2012: A Fresh Start

I've always thought that New Year's resolutions were made to be broken. You know...plan to eat better, exercise and spend less money. Sure, January is a breeze but by the time February rolls around I am ready to ditch my resolutions for a greasy cheeseburger while laying on the couch in my latest and greatest stilettos. This year might be a little different. Instead of going balls to the walls I am going to ease into my new healthy lifestyle. This is the first time that I have made this dish. It is fresh and healthy but with a little indulgence thrown in there (bacon!). I plan to make this more in the spring when all of our farmer markets are open for business.

What you need:

1-2 pounds fresh green beans

1 white onion

6 plum tomatoes

6 slices bacon

2 cups chicken stock

 

What you do:

 

Clean and snip off the ends of your green beans. In a large sauce pan cook your bacon for just a few minutes then remove and set aside. Chop your onions and cook them in the bacon grease until they are transparent. Add chicken stock and green beans. Put a lid on your pot and simmer for 15 minutes. Add back in your bacon and quartered tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes longer then salt and pepper to taste. Yummy!

Banana Bread

Ever since I had my little boy we have had an abundance of fruit in the house. The only problem is that it goes bad before we ever get to use it. Bananas are no exception. The great thing is that if they go bad, you can freeze them and still make an amazingly yummy treat with them. This is why I started making banana bread. I find myself making this at least a couple times a month. It is perfect for breakfast on lazy Sunday mornings and makes your house smell amazing! Let me know if you try this recipe or if you have one that I should try.

What you need:

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 cup mushed bananas (2 medium)

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups flour

1 cup chocolate chips (just for fun)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

What you do:

Beat cream cheese, butter and sugar. Mix in bananas and eggs. Add all dry ingredients and mix a little. Bake at 350 for 1 hour 10 minutes.

Lemon Sunshine Cookies

I am beginning to think that there are 101 things that you can do with a boxed cake mix (it's true). This includes making Lemon Sunshine Cookies. With only a few simple ingredients, this has become my go-to recipe for whenever I need to take in a sweet treat to the office. You can use any flavor of cake mix to make these. Go with your favorite (I love lemon) or try something new like a spice cake mix with pumpkin pie spice for a unique October flavored cookie. I could think of a million great combinations that I'd like to try!

What you need:

1 egg

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 10 oz tub of Cool Whip

1 18 oz boxed cake mix

2 cups powdered sugar (for rolling)

What you do:

Mix the first 4 ingredients with an electric mixer until blended. Make small balls (2" in diameter is good) and roll them in powdered sugar. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes at 360. Enjoy!

Pop Burger NYC

Found this little gem right across the street from FAO Schwartz. After hours of shopping I was so glad to see food of any kind. Lucky for me this place had yummy mini burgers (2 packed in a cute little box) and amazing fries. I swear they were the best that I had ever eaten- perfectly crunchy! Wish they would bring Pop Burger to the STL...

Say Cheese!

So I am notorious for stupid ideas. I swear that my stupid ideas will make me millions someday. When Kate (stunning girl with great teeth/hair pictured above) told me about this place, Cheese-ology, that only serves macaroni and cheese I thought- hey, that is a great stupid idea! Of course we were there only hours after she had told me about the place. It is located on Delmar in The Loop of STL. With cute retro tables and open windows for people watching, it is a great place to stop in for lunch. They have different kinds of mac and cheese. I had the Santa Fe which included black beans, corn, salsa and a mix of cheeses. For those of you that wish to have a beer or wine with your macaroni and cheese, they have that too.

Sleepless in Seattle

One of my fave things to do is to travel. It never matters when or where I go. Each city has something unique to offer and there is always an adventure to be found. While away from home I find myself collecting little goodies and treasure to bring home to my friends and family. My friend (and co-worker) Nieman just got back from Seattle and to my surprise she was thoughtful enough to bring me back a few things. We both had a good giggle over the Sleepless in Seattle chocolate. Really? How funny is that?

How Sweet It Is

Today the office was feeling quite dreary and outside the weather was still wintry and grey (not to mention frigid). What else to lift the gloom, but a lunchtime cupcake from The Cup, located in the Central West End of STL. I walked in with all intentions of taking back the usual red velvet but today I was making an exception- Island Dream! I took my little goodie back to the office and back to my desk. Covered in coconut and topped with a pair of red sugar lips- couldn't get any better than that. I closed my eyes and had daydreams of warm tropical locals and sun-kissed tans. Twas a nice little vaca, even if it was for only a few minutes in between all of the social media antics on my to-do list.

Yummers.....

I've been dreaming of fried pickles lately, not sure why, but I have. They are AMAZING! My faves (pictured above) are from Llywelyn's Pub in downtown STL. They also have great happy hours and live music. Can't wait till spring comes and I can emerge out of hibernation. The best happy hours are spent on the patio!