[INDY] Girl in Love

Quick (Cinco de Mayo) weekend in review (& pictures) + What I'm Cooking

2012-05-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

D's parents came to visit it us for the weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect despite the Weather Channel making me nervous all week; I couldn't have asked for a better result. They brought Allen Brother steaks (AMAZING! Like better than Ruth Chris, amazing!) We grilled asparagus and I made one of my favorite salads, Mixed Greens with Grapefruit and Cranberries (from an earlier post). This meal was by far the best thing I've eaten in FOREVER! Sorry, no pictures of our meal. We were too busy stuffing our faces.

Later that evening the women played the men in euchre (best of 5 games) and we WON! That's 2-0 for the ladies!

Today, D and I focused on putting in some more sweat equity into our backyard. His parents also brought us a variety of fantastic flowers from their beautiful backyard. Here are some of the irises that didn't quite make it during transport but are blooming beautifully on my kitchen counter.

We decided to go to Lowe's to find a weeping tree and additional flowers. While there, we think we finally found a light fixture for above our dining table:

It's perfect!

After 2 trips, we had plenty of bags of soil, a Snow Fountain Weeping Cherry Tree, lilies and additional flowering ground cover.

Our little helper, Luna

It was brutally hot outside but it's not called "Sweat Equity" for nothing. D and I both got a bit burnt. Here's some of the progress we made.

Just need new mulch

We originally had a poorly-kept coy pond in that area but decided to take it out and fill it in instead. I think it was a good decision and will hopefully keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Once we called it a day on the yard work, we decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo (a day late). I made fresh guacamole from scratch. We added that to grilled, blackened chicken tacos and served that along with grilled Mexican corn on the cob (sweet white Indiana corn on the cob smeared with mayonnaise and drizzled with chili powder and topped off with cilantro. It usually calls for Cojita cheese or grated Parmesan but I didn't have any on hand.)

Guacamole

2 large avocados, cut into small cubes

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/4 medium white onion, chopped

1 medium jalapeno, diced small

1-1/2 TBSP cilantro, roughly chopped

1 lime, juiced

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and stir. I like to smash some of the avocado pieces but also leave some chunks.

D says this is the meal he could eat everyday. What a wonderful end to a truly fulfilling weekend. Hope you all enjoyed your Cinco de Mayo weekend!

The Perfect Night-Before Pre-Marathon Meal! What I'm Cooking: Turkey and Artichoke Heart Pasta

2012-05-04T12:07:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, a recipe will hit me like a ton of bricks and I'll obsess over the flavors until I can get myself into my ~~domain~~ kitchen. I was at work the other day and I was craving spaghetti. Recently, my meals have been on the lighter side and I was yearning for something heavier and heartier. Work days can be a bit challenging because I work such long hours and oftentimes, I get home and crash, with just enough energy to complete that night's P90X workout.

But on this particular night, I was motivated to buckle down and make exactly what I wanted. I went to the pantry, grabbed what was available and came up with this:

Turkey and Artichoke Heart Pasta (makes 4 large servings or 6 small servings)

1 cup whole grain wide noodles (I used Ronzoni Healthy Harvest)
1-1/4 lb lean ground turkey
1/4 tsp cumin
2 large garlic cloves, minced and divided into 2 portions
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 8-oz can artichoke hearts (quartered), drained
3-1/4 cups spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup red wine
2 TBSP balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp crushed red pepper (I like it spicy!), divided into 2 portions
salt and pepper, to taste

In a pot of boiling salty water, cook the whole grain pasta until it is al dente (approximately 7 to 8 minutes).
In the meantime, in a large pan, over medium heat, cook the ground turkey with the cumin, half of the minced garlic, and half of the crushed red pepper until it is cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add the remaining garlic and onions to the same pan and cook for a minute. Pour the red wine and balsamic vinegar on top to help scrape up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan and to help soften the onions. Cook uncovered for a few minutes until the onions and garlic have softened and the red wine and balsamic have reduced by half. Add the cherry tomatoes and using a spoon, gently squish them against the bottom of the pan. Once the tomatoes look like they have softened up, add the artichoke hearts, tomato sauce, herbs, garlic and remaining crushed red pepper. Reduce heat, add the ground turkey back in and let simmer for several minutes. Once the noodles are done, all them into the pan, along with a spoonful of the pasta water, and mix all the ingredients together. Season with fresh ground pepper and serve into bowls.

This dish is having a bit of an identity crisis. It's not sure if it's an Italian pasta or whether it's a version of a chili. Either way, it was exactly what I was aiming for. I have really been loving canned artichoke hearts and hearts of palm lately. They have showed up in several of my recent dishes.

I've had leftovers for a few days now. It was perfect for my work lunch yesterday. Even going with the larger portion, I was able to stay under 500 calories. I know that we are definitely into summer now with temperatures close to the 80s but I still thoroughly enjoyed this meal!

PS, I am NOT running in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon tomorrow but I have several friends who are. So to you awesome/crazy people, I wish you the best of luck!

What I'm Cooking: Blackened Tuna Cakes with Sriracha Cream Sauce & Corn and Jalapeno Relish

2012-05-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

The majority of the time, I find cooking inspiration from others. The wonderful world of Pinterest (the mental crack for domestic princesses-in-training and bored housewives all over the world) makes it easier than ever to find recipes, crafts, home decor, fitness and fashion ideas. Pinterest has exponentially increased my (previously nonexistent) ADD and further exacerbated my already serious shopping compulsions. Eventually there will be a legitimate medical service called Social Media Therapy and I will be lying down on a couch expressing my inability to disconnect. Until that day, the pinning must go on....

Earlier this week, while aimlessly scrolling through Pinterest, I came across this delicious recipe for these Tuna Cakes by Skinny Mom.

via Pinterest

I just happened to have all the necessary ingredients already so I decided to give them a try. In the past, D has mentioned several times that he hates canned tuna, (he said he bit down in a bone one time which totally grossed him out) so, I was taking a bit of a risk making these. I decided to play around a bit with the ingredients but I think I did a pretty good job.

Blackened Tuna Cakes served with Sriracha Cream Sauce & Corn and Jalapeno Relish (makes 2 servings)

2 cans tuna in water, drained
2 tsp blackened seasoning (I used Zatarain's)
1/2 medium white onion
1/3 cup roasted garlic bread crumbs
2 large egg whites

Sriracha Cream Sauce (makes 2 servings)

1 tsp Sriracha hot chili sauce
1 TBSP mayonnaise
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek Yogurt

Corn and Jalapeno Relish (makes 4 servings)

2 small ears of sweet corn
1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 jalapeno (seeded)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup black bean (drained and rinsed)
1 lime, half juiced
salt and pepper to taste

In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the canned tuna, blackened seasoning, onion, bread crumbs and egg whites. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Divide into 4 separate balls and then flatten out like a burger patty.

In a medium sized skilled, spray a generous portion of cooking spray, and get up to medium heat. Place 2 tuna patties into the skillet and cook until both sides have a nice browning on the outside (a couple minutes on each side). Repeat with the remaining 2.

Instead of using chipotle chiles in adobo for the serving sauce, which Skinny Mom's recipe called for, I went with Sriracha because I LOVE IT! I put this on everything! In a small bowl, combine the Sriracha, mayonnaise and Greek yogurt. I served them in ramekins on the side.

To make it a complete meal, I threw together a deliciously bright and tasty corn and jalapeno relish. In a medium sized bowl, I cut the corn off the cob. (Next time, I'm going to grill them first. I love the charred flavor of corn on the grill.) I added the quartered cherry tomatoes, seeded jalapenos, black beans and cilantro then squeezed out the juice of half a lime and sprinkled a pinch of salt and pepper, giving it all a nice stir.

I placed a lime wedge on each plate and voila, a delicious and healthy meal was created! This whole meal was under 500 calories per serving. D was a bit hesitant to give them a try but ultimately, he loved them and got an entry into the Clean Plate Club.

What I'm Cooking: Artichoke Heart and Asparagus Spring Salad

2012-04-16T14:00:00.001-07:00

I wasn't planning on writing a second post today but I am really excited about the salad I just made for lunch/post-run. (I ran a little under 2 miles which is kinda laughable but I can't mention enough how much I hate running so as long as my legs hurt afterwards and I felt my heart rate rising, I'm satisfied.) I had several food items in various Tupperware containers and fresh produce on its way out. This inspired me to whip up this delicious Spring salad:

Artichoke Heart and Asparagus Spring Salad (1 serving)

1/2 TBSP Olivio Coconut Oil Spread (I swear, I'm not a paid spokesperson, but maybe should be)
4 spears asparagus, diced
1 TBSP pine nuts
1-1/4 cup canned quartered artichoke hearts
1/2 cup northern beans (drained and rinsed)
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
1/4 red bell pepper, diced
1 TBSP fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
salt and pepper, to taste

Dressing

1 TBSP Garlic Expressions Classic Dressing
1 TBSP fresh lemon juice

1. Heat the coconut spread (or butter or olive oil) over medium heat. Add the diced asparagus and saute for approximately 5 mins. Add the pine nuts and continue over heat until the nuts start to look toasted. Season with salt and fresh ground pepper.
2. In the meantime, in a medium-sized bowl, combine the artichoke hearts, northern beans, scallions, red bell pepper and cilantro. Use a grater to zest the lemon over top.
3. In a ramekin or small bowl, combine the juice of the lemon with the Garlic Expressions vinaigrette dressing. Give a quick whisk.
4. Add the asparagus and toasted pine nuts, as well as the lemon pepper seasoning, to the ingredients in the medium-sized bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and stir all the ingredients together. Season with additional salt and fresh ground pepper, if needed.

Calories: 385; Fat: 14g; Carbs: 44g; Protein: 17

Seriously, ENJOY! This salad is very well balanced with lots of different texture. It has 385 calories and 17 grams of protein so it is definitely packed with nutrients and the perfect sized meal!

Today is Going to be a Killer! Making the Most of ME-Time + Tone It Up!

2012-04-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

On the days that I work, I find it very hard to cram in everything I want to get accomplished. I only work 3 days a week but it can really put a cramp in my desired routine. I get up at 5am, shower/get ready, make a smoothie and rush out the door. I have long 12-hour shifts which most of the time is spent sitting on my butt at a desk. 9 flights of stairs gives me a mid-morning and mid-afternoon mini-workout. Then when I get home, I rush to make something for dinner that will give me enough energy for a workout without bogging me down. A big salad; grilled chicken with a veg; a quick throw-together pasta. By the time my food has digested and I'm ready to work out, it's usually 9 o'clock or later. P90X's daily routine's range from about an hour to an hour and a half. I finish off my post-workout with a protein shake, take a quick rinse-off shower and drag my exhausted butt into bed (which is close to 11.) If i'm working 2 or 3 days in a row, that cycle can be really grueling.

On my days off, however, I like to take my time but also spend it as productively as possible.

I almost always sleep in (10am is my usual); not productive, but I need to refuel this old machine.

I make breakfast, like today's:

Whole wheat English muffin, 1/2 TBSP Olivio coconut oil spread, 1/2 TBSP peanut butter, 1/2 banana

I catch up on my favorite blogs and research ideas for my own blog.

I sometimes catch up on a few of my DVR-ed shows, like this season's Bad Girls Club (yes, very guilty pleasure)

I look for recipes. Lots and lots of recipes.

More recently, I look for new workouts. Today I got my first Tone It Up Bikini Series email which took me to their blog. Ever since Katrina and Karena's perfect physique pictures started popping up everywhere on Pinterest, I have been totally enamored with these girls: their work, their lifestyle (hello, they live in sunny, Southern Cali, travel around the world, can surf, skateboard, etc. You name it, they can do it), their perfectly, chiseled and sculpted bodies. They are just so darn adorable!

via

Ok, I might have a bit of a girl-crush. Point is, I totally admire and respect the Tone It Up empire they are creating. Today they talked about creating a Visualization Board to help you stay on track and keep the momentum going. I really need to sit down and do this soon. It is great to see a daily reminder of what you are aiming for.

