Leah's Birthday Party!!!!

On Friday I went out with a group of friends to celebrate LEAH!!! She is an amazing lady that I work with and have gotten to know over the years.  We headed over to West Midtown, my old stomping grounds, for dinner at Figo followed by live music at JCT Kitchen.  I was amazed to see how much WMT has changed since I moved!! It has gone from up-and-coming to here-and-now!!! Wow!!! Totally redone.  Make me want to move back over there, kind of.  

Here are a few pictures that were taken with the iPhone of some of the girls and JCT Kitchen.

Some of the ladies

Walking up to JCT

Listening to Live Music

Completely Renovated!!

Ramen Noodle Salad

This weekend was the parties for ODESSA!!!  On Saturday was both the shower and the bach party (well, the bach party was for both her and her fiance Eric) and it was soooo much fun.  Teesha and I hosted the shower in my apartment and then headed up to the roof afterward for the combined bach party.  It was fun to get all the friends together and hear all the wonderful stories of both Odessa and Eric.  They are two absolutely amazing people and I couldn't ask for better friends.  It's so uplifting to hear how they have touched so many lives and how everyone knows they will continue to do that for so many people.  They are both soooooo gifted!!!

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures yet, however when I get them I'll forward them to you.





Since this is a food blog too, I thought you may want to know about the salad that I made for the shower.  It was yummy!! On the side we served cranberry/walnut bread and chicken.  Mmmmm....


RAMEN NOODLE SALAD

1 head lettuce (pieces)
6 to 8 green onions (chopped)
1 (6 oz.) can Mandarin oranges
1 c. chopped celery
1 c. chopped mushrooms
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1 (3 oz.) pkg. chicken flavored Ramen noodles, uncooked & crumbled



Dressing:
1/4 c. salad oil
1/4 c red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp. sugar

Seasoning mix from noodles

Mix together lettuce and green onions. Add all other ingredients except noodles and almonds and set aside in an airtight container until serving. Blend together dressing. Just before serving, add dressing, almonds and noodles to lettuce mixture.

Week in Review - 6.6 thru 6.10

I'm a little behind... life has been fun-crazy-busy... but that's summer in the city.  Here is what I have been wearing out and about...

Sunday

Dress: Charlotte Russe

Shoes:  Kenneth Cole

Monday

Dress: Macys

Jacket: United Colors of Benetton

Shoes:  Sofft

Tuesday

Dress: J Crew

Cardigan: Victoria's Secret

Shoes:  Nine West

Wednesday

Dress:  Top Shop

Cardigan: Ann Taylor

Shoes:  Victoria's Secret

Thursday

Dress: Express

Cardigan: Anthony's in Florida

Friday (Leah's B-day Party!!)

Dress:  J Crew

Shoes:  Victoria's Secret

In other news...

What else has been going on... well, better late than never...

Memorial Day - I spent the A.M. hanging out with Preston.  We went for a walk and did some grocery shopping.  Then I headed to Jeff's house to hang out at the pool with him, Jennie and Bennett.  It was so much fun to be out in the sun for a second day in a row!! (the day before was with Erinleigh at the Four Seasons)

Tuesday - Erinleigh gave me flowers!!! They are so beautiful and they came from a bush in the front of her house.  I love looking at fresh flowers inside.

Wednesday - I wanted to work on the cushions for the chair in my living room however I broke the only 2 needles that I had!!  Uggh!  So, now I need to get some new ones so I can try sewing again... wish me luck.

Thursday - Teesha, Joel and I headed up Buford Highway for Peruvian food and Tacos (it just doesn't sound the same without Joel saying it)!  Ha!! We had a blast eating way too much amazing food, chatting, solving the world's problems, and laughing!!  LOL!!!  I'm so glad to have friends who love food as much as I do!!

Cooking

For those who come to this site for recipes will be disappointed again this week.  Not much going on.  I did cook for Erinleigh, George and Richard again.  However it was pretty basic...

