Fish Tacos for Cinco de Mayo

Can you tell from my lack of recent posts that vacation is over and I'm back at work? That's okay because I have a full week, including lots of Mother's Day activities, a crab feast to attend and CL's sisters dance recital!

I also plan on hitting up our local farmers market at some point this weekend too. You can find fresh soft shell crabs at the farmers market in Baltimore so count me in!

Tonight I was in the mood to celebrate Cinco de Mayo a little early. When we go out to eat, if there are fish tacos on the menu you better believe I am ordering it!

My Homemade Fish Tacos

4 filets of tilapia (fresh or frozen)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
Old Bay Seasoning
Cumin
Red Cabbage
Corn
Cilantro (from my own herb garden)
Fat free sour cream
Chipotle Sauce
Guacamole
Red Onion
Tortillas

Directions:

Season your tilapia filets with the Old Bay and Cumin. You can use as little - or much as you'd like! I love Old Bay so I had a heavy hand ;-)
Cook your tilapia in the lime juice and olive oil.
Chop your red cabbage, onion, and cilantro. Remove corn from the cob (fresh corn is finally in season!)
Break down your tilapia once cooked with a spatula.
Add chipotle sauce and cumin to your sour cream. Again, this is your sauce - make it as spicy or tame as you'd like!
Assemble your tacos and enjoy!!

I served mine up with some homemade potato chips! Healthier and much more filling!




Check out the other WIAW posts over at Jenn's blog {Peas and Crayons}

I have decided this will be my last week having a gym membership. The weather is getting warmer and I find myself running outside at least every other day and CL bought me the Jillian Michael 30 day shred! I can't wait to use this for my toning. He has been running with me more often and is really proud of my results! Gotta keep it up ;-)

I have taken on the task of making brunch for my mom, sister and grandma for Mother's Day! I have a few ideas up my sleeve including a lemon cake with blueberries and a lemon glaze for dessert!

What is your favorite light brunch recipe? Link it up!

Good Morning!!

Just wanted to give you an update of our amazing weekend so far. It's still early on Sunday morning so I am awake looking for places to eat brunch outside.

Today is supposed to be the best day weather wise of the weekend so I am excited! 

So far we have enjoyed a home cooked dinner of steak and asparagus with a bottle of my cousin's homemade wine (so good).

Woke up and took the dogs to the OC Humane Society's Board Walkin' for Pets. They are a no-kill animal shelter and it breaks my heart not all pets have a loving home like Chance and Maggie. 

Had a light lunch of fruit and guacamole with chips.

Walked/Ran with the dogs to the beach.

Then we came back, napped and met up with Chris' Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle for a night out!

Here are a few things I learned while reading my Self magazine by the dock and thought you guys might enjoy!

- Get the benefits of kombucha by rubbing it on our skin. The tea boasts antiagers to even out skin and hydrate dry areas.

-You can help out rescue-dog organizations by ordering your wine from adogslife.net

Hope you guys are having a great weekend and look online for your local humane society, or animal shelter. In college I used to go and take the dogs for walks. All animals deserve love!

And We're Off!!

Unfortunately I did not wake up this morning to watch the royal wedding. I believe this is the type of event that will be played over and over again across all stations. Instead I slept in until 9 (yes, that's sleeping in for me).

I have finished packing for me, CL and the pups...

Gave the pups a bath...

(see how much he has changed since he was a baby!)

packed stuff for breakfast (protein, strawberries, oatmeal, hard boiled eggs)...

marinated some steak to throw on the grill tonight once we get to the beach...

and am off to go running before Chris and I meet up to finalize our Mother's Day gifts ;-)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

go outside and get a tan guys!

or go for a nice dip in the pool!

WIAW and Mother's Day Ideas

Ahhhh... is there anything better than a nice lukewarm shower after a long run? CL and I met up after I got off work at the B&A trail for a nice 4 mile interval session. It started raining on and off which felt amazing. I could live in this weather forever. I don't mind evening thunderstorms... as long as they don't interfere with my television!

love my CL <3

 Mother's Day is next Sunday, so I have been brainstorming things to do for the most important person in my life! I know sometimes she stops by my blog so here are MULTIPLE things you can buy/make for your momma bear! Gotta keep her on her toes!

Sending flowers are always a great way to show someone you care. Send them to her work and surprise her a few days early ;-) Shows you were thinking ahead of time!

Go to your local Paint Your Own Pottery store. Mom's love handmade gifts and usually are coffee/tea lovers. Give her something that will remind her of your love with each sip!

Make her a basket full of things she loves! My mom loves to garden. A planter filled with gloves, seeds, snacks, chocolate, tea and suntan lotion is a great gift! Does your mom love relaxation? How about filling a shower caddy with a monogrammed towel, face mask, chai tea, and nail polish (and a spa gift card if you are feeling extra nice!)

Whatever you do, your mom with love it. You could make her a homemade card and bring tears to her eyes! I already found the best recipe for a lemonade cake with blueberries I plan on making for her! YUM!

Breakfast

2 slices bacon, coffee and a banana

Lunch

Black bean cheese burger

A spinach, pecan and strawberry salad with homemade dressing:

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 tablespoon honey

fresh lemon zest

salt and pepper

Snack

Carrots and Guacamole

Dinner

Chicken and Steamed Brocolli

Dessert

Honey Greek Yogurt with Strawberry slices

Have a great night guys and start planning your mother's day gifts!

Easter Weekend Recap

Tuesday already? I'll take it considering me and CL are headed to the beach Friday evening for the weekend. It's the last weekend in OC before the dogs are officially no longer allowed on the beach for the summer season.

