as fast as a speeding bullet.

Quickie update!

Remember those grilled peaches I had a few weeks back? Well, this past weekend, they got published on TasteSpotting and Photograzing! :]

And a follow up to the fusion cuisine of the ‘shroom wontons-

mushroom cups with bean and cheese filling.

The ‘cups’ are actually baked wonton wrappers, an idea I got from this post. They are quite yummy! If I were to make them again though, I wouldn’t use black beans and cheese, but rather spinach and cheese. I feel like I eat too much of that combo though, so the beans were a welcome change. :D

And, return of the ice cream!

vanilla ice cream with honey and ginger.

Best. ice. cream. ever.

Even though it’s really hot outside, I want to make some double chocolate cookies. Ohh, and maybe some home made ice cream to go with it!

Problem is… I have no ice cream maker. :(
Anybody know of a good brand or have a recommendation? Pretty sure I’ll be heading to Walmart to pick one up for dirt cheap and see what I can do with it.

have a nice afternoon! enjoy the nice summer weather. ♥

ring ring ring, banana phone!

I’m so glad that my summer style was so well liked! I hope to see some of your styles too. :)

Today, I was in a very creative mood, which translates into recipe experimenting. Combine that with my interest in Greek food and the result?

Dolmathes!

But with a really odd twist. I don’t have access to grape leaves (they’re $10 for a jar in the store!) so I turned to the only alternative I could think of.Muscadine leaves, fresh of the vine!

The leaves are much smaller than the grape ones but they worked just as well… that is, after I blanched them, froze them, speedily pickled them, steamed them, and then finally doused them in olive oil for thirty minutes. They were way too starchy and bitter, but the combined effort seemed to finally turn them into the delicious wrapping for my dolmathes. I’m sure that if you have more patience than I did, you’ll only need to use one of those methods. Here’s the muscadine-version, in case you too are short of grape leaves:

6 muscadine leaves (the biggest you can find; prepare by one of these ways)
1/2 cup of short-grain white rice
1 tablespoon of feta cheese
1/4 cup of chopped sautéed onions
olive oil
salt
makes 6 “dolmathes”  (dolmas or whatever you call them!)
1) Once you prepared the muscadine leaves, lay them out on a flat surface.
2) Mix the rice, cheese, onions, a little salt, and a spoonful of olive oil together.
3) Place a small amount of the mixture on the middle of the leaf. Take the top and bottom part of the leaf and place them together. Then slowly roll the leaf until it forms the familiar dolmathe shape.
4) Skewer about three of your “dolmathes” on a toothpick and place in a cup or bowl. Pour enough olive oil into the container so it covers the dolmathes and sprinkle in some salt. Let them soak for about ten to fifteen minutes.
5) After soaking, remove them and dab off any excess olive oil. Enjoy! :)

Here’s the finished product with my signature sweet potato side. :)

  
Even though it took my a little while to get the right flavor and texture for the muscadine leaves so they were like grape leave, I really enjoyed them. I don’t know how much time you girls have, but if you’re bored one day, try this out. I hope muscadine leaves are easy for you to find!

Another thing I came up with today that you’ll probably more interested in?
The Perfect Banana Ice Cream Smoothie!

1 banana
4 scoops of vanilla ice cream
5 ice cubes
1/2 cup of milk
a dash of cinnamon
makes 2-3 servings
1) Blend it up! It’s delicious and filling so enjoy!

I really feel like I accomplished a lot today. I woke up a little earlier and made pancakes!

buttermilk pancakes with fruit and honey yogurt.

I’m not really a breakfast person. It’s not ED related or anything but I just never liked breakfast, unless grits count, but even then. This changed my mind. Pancakes are so yummy! :)

I spent a lot of time picking in the garden today.  There were so many zucchini and beans, ready for pickin’! It was mad cloudy today so it wasn’t hot or anything, but, boy, that bending really tuckers a girl out! My eyelids are closing as we speak… or as I type and you read! :) I was so exhilarated while I was picking today though. I had this warm, happy feeling inside!

But, before I go to sleep, I want ya’ll to remember this:
Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances. - Benjamin Franklin

Happiness depends upon ourselves. – Aristotle

Keep being strong! Have a great night/day. :)

country cookin’

I just adore being back in blogland!
And, what’s more, I love being back home in the South.