I also watched a few of their Bikini Series YouTube videos. I highly recommend subscribing to their YouTube account. Lots of useful videos. Today I'm going to do the Bikini Beach Bum and Bikini Strap workout.

And finally, they are also collaborating with Self Magazine for the Drop 10 Challenge. Again, an amazing source of useful information. Do these girls ever have a day off? Ok, enough with my ~~obsession~~ admiration with TIU.

It's already close to 1pm so I need to get the ball rolling....I'm also going to try and go for a 30 minute run even though it sounds like there's a massive wind storm outside. When D gets home, it's the beginning of Week 5 of P90X/Phase 2. We're supposed to be starting off with Chest, Shoulders and Triceps but we're currently missing that DVD so we're just going to do Chest and Back plus Ab Ripper X.

Holy cow, I've got a lot on my plate but I need it. I didn't work out on Saturday or Sunday and I had a few adult beverages so I am definitely feeling the effects. Wish me luck!

*J

I AM IN THE ZONE! >> What I'm Cooking (Recipes Galore) + Week 4 P90X Results

2012-04-13T15:24:00.000-07:00

For now, I'm taking my blog in slightly a different direction, not that I think anyone really cares AND not like my blog has ever really had FOCUS. It's my blog and I'll write what I want to (I kinda just sang that in my head). I'm going to continue to write about the usual stuff (my adventures dining out in Indy, my family/friends, home improvements, etc) but I'm also going to chronicle my journey into living healthy and the trials and tribulations associated with getting into shape. I, by no means, specialize in nutrition or exercise so consult with an expert and take whatever you want from my little blog - the little nook I've carved out in the wonderful world of the internet.

I've had such positive energy lately which has translated into creativity and motivation. There is renewed life in our beautiful kitchen (no cob-webs up in here). I haven't bought a cute outfit in ages but our fridge and pantry has been stocked with fresh produce and health-conscious staples. I see that as an investment with better pay off. I'd hate to waste a paycheck on an outfit when my muffin top is raging or my saddle bags are rearing their ugly face. Eating right and exercising doesn't really provide the instant gratification that retail therapy has in the past but I never feel the buyer's remorse either. Although I moan and whine before and during a hard workout, I've never looked back and thought "Geez, that was a mistake." I've also cut back on the alcohol, significantly. I really don't have the room in my ~~diet~~ nutrition plan for the empty calories and it's been wonderful not having the bloat from all the carbonation. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy a beer or glass of wine when out socially but otherwise, I don't see any need for it. A solid workout has become my de-stresser after a long day of work.

My workouts over the past 4 weeks consisted of following the Classic P90X schedule which goes as follows:

Day 1: Chest & Back + Ab Ripper X
Day 2: Plyometrics
Day 3: Shoulder & Arms + Ab Ripper X
Day 4: Yoga X
Day 5: Legs & Back + Ab Ripper X
Day 6: Kenpo X
Day 7: Rest or X Stretch

I didn't follow this schedule down to a T but I tried my best. Week 4 was supposed to be a rest week but I didn't want to! A couple days I added a 30 minute jog or did a Tone It Up workout instead. D refuses to do Yoga X with me so I do it by myself on a day off, like today. We are missing a couple of the DVDs which I hope to get soon because Week 5 mixes it up and add some new workouts.

I definitely can't give all the credit to working out. A HUGE portion of it has been my adjustments to my eating habits. I mentioned this in my previous post but I'm going to say it again: MyFitnessPal for iPhone (and I'm assuming Android) can be your best friend. I know it sounds tedious and completely anal to record everything you eat but I think it is essential. It is downright scary, to me, to think of how many weekend benders I've had in the past where I ate/drank probably 3000+ calories a day. Quite frankly, I should be obese. By carefully monitoring what you eat, you have the ultimate control. I try and keep my calorie consumption under 1500. Because I've incorporated physical activity, I've added 300 more calories from the usual 1200 I would aim for prior to starting up P90X. I can safely say that there hasn't been a single night that I've gone to bed hungry. I eat nutritionally dense foods, mostly fresh fruits and vegetables. I tend to stick with poultry for my meats (occasionally I will eat red meat). I also find a great source of protein from beans, tofu, eggs, etc.; not to mention, the delicious protein shakes post workout.

Below are some recipes of the meals I've made over the past couple weeks as well as some of my go-to items.

On days that I work, I typically go for a smoothie that I can quickly blend up and take with me as I rush out the door. My 20 minute drive is perfect for me to easily and conveniently drink a smoothie down while listening to my favorite sports-radio channels.

SKINNY GREEN MONSTER (makes 1 serving)

2 cups baby spinach
1 banana
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
3/4 cup skim milk
1 TBSP creamy peanut butter

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

PEACH BANANA SMOOTHIE (makes 2 servings)

2 cups frozen peaches
1 banana
2 TBSP creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1 cup skim milk

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

STRAWBERRY PEACH SMOOTHIE (makes 2 servings)

1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen peaches
2 TBSP creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1 cup skim milk

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

Not too much difficulty with the smoothies. Blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are a great option too. Beware of seeds!

I also want to recommend Nature's Path Organic Flax Plus Cereals. I've tried the Red Berry Crunch and the Pumpkin Flax Plus Granola. They are so delicious, a great source of Omega-3 and not loaded with sugar.

Nature's Path Organic (Flax Plus) Red Berry Crunch in a empty jar of peanut butter.
Giving it one last hoorah before heading to the trash.

Here's what I had this morning:

Whole wheat English muffin with 1 TBSP Olivio Coconut Spread, 1/2
fresh grapefruit, low fat cottage cheese with a handful of fresh raspberries

Nothing super special but at right around 320 calories, it did the trick! I have to take a minute to thank my friend *Fefe for accidentally leaving my a container of Olivio Coconut Spread because I'm obsessed. I use it with everything!

For lunch and dinner ideas, I've scoured the internet looking for great, easy recipes, especially soups that make a large enough batch for dinner and then again the following day, work lunches for both D and I.

Curried Carrot Soup (makes 6 servings) Adapted from Eating Well

3 TBSP canola oil
2 tsp curry powder
8 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
4 medium stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
5 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
1TBSP lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
fresh ground pepper

1. Cook oil and curry powder in large saucepan over medium heat, stirring until fragrant (1-2 minutes). Stir in carrots, celery and onions; toss to coat in oil. Cook, stirring frequently for 10 minutes. Stir in broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes.

2. Using an emulsion blender (or regular blender in batches), blend until it's a smooth, pureed consistency. Pour into bowls. Season with fresh squeezed lemon juice and salt and pepper.

Chicken Enchilada Soup (makes 6 servings) Adapted from Skinny Taste

2 tsp EVOO
1/2 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups low sodium fat-free chicken broth
8-oz can tomato sauce
2 tsp chipotle chili in adobo sauce
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
14.5-oz can petite diced tomatoes
2 cups frozen corn
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground chipotle chili powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
2 8-oz skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Optional: scallions, shredded cheese, fat-free sour cream, avocado, lime wedges, tortilla chips

1. Heat oil in dutch oven (or crock pot) over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft (3-4 minutes). Slowly add chicken broth, tomato sauce and chipotle adobo sauce and bring to a boil.

2. Add drained beans, diced tomatoes, corn, cumin, chipotle powder, and oregano, and stir. Add the chicken breasts; cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.

3. Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks. Add chicken back into the soup, adjust salt and cumin to taste. Serve in bowls and top with sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), scallions, cilantro, avocado and lime.

Turkey Chili Blanc (makes 4 servings) Adapted from Better Homes and Garden

12 oz uncooked ground turkey (extra lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 12-oz can/bottle beer
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
2 tsp instant beef bouillon cubes
1-1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sauce from chipotle chiles in adobo
2 15.5-oz cans great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1TBSP lime juice
Optional: sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), cilantro, lime wedges, ground chipotle chili powder

1. In a large saucepan, cook turkey and onion over medium-high heat until turkey is no longer pink and onions are tender; drain.

2. Return to saucepan and stir in beer, water, broth, jalapenos, bouillon cubes, chili powder, cumin and adobo sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. Stir in the drained beans and lime juice; heat through.

3. Mash half of the beans to thicken chili; stir and ladle into bowl. If desired, garnish with sour cream, cilantro, lime wedges and chipotle chili powder.

Chicken and Avocado Soup (makes 4 servings) Adapted from Skinny Taste

5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups shredded chicken breast (I used leftover rotisserie chicken)
1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 cups scallions, chopped fine
2 ripe avocados, diced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped fine
4 lime wedges
2 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
pinch cumin
pinch chipotle chile powder

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add 1 cup of scallions and garlic. Saute about 2 minutes then add tomatoes and saute another minute, until soft.

2. Add chicken stock, cumin and chile powder and bring to a boil. Simmer, covered on low for about 15-20 minutes.

3. In each bowl, fill with 1/2 cup chicken, 1/2 avocado, scallions and cilantro. Ladle 1 cup chicken broth over the chicken and serve with a lime wedge.

Lately, I've also been on a major salad kick!

Mixed Green Salad with Grapefruit and Cranberries (makes 6 servings) Adapted from Eating Well

2 red grapefruit
1/4 cup EVOO
2 TBSP minced scallions
1 TBSP white-wine vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
8 cups torn red leaf lettuce
1 shallot, thinly sliced
6 cups baby spinach
1 14-oz can artichoke hearts, drained and cut into bite-size pieces
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

1. Remove the skin and white pith from grapefruit with a sharp knife. Working over a bowl, cut the segments from their surrounding membranes. Cut the segments in half on a cutting board and transfer to a large salad bowl. Squeeze the grapefruit peel and membranes over the original bowl to extract 1/4 cup grapefruit juice.

2. Whisk oil scallions, vinegar, salt and pepper into the bowl with the grapefruit juice.

3. Add lettuce, spinach and artichoke hearts to the salad bowl with the grapefruit segments. Just before serving, toss the salad with the dressing until well coated. Sprinkle cranberries and pine nuts on top.

Tuna and Avocado Spinach Salad (serves 1)

I tossed this delicious salad together the other night so ingredient measurements may not be precise.

1-1/2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup red leaf lettuce
1/4 cup red bell pepper
1/2 cup red onion
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup craisins
1 can chunk light tuna in water
1 tsp dijon mustard
juice of 1 lemon wedge
dash of lemon pepper seasoning
2 TBSP Garlic Expressions Classic Vinaigrette

1. In a small bowl, mix tuna, dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon pepper seasoning.

2. In a medium salad bowl, combine spinach, red leaf lettuce, red bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado and craisins, and toss.

3. Top with the tuna and drizzle the Garlic Expressions Classic Vinaigrette dressing.

For the past 2 days, I've made the same exact thing for lunch. I am on a sweet potato kick. It is an entree and a dessert all in one (especially topped with coconut spread and a dash of cinnamon). I also improvised this simple, yet totally scrumptious salad.

Citrus Salad (makes 1 serving)

1 cup fresh baby spinach
1 cup red leaf lettuce
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup scallions
1 TBSP craisins
1/2 medium orange, diced
1/4 orange, juiced
1 TBSP Garlic Expressions Classic Vinaigrette

1. Start building the salad with the spinach and lettuce, cherry tomatoes, scallions, craisins, and diced orange segments.

2. In a small ramekin, add garlic vinaigrette and orange juice. Give quick whisk and pour over salad.

So what are the results?...drum roll....

I've dropped 3 pounds on the scale. Not really the numbers I wanted to see but the actual physical ones are the best! See for yourself:

It may not seem like a lot but to me, it's fantastic. By far, my stomach and hips have always been my trouble spots and they are shrinking every week. My clothes are fitting looser. My hips aren't flaring out as much as they used to. The thought of pools opening up in about a month in a half doesn't seem as daunting; in fact, I'm excited.

Getting in Shape in 2012: Eating Right + P90X

2012-04-09T16:04:00.000-07:00

D and I are going to Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in t-minus 120 days (but who's really counting). This will be our first major vacation together so we are beyond stoked.

via

I've already bought my first bathing suit for our trip:

Via

Can they also throw in her body please?!

