Definitely Going With It...

I’m  on this low-cal-eating-healthy-trying-to-lose-20-pounds (probably more but don’t want to freak myself out so I’ll start with that) kick.  Yeah, I’ve been on them before, but now I’m totally serious about it.  For reals!  I’m not gonna lie…it’s been tough, but I’m on my second week and it’s getting easier.  I am cooking healthy food and I do feel better.  I am giving myself one break day though.  I used said break day on Sunday for a Father’s Day BBQ, which was at my boyfriend’s house.  Surprisingly enough I didn’t over-indulge…too much.  I did enjoy one éclair…one beautiful chocolaty with perfect cream inside éclair.  It. Was. DE-VINE!  Oh my lucky charms!  It was the best freakin éclair ever!  Hey, after a week of no refined sugar you would have thought so too.  There was cheesecake…from Costco, I think.  It had like four different flavors.  There were cupcakes…but store bought and I’m not so crazy about the store bought frosting.  The éclairs won hands down.  One because they just looked so darn good, and two because they were less calories then the cheesecake (bonus!).  I think I had an out of body experience as I don’t recall what was going on while I was consuming the lovely dessert…I know people were around me….they were talking about stuff…maybe even called my name a couple of times….I think I lost 3 or 4 minutes in time….but I was one with my éclair and I stayed that way until it was gone. {{sigh}} Yeah, you come to appreciate the little things more when you are on a “low-cal-eating-healthy-trying-to-lose-20-pounds” kick.  

Anyway, I don’t have a recipe today.  I do have a new bracelet I made.  Check it out….

I have it on my Etsy store, Vivian Luna Accessories.  Speaking of my Etsy store, last night I was having doubts with it.  I hadn’t sold anything since that one sale in November (oh and to Vivian’s friend but that wasn’t on Etsy) and I kept looking at my stash and just didn’t feel inspired.  Then I would look at my completed items and thought, “Who’d want to wear this?!?!”  I had doubts…I was second guessing myself….I questioned my creativity…my skills…my hair (it was having a particularly puffy day)….really wanting an éclair….didn’t really ask for a sign…just having “one of those nights”.  BUT, this morning guess what happened….I logged onto my e-mail and I SOLD A NECKLACE!  I think this was a sign to stop my moaning and groaning and to just keep....GOING WITH IT (yeah, you knew that was coming).  Anyway, I can’t tell you how awesome it feels to know that someone out there wants to wear my jewelry.  It’s super cool! 

That’s it for now.  Until next time….

On Saturday, Luna got a haircut...I think it took 5 years off of her. ;)

Strawberry Tiramisu

Had a wonderful weekend and now I’m back to work. UGH!  Anyway, I made my mom’s favorite Strawberry Tiramisu for her the other day.  I’ve made this recipe several times and each time is just a good!  It’s perfect for strawberry season and very spring-summer like.

There are many variations of this recipe, but I found this one on the Kraft to be the easiest (no baking required!) and really does taste delicious.  Make it today! 

Here’s what you need:

 From Kraft recipe

8 oz package Cream Cheese (you can use mascarpone too or for a lighter variation Neufchatel) – softened

3 ½ cups cold milk

2 packages Vanilla flavor Instant Pudding (I had 1 5.6 oz package and that worked out too)

2 packages (3 oz pkg) lady fingers

1 tub of Cool Whip Dips Strawberry Crème – thawed

2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

Semi-Sweet Chocolate curls for decorations (I didn’t have any this time – we really didn’t miss them! I know shocking!)

Directions:

Take out 13x9 inch pan and set aside.

Mix cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until nice & smooth.  Add milk gradually and beat until well combined.  Add dry pudding mixes and beat on low speed until blended (about a minute or so).

Open one package of lady fingers and cover the bottom of pan.  Add half of the pudding mix, then half of the Cool Whip Dips and half of the strawberries.  Top with second package of lady fingers and repeat steps with pudding, dips, and strawberries.  And you are done!  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 

Yummy!

