Bites of My Life

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Why are Mondays such a thing? They aren't bad, but they definitely aren't awesome. I had a case of the big girl world this morning including paying bills, having car issues, and quickly watching my pay check go to zero.  Go real world go....To switch things around, I'm content with real world since the fun times have been outweighing the sucky parts.  Let's turn this Monday around with a little bite o' my lyfe.

-Avo toast, AB toast, figs and pears for a slow morning breakfast at home with sis!
-New roommate Lindz is here! I'm forcing her into loving OKC, barre3 and more of my favorite things. 
-#NationalWatermelonDay happened coincidentally the same day I stumbled across one of Chobani's limited edition flavors at Target! Tasted like a popsicle you would get from the ice cream man. 
-I went on a greek yogurt buying frenzy last week. So many flavors I just couldn't pass up. I have honey pear, plum and fig and lemon zest waiting for me in my fridge!
-Quinoa Taco Salad obsessed last week. I ate it 4 times in 48 hours.
-26 great years for my fab sis!
-Pretty food makes eating even more fun that it already is. 
-Known her since I was born and she still continues to amaze me! A bittersweet farewell as she is now UVA Law bound!
-Sunday supper won us all over last night! Used this recipe and highly recommend. 
Annie

M-O-R-N-I-N-G

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G-O-O-D M-O-R-N-I-N-G good morning, what what, good morning! We used to sing this good morning song all the time at summer camp growing up. I still sing it. I love the morning. I've gushed about my love for this time of day before. Monday was a good morning. With no work for sis and I, we decided a breakfast date was in order. We opted to not go out, but instead stay in and watch Hoda and Kathy Lee on the couch. Something that never happens now that work is a thing. 

Here's a glimpse at my breakfast inspiration. I wanted to bake something fancy to kick off Kat's birthday week, but my girl Ina always says, if you slave all day in the kitchen no one will enjoy it, especially you. When having guests over she always cooks a few things and buys a few things. Homemade almond butter and avocado to top our toast, with fresh figs and pears to snack on between bites!

Here's a "toast" to the morning, cheers! I love you a.m.
Annie

Taco Salad Tuesday

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I love a good taco salad. My mother really loves a good taco salad. Mom if you're reading, I'm thinking of you with this one! Last week my foodie friend posted a picture of a quinoa taco salad. You'll remember Noel from her amazing black bean burgers she guest posted on TAB. I was in mid bite of my quinoa fried rice, but instantly wished I was eating her Mexican dish instead of my Asian dinner. With tons of leftover quinoa from my fried rice I made sure to pick up some taco salad accompaniments at the grocery store this weekend to recreate her creation. 

I love love love this healthy version of a taco salad. Layers of quinoa, ground turkey, black beans and loads of veggies and cheese! 

Quinoa Taco Salad
serves 4

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 15 oz. can black beans
1 head of romaine lettuce

Toppings:
diced yellow onion
sliced avocado
chopped tomatoes
Mexican cheese
salsa
chopped cilantro

Directions:
Cook your quinoa according to package directions or use leftovers from your Quinoa Fried Rice! Over medium heat, brown the ground turkey. Drain the grease then add in taco seasoning. While your turkey is cooking, heat the black beans in a sauce pan over medium high heat. 

Chop your veggies and get all your toppings ready to assemble. Start with a base layer of romaine. Work up from there with a layer of quinoa, then ground turkey, then black beans. Load on all the avocado and cheese and salsa you desire! 

I love topping my taco salad with some of Trader Joe's  corn chile salsa. I picked up some during our weekend in Fort Worth and it's almost gone. I'm still holding out for OKC to get our own TJ's. Now go enjoy Taco Tuesday properly with a little quinoa taco salad! I'm enjoying TT via a tupperware of leftovers at my office desk...