D and I have made the commitment to get (in his case, back) into shape! Up until about a year ago, he was still active. He played soccer in high school and then for years after that, he played with friends in a few recreational leagues. He was always in the best of shape until a knee injury about 2 1/2 years ago and our move to the south side of Indianapolis put a damper on that.

Me, on the other hand, I gave up active sports when I got into high school and instead played varsity golf. I did minimal activity and managed not to balloon up until about the age of 26 when I started my notice my flailing metabolism. So over the past couple years, I've done my best watching what I ate and for the most part, when I was really dedicated, I was able to keep my weight down. At my heaviest, I weighed about 136lbs. I put myself on a strict eating regiment and over about a year and a half, lost almost 20 lbs, which was just in time for my best friend's wedding last Fall. But after that, when the cold weather started coming in, I resorted to the comfort food and the convenience of fast food (what idiot decided to put a McDonald's in my place of employment?). I was lucky and only managed to put on about 8lbs, considering the junk that I was consuming. It was in January that I really started to notice how "squishy" I appeared. Most people would say to me, "you're pretty tiny, why do you need to lose weight?" and while yes, I'll agree that I'm petite, I'm also lacking tone or definition.

In February, I started to get back into my strict diet. I call it a strict diet because I am absolutely anal about recording my food. I still eat delicious food, I just focus on healthy choices and portion control. I used to use Spark People but the MyFitnessPal app for iPhone is just so awesome and easy to use.

For a couple months, I was in a bit of a cooking lull but I've bounced back. I really enjoy cooking because it's fun and relaxing but also because I love knowing exactly what I'm eating.

Here's a preview of what I've been whipping up lately. My plan is to post all the recipes on Friday (the 13th dun dun dunnnn!)

Green Monster Smoothie

Baked Orange Salmon with Citrus Salad

Tofu Stir Fry

Curried Carrot and Ginger Soup

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Turkey Chili Blanc

Mixed Greens Salad with Grapefruit, Artichoke Hearts, Cranberries and Toasted Pine Nuts

A couple years ago, I got sucked into the continuous replay of the P90X infomercials and on an impulse, I went ahead and purchased the program. You can't help but be amazed at the testimonials from the people who have done it. But when I got it, I did it 2 times, decided it was too hard, and packed it away. What a ween-wad!

Flash forward to now, with the support and combined participation, D and I have decided to give it another try. We're in a much more conducive place in our lives. We have the desire, the time, and the space to do it. We're starting our 4th week today!! I really enjoy the Plyometrics and the Yoga X. I've never really been able to do pull ups, ever, so instead I do a modified version using a chair. Hopefully, by the end of the first round of P90X, I'm able to do a few without.

ME WEEK 1 (not fun to post):

NOT ME (but what I'd ultimately like to get to):

via

I am already seeing results (I'll post a new body picture once we complete Week 4) which really are the best motivation. I'm not so focused on the scale because the number isn't going down as fast as I'd like but I'm seeing definition in my arms, legs and stomach. Not only that, I am over that initial 2 weeks where every muscle in your body aches and it seems nearly impossible to do simple things like pull a shirt over your head or walk up a flight of stairs, I'm excited to workout and constantly looking for new inspirations. I even squeeze in exercises while D is at work or at my work by taking the stairs (all 9 stories up to my unit). I have begun doing them 2-3 times a shift. I've also begun easing myself into running which I despise with every morsel of my being. It doesn't help that I haven't quit smoking yet which is a MAJOR goal of 2012 (I know, feel free to smack me).

Here are some websites and tools that have been insanely helpful:
Pinterest.com - A great way to find endless amounts of health and fitness blogs
Tone It Up - I love the girls of Tone It Up but not really able to invest $ into their program, yet. They send out emails with very helpful tips and tricks. They also are working with Self.com which is just as useful.
Self.com - Great articles and reads on fitness and health. Also, great healthy recipes.
SkinnyTaste.com - Delicious recipes with nutritional info
EatingWell.com - Another site chock full of healthy options
MyFitnessPal - I had the app on my iPhone for forever but never used it until a couple weeks ago. Now, it's my go-to app to log and track everything that I eat which is key (I think) to the weight loss aspect of my body transformation. I love that you can scan the bar code of the foods you eat and it will automatically pull up the nutritional information.

What do you use to keep motivation or what have you tried that has delivered results?

I feel like I'm getting into the best shape of my adult life and couldn't be happier. Jamaica here we come!

Love is in the Air!

2012-04-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

I have very exciting news on the home-front: My beautiful, wonderful, amazing, exuberant, magnificent (ok, I think you get the picture) mother announced that she is getting remarried! It caught a lot of us by surprise, considering they've only been dating for a short period of time, but as it's been said before: When you know, you know. So that being said, I am over the moon with excitement. Just the thought of going wedding dress shopping for my mom gives me butterflies beyond belief. She so deserves the love of a good man and has been patient over the past 12 years. I always knew in my heart she would find what she was looking for. So, it looks like they are planning for a mid-summer wedding. I can't wait to hear how the details pan out.

We enjoyed a nice "engagement dinner" at Stone Creek Dining in Greenwood. I enjoyed a wonderful dish of Pan Seared Scallops over Sweet Potato, Andouille Sausage Risotto and topped with a Watercress Citrus Salad - divine!

I loved seeing my brother and his family. It is crazy how much my niece and nephew have sprouted over the past couple months.

My grandmother also got to join in with the celebration. Love that woman!!

As my BFF always used to say, "I love LOVE!" and I couldn't agree more. I am surrounded by the most amazing, loving people and it is the best feeling in the world.

Burgers & Beers Exciting the Exploding Downtown Foodie Landscape:: What I'm Eating: BRU Burger Bar on Mass Ave

2012-03-23T11:10:00.002-07:00

My first experience dining at a Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG) establishment was at their Stone Creek location for a private event years back. My brother and his wife got married in Michigan and then had a small, private dinner reception at Stone Creek in Noblesville at a later time. I was definitely impressed with the service and food.

Months later, D and I were just beginning to date and living downtown gave us ample opportunities to try new and exciting places. We especially liked the eclectic Mass Ave area. At the time, I didn't realize Stone Creek and Mesh were affiliated so we walked in not really knowing what to expect. The former Scholar's Inn building had been transformed from a dark, stuffy scene out of the Sopranos into a modern contemporary establishment with beautiful hand crafted decor and amazing lighting, so they started off on the right foot. The staircase and the brilliant chandeliers were so eye-catching. It was pretty crowded which I took into account was because of its infancy. From what I can remember (this was over a year and a half ago) the service was a bit shaky and slow and although the food was pretty decent, I found myself having a hard time justifying the price: a few rounds of drinks, a couple salads, an order of scallops and fish tacos, a shared dessert and a bill near $100. All in all I would say this is a solid place to celebrate very special occasions but not somewhere I would frequent.

Then flash forward to a few weeks ago, I started to hear/see buzz around a fairly new restaurant along Mass Ave that certainly peaked my interest: BRU Burger Bar. Upon further research, I discovered they, too, were owned by CRG. The menu and the atmosphere sounded much more attuned to our tastes, not to mention, they boasted a pretty swell local craft beer menu. I immediately recognized the location as a place that D and I walked by so many times on our many strolls downtown. I often wondered what it was since it seemed to be so centrally located. Although, the day we went was chilly, I could easily envision BRU being a major hot spot anytime the weather is nice. There is a nice large patio area and they have these large windows that can open up. The interior is small and has CRG's signature touch of design. High-end wood work, unique lighting fixtures, one of a kind art on the wall. But what BRU has that I think Mesh really lacked was a casualness and youthfulness. It was a Saturday around 2 yet the place still had a pretty decent amount of patrons. The crowd was very mixed: young hipsters; an artsy older couple; men in polo shirts; a woman with bright red hair and her kids in tow. We decided to belly-up at the bar and immediately began eyeing the beer list. We were greeted by the bartender who was pretty friendly and eager to take our order.

Now, I want to preface this next part by saying that D and I are, by no means, connoisseurs of beer. We are sophisticated enough to enjoy and appreciate local, craft beer and we do frequently but it's not beneath us to just grab a case of Miller Lt and call it a night. I worked in high end restaurants and learned how to pair beer and wine with food so I have an advantage over D when it comes to those things. Anyways, I was thirsty and decided to ask our bartender what I should try. They have a very impressive tap list and a nice import bottle list. They recommended Sun King Brewery's Chocolate Wee Mac, the one featured on the black chalk board. D went ahead and just ordered a Blue Moon, something that is safe and that he knows he likes. This was met with a bit of "Are you sure you want to go with that? You should definitely go with the Wee Mac. Blue Moon is okay and all but...." I'm paraphrasing because I can't quite remember verbatim. D then answered back to the tune that he's not really a chocolate guy and especially not mixed with beer yet the bartender still insisted and gave him and I a sample to try. He politely said it's good but that again, it wasn't his cup of tea and instead ordered the Bell's seasonal and not the Blue Moon, since that kinda implied to be a silly choice. I actually liked the Wee Mac a lot and decided to order a glass (even though the flavors would eventually not pair very well with my burger choice). Here's my no-expertise beer enthusiast's description: dark in color, medium in body (definitely not as heavy as it appears) with strong notes of chocolate, better yet: Tootsie Roll! See, I'm not an expert. Anyways, the whole point of my beer story is that a lot of customer service has to do with reading your guest and knowing when to give a proper recommendation and when not to give unsolicited advice. In that brief exchange, the bartender was helpful to me because I had asked for their opinion and not helpful to D and even a Wee ~~Mac~~ bit insulting. It never hurts to give recommendations but don't make the guest feel stupid for not knowing about or liking a certain food or beverage.

That aside, the rest of the experience was actually quite enjoyable. The menu is beautifully inspired with hints of several different cultural cuisines. Really, every aspect of the menu looks delicious. Roasted Jalapeno Mac and Cheese. Sriracha Caesar Salad?! You had me at "Sriracha." The Country Fried Shrimp Po Boy really caught my eye but the name of the place is BRU Burger Bar so we focused primarily just on the burgers. Our plan of attack was to each get a different burger and one add the fries ($2) and the other add the onion rings ($3) since the burgers come a la carte. I went with the Ground Turkey Burger because the description was just so interesting: Carrot Ginger Slaw, Peach Compote, Curry Mayo.

This burger was bursting with flavor, especially yellow curry. The peach compote added a real balance of sweet and smooth. The slaw was crisp and refreshing and I loved the multi-grain bun. The burger, itself, was a tad dry but that tends to happen often with ground turkey. Overall, I enjoyed it but certainly look forward to trying the other burgers on the menu.

Speaking of which, when I first glanced at the menu, I knew immediately that D would go with the Mexicali BBQ Burger and of course, I was right. You had him at "queso" and "guacamole."

This thing is a monster of a burger, yet D ate every last bite! Spicy, ooey-booey, and juicy is how I would describe it. Then they go on further and add one of their onion rings just to be more awesome. Which brings me to one of my other absolute delights: the onion rings. They are quite possibly my favorite onion rings in the city. They were so light and airy and the batter was fantastic. They are lightly battered yet fluff up so much from incorporating the good quality beer which you could really taste. Also, when I bit down, the whole onion didn't slide out which is great since I have little grinders and have a hard time biting down sharply on anything. And to add the cherry on the top of the perfect onion rings, they go and serve it with their own house-made ketchup. I don't think my wording or my picture does enough justice for how much I L-O-V-E their ketchup. They take Red Gold tomatoes, a little bit of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar (i'm guessing) and concoct the most wonderfully simple condiment I've ever tasted. Brilliant!

I definitely enjoyed my first experience at BRU Burger Bar and can't wait to get in there again especially on a bright, sunny day. We finished our second round of beers and the end of the basketball game that was on and made our way out the door. Sadly, we were greeted at our car with a $20 parking fine for an expired meter. We must not have asked for enough time. Stupid parking meters! Anyways, definitely give BRU Burger Bar a try and let me know what you think!