Turkey Burgers

1 package extra lean ground turkey
1/3 cup onions, finely chopped and sauteed
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp Montreal steak seasoning
Seasoned salt (to taste)
Worcestershire sauce (to taste)
BBQ sauce (to taste)

Mix all together.  Form into 8 patties.  Grill on the stove or on the grill until cooked thru.

To go with the burgers I toasted some buns, brought lettuce, tomato, and hummus.  On the side I made 2 kinds of french fries.


French Fries

4 potatoes (whatever you have on hand), cut into strips
Favorite seasoning mix (with garlic, salt, and pepper)
Black Pepper (1/2 tsp)
1 tbsp olive oil

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix everything together.  Place in a single layer on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet.  Cook for 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes.


Sweet Potato Fries

2 large sweet potatoes, cut into strips
2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
pinch of chili powder
1 tbsp olive oil

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix everything together.  Place in a single layer on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet.  Cook for 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes.


Yummy!!

Week in Review - 6.1 thru 6.3

A very short fashion week!  With the wedding and Memorial day I only have 3 outfits to display.  Hope they make the cut...

Tuesday

Polka Dot Shirt:  Sweet Pea

Cardigan:  ??

Pants: Anthropologie

Shoes:  Sofft

Wednesday

Green Shirt: Banana Republic

Jacket:  The Loft

Jeans:  Diesel

Shoes:  Victoria Secret

 Thursday

Dress:  Macy's

Lynn's WEDDING!!!

Oh how much fun did I have Memorial weekend!!  My BFF Lynn got married to her amazing man Rob.  And, I got to wear fun, fancy dresses and party down at the Four Seasons.  She started our weekend with a spa/nail day.  All the ladies in the wedding got together and got our nails done.

Then Lynn gave us beautiful gifts of beach bags and fabulous earrings that we wore during the wedding. 

After spa day we had the rehearsal and then headed to Pricci for a mouth watering dinner at Pricci!!  I had a blast hanging out with everyone and eating amazing food.  Following Pricci a group of us headed to the Four Seasons bar.  I should have brought my camera and taken pictures in the bar... it was beautiful.  And I found my favorite new drink... Tarragon infused lemonade.  It was amazing!! Then I did something I haven't done in FOREVER... had a night out!! Maybe it was the Cinderella setting however I wasn't sleepy so we walked to Crescent and had some more fun.

Then the BIG DAY!!  Shannon and I hung out all morning and then met up with Lynnette in her amazing bridal suite.  After making sure she was doing well Shannon and I met up with Brandon and Dean for some brunch.  Then the mad dash to get ready for the big event.  Which was BEAUTIFUL!! We walked down the isle to amazing opera singers and a string quartet. I was so excited and happy for my BFF!! She was absolutely glowing.  After the ceremony us in the wedding got pictures taken before the cocktail hour, dinner and dancing.  It was all amazing.  We danced to a 10 piece band all night long!!

Sunday A.M. we even got to have brunch with everyone!! It was so much fun to be surrounded by so many amazing people.  Coming back to my home where I live alone feels so anti-climatic!! I got to stay to wish the happy couple good-bye.  Then Erinleigh came to the Four Seasons and we spent time at the amazing pool and sun bathing.

As of now, Lynn and Rob are Honeymoon-ing it up.  However when they get back I'm sure I'll have a ton more pictures to add to the blog.  For now, check out what I have in the picture section...

Bach Party Recap

I had soooo much fun at the Bach party for my BFF Lynette.  We had a blast at Avenue Q and enjoyed an amazing dinner at Antica Posta. I was not sure what to expect for Ave Q, however I was surprised by how funny I found it to be.  It was definitely adult only humor, however it poked fun at everyone and the fact that they based it on my favorite childhood show (Sesame Street) made it even better.  Here are some pictures of me from the night...

Week in Review - 5.23 thru 5.27

Here is the weekly fashion report...