Annie

Bites of My Life

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I started re-watching Gossip Girl last week so it's been a pretty good week. Bachelorette, new recipes, a new roommate, wedding pictures, and yoga, filled the days too. The fact that it's August though pretty much has my mind blown. I'm still denying the fact the summer has to end, so I'm not letting it. I have so many things to check off my to-do list still! 
This week is off to the perfect start this morning. A start to sister's birthday week includes breakfast and The Today Show at my house! I hope to keep the days slow and intentional this week. I want to savor every last bit of the carefree summer days before they get replaced with busy autumn months. 
-I can't stand you Kaitlyn, but at least you made the right decision. 
-I had quinoa fried rice running through my blood last week!
-Sister's wedding pictures came in on Thursday and I'm mildly obsessed. The funnest way to relive the best day. Only problem is how obnoxious I realized I can be. I'm talking mouth open, hands in the air, trying to get in every picture taken, kind of obnoxious. 
-Roommate Lindsay finally got moved in last week. We had the best time showing her OKC's best spots this weekend. I actually played tourist with her at our city's food truck festival, first time for both of us. 
-Made a b-line for the Mediterranean food truck. Got this incredible oregano chicken over rice with falafel.
-Not even two minutes after ordering it got completely knocked out of my hand...I was on the verge of tears. Don't mess with me and food. Bit my lip and went back to order it again, the truck threw in a free baklava because they felt bad for me!
-Pulled myself out of bed Saturday morning to celebrate our Lululemon's 2nd birthday at #SweatstockOKC! A full day of free classes out in front of the shop. Photo creds.
-An amazing yoga class by our favorite teacher with my day one yogi!
-Post sweat sesh refueling at The Red Cup. 
-A sea of S'well.
-Cookie butter rice krispies for friends and co-workers because I have to get this jar out of my pantry before I gorge the whole thing.
-Sunday night carbs during the premiere of Bachelor in Paradise. When one bachelor door closes, another opens. This show never ends. 

Annie

Quinoa Fried Rice

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I really have no idea why it has taken me so long to post this recipe. In school I made quinoa fried rice almost every Sunday night. It's the ultimate healthy comfort food! I always have frozen veggies in the freezer and quinoa stocked in the pantry, so it's a staple meal in my repertoire! 

This weekend while in Dallas, we had a sushi dinner at Shinsei. They told us they were known for their fried rice which they could make with white rice, brown rice or quinoa. Quinoa I hear?? They just spoke my love language. The dish came out with a fried egg on top instead of scrambled into the rice. Okay ya, so into that. I instantly knew I would be coming home to make it. I've now been eating it every night this week!

Cheat trick. I'm obsessed with this stuff. It's so easy to throw in while cooking and easier than trying to keep fresh garlic on hand. Second trick to my fried rice is using tamari instead of soy sauce. It's basically a gluten free less sodium version of soy sauce. It's still made from soy beans but leaves out the wheat and crazy saltiness you get from soy sauce.

Quinoa Fried Rice
serves 1

Ingredients:
3/4 cup cooked quinoa
2 tsp. coconut oil or olive oil, plus extra or frying your egg
combo of frozen or fresh corn, peas, edamame, carrots, broccoli etc.
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. tamari
1 egg
2 green onions, chopped
3 basil leaves, chiffonade (optional)
pepper
paprika

Directions:
Cook quinoa according to package directions. Quinoa is a 2:1 ratio. For example 2 cups water for 1 cup quinoa, or 1 cup water for 1/2 cup quinoa. I like to cook up a big batch and just keep it in the fridge to turn into fried rice or throw in salads. 

To make the fried rice, add 2 tsp. of your choice of cooking oil to a pan over medium heat. Cook frozen veggies until tender then add in garlic. Add quinoa to pan and mix everything together. Drizzle over tamari or soy sauce. Cook everything together until heated and combined. Transfer to a serving dish and wipe out your pan. Add a little more oil to the hot pan then crack your egg in slowly. Cover with a lid and let it fry, don't flip it! This will keep the yolk pretty!

Once your egg is fried slide it over the quinoa and top with chopped green onion and basil! I like to add some pepper and paprika for presentation! Eat with chopsticks and you now have healthy asian food at home!

My ultimate single girl meal. Dinner for one, check!

Annie