I missed all that good Southern cookin’. Really, how could I have left you, dear sweet Georgia? I mean, the fried chicken, fresh veggies, peach cobbler….

wait, hold up, Emily!
You don’t even like peaches!

Yep yep, it is a bit contradictory, me being from Georgia and all, but when I was little, I hated peaches. Those soft, fuzzy, too sweet, icky fruits were the bane of my existence. If given a peach, I would have thrown it as far away as possible and then pulled a Fiona from Burn Notice (my new addiction) and blown it up.

Today is the day I’ve overcome that dislike with these babies

Honey Thyme Grilled Peaches!!!
2 halved peaches
1/3 cup of honey
4 sprigs of thyme
1] Grill halved peaches, skin side up, for 3-5 minutes.
2] Mix honey and thyme leaves together, before glazing the grilled peaches.
3] Grill peaches for 5-10 minutes, skin side up.
4] Enjoy! :)

These peaches were gooood! I was watching Emeril today and he did a little something like this, but I toned it down and left out a few things. I was really skeptical of the honey-thyme mixture, but it really turned out great! I would definitely recommend this to anyone. If you want them to be the absolute best, be sure to use soft, juicy peaches, rather than the hard, first of the season ones.

And since the grill was fired up…

some zucchini to go along with the peaches.

Am I the only one that is obsessed with grilled veggies? They just seem tastier than if you sauté or boil them.

Oh, I bet everybody has heard about the new Larabar flavors coming out soon. Just so you know, the first German Chocolate Cake one to hit the shelves is mine! 
Not only do I enjoy eating Larabars, turns out I also enjoy reading comics about them! After reading this, I about died laughing. The scary part though? I’ve exhibited a few of these signs! :o Check it out and see if you do too.

Going along with my Southern theme, dinner tonight was too yummy. I warn you though- don’t get grossed out! It’s perfectly normal to eat this in Georgia and pretty much anywhere in the Southeast.

grilled deer meat (venison, if you will) and parsley potatoes with sautéed Vidalia onions and squash plus some green beans.

I believe the Holy Spirit visited me in this meal.

Come to think of it, I really do miss mass. As much as I complain about having to go, ohhh, three, four times a week, it’s a great time to gather my thoughts and realize what’s important in my life. One Sunday morning mass made me decide to start recovery and leave behind ED. Every mass after that kept me from turning back. I’m not Catholic (I’m not very religious either, but I’m no aethiest, believe me!) yet that quiet hour in church helped keep me in line. I wish there was a Catholic church nearby, but there isn’t. Maybe just some quiet time every now and then will work?

I’m about to hit the sack, so good night. :) Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow!

thirty-nine.

Hola chicas! Having a super fantastic amazing day? To begin with, it’s the weekend so that makes it great. And the fact that I’m a tad hyper and very excited also makes today pretty special. You’ll never guess why I’m so happy!

I won’t give you a chance to guess anyways.,. Drum roll, please! *imagines one*

I have a great big secret that

will be revealed in my

FORTIETH* post!

*title wise, not actual post count (‘cause I don’t count my “bio” post as a reeeal post)

Well, it’s kinda a secret, but not really… hmm, that’s a bit confusing, so here’s a clue: It’s a story. That’s the only clue you get too. (It’s a surprise secret story, a’course!) And if you can guess BEFORE I tell the story, you can have some vitrual Emgurt, which I what I’m calling my yogurt creations from now on… or until I can come up a more creative name.

Now, onto today! Not many eatsies to share, but flowers and lots of them. So many, in fact, that if you’re using an older model computer, you should exit this window immediately ‘cause it might explode. Yeah, there’s that many.

the backyard series:

omg, pollen covered toes. allergies beware!

the downtown series:

^ my favorite. (I really like the lighting.)

Alright, it’s safe to open your eyes. The floweriness is over.

Gotcha! I had to throw in one more. You guys were simply too gullible. But, hey, put it this way! You got to see a cute little booger ‘s butt. ;)

Anyways, “the downtown series” (fancy name, huh?) was only part of today’s trip. The madre and I went shopping! It’s my last weekend home so we got anything left on my list… and some things that weren’t.