I also made a new necklace. It is a red rose made with polymer clay.  I did not have red clay so I used the white and used deep red nail polish for the red color and varnish in one!  

Until next time...Heeeeerrrre’ssss Luna.  (I took this photo using FXcamera app. from my android cell phone.  I like it!)

She needs a haircut! 

Sliders, Fries, and Show & Tell....

So, it’s been a while but life gets in the way.  I’m here now with some recipes and a “show & tell”. No need to thank me. I’m a giver that way. ;)

OK, so for the recipe.  On Friday night I decided to make sliders for dinner.  I checked out the many combos on foodnetwork and liked Rachel Ray’s version for her Chorizo Sliders. I used ground turkey…yes, turkey again!  I know you are probably thinking that’s all I make at home, but it’s what I had on hand and trust me they were delicious! 

Turkey & Chorizo Sliders with Avocado Crema
recipe adapted from Rachael Ray

For Sliders 

1 lb. ground turkey

½ lb. pork chorizo (I prefer to get the chorizo from the butcher area & not the pre-packed one – it has less fat and tastes better)

¼ cup Worcestershire sauce (I can never pronounce that word…always comes out sounding like I’m saying worstchestershire…oh well)

1 tbs. paprika

salt & pepper

grape seed / olive oil for drizzling

3-4 slices of Pepper Jack cheese (and also Colby as Vivian is not too keen on pepper jack)

small slider rolls 

lettuce (I used arugula as that’s what I had in the fridge)

sliced plum tomatoes

sliced red onion

1-2 slices of Applewood bacon (optional – I had it and Vivian wanted it!)

For Avocado Crema

1 avocado (since only 3 of us only needed 1 avocado)

juice of 1/2 a lemon

small handful of fresh cilantro leaves

lemon & pepper seasoning

¼ cup sour cream

Directions:

Heat a skillet, griddle to medium-high heat (I used the griddle)

Mix the ground turkey and chorizo (no need to grind it -- just break it apart) along with Worcestershire sauce, paprika and salt & pepper together in a large bowl.  Once well mixed drizzle the oil over it and combine.  Form 12 patties and cook the sliders for 3-4 minutes on each side. When you have one minute to go add the cheese.  If adding bacon cook this as well.  

While you are cooking the sliders get a small bowl and add the avocado(s), lemon juice, cilantro (best to chop it up or use the food processor as Rachel suggests), sour cream and seasoning.  Mix all together until get a smooth consistency. 

Once all done (I like to toast the burger buns a bit) it’s time to pile it on.  To the bottom of the bun I add a slice of lettuce, then the slider, avocado crema comes next, and then the tomato, onion and bacon (if use).  

I also made some Baked French Fries.  

Here’s the recipe:

3-4 yukon or russet potatoes

1 tbs. oil (I used grape seed)

paprika

kosher salt

pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Peel the potatoes if desired (I didn’t -- I know you probably know this already but just in case...if don't peel make sure to wash them thoroughly) and cut into thin wedges or french-fry size.  Mix the cut potatoes with the oil & seasonings in a bowl.  Get your baking sheet (I lightly spray with cooking spray, as my baking sheet isn’t that great at releasing the food once it’s cooked) and add the potatoes and cook for 10 minutes.  Turn the potatoes and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Dinner is served! 

We had chocolate pudding with homemade whipped cream (courtesy of Vivian) for dessert.  Yummy!  We were so impressed by the dessert that I didn’t take photos.

Now for the “show & tell”.  Vivian had showed me some earrings, well an earring she wanted me to make for her.  She saw it on Teen Vogue and it a feather earring.  So, I attempted it and she really liked the results.  She wore it to school and one of her friends asked her to see if I could make one for her, so here it is….

Here is Vivian modeling it....

I also made an additional one for Vivian. 

I wanted to make it shorter but she said she liked it as is. 

I also attempted to make some rings.  I didn’t have any cool buttons to use so I tried to make with beads.  I really like the silver one…actually wearing it now. 

And that’s it!  But of course, I leave you with Luna…

This was last night...notice how she arranges the pillows for her comfort.