Sunday

White Shirt: Banan Republic

Vest:  Sample Sale (don't remember the designer)

Jeans:  Diesel

Shoes:  Sofft from DSW

Monday

Green Shirt: Limited

Vest: Express

Jeans: The Loft

Shoes: Nine West

Tuesday

Shirt: Target

Belt: Nordstrom Rack

Pants: Anthropologie

Shoes: Nine West

Wednesday

Shirt Dress: H&M

Nylons: ??

Shoes: ??

Thursday

Blue Shirt: Ann Taylor

Cardigan: The Loft

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes:  Sofft from DSW

Enjoy!!

Copy Kat

Once again... not a lot of cooking this week.  Mostly I've been making variations of this recipe because kale has been sounding really, really good to me.  Both the recipes I made this week came from Glue & Glitter, a blog site that I am falling in love with. 


First she made a tofu recipe that I changed up a little bit.  She baked (probably healthier) and I pan fried in coconut oil.  Here is what I did...

Vinaigrette Tofu

1 block tofu, cut into strips
1/2c your favorite vinaigrette (I used Red Wine Vinaigrette) 

Marinate the tofu in the vinaigrette for at least an hour before cooking.  In a cast iron skillet on medium-high melt the coconut oil and pan fry on each side until golden brown.


The second recipe was a little more complicated than the first (which is not hard to be right) but it was pretty amazing. I made this up for Erinleigh, George and Richard (who now walked in front of me with a walker... how amazing is that?!!??!!).  There are some new dietary restrictions that I'm aware of so I made it a little different than I would have had I made it just for me but it turned out really well.

Cheesy Pasta Casserole with Swiss Chard and Fennel

1 box rotini pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large bunch Swiss chard – chiffonade the leaves and chop the stems
1/2 cup corn 
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
2c Daiya cheddar shreds (for those who can have cheese do the real thing)
1/2c raw sunflower seeds

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is boiling…

Preheat the oven to 375.

Heat the oil over medium high in a large frying pan and saute the onion, garlic, and Swiss chard stems until the onions turn translucent. Add the chard leaves and corn, cook for about 5 minutes more, or until the chard is wilted.

Drain the pasta add canned tomatoes and toss it with the veggies in a 9×12″ baking pan and top with the Daiya and then the sunflower seeds. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sunflower seeds are a little brown.

Jeff Can COOK!

Jennie's beau Jeff was kind enough to cook for Jennie, Bennett and me last Wednesday!!! It was so nice of him to do and it was sooooo good!! 

He made Quorn with red sauce, steamed Brussels sprouts, and his Grandpa's famous (and secret) rice.  Yummy!! I loved it!! 

How is it I remember to take pictures of other people's food but not my own!??!?  LOL!!

Week in Review - 5.16 thru 5.20

Once again, here is the fashion episode...

Sunday

Dress: Anthropologie

Shoes: DSW

Monday

Hat: Target

Shirt: Express

Jeans: Diesel

Tuesday

Shirt: Old Navy

Cords: Ann Taylor Loft

Shoes:  DSW

Wednesday

Green Shirt: Banana Republic
Cardagin: Ann Taylor
Jeans:  Ann Taylor Loft
Shoes:  Nine West

Thursday
Shirt: Michael Stars
Jacket: Esprit
Jeans:  Diesel
Shoes:  DSW

On Thursday I was breaking in my silver strappy shoes for Lynn's wedding NEXT WEEKEND!! Can you believe its almost time!! Wow!! Time flies!! And, for a sneak preview...

This is my latest fitting for the dress!!! There is one more alteration that has to be made and I'll pick up the dress on MONDAY!! Yippee!!

Crafty

I went to a baby shower on Wednesday and needed a gift.  I'm kinda tapped out of money so I had to do something on the cheap.  What that generally entails is making something.  I'm also tapped out on time, so what could I make in a snap.  I found it online!!  I pulled a pattern from this site and made this...

Do you like the bib??  It took me only a few hours Monday night from start to finish.  

Food, food, food!!!!