Tsk, tsk, all that will come later so hold your horses.

Now, back to the story (no, not the secret surprise story!). Well, the madre wanted to go look at fabrics ‘cause she likes to quilt and sew (hello, clue #12,854 that the padres are hippies!). As she was perusing the fabrics, I took a walk down the street and came across a wee little Presbyterian church that had monster-sized gardens that were in full bloom.

Cue the camera.

After he (aka Mr. Camera) died, I had nothing to do but hit up one of my favorite clothing stores: Plato’s Closet. Excited for the finds? Well, have at it:

american eagle patchwork spaghetti strap dress - $6

free people sundress - $15

inc denim skirt - $8

In case ya’ll haven’t noticed, I love me some Free People. If only it wasn’t so expensive! The dresses I see in the catalog are usually $100+ so there’s no way I could ever have any of their clothes without Plato's Closet. I think this calls for an ode:

Plato’s Closet, how magnificent art thou!
With the clothes that are stuffed in your drawer, (<- say like “draaowww… or something.)
I am content to be thought of as such a pow!

Mmm, needs a little work, I think. No matter! Words could never sum up my love for PC.
Yes, I’ve given the store a nickname.

But, believe it or not, there’s something I actually found today (at Goodwill no less!) that trumps any find I have or will ever make:

flat ankle booties from the 30’s - $9

This adorable little old lady dropped them off right as I walked in and, when I picked them up, she tapped me on the shoulder and insisted on telling me their story. She wore them only once in 1938, on the way to the grocery store. She told me to take very good care of them, just like she had. *swoon* I love cute, little things. :)

Okay, okay! Here’s the food. Geeez.

pollo con las papas y… umm… Brussels sprout-os!

I did say that I had *very little* food to share today. Breakfast was bacon (:O!) and scrambled eggs. Lunch was a cheese burrito with Mexican rice+salsa (Senor Camara was resting in peace at this time).

Wait, you say, where’s that Emgurt?
Maybe you didn’t say that, but I’ll just pretend you did.

Tada!

Per Morgy’s suggestion, pineapples + fro-yo. I topped it off with some “Save the Forest” granola and honey. And I’ll be sharing tonight, so eat up:

Tehe.

I'm going on a little day trip tomorrow so I'll comment on your blogs tomorrow night.
Special comments to complement the special post. :D

I’m falling out of my happy day/caffeine-induced hyperactivity so I’m heading to mi cama.

Wow! 1:40 in the morning?! :o

Oh, sorry, must stay focused. Sooo…... night! ♥

thirty-eight.

Hola, chicas. :D Hope everyone’s having a wonderful day! Today’s weather was bright and sunny, so the padre and I went on a little trip. You can count on some pictures later on!

breakfast:

homemade yogurt with pecan granola, honey, and dates.
…wow, it was too good to be true.

I really love my morning yogurt. It’s one of the things I love most about being home- I can go to the grocery store, pick up any flavor on the shelf and spice it up with all sorts of delicious goodies. I’ve come to love my morning routine- wake up, stumble into the kitchen, fumble for the daily yogurt and spoon it into a bowl.

Since school starts back on Wednesday, I’m starting to panic. I’ve just gotten into a nice pattern that isn’t destructive. I may eat the same basic thing, but I change up some of the components so it’s different, but the same. (Okay, I’m crazy, I’ll admit that.) Once I get back, how am I going to keep it the same? I hardly ever eat breakfast when I’m there so ahhh!

Getting to the point here- does anyone know of a online supplier that sends yogurt in the mail? Specifically, I’m looking for Chobani shippers. If anyone has any ideas, please send them my way! I'd so appreciate it. ♥

lunch:

roasted asparagus, chopped up bok choy and toasted nori

healthy dessert? broiled pineapple x3.
made with only a sprinkle of sugar and a tiny pat of butter.

I ate half of the pineapple this way and it was so delicious. I’d never used the broiler before so I got scared half to death! The pan I used got warped too. (And it was my sweet potato fry pan to top it off!) Call me a chicken, but I don’t think I’ll try this again, even though it was the most delicious way I know to eat las pinas!