BRU Burger Bar

410 Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
(317) 635-4278

CRG continues to provide Indianapolis and surrounding areas with top quality establishments that keep my interest piqued. For more information, click on the links below:

Mesh on Mass

Stone Creek

Cunningham Restaurant Group

Belated Post >> What I'm Eating: Pizzology in Carmel

2012-02-27T11:34:00.000-08:00

My birthday is January 21st and my younger brother's is February 3rd so we typically go out to dinner annually with my mother to jointly celebrate. He's 2 years younger than me, married, and the proud father of 2 adorable kiddos. They live in Noblesville so I don't get to see him and his family quite as often as I'd like.

Aw, wasn't he such a stinkin' cute kid

When my mother suggested just ordering pizza and eating at her house, I quickly chimed in to proclaim that Pizzology was on my restaurant bucket list and wasn't too far from her place in Fishers.

Pizzology is another brainchild of Indy restaurateur, Neal Brown, located at 131st and Hazel Dell Rd in Carmel. It is described as "Neapolitan Craft Pizza. Local, artisanal ingredients" Sounds intriguing enough to me. It also boasts a nice local craft beer list, too. But most importantly, for this occasion, the key was to find a place that was kid-friendly. My niece is 1 and a half and my nephew just celebrated his 6th birthday. As much as I'd love to enjoy an upscale birthday dinner, convenience was necessity.

It is located in a small shopping center on the west side of Hazel Dell Rd and is located a little ways back from the road so we accidentally drove past it the first time (just be on the look out). The interior space is artfully designed. To the right is a bar area that, on a Tuesday night, was completely empty and then to the left was the main dining area. This is not a humongous space but I think that it works since it's supposed to be a neighborhood joint. The focal point of the restaurant is the open kitchen with eat-up bar so that you can sit and watch your pizza being assembled and then tossed in the wood-burning, brick pizza oven.

My nephew with "Oma"

Couldn't put his Nintendo DS down

We were quickly greeted by our delightfully wonderful and knowledgeable server, I want to say her name was Maria but I'm having a bit of a brain-fart. None of us had dined there before so we all intently listened as she named off the specials and added some personal recommendations including Sun King Brewery's Malus Pi. Excellent choice. I call it cider beer on steroids with wintry, spice notes.

I had done a little research prior to going and was told by a few people to ask for the bread sticks that are not on the menu. We got a couple orders of those while we perused the rest of the menu. I don't know why they aren't on there because they are insanely delectable: doughy yet not too much raw flour flavor; crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside; and finally, sprinkled with sea salt and Parmesan. I can't forget to mention that they're served with house-made Parmesan cheese sauce and fresh marinara. Both orders were eaten quickly and enjoyed by all!

The Tony's Fritters immediately caught my attention so we also put in a order of those, as well.

You betcha I added a poached farm-fresh egg to that thing! I first must say that I am salivating reminiscing about this unique appetizer that I ate almost a month ago.

When it came out, I immediately smelled the earthy, warm aroma of the truffle. I quickly broke open the poached egg so that the warm, creamy yolk served as an additional dipping sauce. They utilized the truffle as a oil drizzle and as a lightly whipped truffle butter (heavenly). This small plate was so decadent, boastful and completely unexpected. Lucky for me, the kids and a few others weren't interested so I got to eat most of it. BRAVO!

For our entrees, we ordered 2 pies: 1 for the adventurous eaters (CARNI) and 1 for the tame eaters (PEPPERONI)

When I think of my perfect pizza here's how I construct it in my mind:

Hand-kneaded dough that is thin and crispy
House-made tomato sauce was is slightly chunky, sweet and lightly seasoned
Layer of rich, salty white cheese, not too much, and not so rubbery that it all comes off in one bite
Local, fresh, seasonal ingredients
Baked in a brick wood-burning oven

This is how I ultimately describe the Carni pizza. I call this the "Perfect Date" pizza: Porchetta, Mortadella and Pepperoni for the man and arugula, thinly sliced rings of white Spring onions and salty, briny capers for the lady. This is a knife and fork kind of pizza that encapsulates all the flavor basics: crunchy/melty, salty/sweet, fresh/baked.

The Pepperoni pizza was equally crafted. Even my picky-eater nephew ate some.

I think my brother polished off most of it, though. That guy can eat anything, at any quantity and gain 0 pounds.

Although I was completely stuffed and slipping into a bit of a gluttonous food coma, I riskily ordered some Pistachio gelato. I knew everyone else would take a little bite and that in the end, a sweet cap is always a good call. Of course, I was right again.

I just love the rich, creamy, slow-churned quality of gelato. Then mix it with the saltiness of the pistachio and it's just divine. We easily polished it off and took a moment to let the digestion process begin.

The Birthday Boy with a variety pack of K-cups

Amateur photographer

My Mama and I

Smile, D!

I must give another huge congrats to Neal Brown in creating an experience quite different to that of The Libertine downtown. Both equally share an obvious love of cooking, thoughtfulness in crafting a full bar and food menu, and ingenuity of doing so by utilizing local resources. Pizzology caters to a more suburban and family-oriented crowd at very family-friendly prices while not sacrificing quality.

I sure hope that it won't be long until talented, Indy restaurateurs venture down to the south side of Indianapolis which I think is just dying to be tapped! (wink, wink! hint, hint!)

PIZZOLOGY (on Twitter @pizzology)

www.pizzologyindy.com

13190 Hazel Dell Parkway Carmel, IN 46033
(317) 844-2550

My Super Bowl XLVI Recap

2012-02-10T11:54:00.000-08:00

Holy cow! Last week was such a blur here in the great state of Indiana! Super Bowl XLVI came and went with a fury and I have never been so proud to be a Hoosier!

I experienced the Super Bowl frenzy as a complete Joe Schmo (or Joan Schmoan, in my case):

No fancy-schmancy NFL or VIP parties
Hardly any celebrity citings (I saw a contestant from The Biggest Loser and the ESPN guys broadcasting from far away)
We tried to hear LMFAO perform but were so far back that we couldn't see or hear anything (just lots of yelling and pushing)
D and I (and the doggies) watched The Big Game from the comforts of our couch

But, I don't feel deprived at all. I walked around the city and took it all in like a tourist or out-of-towner. I certainly felt that way walking around on Georgia Street/Super Bowl Village. I barely recognized a stretch of the city that I'm otherwise totally familiar with. I nom-nom-nom-ed on some delicious food truck grub (see my previous post). I drank beer, lots and lots of beer! I soaked in the hypnotizing excitement that the city of Indianapolis had oozing out of its veins.

The crowd for LMFAO

My 2 best friends and I

The following series of pictures were one of the highlights of my whole Super Bowl experience. My friends and I stumbled into Howl at the Moon (the dueling piano bar on Meridian St, just a block or 2 from Banker's Life Fieldhouse). I always have an entertaining time when I go there and Friday was no exception. The crowd was a lot more ~~intoxicated~~ animated than usual but it made for an insanely great time....

LOL!

Say cheese cute Mr. Piano Man

Someone made a request to play Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline, an oldie, yet goodie! But of course, a nay-sayer in the audience just had to rain on that parade and offered $100 for it not to be played. But just in time, this guy came up on stage and offered $250 for it to played AND asked for the microphone....

Where it began, I can't begin to know when

But then I know it's growing strong

Oh, wasn't the spring, whooo

And spring became the summer

Who'd believe you'd come along

Hands, touching hands, reaching out

Touching me, touching you...

Oh, sweet Caroline..BOM BOM BOM!

Good times never seem so good! So Good! So Good! So Good!

I've been inclined to believe it never would....

He had the entire bar up and dancing! He totally rocked it OUT!! I don't know if he was local or from out of town but he became a rock star to the whole place that night.

After that crazy night, D and I spent all of Saturday lounging around. We vowed to not drink on Sunday since we were nursing hangovers from hell. But when we woke up on Sunday we were refreshed and revitalized and...OUT OF BEER! I frantically tried to figure out what we were going to do but thankfully, through the magic of Twitter, our beer prayers were answered. Flat 12 Bierwerks (@Flat12) was selling bullets and growlers until 4pm. Bless them! I got in the car and quickly drove over there to get 2 growlers, Flat 12 Amber Ale and the Super Bravo 46 Extra Pale Ale.

They went perfectly with the bacon wrapped jalapenos and from-scratch spicy sausage pizzas we made.

Fresh jalapenos, onion & chive cream cheese, bacon!

Roast garlic infused olive oil brushed all over dough

Pizza sauce made from stewed tomatoes, onions, garlic, oregano, basil, and balsamic vinegar, s/p

Topped with mozzarella and ground spicy sausage (Love my pizza stone)

Perfect, thin crust pizza!

Luna and B during the game...

But now the party is over. And so, too, is the freakishly balmy weather that surprised locals and visitors alike. We're back to being the sleepy, Midwest city that we were before the end of January. We're back to not pretending we're employees of TMZ chasing celebs around town. We're back to full work weeks. We're back to $5-$10 parking. We're back to a slow, comfortable pace and I'm okay with that.

Super City! Super Foods! Super Bowl XLVI!

2012-01-27T15:25:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl week officially kicked off today!! As an Indiana native who has been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to play host city to one of sport's most amazing events ever, I got downtown as soon as I could to soak up the excitement. I wanted to beat the crowds that will, undoubtedly, be converging onto Super Bowl Village today. I have February 3rd tickets to the NFL Experience so I'll just have to wait to get inside there. Even at 11am, the circle and the surrounding streets were abuzz with people: Super Bowl Host Committee volunteers, vendors, business people and all the locals, like me. I was so happy to see an overwhelming amount of faithful fans reppin' their Colts apparel. I wore my #18 jersey. It felt like Blue Friday!

I started my way to the Monument Circle because it was lunch time and I was starving. I was anxious to see all the food trucks, new and old. As I approached, I had to stop to admire the 33 Super Cars that lined the south end of Meridian St. Each of the 32 NFL teams are represented plus 1. It was such a wonderful way to intertwine Indy racing in with the Super Bowl.

Hopefully, the winning team's car!

I took this pic for my friend, Pat, who is a die-hard Dolphins fan

The most beautiful one out there, of course! (No bias)

The Super Cars create a path to the most focal point of downtown Indianapolis: the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument standing so stoically on Monument Circle. And right now, you can't miss the GIGANTIC, Super Bowl XLVI Roman numerals.

Gives me the chills just to be standing down there!

At this point, my tummy was rumbling! (Think Chris Farley on SNL "Back off!! I'm STARRVING!") The first rotation of Super Bowl XLVI Food Trucks were set up along the Northwest side of Monument Circle.

I have been a follower of the local food truck scene in Indianapolis from its infancy. I love that so many people are able to create a successful start up business and my belly gets to reap the rewards!

Here are some of my personal pictures, some of my favorites and some newbies. Also, be sure to check out some of my old posts!

Duos - @duosindy

Featured in Duos Food Truck Revisit from July 4, 2011

Featured in Duos Food Truck - Slow Food Fast from June 2, 2011

Taco Lassi - @TacoLassi

Gypsy Cafe - no Twitter (bad!)

Edwards Dashboard Drive-In - @dashboarddiner
For a true Indiana Pork Tenderloin
Previously featured in Here Come the Food Trucks

Their house-made Root Beer! Awesome!

Safari Kitchen - (again, no Twitter. Boo!)

Marble's Cafe - (Tweet, tweet...?)

Little Eataly - @littleeataly
Man, these guys look good!

Ivey Spice (Rocking out in the former Hoosier Fat Daddy Bus Cafe. Sorry to see those guys go)

Mac Genie - @macgenietruck

These guys lured me in with the robust aromas of cheese. I think they used specialized fans to waft it into everyone's nostrils. Mac and cheese with a gourmet twist. O.M.G. Get out of town! No, wait! Please stay and stay for a long time. The menu sounded quite impressive and offered several different flavor combinations.