I have had such a great food weekend!! No good pictures but I thought you may want to hear about the restaurants that I went to.  I already talked about Desta (that Teesha, Joel and I went to on Thursday).

On Friday after I left the doctor office... I had to get my monthly allergy shots... I was hungry for falafel. I heard that Pita Palace on LaVista was really good.  I even tried to take my mom there when she was in town in October however it was closed when we stopped by.  So I stopped in.  The guys there were amazing and they made the most spectacular traditional pita falafel for me!! I loved it. It was HUGE so I split it with Kasii.  You need to try it out!!

Saturday after dress shopping for Odessa's wedding (yippee!) Odessa, Teesha, and I stopped at Panahar for some Bangladeshi cuisine.  We didn't realize that we would need a reservation however they still managed to find us a seat.  And they hooked us up!!  Not sure what all they brought out but the appetizer was Poori Shrimp.  You MUST try this if you go.  And then try anything they recommend with lamb or goat!! It is AMAZING!!

Monday lunch I went with Elizabeth to California Pizza Kitchen.  One could ask why would a girl who loves to try unique restaurants actually like CPK... one reason... Moroccan Chicken Salad.  I have gotten it the last like four times I have been there and am in love with it.  No cheese is even on it.  I always get the dressing on the side.  And it is full of yumminess!!

On Tuesday Brant was in Buckhead and we headed out for some sushi at Yu-Ka.  To die for good!! Seriously on par with M F Sushi.  I was in sushi heaven!!  And, we got a few rolls and split them... which rocks... I heart sharing food!!

Chicken and Smoked Sausage Etouffee

I used to LOVE watching the Food Channel.  Like I-could-watch-it-all-day kinda love.  However when I found out I have fibro and can't work out like I used to I had to cut off the Food Channel.  It was too tempting!! But, the other day I did flip it on for Tyler Florence's show 'Tyler's Ultimates.'  He always makes super yummy, completely unhealthy food.  But this time he made something I felt I just had to recreate!  The original is here. I followed it pretty much the whole way thru, with just a few minor changes. 

Here is my version...


Chicken and Smoked Sausage Etouffee



Extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound chicken andouille sausage links (from Trader Joes)
4 chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
2 ribs celery, roughly chopped
1 green bell pepper, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 (12-ounce) can beer
4 cups low-sodium chicken stock
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons paprika
Pinch cayenne pepper

Set a cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat and add a 2-count of olive oil. Add the sausage links and brown slightly as you render some of the fat. Remove and set aside on a paper towel. Season chicken with plenty of salt and pepper and to the pan. Cook over medium heat to render fat for 7 to 10 minutes, then turn to brown both sides of the chicken. Remove and set aside on a paper towels.

With the pot still over medium heat add 2 tablespoons butter to melt with the fat then add flour and whisk to incorporate (if it's too thick add chicken stock to thin it out), and then swap to a wooden spoon. Cook until it is nice and brown (you want a nice deep rich colored roux), about 10 to 12 minutes.

In a food processor add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic, and pulse to roughly chop. Add the vegetable pulp to the pot with the roux and stir with a wooden spoon. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes to sweat out some of the moisture, then deglaze the pot with the beer.

Add the stock, bay leaves, paprika and cayenne. Return the chicken to the pot and simmer until the chicken is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove the chicken pieces from pot to a cutting board and shred the meat.  Cut the andouille sausage into chunks and nestle back into the pot amongst chicken to heat through. Cover and cook about 30 minutes.  Return the shredded chicken to the pot.  Cook for 15 minutes.

Give it all a final taste and season with salt and pepper, to taste.


I made some rice on the side that was a mix of brown rice, millet, and moong dal with homemade veggie stock that I cooked in my trusty rice cooker.

In other news...

I've had a very fun, very busy week!! To let you in on a few food things...

On Wednesday Jennie, Teesha, Brant and I had taco night at my house.  Once again, no pictures.  I don't know what's wrong with me.  Jennie and I LOVE to do taco night.  It's so easy and people can assemble whatever they want to in it.