Algunas flores para todos ustedes:

the first azaleas!
I was sad that I might not get to see any before I traveled
back to school, but I got lucky. :)

Now, for the mysterious trip! As mentioned above, it was really nice outside which, in my family, calls for a (mini) road trip! Papa and I drove down to the breathtaking shoals. These pictures really don’t do them justice. Seriously, if any of you happen to be lost in the back roads of Georgia sometime in the future, hope that you run across this.

it kinda made me want to go swimming!
…even though I don’t like swimming.

And the madre welcomed us home with some homemade spaghetti sauce and piccolini farfalle. Mmm, so delicious. I wish my mom would share the top secret recipe.

I had another serving after this. The sauce was so yummy that I would eat it as a soup.

Did anyone catch Jay Leno last night with Reese Witherspoon? If you didn’t, YouTube it! I’m such a fan of hers. How many other confident, sophisticated, and talented women are there in Hollywood? She made me cry from laughter- it was that funny.

Alrightie, I’m turning in. Hope everyone has a nice night. :)

thirty-four.

'Ello, lovelies! :) Hope everyone's having a lovely Tuesday. Get ready for a mondo-long post today 'cause I've got a bunch of tastiness to share!

Yesterday's Lunch:

hummus sammie with tomato, spinach, and sprouts
plusss ORGANIC SWEET POTATO FRIES
(in honor of Squill, fellow sweet potato lover ;D)

I used this recipe and, wow, I was so surprised! I expected them to be a little soggy and too peppery but, boy, was I wrong! They were so delicious that I had more for dinner (let's save that for later, okie dokie?)

Took a little stroll yesterday with the lovely blue sky. It's getting so warm and sunny that I can't stay inside. I found a second violet today:

I did a bit of SAT studying and discovered that there's no way in the world I'll use all these different words in my everyday life. I mean, come on- "chagul". I don't think I'll ever use it, unless I'm off in a foreign land and I desperately need a bag of goatskin.
"Excuse me, could I bother you for a chagul to carry my water in?"
Uh, no, don't think so. I think I'll just be dehydrated!

But I can't go hungry! So:

lil bit of dinner

more sweet potato fries and
a strawberry-feta-spinach salad.

plus, some honey chobani with pecan
granola, cinnamon, and honey.

+ the extra honey made this the absolute
best yogurt I have ever tasted!

Funny story for you guys. This morning at about five-thirty, while I was dead asleep, my dad couldn't find his keys. Instead of, you know, looking for them himself, he decide to drag me out of bed and send me on search for them. Not really a great idea, considering (A) no contacts/glasses on, (B) it's a taaad too early, and (C) they were in his BACK POCKET! :O
But when did we find out where they were?

An hour later.

Yes, thank you, Mr. Meanie World. Needless to say, I went back to sleep... until 11. :)

Snack:

OH MY GOSH.
best flavor everrr!

all of you, go to your nearest health food store and
buy one right now. it will make you so happy
that you'll forget you ran out in your bunny
slippers with your avocado face mask still on.

oh, and an izze. mmm, like drinking a fruit.
except with fizzy bubbles.



Lunch:



hummus sampler plate that I modeled after
a picture in a magazine I saw at Earth Fare:
cucumbers, peppers, sprouts, toasted bread
honeydew, kiwi and hummus.

Cracked open the books today to again discover words that I'll never use. Try panlogism! Does anyone see themselves in a conversation about the belief that the universe is acts of logos? Honestly, I didn't even know that there was such a thing before the Kaplan Review booklet told me so.

Such studying deserves equivalent foodage.

Dinner:

momma hippie's triple cheese mac'n'cheese. (x2 servings :o)
recipe from a 60's vegetarian cookbook.

if this isn't food porn, I honestly don't know what is!

Feeling really full right now. Not only did I have a giant dinner, I had a lot of snacks: yogurt, beet chips, a clif bar, etc.
I love being home! I eat so much better and I'm not tempted to do otherwise. I'm afraid to go back to school though. Sure, I have two weeks until then , but what's going to happen then? D: I want to keep doing well, but I don't know if I will. I keep thinking (relatively) positive so I think I'll be fine! :)

Time for nightie night. Have a great night/morning. ♥