I went with the Steakhouse Mac - Blue Cheese, Steak, Asparagus, Sun Dried Tomatoes. It was heavenly! The seasoned, toasted bread crumbs added a flavorful, textured bonus to the entire meal. A bit on the rich side but warmed me up and filled my belly. I saved the leftovers for D. They are are going to do A-OK in Indy if they keep dishing out food like this!

Scout's Treats - @scoutstreats

Featured in Here Come the Food Trucks from November 2, 2011

Despite being completely stuffed, I knew I couldn't leave without grabbing a delectable goodie from the Scout's Treat Truck. I asked for a suggestion and went with Mrs Scouts Red Velvet.

These mammoth delights are a mix between a cupcake and a muffin. They are always jam-packed with surprise morsels like chunks of chocolate, and then they are generously slathered with the smooth, cloud-like icing - in this case, cream cheese flavored!

I didn't stick around long enough to see the second rotation of Super Bowl XLVI Food Trucks and sadly I was missing out on some of my oldies, yet goodies!

Floribbean Flair - @floribbeanflair
Featured in Here Come the Food Trucks from November 2, 2011

Tacos Without Border - @tacoswoborders

The NY Slice - @thenyslice
Featured in Here Come the Food Trucks from November 2, 2011

West Coast Tacos - @westcoasttacos
The truck that started it all :)
Featured in Here Come the Food Trucks from November 2, 2011

Scratch Truck - @scratchtruck
Another one of my all-time faves
Featured in Scratch Truck - Modern Comfort Food from May 28, 2011

For the full line up and description of all the food trucks, visit Bob over at Around Indy. He's assembled a very organized and professional round up of all 23 official Super Bowl XLVI Food Trucks.

After I had conquered my hunger, I used the warmth and convenience of walking through Circle Center Mall and the Convention Center to check out Super Bowl Village running down Georgia St. Here are some awesome pics I captured while walking around!

The Zip Line

The Super Sized Signage

Is it wrong that I cringe every time I see the Patriots' logo?

The Turf

The Ice Sculpture Wall & The Fire and Ice (over 21) Lounge. VIP!!

More Indy Cars

The Entrance to the NFL Experience (See you next Friday!)

The Right-to-Work protesters/Party Poopers!

Georgia St. all blocked off to motorized vehicles

ESPN setting up to broadcast at Pan Am Plaza

The heaters were up and running but after being outside for over 2 hours, I had hit my wall and my fingers were starting to go numb. I made my way back to the parking garage, paid the ~~criminal~~ lovely $20 "Event" parking fees and made my departure.

I couldn't leave downtown without stopping to admire one other Super Sight....

The JW Marriott and the Lombardi Trophy signage

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Regardless of the outcome next Sunday, (GO GIANTS!) Indianapolis is going to be the real winner! (Go Eli!) I am going to relish in every moment next week.

Happy Birthday to ME! What I'm Eating & Drinking: Devour Downtown - The Libertine & Tavern on South

2012-01-26T12:52:00.000-08:00

For my birthday, all I wanted to do was spend a wonderful evening with D enjoying a delicious meal accompanied with some fine, adult beverages. I was ~~whining~~ saying all week that Devour Downtown was going on and that wonderful opportunities to try some of Indianapolis' finest restaurants were slipping away. I had Oceanaire and St. Elmo's on my radar but they didn't have any reservations available. Fogo de Chao for $30 a person was a steal but I'd been there before and besides, I wanted to go LOCAL! Luckily, D made a reservation in the nick of time for me to at least enjoy one DD restaurant I haven't been to before, Tavern on South.

To make the most out of my birthday night-out, I suggested we kill two birds with one stone and go for pre-dinner cocktails at another local place that had been on my Indy Bucket List, The Libertine Liquor Bar, which was also participating in Devour Downtown.

THE LIBERTINE (click here for more info)

Nestled in a rather narrow, location wedged in between 2 other businesses off of Washington St, from the outside I really had no idea what to expect. I've read the reviews on the place and was fully aware the the owner, Neal Brown, and his reputation among Indy as a top chef, but I had to check it out for myself. Every once in a while I like to dress up and sip on something other than a Miller Lite. And besides, it was my birthday, after all.

Upon entering, I immediately notice the dark, swanky atmosphere projected by the dark walls and ominous lighting. The place is packed, presumably because it's 7pm on a Friday and one of the last days of DD. One of the hostesses explains that there are 2 communal, bar-height tables that are first-come, first-serve so we grab the one near the window. The bartenders were outfitted in such appropriate 1920s attire but with a modern twist which was also the case for the decor: industrial but inconspicuous. D and I are a huge fan of the HBO series, Boardwalk Empire, so I really tried to soak up the ambiance of the Prohibition Era that The Libertine tries to portray.

I have to be honest, I think we were both a bit intimidated by the drink menu. This was far from our comfort zone. Not to say we haven't experienced a mature cocktail before; this was just a little out of the norm. We only had time for 1 cocktail before we had to head to Tavern so I went with the Pimm's Cup, a cocktail that I had heard in an episode of Boardwalk Empire.

D went with the Seelbach Cocktail Redux.

D accidentally handed me his drink, seeing that it was served in a "martini" glass. I quickly told him that it was his and pointed out the prosecco on the menu that was in his cocktail. Although he might have thought the drink looked girly, there was nothing girly about it. The Kentucky bourbon was the dominate flavor and quite frankly took me by surprise (not in a bad way). The bit of orange peel and the subtle acid of the prosecco helped to mellow it out.

The Pimm's Cup was exactly what I was looking for; something crisp, light but full of bright notes. Really the cocktail had me at ginger brew which is something I really enjoy. I am also a huge fan of gin but have to really be careful. Too much gin makes me angry :) The cucumber and the citrus helped intensify the flavors of the sharp gin and the sweet ginger beer. This will be a summer time go-to beverage of mine, for sure!

Our tab was about $20 for just 2 drinks which means we probably won't be going there on the regular but I look forward to trying out the food which I heard is equally intriguing as the beverage menu. We settled our tab and headed to our main attraction.

TAVERN ON SOUTH (click here for more info)

In business, they say LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! And with the Super Bowl festivities kicking off this weekend, very few places are more closely in proximity to Lucas Oil Stadium than Tavern on South (basically South St & Missouri). It's located in a double-decker, renovated building in the Wholesale District on the south side of the city. They've done a superb job rejuvenating the building itself without losing the essence and history. D and I really enjoyed the blown up, black and white historical Indianapolis photographs.

They, too, were quite busy but we were sat immediately in a two-seater next to the impressive, full service bar. Our server, Chris (I think) was very friendly and quickly pointed out the Devour Downtown menu. It took me a little bit to decide what wine to order because I couldn't decide what I was having for dinner: the red meat or seafood...decisions, decisions....Finally, I went with the Lump Crab Cakes (I saw them being delivered to another table and just couldn't resist) and a glass of their recommended Brassfield Sauvignon Blanc.

For my First Course, I went with the Tavern Salad. All the accouterments listed (sweet and spicy walnuts, dried cherries, Granny Smith Apple vinaigrette) really pulled me in minus the goat cheese which is the one cheese in the world that I can't wrap my taste buds around.

Despite the goat cheese, this salad was amazing and vibrant. I didn't really understand the "candied asparagus" that was described on the menu. The granny smith apple vinaigrette was ingenious because the tartness really balanced out the sweetness of the candied walnuts which were also a highlight. All in all, a perfect start to a 3-course meal. D went with the Caesar Salad. I didn't hear much about it other than he ate it all.

Chris did a pretty good job timing our entrees because shortly after we finished up our salads, they arrived. Again, I went with the Lump Crab Cakes which I don't think are featured on their main menu, but should be!

I could barely hold out long enough to take a few glamour shots of my plate. The aroma of the crab meat and the vibrancy of the tomato and onion relish was so overwhelming. I've been to the East Coast, South Florida and Southern California so I know what fresh seafood is supposed to take like. These crab cakes didn't disappoint: Jam-packed with real, lump crab meat with a perfect sear on each side which were not overly greasy or filled with too much breading; lemon aeoli drizzle was creamy but not saturating the cakes; and the tomato, red onion and white bean relish was the cherry on the crab-Cake! Bravo, Tavern!

Now on the other spectrum was D's Chargrilled Filet Mignon. This was probably the low point of our entire meal and unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of his plate. The cut of meat itself didn't appear to D or I to be a filet unless, perhaps, they butterflied it. Why would you do that without informing the guest? It just didn't have that plump, scallop-like presence that a filet typically has and it was cooked a bit over the medium-rare that he ordered. Also, the Blue Cheese Fritters that were served with the filet were very dry and left a funky after-taste. Nonetheless, he ate the rest of my crab cakes I didn't eat in order to save room for dessert.

Thankfully, Tavern's third and final courses went out on a very high note with their desserts. I went with the Crème Brulee.

The vanilla custard was prepared perfectly smooth and refined, precisely bruleed on top. Then, to go over-the-top, they added a miniature, strawberry fruit bar, just because.

D went with the Viennese Apple Strudel; another sweet home run.

Tart, yet ripe apples sliced and sauteed in their house-made caramel sauce and cinnamon then rolled into a thin, flaky pastry and served with cinnamon ice cream. Not to be shy, they ladled in more of the caramel sauce in the bottom of the bowl.

Both desserts provided the perfect sweet-cap without being rich and overfilling. D and I ~~licked our bowls clean~~ finished our desserts and settled up with our server. While we were dining, the entire city of Indianapolis had been blanketed by sleet and freezing rain. We decided to call it a night and let our full bellies digest.

So to recap, I had a wonderful 28th birthday thanks to The Libertine and Tavern on South! Lately, I haven't been able to go out as much as I want but I had a great night exploring two culinary gems that downtown Indianapolis has to offer. I really wish I could have made it to more of the Devour Downtown restaurants but I know that the Summer edition will be here before we know it. For more information, visit their website: www.devourdowntown.org.

What I'm Cooking: Asian (Cooking) Invasion

2012-01-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

It's no big surprise that I'm Korean! Let's take a quick ride in my time machine....

Hipster circa 1984

I look like a baby doll

How presh!

Striking a pose with my little brother (He's not so little anymore)

I'm thinking this is when I was in 6th or 7th grade

Here are some fun facts:

1) I was adopted. I was born in Seoul, S Korea and lived with a foster family until I was 3 months old.
2) I don't speak the language, at all. I actually have 2 Caucasian cousins who have lived and taught English in Korea that speak the language fluently. Also, I love (sense the sarcasm) when creepy, old Korean-war vets come up to me and try to say something to me in Korean. (Met with a blank stare) It's often followed by "When I was over there...blah blah, I loved the food...blah blah, I loved the women..." (OK, time for me to go!)
3) In college, I briefly lived with another Korean girl who tried her best to help me learn the food. language and culture. Hey Sandy! (if you happen to read this) It was her who first introduced me to Korean barbecue (and Koreans' love for Karaoke).

Thanks to this eye-opening introduction into Korean cuisine, I have had a major love affair ever since. The flavors are so indigenous and unique and so far-removed from Chinese or Japanese cooking with the use of sweet sesame oil and the sour pickling of anything they can get their hands on.

In my free time, I've been collecting recipes that I ~~lie to~~ tell myself I'll get around to trying. One.of.these.days.

So I decided to try my hand at one of the more well-known Korean dishes: KALBI (Korean marinated short ribs). I found a great recipe from Food Network.

Kalbi Flank Steak - original recipe can be found here

2lbs flank steak

1 cup brown sugar

For the marinade:

1 small onion, peeled and finely grated

1 small Asian pear, peeled and finely grated

4 tablespoons minced garlic

1 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup rice wine

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish:

2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)

To start, I generously massaged the flank steak with the brown sugar and set aside in a large bowl.

To make the marinade, I decided to make my life a whole lot easier. I took my onion, pear and garlic and tossed them together into my food processor. All the fine chopping and dicing is done in a matter of seconds.