For the meat,  I made Boca crumbles with a fajita seasoning I made from scratch.  I mixed the seasoning with water and poured it on.  I also put about 1/4 cup of salsa with it.  YUMMO!!  And, for those who were too scared to eat it (who will remain nameless), I made Tilapia seasoned with fish seasoning and pan fried.  Lots and lots of toppings to go with it!!!

Thursday night Teesha, Joel, and I went to Desta Ethiopian Kitchen and were BLOWN AWAY by the food.

Teesha and I ready to get our food on!!

Joel, Teesha and I all decided to wear green.

How random!! Haha!!

If you live in the Atlanta area and haven't been there you are soooooo missing out!!  We at the meat lovers (Kitfo was medium rare, Wilderness Tibs were lamb, and the Gored Gored was medium well) and the Fish Tibs.  We split it all and we ate it all.

Foil-Packed Asian Tofu

Once again I found a recipe from a magazine that Jennie gave me!! She rocks!!  Here is the original, which is nothing like what I made.

Foil-Packed Asian Tofu

1 container tofu, drained and pressed
3/4 cup Newman's Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing
3 cups warm water
2 cups millet, uncooked
6 cups frehs baby spinach leaves
3 garlic cloves, minced
12  sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted with water and chopped
6 large basil leaves

Cut the tofu int 6 equal slices.  Marinate the tofu with the dressing for at least 30 minutes (up to 8 hours).  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spoon 1/3 cup millet on the center of each of 6 18-inch long pieces of heavy-duty foil with the sides slightly rolled up.  Pour 1/2 cup warm water over each mound of millet.  Top with 1 cup spinach, 1/2 clove of garlic,  2 sun-dried tomatoes, slice of tofu, and basil leaf.  Spoon a tablespoon (or 2) of dressing over the tofu.  Bring up foil sides and double fold to seal each packet.

Cook in the oven for 30 minutes (may need more time for the millet to fully cook). 

Enjoy!! This one is a Kristie original!! Why do I always forget to take a picture!!

Skillet Shrimp and Sausage

I was reading my Rachael Ray magazine (courtesy of Jennie) and found a recipe I needed to try!!  You can check out the original.  This one I didn't change up much but tried to make it a bit healthier.  Next time I'll probably add frozen spinach/greens and corn.  That would be a tasty addition!!

Also, this is a great recipe to make ahead and then finish whenever you are ready to eat it.  I made most of it on Sunday and then un-froze it on Tuesday for George and Richard (Erinleigh was driving to see her sister who just had a baby) and made it. Turned out really well!!

Skillet Shrimp and Sausage

1-pound bags frozen, raw shrimp
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup brown rice
1/2 cup millet
1/4 cup moong dal
1 large onion, chopped
2 link Chicken Apple Chardonnay sausage (from Trader Joes), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
Salt and pepper
couple pinches of chili powder
Few shakes of monterey grill seasoning
3 cups homemade veggie broth

In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the rice, millet, and moong dal and cook stirring occasionally for 3 minutes.   Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the tomatoes and their juices; season with salt and pepper, chili powder and monterey grill seasoning. Stir veggie broth into the rice in the skillet.



** At this point you can either keep going or freeze and continue any time you want! **

Bring the rice mixture to a boil, lower the heat, cover and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the thawed shrimp and add to the rice mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until opaque, about 5 minutes.

$5

So, in case you want to know what I got at the "Everything is $5...." party, here are 2 videos that I sent to my mom.

I just don't like the sound of my own voice!! Haha!! How funny is that.  PS. these were taken with my iPhone!!

Week in Review - 5.9 thru 5.13

Here's the fashion for this week!!  Most of it is brand new!! Last Friday I was invited by my friend and mentor Sue to go to an "Everything is $5, Except For The Things That Aren't' party.  It was hosted by a friend of hers who wanted to get rid of all the clothes that she no longer wears but that are still very nice.  I thought I would maybe get 1 or 2 things... I got like 20 things!! It was so nice and so much fun!! 

