A Pleasant Surprise

One late, late night (or early morning) trip to the local Shaw's market, I was looking for munchies. Since I am monitoring my intake of sugars/fats, I was trying to find something that I wouldn't hate myself for eating half a box of in one sitting.
That's when I came across my current obsession:
Kashi TLC Soft-baked Cookies.
Not only did they look harmless and good for me, they were on sale.
So I grabbed a box of the oatmeal-dark chocolate and as soon as we got into the car, I ripped open the box and shoved one in my mouth (I was that hungry).
I wasn't impressed. So I let Adam try one.
He liked them, but he was vegan for quite a few years. So, he likes a lot of substitute foods that taste like cardboard and rubber.
So, I decided to try them again when we got home, since they are cookies, and I just can't let cookies go to waste.
I don't know what happened but I fell in love.
I think when I tried the first cookie, I was expecting the usual sugar overload accompanied with the smooth mushy texture once most cookies have been chewed a bit.
The chunky, whole grains and low lying natural sweetness that threw me off in the beginning was the very thing that won me over in the end.
The box was empty by noon the next day.

I know it's spring when...

the urge overwhelms me to grill almost everything I eat outside.
I am a fan of the corn tortilla.
I am a fan of too much lime.
I am fan of edible art.
Did I mention that I love tacos?


Here's an incredibly easy way I make my favorite grilled fish tacos.
First I make the marinade:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons agave nectar
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• juice of 2 freshly squeezed limes
  
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste
• 1 pound of firm fleshed, white fish left whole for easy grilling

Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, lime zest, honey, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce in a bowl until blended. Place the fish in a shallow dish, and pour the marinade over the fish. Cover, and refrigerate 6 to 8 hours.

Then I make the dressing.

• 1 (8 ounce) container light sour cream
• 1/2 cup adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine the sour cream and adobo sauce in a bowl. Stir in the lime juice, lime zest, cumin, chili powder. Add salt, and pepper in desired amounts. Cover, and refrigerate until needed.



Now it's time to make the slaw....other than the fish itself, this is my favorite part!

• 4 cups thinly sliced red cabbage(You can use all green or all red cabbage.)
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup chopped cilantro (or more)
• 1 cup grated carrot
  
• 6 T fresh lime juice (more or less to taste)
• extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Mix these ingredients together, tasting as you go. some people like more cilantro, some don't like it at all. You could always substitute flat leaf parsley if you're one of the latter.
I usually make this right before I throw the fish on to grill, that way it stays crunchy.

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. Set grate 4 inches from the heat. Remove fish from marinade, drain off any excess and discard marinade. Grill fish pieces until easily flaked with a fork, turning once, about 9 minutes.
Let me just say, there are few things more invigorating than the smell of over a fire...
I took this next picture of my dogs coming out to see what all the commotion was about:
They were excited when I shared.
Assemble tacos by placing fish pieces in the center of tortillas with desired amounts of tomatoes, cilantro, and cabbage; top with sliced avocado and drizzle with dressing. Garnish with lime wedges.

My buds

I have 2 dogs. One is a pug/jack russell mix and the other is a deaf boston terrier.
And they are the best!
Both are rescues, and I got them both from the same foster person.
I feed them Iams, but I am currently looking for another dog food, preferrably one that doesn't test on animals. I'm just not sure how to go about finding the perfect dog food.
Right now, I add the pulp of apples and carrots to their breakfast from when I juice.
I'm thinking I might just start making all of their food and discontinue the dry food altogether.

All things kitsch

I am a fan. Not only because of my sometimes dead-pan but always colorful humor, but it never goes out of style. And neither does my love for coffee and tea...especially if I get to drink it out of this:



Okay, the word "trollop" might not be everyone's cup of tea, but Ms Modern is hosting a giveaway for an item from the maker's etsy shop. She has a whole bunch of quirky and cute things for your kitchen.
So go check it out!

Organize this!

So, I suppose part of being a creastive person (not always, but alot, I find)is being a bit of a scatter-brain. Or at least scattering your things about, either due to wanting easy-access or just plain being unorganized. I am definitely part of the latter, and damn proud of it! Haha...at least until I am loking for something that I need, such as my favorite brush or bottle of blocking fluid.
So, when I saw Queen of the Clan hosting this awesome giveaway, I jumped at the chance to enter as many times as possible!
So many compartments under clear glass, so there's no digging around. And a super cute way to show off all of the colorful things I like to work with. Not to mention I could use it for just about anything I use day to day: make-up, cooking, or just plain colletions of shells and what-not. The possibilities are endless.
I really really hope I win!

Hello Sailor

As of late, I have become more fascinated by all things nautical. I don't know if it's the fads that have been going on, being influenced by my friends in the tattoo community, or the fact that I am itching to move to Portland, Maine.
Regardless, this bag is absolutely adorable!


Not only that, it is registered in a free giveaway at The Rikrak Studio. It's insanely easy to enter to win, and the winner is picked by random number generator..wish me luck!

Kiss My Face

I will start off my new blog with a mention of a great line of beauty products..Kiss My Face. I have been using their lotions for the past 10 years or so. The first time being stealing a smidgen from my roommate because I ran out of my own. She had a huge bottle that was "Chinese Botanical" scented, and I was sold ever since. The moisturizer offers ample protection from dry skin without being to heavy, and all of the scents are fabulous! I am currently using Olive & Aloe - my new favorite!
Right now, there's a site called The Giveaway, that's offering a chance to win an 8 piece set of Potent&Pure products made by Kiss My Face.