In a medium sized bowl, I whisked the soy sauce, water, rice wine, sesame oil and black pepper in a medium sized bowl. Then I combined the minced veggies. I poured the marinade over the flank steak (still in the large bowl), covered it with saran wrap and stuck it in the fridge. To make the most of the marinade and to really tenderize the steak, I let it marinate for 24 hours.

D was in charge of grilling it up. I recommend searing it for 3.5-4 mins on each side to get a perfect medium rare. Once it's done, let it sit and rest for 5 minutes.

(I know the meat doesn't look like a true medium rare. The pictures are from our first attempt. We corrected ourselves when we made this meal again 2 days later.)

I poured the remaining marinade back into a plastic container to use again at a later time. This stuff is not something you let go to waste.

Prior to finishing the Kalbi Flank Steak, I looked for some more recipes of side dishes that I thought would really compliment the beef. Thanks to my love of other creative, magnificent bIoggers and websites, I discovered interesting recipes for Steamed Egg Cup Soup and Egg Fried Rice.

I found the Steamed Egg Cup soup on the blog Escapades in Cookery. This is based on a Japanese recipe called chawan mushi (steamed tea cup). This was a risky recipe because I had to improvise the preparation based on the recipe I found and the equipment I had to work with (I don't own fancy tea cups).

Chawan Mushi (Steamed Egg) - original recipe can be found here

4 eggs

1 cup chicken stock

1/2 tsp rice wine

1/2 tsp soy sauce

pinch of salt

2 shiitake mushrooms, sliced into strips

1 green onion, chopped

I like to start all recipes by getting the veggies chopped so I sliced the shiitake mushrooms and chopped the green onions and set them aside.

Then I whisked the eggs, chicken stock, rice wine, soy sauce and salt in a medium sized bowl.

The author of the original recipe had a wok with a steaming rack which I don't. Instead, I used my rice/vegetable steamer and just prepared it in the steamer bowl. I combined all of the ingredients and placed them in the steamer. I just had to watch and continuously monitor how the soup was doing. This took about 8-10 mins in all. Once I poured the soup into 2 separate bowls, I topped it off with fresh, ground black pepper.

And lastly, I found the easiest Egg Fried Rice recipe from All Recipes. I didn't want anything overly complicated because at this point, the marinade aroma from the flank steak was invading my nostrils and I was starving!!

Egg Fried Rice - original recipe can be found here
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 cup uncooked instant rice
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup green beans
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a medium sized sauce pan, I combined the first 3 ingredients and brought them to a boil. I added the instant rice, stirred and then removed from heat and set it aside.

In a large, deep skillet (I NEED a real wok), I heated the vegetable oil to medium heat and sauteed the onions and green beans for a couple minutes. Then I poured in the lightly beaten egg to fry up and scramble (approximately 2 mins). I introduced the rice into the skillet and let the whole combo mix and heat up together. Lastly, I added freshly ground black pepper.

And finally!!...we were ready to chow down!!

I think my night's dessert was seeing D's face of complete enjoyment and satisfaction. This was a team effort and we totally hit it out of the park.

To my fellow bloggers, does your significant other get annoyed by you not letting them dig in until you've been able to capture a few glamour shots of the food?

Luckily for us in the Indianapolis Area, if you're ever not in the mood to cook, there are quite a few Korean places around town. I definitely recommend you try them out. Click on links for more information.

Cafe Korea
Naked Tchopstix
MaMa's
Bando (no website) (317) 897-8277

New Year, New Additions! Our Newest Dog LUNA

2012-01-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

2012 is rolling through with ease. I have a renewed sense of energy (possibly just caused by an extreme case of caffeine jitters), a zest for getting back in the kitchen, and a larger family!!

I want to take a moment to introduce you to the newest addition to our family: LUNA!

Hello, sweet girl! Wish my dirty sneakers weren't in the background, grsh!

D and I had been contemplating expanding our starter family for months now. Little Miss B seemed depressed and between our busy work schedules and (let's be honest) laziness, she wasn't getting the proper exercise that she needed. When we lived downtown we always said, when we get a house with a fenced in yard, we'll look into getting a second dog. Then when we moved into our new home we started focusing on projects and the 2nd dog idea got pushed to the side. Now, several months in, many of our projects have been checked off our list so we decided to look into it again.

Between D and I, we put in some serious man-hours surfing the web and looking at the local shelter websites. I focused most of my energy on Indianapolis Animal Control. They are filled to the brim with cats and dogs and sadly, they appear to be a fairly high-kill shelter (none of the animals seemed to have an intake date longer than a few months). Because of this, their adoption fees are only $60 compared to the $125+ we'd seen elsewhere.

I went there on 4 separate occasions, both with and without D and Little Miss B to scope out the prospects. It is so insanely sad walking through Doggie Death Row. So many of these animals seem like they'd be the perfect Best Friend for any family while others look like they have lost hope and know their fate. I could never work there because you'd eventually see me on an episode of Animal Hoarders. I have to give many thanks and much admiration to the workers and volunteers that dedicate themselves to such a stressful and, oftentimes, tragic job.

Over the weekend, I finally convinced D to come look at some of the dogs I'd previously looked at. We drove over there and I had him go walk through the kennels and narrow down the ones he liked to introduce to B. The shelter staff member brought at 3 dogs out, one at a time, for a more personal meet and greet. Although B seemed to get along with all of them, there just weren't *SPARKS*. B seemed a bit overwhelmed and just plain over it when our final candidate was brought out. Talk about saving the best for last. She was a brilliantly, brindle-colored, one year old mutt, slightly bigger than B but similar in build. They immediately hit it off, playfully romping around together outside. Neither one had their hackles (we learned that's what the hairs on dogs' necks and spines are called) raised and they seemed to really enjoy themselves. It was pretty much love at first sight for all parties involved so after lots of paperwork and a little bit of lecturing on how to integrate the new dog into our house, the four of us packed into my car and made our way home.

Transitioning a new dog into a household is a little nerve-wracking, especially when B has been our sole little princess for a while now. I tried to listen to all the words of wisdom I've acquired from Cesar Millan over the years. Think: CALM ENERGY!

We've taken all the necessary precautions: separate food bowls and eating spaces, supervised play for the first few days, close observation of any aggressive behavior. I couldn't have asked for a better circumstance between Luna and B. The only sad part is that B is the submissive of the two dogs, which I had previously observed from taking her to the Broad Ripple Dog Park. Luna is top dog: she decides which bed to sleep on; she enters/exits the house first; she herds B where she wants her. It's just natural for dogs to assume their roles so we can't force nature.

Sisters!

Sleepy after some major playtime!

End of Day 1 (Thanks, D for this lovely picture) This is seriously where I fell asleep

So, so far, so good. Luna has only had one accident in the house (Day 1). She is the biggest cuddler and the sloppiest kisser. She has even managed to muscle and pout her way into sleeping in our bed (although we might have to nip that in the bud soon because she is a space-hogger). FYI: 2 humans and 2 dogs in one queen-sized bed is a recipe for disaster and a guaranteed sleepless night. That being said, I think D and I made the perfect choice. I look forward to many rewarding and fulfilled years with, both, Little Miss B and Luna Girl!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT IF YOU ARE THINKING OF GETTING A DOG OR A SECOND DOG, ALWAYS LOOK TO THE SHELTERS FIRST. THESE DOGS ARE THE PERFECT COMPANIONS TO ANYONE. PUPPY MILLS ARE THE SOURCE OF SO MANY PET STORES AND BREEDERS. FYI, INDIANA HAS A SCARY-HIGH AMOUNT OF ILLEGAL, INHUMANE PUPPY MILLS. FORGIVE MY SERIOUSNESS BUT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM THAT CAN BE CONTROLLED AND STOPPED BY PEOPLE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

One more thing, in the famous last words of Bob Barker:

"DON'T FORGET TO SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS"

No need for Starbucks here! Keurig love & Peppermint Mocha

2012-01-05T05:18:00.001-08:00

Besides my Chop and Scoop, my most beloved and used Xmas '11 gift is my Keurig (from my mama!). Until then, I was never really a coffee drinker. However, as instant as the Keurig delivers my coffee, so too was I hooked! It's amazing how uncomplicated it is and clean up is so minimal. My mother also explained that you can buy the K-Cups on Amazon for less!

This morning, I got a little creative and used some holiday leftovers to whip up my own version of Starbuck's Peppermint Mocha.

• 1 Keurig single-serving K-cup (I just grabbed the Breakfast Blend)
• 1 Milk chocolate Lindor Truffle
• 1 peppermint stick
• dash of Coffee Mate vanilla creamer

I stick the truffle and peppermint stick in the bottom of my coffee cup before brewing so it instantly starts to dissolve and mix throughout the coffee. Add creamer at the end and VOiLA!

Quick. Simple. Soooooo satisfying! Especially for people like me who are up at 5am for work.

I accidentally deleted this post from back in November...Wacky Weather & What I'm Cooking: Easy Peasy Caprese Salad!

2012-01-04T14:52:00.000-08:00

I'm stuck in a major Cooking-Blogging-Shopping-Exercising RUT. It seems with the turning of the seasons, so too has my motivation to do any of the things that normally bring me inspiration and happiness. I blame it on the weather which has been acting insanely bipolar here in Indianapolis. One day we have a high of 70 degrees, the next it's down to the 40s. We had monsoon like rains and gail force winds just a few days ago and I was certain our roof was going to fly off at times.

Today, it took every bit of energy to make myself take Little Miss B on a walk. Despite the sunny blue skies today, the wind is brutal and I instantly felt like a was getting bitch slapped in the face by Mother Nature. But thankfully, with the help of my Adele station on Pandora, we pushed through. I even kept the momentum going when we got home and finally did some much-needed B grooming: nails trimmed, ears cleaned out (dogs with floppy ears have the stinkiest ears on the planet!), and brushed her teeth (1st time I'd done it & I must say she did a great job. I think she liked the toothpaste).

Also today, I whipped up a wonderful snack. I call it my own little spin on the classic Caprese salad. Fun. Easy. HEALTHY. Delishhhh!

I started with (pictured below) cherry tomatoes (halved), red onion (chopped thinly), fresh Mozzarella cheese (cut into small cubes) and fresh basil (thinly sliced) all combined in a bowl.

Then I sprinkled it with a bit of salt and pepper and about a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and a generous drizzle of my yummy honey-balsamic glaze.

(To make the balsamic glaze:: over medium-low heat in a sauce pan combine half a cup of balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons of honey. Reduce liquid by about half and then remove from heat to let it cool down and thicken.)

Combined, these ingredients create a bold flavor explosion. Freshness from the veggies. Sweet and sour from the balsamic glaze. Salt from the cheese. Bitter from the basil. I could easily and guiltlessly eat this every day!

The Ultimate Procrastinator: Happy 2012!!! (...4 Days In)

2012-01-04T13:16:00.000-08:00

O-M-G! I am beyond disbelief that it is 2012! I'm officially 10 years out of high school and certainly not where I pictured myself, as a naive eighteen year old (definitely not a bad thing). I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be pivotal and positive! I am not a big fan of resolutions because, like the other 99% of the population, I have a difficult time keeping them. My "goal" for this year are to refocus on my little, insignificant blog and take it more seriously (i.e. consistent weekly posts, custom domain name, emphasis on proper photography, utilizing social media to the fullest).

That being said, I'd like to show you a little recap of my holiday season....

It started with our beautiful gold and silver tree! This was our first Christmas in the new house and we became all too aware of the fact that we are grown ups now.

Where are all the presents?

Silver and Gold!

Football...lots and lots of football (and ~~several~~ a few tears)

Blue Crew Tailgate

I ate some insanely good food that, to my dismay, is starting to pop up in undesired places. I need to remember: JAMAICA in August, JAMAICA in August, JAMAICA IN AUGUST!

Girls' Night Out at...

Sapporo in Castleton!

Date night hibachi at...

