If you have never listened to the artist, ADELE, you need to...right now. I am a fan of artists who have original voices, unconventional lyrics, and that I can listen to when I'm in almost any mood. I can listen to her in the car, working out, doing homework...you name it. I think she might have a few catchy radio singles, but I tend to steer clear of those and focus on the one that I randomly find on i-Tunes. And if you're curious, "Make You Feel My Love" and "Hometown Glory" are my two ABSOLUTE faves! Check out her website here Oh-and once I figure out how to add mp3s to my blog, I will put a few of my favorites on here :)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Blissful Audio
If you have never listened to the artist, ADELE, you need to...right now. I am a fan of artists who have original voices, unconventional lyrics, and that I can listen to when I'm in almost any mood. I can listen to her in the car, working out, doing homework...you name it. I think she might have a few catchy radio singles, but I tend to steer clear of those and focus on the one that I randomly find on i-Tunes. And if you're curious, "Make You Feel My Love" and "Hometown Glory" are my two ABSOLUTE faves! Check out her website here Oh-and once I figure out how to add mp3s to my blog, I will put a few of my favorites on here :)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Chicken and Mushrooms in a Garlic White Wine Sauce
I wanted to share a recipe I just tried tonight for dinner. Both Tom and I absolutely LOVED it. It is quick, easy, and best of all, healthy. I sauteed asparagus to go with it and added some almond slivers in the pan, which I always love to do when cooking asparagus. The mixture of the toasted almonds with the main dish was really good, so I think I might just go ahead and add the almonds to the sauce next time!! I suggest everyone try this very soon!!!
I got the recipe from Gina's Skinny Recipes blog. I just discovered this and have been having each new recipe mailed to my inbox. This helps because I can access it through my email when going to the grocery store and getting the ingredients!! Anyways, the recipe is below:
Chicken and Mushrooms in a Garlic White Wine Sauce
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: divide between 4 • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 169 • Fat: 5.5 g • Protein: 22.8 g • Carb: 4.9 g • Fiber: 1.2 g • Sugar: 1.7 g
Preheat oven to 200°. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge in flour.
Heat a large skillet on medium heat; when hot add 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil. Add chicken to the skillet and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pink. Set aside in a warm oven.
Add additional oil and butter to the skillet, then garlic and cook a few seconds; add mushrooms, salt and pepper stirring occasionally until golden, about 5 minutes.
Add wine, chicken broth, parsley; stir the pan with a wooden spoon breaking up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook a few more minutes or until the liquid reduces by half. Top the chicken with the mushroom sauce and serve.
*I only used 1 tbsp of flour and tossed the rest, so calculations were for 1 tbsp flour only.
I got the recipe from Gina's Skinny Recipes blog. I just discovered this and have been having each new recipe mailed to my inbox. This helps because I can access it through my email when going to the grocery store and getting the ingredients!! Anyways, the recipe is below:
Chicken and Mushrooms in a Garlic White Wine Sauce
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: divide between 4 • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 169 • Fat: 5.5 g • Protein: 22.8 g • Carb: 4.9 g • Fiber: 1.2 g • Sugar: 1.7 g
- 8 chicken tenderloins, 16 oz total
- 2 tsp butter
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour* (use rice flour if gluten free)
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 oz sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/3 cup fat free chicken broth
- salt and fresh pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Preheat oven to 200°. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge in flour.
Heat a large skillet on medium heat; when hot add 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil. Add chicken to the skillet and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side, or until chicken is no longer pink. Set aside in a warm oven.
Add additional oil and butter to the skillet, then garlic and cook a few seconds; add mushrooms, salt and pepper stirring occasionally until golden, about 5 minutes.
Add wine, chicken broth, parsley; stir the pan with a wooden spoon breaking up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook a few more minutes or until the liquid reduces by half. Top the chicken with the mushroom sauce and serve.
