday we decided to make grilled pork chops. I had Pinned this recipe from the website, A Spicy Perspective for Firecracker Pork Chops with Pineapple Kiwi Salsa a while back and thought it would be the perfect meal to grill on a summer night. It was easy to make and it was delicious.

Ingredients:

For the Pork Chops:

• 4 boneless pork chops, 3/4 – 1 inch thick (1-1.5 lbs)
• 4 Cups soy sauce
• 2 tsp. mesquite liquid smoke
• 1 Tb. sriracha hot sauce
• 3 Tb. honey

For the Salsa:

• 1 cup fresh diced pineapple
• 1 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1 cup diced kiwi (about 4)
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 2 Tb. chopped cilantro
• 1 Tb. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. sriracha hot sauce
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1. Pour the soy sauce, liquid smoke, hot sauce and honey in a large zip bag. Shake to mix, then add the pork chops. Marinate for at least thirty minutes.
2. Preheat the grill to high heat.
3. For the pineapple salsa, mix all ingredients in a medium bowl and toss. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Once the grill is hot, grill the pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side. You want the pork chops to be slightly pink or just barely cook through, but not dry.
5. Cover the chops with foil and allow them to rest at least 5 minutes before serving.
6. Serve warm with fresh salsa piled over the top.

Preparation time: 30 minute(s)
Cooking time: 8 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

I hope you all enjoy!





Asian Noodle Salad

Last night I made this easy and really tasty Asian Noodle Salad which I found on the website, For the Love of Cooking. It is the perfect summer pasta salad. I forgot to pick up peanuts, so I didn't add them, but it is still just as delicious!

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup of seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sugar

Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Let sit for at least 1 hour to let the flavors combine.

Salad:

• 1 handful of cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 handful of basil leaves, chopped
• 2 green onions, diced finely
• 1/2 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, julienned
• 1 cup of shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup of toasted peanuts
• 1/2 lb spaghetti noodles, cooked per instructions

Prepare all the vegetables, set aside. Once the spaghetti has cooked per instructions, rinse with cold water and drain. Once the noodles are cool, add the vegetables and peanuts. Mix the dressing again thoroughly then add to the noodles and vegetables. Stir until well combined and serve. Enjoy.

Photo via



Skinny Taste - Chicken Enchiladas

I stumbled upon the website, Skinny Taste a few months ago and finally made a dish and it was AMAZING! I love mexican food and Gina's Skinny Chicken Enchiladas were seriously as good as a restaurant, yet healthy. I love that the recipes are low fat, have all the calorie count information and they are guiltless! It def helps the waistline with pool and beach season quickly approaching!

Side Note: I used Trader Joe's Pork Carnitas since I didn't have time to cook and shread chicken via the crockpot. While not as healthy, these enchiladas were delicious!

Skinny Chicken Enchiladas Recipe:

For the sauce:

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-2 tbsp chipotle chilis in adobo sauce
• 1-1/2 cups tomato sauce
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 3/4 cup fat free chicken broth
• kosher salt and fresh pepper to taste

For the chicken:

• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 8.5 oz (2 breast halves) cooked shredded chicken breast (I used Trader Joe's Pork Carnitas)
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 large clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• kosher salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce

• 8 (7-inch) reduced carb whole wheat flour tortillas (la tortilla factory)
• 1 cup shredded low fat Mexican cheese
• non-stick cooking spray
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions or cilantro for topping

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, spray oil and sauté garlic. Add chipotle chiles, chili powder, cumin, chicken broth, tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Set aside until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic on low until soft, about 2 minutes. Add chicken, salt, cilantro, cumin, oregano, chili powder, tomato sauce, chicken broth, and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Spray a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick spray. Put 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each tortilla and roll it. Place on baking dish seam side down, top with sauce and cheese.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the oven on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes. Top with low fat sour cream or scallions if you wish. (Extra points) Makes 8 enchiladas

I forgot to take a picture, but here is what they look like! SOOOO GOOD!!!

VIA

For those of you counting calories:

Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 enchilada • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 159.5 • Fat: 5.9 g • Protein: 16.2 g • Carb: 17.8 g • Fiber: 8.3 g 

Tuna Cakes Recipe

I found this blog, Healthy = Happy the other week and have found it quite inspiring to get healthier. My eating habits aren't the best and I need to start working out. Beach and pool season is right around the corner afterall! The other night I made these Tuna Cakes and my boyfriend LOVED them! It is super easy too!

Ingredients

• 3 cans (6 ounces each) tuna in olive oil, drained and flaked
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped, plus sprigs for garnish
• 1/3 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 jalapeno chile (ribs and seeds removed), finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together tuna, egg, cilantro, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and jalapeno. Mix gently until ingredients just hold together.
2. Using a packed 1/3-cup measure of tuna mixture per patty, shape into 8 cakes.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium. Working in batches if necessary, cook cakes until golden brown and crisp on the outside, about 2 minutes per side. Serve hot, accompanied by salsa, and garnish with cilantro sprigs

I put the tuna cakes on potato rolls, added some tartar sauce and tomato. These are delicious!

Photo Via 

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Looavull. Luhvul. Lewisville. Looaville. Looeyville. Louisville.

A few weeks ago I went to Louisville, Kentucky to visit my close friend Heather. Due to the impending Hurricane Irene, I was able to fly out a day early at no charge..thank you Southwest! While it was rainy and windy and crappy in Virginia, I was basking in the sun in Louisville all weekend long!

Heather and I met at a marketing conference (we both did mall marketing) in Arizona almost 8 or 9 years ago. We lost touch and 5 years ago we attended the the same marketing conference and reconnected and have stayed in touch ever since.

I always have a great time visiting her and her husband Anthony. I have become friends with a few of Heather's friends, so its nice to see them too.

Docking the yacht at Quarterdeck.  

Christine, Heather, Tara and me!

Spa Day! Getting facials.

                                 Heather and Anthony                              

Tara and I enjoying Mojito's at Havana Rumba....sooo good! 

Spending the day at Tara's pool.   

Our AWESOME dinner. Bourban Flank Steak, Crabcake and Risotto...and red wine of course!

Last night in Louisville :(



Me and Heather...love her!