Kabuto's on the south side

- Thanks to my awesome brother and sister-in-law's Christmas gift card, D and I had a kick ass meal at Bonefish Grill off of 86th Street. Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Asian Glazed Sea bass, Filet Mignon & Crab cakes (my mouth is watering just thinking about it)

- I also recently tried 10-01 in Broad Ripple with *Fefe. I love the downstairs lounge/bar. I only nibbled on soup and salad and tried one of their seasonal ambers. I'm definitely looking forward to returning to trial their full menu and beer list.

- FYI Devour Downtown starts in 5 days!!!

And most importantly, I had such an amazing time immersing myself with my wonderful family...

My adorable niece

My grandmother trying desperately to hold up my niece

My brother and beautiful mother

My wild man of a nephew

...and friends

Rock Lobster!

NYE!

and D!...

3...2...1! Happy New Year!

[ 100th Post!!! ] Here Come the Food Trucks! What I'm Eating: Super Street Food Showdown at City Market

2011-11-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, (let's call it a year and half ago) on a warm, early Summer night, a group of my friends and I (after a long night out at the bars) stumbled down the strip and came across an unusual sight in the parking lot of Cardinal Fitness in Broad Ripple. A large, black truck with slightly familiar, yet totally exotic smells wafted in the air and tugged on our nostrils. As it lured us closer I realized that it was a food truck! Yes, the same type of not-so-roach-coach, elevated dining experience on wheels that dominates the streets of big cities like LA and NYC.

West Coast Tacos (the self-proclaimed "Best Damn Tacos") had set up shop in Indianapolis. My friends and I devoured several orders of delicious bulgogi-style beef tacos topped with super spicy red salsa, pico-de-gallo and cilantro on 2 thin, authentic corn tortillas. Being Korean, I already had a natural lust for Korean BBQ and the strong taste buds that could withstand the spicyness of kimchi. But for a lot of people, the unique flavors of Korean cuisine was new, uncharted territory. At the time, WCT, myself and everyone else in Indy, had no idea that their revolutionary courage and business savvy would transform the landscape of food culture in our great city.

Flash forward a year later and it's official, food trucks are here to stay. Over the past summer, close to two dozen food trucks emerged onto the scene. If you were following and trending on Facebook and Twitter, it seemed like almost weekly, a new, distinct concept was launching. Local. Organic. Italian. Cajun. PIZZA. Sweets. I did my best to get around to as many as I could. Living downtown made that easy. And as local businesses and farmers markets saw the no-brainer potential of working with these new food trucks, it became easier and easier to find them.

Now, with the Super Bowl less than 100 days away, the city and the Super Bowl XLVI Host Committee is gearing up to showcase what we have to offer and to accommodate the thousands of hungry, locals and out-of-towners that will be taking over in February. The food trucks are going to be an integral part of making sure everyone is fed, and fed well.

I Love this City!

Last Friday, the Super Bowl Host Committee teamed up with City Market to bring us The Super Street Food Showdown. The main street in front of City Market closed down for 12 competing, local food trucks. There was also a chef competition that featured some of the most talented local chefs around.

Super Street Food Showdown @ City Market

I arrived around 11am hoping to have an advantage over all of the businesses that would be letting out for lunch time. For a while I did. I really wanted to try something from as many trucks as I could.

***Click on the food trucks' names to go directly to their website, Facebook page or Twitter account

West Coast Tacos:

The O.G.s (original gangstas) of Indy food trucks slanging their addictive Korean/Mexican fusion tacos. I went with the Pork Taco. The flavors are out-of-this-world amazing: sweet, spicy, acidic. The red sauce/salsa is killer!

West Coast Tacos

WCT Shredded Pork Taco

The NY Slice:

Serving large, thin crust, over-the-edge NY style slices of pizza. I went with the cheese. Next time, bring on the meat!

The NY Slice

The NY Slice Cheese Pizza

Edward's Dashboard Diner:

I've been to their flagship restaurant and mawed down on their famous tenderloins and onion rings. To make room for other food, I just went with their homemade root beer. So. Freaking. Good.

BTW, they won the competition with the most fan votes. Hoosiers love their tenderloins!

Edward's Dashboard Diner

Dashboard Diner Rootbeer (best in town!!)

KG Slider Station:

I've been following them on Twitter but never been able to get to them. I went with the Southern Bell Rosemary Slider which was their insanely scrumptious version of chicken salad on steroids. This was my winner of the day. The chicken was moist. The flavors were mouth watering. Even after eating a taco and a slice of pizza, this went down with ease!

Slider Station

KG Slider Station Southern Bell Rosemary Chicken Slider (My favorite bite of the day!)

Floribbean Flair:

This food truck, if you can call it that, was new to me. Their appearance didn't quite sell me but the fish tacos and crab cakes on display did. By the time I got in line (which was only noon) they were already out of their coleslaw and only had 3 crab cakes left. I was the lucky last one! I was definitely glad I got one because it was pretty fantastic. Made with real, fresh-tasting lump crab meat, it tasted like ones I've tried down in Maryland. I have to say I was pretty disappointed in the over all presentation and lack of a side but I'm curious to see what the future holds for Floribbean Flair.

Floribbean Flair (They need to upgrade to a food truck ASAP)

Floribbean Flair Crab Cake

Scout's Treats:

Although some of the other trucks offered dessert, Scout's Treats was exclusively sweets. It seemed like everyone down at the event was grabbing something for the road or for back at the office. I was no exception. I went with the Pumpkin Muffin which was topped with a sweet, rich chocolate ganache and a slightly tart cream cheese icing. If that wasn't enough, they even concealed chocolate chips in the muffin. Heavenly!!

Scout's Treats

Scout's Treats Pumpkin Muffin w/ Chocolate Granache, Cream Cheese Icing

The meter was running and my fingers were totally frozen so here are the other trucks that I didn't get around to trying that day:

Mabel on the Move -

Mabel on the Move - kickin' it old school :)

Tacos Without Borders -

Tacos Without Borders

Duos - They are one of my all time faves with a new menu created every day

Scratch Truck - I've tried them a couple times and have never been disappointed

Byrnes Pizza - Their line was so long by the end of my time there but it looked amazing! You can almost always find them at the Flat 12 Bierwerks brewery. What's better than brew and pie!?

Some of This, Some of That - I'd never seen this Cajun food truck before but looking forward to it

I left the event feeling like a complete gluton but totally psyched to have tried some great dishes. I can only imagine what other food trucks are in the works!

The Super Bowl Host Committee is doing a great job getting out in the community and getting the city prepared for the ~~chaos~~ excitement that the Super Bowl will bring to Indianapolis [even if our beloved boys in Blue are probably just going to be spectators.]

On a last note, I am absolutely in love with my new Sprint iPhone 4S! The camera is amazing if you couldn't tell!!

[INDY] Girl in Love A little Fall Gardening + What I'm Cooking: Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup

2011-10-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Where did our Fall go? It seems like we jumped right into Winter here in Indiana. How does it go from mid to upper 80s down to low 40s all in a span of a week? Indiana weather is so finicky sometimes.

Over the weekend D's parents and a couple of his aunts made the drive down to Indy, bringing along plants, trees, and invaluable horticultural knowledge to help rescue our drab-looking back yard. I gained a whole heap of information on how to properly spot and space each section and each particular plant. Also, tips on watering and tools of the trade. They even relocated existing plants that were on improper sides of the yard, moving some from the front to the back and vise verse. It was such a fun experience and the work totally paid off.

There's a spot we left in the corner for a bench

Can't wait to add flowers to this mulch bed and maybe even some fish to the pond!

Loving the beautiful, bright red mums!

It turned out better than I would've imagined and was completed way faster, too. I can't wait to see everything in bloom in the Spring. It's going to look so lush in a couple years.

Later that evening, D and I hosted a BBQ with some of our good friends to fire up our new grill and fire pit. Great times had by all!

What's a better way to embrace the drastic drops in temperature than to whip up a fantastic seasonal soup? About a week and a half ago, I created an amazingly hearty and completely fitting Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup. It is sure to warm you up on these dreadfully cold and misty days.

Preheat oven to 350°F. I started with a standard, whole butternut squash that I halved and placed on a lightly oiled sheet pan and roasted in the oven for about an hour (until tender and scoopable).

As the squash was coming to the end of roasting, I went ahead and prepped and diced my mirepoix (onion, celery and carrots).

I removed the squash from the oven to allow it to cool down enough to handle. Once that was done, I scooped it out and collected the seeds (to be used later on in the recipe).

Heat a large saucepan to medium heat and saute the mirepoix in about a half a tablespoon of canola oil until softened, covering and stirring often.

Next, cube the cooled down squash and then combine it with the mirepoix.

A key feature to this soup was the surprising combination of flavors produced, not only by the rich, buttery squash, but in the bold seasonings:

1 teaspoon of cumin
1/2 teaspoon of ground chipotle chile powder (a new favorite of mine!)
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of all spice

Combine the seasonings into the pan and continue cooking all the ingredients for about 10 to 12 mins.

Stir in approximately 3 cups of vegetable broth and 3 cups of chicken broth. Simmer for about 20 mins or until the vegetables are tender.

I let it cool down for about 20 mins before taking an emulsion blender to it. Although I was anxious to try a spoonful, the thought of hot liquid and veggies splashing up was too much to risk. I put the blender on low and slow while adding a half cup of Greek plain yogurt and then pureed it down til all the chunks were smoothed out.

In the meantime, remember those seeds I saved after coring the squash? I laid them on a cookie sheet, sprayed with canola oil, and then sprinkled with a little bit of salt and ground chipotle. Then I popped them in the oven for a bit to toast.

Horrible picture, but you get the point

Once everything was complete, I poured a bowl out for myself. I am often quite generous when it comes to soup-topping. I went with crumbled bleu cheese, chopped green onions, toasted & seasoned squash seeds, and just a dash of the chipotle chile powder!

Mmm Mmm GOOOD! I wish I still had some left but D and I (mostly me!) devoured it over the next few days. This was one of those recipes that I really had to give myself a pat on the back because it was so unbelievably delicious!

If you decide to give it a try, please let me know what you think! Stay cozy these next few days. It's not supposed to get back into the 60s until this weekend!!

Blogger Meet-up, Date Night & What I'm Eating : Seasons 52

2011-10-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

The seasons are changing. I love it. The leaves. The smells of wood-burning fires. The stylish wardrobe with layers, jeans, sweaters, boots. But my favorite is the change in menus of many restaurants in the area; especially those who focus their menus greatly into what is ripe and in season. One of those restaurants that prides themselves on wisely seeking fresh, regionally sourced meat, poultry, seafood and produce is Seasons 52 (at Keystone at the Crossing). The head and sous chefs boldly experiment with flavors and ingredients while also focusing on healthy portions that create "seasonally-inspired" dishes with 475 calories or less.

A couple weeks ago, I had the honor and privilege of getting to try Seasons 52's new Fall menu before they launched it to the public. Talk about royal treatment. Myself and 4 other local bloggers were treated to an amazing 12-course "tasting" along with carefully paired wines (picked out by our wonderful server, Jason). This experience was so entertaining. Not only did I enjoy the conversations with new acquaintances but the education we received from the head chef, Bill, was equally intriguing.

Here were some of my favorites:

Grade A/Level 1 Seared Ahi Tuna

Organic Arugala Salad with portobello mushrooms, shaved Parmesan cheese and tossed in a truffle dressing. (Who doesn't love the earthy flavors of truffles?)

NOT PICTURED: one of my absolute favorites was the Maple Leaf Farms Sesame Duck Chop Salad tossed with apples, butternut squash, dried cranberries and the surprise flavor of mint! Yum!

Squash Trio: I was hoping there would be squash featured. I was having a hankering so Autumn squash!

Brussels sprouts? Seriously? Yes, they were great! No offense, Mom, but yours have never tasted like these.

(LEFT to RIGHT) Grilled Quail over broccoli; mashed sweet potatoes (not doused in butter or brown sugar, yet sweet and scrumptious); Cajun-style blackened Mahi

We barely had enough room in our stomachs but we all found a spot for this amazing Mini Indulgence: layered Pumpkin Pie and gingersnap crust topped with sweet crème fraiche :)

Myself and the lovely ladies

Please check out these other amazing blogs:

When I got home that night, I shared some of my leftovers with D. A week later, when I was pushing for a DATE NIGHT, D suggested we go to Seasons 52; he wanted to check it out for himself.