*I only used 1 tbsp of flour and tossed the rest, so calculations were for 1 tbsp flour only.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Recent Diamonds
I just couldn't help but blog about two of my new-found favorite spots in Kansas City to eat at! One of which is called Chez Elle, located in the Westside neighborhood at 1713 Summit. It is an adorable little building that used to be a theater, but has been redone as a little french creperie, fit with accordion music and fresh flowers at each little circular table. The atmosphere is that of a neighborhood coffeehouse; you order at the counter and then have the food brought to you. The restaurant is also clearly what it claims to be: a place that serves only crepes. But don't let that fact deceive you, there are LOTS of options. There are around 25 or so choices of various crepes ranging from sweet crepes, to vegetable crepes, to breakfast crepes. There are healthy options, and those not-so-healthy options to appease a man who loves his bacon and gravy. There are also plenty of vegetarian crepes. I had a crepe with brie cheese, apples, and walnuts that was heavenly. My mom tried one that was Italian-inspired with mozzarella cheese, chicken, and marinara sauce. I highly suggest it if you are looking for a cute, local place to have brunch! (Beware, it is only open for the first half of the day, but it is rumored to also be open during the night on First Fridays). Definitely a hidden treasure of Kansas City!!! Here is a link to their menu if you like to plan ahead!
The second place I am excited about is La Bodega. Now, this restaurant is not new to me, as I'm sure it is well known to others in the Kansas City area, but I just had to give it props since my most recent visit. I have always liked this place for both its delicious sangria and atmosphere, but we must have just ordered the perfect combination of tapas last time, because we all left raving about it! The restaurant is located on Southwest Boulevard amidst the well-know local Mexican establishments (there is also a new Johnson County location on 119th St, but I don't like to acknowledge this), however, don't be fooled. La Bodega is no Mexican restaurant! It is Spanish cuisine and they are well known for their array of tapas (small plates). Having been to Spain, I understand that tapas are a huge part of Spanish culture...the idea of coming together to share food, have a few cocktails and socialize fits well in my life, not sure about you!! I think I like the idea that I don't have to decide on just one thing...you order a few and then get to try everyone else's, too! Last time we were there, we ordered the prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, the goat cheese crepe, and sauteed mushrooms (just to name a few!). I highly recommend this place for a date-night, celebration, or family dinner :) Just an FYI, there are entrees on the menu as well, so don't be discouraged if tapas ain't your thing!
The second place I am excited about is La Bodega. Now, this restaurant is not new to me, as I'm sure it is well known to others in the Kansas City area, but I just had to give it props since my most recent visit. I have always liked this place for both its delicious sangria and atmosphere, but we must have just ordered the perfect combination of tapas last time, because we all left raving about it! The restaurant is located on Southwest Boulevard amidst the well-know local Mexican establishments (there is also a new Johnson County location on 119th St, but I don't like to acknowledge this), however, don't be fooled. La Bodega is no Mexican restaurant! It is Spanish cuisine and they are well known for their array of tapas (small plates). Having been to Spain, I understand that tapas are a huge part of Spanish culture...the idea of coming together to share food, have a few cocktails and socialize fits well in my life, not sure about you!! I think I like the idea that I don't have to decide on just one thing...you order a few and then get to try everyone else's, too! Last time we were there, we ordered the prosciutto-wrapped shrimp, the goat cheese crepe, and sauteed mushrooms (just to name a few!). I highly recommend this place for a date-night, celebration, or family dinner :) Just an FYI, there are entrees on the menu as well, so don't be discouraged if tapas ain't your thing!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Parusing Playa del Carmen
Tom's friends Jon and Amanda got engaged last fall and we were very lucky to be included on the guest list. The wedding was to take place in Playa del Carmen, about an hour outside of Cancun. Amanda's family owns an upscale bar/restaurant there, Wicky's. This is where they had the wedding Saturday night.
Tom and I flew out early Thursday morning. We connected in Dallas and met his friends Bob and Mike at the airport to take the next flight into Cancun. Once we arrived we all shared a cab into Playa and checked into our hotels. We stayed in the Playa Palms, which was absolutely beautiful and right on the beachfront. Our room had a balcony with a hammock and an ocean view. I'm also pretty sure that Tom chose this hotel because it came equipped with a bottle of tequila.
View from our balcony
Playa Palms
After dropping off our stuff, it was mid-afternoon in Playa. We stopped by Wicky's to see the beach and say hi to everyone who had been there all day, but quickly went home to change for the night out. We started at the Tequila Barrel for dinner and drinks (and LOTS of tequila).
