Kale Salad

Kale probably wouldn't be my first choice for a salad, but here I am writing about it. This salad was inspired by one of our roommate's parent's trip to Caribbean where they enjoyed an amazing kale salad. We obviously won't be making it to the Caribbean any time soon, so we took our best shot at home.

Everyone quite enjoyed it! This is a big step for me considering Kale has more nutritional value in one bite than I usually get in a day.... Maybe that's an exaggeration... But still kale is SO good for you and even has cancer fighting properties. This salad has finally made me enjoy eating it! 

Kale Parmesan Salad: 
1/2 pound kale
3 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup craisins 
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced thinly

Wash and dry kale. Remove stem from center of each leaf and cut into strips. Add olive oil and lemon, tossing salad to evenly coat. Add parmesan, craisins, pine nuts and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss again. You can serve immediately or let sit so the kale softens up a litte. YUM!

Enjoy!

Donut or Doughnut?

Who really cares how you spell it- those things are GOOD....I am going to skip over the fact that I am the most inconsistent blogger out there and just get right back to it.... I was recently introduced to a place called Bennett's Fresh Roast in Fort Myers, FL. I was over the moon to find out that they are known for their donuts! Nothing better than an excuse for a good donut. On top of that, Bennett's has a wide array of fanciful combinations. I couldn't resist trying a MAPLE APPLEWOOD BACON DONUT. I really think I could stop there- they have a freaking bacon donut- but I will share a little more... 

As Daniel described it, the maple bacon donut was like a whole breakfast in one bite. A little salty with your sweet. I also enjoyed a classic glazed which was melt in your mouth amazing. Don't even think about a breakfast sandwich, you go here to get an unbelievable donut- just do it.

 

 

Chowin down

This little trip to downtown Fort Myers also reminded my of one of my favorite quotes: "Focus on the doughnut, not on the hole." -The Beloved JimDaddy. Quite fitting for life, I think. 

Side notes: I am wearing my new favorite sweatshirt and necklace in this lovely picture of myself. Find the sweatshirt here: Old Navy Sweatshirt and the necklace here: Windsor Tassel Necklace. 

Have a great day y'all!

Wednesday wants... a day late

Hey y'all! Hope everyone is having a great Thursday! Here are a few things that I am loving right now... 

Owl Sweater

Whoooo doesn't love a good owl sweater? Ha, just kidding... worst joke ever. Anyway, I really do love anything with an owl (or an elephant as you'll see below). This is how I make myself feel outdoorsy... wear a little nature. $88 from Madewell: Owl Sweater

TOMS

I have been a TOMS fan for quite some time now and love how far they have come since the originals. How great are these with the warm fuzzy fuzz on the inside! These are super cute PLUS when you purchase a pair TOMS provides a pair of shoes for a child in need (as if you didn't already know that). $54 from Toms. Find them here: TOMS

Elephant Scarf

This scarf is from a line I recently started representing, Stella & Dot. I was thrilled when they came out with scarves for the first time this year. This elephant one (Bryant Park scarf in poppy) is my FAV. You can find it here: Elephant Scarf

iPad mini

Yes, I fell for it... I want the new iPad mini. Its absolutely ridiculous. Of course, I think its amazing and it is now my Christmas request... Or I could preorder it tomorrow... Hopefully I will be able to exercise some self-control though.  So if you are in the mood to really splurge, the iPad mini is my suggestion for the year. Starting at $329 from Apple.

Microplane Grater/Zester

Since I mentioned something completely unnecessary, I should probably include something extremely useful and practical... The Microplane grater/zester is by far the best kitchen tool I have ever discovered. I think that this particular one is the most useful, but I would love to add a coarse grater to my kitchen as well. $14.95 by Microplane. Find it here: Microplane Grater/Zester

Quick Hits: St. Simon's Island

Hey y'all! I have been traveling a little bit lately and, of course, am always trying to find some good food on the road. I use all kinds of websites trying to find the best places, but it can be difficult to find a really great place even with the help of those. I have a combination of "tactics" that I use, which includes looking at the menu, the restaurant website and any reviews I can find. I hate to say it, but the website can really influence my choice. I try to look past it if I am not impressed and go on to the menu. I just figure that if I don't like the "atmosphere" of their website I (more importantly) may not like that of their restaurant. I will try to keep up with different "Quick Hits" as I travel to different places. This week, I bring you a little taste of the south....