We went on a Saturday night with a reservation for 8:15, and when we arrived, it was a full house. We actually elected to sit in a booth in the bar area rather than the large main dining room. This turned out to be a great move because it was much quieter and made for easier conversation. We also got to enjoy the live pianist who softly performed right in the bar (side by side with the bartenders). Such a unique and classy touch. I took more notice of the ambiance and decor. Dark, intimate lighting. Rich, deep wood paneling. Natural stone. Open, airy kitchen.

I knew I was going to go for a seafood dish so I ordered a glass of vino, a South African Sauvignon Blanc, while D enjoyed a Sam Adams seasonal ale. I loved the elegant table side wine pour (even just wine by the glass). We also went ahead and immediately ordered the Steak and Cremini Mushroom Flatbread - grilled, shaved steak, cremini mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese, sauteed onions and fresh basil.

Absolutely amazing!

After a bit of back-and-forth, I decided to go with the Cedar-Planked Grilled Salmon which was accompanied with roasted red potatoes and grilled asparagus and carrots.

It was an excellent choice. The salmon was cooked perfectly, moist and seasoned just with a bit of salt and pepper and I loved the fresh veggies that came with it. I also ordered the Squash Trio that I had enjoyed so much previously.

D went for the Grilled Lamb T-bone Chops; no surprise there! 3 medallions of perfectly grilled lamb served with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and veggies. D quickly devoured his meal; a sure sign that he thoroughly enjoyed it. His only complaint was the amount of meat he received. He thought it was a little sparse considering the higher prices than other restaurants in the area. I tried to reassure him that the price goes into the quality and the careful sourcing.

When the Mini Indulgence dessert tray came by I knew I had to try one. Heck, for $2.50 each, I'd be surprised if there was ever a table that completely passed it up. D swore he was stuffed but I forced a bite on him. He's doesn't have the biggest sweet tooth. I went with the Mocha Macciato.

Light and fluffy. Sweet without being overindulgent. The perfect sweet cap for an amazing night out with D.

Seasons 52
8650 Keystone Crossing
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 846-5252
www.seasons52.com

What I'm Eating: Indianapolis Colts Grille (Downtown)

2011-09-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

The Colts' season might be in jeopardy (before anyone has any criticism or doubt in their mind, let it be known that Indy Girl in Love is NOT a bandwagon fan, never have/never will. Colts forever/Bleed blue/Go Horse!!!!).

I will say that as catchy as "Keep Calm and Kerry On" was, I think the Colts/Irsay/Polian clan should probably be singing the tune of "Keep Calm and Carry On Looking for Manning's Replacement" because Kerry Collins is not going to cut it. We still have an arsenal of talent and he doesn't have the stamina to get the job done. Ok, enough of my Colts rant, for now.

The point of my intro is to let the great people of Indianapolis and furthermore the sulking Colts fans that there is a new place to cheer our beloved (down-but-not-out) team and maybe catch some other exciting games: the Indianapolis Colts Grille. It is located in the heart of downtown across from Circle Center on W Washington St.

I've had the opportunity to get in there twice (surprisingly not during a Colts game). I was getting off work both times so it was more of an impromptu visit.

Let me start of by saying that the Indianapolis Colts Grille is one of the latest creations from the G.R.E.A.T. Grille Group; "a food-first focused, sports-theme restaurant". I describe it as an elevated sport bar. They have the corporate professionalism but they've researched the demographic wisely. Their other successes include the Eddie George's Sports Grille in TN and Jerome Bettis Grille 36 in Pittsburgh.

The entrance is striking...

And look at the entryway....

The restaurant and bar is beautiful with wood paneling, a granite-like bar top, TVs galore (labeled with the games the various games scheduled to play that day) and multiple dining areas that can be opened up or privately enclosed.

There's even a "Coach's Box", a private area with couches and cocktail tables reserved for players and other various VIPs.

I didn't explore the menu much past the appetizers. I'm reserving that for future visits. The menu items do sound enticing and much more creative than a typical fry-everything sports dive bar. The pricing of the food was pretty close to Scotty's, maybe a bit pricier.

So far I've sampled 4 of their starters:

1) Crispy Parmesan and Sausage Crusted Farm Eggs - a delicious play on Scottish Eggs -- these were superb! One of my faves.

2) Korean BBQ Beef Tacos - the beef is marinated in Korean bulgogi flavors and topped with a crispy slaw and spicy aioli. A julienned red peppers and diced slaw salad accompanied it tossed in an Asian "Szechuan-esque" sauce. I liked where they were going but the beef was tough and hard to chew. The flavors were bold but the dish needs improvement.

3) Buffalo Shrimp Wontons - buffalo shrimp "dip" wrapped in wontons and fried crispy, served with a side of house-made chunk bleu cheese. These were D's favorite. I was a fan, as well.

4) Cilantro and Lime Chicken Quesadillas - this was another fantastic appetizer. Grilled chicken, cheese, fresh cilantro in a flavored tortilla topped with a slightly spicy cream drizzle and plated with a fresh roasted tomato salsa and guacamole (needed some heat, maybe jalapeno?)

They offer a wide variety of beers including some local brews, a full bar and great drink specials. I have a sneaking suspicion that come game days it's get there early or you're bellying up a downtown hole in the wall. The space is huge but lets face it, with the Colts Grille, the name says it all. Come Super Bowl (with the Colts participating or sidelined) this is definitely going to be a major hot spot.

We've had a lot of wonderful years as Colts fans; we've been very spoiled and we should be appreciative of all the explosive action and glory in recent years. I just hope people don't forget that. So we might be in for a long road of recovery. It might be nice to be able to sit back, relax, enjoy some great food and drinks with friends during football season without the potential heart attacks and the pressure. I know that Peyton is doing everything he can to do the right thing with his recovery and I'll be waiting anxiously for his return!

Indianapolis Colts Grille
110 W Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-631-2007
Can't find a website yet (not cool!)

What I'm Eating: Slowly Exploring the South Side...Fireside Brewhouse & Yokohama Japanese Cuisine and Sushi House

2011-09-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

I've lived on the south side of Indianapolis for almost 3 months. I haven't checked out the local eateries as much as I'd like to but when I have, it's been nothing but pleasant surprises!...

FIRESIDE BREWHOUSE

Across the I-65 overpass from our house you'll find a plethora of retail shopping and restaurants. It is a vast improvement from where we lived downtown. D and I found a wonderful bar and grill right down the road from us. Fireside Brewhouse, as described on their website is "a family-owned and operated restaurant designed to offer guests a superior Southside dining adventure." I really liked the open, clean atmosphere. There is a decent-sized bar area and 2 dining areas. The staff is nice and friendly without being intrusive. On our first visit we tried a dynamite appetizer, Fireside M-80s. Lightly breaded and fried jumbo shrimp then ~~tossed~~ drenched in a sweet and spicy Thai-inspired sauce then garnished with green onions and sesame seeds. They're placed on a bed of slaw that is equally integral to the whole dish.

We also ordered a thin crust pizza to share between the two of us. Upon recommendation, we chose the Luca Brazzi pizza which is topped with Italian sausage, onions and peppers. We were both pretty disappointed with the pizza. The crust was not memorable, the tomato sauce tasted ~~store-bought, generic,~~ uninspired and one bite and the whole top layer of cheese and toppings came off.

The proximity makes Fireside Brewhouse a go-to place on D and I's list. I look forward to exploring their signature entrees and burgers which sound enticing. I returned this past weekend to watch the unfortunate smack down of the Colts and ordered the M-80s again. I was actually quite surprised that it wasn't more packed during the game.

Fireside Brewhouse

997 East County Line Road
Greenwood, IN 46143

(317) 859-9505

YOKOHAMA JAPANESE CUISINE AND SUSHI HOUSE

The Bride and I were craving sushi a few weeks ago. She had a consultation with the makeup lady in Greenwood so we Googled sushi restaurants in the area. Yokohama is near the heart of downtown Greenwood in a house remodeled into a restaurant. The exterior leaves little to be desired but boy, we weren't disappointed. In fact, I had some of the best sushi in Indiana. The interior is quaint yet comforting. We settled into a booth and were greeted by a friendly woman who took our order as well as made our sushi rolls. Their menu is quite extensive with entrees, bento boxes and a large selection of sushi rolls. The rolls were a bit pricier than other places by a dollar or two. To start, the Bride ordered a small salad and I went with edamame. We decided to order two rolls and split them. We went with the Crazy Crunchy Goben. Tempura shrimp, crab meat, cream cheese and topped with bonito (fish flakes). Fresh, crunchy, yummy.

The second one was the most imaginative, innovative, delicious roll I've ever had. It is something that I crave and salivate over just at the thought. I can't find the name but it is on Yokohama's House Signature Maki menu. It is made with shrimp tempura, mango, cream cheese and wrapped with soy paper. It is topped with a very generous amount of avocado. Finally, a dollop of coconut cream tops it all. They call it a dessert roll but I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.

A friendly gentleman approached our table towards the end of our meal to ask how our experience went and how we had come across Yokohama. I assume he was the owner. I enjoyed how he discussed the menu and made sure we were satisfied. I cannot wait to bring D along.

Yokohama Japanese Cuisine and Sushi House
67 North Madison Ave.
Greenwood, IN 46142
(317) 859-1888

FYI ---> Both Fireside Brewhouse and Yokohama Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar are participating in Savor the Southside which goes until September 18th.

Death to my Corolla

2011-09-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

On August 13th, I was on my way to Taste of the Trucks. I had planned my whole Saturday around this fabulous event, dragging D along for the ride. D decided he wanted to use the restroom before we got there so I headed north on College Ave to stop at the CVS. Unfortunately we never made it. More importantly, we never made it to Taste of the Trucks....

Boom! A guy flew through his stop sign at 62nd street and I slammed into him, totalling my Corolla (and his). Yes, my completely paid off Corolla. Luckily everyone was okay minus some bruising, sore/stiff muscles and a possible minor concussion. I had never experienced an airbag explode in my face and hope to never have it happen again. It was one of the scariest situations that left me shaking; so much so that a beer and a shot didn't help much. Yes, once my car was towed away, D and I met up with some friends and immediately bellied up to the bar.

So in the middle of planning for my best friend's wedding, working and taking care of our new home, I had to add "Look for a new car" to my list. Just got the settlement check today so hopefully I will have something soon.

I'm hoping @IntelMediaGroup will be organizing a fall Taste of the Trucks. I haven't been to a food truck in weeks and I miss them :(

My Best Friend's Wedding

2011-09-01T12:31:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe today is September 1st. Where did the summer go? Where did August go? It was all a blur. I was so consumed in wedding mania that I haven't had time to blog. I've missed it. But I'm back, so here's a recap from last weekend's wonderful soiree...

The Bride's beautiful wedding was perfect, held outdoors at The Historic Ambassador House and Gardens in Fishers, IN.

All of the bridal party got airbrushed make up done by Kathy Moberly of Faces by KLM. She did a marvelous job. We all (and most importantly The Bride) looked like movie stars.

I found the perfect photographer for The Bride: Jeff Dillow Photography. He was the epitome of professional: creative, playful and insightful. I can't wait to see the results.

The ceremony was beautiful but the reception is where all the fun was had....

The food was provided by Edwards Catering (Edwards Drive In). It was served buffet-style including fried chicken, potato wedges, broccoli salad and these out-of-this-world dinner rolls. No pictures but just imagine the perfect home-cooked meal and voila, there you have it.

The cake was made by Fefe's sister. Beautiful!

As the Maid of Honor, I had to make a speech and toast the newlyweds. I was so nervous but nothing a little bit of champagne and whiskey couldn't smooth over.

I am so happy for the two of them. I wish them many years and years of happiness. I might've lost my partner in crime but I've gained a friend (The Groom) and a special niece (their beautiful 1-year old daughter). I love you, sister!