After Tequila Barrel we attempted to go to Coco Bongo, the big night club in Playa, but the line was horrendous!! We ended up going across the street to a little bar to have more drinks and listen to music while the line died down. Eventually we made it inside Coco Bongo and it was INSANE. Thousands of people in an arena-esque design. They have shows on a stage all night with everything from show tunes to Cirque du Soleil style acts. What a trip!
Friday was a rough day for me, to say the least. Tom finally convinced me to pull it together and join the group at Wicky's for a day at the pool and beach. We had lunch, played sand volleyball, had more cocktails and just relaxed.
That night, we went out to eat with a few of Tom's friends while the wedding party was at the rehearsal dinner. I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was outside right on 5th Ave. (the main drag in Playa). After dinner we went to the Blue Parrot to meet the wedding party and see the amazing fire show!! We danced the night away in the sand!
Our last day in Playa (Saturday) started once again with a beach day at Wicky's. The Jayhawks were playing and we were lucky enough to be able to watch the game there!
The wedding took place in a big, beautiful cathedral down the street from the beach. The ceremony was perfect. It was interesting to see all
The happy couple, Jon and Amanda Archerd!
The next morning we had to leave right away to make our flight. Tom and I were in VERY bad shape, we barely made it...and came home to snow and ice in Kansas City...ugh.
What an amazing time we had just relaxing and getting away. I had never considered a destination wedding until I realized how fun it was to have everyone you love in once place, forgetting all your worries and just loving life. It came at the perfect time with all my job stress that I've been having this school year. I can't wait to go back!!!
Tom and I flew out early Thursday morning. We connected in Dallas and met his friends Bob and Mike at the airport to take the next flight into Cancun. Once we arrived we all shared a cab into Playa and checked into our hotels. We stayed in the Playa Palms, which was absolutely beautiful and right on the beachfront. Our room had a balcony with a hammock and an ocean view. I'm also pretty sure that Tom chose this hotel because it came equipped with a bottle of tequila.
View from our balcony
Playa PalmsAfter dropping off our stuff, it was mid-afternoon in Playa. We stopped by Wicky's to see the beach and say hi to everyone who had been there all day, but quickly went home to change for the night out. We started at the Tequila Barrel for dinner and drinks (and LOTS of tequila).
After Tequila Barrel we attempted to go to Coco Bongo, the big night club in Playa, but the line was horrendous!! We ended up going across the street to a little bar to have more drinks and listen to music while the line died down. Eventually we made it inside Coco Bongo and it was INSANE. Thousands of people in an arena-esque design. They have shows on a stage all night with everything from show tunes to Cirque du Soleil style acts. What a trip!
Friday was a rough day for me, to say the least. Tom finally convinced me to pull it together and join the group at Wicky's for a day at the pool and beach. We had lunch, played sand volleyball, had more cocktails and just relaxed.
That night, we went out to eat with a few of Tom's friends while the wedding party was at the rehearsal dinner. I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was outside right on 5th Ave. (the main drag in Playa). After dinner we went to the Blue Parrot to meet the wedding party and see the amazing fire show!! We danced the night away in the sand!
Our last day in Playa (Saturday) started once again with a beach day at Wicky's. The Jayhawks were playing and we were lucky enough to be able to watch the game there!
The wedding took place in a big, beautiful cathedral down the street from the beach. The ceremony was perfect. It was interesting to see all
The groom and I at the Blue Parrot
the locals coming in and out of the periphery of the church during the ceremony to pray. Needless to say, there are LOTS of Catholics in Mexico. Once the ceremony was over, the wedding party rode little rickshaws to Wicky's for the reception. There was a whole line of them, and then the rest of the guests walked behind them like a big parade. People lined the streets video recording us and taking our pictures...it was so funny!! Our five little minutes of fame in Playa :) The reception was amazing, right on the beach. We had dinner and dancing and the weather was perfect.
The happy couple, Jon and Amanda Archerd!The next morning we had to leave right away to make our flight. Tom and I were in VERY bad shape, we barely made it...and came home to snow and ice in Kansas City...ugh.
What an amazing time we had just relaxing and getting away. I had never considered a destination wedding until I realized how fun it was to have everyone you love in once place, forgetting all your worries and just loving life. It came at the perfect time with all my job stress that I've been having this school year. I can't wait to go back!!!
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