On the drive home my car broke down!! Can you believe that!!!  However, Corey's Auto in Cumming, GA is amazing.  They picked up my car and fixed it all in one day!! Saturday A.M. Jennie took me up to go get it.  It's been driving very well since!! Yippee!!

Ok, back to the fashion...

Sunday

Dress:  Black House | White Market (with belt)

Cardigan:  J Crew

Shoes:  DSW

Monday

Shirt:  Ann Taylor

Cami:  Ann Taylor Loft

Jeans:  Ann Taylor

Shoes:  Nine West

Tuesday

Shirt: Forever 21

Cardigan: Anthony's in Florida

Jeans:  Express

Hat:  From the $5 party... not sure what the brand is

Shirt: J Crew

Cardigan: Ann Taylor

Cords: Ann Taylor Loft

Shoes:  Nine West

Shirt:  Banana Republic

Jacket:  Ann Taylor Loft

Jeans:  Diesel

Shoes:  Biviel

Beet, Apple, Carrot!!!

I haven't been cooking much lately.  Not sure what I have been doing really, just not cooking.  That's a lie, I have been going out to eat or eating salad.  Not too exciting.  I started doing this liver cleanse where I'm supposed to eat healthy and take these supplements which I have been doing.  I'm not supposed to drink coffee either, so if I have yelled at you lately I blame it on caffeine withdrawal!! Ha!!

In the A.M. I also have been drinking a shake made of beet, apple and celery.  May not sound good to the general population, however I think it's amazing!!! What do I do...

1/2 organic red beet
1/2 organic apple (mine is Gala but you can use whatever)
2 - 3 stalks of celery
1 cup water

Blend it all up in a blender.  Drink it thru a straw.  When you drink it you should drink it slowly and chew up the bits so it really gets worked into your system.  Mmmmm!!


P.S. I miss my coffee!!!!

Randomness...

This was emailed to me the other day.  Not quite sure how or why it was made. Which makes me giggle!

Pictures from the Bridal Shower!!!

I have some pictures attached from Lynn's Bridal Shower at the Four Season.  I had a great time at the shower, the Tea Party was fabulous and I can't wait for the wedding.  It's going to be a BLAST!!

Me & the Bride to Be!!

Being Crazy!!

 

Bride's Attendants 

(Well, most of us anyway)

Week in Review - 5.1 thru 5.6

Like I said, not to many outfit changes this week so I decided I would also post a pic of the dress I wore to Lynn's bridal shower and to Teesha's Birthday Party. 

Saturday ~ 5.1.2010

Dress: Anthropologie

Shoes: DSW

Sunday

Dress: Express

Cardigan: Anthony's in Florida

Shoes:  Target

DRIVE (Monday-Thursday)

Jeans:  Express

Shoes:  Target

White Shirt:  Target

Thursday

Pink Shirt:  Anthony's in Florida

Jacket:  Black House | White Market

Jeans:  Express

Shoes:  Biviel

Drive - Taking It Off-Road

Busy would be an understatement for me this past few weeks.  One of the major highlights was the Drive Conference at work where we hosted church leaders from all around the world. They came, they saw, and hopefully they are taking it home with them.  What is 'it'?  It is what we do at North Point Ministries.  How we do what we do.  It was a lot of fun hosting but it also meant a lot of long days (wearing the same outfit... meaning when I post the weeks fashion it will be a very short post.

Want to see some of the fun I had...

Here I am getting ready for check in.  Hard work, but someone has to do it :)




This is part of the Drive opener from Monday.  Yes, they lowered a singer FROM THE ROOF!  It was craziness and I loved it...




And finally, here is a clip of the church leaders worshiping...



I loved it!! Thanks for letting me be a part of this every week!! Lucky to call this my 'job'!

Here are some pics from Drive that I took with my iPhone...

Getting Check In Set up

View From Where Staff Sat

Wishing this was my ride to drive...

Enterance

My Post for Drive