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.

 

 



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

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!

 

 

 

 

 

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!

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!

 

 

 

 

Easter Excitement

Hooray for Thursday!! I always love a Thursday..it's Friday eve which is super exciting because who doesn't love Friday?? I have some exciting new recipes brewing up and I am so excited to post them!! This year I am "allowed"(<<<---- yes my mom is very particular about the holidays) to host Easter!! I am so excited to hold my first holiday in my own home. Brandon has a work event that Friday so we figured we would just stay in San Antonio. This year Easter is going to be THEMED ( because I am theme obsessed) as a Southern Style Easter. We are going to have lots of the traditional dishes served at Easter..only with a southern twist :) I have been researching and flipping through cookbooks for two months now picking out some of my favorite home cooked recipes that will fit with our Easter theme. Just an example of some that I have picked are,

BBQ Deviled Eggs with pulled pork

* Such a fun twist on the original deviled egg recipe!

photo courtesy of southern living magazine

 

Grit Casserole

 

cheese, butter, and grits

yep sounds pretty southern :)

 

 

BLT Potato Salad

Totally HAD to try this one..it had bacon in it

duh!

 

 

These are just a few of the many side dishes I have planned. I also have a homemade caramel butter cake on the menu as well as a glazed ham!!! I am so excited to host this special holiday!

 

Edmame Quoinoa Salad

This salad is packed with so many healthy additives its crazy! I found this recipe off of a cooking site and decided to try it. I made a HUGE batch and decided to munch on it for the rest of the week and pack some for Brandy's lunches as well.. it was a hit!

shopping list:
one frozen bag of shelled edamame
one frozen bag of corn
one cup of cooked quinoa ( it expands so it makes a lot!)
one red bell pepper diced
one small bunch of cilantro diced ( to taste.. I love cilantro so I added a lot)
two green onions diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
salt
dried thyme
chili powder
ground black pepper
dash of cayenne

Preparation:

briefly boil the edamame and corn until tender
drain and cool completely

in a large bowl combine the cooked quinoa, edamame, corn, cilantro, onions, and red pepper and mix

then in  a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, lemon and lime juice, black pep, thyme, salt, chili powder, and cayenne until well combined. Drizzle over the salad and toss to coat.

chill for two hours and enjoy!