Saint Simon's Island, GA

Some of my fondest memories are from this small beach town. St. Simon's is the perfect place for a laid back family vacation. Its also where Daniel and I tied the knot, so it will forever hold a special place in my heart. But now for the way to my heart... the food!

• Halyard's: For your special nights out, this upscale restaurant provides fresh, local fare. Any seafood dish will be excellent. The burger with its creative toppings is also one of my favorites (changes seasonally).

• Maggie Moo's: Best ice cream on the island

• Hot Dog Alley: The smallest little shack with the quickest lunch on the island for sure... not to mention the best value. Grab your coke and a great dog, load it up and you're all set.
  

• Mallery Street Cafe: My personal favorite place to go for breakfast. Everything from steak and eggs to pancakes!

• Crab Trap: Want some friend seafood? You have found your place. YUMMM.   

• Southern Soul BBQ: Saved the best for last. Our favorite place for lunch. Daniel claims it is some of the best barbeque he has ever had... he can't pick between here and Sweet Cheeks in Boston. Great fried okra, pulled pork sandwich (pig sandwich), and burnt ends.
  

This list could definitely go on, but for now those are my top places in St. Simon's. Hope y'all get to enjoy them someday too! 

Breakfast in San Francisco

Hey y'all! I just got back from one of my favorite cities, San Francisco! Besides the great weather I always seem to encounter there, San Francisco is home to one of our favorite breakfast places. Sears Fine Food is a simple, straightforward kind of place. It provides exactly what I look for in a breakfast... quick, big and satisfying. 

Be sure to try their famous Swedish pancakes! They are the best silver dollar pancakes you will find! Daniel's breakfast of choice is Al's special: corned beef hash, eggs, hash browns and nine little pancakes. Unfortunately, corned beef hash doesn't photograph particularly well so you'll just have to trust him on this one. I am also too old to love that they give you a coin at the end of your meal to play the Sears' slot machine... but I do. I've never won anything, but I sure do try every time!

Located right in Union Square, Sears offers the perfect location to catch the trolly or do a little shopping after starting your day off right! 

S'mores

Hey y'all! Per usual, I am constantly trying to find new creations to satisfy my sweet tooth. Sometimes I try to go a healthier route, while others I "need" a whole ice cream sandwich (see here). More often than not, I choose something closer to the latter... So here is my most recent sweet experiment: S'mores in a cup.

I love s'mores in pretty much any form. What's not to love? This is an easy way to enjoy the chocolate, gooey marshmallow goodness of a s'more without the fire. 

S'mores in a cup:

• 1 1/2 cups Graham crackers, crumbled 
• 1 package chocolate pudding
• 2 cups milk (to make the pudding)
• 1 1/2 cups marshmallow Fluff
• 1 cup Mini marshmallows

Directions:
1. Make pudding according to package and chill.
2. Preheat oven to broil
3. Using about 2 Tbsp of each layer pudding, fluff, then graham cracker crumbs in cup of your choice.
4. Repeat pudding and graham cracker crumbs.
5. Spread mimi marshmallows on a baking sheet lined with foil. Place in oven to brown the tops on the marshmallows for about 30 seconds (be careful, this really doesn't take long!).
6. Add toasted marshmallows to each cup and garnish with a graham cracker. Enjoy!

El Pelon Taqueria

Hey y'all! I was recently asked where one can find really good fish tacos in Boston. Of course, I was more than happy to explore this request. At El Pelon Taqueria I found what I was looking for....

Pictured (clockwise): El Pelon logo, Pescado tacos, chips and salsa, and tacos Americanos

El Pelon has good everything... including really good fish tacos. The fish is encrusted with a "crispy cornmeal" which cooks up perfectly for the tacos, and I especially enjoyed the extra crunch from the pickled cabbage.  So if you are looking for great fish (pescado) tacos, this is the place. I would also highly recommend the guacamole and the Americanos tacos, while Daniel is a big fan of their burritos. 

El Pelon is conveniently located on Peterborough Street near Fenway. Sit outside at a picnic table or grab it to go. Either way, El Pelon makes for a great place to enjoy a variety of fresh, exceptionally good tacos and more.