Detox

Next week Mo and I are going to try out the "Goop" detox diet.  Check it out here

I know we're a little late jumping on the band wagon (good thing we never claimed to be hipsters) but after a week of overindulging we knew we needed to do something. 

The Goop diet wasn't our first choice.  We we're going to try out the Cooler Cleanse but decided to scrap that idea after I discovered shipping to Seattle is $85.00.  Yikes!

I'm sure the toughest part of the detox will be forgoing coffee.  I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.

Wish us luck! (and wish Ed luck, since he'll have to deal with my mood swings)

Before and After

The tomato-ey dish I indulged in while visiting Chicago (deep dish pizza...yummmm)

The tomato-ey dishes I've made for dinner the last two nights

Gazpacho with Shrimp and Avocado Relish

Tomato and Avocado Salad

(recipe below)

(2 servings: 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, one avocado, 1 1/2 tbl red wine vinegar, 2 tbl olive oil, red onion, salt and pepper to taste)

Back to healthy eating!  Woohoo!

The Elusive Search

My search for a tofu, turkey, or chicken "Chicago Style" hot dog (pic above) in Chicago was utterly fruitless.

I must admit, at one point I was so frustrated and hungry I declared if I couldn't have a hot dog no one could (meaning Ed).

At the airport this morning I finally relented, and the hubby got to indulge in a Chicago Style hot dog for breakfast.

Sigh.

But - I did manage to eat enough fried, processed, and high calorie food to (1) feel the need to head to hot yoga today even though we just got in at noon and (2) seriously consider a juice fast.

One of our overindulgent dinners, this one at Gibsons (Ed had the steak, of course)

 P.S.  I know Chicago has bigger issues to deal with (such as the violent crime rate), but once they have the big problems addressed I hope they tackle the use (to overuse) of styrofoam at fast food joints.  It felt strange and kinda' wrong drinking out of a styrofoam cups and eating off styrofoam plates.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

The hubby and I are going away for a long weekend and once again Polyvore is making my packing list a cinch.

I snuck an extra pair of shoes in...but I don't think anyone can accuse me of overpacking :)

The Windy City by calinas3Bs featuring J Crew

Going Rogue (Part 3?)

When I go rogue I usually get mixed results (see: Part 1, Part 2), but when the hubby goes rogue (and by rogue I mean "off recipe" or "no recipe" - gasp) his results are usually wonderful and delicious.

It's annoying to say the least.

Above and below are two of his rogue, no recipe, healthy creations.  "Singapore" seasoned trout with grilled veggies (above), and halibut with corn relish (below). 

Ed simply pan browned the fish in each dish, and then finished it off in the oven.

Organization (blech)

Ah - the fine art of organization.

Some people excel at it (see my friend Leigh's blog post here) - the rest of us either make half-hearted attempts at it or turn into the folks featured in "Hoarding: Buried Alive" (link).

At one point in my life I was leaning towards "hoarding," but now, for my marriage's sake, I pretend I'm organized.

Yes - every now and then I buy something from the Container Store to keep the hubby happy (nothing says "I love you" to Ed like a drawer organizer).

My attempts at organization are now trickling into my cyber life.  In order to keep my blog organized and somewhat search-able - I've been trying to label posts for easier search-ability.

The labels are (see them to the left): eat (for recipes), dine (for restaurant reviews), shop (shopping of course), and life (everything else, including crafts).

Linguine with Peppery Shrimp

Spicy, decadent yet light, 5 ingredients, and a snap to make - its hard to find a more perfect recipe for a weeknight dinner.

And - at only 352 calories and less than 9 grams of fat, you won't feel terribly guilty going back for seconds.

Check out the recipe for Linguine with Peppery Shrimp here

Shame

For a Pacific Islander, I have a shocking lack of island print attire.

The hubby and I were recently invited to an island/Hawaiian themed bbq and unless I'm planning on wearing a coconut bra (which I do have), I need to start shopping.

In the running:

"Hawaiian" themed bbq by calinas3Bs featuring Forever21 dresses

The Hostess Extraordinaire (Part #2)

On to the main course! (if you have no idea what I'm talking about, read the blog post below)

I apologize in advance for the blurry photo.  I was so excited to try the food, I started putting my camera away before the picture was even taken!

