“Food is an important part of a balanced diet.”

Since my boyfriend and I are very busy people - not to mention hardcore commuters (an hour to and from work...hellooo) we have started to make meals in advance to ease the stresses of the morning routine - wake up, get dressed, feed dogs, get on the road - traffic is ever so patiently waiting for us!

So, naturally, Sunday is our day to "cook and prepare" meals. Nothing too over the top, just simple dishes. We will cook a big "batch" of something (crock-pot recipe, stew, chili, chicken, pasta) and once we serve our selves, we immediately separate the rest and put it in tupperware (or TOP-aware as Marcus likes to say) containers and either freeze them or put them in lunch bags for easy heat up meals for the next day. Trust me, this works and gives you more time in the morning to put more effort into your hair, makeup, and wardrobe. I am definitely more of a lunch and dinner kind of gal and focus more on these meals. Although, I never skip breakfast - no, no, no....I need something in my stomach to jump start my day or else I am literally scavenging throughout my office begging for snacks from my co-workers (I can always rely on my almonds and granola buddy) or ask our student workers whats in their backpacks...desperate, I know, or I head towards the student center or vending machine. Bad! To my credit, I have started to keep a "stash" of healthy snacks in my desk drawer. Let me tell you - 10am and 3pm, hunger strikes and I need a "pick me up!"

I've mentioned before in previous posts about grocery shopping. Honestly, I prefer grocery shopping to clothes shopping. It comes more natural to me to shop for food then it does for an outfit. You, know? I really don't have style clothing-wise, but I do cooking-wise. I can't stress enough how important it is to go grocery shopping with a list and never go shopping on an empty stomach! You will leave with enough food to feed an army and really random items that you "thought you really needed." Marcus and I have gotten used to making similar grocery lists every week because we basically use the same main ingredients with changes here and there. We always get poultry, ground turkey, fish, lots of vegetables (fresh and frozen), fruits, and whole wheat pasta and rice. When you have the food staples and a pantry full of seasonings and spices you could whip something up real fast, which is what we need in our household. We are hungry people and we want food NOW! In contrast, when we have more time during the weekends, taking time to make meals is enjoyable, relaxing, and worth the wait.

*SIDE NOTE* I want to give a shoutout to our favorite seasonings in our pantry right now: Parika and Mrs. Dash (Original Blend)  Wasssssup?!
*SIDE NOTE #2*  Frozen steam-able bags of veggies = legit.

Last night, I made tilapia, sweet potato mash, and broccoli florets. In turn, for lunch today I had a mini repeat of dinner that I like to call my own lean cuisine. I was so proud! It just looked so pretty I had to take pictures of it. Yes, I'm "one of those people" who straight up take pictures of food, wine, coffee -  OK, Happy? I admit it! I've gotten used to the eye-rolls of passerbys but, eh, I got a blog to write!

On tonight's menu: flank steak with a chili pepper paste and garlic rub, red bell pepper/vegetables, on top of brown rice. Yum! This recipe was off of a Fit Men Cook article (I live with a man, duh) so I followed it to a tee and it came out great and it will be one of Marcus' lean cuisines for tomorrow.

Even though I absolutely love to cook, I also love to go out to eat [and drink] with friends and family. (Happy Hour anyone?) Tomorrow, I am meeting up with my little sister for some sister-bonding-Chipotle-eating time!

Happy Eating!
*Please let me know if you'd like any recipes mentioned.

Spicy and Sweet - Just like me!

Today, I woke up and had all these great ideas on what I wanted to do today: make breakfast, read, give myself a mani/pedi, wash dishes (it never ends), maybe start a new painting, watch a movie (When Harry Met Sally), catch up on The Real Housewives of Atlanta episodes - my possibilities were endless.

Let's take it from the top....

Growing up, Sunday morning breakfast at my house was either chaotic or calm. If we weren't rushing to get to church on time only being able to eat just a piece of toast, we were sitting around the table as a family eating the food my mother (and Head Chef of the family) prepared for us and laughing. My father, the DJ of the house with rather interesting radio station selections, would turn the jams up just loud enough for our conversations to be heard over the songs playing in the other room. (If you're wondering what the top three radio stations were, here you go: Hillbilly Hoe-Down, The Best of the Beatles, or Salsa/Latin/Tejano.....you're welcome).

Inspired by my childhood Sunday mornings, I decided for breakfast I would make a hearty meal while dancing to Salsa music! On the menu: Huevos a la Mexicana (basically scrambled eggs with salsa), papas, and turkey bacon.
*Life Lesson* If you are wanting to improve your time management and organizational skills, I suggest you cook the majority of your meals at home. In addition to not burning the house down (staying focused), you have to determine what to cook first (to-do list), which recipe(s) takes the longest (meeting deadlines), and if you have all necessary ingredients (being prepared).


After washing dishes, for the 100th time this weekend, I decided to watch - When Harry Met Sally. However, I feel so embarrassed to admit but I just wasn't as into it as I thought I was going to be. Instead, I read my book outside in the sun with my dogs in tow and a drink in my hand...lemonade that is! What were y'all thinking...
(Currently reading A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby.)


After awhile, I decided it was time for a snack - I am always in the mood for a snack. I made jalapeno poppers and oatmeal/cranberry cookies! Yes, random I know....don't ask! LOL. We have been on a health kick for awhile, but you know, on the weekends is usually when we get a little off track. Needless to say, the cookies weren't the healthiest nor were the poppers (well, maybe?) but DAMN they turned out great!


Since I was already in the cocina, I decided I would go ahead and make my lunch for tomorrow - a watermelon, arugula, and feta salad with a lime vinaigrette. The first time I had this "very easy to make"  salad, was at BJ's Brewhouse. So yummy and refreshing!

After lunches were made - let me interrupt this real quick: Can I just say that I am SO GLAD that Marcus has jumped on the salad bandwagon and actually enjoys eating them now? - ...yes, after lunches were made, I felt accomplished.

Now, to wait for this evening's dinner - a healthy chili made by my hunny. Have a great Sunday!

*Please let me know if you'd like any recipes mentioned.

So we meet again.....aren't you EGGcited?

OMG....I am so EGGstatic (how many ways can I use the word 'egg' in other words?) to be blogging again about the one thing that runs through my mind all day - FOOD - Breakfast.Lunch.Dinner.Snacks.
Oh and wine....

Looking back, the last blog I wrote was in November 2011. Really? Two years ago? Sorry to disappoint all my online fans! (all two of you)

Well, first things first - A LOT has changed in my life since 2011 - personally and professionally.
Let's see here:

*I moved to a new city with my SO
*I am no longer the Secretary that blogged, I am now an Education Loan Assistant who blogs.
*I passed my teaching certification exam..finally.
*I became an AUNTIE
*I now have TWO dogs: Bella and Paris!

Now that we are entirely caught up with one another, I am so happy to once again entertain others with my cheesy sense of humor and my EGGcellent (average) cooking skills.

Ready.Set.Cook!