TURKEY KICKIN' IT!

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!! This year my Thanksgiving was literally a week-long celebration. My friends and I were FINALLY able to attend the annual Turkey Kick held in Bardstown! Turkey Kick is a huge bar crawl on Thanksgiving Eve and, let me tell ya, it was a blast! But of course, Thursday was the best day of the week because of all of the FOOD! Since our family dinner wasn't until 7 pm this year, we made lots of  hor'dourves to snack on to tide us over. I made these Crab Rangoon Bites from a pinterest recipe, and they might be better than regular crab rangoon!

pre-oven.

They were also super easy to make; all it takes is half of a pack of cream cheese, 1/3 cup of mayo, chopped green onions, a couple dashes of garlic powder and a tin of crab meat! You mix all that up and fill mini phillo shells and bake at 400° for about 20 minutes. So good!! 

freshly baked!

 My family is also a big fan of anything curry, so I made these Curried Sweet Potato Pancakes (pinterest!) Gahh, I could eat just these and nothing else.

soooo yummy!

 And of course, we always have both a ham and turkey so there's PLENTY to go around. And plenty to eat for the next week!

nomnomnom.

 Oh, and the morning after Turkey Kickin' it up in town, my friends and I came home to mom and dad preparing a FEAST of a breakfast. We had fresh fruit, strawberry and yogurt smoothies, pumpkin pancakes and EGG SCRAMBLES. 

Dad's pretty fruit arrangement!

Seriously, if your family's not making egg scrambles, you're missing out. My family likes to throw eggs, avocado, bacon, black beans, cilantro, cherry tomatoes, and basically any other veggie that's in season together in a skillet. I could eat eggs every day for the rest of my life as long as they looked this good.

Tastes like FALL to me!

Yet another Pinterest recipe! Pumpkin Ice Cream!

Cold and creamy!!

Because there is no such thing as too many pumpkin flavored foods this time of year. Coffee shops are promoting their pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pastries are literally EVERYWHERE you turn. You know what's missing though? Ice cream!  

A perfect pairing for mom's Apple Tart.

Since crazy Kentucky weather can't seem to make up its mind whether it wants to be fall or winter or jump back to summer, who says it's too cold for ice cream? Not me! And paired with my mom's Apple Tart (which she makes with a nut crust that is to die for), it was like Fall exploded in my mouth.  

Made in a plastic bag! Only cause I don't know how to work the ice cream maker...

Can it please be Fall all year round? Yeah, someone get on that. That sounds like a plan to me.

Pinning!!

So lately, I've kind of jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon...it's just so fantastic!! I've pinning everything from my favorite actors to anything Harry Potter related to recipes. Tons and tons of recipes. And the great thing about it is that since it's on my pin board, I'll also have a quick and easy link to the recipe. I've started trying out some of the different recipes, one by one, and so far I've had great success with all of them!

Clean Eating Chocolate Chip cookies. 

These Clean Eating Chocolate Chip cookies are like regular chocolate chip cookies, but with cooked oatmeal added in. They stay super moist for days and are both healthy and delicious!

Falafel!!

Also, I am sorta a Falafel FIEND. I got hooked on falafel while I was studying abroad in Buenos Aires last semester; there was this little hole-in-the-wall arabic store that sold homemade falafel and shawarma on the weekends. My dad and I were the only ones who actually ate this, but we LOVED it. We heated the pita bread (opened pita pockets) in the oven, and then dressed our falafel with sliced cucumbers, sliced onions, and tomato halves and then drizzled homemade taziki (cucumber-dill yogurt sauce) over the tops. So good!! 

with all the fixin's - tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and taziki (yogurt sauce)

I also fried some little red potatoes, so you can see those in the background.

Spicy Honey Chicken.

Then, the other night it was just me and Michaela at home so I decided to try this new Spicy Honey Chicken. It's coated in spices like cumin, chili powder, and chipotle chili powder and then smothered in a honey/vinegar glaze when it's almost done. The sweetness of the honey totally balances out the spiciness of the chicken. Even Michaela thought it was great! I'm really getting into this whole "pinning" thing and I hope these recipes keep turning out great!

Fall time!

Look what I made!! Just in time for Fall!