Chance loves getting his tan on. Can you tell?

 

What a cutie. I might be biased, but I love love love my lil gremlin!

Friday night my sister came over to help me dye Easter eggs and make some treats to bring to my Grandma's on Sunday. We made chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate cake pops. The best desserts are the ones with the ingredients I don't enjoy... that way I can just take pleasure in seeing other people eat them!

Whoever thought of putting brown dye in an Easter egg kit is bonkers. What happened to primary colors people? 

Chocolate Cake Balls with Toasted Coconut:

1 bag unsweetened/sweetened coconut flakes

1 box cake mix 

1 can whipped chocolate frosting

1 pound almond bark

lollipop sticks

Spread the coconut flakes on a baking sheet (ungreased) and cook at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, tossing every five until they are a golden hue. Separate your dipping choices. (i chose sprinkles and toasted coconut, nuts would be good too).

Cook your cake according to the box directions. While still warm crumble in a mixing bowl.

Add  entire can of frosting to warm cake and mix well until all is covered. At this point I suggest rolling your balls (hehe) and chilling for an hour in the freezer/fridge (this way they are easier to roll, I learned the hard way). Melt your chocolate - I suggest in a glass bowl over boiling water (again, I learned the hard way and microwaved mine and it got hard faster!). Roll balls in chocolate and dip in your toppings! Stick a lollipop stick in them while hard and cool on wax paper in the fridge. Serve cold!

What to do with the left over chocolate??? Make chocolate covered strawberries!!

It's a Polish tradition to eat White Borscht on Easter. It is a horseradish soup with homemade stuffed kielbasa (made by my mom and uncle) which is smoked (by my cousin) and/or boiled, hard boiled eggs, pumpernickel bread and ham. I think the older you get the more you appreciate the traditions your family celebrates. I hope to pass this on to my kids one day! 

I come from a family who definitely knows their way around a kitchen! My uncle brews his own beer and my cousin Ryan made his own wine last year we finally got to try! Sooo good!

There were plenty of desserts!

CL worked on Easter, which was nice in a way because I got to spend the entire day with my family instead of running back and forth between our families!

Thank god I finally got new running shoes! I got fitted and treadmill tested for a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11's! I love love love them! It really does make a difference when you have the right pair of shoes!

 

Hope everyone had a great Easter!!

Happy Easter Eve

Hey Guys!
I decided to share a recipe I used in my guest post for Cait while she is on vacation this summer! Recently I have decided to branch out of my normal routine in the kitchen and try new and exciting foods!

If you are anything like me, tofu can seem weird and scary as a kitchen staple. It has been my mission to find new recipes that let's me incorporate tofu into my diet without realizing it's there. Just check out my tofu banana bread recipe. Silken tofu is great to use instead of eggs/oil and makes awesome smoothies!

While stopping by Barnes and Noble today, I saw a recipe I am dying to try. I had my friend Jenna take a snapshot of the page with her phone so I could share with you guys too! April is still bringing plenty of showers so I am still in soup mood occasionally.

Tofu Corn Chowder

Ingredients:
24 ounces firm tofu, cubed
1 large white onion chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
10 ounces frozen/canned/fresh corn
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups vegetable stock
4 medium red potatoes, cubed
1.5 cups milk
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions
1. In a large pan, saute the onions, peppers, corn and garlic until
the onions are translucent (with oil).
2. Add the vegetable stock, thyme and potatoes and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
4. Add the milk and tofu and cook for another 15 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper and serve!

Not too shabby huh? Trying new things can be exciting and fun as long as you have a good recipe to back you up ;-)

Hope everyone has a fabulous Easter tomorrow! I was busy in the kitchen yesterday. Luckily my sister spoils my dogs so Chance had a fab time too!

I'll post the recipes on Monday! 

xoxo,
Cara

The Grown Up Easter Basket

you have never really lived, until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.

Hi! I am in such a great mood today! It's my Friday at work, it's gorgeous outside and I just ate the best black bean burger combo I have ever made (no joke)!

When I first started this blog I had no idea I would have so much fun cooking and finding healthy recipes and running - I was NEVER a runner growing up. So I figured I would go back to my roots and try to incorporate more fun posts involving date ideas, fashion and things I love!

Easter baskets are not just for kids! I love finding reasons to do something special for CL, especially since he takes me out and spoils me often!

Here are a few of my basket stuffers: 

 chocolate

starbucks gift card

yellow button up or polo

mini white zinfandel wine bottles

The possibilities are endless - but this boy loves chocolate, coffee and wine. Plus, he looks mighty handsome in yellow which happens to be a fabulous Easter color. 

Peeps aren't just for eating anymore.

What a cute idea to use peeps and jellybeans to decorate your centerpiece. I think if I took these to my grandma's she would love it!

Make Easter Bunny Smore Jars to give to your cousins/friends.

Ingredients and Directions:
1. Reduce 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs.
2. Layer 2/3 of the crumbs in a 1 quart jar.
3. Place 8 marshmallow bunny peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar.
4. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.
5. Carefully spoon remaining crumbs in the center of the jar to support the bunnies, pressing down to keep it snug.
6. On top of this pour 1-1/4 cup Easter M&M's.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon.

Attach a gift tag giving the following instructions:
1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
(Makes 9 to 12 bars.)

Our First Easter

2008-2011 and still going strong! I can't wait to dye some Easter eggs tomorrow! Now in all seriousness I need your guys opinions. Tomorrow I am thinking of cutting my hair. I need all of your honest opinions.

Should I keep it long?

or cut it short?

I would really appreciate your guys feedback!!

xoxo,
Cara