Monthly Archives

November 2013

Tasty

Lacinato Kale Salad

November 13, 2013

Lacinato Kale Salad

I came across this salad a few months ago and have been addicted ever since.  I can’t believe I haven’t shared it yet, because my routine as of late, has been to go to the farmer’s market and get 3 bunches of kale for $5 and whip up this salad Sunday night for work lunches for the week.

  174

172

207

I love this salad for many reasons… mainly because a. it tastes great, b. it’s easy to make, and c. you can make it days before you eat it (how many salads can you do that for!?).

186

197

So make sure to head on over to MarinMamaCooks.com and check out my favorite salad recipe!  I also like to use ricotta salata instead of Parmesan to mix it up!

203

248

*It is also recommended that you don’t use any paper-like leaves in your salad… so tune in next week to see what you can do with that leftover kale!

Travels

The Happiness Files

November 12, 2013

J and I got to go away for a few days to our favorite place – Maui!

20131111-125049.jpg

While we did run into some crummy weather our last couple of days… One can never complain with the sound of waves crashing and a Mai Tai in hand! Here were some of our highlights:

20131111-125356.jpg
Our view from our favorite burger spot for lunch (we always go to Cheeseburger in Paradise on our way in from the airport)

20131111-125711.jpg 20131111-125701.jpg

We have never ate so well on a trip… One of our favorites? Honu Seafood and Pizza (the best cocktail list and an amazing kale salad)

Papaya

My favorite tropical breakfast… Papaya and macadamia nuts

Merrimans Sunset

Merrimans Pink Sunset

Merrimans Restaurant Sunset

The coolest sunset I’ve ever seen – I’ve never scene a pink mist like that!

20131111-130518.jpg

The best plane food ever – Leoda’s Fried Brussel Sprout Salad and Coconut Cream Pie… A must go if you’re on the island!

Domestic

Happy Veteran’s Day

November 11, 2013

American Flag Taking today to honor and thank those that serve our country and protect our freedoms.  Thank you for your service!

Sip

Ginger Pear Sip

November 8, 2013

Chopin Vodka

For those of you that follow a gluten-free diet or have people in your life that do, you know how difficult meal planning can be.  It wasn’t until my mom started eating gluten-free, that I began to understand just how much of the food and drink we consume has gluten in it!

Chopin Vodka

No one could be happier than me, when I was introduced to Chopin vodka and their amazing products. Did you know they are one of the only major vodka brands to produce gluten-free products (namely their Potato Vodka – one of my favorites and included in the cocktail below!).

Pear Cocktail

They also meticulously produce their vodka in small batches at their distillery in Poland, using local ingredients and sustainable farming practices… doesn’t get much better than that!

Ginger Pear Vodka

So when I was invited to try out some of the vodka, I wanted to whip up a fall friendly vodka cocktail… so I now introduce to you The Ginger Pear Sip!

Ginger Pear Sip 

Add vodka, pear juice/puree and simple syrup to an ice filled shaker… shake thoroughly. Line the rim of a glass with lemon juice and dip in brown sugar.  Fill with ice and strain cocktail into glass.

Chopin Vodka Shot

Looks

Victoria Secret Hair

November 7, 2013

When I get dressed the first thing I do isn’t to pick my favorite shoes or my favorite top, but to decide who I want to be.  Sometime’s it’s the successful business executive, sometimes I want to be Jenna Lyons or Michelle Pfieffer in Scarface or maybe I’m having a hippy-boho moment… but for those times I just want to be goddess I bust out this hair style – Victoria Secret Hair.

victorias-secret-hair-and-makeup-2010-11-10-16-0-17

In college one of my roommates used to curl her hair daily and I didn’t understand how she had the time… until I discovered this hairstyle.  I literally can have curled, voluminous hair in under 10 minutes! Here’s how…

Prep. Use a volumizing shampoo/conditioner and blow dry hair.  Spray with a thermal protectant spray.

Blow Dry Hair

Step 1. Brush out your hair.  Brush Hair

Step 2. Clip up the top portion of your hair. 
Clip up hair

Step 3. Use a 1/4 inch barrel and curl away from your face (start 1/4 of the way down from your scalp).  1/4 Barrel Curling Iron

Step 4. Start curling at the top of the strand and work your way down (don’t curl from the end of your hair up) Hair Curling

Step 5. Let down the 2nd section of hair and continue to curl hair away from your face. Curl Away from Face

Step 6. Finish curling 2nd section (just make sure to curl away from your face on both sides) Finished Curls

Step 7. Tease your crown (I work in 3 sections, from back to front) Tease your Hair

Step 8. Curl top section of hair (make sure to start curl around eye level – don’t curl to root) Curl Crown of Hair Step 9. Curl the pieces around your face last (these are the most important!) Curl your Hair

Step 10. Add a little (or a lot) of hairspray and voila!!  Victoria Secret Hair