Caramel Apple Parfait, anyone?

McDonald's has been advertising these Caramel Apple Parfaits and Sundaes lately, and I thought "I can make that. And I can make it healthy!" I used plain greek yogurt mixed with a little splenda and vanilla extract (it's wayyyy to tart on its own) and then I diced up some apple and spooned some of mom's sugar-free caramel dip on top. The only thing was that the sugar-free caramel dip was super, super sweet.  (most sugar-free things are.) I think if I make it again, I'm going to make some homemade dulce de leche (simmer a can of sweetened condensed milk in a pot of water) and use just a teeny bit on top. Delish!!

Missing Bs.As.

So I've been working/ visiting my sorority sisters/ crashing at the Phi Mu house in Bowling Green for a few weeks now, and I've just made the most amazing discovery...Greener Grounds, a small hipster-cafe, makes FALAFEL!!!

Falafel a la Greener Grounds 

So technically, it's not falafel from the corner shop in Buenos Aires, with its authentic (read: HOTTT) spices and the warm, argentine welcome from the staff, but it was definitely delicious. And, Greener Grounds happens to be next to an International Super Market, which just so happened to sell Falafel mix. And yes, I totally bought a box. 

Stakz frozen yogurt.

Afterwards, me and the girls went to Stakz for dessert, since I'd never been there. I ended up choosing the blueberry frozen yogurt and smothered it in bits of cheesecake, blueberries, and shredded coconut. And it was AMAZING! And truthfully, I didn't feel like a total fatty for eating the whole thing. Win and win!!

"Nobody puts Baby in a corner"

So today, for whatever reason, I had the intense urge to bake. Something. Anything. From scratch. No pre-made, store-bought mixes. I'm talking, Martha-Stewart, 1950's housewife, apron-wearing, all out baking. If I could bake all day, everyday and not weigh 300+ lbs., I'd be all over that. (Also, Dirty Dancing is on t.v., and I love baking and watching sappy love movies!)

everything needed for whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies.

 Whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies = yummm. These are healthier than regular chocolate chip cookies since I use splenda and a brown-sugar/splenda mix and white whole wheat flour mixed with whole wheat pastry flour, but since they're just as delicious as regular chocolate chip cookies, my little sister, Michaela, and my little brother, Tanner, will both devour them! Also, I always make sure to chop the walnuts up superfine (totally optional, but I love them!) that way Tanner has no idea they're in there.  

baking!

all done and delicious-looking on the cooling rack.

 And while the chocolate chip cookies were in the oven, I had time to mix together this South Beach Diet recipe that me and my mom absolutely love! Almond-Coconut Macaroons. And even though they're healthy (and my dad tends to shy away from health food), my dad loves macaroons so much he'll till eat these!

South Beach Diet coconut macaroons.

 The greek yogurt is what makes everything stick together and it adds protein, so win-win. 

all mixed up!

scrumptious macaroons!

So I have to confess, I may have sampled a few of the chocolate chip cookies while they were still warm from the oven. I just couldn't help myself! Good thing I enjoy baking, there's still PLENTY of cookies left :)

"Pretend like it's the weekend..."

So today I must have been feeling a little adventurous, or maybe I've just been listening to Jack Johnson on repeat for a while, but today I felt like having pancakes. With syrup. For lunch (don't judge me). But not just any pancakes...Whole Wheat Brown Sugar Banana Pancakes. 

Everything all laid out for ease.

 And OH MY GOODNESS, they tasted like heaven! Sweet, banana-y, delicious heaven. And I didn't feel all that guilty for eating them. I used whole wheat pastry flour, a brown sugar-Splenda blend and sugar-free maple syrup. 

The finished product-maybe a tad darker than I would've liked.

For real though, I think I've forgotten how to make pancakes since I've been gone! I made them much, much darker than I would have preferred, but in all honesty, I don't think it made them taste any less delicious. I had 2 (the recipe makes about 12) and these things kept me full all day!

What are pancakes without bacon??

Here's a link to the recipe: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/whole-wheat-brown-sugar-banana-bread-pancakes/

Brain Food!!

