Give me a high cinco!

It didn't sink in 'till I got to work yesterday that it was Cinco de Mayo... yesss! Can I get a high five?! I gotta say; having an excuse to make and eat mexican food (or at least my best attempt at my own version of it) is always welcome!

I happily, feverishly started to contact friends and before I knew it we had a nice little fiesta on our hands. My task was to provide ingredients for salsa and guac so as soon as the work day was over, I ran (yes I mean that, I RAN) to the grocery store to pick up tomatoes and avocados among other things.

In my excitement for the communal meal, I took absolutely no pictures before we started chowing. What I can offer are pictures of the remnants:

Strawberry-Banana Margaritas! So nice after a long day! I gotta get this recipe...

Yes, you guessed it: pico de gallo! I'm dedicating the leftovers to my breakfast tomorrow morning.

Hardley any guacamole left... imagine that! The fun with guacamole is starting with a basic, authentic guacamole recipe and then making it your own! Note to self: buy more jalapeno next time.

Chicken enchiladas were also nearly destroyed. I saw that a lot of other bloggers were making their enchiladas with greek yogurt instead of sour cream or cottage cheese. I look forward to trying that as soon I can if only because I would love another excuse to eat enchiladas! :)

And for the grand finale: homemade baked cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips with what else but ice cream! Such a satisfying, filling, delicious meal!

Felicidades!

A Weak Moment

Confession time: I sometimes have a weakness for pizza!

As a kid, it was a total treat when mom & dad ordered out for pizza. Nothing could be more exciting! Perhaps that same feeling has stayed with me or at least creeps up on me every now and again.

Tonight was one of those times. But instead of ordering out, I took on the task myself.

After a quick trip to the store, I had gathered all the toppings I was craving.

My sister, who is a vegetarian, was happy to help me chow down on a pizza so I included some MorningStar Farms Veggie Crumbles at her request. They look like ground beef so you could easily sneak these onto a pizza without notice from non-vegitarians.

Gotta plug my go-to sauce: Newman's Own! Great ingredients and taste! Love. it.

And the finished masterpiece: Half slices of tomato, raw spinach, goat cheese crumbles, veggie crumbles, and shredded colby jack cheese. I might have over-cheesed this pizza, but sometimes I just can't help myself. :)


My pizza slices hardly made it to my plate fast enough. A quick tip about using Pillsbury Thin Crust: the crust under the middle slices was a little softer then I would like. Don't take it out too soon or perhaps spend another minute letting it pre-bake.

What's your favorite pizza recipe?

Coming soon: Cinco de Mayo food!

Cherished and beloved birthday treats

So many birthdays this month and last! My birthday was just one month ago and contrary to my customary birthday rituals, I did NOT bring birthday treats to share with co-workers. For shame!

Therefore, I am living vicariously through one of my coworkers who kindly brought birthday treats for her own birthday today. Against my better judgment, I just had to have one. What better way to get through a Monday than with peanut butter and chocolate!

Speedy Little Devils

• 1 (18 0z) box Devil's Food Cake Mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 7 oz. marshmallow creme

1. Combine melted butter and dry cake mix.
2. Reserve 1 1/2 cups cake mixture for topping.
3. Put remaining crumb mixture into bottom of ungreased 9x13 inch cake pan.
4. Top that layer with combined peanut butter and marshmallow mixture & spread evenly.
5. Crumble remaining mixture on top and press into filling.
6. Bake 15-20 mins at 350 degrees.
7. Cool.

I'm told this only takes 30 minutes max to prepare! Love. it. That's why their called "Speedy"! :)

I wanna do research on butter substitutes because this recipe call for a whole heck of a lot! Other substitutions: might be able to use a muffin pan instead of cake pan, Skippy Natural peanut butter (yummm!), and I've also heard of organic marshmallow creme (?).

Do you have a favorite birthday treat recipe? I'd love to see it!

Best wishes to all Spring birthdays!

Simply Sunday

Sometimes you just need a quiet Sunday and this was mine. During my chill-axation time I almost convinced myself to fix a big, comforting, Sunday dinner. But I know better than to think that I am going to be master chef on such a lazy day (or any day really). And why give up chillaxing anymore than I have to? So, I'm okay with not being a chef, especially since I am much more successful when I keep it simple.

Tonight's dinner was a great example of simple and yummy:

This is whole wheat pasta sauteed in a little olive oil, 1/2 a yellow bell pepper sauteed with pasta, spinach, baked orange roughy accented with garlic powder and italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese all over everything (which I cannot resist if eating pasta :) ). Very low maintenance, but satisfying nonetheless!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Springing into spring

If I had to choose a favorite time of year, I think I would choose Spring! I don't know if it's the the sun, warmer temperatures, no more fighting with snow, better fruits and veggies at the grocery store, or what. It has certainly taken hold on me; I've re-arranged, re-organized, and re-committed to all around wellness. It sounds hokey, but this is exactly what Spring can do to a person!

And its really the little pleasures that help you in your re-committment that can make all the difference. For instance...

I can hardly bear the thought of walking into a coffee shop and not purchasing coffee. Unless, of course, it's a Chocolate Banana Vivanno Smoothie from Starbucks! I was on-the-go the other day and was super hungry. Good thing I had remembered hearing about this or else I would've been in terrible shape by dinner time. Plus, you really do feel like you're indulging because its chocolate! Fresh ingredients really do hit the spot!

Stay tuned for more new discoveries!