Pecan Crusted Halibut with Sauteed Apples (from Celebrate the Rain - which has tons of great recipes)

What you need

1 1/2 c pecans
2 tbl minced parsley + more for garnish
4 tbl unsalted butter, melted
2 tbl fresh oj
1 tsp grated orange zest
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
4 halibut fillets (8 oz each), skinned and bones removed

Preheat over to 425 F.  Lightly oil baking sheet. Put the pecans and parsley in a food processor and pule until finely chopped.  Spread the mixture in a shallow dosh.

Stir together the melted butter, oj, orange zest, mustard, salt, and cayenne in a shallow dish.  Coat both sides of each halibut fillet w/the butter mixture.  Press both side of each fillet into the nut mixture, patting gently to remove excess.  Set the halibut on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the fish is opaque through (8-12 min).

For the sauteed apples you need
2 tbl apple juice
1 tsp dijon
1 tsp sugar
salt
1tbl unsalted butter
1 red apple, cored and cut into 1/4 inch dice
2 tbl thinly sliced green onion (white & light green parts only)
1tbl minced parsley

Whisk together the apple juice, mustard, and sugar in a small bowl and season to taste with salt.  Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat.  Add the dices apple and apple juice mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apple is just soft (approx 4 min).  Stir in the green onion and parsley.

Spoon the sauteed apples over the halibut pieces and garnish with parley.

Also served: Firecracker Green Beans and divine mashed potatoes

The Hostess Extraordinaire (Part #1)

My friend Mo's sister, Katie, is a wonderful cook and hostess.

On Friday she threw a shindig in honor of Mo's b-day, and made a lovely dinner for about 20 people (eek).  There were appetizers, and chowder, and halibut (oh my!).  Everything was super yummy. 

Luckily, Katie let me snag the cookbook she used (Celebrate the Rain from the Junior League of Seattle, but it here) so I could blog about the dishes.

First up, a delicious Salmon Corn Chowder.

What you need:

1 1/4 lb salmon fillet (skinless and bones removed) - cut into 1 inch pieces
5 ears sweet corn, husks and silk removed
2 tbl unsalted butter
1 c diced onion
3/4 c dry white wine
2 c fish stock
2 tsp minced thyme or savory
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
5 med red potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch dice
1 c whipping cream
2 c milk
1/4 minced fresh chives

Season diced salmon w/ salt and pepper.  Cut the kernels off 4 earns of corn, and then grate the corn from the 5th ear.  Set the corn aside.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook (stirring occasionally) 5-7 minutes.  Add the wine and boil over medium-high heat until reduced by half (approx 3 min).  Add the fish stock, savory or thyme, and cayenne and then bring to a simmer.  Add the potatoes, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until potatoes are tender (8-10 min). Add the corn and cream, and cook until the corn is tender yet crunchy (3-5 min).

Add the salmon and simmer until the fish is opaque throughout (5-7 min).  Stir in the milk and approx 2 tbl of the chives.  Heat until warm throughout.  Season to taste w/salt and pepper, and garnish with chives.

Makes 6 servings.

Ventana

My friend Leigh introduced me to Groupon, and I've been happily addicted ever since.

The other day I pulled the trigger on a $50 Groupon to Ventana (which cost me $25.00), and yesterday (after I dragged myself home after hot yoga) Ed and I checked it out.

The food was marvelous, creative, and reasonably priced.  5 dishes (fried rosemary bread, house green salad, simply heirloom tomatoes, sashimi of alaskan king salmon, and hawaiian ono) and 3 drinks came out to $57.00, which meant I only had to pay $7.00 + tip (not counting the $25.00 I shelled out for the Groupon).

Not to shabby for a wonderful dinner.

DD (yoga slang)

I went to my first yoga class at the Urban Yoga Spa last week, and I think I'm hooked.

Well - at least for the next two months (I took advantage of a new member deal: 2 months of unlimited yoga for $99.00).

I was a little (okay - a LOT) nervous that all the members would be mean yoga snobs, who would turn their noses up at my "I've only done yoga DVD's" shortcomings - but much  to my delight everyone was super friendly and not at all yoga-snobby.

Now that my ab muscles have healed - I think I'm ready for another yoga class.

I'm also ready to start accessorizing for my new hobby ;)

Hot Yoga Time by calinas3Bs featuring J Crew bags