Happy Wednesday! For all y'all with work and/or school, the week's half over. Andddd, since I have a younger sister and a younger brother (both of which are still in school), we always try to have a healthy and delicious dinner to fuel their bodies and their brains!

Sweeeeet potatoes. Except they're savory. Brain teaser??

Salmon patties - delicious fish in an easy to eat package!

 That means Salmon Patties (full of super good for you omega-fatty acids). Seriously though, I love most types of fish, and I could eat salmon for days. Anyway it's made. But these patties are super-quick and super easy. Just salmon, cornmeal, salt and pepper (and any other spice if you're feeling adventurous) and fry them til they're golden. I suppose you could even bake them, but for something quick, frying works wonders.

Zucchini squash, fresh from our garden.

And, our family absolutely loves grilled veggies. Zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, onion - you name it, we like it. Slice some up, add olive oil, salt, pepper, and (if you like spicy things) a dash of chipotle seasoning, and toss in a skillet.  

Plain for Tanner, cabbage and tomato for Mom, and everything + mozzarella balls for Me :)

And if there was one thing I missed while I was living in a home-stay in Buenos Aires, it was rich, hearty salads. Gabriela, my host mom, wasn't a fan of veggies, so I usually resorted to snacking on whole avocados and cherry tomatoes in my room. But now that I'm home, our family seriously has a huge salad before every dinner. It's been a month and I still can't get enough. 

Cake and Presents!

Happy Birthday to 2 Fabulous Women: 

 My mom (44th birthday) and my bestie Stacy (21st)

Peach Margarita

 Me and Stace split a pitcher of peach margaritas, while mom went with a Strawberry Daiquiri. 

Chicken Fajitas

 My mexican go-to: Chicken Fajitas. It can sometimes be hard trying to avoid lots of bread and carbs, especially at mexican, but Fajitas are perfect (and delicious!) I just don't eat the tortillas or all of the rice.

Yummy goodness.

After dinner, my sister and I surprised our mom with homemade Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Me, Mom and Michaela

Totally South Beach Diet approved. And delicious!

Bridal Shower Cheat-Treats

Bridal Shower = lots of gifts, games and, of course, food. My cousin, Lauren, had her first of 3 bridal showers this weekend, and I definitely indulged. In family-time, friend-time and in food. Lots and lots of food :)

all home-made = damnnnn.

 There were meatballs and pulled pork barbeque, buffalo chicken dip and pepperoni-stuffed rolls, vegetarian pizza and baked beans, potato salad and coleslaw. It was a smorgasbord of homemade, southern cooking. I literally thought I was going into a food coma. 

I made sure to try a little bit of everything. 

Lauren's matron of honor (and her mom, who does party preparation in Man, WV) made the cutest pink and white cake to match the theme of Lauren's shower. Complete with a GIANT pink bow on top :)

Bridal shower cake. 

Weekend Getaway. Destination: NC

So I decided to spend the weekend in Greenville, NC visiting my older sister, Charlsey, and her husband, Scott. It was a trip filled with delicious treats and good times of the beach!

made-to-order guacamole at Plaza Azteca.

We all went to Plaza Azteca for mom's FIRST MARGARITA EXPERIENCE. Ahhh! She actually chickened out and ended up ordering a strawberry daiquiri, but she tried both my peach margarita and Charlsey's Texas Tornado margarita.  

extra LIMEEEE.

The guacamole at this place is seriously legendary.  I could eat it for daysss and be as happy as a clam.

Margarita de Durazno!

chicken fajitas: my go-to mexican dish.

sizzling deliciousness.

charro beans. 

 We also cheated on our healthy-diets a couple of times, most notably with Jet's Pizza. Scott works there and we got pizza one night for an easy movie night. It was so worth cheating!

Jet's Pizza!

chicken, tomato and feta.

sausage, pepper and onion.

 And, for a quick (and slightly healthy dessert), we went to Local Yogurt, or Lo-Yo for short. There's all kinds of different flavors of frozen yogurt and SOO MANY toppings! I got a little adventurous and got mine topped with Strawberry Boba. If you've ever heard of Bubble Tea, it's the same thing. They're these little, squishy, liquid-filled balls that pop when you eat them. So fun!!

Blueberry frozen yogurt topped with strawberry boba.

loving my dessert!